USA Betting Sites
Below, you will find our expert reviews of reputable, regulated sports betting sites operating in the United States. Each site has been thoroughly tested and verified by our team.
The USA is one of the jurisdictions with the most complex legal climates when it comes to sports betting. The legalization of sports betting is still a work in progress in many states, while in others, legislators have already passed laws that allow US sports fans to legally place bets on the outcomes of various sporting events.
The complex legal situation in the country has led many online bookmakers to choose not to serve customers from the USA. Because of this, US punters are presented with a somewhat limited range of options, especially if they insist on betting with locally regulated sportsbooks.
On the positive side, a number of offshore online sportsbooks are more than happy to accept bets from US customers. Such operators are normally licensed under foreign jurisdictions like Costa Rica, Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles, and Antigua. The only trouble is that punters who register on such websites never know exactly what they are getting into. Some offshore betting operators have proven records of reliability and prompt payments, while others are best avoided.
US Sports Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating
Sportsbook | Reviews | Rating |
---|---|---|
Sports Betting.ag | 1,732 | 4.1 ⭐ |
BetOnline | 9,216 | 4.0 ⭐ |
BetAnySports (BAS) | 6 | 3.3 ⭐ |
XBet | 19 | 2.9 ⭐ |
Everygame | 80 | 2.9 ⭐ |
BetUS | 426 | 2.7 ⭐ |
BetNow | 138 | 2.3 ⭐ |
GTbets | 11 | 2.1 ⭐ |
Bovada | 1,326 | 1.6 ⭐ |
MyBookie | N/A | |
BetUSR | N/A | N/A |
Jazz Casino | N/A | N/A |
Comparison of Sports Betting Sites in the US
Sportsbook | Sports on Offer | Min Deposit | Min Withdrawal | Min Bet | Bonuses | Bonus Wagering Requirements | In-Play Betting | Licenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MyBookie | Football, Golf, Basketball, Tennis, Soccer, and 30+ sports | • $20 - cryptocurrencies; • $45 - cards; $100 - P2P | • Bitcoin - $25; • Other methods: $100 | $2 ($100 for wagers placed over the phone) | • 100% up to $1,000 on 1st crypto deposits | • 10x rollover for 100% crypto bonus • 1x rollover for 100% refund bonus | Yes | No official license information |
Bovada | American Football, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and 20+ other sports | •$10 - MatchPay; •$20 - card payments; •$50 - Direct Bank Transfer; •0.0001 BTC - Bitcoin; •0.001 BCH - Bitcoin Cash; •0.2827 BSV - Bitcoin SV; •0.01 LTC - Litecoin; •0.002 ETH - Ethereum; •5 USDT - USD Tether; •0.0002 BCL - Bitcoin Lightning | •$75 - Bitcoin; •$10 - MatchPay, Voucher, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Lightning; •$50 - Ethereum, USD Tether; •$250 - Check by Courier; •$1,500 - Bank Wire | $0.50 | • 75% Welcome Crypto Bonus up to $750 | 5x deposit + bonus (both types of Welcome Bonus) | Yes | The Union of the Comoros |
XBet | Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MMA, Motor Sports, and 16 other sports | • $45 - Mastercard, VISA • $20 - Cryptocurrencies • $100 - Person2Person | • $100 - for all payment methods except Bitcoin ($25) | $2 ($100 for telephone bets) | • 50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200 | • Min $50 Deposit; 10x Playthrough (50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200) | Yes | Costa Rica |
Everygame | Football, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Golf, and 17+ other sports | $6 - $20 | $100 - $150 | $1 | • 50% Sign-up Bonus up to $200, bonus code WELCOME200 | • 12x deposit + bonus amount at min. odds of -200 (1.5) (Sign-up Bonus) | Yes | No official license information |
