For handicappers in the United States, there are several online sportsbooks that still welcome us. However, we only recommend books that are financially secure and trustworthy, narrowing it down to two great sites.
Our overall favorite online sportsbook is BetOnline.com. For most sports, their lines are posted very early, with a standard vig of 10%. They also offer a lot of props, futures, & live betting as well. During the betting season for the most popular sports, BetOnline offers a variety of special promotions that include free bets, bonuses, & contests.
- Best Us Sportsbooks Online
- Best Us Sportsbook Online
- Best Us Sportsbook Sites
- Best Us Sportsbook
- Best Us Sportsbooks
The other online sportsbook we recommend for US bettors is Bovada. The Bovada Sportsbook is one of the pioneers of the industry, with possibly the best reputation in the business. The main reason we rate them below BetOnline is due to the late posting of their odds. For most sports, BetOnline is much quicker, giving sharps another way to find value. For example, BetOnline posts their NFL point spreads and totals late on Sunday after the day games are complete. Money lines are usually posted by Tuesday. For Bovada, point spreads and totals usually go up on Tuesday, and money lines go up on Friday.
The best US sportsbooks will not only have loads of betting markets on American sports, but also from other lesser known ones. Quality of exotic bets. Special bets like politics, entertainment, awards and player props on the most important sports events are not only a fun way of gambling but can also hold many profitable opportunities. Sportsbetting.ag is one of the up and coming competitors for the title of best sportsbook for US customers. They’ve only been around for a few years, but they’ve raked up quite a number of. The most famous and the best US sportsbook in this category is without a doubt: Bovada Sports (up to $250 in free money for new customers, bonuses for every deposit), this sportsbook is what we would call the kind of prop bets. Here one can wager on thousands of different proposition bets, many sports which cannot be found at other sportsbooks. Intertops Sportsbook has been in business for more then 25 years and is considered to be one of the best online sports betting sites for USA players. One of the features that makes Intertops one of the Best legal USA Sportsbooks is the large number of deposit methods they accept, including EwalletXpress and Usemywallet. The best online sportsbooks have all secured a coveted A+ rating at Sportsbook Review. Bookmaker, Bovada, Heritage Sports, BetOnline, and Pinnacle are among the sportsbooks to.
Reviewing the Best USA Betting Sites for the 2021 Betting Season
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Bovada.lv is our second pick for the 2021 betting season. Their lines are usually posted a few hours after BetOnline. Bovada has been operating their sportsbook since early 2006 with an impeccable reputation. Bovada has a good selection of prop bets and live betting in addition to betting on 80+ thoroughbred and harness racing tracks. This includes the Kentucky Derby. If your looking for a solid sportsbook that accepts USA players, Bovada.lv is it!
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Bet Online is our number one sportsbook for US players. BetOnline.com posts their lines early, in addition to offering live betting and they have higher betting limits than Bovada. BetOnline.com has been the #1 US sportsbook for a number of years with a great reputation. US bettors will have no problems funding their accounts as this sports book accepts Visa, Mastercard, eChecks, American Express in addition to MoneyGram and Wire transfers.
Most people place their bets within 24-36 hours before a game begins, so early lines may not mean much to you. However, there are times when value can be found by betting early. Football and basketball are good examples, where the best odds on big favorites can often be found right after the lines have been posted.
Live betting continues to grow in popularity, and Bovada has a distinct advantage in this area. They have possibly the best live betting software in the entire industry, with a wide variety of betting options. Bovada also has a great poker room and full-fledged online casino powered by RTG software.
Both sites accept Visa credit & debit cards for deposits, but BetOnline also accepts Mastercard and AMEX. People who bet frequently need to have funded accounts at both sites so they can shop for the best prices. Why take -3.5 (-110) on an NFL game if you can get -3 (-110) somewhere else? If you aren’t comparing odds & vig, you’re costing yourself money.
Below are some comparisons between these betting sites for the most popular sports.
