Best Online Sportsbooks in the US: Top Betting Sites 2024

Best Online Sportsbooks in the US: Top Betting Sites 2024

A total of 38 US states have now legalized online sports betting, while others may follow suit in the future. Each of these states is home to a highly competitive marketplace, with iconic brands such as BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings operating in multiple jurisdictions nationwide.

In this detailed guide, we’ll appraise the best online betting sites in each individual US state, while taking a closer look at a market that’s projected to be worth $9.65 billion by the end of 2024. We’ll also consider the most popular sports to bet on in the US!

Best Online Betting Sites for Each State

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the best online betting sites operating in each individual US state. We’ve also included information about the sportsbook’s current welcome bonus, so that you can decide whether you want to register for an account or not!

Arizona Sportsbooks

Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation that legalized sports betting in Arizona in April 2021, with the first sports launching the following September. There are now 17 active sportsbooks in Arizona, who generated a cumulative sports betting handle of $648.2 million last October.

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Colorado Sportsbooks

The state of Colorado legalized sports betting in November 2019, with the legislative framework allowing up to 30 licenses to be issued. Currently, there are 20 active sportsbooks in Colorado, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and local operators such as Novig and Tipico Sportsbook. Online sports betting in Colorado is very popular among football fans who recorded some of the highest bets during the Super Bowl 2024.

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Illinois Sportsbooks

Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019, just 13 months after the Supreme Court struck down the PAPSA legislation that had previously prohibited sports betting at federal level. BetRivers subsequently launched the newly regulated marketplace in June 2020, while 8 sportsbooks now have licenses in Illinois.

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Indiana Sportsbooks

Indiana moved even quicker to legalize sports betting, with ‘HB 1015’ passed by the legislature in May 2019. Since then, some 13 sportsbooks have been granted licenses in Indiana, including the aforementioned BetMGM and BetRivers brands. Natives have placed more than $5 billion in wagers during the previous four years.

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BetRivers econd chance bonus bet up to $250

Iowa Sportsbooks

Iowa also moved to legalize sports betting in 2019, finally passing legislation in August. The first sportsbooks opened up shortly afterwards, while 17 operators have now been granted licenses in Iowa. The state took $2 billion in bets through 2023, despite it not being home to any major professional sports teams.

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Kansas Sportsbooks

Kansas was a little later to the sports betting party in the US, launching officially in September 2022. While just 6 sportsbooks are operating in Kansas, the current legal framework allows for 12 licenses to be granted in total.

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Louisiana Sportsbooks

Sports betting became officially legal in the state of Louisiana in June 2021, with sites subsequently launching the following January. 8 sportsbooks are currently active in Louisiana, while bettors staked an impressive total of $1.8 billion during their first year of operation.

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Maryland Sportsbooks

Sports betting legislation received voter approval in November 2020, with online sportsbooks launching exactly 12 months later. There are 11 licensed operators in Maryland at the time of writing, while these sites recorded a sports betting handle of $544.9 million in January 2024.

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Massachusetts Sportsbooks

Massachusetts eventually legalized sports betting on January 31^st, 2023, with the online marketplace launching in earnest in March. In the 11 months since, some 6 sportsbooks have been granted licenses in Massachusetts, including BetMGM, Caesars and Fanatics. By the end of its first year, MA is expected to have generated a sports betting handle of between $4.04 billion to $5.97 billion.

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Michigan Sportsbooks

Michigan passed sports betting legislation in December 2019, with the official online launch taking place in January 2021. There are now 13 licensed sportsbooks operating in Michigan, including BetRivers, FanDuel and BetMGM. The state has generated a handle in excess of $4.19 billion so far in the 2023/24 financial year.

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New Jersey Sportsbooks

New Jersey is the home of sports betting, having launched its online offerings in June 2018 (less than four weeks after the aforementioned PAPSA legislation was struck down). NJ subsequently recorded its first $1 billion monthly handle in September 2021. At total of 17 sportsbooks are now licensed to operate in New Jersey, with Bally Bet joining the party early in 2024.