BetNow | Football, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, Golf, Soccer, Fighting, Tennis, Esports | Bank Cards: $20Crypto: $10Person2Person: $50 | $200 or BTC equivalent | $1 | Welcome Bonuses: | 200% Bonus: 18x rollover | Yes | N/A |
BetOnline | Hockey, Tennis, Soccer, Volleyball, and 24 other sports | •Cards - $25; •Crypto - $10; •Money Orders - $300; •P2P - $100 | •Crypto - $20; •Wire Transfers and Courier Checks - $500; •P2P - $50; •Money Orders - $1,000 | •$1 online •$25 for phone wagers | Welcome Offer: 50% up to $250 in free bets and 100 free spins | •Minimum deposit of $50 with code FREE250 | Yes | Panama Gaming Control Board |
GTbets | American Football, Aussie Rules, Tennis, Golf, and 10+ sports | Crypto - $15 Other methods - $35 | Bitcoin - $100 Bank Wire - $125 | $1 | 10% Cash Rebate on losing horse bets | No WR on 10% Cash Rebate | Yes | No official information |
BetUSR | Football, Tennis, Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Cricket, and 23 other sports | • Bitcoin - $20 • P2P - $100 | • Bitcoin - $25 • Bank Wire - $100 | $1 ($0.50 for Exacta bets) | 100% Welcome | • 20x for sports | Yes | No licensing information |
BetUS | Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, and 40+ other sports | $10 | $50 | $5 | * 125% Sign-up Bonus (100% Sports + 25% Casino) on first 3 deposits | * 14x WR on sports bonus, 30x WR on caisno bonus (125% Sign-Up Bonus) | Yes | |
BetAnySports (BAS) | Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, and 20+ other sports | Crypto: $25Credit Cards: $50Electronic Checks: $100 | Bitcoin: $50ACH Transfers: $100Wire Transfers, Checks: $1,000 | $0.50 | Less Juice Bonus 25% Cash Bonus Cash Rebate Bonus House Money Bonus Refer-A-Friend Free Payouts | Once bettors have deposited six times, their seventh deposit is on the sportsbook, up to $5,000. | Yes | Costa Rica |
Jazz Casino | Hockey, Soccer, Tennis,Fighting, and 15 moresports | Crypto: $25P2P, MoneyGram: $100Cards: $50 | Crypto: $50MoneyGram: $100 | $1 | No sports betting bonuses | N/A | Yes | Curacao Gaming Control |
Sports Betting.ag | Hockey, Tennis, Soccer, Golf, Football, and 20+other sports | •Cards - $25; •P2P - $100; •Money Orders - $300; •Crypto - $10 | •Crypto - $20; •P2P - $50; •Bank Transfers and Checks - $500; •Money Orders - $1,000 | •$1 online; •$25 over the phone | Welcome Bonus: 50% up to $250 and 100 free spins | •$50 minimum deposit with code WELCOME | Yes | Panama Gaming Control Board |
Top 12 Betting Sites for the US
MyBookie
Min Deposit• $20 - cryptocurrencies; • $45 - cards; $100 - P2PMin Withdrawal• Bitcoin - $25; • Other methods: $100Withdrawal Time• Bitcoin - 24 hours; • Bank Wire - 5 to 7 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive chat: Yes;Email: help@mybookie.ag;Phone: 844-866-BETS (2387)- Superb on mobile phones
- Great loyalty promotions
- Covers all US sports
- Prompt customer support
- Trustworthy brand
- Extensive live betting market coverage
Founded in 2014, MyBookie is an experienced operator that delivers a superb betting experience to sports fans. The brand is reliable and covers a wide range of betting options, catering to the preferences of various punters. In addition to pre-match betting, MyBookie also offers numerous in-play options that bettors will surely appreciate.
Members can manage their payments in a fast and hassle-free manner, choosing from a wide range of methods. Bettors can also use Bitcoin for their MyBookie transactions, making crypto betting easy. With its myriad of features, MyBookie is definitely a brand worth considering.
