Best Online Sports Betting Sites

Trusted Online Sports Betting Sites

This page is designed to give sports bettors the rundown on what to look for in the best sports betting sites. Nobody wants to have a bad experience with any company they do business with, and legal online sports betting sites are no different.

When evaluating the best sports betting sites online, we look for the following:

Sportsbook Criteria

Type of Bets

Does the online sports betting site offer moneyline, point spread, parlay, prop bets, teasers and totals bets? Do they offer live betting markets? Are there a wide range of sporting events to choose from? What games lines are available? Are there lines on NFL, NBA, NHL, EPL, MLB and other major sports leagues?

Trustworthiness

Does the sportsbook have a good reputation? Is your personal and financial information safe and secure? What is their privacy policy like? How long has the online sports betting site been established for? What are the reviews and ratings like? Are they credible? Are they licensed and regulated in a reputable jurisdiction with a solid track record of protecting consumer info?

Odds

Can you toggle between American odds (Vegas odds), fractional odds, and decimal odds? Are there implied odds? Do they offer odds of -110 or offer more attractive odds such as -105? How early are the lines released? How often do they change?

Bonuses, Promotions and Rewards

What incentives do they offer sports bettors? How many promotions are offered weekly? What does the sportsbook’s affiliate program entail? Are there specific mobile promotions? Is there a sign up bonus? How about a deposit bonus or free bets? Do these bonuses come with restrictions? Do they have any contests? Are they available to everyone? Do they reward you for coming back?

Usability

Is the online sports betting site responsive? Does it take too long to load? Is the site easy to navigate? Is it compatible with all browsers?

Deposit and Withdraw Options

What are the deposit options? What are the withdrawal methods? Does the sportsbook accept credit cards? E-wallets? Checks? Do they allow you to withdraw your winnings easily? Do they have a quick payout time?

Customer Service Availability

What happens if you need help with your account? Are they available to answer questions 24/7? Do they have a live chat feature to respond to comments, problems or account issues? Is the sportsbook's customer service and support team available over the telephone?

Currencies and Languages

Do they accept multiple currencies? Can you view the online sports betting site in different languages? For the most part, English is the universal language used, but it’s important that a top rated sportsbook has other options like Spanish, Portuguese or French.

Additional Features

Does the site have an online casino, live poker or a racebook? Are there other betting options besides betting on sports?

Any of the best online sportsbooks we recommend above are safe, secure and hit all the marks from our list. There are far too many online betting sites to count, which is why Odds Shark has done the vetting for you. It would be impossible for you to try out every single sportsbook on the Internet. You would miss every major sports' regular season and playoffs. We just can’t have that.

What Makes an Ideal Betting Experience?

As the old saying goes, “Customer service is key.” We’re not sure who said that originally, but it’s something that bettors should consider when visiting any top online sports betting site.

Unlike Las Vegas, where you can physically visit a bookmaker at a casino resort, online gambling sites are essentially virtual casinos that accept real money to wager on major sports leagues (and some minor leagues too). However, this doesn’t mean a web-based sportsbook’s address is only located on the Internet.

The best online sportsbooks will have a physical address located on its website along with contact information. Some will even have an FAQ or “About Us” section that you can review to help you feel more comfortable about betting there.

Furthermore, the best sports betting sites have their terms and conditions clearly visible in order to be as transparent as possible in regards to the agreement between the sportsbook and the individual player, as well as the rules pertaining to bonuses and promotions.

Another important source you can use to research online betting websites is social media. The best online sportsbooks should have a social media presence that they can use as a valuable customer service tool.

Following and/or “Liking” the betting site on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram enables sports bettors to see how the company communicates and interacts with potential and current customers. If a betting website is responsive on social media, you can see that they really care about their customers, and are open to feedback.

Where Can I Find the Right Online Sports Betting Site for Me?

The online books we recommend are good at every facet of online sports betting, casino wagering, poker, and horse racing. Whatever you’re looking for in an Internet gambling site, do not settle for anything less than one that caters directly to your needs and provides all the features you require as a gambler. If you’re looking for live odds so you can bet on any given NFL game on any given Sunday, make sure the sportsbook you choose offers exactly that.

