Ever since the Supreme Court overturned the law around online sports betting, allowing states to legalize the activity, we’ve seen the emergence of some of the best betting sites in the world.
The fact that players can bet legally in many states now has been a real game changer.
So, what have the last five years of online betting activity looked like for players? We’ve been reviewing the history to bring you a comprehensive guide to the story of online betting in the US.
Are Sports Betting Sites Legal in the US?
Yes, it is currently legal to access sports betting sites across most states in the US. The federal law was overturned in 2018, and this has led to loads of states opening up their doors to sports betting for their residents.
Legal Online Betting Sites in the US: A Brief History
The state of New Jersey became the first in the country to legalize online sports betting for its residents in August 2018. This came after the federal ban on all online sports betting activity was lifted by the Supreme Court.
This came around five months after the Supreme Court finally removed the ban, named PASPA, back in May of that year. The overturning of the ban came as a result of pressure from individual states, sporting bodies and other organizations. It was a long battle, but the country got there in the end!
Next up, states such as Philadelphia and West Virginia took their turn to legalize online sports betting for people living there. Bit by bit, more and more states began to overturn their own rules and now, it’s possible to bet on sports legally in over 30 states.
Sports You Can Bet On at Legal Betting Sites
What sports can’t you bet on at legal betting sites, really? The emergence of legal gambling has allowed for more and more sports to be covered all around the world. Here are some of the most popular sports to bet on in the various states where online sports betting is legal.
- Football
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Formula 1
- Hockey
- Baseball
- eSports
The Latest Updates for Online Sports Betting Sites
2018 feels like a long time ago now that so many things have changed in the world of online sports betting in the US. It’s legal in a lot more states, and there are a lot more great online sports betting sites as a result of this.
Here are a few of the latest developments in the online sports betting scene, to keep you in the loop.
- Missouri set to legalize betting sites: The next state to be added to the list of places to fully legalize online sports betting is Missouri. A bill was passed in late 2024, and the state is currently going through the motions of putting this into action, with the first betting sites set to pop up in 2025.
- Exciting new sports betting sites introduced: We’ve recently seen an influx of new sports betting sites across every state where betting sites have been legalized. This means that players are going to get a lot more choice, and can hopefully find something that suits them well.
- Upgraded sports betting promos: The bonus offers at sports betting sites seem to be getting bigger and better year in, year out. Nowadays, we’re seeing tons of free bets, deposit matches and more. This is generally as a result of the increased competition between sites.
- Better sports betting technology: Betting sites are certainly getting better for their overall user experiences, with better design and mobile compatibility to make things easier for players. We’re also seeing better bet slips, live betting tools and a whole lot more.
Are There Any Downsides to Legal Betting Sites?
Legal sports betting is all well and good for the most part, but there are a couple of potential negatives to the situation. We recommend that you consider the following before you get started with your legal online sports betting journey.
Not all sites are super secure
There are a lot of safe legal betting sites out there, but some of them are not quite so secure. This is why it’s a good idea to look into the encryption, licensing and customer reviews of any bookmaker before you sign up.
Some sites have fewer safe gambling tools
We recommend only signing up for betting sites that have a good range of safe gambling tools to help you to stay in control of your gameplay. Not all sites have these though. They’re worth avoiding.
State licensed sites are fewer in number
There aren’t as many legally licensed state sports betting sites as there are offshore ones. The lack of competitions means that there are fewer markets, smaller odds and less generous bonuses some of the time.
Not so easy to travel between states
It’s important to remember that as soon as you leave your state and go to another, the law could be completely different. It can be awkward, but you’re going to have to do your research if you’re planning on going on a trip across the country.
The Future of Legal Betting Sites
So, what’s next for the world of legal online sports betting?
Well, first and foremost, we’re likely to see a few more states open their stores to legal betting soon. It’s been a slow year or two, but one by one, states seem to be coming around to the idea. There are a lot of movements in this direction.
Perhaps even more exciting is the likelihood of some fantastic new online betting sites. The past few years have seen some fantastic new sportsbooks with better odds, bonuses and markets than ever. It seems clear to us that this trend is going to continue into the future.
We’re in a pretty good place for online sports betting right now. And by the look of the way things are going, it’s only going to get better in time to come. Watch this space!
