Best Betting Sites in the USA – Top Online Sportsbooks August 2024

Comparing the Best Betting Sites for US Players

Here, you’ll find an overview of each of the five sportsbooks reviewed above, plus a few runners-up. Learn about welcome bonuses, the number of sports markets, the availability of live betting, and more.

How We Select Top Betting Sites and Online Sportsbooks

When it comes to how we rank gambling sites, then the team at Sportscasting has carefully selected criteria that you and other sports bettors find most important.

Payment Methods & Security

• Deposit & Payout Methods: The best betting sites should accept a wide range of deposit and payout options. We looked for sportsbooks that accept crypto, credit/debit cards, money orders, cashier’s checks, player-to-player transfers, and e-wallets, such as PayPal. We also prioritized sportsbooks that accept bank transfers from US banks.
• Payout Times: When you’re ready to cash out, you don’t want to wait for weeks to get your winnings. That’s why we chose online sportsbooks with a reputation for lightning-fast payouts. Many of the sportsbooks we reviewed have payout speeds of just minutes if you use crypto. For other payment methods, payout speed averages one to five business days.
• Safety: All the online sports betting sites we reviewed are licensed and 100% secure. You never have to worry about having your information stolen or a sportsbook rigging bets. Any reputable sports betting app should also protect transactions with SSL encryption.

Bonuses, Offers & Promotions

• Bonuses and Promotions: All the sportsbooks we reviewed offer a generous sign-up bonus when you make your first deposit. Some sportsbooks also offer promos for regulars, such as risk-free bets, daily odds boosts, and bonus bets. At a few, you can even get bonus money back if your bet loses.
• Terms and Conditions – We check rollover requirements, expiry dates, minimum deposits, and every essential found in the T&C’s fine print.

Customer Support

• Customer Service: It’s comforting to have customer support readily available if something goes wrong during your betting experience. Every sports betting site we reviewed offers 24/7 live support through email, chat, or phone.
• FAQ’s – Most sportsbooks have a useful self-help section as well. We award ticks to those sites offering a comprehensive FAQ section, as it can address common questions with speed.

Betting Odds & Sports Markets

• Depth of Markets: No matter how good the odds are at an online sportsbook, it doesn’t matter much if you can’t find your favorite markets. That’s why we looked for sportsbooks with competitive odds and a good range of markets, including both mainstream and niche markets.
• Range of Sports: Most sportsbooks allow you to bet on college football, basketball, and baseball, but what about Alpine skiing or Gaelic hurling? We picked online sportsbooks with an impressive variety of sports to choose from. You’ll never run out of sports to bet on at our top picks.

User Interface & Mobile Experience

• Mobile Interface: Want to enjoy legal sports betting on the go? When you use any of the sports betting sites above, you can do just that. Although none of these online sportsbooks have their own sports betting apps, all are optimized to work flawlessly on your Android or Apple device. A few sportsbooks, such as TG.Casino, are even accessible through the Telegram app.

Reputation & Trust

• Consistent Track Record – Our gambling sites consistently provide an excellent service. We know as we conduct in-depth research to discover their reliability with real money transactions.
• Impartiality & Feedback – We also pride ourselves on remaining  impartial and trustworthy. We also check for licenses from reputable regulatory bodies for legal frameworks, while ensuring fairness of the games via Random Number Generators (RNGs). Finally, we respect player feedback, examining the website’s history, and assessing its reputation.

Please refer to our editorial policy for further guidelines.

Bonuses and Promos Available at the Best US Betting Sites

You’ll find many different promos at the best betting websites. Here, you can learn about the best sportsbook promos for sports fans.

• Sign-Up Bonus: Also called a welcome bonus or sportsbook bonus, the sign-up bonus matches your first deposit by a certain amount. For example, you could get a 100% matching sign-up bonus of up to $1,000.
• No-deposit bonus: No-deposit bonuses don’t require you to deposit any money to earn them. However, they can have high wagering requirements.
• Risk-free bets: Risk-free bets are one of the best sportsbook bonuses. If you don’t win your bet, the sportsbook gives you a free bet so you can try again.
• Bonus bets: With a bonus bet, the best betting site will give you a prize if your bet wins.
• First bet safety net: This bonus refunds your entire bet if the bet loses, up to a certain amount. As the name implies, this bonus is only good for your first bet.
• Odds boosts: When a betting site offers odds boosts, you can get more money if your bet is correct.
• Reload bonuses: Reload bonuses are similar to the sign-up bonus but on a smaller scale. Some of the sportsbooks we reviewed will match your deposit on certain days of the week.

