Best Online Sportsbooks & Betting Sites

Legal US Sportsbooks & Bonus Reviews for December 2021

If you are new to sports betting, you may be wondering where to start placing your wagers. Our team at Action Network has researched and reviewed a variety of sportsbooks, covering what matters most to bettors: bonuses, promotions, customer service, markets offered, fair odds, and the ease and speed of transactions. From the major books like DraftKings or FanDuel to innovative, social media-based books like PointsBet, we have the competitive insight and exclusive offers you are looking for. Read on to learn more about the best online sportsbooks.

Our Top Rated Books
We’ve reviewed more than a dozen sportsbooks and ranked them by evaluating the following categories: Bonuses & Promotions, Mobile app, Registering & Cashiering, Betting Options, & a Competitor Comparison. Here’s a high-level overview of how each book stacked up and why:
DraftKings
9.8
DraftKings is one of the leaders in the sports betting industry. From bonuses and promotions to available markets, DraftKings Sportsbook is sure to please. Their user friendly interface makes it easy to place any spread, total, or prop bet you can find. Learn more about DraftKings online bonus offers and why DraftKings is the Action Network’s preferred book. No DraftKings promo code is required to claim a $1,000 sign-up bonus exclusive to Action Network. Read MoreRight Arrow
BetMGM
9.8
BetMGM’s desktop website has an easy-to-use interface and simple navigation makes it easy to find whatever bet or prop you are looking for. Where the mobile app may lack in innovation and decoration, it makes up for with its uniform design with the desktop page. Use promo code ACTION to unlock a risk free bet up to $1,000. Read MoreRight Arrow
PointsBet
9.7
PointsBet is one of the fastest-growing online sportsbooks after it was launched in 2019. By using Action Network’s code, ACTION2K1, you will get up to $2,021 in risk-free bets--the best offer on the market. This consists of up to $1,500 back on your first “pointsbetting” wager and up to $521 back on your first traditional bet. Read MoreRight Arrow
FanDuel Sportsbook
9.5
Another big name in the sports betting world, Fanduel is a leader in both sports wagering and daily fantasy sports. This book is available in many states and has one of the top mobile interfaces in the industry. There is no promo code required to claim your $1,000 risk free bet. Read MoreRight Arrow
FOX Bet
9.4
The Fox brand is one that has been around for a while. When they decided to add a sportsbook to their family tree, it was only a matter of time before it was a key player in the industry. This book offers great prices in multiple markets, making it one of the best books for odds-shoppers. There is no promo code required to get your risk-free bet up to $500. Read MoreRight Arrow
Caesars Sportsbook
9.4
Caesars Sportsbook (formerly known as William Hill) is a veteran to the sports betting space, which should give new bettors confidence in their product. They have a good, easy-to-use website and app, and they consistently give out some of the best promotions in the U.S. market to help new customers build a bankroll early on. They're a worthy addition to your betting portfolio. By using our promo code ACTIONRF, you will be given a $1,001 first bet match. Read MoreRight Arrow
theScore Bet
9.4
theScore Bet Sportsbook debuted in 2019 and the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. theScore was acquired by Penn National Gaming in October 2021. This book is already building off of its state-of-the-art sports news and score app, so it is no wonder that they belong in this category. No promo code is needed to claim your $1,000 deposit match with theScore Bet. Read MoreRight Arrow
Parx
9.3
This book is based out of Pennsylvania for the time being, but as it expands to more states, it will bring its robust bonuses and promotions with it as well. By using our code ACTION, you will get a $500 risk free bet in addition to a 20% profit boost if your first bet wins. Read MoreRight Arrow
BetRivers
9.1
BetRivers is a safe book if you are looking for consistency and fair odds. With plenty of markets available, there is no shortage of events to bet on. Adding this book to your sports betting arsenal won’t hurt, and will only provide another option when odds-shopping. You can use the promo code ACTION to claim your $250 bonus match. Read MoreRight Arrow
SugarHouse
9.1
SugarHouse sportsbook is a sister product to BetRivers, meaning it has a lot of similar markets available. If you are looking for additional books to odds-shop at, this is the book for you. Be sure to take advantage of the SugarHouse sign up offer by using code ACTION and unlocking your $250 bonus match. Read MoreRight Arrow
Betfred
9
Betfred is a sportsbook based out of the U.K. It was founded in 1967 in England, and since then Betfred has built up a trustworthy reputation that makes it a worthwhile addition to a U.S. sports bettor's portfolio. There is no promo code required to claim $100 in free NFL bets plus 100% deposit match up to $400 or more, depending on the state you're betting in. Read MoreRight Arrow
Unibet
8.5
Unibet, like many other regulated entities, are reliable when it comes to withdrawing and depositing your money. By signing up you can take advantage of the convenient cashiering, and also claim a $500 risk free bonus. No promo code is required! Read MoreRight Arrow
WynnBET
8.2
WynnBET has many ways to withdraw your winnings. Whether it is by bank transfer or PayPal, you can be sure that you will receive your winnings in a timely manner. There is no WynnBET promo code required to take advantage of up to a $1,000 risk-free bet. Read MoreRight Arrow
bet365
8.1
Bet365 is one of the biggest European books. Even though they have not quite tapped into the U.S. market yet, they aim to target the states moving forward. With notoriously fair pricing and reliable odds, this would be a great book to add to your arsenal. Read MoreRight Arrow
888Sport
8
888Sport is a book that has been around for a while. While it is smaller than most books in the U.S., it is quickly growing. This is a great book if you are looking for additional options when it comes to placing your bets. Read MoreRight Arrow

