Best College Basketball Betting Sites 2024

Lisa Spencer By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: November 18, 2024
Lisa Spencer Lisa Spencer Senior Editor at Betting.us

Hailing from New Orleans, Lisa Spencer brings together math expertise and gambling know-how as Betting.us' editor. With a Master's degree in Applied Mathematics, she excels in game theory. Using statistical models and game theory, she develops and publishes betting strategies for Betting.us. Outside work, Lisa surfs the web for betting insights and does sports.

Best NCAAB Betting Sites for 2024

Our sportsbook rankings are characterized by quality not quantity, with only the best of the best being considered for contention. These college basketball betting sites are a great starting point for bettors to pick up a new-user bonus when they open an account, so take your pick below.

Show Details Up to $1500 Back In Bonus Bets Not Needed Best US Online Site for NCAAB 4.95 BET NOW! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
Show Details Up to $1000 On First Deposit Not Needed Top-Rated Site in the US 4.90 BET NOW! Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
Show Details Up to $500 Bonus Bet SPORTS Great Sports Bonus for NCAAB Bettors 4.85 BET NOW! Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
Show Details Up to $1000 First Bet on Caesars IGAMING1000 Fast Deposits for NCAAB Bettors 4.80 BET NOW! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
Show Details Bet $5 & Get $150 In Bonus Bets Not Needed Top-Notch Live Streaming 4.75 BET NOW! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.

The best college basketball betting site has to be many things to achieve a high ranking. Having a license issued by the relevant authorities being the most important factor of all. We compile a complete list of legal online betting sites available in the country to ensure those wanting to wager from their state can do so safely and with confidence. With that in place, anyone can place money on NCAA basketball betting worry free. Not just that specific league. All featured operators lay odds on other events and leagues as well.

The Best NCAAB Sportsbooks by Category

🥇 #1 NCAAB Sportsbook US BetMGM
🎁 Top NCAAB Betting Bonus Caesars
🆕 New NCAAB Sportsbook BetMGM
🎰 Top NCAAB Gambling Site Caesars
📱 Best NCAAB Sportsbook App BetMGM
💸 Best PayPal NCAAB Sportsbook SugarHouse
🚫 No Deposit NCAAB Sportsbook Caesars

How you bet on college basketball is most of the time determined by what type of sportsbook you are going to choose. Categorization of NCAAB betting sites comes down to identifying relevant areas of interest where a sportsbook might excel. We think we hit the nail on the head with the categories of online college basketball betting websites we were able to delineate. Each pick you see above is custom-made for a specific type of US bettor. If you know your own type, feel free to choose one of these licensed operators and get to real-money wagering right away.

It needs to be remembered that all states in the US are separate jurisdictions and as such have different online betting laws and enforcing authorities. This is why you need to identify who the issuer of the license is, as this is what will determine if a sportsbook site is legal where you are playing from. The operators who care the most about legality and compliance end up offering the best service anyway. So, it's worth spending extra time checking for the best college basketball bet out there.

The number of NCAAB markets is another defining feature that needs to be considered. This quantitative factor actually speaks volumes about a sportsbook and gives you a good idea of what you'll be able to wager on.

Our Rating Criteria

Our outlook on college basketball gambling and high expectations allowed us to take into account the most important things for the modern-day bettor. There are features like live betting on the NCAAB that is an absolute necessity nowadays. Our review also underlines the importance of a stable betting app with NCAAB markets. This is what else we evaluated in our selection of college basketball sportsbooks.

For some real money speculators, there will be certain features that seem to be of greater importance due to a particularity in their betting style. We set out to find the top NCAAB betting sites in the US so that we end up with a well-rounded selection of operators that can satisfy the need of the average online sports gambler. For the specifics, please continue reading the paragraphs laid out below.

Security & Licensing

As established a bit earlier, lawmaking is done differently throughout the US. Achieving a consensus on the subject of sports betting is particularly difficult; you really need to be up on the legality of NCAAB betting in the state you live. Our reviewers did you a favor, enumerating all relevant sports betting regulators in the United States. Here, take a look.