Nothing ramps up the excitement of watching your favorite team like placing a few bets on the game.
And what do you need for that? The best betting sites, of course!
That’s why we’ve ranked the top 10 sportsbooks according to their betting tools, bonuses, and payout speed. Leading the pack is BetWhale, thanks to its $6,000 welcome bonus, a great range of markets, and overall user experience.
But don’t just stop there — this list is stacked with options that could be your next go-to betting hub. Let’s go!
Best Betting Sites and Sportsbook Apps – Quick Look
| BetWhale | Best Overall – 200% Bonus up to $6,000 |
| BetOnline | Best for Live Betting |
| Bovada | Top Football Betting Site |
| SportsBetting.ag | Fast payouts |
| MyBookie | Most Generous Bonuses |
Important: The sites listed in this guide are targeting English speakers around the world. Please remember to check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal where you live. Also Adblock might get confused so please disable it if you have any issues with our links.
Curious how these online sportsbooks earned their spot in our rankings? Read on to discover what sets them apart as the top choices for sports betting.
Best Online Sports Betting Promos – July 2025
200% Bonus up to $6,000: This massive welcome offer from BetWhale gives new users a 200% match on their first deposit, up to $6,000 in bonus funds.
$250 Free Bet Promo With 0 WR at BetOnline: BetOnline lets new players score up to $250 in free bets with no wagering requirements. Just deposit $50+ with the promo code FREE250 and you’ll get bet credits you can use instantly.
75% Deposit Match up to $75 at Bovada: Crypto users at Bovada can claim a 75% deposit match worth up to $750. This high-value offer is available right after signup and gives you a solid boost with just a 5x rollover, making it one of the most accessible bonuses around.
Best Sports Betting Apps and Sites – Reviewed
1. BetWhale – Best Betting Site Online Overall
Pros
- 150% deposit boost for newcomers
- Excellent odds for major sports
- Great loyalty rewards
- Quick crypto withdrawals
- Solid coverage of esports markets
Cons
- Not the most visually appealing sportsbook
- Less coverage of more niche sports
Want the top all-around online sportsbook? BetWhale takes the crown with standout promotions, broad sports coverage, and sharp odds. Here’s a closer look at what makes it shine.
Sports Betting Options: 4.95/5
You can bet on pretty much everything you can possibly imagine in terms of major sports. Football, hockey, soccer, and more are all covered extensively. The number of futures and prop bets is very strong, and the coverage of lower and international leagues is excellent, too.
Coverage of eSports is solid here as well. You’ll be able to bet on over 10 different esports. We found a few options that were super rare at other sports betting sites, such as GeoGuessr and PUBG.
If we could make one change, we might add a few more niche sports. The overall number of sports covered is slightly less than some of the competitors.
Free Bets and Bonuses: 4.95/5
If you’re new to the best online sportsbook, there’s a big bonus waiting for you. First-time players can claim a 200% deposit match worth up to $6,000 – a fantastic boost to start betting with extra funds. But that’s just the beginning.
This site also dishes out daily free bets, hosts regular tournaments, and features a wide range of promotions to keep your experience exciting long after you sign up. Stick around and see why so many players consider it the best place to wager online.
2. BetOnline – Top Sports Betting App for Live Wagering
Pros
- Up to $250 free bet bonus + 100 casino spins
- Offers 30+ sports
- Frequent betting contests with $10k+ prize pools
- Fantastic live betting tools
- Over 25 years in the business
Cons
- Weekly and monthly boosts can be random
- High fees for card payments
Long-running sports betting platform BetOnline has stayed ahead of the pack for over 25 years by continually adopting modern technology. One of its newest additions is live betting.
Sports Betting Options: 4.9/5
Our favorite thing about this online sportsbook is the fantastic live betting tools it has to offer. The attention to detail with the live graphics for most of the events is very strong, providing you with loads of useful betting information as and when events unfold. There are even plenty of live streams.
There are tons of markets you can bet on live here as well. BetOnline offers odds on over 20 sports and a handful of esports. These odds update very quickly as the events progress, so you’ll get great value for money for in-play bets and cash-outs.
Live betting isn’t the only good thing BetOnline is good for. There are some great tools for same game parlays, for example.
