Online Sports Betting

The best bet you can make is to choose the best online sportsbook.

Without a great track record, value lines, and regular promos, you’ll be leaving money on the table.

Here are HTG we put safety first. All the sportsbooks covered here have built a reputation over years, if not decades. Only once they pass this test does our rigorous review process start. This covers the bonuses and promotions, the mobile betting setup, sports covered and how the lines on offer compare to other books.

More…

Here is what you’ll find on this page:

• What Separates Good Sportsbooks from the Great Ones
• 3 US Sportsbooks that Stand Out from the Crowd
• Staying Safe at Offshore Betting Sites
• Bonuses and Promos and How to Maximize Your Benefits
• Sports to Bet on at Offshore Sportsbooks
• Payments: Deposits and Withdrawals at Online Sportsbooks
• FAQ: Everything you need to Know Before Betting Online

[TABLE PLACEHOLDER: best sportsbooks with pros / cons – table not ready yet, to be added next month]

My Review Process: What Separates the Best Online Sportsbooks from the Rest?

With 17 years in the industry, I’ve seen a lot of sports betting sites.

When it comes to separating the best brands from the rest, having a strict and objective review process is vital. This is where my five-point reviewing system kicks in. What makes this different is that any sportsbook that fails the first check doesn’t make it to the second one. This continues until there are checkmarks for all five criteria. Only then does an offshore sportsbook qualify.

Here are my review steps:

Safety / Reputation: A track record of at least 5 years, no major scandals and a management team that has not been involved in bad brands in the past.

Prompt Payments: Easy deposits and withdrawals, a sportsbook needs to pay fast and has fair terms and conditions that don’t leave your bankroll stuck.

Bonuses and Promos: The best sportsbooks look after their regular players, and don’t have huge play-through requirements that make it difficult to take advantage of their deals.

Great Lines and Coverage: Every sportsbook covers the major leagues. I look for a big choice of bets including props, parlays, and live betting. This includes sharp lines and special deals.

Responsible Gambling: Protecting people that develop issues with gambling is vital for a healthy betting ecosystem. This also shows that sportsbooks are reputable.

Note that some offshore sportsbooks welcome players from most states, while others are more restrictive.

Top US Sportsbooks: Here is How They Rank on my Detailed Review Criteria

#1 – Bovada Sportsbook

The longest running brand offshore if you count their time under the Bodog name. This is the single most popular US sportsbook.

Bovada has a strong reputation for fast payouts, and great service. They look after regulars with a tiered loyalty scheme and a long list of promos. You can also take advantage of promos from their casino, race book, or poker site.

The coverage is excellent. It goes much further than just the Moneyline and spreads on major leagues. Live betting is integrated, and easy to use on your phone while you watch the game.

When you add easy deposits and withdrawals, it is easy to see how Bovada grew to be the most popular sportsbook.

Get a matched bonus of up to $750 and check out the latest promos for yourself now – over at www.bovada.lv

Read my detailed Bovada Sportsbook review

#2 – BetOnline Sportsbook

Another brand with a strong reputation, BetOnline dates all the way back to when phone betting was bigger than betting online.

This book is lively, offering picks contests, prop builders and specials all year around. In addition to great coverage of the NFL, NBA and other big leagues, there are bets on politics, entertainment, and events when the announcement of aliens will arrive.

I rate the interface as a plus for BetOnline. This works great on your iPhone. The live betting section is excellent.

You’ll start with big no strings of up to $250 in free bets and 100 free slot spins with your first deposit. Promos include reduced juice lines, free bet offers for the different ways to wager, survivor pools and specials for the big sporting events.

Check out the latest promos for yourself now, over at www.betonline.ag

#3 – SportsBetting AG

Another book that offers 100 free slot spins as well as a 50% matched bonus on your first deposit. The max in free bets is a generous $250. If you bet odds of 1.50 / -200 or more, there are no play-through requirements for your free wagers.

Alongside the list of sports betting promos, you can take advantage of the offers for poker, casino, and horse racing. SportsBetting AG is a strong sportsbook, though I think of this brand as an all-in-one gambling portal.

The interface is simple to navigate, and they have a reputation for fast payouts (especially if you choose Crypto).

You’ll get $250 in free bets and 100 free spins on top as a new player.

Check out those sports promos now over at www.sportsbetting.ag!

Staying Safe at Offshore Sportsbooks

Unless your money is safe, it really won’t matter how many features or how slick the betting interface is for online sportsbooks.

My reviews always take safety and the reputation of gambling sites into account before anything else. If they fail these checks, the review is terminated there and then. This way only the best sportsbooks make it through.

