Ever since the federal ban on sports betting was lifted in 2018, the list of legal sports betting sites has grown at an increasingly rapid pace. As an American sports bettor, not only do you get a wide array of betting sites to choose from, the competitive nature of the US sports betting industry means you get to pick from the very best sports betting sites on the market.

Here are the 'Best Betting Sites' in the USA right now

Best US Sports Betting Sites

1. DraftKings Sportsbook → Most popular US betting site
   
2. Caesars Sportsbook → Exciting new re-brand
3. FanDuel Sportsbook → Best mobile app
4. PointsBet → Best for unique bet types
5. BetMGM→ Betting site with casino
6. Bet365 → World's favorite betting site
7. Unibet → Huge selection of sports
8. MaximBet → Fantastic welcome bonus
   
9. BetRivers → Great live betting
10. WynnBET → Fantastic 'futures' market
11. PlaySugarHouse → Analog of BetRivers
12. Fubo Sportsbook → Best live betting + streaming combo
    
13. SI Sportsbook → Fun 'social betting' features
    
14. FOX Bet → Familiar network TV brand
15. Golden Nugget → Well known US gambling brand
16. Barstool Sportsbook → Great for betting promos
17. PlayUp → Exciting new betting site
18. Resorts World Bet → NY-based sportsbook
19. Betfred Sports → Straightforward, no-frills sportsbook

Before we help you find the right betting site for your betting needs, a note:

The Best Sports Betting Sites are Legal and Licensed in the US.

At UnitedGambers.com we do not view security or safety as a criterion when reviewing online betting sites. That's because this is simply a prerequisite of all the betting sites we recommend.

It's a given that all sports betting sites featured on this page are operated by reputable sports betting companies that are licensed and regulated in America. That being the case, you don't need to worry about trust or reliability - this is already assured!

Finding the right betting site ultimately comes down to you - your betting preferences, your personal taste, your level of betting experience. It's about finding the site which suits you the best.

At UnitedGamblers.com, our goal is to match sports bettors in America with the betting site best for their specific requirements.

We do this by measuring US sports betting sites and identifying the best options based on certain factors. The checklist below sets out the list of factors we use when reviewing betting sites for the American bettor.

If you happen to be unfamiliar with the concept of using an online betting site to place your sports wager, don’t fret - you're not alone. Plenty of Americans are in the same boat and would also consider themselves a betting newbie.

You'll also take comfort from the fact there are a bunch of betting sites that are, naturally, more beginner-friendly in terms of navigation, placing a bet, and betting tutorials, enabling you to get up to speed with how a betting site works in no time at all.

Unibet, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and to a certain degree, Bet365 are all great examples of betting sites for beginners. Remember for extra tips, you can always lean on our Beginner's Guide to Sports Betting (below).

Best Sports Betting Sites for Beginners

1. Unibet
2. DraftKings
3. BetMGM
4. FanDuel
5. Bet365

Depositing money or withdrawing winnings should be straightforward, secure, and quick, enabling you to get on with more important things, like betting!

The top betting sites will support popular payment methods such as PayPal, VISA/Mastercard, Bank transfers, PayNearMe and, in general, offer a variety of different options.

Ideally, you’ll be able to use your preferred option to deposit and withdraw. But this isn’t so common with US betting sites, while payment options also differ depending on the state. That's why it's good practice to check the payment methods available.

PayPal 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 fund your betting account.

The e-wallet also doubles up as a deposit and withdrawal method at most of the top US sports betting sites, hence why betting sites with PayPal are very popular among US bettors.

Deposits made using PayPal are available almost instantly with withdrawals processed within 24 hours and sometimes as quick as 12 hours.

Best PayPal Betting Sites

1. DraftKings
2. FanDuel
3. Bet365
4. Unibet
5. SI Sportsbook

You may only be interested in betting on the NFL or the NBA. But having the opportunity to wager on a variety of other sports, alongside your favorite, is a great way to make your betting experience even better.

The best betting sites offer a list of sports as long as your arm, not only from America but across the world and though betting markets available will vary depending on the popularity of the sport, the very best sports betting sites have an exhaustive list of markets for every sport.

