Where is sports betting legal?

Sports betting legislation is different in almost all countries. In the United States sports betting is legal, but the laws are determined by each individual state. See the states which have legalized sports betting on this page.

Where to bet online for sports?

This depends on where you live. Some states offer legal sports betting, and these have a range of land-based and online sportsbooks for you to choose from. If you're located in a state without legal sports betting, there are easier options than driving to the nearest state that does! For example, you can always jump online and play at an offshore betting site.

Can I get free bets with these recommended sportsbooks?

Yes, you certainly can. Every sports betting site we recommend has a top welcome bonus on offer to new players, and this often comes in the form of a free bet. These welcome bonuses all have fair terms and conditions attached to them, including low wagering requirements.

Is it safe to place sports bets online?

When you play at a site we recommend, you should always be completely safe. This is because we only ever highlight sites that are licensed and regulated by a reputable authority. What's more, all these sites use SSL encryption to protect your personal details and banking information.

Online Sports Betting Guide [2021] - How to Bet on Sports Online

Online Sports Betting Guides

Sports betting sites all cover the most popular sports, offering a range of markets on the biggest events, tournaments and leagues. To see the most popular sports in the US, as well as some of the calendar highlights from each, check out our sports betting guides below:

Football

Football is not just the most popular sport in the US, but also the most bet on. The NFL is one of the biggest sports franchises in the world and attracts audiences from around the world. Its regular season culminates in January and February with the NFL Playoffs and the iconic Super Bowl. Sportsbooks offer a huge range of markets on every NFL game, from prop bets for beginners to the popular over/under touchdowns market.

Baseball

Every spring brings a new season of Major League Baseball (MLB) and bettors can wager on all 162 games. As such a stats-laden sport, Baseball lends itself well to a great betting experience, especially to those who bet in-play. Our baseball guides will help you understand baseball odds, get up to speed on the best MLB betting strategies and answer questions around baseball betting.

Basketball

Basketball is the second most popular betting choice in the US after the NFL. NBA betting provides hundreds of options for fans throughout the regular season, with wider audiences tuning into the playoffs and NBA Finals. The NCAA is the national competition for college basketball and features March Madness, a month long knockout tournament of 67 games to decide who are national champions.

eSports

From League of Legends and CS:GO to COD and FIFA, eSports is big business (expected to hit $12.9 billion this year) and it's only just getting started. It's seen by many as the new frontier of online betting, with just as many bets available as in traditional sports. Live streaming is one of the key functions of eSports betting, as aside from the likes of Twitch and YouTube, sports betting sites are the best place to watch the action.

Soccer

With the MLS consistently growing in popularity, soccer is emerging as one of the major sports in the US. Overseas, top leagues like the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League also dominate the betting markets. Although it takes the World Cup for the whole world to take notice; every four years this tournament welcomes 32 nations to battle for global glory and the US National Team will be looking to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Golf

While the all four majors take place within the space of four months, there are events on the PGA Tour and European Tour to bet on all year round. The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open are three of the four major championships and all take place in the US, while The Open is hosted in the UK. Bettors can wager on everything from outright winners and scoring records to whether someone will get a hole in one.

Ice Hockey

With plenty of fast-paced action, the NHL is always popular with gamblers, especially in the US and Canada. The Stanley Cup is the culmination of the season, and represents the perfect opportunity to place a few bets. Betting markets for ice hockey are extremely vast and cater for both beginner and advanced bettors.

Horse Racing

There's no sport more synonymous with betting than horse racing. There are races every day from the US, UK, Dubai, Australia and more. The US is home to the annual Kentucky Derby which encapsulates an entire state, while the other highlight of the horse racing calendar is the Grand National. These two events alone attract millions of bettors around the world, and both beginners and experienced bettors can get involved with the action.

Tennis

From Grand Slams like Wimbledon and the US Open through to the Miami Open and the ATP World Tour Finals, tennis offers amazing variety to bettors. Then consider the different surfaces like grass, synthetic, grass, carpet and clay, seen at tennis tournaments like the French Open, it becomes extremely interesting to predict the outcome.

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Is Online Sports Betting Legal?

After the Supreme Court legalized sports betting in May 2018, it has been down to each state to implement its own legislation. After the most recent US Election in November 2020, there are now 23 states with legal sports betting. However, there are some differences within these states which can be confusing. To make it really simple to understand where sports betting is legal, and in what capacity, we've put together the below table:

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice and we recommend seeking independent advice for more information about betting in the United States. Laws are constantly changing and while we strive to keep up with the regulations, the information may become outdated.

Sports Betting Odds

Understanding sports betting odds isn't easy, especially for beginners. With different formats for different regions, it can be daunting trying to read a European sportsbook as an American, and vice versa. Likewise, it can be equally as confusing trying to work out just how much you stand to win if your wager comes in from long odds.

Whether you're a complete sports betting novice or not, it's important to know the difference between American, fractional and decimal odds. Luckily, we have two recognised and respected guides which will bring you up to speed in no time. Check out our sports betting guide and odds calculator below.

Sports Betting Tips

1

Start Small

As a beginner, we recommend starting with some small bets to get used to everything. This low-risk strategy will set up you nicely for any larger wagers in the future.
2

Use Your Bonuses

Top sportsbooks can offer incredibly generous welcome bonuses. Use these after registration to maintain your bankroll for longer.
3

Head Over Heart

While it may be tempting to back your favorite team, always make sure the decision to do so is based on data and form.
4

Research Your Picks

Talking of data and form, make sure you research the teams, players and event you're betting on. Spotting patterns or trends may lead to some great value bets.
5

Bet Responsibly

Last but not least, bet responsibly. Never bet what you can't afford and stop when the fun stops.

Sports Betting News

FAQs

How to bet on sports?: Betting on sports is really simple. To start, register at your selected sportsbook and claim your welcome bonus. From there navigate to the sport and event you'd like to bet on, select your market and stake and place your bet. If your bet comes in you'll be able to withdraw your winnings.
Where is sports betting legal?: Sports betting legislation is different in almost all countries. In the United States sports betting is legal, but the laws are determined by each individual state. See the states which have legalized sports betting on this page.
Where to bet online for sports?: This depends on where you live. Some states offer legal sports betting, and these have a range of land-based and online sportsbooks for you to choose from. If you're located in a state without legal sports betting, there are easier options than driving to the nearest state that does! For example, you can always jump online and play at an offshore betting site.
Can I get free bets with these recommended sportsbooks?: Yes, you certainly can. Every sports betting site we recommend has a top welcome bonus on offer to new players, and this often comes in the form of a free bet. These welcome bonuses all have fair terms and conditions attached to them, including low wagering requirements.
Is it safe to place sports bets online?: When you play at a site we recommend, you should always be completely safe. This is because we only ever highlight sites that are licensed and regulated by a reputable authority. What's more, all these sites use SSL encryption to protect your personal details and banking information.

Online Sports Betting Guide US