Here is my guide to what to look for at an online sportsbook before you deposit:

• Track Record: Five years is the minimum time to build a reputation. I prefer 10+, with no major scandals.
• Fast Payouts: While all sportsbooks will get your deposit fast-tracked, only the best do the same for your withdrawals.
• Fair Bonus Terms: Look for bonuses with clear rules, any sportsbook with predatory wording in the fine print won’t make it here at High Tech Gambling.
• Responsible Gambling Policy: This is more than just looking after the unfortunate few that develop gambling problems, it shows that a sportsbook is a responsible operator.
• Strong Customer Support: If you do hit issues, having strong support is important. This ties into the reputation of a betting site.

In the past I would have included ‘license’ in this list. These days, the offshore licenses from Caribbean nations or Central American countries don’t offer too much in the way of player protection. Instead, this should be rolled into the reputation of a sportsbook. Any brand that has a 10-year track record with a jurisdiction is safer than a newly established book.

There are still steps to take after checking all the criteria above to keep yourself safe.

First, I recommend withdrawing any big wins quickly. Even in the most reputable sportsbook, having your money in your own bank account removes a lot of your risk. Remember to complete any outstanding bonuses before you withdraw, as cashing out will often see those offers cancelled.

You can also choose a deposit method that does not give your banking information to the sportsbooks. Instead of using your credit card to deposit, choose crypto or one of the peer-to-peer services. After your first deposit, this will be cheaper too.

Taking the time to scan the terms and conditions for bonuses is another safety step. Some predatory terms to check for include huge play-through requirements, short durations of bonus deals and caveats like ‘no prop bets’ which can void your bonus. All the top sportsbooks covered here currently have fair bonus deals.

Best US Online Sportsbooks: Bonuses and Promotions

It pays to look beyond the headline bonus when you choose an online sportsbook.

The best sites will offer loyalty rewards, regular promotions, odds boosts, and reload bonuses. Looking after regulars is the sign of a great sportsbook, while those that offer big matched welcome bonuses and not much else should be avoided.

This section shows the different types of sportsbook bonus deal. It explains what to look for to separate the best bonus deals from the hit-and-run style offers.

Matched Welcome Bonuses at the Best US Sportsbooks

This is the headline bonus, which you’ll see on banners and homepages. A typical matched welcome bonus is a 50% to 100% award, matched to your first deposit. You get betting credits, which need to be turned over before you can withdraw your winnings.

The best welcome offers are the ones with no or limited play-through. Up to 5x is average, but higher than this can make it difficult to clear your bonus. It is common to see minimums for bets (for example 1.5 /-200). This prevents betting on locked-in favorites for bonus clearing.

Be careful of bonuses with short durations. Finding enough bets to play through your bonus in a week is tough even for experienced sports bettors.

Example of Matched Bonus

Here is an example of a solid welcome bonus from Bovada. This is a straightforward bonus, with clear rules, and a boost for crypto payments:

This is a first deposit deal worth up to $750. It is matched at 75%, so you need to deposit $1000 to get the biggest bonus. Use bonus code BTCSWB750 to claim. The bigger crypto bonus is 3x that of the $250 on offer (50%) for credit card deposits.

You need to roll over the bonus bets twelve times before your profits can be withdrawn. This covers sports bets and horse racing. You can also clear it in the casino, with a 30x rollover (some games are restricted).

Like many sportsbooks, Bovada has checks and balances in place for anyone betting on huge favorites. Instead on minimum odds, they count the smaller of your risk or stake when it comes to bonus calculations.

Note that making a withdrawal will forfeit all active bonuses.

Added Extras for Welcome Bonuses

While a solid welcome bonus is a great way to get started, many of the best US sportsbooks sweeten the deal with some extras.

This can include slot free spins, or specials to enjoy different types of betting.

Even if you are not a casino gambler, taking advantage of the free spins can give your bankroll a boost. Note that there is usually a cap on what you can win, and frequently a play-through requirement before withdrawing too.

The extras I like are no-lose bets for different parts of the sportsbook. For example, you get an incentive to check out the live betting, parlay builder, or horse racing bets. Remember to check those terms and conditions, especially for newer / untried sportsbooks.

Boosted Crypto Welcome Deals

You can take advantage of the bigger bonuses for BTC / Crypto deposits even if you don’t plan on holding the coins for more than a few minutes.

There are big differences in the value you receive, and the best sportsbooks offer a boosted percentage not just the overall amount.

These examples show the big differences:

• Bovada: $750 vs $250
• $3000 vs $3750

Loyalty and Point Collection Schemes

Looking after regulars is a big tell when it comes to finding the best sportsbook sites.

