Ultimately, for us at United Gamblers, the best betting sites in the US are those that are legal.

If a betting site is legal - that means it is fully licensed in a state that has approved online sports betting - we recommend it. If a site isn't licensed or regulated in the US, it simply doesn't feature.

By working in this way, we can help you find a US betting site guaranteed to be:

• safe and reliable
• authorized and fully licensed in your state
• operated by a reputable gambling company

Top Legal Betting Sites in the US

With the formalities over, it's time to get down to the fun part - learning all about the betting sites that are legal.

As a helpful starter, we've compiled our top 10 US betting sites for all sports bettors in America.

Whether your state is already legal or considering a bill, it's never too late, or early, to begin your search.

Top 10 Online Sports Betting Sites

1. DraftKings: Excellent all-round sportsbook
2. FanDuel: Functional, clean user interface
3. BetMGM: One log-in for all gambling
4. Bet365: Awesome for live betting
5. 888sport: Competitive lines
6. PointsBet: Innovative way of betting
   
7. FOX Bet: Heaps of daily bet boosts
8. Unibet: Great variety of banking methods
9. Caesars: Attractive loyalty program
10. SugarHouse: Single wallet for sports & casino

The very best sports betting sites have everything required to ensure a safe and fun online gambling experience. They tick all the boxes.

• Legal to operate ✅
• Fully licensed ✅
• Welcome bonus ✅
• Great range of sports ✅
• Competitive lines ✅
• A high performing mobile app ✅
• Many banking options ✅
• High level of customer support ✅

Further down, this page touches on each factor to help you understand why these points specifically, are so significant.

But first, we need to show you where sports gambling sites are legal in the USA.

Legal gambling sites exist in a handful of states.

This follows the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court to lift the ban that had prevented the majority of the country from offering sports wagering.

Below, we list all the legal sports gambling sites available in each state according to the American Gaming Association.

The first state to launch an online market in August 2018 has a wide range of legal sports gambling sites and betting apps available.

These include popular US sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars as well as international betting sites like 888sport, Unibet, and bet365.

Play SugarHouse was the first PA betting site to launch in May 2019, closely followed by Parx and BetRivers. The arrival of FanDuel and DraftKings raised the competition in the Quaker State which is only second to NJ in revenue. Unibet and FOX Bet are also legal in PA.

An interrupted start to online betting is old news now in the Mountain State. Active sportsbooks in WV may only comprise three options currently but DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM mean West Virginians have 3 of the best to choose from.

Since the launch of DraftKings kicked off online sports betting in October 2019, The Hoosier State has steadily built a neat collection of IN betting sites. FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Pointsbet and Caesars are all legal options.

The Centennial State is fast becoming one of the most appealing markets for bettors and operators. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers launched on May 1, 2020, the first permitted date for online betting. FanDuel and FOX Bet are operating and set to be joined by a list of new betting sites including Betfred, and Betsson.

Until 2021, mobile betting is limited to in-person sign-up. Bettors have six IA sportsbooks to choose from including DraftKings and Pointsbet - expect many more when the restriction is lifted.

Illinois Betting Sites

Initially, Illinois online sports betting was limited to in-person registration. But this has been lifted, at least temporarily. This allowed BetRivers to become the first online book to accept a legal wager in the Prairie State. DraftKings will also launch its online sportsbook and sports betting app having been given the green light.

New Hampshire Betting Sites

The market is overseen by the New Hampshire lottery who awarded DraftKings exclusivity to offer mobile betting across the state. The offering is available as sports betting app and online sportsbook.

Oregon Betting Sites

Similar to NH, there is one single online option in Oregon. ‘The Scoreboard’ is powered by European provider SBTech.

Now you know what amounts to a legal betting site, and where in the US they are available, let’s discuss how to choose a betting site.

What we want to focus your attention on specifically though, is not only choosing one of the most popular betting sites in the US but the sportsbook best for you. And, more to the point, the right option for your specific needs.

In order to help you with this, we’ve identified the key factors for you to think about when making your choice. Of course, take heed of what’s of value and relevant to you.

Bonus offers are a great way for customers to ‘test’ a sportsbook. They serve the same purpose as a Netflix trial for instance whereby you decide if the product works for you before you commit.

Here are the common types of bonus offer in the US.

• Matched deposit: make a deposit and receive a bonus of the same amount
• Risk-free bet: deposit, wager and, if it loses, the amount is credited back
• Money-back free bet: receive a free bet regardless of bet wins or loses
• No Deposit (Free Bet): Receive a free bet just for creating an account.

