Best NBA Online Betting Sites in the US

Legal NBA Online Betting Sites

Sports betting has become a credible and popular online gambling product every sports fan wants to participate in. In particular, betting on basketball is as good as it gets for enthusiasts, amateurs, or professionals. Additionally, bettors now enjoy lots of value for an 82-game season, paying close attention to the flows and ebbs of every action every night. 

Basketball is a superstar-driven league filled with huge names and lots of dramas. So you can imagine the thrilling effect it has when fans watch LeBron James up against Zion Williamson, quality action moments on TV. Furthermore, staking on the Lakers against the Pelicans or vice-versa adds more excitement to the whole drama. 

Practically, the NBA is huge. You would find discussions surrounding NBA best Bets on Twitter or Reddit before a game commences. Fans showing support for their preferred team/player and more. Don't forget that we are talking about the best basketball players in the world. The action can also be followed from sports betting apps on your mobile, and there is no trouble finding highlights of the game. 

This review will shed light on the states where basketball betting is legal, the sportsbooks currently licensed in the United States to accept basketball bets, and how we reviewed each bookmaker. Furthermore, this review will provide quality information to help you make a legal slam dunk when wagering on basketball. Let's begin. 

The Legal Situation of Online Basketball Betting in the US

In 2018, the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which gave states the power and right to regulate and legalize sports betting within their lines. In essence, the legality of online basketball betting depends on what state lines you are in. The NBA has betting partnerships with popular sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and many more, and is in support of legalized and regulated betting. 

It is legal to bet on NBA games if you find yourself in the following states; Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Delaware, Colorado, New Jersey, North Caroline, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, Delaware, Montana, Mississippi, Oregon, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Michigan, Nevada. Most of these states offer just retail betting services. We expect online betting to be added soon. 

Interestingly, while some states have entirely gone legal for basketball, others are currently in a "wait-and-see" situation, monitoring the progress of these states that have basketball wagering legal. Here is a review of a few states that have fully legalized online basketball betting.

Nevada

Sportsbooks in Nevada now accept online basketball bets legally. As is in the legislation, sportsbooks are registered with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the government body for regulating and enforcing gambling laws. 

Nevada is the second-most lucrative online sports betting state. You can wager on both professional and college basketball events in the state. Nevada launched online Basketball betting in 2010, and only bettors from the age of 21 can legally bet on basketball games/events and other sports events in the state. 

Colorado

In Colorado, sports betting was legalized in May 2020. The legal sports betting age is tagged at 21 years and above. As online sports wagering is still budding in Colorado, residents and millions of visitors can now select basketball as a sport to wager on. 

The bill's passage legalizing online basketball betting has increased the state's economy. As of July 2020, the basketball betting market was worth $3,334,819.96 and is projected to increase in the future. Basketball is no stranger in Colorado, with the state being home to the professional side, Denver Nuggets. The team has a large following in Colorado, little surprise that the state is recording a high revenue in basketball wagering. 

Four sportsbooks launched successfully in May 2020, and the number has only increased since then. Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission regulates sports betting and grants licenses to eligible sportsbooks. 

Illinois 

Basketball is no stranger to residents in Illinois. It is the home state of NBA superstar Michael Jordan. Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and is one of the most marketable teams in basketball. So, we can say it had been a long time coming before online basketball wagering was legalized in the state of Illinois. 

Basketball betting became legal in June 2019. Gov. Pritzker signed SB 690, legalizing sports betting within the state lines. However, players have to be at least 21 years old. The Illinois Gaming Board is the government agency responsible for issuing operational licenses to sportsbooks in the state. 

Indiana

Online betting in Indiana is now live. The bill to legalize it was brought to the legislature in 2018 and was later signed in May 2019. Sports betting went live a couple of months after that. The Gaming Control Division is part of the Indiana Gaming Commission responsible for regulating online gambling. In Indiana, you can place bets on mobile devices, and it is the most popular means of placing wagers in the state. 

The Indiana Pacers represent Indiana in the NBA finals, a significant reason for the high revenue in online basketball wagering. But, aside from the Pacers, the state also has many talented college basketball teams. For instance, the Indiana Hoosiers have won NCAA National Championships five times in a row.

Michigan

Michigan legalized online betting on basketball after the state governor, Gretchen Whitmer, signed the Lawful Sports Betting Act in December 2019. However, due to several hitches, betting on basketball online became active from January 2021. 

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is in charge of regulating online sports betting. They also receive and review applications for sportsbooks interested in receiving online basketball betting from the residents. 