Bovada
Min Deposit•$10 - MatchPay; •$20 - card payments; •$50 - Direct Bank Transfer; •0.0001 BTC - Bitcoin; •0.001 BCH - Bitcoin Cash; •0.2827 BSV - Bitcoin SV; •0.01 LTC - Litecoin; •0.002 ETH - Ethereum; •5 USDT - USD Tether; •0.0002 BCL - Bitcoin LightningMin Withdrawal•$75 - Bitcoin; •$10 - MatchPay, Voucher, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Lightning; •$50 - Ethereum, USD Tether; •$250 - Check by Courier; •$1,500 - Bank WireWithdrawal Time• Bitcoin - Up to 24 hours • Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Tether, and Litecoin - Up to 1 hour • Check by Courier - Approximately 10-15 Business Days • Bank Wire - Approximately 10-15 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact Details•Live Chat: Yes •Email: service@bovada.lv •Phone: N/A- Brand with flawless reputation
- Online since 1994
- Extensive event coverage
- Superb in-play odds
- Fully compatible with mobile devices
- Multi-tier loyalty program
Bovada is one of the longest-running online bookmakers on the market, and as such, it knows how to provide a top-notch betting experience. The sportsbook offers extensive coverage of major sporting events, so punters can find competitive odds on their favorite sports. Bovada’s racebook will also keep bettors pleased, delivering options on popular racing events. The live betting section is worth checking out, allowing bettors to place in-play wagers on numerous top events.
Having operated for years, Bovada understands what punters need. Because safe and fast payments are always appreciated, the brand supports a variety of banking options. Whether you are depositing or withdrawing winnings, you will be able to manage your transactions with ease.
Everygame
Min Deposit$6 - $20Min Withdrawal$100 - $150Withdrawal Time* Bitcoin and ecoPayz - 48 hours* Checks (the US only) - 5 business days* Bank wires - up to 15 business days* SEPA - up to 4 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: bet@everygame.eu Phone: Scheduled calls only- Great odds
- Multiple bonuses
- Superb customer support
- Online for over 20 years
- Trusted US-friendly brand
- Multiview and Overview features let you follow multiple live events
Everygame allows you to enjoy a fruitful online betting experience at any time of the day. With its superb sportsbook, the brand caters to every type of punter. American football, baseball, and basketball are just a few of the top sports covered, and Everygame offers competitive odds on many other events.
The live betting section is also worth checking, as it lets bettors place wagers while events unfold in real time. Different markets are available for both pre-match and in-play bets, allowing punters to enjoy an exciting experience.
XBet
Min Deposit• $45 - Mastercard, VISA • $20 - Cryptocurrencies • $100 - Person2PersonMin Withdrawal• $100 - for all payment methods except Bitcoin ($25)Withdrawal TimeFor customers with verified accounts - within 48 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Contact Us Form Phone: 1-855-219-5809- US-friendly
- 25% Reload Bonus
- Excellent odds
- Sportsbook and casino
- Second-to-none customer service
- Supports all popular odds formats
Sports fans can have a wonderful time betting at XBet, with the sportsbook offering a wide range of wagering options. Bettors can explore a myriad of markets, many of which appear in the Featured section. In addition to pre-match selections, punters can also place in-play bets, with the live betting section providing an extensive choice.
To make the experience even more enjoyable, the sportsbook offers several generous promotions that can boost your winning chances. XBet also promises fast payouts, enabling bettors to enjoy their profits in no time.
BetNow
Min DepositBank Cards: $20Crypto: $10Person2Person: $50Min Withdrawal$200 or BTC equivalentWithdrawal TimeCrypto: Within 24 hoursACH: up to 5 business daysBank Draft: up to 5 business daysBank Wires: up to 5 business daysCash:up to 48 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsContact Form- Excellent bonus terms
- Superb mobile app
- Enhanced odds on select events
- Wide variety of betting markets
- Fast-growing brand
- Selection of convenient payment options
BetNow is a great choice for those who enjoy a variety of sporting events and are always looking for the best odds. Whether you prefer American football, basketball, baseball, or another popular sport, chances are you will find competitive lines at BetNow. One feature worth mentioning is the live betting option: BetNow gives members the chance to place in-play bets while watching games in real time.