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New York Sportsbooks

For a long time, New York was a sleeping giant in the world of legal sports betting. However, online sports betting has been live and legal since January 2022, issuing 9 betting licenses to brands in New York, including BetMGM, BetRivers and FanDuel. By the end of 2023, NY had generated the third-highest all-time sports betting handle and collected more tax ($1.5 billion) than any other state.

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Ohio Sportsbooks

In the wake of HB 29 being passed by the legislature, legal online sports betting launched in the ‘Buckeye State’ on January 1^st, 2023. 19 sportsbooks have since launched in Ohio, while its cumulative sports betting handle hit $806.1 million in January 2024. This was just 2.4% down when compared with the December 2023 figures.

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Pennsylvania Sportsbooks

Some of the best online casinos and sportsbooks in Pennsylvania include BetMGM, BetRivers and Betway. Interestingly, sports betting legislation received the green light way back in 2017, while PA was able to officially launch an open and licensed marketplace in May 2019. 12 sportsbooks are currently licensed to operate in PA.

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Tennessee Sportsbooks

Despite legalizing sports betting in 2019, the first online sportsbook didn’t launch in TN until November 2020. There are now 11 active sportsbooks in Tennessee (including BetMGM, Caesars and DraftKings), while Tennessee is the only authority to impose a minimum hold provision (10%) on licensed operators.

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Virginia Sportsbooks

The state of Virgina launched its own regulated sports betting market in January 2021, making a maximum of 18 licenses available to potential operators in Virginia. Some 16 of these are already in use, with active operators including Bet365, BetRivers, FanDuel and BetMGM. The two remaining licenses should be issued in 2024.

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West Virginia Sportsbooks

Alongside NJ, West Virginia was instrumental in legalizing sports betting in the US. In fact, the state had legislation in place as early as March 2018, while online sportsbook launched here the following December. There are now 9 license holders in WV, while up to be 15 may eventually be operating within the state’s boundaries.

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Online Sportsbook Operators Reviewed

Most states that have legalized sports betting feature a number of licensed operators. Some of these are more popular and active than others, however, including BetMGM, DraftKings and BetRivers. But what do you need to know about these brands, and what are their unique pros and cons?

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM is one of the most iconic gambling brands in the US, which opened up its online sportsbook on August 1^st, 2018. The excellent BetMGM mobile sportsbook launched on September 23^rd, 2021, while the site combines exceptional sports betting coverage with highly competitive odds and diverse selection of markets.

The current welcome offer lets you bank $150 in bonus bets when you deposit and wager just $5, while you can also access a 33% boost on your NBA same-game parlays. The site also boasts a superb ‘Edit My Bet’ feature, which enables you to amend your picks and selections after you’ve finalized your bet slip.

Pros

• Bank up to $150 in bonus funds when you wager just $5
• Easily build same-game parlays
• Access a maximum 33% boost on NBA same-game parlays
• Use the ‘Edit My Bet’ feature to tailor and amend wagers

Cons

• The sheer range of markets can make it hard to compare odds and markets
• Occasionally slow and unresponsive customer support

DraftKings Sportsbook

Since its launch as a daily fantasy sports site in 2012, DraftKings has moved into 22 US states. They now dominate the markets in Kansas, Maryland and Ohio. The brand has also evolved into a well rounded sports betting site, and one that offers an extraordinary number of micro bets and across NFL, NBA and MLB matches thanks to its partnership with Simplebet.

DraftKings also offers comprehensive same and multi-game parlays, while the brand is affording new players access to a $1,000 ‘no sweat’ bonus. This is a risk-free, same-game parlays token that can be used on any NFL market, while you can also earn up to $200 in free bets when you deposit and wager at least $5 for the first time.

Pros

• Access up to 2,320 micro betting markets across selected NFL, NBA and MLB games
• Earn a $1,000 ‘no-sweat’ bet for same-game NFL parlays
• Extensive coverage of collegiate sports in the US
• The iOS DraftKings app has a 4.9/5 rating from over 500,000 reviews

Cons

• Android app requires a slightly improved design
• The brand is not available in every US state

BetRivers Sportsbook

While BetRivers is only available in a selected number of US states, including Delaware, Maryland, Michigan and West Virginia. Residents in each state can benefit from BetRiver’s exceptional same-game parlays (SGP) product, which makes it easy to quickly construct wagers with multiple selections. The site also offers flexible early cashouts and extensive live streaming across multiple sports.

