Basketball Betting

US Basketball Betting

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and now that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) has been repealed, it is legal to bet on basketball in some US states. This means basketball fans can now enjoy betting on the National Basketball Association (NBA)—the most popular basketball league on the planet—as well as other leagues such as NCAA basketball, Euroleague and FIBA Americas League.

Looking to bet on basketball in New Jersey? We’ve got a line up of the best sports betting sites available to punters in the Garden State. Compare our expert reviews, scores and the bonuses on offer to pick out the bookie that suits you best. All of our featured sportsbooks are legal and regulated in the state of New Jersey. All that’s left for you to do is make your pick, sign up and start betting.

US States with Legal Basketball Betting

Even though the federal ban on sports betting was overturned in 2018, not every state has legalized the activity yet. Here are the states that offer legal and regulated basketball betting:

•      New Jersey
•      Pennsylvania
•      Delaware
•      Rhode Island
•      Mississippi
•      West Virginia
•      Nevada
•      New Mexico

Each of these states has its own rules and regulations around sports betting, so it’s wise to check out what you can and can’t do in your state. While some of the states above permit online mobile sports betting, others only permit land-based sports betting at commercial or tribal casinos.

Major Basketball events

Basketball is one of America’s most popular sports and with so many basketball events in the calendar it shows. The action starts with the NBA’s regular season, which runs from October to April. The NBA is made up of 30 teams – 15 from the Eastern Conference and 15 from the Western Conference. The regular season sees each of the NBA’s 30 teams play 41 games at home and 41 away, making for a total of 82 games in a season. The top eight teams from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference will meet again in the Playoffs.

NBA Playoffs

Once the regular season concludes, the top eight teams from each conference meet again in the NBA Playoffs. The Playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament held after the regular season. The winners of the playoffs go on to compete in the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is one of, if not, the most popular event in the basketball betting calendar. Here the two remaining teams from the playoffs will compete in a best-of-seven game series to determine the league champion. The winners of the Finals are awarded the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

NBA All-Star Game

During the NBA’s regular season, games are put on hold in February to celebrate the annual NBA All-Star Game. NBA fans vote for the players they want to see take on the role of team captains. Fans will then vote on the all-star starters while the coaches vote on the remaining 14 all-star player spaces that must be filled. The All-Star game makes for one of the most exciting betting opportunities in basketball due to the fact that only the best athletes are selected to take part.

NCAA

College sports make for some of the most exciting sporting events in the world and college basketball is no exception. Just like the NBA, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball provides a wide range of betting opportunities. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is an annual elimination tournament featuring the 68 college basketball teams in the Division I level of the NCAA. March Madness has become so popular since its inception that all games are now broadcast live across the nation. Now that sports betting is legal, you too can get in on the action and place a bet on some college basketball.

Picking a Winner

When it comes to betting on basketball, you must always remember that there is no such thing as a guaranteed winner. While it doesn’t hurt to listen to what a reputable tipster has to say, you should always remember that they can be wrong. As statistics play a huge part in basketball you may benefit from taking a statistical approach when placing bets. We suggest taking a quick look at player and team stats available on the NBA’s official stats page. Here you can view a variety of statistics such as points per game, points allowed per game and point differential can help you make an informed and educated bet.

Basketball Betting Markets

In states that permit legal sports betting, the best sportsbooks offer a wide selection of basketball betting markets. You can currently place bets on the following markets:

Money line

Money line bets are straight bets where you wager on who will win a basketball game. Remember there are no draws in basketball, so all you need to do is pick who you think will come out on top.

Outright bets

Outright bets involve betting on who you think will win a league or tournament, such as the NBA Finals or the NCAA March Madness tournament.

Parlay bets

A parlay wager is a single bet that is linked with two or more wagers. In order to win a parlay bet, the bettor must win every wager in it. The maximum number of wagers in a parlay varies between sportsbooks, with some allowing up to 20 bet parlays.

Over/under

The over/under bet is also referred to as total points and involves betting on the total points that a team will score during a game. The over/under line will be set by the bookie, so all you have to do is predict if a team will end the game with more or less than the number of points set by the bookie.

Spread betting

Spread betting involves putting money on a team to win and either maintain a points advantage or overcome a disadvantage. These advantages and disadvantages will be displayed with plus (+) and minus (-) symbols and are set by the bookie. Your team must win, or lose, according to this margin for your bet to pay out. So if you bet on a team with -2 handicap, they’ll need to win the match by three clear points.

