Online sports betting in USA

Table of contents

The sports betting industry is becoming a major pastime activity in the US. Online sports betting is becoming legal in more and more states in the country, and we are here to inform you about everything there is to know about online sports betting in the US.

Best online sports betting sites in the US

FanDuel Best betting site for beginners
DraftKings Best betting site for welcome bonuses
PointsBet Best betting site for mobile wagering
Caesars Best betting site for odds boosts
BetRivers Best betting site for in-play betting
BetWay Best betting site for fast payouts
FOXBet Best betting site for parlay bets
BetMGM Best betting site for live streaming
Unibet Best betting site risk-free bets
WynnBet Best betting site for no deposit bonuses

We’ve tested and reviewed all major betting sites in the United States. We looked at factors like design, sports available, payout speed, and odds. Below is a list of the best online sports betting sites right now:

FanDuel

FanDuel is one of the most popular sports betting sites in the US. The operator is best known for hosting daily fantasy sports games, offering to wager on individual sporting events.

FanDuel’s main attraction is its daily fantasy sports contests, which allow participants to pick a team of real-life athletes and score points based on how well they perform throughout a season. Players can join as many contests as they want, with prizes ranging from free entry into other contests to cash prizes.

📋 Online betting site: FanDuel
🏅 Welcome bonus: 1000$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ FanDuel is legal in: AZ, CT, CO, IA, IN, IL, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, WY, VA, WV, & TN.

DraftKings

DraftKings is one of the largest and most popular betting sites in the US. It’s also one of the few sites offering daily fantasy sports (DFS) games for football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

DraftKings offers a wide range of betting options for all major professional sports leagues in the US: NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. The site also features horse racing, golf, and tennis tournaments.

📋 Online betting site: DraftKings
🏅 Welcome bonus: 500$ deposit bonus
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ DraftKings is legal in: CT, CO, AZ, IL, IN, IA, NY, MI, NH, NJ, LA, OR, PA, TN, VA, WY, & WV.

PointsBet

PointsBet is one of the newer betting sites on the market, and it has quickly become one of the best. They offer a wide variety of betting options, including unique props that you won’t find anywhere else.

PointsBet offers a wide variety of betting options and unique props that you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re looking for something different from your normal online sportsbook, PointsBet should be high on your list.

📋 Online betting site: PointsBet
🏅 Welcome bonus: 2000$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ PointsBet is legal in: MI, WV, IN, IA, PA, NJ, NY, CO, VA & IL

Caesars

Caesars is a large, well-known casino chain that now has branched off to sports betting. It has been around for decades and is one of the biggest names in Las Vegas.

The company owns more than 50 hotels and casinos across the US and Canada, including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe. Caesars offers a vast variety of betting options and great welcome bonuses to its new players.

📋 Online betting site: Caesars
🏅 Welcome bonus: 1,100$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ Caesars is legal in: AZ, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, MD, CO, VA, NJ, NC, NY, TN, WV, WA, DC & NV.

BetRivers

BetRivers is an online gambling site that offers sports betting and casino games. The betting site was founded back in 2014 and is owned by Rush Street Interactive.

BetRivers offers a full-fledged betting site together with some of the best bonuses available on the market. You can use the betting site to wager on sport leagues and events from all over the world.

📋 Online betting site: BetRivers
🏅 Welcome bonus: Deposit match up to 250$
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ BetRivers is legal in: IL, CO, AZ, IN, LA, IA, PA, NY, MI, VA, & WV.

BetWay

BetWay is a veteran in the sports betting industry, established in 1999. The company is licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.

BetWay is legal and operational in more than 6 states in the US and is looking to enter many more. The operator has more than 12,000 review online and is considered to one of the very best betting sites in the world.

📋 Online betting site: BetWay
🏅 Welcome bonus: 250$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ BetWay is legal in: AZ, CO, IN, PA, NJ & IA.

FOXBet

FOXBet is a sports betting site owned and operated by Fox Sports, one of the largest sports networks in the US. The FOXBet platform is licensed and regulated in New Jersey and offers various betting options.

