Best Sportsbooks & Online Betting Sites

Only the best-of-the-best sportsbooks can make the cut to be named a top player in the sports betting industry. That doesn’t mean, however, that these are the only options to choose from when selecting a sportsbook. Action Network has reviewed a multitude of other sportsbooks over the years as they have gone live in the United States in the same meticulous fashion. The following sportsbooks are still absolutely worth looking into due to their promotional offerings and/or competitive odds pricing:

🚨 North Carolina Sports Betting is Live! 🚨

North Carolina is the latest state to go live with legal online sports betting as of March 11, 2024.

For more information about North Carolina sports betting and what sports betting apps are legal in North Carolina, check out our up-to-date page. We've also ranked the best North Carolina sports betting apps and their promo offers as you gather information on which sportsbooks you may choose to bet with.

You can learn more about all of North Carolina's sportsbook offerings, as well as some of the top promotions set to be available in the state when betting launches, by checking out our best North Carolina sportsbook promos review.

Best Sportsbook Promos 

For some operators offering welcome bonuses, no code is needed. To claim these promotions, users simply need to create an online sportsbook account and get in on the action!

Best Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Sites Reviewed by Action Network

Due to legal restrictions across many states that prohibit traditional legal online sports betting, daily fantasy sports, or DFS sites, have become increasingly popular. DFS sites allow users to win real money by selecting players to hit more or less than a total fantasy score for a particular game or event. While the idea may be similar to that of a traditional sportsbook, the functionality is a bit different for DFS sites. These key operational differences enable daily fantasy sports sites to circumvent the same legal restrictions that sportsbooks must adhere. As a result, DFS operators are more widely available for players who live in states where online sports betting has not yet been legalized. Here are four of the most popular and widely used DFS sites available today:

Best Social Sportsbook Promos

Here are some of the best social sportsbook promos on the market:

Top Sportsbooks for NFL Betting Lines 🏈

When it comes to NFL lines, we found that Caesars offered the best spread favorites for NFL betting apps. DraftKings and FanDuel lead the way for offering the best NFL underdog prices at 29.9% and 29.1%, respectively. Bettors can place bets on various aspects of a football game such as total points and specific player performances. Continue reading for a more detailed pricing comparison between FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings.

NFL MVP 2024-2025 Odds

Odds provided by FanDuel. Odds are subject to change.

Before placing a bet on the NFL MVP, make sure you read our Best NFL Betting Apps and Best NFL Betting Promos reviews!

Popular Sports on Online Sportsbooks

Naturally, you're going to find betting on big leagues like the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. However, there's a wide world of sports out there, and the options for what you can bet on are nigh limitless. Here are some sports on which you can bet with our preferred sportsbooks: 

• Canadian Football
• NCAA Basketball
• NCAA Football
• Soccer (international like La Liga, FIFA, Euro League, and MLS)
• MMA / UFC / Boxing
• Auto (F1, NASCAR)
• Esports
• Tennis
• Rugby 
• Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
• Darts
• Cycling
• Volleyball
• and more! 

The Best Canadian Betting Apps

While sports betting is legal in Canada, legislation varies in each province. When Canada legalized single-event sports betting in 2021, Ontario was the first to move forward with a regulated sports betting program. If you find yourself in the Great White North, check out the sportsbooks below!

• bet365 Sportsbook Canada

• Casumo Canada

• BET99 Sportsbook Canada

• PowerPlay Sportsbook Canada

• Sports Interaction

• NorthStar Bets Sportsbook Canada

• Pinnacle Sportsbook Canada

Ontario Betting Apps

• bet365 Sportsbook Ontario

• BetMGM Ontario

• BET99 Sportsbook Ontario

• Caesars Sportsbook Ontario

• Sports Interaction Ontario

• NorthStar Bets Ontario

• PowerPlay Ontario

• Betano Ontario

• Pinnacle Sportsbook Ontario

• TonyBet Ontario

How Action Network Reviews Sportsbooks and Betting Apps 

Our team has created a standardized method, which is discussed in detail below, for auditing sportsbooks to ensure that our evaluations are impartial and based entirely on real user experiences. Action Network’s expert handicappers have personally used, tested, and evaluated each of the reviewed sportsbooks to determine their quality in the following areas:

• New user bonuses and promotions
• Ongoing bonuses and promotions for existing users
• Sportsbook ingenuity and unique features
• Overall usability of betting apps
• Web vs. app experience
• Registering and activating new user promotions
• Logging into the sportsbook
• Navigation 
• Platform speed
• Data density
• Bet slip experience
• Cashiering
• Deposit and withdrawal options
• Payout speeds
• Sports market coverage
• Bet market coverage
• Odds and price comparisons by sport
• Customer service
• League and team partnerships

Action Network continuously monitors sportsbooks throughout the year to update relevant information and our review ratings to align the ever changing landscape of online sports betting. That way, you’ll always know you’re getting the best information available to make a smart sports betting app selection. Read above to see our list of best online sportsbooks for 2024 in our comprehensive review.

