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What are the best sports betting sites for beginners?
When it comes to the best sports betting sites for beginners, our top three choices are DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook.
We understand that it’s easy to lose time scanning the web for sports betting sites, especially when there are so many for us American bettors to choose from. Time which could be better spent winning a few bucks on tonight’s game, right?
To help you quickly find the betting site best suited to your needs, we're going to show you the best sports betting sites for beginners in the US, ranked with consideration of certain factors that are crucial to choosing the best betting site. We've also broken down these factors in great detail further down the page, so you can understand just why we've ranked this list the way we have.
Best Sports Betting Sites for Beginners
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- Bet365
- Unibet
- BetRivers
- Betway
- Betfred Sports
- ClutchBet
Updated: November 2, 2023
Best Sports Betting Sites for Beginners 2023
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
20% Deposit Bonus up to $1,000
T&C apply
21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Minimum $5 deposit. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000. Bonus funds will be awarded following play-through requirement of 25x the bonus amount: eg every $25 played on DFS/Sportsbook/Casino will release $1 in bonus funds. Play-through requirement must be met 90 days from the first deposit to receive maximum bonus. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Sportsbook for details.
Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.First Bet up to $1,000 on Caesars
T&C apply21+ only. New customers in AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/ NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Deposit required (min $10). Must place first real money Qualifying Wager (min $10) within 30 days. Qualifying wager must settle within 30 days of being placed. Qualifying wager returned as non-withdrawable bonus bets only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum Bonus Bet $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Full T’s and C’s apply, visit Caesars Sportsbook for more details.
Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets
T&C apply21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
Bet $5, Get $150 or
$1,000 First Bet Safety Net21+ and present in CO/IA/NJ/OH/VA. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required within 30 days. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 90 days. Full T's & C's apply, visit sign up page for more info. #ad
Second Chance Bet up to $500
T&C apply21+. New customers only. Welcome offers differ between states. Players must opt in to promotion when registering account, make a qualifying deposit (min $10), and place first real-money wager bet (min $10). If first qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets (max bonus amount limited to $100 in AZ/IN/VA, max bonus limited to $500 in PA). Bonus bets have a 3x playthrough requirement and must be wagered on events with odds of -300 or greater. Full T&Cs apply, see sign up page for more info.
Second Chance Bet up to $500
T&C apply21+. New Customers Only. AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/VA/WV Must make a qualifying deposit of $10+ with claim code SPORTS. Must make qualifying cash wager with odds of -200 or greater. If the first qualifying wager settles as a loss, receive a non-withdrawable Bonus Bet equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $500 ($250 in CO/NJ, $100 in NY/OH/AZ/WV/IA). Full T's & C's apply, see BetRivers for more details.
First Bet Reset up to $250 in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Loses
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/IN/IA/NJ/PA/VA. Offer Not available in OH. Must make a qualifying deposit of $10+. Must make qualifying cash wager at odds of -300 or greater. Qualifying Wager must settle within 7 days of opening a new Betway account. The amount of the settled losing bet will be credited back in the form of non-withdrawable bonus bets. Full T&C apply, visit Betway for more details.
Get $105 on Fred
if your first bet losesT&C applyUp to $105 Back in Fred Bets if Your First Wager Loses
21+. New customers only.
Offer available in AZ/CO/IA/MD/OH/VA. No Bonus in PA.
Minimum qualifying wager of $20+. Minimum odds of -200. Qualifying wager must settle as a loss to be eligible to claim Fred Bets. Maximum bonus awarded is $105, and Fred Bets must be wagered within 7 days of receiving.
See full T&C at Betfred.100% Bet Match up to $200
T&C applyGet Your First Wager Matched 100% up to $200 in Bonus Bets
21+. New customers only.
IA only. Different offer available in CO.
Must deposit and wager $10+ within 30 days to become eligible for the 100% Bet Match up to $200 in non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bet Matches will only be applied to the first qualifying wager. Wagers must be straight bets (no promotional markets) with odds of -200 or greater. Qualifying wagers must settle within seven (7) days of the bet placement.
Must use promo code CLUTCH200
See full T&C at ClutchBet.
What to consider when choosing a betting site
There's no right or wrong way of choosing a betting site - what's most important is you find the one that meets your needs the best.
To help you with this, we suggest you think about the following factors when comparing online gambling sites.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Betting Site
Availability of a Betting Site
Save yourself time by checking which betting sites you can use (legally). Because each state varies in how it has rolled out legal sports betting, you can’t take it for granted that you can every betting site is available. So it's best to check.