FOXBet is known for its fast withdrawals, user-friendly interface and big welcome offers for players that register a new account. The operator offers great bonuses and gives out promo codes to both new and existing players regularly.

📋 Online betting site: FOXBet
🏅 Welcome bonus: 1000$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ FOXBet is legal in: NJ,PA, MI & CO.

BetMGM

BetMGM is a betting operator that has been around since 2017. The site is operated by MGM Resorts International and focuses on the US market. BetMGM offers a wide variety of betting options, competitive odds, and great bonus offers.

BetMGM is available as both a web-based sportsbook and as a mobile betting app, making it possible to wager from anywhere. The site also hosts an online casino, with a vast variety of slots and games available.

📋 Online betting site: BetMGM
🏅 Welcome bonus: 1000$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ BetMGM is legal in: IN, NY, WA, IL, AZ, IA, LA, MI, MS, NJ, PA, CO, NV, TN, VA, WY & WV.

Unibet

Unibet is a popular online sportsbook that offers a wide range of betting options for players in the US. Unibet’s website is easy to navigate, even for those who are new to online betting. The site includes a comprehensive FAQ section and live-chat support.

Unibet was founded by a Swedish entrepreneur and is most known for its great live betting features, online casino games, bingo, and live streaming features where you can watch sports games unfold directly on the website.

📋 Online betting site: Unibet
🏅 Welcome bonus: 100% up to 100$
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ Unibet is legal in: NJ, PA, IN, VA, AZ & IA.

WynnBet

WynnBet is a trusted and respected online betting site. With a history of more than ten years in the industry, you can trust that your money will be safe at WynnBet.

They offer one of the largest online sports betting selections in the United States and are fully licensed in a handful of states. WynnBet went live back in 2020 and entered New Jersey as the first operational state.

📋 Online betting site: WynnBet
🏅 Welcome bonus: 1000$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile betting app: Yes
✅ WynnBet is legal in: AZ, CO, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, TN & VA.

Yes, online sports betting is legal in USA but it is up to each state if they want to allow it or not. Right now, online sports wagering is legal in 16 states and many others are in the process of allowing it within their borders. The first state to legalize sports betting was West Virginia, followed by New Jersey and Rhode Island.

Right now there are 16 states in the US where online sports betting is legal. You can read more about each state and its current sports betting status below:

  • Arizona sports betting: The state of Arizona legalized online sports betting on 12 April 2021, after the state legislators approved the HB2772 bill. Arizona currently has 20 sports betting licenses, which the Arizona Department of Gaming oversees.
  • Illinois sports betting: Online wagering went live in Illinois in 2020 and the first online betting site that launched was BetRivers. Apart from online sports betting, the state houses 11 retail sportsbook locations.
  • Colorado sports betting: The state of Colorado launched sports betting in May 2020. Colorado houses big betting brands like FanDuel, BetMGM and Fanduel, together with 30+ locations for brick-and-mortar sports betting.
  • Connecticut sports betting: Connecticut state legalized online sports betting in October 2021. It has a long history with gambling, and the state was one of the first to legalize casinos in the 1970s when it introduced Native American casinos. The state also has a lottery and legalized horse racing in 1988.
  • Louisiana sports betting: Online wagering went live in Louisiana on January 28, 2022. Louisiana has some of the loosest gambling laws in the United States. Casinos are open 24 hours a day, and there are no limits on how much you can spend at any given time.
  • Nevada sports betting: The state of Nevada is considered to be the heart of gambling and sports wagering in the US. They started accepting online sports betting back in 2010 and have multiple physical casino locations.
  • Pennsylvania sports betting: Pennsylvania made sports betting fully legal back in 2019, and they currently have a large number of online betting sites operating in the state. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees all sportsbooks in the state, together with the 13 physical betting locations that are available.
  • West Virginia sports betting: WV started accepting online sportsbooks in 2018 and houses big brands like BetMGM, Caesars sportsbook, and FanDuel. Besides online venues, West Virginia offers 4 brick-and-mortar sports betting locations.
  • Rhode Island sports betting: Since the beginning of 2022, Rhode Island has joined the list of states where you can bet online in the US. Moreover, the state has passed a sports betting law and is set to offer online casino gambling as soon as it receives licensing from the Division of Lottery and Gaming
  • Montana sports betting: The state of Montana started allowing online sports betting back in March 2020, but only through the state-owned operator the Montana Lottery. Citizens can bet on sports online through a platform called Intralot and the maximum bet allowed is 1000$.
  • Indiana sports betting: The state of Indiana was one of the first states to legalize online gambling back in 2016 when lawmakers passed the Senate Bill called SB1. The legislation allowed residents to place wagers at land-based casinos and online betting sites outside Indiana as long as another state’s regulatory body licensed them.
  • Iowa sports betting: If you live in Iowa, you can bet on sports online since May 2019. There are many operational sports betting apps in the state and a handful of retail sports betting locations you can visit to bet in person.
  • New Hampshire sports betting: The state of New Hampshire legalized sports betting in July 2019 and the only online betting operator is currently DraftKings sportsbook.
  • New Jersey sports betting: NJ is considered a pioneer when it comes to legalizing online sports betting, and they were one of the first states to accept online betting back in June 2018.
  • New York sports betting: You can bet on sports online in NY since January 2022. The state currently houses more than 5 online betting operators, including BetRivers and DraftKings.
  • Oregon sports betting: The state of Oregon approved online sports betting back in August 2019. There is only 1 sports betting site in the state, the Scoreboard App which is controlled by the Oregon Lottery.