In terms of bonuses, new bettors can access a second chance wager up to the value of $250. This enables you to receive a maximum of $250 in free bet credits if your first wager loses, although the precise T&Cs vary from one state to another. You can opt in with a minimum deposit of just $10 too, so the welcome offer is highly accessible.

Pros

• A market leading SGP product and builder
• Flexible early cashouts are available across sports including soccer and basketball
• Earn up to $250 in free bet credits when your first sports wager loses
• Access the iRush Rewards program and in tiered prizes

Cons

• Only operates in a small number of US states
• Doesn’t accept any crypto payments

How We Rate and Review Sportsbooks

When we review betting sites, we do so using the same fixed criteria. This allows us to compare sportsbooks directly and objectively, so that we can rank operators fairly and make it much easier for you to choose the most suitable betting brand. For transparency, here’s a summary of the criteria that we use and

• Licensing: When wagering online, it’s important that you access licensed and regulated sportsbooks. Sites should also boast 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum-security standard, as this helps to safeguard your financial data.
• Number of sports covered: It’s also important to ensure that you can bet on your favorite sports at your chosen betting site. So, we’ve detailed the precise number of sports available at each sportsbook while analyzing the depth of coverage and available markets.
• Payments and customer service: Sites can provide variable payment methods, so we’ll appraise the full range alongside relevant withdrawal limits and payout times. We check to ensure that sites offer accessible support across multiple channels and helpful agents!
• Bonuses and rewards: Bonus terms and structures can also vary from one site to another. So, we do a deep dive into each promotion’s T&Cs, paying particular attention to minimum deposit limits, eligible banking methods and wagering requirements.

Types of Available Bets Explained

As you can probably tell by now, not all sportsbooks in the US have been created equal. However, there’s significant crossover in terms of what you should expect, especially as most will offer relatively standardized wager types and betting markets. Here are some of the most popular available bets in the US marketplace:

Halftime Betting

Just as you can wager on a match result at full-time, you can wager on the outcome at half-time. Half- and full-time markets require you to back the winners of both halves in a single wager, while this type of betting market can unlock significantly enhanced returns.

Moneyline

Moneyline betting is the most straightforward sports wager, and one that requires you to pick the winner of a particular game. This is slightly more complicated in sports like soccer due to the prevalence of the draw, but match bettering can offer you a far greater chance of winning when wagering on tennis, NBA and NFL matchups.

Point Spread

Point spread betting sees you essentially apply a points handicap when betting on NFL, NBA or MLB matches, so that you can access enhanced odds on a short price favorite. For example, if you back the Kansas to defeat the San Francisco 49ers with a point spread of –3.5, you’ll bank an enhanced return so long as the Chiefs win by four points or more.

Points Total

Points total betting takes the form of an over/under market and is common across most sports and categories. In this instance, sportsbooks will set different aggregate points totals in a game as individual betting lines, and you’ll have to pick one before wagering on whether the actual total will be over or under this threshold.

Props

You can access team and player props when betting on US sports, although this type of wagering is most synonymous with NFL and NBA betting. Props typically focus on individual or collective performances that don’t have a direct impact on the final result, such as passing yards (in football), rebounds and assists (in basketball) and the identity of the next point or goalscorer.

Parlays

Parlays simply describe single wagers that include two or more selections. Same-game parlays are most commonplace, as you may back Inter Miami to beat MLS rivals Nashville and both teams to score during the 90 minutes. Some sportsbooks, such as DraftKings, also offer extensive multi-game parlays, where you combine picks from different games.

Futures

Futures or outright betting requires you to pick the winner of a particular league, tournament or competition like the Super Bowl. Early futures betting can often unlock competitive odds and potentially higher rewards, depending on the number of contenders and the quality of the competing field. This can be beneficial in major soccer tournaments such as the World Cup or European Championships.

What to Consider When Selecting a Sportsbook

We’ve already touched on our criteria when reviewing, comparing, and ranking sportsbooks. Of course, you can use the same metrics to evaluate sites and choose from the licensed operators in your available state. But what are the key considerations when comparing different sportsbooks and making a final selection, and how should you approach evaluating sites?