A popular way to offer these rewards is via a loyalty scheme. Sportsbooks further incentivize players by giving bigger and better bonuses as you climb through tiers. While some are more complex than others, they share similar structures. You collect points, and as you move through the ranks these can be swapped for bonuses at better rates.

Bovada again provides a great example. Reward points can be swapped for bonuses at 2500 to $1 at the entry levels of their loyalty scheme. At the top end this comes all the way down to 1000 to $1.

Look out for reload bonuses, free bets, free spins, and other promotions as part of these loyalty schemes.

One thing I like to see is schemes where the levels are sticky. Once you move up, you can take a break from betting without resetting back down to a lower level.

Reload Bonuses: The Small Print Matters

Reload bonuses at online sportsbooks are a solid back up plan for when your luck runs dry.

They work in the same way that first deposit bonuses do. You deposit, get a percentage match (between 25% and 50% is common, though 100% deals also run). Your reload bonus money will then be subject to minimum odds and play-through, just like the welcome bonus was.

The best books offer extra reloads if you deposit with cryptocurrencies.

Remember to check the small print for those minimum odds, any banned betting categories and how long you have to clear your play-through. There are major differences between the sportsbooks in how these key factors are handled.

Bet Specific Promos: Parlay Boosts, Odds Boost and Stake Return Offers

This category of bonuses is the most varied and often used around special events like playoffs and season kick-offs.

Parlays are never great value, though they do have the potential for big paydays if all your selections come in. Boost of 20% are common. This might not take away all the vig, but it does help.

Odds boosts include wider spreads, reduced vig lines (dime lines) and boosts for specific types of bets (for example period betting). Stake return offers can involve named players, timing or specific scorelines.

Cross-Over Promotions: Incentives for Horse Racing, Casino, and Poker Rooms

Even if you don’t regularly play casino games, the cross over promotions at online sportsbooks can still be profitable.

Free slot spins are the most common offer. Examples include the 100 free spins that go with your welcome bonus deal at BetOnline.

Once your sports betting bonus is completed, look at the other sections of the site for freeroll entries, live dealer casino specials, or rebates at the racebook. Many of these offers will be risk free, while others will be +ev over time, but will have some variance. There are multiple strategy articles here at High Tech Gambling to help you with this.

Social Media and Email Specials

Many sportsbooks have extra deals via their Social Media pages.

These include picks contests, drawings, or even free bets that you unlock by interreacting.

Even if you are not a regular social media follower, it can pay to check the feeds on Instagram, Facebook, or X now and again. The same goes for email offers (don’t ignore them). This includes come-back deals if you don’t bet for a while.

Some books, for example Bovada, have community forums. You’ll not only find extra promotions that are not available elsewhere there, the best strategy for benefiting from them will be discussed too.

Payments: Getting Your Deposits Made and Your Winnings Back Out of Online Sportsbooks

Safe deposits and fast withdrawals matter when choosing a sportsbook.

This section outlines the most common payment options and highlights the books which have the experience and the systems to make payments work seamlessly.

You’ll find a summary below. For more information on this topic, see either my Gambling Payment Methods main page, or individual pages for PayPal deposits or how to use Crypto.

Before getting to the individual payment methods, please consider the reputation of any site you want to deposit at before parting with any money.

Sportsbook Payment Options Summary:

• Credit Cards: If your card works for international payments, you can use it to deposit at offshore sportsbooks. Note that fees apply (after your first deposit), which make this option less attractive long term.
• Payment Apps: While you can’t pay directly with PayPal, Venmo or CashApp, there is a popular work-around. MatchPay and Player-to-Player transfers match you with someone selling part of their bankroll. This is an escrow system.
• Cryptocurrency: Once you are set up, this is a cheap, fast, and effective payment option. It will also get you the biggest bonuses and best promotions. Coins welcomed vary by site. BTC, ETH and USDT are the most common coins accepted.
• MatchPay / P2P Transfers: Bovada group has two ways to match with people selling bankroll. MatchPay uses escrow, while Player to Player is self-directed via the community forums. Note that bonuses won’t always apply.
• Money Transfer / Bank Wires: Less common than a few years ago, though still available at selected sportsbooks. If you are a genuine high roller, it is worthwhile asking support about the options for VIP players.
• Paper Checks: This is a popular withdrawal option. You get a paper check sent by courier. This is often free (though limited to one a month). Banks will welcome checks, though you need to wait for the funds to clear.
• Skrill / Neteller: Available for international players at selected betting sites, these are payment apps like PayPal. Remember to check the bonus terms when using these apps as they are frequently excluded.

