Best U.S. Sportsbooks & Betting Sites (November 2024)
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If you’re looking for the best sports betting sites for Week 9 of the NFL season or an action-packed weekend of college football games, we’ve got you covered with a roundup of great new offers from the best sportsbooks, like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics and a number of other great betting sites.
Top sportsbooks in the U.S.
Here are our top sportsbooks in the U.S., including links to learn more about each one.
Caesars Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Up to $1,000 back as a bonus bet if your first bet loses
- App Store rating: 4.7
- Google Play rating: 4.3
- Best feature of the site: Caesars Rewards
- Average payout speed: 2-3 days
Bonus code CBS1000
Caesars almost always ranks among our top sportsbooks in any state, which is why you find it so high on this list.
Caesars Sportsbook’s welcome bonus starts things off right, giving you up to $1,000 back as a bonus bet if your first wager loses. It’s a high-value welcome bonus that scales to work for any budget.
Caesars is also renowned for the Caesars Rewards program, which is easily our favorite feature of the sportsbook. You can earn tier and reward credits for placing bets. Rewards can be redeemed at the sportsbook, Caesars Palace Online Casino (in states where it’s allowed) and Caesars properties across the country (including Las Vegas and Atlantic City).
FanDuel Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets + 3 months of NBA League Pass if your bet wins
- App Store rating: 4.9
- Google Play rating: 4.6
- Best feature of the site: Elite mobile experience
- Average payout speed: 48 hours
FanDuel Sportsbook has the single best sports betting app in any market. If user experience and ease of use are important to you, it should be your number one choice.
There are plenty of other features we enjoy at FanDuel, too. FanDuel’s welcome bonus is solid, giving you $150 in bonus bets plus three months of NBA League Pass once you place and win an initial bet of $5 or more at any betting odds.
Additionally, FanDuel has the best same game parlay builder of any sportsbook. Same Game Parlay+ lets you combine multiple SGPs into a single bigger parlay for potentially huge payouts.
BetMGM Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses
- App Store rating: 4.8
- Google Play rating: 4.4
- Best feature of the site: Live betting
- Average payout speed: 48 hours
Bonus code CBSSPORTS
BetMGM competes head-on with other big-name sportsbooks and often beats them in various categories. One such category is the welcome bonus.
BetMGM has one of the best promos in terms of sheer dollar amount value. Place your first bet at BetMGM, and if it loses, you’ll get the wager amount back in bonus bets up to $1,500 maximum. That’s much more than most other sportsbooks offer.
Other features of BetMGM include a great live betting interface and fast payouts. It’s a great sportsbook for seasoned bettors who like to stay invested in their favorite sports.
bet365 Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets
- App Store rating: 4.8
- Google Play rating: 4.6
- Best feature of the site: International sports to bet on
- Average payout speed: 48 hours
Bonus code CBSBET365
bet365 has quickly begun to carve out its share of the sports betting market in states where it is live. From its roots in overseas markets, the bet365 experience has made its mark on U.S. bettors.
The bet365 welcome bonus is fairly standard. Bet $5 to get $150 in bonus bets, win or lose. It’s a good bonus, similar to other sites’ offers.
Our favorite thing about bet365 is its robust coverage of international sports. It’s the best site to use if you like to bet on soccer, cricket or other popular global events. bet365 has strong market depth and plenty of available bets for such sports.
DraftKings Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets instantly
- App Store rating: 4.8
- Google Play rating: 4.6
- Best feature of the site: Social groups
- Average payout speed: 48 hours
DraftKings is a household name for many reasons. The sportsbook is extremely polished from top to bottom.
DraftKings has some of the best odds of any sports betting site, often beating out the competition. It has incredible market depth, covering sports that other books don’t have. Plus, the DraftKings app is simply one of the best in the industry. It’s easy to navigate and fast to process your bets. Simply put, you can’t go wrong with DraftKings if you’re looking to bet on sports.