In addition to delivering a fun experience, BetNow takes great care of its patrons by offering a variety of generous promotions. The sportsbook also lets you manage your balance quickly and securely, with a range of convenient payment options.
BetOnline
Min Deposit•Cards - $25; •Crypto - $10; •Money Orders - $300; •P2P - $100Min Withdrawal•Crypto - $20; •Wire Transfers and Courier Checks - $500; •P2P - $50; •Money Orders - $1,000Withdrawal Time•Wire Transfer - up to 15 days; •Courier Checks - Up to 15 days; •Crypto - 1 to 24 hours; •Money Orders - 7 daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsLa Liga Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) Matchroom Sport Golden BoyContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: help@betonlinecs.agPhone: 1-888-426-3661- Extensive sports coverage
- Great live betting selection
- Fast and secure payments
- Supports a wide range of payment options
- Friendly chat support
- Secure gambling experience thanks to SSL encryption
If you are looking for a reliable website with competitive odds on top sporting events, look no further. BetOnline is a virtual sportsbook that caters to a wide range of betting enthusiasts, covering many popular sports. Not only can you place wagers on major events, but you can also explore numerous betting markets.
The sportsbook is well optimized for mobile devices, allowing members to place bets anytime, anywhere. Regarding payments, the bookie has ensured that everyone has a suitable option for deposits and withdrawals. Crypto payments are also available, further expanding the choices for BetOnline users.
GTbets
Min DepositCrypto - $15 Other methods - $35Min WithdrawalBitcoin - $100 Bank Wire - $125Withdrawal TimeBank Wire - up to 12 days Bitcoin - up to 48 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: support@gtbets.ag Phone: 1-800-509-4847- Brand with extensive experience
- Reliable sportsbook with competitive odds
- Great sports coverage
- Wide range of live betting options
- Supports various payment methods
- Customer support available 24/7
GTBets is a reliable betting brand that caters to a wide range of punters. The sportsbook features top sports front and center, and lines on many other events are also easy to find, with GTBets offering very competitive odds. To make the experience even more exciting, GTBets provides live betting, allowing bettors to place wagers on numerous events as they unfold in real time.
When it comes to managing your balance, the sportsbook ensures that any punter can easily top up an account or request a withdrawal. The bookie supports a range of payment methods that ensure safe and fast transactions, allowing bettors to handle their funds without hassle.
BetUSR
Min Deposit• Bitcoin - $20 • P2P - $100Min Withdrawal• Bitcoin - $25 • Bank Wire - $100Withdrawal Time• Bank Wire - 5 to 7 days (plus 2 days processing) • Bitcoin - 48 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorships• Tramaine Williams at 2020 WBO 122lb World Championship • Jamel Herring in his 2021 fight vs. Carl FramptonContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Phone: 1-844-444-BUSR(2877) Email: support@busr.com- Wide range of racing options
- Prompt banking
- Reliable US bookie
- Up to 8% rebate
- 10% Regular Bonus
- Extensive sports coverage
BUSR has been operating for almost a decade, offering sports betting enthusiasts a top-tier sportsbook experience at any time of the day. Even though horse racing is BUSR’s main focus, punters can also choose from lines on some of the top sporting events around the world. In addition to diverse betting markets, BUSR offers in-play wagering, enabling punters to bet on live events.
BUSR is a trustworthy brand, recognized by experts across different fields. The sportsbook prides itself on being the first place people check when they are looking for the latest odds on sporting events, horse races, or entertainment.
BetUS
Min Deposit$10Min Withdrawal$50Withdrawal TimeCrypto - up to 24 hoursCash transfer - instantOther methods - variesDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: custhelp@betus.com.pa Phone: 1 (888) 512-3887- Reliable brand in operation for over 25 years
- Offers free predictions on major events
- Extensive sports coverage
- Fully optimized mobile sportsbook version
- Live streaming of sporting events
- Bountiful sports betting promotions
If you are looking for a trustworthy site where you can bet on your favorite sports, look no further. BetUS is a brand with more than 25 years of experience in the sports betting industry, which allows the bookie to provide an outstanding experience to patrons who keep coming back for more. The brand is regarded as one of the best options for punters in North America, offering a safe, fair, and fun environment.
