Best US Betting Sites in 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.