Fanatics Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Bet and get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets
- Sign-up bonus for NY: Bet $5 and get $50 in bonus bets
- App Store rating: 4.7
- Google Play rating: 4.7
- Best feature of the site: FanCash
- Average payout speed: 48 hours
Fanatics made a name for itself as a sports merchandise company, and that reputation carries over into the sports betting world. The sportsbook starts things off with up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets. You get one 100% No Sweat Bet match up to $100 each day for your first 10 days. Claiming them all gets you $1,000 in No Sweat Bets, though you don’t have to claim each one. The FanCash and merchandise element is a great reason to try Fanatics Sportsbook. You can be rewarded with FanCash and use it to get merchandise repping your favorite team.
Borgata Sportsbook
- Sign-up bonus: Bet $20 or more and get $100 in bonus bets
- App Store rating: 4.7
- Google Play rating: 3.8
- Best feature of the site: Online casino access
- Average payout speed: 48-72 hours
Bonus code CBSSPORTS
Borgata is best known as a casino brand, but it also has a sportsbook for online bettors. The sportsbook is serviceable, with competitive odds and a decent welcome bonus of $100 in bonus bets when you wager $20 or more.
We particularly like Borgata because of its online casino, which is one of the best platforms in NJ. You can access the Borgata casino with your sportsbook account, so it’s an ideal platform if you want the best of both worlds.
Sportsbook promotions
Sportsbook | Welcome bonus |
---|---|
Caesars | Up to $1,000 back as a bonus bet if your first bet loses |
FanDuel | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets + 3 months of NBA League Pass if your bet wins |
BetMGM | Up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses |
DraftKings | Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets instantly |
bet365 | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets |
ESPN BET | Up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first bet loses |
Fanatics | Bet and get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets |
Borgata | $100 in bonus bets when you place a $20+ wager |
Best sportsbook apps
With football season starting, there is an ongoing debate over what the best sports betting app is, but there is no shortage of competition. Each sports betting app has its pros and cons, whether it’s their layout, app speed or betting options available. While each of the sportsbooks mentioned on this page have their benefits, FanDuel, Caesars and DraftKings stand out above the rest.
FanDuel Sportsbook betting app
FanDuel’s sports betting app is simply the best. There’s no two ways about it. It has an incredible aesthetic and plenty of amazing functions.
FanDuel makes it easy to find and place a bet. Everything loads quickly and smoothly, and navigating to your preferred sport or event is simple via scrolling or direct search.
Caesars Sportsbook betting app
Caesars Sportsbook has a clean and simple user interface that’s a breeze to navigate.
A few minutes with the Caesars Sportsbook app is all you need to realize it’s streamlined and easy to use.
DraftKings Sportsbook betting app
Not to be outdone, DraftKings also has an incredible mobile app.
It places everything you might need in its menus and offers quick access to other options and a full list of all sports you can bet on. It’s a great option for live betting because DraftKings updates odds fast, and the app is responsive to such changes.
Tips for choosing an online sportsbook
Choosing an online sportsbook can be an overwhelming process. Luckily, there are a few tips that can make it easier. Here are our top tips.
Know what sports you plan to bet on
If you plan to bet on the NBA, NFL or other major league sports, you don’t have much to worry about. Every sportsbook worth your time will have the biggest sports and leagues on offer.
However, fans of niche or international sports should consider each sportsbook’s offerings. Some may have better odds or markets for specific sports.
Research sportsbooks ahead of time
Check out a sportsbook before signing up. You can see the odds, promos, sports and other features without an account. This can also help you get a feel for the sportsbook’s user experience.
Consider the welcome bonus
Sportsbooks offer lucrative welcome bonuses. Check them out and determine which one is best for you. Also, bear in mind that you can claim a bonus from multiple sportsbooks to maximize the value of the offers.
Read the terms and conditions
Carefully peruse the terms and conditions of each sportsbook’s welcome offer and ongoing promos. They can be a useful factor in determining which sportsbook is best for you.
State betting guides
Sports betting is legal and regulated on a state-by-state basis. This means each state offers slightly different options for sports bettors. Here’s a quick overview of each state with some form of legal sports betting.
