Best Sports Betting Sites – Top Online Sportsbooks

Companies featured on this page may be our partners who compensate us if you sign up for one through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or opinions in any way. Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See full disclosure.

The overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 paved the way for states to decide whether or not sports betting should be legal.

Fast forward three years and nearly half of U.S. states have already legalized it—with many having a variety of online sports betting options.

To help people find the best sportsbooks, we rate all legal betting sites in the U.S. on 100+ data points. As new sportsbooks enter the market and as existing books update their products, we'll continue to update our ratings and this guide so you can see the top options at any time.

You can also check out our state-specific sportsbook guides to see the top options in your state.

8 Best Sports Betting Sites

In total, we've analyzed and reviewed 25 online sports betting sites.

Our ratings are based on 8 categories including odds, intro promo, promotions & odds boosts, sports & bets offered, user interface, deposits & withdrawals, customer reviews, and education & statistics.

After analyzing each sportsbook, we narrowed our list down to the top 8 overall. Below you will see those sportsbooks ordered by overall rating. We also found which each betting site was best at so you can find one that fits your needs.

Best Sports Betting Sites:

  1. Caesars: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall
  2. FanDuel: Best Overall (Tied)
  3. BetMGM: Best Overall (Tied)
  4. bet365: Best for Props
  5. BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds
  6. DraftKings: Best Variety of Sports
  7. Betway: Best Customer Reviews

Best Online Sportsbooks

#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

#4

4.9/5

T5

4.8/5

BetRivers Sportsbook

T5

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 first 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 up to $1,000—with promo code OA1000. 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 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 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

New customers only. See full disclosure.

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

New players receive $200 in bonus bets if their first $5+ bet wins. Your bonus bets will be credited within 72 hours of your first wager winning and you have 7 days to use them. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.

FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated 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.

New customers at FanDuel get $200 in Bonus Bets after depositing $10+ and betting just $5 on any market. This gives you a nice bankroll of bonus bets to start off with, and the best part is that you score the bonus bucks whether your initial bet hits or misses, giving it the edge over the ‘refund-only' deals you might come across elsewhere.

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 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 Sportsbook: Best Overall (Tied)

betmgm sportsbook logo
5/5

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

 

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 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 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) bet365: Best for Props

Bet365 logo
4.9/5

For new customers only

Ratings

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

Intro Promo

You can pick from two offers after signing up at bet365. Bet $5+ within 30 days to get $150 in Bonus Bets. For the second deal, if your first bet loses, you get a refund of up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets.

When bet365 crossed the pond and launched in New Jersey in 2018, they brought a pedigree few U.S.-based books can match. They've been trendsetters for features we now take for granted, such as live betting.

I really appreciate how bet365 doesn't just sit back but continues to improve and add features. While partial cashouts and Same Game Parlays have become pretty standard, the “Edit My Bet” feature is a rare find. BetMGM is the only other book I know of that offers something similar. This option lets you tweak your bets on the fly, changing up your picks or even upping your stake.

bet365 offers two welcome bonuses for new players to choose from.

The first option is a bet $5, get $150 deal, where you simply need to place a bet of $5 or more within 30 days of signing up to receive $150 in Bonus Bets.

The second option is a First Bet Safety Net, which covers your initial wager with up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets if it loses.

bet365 follows up their welcome bonuses with some amazing odds boosts. It's not every day you see a sportsbook offer odds boosts for niche sports like tennis and cricket,

I think bet365's market depth doesn't get the recognition it deserves, often being overshadowed by the likes of FanDuel and BetMGM.

However, they can give these giants a run for their money in this area. They offer some really unique prop bets, like the time of the first score in NFL games. 

One last thing I want to highlight is their odds. In my experience, bet365 consistently offers some of the best odds in the industry. They've consistently ranked at the top in my testing, always providing great value for bettors.

States

Pros

Cons

5) BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4/5
  • 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 different brand names. They rank as “best” or “above average” in every category we score.

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.

The books also regularly offers better odds than every other sportsbook—especially when it comes to the NFL. While other books have standard -110 odds, BetRivers/SugarHouse often offer -109 or -108, meaning you have to win fewer bets to be profitable.

Aside from odds, you'll find everything bettors come to expect in online sportsbooks these days with BetRivers/SugarHouse, including same game parlays, a variety of markets to choose from, a smooth user experience, and ongoing odds boosts and promotions.

On the downside, some customers have complained of bets taking a long time to settle. In addition, the sportsbooks don't offer team or player stats in the app/on the site—though you can usually find this info on other sites.

If you are looking for a longterm betting app, BetRivers and SugarHouse are great options thanks to the industry-leading odds and great betting experience.

States

Pros

Cons

6) 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: 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 sports betting sites.

DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous 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

7) Betway Sportsbook: Best Customer Reviews

Betway Logo
4.7/5

* Varies by state

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. 

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 joining the site. 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 sports betting app to add to your lineup, Betway is a great option to consider.

States

Pros

Cons

Best Sign Up Bonuses from Online Betting Sites

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 Online Sportsbooks

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 When Choosing a Sports Betting Site

As experienced bettors can testify, choosing among the many reliable online sportsbooks available in the U.S. is not an easy task. Many are aggressively trying to acquire new customers through valuable intro promos, odds boosts, and competitive odds.

Here are some things you should consider when choosing the best online sportsbook for you:

State availability

The first thing to take into account when choosing an online sportsbook is whether it is available in the state or states where you plan to place your bets.

Most online sportsbooks in the U.S. allow players to sign up from any part of the country. Unfortunately, they won’t allow you to place bets until you’re physically located in the jurisdiction the sportsbook is legalized in.

Start off by narrowing your list of potential options down by which are available in your state.

Intro promo for new customers

Many online sportsbooks offer generous welcome bonuses to attract new customers. Most often, these will come in one of two forms:

  • Get bonus bets if your first bet loses
  • Deposit bonuses that give you site credit equal to a certain percentage of your deposit

When comparing intro promos, don’t just look at the total value of the promo.

Also, check whether the bonus is issued as site credit that you can use on multiple bets (preferred) or a single free bet that you have to put all on one event.

In addition, check how long you have to use the bonus money. Some books only give you 7 days while others will give you up to a year. This is especially important to consider if the bonus is issued as site credit that you can use on multiple bets.

Finally, check the playthrough requirements for the bonus money. Most U.S. sportsbooks only have a 1x playthrough requirement, but there are some that make you bet the money 2, 5, 10, or even as much as 20 times before you can withdraw it.

Competitiveness of odds

The better the odds a sportsbook offers, the higher the chance that you will make money sports betting over time with it.

As a rule of thumb, most sportsbook’s standard odds on spread bets and totals (at least for most sports) will be -110. Add up the odds on both sides of the bet (such as the Over and the Under) and see if it equals -220 (-110 x 2) or if it is lower or higher.

If the combined odds are higher than -220 on average (-218, -216, etc.) then that book has very good odds. If the combined odds are lower than -220 on average (-222, -230, etc.) then that book’s odds aren’t that great.

Ongoing promotions and odds boosts

Online sportsbooks offer ongoing promotions and odds boosts to new customers to keep them engaged. With these, you typically have the chance to earn higher payouts or bonus cash that can make a big difference in your long-term profitability.

Check out the odds boosts—sometimes called boosted odds, super boosts, or something similar—section of the site to get an idea of how many are offered and how much they are boosted.

Also, look for promotions such as free bets if you do XYZ, other ways to earn bonus money, and insurance (parlay insurance, single bet insurance, etc.).

Sports offered

Another thing to factor in when choosing an online sportsbook is the number of sports it offers. If you mostly bet on major leagues—such as the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB—almost any website can satisfy your needs.

But if you’re into niche sports, be sure to check if the sportsbooks you are considering offer them before signing up.

Types of bets offered

Most books offer all of the common types of sports bets—such as moneyline bets, totals, and spreads—but if you are into prop bets and other more-obscure wagers, be sure to check a few games in each sportsbook to see what’s offered.

This is especially true if you like betting same game parlays. Popularized by the FanDuel Sportsbook, same game parlays allow you to combine sides (spread, moneyline), totals, and prop bets in a single parlay.

As of now, there are only a few U.S. sportsbooks that offer true same game parlays as described above.

User interface of app

An important factor to consider when choosing an online book is the quality of the user interface.

Most importantly, it should be easy to navigate to different parts of the app/site, find the bets you are interested in, and place your wagers.

Also consider how fast screens load, if the app/site glitches or crashes, and how well the location verification works.

User experience is one of the main things we considered when making our picks for the best sports betting apps for beginners.

Deposits and withdrawals

A good online sports betting platform enables a wide range of banking options for deposits and withdrawals. These often include online bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal and other virtual wallets, ACH/eCheck, and physical check.

Before registering for a sportsbook, make sure they offer a deposit/withdrawal method that you have access to.

Also, check to see how fast the sportsbook will pay out your money if you choose to withdraw it. With most banking methods and sportsbooks, you can get your money in a few business days. If a sportsbook says it takes weeks to deliver your money, you may want to look elsewhere.

How to Register for an Online Sportsbook

Before registering for an online sportsbook, first make sure that you are old enough to bet on sports in your state. Once you’ve found a suitable sports betting website, you have to register. The registration requirements differ from state to state and sportsbook to sportsbook.

For instance, Illinois and Nevada require that players sign up in person at one of the land-based casinos associated with the website they want to wager on. However, other states allow online registration, making the process fast and easy.

Here are the general steps you’ll likely have to follow to register for an online sportsbook:

  1. Open the sports betting website; locate the button that reads Sign Up, Join, or Register; and click on it.
  2. Fill out the registration form with the required information such as your name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number, and the last four digits of your SSN).
  3. Once you’ve successfully filled in the form, click on Register, Finish, or Confirm to create the account.
  4. You may be asked to upload a photo of your identification (such as your driver’s license) to verify your identity.
  5. Deposit money and start betting!

Note that if you are betting on your computer that you'll likely have to download and use a geolocation app to verify your location. Also, using VPN software is forbidden and won’t work.

United States Sports Betting Timeline

Sports betting was illegal in the United States until 2018 when the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which prohibited wagering on sports in states outside of Nevada.

This revolutionary legal move sparked the transformation of the sports betting landscape in the country by allowing the states to decide whether or not to legalize this form of gambling.

Here is an overview of the key dates in United States sports betting:

  • November 2011: New Jersey plants the seed for the repeal of PASPA by voting to allow sports betting in a 2011 referendum. It allowed wagering in Atlantic City casinos and racetracks throughout the area. However, the victory was short-lived…
  • August 2012: Five pro leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAA, and MLB) sue the Garden State, arguing that the state’s sports betting activities violated federal law. The dispute was resolved in favor of the leagues.
  • September 2013: New Jersey appeals the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals, but the oral arguments end in another disappointment for the state.
  • September 2014: Governor Chris Christie changes the New Jersey sports betting law, allowing gambling venues such as racetracks and casinos to offer sports betting.
  • November 2014: The NCAA and the four major sports leagues in the U.S. win another case against New Jersey, effectively stopping it from implementing the recent changes.
  • November 2015: The Garden State’s second appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals is denied.
  • August 2016: History repeats itself, as New Jersey suffers another defeat in front of the Third Circuit.
  • June 2017: New Jersey convinces the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to take up the case.
  • May 2018: SCOTUS votes in favor of New Jersey and repeals PASPA, deeming it unconstitutional. The new decision paves the way for the legalization of sports betting not only in the Garden State but also in all other states outside of Nevada if they choose to do so.
  • June 5, 2018: Delaware beats New Jersey in a race to become the first jurisdiction outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting. A month after the federal ban on sports betting was overruled, Delaware launches single-game wagering at its three casinos.

It didn’t take long for other states to join in on the sports betting frenzy. Over the last three years, sports betting has been legalized in almost half of the U.S. states, with online wagering fully operational in many of the states.

Here is when sports betting became legal in each state:

  • June 14, 2018: New Jersey
  • August 1, 2018: Mississippi
  • August 30, 2018: West Virginia
  • October 16, 2018: New Mexico
  • November 2018: Arkansas
  • November 16, 2018: Pennsylvania
  • November 26, 2018: Rhode Island
  • April 30, 2019: Tennessee
  • May 2019: Iowa
  • May 2019: Indiana
  • May 3, 2019: Montana
  • June 2, 2019: Illinois
  • July 2019: New Hampshire
  • July 17, 2019: New York
  • July 26, 2019: North Carolina
  • August 27, 2019: Oregon
  • November 5, 2019: Colorado
  • December 2019: Michigan
  • May 2020: Washington D.C.
  • July 1, 2020: Virginia
  • November 3, 2020: South Dakota
  • March 2021: North Carolina
  • April 15, 2021: Arizona
  • May 2021: Maryland
  • May 2021: Connecticut
  • June 2021: Ohio
  • September 2021: Washington
  • September 2021: Wyoming
  • November 2021: Florida
  • January 2022: Louisiana
  • January 2023: Massachusetts

Note that many of the above states only allow for in-person betting at casinos and sportsbooks—not online betting. In addition, some of the states have passed legislation to allow sports betting but don’t yet have any betting options available.

You can learn more about how sports betting works in each of the above states in our Guide to Where Sports Betting is Legal.

U.S. Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in the U.S.?
Sports betting is currently legal in select U.S. states and many more have introduced legislation to legalize it.

When did U.S. states get the power to decide on legalizing sports betting?
States got the power to decide on legalizing sports betting when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the PASPA in May 2018.

What is the minimum legal age to join a sportsbook in the U.S.?
The minimum legal age required to join a sportsbook in the U.S. depends on the state, but it is usually 18 or 21.

Can you bet on sports online?
Yes, you can bet on sports online in select states.

Is there in-person betting?
Yes, in select states. Many U.S. states that have legalized sports betting offer in-person betting at land-based casinos and sportsbooks.

Do I have to be a resident of a state to join a sportsbook?
You don’t have to be a resident of a state to create an account with a sportsbook in that state. However, you do have to be physically located within the state to place wagers.

Are there any off-limit bets?
Yes, there are. Some states don’t allow live and prop bets on college football. No states allow betting on high school events.

How does paying taxes work on sports betting winnings?
According to the IRS, winnings obtained from betting on sports, whether online or offline, are considered income. Therefore, players are obligated to report their winnings on their tax returns.

Are Bovada and other offshore sportsbooks legal in the U.S.?
Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada are technically illegal in the United States, as they aren’t licensed and regulated by states’ gaming commissions. Although U.S. citizens are usually able to join these sites, we don’t recommend doing so because if something goes wrong, you may have a hard time getting your money back.

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.