What Sports / Leagues are Covered by Offshore Sportsbooks?

The best sportsbooks welcoming US bettors cover more than just the major leagues.

Below you’ll find a list of what to expect at the leading betting sites. This includes college sports, individual sports, and motor racing. The non-sport betting opportunities are listed separately after that.

With the types of bets and lines super-close, finding the best book will often come down to the promotions and benefits package at each book.

Here are the biggest markets by volume you’ll find at US sportsbooks:

The Biggest Betting Market: NFL

Nothing comes close to the NFL for online betting, and the biggest online sportsbooks cover this in depth. Season long wagers are available all year (not just pre-season) and include player props plus division, or Superbowl winners. Each game sees a huge choice of bets, with the Moneyline and spread the most popular. Live betting works brilliantly on match day, either to place bets based on what you see on the fiend, or to hedge against bets you made earlier when things go your way.

Bovada stands out for me, both for regular and live NFL betting.

Check out the latest promos and NFL specials at www.bovada.lv now!

Betting the Hoops: NBA Betting at Offshore Sportsbooks

High scoring games and multiple opportunities to bet on player props keep NBA betting high on the top-volume lists. Totals bets come into their own for the big fixtures, and using your judgement on which team will beat the spread is a superpower.

Live betting for NBA games at offshore sportsbooks adds even more excitement. While the totals and spread will change as the match plays out, there are even more opportunities for individual players.

Look out for promotions around the playoffs. March Madness is also lively, that is covered in the section on college basketball below.

My pick for NBA bets is SportsBetting.ag (check out the picks contests section for even more ways to gamble!).

NCAA Betting Offshore: College Football

You need a sportsbook which has the depth of coverage for college football to make sure your picks are included.

Big names offshore including Bovada, SportsBetting AG and others have a huge selection of college football games. It is not just the regular bets on the games, live betting, period betting, and props are all available.

If you bet on and follow college football through the season, you can use this information to give yourself an edge for betting on the next NFL draft.

Best Sportsbook for MLB Betting

With more than 2400 regular season games, Major league baseball has the sheer volume to make it to the top list when it comes to betting volume at the biggest and best sports betting sites.

Add in the detailed statistics and you have a sport in which smart bettors can get an edge over those simply betting on their home team. Player props are available for pitchers as well as batters. Totals betting adds an element of skill to your picks, especially when you spot something that others have yet to see.

College Basketball

While March Madness gets the focus, there is a lot more to college hoops than just the yearly showcase. What I like about March Madness is that it brings recreational money to the table. This is an opportunity for experienced bettors. You’ll get a chance to find matches where the ‘fun money’ has moved the lines and find some real value.

Anyone following the teams through the regular season will have a serious edge.

Soccer (Domestic and International)

International soccer leagues, MLB and tournaments including the World Cup and Champions league are huge draws when it comes to online betting. Options include exact score, first half / second half, win / lose / draw with plenty of props like corners and fouls.

EPL, Serie A and La Liga are just the tip of the iceberg for betting options on European matches. You’ll find bets on third tier leagues on nations which are difficult to find on the map. Live betting is super-popular for soccer games, where one goal makes a major difference to the on-field dynamic.

NHL

Hockey makes the list of high-volume sports south of the border, despite competing for betting dollars with the NFL.

Look for props and season-long wagers for the playoffs and Stanley cup. There are props for many of the season-long player trophy awards. Betting by period adds excitement to individual matches. While the main divisions get the spotlight, you’ll be able to bet on AHL games too.

Tennis Betting

It’s the Majors that get the press coverage, though this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the tennis betting opportunities throughout the year. There are tournaments happening all over the world, and you can bet on most of them.

Look out for peaks in interest when the Open, Wimbledon and the French / Aussie opens take place. In addition to the popular outright winner bets, you can bet on sets, aces, and player props.

Combat Sports

Popular betting opportunities are headed by the big UFC events and top-level boxing matches. Aside from the major events, there is a surprising number of MMA fights to bet on throughout the year.

Round bets are a popular way of getting better returns, though the outright winner or K/O markets get the biggest money.

If fighting sports were not already exciting enough, having a wager at an offshore sportsbook will add to the thrill.

I recommend BetOnline for combat sport betting, check out the promos now at www.betonline.ag

Golf Betting Online

The final entry in the top 10 by volume of bets is golf. As with tennis, the public perception that this is all about the Open and the Masters is just the start of the betting opportunities. The golf tournament circuit follows the sun around the world all year round. While hole in one betting opportunities are not what they once were, there are many entertaining ways to bet. Pre-tournament, you’ll often get great odds on the outright winner.

