Best NCAA Basketball Betting Sites

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College basketball is one of the most popular sport among bettors thanks to the wide variety of teams and markets available. In addition, there are games most days of the week, leaving you with a constant source of entertainment.

The problem is, it can be hard to figure out which the best sportsbooks for betting on college basketball are.

To help, we’ve reviewed and analyzed all major online sportsbooks in the U.S. to come up with a list of the best currently available. This guide also goes over everything else you need to know before you start betting on college basketball.

Best NCAA Basketball Betting Sites

Thanks to the wave of online sports betting legalization in the U.S., many sportsbook brands have appeared on the market, and keeping track of the ones worth the bettors’ time and money has become increasingly difficult.

Nevertheless, we’ve managed to sift through all online sportsbooks that offer NCAA basketball to come up with seven that truly stand out.

We’ve found that each of these sportsbooks excels in things bettors find valuable, including the range of markets, competitiveness of odds, variety of bonuses and promotions, user experience, and more.

Best NCAA Basketball Betting Sites:

  1. Caesars: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall
  2. FanDuel: Best Overall (Tied)
  3. BetMGM: Best Overall (Tied)
  4. BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds
  5. DraftKings: Best Variety of Sports
  6. Betway: Best Customer Reviews

Best Online Sportsbooks for College Basketball

#1

5/5

Caesars Sportsbook

#2

5/5

FanDuel Sportsbook

>>Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

#3

5/5

BetMGM Sportsbook

>> Up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses

T4

4.8/5

BetRivers Sportsbook

T4

4.8/5

SugarHouse Sportsbook

1) Caesars Sportsbook: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall

Caesars Sportsbook Logo
5/5

Promo Code OA1000

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your opening bet at Caesars loses, you'll receive a Bonus bet of equal value as a refund, up to $1,000. You must use the Bonus Bet within 14 days once it hits your account. Access it with our exclusive link here.

Caesars Sportsbook became one of the best sportsbooks available after acquiring William Hill and integrating its technology into the Caesars platform.

Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best intro promos for new customers—a Bonus Bet of up to $1,000 with promo code ODDSFULL. If your first bet loses, Caesars will give you a Bonus Bet up to $1,000.

The perks of the Caesars Sportsbook don't end after you take advantage of the intro bonus, either. They offer some of the most competitive CBB odds in the industry and have attractive ongoing promotions and odds boosts to help you win more.

Caesars also offers all major sports and bet types—including same game parlays that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in one parlay.

There isn't much not to like when it comes to the new Caesars Sportsbook. While it isn't my favorite user interface of all the sportsbook apps, it's easy to navigate and place bets. 

Overall, Caesars Sportsbook is a phenomenal option when it comes to NCAA basketball betting. They have one of the best intro promos, great odds, regular odds boosts, and a decent user experience.

States

Pros

Cons

2) FanDuel Sportsbook: Best Overall (Tied)

fanduel sportsbook logo
5/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund you in bonus bets up to $200. You will receive your bous bets within 72 hours of your first bet settling and you have 14 days to use them once they hit your account. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.

FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated NCAA basketball sportsbook thanks to the competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, variety of bet types and sports to wager on, and a great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus intro promo for new customers is also one of the best currently available. If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund you in bonus bets up to $200. You only have 14 days to use the bonus bets (if you receive them) but you only have to bet them once before you can withdraw any winnings.

FanDuel pioneered the “Same Game Parlay” and offers the smoothest and most complete process for betting them. With these, you can combine prop bets, totals, and sides from the same game in a single parlay. If you've ever seen screenshots of ridiculous parlays from a single game online, it was likely a Same Game Parlay from FanDuel.

Whether you are looking for a single sportsbook to use or want to add another book to your lineup of college basketball betting options, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best options currently available. There's a reason FanDuel dominates market share in the U.S. and we think you'll be very satisfied if you decide to go with them.

States

Pros

Cons

3) BetMGM: Best Overall (Tied)

betmgm sportsbook logo
5/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your first bet loses, receive a refund in bonus bets up to $1,500. You must use the bonus bets within 7 days of them being credited to your account but there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.

BetMGM Sportsbook is another one of our highest-rated online sportsbooks—scoring well in all categories we analyze.

To start, all new BetMGM customers are eligible for bonus bets up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses. There is no BetMGM bonus code required to receive this—it's automatically applied to your account after you register.

