Your Guide to Online Sports Betting & Online Casino in USA
For many people all over the world, sports betting is something that adds a fun element to watching sports. Whether it is something close to home such as the NBA playoffs, NFL games on a Sunday or hockey from the NHL or something further afield such as soccer from Europe, betting is available for those who want it.
Bookmaking is a worldwide industry, which means you can bet on events both locally and internationally with the biggest names. Our guide to the best online betting sites for USA players shows you the features you need to be looking for when making the decision of who to bet with. We look at some bookmakers you will know, and some you may have never heard of before, all with the sole intention of finding the best betting site to suit your personal needs.
It is very important to remember that betting is personal, a site that works for one gambler may not work for another. We explore the features on offer and present them to you, so you can go with the site that offers the biggest number of features you will take advantage of.
What You Need to Know About Online Betting in the USA
If you are a resident of the United States of America and are looking at your options for in-person and online betting USA style, your ability to engage in the pastime will likely depend heavily on where in the country you reside and the laws governing your state. In May 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey, which argued that the 1992 federal ban on sports betting violated the right of states to decide for themselves whether to allow gambling within their own borders. The ruling opened the door, allowing for more in-depth sports online betting US-based in states where it had not previously been considered legal. By October 2021, 28 of the 50 US states, and Washington DC, had legalized sports betting on some level, with an additional four laying the groundwork for legalization in the coming months. Legal online sports betting US-style began to grow
This is not to say that sports betting is a new phenomenon in the United States. Far from it. The state of Nevada has allowed legalized gambling for decades now, and various forms of gambling and casino operations have been available in many other states, such as Louisiana, since the 1970s and 1980s. These, however, were mostly focused on more traditional forms of gambling, such as gaming, electronic poke, slot machines, and other forms of wagering. Sports betting itself is its own phenomenon within the gambling industry and has seen a meteoric rise in popularity with the advent of the Internet, which allows access to online sportsbooks from virtually any location in the world.
The type of gambling that takes place in any country is usually based on culture, which will often heavily influence the popularity of sports betting in that country. This is a time of year in the United States when sports fans pay special attention to the outcome of the Super Bowl, as well as basketball, baseball, and auto racing. Horse racing, hockey, martial arts, and lacrosse are all popular, albeit with smaller followings. There is a large group of people who love to bet on the outcome of NFL games, with the most popular being those who have made it to the championships and the Super Bowl. For example, there is a lot of buzz in sportsbooks currently about the Bengals and Rams, the two teams that will play in the Super Bowl in February.
When it comes to Online casino US sports betting, there is no shortage of teams to choose from. The New York Knickerbockers, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers are all popular choices in basketball, and the New York Yankees, Chicago Bears, and the St. Louis Cardinals are all well-liked choices in baseball, just as some examples. Popular services for online wagering include Draftkings, Caesars Sportsbook, and BestMGM, all of which have many incentives for new members to sign up for their services. For those who prefer the in-person experience of gambling, the MGM, Luxor, and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, as well as the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Harrah’s in New Orleans, all have longstanding sports betting operations. A few of the most popular horse racing tracks where betting has been popular include Churchhill Downs, which is located in Kentucky, as well as the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, and the Triple Crown horse racing series at Belmont Park. The most famous auto raceways in America include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the site of the Indy 500, and The Daytona Speedway in Florida, the site of many NASCAR championship races. USA sports betting sites frequently list these locations and events in their offerings.
Where is it Legal?
