Who do we rate as the best online sportsbook? FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, Fanatics, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Hard Rock Bet, Borgata, BetRivers, Caesars, or someone else? Know that the legal sports betting operators listed are the best sports betting sites with the best sportsbook promos.
Best legal online U.S. sportsbooks
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Earn Caesars Rewards from betting activity.
- Live streaming of NFL games.
- User-friendly mobile app.
Copy promo code: SBRBONUS1000 Bet Now
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Caesars Sportsbook Review
Caesars is proving to be one of the most aggressively expanding brands in sports betting. Unfortunately, like all major U.S. sportsbooks, they are quick to limit you if you go on a tear and their odds boost promos offer low maximum bet limits.
Features
- Casino
- Live Chat
- Live Betting
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets (within 72 hours).
Features
- Top-tier app experience.
- Same Game Parlays and SGP+.
- Extensive promos and odds boosts.
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FanDuel Review
FanDuel reigns supreme right now as the No. 1 betting site in America. And it has largely earned that spot on the strength of superior brand recognition, an easy-to-use product, an overwhelming number of markets for North America’s most popular sports, and representation in every state in which it is permitted to offer legal sports betting.
Features
- Live Chat
- Casino
- DFS
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Features
- Extensive live betting options.
- More markets than any other sportsbook.
- One of the best apps in the industry.
Copy promo code: SBRBONUS Bet Now
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bet365 Review
Terms and conditions: Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
bet365 is one of the largest and most popular sportsbooks globally. With a well-received mobile app, popular same-game parlays, and a wide variety of sports leagues to bet on it’s no wonder 80 million sports bettors worldwide continue to use bet365.
Features
- Casino
- Horse Racing
- Poker
Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Live in 21 states
- Extremely powerful brand history and recognition
- FanCash reward system is great for sports fans
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Fanatics Sportsbook Review
Fanatics Sportsbook has launched its app in 21 states already, with plans to expand to more in the near future. Fanatics is poised to be a major player in the sports betting industry.
Features
- Live Chat
- Phone Customer Service
- Great Betting App
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
🏈 PLUS 1 month of NFL+ Premium subscription. Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Lots of promos and odds boosts.
- Wide range of sports and bet types.
- Seamless integration with DFS.
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DraftKings Review
DraftKings had a solid reputation as the leading DFS provider in the country, so the shift to legal sports betting felt natural. They offer one of the most voluminous collections of ongoing promos and odds boosts in the industry as they cater to the beginner crowd.
Features
- Quality Odds
- Live Chat
- Live Betting
Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets
Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Some of the best live-betting odds.
- Great deposit options.
- Earn MGM Rewards from betting activity.
Copy promo code: SBRBONUS Bet Now
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BetMGM Review
BetMGM is one of the top-rated sportsbooks in the U.S. offering some of the best live betting odds in the industry. They’re also the largest iGaming operator across the U.S.
Features
- Casino
- Live Chat
- Phone Customer Service
Up to a $500 Second Chance Bet
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Competitive odds across all markets.
- Live betting section is well organized.
- Earn iRush Rewards from betting activity.
Copy promo code: SBRBONUS Bet Now
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BetRivers Review
With its solid lines and user-friendly promos, adding BetRivers to your sportsbook rotation makers a lot of sense.
Features
- Casino
- Poker
- Live Chat
Bet $20, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Longstanding reputation in Atlantic City.
- User-friendly betting site and app.
- Competitive odds.
Copy promo code: SBRBORGATA Bet Now
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Borgata Review
Despite limited availability, the Borgata Sportsbook experience is considerably better than other operations similar in size due to being backed by MGM Resorts International and Entain. The experienced backing allows for a pleasurable user experience on the Borgata betting site and app.
Features
- Casino
- Horse Racing
- Poker
Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- User-friendly betting site and app.
- Detailed explanation of how promotions work.
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Hard Rock Bet Review
Hard Rock Bet is an excellent choice for super casual bettors. It is simplistic and offers some of the best sign-up bonuses for new users looking to try sports betting for the first time or those betting for light entertainment.
Features
- Casino
- Horse Racing
- Poker
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Quick links On this page
- Best sportsbooks
- Top promos & bonuses
- Top sportsbooks reviewed
- How we rate & review
- How to pick the best online sportsbook
- Types of sports betting
- Sports to bet on with top online sportsbooks
- How to start wagering on online sportsbooks
- Best for mobile betting
- Best for promos
- Best for odds
- Best for live betting
- Best for NFL betting
- Sportsbook by sports
- Sportsbooks by state
- Promos & bonuses by state
- Is online sports betting legal in my state?
- Payment options for online sportsbooks 💳
- Why choose online sportsbooks
- Responsible gambling with online sportsbooks
- Best US sportsbooks FAQs
Top 10 promos in the U.S.