What the availability of a license means for the discerning player is that they are collaborating with a responsible sports betting operator that isn't going to get them into trouble. There's a specific license that is issued for the service of laying odds on basketball matches, so if you are going to double-check, you'll need to keep that in mind. In addition to that, the best college basketball betting websites are responsible enough to process deposits and withdrawals safely and securely.

Live Betting on College Basketball Betting

Some of the college basketball best bets are those found in the in-play segment. Players choose to go there because wagers are made in real-time while the ball is still in play, and that makes for higher predictability but a bit shorter odd. So, in-play betting on the NCAAB is a double-edged sword, but nonetheless – an indispensable asset to any online sportsbook. These are the popular live betting lines on the NCAAB:

Most popular types of live bets:
  • Money Line
  • Handicap Winner
  • Player Performance
  • Half Time Winner
  • Total Points Over/Under
  • Half-Time Points Over/Under

And this is the most popular US sportsbook that offers live betting on NCAAB:

Up to $500 Bonus Bet
$0.10 SPORTS AZ CO +12
Bet Now!Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.

College basketball betting in real-time can be a headache if you don't have much experience with this way of placing wagers. An advantage can be pointed out as the fact that you get to see how both teams are playing and then make a decision about which one to back. Not to mention there are a good variety of prop bets available too.

NCAAB Betting Props

Betting on college basketball can sometimes be fun too. The college basketball betting sites with the best ratings now break the ice with unorthodox wagering lines, also called "prop bets". Those are special propositions that, in the context of the NCAAB, allow you to speculate on more than just who the winner will be. Although certain states allow for betting on college basketball, there may be restrictions in terms of prop bets. For example, there online sports betting in Virginia and college football markets are offered, however, prop bets are restricted.

Skill-Based NCAAB Player Performance Props
  • Points Scored
  • Number of Rebounds
  • Number of Steals
Skill-Based NCAAB Team Performance Props
  • Over/Under Total Points
  • Number of Blocks
  • Number of Three-Pointers

College basketball gambling is all the more immersive when you can cherry-pick the betting lines you want to take. This is where prop bets come in. They are one of the preferred ways of placing wagers on the NCAAB because they allow for much more interesting structures and the making of challenging predictions.

But what precisely are proposition bets? The gist of those predictions is that the user is trying to forecast what a certain statistic will look like. For example, what the number of points scored will look like for a specific player, or the rebounds, assists, or some other important statistic that is measured in basketball.

Luck-Based NCAAB Player Performance Props
  • Rebounds + Assists
  • Points + Rebounds
  • Points + Assists
Luck-Based NCAAB Team Performance Props
  • Points + Assists + Rebounds
  • Blocks + Steals
  • Three Points + Assists

Not every college basketball sportsbook has the capacity or the expertise to fit you out with player performance prop bets, but there are those that do. We hope what we've listed above builds a convincing case that NCAA basketball betting is more diverse and feels fresher with this type of wagers on offer.

Let's briefly discuss the luck-based types of prop wagers you will see on an NCAA basketball betting site. You might be asked for a forecast in respect of either a single player's performance or how the team will perform as a whole. If you can imagine how this type of prediction works for a particular player, just imagine it in the context of the whole team. Here is our top recommended NCAA sportsbook that offers prop bets for US players:

Up to $100 Bonus Bet
$0.10 FREE100 AZ PA
Bet Now! Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.

Prop wagers are not only viable as an NCAA basketball bet, but they are also viable for other mainstream sports. In fact, every sport of public interest for which statistics are gathered is good training grounds for the player with a liking for prop bets. One of the freedoms this style of gambling gives you is to make single-match parlays.

That means, instead of combining several matches, you can speculate on just one and still make multiple predictions about it, and if all hold true, you may win a considerable amount at the end. Here's an example you can implement in your game – a number of rebounds and assists of a certain player plus the number of three-pointers the same player will score.

NCAAB Futures

"Futures" is just another way of saying "outrights." In other words – this is a prediction you make on a future event, usually the winner in a tournament or another, even with multiple rounds. The key to making the most out of futures is betting early but not neglecting the amount of research that the endeavor necessitates.

If you have enough intel and the capability to place your wager before the initial odds are corrected, you will be well on your way to reaping optimal benefits. In case you want ot bet on college basketball, speculating about the future championship winner, place an outright wager.

Best College Basketball Sportsbook Bonus Offers

Even the best college basketball bets can be sweetened with the proper bonus or promotional boost. This is a species that is unique to every college basketball betting site, but even so, we can put into distinguishable groups the types of bonuses you can find on the internet.

For clarity's sake, we can also give you a heads-up on what you should be paying attention to as the recipient of a betting bonus. Those are the bonus code if one is required, the minimum deposit that qualifies you for the offer, and finally – what you will receive.

Up to $1000 On First Deposit Not Needed $5 Claim Bonus! Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
Up to $1000 First Bet on Caesars IGAMING1000 $20 Claim Bonus! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
Up to $1500 Back In Bonus Bets Not Needed $10 Claim Bonus! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.

Even if you stick to college basketball's best bets, the system will still have an edge on you. So, why not use the tools at your disposal to negate that edge, albeit not fully? Since we quoted welcome offers, we feel duty-bound to tell you that those are deposit-only. They are also tied to a bonus code, which means that the bonus is released only if you enter the correct code. The latter is nothing secret, so don’t worry about that. Instead, remember to keep an eye on the top betting promotions for the most up to date opportunities.

Top NCAAB Betting Apps for US Players

There's a lot of word-to-mouth involved when a player decides which mobile app to install on their smart device, and there's nothing wrong with that, but our methodology flies directly in the face of that approach. How we picked these top-performing apps is we analyzed what there's to analyze about them; funnily enough, customer satisfaction is one of these factors. The end result is the table you see below. Don't take it as a coincidence that all three operators have equally viable mobile applications for Android and iOS.

NCAAB Betting Apps NCAAB Betting Bonus Compatibility Eligible States Secure Link
DraftKings - 4.8/5.0 Up to $1000 On First Deposit Android  and iOS PLAY NOW! Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.

Not that it's absolutely necessary, but you will be in way better shape if you gamble on sports on mobile. While it's true that the best college basketball betting sites also act as web-based apps, it's also true there's a lot to gain from an installable sportsbook app such as the ones detailed above. If you have a minute, you can follow a safe link placed above and, from there, go to the App Store, which will have a direct download link.

Available Payment Methods – Deposits and Withdrawals

An important factor to consider is the fast payments options. We can say that 'fast payments' applies across the table. Now, we just have to name the available banking methods at the best college basketball betting sites. That information is below.

Out of the abovementioned, only some of the payment services are a workable withdrawal solution. Paysafecard only works one way – for topping up your gambling account, while checks are always a payout method. PayPal, Skrill, and Play+ are more versatile than this. You can move your money around with considerable freedom; that's why the bettors love them.

Top NCAAB Gambling Sites with Fast Payout Times

Safe payouts go hand in hand with wagering at the best college basketball betting sites, almost by definition. These sportsbooks take on the responsibility of sending your money to an account of your choice without adding fees. What needs to be remembered is that the payout time is directly related to the payment service provider you opt for. Here are the top NCAAB gambling sites in the United States with the fastest payout times:

NCAAB Gambling Site Min. Deposit Payout Times Recommended Payment Method All Deposit Options Secure Link
BetMGM $10 1-5 Days 11 BET NOW!
Caesars $20 2-7 Days
9 BET NOW!

When you want to take part in one of the promotional offers at an operator, you need to remember that you have to keep your end of the bargain too. That might slow you down on your way of withdrawing the bonus money you've been given. Just keep that in mind when you request a withdrawal from the best NCAAB betting sites. Another tip that can help you get your money faster is that e-Wallets have the reputation of providing the quickest payouts.

Is Online NCAAB Betting Legal in the United States?

In-person and online betting on college sports in the United States became legal in 2019. However, lawmakers in some states are still on the fence about making it legal to bet on local college sports competitions. It sometimes is the case that you can't wager on college sports meets that take place in the state you are located. But that's not much of a problem.

Every time you land on the homepage of a sportsbook providing college basketball betting markets, you are asked what your state of residence is. With that, the sportsbook knows exactly what markets they are permitted by law to bring to your attention and which ones must be avoided. You just specify your whereabouts at the moment, and the system will take care of the rest.

Two basketballers, NCAA basketball text,  judges gavel, and Scales of Justice

Don't worry if the best legal NCAAB sportsbooks in the US aren't your thing. Sports betting in the United States is growing into a full-blown industry that goes way beyond laying odds on just one sport or league. It's logical for someone with a passion for sports to first take a look at the odds prices for football, tennis, some UFC fight, or why not even motor sports?

Should you decide to cast your net wide, you can even look around the online casino of one of the sportsbooks recommended here. Yes, if online casino gambling is legal in your state, then it's highly likely that one of these operators will have launched such a service there.

Online US NCAAB Betting Guide

Online NCAAB Betting Guide for US Players

Betting on the NCAAB comes down to picking odds you are content with and placing a sum of money to back your prediction. By definition, you have to stake real money for your bet to count – there's no practice mode. This calls for raised attention when you are at the point of confirming the wager. It's also beneficial to know how the best practices and strategies for wagering on college basketball.

Before we go, we will make known a few more things about the best college basketball betting sites just to make sure that you are fully equipped with the know-how to give the sportsbooks a run for their money. We will talk about the types of NCAAB bets, the biggest and most successful teams, and a few other things.

How to Bet on NCAAB for Real Money Online in the United States?

  1. Choose an NCAAB betting site Select one of the college basketball betting sites with a license.
  2. Open an account Fill in the registration form and create your account.
  3. Make a deposit Deposit with one of the approved banking methods.
  4. Consider the bonus offer Decide if you are going to take the bonus offer.
  5. Decide what game you want to bet on Pick the NCAAB game or other sport you feel like betting on.
  6. Choose the type of bet Decide on the type of bet you are going to place.
  7. Place your bet Confirm the wager officially with a press of the corresponding button.
  8. Wait for the results Check the betting slip in the My Bets section and follow the results.
  9. Collect your winnings Any winnings will be credited automatically to your balance.

The Most Popular NCAAB Bets for US Players

When it comes to college basketball markets, those familiar with betting on basketball games in general should be aware of the types of bets available. Which is the right bet to make is really a matter of perspective. Bettors will need to know a thing or two about how the different wagers work for your decision to hold water. Otherwise, you will find yourself facing a tall order. We are happy to throw light on the best bets to place on the NCAAB.

  • Money Line

    The money line is the simplest form of sports gambling. Simply put, you are trying to predict the winner from the match.

  • Point Spread

    This bet ensures that both sides are treated even-handedly. By selecting a side, you bet that it will succeed to cover the spread.

  • Totals

    Totals, or Over/Under bets are another calculated margin proposition. You are speculating if the points scored will be more or less than a given value.

  • Props

    "Props" stand for "proposition", so it really depends what the proposition. Most of the time, the sportsbooks lay odds on statistical bets like how many points, rebounds, or three-pointers will be made by a player or collectively by a team.

  • Live Betting

    If you put your money on a particular proposition in real time, before the match is settled, we say that you are betting live.

  • Parlays

    Whenever a bettor makes a wager with multiple "legs", it's called a "parlay". The legs are other valid predictions priced by the same sportsbook with odds.

  • Futures

    Futures or "outrights" are betting lines on the winner from a tournament, league, or another outcome that's set to take place in the distant future.

We can't say if all those options will necessarily be on the website you end up registering, but the chances of that are pretty good. Every online college basketball betting site lays odds on a range of propositions and not just who wins and who loses. Otherwise, some operators might get real bored fast.

The only question that needs answering is what to put your money on? As cliché as it may sound, it depends on your skillset and previous experience. Or, if you have a strong hunch for a particular option, just go for it, but not with a big stake.

The Most Popular NCAAB Teams to Bet on

NCAA Division I is the highest level of college basketball in the United States. And so, the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament has cemented itself as the nation's favorite college basketball event. There are 32 conferences in Division I, the number of teams in which vary.

For example, in 2023, America East consists of Albany Great Danes, Binghamton Bearcats, Bryant Bulldogs, Maine Black Bears, New Hampshire Wildcats, NJIT Highlanders, UMass Lowell River Hawks, UMBC Retrievers, and Vermont Catamounts. Here are some more teams to watch out for:

  • Kansas Jayhawks
  • Boston College Eagles
  • Clemson Tigers
  • Duke Blue Devils
  • Florid State Seminoles
  • Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
  • Louisville Cardinals
  • Miami Hurricanes
  • NC State Wolfpack

The selection process for teams to compete is very uncompromising. Only the states with well-developed intercollegiate basketball programs can hope to see their team make it to the top. Such is the case with Kansas Jayhawks, who won 2022's edition of March Madness and with that, put their fourth national championship on the shelf. Those who use one or more of the best NBA betting sites will mostly be familiar with the college basketball teams.

The Most Famous College Basketball Events to Bet On

If you know anything about NCAA basketball, then you must've heard about March Madness – the biggest event held each spring. 68 teams from Division I battle it out in this single-elimination tournament for the big prize. Most platforms allow users to bet on the NCAA Tournament without restrictions. The first four rounds are also known as the "first four." This is when eight teams compete for the last four spots in the March Madness.

After the field has been narrowed down to 64, then the real competition starts. Since this is direct elimination, after the first round there are only 32 teams remaining. These are the college basketball tournaments you don't want to miss out on:

  • The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
  • Men's Final Four
  • Women's Final Four

It's a matter of pride for most handicappers to make the right calls during March Madness, but you shouldn't underestimate what the sportsbooks have to offer in this endeavor. Their odds-scraping techniques can be very revealing to the operators with an eye for detail.

All operators will claim to give you the best odds on the big NCAA basketball fixtures, but the only way you can know this for sure is to do the legwork of making a side-to-side comparison. If, during the main event, you can catch a promotional period, take advantage of it.

NCAAB Games – Seasons, Bets, Odds

With a qualifying event such as the one before the start of March Madness, a college basketball team can play up to 31 games a season. There is a manual cap on the number of Division I matches, limiting those to 27. On top of that, there's the 20-hour rule limiting the participation of student-athletes in athletic activities. After all, they have to think about their grades and future, along with being basketball superstars.

Online vs. Land-Based NCAAB Sportsbooks

If you are still unsure whether to go online and wager there or to do so in person at the nearest authorized venue, we will give you the main characteristics of each of the two styles of gambling. There are many things to consider, including some upsides and downsides that are not so easy to get around.

That said, both online and land-based sportsbooks serve the exact same purpose. It's just a matter of preference and lifestyle most of the time. We have listed the main pros and cons for both online and land-based sportsbooks in the table below:

Online NCAAB Betting
  • Accessible betting markets
  • Bet on mobile
  • Daily and weekly promotions
  • Convenient live betting platform
  • Fast internet connection needed
  • Registration and ID verification needed
  • Device needed
Land-Based NCAAB Betting
  • Friendly environment
  • Easy access to live broadcasts
  • Beverages and food
  • You can hang out with friends
  • You may need a picture ID
  • You may need to wait
  • Live betting is difficult

Problem Gambling Help

Problem gambling is dealt with on an individual state level and collectively on a national level because the issue is not to be neglected. You ought to be careful when you bet real money. Don't risk too much too quickly because this is how you can give a start to a vicious circle in which you chase your losses, and never again think about responsible betting.

