We’ve got everything you need to take your betting experience up a gear. From comparisons of the best betting sites to a full breakdown of what you should expect while taking advantage of our reviews. We’ll even guide you through the process of placing your first bets at the very best sportsbooks.
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We’re going to share with you our favorite betting sites at the moment:
Over at DraftKings, you can get your experience started with $150 in bonus bets for simply betting $5. Alongside a competitive welcome bonus, you’ll find one of the busiest sports betting lobbies, too. You’ll find plenty of ongoing promotions, the Dynasty rewards program, and one of the most responsive support teams available. Should you wish, you can even enjoy the full experience through one of the best betting apps on the market.
25x Deposit. T&Cs and 21+ apply
As a new member here, you’ll be able to bet $5 and get $200 back in bonus bets. From here, you’ll find that you can bet on all major leagues, including the NFL and NBA. Certain fixtures have over 100 additional betting markets, which keeps things nice and interesting for those who fancy something a little different from moneylines and spreads. Ongoing perks come in their droves, support is accountable and quick to message back, and you can watch all of the action unfold through Fanduel TV.
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Caesars will get you started when you pick up a first bet offer of up to $1,000. You’ll also find that the Caesars Rewards program links your online and retail activity. So, you’ll be able to exchange your points for bonus bets, hotel stays, and other unique experiences.
You’ll find that you can bet on all sorts of major leagues and sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and tennis. Plus, you’ll find that you can bet on everything from moneylines and spreads to the next touchdown scorer. Mobile betting is also possible at Caesars through the dedicated mobile app, and you can soon get in contact with support with any queries.
The sign-up process at most sportsbooks should follow this approach:
During the registration process, you’ll find that you have the chance to opt into a new customer offer. As touched upon, you may also be expected to enter a promotional code or make some sort of qualifying deposit.
These promotions offer you the chance to get familiar with the sports betting lobby and a chance to understand how the site works as a whole. Additionally, you also have the potential to turn your bonus bets into a withdrawable cash balance.
| Welcome bonus | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit match | The deposit match is a relatively common online sports betting bonus that promises to match your first deposit up to a certain value. Usually, you will find these promos at the sign-up stage; however, smaller matched deposits can run consistently throughout the week. | 100% matched deposit bonus of up to $2,000 |
| No deposit bonus | It may seem fairly obvious, but the no deposit bonus does not require any funds to leave your account. Instead, you’ll be expected to enter a promo code, opt-in, and/or verify your details before bonus bets are released. | $25 in bonus bets after creating your new player account |
| First bet offer | Another popular promotion that is often released at the sign-up stage is the first bet offer. Generally, you’ll only receive a bonus if your first bet loses. The initial stake will be added back into your account in the shape of bonus bets. | $250 returned in bonus bets for your first losing wager |
You’ll need to learn how to deposit at your chosen betting site. For the most part, you’ll find traditional methods like Visa, Mastercard, and bank transfer are available. However, plenty of e-wallets, including Skrill and PayPal are now common fixtures.
As you would expect from such reliable methods, payments are swift and secure. You’ll also find that deposits are instant, provided you’ve already passed relevant KYC/AML checks.
To deposit, you’ll usually just need to locate the ‘cashier’ section, select ‘deposit’, find your preferred method, enter your deposit value, and submit.
At any of the best new betting sites, you’ll find a stream of available markets. In this table, we’ve highlighted a few of the most common bets you are likely to come across.
| Betting market | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Moneylines | The most basic of bets. You will choose whether a team/player will win, draw, or lose. | A bet on the Cincinnati Bengals to beat the LA Rams |
| Spreads | Work in a similar way to moneylines. However, a points deduction/advantage will level out the odds. | A bet on the LA Rams (+14 points) to beat Cincinnati Bengals |
| Proposition bets | Any alternative bet that doesn’t directly relate to the outcome of the fixture. | A bet on Lionel Messi to score 1+ goals |
| Futures | Any bet that is focused on the tournament winners, including MVPs | A bet on Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d’Or |
The best betting sites will provide you with a complete in-pay betting experience including live streams on the best live betting sites. You’ll want to be sure that the live odds are updated regularly to match the current position of things. If your chosen sportsbook doesn’t have live streaming, you can always check out the live stats and 2D pitches to build a better picture of how a fixture is playing out.