Most states have more than one choice for online sportsbooks, with some having more than 20 different options. In an effort to outdo the competition and attract new customers, most sportsbooks offer potentially lucrative welcome bonuses to new account holders.
When you’re evaluating which platforms you want to try, you should always take the welcome bonus into consideration. It could offer guaranteed bonus bets, a deposit match, or first-bet insurance up to a certain dollar amount.
| U.S. sportsbook 🏆 | Welcome bonus 💰 | Promo Code ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ FanDuel | Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets | Claim $200 without code |
| ⭐ DraftKings | Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets | Claim $200 without code |
| ⭐ Fanatics Sportsbook | Up to $1,000 in bonus bets | Claim $1,000 without code |
| ⭐ Caesars Sportsbook | $1,000 first bet on Caesars | SBRBONUS1000 |
| ⭐ bet365 | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets | SBRBONUS |
| ⭐ bet365 (CO, PA, and NJ only) | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets | SBR365 |
| ⭐ BetMGM | Up to $1,500 back in bonus bets | SBRBONUS |
| ⭐ BetRivers | Up to a $500 second chance bet | SBRBONUS |
| ⭐ Hard Rock | Up to $100 in bonuses | Claim $100 without code |
| ⭐ Borgata | $100 in bonus bets | SBRBORGATA |
| ⭐ ClutchBet | Up to $250 in bonus bets | Claim $250 without code |
Best online sportsbooks
Interested in finding what are the best online sportsbooks? With dozens of options to pick from, it can be a bit overwhelming for a rookie bettor to know which sportsbooks are worth their time.
Luckily, we’ve already done all the research for you. We’ve signed up for every book and tested each one thoroughly, evaluating them on factors like ease of use, competitive odds, smooth banking transactions, and fast payouts when you win. We also favor books that offer generous sign-up offers to new customers.
With so many legal sports betting states in the country, here’s some of our quick picks for the best of the best:
| Feature | Sportsbook |
|---|---|
| Best Sportsbook | 🥇FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Most Popular Sportsbook | 🥈Caesars Sportsbook |
| Best for Casual Bettors | 🥉 BetMGM Sportsbook |
| Best Welcome Bonus | ⭐ DraftKings Sportsbook |
| Best for MLB | 🏆 bet365 Sportsbook |
| Last Verified | Aug. 22, 2024 |
Editor’s Note: Bonuses listed on this page are for U.S. residents only.
Best sportsbooks in US
Still looking for more information? No problem! Let’s break down our best sportsbook list and talk about what makes each of these platforms worth your time. The following six online sportsbooks are among the best in the nation, as far as we’re concerned:
1. FanDuel Sportsbook 🔵
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets (within 72 hours).
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
FanDuel reigns supreme right now as the No. 1 betting site in America, in what has been a battle pitting FanDuel vs DraftKings. And it has largely earned that spot on the strength of superior brand recognition, an easy-to-use product, an overwhelming number of markets for North America’s most popular sports and representation in every state in which it is permitted to offer legal sports betting. FanDuel is also among the fastest payout sportsbooks.
FanDuel, being one of the largest sportsbooks, is always in the mix for new U.S. state betting launches, and the latest North Carolina sports betting launch was no different. FanDuel also recently expanded its reach in Washington, DC, as it continues to grow in the U.S.
In all, new sports bettors — particularly those already familiar with the iGaming giant’s daily fantasy sports product — will have a special appreciation for its ease of use and the immense number of market offerings. More seasoned bettors will find reasons to quibble (among them, FanDuel’s head-scratching decisions on bet limits). However, there are enough good things here, including FanDuel promo codes, to make FD a popular option for most subsets of bettors.
For more information, check out our FanDuel review resource. For casino games, check out the latest FanDuel Casino promo code.
2. Caesars Sportsbook 🏛
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Terms and conditions apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Caesars sportsbook’s sterling industry reputation and player-friendly sports betting products lands this sports betting site at the top of the list.
New bettors will love how easy it is to sign up for a Caesars account and instantly be able to place a wager. Intermediate bettors will appreciate the generous Caesars Sportsbook promo codes and frequent (if somewhat profit-stunted) bonus offers. And power players have to at least respect Caesars’ place in the sports betting hierarchy when it comes to limits on wagers.
Caesars offers something beneficial to all who wager – and in an industry that tends to favor one type of bettor over another, that’s a massive benefit to players.
For more information, check out our Caesars review resource. For casino games, check out the latest Caesars Casino promo code.
3. bet365 Sportsbook 🟢
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
bet365 earns a top-tier slot in our sportsbook rankings for a number of strong reasons. For starters, it offers a generous welcome bonus with our bet365 bonus code that allows new bettors to pad their bankrolls early.
