Play on the Best Betting Sites, USA Ranked #1 in 2023

Sports betting is going through a renaissance. More and more people spicing their favorite sports up with a bet or two. However, plenty of beginners fall for scams or claim deceptive bonuses. A negative first impression is something you definitely don’t need, that’s for sure. That’s why we searched for the best betting sites (USA) and did the dirty work.

Since the market is so competitive, we went through several elimination cycles until we came out with only eight US sportsbooks that passed our rigorous tests. As always, this involved our bespoke testing methodology, which we’ll give you a glimpse of. When it comes to the sites themselves, they’re all legal and proven to offer good odds and even better bonuses. So just sit back, pick one of our top betting sites USA players can enjoy, and create an account. It’s that easy, really.

Top 10 Online Sportsbooks for US Players

Our Best Picks for Online Sports Betting

This top 8 features a who’s who of reputable offshore brands, but the top 3 are in a league of their own, spearheaded by a long-time favorite. Let’s see ‘em.

1. BetOnline

• Reputable US-facing brand
• Large selection of cryptocurrencies
• Great bonuses for new and regular players

There’s a reason why BetOnline can’t relinquish the top spot in our rankings. And it’s been like that for a long time. From the get-go, this sportsbook made creating a simple experience its priority. This means there are no convoluted systems, complex processes or anything else that might damage your overall experience. BetOnline was founded in 2001 and is currently licensed by the Panama City Gaming Commission. Since they’ve been covering US sports for more than 20 years without major interruptions, it’s safe to say we’re dealing with a reputable and reliable bookie.

We tried looking for any controversies, but there were none. Our favorite thing about this site is that is accepts more than a dozen different currencies. With options such as Solana, Polygon and Ripple, even niche crypto enthusiasts can participate. The fiat options are decent as well, further proving our point that this is one of the most inclusive betting sites in the US.

Betting Options

BetOnline boasts a comprehensive selection of sports and markets, including popular US leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. For NFL enthusiasts, this is the site we’d recommend the most. They have competitive lines and a vast array of prop bets, and they’re quite accommodating of both pros and casual.

Additionally, they offer extensive coverage of college football and basketball, as well as niche sports like MMA, golf, and tennis. Their wide range of offerings works nicely with the consistently above-average odds they have. In the last couple of years, we’ve never seen them taking too much juice.

Bonuses & Promotions

Upon creating a BetOnline account, you can benefit from a generous 50% welcome bonus on your first deposit, up to $1,000. The bonus requires a minimum deposit of $55 and comes with a 10x rollover requirement. Once you become a regular, there will be a plethora of exciting tournaments and free play opportunities. Additionally, the platform features a VIP program that gives you nice perks, such as higher deposit limits, faster payouts, and personalized customer service. Little details like this make BetOnline a pioneer in providing premier sports betting services.

• Large selection of NCAAB and NCAAF markets
• Decent bonuses
• User-friendly design & great support

Launched in 2011, Bovada has quickly become a prominent name in the sports betting industry. But they weren’t any ordinary rookies. Consider them a phoenix site, born out of the ashes of fan-favorites Bodog. Well, they continue in the same tradition and offer an intuitive user interface, allowing you to effortlessly navigate through various sports and markets.

Bovada is also well known for its wide array of live betting options, with some of the best coverage in the game. The site caters to both casual and experienced bettors by offering a diverse range of betting options. We’re also pleased with their support, as well as the diverse banking section. On top of that, every single withdrawal we requested was paid in full and exceptionally fast. They’re licensed in Curacao, so you don’t have to worry about legitimacy.

Betting Options

This site scored high in all our tests concerning US sports, but it seems to be unrivaled when ti comes to basketball. For NBA fans, Bovada’s sportsbook is locked and loaded with great props and outrights, even when it comes to trade deadline activities. We’d recommend them as the best NBA betting sites in the US, mainly because of the Playoffs coverage. Additionally, they provide an amazing amount of NCAA markets, along with winter sports and Euro soccer.

Bonuses & Promotions

New users at Bovada can take advantage of a 50% welcome bonus on their first deposit, up to $250. This bonus has a 5x rollover requirement for sports betting and comes with a minimum deposit of $20. However, there’s also a boosted version for Bitcoin holders, amounting to $750 with pretty much the same conditions. We were also impressed by the number of ongoing crypto promos. There are MLB-focused boosts, daily rewards and many more exciting formats.

