Best Betting Sites in the US

Top Online Sportsbooks for 2025

All online betting sites we’ve recommended are licensed and 100% safe. You can explore the top-performing platforms in each state by using the filter we’ve provided. We’ve also highlighted the best features of each operator, which hint at why our experts have granted them such high overall scores.

Here are the top-rated online sportsbooks in the US for 2025:

Best Online Bookmakers by Category

Sports betting is one of the most popular types of online gambling in America, ^[1] so there are numerous licensed operators to choose from. However, picking a sportsbook that suits your unique preferences can be challenging. There’s even a growing list of operators that provide social sports betting to most states. To help you with the decision process, we’ve outlined the top platforms in various benefit categories.

Simply prioritize your needs and pick the operator that excels in the corresponding areas. We’ve ensured all platforms are safe and reputable, so it all comes down to the type of experience you seek.

How to Choose the Best Sports Betting Site

We don’t expect you to take our ranking of the best US betting sites at face value. You have every right to know which aspects we’ve considered and how they affected the results. For this reason, we encourage you to explore our rating criteria below and form your own opinion as we examine each area in more detail.

If you feel like any of these aspects carries more weight, feel free to explore it first. We prioritize safety and licensing above all else, but it’s understandable if you care more about convenience and benefits like betting bonuses and sports betting apps.

Security & Licensing

Whenever we rank online betting sites, we always start by verifying the operators’ licenses. This can be a time-consuming process, as gambling is regulated on the state level, and most sportsbooks are active in multiple states. However, it’s worth the effort as it allows us to guarantee that all sites we recommend are safe and adhere to local gambling standards.

We also check the SSL encryption, responsible gambling partnerships, and independent audit certificates. You should also examine these aspects, as people have different preferences. For example, do you value the approval of GLI more than that of eCOGRA? Do you feel safer with a 128-bit SSL or 256-bit encryption? These are the types of questions you can ask yourself to make picking an online sportsbook easier.

Live Betting Options

More than 30% of gamblers in America prefer to place in-play bets. ^[2] Therefore, the availability of diverse markets, detailed live stats and streaming options played a key role in the ranking. Most top-rated online sportsbooks could provide the first two, but only a few could broadcast PFL, NFL, and NCAAF events in real time.

One thing worth mentioning is that college sports betting laws vary by state, especially when it comes to legislation surrounding live betting. For example, West Virginia betting sites don’t have to place any restrictions on bet types, but in the neighboring state of Virginia, any betting on in-state collegiate events is forbidden.

Bonus Offers

One of the perks which has become a standard industry practice is to award newcomers with a promo. Most operators will offer a first-time deposit bonus or a bonus bet, yet not all of them will have favorable terms and conditions. Luckily, we’ve highlighted offers with low wagering requirements and fair validity periods.

These sports betting bonuses are suitable for low and high rollers, as they have fair wagering requirements, yet they still provide a generous deposit match. However, if you’re a beginner, we recommend the third offer. It provides players with a second chance bet in case their first one fails, which, let’s admit, happens a lot when you’re green.

Sportsbook Apps

In 2022, sportsbook sites and apps in the United States brought in $7.4 billion in revenue. ^[3] There was more than a 70% increase from the previous year, so it’s fair to say mobile betting has increased in popularity. Taking this trend into account, we have also given the availability of an intuitive gambling app a significant weight in our ranking process.

As a result, you can be sure that the sports betting apps we’ve recommended scored highly against several benchmarks, including functionality, ease of use, and customization flexibility. They’re available for iOS and Android, but gambling directly through your phone’s browser is also an option if you don’t have the memory space for another app.

Payment Methods – Deposits & Withdrawals

More than 70% of players list easy deposits as to why they prefer online/mobile sports betting. ^[2] Knowing that the convenience of having various payment methods is important to so many of you, we’ve naturally considered it while rating. Therefore, you can pick any recommended operator and expect access to multiple trusted e-Wallets and credit/debit cards.

Overall, betting sites that take PayPal are some of the most popular because this payment provider is known worldwide as safe, fast, and convenient. However, we’ve made sure to include sportsbooks that offer great alternatives such as Skrill, Venmo, and Play+. Just remember to check the deposit and withdrawal limits, as well as the processing time, as it can vary by operator.

Best Betting Sites for Fast Payouts

According to a recent study, the biggest pain point players experience when withdrawing is when the process takes too long. ^[4] Not only that, but 49% of users claim they would play more if they had access to their preferred withdrawal method. If you relate, the best US betting sites listed here should suit your preferences, as they offer 24-hour payout processing.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the payment method you choose and some external factors can affect payout speed. For instance, if you played with a bonus, the operator may take extra time to check if you’ve met all wagering requirements. In addition, if you haven’t previously confirmed your identity, you will have to do so when submitting your first withdrawal request.

Map of States with Online Sports Betting

Оnline sports betting is legal in more than 20 states. ^[5] In addition, there are two more where legislation is pending, and the market is expected to launch in 2024. However, note that as every state has its own gambling laws, there are various bet restrictions, especially regarding prop betting on collegiate events.