After that, you’ll find one of the widest varieties of betting markets on any sports betting app. Beyond the standard moneyline, point spread, and totals bets are creative props, intriguing futures, and potentially lucrative same-game parlay builds. The number of different wagers you can explore on bet365 is truly endless.
bet365 is now live in eleven states and growing quick in the U.S.
Available in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
See our exhaustive bet365 review for all the details. For casino games, check out the latest bet365 Casino bonus code.
4. DraftKings Sportsbook 👑
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
🏈 PLUS 1 month of NFL+ Premium subscription. Terms and conditions apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
DraftKings is a tier-one betting platform that continues to dominate the U.S. market alongside FanDuel. It does so thanks to an extensive range of markets, including lots of specials, props, and futures unavailable elsewhere. Moreover, it also has the best micro-betting setup in the industry. The DraftKings website and mobile app are both known for being highly functional and user-friendly.
DK’s massive popularity is partly due to its competitive bonuses for new customers. For just $5 on your first wager, users will receive the welcome bonus of bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets without needing a DraftKings promo code.
Even though DraftKings excels at new customer offers, it offers little to existing customers. That said, they feature a well-structured loyalty program through which you can earn “Crowns” to gain extra bet credits. A few areas where DraftKings can improve are its pricing (especially on same-game parlays) and the selection of daily odds boosts.
To learn more, we invite you to read our in-depth DraftKings review. For casino games, check out the latest DraftKings Casino promo code.
| DraftKings sportsbook state availability | 25 |
| Online casino | Yes (CT, MI, NJ, PA, and WV) |
| Sports betting welcome bonus | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets |
| Welcome bonus promo code | DraftKings Promo Code |
| Mobile app ratings | Apple Store: 4.7 Google Play: 4.6 |
5. BetMGM Sportsbook 🦁
Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets
Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
BetMGM is an industry-leading betting site for a good reason. They offer one of the best sportsbook platforms in the U.S. for casual, everyday sports fans. They frequently offer engaging ongoing BetMGM bonus codes that are accessible for the average bettor to take advantage of. The live betting platform at BetMGM is also on par with their competitors like Caesars and FanDuel.
BetMGM is very active in getting in at the ground floor for new US state betting launches, and the recent North Carolina sports betting launch was no different.
On top of their sportsbook offering, BetMGM has put extensive consideration into their online casino and poker, making this a one-stop-shop for people just looking to play for fun without a huge investment stake. The addition of an online racebook for horse racing fans gives even more reason to play here, especially for sports fans waiting for their states to regulate online sports betting.
All-in-all, BetMGM is in the elite tier of betting sites for the average sports fan.
For more information, check out our BetMGM review resource. For casino games, check out the latest BetMGM Casino bonus code.
6. BetRivers Sportsbook ⭐
Up to a $500 Second Chance Bet
Terms and conditions apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Rush Street Interactive launched BetRivers in June 2020. The sportsbook is available across more than a dozen states. Moreover, players from select locations also have access to an online casino.
BetRivers belongs to a group of mid-level U.S. sportsbooks. Its strengths lie in the large selection of alternative lines and props, an efficient in-play betting section, and a well-designed bet slip area.
Live stream coverage is another notable feature of the sportsbook. As long as you have an active BetRivers account, you can stream events across various sports and leagues, including the NHL, international tennis tournaments, various basketball competitions, top-tier European soccer leagues, and more.
We also like the SGP Quick Pick section that offers suggestions on how to form a same-game parlay. Meanwhile, there’s a Prop Central where you can find all the major prop bets laid out across popular sports.
On the flip side, BetRivers could use a makeover, as it looks outdated compared to most of its competition. The sportsbook’s welcome bonus is rather subpar, giving new customers between $100 and $500 in bonus bets depending on their location. New users can use the BetRivers promo code SBRBONUS when signing up.
Our comprehensive BetRivers review provides additional useful info on this operator, so feel free to check it out. For casino games, check out the latest BetRivers Casino bonus code.
| BetRivers sportsbook state availability | 14 |
| Online casino | Yes (MI, PA, and WV) |
| Sports betting welcome bonus | Second-chance bets up to $500 (can be lower depending on the state) |
| Welcome bonus promo code | SBRBONUS |
| Mobile app ratings | Apple Store: 4.4 Google Play: 3.4 |
How we rate and review sportsbooks
At SBR, we will never take shortcuts in our efforts to highlight the best sportsbooks in the business. We create accounts, interact with customer service, deposit money, navigate the site, place bets, and make withdrawals. This allows us to gain first-hand experience of the customer experience offered by each site. We are then careful to cross-check our findings with trusted colleagues and the community of nearly half a million sports bettors that use our forum.