It’s really easy to combine your bets for an event on one bet slip, and there are lots of different prop bets you can use for most events as well.
Free Bets and Bonuses: 4.8/5
The current BetOnline new customer offer is a 50% up to $250 deposit match that comes as a free bet, plus 100 free spins for the casino, and neither of them has any wagering requirements attached. You’ll have to use the promo code FREE250 to grab it.
Impressively, there’s no rollover for either part of this offer. You’ll be able to cash out anything you’ve won from it straight away, subject to a few minor terms and conditions.
After that, reload bonuses come randomly, though bettors can still participate in the betting contests, which are available almost every day.
>> Enjoy up to $250 welcome promo
3. Bovada – Best Football Markets of All Top Betting Sites Online
Pros
- Up to $750 in welcome bonuses
- Weekly prize giveaways
- Over 30 sports to wager on
- Option to create custom prop bets
- Discounted margins on NFL games
- Quick withdrawals
Cons
- College sports lines can be delayed
Check withdrawals have extra fees
Not sure where to start with your wagers? You’ll want a sportsbook that offers plenty of variety, and Bovada fits the bill perfectly. Here’s what makes it stand out for all types of bettors.
Sports Betting Options: 4.8/5
Bovada’s sportsbook really shines thanks to its extensive selection of betting markets that appeal to all kinds of sports fans.
You’ll find wagers on major leagues like football, basketball, and soccer, along with plenty of options for niche markets, including esports and virtual games.
If you’re especially focused on NFL and college football, this platform stands out as one of the top choices for competitive odds and betting variety. Plus, its intuitive layout makes it easy for both newcomers and seasoned bettors to find and place their bets effortlessly.
Free Bets and Bonuses: 4.8/5
Create an account with this popular sports betting app, and you’ll unlock a $250 welcome bonus. This promotion offers a 50% match on your first deposit and carries a 5x rollover requirement.
If you prefer using cryptocurrency, you can claim an even bigger perk — a 75% deposit match worth up to $750, making it a stronger option than the standard deal.
On top of that, Bovada’s loyalty program gives frequent bettors the chance to collect points, unlock extra bonuses, and move up through six reward tiers for even more benefits.
4. Sportsbetting.ag – Best Sportsbook Online With Fastest Payouts
Pros
- $250 in free bets plus 100 free spins
- $50 no-risk bet
- Great new site design
- Top-notch live betting platform
- Major NFL and NBA competitions
Cons
- No e-wallet payments
- Slightly higher fees on credit cards
You’ll be able to get paid out instantly through over 20 payment methods at SportsBetting.ag, the best sports betting site online for fast payouts. Banking here is about as easy as it gets.
Sports Betting Options: 4.75/5
You’ll be hard-pressed to find an online sports betting market that SportsBetting.ag doesn’t offer odds on. There are over 25 sports to bet on, and for most of these, the markets cover a great range of leagues and tournaments.
The eSports coverage is really good here as well. Instead of only offering odds on the major sports like League of Legends and Dota 2, SportsBetting.ag also offers odds on the likes of Valorant and Age of Empires.
The only thing missing here, really, is a few more non-sports markets, such as niche financial, celebrity, and political betting markets.
Free Bets and Bonuses: 4.6/5
Newcomers to this mobile sports betting app can grab a 50% deposit match worth up to $250 in free bets, giving you extra funds to start wagering.
Even if you’re not primarily interested in casino offers, the welcome bonus also includes 100 free spins on slot games, adding more ways to score a win right from the start.
5. MyBookie – Best App for Sports Betting Bonuses
Pros
- $200 cash bonus or 50% match up to $1,000
- Very low wagering on bonuses
- Lots of props for major events
- Frequent tournaments and contests
- Alternate lines and Asian handicap options
Cons
- Old-fashioned site layout
- VIP club is by invitation only
Who doesn’t appreciate big bonuses? We certainly do, and when it comes to rewarding promotions, MyBookie stands out as one of the top sportsbooks around.
Sports Betting Options: 4.6/5
Distinctive for its innovative in-game prop bet builder, MyBookie allows bettors to easily compile bets from multiple sports without having to navigate through many different sections.
This exceptional feature also comes in handy for popular NFL and NBA games that get 200 prop bets for a single game at this mobile betting app.