Proposition bets

Proposition bets, also known as prop bets are wagers on the chance of a certain event occurring during a game. In basketball these can vary from points scored to the first team to score a free throw. These bets usually have a higher pay out due to how precise your prediction has to be, but be warned – they carry a much higher level of risk than other bets.

Player prop bets

In basketball, prop bets can also apply to individual players. You can wager on a number of different player actions such as total rebounds, points scored, free throws made and assists.

Quarters/ half bets

As a standard basketball game is made up of four quarters you can place wagers on which team will have the point lead at the end of a quarter or a half.

Basketball Betting Odds

Before betting on a basketball game, it is essential that you understand how betting odds work. While the majority of US sports betting sites display odds in the American format, you might also see them displayed as a fraction or a decimal format.

Remember, odds are essentially a sportsbook’s prediction of what could happen during a basketball game. Although these can help you predict what would make a successful winning bet, betting on a bookie’s favorite won’t guarantee you a profit. You should also bear in mind that basketball odds can vary between sportsbooks, so we recommend shopping around to find the best odds for your chosen market.

Here is a real-world example of basketball odds:

In a regular NBA season game between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics, a sportsbook could set odds of +110 for the Warriors to win. Remember, positive odds (+) indicate the underdog while negative odds (-) indicate the bookies favorite.

If you were to make a $100 bet on the Warriors to win, you would see a return of $210 if they were victorious. You will win back your initial $100 wager, as well as $110 for the successful bet.

When it comes to negative odds, a successful $100 bet on the Celtics winning at odds of -110 would net you your initial $100 wager, along with a smaller profit of $90.91.

For a closer look at the different pricing formats and how to understand them, check out our guide to reading betting odds.

Mobile Basketball Betting

While the legalization of sports betting is rapidly spreading throughout the US, at the moment only a handful of US states currently allow mobile and online sports betting. Mobile and online sports betting is available in:

•  Nevada – Online betting is only available via mobile apps.
•  New Jersey – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites.
•  West Virginia – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites.

In these states, residents and visitors can bet on basketball using mobile apps or online betting sites without having to leave their home. In these states, mobile sports betting apps are usually available for both Android and iOS devices.

However, it is important that you are aware of the state-specific gambling laws before choosing a sportsbook, as the sign-up process can differ from state to state. For instance, in Nevada, you will need to visit a land-based sportsbook to verify your identity and register your account before you can place a basketball wager online via a mobile betting app.

For more information when it comes to picking the sports betting app that’s right for you, check out our mobile betting apps guide.

Online Basketball Betting in New Jersey

Online Basketball Betting in Nevada

Online Basketball Betting in West Virginia

Now that we’ve covered the basics of basketball betting, it’s time to get out there and have a go yourself at betting on basketball. Want to know more about legal sports betting and where you can bet on basketball in your state? Here at Compare.bet, we are tracking the rapid legalization of sports betting in American and will continue to provide our readers with the latest legal developments and sports betting news.

FAQs

Is there a winning formula for basketball betting?

No. Despite what many tipsters and guides may tell you, there is no winning formula when it comes to betting on basketball. Just like any other gambling activity, you could win, or you could lose – nothing is guaranteed. You should always remember that different types of bets carry different levels of risk. For instance, a straight money line bet on the outcome of a single game would carry far less risk than a 6-bet parlay. If you are new to basketball betting, we recommend placing a low risk bet to get a feel for how it all works.

Do sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions for basketball betting?

Yes. The best US sportsbooks offer a wide range of offers and promotions across several sports markets, including basketball betting markets. Bonuses and promotions vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, though free bets and matched deposits are some of the most common deals.

What other sports can I bet on at sports betting sites?

In states with legal and regulated sports betting, sportsbooks take bets on a variety of professional and amateur sports including major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL. You’ll also be able to bet on top European soccer leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A.

Is it safe to place bets at basketball betting sites?

Yes, as long as you are betting with a licensed and regulated sportsbook. All state regulatory bodies require sportsbooks to comply with laws and regulations that are moulded around player safety. Bettors should also avoid gambling with offshore betting sites, because they don’t hold licenses to serve the US market, they are not bound by the same regulatory standards that regulated sportsbooks are.

Do US sportsbooks offer live betting?

Yes, several US sportsbooks offer live in-play sports betting allowing you to bet along with the action as it unfolds. In states with mobile and online sports betting you can either place in-play bets via a computer or mobile betting apps. Be sure to check out what is available in your state.