Best Gambling Sites in USA

Gambling sites let you place real money wagers from home or on the move and come in all shapes and sizes. From sportsbooks where you can wager on events all over the world, to online casinos packed with slots and classic table games. Many gambling sites in the USA encompass both sports wagering and casino gaming under one virtual roof. Read on to learn more about the betting opportunities out there, and to see the top gambling sites sports fans and casino lovers can choose from right now.

Compare and Choose Gambling Sites

Whether you want to sign up to gambling sites for sports, casino games or both, there are a few factors to consider when picking the one that’s right for you.

• Check state-level licenses – All US gambling sites need a state-level license to operate legally. You’ll see the license mentioned somewhere on the homepage of every reputable site. At Compare.bet, we’ll never review or recommend operators that haven’t been given this seal of approval.
• Betting and gambling options – It’s no good signing up to a site to play live dealer roulette if that isn’t on the menu of betting options, for example. Always check that the gambling site you’re registering with has the sports markets and/or casino games you’re interested in.
• Bonuses – Both old and new gambling sites are keen to pull in as many playters as they can, and competition is fierce. Bonuses help these sites stand out from the crowd and can seriously boost your bankroll, so it’s worth comparing the promos available at the moment.
• Customer support – The best gambling sites offer solid customer support that’s easy to access, so you can get in touch if something goes awry or have questions about your bonuses or betting balance.

Trusted Gambling Site Recommendations 

With so many new gambling sites popping up across the United States, it can be tricky to know where to begin. Our team of industry experts has done the research for you, rating sites according to a series of factors so that you can be sure of a great betting experience. 

Top of the list for us is ensuring that all our recommended gambling sites for sports and casino games are legally authorized to operate in the US. This means looking into licensing from state-specific regulatory bodies. For example, a gambling site available in New Jersey must be licensed by the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement.

We also check the range of betting markets supported, how attractive the betting bonuses are, and whether the bonus terms and conditions are clear and fair. After all, it’s no fun being tripped up by sneaky restrictions when you’re all set to make a profit using free bets or bonus spins.

It’s only by conducting this kind of up-close analysis of gambling sites that we’re able to rank them for you, allowing you to then make an informed choice on where to sign up.

Sports Betting Options

Since being given the legal go-ahead in 2018, sportsbooks have become one of the most popular types of gambling sites online. Whether you want to bet on the eventual winner of the World Series or the outcomes of the next big NFL game, there are lots of ways to wager. Here are just some of the markets available at gambling sites for sports. 

Football

Football is one of the most bet on sports in the USA today. The NFL, of course, attracts much of the attention as the world’s premier gridiron league. Consisting of 32 teams divided into two conferences, its main season runs from September to January. That’s followed by the NFL playoffs, a sudden-death tournament that takes us through to one of the biggest betting events of the year: the Super Bowl.

Basketball

The NBA is the most-watched basketball league in the world, featuring 29 American teams and one Canadian team playing in two conferences. The regular season runs from September to April, consisting of 82 games for each side. Two events in the calendar that always trigger a flurry of wagers are the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA Finals.

Baseball

Baseball has long been known as ‘America’s national pastime’ and it’s certainly a huge draw for bettors at gambling sites across America. Major League Baseball features 30 teams split across two leagues, with the regular season beginning in March/April and running until September/October. This leads into the playoffs and the blockbuster events of the World Series.

Ice Hockey

Hockey fans will be glad to know that the top gambling sites for sports will offer a host of markets for the NHL. Comprising 32 teams, it’s the premier US and Canadian league, with the regular season spanning October to April. Its biggest event is the hotly contested Stanley Cup Finals, though the playoffs provide a wealth of betting opportunities too. 

Soccer

Known as ‘the Beautiful Game’ to its legions of fans, soccer is the most-watched sport on the planet. Online betting sites in the USA let you place wagers on the best leagues in the world, including the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga. If you prefer to stick stateside, the MLS is also covered at the best sportsbooks. 

Boxing

Whether you’re looking to wager on a rising star who is about to come out swinging in a much-hyped bout, or on an established icon like Tyson Fury, you’ll want to ensure that your chosen sportsbook includes boxing. Most bookies will offer markets in a variety of weight classes all around the world.

Tennis

Want to bet on Djokovic scorching to yet another Wimbledon victory, or on Emma Raducanu triumphing at the next US Open? Tennis markets at US gambling sites will have you covered. There will be multiple live and pre-game markets on Grand Slam events, not to mention a huge array of smaller tournaments that you may not even have heard of.

Esports 

Esports is booming right now, having evolved from a niche hobby to a mainstream industry watched by millions. It’s also a growing betting market in the US, with fans able to back their favorite teams from all over the globe. DOTA 2, CSGO and Fortnite are among the games that attract the attention of bettors at US gambling sites.

Playing Casino Games

Gambling sites online aren’t only about placing parlays on the NHL and predicting who’ll score a hat trick at the FIFA World Cup. These sites can also bring you the classic casino experience, commonly featuring the following games.

Slots 

Online slots come in thousands of dazzling themes. Whether you want to enter the world of Ancient Egypt or set sail with the Vikings, there’ll be a set of reels to match your mood. Many feature immersive soundtracks, vivid graphics and animated sequences, not to mention bonus rounds and extra features like expanding wilds which can boost your chances to win.