As mentioned above, the legality of sports betting in the USA will depend heavily upon what state you live in, and what the laws regarding gambling are. US betting sites, gambling, and physical casinos might be allowed in some states, but online sports betting might not be. Legal US online casinos might be allowed in states where no other form of gambling is allowed. There’s also the subject of legality on Native American reservations, as the reservations of indigenous tribes are governed by the tribe itself, which may have allowed the building and running of casinos on tribal land in states where gambling is not legal. In some cases, sports betting is allowed in these facilities but not in others. At the time of this writing, the following states have legalized sports betting:
| State | Online | Mobile | In-Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | X | X | X |
| AR | X | ||
| CO | X | X | X |
| CT | X | X | X |
| DE | X | X | X |
| IL | X | X | X |
| IN | X | X | X |
| IA | X | X | X |
| LA | X | X | X |
| MD | X | X | X |
| MI | X | X | X |
| MS | X | X | X |
| MT | X | X | X |
| NE | X | ||
| NV | X | X | X |
| NH | X | X | X |
| NJ | X | X | X |
| NM | X | ||
| NY | X | X | X |
| NC | X | ||
| OH | X | X | X |
| OK | X | X | |
| OR | X | X | X |
| PA | X | X | X |
| RI | X | X | X |
| SD | X | ||
| TN | X | X | |
| VA | X | X | X |
| Wa DC | X | X | X |
| WA | X | X | X |
| WV | X | X | X |
| WI | X | ||
| WY | X | X | X |
Accordingly, fantasy sports wagering, which operates in its own area of gambling, is legal in all states except those that prohibit it (Arizona and Nevada, Nevada and Montana, Idaho and Washington). Fantasy sports betting is legal in Indiana, Louisiana, and Virginia, but there are only a few licensed vendors. With the exception of Utah, where the majority of residents follow the Mormon faith and have strong feelings against gambling, most states and territories are expected to allow legal sports betting within their borders in the coming years. In the far-flung states, such as Hawaii and Alaska, will likely continue to hold out on legalization mostly due to the politics of those states, as they are less influenced by neighboring state policies as the landlocked states can be, where revenue from one non-legal state can seep into a neighboring legalized state, which influences the decision to legalize. This is not a factor in these states that have no immediate legalized neighbors and thus do not feel the pressure to legalize.
What Features Make Up the Best Online Betting Site?
There are many aspects of a betting site to consider when you are choosing where to sign up. It is important to note here that some of these will be more important to you than others, which is what you use when looking at the different sites on offer.
For example, if banking options matter and you don’t place in-play bets, look for sites offering strong betting options, and if there is a negative surrounding their in-play service, that doesn’t matter to you.
Safety and Security should be at the top of everyone’s list when looking for a site to bet on. Look for a reputable company, one that can prove they are secure and safe to bet with. The site should be safe, as should their mobile betting option if there is one, with the correct legislation in place to show they offer a legal place to gamble.
Free Bets & Bonuses are a great way to get a new account started. Look out for these offers, which come in many different ways. Some offer free bets while others will give bonus funds to use across many bets, some even come with enhanced odds that you can take advantage of.
Betting Markets are very important to consider, but even more so if you only bet on one sport and this is a smaller sport. If your sport is soccer, of course, everyone accepts bets on that but if it’s a European ice hockey league, for example, you will need to check which bookmakers offer this league as part of their service.
In-Play Betting is becoming increasingly popular with punters. If you already enjoy this then your new bookmaker needs to offer the same level of in-play betting options, or preferably more. This won’t be a huge concern to some, who don’t use this, but bookmakers do vary a lot with their in-play services so if you do bet this way then make sure you check.
Banking Options are key to some people who are limited with what they can use. Look for a site that offers a range of methods, including ones you have used in the past and are happy to use again. A strong banking range should include big names too, showing that the site is trusted by big money companies.
Customer Support is forgotten about by many. The first thing to look for is how you can contact the team should you need help. If you place bets at unusual times then also check their opening hours, 24 hour support is key to these people, make sure you get it if you need it.
How to Find the Best Online Betting Sites for USA Players?
The features we have spoken about make up many of the things you should be looking for when you are searching for a new online betting site. USA players should take note of these, and use them to find a great site.
However, this is all to be combined with your personal needs, which can be used to rank things. Depending on how you bet, depends on what you will see as your main priorities and if there is anything that is considered a ‘must-have’ for your new site.