State | Sports betting launch | online sportsbooks available | Betting types |
---|---|---|---|
Arizona | September 2021 | 16 | Online and retail |
Arkansas | July 2019 | 3 | Online and retail |
Colorado | May 2020 | 20 | Online and retail |
Connecticut | October 2021 | 3 | Online and retail |
Delaware | June 2018 | 1 | Online and retail |
Florida | November 2023 | 1 | Online and retail |
Illinois | March 2020 | 8 | Online and retail |
Indiana | September 2019 | 13 | Online and retail |
Iowa | August 2019 | 18 | Online and retail |
Kansas | September 2022 | 6 | Online and retail |
Kentucky | September 2023 | 6 | Online and retail |
Louisiana | November 2021 | 8 | Online and retail |
Maine | November 2023 | 2 | Online and retail |
Maryland | September 2021 | 11 | Online and retail |
Massachusetts | January 2023 | 6 | Online and retail |
Michigan | March 2020 | 14 | Online and retail |
Mississippi | August 2018 | 3 | Retail (bets via app must be placed at a casino) |
Montana | March 2020 | Retail only | Retail |
Nebraska | November 2023 | Retail only | Retail |
Nevada | 1992 | 13 | Online and retail |
New Hampshire | December 2019 | 1 | Online and retail |
New Jersey | June 2018 | 17 | Online and retail |
New Mexico | 2018 | Retail only | Retail |
New York | July 2019 | 9 | Online and retail |
North Carolina | July 2019 | 8 | Online and retail |
North Dakota | 2021 | Retail only | Retail |
Ohio | January 2023 | 19 | Online and retail |
Oregon | August 2019 | 1 | Online and retail |
Pennsylvania | November 2018 | 13 | Online and retail |
Rhode Island | November 2018 | 1 | Online and retail |
South Dakota | September 2021 | Retail only | Retail |
Tennessee | November 2020 | 11 | Online |
Vermont | January 2024 | 3 | Online |
Virginia | January 2021 | 15 | Online and retail |
Washington | 2021 | Retail only | Retail |
Washington, DC | May 2020 | 3 | Online and retail |
West Virginia | August 2018 | 9 | Online and retail |
Wisconsin | 2021 | Retail only | Retail |
Wyoming | September 2021 | 4 | Online |
Our review process
We spent a lot of time with each sportsbook to give you objective and useful reviews. There are a few categories we focus on as we’re placing bets and using a sportsbook app.
Bonuses & promotions
We start by looking at each sportsbook’s welcome bonus in detail. We ask the important questions: How easy is the bonus to claim? Does it require a promo code? We also look at the terms and conditions. A bonus that requires a winning bet isn’t as easy to recommend as a bonus that rewards you whether you win or lose.
We also look at promotions beyond a welcome bonus. Sportsbooks that offer lots of odds boosts, bet insurance and deposit bonuses will get an edge over the competition.
User experience
This category is simple overall, but it encompasses many disparate elements. A sportsbook should be easy to use and fast. Odds should be updated quickly and you should be able to place bets with just a few quick taps or clicks. Additionally, we check how easy it is to find a particular sport, league, event or market.
Key features
Sportsbooks that go above and beyond get extra theoretical points in our reviews. Take DraftKings, for example. The sportsbook has social features that make it extra fun to bet with friends. Other key features could include live streams of certain sports, coverage of niche sports, horse race betting or access to an online casino or online poker platform.
Banking options and payout speed
The more payment and withdrawal options, the better. We like to see a wide variety of methods offered: PayPal, credit, debit, cash at a partner location, ACH, online banking, wire transfer, Venmo, Apple Pay, etc. We don’t need all of these methods, but a handful of them will go a long way.
We also look at the time it takes to process withdrawals. A sportsbook that can pay out quicker than competitors has a distinct advantage.
Betting markets and odds
Market depth is important for bettors, so we seek out sportsbooks with a bevy of betting options across all sports. We also check the odds to ensure you’re getting the best lines when you place your wager.
Customer service
Finally, we vet each customer service option. We check for the number of methods available (FAQ section, live chat, phone and email) and test them for speed and helpfulness.
How to sign up for an online sportsbook and claim a promotion
Ready to get started with an online sportsbook? Here’s how:
- Choose your preferred sportsbook(s) and click our link to head there.
- Select “Sign Up,” “Join now,” “Register,” “Create Account” or similar (sportsbooks use different words for this despite the idea being the same).