In addition, MyBookie’s comprehensive coverage of international horse racing events, including those at less popular venues, is a feature that sets it apart in the crowded online betting market.
Fun fact: MyBookie topped our list of the best Maryland sportsbooks.
Free Bets and Bonuses: 4.85/5
MyBookie treats its users with an array of rewards. When you deposit a minimum of $55 and use the code MYB50, you can get a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000.
An 8% cashback offer is also on the table for horse racing fans, while new bettors receive a $10 chip for online casino play.
There’s also an opportunity to score a 200% referral bonus if you introduce friends to MyBookie. Beyond this, a 25% sports reload bonus is also available on every additional deposit you make.
Top Online Betting Sites & Sportsbook Apps – Our Ranking Criteria
Sports & Betting Markets
Here’s where we look at the actual betting content of each online betting site. The more markets available, covering the wider range of sports, the better. It’s also important for these markets to come with competitive odds, so that we get more money for our betting wins.
Free Bets and Sportsbook Bonuses
A great way to put more bets down without having to spend as much money is to use free bets and other sportsbook bonuses and offers, such as deposit matches and boosted odds. All of these things can be very helpful to us sports bettors, just as long as the rollovers aren’t too high.
Banking & Payout Speed
Being able to pay at sports betting apps with a wide range of payment methods makes life easier for a wider range of people. Payment limits must also be fair to accommodate high rollers and casual players, and payouts should be processed swiftly and efficiently.
Sportsbook App
A top-tier sportsbook should offer a mobile experience that mirrors, or even goes beyond, the desktop version. The best sports betting apps provide fast load times, smooth navigation, and full access to betting markets, live streams, and account features. Whether you’re using a downloadable app or just betting through your mobile browser, the experience should run smoothly on both Android and iOS.
User Experience
This category covers everything from mobile compatibility to site design to customer support. All of these factors together can really make or break the sports betting experience at a site.
Customer Support
Ideally, you’ll never need to contact customer support — everything will just work perfectly. But it is still important to know that there is help if you ever need it.
We used similar criteria to rank the best betting apps in Georgia.
Sports Betting Apps VS. Mobile Betting
The rise of smartphones has revolutionized the sports betting industry, enabling bettors to engage with their favorite sports through sophisticated apps and browser-based betting sites.
These platforms ensure that users have access to a full range of betting options, secure account management, and reliable payment methods. Designed to work flawlessly on both Android and iOS devices, they replicate the desktop betting experience but with the added convenience of mobility.
Depending on the sportsbook you join, you may have access to a downloadable app or have to place bets through the default browser-based mobile site. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the two:
| Feature | Mobile Gambling | Gambling App |
| Access | Browser-based | App download |
| Speed | Slower load times | Faster and smoother |
| Notifications | None | Real-time alerts available |
| Storage/Battery | No space needed | Uses storage & battery |
| Live Betting | Occasional lag depending on browser | Smoother updates |
Mobile Sports Betting
Even if a sportsbook lacks an app, you can still place bets on your mobile device by accessing the site through your browser. In most cases, the mobile site is optimized for smaller screens and offers most of the features found on the desktop version.
While mobile betting sites may not offer the same smooth experience as a dedicated app, they still provide plenty of advantages. You don’t need to download any additional software, and if you’re using fast internet and a reliable browser, loading speeds and lag shouldn’t be an issue.
Sports Betting Apps
With the expansion of legalized sports betting, downloadable mobile apps have become a crucial part of the sports betting landscape. They not only allow bettors to place wagers from anywhere but also provide features like live streaming and real-time sports updates.
The best betting apps also come with other key benefits, like rapid load times and quick login, which help ensure you’re always in the action without missing a beat.
This level of accessibility and integration makes mobile betting a go-to choice for sports fans looking to capitalize on live events as they happen. Most mobile sportsbook apps offer these capabilities, enhancing the overall user experience and keeping bettors connected with every play.
Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Online Sports Bettors
Look for the Best Quality Odds
The best sports betting sites are all going to have good odds in general, but some are likely to bet better than others when it comes to certain sports. If you have a particular sport that you like to bet on more than others, then be sure to do some research to find out which site is best for it.