According to the state legislation, licensed sportsbooks will remit 4.8% of all gross revenue to the government in taxes. Residents can place bets on the NBA as well as college basketball leagues. The state's law also has a preferred age for bettors, 21 years old or more.  

Basketball is popular in Michigan because of the Detroit Pistons, who represent them in the NBA. They have three NBA Championships, with the most recent one in 2004. The Michigan State and Wolverines University teams are favored and compete actively in the NCAA Big 10 Conference tournament for college basketball. 

West Virginia

If you reside in West Virginia, you can now place online wagers for basketball games/events after the state became fifth in line to regulate online sports betting. The state fully legalized sports betting in August 2018 and accepted the first bet on August 30. Online basketball wagering was launched in August 2019, with the legal age for betting being 21.

Although West Virginia does not have a representative in the NBA, the state has a record of local leagues combined to make basketball a popular sport. In addition, the West Virginia Lottery Commission gives licenses to eligible sportsbooks and regulates all online sports betting activities in the state.

Sports betting has become a credible and popular online gambling product every sports fan wants to participate in. In particular, betting on basketball is as good as it gets for enthusiasts, amateurs, or professionals. Additionally, bettors now enjoy lots of value for an 82-game season, paying close attention to the flows and ebbs of every action every night. 

Basketball is a superstar-driven league filled with huge names and lots of dramas. So you can imagine the thrilling effect it has when fans watch LeBron James up against Zion Williamson, quality action moments on TV. Furthermore, staking on the Lakers against the Pelicans or vice-versa adds more excitement to the whole drama. 

Practically, the NBA is huge. You would find discussions surrounding NBA best Bets on Twitter or Reddit before a game commences. Fans showing support for their preferred team/player and more. Don't forget that we are talking about the best basketball players in the world. The action can also be followed from your mobile devices, and there is no trouble finding highlights of the game. 

This review will shed light on the states where basketball betting is legal, the sportsbooks currently licensed in the United States to accept basketball bets, and how we reviewed each bookmaker. Furthermore, this review will provide quality information to help you make a legal slam dunk when wagering on basketball. Let's begin. 

Top Online NBA Betting Sites - Rated & Reviewed

Here are some of the top sportsbooks recommended for placing basketball bets in the US.

DraftKings - 9.3/10

Although DraftKings started as a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) provider in the US, the bookmaker is now a full-fledged sportsbook available in a majority of US states, as well as internationally. Their mobile platform is also as effective as the desktop version for pre-game and in-play sports betting action. 

DraftKings has a large betting market for basketball lovers to take advantage of. The different bet types such as points spread betting, points total, moneylines, and more on the platform are noteworthy. The betting operator is also safe and secure with excellent payment gateways. Another thing we noticed about them is a dedicated section for beginner bettors to get the hang of online betting.

Stay connected with numerous bonuses and promotion programs to kickstart and motivate users. Essentially, their signup bonuses are among the best in the sports betting space and have different forms, including risk-free bets, deposit match bonuses, and more. Their existing customers are also not left out as they offer different types of promotions regularly, including boosted odds.

FanDuel - 9.2/10

Like DraftKings, FanDuel started as a Daily Fantasy Sports provider but has progressed to a premium destination for sports fans to place bets on several sports, including basketball. The sportsbook operator is live in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Tennessee, and many more states. 

FanDuel is a trustworthy and reliable betting site to place bets on basketball. A leading sportsbook in the US betting market. New users are welcomed with an exciting bonus offer. Regular players get promotional offers to boost their game style. There are other amazing offers like risk-free bets to take note of on this brand. The mobile application runs smoothly, and its navigation is top-notch and well detailed. We will always recommend this platform to bettors who enjoy good odds placing bets on basketball with a fast and reliable payout. 

FanDuel's customer support is excellent. Conclusion: There are concise FAQs available to aid users in getting to know their way around. However, communication channels such as an email or live chat are also available to reach out when you have any complaints. FanDuel has a variety of payment channels to get you started. In addition, features such as live bets, live basketball streaming, cash-out, and more are among the best things that would make you click the "sign up" button on FanDuel.

Betway - 9.1/10

Betway is one of the top sports betting platforms legally authorized in many states in the US. As well as other essential sports games, this UK-based bookmaker also covers basketball. Talk about an exclusive welcome bonus offer, easy-to-use interface, a large selection of betting markets, and a mobile app; Betway ticks all the boxes, a superb platform for quality online betting action.

Their mobile app is popular among their customers, mainly because of the ease of navigating through the site, the different categories for the sports, and the different features available. For example, if you're interested in getting different options for betting on the basketball game, Betway offers different options for you to choose from. Also, beyond basketball, other premium sports can be wagered on. 