Comparing Sign-Up Bonuses at the Top US Sportsbooks

Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about welcome bonuses at the top sports betting sites, including promo codes, wagering requirements, minimum deposits, and expiration dates.

Advantages of Sports Betting Websites Compared to Retail Locations

Online betting offers several advantages over retail sports betting. They include:

• Exciting bonuses and promos: Online betting sites offer so many bonuses and promos that retail sports betting simply can’t compare. You can score a sign-up bonus, bonus bets, odds boosts, reload bonuses, and much more.
• Convenience: In many states, sports betting legislation only allows for a few retail betting locations. This can be very inconvenient if you don’t live nearby. Online betting, on the other hand, allows you to access your favorite betting markets from anywhere. You can even place bets using your tablet or mobile phone.
• Live betting and streaming: The top sports betting sites enable you to watch games in real time. That means you can make informed bets and boost your chances of winning. Online betting sites also provide real-time odds updates and statistics, which is something you won’t get at a retail location.
• Betting options: The best betting sites provide a variety of ways to place your bet, including same-game parlays, futures, and prop bets. You’ll never get that many options at a retail betting site, and you’ll find it keeps things interesting in a fun and engaging way.
• Variety of sports: At a retail betting site, you might be able to bet on the basics, such as college football, basketball, and baseball. But at online betting sites, you can bet on 30+ sports, including martial arts, boxing, skiing, motorcycle racing, rugby, and snooker.
• Bet with crypto: The best sports betting apps allow you to use cryptocurrency instead of fiat money. That means you’ll enjoy anonymity and a quick payout speed.

How To Bet on Sports Online in the USA

If you’re a newcomer to online sports betting, Sportscasting has you covered. Here’s how to sign up and start placing bets.

1. Pick a betting site: Choose one of the best online betting sites from the list above. All are licensed, safe, and 100% legal in the US.
2. Choose to Sign-Up: Choose the ‘Join’ or ‘Sign-Up’ button often found at the top of the website. Click through to initiate the registration process.
3. Enter your information: Enter your name, date of birth, email address, and any other information requested by the betting site. You might also have to provide a copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
4. Create a Username & Password: Select a unique username and password for your personal account.
5. Confirm your identity: If the betting site requires ID verification, you’ll have to wait for this process to complete before you can place bets. The process usually takes a few hours but can take up to 24 hours in some cases.
6. Set Account Limits: Customize your preferences, including odds format, deposit, withdrawal and betting limits, plus other personal settings such as communication.
7. Opt for Offers & Bonuses: Most betting websites offer welcome bonuses for new bettors. If applicable, opt-in for the welcome bonus during the registration part so that it is made available when you deposit later on, or follow the instructions for claiming it.
8. Read and Accept Terms & Conditions: Make yourself aware of the platform’s T&C’s, privacy policies, and responsible gaming guidelines. If agreeing to these terms, then click either “Accept” or “Agree”.
9. Verify Email (If Needed): There may be a request to send a verification link to your email. Click through the link and verify your email to activate your betting account.
10. Make a deposit: Make your first deposit using your preferred payment method, whether that’s crypto, credit card, bank transfer, or e-wallet. Ensure that you deposit enough to claim the sign-up bonus (varies by sportsbook; usually about $50 or $100).
11. Claim your sign-up bonus: Enter a promo code to claim your sign-up bonus, if required (we’ve listed some promo codes for you above). Some sportsbooks don’t require a code and will apply the sign-up bonus automatically if you’ve made the minimum deposit.
12. Start betting: Now you’re ready to start placing bets on your favorite betting markets. Have fun and good luck!

USA Sports Betting Overview

With the advent of legalized sports betting, the sports betting landscape has changed rapidly in recent years. Online sports betting, in particular, has experienced rapid growth that doesn’t show signs of slowing anytime soon.