3. BetUS

• Top option for props and futures, especially NFL
• Almost 30 years in the business
• Lots of extra and educational content

With a history dating back to 1994, BetUS has been a trusted name in the sports betting industry for many years. We’ve reviewed them several times, but several things remain constant. One of them is the impeccable UI. Over the years, BetUS seems to have mastered the art of pleasing both rookies and pros. So even if you have a bit of experience under your belt, you won’t feel slowed down by a beginner-friendly platform.

But what we’re most impressed by is the plethora of extra content available to players. Once you sign up, you can watch free live streams on BetUS TV. In addition, they have a number of ongoing podcasts with current and former stars. And in recent times, they’ve even made waves in the social media department. After all, the recent Kyle Kuzma-Spencer Dinwiddie beef stems from a BetUS interview.

Betting Options

BetUS are the kings of futures, especially for PGA golf, NFL and the NBA. But given their excellent track record and overwhelmingly fair odds, we’d say they’re a fine option for all North American sports. In the last year or so, we’ve seen the provide 100+ picks for CFL and XFL, especially for postseason events and big matchups. But in total, they always have at least 15 sports, with nice coverage across the board.

Bonuses & Promotions

New users at BetUS can enjoy a 100% welcome bonus on their first deposit, with 50% designated for sports betting and 50% for the casino, up to a total of $5,000 ($3,750 + $1,250). The sports betting bonus comes with a 10x rollover requirement and a minimum deposit of $100. As an existing player, you’ll be able to participate in all sorts of promos and competitions, with most focusing on current sporting events.

4. BUSR

Licensed in Curacao, this bookie is the best option for horse racing. Most of their promotions aim at the racebook part of the site. So if the Kentucky Derby or ME races are your bread and butter, we’d definitely recommend them.

This site is also very friendly towards beginners, as every new player can claim up to $2,500 in free play money. In addition, we have to mention their long history of excellent political coverage. BUSR even covers minor state primaries, which no other bookie does. The UI is overwhelmingly friendly, rounding out another great top pick.

BetNow

If basketball betting is your priority, then BetNow is by far the best sportsbook in the USA. At the time of writing this review, they offered odds on 20+ different leagues, including those in Bulgaria, Brazil, and Poland. Their NBA lines and bet selection are second to none. In terms of other sports, the versatility is there, although they could be more consistent.

We would also recommend BetNow to rookie bettors, mainly because of how intuitive and simple the UI is. There’s almost no learning curve, plus there’s a 200% deposit match for first-time crypto deposits, up to a decent $200.

Bookmaker

On the surface, the BookMaker sportsbook seems like a classic old-school site, but don’t let the appearance fool you. They have one of the best in-play betting interfaces, including real-time interactive data visualization. And compared to other bookies we’ve reviewed recently, it seems like Bookmaker has the most live betting markets out of all of them. NFL and NCAAF are the most prominent, of course.

Another thing we like about this particular sportsbook is the attractive bonus for newcomers. If you create an account, you can get a $500 bonus for both fiat at crypto, but at varying rates. The racebook has nice rebates, as well.

Is Sports Betting Legal in the USA?

As of early April 2023, sports betting is legal in more than 30 US states. The legality doesn’t always have the same effects, as some states allow only in-person bets to be placed. In addition, the market is limited severely due to monopolies or duopolies. Nevertheless, this is only true for sportsbooks licensed in particular betting sites.

The best betting sites in the USA from our list are available almost everywhere. This is because they’re established and licensed in other countries, such as Panama, Curacao, Costa Rica and others. Despite not being based in the States, no one can do anything about this. US authorities have no jurisdiction outside our borders, which is why you can join freely.

In addition, you can enjoy some benefits usually forbidden by US regulators. This includes cryptocurrencies, high bonuses, physical rewards, and much more. Basically, you get the same level of security with plenty more freedom. However, since the site isn’t ‘technically’ available in your state, foreign regulators won’t be able to help you that easily.

Regardless of what you do, proceed responsibly and consult with your local regulator or an expert. Playing at offshore sites is treated differently everywhere. This isn’t legal advice, and you should always check before creating an account.

How We Review the Best Betting Sites in the USA

Every review of ours involves the same, in-house developed approach. Our team wants to give all the best betting sites in the USA the same shot. Of course, we also tweak our methods for specialized sites and on special occasions.  Unfortunately, we can’t spill all the beans, but we’ll gladly share the staples of our methodology. You too can judge the sportsbooks you encounter by focusing on the following:

Reputation

Before we tackle the casino’s inner workings, we first want to see how they hold up with the online community. Thus, our experts check for any unresolved disputes, claims of fraud and similar things one might expect. In addition, we take a good look at player reviews, especially if the bookie has an app. If there is anything remotely fishy, the site won’t be included in any of our top lists. If the coast is clear, we move on to the following sections of our review process.