How to bet on sports online

Betting on sports online is not a complicated process. All you need to do is to register an account with an online betting site and deposit funds. Follow the steps provided below in order to get started:

  1. Find a legitimate online sports betting site or app: The first step is to find a legitimate sports betting site or app. The safest options are licensed and regulated by a government body. You can find a list of the best online sports betting sites at the top of this page.
  2. Sign up with your details: Signing up for an account is easy, and it’s the second step. Simply click on ‘Register’ and fill in your name, email address, and choose a strong and secure password.
  3. Enter a promo code if you have one & claim a bonus. Most sportsbooks offer betting bonus promo codes to new players. Enter your promo code and proceed to claim the welcome bonus that is available.
  4. Deposit funds. There are different methods for depositing into a betting app. Therefore, check the most methods and incurred fees.
  5. Start betting on your favorite sports. When you have made a deposit, it is time to start weighing your options with the various games available.

The different kinds of online sports bets

When you bet on sports online, there are a plethora of different types of wagers you can place. Here is a breakdown of the common types of bets available on online betting sites:

  • Spread bets: A spread bet is where you predict whether an outcome will be above or below a certain number. Spreads range from 1-to 20 points and can be expressed as either positive or negative numbers.
  • Moneyline bets: A moneyline bet is a straight-up wager on who will win based on the odds set by bookmakers. These odds consider how likely each team is to win and include how much they stand to gain (or lose) if they do win (or lose).
  • Over/under bets: The popular Over/under bet simply involves predicting the total number of points in a game or how many goals will be scored.
  • Parlay bets: A parlay bet is a special type of multiple bet on different outcomes. They can be placed on individual games or tournaments and payout based on multiple wins instead of just one correct outcome.
  • Prop bets: A prop bet isn’t as straightforward as other wagers but offers some unique opportunities for gamblers looking for an edge on their opponents.
  • Future bets: These are bets on future events, such as who will win the world championship or win the next Super Bowl.
  • Middle bets: These are bets on the outcome of a single game or event. For example, you may bet on whether your team will win their next game against their biggest rival.
  • Teaser bets: In teaser bets, you place one bet on multiple outcomes by adding together two or more selections to make one big bet. This is with more favorable odds than you could get if you placed separate individual wagers on each selection.
  • Live bets: The live betting option allows you to bet while an event is underway and watch the action unfold as more information becomes available during the game or competition being wagered on.