All top sports betting websites offer bonus offers of some description to persuade new players to sign-up, as you can see below.

Which sport will you be wagering on most? Will it be football and the NFL? Basketball and the NBA? Or something more niche like darts or cricket.

Knowing which sport you bet on most helps refine your options and quicken the process choosing of a sportsbook.

All top sports betting sites have a great selection across the board, i.e a broad range of sports and an extensive set of betting markets. But some focus more on specific sports and less on others.

For example, DraftKings is one of the best football betting sites for its coverage of the NFL and College football. Although, in fairness, DraftKings offers one of the best selections of sports, period.

You may not have heard of Kambi but the company is a premier online betting provider and responsible for powering many of the leading online sportsbooks around the world.

You can tell a Kambi operated sportsbook by the user interface, just one of the solutions the company provides online sportsbooks. But what these sites are known for most is having the best lines in the business.

Many of our everyday tasks now start with pulling a smartphone from our pocket and betting is no different.

Most bettors, whether it’s building a parlay or betting in-game, now rely on a mobile device to place sports wagers.

Over 80% of all bets placed in New Jersey are made online or via mobile sports betting apps

Sports betting apps, in particular, add another level of convenience for bettors and to the overall user experience, hence why all sportsbook design and release an app as part of a launch.

What matters most with sports betting apps is user-friendliness. Does the app make it easy to find what you want? Is it reliable and does it respond quickly? Ultimately, how practical is the app?

If it's impossible to navigate, always crashing and slow to respond, it really isn't worthy of your time and money.

Basic qualities of all top sports betting apps

• Highly responsive
• Great user interface
• Easy navigation

All US sportsbooks are different in terms of deposit and withdrawal options offered.

Payment methods vary from sportsbook to sportsbook

You'll find that payment methods vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. But also from state-to-state.

Here are the most common banking options:

• Credit/Debit Card
• PrePaid Card
• PayPal
• PayNearMe
• Online Banking
• ACH Payments
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Check
• Wire Transfer
• Cash at Cage

While making a payment is straightforward with the many options available, the same doesn't always apply to withdrawing funds.

A lot of banking methods allow you to deposit no problem. But not all can then be used to withdraw later on, which can be frustrating.

As bettors we want our winnings as soon as possible; that feeling that accompanies a winning bet is only fulfilled once you can see your account has been credited.

That’s why it’s crucial to find a betting site that not only makes it easy to fund your account but also allows quick and easy withdrawals.

Betting sites that accept PayPal

From our experience, PayPal betting sites guarantee both.

The e-wallet is one of the most trusted banking methods not just in the US but all over the world. With PayPal every transaction is safe and secure and once set up with a PayPal account, it is an extremely easy way to pay online.

Besides that, PayPal doubles up as a deposit and withdrawal method at most US sports betting sites. Deposits are available almost instantly and the withdrawal time can be as quick as 12 hours.

For this reason among others, PayPal is the preferred banking method for many US bettors.

While it's hoped the above advice has been useful, we also appreciate that for many bettors, the most reliable betting sites are the ones that are names or brands you recognize most. Or are at least familiar with.

For example, FanDuel and DraftKings were huge names in the US prior to becoming top online sportsbooks having provided Daily Fantasy Sports. Whereas Unibet and PointsBet originate from Europe and Australia respectively and aren’t (yet) household gambling names in America.

Below, are the sports betting sites based in the US and operated by American companies. So if you prefer to sign up with a betting site closer to home, you can pick from this bunch.

Betting companies in the USA

• FanDuel
• DraftKings
• BetMGM
• Caesars Sportsbook
• Play SugarHouse
• BetAmerica
• FOX Bet
• Golden Nugget
• Resorts Sportsbook
• Parx Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook

International betting sites

Many of the world’s biggest and best gambling sites have taken the opportunity to lay down roots in the states and become part of the world's biggest and fastest-growing online gambling industry. Each one is a huge name within sports gambling and legal option for American bettors.

William Hill - the long-standing British bookmaker expanded to Nevada in 2012 and operates retail sportsbooks in numerous states including New Jersey where patrons can also bet online.

PointsBet - Australian company PointsBet is building a healthy presence in the US with an innovative alternative to traditional sports betting, PointsBetting which sees bettors win or lose depending on how right or wrong a wager is.

