Shutterstock
Monday, March 1, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Looking for the best sports betting sites and online sportsbooks?
As online sports betting grows in popularity, so does the need to choose the right sportsbook.
I get it - some sportsbooks are way better than others. What you want is a sportsbook that suits your needs, whether that be the best odds, sign-up bonuses, or live streaming. Or maybe you just want one that won’t restrict your stake or has the best mobile platform.
This article takes a look at the top 5 best online sports betting sites in the U.S. right now. We’ll be highlighting which sites are best for specific purposes, and we’ll also be taking a look at exactly what makes a good sportsbook.
Meet the author: Experienced bookie with 20-year working experience on various sportsbooks. During the last four years, I’ve been testing and reviewing online sports betting sites. For more sportsbook reviews like this one, check out Betworthy.com
Top 5 Sportsbooks and Online Betting Sites
- Best Welcome Bonus - Bovada
- Most Competitive Odds - MyBookie
- Best for Mobile Betting - BetMGM
- Best for UK Betting - William Hill
- Best for Betting in Las Vegas - Westgate Superbook
1. Bovada - Best Online Sportsbook for Fast Payouts
Bovada stands out amongst all other sportsbooks in the sports betting industry due to its solid reputation. It’s known for its rapid payout times, its top-notch security measures, as well as its great lines and markets. It also offers good bonuses, huge markets, and Bovada is easy to navigate and use.
Pros
- Round the clock, 24/7 customer support
- Clean user interface
- Lots of props
Bonuses
- 50% welcome bonus up to $250 when you make your first deposit
- Link: Welcome Bonus
2. MyBookie - Most Competitive Odds
MyBookie has firmly established itself as the U.S.’s second-best sports betting site. This is because MyBookie uses state-of-the-art software that enables it to offer a modern, slick and easy-to-navigate design. Their odds are one of the best, and their bonuses are very competitive, and they cover pretty much everything the serious bettor needs.
Pros
- Bitcoin accepted
- Great mobile client
- Excellent welcome bonus
Bonuses
- 100% welcome bonus up to $1,000 when you make your first deposit
- Link: Welcome Bonus
3. BetMGM - Best Mobile Sportsbook App
BetMGM is the latest addition to the MGM Resorts International online gambling repertoire. This betting site is still relatively new and only available in a handful of U.S. states, but it’s already able to offer the best mobile betting experience. BetMGM also offers stunning online casino rooms and games and is ideal if you want to flip-flop between sports betting and table games.
Pros
- Excellent mobile platform
- Lots of live betting opportunities
- Hugely reputable name in the online gambling world
Cons
- Basic user interface
Bonuses
- 100% signup bonus up to $1,000 when you make your first deposit
- Link: Signup Bonus
4. William Hill - Best For Recreational Sports Betting in the UK
William Hill has become synonymous in Europe for recreational betting - and it’s now brought its huge sense of fun, massive amount of markets, and awesome bonuses to the U.S. William Hill also offers more live streaming than most other sites, it’s easy to use and the withdrawals are always processed super fast. Plus, sports bettors will like that it has been around for 87 years and is a name you can trust.
Pros
- Lots of markets on sports and leagues all over the world
- Plenty of bonuses to grab
- Great user interface
Cons
- Big winners may find their stakes restricted
Bonuses
- Bet $50 and get $50 worth of free bets when you sign up and make your first bet
- Link: Free Bets Bonus
5. Westgate Superbook - Best For Sprots Betting In Las Vegas
The Westgate Superbook is the standout sports betting site in Las Vegas. It’s a class act that comes with a generous rewards program, live betting, and - of course - a live casino. The betting lines are competitive, payouts are reliable, and it comes complete with a racebook for anyone who wants to bet on horses. The app, meanwhile, is available on both Android and iOS.
Pros
- Ideally situated on the Las Vegas Strip
- Knockout VIP program
- Constant promotions ongoing
- Excellent casino
Cons
- Minimum first deposit is $100
Bonuses
- Signup bonus varies, make sure to check before you create an account
- Link: Registration
U.S. Sports Betting Law: Is It Legal to Bet Outside of Las Vegas?
It’s legal to bet outside of Las Vegas, and it’s legal to bet online as well. But while every state in the U.S. has the ability to apply for legalization of sports betting in their state, not every state has yet regulated sports betting.
Moreover, not every sportsbook is legal in each state outside Las Vegas. For example, William Hill is currently regulated in the following states:
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- The Bahamas
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
This means if you live outside any of these states, or if you wish to place a bet outside any of these states, you won’t be able to use William Hill. Betting sites like DraftKings are also only available in specific states.
As mentioned, each state can apply for the legalization of sports betting, and we’re hoping that more states successfully regulate sports betting soon.
Which Online Sportsbook Should You Choose?
Above, we outlined the top 5 U.S. online sports betting sites that are in operation today. If you’re still not sure which site to sign up to, let’s now take a look at the things you should consider before making your final decision.
Welcome Bonuses, Free Bets, and Promotions
Each betting site offers an array of bonuses, such as free bets, sign-up offers, and various promotions. Bonuses keep things fun, and they allow you to keep betting without digging into your own funds.