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Best US Sportsbook to Bet on NFL & NCAA College Football
Bovada Sportsbook: Later NFL and NCAA football lines than BetOnline, but a better selection of prop bets and live betting. Unique lines within the industry, and the best prices can often be found here. $1 minimum live bets, and wagers can be placed on almost every down.
BetOnline: Very early lines for both NFL and NCAA football. NCAA point spreads & totals (over/unders) usually get posted on Saturday night, and money lines usually go up on Sunday or Monday. For NFL football, spreads and totals go up Sunday night, with money lines posted on Monday or Tuesday. Live betting is offered for big NFL and NCAA football games, but the selection of live betting options is stronger at Bovada.
Best US Sports book to Bet On NBA & NCAA College Basketball
Bovada Sportsbook:Odds usually go up a few hours after BetOnline, but dime lines are offered on game day. Live betting is available for 1-3 games per night during the NBA season, with a fun variety of betting options. Excellent betting options for NCAA basketball, plus live betting for the biggest games every week. A fun variety of bracket leagues are offered during March Madness.
BetOnline:Early NBA and NCAA basketball lines. Live betting for big games, but the selection is weaker than Bovada. Dime lines offered for all NBA and NCAA games (sometimes not available until game day). Special promotions & free contests offered during the NCAA basketball betting season.
Best USA Sports Book to Bet On MLB Baseball
Bovada Sportsbook: MLB dime lines available on game day. Lots of player & team prop bets, and better live betting than BetOnline. Run lines go up too late for our liking, but the superior selection of props is enough to rank them slightly above BetOnline.
BetOnline: Once again, BetOnline posts their baseball odds sooner than Bovada, and they offer dime lines as well. If you like to bet run lines, you need to have an account at BetOnline because Bovada’s late run lines will drive you crazy (and make it harder to find value on favorites). MLB baseball props and live betting options available at BetOnline are weak.
Betting on NHL Hockey
For NHL hockey, we rank these sites evenly. Bovada’s lines go up later, but they offer a few more props. Both sites take their Stanley Cup futures down early, and US bettors don’t have many good options for these bets. Our best recommendation is to get your NHL futures bets in before the season begins. Both sites offer a bit of live betting for NHL hockey, but neither excel in this area. For the variety of betting options on games that are offered, we give a slight edge to Bovada. The best idea is to have funded accounts at both sites to multiply your NHL betting options.
Best US Sports Book to Bet on UFC, MMA & Boxing
Bovada Sportsbook: This is an easy call. Bovada is far superior to BetOnline for UFC, MMA (Strikeforce, Bellator), and boxing. Believe it or not, but Bovada actually posts their UFC lines much earlier than BetOnline, sometimes weeks or even months in advance. They offer a much better selection of fights as well. This is great for sharp handicappers who know these sports well. Incredibly early lines available at Bovada give bettors a chance to find a lot of value if they can correctly predict the direction of a line. It’s not uncommon to see a fighter listed at something like -300 two months before the fight, then -425 a few days before the event. The same can be said in the opposite direction as well. Bovada also offers a lot of prop bets and alternative betting options for outright winners. BetOnline doesn’t even compare in this category.
BetOnline: There is one reason to sign up at BetOnline if you’re looking to bet on UFC & MMA. This is to compare odds for outright winners. While Bovada offers a much better selection of betting options, prices for outright winners need to be compared. When one site offers more value on one fighter, the other site will usually offer better value for the opponent. Odds for boxing matches go up late as well, but again, bettors need to have an account here to shop for the best price.
Best USA Sportsbook to Bet on Horse Racing
Bovada: The Bovada Racebook is massive, with 80+ thoroughbred and harness racing tracks offered. Most of the tracks are located in the US, but other popular international tracks & races are available as well. Professional race analysis and track conditions are offered every day. The Bovada Racebook offers all of the betting options that experienced & professional handicappers expect. The downside is that professional handicappers will get limit collars if they win too much. So, this is a great racebook for casual and low-medium stakes bettors, but not as good for professionals. We rank Bovada ahead of BetOnline primarily because most people are not high stakes bettors. Although the horse racing betting limits are higher at BetOnline, the vast majority of customers bet less than the maximums allowed at Bovada. So, the variety of tracks offered and superior software at Bovada wins overall.