The BetUS sportsbook delivers odds on some of the world’s biggest sporting events. Punters can bet on major leagues, and most sports offer multiple markets. In addition to pre-match bets, BetUS also allows bettors to place in-play wagers, covering major events in real time.
BetAnySports (BAS)
Min DepositCrypto: $25Credit Cards: $50Electronic Checks: $100Min WithdrawalBitcoin: $50ACH Transfers: $100Wire Transfers, Checks: $1,000Withdrawal TimeCrypto: within 48 hoursWire Transfer: 4-6 business daysCheck: within 7 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: cs@betanysports.euPhone: +1-800-604-5922- Provides odds on numerous live events
- Offers bets with reduced juice
- Extensive selection of betting markets
- Generous promotional incentives
- Secure and fast payments
- Responsive customer support team
Since its launch in 2002, Betanysports has provided its patrons with a wonderful sports betting experience. Covering some of the biggest sporting events in the world, the sportsbook lets punters place various bets across numerous markets. One of the brand’s biggest advantages is offering wagers with reduced juice, giving punters better value. This feature is not commonly seen with most bookies.
Along with a wide range of sports, Betanysports also offers odds on horse races, catering to fans of this betting style. You can also place in-play bets while an event is unfolding.
Jazz Casino
LicensesCuracao Gaming Control Board (OGL/2024/400/0824)Min DepositCrypto: $25P2P, MoneyGram: $100Cards: $50Min WithdrawalCrypto: $50MoneyGram: $100Withdrawal Time48 to 72 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: support@jazzcasino.comPhone: 1-866-996-6717- Betting brand in operation since 1994
- One of the most trustworthy online bookmakers
- Extensive coverage of US and international sports
- Competitive odds across various events
- Racebook covers races on more than 200 tracks worldwide
- Accepts various safe and fast payment methods
Jazz Sports is a sportsbook that has been operating since 1994. With such extensive experience, it is no surprise that the brand offers top-tier sports betting. Bettors can choose from major US and international events, and the bookie allows both pre-match and in-play bets.
Betting enthusiasts who join Jazz Sports can boost their winning chances by redeeming various promotions. When it’s time to top up an account or withdraw funds, Jazz Sports offers numerous secure payment options.
Sports Betting.ag
Min Deposit•Cards - $25; •P2P - $100; •Money Orders - $300; •Crypto - $10Min Withdrawal•Crypto - $20; •P2P - $50; •Bank Transfers and Checks - $500; •Money Orders - $1,000Withdrawal Time•Crypto - 1 to 24 hours; •Bank Transfers and Checks - up to 15 days; •Money Orders - up to 7 days •P2P - up to 5 daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: help@sportsbettingcs.agPhone: 1-888-843-9027- Brand offering competitive odds on various sports
- Live betting section covering a wide range of events
- Live streaming on major sporting events
- Supports numerous safe and secure payment options
- Offers great promotional deals
- Provides multiple contact options
Because SportsBetting.ag is connected to other popular betting brands, it is no surprise that this sportsbook also delivers a superb online betting experience. Members can explore various categories, choosing odds on the biggest sports, racing, and eSports events. Covering some of the largest competitions worldwide, SportsBetting.ag allows punters to access a myriad of pre-match and in-play options.
To boost your winning chances and make the experience even more thrilling, the bookie offers various incentives. When you are ready to enjoy your winnings, you can choose from several fast and secure payment methods, with SportsBetting.ag also supporting crypto payments.
US-friendly sportsbooks of good standing typically cater to punters with well-developed products that cover a diverse range of markets on sports from the Big Four category, which includes American football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey.
Some websites have dedicated sections for horse racing with in-depth coverage of races from various US and international racecourses. The odds are expressed in the American format, known as the moneyline. Sportsbooks that welcome US customers support a variety of suitable banking solutions, including prepaid cards and the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Many operators also help punters enhance the value of their bets with lucrative promotional deals like deposit-match bonuses and free bets.