Don’t Cash Out Too Easily
It can be tempting to cash out when the pressure of live betting gets intense. But a lot of the time, it’s best to try and hold your nerve. Don’t be too trigger-happy with cash outs, as you might lose out on some cash.
Grab a Few Welcome Offers
Welcome bonuses are typically the biggest sports betting bonuses, as they are offered by sportsbooks to attract new players. The best part? You can use them to get free bets and bonus credits for your sports wagers. Be sure to take full advantage!
Don’t Miss Out on Boosted Odds and Bonus Bets
A lot of online sports betting sites will give players the chance to boost their odds or get occasional free bets. Keep an eye on the promotions page of any sportsbook you sign up for to see what’s available. These are pretty common deals!
Bet On the Sports You Know Best
Don’t waste money betting on sports you don’t know much about. You’re going to have a much better chance of winning if you focus on the sports you know most about. The more you keep up to date with a sport, the better position you’ll be in to predict the eventualities of each game.
Practice Responsible Gambling at All Times
Online gambling is meant to be about having fun, not chasing your losses. To help yourself stop this from happening, it’s a good idea to use safe gambling tools. Deposit limits can help you stay in control of your spending, and time checks can prevent you from wasting the clock away.
For more information, read our TX sports betting guide where we compare online and in-person betting.
What is the No. 1 Online Sports Betting App?
Right now, BetWhale stands tall as the best sports betting app on the market. With a slick mobile interface, thousands of daily markets, and a massive $6,000 welcome bonus, it’s built to deliver the full sportsbook experience on the go.
But it’s not just about looks and speed. What really sets BetWhale apart is the depth of its features. You get a custom prop builder, real-time Twitch streams, and easy access to 20+ sports, all from your phone.
Sports to Bet on at the Best Betting Websites
When it comes to online sports betting, the variety of sports you can bet on plays a crucial role in the experience.
The best betting websites offer a wide range of sports, catering to fans of mainstream competitions as well as niche sports fans. Here are the most popular sports to place bets on:
Soccer
Soccer reigns as the king of sports betting worldwide. The best sites provide extensive coverage of football events, from the prestigious FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League to regional leagues like the EPL and La Liga. Betting options are vast, including everything from match results and player performance to intricate in-game occurrences like corners and cards.
Football
Football offers great action and is a staple in sports betting. The NFL, with its Super Bowl online betting experience, dominates the market, but college football is also incredibly popular. Bettors enjoy a wide range of betting options, including point spreads, money lines, totals, and props like touchdowns scored and yards gained.
Basketball
With its fast-paced action and frequent scoring, basketball is a favorite among bettors. The best online betting sites offer comprehensive coverage of NBA seasons, the EuroLeague, and other international championships.
Markets often include point spreads, over/under scores, and player props, such as points scored, rebounds, and assists, making every game an exciting betting opportunity.
Tennis
Tennis betting is unique due to its year-round tournament schedule and head-to-head nature. The top sports betting sites that excel in tennis betting provide extensive market selections for Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and even Challenger events.
Esports
The rising star of the sports betting world, esports, attracts a younger demographic with games like League of Legends, CS2, and Dota 2. The best sites offer not just traditional win/loss bets but also detailed propositions such as first blood, map winners, and total kills.
Top Bonus Offers at Online Sportsbooks
Online sportsbooks love rewarding both new and loyal players with a variety of bonuses. Here’s a look at the most popular types you’ll come across.
No Deposit Bonus
No-deposit bonuses are popular but not very common, and they often come with strict conditions. These offers give you a small amount of free credit, like a $10 bet, just for creating an account, without needing to deposit anything. However, they usually have higher rollover requirements or tighter restrictions than other types of bonuses. You’ll also see them more frequently in online casinos, where they often take the form of free spins.
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus is the biggest incentive you’ll see when joining a new sportsbook. Typically, it comes as a deposit match, meaning the site will match a percentage of your first deposit with bonus funds you can bet with. For example, you might see a 200% match up to $6,000 at top sites like BetWhale. These bonuses are an easy way to boost your bankroll right out of the gate, and they often have much friendlier rollover requirements than no-deposit offers.