You can use the interactive map we’ve provided to learn more about the laws and top-rated online sportsbooks in each state. For example, if you want to learn about betting sites in Nevada, all you need to do is click on the state. Just note that in places like Florida, the legislation is recent, so our reviews are still in the works.

Legal Status of Online Sports Betting in Each State

If you’re curious about when online sports betting was legalized in each state, you can check out the table our experts have prepared. We’ve also outlined any location restrictions and bet type limitations. For example, in Mississippi, mobile betting is only accessible while present at land-based gambling venues, so examine the rules for your state carefully.

New Jersey played a key role in legalizing online sports betting in the USA. Raymond Lesniak, former State Senator, was the leading figure who pushed for the appeal of PASPA – the main law that prohibited states’ right to allow this form of gambling. As he stated back in 2015, “New Jersey residents should have the right to engage in legal sports wagering if they choose to.” ^[6]

He claimed the act violated the 10th Amendment, establishing the concept of federalism, also known as states’ rights. After some time, the Supreme Court agreed and lifted the ban in May 2018. ^[7] The first NJ sports betting sites received their licenses in November of the same year, and it wasn’t long before many other states followed.

Taxation of Winnings

Sports betting winnings are subject to federal income tax in all states. However, gambling tax rules vary by jurisdiction. The federal income tax is generally a 24% flat tax, and any winnings exceeding $5,000 are subject to withholding by the bookmaker.

If you withdraw money from a gambling site, you will receive a W2-G form for the fiscal year. This contains your net wins and losses and all the important information Uncle Sam and the IRS need to know. Keep it safe because you’ll need it the next time you file taxes.

Here are all the forms of gambling subject to federal income tax regulations:

• Casino games: All types of games, including craps, baccarat, blackjack, and roulette
• Mobile casino games
• Slot machines
• Sports betting
• Card rooms
• Video poker
• Lottery games: Including keno and scratch games

You need to report your net winnings as part of your “other” income. This is done by following the instructions on your 1040 or 1040EZ form or tax software. The term “Other” refers to income not assigned a specific line on a 1040 tax return. ^[8]

However, your gambling winnings are taxed at the standard 24% flat tax rate instead of your standard income tax bracket. The IRS maintains you should keep a detailed log of all your wins and losses, ^[9] especially if you plan on making any deductions.

• Winnings over $600 must be reported.

• Winnings are generally taxed at a flat 24%.

• All taxable gambling winnings are shown on your W2-G form.

Disclaimer: Depending on the state you’re in, you may be subject to additional taxation.

Popular Online Betting Markets

As mentioned, live betting is on the rise, and the best US betting sites we’ve selected mainly focus on covering major sporting events. However, some operators also pay attention to niche markets, such as table tennis and bowling. This means that no matter if you’re looking for major leagues like the NFL or a lesser known one like the International Quidditch Association, you should be able to find a suitable option.

Popular Sports to Bet On

The most popular sports among American players are basketball, soccer, football, baseball, and tennis. ^[2] However, if your personal favorites don’t match, there’s no need to worry. Most operators offer 15 to 20 sports on average, so many more options exist.

• Football

  College and professional football attract the biggest audience out of all the sports in the country. Every top betting site has lines for the NFL and major college football games. However, betting on some college games might be restricted depending on which state you’re in.

  After the introduction of single-game parlays, football betting sites became even more popular. This sport also features the most markets and is second only to soccer for the number of player props, game props, and in-play wagers.

• Basketball

  Basketball is another popular sport, on both collegiate and professional levels, and there are many basketball betting sites that cater to this need. Millions of people create “March Madness” brackets every year where they try to predict the results of the 65-team NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament.

  However, the NBA remains the most popular league, partly due to the correlation between daily fantasy sports and single-game parlay success. Bettors can predict how certain players will perform, along with game results and points totals, and combine them into a single bet to boost their odds.

• Baseball

  Baseball is one of the more predictable sports for data and statistics analysts, which may have something to do with why it’s so popular. Successful baseball bettors use complex predictive models and algorithms to find edges based on price movements.

  There are many reasons why baseball betting is compared to the stock market – you can generally predict which teams should be “bought”, “sold”, wagered on, or wagered against, based on pitching matchups. Baseball sportsbooks make money on the sport by building commission into their lines.

Other Betting Markets

Of course, there are many other betting markets besides the NHL, NFL, and NBA. Outside of sports, politics and entertainment events like the US Presidential Elections and the Oscars are featured by many of the best sports betting sites we’ve recommended. Therefore, you can bet on anything, from which movie will grab an award to the outcome of real-world events.

Types of Bets Offered at the Best Online Sportsbooks

As the list of bookmakers grows longer by the month, so do the types of bets they offer. New features like single-game parlays have emerged, and while most operators avoid related outcomes, top-rated online sportsbooks prioritize increased betting volume over reduced edge. You can learn more about the most common wagers below.

• Moneyline

  The moneyline is the most straightforward bet you can make. This is also known as betting on a team to win “straight-up” or with no handicap. It’s offered for almost every game, but it’s most frequently used in low-scoring games like baseball, hockey, or soccer.