Only then will we assign a rating to a site. This is an ongoing process: a sportsbook can be downgraded if it starts to fall short of our strict standards. It can also be upgraded, but the sportsbook must demonstrate a significant improvement over a prolonged period of time. The majority of upgrades or downgrades center around welcome bonuses, daily betting offers, customer service performance, and whether a sportsbook changes its bet limit policy (for better or worse).
The bottom line is that we play at the sites we recommend. Whether it be betting for NFL, Super Bowl, World Cup, MLB, NBA, or March Madness, we’ve been there. We have also played at the sites we do not recommend, and we can confidently warn you against using them. The best sports betting sites and best real money online casinos featured on our top sportsbooks list are all safe and reliable, and we can vouch for them based on personal experience. Our stamp of approval gives you the utmost confidence when signing up with an online sportsbook.
The U.S. legal sports betting industry is growing at an astronomical rate – and that means plenty of competition, not only with regard to sportsbooks, but with where to find the best and most useful advice on where to sign up.
You need a site you can trust to provide the most comprehensive and transparent look at the sportsbook industry and your place in it. At Sportsbook Review, we serve as a one-stop-shop both for new players looking to sign up for their first sportsbook and existing bettors interested in trying a new sports betting site.
SBR has been reviewing online sportsbooks for more than two decades. We know what constitutes a great online sportsbook. First, it must pay out in full and on time on a consistent basis. The best U.S. books not only provide several convenient banking methods but also ensure that their customers aren’t waiting for days to receive their withdrawn funds. We only recommend safe and secure online sports betting sites that have no history of mistreating their customers.
The best online sportsbook operators and real money online casino have worked hard to provide a strong overall user experience. The interface should be clean, uncluttered, and easy to navigate, with high standards in design and usability. The sportsbooks featured on this list all excel when it comes to user-friendliness. We also take the breadth and depth of each site’s sporting coverage into account when analyzing its strengths and weaknesses.
The leading online sportsbook websites featured on this page cover a broad range of sporting events in excellent depth, and they generally feature pre-game, in-play, and futures betting, with high-quality odds across the board. We also examine the quality of the bonuses and promotions on offer. This can really help you earn a profit over the course of the year.
Other key considerations for our reviewers include customer service levels, the strength of the mobile site, betting limits, and so on. You can read more about our review process further down this page.
It takes considerable time for a sportsbook to earn a place on this list. It must demonstrate a long commitment to upholding very high standards before it will be considered. Yet the list does change, as some online sportsbook websites prove themselves worthy of a place, while others drop off the list if standards slip. So bookmark this page and return regularly to check you are playing with the best online sportsbook possible.
For more on the standards we uphold in our content creation process, see our Editorial Policy.
How to pick the best online sportsbook
Your choice of sportsbook will largely depend on the qualities that matter to you, but here are a few general guidelines most bettors should follow:
- Only search for legal sportsbooks — Only bet at sportsbooks with a license to operate in the state that you’re currently in. By doing so, you will remain on the right side of the law. As a result, you’ll receive fair treatment and protection of your personal information.
- Look past the welcome offer — Rookie bettors often make the mistake of getting sucked in by a sportsbook based solely on its attractive welcome bonus. While the value of a new customer promo is important, those starting funds won’t last long. Instead, you need to think long-term and make sure the betting site features enough ongoing promotions and recurring incentives like reload bonuses, odds boosts, and a loyalty program.
- Examine the sports and market variety — This tip doesn’t apply if you’re only planning to bet on major leagues and focus on main markets like the moneyline and point spread, as these are available in every sportsbook. However, if you want to browse some niche sports on occasion and wager on exotic props and specials, look for a betting site with a diverse menu and market selection.
- Check out key features — Live streaming, early cashouts, data centers, pool contests, and quick picks are only some of the features that may elevate your online betting experience.
You don’t have to choose a single sportsbook — There’s no rule preventing you from joining multiple betting platforms. In fact, this strategy will allow you to compare the prices between sportsbooks and always bet with the one that gives you the best potential return.
Types of sports betting
There are numerous ways to bet on sports and create your bet slip. Here are the most common ones:
- Moneyline — This is the most clear-cut bet of all, tasking you with predicting the winning side (or a tie, if feasible).
- Point spread — Popular among football and basketball bettors, this market balances out the disparity between two teams by adding and subtracting points from each side. For example, if the Lakers are given -6.5 against the Knicks, you need to predict whether they’ll cover the spread and win by seven or more points.
- Totals — Also called over/under, this standard bet applies to most sports. It revolves around predicting the total number of points or other scoring units in a game or match. For instance, you must predict whether the Eagles and the Jets cumulatively score over or under 46.5 points.
- Futures — Also known as outrights, these are long-term wagers through which you can predict a team’s performance for the whole season or guess which player wins an award.