Live betting has added another dimension to how people wager. The thrill of betting on a game 'in-play' is second to none and growing in popularity all of the time.

It's no secret that industry experts view in-play betting as a key battleground for all betting sites in the US going forwards. But while there are many live betting sites to choose from, each option will be different in terms of the live betting experience it offers.

There are betting site operators that have managed to achieve the basics and also those who have excelled in providing bettors with the best in-play betting experience possible.

Best Live Betting Sites

1. Bet365
2. Unibet
3. FanDuel Sportsbook
4. DraftKings Sportsbook
5. PointsBet

Finding a betting site with the highest odds for your sport or specific game can make a big difference to potential winnings and, ultimately, put more money in your back pocket.

If you’re choosing between two betting sites you’re almost certain to choose the one offering the highest odds and the best bang for the buck.

Our tip for finding the best odds is to compare betting sites based on your particular sport, competition, or event. We can also recommend betting sites that use Kambi. DraftKings, 888sport, and Unibet, for example, are known to offer very good odds especially.

Betting Sites with the Best Odds

1. Unibet
2. BetMGM
3. FanDuel Sportsbook
4. PointsBet
5. DraftKings Sportsbook

Online sports betting isn’t just limited to your desktop computer or laptop any longer. Sports betting apps have transformed the betting industry enabling bettors to wager on sports from anywhere.

With the appeal and popularity of apps continuing to grow, the quality of a betting app is a crucial factor and a key differentiator when deciding which betting site to pick.

A couple of things to consider here: the app needs to be able to run on your mobile’s operating system and you need to have the necessary storage space for it to run smoothly - nobody has time for an app constantly lagging. Also consider the app's functionality, how easy it is to use, and the design and layout of the app.

Best Mobile Sports Betting Apps

1. FanDuel Sportsbook
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
3. Caesars Sportsbook
4. BetMGM
5. PointsBet
6. Bet365
7. Unibet

Welcome bonus offers provide bettors with the opportunity to try an online betting site. You can decide whether you will financially commit based on your initial experience using the welcome promo, which often costs you very little and sometimes, is even free!

New bettors in particular relish picking up a bonus offer to start out with. In turn, betting companies play on this fact by offering huge welcome bonus amounts.

This is to your advantage of course - with the competition between US betting sites as fierce as it is, you’re guaranteed to find a range of sizable welcome bonus offers, just like this one currently available at PointsBet.

A betting site that was once used solely for the purpose of placing a bet. You placed your wager and waited for the final outcome, But today, it’s much, much more than that. Betting sites have introduced a number of features to enhance the overall experience of a sports bettor.

Examples of betting features:

• Cash-out - An essential feature for the modern-day bettor is the ability to ‘cash out’, i.e. settle a bet mid-game (or prior to its conclusion) and receive the real-time value of the bet.
• Live streaming - Bettors can watch the action and bet simultaneously via games and events broadcast on the betting site itself. Sounds like a dream, right! You do need to have placed a bet recently or have money in your account to view a game however - you can’t use the betting site like a TV channel!
• Parlay builders - The chance to create and customize your own bet for NFL, NBA, and MLS games is a seriously under-rated feature that gives you the freedom to personalize your betting experience.
• Statistics center - If you’re a bettor you’re bound to love numbers. And that’s good because sports betting sites these days have heaps of facts and stats available to aid your betting pre-game and in-game.

Best Betting Sites with Cash Out

1. DraftKings Sportsbook
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
3. PointsBet
4. Unibet
5. Bet365
6. Caesars Sportsbook
7. BetMGM

‘A Professional Bettor’ is somebody with a considerable amount of betting experience who prefers (and can afford) to stake significant amounts. Such bettors normally have an account manager, get offered extra rewards and bonuses and are normally invited to join a VIP loyalty scheme.

Bettors looking to bet big require a betting site that allows them to do so, i.e betting sites with high deposit limits and high payout limits. Extremely quick payment options, an in-depth list of sports and leagues, great odds, and a second to none customer support team are also key attributes for pro bettors.

‘Winner friendly’ betting sites, i.e. sites that do not limit your account or ban you for winning big (as can be the case) is also a prerequisite for pro bettors seeking out a sports betting site.