BetMGM also offers a wide variety of sports and bet types, generous college basketball promotions and odds boosts, competitive odds, and a good user experience.

Another thing that sets BetMGM apart is that it offers true same game parlays (called “One Game Parlays”). Like with FanDuel's Same Game Parlays, you can combine prop bets, totals, and/or sides from the same game in one parlay.

Of all the sportsbooks we've analyzed, BetMGM has the best customer reviews. On the Apple App Store, BetMGM has an average of 4.8 stars from over 87 thousand reviews.

On the downside, BetMGM doesn't have player statistics available in the app and it can be difficult to get ahold of customer support.

Overall, BetMGM is one of best sportsbooks for betting on college basketball currently available, offering one of the best intro promos in the nation, competitive odds boosts and ongoing promotions, a great user experience, and everything else you may want in a book.

States

Pros

Cons

4) BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

BetRivers/SugarHouse offers a second chance bet up to $500 in all states except NY where its $100. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet if you receive it and there is only a 1x rollover requirement.

BetRivers and SugarHouse are essentially the same sportsbook, they just operate in different states with a different brand name. We listed BetRivers/SurgarHouse towards the end of this list, but that doesn’t mean they’re a bad option for college basketball betting—actually far from it.

BetRivers/SugarHouse offer a second chance bonus bet up to $500. If your first bet loses, you'll get a refund in the form of a bonus bet up to the limit. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet once you receive it.

They also offer some of the best college basketball odds that we've seen. While most books offer the standard -110 odds on spread and total bets, BetRivers and SugarHouse regularly offer odds of -108 or -109.

The sportsbooks have been known to feature exciting NCAA basketball deals throughout the year. They’ve also run a few non-sport-specific promotions like the Daily Parlay Boost, allowing bettors to win an extra 10% on any winning parlay.

We’d be remiss not to mention the BetRivers’/SugarHouse’s loyalty program, iRush rewards. Bettors can simultaneously earn loyalty and bonus store points and redeem them for various perks and/or bonus money rewards.

States

Pros

Cons

5) DraftKings Sportsbook: Best Variety of Sports

Draftkings Sportsbook logo
4.8/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 4.5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit of up to $5,000 ($1,000 max match in site credit). You must bet the bonus 25x before you are able to withdraw it and you have 90 days to do so.

DraftKings Sportsbook is another amazing option when it comes to NCAA basketball sports betting sites.

DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous college basketball promotions and odds boosts, a variety of sports to wager on and bet types (including Same Game Parlays), and great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The intro promo provides good value ($1,000 if maxed out), but the 25x rollover requirement is a lot especially considering you only have 90 days to bet it. In order to take advantage of the full welcome bonus, you would need to deposit $5,000 then bet $25,000 over the first 90 days.

Like most other competitive online sportsbooks, DraftKings regularly offers odds boosts and ongoing promotions—such as parlay insurance, ways to earn bonus bets, and more. Taking advantage of these is a great way to maximize your winnings.

Though it isn't quite our highest-rated sportsbook, DraftKings in undoubtedly one of the best options currently available and we think you'll be very satisfied if you go with them. Just be sure to read the fine print on the intro promo and bet the deposit match in time.

States

Pros

Cons

6) Betway Sportsbook: Best Customer Reviews

Betway Logo
4.7/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 4.5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4/5

Intro Promo

AZ, NJ, PA: Bet $25 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins
CO, IN, IA, LA, OH, VA: No Offer
Join with our exclusive link here.

Betway Sportsbook is another smaller sportsbook, but is still competitive with all of the market leaders when it comes to betting on college basketball.

Our favorite thing about Betway Sportsbook is the fast payouts. All withdrawal requests are typically processed within 48 hours (and often much faster), meaning you don't have to wait long to get your money.

Betway also offers a wide variety of sports and markets, including the coveted same game parlay.

New customers can take advantage of the Betway intro promo after registering. The sportsbook runs two state-specific welcome bonuses. If you're betting from AZ, NJ, or PA, you can score the Bet $25, Get $150 Bonus Bet. In CO, IN, IA, LA, OH, or VA, currently no offer is available.

On the downside, Betway only has mediocre customer reviews and a rather dull interface. While it is easy enough to navigate, it isn't as visually appealing as other books like FanDuel.

If you're looking for a new college basketball betting app to add to your lineup, Betway is a great option to consider.