That being said, separating the wheat from the chaff is not always easy, but Sportingpedia has done the hard work for you. With this article, we introduce US punters to all they need to know about the legality of sports betting in their jurisdiction. We have also included information about all aspects a decent US-friendly sportsbook should cover to meet the needs of bettors from the country.
Legality and Regulation of Sports Betting in the USA
Until recently, sports betting was outlawed in all states with the exception of Nevada, Montana, Oregon, and Delaware, which held a monopoly on this type of wagering under the provisions of PASPA. The latter was overturned with a 2018 decision of the Supreme Court.
You will learn more about this piece of legislation shortly, but for now, it suffices to say it is not illegal for individuals to bet on the outcomes of sporting events online. Those who take their betting activities online are not fined or prosecuted by US law.
However, operating unlicensed sportsbooks, even in states where sports betting is otherwise regulated and legal under federal law, is not allowed. This is one of the main reasons why some of the biggest online sportsbooks have fled the US market and refuse to accept customers from this jurisdiction.
The thing is that a good number of online bookies that run their operations from overseas choose to ignore federal laws and continue to accept sports bets from US punters. Such offshore sportsbooks operate under the licenses and regulations of their local governments. The laws of the jurisdictions in which such operators are based are the only ones they need to comply with. Read on for in-depth information about the key sports betting laws in the US.
Key Sports Betting Laws
Five years later, the Wire Act was signed into law by the Attorney General’s brother, President John F. Kennedy, and effectively prohibited specific types of betting along with offering sports betting via wire communications, which is to say over the telephone. However, it did not expressly state that it was illegal for US citizens to wager on sporting events.
But it did not end there. Several decades after the passing of the Wire Act came PASPA (the abbreviation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, also known as the Bradley Act). The summer of 1991 saw the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks organize a public hearing during which it was established sports betting was a “national problem.”
This led to the enactment of the bill in 1992, which effectively banned sports betting operations across the entire country, with the exception of four states. Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon were the only ones spared by PASPA. The only two types of betting that were not outlawed by the legislation were pari-mutuel dog and horse racing.
And then came the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which was signed into law by the US government in the fall of 2006. This piece of legislation caused a great deal of controversy among US citizens, not so much because of its content but because of the way it was passed.
The bill was proposed in the fall of the previous year by Iowa House Representative Jim Leach, but it soon became apparent the only way for it to pass the US Senate was by making it an addendum to another must-pass piece of legislation. Thus, the UIGEA was appended to the SAFE Port Act (short for Security and Accountability for Every Port Act), which, as the name suggests, has absolutely nothing to do with gambling or sports betting. Respectively, the UIGEA passed the US Senate along with the SAFE Port Act, with many legislators not even reading it in sufficient depth.
As a result of the bill’s enactment, remote gambling businesses were banned from accepting the money of gamblers and punters from the United States. Exceptions were made for several forms of betting, including fantasy sports and skill games like poker. This caused the majority of online sports betting operators to flee the now unfavorable US market.
The UIGEA also made it difficult for US bettors to make payments to and from online betting sites because it prohibited US banks and payment companies from processing transfers to offshore gambling operators. What it failed to accomplish was preventing overseas sportsbooks from accepting wagers from this jurisdiction.
Despite the obstacles facing regulated sports betting in the US, there was a silver lining for punters. It came when the state of New Jersey challenged the legality of PASPA before the Supreme Court. New Jersey argued this legislation was unconstitutional because it violated states’ rights to pass their own legislation pertaining to sports betting.
In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey and officially killed PASPA, paving the way for legalized sports betting in the US. Some states have already taken advantage and have introduced sports betting legislation and regulations within their borders. We have covered these in the next section.
US States with Legal Sports Betting
It was legalized along with off-track and live betting on horse races. Nevada was initially the only state exempt from the ban on sports betting after the introduction of PASPA in 1992. Land-based sportsbooks in Nevada can legally offer a diverse range of bet types, including point spreads, moneylines, parlays, totals, teasers, pleasers, futures, and propositions.