Your best bet is to adopt responsibility towards yourself and the people around you and bet in moderation. Never bet money that’s not yours or money that would qualify as a "devastating loss" if you lost. Arizona-based handicappers can call 1-800-NEXT-STEP, and everyone else can seek out help from the National Council on Problem Gambling, whose number is almost the same - 1-800-522-4700.

FAQ

After the bulk of this guide to college basketball betting has concluded, one thing left to do is to give a few more specific answers. If you still fail to grasp something about the NCAAB or the structure of the online sportsbooks laying odds on the matches from this association, take a look below.

Which is the best NCAAB sportsbook online?

There are a couple of top sites to bet on college basketball for each American state. Altogether, there are a good six or seven operators whose odds and promotions are deemed fair for US handicappers. A sportsbook review of college basketball lines will help tremendously.

Is online NCAAB betting legal in the US?

Doubting is the right thing to do. You must know all American states where betting on NCAAB is legal to be absolutely sure that you are in safe hands where you gamble from. Sports betting is fast becoming a nationwide phenomenon, so NCAAB odds will be even easier to find in the future.

How does NCAAB betting work?

There's no trick to betting on the NCAAB from the US. Everyone can do it as long as there are no legal obstacles before them. First, you need to visit the website of a legitimate sportsbook. Fill in the registration form, verify your account, deposit some money, choose the NCAAB market and choose what you want to bet on.

Can you bet on NCAAB games online from the US?

Sure, you can, but at the moment of doing that, you have to be in a state where this is not against the law. Provided this is so, you should try placing a wager on one of the available NCAAB bet types. More so in the month of March when March Madness begins.

What are the best NCAAB betting apps?

Mobile users are at the driver's seat of sports gambling innovation. Their numbers and habits dictate what's new at the NCAAB betting sites. It's only natural that there will be a ton of NCAAB betting apps for US gamblers for you to choose from. The best ones allow you to stream live and get reimbursement.

Do all online NCAAB sportsbooks in the USA offer live betting?

Most good sports gambling sites in the US would offer NCAAB live betting odds. The opposite would be a cardinal mistake; maybe that's why we don't see it as often. The question do all sportsbooks have made that step is hard to give an absolute answer to, though.

What is the minimum age to bet on NCAAB online in the US?

Pursuant to the responsible gambling rules for NCAAB betting sites, all bettors must be above the age of 21 years. That makes the minimum NCAAB betting age 21 years, as is the case with other forms of sports gambling.

How to make money betting on NCAAB?

No guide on NCAAB betting can tell you for sure what pattern is going to win you money because having such prescience is near impossible in the domain of competitive sports. You should rather rely on your own observations and steady hand and remember that luck will always be part of sports.

What are the best NCAAB betting cash bonuses for US players?

While there aren't specific NCAAB gambling bonuses, all legal online sportsbooks make an extra effort to bring tailored promotions when a major college basketball event is underway. You can expect anything from reload bonuses to bonus bets knocking on your notifications inbox.

Do all NCAAB gambling sites accept PayPal?

Not that this is a hard-and-fast rule, but most US betting sites do have PayPal on the list of accepted payment methods. This is a great occasion to use this payment channel to deposit and withdraw quickly and securely.

Conclusion – Start Betting on College Basketball from Your State

The prospect of betting on NCAAB matches at sportsbook qualified for the job looks ever-so enticing. There are operators out there ready to cut you a great deal for your first deposit and to keep dishing out great promotions when you become a loyal user. That being said, there's no guarantee that you will be able to come out as a winner from this venture.

Born in New Orleans, Lisa Spencer is a professional gambler and editor for Betting.us with a Master's in Applied Mathematics. Known for her strategic gambling approaches, she is an expert in game theory and statistical modelling. Lisa also enjoys surfing, running, and writing reviews on betting sites in her spare time.

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor at Betting.us More about Lisa

If you go back to the top of the page, you will see there is a listing of college basketball betting sites operated by companies with great attention to detail. If you'd rather put your sports gambling future in the hands of someone who cares, then one of these operators should be the right choice for you.