A bookmaker sportsbook review designed with all in mind
Regulated
online sports betting
in the USA is still in its infancy. That means you may not be aware of where you can bet, how you can bet, and what elements you should know about before you do. Fortunately, with PlayersBest on your side, you won’t fall foul of any laws or rules when considering placing a sporting wager on your favorite team or player.
We have put this comparison together to help you work out how to spot the best bookmakers in the world. If you want to find the
best football sports betting
sites, this guide can help you do that.
You can also feel reassured that we have designed our review for everyone, from newcomers to online sports betting to those who have some experience. You may have plenty of knowledge about your chosen sport, ready to use when looking for available wagers with an online bookmaker. Either way, you’ll soon learn what you ought to know when looking for the best bookmakers online today.
What are the largest online sportsbooks?
Are online bookmakers legal?
One of the most important things to note here is that not all states accept online wagers for online sports betting. That said, many states do, including
New Jersey licence
and Pennsylvania. Of course, laws can and do change, so there is always the chance some states could be added to that list while others could potentially disappear off it.
It is now up to each individual state to decide whether they’ll allow online betting on sports to take place. You should also be aware that some states may legally offer an online casino and even poker, but not allow sports betting. Delaware falls into this category.
In some cases, you may find you can legally use an online bookmaker if you’re in the state that allows it. Tennessee allows this, for example, but does not allow online casino games or poker. So, consider your options according to which state you’re in.
If you see a bookmaker that invites you to bet from your state, even though you know it is illegal to do so, don’t sign up or bet. You’d be breaking the law if you did. Bottom line? While most states with online gambling laws do allow sports betting, make sure yours does before you dive in. Think about whether you want to use a casino or poker service too, if lawful to do so where you live. This should help you find a bookmaker who may also offer these other services.
Are offshore bookmakers legal?
It’s a fact that millions of people across America live in states that do not allow online sportsbook wagers. Yet some of those people still manage to make them. How do they do that? They use an offshore bookmaker.
This means they’ve found a bookmaker offering services to US-based bettors while registered offshore rather than in the States. In doing so, they dodge the US regulatory bodies and laws – and as you might imagine, this is illegal. If you sign up to an offshore bookmaker, no matter where you are in the States, you’re breaking the law.
That said, US bettors have bet on all their favorite sports with these sites for years now. Some people may not realize they’re breaking the law by doing this. Others know they are – but also know that the government doesn’t tend to go after such people. However, while it might sound as if exploring an offshore bookmaker would be a great idea, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Why we don’t recommend offshore bookmaker?
There are sound reasons why, too, as we’ll see here.
- No licensing means no protection:
An American bookmaker must become licensed and approved by a specific state for it to offer its services to individuals living in that state. You can guess that the bar is set high for supplying those services. That’s superb news from your point of view, though. It means that if you live in a state that has approved online bookmakers, you know that you’ll have some trustworthy sites to choose from. If you choose an offshore bookmaker, all that protection goes away.
- Your money may not be safe:
Some offshore bookmakers have done well for years and never garnered any negative headlines. However, that could all change in minutes… and if it did, you wouldn’t have any comeback. Since you’re breaking the law by using one of those bookmakers, you couldn’t exactly complain about them. So, stick with our PlayersBest guide and comparison to the best US-based and legal bookmakers.
How to choose a bookmaker online
Safety is a major theme throughout the PlayersBest site, as you may already have realized. Since not all US states accept online gambling, it becomes even more important to know you’ve found a welcoming bookmaker you can use. Yet there is way more to think about than that. Fortunately, you can take full advantage of the depth of knowledge held by the PlayersBest team. Here is a stripped-down list of the most crucial features to consider before joining one of these sites.
Look for decent odds
Competitive odds are always exciting to see at an online bookmaker. Most reliable bookmakers have odds around the same values, but there could be one offering more competitive deals regularly. Doing a little research ahead of time is a smart thing to do.
Make sure you choose a secure site
You should see the padlock ahead of the URL for the website in your search bar. You should also be able to check licensing information to confirm the site legally operates in your state. Some bookmakers join organizations designed to raise standards in the industry too – something else to look at.
Look for famous brands and names
We’ve listed a few for you below, and you’ll find full reviews of them elsewhere on our site. Some names carry an impressive track record in the world of sportsbooks, not just in time but in services. It’s a key area to look at, and we can help you with that right here.
Make sure you can deposit safely
Secure deposits are crucial for all bettors. Make sure the padlock shows you that you’re on a secure site. There should also be software to further protect your deposit, regardless of the method you’re using.
Read through the terms and conditions before you begin
Each bookmaker puts their terms into one long document on their site. However, you might also have other terms and conditions for betting on specific sports. we’ve found that exploring the help and FAQ areas can give us further details of the Ts and Cs enforced by a specific site. It’s vital to know where you stand before signing up, as your use of any sportsbook confirms that you accept its terms.
Which online bookies give best odds?
1.
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets if you win
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
How to find the right online bookmaker? 12 Tips
You’d be amazed at the hours of research that have gone into this bookmaker comparison. You may know that we also have a range of reviews going into depth on each individual bookmaker. We’ve created a precise and detailed format for putting the sites through their paces here, too.