The online sports betting market is expected to reach $9.65 billion in 2024. By 2029, analysts expect the number of users to hit 54.7 million, resulting in a projected market volume of more than $17 billion.

Here are some fast facts about the state of the sports betting industry:

• Launch date of legal sports betting: May 2018
• Legal sports betting age: 21 (18 for lotteries, horse betting, and daily fantasy sports)
• Number of states where you can bet legally: 38
• Number of states where you can bet online: 29

Is Online Betting Legal in the USA?

Is sports betting legal in the US? And are online sportsbooks legal in general? The simple answer to both questions is yes, but the reality is more complicated than that.

In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court made a ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting within their borders. Online sports betting launched shortly after. Currently, 38 states have opted to legalize sports betting. Of those, 29 allow online sports betting.

Online betting is very tightly regulated. Bettors must be physically located in the state or jurisdiction in which they want to place bets (applies to state-sanctioned platforms). In some states, bettors must go to a retail location to place bets online via their tablet or phone.

Ultimately, legalizing sports betting is decided at the state level. To avoid running into trouble, check your state’s laws before you place a bet.

State Betting Laws: How Is Sports Betting Governed Across the United States?

Is sports betting legal in your state? It might be. Sports betting laws vary drastically from one state to the next. Some allow retail betting but not online betting, and vice-versa. Several states allow both.

Below, find information about the legality of retail sports betting and online betting in your state.

How Are Betting Winnings Taxed?

You may think that all the money you win from sports betting is yours to keep, but that’s not the case. The IRS considers your winnings to be income, just like wages from your job. That means you have to pay taxes on the winnings as you would any other income.

Some states may require you to pay taxes on betting income, too. Additionally, online betting may be taxed more than retail betting.

Are Offshore Betting Sites Legal in the USA?

If online betting is illegal where you live, you might think of avoiding the restriction by heading to an offshore betting site. Is doing so legal? That depends on the state in which you live.

There are no federal laws that expressly target bettors using offshore sportsbooks. However, many states have laws that prohibit the use of offshore books. For instance, in Michigan and Nevada, it’s illegal to place a bet with a sportsbook that isn’t authorized to operate within the state. Regardless, at the time of this writing, no bettor has ever been prosecuted for using an offshore betting site.

Although offshore sites have a dubious reputation, you’ll be safe as long as you stick to a licensed sportsbook, such as those reviewed above. The best online betting sites have a track record of paying out winnings and protecting bettors’ information.

Offshore Betting vs. Legal Betting: A Quick Overview

Here, we’ve listed some pros and cons of offshore betting vs. legal sports betting to help you make an informed decision.

Popular Sports To Bet Online in the USA

New to sports betting and don’t know where to start? That’s understandable. Many sportsbooks offer 30+ markets, so finding your favorites at the best betting site can be a real challenge.

Below, find information about some of the most popular sports to bet on in the USA, including football, basketball, baseball, and golf.

NFL Football Betting

If sports betting had a popularity contest, NFL betting would win hands down. At the best betting sites, you can bet on beloved teams, such as the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, as well as individual players. Prop bets you can make at NFL betting sites include the number of points scored, touchdowns, yards traveled, and more.

Related Content: How to Bet on NFL

NBA Basketball Betting

NBA betting sites allow you to bet on fan favorites like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks. You can bet on futures (who will win next year’s championship), individual players, and team wins. Props include points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers, and steals.

Related Content: How to Bet on NBA Championship

MLB Baseball Betting

If you’re a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, or Baltimore Orioles, you’ll have a blast at MLB betting sites. Popular prop bets include the first team to score, extra innings, over/under on total runs, runs scored in the first inning, and margin of victory. Sound good? Head to an MLB betting site and claim your sportsbook bonus now.

Related Content: How to Bet on Soccer

Tennis Betting

Serena Williams is practically a household name, but don’t forget about heavy hitters like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Maria Sharapova. At the top tennis betting sites, you can bet on all of these famous players and more. Live tennis betting offers loads of fun as you watch the action unfold in real time. Prop bets include most aces, most double faults, and who will win the first/second set.