Those who don’t have these will have a broader range to choose from, while if you have very specific needs you will only have a few sites to choose from. A combination of finding the best sites for a range of things, plus adding in your requirements is how you find the best betting site for you.
Free Bets & Bonuses
When signing up with a new betting site, you can claim a welcome bonus. Most of these will be either free bets or bonus funds that you can use across many different bets. These are a great way to kick things off, they give you free chances to win money and also funds you can use to explore the site while you are new.
Look through the offers for these, you want to find the biggest you can but also look to see if there are any restrictions in place for using them. It is no good getting the biggest if restrictions mean you struggle to use it, in this instance, a smaller bonus that can be used how you like is a better option.
Weigh up the size of the bonus and any restrictions on them to get the best deal that suits what you bet on and how you place your wagers.
Funding Your Online Sportsbook Account
Those seeking to fund sports betting accounts in America have a wide variety of options to choose from. Gone are the days when one (legally) handed money to a sports organizer at the ringside, as many legitimate sports betting services now require the person to open a secure account with a licensed financial service. Your banking options must be digital if your funding options are digital. This will also be the method by which one collects their winnings. Once these accounts are set up online, they can be much more convenient than driving to and from a location when placing a bet or collecting winnings. There is also better security to be had with online transactions rather than carrying large sums of cash to a physical location. With the wide variety of options available, the bettor should be able to find one or two methods that work for their style and comfort level. Safe US online sports betting relies heavily on these secure online banking options.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are the most popular method of funding online gambling currently, for security and convenience. The vast majority of people on the planet can make use of popular credit cards like Visa and MasterCard. Because each credit card has its own set of features, benefits, and restrictions, including prohibitions on gambling, the user should be familiar with the terms of service for the card he or she intends to use. The use of certain cards at certain establishments, such as a gaming establishment, may result in monetary or other rewards for the cardholder, depending on the card. After entering your credit card information into the sportsbook’s cashier, you should be able to immediately begin wagering.
Wire Transfer
Many online sportsbooks accept bank wires for deposits as well as withdrawals, according to iGaming USA releases. Bank wires can be a convenient method of depositing money for those who aren’t big fans of e-wallets or plastic cards. High-stakes players also prefer this method because large sums of money can be securely transferred, rather than run the risk of physically transporting large sums of money. Only a very small number of options exist that allow large transactions while also being extremely safe. Wire transfers between a betting account and a bank account are some of the most secure and convenient of methods, though many take several business days to fully process.
E-Wallets
It is possible to exchange digital currency units for goods and services using an electronic wallet, also known as an e-wallet, an online service, or a software program that allows the transfer of currency electronically from a bank account o an online vendor. Skrill, PayPal, and Payoneer are well-known e-wallet services, and most online sportsbooks accept Skrill, an extremely popular e-wallet. More than 200 countries and 40 currencies are supported in Skrill, and over 260 countries are supported in Payoneer. Their ability to give out pre-paid MasterCards linked to your account is also convenient.
You can withdraw cash from an ATM whenever you want for a small fee thanks to this premium convenience. While PayPal is also very popular, some online casinos do not accept PayPal as a payment method, but it id an e-wallet similar to Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz. However, when it comes to online gambling transactions that do allow it, PayPal does the job instantly and without charging a fee, which others services do.
Western Union
Unlike a bank wire transfer, this service does not require a bank account to perform a wire transfer to a sportsbook account. Rather, this is done in person at a Western Union service center. Using a Western Union cash deposit, a user can transfer money to a gambling account from the Western Union office, which also takes a few business days, but is also far more secure than other methods.