Best Betting Sites for Pro Bettors

1. Bet365
2. Unibet
3. DraftKings Sportsbook
4. BetMGM
   
5. FanDuel Sportsbook

Betting sites are now legal in a handful of states. This follows the removal of the ban that had prevented most of America from offering sports betting.

Each state is different in:

a) Rules and regulations around tax rate and license fee

b) How open the market is

c) How many operators are permitted. In other words, the number of betting sites and the operators authorized varies from state to state.

In New Jersey, for instance, a friendly market awaits operators in terms of tax rates and license fees. There's also no limit on the number of sites which creates a competitive market for bettors, who, in turn, can enjoy the freedom of remote registration and online wagering. The result of all this is the best performing online betting market in the country.

Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, and Colorado all follow similar 'open' models, hence why you'll find FanDuel and DraftKings, and other popular betting sites in these states.

Oregon, on the other hand, has just one online wagering option: TheScoreboard. The market in the Beaver State is controlled by the state lottery who has given one operator a monopoly of the market. New Hampshire and Rhode Island are also examples of states that have decided to go with a sole operator.

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 betting sites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM as well as international betting sites like Unibet, Bet365, and PointsBet.

Top 5 NJ Betting Sites

1. Bet365
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
3. PointsBet
4. Unibet
5. DraftKings Sportsbook

Play SugarHouse was the first PA betting site to launch in May 2019, followed by Parx and BetRivers. The arrival of FanDuel and DraftKings raised the competition in the Quaker State which is only second to New Jersey in terms of revenue. Unibet, FOX Bet, BetMGM, and Barstool Sportsbook are also among the available options in PA.

Top 5 PA Betting Sites

1. PointsBet
2. BetMGM
3. Unibet
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
   
5. DraftKings Sportsbook

Since DraftKings kicked off Indiana online betting in October 2019, The Hoosier State has built a robust collection of online sports betting sites. FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Pointsbet, Caesars Sportsbook, and Unibet are all legal and available. Hoosiers can sign-up and bet anywhere in Indiana state lines.

Top 5 Indiana Betting Sites

1. PointsBet
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
3. Unibet
4. DraftKings Sportsbook
5. BetMGM
   

Although betting sites in WV are fairly limited compared with bordering states, the Mountain State features three of the best sports betting sites in America: DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. Mobile wagering is permitted in WV, enabling bettors to create a betting account and wager without having to visit a land-based casino.

Top 5 West Virginia Betting Sites

1. DraftKings Sportsbook
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
3. BetMGM
4. PointsBet
5. Caesars Sportsbook

All of Colorado's 33 retail casinos can get a sports betting license, partner with an online brand, and offer sports betting online. After a huge launch that featured DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers all accepting bets on May 1, 2020, the first permitted date for online betting in CO, the market has ballooned to over 20 online sportsbooks. PointsBet, FOX Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, SI Sportsbook, and Betfred are among the newest betting sites in Colorado, home to one of the fastest-growing sports wagering markets in the country.

Top 5 Colorado Betting Sites

1. PointsBet
2. DraftKings
3. FanDuel
4. BetMGM
5. Caesars Sportsbook

Until 2021, mobile betting was limited to in-person sign-up. But full-scale online betting is now permitted. PointsBet, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Sportsbook are among the major sportsbook operators Iowans can choose from.

Top 5 Iowa Betting Sites

1. FanDuel Sportsbook
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
   
3. BetMGM
   
4. Caesars Sportsbook
   
5. Unibet
   

Sports betting may be relatively new to the Grand Canyon State, but there are already a plethora of online sportsbooks to choose from, including some household names like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook to name a few.

Top 5 Arizona Betting Sites

1. FanDuel Sportsbook
2. BetMGM
   
3. Caesars Sportsbook
   
4. DraftKings Sportsbook
5. Unibet
   

Since Illinois online sports betting kicked off in mid-2020, the state has gone back and forth on in-person registration. As it stands, before you can bet in Illinois you need to visit a retail casino to complete the sign-up process. Once done, you're free to use the betting site anywhere in state lines. The usual suspects, DraftKings and FanDuel feature on the list of authorized operators, as do PointsBet, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, and Barstool Sportsbook.