- Props — Proposition bets cover a range of miscellaneous outcomes during a contest and can cover the game as a whole, one of the participating teams, or individual players. Props can include hundreds of different bets, from 50/50 ones like who wins the coin toss and whether the final score will be odd or even to how many assists a given basketball player records or how many touchdowns we’ll see in a football game.
Sports to bet on with top online sportsbooks
Each top-tier sportsbook features betting on over 20 different sports — most notably, football (NFL), basketball (NBA), baseball (MLB), and ice hockey (NHL). Soccer, tennis, golf, MMA, and Formula 1 are some of the other popular options.
NFL betting 🏈
Football bets at NFL betting sites account for the majority of wagers at every U.S. sportsbook in the 18 weeks between September and January. The market selection on football games is by far the most extensive one, with dozens of game and player prop betting sites and parlay betting sites readily available for every contest.
The NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl are prime times when sportsbooks roll out special promotions to attract new customers.
NBA betting 🏀
With its 82-game season and intense playoff campaign, the NBA serves as the main action source for basketball bettors at NBA betting sites. As a high-scoring sport, basketball is ideal for predicting team and player points statistics, which all top sportsbooks make possible through an extensive range of props. Users can get ready for the most exciting tournament with the March Madness betting sites.
MLB betting ⚾
The baseball season takes center stage during the spring and summer months when most major leagues are in the offseason. Each MLB team plays 162 games throughout the regular season campaign, providing plenty of betting action from March until October. From moneyline and run line to props like over/under on the number of home runs, there are a lot of betting options for every MLB duel at MLB betting sites.
NHL betting 🏒
The NHL brings together the most elite hockey teams in the U.S. and Canada in an action-packed 82-game season. Popular hockey betting markets include moneyline, 60-minute moneyline, puck line, goal totals, and a variety of game and player props. Check out all the best NHL betting sites here.
Soccer betting ⚽
The beautiful game may not be the top sport in the U.S., but it’s quickly catching up. North America has multiple thriving domestic leagues, like MLS and Liga MX. Thanks to wonderful inventions like cable TV and internet streaming, it’s easier than ever to watch your favorite teams from Europe, South America, Africa, or Asia. Or anywhere else, really.
You can use the best soccer betting sites to bet on moneyline, totals, and double chance wagers. There are also creative props, like anytime goal scorer, number of corners, or halftime scoreline. If you’re feeling extra lucky, you can predict the exact score for a nice payday.
MMA betting 🥊
One of the best parts about betting on combat sports is the number of bouts to choose from on any given card. When it comes to MMA promotions, it’s naturally tough to beat the popularity of the UFC, with many Saturday’s dedicated to ‘UFC Fight Night’. Many bettors opt to use the best UFC betting sites wager on the main event, but there are always a few interesting bouts on the undercard as well. Need help making a UFC bet? Feel free to access informative articles from SBR’s UFC analysts on our UFC picks and best bets page.
How to start wagering on online sportsbooks
- Pick a sportsbook from our top list and follow the links to visit their official website. If you’re on mobile, try finding the sportsbook’s app on the App Store or Google Play.
- Register an account by providing your name, setting up account credentials, and sharing the last four digits of your SSN.
- Deposit some money into your new account and make sure the amount is sufficient to make you eligible for the sportsbook’s welcome bonus.
- Claim the welcome bonus once your deposit goes through. Mind that some bonuses require special promo codes that you can find right here at SBR.
- Browse the sportsbook for games and markets you want to bet on.
- Place a bet by clicking on the corresponding odds and filling out the bet slip with your stake.
Best for mobile betting
DraftKings Sportsbook 👑
In what is becoming a more competitive space by the day, sportsbooks need to have well-designed, top-rated sports betting apps in order to stand out from the crowd – and DraftKings has achieved the rare feat of endearing itself to both iOS and Android users.
DraftKings Sportsbook has an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 based on more than 7,300 reviews on the App Store. That’s among the highest ratings of any U.S.-based betting site and speaks to the sustained popularity of the app among the general sports betting public. It has proven to be almost as popular with the Android crowd, registering an impressive 4.6 rating based on over 140,000 reviews on Google Play.
Before you download the app make sure to grab one of the great DraftKings promo code.
DraftKings currently has great bonuses for existing users. An early win boost for MLB is a great way to start. Pick a team as a moneyline wager and if that team goes up by 2 runs at any point, you win.