Available Payment Methods

While we check each site’s full range of payment methods, their deposit and withdrawal limits and average payout times, your first consideration will be whether a particular site offers your preferred banking option.

If it does, you should confirm the published payout times and withdrawal limits before comparing these with alternative sites. Also, make sure that a particular site doesn’t apply fees or charges when processing your withdrawals.

Payout Time

Payout times are usually estimated, and while it’s known that most ewallets process payments within 24 hours, you’ll have to factor in any internal delays and bottlenecks. You should ideally check with a site’s customer support to confirm average payout times, while also using first-hand online reviews to see if these experiences differ from what is being advertised.

Live Betting

Live or in-play betting is hugely popular in the US, with this unlocking a huge number of real-time team and player props. Sites like DraftKings also offer thousands of betting markets across selected sports, including everything from the scorer of the next touchdown scorer in an NFL match to which soccer team will next win a corner.

Live odds are incredibly volatile and can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time, so it’s best to access real-time wagering on sites where you can also benefit from flexible cashouts and similar bonuses.

Best Sports Betting Apps

Most of the best US sports betting sites offer both responsively designed mobile sites and native apps on iOS and Android. Not all apps have been created equal, however, with DraftKings and BetMGM arguably offering the best app experience in the US.

DraftKings intuitive app is incredibly well designed and easy to navigate, for example, while it also loads quickly and replicates the desktop betting experience on the move. The DraftKings iOS app even scores a staggering 4.9/5 across more than half-a-million reviews, so we can highly recommend it f you have an iPhone.

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Online Security & Licensing

To verify whether or not your preferred sportsbook is licensed, visit their website, and scroll to the bottom of the page. Here, you should see their official license number, while this should ideally be hyperlinked to an objective source that can verify this information.

In terms of security, you can check to see if a website is SSL encrypted by clicking through the URL. Secured sites should start with “https” rather than “http”, with the ‘s’ standing for secure and indicative of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate.

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

We all know the most popular sports in the US, but the list of those that bettors like to bet on may vary slightly. Here’s a brief list of bettors’ preferred sports stateside and why these disciplines are so popular!

• Football: According to field data gathered by CRG Global for Variety Intelligence Platform, four out of five bettors (81%) wagered in the NFL during October 2023. This highlights football as the most popular sport to bet on, with widely accessed markets including points spreads, the over/under on total points scored and individual player props.
• Basketball: The same data also highlighted basketball and the NBA as the second most popular target for bettors. In fact, 54% of bettors wagered on NBA games during October, with player props like assists and rebounds proving highly popular here. Moneylines and points spread are also much-loved markets among basketball fans.
• Baseball: The third in American sport’s ‘Holy Trinity’, approximately 44% of sports bettors wagered on baseball and the MLB in October 2023. Once again, point spreads are incredibly popular here, especially when wagering on underdogs towards the start of the regular season in April. Outright betting is also widely popular among baseball fans.

Besides sports online sports betting a lot of bettors enjoy real money casinos to test their luck in between matches.

How to Register on a Sports Betting App?

Once you’ve confirmed your choice of sports betting site, you’ll need to register an account. While this process may vary slightly from site to site, it’s standardized and usually includes the following steps!

Step 1

Click through the site’s URL and navigate to the registration tab. This is usually located above the fold on the homepage.

Step 2

Select a verifiable email address, unique username (where required) and set a memorable password.

Step 3

Enter your personal details when promoted, usually across two secure screens. Key information will include your legal name, address and DOB, while this data will be used to verify your identity and account.

Step 4

Once verified, you’ll be prompted to make your first deposit. Make sure that you set a deposit amount that complies with the site’s minimum and any bonus T&Cs.

Step 5

Where appropriate, you may also be asked to enter a bonus promo code. Then, confirm your deposit and wait for the relevant balances to load, at which point you can start wagering!