States

Pros

Cons

Best Intro Promos from College Basketball Betting Sites

Below you can see the intro bonuses for new customers from all of the sportsbooks that we’ve reviewed that offer college basketball betting. As sportsbooks update their intro promos, we will update this guide so you can always find the best offers available.

Must be 21+ in most states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See full responsible gambling disclaimer here.

Sportsbook

States

Sign Up Bonus*

Promo Code

FanDuel

AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MA MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus If Your Bet Wins

Not needed

Caesars

AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

OA1000

BetMGM

AZ, CO, FL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

Second Chance Bet Up to $1,500**

ODDS100

bet365

CO, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, VA

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Not needed

BetRivers

AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV​

Second Chance Bet Up to $500

ODDS1

SugarHouse

PA

Second Chance Bet Up to $500

ODDS1

Betway

AZ, CO, IN, IA, LA, NJ, OH, PA, VA

Bet $25 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins*

Not needed

SI Sportsbook

CO, MI, VA

100% Deposit Match Up to $100

Not needed

Sporttrade

CO, NJ

Up to $300 Cash Back

ASSIST

Unibet

AZ, IN, NJ, PA, VA

$500 Second Chance Bet

Not needed

DraftKings

AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Not needed

Hard Rock

AZ, FL, IN, NJ, TN, OH, VA

$100 Second Chance Bet

Not needed

*May vary by state.
**Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

How We Rate NCAA Basketball Betting Sites

Here at Odds Assist, we are committed to creating objective, transparent ratings to help you make the best decisions when it comes to which sportsbooks to use. We will continually update our Editorial Ratings over time as sportsbooks introduce new features, change promotions, etc.

Each sportsbook we review goes through our extensive rating process that evaluates thousands of data points in eight categories, including the following:

Category Weight Description
Odds
25%
How competitive the odds offered are across all major sports
Intro Promo
15%
How competitive the intro promo for new customers is
Promos & Odds Boosts
15%
How many & how generous ongoing odds boosts & promotions are
Sports & Bets Offered
10%
Which sports & types of wagers are offered by the sportsbook
User Interface
10%
How user friendly the website & mobile app(s) are
Deposits & Withdrawals
10%
Which deposit & withdrawal methods are available as well as payout speed
Customer Reviews
10%
How positive customer reviews across other platforms are
Education & Statistics
5%
The availability of educational & responsible gaming resources as well as team & player statistics

We rate each sportsbook relative to other sportsbooks in each category. Each is scored from 1 to 5 with each representing the following:

  • 5 Stars: Best in category
  • 4 Stars: Above-average
  • 3 Stars: Average
  • 2 Stars: Below-average
  • 1 Star: Worst in category

Data for all sportsbooks were collected simultaneously to ensure fairness. For example, we only compared odds for the same games at the same times across all sportsbooks reviewed.

To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.

What to Look for in an NCAA Basketball Betting Website

It can be difficult to choose among the many online sportsbook options now available. Here are a few things you should consider to help you decide which is best for you:

Legal & Licensed in Your State

Your number one concern should be the legality of online sports betting in your area. While many states have legalized sports betting in recent years, some are still lagging behind, while others don’t even plan on allowing it (like Utah, for example).

Also, not all sportsbooks are available in each state where online betting has been legalized, so you must make sure to find only those sportsbooks that operate in the state where you plan to place real-money bets. Note that you don’t have to be a resident of the state to bet, you just have to be physically located there.

While it is possible for you to wager on some offshore betting sites like Bovada, we recommend that you avoid it, as they aren’t regulated by U.S. organizations.

Competitiveness of Odds

If you truly want to maximize your profit potential, you should go odds shopping. You’ll find that all sportsbooks offer similar odds on the same events, but those small discrepancies can make a big difference over time.

While odds always vary from game to game, some sportsbooks typically offer better college basketball odds than others. Check out the Odds Comparison section above to get an idea of which offer the best odds for college basketball.

If you're ready to compare odds, hop over to our College Basketball Odds & Lines Comparison Tool to find the best deal for upcoming games.

Intro Promo for New Customers

Almost all of the top sportsbooks offer intro promos for new customers. While these vary in types—such as risk-free bets, deposit matches, and free bets—they all have different values and terms.

To truly see how valuable a given welcome promo is, you must not only look at its core value but also go through the Bonus Terms and Conditions page to find out what rules and restrictions apply to the offer—namely wagering requirements, minimum odds, playthrough requirements, eligible bets markets, and time to use, to name a few.