Betway focuses on providing an incredible online sports betting experience for its users. Among the many features available on the betting site, you can use the live betting option to set wagers on basketball games already in play. In addition, the signup process at Betway is simple, and you can get an account on the platform in less than 5 minutes. 

888sport - 9/10

888sport was launched in 2008 but has grown to become one of the most sought-after bookmakers for online basketball bets in the US. They are famous for their insanely good bonuses and incredible bet lines.

Currently, 888sport is present in many states and regulated according to each state's laws. One of the peculiar things we love about this bookmaker is the reliable odds and the experience of catering for global customers they bring to the US betting population. 

888sport is a reliable betting platform to place bets on. In addition, they are very generous with bonuses for new and existing users. These incredible offers include risk-free bets, free bets, money-back offers for new players, and regular rewards and promotions to appreciate their loyal customers. 

Their sports bet market is quite large and diverse as a truly international brand. Prominent among them is Basketball. You can place bets on the NBA, NCAAB, and international competitions and tournaments from 888sports. Furthermore, they have quite a lot of features to give a rewarding betting experience to their customers. In-play betting, cash-out features, and more are exciting features to give you a great experience. 

Unibet - 9/10

Unibet is an international bookmaker that has been in operation for over 20 years and has an active presence in over 100 countries worldwide. In 2019, the sportsbook launched its operations in the United States. Their desktop and mobile betting platforms are among the most professional sites we have come across.

When it comes to bonuses, Unibet is a generous giver that takes the welfare of its players seriously. New and existing users are not left out of the great offers. New players enjoy good signup bonuses like the risk-free bet and matched deposit offers. Existing customers are regularly offered boosted odds, parlay boosters, refer-a-friend promos, and other exciting promotion programs. 

The betting site is user-friendly and has different features to give you an exciting betting experience. Their platform is fast and smooth, with different sections to help you navigate through. Among the top-rated sports event markets available, basketball is in the popular sections. Thanks to their live streaming services, in-play betting, and cash-out options, you can comfortably place bets on live basketball matches and follow the progress of your bet live on the mobile app.

BetRivers - 9/10

BetRivers first became active and started receiving online wagers in Pennsylvania. Soon, they expanded their operations into other states where sports betting was legalized. Residents and visitors in such states could place bets on their premium sport, basketball. If you're looking for a sportsbook with great loyalty and rewards program generous offers, then BetRivers is a choice to consider. 

BetRiver is the perfect sportsbook to catch all the NBA action. Essentially, you don't want to miss any minute. Users can get tier credits and more points when using their Rush Rewards card. One of the best things about BetRivers is their mobile app that is the same in all the states where they are active. Beyond wagering on basketball, other premium and minor sports can also be explored.

Furthermore, BetRiver has an interactive platform. It is easy to navigate. It also provides live streaming on a few premium sports, including basketball. Signing up takes a few minutes. Once completed, you can fund your account and place your first bet. Payment gateways are top-rated financial services providers in the US. We guarantee a safe and secure money transaction.

How We Choose the Best NBA Betting Sites

There are lots of sites in the US accepting basketball wagers. So, how do we come up with the best options? Ideally, we have a methodology that we apply to avoid being biased. This keeps us focused on certain factors and is also used to screen these NBA betting sites.  

Each sportsbook is run through the same litmus test and given the same treatment by our team of experts. Here are the factors we consider when selecting top NBA betting sites. 

Licensed Sportsbooks

This factor is perhaps the most important in our methodology tool kit. Unlicensed sportsbooks are unregulated. Consequently, we inquire from users who have tried such sites, and the reports are also not worth the time, effort, and money. Once a known regulatory body does not license a site, we remove such a betting site from our list regardless of what it offers. This is how we protect the interest of our readers. 

Furthermore, when we look through a betting site, we first consider the licenses it holds and which states they are active in. if the betting site is not licensed in any US state, as mentioned earlier, we discard it immediately. We want our readers to have a fantastic time placing basketball bets, which is why we want a site that is fair to their customers. 

Bonuses and Promotions

Top NBA betting sites are genuinely interested in their customers' entertainment, both new and existing. As a result, lots of generous betting offers such as risk-free bets, reload bonuses, and other exciting rewards and loyalty programs are constantly provided by the sportsbook. 

VIP programs are not left out. We put together our findings and created a good list of NBA sportsbooks with the best bonuses and promotions. Generally, everybody loves getting free stuff. Also, why pay for everything you do on a betting platform? This is why we include the bonus and promotion factor into our method for finding the best legal betting sites in the US.