Cashback Bonuses
Cashback bonuses are designed to soften the blow when your bets don’t go your way. With this promo, a sportsbook will refund a percentage of your net losses over a set period, usually a week or a month. For example, you might get 10% back on losses up to $500. The refunded amount often comes as site credit or free bets, giving you another shot to turn things around without making a fresh deposit.
Reload Bonus
Reload bonuses work a lot like welcome bonuses, but they’re available to existing users when you top up your account. The best sportsbook promos can range from a 25% to 75% match on your deposit and are often tied to specific days of the week or special events. They’re a great incentive to keep betting regularly, and many sportsbooks run reload offers alongside contests and leaderboard promotions.
Odds Boosts
Odds boosts are one of the simplest and most popular promos you’ll find. With an odds boost, the sportsbook increases the payout potential on selected bets, meaning you can score bigger winnings without risking more money. These offers typically apply to high-profile games or parlays, and they’re updated daily. Keep an eye on the promotions page so you don’t miss out on extra value for your picks.
Pros and Cons of Sports Betting Online
Online sportsbooks come with plenty of advantages compared to betting in person, but they aren’t without a few downsides. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons to help you decide if they’re the right fit for your betting habits.
Top Benefits of Betting Sites
Better Odds and Higher Payouts: Since online sportsbooks don’t have the same overhead costs as physical bookmakers, they can usually offer the best sports betting odds. For example, you might see +120 online compared to +110 at a retail sportsbook—a difference that really adds up over time.
More Generous Bonuses: Online platforms consistently outshine brick-and-mortar sportsbooks when it comes to promotions. From big welcome offers to regular reload bonuses, the range of incentives is simply broader online.
Cryptocurrency Options: Many leading sites accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, giving you access to faster withdrawals, minimal fees, and often larger bonus offers.
Convenience: Perhaps the biggest perk, online betting sites are open around the clock. You can place wagers anytime, anywhere, without the hassle of traveling to a retail location.
Potential Drawbacks
Slower Withdrawals: Unlike retail sportsbooks where you get paid on the spot, online withdrawals, especially by bank transfer, can take days or even weeks. If you prefer faster cashouts, using crypto is usually the quickest option.
Less Social Interaction: Some bettors enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie of in-person wagering. While many betting sites have community features and chat options, it’s not quite the same as sharing the experience face to face.
Popular Bet Types at Top Online Sportsbooks
Understanding the different types of bets available is important when sports betting online. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular betting options.
Moneyline Bets
This is the simplest and most straightforward type of bet you can place at the best sportsbooks online. You simply bet on which team or player will win the game or match. The odds are presented with a positive or negative sign to indicate the underdog and favorite.
So, if you see odds of -150 for Team A and +130 for Team B, a $150 bet on Team A would net you $100 if they win, whereas a $100 bet on Team B would net you $130 if they win.
Point Spread Bets
Also known as handicap bets, these sports wagers level the playing field by assigning each team a point advantage or disadvantage. For instance, if the New England Patriots are favored to win by 7 points, the spread might be listed as Patriots -7.
This means the Patriots need to win by more than 7 points for your bet to pay out. And if you bet on the underdog, say the New York Jets at +7, they need to either win outright or lose by less than 7 points for you to win your bet.
Over/Under Bets (Totals)
These bets focus on the total number of points scored in a game, rather than the outcome. The top mobile betting apps set a predicted total, and you bet on whether the actual total points will be over or under that number.
So, let’s say the over/under for a basketball game is set at 210.5 points; you can bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be more or less than 210.5.
Parlay Bets
Parlays combine multiple individual sports bets into one wager. To win a parlay, all the individual bets (also known as legs) must win. Parlay wagers offer higher potential payouts but also come with increased risk.
For example, a parlay could include three bets: the Lakers to win, the Yankees to cover the spread, and the Packers to hit the over. If all three bets win, the payout is significantly higher than betting on each individually.
Prop Bets
Proposition bets cover specific events within a game, rather than the game’s final score. These can be anything from betting on which player will score the first touchdown, to how many strikeouts a pitcher will have.
Prop bets are popular during high-profile events like the Super Bowl, where you can bet on everything from the coin toss result to the length of the national anthem.
If you want to learn about online casino games instead, you can check out our guide to the leading Virginia online casinos.