List of Legal States with Online Betting

Of the 38 states to offer some form of sports betting, 34 provide access to online sportsbooks and markets. Others could be primed to follow suit in 2024 and 2025, including California. Georgia will also push further sports betting legislation after several near misses in recent times, while Minnesota will most likely resume their legislative push after a late failure last year. Here’s a summary of the sites that currently allow online sports betting:

• Arkansas sports betting
• Colorado sports betting
• Connecticut sports betting
• Delaware sports betting
• Illinois sports betting
• Indiana sports betting
• Iowa sports betting
• Kansas sports betting
• Kentucky sports betting
• Louisiana sports betting
• Maine sports betting
• Maryland sports betting
• Massachusetts sports betting
• Michigan sports betting
• Mississippi sports betting
• Montana sports betting
• Nevada sports betting
• New Hampshire sports betting
• New Jersey sports betting
• New Mexico sports betting
• New York sports betting
• North Carolina sports betting
• Ohio sports betting
• Oregon sports betting
• Pennsylvania sports betting
• Rhode Island sports betting
• South Dakota sports betting
• Tennessee sports betting
• Virginia sports betting
• Washington DC sports betting
• Washington sports betting
• West Virginia sports betting
• Wisconsin sports betting
• Wyoming sports betting

State Taxation of Winnings

No matter how you win money when gambling, you will be liable to pay taxes in states that have regulated marketplaces. There is also a federal tax duty too, with sportsbooks required to withhold 24% of all winnings and report them to the IRIS when individuals bank $5,000 or more.

State tax levies vary from one jurisdiction to another, but operators will still provide you with a record of your taxable winnings. This comprises a statement that’s referred to as the W-2G, while it’s required in instances where you win $600 or more when wagering on sporting events. You’ll also be liable to pay tax when the payout on a particular bet was at least 300x the amount you initially staked.

Of course, states also apply variable tax rates on commercial operators. For example, New York sportsbooks must pay 51% of their total revenues in state taxes. The levy is 36% in Pennsylvania, while this percentage falls as low as 6.75% in Nevada. Both individual and commercial taxes are set when markets are opened and regulated.

Frequently Asked Questions

So, there you have it: our comprehensive guide to the best betting sites and sportsbooks in the US. Before we leave you, however, we thought we’d answer some of your most frequently asked questions about online sports betting, to hopefully provide further insight and summarize the information above!

Is sports betting legal in the US?

Following the Supreme Court decision to strike down the PAPSA legislation, there’s no federal law that prohibits sports betting in the US. Some 38 states have since legalized sports betting while creating fully regulated online markets.

Where can I find the best sportsbook promotions?

Sites like BetMGM and DraftKings offer highly lucrative welcome bonuses and promotions, which are also accessible and bound by competitive terms. When you appraise promotions, however, be sure to read the full terms and conditions and wagering requirements before making an informed choice about which one is right for you.

Which online sportsbooks payout the fastest?

The speed with which sportsbooks payout depends on both their range of banking methods and internal processing times. Typically, sites that allow you to withdraw using digital wallets deliver the fastest payout times, including Caesars, BetRivers and BetMGM.

Where is online sports betting legal in the US?

Currently, 38 states have legalized online sports betting within their borders, with these jurisdictions having legislated after the PAPSA act was struck down in May 2018. Other jurisdictions may follow suit in the next 12 to 24 months, including California, Georgia and Minnesota.

Which sportsbooks accept PayPal deposits?

Despite the global popularity of PayPal, this isn’t the most popular payment method in America. However, it is offered for both deposits and withdrawals at major sportsbooks such as Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers and Betway.

Conclusion – The Best Online Sportsbook for the US

Ultimately, choosing your preferred online sportsbook is a deeply personal decision, and one that will depend on your unique tastes and preferences as a bettor. Our pick as the best US betting site is BetMGM, which combines outstanding sports coverage and a superb range of bonuses with a unique ‘Edit My Bet’ feature for amending wagers. Added to this, they are available in most states that have legalized online and mobile betting.

DISCLAIMER

All free offers, promotions, and bonuses listed are subject to the terms and individual wagering requirements of their respective operators. In most cases, offers, promotions, and bonuses apply for new customers only. All listed amounts of offers, promotions, and bonuses describe the maximum possible amount. The actual amount depends on the size of the individual deposit. The user may be required to make a deposit multiple times in order to receive the advertised amount. Please check the operator's website for full T&Cs.

You must be 21+ to play. Please check the laws of the place you reside and inform yourself if it is legal to participate in casino games.

Please gamble responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER