Which states allow online betting sites in the US?
The federal ban on online sports betting was finally overthrown in 2018 and this meant that individual states now have the power to make their own laws about whether you can bet on sport. As a result, there's a patchwork approach to legal sports betting across the US, with trailblazing states like New Jersey leading the way.
It’s been fascinating to watch the rollout of legal online betting sites in the US over the past few years. Everywhere from Massachusetts and New York to Arizona and Colorado now have some form of legal sports betting, and you can legally use your mobile to bet on sports in more than half of the states in the US.
However, it’s important to know that you can bet on certain things in certain states and not others. Some states allow you to bet on college sports and esports, while such things are forbidden in other states. Thankfully our guide is here to help you find the best betting sites in the US for whatever it is that you want to bet on.
Editor’s pick - Our recommendation for the best betting site in the US
It’s pretty hard to pick just one online sportsbook from all of the many different online betting sites in the US. After all, you’ll probably be faced with a different range of legal sportsbooks if you are playing from somewhere like Michigan compared to someone else playing from Louisiana.
As a result, we had to think hard to pick an online sportsbook that had a pretty good coverage of most states while being a good all-rounder for the many different sports ranging from baseball and basketball to football, hockey and beyond.
So take a look below to see our favorite sportsbook at the moment - just remember that we’ll probably be changing our selection each month as there are so many great online betting sites in the US at the moment.
FanDuel - The best of the best betting sites in the US right now
Let’s face it, FanDuel is a safe pair of hands when it comes to betting on sports. While you may think of FanDuel as still being a DFS operator, it has blossomed into a wonderfully reliable online sportsbook that’s just as happy to let you bet on the NFL as it is pretty much any sport from all over the world.
You’ll know that FanDuel is a trusted US operator, and it is now legal in well over a dozen different states. It’s always good to have confidence when you give you data and deposits to online sportsbooks, and FanDuel won’t let you down here. From that welcome offer to the excellent customer support, it’s clear that FanDuel gives you the perfect example of what you should be looking for in an online sportsbook.
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Five solid tips for staying safe at the best betting sites in the US
There’s been such a rapid spread of online betting sites in the US that it can be hard to keep track of all of the changes in legislation regarding sports betting. So here is a quick primer that’ll give you five reliable tips for ensuring that you only bet on sport in a way that is 100% legal, safe and fair:best betting sites in the us, online betting sites in the us
Examine the licensing and regulation
You should only ever play at the online sportsbooks that are fully licensed and regulated in the state that you are playing from. For example, if you are living in Jersey City, you should only use those sports betting sites that bear licensing from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Such licensing ultimately means that the sportsbook is acting legally and it’ll give you some assurances that you’ll be given a safe and fair way to bet on sport.
Check for encryption tech
All of the best betting sites in the US will take all available methods to safeguard your personal information and the money used for deposits. You can usually find evidence of this either in the sportsbook’s FAQ or privacy policy. Ideally, you should expect to see a minimum 128-bit SSL level encryption. This would mean that any information flowing between your web browser and the sportsbook will be scrambled and rendered unreadable to anybody else.
Understand the small print
You’ll usually see a page of terms and conditions in the site footer of all good online betting sites in the US. This will tell you exactly how the betting site operates and let you know what you can do on it. It’s also a handy resource for finding out what happens when something unexpected happens such as if the website crashes midway through a live bet. This means it’s always smart to read through the small print of the sportsbook, and this is doubly true when it comes to using any promo offers.
Check the site reputation
While even the best betting sites in the US will occasionally pick up some negative user reviews, if you see nothing but bad reviews for any online sportsbook, it’s probably best to leave it well alone. This means that you should set aside a few minutes to research any online sportsbook before signing up as disgruntled sports fans certainly won’t pull any punches when it comes to a betting site they feel has let them down.
Remember to read our reviews
This is kind of obvious but one of the main purposes of our site is to rank and rate all online betting sites in the US. Remember that we always strive to offer you an honest and impartial picture of what it’s really like to play at these sportsbooks. This isn’t something that you’re going to get with most user reviews and it can all help you find the best betting sites in the US for your own individual needs.