Most sportsbooks offer mobile apps allowing bettors to place their wagers directly from their smartphones. Online horse betting is also an option for punters, but legislators are looking to introduce regulated online sports betting within the Silver State.
Delaware was also exempt from the PASPA ban on sports betting along with Oregon, Nevada, and Montana. Until recently, punters from the Diamond State had the option to wager on parlays only, but sports betting rapidly expanded after the Supreme Court killed PASPA in 2018.
Delaware immediately grabbed the opportunity to expand its sports betting industry and became the first state after the overturning of PASPA to introduce legal single-game sports betting. As of this writing, legislators have not yet authorized online sports betting in the Diamond State, yet this is likely to happen in the future considering how comfortable Delaware is with other forms of interactive gambling like online poker.
Needless to say, the state of New Jersey also took advantage of the Supreme Court’s decision. In June 2018, the state’s legislature passed a bill allowing it to regulate online sports betting activities. Punters based in the Garden State can legally wager at several online sportsbooks licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. These include 888sport, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetStars, SugarHouse, and Caesars.
Next in line is Pennsylvania, where regulations on sports betting were introduced in June 2018. Sports betting is legal in the Keystone State under the licensing and regulations of the local Gaming Control Board, which has so far issued permits to several operators. The first was the Hollywood Casino at the Penn National Race Course, which received its license in November 2018. The Rivers Casino and the SugarHouse Casino followed suit and began taking wagers at their retail sportsbooks in mid-December of the same year. But the best part is legal online sports betting is coming to the Keystone State in 2019.
Mississippi’s gambling history is a long one, which makes sense considering poker was birthed along the muddy shores of the United States’ largest river. The interesting thing here is that the Magnolia State was the first to pen legislation for the regulation of sports betting in advance of the Supreme Court’s decision.
The state launched sports betting shortly after PASPA was overruled, at the beginning of August 2018. Presently, punters have a choice of 27 land-based sportsbooks located within commercial casinos, but there are also plans to introduce on-site mobile wagering. Legal online betting is currently not an option for Mississippi residents, although there is no specific legislation explicitly prohibiting such activities.
Rhode Island also embraced the opportunity for sports betting expansion following PASPA’s reversal. In June 2018, the legislature of the country’s smallest state signed a bill into law allowing for legal sports wagering. The Twin River Casino in the town of Lincoln began accepting bets toward the end of November the same year. At the moment of writing, online and mobile sports wagering is still not authorized within the state, but legislators have shown interest in legalizing these forms of betting.
USA Sporting Events Coverage and Markets
Of course, all major US sports are on the menu, starting with American football. US-friendly sportsbooks offer decent coverage of events throughout the entire NFL season, with bettors having the option to place different types of wagers, including the moneyline, point spreads, parlays, permutations, handicaps, total points, outrights, and proposition bets.
There is also a vast choice of markets for the NBA and the NCAA for those interested in basketball, but bets on international competitions are also accepted. Wagers on events from the MLB are, of course, available as well.
Canadians may be all about ice hockey, but the sport’s popularity has traveled across the Great White North’s border to the USA, with bettors having a vast choice of events from the NHL and the US-based AHL. Most US-friendly sportsbooks also cover international hockey leagues from European countries.
The MMA is growing in popularity in the US, and since bookmakers cater to popular demand, they offer broad coverage of UFC and other MMA fights. Other sports like golf, boxing, tennis, and soccer are also readily available to US punters. Horse and greyhound racing are sufficiently covered, with US-friendly racebooks accepting wagers on races held at major US thoroughbred racecourses like West Virginia’s Mountaineer Park and Arizona’s Turf Paradise.
Some of the largest sportsbooks offer less mainstream options as well. All good sportsbooks that welcome punters from this jurisdiction accept betting action on in-play markets, allowing US customers to punt on sporting events as they evolve.