BetOnline: The main benefit of the BetOnline Racebook is the ability for professional and high-stakes handicappers to bet how they want, without worrying about getting cut off or limit collared. Betting limits and potential payouts are higher at BetOnline, and there’s never an issue with getting paid. The variety of tracks available isn’t as wide as it is at Bovada, but there are still dozens of tracks offered almost daily. All of the standard horse racing bets that professional and casual handicappers expect are available.
The world of sports betting is quite different in different parts of the world. If you live in Asia or many parts of Europe, you believe that having a betting partner close and ready to work with you is the standard reality – and it’s not. The United States, one of the richest and most developed countries in the world, has long had a war on sports betting.
Thankfully, in our times, one can practice sports betting from US territories, under certain conditions. The purpose of this article is not only to highlight these conditions, but also give some inputs around the best sports betting websites for US customers, and the special welcome offers and signup bonuses they have for new players who want to try their hand at online betting
Betting on sports in the United States has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry over the past decade or so. While most people might think of Las Vegas when it comes to the actual sportsbooks that handle the betting action, this growth has been primarily fueled by a number of US online sportsbooks that especially cater to players in the United States.
Best Online Sportsbooks For US Players
What makes the best online betting websites different from the rest? Lots of things, actually. The biggest differentiator for US customers is, of course, the legality and reputation of the website – nobody wants to start betting only to find out that some shady company ran away with all your money.
Another big differentiator is their welcome offer, meaning the amount of money they offer as a bonus for new customers who join their website. And last but not least, there are a wealth of other factors like the company’s customer support, their sports offer, the quality of their odds, money management, and much more. Sounds complicated? It might be, but that’s why we’re here: we do this analysis so you don’t have to.
Choosing the best US sportsbook can be simple if you read our reviews and analysis thoroughly. In this industry, there is no “one-size-fits-all”, so some input from the punter is required. No two betting enthusiasts are the same. Some play to make serious money, while others play more for the “fun” factor, to watch games with a little extra incentive.
Some prefer to place small bets, while others are big players and often place several hundreds of dollars on a single selection. Some punters prefer going with the flow and trusting their gut, while others have very disciplined betting systems. At the end of the day, there is an online betting site and some great bookies bonuses for everyone – all you have to do is look.
Is Online Betting Legal In The USA?
But first things first – we have to clear the legal aspects around the US sports betting industry. We won’t go into history that much. In short, sports betting was illegal in almost all states, with the exception of Nevada, for the longest period of time. There was a law called PASPA which prohibited US companies to take wagers from US citizens which was in effect until 2018, when it was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Best Us Sportsbook Online
This doesn’t mean that sports betting is now widely legal in the United States, because it’s not. Only a handful of states have joined Nevada in legalizing sports betting, and these states are Delaware, Montana and Oregon. Most states can now pass their own gambling laws, at least until the US Congress will pass a federal law.
Notice how we mentioned that the interdiction set by PASPA was for companies? That’s exactly how online betting can be legal in the US. To summarize:
- It is illegal for a sportsbook to operate within the United States
- It is not illegal for a sportsbook operating outside the USA (for example, an offshore) to accept customers from the US
- It is not illegal from people inside the United States to use offshore sportsbooks
Best Us Sportsbook Sites
That’s how the websites we’re about to present work at the moment. They’re headquartered outside the US, in places like the Caribbean, and cater to US customers. The issues with legality in the United States have deterred many of the biggest players in the industry to accept customers from the US, mostly because they don’t want the legal hassle.