Crytpocurrency
Cryptocurrency, also called “crypto,” is a type of digital currency that operates independently of any central authority, such as a bank or government, and can be used as a medium of exchange over a computer network. In a broader sense, a cryptocurrency is a virtual or digital currency that is represented by “coins” or tokens. The majority of digital currencies are still virtual, despite the fact that a few have made physical inroads via credit cards and other means. Bitcoin is the most widely used. With no central bank in charge of regulating the currency, cryptocurrencies allow for lower/no fees and less hassle when transferring funds over the internet or internationally. The fact that many online sportsbooks are based in other countries makes it much easier for new players to get their feet wet. On the other hand, the value of one’s cryptocurrency holdings can rise or fall depending on the movement of the cryptocurrency market.
Prepaid Debit Card
Pay-as-you-go debit cards, such as those issued by Visa and Mastercard, are linked to physical cards with 16-digit numbers from which funds are withdrawn, similar to credit cards. However, instead of using credit, funds are loaded onto the cards prior to use and only the funds on the card account can be used. Insufficient funds on the card prevent the purchase from going through. It’s simple to obtain a prepaid card, even if you have a bad credit history or if you can’t open a bank account because of it.
Prepaid cards, in contrast to credit cards, require pre-funding before use. To get a prepaid debit card, you don’t need to have a bank account; however, a regular debit card, which is linked to a checking account, requires one. When you get a prepaid debit card, you put money on it and then use it to buy things. With a debit card, the funds for your transactions are withdrawn from your checking account as soon as you complete a transaction.
How to Deposit Funds into a Betting Account?
When you are adding funds to your new betting account, there are a total of three different steps to follow. These are highlighted below and are all easy to complete which makes depositing nice and simple to do.
- The first step is to choose how you are going to deposit. Many methods are available with the best bookmakers, try and find one that accepts a method you have used before and stick with that.
- The second step is to send the funds over. This is done either on the betting site or using the third-party provider depending on your method. Make sure you have a secure connection when doing this to avoid problems.
- The final step is to check your account balance to ensure the transaction has completed successfully and then begin to place your bets. Most transfers are done instantly so you can check this straight away and begin betting.
Deposit & Withdrawal fees
Depending on your preferred deposit method it is always good to check what the different fees are per provider. Also, keep in mind that most sports betting sites and online casinos will ask you to use the same method for withdrawal as you made your last deposit. In the same way, winnings can be withdrawn based on the method of payment selected. Not everyone will be able to use every type of withdrawal option. Because most online sportsbooks use third-party processors, they must abide by the rules and guidelines set forth by those processors in order to do business. It’s critical to consider how long it will take to receive your money when choosing a withdrawal option. For the majority of withdrawal options, the process can take anywhere from three to five business days, although cryptocurrency and e-wallets can be transferred instantly between each other. Bank transfers typically take a few days.
Users should also be aware of any fees associated with withdrawals when making a payment choice. Withdrawals from some payment providers are free, but there may be limits and caps on the amount that can be taken out at a single time. Make sure to check the minimum and maximum withdrawal amounts per transaction before choosing an option. For smaller withdrawals, you’ll want to look for an option with a lower minimum requirement. Some services also have caps on the number of withdrawals that can be made each week before a user is penalized is limited in some cases. If you want to cash out multiple times a day, some online sportsbooks will allow you to do so with as many choices as you like while others don’t. To prevent people from abusing the system, some of them have limits.
Choose the features that are most important to you and choose accordingly. It’s worth paying the processing fee to get your money faster if that’s what’s most important to you. You can also choose to pay no fees if you’re willing to wait for a slightly slower option. Remember that you can use multiple options at the same time in many services. Depending on the sportsbook, you may only be able to make one free withdrawal per month.
How to Register with a New USA Betting Site?
Betting sites make this as easy as possible for players, which is great news if you are completely new and looking for your very first betting site.
Here is our step-by-step guide to the sign-up process with a betting site.
