Quick intro: Sports betting in the US
The legislative situation in the US is continually changing, often with significant differences between states. To bring some clarify to an often confusing picture, we've done the research and put together this map outlining the exact legalisation status on a state by state basis.
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Online sports betting sites
Determining the best online betting sites involves multiple attributes, but also a bit of personal preference. That’s right, you may prefer a betting site that’s not mentioned below and that’s OK!
What we look for when it comes to this is the welcome bonus, available sports betting markets, the number of states it’s legal to operate in, the user interface, and much more.
Below, we’ll dive into our favorite sports gambling websites and why they rank there for us at Ballislife.
DraftKings Sportsbook - Best User Interface on Mobile and Desktop
Requirements (WR):
1x Bonus
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Navigating a site with ease, whether on desktop or mobile, is paramount to having a top-tier online sports betting experience.
While other sites in the sports betting industry are fine, don’t get us wrong, DraftKings Sportsbook is, well, the king of user interface design and software—we’ve never lagged when using the site.
A cluttered homepage can make it difficult to find which bets to wager on, the live betting page, or even where to log in.
But at DraftKings Sportsbook, you can easily see where everything is, and a big part of that is using multiple text/background colors to assist players in finding those key elements.
The Mobile App Is Basically The Same As the Desktop
Having consistency from the mobile app—which is available for iOS and Android users—to the desktop is important. This allows players to dive into the action easily without needing to learn another platform.
Here’s where DraftKings does well:
- Great prop betting options across all sports
- Best mobile app on the market today
- Instant withdrawal on winnings is available
DraftKings could improve here:
- The welcome offer leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a 20% deposit match up to $1,000 and then you need to wager $25 in cash to access $1 in bonus bets.
BetMGM - Best Place for Parlays and Live Streaming
Bonus:
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
On top of the first bet offer for new customers, BetMGM shines in parlay building and live streaming.
With parlays, the goal is to put multiple betting options on one ticket and for them all to succeed. BetMGM Sportsbook makes the process more streamlined, cutting out all the additional things on the site and focusing solely on parlays.
Also, there’s a live-streaming feature. This isn’t available for all sports, but if, for example, you enjoy betting on tennis or soccer, you’ll likely find some viewing options. This is also a great way to utilize live betting.
BetMGM - Build those parlays
One of the best features BetMGM has for parlays is the Easy Parlay tool. Here are some examples of how the page looks.
Access Live Streaming Capabilities
On the right-hand side of the desktop site, you’ll see a tab that says “Media.” Here, you’ll find a drop-down menu for available events. You can then watch these live on BetMGM.
BetMGM succeeds at…
- First bet offer where you get up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets if your first wager loses.
- Easy Parlay tool
- Live streaming is available
BetMGM could improve here:
- Slow to offer odds on prop bets
- Rewards program isn’t accessible to casual players
Bonus:
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins
Requirements (WR):
1x Deposit
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Finding a nice user interface isn’t a make or break for determining the best sportsbooks, but it’s certainly a refreshing experience when there.
FanDuel has logos for all the leagues and teams, which makes navigating betting options that much easier.
Additionally, FanDuel has numerous personalities associated with the brand, including Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk. These provide unique additional promo offers that you find elsewhere.
FanDuel - Look at this clean interface
Again, the way the user interface is managed is minor in the grand scheme of things, but man, oh man is this clean to look at.
Now let’s look at those unique promo offers. This one features, McAfee, Hawk, Darius Butler, and Kay Adams.
FanDuel doesn’t miss when it comes to…
- $1,000 No Sweat First Bet welcome offer
- Personality-based promo options
- Clean user interface
- Odds boosts are offered each day
FanDuel could improve here:
- Odds are priced better elsewhere at times
Caesars Sportsbook - Best Welcome Offer
Requirements (WR):
1x Deposit
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Whenever you sign up for a new online sportsbook, there’s nothing better than getting access to the welcome offer and making your first bets there. These sometimes deposit bonuses, risk-free bets, free bets, or something else.
Either way, you get your bankroll loaded and ready to make that first bet.
Well, no sportsbook does it better than Caesars Sportsbook—they offer a $1,250 risk-free bet in the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York
- And more!
At $1,250, this is the best welcome bonus amongst all online gambling sites right now. The next best is $1,000.
With this bet, you can deposit and wager up to $1,250 while knowing that if you lose, you’ll receive it back as site credit that you can use again with a chance to get your money back.
The minimum deposit for this offer is $10.
Caesars Sportsbook - Get rewards points with the offer too
With the welcome offer, you’ll receive the $1,250 risk-free bet, but you’ll also receive 1,000 Rewards and Tier Credits. These are part of the Caesars Rewards Program and can be redeemed for bonus cash on the site or for retail perks at participating Caesars locations, such as Tropicana, Caesars Palace, Horseshoe, and more.
Below is a list of offers that are available in any of the following states: NJ, NY, PA, MI, CO, AZ, and more.
Oh wait, there’s more
Here’s one of our favorite offers at Caesars Sportsbook. It’s available in New Jersey, New York, Michigan, and Colorado.