Ongoing Promotions and Odds Boosts

A welcome offer is a nice way to bump up your initial bankroll. However, once you’ve used it up, you won’t be able to claim it again. That’s why it’s important to see what kind of ongoing promotions a sportsbook features. If you’re only interested in NCAA basketball betting, you should hunt for some promotions that relate specifically to this competition.

What’s more, during the season’s peak, U.S. sportsbooks will commonly offer odds boosts, which offer enhanced odds on the most popular NCAAB games.

User Experience of the App and Website

The look and feel of a given website or an app are more important than people initially give them credit for. For a great user experience, pages should load quickly, and the platform’s design should be clear and intuitive.

While most legit U.S. sportsbooks have modern apps and websites, a lot of them are prone to crashes, freezes, and all sorts of bugs and glitches, so it’s best to test them to avoid encountering any of these issues.

Types of Wagers Offered

The number of markets on NCAA basketball games is another important consideration. If you’re only interested in moneyline, spreads, and totals, you’ll find them on every sportsbook, but if you like props and other exotic bets, you should check to see which book has the most.

For example, betting on how many points an individual player will score or whether the game will go to overtime is not an option on every betting site. In addition, most sportsbooks will allow you to predict the NCAA champion for the current season, but only some of them will go the distance and include futures markets for the champions of individual conferences.

Live Betting Options

Basketball is a perfect sport for live betting fans due to its fast pace and high scoring totals. Therefore, the NCAA basketball betting site of your choice should have a detailed Live Betting section where you can explore a wide range of in-play markets and enjoy various features.

Some online sportsbooks also have real-time stat feeds, game trackers, and even live streaming, allowing you to watch the game while placing bets.

Deposit/Withdrawal Options & Speed

Make sure that the sportsbook you choose accepts the payment method you feel the most comfortable using. Also, pay attention to transaction speed and any potential fees that can be associated with using certain banking options.

How to Bet on NCAA Basketball Games

College basketball is one of the best sports to bet on with the sheer number of teams and games. If you are hoping to get in on the action and haven't created an online betting account, here are the steps you need to take:

  1. Select a sportsbook that is legal in the state you’re currently in and head over to its website or download its mobile app.
  2. Register by filling out a form containing your identification details, such as your full name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, etc.
  3. Navigate to the Cashier section to complete a deposit.
  4. Claim the sportsbook’s welcome bonus.
  5. Go to the betting lobby, find NCAA basketball among the list of sports and competitions, and start placing your wagers.

States Where You Can Legally Bet on NCAA Basketball Games

Here are all of the states that currently offer legal college basketball betting online, in-person, or both:

State

Online

In-Person

Arizona

Yes

Yes

Arkansas

NoYes

Colorado

YesYes

Connecticut

Yes

Yes

Delaware

Yes

Yes

District of Columbia

YesYes

Florida

Yes

Yes

Illinois

YesYes

Indiana

YesYes

Iowa

Yes

Yes

Kansas

Yes

Yes

Louisiana

Yes

Yes

Maine

Yes

Yes

Maryland

Yes

Yes

Massachusetts

Yes

Yes

Michigan

YesYes

Mississippi

NoYes

Montana

NoYes

Nebraska

No

Yes

Nevada

YesYes

New Hampshire

YesYes

New Jersey

YesYes

New Mexico

NoYes

New York

YesYes

North Carolina

Yes

Yes

Ohio

Yes

Yes

Oregon

YesYes

Pennsylvania

YesYes

Rhode Island

YesYes

South Dakota

NoYes

Tennessee

YesNo

Virginia

YesYes

Washington

No

Yes

West Virginia

Yes

Yes

Wyoming

Yes

No

Types of Bets You Can Make on NCAA Basketball Games

One of the reasons why NCAA basketball betting is so popular is because it features a large number of betting markets. These markets range from standard moneyline bets and spreads to various props and futures.