Available Betting Options

Betting on the NBA final is more entertaining when you have various bet options to explore. So, what do we look out for? First, we check to see the various aspects bettors can wager on each sportsbook. Ideal sportsbooks should have multiple bet options covered. This would help the player get a full betting experience. 

Also, basketball betting enthusiasts are particular and always seek a specific game aspect to wager on. It could even be placing a bet on a whole local league. What other way to do this than recommend a site that offers different games in lots of leagues both locally, nationally, and internationally.

Multiple Payment Options

One of the most critical aspects of staking sports bets online is the ease of depositing and withdrawing real money from the account. Unfortunately, a betting site with one or two banking options is a deal-breaker to many basketball betting lovers, especially if the methods available are not quite popular. 

We explore these NBA betting sites and only recommend sportsbooks with multiple payment gateways. Also, we ensure these payment channels are popular, safe, and secure with good reviews on play stores and more. For instance, Bank cards, e-wallets (PayPal, Neteller), Entropay, PaySafeCard, etc., are some of the payment platforms we consider seeing on any site. 

High Odds

Let's face it. As much as we love the game of basketball, it would be nice to get a nice payout placing and winning bets on your favorite basketball teams. An excellent way to ensure a high potential payout is considering the available odds. The odds are critical to what a player gets when the outcome of a game is favorable. 

We only select sportsbooks that offer competitive odds in the gaming space, especially on basketball games. Besides the regular odds boost promotions many bookmakers offer, the odds placed should be good enough to give players a good outcome. This factor is peculiar because many sportsbooks place ridiculous odds on games, making payouts small.

Different NBA Betting Types

There are different betting types offered by the sportsbooks we recommend. Some of them may not be familiar to you, but we want you to explore every option available to make huge wins. The following are the standard betting lines seen on NBA betting sites.

Moneyline

This bet type allows you to place bets on who the final winner of a game will be, not considering the scores. The bets usually come with positive and negative signs. The negative indicates the underdogs, while the positive signifies winning favorites. 

You'll have to stake more in Moneyline to have a considerable outcome if you're going for the favorites since it comes with less risk. Conversely, the underdogs come with more risk but require little money to stake. 

Point Spread

The point spread is the number of points or scores in a game that the favorite must win over the underdog. The Underdogs must not lose more than a set number or win the game within a pointed bracket. The favorites must win by a set margin before the bet is successful. Practically, this bet type is used by bookmakers to balance the betting market between the underdogs and the favorites. 

Prop Bet

The prop bet is directly placed on an aspect of the game that is completely oblivious of the final winner or the number of points or scores. Prop bet is usually set on a particular stat in the game to happen. For instance, Los Angeles Laker @ Chicago Bulls - LeBron James to score 10 points in the 4th period? Yes - 130, No + 110.

Futures

The future bet is placed on the outcome of a basketball game that will take place in the future- it could be in a few weeks or months. This bet type is more popular because the odds are considerably more significant and can be won with a small wager placed on the bet. The longer the period in between, the higher the odds. 

Live Betting

A live bet is placed on a basketball game currently in play. Bettors who usually use this bet are following the game live and are likely to guess the game's outcome based on the current statistics, the outcome of the player in a quarter, or other props. 

Tips and Strategies for Winning Bets on NBA

To win NBA bets is designed by luck. However, a player can apply strategies to increase the odds of winning the bet. Basketball betting is crucial because it usually works with a strategy to a certain degree. You can have a wonderful time placing bets on the game if you know what to do. Here are some newbie strategies to help you place strategic bets and increase your chances of winning.

Understand the Gameplay

Many newbies dive into placing bets without gaining prior knowledge about the game. Don't be like a player who wants to hit the numbers and give it luck. Understanding the basketball game would give you an easy step to placing well-informed bets. Essentially, you should keep up with the trends and practices, rules, and new technologies employed in the game. These findings can have a significant impact on your bet.

Check the Squad

Player additions to a team happen regularly. Players also get injured—free player signings or trades where a big player leaves or joins. A roster change always affects the squad's mentality, which will also affect your bet. For example, a game without Lebron James may have a different result. 

Do not take Suggestions from the Media

The media are not your best means of determining how your bet list will look out for the NBA. The only time you should count on them is when they are reporting an injury or signup. Anything aside from this should not influence your betting decision.

Have a Financial Betting Plan

The key to enjoying the NBA season is to have a concrete plan on the ground. A basketball season lasts for months, and you could go bankrupt if you don't have a budget to manage your real money stakes and your wins. A key strategy is to start with a small percentage of your bet, usually 1-2%, and build from there. This benchmark will help you control losses and increase the size of your bankroll as you win.