Roulette

Whoever said you had to go to an in-person casino to try your luck at the roulette wheel? Gambling sites in the USA have digital versions of this iconic game that you can play from the comfort of your couch. Some of the best online casinos offer multiple varieties, including European roulette and multi-wheel takes on the game.

Blackjack

Blackjack pits you against the dealer as you compete to get a card hand as close to 21 as possible. Almost all online casinos offer at least one version of this much-loved game, though many top sites mix things up with fun new variations. These can offer extra side bets and give you more control over your cards than you’d have in a traditional land-based casino.

Craps

Online craps isn’t as widely available as other virtual versions of casino games, but we’re hoping that more and more gambling sites will come to host at least one craps game. Thanks to savvy software developers, a game that many assumed could only be enjoyed in a land-based setting can now be played with a tap of the finger, with all the time-honored bet types on offer.

Live Casino

A more recent addition to gambling sites, live casino games means tuning into webcam streams of real casino staff at real casino tables. It’s just like being in Vegas, only you can join in while sitting on your porch or killing time in a café. There are all sorts of live games on offer from the leading gaming sites, including blackjack, poker, and roulette. 

Common Online Gambling Site Bonuses

Online casinos and gambling sites for sports frequently offer bonuses to both new and existing players. That’s especially true as more and more new gambling sites enter the market and competition for players gets more heated. Here are the most common bonuses you should know about.

Matched Deposits

This bonus sees the gambling site give you a percentage of your deposit as bonus funds, up to a maximum limit. If, say, you bag a 100% matched deposit bonus and make an initial payment of $20 into your account, you’ll actually have $40 to play with. Half of that will be your money and half will be bonus credits. The amount that’s matched in these types of bonuses will vary from casino to casino, and so will the wagering requirements, so always check the small print before signing up.

Free Bets

Free bets are often credited to both new and existing users of gambling sites in the USA. You’ll sometimes be able to wager on any sports markets you want, though in certain cases the free bets will be for specific sports or events. The downside is that free bets tend to be quite modest and can depend on you making qualifying bets using your own money first.

Free Spins

Many online casinos like to attract new players by offering free spins on popular slots. These sites might also provide batches of free spins as a form of reload bonus for existing members. Either way, free spins are usually restricted to specific games, and there will often be terms attached, including tight expiry dates and wagering requirements.

No Deposit Bonus

A no deposit bonus does exactly as its name implies. Basically, you won’t need to pay any money into your gambling site account to unlock this deal; simply signing up is usually enough to get no deposit free spins or bonus credits. While the amount won’t usually be huge, no deposit bonuses make for a great way to sample a casino or sportsbook to see if it’s the right one for you.

Keep an Eye Out for the Bonus Terms and Conditions

Almost all online gaming bonuses come with conditions that can have a real impact on how valuable the deals really are. Here are some of the terms to keep a close watch for.

Wagering Requirements

Also known as playthrough requirements, these stipulate that you must bet the bonus amount a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings from that deal. If you score $20 with a matched deposit bonus and there’s a 10x playthrough requirement, you’ll have to wager a total of $200 before cashing out your profits. With free spins, the playthrough requirements will usually apply to the amount you win using those spins.

Max Winnings

Many bonuses come with limits on the amount you can actually win. Say, for example, your free casino credits have a max win cap of $100. It won’t matter if you get super lucky playing blackjack and bag twice that amount: $100 is the most you’ll be able to walk away with when using the bonus.

Time Limits

It’s not unusual for bonuses like free bets or free spins to have a time limit. This means you’ll need to use them by a deadline, or they’ll disappear. It’s important to note there can also be time limits on wagering requirements. So, if you don’t make the required number of bets in time, you’ll lose your bonus winnings.

Game and Market Restrictions

Free bets and free spins can look super-attractive to new players. But always check if there’s a limit on the markets you’re able to access with these sorts of bonuses. For example, you might find the matched deposit bonus can’t be used for live dealer games, or that some free bets won’t let you create same game parlays or cash out wagers early. 

Mobile Gambling Sites

Don’t worry, you won’t have to rush to the home office and fire up the desktop whenever you want to make a wager. These days, you can hit mobile-optimized gambling sites, or go one better and download the associated native apps. 

While these mobile options look similar at first glance, we recommend installing native apps if you can. They’re tailor-made for iOS and Android devices, allowing for a smoother, quicker interface. They also offer greater convenience, as you can simply tap the app to reach casino games and sports markets, rather than having to open the browser. Plus, there are optional push notifications to keep you updated on the latest promotions.

In states where online gambling is legal, the top names in the industry like BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings have all created sleek mobile apps to provide the best possible on-the-go gambling experience. 

Gambling Site Banking Options 

Gambling sites will usually make sure there’s a good mix of banking options on the table for would-be bettors. Here’s a look at some of the most popular in use today.

• Debit and credit cards
• E-wallers such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. 
• Play+ prepaid cards 
• ACH/eCheck transfers
• Online banking
• Cash at online site’s land-based sportsbook/casino partner
• PayNearMe

How to Register with a Gambling Site

Getting started on a gambling site in the USA is actually pretty straightforward. Here are the steps to follow.

Ready to Begin Betting at Online Gambling Sites? 

This guide has hopefully offered a few insights into online betting in the USA. Now, if you’re ready to get started, you can read through our rankings of the best gambling sites, compare welcome bonuses, and sign up to whatever takes your fancy.