If you’re into betting college sports like March Madness, ensure that the online sports betting site you use offers game lines and odds on the NCAA basketball game you’re watching. The reason we recommend these online sports betting sites is because they are proficient in all aspects of betting.

Casino and Poker

One of the great things about betting is when you're done with your NFL props, a soccer futures bet or betting college basketball totals, you can take a break and check out a sportsbook’s casino offering. Most betting sites have their own brand of slot machines, table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat), live dealer poker, and poker rooms.

Since you’re using the same sportsbook for your casino and betting needs, you can go back and forth easily to check out the score of the basketball, soccer or NBA game you’re betting on between hands of poker. Betting MLB while playing casino games? Sounds like a fun day.

Ready to Bet on Sports?

Whether it's football betting or basketball betting, Odds Shark aims to take your best interests into account, combining our knowledge of the online betting company, its history, how they cater to their current customers, and what promotions they use to attract new sports bettors.

You can also do your own research by creating accounts at multiple online sports betting sites to see which one (or ones) you like best. Look for odds and lines on your favorite sports to bet on. In an effort to attract new bettors from the United States, the best sports betting sites will give you a hefty welcome bonus or even reduced juice when you sign up.

Another great way to determine if a sportsbook is worth your time is to play around on the site to get familiar with the layout. See what the graphics are like and if they’re too flashy (or not flashy enough) for you. If a site is cluttered with graphics that seem out of place, you may have a hard time finding the betting lines you’re looking for. Sometimes less can be more.

Additionally, if you have any questions that still need answers after checking out any of the online sports betting sites we recommend above, contact the sportsbook directly. The best betting sites truly care about their customers and will take the time needed to secure your business and keep it.

Betting From Your Phone: Mobile Betting

If a site looks great on your desktop but is impossible to scroll through on your phone, it’s a sign that the sportsbook needs to get with the times. Mobile betting is equally important as wagering on your laptop, whether you use Android or Apple products. Most online bookmakers will have an app or mobile-optimized site, making it easy to bet from your handheld device (iPad, Tablet).

Plus, with mobile gambling, you can place your bets on the go whenever and wherever. The next time you’re at the dentist office waiting for a cleaning, why not take out your phone and see what the future odds are on the Super Bowl? It will definitely help pass the time, and take your mind off of someone poking around in your mouth for the following half hour.

How Do I Create an Account?

Signing up at one of the best sports betting sites is a simple process. Before you can bet online, you’ll need to:

#1: Pick an Online Sports Betting Site

We can assure you that all of Odds Shark's best sports betting sites are safe, secure, trustworthy, and meet all of our criteria.

#2: Sign Up

You'll be asked to provide some personal information like your name, birthdate, email address, and region.

#3: Make a Deposit

How you want to fund your account is entirely up to you. Just make sure you have your deposit info handy (more on that below) because once the sign-up process is complete, you place your first bet.

#4: Place a Bet

Select the sporting event, the type of bet, the dollar amount, and submit your ticket.

Deposit Options

Playing for real money at your chosen sportsbook means deciding on a deposit option that you prefer. The majority of online sports betting sites allow you to make deposits using your credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX), e-wallets (PayPal, Neteller, Skrill), and debit.

As we move closer and closer to a fully digitized world, more and more online sports betting sites will accept cryptocurrency as a deposit method. Generally, you’ll find gambling sites that take Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash and Ethereum. You could find yourself at the receiving end of a crypto bonus since the best sports betting sites offer special promotions for those who use Bitcoin.

Withdrawal Options

You’ll notice that while the best online sportsbooks permit you to withdraw your money the same way you funded your account, a different option to collect your winnings will be required at other sportsbooks.

Depending on the website, you can receive your winnings via a paper check or if you use a credit card or cryptocurrency as your deposit, you can use it to withdraw your funds too. You can also leave your winnings in your account and use it to keep betting online.

Now that you’re equipped with enough sportsbook information to get you started, choose the best online sportsbook from our list above, and you’re all set to bet on sports, entertainment or politics. Whatever floats your betting boat!