Full List of Sports to Bet on at the Best Online Sportsbooks

I cut the detailed list to the top 10 for this page, as the huge number of sports to bet on would make things way too long. Next on the list would be motorsports, with cricket surprisingly high on the list (it’s huge in India!).

Here is a list of sports you can bet on offshore:

• NASCAR
• Formula 1
• Cricket
• Rugby (league and union)
• Aussie Rules Football
• Athletics (Olympics and others)
• Volleyball
• Darts
• Wrestling
• Table Tennis
• Cycling
• Handball

And many more…

Best Sportsbooks for Betting on Politics, Entertainment and Financials

Online sportsbooks have big differences when it comes to non-sport wagers.

Politics is a great example.

At Bovada, you can bet on the Presidential Election.

While at BetOnline and SportsBetting AG, you can bet on everything from Mid-Terms to State races, Elon Musk specials, and even Mayoral races. Keep in mind that some outcomes are years away. Even a great +ev bet could see part of your bankroll locked up for a long time.

Entertainment bets now include much more than just the traditional Oscars and Box Office wagers. Gamble on which named celebrity will announce a pregnancy first, who will top the Spotify playlists or when it will be confirmed that aliens exist.

Financials betting is usually associated with Prediction Market sites.

You will find opportunities to bet on the level of the Dow Jones at traditional sportsbooks.

If there are no regular sporting events running, Virtual sports give you a whole new list of opportunities to gamble, and eSports (gaming) are available too.

Picks Contests at Online Sportsbooks

Contests, including Survivor and Prop Challenges, give you both entertainment and a shot at a big win for just a few dollars (or even free).

BetOnline is my go-to for contests, thanks to big prize pools and a good coverage of sports.

There are season-long survivor pools. Here you pick a team weekly, and by the end of the season the field will be down to just a few players competing for a giant prize.

You can also compete with others over a weekend of games. Prediction contests include choosing five teams or more against the spread. Points are awarded for the best spread predictions. Add NFL squares and prop prediction specials and there is plenty of choice.

Picks contests at BetOnline are not only for NFL games. You’ll find NFL, NBA and Golf contests run regularly. Add specials for big events and mid-season second chance specials to this list.

Many free picks contests have big prize pools.

Check out the latest contest offers now at www.betonline.ag!

FAQ: Finding the Best Sportsbook for Your Needs

Are Online Sportsbooks Safe?

With offshore sportsbooks, reputation is everything. Safe brands like Bovada, SportsBetting AG and BetOnline have 20+ years in business. These books would not be viable without a safe, secure, and fair setup.

Are Offshore Sports Betting Sites Licensed?

Yes, these sportsbooks are licensed by government agencies in their home country. Examples include the Gaming Commission in Curacao, Costa Rica, or Panama.

This is not the same licensing as State sportsbooks, which offer protection to players in the event of a dispute.

Are Offshore Sportsbooks Legal?

This is a disputed question which goes all the way to the World Trade Organization!

Offshore sportsbooks operate legally within their home countries. They maintain their right to welcome players from around the world (though they do restrict many countries, for example European nations).

The US restricts banking for these sportsbooks. It is not legal for banks to allow transactions, which explains why credit card and wire transfers are so difficult. While there is no Federal law that prevents individuals from betting on offshore sportsbooks, there are state laws that make this a felony. That said, there is no history of enforcement anywhere in the country for individual casual bettors.

Sportsbooks have restricted some states, notably New Jersey, from their sites.

Remember to check your state’s laws before you bet.

Will I need Id at Offshore Sportsbooks?

Yes, sooner or later you’ll need to verify your identity. This is necessary to prevent fraud and money laundering, which would make betting sites unviable if left unchecked.

If you stick to reputable sites, this is safe. If you deposit with a credit card, you’ll need to send a form and pictures of the front and back as an additional AML check.

Planet Mark’s Wrap Up: The Best Online Sportsbooks

To make my shortlist a sportsbook needs a solid reputation, built from decades of looking after players. They need a track record of promptly paying out wins and offering fair bonuses without tricky terms and conditions.

Only once those are in place should you look at the interface, types of bets available and how good the odds are.

I have covered three books which check all these boxes in detail on this page.

Which one is right for you depends on exactly what you are looking for.

Here is the table from the top of the page again, hopefully this detailed guide will have made it obvious which is the best online sportsbook for you.

[TABLE PLACEHOLDER: best sportsbooks with pros / cons – table not ready yet, to be added next month]