Almost all online betting operators will offer betting bonuses to new players signing up to their site. These can be in the form of free bets or site credits you can use to wager on whatever you want. Here is a roundup of different bonuses available at online sports betting sites in the US:

  • Matched deposit bonus: A deposit match bonus is the most common type of bonus in online betting. If you make a deposit, the sportsbook will match it with another deposit of equal value.
  • Refer-a-friend bonus: When you refer a friend to a sportsbook, you’ll get a bonus for inviting them to sign up. This can be anything from $10 to $200, depending on the bookmaker and how much they want to incentivize new players to join their site.
  • Matching bet bonus: A matched bet type of bonus lets you bet more money than usual when placing wagers on sporting events to get matched funds added on top of your original stake.
  • No deposit bonus: The no deposit bonus is a common incentive offered by any online betting operator. This means that the player doesn’t have to deposit in order to get the bonus.
  • Bet insurance bonus: A bet insurance type of bonus is available when you place wagers on long shots. If your horse wins but you lose money because the bookmaker didn’t payout, they will give you some of your losses.
  • Cashback bonus: Cashback is another type of bonus that gives you some money back if you lose your bet; The amount will vary depending on how much you lose.
  • Free bet bonus: A free bet is available to players if they make a deposit in their account or refer someone else who makes a deposit. This allows them to try out different strategies before deciding which ones work best for them.
  • Enhanced odds bonus: The enhanced odds bonus is one of the most common types of bonuses. It allows you to place a bet on an event at an increased rate.
  • Risk-free bet bonus: A risk-free bet bonus is where an online betting site will give you money for simply registering an account and making a deposit.
  • Reload bonus: A reload bonus is similar to a no-risk bet bonus but differs in one important aspect: It requires you to deposit more money into your account before activating the offer.
  • High roller bonus: A high roller bonus is available for players who wager a certain amount before making a withdrawal. The amount may vary from bookmaker to bookmaker.
  • Matchplay bonus: Some sites give you free money when you deposit money into your account and place bets on certain matches.

Sporting events & leagues you can bet on online

Here is a look at different US sports betting leagues & online you can bet on online:

  • NHL betting: The National Hockey League (NHL) is the top professional ice hockey league in North America. In addition, it is the most popular sports betting market globally. While it’s not as popular as football or basketball, it’s still a great way to make money from sports betting.
  • NBA betting: The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports betting markets, especially regarding future bets. Moreover, the NBA season runs from October until April, with playoffs in May and June.
  • NFL betting: A staple of any online sportsbook, football betting offers many betting opportunities during the NFL season. Also,football fans can bet on everything from who will win the Super Bowl to how many yards a quarterback will pass for on any given game day.
  • WNBA betting: The WNBA is one of the most popular women-only leagues in all sports. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that people want to bet on their games. Like with men’s leagues, there are plenty of ways to bet on WNBA games online, including straight bets and parlays.
  • College sports betting: There are too many games to count when it comes to college football and basketball. College games are a great way to make money if you know your teams well enough.
  • Super Bowl betting: The Super Bowl is easily the biggest event in American sports history — even bigger than March Madness! It’s also one of the most popular events to bet on each year because there’s so much money involved in just watching alone.

There are hundreds of different sports you can bet on using betting apps, and here is a breakdown of the most popular ones:

  • Basketball: Basketball is one of the most popular sports in America. It’s also one of the most popular sports due to its fast-paced nature and high scoring average.
  • Baseball: Baseball offers a much slower pace than basketball, but there’s still plenty to keep you during a game. Baseball is America’s pastime. Therefore, it’s no surprise that people love betting on it.
  • Ice hockey: Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the USA, and it’s also one of the most popular sports to bet on. The NHL has been around for more than 100 years, and it’s still going strong.
  • Football: Football is one of the most popular sports in the world and one of the most popular sports to bet on. Football betting is available year-round in most countries,
  • Tennis: Tennis is another hugely popular sport that you can bet on online. You can bet on both professional tennis tournaments and individual matches between players.
  • Golf: Golf is another major sport that has become very popular in recent years. You can bet on professional golf tournaments and individual golfers during their careers or specific events.
  • Boxing: Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the world. It’s also one of the most exciting. You’ll find plenty of boxing matches on TV, but it’s much more fun to bet on them online.
  • Soccer: Soccer is one of the most popular sports globally, and there’s no shortage of money to be made by placing bets on soccer games.
  • Snooker: Snooker isn’t as popular in America as it once was, but it draws interest from bettors worldwide who love seeing long shots on their favourite player.
  • Pool: Pool involves picking winners from a group of teams or players to determine who wins the pot at the end of the game.
  • Lacrosse: Lacross involves predicting which team will score first during an entire game or just one-quarter of play.
  • Rugby: Rugby involves predicting how many points will be scored during an entire game or just one-quarter of play.
  • Gymnastics: This involves predicting how many points will be scored during an entire meet by each individual gymnast competing at that meet.
  • MMA: MMA is a full-contact combat sport in which both striking and grappling techniques are allowed. You can place bets on individual fights or entire events.
  • Volleyball:  Volleyball can be played either indoors or outdoors, with the former being more popular amongst bettors as it offers more wagering opportunities.
  • Table tennis: Two players play this fast-paced table tennis variant on a small table with short paddles and a ball made of celluloid.
  • Badminton: Badminton is another indoor game that has become popular in recent years. Also, this is due to its fast pace and easy rules. Thus, making it ideal for new fans who don’t have much experience with betting on sports yet.