888sport - parent company 888 became the first gambling company to win a US license in 2013, gaining entry to Nevada online gambling. Its sports betting arm, 888sport is a popular choice in numerous European markets and New Jersey.

Bet365 - born and still based in Stoke-on-Trent, England, bet365 is widely recognized as one of the most popular betting sites in the world and known as a true trailblazer of sports betting.

Unibet - founded in London and headquartered in Malta, Unibet is part of Kindred Group. The online gambling operator is responsible for several brands across Europe including Stan James and 32 Red.

At the end of the day, choosing a betting site is based on personal taste and needs.

What matters most is you choose a legal betting site, i.e one that is regulated and holds a license to operate in the state you reside in.

There are many advantages to using licensed betting sites.

• Safety and security guaranteed

Number one - you do not have to worry that the site is unsafe or unreliable. You can bet knowing you’re doing so in a safe and regulated environment. Legal betting sites are operated by huge, million, even billion dollar gambling companies, of which are renowned and trustworthy brands. Not only are legal sites reliable but they are regulated too. This means should a player have an issue with a sportsbook, there is a regulator for them to turn to.

• Better player protection

The constant monitoring of the market overall means players are fully protected, both from the dangers of illegal betting sites but in some cases, themselves. Legal sportsbooks impose measures such as betting limits and ‘time out’ periods if a gambler is deemed vulnerable, i.e. gambling addicts. What’s more, the regulatory body can step in and punish a sportsbook if they view a customer as being exploited.

• Convenience

All legal betting sites have a dedicated mobile app. This means you essentially have an online sportsbook in your pocket. If you’re out and about, you can pull out your phone and bet instantly. While if you’re at home, there’s no need to leave your front door or even move from the sofa.

• Tax revenue boost for states

States are guaranteed to benefit tax revenue generated by legal gambling sites. The money is kept in-state and used to help fund initiatives or the general economy of the state. In Colorado for example, sports betting will finance the state’s water plan which is aimed to prevent water shortages and protect rivers in The Centennial State. In other words, the money goes to good use. This is far from the case with sites not legal. Because they’re not regulated, the state does not benefit at all. The money instead helps to support and preserve the illegal market.

• Helps protect the integrity of sports

A sports betting market that is regularly monitored helps combat illegal betting activity in sport. The chances of match-fixing are significantly reduced because of the specific regulations in place that require licensed sportsbooks, state regulators, and sports leagues to share information with the common goal of identifying unusual betting patterns. The transparency that a regulated market brings means criminals involved in betting rings and even players betting or planning to bet on a game they’re involved in are swiftly recognized.

• Reduces the need for illegal betting sites

The overall benefit of legal, licensed and regulated sites is eventually, we won’t have to worry about players using illegal sites. The more states that permit legal sports betting, the sooner offshore sportsbooks will become redundant.

We’ve talked about the advantages of using legal betting sites and why it’s important. But are you able to tell the difference between a regulated betting site and an unregulated betting site?

Since legal sports betting was permitted, this has become an issue for all levels of bettor, not only those new to online sports wagering. But perhaps more apparent is the lack of information available on the topic.

To help you better understand the differences between legal betting sites and offshore betting sites, you should read this article, US Regulated vs Offshore Sportsbooks.

Meanwhile, get to know what the two terms mean.

What is a legal betting site?

A legal betting site is one that is licensed and regulated, i.e a license has been acquired and the operator has authorized by a state regulatory body (i.e Gaming Commission or State lottery. Legal sites only operate in states where regulations allow online sports betting.

How to recognize licensed betting sites:

Check the legality of a site by ticking off these key details, the standard for all legal sports betting sites in the US:

• Badge of US licensing authority can be found easily (normally in site footer)
• Popular deposit methods available eg. Credit/Debit cards, PayPal
• The company is registered to an address in the state
• Dedicated mobile app
• Make sure the site is listed by the American Gaming Association

What is an offshore betting site?

An offshore sportsbook is not licensed and not regulated by a US regulatory body, which means they’re illegal. Such sites operate from overseas, normally in places like Panama or Curacao, hence why ‘offshore’ is used. Such sites are not authorized to offer its product to US citizens but manage to do so anyway due to being outside of US jurisdiction.

How to recognize an offshore sportsbook

If you’re unsure of the legality of a site, check for these issues, common on most offshore betting sites.

• No badge to show US licensing authority
• Limited banking options (e.g.check, bank wire, cryptocurrencies)
• The company is not registered to an address in the state
• Mobile app highly unlikely
• No live betting