There are many reasons that impact the availability of a betting site such as the number of betting site licenses allowed, the cost of a license and the tax rate for operators, and the suitability of a certain state to a particular operator. Or the state simply not having legal sports betting.
Betting sites with the most availability between states include DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, and FanDuel Sportsbook. These are the three most accessible sports betting sites currently, which can be useful if you happen to be traveling a lot between states for example. If you want to see know more about how they stack up to each other when compared side by side, check out our BetMGM vs DraftKing article as well as our FanDuel vs DraftKings article.
Most widely available betting sites
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Available in 21 states
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Minimum $5 deposit. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000. Bonus funds will be awarded following play-through requirement of 25x the bonus amount: eg every $25 played on DFS/Sportsbook/Casino will release $1 in bonus funds. Play-through requirement must be met 90 days from the first deposit to receive maximum bonus. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Sportsbook for details.
Available in 20 states (plus D.C.)
T&C apply21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
Available in 19 states
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.
Betting features
Further into the chapter, we'll discuss how live streaming can enhance your betting experience. But there are other features worth looking out for that can also make betting more enjoyable.
Bet Builders/Parlays
Some of these important features to look for include Bet Builders (commonly known as parlays) where you get to create your own, personalized bet. Parlays are when you combine multiple single-bets from different games to multiply your odds, or Same Game Parlays, which is just like a normal parlay except all the bets that you combine are from the same game, hence the name. Parlays are high-risk, high-reward wagers that are super fun to play and growing in popularity. It's common nowadays to see many sportsbooks offer odds boosted parlays, forms of parlay insurance, and other parlay-related promos. Just be careful, if just one leg loses in a parlay, the whole bet loses! (Something I know all too well as a parlay aficionado 😅.)
If you'd like to learn more about how parlay bets work and how to place a parlay bet, check out our article on how to place a parlay bet!
Our choices for Parlays
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Best for Parlays
T&C apply21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
Best for Same Game Parlays
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.
Cash Out
Cash Out is a function that allows you to settle a wager early for its "live value" before an event ends. Cashing out a bet early is great for securing a profit if you don't want to sweat out the whole game. I've had plenty of bets that I cashed out early and avoided some painful last-minute bad beats. You can also cut your losses by cashing out if your bet isn't looking like it's going to win. Some bettors are strictly 'ride or die' and refuse to cash out their bets, but smart bettors know when to take a profit and walk away, as well as when you just have to cut your losses.
Best Sites for Cash Out
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Full and partial cash out
21+ and present in CO/IA/NJ/OH/VA. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required within 30 days. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 90 days. Full T's & C's apply, visit sign up page for more info. #ad
Full and partial cash out
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.
Stat Hubs
Stat Hubs give you a comprehensive overview of player and team stats, they essentially act as in-app/site guides on which to base your bet. They can offer important insight that can help you decide what to bet on, as well as offering suggested bets. An informed bettor is (typically) a successful bettor.
Best site with a Stats Hub
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Comprehensive & in-depth Stats Hub
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Minimum $5 deposit. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000. Bonus funds will be awarded following play-through requirement of 25x the bonus amount: eg every $25 played on DFS/Sportsbook/Casino will release $1 in bonus funds. Play-through requirement must be met 90 days from the first deposit to receive maximum bonus. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Sportsbook for details.
More on sports betting features
Sports Betting Features
In-play betting is just one feature to have changed the face of sports betting. This chapter highlights and discusses sports betting features and sheds light on how each can ... Read more
Betting markets
You’ll find every betting site offers standard betting markets (Moneyline, Point Spread, Totals). But not all betting sites offer the same variety in terms of bet types.
We recommend checking the site for how extensive it covers each sport, especially the sports you know you'll be betting on. How deep does the betting site go in offering above the standard?
We’re talking about game props, team props, player props, 60 minutes props, team futures, player awards - the list of possible betting markets is seemingly endless!
Nowadays, you can wager on pretty much anything (with reason) so don’t settle for anything less than the best selection of betting markets.
Best sites for market depth
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
#1 for market depth
21+ and present in CO/IA/NJ/OH/VA. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required within 30 days. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 90 days. Full T's & C's apply, visit sign up page for more info. #ad
#2 for market depth
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Minimum $5 deposit. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000. Bonus funds will be awarded following play-through requirement of 25x the bonus amount: eg every $25 played on DFS/Sportsbook/Casino will release $1 in bonus funds. Play-through requirement must be met 90 days from the first deposit to receive maximum bonus. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Sportsbook for details.