What we look for in the best betting sites in the US
All of our sportsbook reviews are carried out with the same rigorous testing procedure. This is done to ensure that you can get a clear and transparent picture of how these online betting sites in the US actually work. So here is a quick look at the basic criteria that we use to help you find the best betting sites in the US:
All good sportsbooks will always aim to give you a helping hand with your bets through a variety of special offers. You’ll usually see welcome offers for new customers, but there should also be deals for existing customers too. It’s common to find matched deposit bonuses that give you extra credit depending on how much you initially deposit. However, don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed no sweat bet.
Usability
We’d only recommend using those online betting sites in the US who take care to give you a simple and intuitive way to make your sports bets. This means that you should be able to easily use the online sportsbook from any modern computer, tablet or smartphone. Plus we always like to see a nicely designed sportsbook app that makes it fun to bet from the convenience of the small screen.
Payment methods
All of the best betting sites in the US will only let you make deposits and withdrawals with the most trusted payment methods. This means that you should be able to make instant and free deposits with debit cards, credit cards, ewallets, ACH bank transfers and more. There should also be an easy way to make withdrawals with your money returning back into your account in a swift and efficient manner.
Customer support
You should only play at online betting sites in the US who can take good care of their customers. Ideally we’d like to see customer care that is available 24/7 via live email, email, telephone and even social media. Plus never underestimate the power of a well-written FAQ section.
Licensing and safety
We’ll only recommend those online sportsbooks who are licensed and regulated in the US. Plus we’d want to know how these sites take care of your data and provide you with player protection tools to keep your betting in check.
Reward programs
Lots of online betting sites in the US have some kind of loyalty program that can give you a range of benefits for putting down more bets. These can give you anything from exclusive promos to even having your own account manager.
Consider your requirements from online betting sites in the US
Of course, we can’t forget the fact that everyone will have their own requirements when it comes to sports betting. So here are some things to consider when it comes to picking your perfect online sportsbook.
All sportsbooks will have limits on how much you can win and how much you can bet. Definitely something to consider regardless of whether you are a newcomer to sports betting or are an experienced pro.
Note the mobile betting options
Not everyone will want to be tied to a computer when they bet on sport. So read our reviews to see which sportsbooks have mobile-friendly websites, or better yet, their own betting apps.
Live betting is a big part of the modern sports betting experience and it can be found at all decent sportsbooks. Check for those betting sites that take your in-play bets up a level by offering a range of live statistics, visualizers and even live streaming.
Conclusion - Helping you find the best betting sites in the US
We’ve shown you that there is a lot of variety in terms of online betting sites in the US. While this can make it tricky to find the sportsbook that’s right for you, it also means that there is increased competition which makes for better odds, bigger bonuses and an improved sports betting experience.
We’re going to be constantly updating our resource to take account of all of the changes in the US sports betting landscape. So make sure that you check back here to ensure that you are always playing at the best betting sites in the US.
Recommended online betting sites in the US
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Best betting sites in the US FAQ
👮Is sports betting legal in the US?
Take a look at our guide to see if you can legally play at online betting sites in the US. After all, there have been some big changes in the online gambling laws recently and you’ll need to know what you can and cannot do.
💪Which is the best sportsbook in the US?
Don’t miss our guide to see the best sports betting sites in the US. Perfect for making sure that you get nothing but the best odds for everything from the NFL and NBA to the NHL, MLB and much more.
🎁Can I get a no deposit sportsbook promo?
Check out our guide to see if you can get any promos from online betting sites in the US without putting your own money down. While such deals can be hard to find, that isn’t to say that they aren’t out there somewhere.
🏈Which sportsbook has the best football odds?
Read our guide to see which online betting sites in the US have the best football odds. Essential for getting the best bets for everything from the opening day of the NFL season to the Super Bowl itself.
📱Who has the best sportsbook apps?
We’ve found that the best sports betting sites in the US also tend to have the best sportsbook apps. So make sure that you read our guide to see some great places to download the best betting apps.