- Choose the betting site that matches your needs best, and click our link to go to their website
- Fill in the sign-up form and give details including your name and address as well as creating a username and password for the site
- At this point you are asked to provide ID as proof of identity
- When the betting site has received your documents and approved you, this is when you are free to add a payment method and deposit funds, making sure you take advantage of the welcome bonus on offer
- At this point you can look around the site and place bets on the betting markets that interest you, using either your own funds or the bonus you have claimed
American Sports Teams Overview
Sports gambling is worth billions of dollars around the world. In America, more than two-thirds of the $2.6 billion wagered on sports teams were on the National Football League (NFL). The majority of the other total wagered on college football and teams in the MLB, NHL, and NBA. For a variety of reasons, wagering on football outpaces that on the other three sports combined. First and foremost, many of the league’s games are broadcast nationally. Secondly, the Super Bowl is televised worldwide, with 109 million Americans tuning in last year, also drawing a huge interest in the outcome of the game. Based on ticket prices and television contracts, football is also a more lucrative sport than the others in the United States. It’s also worth noting that a number of NFL teams have large fan bases outside of the United States, as well as in the country, making betting on these teams fairly lucrative. Online sportsbooks for US players almost always list the teams with rabid fan bases, as well as teams that perform well.
The majority of the most actively bet on teams are well-known ones. US sportsbooks rely heavily on some of the most popular teams. In baseball, the New York Yankees are one of the most recognizable, and therefore most betted on, teams. The Los Angeles Lakers have the NBA’s most active fan base. So which team should you consider betting on? The following are some teams to look into:
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals are a member of the National Football League and play their home games at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati. Joe Burrow, the team’s quarterback, College Football Championship winner, and Heisman Trophy winner, will guide the squad to the Super Bowl in 2022.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional football team in Wisconsin. Lambeau Field serves as the team’s home field in the National Football League, where they compete in the NFC North division.
Dallas Cowboys
American football team the Dallas Cowboys is based in Dallas, and the AT&T Stadium serves as the Cowboys’ home and headquarters in the National Football Conference East division of the NFL.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are an American football team based in the Boston area. They are a member of the American Football Conference East division of the National Football League and play at Gilette Stadium.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Lakers are a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division of the National Basketball Association and play their home games at Crypto Arena.
The New Orleans Pelicans
Located in New Orleans, the New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team in the NBA. The Pelicans are a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division of the National Basketball Association and play their home games at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Golden State Warriors
A professional basketball team based in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team, part of the Western Conference Pacific Division. The Chase Center serves as their home arena for home games.
Atlanta Braves
Located in the Atlanta metropolitan area, the Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team who play in the National League East. Trust Park is their home field.
San Francisco Giants
An American professional baseball team from San Francisco, the San Francisco Giants, plays their home games at AT&T Park. The team plays in the National League West division. Oracle Park is their home field.
Tampa Bay Rays
Located in St. Petersburg, Florida’s Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team. The Tampa Bay Rays are a member of the American League East division in Major League Baseball. Tropicana Field has been the team’s home venue since its inception.
The Toronto Maple Leafs
Professional ice hockey’s Toronto Maple Leafs are a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Scotiabank Arena is the team’s home venue.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins is based in Boston and are a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. The TD Garden is where they call home.
Edmonton Oilers
This ice hockey professional team based in Edmonton is part of the National Hockey League and play at Rogers Place, where they are a member of the Pacific Division of Western Conference.
Promotions and Bonuses
This year’s Super Bowl, as with previous matches, will be televised, and sportsbooks are eager to get a foothold in the US market as the market matures. In order to attract new customers to their website, they use various methods, one of which is to offer lucrative bonuses and promotions. If you’re looking for an online sportsbook to join, be sure to take advantage of these offers because they can be very profitable for bettors. Online casinos for American players frequently offer beneficial promotions for the new bettor looking to join. Some bonuses might include no deposit bonuses, risk-free bets, money back bonuses, and reload bonuses. Some of the most eye-catching signup bonuses featured in iGaming in US publications are:
Draft Kings – $50 free bet and 20% deposit bonus up to $1K
BestMGM – #1K risk free bet
Ceasar’s Sportsbook – 100% up to $1,500 match
BetRivers – 100% deposit match up to $250
Unibet – $600 risk free bet