That doesn’t mean that the betting websites which operate in the US aren’t up to the required standards, it just means that they’re not that famous. We’re here to make sure that we analyze them thoroughly, because US punters can finally bet on the sports they love which brings us to our list of requirements around an online betting site.
How To Find The Best Sportsbooks In The US
These requirements are the answers to the question “what makes a sports betting website great?“. We’ll provide the requirements in the next paragraphs, as well as a couple of answers at the end – a list which we believe are, at this moment in time, the best bookmakers for US betting enthusiasts. Our criteria are:
Legality. We’ve discussed legality in depth in the previous paragraphs, so there isn’t a lot to add. In short, although you’re using an offshore sportsbook, make sure that they’re certified by the appropriate gambling authorities for the country they are headquartered in. If all their licenses are in order, you can usually rest assured that they’re a competent bookmaker and won’t just run away with your money.
US sports leagues. Accepting customers from the United States is one thing – catering to their needs and wants is a completely different affair. Americans are crazy about sports – this is a well-known fact. They’re especially crazy about baseball, basketball, football and hockey, and less so about soccer and tennis, which are leading sports in other parts of the world.
A serious sportsbook which wants to attract US customers has to have large offers around the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS and NBA, as well as most college leagues in the US. American punters are rarely interested in other sports, for a wealth of reasons like lack of serious fan bases, lack of sports enthusiasts, time zone differences, and other things.
Welcome offers and bonus schemes. This is the biggest differentiator between betting websites. More often than not, customers will choose their favorite bookmaker depending on the amount of “free money” they can receive in the form of bonuses – both at signup and afterwards. Of course, this is not free money, since it is subject to rollover conditions and other rules, but this doesn’t stop sportsbooks from constantly trying to one-up each other, much to the delight of punters.
Number and quality of lines. Most sports on which Americans love to bet involve “lines”, the American expression for handicap betting. Simply put, sometimes it isn’t enough to just know who will win a game, it also matters to know by what margin. The more lines a certain bookmaker offers for a game, the more choices you have as a punter to fine-tune your betting idea. If a sportsbook only offers the most basic lines, you might want to look for different alternatives on the market.
Live betting has become more and more important in recent years, given the wealth of devices which you can use to watch a sports game. Just think about this: you’re on your smartphone, watching a sports stream, and are struck by inspiration and want to place a bet. Your bookmaker must be able to accommodate this request in a matter of seconds, not minutes, or else your window might shut. A quality live betting service offers little to no lag, lots of options, as well as the possibility to watch games directly in the broker’s platform.
Mobile betting usually goes hand in hand with live betting, but not always. More than half of the traffic on the entire internet comes from mobile devices in 2019, so not having a mobile-optimized website (or dedicated betting app) is not acceptable. It’s no longer a differentiator – things like ease of execution and operation are. A mobile-friendly website is a minimum requirement nowadays.
Customer support. Gone are the days when people considered acceptable to wait days for an answer from customer support via e-mail. Now, they all need quick, professional answers, preferably in real time, and without the need to use a phone. The brokers which offer live chat on desktop and mobile seem to have a lot of more positive reviews than their counterparts which do not offer this feature.
Money management. People use their debit and credit cards for online betting. This is the standard nowadays. But what about e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill or Neteller? What about cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin? What about prepaid cards? How anonymous are the transactions? These are all questions a sportsbook must answer. Although many of them accept all kinds of means to deposit and withdraw money, be wary – some of these procedures might not qualify you for bonuses. Read the terms and conditions carefully before opening an account.
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These terms are usually clearly posted on their website and they can easily be ascertained through their customer service department. When it comes to wagering on the games themselves, each of these books will offer betting odds for any number of sports, not just U.S. sports leagues betting but also other competitions and tournaments around the globe.
Betting Odds Forms Available In The USA
Primarily, there are three different forms of betting odds available.You will hardly miss this in USA betting sites.The first is themoneyline kind of wager. This is the one you bet on the team orindividual you think will win the match without any point spreads orvariables. You simply need to choose the team you think will win and beton it. This is the common variation of betting mostly used.