- Provide all the requested and required details: First and last name, username, password, email, phone number, address, date of birth, government-issued photo ID and all or part of your social security number.
- If required, enter a promo code when prompted to do so.
- Check the boxes indicating you are of legal age and that you accept the terms and conditions.
- If necessary, confirm your phone number or email with a code or link sent to you.
- Opt-in for your bonus from the promotions page if required.
- Make an initial deposit.
- Place your first bet.
- Collect your bonus bets, if applicable, and continue betting.
Sportsbook sign-ups typically take no more than five minutes. Contact customer support if you run into any obstacles.
Bonuses and promotions
Bonuses come in all shapes and sizes, just like the sportsbooks that offer them. Below, we highlight a few of the most common sportsbook promos and briefly explain them.
Bet and get bonuses
Bet a certain amount (usually as your first wager) and you will receive bonus bets. Usually, it doesn’t matter if your qualifying bet wins or loses; you get the bonus bets either way. bet365 offers this type of bonus for new users, granting $200 worth of bonus bets when you wager $5 or more.
First bet insurance or second-chance bets
This is also a common welcome bonus for new sports bettors. Place your first bet and get refunded in bonus bets if you lose. That’s the gist of bet insurance. The upside? These promos usually come in high dollar amounts. The downside? The bonus expires if you win your first bet (though you still collect the winnings).
Parlay insurance
The exact structure of parlay insurance varies, but typically, you get your wager back, up to a maximum threshold (set by the sportsbook) if your qualifying parlay misses by only one leg.
Odds boosts and profit boosts
Boosts are simple. They enhance the odds or possible profit on a bet to give you a bigger potential payout. Caesars Sportsbook has the best selection of boosts.
Referral bonuses
Refer a friend and get bonus bets if they sign up. Amounts may vary and there are other terms and conditions to know. Check your preferred sportsbook’s rules for more.
Early payout bonuses
Bet on a team to win. If that team leads by a certain threshold (such as 20 points in the NBA), your bet settles as a win. bet365 leads the pack in offering many early payout promotions.
Best sports to bet on in the U.S.
The U.S. is a hotbed for big sports, and sportsbooks capitalize on our sports mania by offering plenty to wager on. Here’s a quick snippet about each major bettable sport in the U.S.
NFL
During football season, it’s all systems go. No other sport can touch football in terms of U.S. popularity, and that includes betting. You can watch the lines move throughout the week and bet from the preseason through to the postseason. NFL betting also has a huge array of props and futures.
College football
College football is an entire U.S. subculture. Sportsbooks provide ample betting opportunities on college games, though there are some restrictions in certain states (such as no betting on in-state schools or no college player props). Come Saturday in autumn, you’ll find no shortage of college bets on offer from major U.S. sportsbooks.
NBA
The NBA is a player-driven league with lots of stats and player performance metrics. That makes basketball a prime sport for bettors. We yup particularly enjoy placing basketball prop bets simply because the variety is staggering and there are so many choices. Basketball is also an excellent sport for same game parlays.
College basketball
The college basketball season rages on in the winter months, leading up to one of the biggest sporting events of the year: the tournament in March. It’s no surprise that college sports fans flock to sportsbooks that offer college basketball betting. There’s so much to bet on, from team props to point spreads to moneylines, and more.
MLB
Baseball is the summertime sport in the U.S., and sportsbooks offer a smorgasbord of options for fans of America’s pastime. Instead of point spreads, baseball has run lines, which are almost always a 1.5-run margin. Nearly 30% of baseball games are decided by one run, making the baseball a great sport for spread bettors.
NHL
Hockey betting has garnered a lot more popularity over the past few years. Ice sports have all sorts of cool betting opportunities, including player props and alternate totals for various stats. You might also occasionally find a three-way moneyline, which accounts for either team to win or a draw (at the end of regulation).
Tennis
Game, set and match are the three tennis terms most casual fans know. If that’s you, then tennis sportsbooks have you covered with their primary betting options on the court. You can bet on the outcome of individual games, sets or matches in addition to plenty of other options.
Golf
Golf is both incredibly popular and extremely unique. It’s an individual sport and tournaments have massive player pools. That makes it a perfect betting sport because the market depth can be incredible. Many bettors like to wager on golf futures, but there are plenty of in-tournament options as well.