As a loyal player, you should be able to find ways to pick up bonus bets at betting sites far beyond the welcome stage.
Matched deposits, reload offers, and cashback promotions are very popular. Plus, you’ll find that most online sportsbooks provide you with odds boosts. These boosts may already have been predetermined and only feature on certain fixtures or they may be attached to any accumulator you build that features a minimum of three selections.
You’ll want to check out the banners on this page and look out for any betting sites that allow you to withdraw with minimal fees attached. Additionally, you’ll want to pay close attention to the processing times, minimum limits, maximum limits, and the frequency of withdrawals available to you.
You’ll find that the best betting sites provide you with complete access to dedicated agents around the clock. Often, this is via live chat or telephone. Alternatively, you can filter through a selection of FAQs or get in contact through the on-site form. However you choose to get in contact, you’ll want to make sure that answers are swift, clear, and concise to help you get back on track.
The reality is that if a betting site isn’t licensed, they won’t be getting recommended by us because your safety is always our number one priority.
You’ll find that proof of state-specific licensing is a must, along with KYC/AML checks, externally audits and the latest encryption technology. You’ll also want to focus on the accessibility of any terms and conditions, and the kind of safer gambling tools available to you.
The best sportsbooks have optimized the mobile experience so that it can be fully enjoyed through your browser. In many cases, you’ll also find dedicated apps that allow you to access the full experience on the go. Here is a quick look at just how much you can do at some of the best sportsbook apps:
Here, we’re going to share some top tips to help you with your sports bets:
You’ll want to get clued up on some basic terms. If you don’t know the difference between your accumulators and futures or your spreads and your moneylines, you’re going to have a difficult time placing your bets.
You should already be fairly familiar with the sports you plan to bet on; however, there is no harm in having a closer look at past performances and current form before you add to your bet slip.
We keep our fingers firmly on the pulse here at Deadspin, always aiming to be the first to bring you any of the latest breaking legal betting news as well as sports headlines. If there’s a superstar injured, a fighter backing out, or a huge change to the roster, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ve got the inside scoop.
We would always suggest sticking within your limits while betting online. After all, you’ll be far better off playing things safe and sticking with a limit that you’d be happy to lose.
Make sure that you are happy with the bonus terms and conditions before you start playing through them. Certain deposit methods may be considered ineligible, specific markets may be out of bounds, and maximum bets or other limits may be imposed.
Of course one of the major deciding factors on which sportsbook to choose is where you live. Certain states such as Arizona or Colorado have dozens of licensed sites and apps available, whereas the choice may be smaller in other parts of the country. Nevertheless, if you want to bet on sports in 2025, making an informed decision about where to play is all-important. Get the best experience for your needs, whether it’s the lines for a particular sport, a certain feature you want or based on the bonuses and promotions.
Legal in 45 US states, the emergence of social sportsbooks online has provided bettors another avenue to explore. They are able to operate in many states where traditional sports betting isn’t available yet, including Florida and California. Social sportsbooks operate a dual currency system that has become very popular in the sweepstakes arena.
It allows bettors to play for free using Gold Coins, or switch to promotional play and compete for real money prizes. Social betting could be a viable option for those without access to traditional sportsbooks or for someone who is looking to learn the ropes without making a deposit.
We’ll be providing you with the most honest reviews of the very best online sports betting sites that you can play at right now. You can find some of our favorites within the banners on this page or by heading over to the reviews section of our site.
We go into great depth, covering everything from support and security to market coverage and available promotions. Plus, we’ll be sure to highlight any of those key features, like live streaming, on live streaming betting sites, and mobile betting, that can really help to turn a good sportsbook into your perfect pick.
You can stick with us here at Deadspin to find reviews of the very best online sportsbooks. In fact, you’ll find some of our latest favorites in the banners on this page.
This will all depend on the online sportsbook you choose. Many of the best betting sites will provide you with a range of methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and Skrill.
No. Although almost every betting site will provide you with a mobile experience, they won’t all offer you the chance to bet through a dedicated app.
Many of the best online sportsbooks have a responsive support team that can be contacted around the clock.
Absolutely. However, you will need to make sure that you have played through the promotional terms before any bonus bets are considered a part of your cash balance.
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