Another common mode of betting is the point spread. When betting onthe spread, you will be allowed to wager on the score difference betweenthe teams playing. When there is a spread of 7 and you bet on thefavorite, the team will have to win by 7 for a push or by 8 to make awin.
The over/under otherwise referred to as the total score kind ofbetting is another odd variant you ought to know about. This bet givesyou the opportunity to bet on whether or not the total score between allcompetitors will be below or above the amount that has beenpredetermined.
Understanding American Odds
American odds are easy to understand and work with. The number that is represented on the odd indicates how much you need to bet to win $100. When the number is preceded with a ‘+’ sign, you will risk less than $100 to make a win of $100. When it is preceded by ‘–‘ sign, you will need to risk more than $100 to make a $100 win.
The majority of sports betting sites is in the form of wagers onsides and totals. Betting a side in a game usually involves a pointspread where the favorite gives a set number of points to an underdog toeven the playing field. Sportsbooks also set money lines on certaingames where the odds are based on a set return for both the favorite andthe underdog off a base of 100.
A wager on betting odds for a total involves the final score eitherstaying “under” or going “over” a set number. There are also a widevariety of “exotic” bets in the form of parlays, teasers and pleasers,reverse bets, if-bets and round robins just to name a few. Mostsportsbooks offer a thorough explanation of all these type of bets ontheir website.
Recommended US Online Sportsbooks
Those are the things we judge sportsbooks by, and strongly recommend you use them as well, if you want to conduct independent reviews. Ours are done over a longer period of time, not just a few days – we usually open an account with a betting operator and play at least a month or two before reaching conclusions. In this time, we run into problems, we win, we lose, we do it all to make sure we have the ultimate sports betting experience and aren’t easily fooled. There are a few websites which stand out from the crowd after this process, and we’re more than happy to share them with you:
Best Us Sportsbooks
Sportsbetting.ag is one of the up and coming competitors for the title of best sportsbook for US customers. They’ve only been around for a few years, but they’ve raked up quite a number of customers. They’re an all in one gambling site containing a sportsbook, a casino, a poker website and a skill gaming platform, although most of their traffic is done on the sportsbook. They also benefit from having a great name which appears at the top of Google searches, which brings lots of leads to their website. Their responsibility is to transform these leads into paying customers – a job which they do brilliantly so far.
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Bovada is a titan of the US betting industry and one of the more recognizable names in the industry – and all for good reason. They’re an industry leader in the US since their rebranding as „Bovada” in 2011 and are mostly known for their very wide offer. They offer everything from classic sports to politics, special selections and whatnot, and we’re really surprised with how deep they can go. They accept many kinds of payment solutions, have many useful sections (such as NFL match previews), and provide great welcome bonuses for new customers. They’re one of the go-to choices for most of our readers, and we can’t think of many things we can blame them for. For a more in-depth review, visit our bookmakers review page.
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Betonline, the final broker which we wish to mention, is also one which profits from google searches a whole lot. Lots of people reach the website, and a good number of them actually open accounts with the broker. They’re an overall good pick, excelling like money management, new technologies, and the way their website and solution works overall.
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If you want to learn more about these sports betting sites, as well as many more from the American sports betting industry, please visit our Sportsbook Reviews page. You will find long, in-depth articles on all the sportsbooks mentioned above, and a lot more. In those articles, we carefully analyze all the components of their offer and their business. We also give conclusions at the end of each article, if we recommend opening an account with them – or not.
Summary
At the end of the day, we hoped we were able to shed some light on how the current state of the American sports betting industry looks like, how betting sites should be analyzed, and who we believe are the leaders of this industry nowadays. These are general pieces of information which will be useful for anyone wanting to start (or continue) their sports betting journey in the US. We know how much Americans love sports – it would be a shame not being able to place wagers on them.