Popular Odds Format in the USA
Another important aspect worth keeping in mind is the availability of different odds formats. US bettors are accustomed to the American odds format, also known as the moneyline, so this is the default format most US-friendly betting sites use.
This expression of the odds reflects the relative returns punters can expect per every unit of $100 wagered, which makes it rather easy to calculate the profits from one’s winning bets. When the odds are expressed with a negative sign, this indicates the amount a punter must stake to generate a profit of $100. To use an example, imagine you decide to back the Los Angeles Rams at moneyline odds of -110. This means you must risk $110 to win $100.
Conversely, when a positive sign is used, this shows you the amount you can potentially win with a base-stake unit of $100. For instance, if a bookie offers you odds of +400 for the Washington Redskins, you can win $400 with a $100 bet. Note that the higher the number behind the positive sign, the slimmer the chances of the bet succeeding.
Payment Solutions for Sports Bettors from the USA
Credit and debit card payments often fail to go through, while e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill, otherwise widely available to bettors from other jurisdictions, do not allow transactions to gambling sites when these are initiated from within the US.
In all honesty, punters based in the US typically face a limited number of banking options because of the complexity of the whole legal situation in the country. Depositing and withdrawing are sometimes quite challenging, but good US-friendly sportsbooks normally strive to make punters’ payments as hassle-free as possible.
Visa and Mastercard are typically listed among the options, but payments conducted with them may sometimes be denied because of the above-specified piece of legislation. We suggest you use a prepaid card when initiating a deposit at a US-friendly sports betting site. These can be purchased at convenience stores across the country. It is recommended to contact the sportsbook’s customer support advisors and request more information on which brands of prepaid cards they work with.
Wire transfer services, like those provided by Western Union, and eChecks are often listed among the available options. We are glad to see a growing number of sports betting operators adding cryptocurrencies to their cashiers, with Bitcoin being one of the most broadly available options. Some websites also work with Ethereum, Dash, and Litecoin. Not only are these the cheapest available alternatives for US punters, but they also allow for rather speedy payments.
Bonuses and Rewards for USA Sports Bettors
All worthwhile US-friendly sportsbooks will treat their new customers to welcome bonuses where the first deposits they make are matched with a predetermined amount in free credits. Sometimes free bets are granted as a welcome bonus after the punter wagers a given sum.
US sportsbooks sometimes allocate special bonuses for those who deposit via cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin. Other commonly available sports betting bonuses US customers can take advantage of include cashback (often on their parlay losses) and enhanced odds for major sporting events.
An essential point to make here is that the size of the bonus is sometimes not the most important thing to look for. Some bookies may offer sizable bonuses with steep wagering conditions that are impossible to meet within the stipulated timeframes, leading to the forfeiture of the bonus and its resulting profits.
To give you an example with a sportsbook whose name we shall not reveal, you may sometimes be able to claim as much as $1,000 as a first-deposit bonus. Suppose the bonus comes with a wagering requirement of 14x the bonus amount, which must be cleared within 30 days. This means you must place cumulative wagers of $14,000 within the span of a month before you are allowed to withdraw your winnings. Can you afford that if you are a casual bettor? Probably not, which is why you should always hand-pick the bonuses you redeem and opt in only after you have read the terms and conditions in depth.
Customer Support at USA Sports Betting Sites
For starters, even the most reputable US sportsbook is not immune to issues. Sometimes you might find yourself unable to sign into your account or experience other technical problems. Or you might struggle to understand the conditions of a bonus you are interested in. Being able to receive immediate assistance is certainly an invaluable advantage in such situations.
Then again, the quality of the support service speaks volumes about what the operator thinks of its customers. High-quality support shows the sportsbook appreciates and values its customers, while a poor service suggests the opposite attitude.
We recommend you always look for online sportsbooks that provide round-the-clock support, preferably via a live-chat facility, but having a choice of multiple avenues of contact is also a very good sign. The best way to determine whether the support service of an online bookie is on par with industry standards is by testing it yourself. This will help you determine how prompt and efficient the support team is.