#3 for market depth
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.
More on Types of Betting Markets
Betting Markets
It used to be all about a simple moneyline wager. Nowadays it’s possible to profit from a game a whole host of different ways. While they’ll always be a place for traditional ... Read more
Coverage of sports
While we can safely assume one of the big four major leagues is likely to be the main focus of your betting, having the opportunity to bet on a range of different sports, both at home and overseas, is something you should think about.
Firstly because it’s a good indicator of a well-rounded sports betting site. But, also, variety is the spice of life, and betting on another sport from time to time may just open your eyes to a new sport you’d never considered before. Plus, what happens when your favorite sport is in its off-season and you don’t have a sport to bet on?
Finding a betting site with a wide selection of sports not only adds more excitement to the equation but will make you a better all-around bettor in terms of understanding odds and getting to know different types of betting markets.
Best betting sites for sport variety
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
#1 for sports offered
T&C apply21+. New customers only. Welcome offers differ between states. Players must opt in to promotion when registering account, make a qualifying deposit (min $10), and place first real-money wager bet (min $10). If first qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets (max bonus amount limited to $100 in AZ/IN/VA, max bonus limited to $500 in PA). Bonus bets have a 3x playthrough requirement and must be wagered on events with odds of -300 or greater. Full T&Cs apply, see sign up page for more info.
#2 for sports offered
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.#3 for sports offered
T&C apply21+ only. New customers in AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/ NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Deposit required (min $10). Must place first real money Qualifying Wager (min $10) within 30 days. Qualifying wager must settle within 30 days of being placed. Qualifying wager returned as non-withdrawable bonus bets only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum Bonus Bet $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Full T’s and C’s apply, visit Caesars Sportsbook for more details.
Welcome bonus
Betting sites give new customers welcome bonuses and bonus bets - also referred to as welcome promotions - to encourage them to sign-up. They are a great way to maximize the value of any first deposits and/or bets, so make sure you claim a welcome bonus when singing up with a betting site!
You can use a welcome bonus or sign-up offer to properly try out a betting site without putting too much of your own money at stake, although most sign-up bonuses require you to still make a minimum deposit.
We suggest using your bonus to measure the betting site across the key areas we've already discussed. Here are our favorite sports betting welcome bonus offers available for you to claim right now.
A note on betting sign-up offers
Ian
Best Betting Welcome Bonuses
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
First Bet up to $1,000 on Caesars
T&C apply21+ only. New customers in AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/ NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Deposit required (min $10). Must place first real money Qualifying Wager (min $10) within 30 days. Qualifying wager must settle within 30 days of being placed. Qualifying wager returned as non-withdrawable bonus bets only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum Bonus Bet $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Full T’s and C’s apply, visit Caesars Sportsbook for more details.
Bet $5, Get $150 or
$1,000 First Bet Safety Net21+ and present in CO/IA/NJ/OH/VA. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required within 30 days. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 90 days. Full T's & C's apply, visit sign up page for more info. #ad
Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.20% Deposit Bonus up to $1,000
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Minimum $5 deposit. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000. Bonus funds will be awarded following play-through requirement of 25x the bonus amount: eg every $25 played on DFS/Sportsbook/Casino will release $1 in bonus funds. Play-through requirement must be met 90 days from the first deposit to receive maximum bonus. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Sportsbook for details.
Second Chance Bet up to $500
T&C apply21+. New Customers Only. AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/VA/WV Must make a qualifying deposit of $10+ with claim code SPORTS. Must make qualifying cash wager with odds of -200 or greater. If the first qualifying wager settles as a loss, receive a non-withdrawable Bonus Bet equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $500 ($250 in CO/NJ, $100 in NY/OH/AZ/WV/IA). Full T's & C's apply, see BetRivers for more details.
Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets
T&C apply21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
First Bet Reset up to $250 in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Loses
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/IN/IA/NJ/PA/VA. Offer Not available in OH. Must make a qualifying deposit of $10+. Must make qualifying cash wager at odds of -300 or greater. Qualifying Wager must settle within 7 days of opening a new Betway account. The amount of the settled losing bet will be credited back in the form of non-withdrawable bonus bets. Full T&C apply, visit Betway for more details.