Understanding How Betting Odds Function
Betting odds show both how likely an outcome is and how much you can win if your bet is successful. There are three main ways odds are displayed: American (moneyline), decimal, and fractional formats.
American odds use positive and negative numbers. A negative figure, like -150, means that’s the amount you’d need to bet to win $100. A positive number, such as +130, shows how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.
Decimal odds are widely used in Europe and Australia. They represent the total payout, including your original stake. For example, odds of 2.50 mean a $100 wager would pay out $250 in total.
Fractional odds are most common in the UK. These show your profit compared to your stake. For instance, 5/1 odds mean you’ll earn $5 for every $1 you bet.
Secure Payment Methods at the Best Online Sports Betting Apps
With the growth of legalized online sports betting, ensuring secure payment methods has become a critical concern for both bettors and betting platforms. Bettors want assurance that their financial transactions are safe and confidential.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most trusted payment methods offered by numerous betting sites to guarantee both security and convenience.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards remain the most common form of payment at the best betting apps. They offer a straightforward way to deposit and withdraw funds, and they have built-in security features like fraud protection and encryption.
Major brands like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted, making them a reliable choice for bettors around the world.
E-Wallets
E-wallets provide a secure and fast way to manage sports betting funds without directly using your bank account. Services like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller allow users to deposit money into their betting accounts instantly.
These platforms also add an extra layer of security, as they do not require sharing personal banking details with the betting sites.
Cryptocurrencies
As online wagering continues to evolve, cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly popular for their privacy and anonymity. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, among others, offer decentralized transactions that are both secure and fast.
The best online betting apps that accept cryptocurrencies often promote reduced transaction fees and quicker withdrawal times, appealing to tech-savvy bettors.
Bank Transfers
Bank transfers are a reliable method for those who prefer a more traditional approach when using the best sports gambling apps. Although slower than other options, bank transfers provide a high level of security and are supported by rigorous banking regulations.
Best Betting Sites – FAQs
Is Online Sports Betting Safe?
Yes, gambling is generally safe as long as bettors stick to licensed, reputable, and legal sports betting sites.
Whether you’re betting in Europe, America, or another continent, always make sure the sportsbooks you join are licensed to operate, as these licensors make sure the sites play fairly.
What Is the Best Sports Betting Site?
BetWhale is the best sports betting site overall. It has the best combination of banking options, bonus offers, and sports betting markets with competitive odds.
Can I Bet on Sports Live?
Yes, most online sportsbooks let users bet on sports live, and we found that the best place to do this is at BetOnline.
Can I Use My Mobile Device at Online Bookmakers?
Yes, there are lots of great mobile sports betting sites out there. All of our top picks, like BetWhale, BetOnline, and Bovada, can be easily used for mobile betting.
How To Sign Up at the Best Betting Apps for Sports
We’ve put together a simple guide to help you sign up for our top recommendation, BetWhale. You can use similar steps for our other picks, though.
Step 1: Locate the Signup Form
- Go to BetWhale’s homepage and find the signup form.
- Read and agree to the site’s terms and conditions.
- Enter a few personal details.
Step 2: Verify Your Identity
- Press the link in the email sent out by BetWhale.
- Upload a copy of your ID as instructed.
- Wait for the team to verify this.
Step 3: Fund Your Account
- Choose a payment method in the cashier.
- Enter an amount that qualifies for the welcome offer.
- Type in the promo code and proceed with the payment.
Step 4: Start Betting Online
- Head into the sportsbook.
- Use your welcome offer as per the terms.
- Play through the rollover and proceed to cash out.
Ready to Wager at Top Sportsbooks Online?
We’re lucky to have had access to legalized online sports betting across much of the world for quite a few years now. In that time, more fantastic sportsbooks have popped up, increasing competition and boosting the overall user experience.
Now, we have access to better odds than ever, stronger bonuses, and better betting tools. And the site that combines all of these things the best is BetWhale — but only just about. Many of the other sites we’ve listed are hot on its tail and still worth checking out.
So, why not try out a few of these sports betting options? And when you do that, make sure to get those welcome bonuses. But be sure to gamble responsibly at all times!
DISCLAIMER: 21+ only. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.
Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this guide may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local laws.
If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
The following resources may be helpful as well:
