Some of the new sports betting apps like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM have been buying up a lot of airway. However, they are not accepting players from major states like California or Texas. While these apps have been drumming up quite a bit of media attention, they do not tend to offer odds that are as competitive nor bonuses that are as generous. This is why they do not make it into our final recommendations. Other less popular options include Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers, Fox Bet, and Unibet.
Sports Betting Guides for Beginners
With more betting options, you can devise more plans and betting strategies to come out on top. As you study up by reading our sports betting guides, you will be more able to take advantage of the deluge of betting opportunities and dollars that come with the large events.
It’s always a good time to look over the most important five tips for sports betting online. Come back to these perennial tips whenever you’re feeling stuck.
These tried and true betting strategies will help you make the best bets. You’ll get the hang of some of them right away, while you will have to develop lots of experience to perfect others.
Understanding the stats for sports betting online is like reading the source material. You can make your own picks, which allows you to avoid the hype and make the best sports bets online.
Having more than one sports betting account is a good idea. This way you can compare odds and make great sports bets.
What to look for in a sports betting site
When choosing a sportsbook, you may need to take into account different aspects, so you can find the best betting site for your needs. The best gambling website will be the one that suits your needs as a bettor. So let’s explore some factors you may want to consider when choosing the best sportsbook.
- U.S. Customers Access: Certain online sportsbooks will still prove inaccessible to users in the United States. These companies are either blocking bettors from states without a sports betting policy in place or, more likely, just blocking out U.S. customers altogether.
- Availability of betting bonuses: In the hyper competitive world that is the online gambling industry, sign up betting bonuses often are the first interaction sportsbooks can have with potential clients. But what makes the best sign up bonus offers THE BEST? Through our detailed reviews of these offers’ inner workings, we’ll guide you through noise, and help you avoid the pitfalls of sneaky marketing.
- Range of sports, leagues and events: Some sports betting sites stick to the biggest events. Some of the best sports to bet on are more obscure, however. The best sports betting sites will provide stats and odds on a wide variety of sports.
- Competitiveness of odds and lines: Single-game and futures odds will vary by website. It’s important you surf around to find the odds that best fit the investment you’re trying to make. One sportsbook may be laying more enticing returns on an outcome you deem most likely.
- Speed of payouts: We all want our betting winnings as soon as possible. This is why our favorite sportsbooks will have fast payouts with a wide variety of methods.
- Quality of customer services: Customer service at sports betting sites comes in all shapes and sizes. This is because every sports bettor is also unique and has needs specific to them. We always value, speed, accuracy, and professionalism whether you’re accessing support via email, live chat, or FAQs.
Allowed deposit methods
Another important aspect is choosing an online betting sites that accepts payment methods easily available in your region.
For example, if you are betting from Canada, you will have a harder time finding a Bitcoin betting site. This payment method is much more widely available in the United States, so Canadian Bitcoin bettors will have to be more selective.
Other payment methods such as American Express and PayPal are more widely available. Be sure to check out the fees by region as well. Payment method and region are inextricably linked when it comes to the best sports betting books.
How Do I Create A Betting Account?
Pick a betting site
Sign up
Make a deposit
Place your first bet
The first step is finding a betting site that caters to your needs. By this, we mean it provides the payment methods you desire, has a range of sports betting markets, provides competitive odds, and offers an advanced betting platform. Something else that should matter to players is working with a company that strives to provide an enjoyable betting experience, which starts with the quality of the platform and ends with a first-rate customer service team. Not all gambling sites will meet your desires, so be sure to read through our reviews of the best betting sites until you find the right one for you.
The sign-up process should be swift. Generally speaking, legal online sports betting sites will require you to provide basic personal information without revealing too many details about yourself. Anonymity is a valued aspect of the sports betting industry, and users shouldn’t be required to provide more information than they find comfortable. It’s worth noting that when you first sign-up, the best sports betting sites will provide customers with an excellent “Welcome” or first-deposit bonus.
Once you’re signed up, it’s time to make your first deposit into your account. These days, online betting sites offer numerous ways to add funds to your account, with many customers favoring cryptocurrency as it offers anonymity and almost instantaneous movement of funds. This may be true for a large portion of the global betting market, but not all. As such, be sure that the sports betting website you choose offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options. Look for a provider that offers credit and debit card payments, prepaid cards, crypto deposits, and even more traditional payment methods such as cheques and standing orders. Once you’ve made your deposit, sports betting sites will normally automatically add the bonus funds to your account. Sometimes, you’ll be required to use a specific bonus code.
Now you’ve got the funds in your account; it’s time to start betting! There is no linear way to do this, as what market you choose to wager on is entirely up to you. The best sports betting sites will provide a menu on the left-hand side of the screen, where you can find each sport (or other) betting market listed. Simply click the sport that suits you, then decide which betting line you are interested in. This can be slightly more difficult, as you will find the most basic option, the moneyline, and myriad options, including parlays, over/under, futures, props, & much more. Check out our sports betting guides if you want more information on these lines.
Sign Up For Multiple Sportsbooks
For many bettors, both veteran players and newcomers, signing up with multiple online gambling sites is undoubtedly worthwhile. This is often referred to as “line shopping” and has been a vital tool for bettors since gambling first went online over two decades ago.
While the Vegas line is the benchmark for the industry, all gambling websites offer unique betting odds. As a bettor, a helpful practice is signing up with various of the best online betting sites. Then, whenever you find a specific line you want to wager on, you can check the odds across multiple sites and bet on the one that offers the best value.
Sports betting online is the only way to effectively carry out line shopping. The beauty is that customers can sign-up to numerous online betting sites for free and then search for the oddsmaker that offers the best value.
This is crucial for players of all abilities to ensure they aren’t wasting money.
On top of that, when the results fall in your favor you can rest assured that you’ve maximised your profits. Check out our top bookmarkers for your favorite sports betting market, and sign up today!
Online Sports Betting 2026 Legal Updates
Sports gambling laws have seen exciting changes in the last four years. It started with the 2018 Supreme Court ruling. This cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting. The ruling struck down a 1992 federal ban on sports betting, though some states offered it then.
Impact on Betting Sites
The law hasn’t affected many top online gambling sites. However, since 2018, we’ve seen more U.S. users move toward both regulated domestic sportsbooks and established offshore betting sites. That year, Delaware, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island launched legal sports betting following the repeal of PASPA.
Since then, many more states have legalized sports betting. As of early 2026, sports betting is legal in 38 states plus Washington, D.C. That means 12 states still do not offer legal sports betting, either online or retail, though legislation continues to be debated in several of them. Betting laws remain state-by-state. Some states allow full mobile wagering, others restrict betting to retail locations, and a few permit limited online betting through tribal or lottery-operated platforms. Always check your specific state’s regulations.
California
Sports betting is still not legal in California. Voters rejected two major ballot initiatives in 2022, and no new legalization vote has passed since. Tribal negotiations and political gridlock continue to slow progress, making legalization unlikely before 2027 at the earliest. If laws change, California would instantly become the largest U.S. betting market.
Florida
Sports betting is live and legal, operating exclusively through the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet platform. Online and retail betting resumed in late 2023 after legal challenges were resolved. No commercial sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, etc.) are permitted under current law.
Texas
Sports betting remains illegal in Texas. Offshore sportsbooks continue to dominate the market due to massive fan interest across professional and college sports. Despite recurring legislative proposals, there has been no successful bill, and legalization before 2027 remains unlikely.
Ohio
Ohio has been fully legal since January 1, 2023, with statewide mobile and retail betting available. Major sportsbooks operate legally, and Ohio is now one of the more mature regulated markets in the U.S.
Alabama
Sports betting is still illegal in Alabama. Legislative efforts have repeatedly stalled, though public interest remains high. Offshore sportsbooks continue to attract Alabama bettors, but there is no confirmed timeline for legalization.
Here’s our list of best online betting sites
Bovada is great for beginners
Bovada is a great sportsbook. There’s a reason it has the largest market share in so many places. Their reputation is top-notch, as they have been delivering a solid betting experience for years and provide their users with countless sports bets. Customers can easily navigate their complete service with an interactive website and mobile app. It suits newcomers and those just dipping their toes into sports betting.
MyBookie’s customer service stands out
MyBookie has it all, but this sportsbook stands out, especially for its excellent customer service. Their well-trained representatives are available 24 hours a day. We found that the reps were attentive and well-informed about the full range of problems customers may have. Contact them via telephone, email, or live chat.
BetUS deposit methods are amazing
BetUS is an excellent sportsbook for several reasons. They especially stand out in their deposit department. They accept more than 60 types of cryptocurrencies. With the growing demand for access to digital currency payment methods, BetUS has staked its claim on being the number one for players in the US. Plus, they give some of the best bonuses around.
BetOnline
BetOnline provides an exceptionally smooth betting experience. It is easy to navigate their sports and entertainment betting. While great for all bettors, this site is especially good for casual bettors. With quick deposits and withdrawals, new users can get their funds into the account and enjoy the broad range of betting markets immediately.