Second Chance Bet up to $500
T&C apply21+. New customers only. Welcome offers differ between states. Players must opt in to promotion when registering account, make a qualifying deposit (min $10), and place first real-money wager bet (min $10). If first qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets (max bonus amount limited to $100 in AZ/IN/VA, max bonus limited to $500 in PA). Bonus bets have a 3x playthrough requirement and must be wagered on events with odds of -300 or greater. Full T&Cs apply, see sign up page for more info.
More on Sports Betting Bonuses
How Do Sports Betting Bonuses Work?
Lots of bookmakers compete for your attention, especially in sports betting. Some people already have a chosen bookmaker, but most are open and prefer more bonuses. Learn about ... Read more
Live betting
The ability to place a bet as the action unfolds is such a popular way to bet nowadays - it makes you wonder how we ever lived without it!
Live betting, or in-play betting as it's also called, gives you the opportunity to bet on the game even if it has already started. Odds fluctuate based on the events happening in the game, giving you the opportunity to call the game as you see it and quickly identify a winning bet.
Given its popularity, industry experts predict that betting companies will win and lose business in the future based on the strength of their live betting product.
Bet365
You’ll find there are betting sites that excel in offering the complete package in terms of live betting, Bet365 being one such example. Bet365's Live Streaming platform is unrivalled across the industry and is widely known as the best. Bettors can view live streams of games across a number of sports including basketball, ice hockey and soccer and bet on the action as they watch.
More on in-play betting
In-Play Sports Betting
It can be difficult to keep up with the ever-changing face of online gambling. Much is owed to continued advancements in technology which manages to enhance the player’s ... Read more
Payment options
Being able to put money in your betting account is important. But even more crucial is withdrawing your winnings - you don’t want to be waiting days on end for money you’ve won!
A betting site that allows many banking methods - ideally the most common options such as credit/debit card, PayPal, PayNearMe, prepaid cards - and also a good mix of online and offline methods, should be a priority.
Having many different ways to fund your account not only means you’re more likely to find the most convenient option for you, but demonstrates a high level of dependability on behalf of the betting site.
Popular Online Betting Banking Methods
- MasterCard/VISA
- PayPal
- Venmo
- ACH e-check
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Play+ Pre-Paid Card
- PayNearMe
- Online Banking Transfer
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Paper Check
- In-person
Also worthy of your attention
Nick
Mobile betting
The best thing about sports betting today is how accessible it is. You can literally be anywhere in the world and place a bet at any time, day or night.
Betting apps in particular have helped transform the sports betting industry and allow us to walk about with mini-sportsbooks in our pockets.
You’ll find most US betting sites have launched a mobile betting app alongside the website. But even though the vast majority are of a very high quality, not all betting apps are up to scratch. Additionally, not all betting sites are mobile friendly if you decide to just use the site on your browser.
Odds
Looking at the odds and shopping for the best lines is worthwhile when looking at which online betting site to pick. You want the best price for your money at the end of the day and the odds determine how much you can win or lose.
You want the best bang for your buck, right?
Sports betting is known for its fine margins so any way you can find an edge is worth trying to find. There are plenty of odds comparison websites that can help you with this, though we’d suggest choosing a couple of betting sites you like the look of and comparing odds on one event.
It’s also worth noting that you won’t find any difference whatsoever between some US betting sites. The reason for this is the fact many betting sites are run by the same sports betting tech provider.
Best betting sites for odds
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
#1 for odds
T&C apply21+. New customers only. Welcome offers differ between states. Players must opt in to promotion when registering account, make a qualifying deposit (min $10), and place first real-money wager bet (min $10). If first qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets (max bonus amount limited to $100 in AZ/IN/VA, max bonus limited to $500 in PA). Bonus bets have a 3x playthrough requirement and must be wagered on events with odds of -300 or greater. Full T&Cs apply, see sign up page for more info.
#2 for odds
T&C apply21+. New customers only. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Minimum $5 deposit. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000. Bonus funds will be awarded following play-through requirement of 25x the bonus amount: eg every $25 played on DFS/Sportsbook/Casino will release $1 in bonus funds. Play-through requirement must be met 90 days from the first deposit to receive maximum bonus. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Sportsbook for details.
#3 for odds
T&C apply21+ only. New customers in AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/ NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Deposit required (min $10). Must place first real money Qualifying Wager (min $10) within 30 days. Qualifying wager must settle within 30 days of being placed. Qualifying wager returned as non-withdrawable bonus bets only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum Bonus Bet $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Full T’s and C’s apply, visit Caesars Sportsbook for more details.
More about odds
What are Odds?