Top Bonus & Promo Code Offers

$2021 in risk-free bets at PointsBet with code ACTION2K1

Get a $1,000 risk-free bet at BetMGM with Bonus Code: ACTION

$5,000 risk-free first bet at Caesars with Promo Code: ACTIONRF

How to Evaluate and Select a Sportsbook

It’s essential to find a set of sportsbooks that fit your needs well, will keep you engaged, and provide the best odds and offers for your sports betting activity. We leveraged insights from our internal team and scraped and sourced external user review data to complete a robust analysis of each sportsbook to help your selection process.

Evaluation Criteria

Here are the factors considered, tested and weighted in our online sportsbook reviews:

Bonuses & Promotions

We took a look at sign-up offers, ongoing promotions, and the loyalty programs available from each sportsbook in legal states (e.g., Michigan or Arizona). Every book has its unique strengths: particularly compelling sign-up offers for new bettors, diverse markets and bet types, or lucrative VIP programs. We joined each book as a new user and pooled input from our team of passionate sports bettors with in-depth book experience to highlight where you can get the most from Bonuses & Promotions.

Mobile App

We downloaded available mobile apps for each sportsbook, completed their onboarding, and explored the app layout on mobile and mobile web. We noted any bugs or glitches experienced and compared ease-of-betting experience across books. Additionally, we performed an analysis of trends in user review data from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Trends from this research have been highlighted in our review to represent a broader audience of sports bettors and bring national user data and insight into our analysis.

Registering & Cashiering

It’s imperative to be able to trust a sportsbook with your money, and the experience of cashing in and out is a critical factor in selecting a sportsbook. The best books give various cashiering options, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, online banking, checks, and/or wire transfers. Additionally, bettors want these transactions to be fast and supported by responsive customer service. We tested each flow and available payment methods. We consider being able to cash out in under two days reasonable.

Betting Options

We looked into the types of bets offered (e.g., spreads, moneylines, totals) and available sports (e.g., NFL, CFB, NASCAR). Some books have more extensive sports availability and distinct bet types. Depending on your interests and preferences, there may be a collection of sportsbooks that help achieve your optimal sports betting experience, rather than just one.

Competitor Comparison

We lined up each sportsbook head to head vs. direct competitors, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. Some sportsbooks may excel in certain areas, like new betting markets, while struggling with user experience. In our reviews, you’ll see how the books line up.

Betting Resources & Information

Examples of Legal Bet Types

Here are some examples of the bet types sports fans can wager on:

  • Point Spreads. Spread betting is a bet on the margin of victory in a game, or the point "differential." (See: Our Guide to Point Spread Betting)
  • Moneylines. Moneyline betting is when you pick the winner of the game or event, either one team or another. (More detail here: Moneylines)
  • First Half & Second Half. Halves let a bettor treat the first half and the second half as separate matches. (Additional insights: Half Bets)
  • Totals. A total, also known as an over/under, is a bet on the number of points both teams will combine to score in a game. (See: Understanding Totals in Sports Betting)
  • Futures. Future bets are a bet on an event that will be decided in the future (e.g., end-of-season results). (More: Longer-term Betting: Futures)
  • Player Props. A "prop" bet, short for a proposition, is a wager that is not directly tied to the final score or outcome. (See: Everything to Know About Prop Bets) 

Calculators

Sports betting is a game of numbers, and we’ve got calculators to assist!

Mistakes to Avoid

Sports betting isn’t easy money. The key is staying the course, remaining disciplined, and steadily building your bankroll for the long haul. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid these common mistakes.

Glossary

Sports betting has a broad range of terms that may be confusing to new bettors. To help, we’ve covered commonly-used terms and strategies that you will see on this site and across sports betting in our Glossary.

Bankroll Management

When it comes to being a successful long-term sports bettor, bankroll management can be just as important as picking winners. Learn more about responsible bank management strategies.

Claim Bonus Offers from Other Sportsbooks

To make sure you get the best betting value, here's a list of books where you can find great live promotions:


PointsBet Promo Code | DraftKings Promo Code | BetMGM Bonus Code | FanDuel Promo Code | BetRivers Promo Code | Caesars Promo Code | WynnBET Promo Code | BetMGM Bonus code | Unibet Promo Code | Betfred Promo Code | theScore Bet Promo Code | bet365 Bonus Code

Steve Petrella is a senior editor for The Action Network covering college football, among other things. He's a Penn State grad now based in Atlanta who enjoys great punting, clock-killing drives and turnovers in the red zone.
More from Steve Petrella

Legal Online Sportsbook FAQs
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