Here are quick explanations of all the main types of bets associated with NCAA basketball:

  • NCAA Basketball Spread Bets: With spread bets, you choose which team will cover the line. For example, if a team has a -6.5 spread assigned to it, it means they must win by 7 points or more for the bet to be successful. Alternatively, a team with a +6.5 spread must lose by fewer than 7 points or win the game outright.
  • NCAA Basketball Total Bets (Over/Under): With total bets, you’ll be guessing whether the combined point total of the two teams will be over or under the line, such as 170.5.
  • NCAA Basketball Moneyline: With moneyline bets, you simply need to predict who will win the game.
  • NCAA Basketball Parlays: A parlay is a combination of bets from multiple games on a single betting slip. With each added selection, the odds increase and allow for a bigger potential payout. However, each selection must win in order for your parlay to win.
  • Same Game Parlays: Same game parlays allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in a single parlay. Previously this type of bet was rare, but now many sportsbooks are offering same game parlays.
  • NCAA Basketball Teasers: A teaser is a parlay bet that allows bettors to adjust the lines on spreads and totals in their favor. Consequently, the payout will be lower.
  • NCAA Basketball Game Props: Basketball props allow you to bet on individual segments of the game or guess whether something will occur during the game or not. This can be anything from “race to X points in the quarter” and “who wins the tip-off?” to “will the game go to overtime?”.
  • NCAA Basketball Player Props: This is a set of over/under bets relating to the performances of individual players. You can typically guess how many points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks a certain player will record.
  • NCAA Basketball Round-Robin Bets: Round robins are a series of small parlays drawn from a larger list of teams. For example, a 3-team round robin will consider four possible winning combinations. For example, if you chose Gonzaga, Duke, and Kentucky to win, you can get paid if all teams win or if any two of the three teams win.
  • NCAA Basketball Futures: Futures are long-term bets that let you predict the outcome of the NCAA season. You can guess who wins the Championship, which teams win their respective conferences, whether a team will reach the Final Four tournament, and more. You can usually place futures bets at any time during the season and, often, even before the season starts.

How to Make Money Betting on College Basketball

While betting on college basketball is exciting, it is hard to be profitable long term (like most sports). In order to continually win while betting on NCAA basketball games, you need extensive college basketball knowledge and should learn how to recognize and take advantage of betting trends.

Percent of NCAA Basketball You Have to Win to Make Money

Sportsbooks make money by charging a “vig” or “juice” on each game. That’s why you can’t bet both sides of a game and break even.

If you know how to read betting odds and calculate payouts, you already know what we’re talking about. But for those among you who are not familiar with the sportsbooks’ business model, here’s how they make sure to always end up on top.

The simplest way to explain it is to take the most common odds associated with NCAA basketball as an example—point spreads and totals. These 50/50 markets will usually have the odds of -110 on both sides (bet $110 to win $100).

Now, if you were to bet on one side of one of these markets, you wouldn’t get the same amount of money, even though the real probability of this bet offers an equal chance of winning or losing.

Instead, a $100 bet will win you about $91. The $9 you have ended up short of are referred to as the juice or vigorish (or vig, for short). Because of the vig, you must calculate the implied probability. In this case, to profit while betting on markets with -110 odds, you need to win more than 52.38% of your bets.

Tips for Betting the NCAA Basketball

Here are some of the basic tips to keep in mind while betting on college basketball:

  • Shop for the best lines and odds: If you have multiple sportsbooks (which is always a good idea), compare the lines and odds on the games you are interested in to see which is the best.
  • Follow up on news and injury reports: Stay in touch with what happens in the league, especially regarding injuries. An injury of an important player or a few role players can be detrimental to the team’s chances of winning.
  • Manage your bankroll: It should go without saying that you should always be careful with your betting budget. Set up a bankroll and try to stick to it, resisting the temptation of chasing your losses. Never bet a large percentage of your bankroll on a single game—instead, divide it equally over time.
  • Take advantage of intro bonuses and other promotions: Most online sportsbooks offer generous welcome bonuses to new customers. By taking advantage of these—as well as ongoing promotions and odds boosts—you may be able to turn a profit betting on college basketball.
  • Don’t bet with your heart: If you have a favorite college basketball team, try not to blindly bet on them to win each game. Your heart can cloud your judgment and you may sometimes have unrealistic expectations when your favorite team is involved.

Dave Rathmanner

Dave Rathmanner is the Founder & CEO of Odds Assist. After struggling to find helpful sports betting resources and honest reviews when he first started betting, he decided to create the site he always wished he had. Dave has been betting on sports since NJ legalized it in 2018 and regularly analyzes sportsbooks to find the best options for bettors. Aside from creating new content for OA readers, Dave is also passionate about researching betting markets, creating models, and developing profitable betting strategies.