The importance of understanding odds is fundamental to a fruitful betting career and can make all the difference to your betting purse. Read on for a detailed explanation of how ... Read more
Promos and Reward Programs
Daily promos and reward programs are aimed at existing customers, more so than beginners. But even so, knowing what’s on offer once you sign up should be something you think about.
Whether it’s an Early Payout Offer, Parlay Insurance, specific sport bonuses or offers based on certain competitions, the level of promos and offers for your favorite sports and competitions is a good indicator of what else is in store for you as a customer. There’s also an opportunity for you to get an insight into how the operator rewards loyalty.
This said, some of the top betting sites tend not to place high emphasis on promos and reward programs, choosing instead to let their product do the talking. In other words, don’t make the mistake of choosing an average betting site with a long list of promos over a more well-rounded betting site.
Best betting sites for promos
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
#1 for promos
T&C applyPlace a $5 Moneyline Wager and get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
21+. New customers only. Offer available in
AZ/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY. Minimum $10 first deposit required. Promotion bonus will be credited to your account within 72 hours settlement of Qualifying Wager as a win. First online real money wager only (minimum $5). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days.
See full T&C at FanDuel.#2 for promos
T&C apply21+ only. New customers in AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/MI/ NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Deposit required (min $10). Must place first real money Qualifying Wager (min $10) within 30 days. Qualifying wager must settle within 30 days of being placed. Qualifying wager returned as non-withdrawable bonus bets only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum Bonus Bet $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Full T’s and C’s apply, visit Caesars Sportsbook for more details.
#3 for promos
T&C apply21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
Sports Betting Promos
BetMGM New User Promo - $1,500 First Bet Offer
Sign-up today to claim the BetMGM new user promo and get a first bet offer up to $1,500! Learn how the BetMGM new user promo works, how to claim it, and start betting today! Read more
User experience
Usability is paramount when it comes to choosing a sports betting site. A betting site can have all the bells and whistles but if a lack of attention is paid to the complete user journey, then the site is ultimately doomed from the outset.
That’s because bettors want to find exactly what they want in the matter of seconds. Instantly if betting in-play where every second is crucial in trying to get an edge and making sure your bet is a winning one.
Top betting sites focus on making the entire customer journey - from signing up to placing a bet, as seamless as possible. We recommend try this out for yourself and assessing how easy it is to navigate the site from start to finish.
Customer support
The best betting sites provide customer support around the clock. They also respond promptly to queries through a range of contact methods, including social media.
It’s early days in your life as a bettor so it’s fine if you haven’t given this much thought. But there will come a time in your betting career where you need to call upon some level of customer support. And if the service is lacking, chances are you’re going to quickly grow frustrated and take your custom elsewhere.
Customer support is a key part of a betting site and should be a factor you pay attention to.
Final word on choosing a betting site
It’s a great feeling when you find what you’ve been looking for. But we also know it can be tricky and very time-consuming.
In that respect, we hope this chapter has helped set out the kind of things you should think about and will serve as a reference when picking the best sports betting site for your betting needs.
In the meantime, here are three top tips to remember when choosing a sports betting website.
- Know what you want from a betting site
- Consider the whole site, not just the welcome bonus
- You can always choose another betting site
Tips for Choosing a Sports Betting Site
Know what you want from a betting site
Okay, admittedly this sounds very simple. But before you start choosing between betting sites, have a clear idea of the kind of things you want a betting site to have. Write them down for clarity so you can refer to them if you need to.
Is it that you want a betting site that enables you to use PayPal to deposit and withdraw. Do you want a betting site that offers live streaming? Is it essential for you to find a betting site that focuses on international sports?
The upside of having a wide choice of options to choose from is you will find the right option. But you need to know what you want in the first place. In following this first piece of advice, you’ll be able to narrow down your options fairly quickly.
Don’t be blinded by bonuses!
We’ve been in your shoes before. We too have convinced ourselves that surely ‘the bigger the bonus, the better the betting site’. However, this isn’t the case.
It’s about finding the betting site that ticks many of the boxes discussed on this page. Choosing a betting site is about the long game and how it can benefit you over time and not just for five minutes. It’s about choosing the right sports betting site, not the one with the brightest lights!
You can always choose another betting site
While we take choosing a betting site seriously, we appreciate that you're not committing to a house or a car. If you decide that actually, the betting site you picked initially isn’t your cup of tea, you can go and find another site that may be more suited to your taste (of betting site, not tea!) There’s no rule that says you can’t sign up with more than one betting site!