This means all the most vital features to find (all included in our best bookmaker reviews) are right here where you need them. Instead of striking out alone and potentially choosing a site you cannot rely on or trust, we can help you expand your knowledge. Here are the various areas we check out when examining any online bookie.
1. Is the site easy to get around?
The sheer amount of information on the average sportsbook can make it tough to get around. We’ve gotten lost inside many a sportsbook, although there are some out there built around excellent designs. (Check further down this page to see some of our top recommendations.)
Finding sports, betting types, live betting, individual matches… all this should be quite easy to do, even on your first visit. And you should also be able to get back out to dip into another sport if you wish. It’s not the first thing you’d think about when looking for a bookmaker online, yet it is one of the most crucial elements you need to have on your side.
2. How many sports does the site offer?
You can expect to find the most popular sports at every online bookmaker. However, if you’re looking for something a little more niche – such as lacrosse, for example – check the A-to-Z list or other listing to see whether you’ve got the chance to bet on it. You could also look for fantasy sports if you wish. That’s another level to think about, filling the gap between your regular sporting events.
3. Do they have a separate racebook?
If you’d like to find the
best horse racing sportsbooks
alongside sportsbook delights, make sure you check for a separate racebook. It’s not always a given that you’ll see one, although it is usually there in the main menu for any site you visit. Check and see whether the site can give you racing in the US and internationally. You should also easily be able to move from one racetrack to the next. Look for a list of the most popular tracks, as you’re more likely to need to access those regularly.
4. Is there a signup bonus?
A bookmaker might offer deposit bonuses like free bet, risk-free bets, or a match deposit bonus for you to use as sign-up bonuses. If you find a welcome deal, read the terms applicable to it, so you know how it works and whether there are wagering limitations on withdrawal limits involved. Sometimes you get the free bet upfront, while other sites ask for a deposit and then give you a free bet if you lose your first wager.
5. Does the bookmaker offer other bonuses?
Every bookmaker sportsbook review we write goes beyond the signup bonus to see what else is available. ACCA bets, free bets, best odds offers, and many other possibilities might crop up. You may even pick up a bonus for depositing via a specific named banking method. You should be able to check the current roster of sportsbook deals before you sign up to a site. Just look for the bonus, promo, or promotions link – it’s usually in the main menu.
6. How many payments methods do they offer?
You probably know which payment method you’d like to use – in which case you need to look and see whether they have that method. If you’re a little more relaxed, look at the type of payment methods available. They could cover e-wallets, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, or gift cards.
7. Do they have in-play or live betting?
Both mean the same thing. This is a form of betting you can take part in while a match or event is happening. For example, if you’re into soccer, you could watch progress in the first half and bet on which player you think could score first in the second half.
This gives more immediacy to your wagers. Live betting doesn’t suit all bettors, but many people do like having this as an option. Some sportsbooks have in-play or live betting as a separate area, while others include it as part of the main sportsbook.
8. Can you access live streaming services?
If you can find some live betting, you may also be able to find live streaming. Even in cases where live streaming isn’t available, you can still usually keep up with the score by watching the page devoted to that match or event. You often see a basic court or match area on the screen, with player information, score details, and other factors. This is more like a stats-based approach to live betting, but some people prefer it.
9. Do they offer plenty of statistics and data?
Some sites get into this way more heavily than others. We’ve found some sportsbooks offer accessible areas of stats and data for each match. You sometimes need to go through to them to learn more, though. For instance, a tennis match might show you first-serve and second-serve percentages for each player, adjusting them as the match goes on.
10. Are there lots of potential bets to choose from?
These can vary from one sport to another. However, there should be plenty of possibilities across the board. Think about the sports you are most likely to place wagers on and see how many betting varieties they offer.
All sportsbooks will have the most famous bets – outright winner (usually of a tournament or event) and the money line bet. The latter is a bet you’d place on which team or player you believe is going to win that match, rather than the whole event. You can rest assured you’ll see these simple wagers at each sportsbook, but if you want more complex ones, often those involved with live betting, check to make sure you can get them.
11. Can you easily access the Bookmaker on mobile devices?
Do they offer an app to download for Android or iOS? If not, is their mobile site easy to visit and quick to load? Browser-based sites are pretty common now, but they only work if they’re built on a decent platform, so the site loads quickly in your chosen browser. Apps are cool too, but you’ll need to update them whenever necessary to continue using them.
12. Do they offer decent caps on winnings?
Every online bookmaker has a cap on the amount an individual can win each day. You’re also likely to see caps on withdrawals for each banking method. Check these before you sign up; there is nothing more frustrating than winning a wager or two, only to find you can only withdraw a small amount each day.
Our reviews look at these aspects and many more, so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect when you’re searching for the best bookmaker sites online right now.
The Best Online Sportsbooks
1.
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets if you win
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Top 3 bookmaker sites
Let’s take another bold step forward now to discover three online providers that tick many of the boxes I’ve covered so far in my comparison. You can decide whether these recommendations are among the best bookmakers online today. Remember that you can explore our
best gambling sites
comparison or
new bookmakers
guide too if you want further details of what to watch for when choosing which site to sign up with.
