The online sports betting industry is starting to mature at a rapid pace. From the increase of quality information sources, to live dealer games and skill-based betting markets, there are more options than ever for US bettors.
Just like with any other industry, the best companies will thrive while those that are inferior fall by the wayside.
There are literally thousands of online sportsbooks out there, but the vast majority of them aren’t worth your time. What makes a book worthy of being labeled as “the best” isn’t just their history or reputation, but their live betting offerings and more importantly overall value to punters.
To help you differentiate the good from the bad, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best US online sportsbooks.
How to choose the right sportsbook?
When deciding which online bookmaker to sign up with, there are a few things you should consider.
Bonuses
Online sportsbooks provide new customers with an incentive to signup by offering them a deposit bonus. These bonuses can be as high as 100%, meaning that a $200 deposit may allow you to play with $400. This is the most popular bonus offer and the most lucrative for players.
When looking at bonuses, everyone likes getting something extra for free, however, there are a few things to consider before you jump on board: – The wagering requirements for each deposit range from 10x-50x. Deposit types can also vary, e.g., rollover, turnover or deposit + bonus. The more playthrough requirements and less flexible bonuses (e.g., rollover) are the best options for sports bettors because they allow you to withdraw your entire balance at any time without having to make a withdrawal request or hit specific wagering requirements. –
Sports Selection
This is an area where many online books fall short.
Many of the best books will only offer lines on a few major sporting events like the NFL, NBA, and maybe a couple of others. While these sites are more than adequate to find winners with, you’ll have much better odds if there’s more variety. Some small sportsbooks do this well. They keep their lines near market price but offer obscure sports that aren’t covered by the bigger books, or are only available at a hefty -300/+400 markup (e.g., live thoroughbred horse racing).
Security
One of the biggest issues online gamblers face is trust. It doesn’t matter how big or reputable a site may be, there are always going to be bad apples that manage to slip in. With this in mind, you should never sign up with a bookmaker without doing your homework first and checking out reviews before depositing any funds. Having direct access to your online betting account’s balance and funds is also critical. For these reasons, it’s best to steer clear of sportsbooks that don’t have a third party certificate from one of the standard organizations:
- SSL Encryption (e.g., GeoTrust, Verisign)
- eCogra Safe & Fair Seal
- iTech Labs Accreditation
When it comes to security, you should never skimp when protecting your personal and financial information.
What are the advantages of betting on sports?
You have a chance to win some money, and if you are going to bet for fun – it is still better than spending your time with useless activities. And who said that you cannot earn some extra income by betting on sports? A lot of people work as professional tipsters and make money online just by giving their best predictions about upcoming sports events. The trick is to have a good strategy.
The best online sportsbooks offer such a possibility. You can start with small amounts of money, and if you are good at it – keep betting. Until you make a fortune!
How can I get a bonus when I sign up for an account with a new bookmaker?
A lot of sportsbooks are usually ready to give a bonus for new accounts. But there are also some conditions that you need to meet in order to get this extra money. It is easy, though. First, you become a client of the bookmaker, and then – collect your bonuses!
What is the best way to make a deposit?
It depends on what you want. Some sportsbooks require minimum deposits to get the bonus. If so, you should be ready for that and first deposit an amount that will let you have the required sum after getting a bonus. Some online bookmakers pay interest for your deposited money – but not all of them. It is not a very common practice, but if you know where to look for – you can earn some additional income by just keeping your money with the bookmaker.