Banking Options, Fees & Timeframes

We know everyone hates banking, even at the best betting sites USA, but it’s an unavoidable part of the experience. That’s why we make sure deposits and withdrawals are easy to make, first and foremost. What use are 20+ cryptos if beginners don’t know what to do? Bonus points go for educational content, such as video tutorials and blogs. Only then do we look at how many payment methods are accepted. The final part involves transferring money in and out to see if there are any fees and if the waiting times are long.

Security & Licensing

Compliance is very important to us when looking for the top sportsbooks in the US. Even though these sites are technically offshore, we take licensing and player protection seriously. That’s why we check for a statement on licensing and afterward check the regulator’s public registry to confirm the validity. Furthermore, our team also looks for basic security features, such as SSL encryption, HTTPS, and firewalls. Any certificates from third-party auditors or international rewards also contribute to establishing a positive impression. Nevertheless, this always ties in with the first criterion we’ve mentioned in this section.

Available Sports and Markets

US leagues are on top of our list, but we also want to see diversity. There’s a time during the offseason when you still want to practice, and that’s why our standards require at least 15 available sports. NASCAR and IndyCar are especially desirable, along with European soccer, rugby, winter sports and Euroleague basketball. NCAA markets are unquestionably a hot commodity, too. And speaking of markets, our minimum is 100 for high-profile events, with mandatory consistency across the board.

Odds

No matter how great the bonuses or markets are, it’s all pointless if you’re not getting a fair deal. As always, we’re vehemently against bookies that take too big of a cut. The best betting sites USA must have a reasonable vigorish rate, with odds at least hovering around the industry average. Unlike most testers, who only look at the site once, our team follows the bookie’s coverage over a period of time. This lets us know if their odds are always high or if it’s just a ruse.

QOL Features, UI & Design

Finally, all our top-rated sportsbooks must be easy to use. Pros should be able to get back into the action quickly, while the learning curve for beginners shouldn’t be too high. But that doesn’t mean we tolerate cookie-cutter solutions. Sure, using white-label platforms is reliable, but that doesn’t add anything to the overall experience. That’s why we look to reward creative solutions. Features such as live streaming, bet builders and weekly picks can only impact the bookie’s final grade positively, as well.

Bonuses

And last but not least, players should be rewarded handsomely. There are so many available bookies nowadays, and choosing any particular reward must come with a sign of appreciation. For starters, you should get a welcome bonus. It can be either cash or a free bet, but it must be fair and easy to roll over. Afterward, there must be engaging promos for regular players. Reloads and cashbacks are probably our favorites. If a site has them, they get bonus points.

Tips on How to Succeed at Online US Sportsbooks

Before you pick one of our top betting sites USA, take a step back and prepare for your first bet. Of course, we can’t list every single thing you should pay attention to. However, our experts were able to come up with a list of key tips that every beginner will find useful. Apply them, test them and use them wisely:

Learn everything about the sport you’re betting

This goes without saying, but believe us — we’ve seen thousands of people convinced they could win just by chasing good odds. Okay, you might win $5,000, but what do you really know about triathlon competitions or Ligue 1 soccer? No sport is impossible to master. But whichever one you choose, make sure you at least follow the leagues and have access to stats. Betting picks can also turn out useful.

Set a budget and don’t exceed your bankroll

Betting is still gambling, make no mistake. At the end of the day, you have no impact on the factors that affect the game. Therefore, don’t expect to rob the bookie blind or win high percentages on a monthly basis. Everyone has good and bad days. Don’t chase your losses or get carried away when you’re winning. Set aside an amount you can afford to lose per week/month/year and stick to it. Once you hit the mark, take a break.

Bonuses aren’t just about money

Think about it — why would the best betting sites in the US just hand out free money like that? With every deposit bonus, sites know they’re foregoing potential profits. As a result, they make up for it by loading promos with all kinds of restrictions, conditions and limits. These include rollover requirements, expiry dates and caps on winnings. Be sure to read the Terms & Conditions, lest you fall into a trap. This goes for all kinds of promos.

Picks and predictions don’t make too much of a difference

Don’t get us wrong, our team members who bet on the NFL all follow prominent experts and use their tips. But even the best advice on sports betting is worthless if you don’t know how to use it well. Again, they can help your overall margin; however, they should only serve as a reference point. There will be times when a particular prediction seems pointless. In that case, listen to your gut and don’t fall for it.