Soccer
It’s the most popular sport around the globe, and sportsbooks give U.S. bettors a chance to enjoy it like never before. Soccer is abuzz with betting activity at sportsbooks, including on markets like the three-way moneyline, shots on goal and much more.
Common types of bets
Here are the most common bet types offered by sportsbooks.
Betting guides
Moneyline
Moneyline bets are simple: pick a team to win. If that team wins, you get a payout according to the odds at the time of your bet.
Point spread
Point spreads even the odds (literally) by giving the underdog theoretical extra points while giving the favored team a theoretical disadvantage. A favored team must “cover” the spread for a bet on them to win, while the underdog must either win outright or lose by less than the set margin for the bet to hit.
Totals
Totals are also called “over/unders.” They’re bets on the participating teams to combine for over or under a certain point threshold. The outcome of the game (who won or lost) doesn’t matter in regards to this bet type.
Props
Props are bets on a specific outcome typically not directly relevant to the results of the game. You could bet on Patrick Mahomes to score 2+ touchdowns in a game, and that would be a prop bet.
Futures
Futures are bets on a team’s performance sometime in the distant future. For example, you can bet on the New York Jets winning the 2025 Lombardi Trophy or the Astros winning the World Series. Futures odds typically offer big payouts because it’s hard to accurately predict a season-long outcome so early.
How do betting odds work?
Odds always have a plus or minus symbol, then a number. The combination of symbols and numbers always tells you how much you would win. Let’s use two examples, starting with positive odds of +150.
Any odds with a “+” symbol indicate how much you’d win if you placed a $100 bet on that team. So, a bet of $100 on odds of +150 would pay you $150 in profit (plus your initial bet back). Because they pay better, positive odds are most often attached to teams that are less likely to win, according to the sportsbook’s trading team and algorithms.
Odds with a “-” symbol indicate that the team is favored to win. If you see odds of -120, that means you’d need to bet $120 to win $100 (plus your bet back).
Responsible gambling
Remember to play responsibly. Sports betting is gambling, and you should frequently check in with yourself to ensure you’re keeping it fun and betting within your means. There are plenty of resources available if you or someone you know needs help:
- National Problem Gambling Hotline, live chat and text service: A 24/7 confidential place for help with problem gambling and connections to treatment.
- Gamblers Anonymous: In-person support groups for gamblers.
- Self-exclusion: Individual states and sportsbooks offer self-exclusion programs that keep you off gambling apps.
FAQ
Yes. Sports betting is available in more than 30 U.S. states. Most markets allow both online and retail betting, with various apps offered to sports bettors.
Yes. There are dozens of sportsbooks offered across legal states, including popular platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars.
More than 30 markets allow online sports betting: AZ, AK, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VT, VA, WV and WY.
Right now, very few states are working toward legalization. Minnesota has three bills in the works, so it could be the next domino to fall.
Dozens of sportsbooks are operating in the USA, though each legal state has a different number of licenses and allowed sportsbooks.
DraftKings and FanDuel are both excellent choices if you’re a new sports bettor. They make betting online easy and fun with lots of helpful resources for new players.
DraftKings is the best sports betting app, thanks to its incredible user experience and amazing promos.
Almost every sport you can think of is available for betting: football, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, baseball and many more.
Yes, as long as you’re betting at a legal and licensed sports betting site and betting responsibly. There are legal and regulatory protections in place for players. You should still exercise caution and play responsibly if you decide to bet.
You must be 21 or older to play online. Online sportsbooks will confirm your age and identity using the details and identification you provide during the signup process.
Sportsbooks offer “lines” or odds on sports, and you can place bets if you like the odds on a particular team or outcome. The process is all very simple once you sign up and give it a try.
Payment methods vary by sportsbook and state, but some of the most common methods are PayPal, Venmo, ACH eCheck, PayNearMe, cash at a partner location, debit, credit and online banking.
Yes. All sports betting winnings are subject to state and federal taxes according to your jurisdiction’s laws. You are responsible for reporting your winnings, though sportsbooks may send you tax forms if your wins exceed a certain threshold.