Most common payment methods for online sports betting

There are many different types of payment methods for online sports betting. Below is a list of the most popular ones:

  • VISA: Visa is one of the most widely accepted credit cards in the world. It’s accepted at many online sportsbooks, including the most recommended sites.
  • Mastercard: This is another of the most popular payment methods for sports betting. Like Visa, Mastercard has a huge presence in ecommerce and mobile payments. It’s accepted at hundreds of different sportsbooks around the world.
  • PayPal: PayPal is an extremely popular payment method among North American sports bettors. Moreover, this is because it lets users make quick deposits using their bank accounts or credit cards. Also, without ever having to expose their personal information to third party companies.
  • Discover Card: Discover Card is very similar to Visa and MasterCard, but it has certain advantages. For example, it offers lower transaction fees and more flexible interest rates than other credit cards.
    Prepaid cards – Prepaid debit cards are another popular option for online betting because they offer convenience without the risk of overdrafting your account or incurring late fees.
  • Venmo: The Venmo mobile app allows users to send money via text message or email. This is much like PayPal does but with fewer restrictions on who can use it and how much they can send at one time.
  • Skrill: Skrill is another popular option for depositing with a credit card. Skrill is a digital wallet similar to PayPal but allows users to send and receive money without sharing their financial information.
  • Neteller: Neteller is another popular online payment service similar to Skrill but has slightly higher fees and less functionality.
  • Play+: Play+ is yet another payment method that works similarly to Skrill and Neteller, though it does have slightly higher fees than both of those services combined.
  • PayNearMe: PayNearMe is an alternative method for depositing funds into your betting account. Instead of using a credit card or other payment methods like Skrill or Neteller, you can use cash in person at participating retailers.
  • Online banking: Online banking is now the most popular way to deposit funds into your sports betting account. It’s fast and secure, with most account providers offering 24/7 support from their respective banking providers.
  • Trustly: Trustly payment option allows you to transfer money directly from your bank account. Payments are instant and can be made without creating an account.
  • Bank transfers: Direct bank transfers are the most common way to deposit into an account at an online bookie. They’re also the most secure, as they require a lot less personal information than other payment types.

FAQ

Is betting on sports online safe?

Betting on sports online is safe as long as you choose a legal and licensed betting site. The state you live in regulates betting operators, and they have taken steps to ensure that your finances and personal information is protected.

How do I check if a sports betting site is legit?

You can check whether a sports betting site is legit by looking at its licensing and reputation online. You can find out about the reputation of a bookmaker by reading reviews and ratings on sites like TrustPilot.

Do I need to pay tax on sports betting winnings?

Yes, you need to pay taxes on sports betting winnings. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers gambling winnings as taxable income, meaning you must pay taxes on your earnings. You also need to declare any wins to the government.

Can beginners bet on sports online?

Yes, you can bet on sports online if you are a beginner. There are many options for beginners who want to place a sports bet online. Many sites offer free bets that allow users to place an initial wager without any financial risk.

Where can I bet on Fantasy Sports online?

There are several places to bet on Fantasy sports online, including DraftKings and FanDuel. These sites offer daily fantasy leagues that allow anyone to join the action.