Related Content: How to Bet on Tennis

Golf Betting

Will your favorite golf player hit a hole-in-one, or will that ball go flying into the rough? It’s hard to beat the excitement you’ll find at the best golf betting sites. You can bet on outrights, finishing position, matchups, and more. Two popular prop bets in golf include bets on the winner’s nationality and head-to-head bets on which player in a group will be most successful.

Related Content: How to Bet on Golf

Boxing Betting

Boxing offers a display of raw strength and fierce determination. It’s one of the oldest sports in the world and one of the most popular. If you’re a fan, you’ll have a blast at boxing betting sites.

At these sites, you can bet on famous boxers such as Naoya Inoue, Canelo Alvarez, and Terence Crawford. Common boxing bets include wins, losses, and draws. Prop bets include referee point deductions, winning method (KO or TKO), and go the distance (betting that the fight will last for the entire scheduled time).

Related Content: How to Bet on Boxing Matches

Esports Betting

With so many exciting virtual games out there, it’s no wonder that esports betting sites have exploded in popularity. You can bet on games like Call of Duty, Valorant, League of Legends, and dozens more.

Esports betting is much like betting on traditional sports. Common bets include outright winner, group winner, over/under, and total rounds. In some games, you can place first-blood bets on the player who gets the first kill (League of Legends, Counter-Strike) and map winner (DOTA 2).

Horse Racing

Can’t make it to the racetrack to bet on your favorite ponies? Horse racing betting sites are the next best thing. Compared to other sports, betting on horses is fairly simple. You can bet on a horse to come in first, second, or third (called show). If you want to dive deeper, you can place an exacta bet (the first two horses to cross the finish line).

For the biggest payout, go for the trifecta (the first three horses to come in first, second, and third). This is the hardest bet to win, but the payoff can be huge.

Sports News: Staying at the Top of Your Betting Game

It’s tough to place winning bets at the best betting sites if you’re not keeping up with the latest sports news. Luckily for you, there’s no need to crawl the internet looking for the most promising teams and upcoming matches. We’ve done all the work for you to help you make informed bets at online sports betting sites. So take a look at the most recent news, then place your bets and get ready to win.

Betting Guides: Become a Value Bettor With Our Dedicated Resources

Are you a newcomer to the sports betting world? Don’t know the difference between prop bets and parlays? That’s okay; we all have to start somewhere!

Online sports betting can seem a bit confusing to newbies. What do all those football, basketball, and golf terms mean? Should you bet on the underdog or the sure pick? Which betting site offers the best odds?

It’s certainly a lot to wrap your head around. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve got you covered with in-depth betting guides to help you learn the ropes. Check them out, and you’ll go from a betting newbie to a total pro in no time.

Responsible Gambling

Sports betting is tons of fun, so it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement and bet more than you intended. Follow these responsible gambling tips to help you keep problem gambling at bay:

• Set a betting limit and stick to it – once you’ve gone over that limit, quit placing bets — no exceptions.
• Don’t chase your losses – just because you’ve lost a few rounds doesn’t mean you’re due to win the next one.
• Use sportsbooks that offer responsible gambling tools – many sportsbooks allow you to exclude yourself from betting for a certain period, such as one to five years.
• Don’t place bets when you’ve been drinking or using drugs – you should also avoid betting when you’re stressed or anxious.
• Only bet with money that’s yours – if you run out of money to place bets, don’t borrow more.
• Don’t think of sports betting as a way to make money – Never rely on it as a means to pay bills or pay off debt.

Need more help? Check out these responsible gambling resources.

Conclusion on the Best Sports Betting Websites in the USA

You can’t go wrong with any of the sports betting sites we reviewed. All offer a fantastic range of markets, in-play betting, a lightning-fast payout speed, and an impressive sign-up bonus for newcomers.

After doing in-depth research, we’ve chosen BetOnline as the best sports betting site overall. It’s the best betting site because it features dozens of markets to choose from, loads of betting options, and a slick and responsive user interface that provides easy access to the day’s top events. Plus, if you sign up now, you can get a matching sportsbook bonus of up to $250. What’s not to love?

So, head over to BetOnline, claim your sign-up bonus, and start placing bets on your favorite teams now.

USA Online Sports Betting FAQs