Looking for more sports betting apps? Check out what the top sports betting apps are in your state.
| Sports Betting Apps | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona sports betting apps | Colorado sports betting apps | Connecticut sports betting apps |
| Illinois sports betting apps | Indiana sports betting apps | Iowa sports betting apps |
| Kansas sports betting apps | Kentucky sports betting apps | Louisiana sports betting apps |
| Maine sports betting | Maryland sports betting apps | Massachusetts sports betting apps |
| Michigan sports betting apps | New Jersey sports betting apps | New York sports betting apps |
| North Carolina sports betting apps | Ohio sports betting apps | Pennsylvania sports betting apps |
| Tennessee sports betting apps | Vermont sports betting | Virginia sports betting apps |
| West Virginia sports betting apps | Wyoming sports betting apps |
Best sportsbook for promos
Caesars Sportsbook 🏛
The welcome offer for new customers with Caesars is a $1,000 first bet on Caesars offer. New customers must make their initial deposit and wager of $5 or more on any sports market.
- Make your initial deposit of $10 or more.
- Place a qualifying wager within 30 days of registration on any sports market.
- If your bet loses, you’ll get your money back, up to $1,000, as a single bonus bet.
- You must use the bonus bet within 14 days, or it will expire.
Ensure you use the active Caesars Sportsbook promo code — SBRBONUS1000 — to claim the offer.
These credits can be accumulated through the operator’s rewards program and can be used for dining, shopping, hotel stays, and more.
For new state launches, like their Ohio sportsbook promo code, Caesars will often offer something special so make sure to check out North Carolina sportsbook promos for the North Carolina sports betting since they launched on March 11, 2024.
Sportsbook with best odds
bet365 Sportsbook 🟢
Quality of odds isn’t just an important factor in ranking sportsbooks – it’s perhaps the most valuable component of the entire ratings process. And that goes beyond the relative odds themselves: the lower the vig (or “juice”) on a standard wager, the more profit you stand to make as a bettor.
In this regard, bet365 has set a solid standard for prominent U.S. sports betting sites. The U.K.-based sports betting site routinely offers some of the best odds around. Even when they don’t have the absolute best price in a certain market, they remain competitively close. Throw in plenty of boosted odds options every day, and bet365 stands tall.
bet365 is also among the most competitive sportsbooks when it comes to odds across a wide variety of sports, so whether you’re an NFL aficionado or you prefer the European brand of football, you know you’re likely getting fair odds relative to the rest of the industry.
Best sportsbook for live betting
FanDuel Sportsbook 🔵
The live betting section at FanDuel is excellent. It covers more sporting events than the competition, and it is easy to browse. There are more live betting sites than ever – but FanDuel beats them all.
The majority of live betting markets are continually updated throughout the game, and you can stream various sporting events live on the FanDuel app or website. You can also cash out a bet early if your team is winning but you think it might lose the lead later in the game. Combine these features with FanDuelTV live streaming for the best live betting experience.
Best online sportsbook for NFL
FanDuel Sportsbook 🔵
The National Football League is king of the sports betting castle in the U.S., and FanDuel gives it a proper level of respect with thousands of available betting markets each week during the regular season and playoffs before ramping up considerably for the Super Bowl.
FanDuel is one of the most user-friendly NFL betting sites, with vig that rates as quite reasonable, and offers a wealth of popular Same Game Parlay opportunities throughout the season.
FanDuel also offers great football betting promo codes. If you’re looking for more betting sites, particularly for the Super Bowl, check out our Super Bowl betting sites guide and top Super Bowl betting promos. If you’re more interested in college football betting sites, FanDuel is a top contender there too.
U.S. legal sports betting history
While much of the focus in the U.S. has been on the growth of sports betting in the years following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, the country’s betting history goes back much farther than that.
Here’s a look at the biggest moments and milestones in U.S. sports betting history:
19th Century: Sports Betting Begins
The earliest instances of sports betting in America centered exclusively around horse racing events – but that changed in the latter stages of the 19th Century with the introduction of professional baseball. The National League was founded in 1876, and sports betting soon followed. Between the Louisville Grays throwing games and legendary manager Cap Anson famously placing wagers on his own team, betting controversies soon made as much history as the actual sport.
Early 20th Century: Black Sox Scandal
You don’t need to be a betting regular to acknowledge that the actions of the 1919 Chicago White Sox not only cast a shadow over professional baseball, but over sports wagering as a whole. Eight members of that White Sox team accepted bribes from a gambling group (allegedly led by New York City crime boss Arnold Rothstein) to throw the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds; all eight, including star outfielder “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, were given lifetime bans in 1921 but avoided any criminal charges.
1940s: Legal Sports Betting is Born
A decade after Nevada Governor Fred Balzar signed Bill AB 98 into law – allowing for legal gambling within the state’s borders – noted mobster Bugsy Siegel made history in 1941 as the first race disseminator in the state. Siegel’s race wire service provided centralized odds and results for bookies. The end of the decade saw Nevada officially legalize sports wagering, though betting was limited to turf clubs, which operated independently of the casinos.