However, while some sites, such as William Hill, keep the bonuses and promos coming, others are more focused on pro gamblers and offer less promotions. It’s also a good idea to take a look at a sportsbooks VIP program and what perks they have to offer, including how many deposits and bets you need to place in order to gain access to more perks and so on.
Available Sports Betting Options
While most U.S. best sports betting sites cover major sports, such as the NFL, the NBA, and soccer, bettors who want to dabble on niche sports, such as volleyball and motorsports, will need to find a sportsbook that caters for these.
For instance, Bovada covers more sports than most other sites. In addition to all the major sports, they offer markets for the likes of handball, netball, and so on.
Odds and Lines
The last thing you want to happen is to win a bet before realizing you could have netted a bigger return had you placed it with a different sportsbook.
Before signing up to a bookmaker, check out their odds and lines and compare them to another bookmaker. Bovada is known for its fairly late lines, while William Hill is known for its competitive odds.
These are key things to know before you place your first bet because whilst all bookmakers offer lines and odds, they offer different ones. What you want to find is the best value.
User-Friendly Betting Interface
You can generally tell how easy or difficult to use an online betting site will be simply by visiting it and taking a quick look around. For a seamless experience, the site needs to have contrasting colors that are easy on the eye, fast loading time, and it’s always ideal if their sports and leagues are neatly arranged into categories.
It should also be really easy to find key menus quickly, such as banking and betting options.
Additional Features
Bovada is one sportsbook known for its innovative features, such as adding Bitcoin as a payment method. The more features a sportsbook has, the more your enjoyment will be.
Some things to look out for include a live casino and poker room (such as those offered by BetMGM), a good selection of eSports, live streaming (such as that offered by William Hill), and in-play data and statistics, such as the comprehensive up-to-the-minute data offered by Bovada.
Most Popular Sports to Bet On in the U.S.
The best sports betting sites all offer markets and lines for major American sports. In this section, we will take a look at what to bear in mind when betting on the best American sports.
NFL Football Betting
On the face of it, NFL betting can be a tad frustrating because the regular season only lasts for 17 weeks. However, once the season ends in February, bettors can turn their attention to the NFL draft.
Moreover, American football betting offers plenty of future betting opportunities, such as who will make the playoffs and who will win the Super Bowl, as well as an insane amount of props. The point spread bet, meanwhile, is the most popular NFL bet.
Plus, many sites, including William Hill and MyBookie, offer lots of seasonal specials, especially for Thanksgiving Day football.
NBA Basketball Betting
NBA is one of the most exciting sports you can bet on, especially in-play. This is because points are scored all the time literally, and the games come thick and fast.
Typically, the NBA season lasts from October until June the next year, with each team playing 82 games. This represents plenty of betting opportunities.
Even better, it’s possible to catch lots of great value by betting on underdogs who, from time to time, upset a road-weary, heavily fatigued favorite.
NCAAB College Basketball Betting
One of the things you need to be wary of with college basketball betting is that some states prohibit you from betting on the local college teams. If this is something you want to do, make sure to check with state regulations first.
NCAAF College Football Betting
College football is one of the most popular U.S. sports to bet on. A few US sports betting sites specialize in this sport, including MyBookie, Bovada, and BetNow.
Like college basketball, you need to make sure you’re able to bet on your local team within state lines if you plan on doing this. Moreover, not every sportsbook offers college football, so make sure to check before you sign up.
MLB Baseball Betting
MLB baseball betting is available on all the best sportsbooks. MLB is also super popular on Daily Fantasy Sports sites like it appears from DraftKings review.
There are various bet types available for MLB, including futures galore, while many top sportsbooks offer lots of seasonal MLB baseball bonuses and promos.
NHL Hockey Betting
NHL betting is different from most other sports in that the most popular bet is the simple moneyline bet. This means all you have to do is pick the winning team instead of trying to beat the point spread, which in NHL betting is known as the “puck line.”
However, there are ample betting opportunities in the NHL because each team plays at least 56 games each. On top of that, there are the playoffs and the Stanley Cup.
FAQ about Sportsbooks and Betting Sites
Can You Bet On Sports In Las Vegas?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Las Vegas. You can bet using a sports betting app or bet in one of the many casinos.
Is Sports Betting Legal Outside of Las Vegas?
It is, but only in states that permit sports betting. Sports betting still isn’t legal across the country, so it’s important to find out whether or not your state can legally accept sports wagers.
Which Online Sportsbooks Accept Bitcoin In The U.S.?
Several US betting sites have started accepting Bitcoin in recent years. Bovada was one of the first, although MyBookie quickly followed its lead. Other top sports betting sites that accept Bitcoin include Betonline, BetUS, and GT Bets.
Which Online Sportsbooks Accept PayPal In The U.S.?
A handful of online sportsbooks now accept PayPal as a deposit and withdrawal method in the U.S. These include:
However, most sports betting sites still don’t accept PayPal. This is because PayPal is still banned as a payment method in specific states across the U.S.