1. Caesars: A long-standing name in the betting universe
With a history going back to the Thirties, Caesars knows how to offer superb sports betting and first-rate customer support. They boast an excellent help area – an ideal place to begin – along with app access, lots of deposit methods, fast withdrawals, and an A-to-Z list of all their available sports. Plenty of info, stats, and bets for each sport, too. Caesars is one of the top football, baseball, and
tennis betting sites
in the country.
2. FanDuel: Fantasy sports alongside the real thing
Yes, you get a separate area for each approach at FanDuel. The sportsbook is superb though, with an Odds Boost feature alongside many varied sports. Accessibility works for each of those sports, giving you major events, upcoming matches, and other relevant information and stats.
3. Bet365: One of the biggest names in the business
They’ve been around since 2001 and today offer sportsbook services in several states. Easy to navigate with lots of promotions and deals, it also gives you access to 20 top sports. It is certainly one of the top boxing sportsbooks and best basketball betting sites around. It also covers many other sports as well, such as tennis, Australian rules, and cricket.
How to find the best live betting bookmaker
If you’ve followed our comparison this far, you’ll know there are plenty of elements to think about along the way. This is a journey you won’t want to miss, yet it is also a journey that differs for each bettor. Some people have several favorite sports they want to bet on.
They may look each day for the best odds and crunch some numbers before working out which odds and bet types they’re most eager to use. Others may only want to place occasional bets, trying to guess the winner of a major forthcoming and famous event.
Figuring out how you want to bet, and which sports you want to bet on, is a great starting point. It means you’ll know what you’re looking for, and you’ll be far less likely to become swayed by a striking website design or amazing offers or services. Sure, it’s a thrill to find an online bookmaker offering the best
soccer sport betting websites, but if you’re not into soccer, that’s not going to be useful for you. You might be a major fan of basketball instead, or tennis, or golf, or anything of a dozen more sports.
Think about which sports you want to see at your bookmaker, so you can make sure your chosen site caters well to you in supplying a range of bets you might like to place.
We’re giving you the tools here to find an appealing bookmaker available today. It’s up to you how you want to use those tools, but you’ll understand they’re available to give you more control over your ability to find the best site. By reading a bookmaker sportsbook review for a site you’re thinking about joining (and we have lots of those right here at PlayersBest), you’ll be ready and all set to begin.
Tips to bet safe online
You should always put safety first on every trip. Even when you’ve found your ideal bookmaker, you’ve read their bookmaker sportsbook review, and you’re ready to place some bets, you still need to make sure you’re always safe. Let’s go through some tips here to make sure you’re always in the best position to bet.
Know your bankroll before you bet
Your bankroll is the amount of money you’re going to bet with. You might work out a sum to use each day, week, or month, whichever works best for you. Never go over your bankroll though. Remember that if you deposit your entire bankroll for the month on the 1st of each month, that’s it until next month. With firm boundaries in this area, you can more confidently bet on sports and enjoy the process too.
The more you know about your chosen sport, the better. You’ll know if a player is in form, injured, playing below their best, or they’ve been absent for a while. Make sure you understand how the various sportsbook wagers work too. These can change depending on the sport you’re looking at. A hole-in-one wager can only happen with golf, for example, while betting on how many sets a match reaches can only occur in tennis. The more you know about your sport, the more you’ll understand which wagers are most sensible to choose.
Of course, there is more to sportsbooks than sports betting. Some offer you a superb
politics betting site
with a drop-down for entertainment awards evenings like the Oscars. If you keep up to date with the news and/or Hollywood, this may be a great option for you.
It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose each wager you place. You always need to know your limits. A small bankroll could go way further if you place small bets each time rather than one or two large ones. Never try to chase losses. It’s also wise to check out the responsible gambling stance taken by each bookmaker. You can find that information in every bookmaker sportsbook review on our site.
Our online bookmakers review
We hope you’ve come with us through each section of our bookmaker comparison. The best bookmakers online may seem tough to find, but we hope our guide has shown you that it doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you’re looking for the
best UFC betting
or another sport altogether, make sure your chosen sportsbook fulfills all the crucial features we’ve mentioned here. PlayersBest has always got your back.
1.
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets if you win
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Best Online Sportsbooks – FAQs
🏆 Which is the best online sportsbook in the USA?
There are numerous quality online betting sites in the US. To isolate a single one is not an easy task, given that customers’ needs vary greatly. As such, we invite you to read through our bookmaker sportsbook reviews to help you find the ideal operator for your needs when you bet on sports.
Sportsbook offers are well sought after in the USA. Each bookie offers different types of bonus offers. These can be compared in our PlayersBest bookmaker sportsbook reviews to see whether they are competitive or not for the various betting options.
⚽ What types of markets and sports events can I bet on at the best online sportsbooks in the USA?
Pre-match and live betting are standard betting options for major sports in the USA. But, as always, the types of sports betting markets vary from one bookmaker to the next. Most provide prop bets across the range and others even cover college basketball. However, we invite you to read our bookmaker reviews for a full rundown of what the best online sportsbooks have to offer.