Top 5 Illinois Betting Sites

1. PointsBet
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
3. BetMGM
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
5. BetRivers

Michigan online betting began in January 2021 and already the line-up of online sportsbooks is impressive. FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM are available, as are PointsBet, Barstool Sportsbook, and Golden Nugget.

Top 5 Michigan Betting Sites

1. FanDuel Sportsbook
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
3. BetMGM
4. Caesars Sportsbook
5. WynnBET
   

American betting sites DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the US sports betting landscape. The fantasy sports pair control a large part of the US market and are expected to increase their market share going forwards.

But this was anticipated given the two market leaders Daily Fantasy Sports providers built up a strong following over a number of years, prior to becoming top sports betting sites.

International betting sites such as PointsBet, Bet365, and Unibet, meanwhile, are having to playing catch-up in that respect but are expected to emerge as key contenders in the industry and challenge the more established American betting sites.

American Betting Sites

• Bally Bet
• Barstool Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• BetRivers
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportbook
• FOX Bet
• Fubo Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget
• Parx Sportsbook
• Play SugarHouse
• Resorts World Bet
• SI Sportsbook
• WynnBET

The online betting world is evolving all the time. And a large part of that is due to the emergence of new betting sites.

New betting sites raise the bar and improve the standard of the industry as a whole

Betting companies, new and old, have to constantly come up with new ideas in order to carve out a niche in the industry, capture market share, and ultimately get the edge on competitors. But it’s new betting sites that continually push the boundaries, raise the bar and improve the overall standard.

Bet365, still a relatively new betting site having recently celebrated its twentieth birthday, developed the idea of live betting around a time when no other betting site dared, transforming the industry forever. PointsBet, meanwhile, has recently provided bettors in the US with a unique alternative to fixed-odds betting, “Points Betting”. And there are countless other examples of new betting sites shaking up the industry.

As a bettor in the USA, this is awesome news! Not only are you in a position to experience fresh, new betting innovations, the grand appeal of the US as an online betting market means you will almost always have the chance to sample the newest betting sites available.

New Betting Sites for 2022

• Betfred Sports - This popular high street British bookie is now aiming to replicate its success online in the US. Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Colorado are the company's three active states so far.
• Betway - European online gambling operator, Betway, has experience in numerous super-competitive global markets and is due to debut in launch in Colorado.
• Play Up - No doubt looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Australian betting company, PointsBet, Play Up is available in Colorado and will soon launch in New Jersey.
• SI Sportsbook -Sports Illustrated and 888sport have teamed up to introduce one of the latest sportsbooks in the US, SI Sportsbook. Initially launching solely in Colorado back in October 2021, SI Sportsbook is looking to further expand its presence in 2022.

Whether it's bettors, operators, or individual states, everyone's a winner with a legal, regulated market. Legit betting sites benefit everybody and their importance cannot be emphasized enough.

Here are the main advantages of using only legal 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 secure environment. Legal betting sites are operated by huge, million, even billion dollar gambling companies, known for their iconic betting brands. Not only are legal sites reliable but they are regulated too. This allows a player to seek out the regulator if there's an issue.

• Better player protection

With online betting growing, player welfare has never been more important for sports betting sites. Legal betting sites have safeguarding measures available such as betting limits and ‘time out’ periods to promote responsible gambling. What’s more, the regulatory bodies can step in and punish a betting operator if a customer is 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 sports betting 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 bettors using illegal sites. The more states that permit legal sports betting, the sooner offshore betting sites will become redundant.

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.

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 at the footer of the website footer)
• Popular deposit methods available eg. Credit/Debit cards, PayPal
• The company is registered to an address in the state
• Is there a dedicated mobile app you can downloads for Android/ iOS?
• Make sure the site is listed by the American Gaming Association

Examples of legal sports betting websites include FanDuel, DraftKings, 888sport, PointsBet, Caesars Sportsbook.

What is an offshore betting site?

An offshore betting site 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 the term ‘offshore’ is attached. 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 spot offshore betting sites

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

Examples of offshore betting websites include Bovada, MyBookie, 5Dimes, BetOnline, Intertops.