1950s: Excise Tax Sends Sportsbooks Running
Just as the popularity of Las Vegas sportsbooks was climbing, the federal government stepped in and turned the industry on its ear. A whopping 10 percent excise tax on sports betting handle – part of the Revenue Act of 1951 – effectively shuttled many legal sports betting operators, while others sought out less-than-legal ways around the tax.
Regulation was the focus of the latter part of the decade. The state legislature created the Gaming Control Board in 1955 to help regulate the ever-growing Nevada gaming industry, while the Gaming Control Act was passed four years later, putting the Nevada Gaming Commission in charge of all gaming licensing. With the mob engaging in heavy illegal sports betting activity elsewhere in the country, more stringent regulations were on the way.
1960s: Feds Crack Down on Mob Betting Activity
The U.S. government came down hard on illegal sports betting operations in 1961, implementing the Interstate Wire Act (also known as the Federal Wire Act). The act, which remains in effect today, prohibits sports wagering from crossing state lines:
Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
Elsewhere, the beginning of the decade saw Nevada crack the $200 million mark in annual gross gaming revenue – and it also marked the beginning of an incredible casino expansion.
Caesars Palace’s opening in 1966 was the most notable addition to the Las Vegas casino scene, punctuating a stretch in which Harvey’s, the original Aladdin, Circus Circus, Landmark, International, and the Monte Carlo all made their debuts.
1970s: Welcome Tax Relief for Sportsbooks
As more casinos popped up along the suddenly-expanding Las Vegas Strip in the 1970s, Congress finally made things right after nearly a quarter-century of exorbitant sports betting handle tax.
After much urging from Senator Howard Cannon, Congress finally decided in 1974 to lower the excise tax from 10 percent all the way down to two percent. One year later, following the state passing of a law allowing casinos to host sportsbooks, Union Plaza Hotel and Casino owner Jimmy Gaughan made history as the first man to do so.
Elsewhere, Nevada briefly had company in the sports betting sphere. Delaware introduced its sports lottery in 1976, then shuttered it just three weeks later (and voiding all active tickets in the process) after incurring more than $376,000 in debt.
1980s: Vegas Sportsbooks Rejoice
The 1980s brought more good news for Nevada, as Congress lowered the tax rate on licensed books to 0.25 percent. This, combined with a 6.75 percent state tax on gross gaming revenue and one percent licensing fees, put operators in a position to compete with – and ultimately outdo – illegal sportsbooks.
Meanwhile, two other states tried their hand at a less polished form of sports betting. The Montana Lottery was created in 1986 and offered limited sports pools and fantasy sports wagering, while Oregon’s Sports Action parlay offering was introduced three years later. These new ventures raised concerns in Congress, setting the stage for a bombshell that would stun the sports betting world.
1992: PASPA Limits the Playing Field
In response to a growing number of states interested in implementing some form of sports betting, Congress enacted the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which banned sports wagering in all states except for the four (Nevada, Oregon, Montana, Delaware) which had already put sports betting options in place.
All states that had operated licensed casino games for the 10-year period prior to PASPA’s enactment were eligible to add sports betting to their gaming offering but were given just 12 months in which to do so. New Jersey was the one state expected to take advantage of this window but failed to do so.
2000s: Nevada Rebounds From 9/11
Nevada’s continued growth explosion finally came to a sobering halt after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Tourist activity dried up significantly, resulting in mass layoffs and shutdowns; it would take until 2005 for things to return to normal.
Even with a massive slowdown earlier in the decade, Las Vegas returned as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations when people started to feel safe traveling again. Revenue passed the $10 billion mark annually in 2004, and more casino-hotel combos popped up, including Wynn Las Vegas, Encore Las Vegas, and The Palazzo.
2011-13: NJ legislation passes; leagues fight back
A New Jersey sports-betting referendum held in November 2011 was overwhelmingly approved, leading to the Sports Wagering Act of 2012 that allowed for “wagering at casinos and racetracks on certain professional and collegiate sports or betting events.”
Alas, it wasn’t that simple. The biggest sports organizations in North America (NFL, MLB, NHL, and the NCAA) blocked legislation, successfully arguing that New Jersey’s bill violated PASPA. New Jersey followed up with an appeal, but it was also unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the early 2010s proved to be the most challenging period for Las Vegas in decades. Early during that period, a deep recession significantly curtailed tourism and spending, resulting in widespread layoffs and major delays to casino construction, expansion, or refurbishment projects.
2014-17: NJ Wins Audience With SCOTUS
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who had unsuccessfully tried to push through the first sports betting bill, had another trick up his sleeve. In October 2014, he signed off on legislation that would allow casinos and racetracks to offer sports betting by repealing state law that bans the practice.
The leagues wasted no time responding – and this time, the NBA was involved as well. The organizations suggested that Christie was simply trying to find another way around PASPA. After an injunction was granted, the U.S. Third District Court of Appeals upheld the decision 2-1 in the summer of 2015.