With this offer, you’ll get a parlay profit boost token.
Here’s what we like about Caesars Sportsbook:
- $1,250 Risk-Free Bet Welcome Offer available in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.
- Additional Promos such as NBA Parlay Profit Boost, World Cup Parlay Boosts, Ticket Giveaways, and more.
- Caesars Rewards Program offers perks and rewards such as free credits, birthday gifts, free/discounted hotel stays, and more.
And this is what could be better:
- Does not provide a live streaming feed for any sports which could make live betting more engaging.
Bookie list: The top 7 Legal Bookies in a condensed list
The sports betting sites landscape is an incredibly competitive market, and they’re all looking for ways to capture bettors’ attention, both new and veteran. At Ballislife, we only recommend the best. Below is a list of the best sports betting sites on the market today and the feature that best defines them.
- BetMGM: Offers multiple tools for parlay wagers, including Easy Parlay, a streamlined page for moneyline, point spread, and total betting odds for each available sport
- BetRivers: Here, you’ll find a consistently updated menu showcasing real-time winners that inspire you to win big on this online betting site
- FanDuel: With their $1,000 No Sweat First Bet, you can make your first online sports betting wager massive while knowing you’ll get it back up to $1,000
- WynnBET: While the aesthetics may be plain to some, this online sports betting site has a streamlined user interface making it easy for players of all skill levels to access
- Betway: Offers a live betting interface that provides real-time updates on the game and key statistics that you can use to make informed wagers
- Betfred: An easy-to-understand and brand-new rewards program about how much money you need to bet to move up the ranks and earn new and exciting perks and benefits
- DraftKings: Experience a world-class mobile app that is free of lag and buffering and is the best way to bet on the go
Sports Betting Laws Governing Legal sports betting sites
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, overturned in May 2018, allowed each state in the United States to decide whether to legalize mobile sports betting. Each state has its politics that influence the trajectory of these bills, just like any other legislation.
Some states may only offer retail sports betting as mobile sports betting requires a different set of parameters and could take some time for the necessary changes for legal online betting to be implemented. It’s not uncommon for some states not even launch mobile sports betting months after they decided to legalize sports betting.
Check out your state’s official gaming commission or gaming control board website for vendor details to determine whether you’re on a legal sports betting site. You can also scroll to the bottom of most pages and find some information discussing said control board.
7 top tips for finding the best online sportsbooks: What to compare and check before betting online
You’ll want to look for some key elements and unique offerings when comparing sports betting sites. These include:
- New player bonuses existing player promotions
- Terms and conditions differences
- Betting markets
- Live streaming
- Cash out
- Same Game Parlay
- Competitive odds
When examining these safe betting sites, look for features that you’re unable to find elsewhere as well. This could be a deciding factor for your go-to online sports betting apps in the USA.
If you don’t want to spend your time comparing sites, don’t worry, we’ve got you and other sports bettors covered. Here at Ballislife, you can use our comparison tables to find what the best betting sites offer and which lack features you may desire.
Find Our Reviews of Legal Bookies In Our List Of Top Sites
Conclusion - Best betting sites
Finding the best online sports betting sites is complex, as you can see. We’ve laid the groundwork for you to have all the information to get started at these sites. While we have a couple of the best sites listed here, there are many other competent places to bet.
Online gambling is an excellent form of entertainment, and we recommend the sites mentioned above or any other site that aligns with what makes online sports betting great based on our research.
FAQ Sports Betting Sites
📉 What is the vig in sports betting?
Whenever you place a sports bet, regardless of the outcome, the sportsbook’s odds have a built-in profit margin. So, the vig is the equivalent of a commission charged by sportsbooks for each wager made, which ensures that the operator makes a profit. You’ll also see it described as vigorish, juice or overround and they are all exactly the same thing.
🏅 Which is the best sports betting site?
When it comes to selecting a US sports betting site, there are many things you might want to consider before you get to the point of signing up. However, the most crucial factor is whether or not you can do so legally. First, you must live in a US state that has legalized online sports betting and second, the sportsbook must be licensed to operate in your state. We recommend DraftKings Sportsbook since they tick most of the boxes.
⚖️Where is sports betting allowed?
All of the US states which have opted to permit online sports betting have a licensing scheme in place. Currently the following states are allowing mobile betting: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Maryland,New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia & Wyoming. In addition, you can always check to see if a sports betting site is legit by checking with your state regulatory authority.
💻 What is a sports betting line?
A sports betting line is a different way of referring to the odds a sportsbook displays on its betting platform. So, you’ll find lines for a variety of different bet types such as moneyline, over/under and parlays. If you like to wager on a particular sport, you’ll need to learn how to use a variety of betting lines to enhance your enjoyment when you wager.
🏈 What sports are the best to bet on?
Most online sportsbooks will offer a good number of different sports to keep users engaged with their brand. Naturally you can expect to find a good deal of emphasis on the most popular US sports and leagues like the NFL, NHL and NBA. Most of the top sportsbooks, like Unibet and PointsBet also have betting markets that include lower league matches. Beyond the US sports, you’re also likely to find popular global sports like soccer, golf, cricket and tennis on offer.
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