  To make a moneyline bet, convert the odds into a percentage, which is the implied chances of winning the operator is giving the teams. Weigh the chances against the probability you believe the teams have of winning and bet where your estimate exceeds that of the sportsbook.

• Point Spread

  The point spread is a method of handicapping high-scoring games like football and basketball as a way to provide more value on favorites. It wouldn’t make sense to bet a heavy favorite when it requires you to bet hundreds of dollars to make a small return.

  Therefore, bookmakers set point spreads to even the playing field. The spread is most useful in sports like college football and basketball, where skill differences can be massive. It’s also the standard for NFL and NBA betting, though moneyline bets on the pros are also fairly common.

• Totals

  Totals bets are wagers on the number of times something happens in a game. These can be points, player tackles in football, or team hits in baseball. Some players prefer gambling like this because they feel these events are more predictable than the final score.

  While not all sites have expanded their totals offerings, a movement is certainly afoot. Just a few years ago, you’d only see a handful of markets for American sports internationally. However, since coming stateside, operators are taking the hint and offering more options.

• Futures

  Futures are bets focused on results covering an entire season or on an event that takes place at a much later date. Examples are betting on a team to make the playoffs or winning the championship.

  Futures bets often have the most value at the beginning of the season, before results start coming in. Over time, the odds get shorter for the best teams. However, if you can correctly predict a team’s turnaround in the mid-to-late season, you can usually get very generous futures odds.

• Props

  Props, or proposition bets, are wagers on events that don’t directly correspond with the final score. There are both player and game props. An example of the latter would be the number of total yards a team gains in an NFL game or the number of total turnovers forced by the defense.

  Common player props, on the other hand, are things like individual rebounds in a basketball game or how many tackles a linebacker makes in a football game. Correctly evaluating which props have value improves your betting results and makes the games all the more interesting.

Daily Fantasy Sports Availability

The contests at DFS sites require extensive knowledge of matchups, strategy, and predicted game flow. To be successful, you need to draft high-performing rosters and find value in player props by comparing them to your team’s DFS salaries. However, this form of online gambling is not legal in all states, so use the overview below to find licensed operators:

Online vs. Offline Sports Gambling

While fundamentally the same, there are several differences between online sports betting and playing at land-based sportsbooks. The Best US betting sites feature excellent odds, a wider variety of bets, and lucrative bonuses, yet they can’t match betting venues in terms of social interaction and speed of payouts.

Therefore, they both have pros and cons that you should consider when deciding whether to create an account at an online sportsbook and play from the comfort of your couch or go to a physical location and interact with other players. To simplify the process, we’ve highlighted the main ones in this section.

Problem Gambling Help

Gambling addiction is a severe problem, and licensed online betting sites take it seriously. Signs and symptoms include lying about your gambling, chasing losses, and needing to wager more money to get the same thrill. Only adhering to certain responsible gambling guidelines can make this manageable.

For example, you should always set a budget and play time limits. You can also use the tools operators provide to set some restrictions or limit your access to the platform whenever needed. However, if you still struggle with staying responsible, there are organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous that can help.

FAQ

Conclusion – Wager at Top Betting Sites in 2025

Online sports betting is legal in over 20 states, and there are numerous gambling sites to choose from. However, the operators we’ve selected excel in several key categories – safety, bonus fairness, market diversity, mobile play options, and speed of withdrawals. Many also bring unique benefits like live streaming, early cashout, and bet customization features.

Delaware-born Amelia Walker takes the senior content writer and legal expert position at Betting.us. Her main professional focus is responsible gambling and operator safety. With a J.D. in Business Law, her professional gambling journey began after a law firm colleague introduced her to safe betting. She is an advocate of strict bankroll management and self-restraint.

Amelia Walker, Senior Content Writer

If you live in a state where you have legal access to one of these best sports betting sites, you can pick freely, knowing you’re getting access to the safest and most functional platforms. All operators offer live betting and competitive bonuses, so no matter which one you choose, you won’t be missing out.

References

1. Statista, (07/07/2023), Most popular types of online gambling in the United States as of September 2021, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
2. Rodgers, Emily, (08/02/2023), Sports Betting Statistics, Trends, & Predictions, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
3. American Gaming Association, (02/15/2023), 2022 Commercial Gaming Revenue Tops $60B, Breaking Annual Record for Second Consecutive Year, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
4. PayNearMe, (2022), Understanding the iGaming Payment Experience: What U.S. Bettors Want in the Deposit and Withdrawal Process, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
5. American Gaming Association, (09/28/2023), Interactive U.S. Map: Sports Betting, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
6. New Jersey Senate Democrats, (09/28/2023), Lesniak Encouraged by Dissenting Opinion in Sports Wagering Case, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
7. Haines, Hunter, (2019), Passing the Ball: The United States Supreme Court Strikes Down PASPA and Throws Sports Gambling Back to State Legislatures, Maryland Law Review Volume 78, Issue 3, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
8. Howard, Ebony, (02/15/2023), What Is Other Income on Form 1040?, Retrieved November 29, 2023.
9. IRS, (12/12/2016), What is Taxable and Nontaxable Income?, Retrieved November 29, 2023.