Frustrated but undaunted, New Jersey lawmakers sought to take their case to the highest court in the United States. But even before they got the opportunity, the Supreme Court asked U.S. Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall to weigh in – and he recommended in May 2017 that SCOTUS not even bother with a hearing.
Just over a month later, SCOTUS stunned just about everyone by agreeing to grant New Jersey’s petition for a hearing. While the path to this moment had been largely a solo journey for the Garden State, a whopping 20 states filed amicus briefs with the court (along with the highly respected American Gaming Association) in support of New Jersey’s quest to legalize sports betting.
2018: PASPA Vanishes, Sports Betting Launches
After a wait of five-plus months, the Supreme Court finally ruled – and by a 6-3 count, SCOTUS declared that the federal ban on sports wagering is unconstitutional. That set in motion a frenzy of activity across the country – most significantly in New Jersey, which was expected to become Ground Zero for the new era of U.S. sports betting.
The following month, Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111, allowing for the introduction of legal sports betting at casinos and racetracks. Less than two months after that, DraftKings Sportsbook became the first online sportsbook operator to go live in New Jersey – and the first to operate anywhere outside Nevada.
NJ wasn’t the only state to jump on board the sports betting train in Year 1 post-PASPA. Delaware was actually the first state outside NV to provide legal sports betting (via a retail location), while New Mexico, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia also took their first wagers in 2018.
2019: NJ Dominates Sports Betting Landscape
Having done much of the legwork ahead of time, New Jersey was miles ahead of the rest of the country at rolling out legal sports betting – and it showed. Serving as a test case for the other states, New Jersey saw immediate success, putting together five straight months of $300+ million in handle to open 2019.
From there, the NFL and NCAA football seasons took center stage – and New Jersey saw truly eye-popping numbers in terms of handle, bringing in nearly $2.6 billion from September 2019 to January 2020 while finishing the calendar year at $4.6 billion.
The industry also saw a significant number of new states enter the fray. Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Oregon all took their first legal sports wagers in 2019.
2020: COVID-19 Halts Momentum
Just as an ever-increasing number of legislated states set their collective sights on another set of monthly records, the COVID-19 pandemic sent the entire North American sports calendar into flux. Sportsbooks, casinos, and tax collectors all took a major hit over the four-month period from March to June 2020 (though the state still pulled in $520 million in handle over that span).
As sports gradually returned over the summer and both the NFL and NCAA football rolled out full schedules (or close to them), bettors came back in droves. New Jersey set monthly handle records in three straight months before ending 2020 in style with a $996 million showing in December (the topper to a $6-billion year). Several other states smashed their monthly handle marks, as well.
COVID-19 also did little to slow down the implementation of sports betting legislation in a handful of other states. Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Washington and DC all entered the market in 2020, though many of those states saw modest early handles due to the coronavirus.
2021: Records Fall Everywhere
The U.S. sports betting phenomenon reached a whole new level in 2021 – and as usual, New Jersey was at the epicenter. On the heels of a $959-million handle for January, the state regularly shattered monthly records post-NFL – then saved its best for the 2021 season, posting the first billion-dollar handles in each of the final four months of the season. The final tally: $10.93 billion in handle.
This trend hardly belonged to New Jersey, with every state operating legal sports betting having enjoyed record numbers in 2021. As expected, even more states became part of the U.S. betting landscape, with Arizona, Connecticut, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming accepting legal wagers for the first time.
2022: No Stopping New York
Despite massive growth in the U.S. sports betting industry, none of the Big Four states offered legal sports wagering going into 2022. That all changed in the second week of January, when New York (No. 4 in the country in terms of population) joined the club – and promptly raked in the dollars.
Empire State sportsbooks brought in an unbelievable $1.69 billion for the month despite not launching until early January – and that momentum carried through the first half of the year, with New York bringing in more than $10.6 billion in handle through its first eight months of operation.
It was otherwise a much slower year in terms of new state legislation, with only Louisiana joining NY as of October 2022.
2023: Four states add legal sports betting
2023 was the year of states adding to the legal betting scene. Ohio, Massachusetts, Kentucky and Vermont joined the legal sports betting landscape and join the 30+ states total.
2024: North Carolina launches
North Carolina became the latest state to user in legal sports betting on March 11, 2024. The Tar Heel state welcomes a handful of the best online sportsbooks, giving citizens plenty of options.
Later in 2024, Washington, DC, expanded its online sports betting legislation. Although it’s technically not a state, residents can now use online betting apps anywhere in the District. Previously, they were limited to a two-mile radius near specific professional sports stadiums.
Sports Betting Regulatory Bodies
While repealing PASPA was the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, each state is responsible for determining its own set of sports betting regulations and restrictions. Here are the main governing bodies for the most notable states with legal sports wagering in place.