Action Network Sportsbook Selector Quiz

Still not sure which sportsbook is right for you from our sportsbook review? Give our Best Sportsbook Quiz a try to help narrow down the options based on your location, specific betting preferences, and favorite sports markets. 

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.

Sportsbook Odds Comparisons

Sportsbooks will frequently have different odds for the same sporting event. That is why it is important for sports bettors to line shop across various books to ensure that they are always getting the best price possible for every wager they place. Action Network has compiled pricing data across its top online sportsbooks to help bettors get an idea of which books will typically offer the best competitive odds prices.

Best Average Sports Odds Pricing

Looking at pricing data for the three major markets (spreads, moneyline, totals), we have been able to determine which of the top five sportsbooks offers the best overall average prices across each major sport. Here's how the top sports and sportsbooks favored in this data table:

✅ DraftKings has the best average price overall, but Caesars excels in NFL, MLB, NCAAF, and NCAAB. 

Best Average Odds Pricing by Bet Type (All Sports Markets)

Many bettors find a niche bet type that they like stick with over time. Whether your preference is betting moneylines, spreads, or totals, here's how the top five sportsbooks compare to one another across each of those markets and how to find the most competitive odds. We used the same type of rating system to determine the best sportsbooks below for the types of bets that you might make.

Moneyline

✅ Caesars features the best average moneyline prices across overall, while DraftKings and FanDuel come close behind. They have the best pricing across several leagues including the NFL, MLB, NCAAF, and NCAAB. 

Spread

✅ DraftKings gives bettors the best overall average spread prices across sports markets, despite league edges being fairly distributed among books. BetMGM and FanDuel are neck-and-neck behind DraftKings for spread betting. 

Totals

✅ BetMGM and FanDuel tie for the best average totals prices overall across sports markets. DraftKings actually isn't far behind those two either. Caesars, however, has the best prices for most leagues with MLB and NCAAF. 

Best Average NFL Spread Pricing

It is no surprise that the NFL drives the most volume in terms of both money wagered and bets made in the American sports calendar. With that in mind, it pays (literally) to know which sportsbooks offer the best prices on NFL spreads. Our team has compiled data looking at favorite and underdog odds prices across the top five books. Here's how they shake out: 

NFL Favorites Pricing

✅ Caesars is the go-to sportsbook for best prices on NFL spread favorites. They provide the best price 28.9% of the time, whereas DraftKings lags far behind as the worst option at offering the best price only 5.8% of the time. 

NFL Underdogs Pricing

✅ DraftKings and FanDuel are neck-and-neck on offering the best NFL underdog prices at 29.9% and 29.1% respectively. BetMGM brings up the rear in best underdog prices overall. 

🗓 Takeaway: Diversify Your Sportsbook Accounts

As you can see demonstrated here, it's in your best interest as a bettor to have an account on more than one platform for your sports betting. This way, you can look for hidden value if one book is pricing a bet at a better price than their competitors. This requires you to keep an eye on odds pricing, but if you're a fan of legal sports betting, you're probably doing that anyway. 

Methodology for Determining Sportsbook Ratings

How do we determine the best US sportsbooks? In our sportsbook review, Action Network grades sportsbooks using a highly specific evaluation methodology. Our team of expert handicappers meticulously reviews a variety of sportsbook features in order to create an accurate user experience account to share with bettors. Below are the elements that are tested in order to generate an overall sportsbook rating.

Sportsbook Bonuses & Promotions 20%

Bonuses and promotions are often the first thing new potential users are looking at when evaluating sportsbooks. We rate sportsbooks on their bonuses & promotions in two categories:

1. Sign-up offers: How strong is their new user bonus to entice bettors to register and begin using the sportsbook?
2. Existing user bonuses: How well does the sportsbook continue to keep existing users engaged with regular bonuses, boosts, etc? 

Both elements are rated separately on a scale of 1-5. The two scores are then averaged to provide an overall rating for the Bonus & Promotions category.

Sports Betting App Functionality & User Experience 35%

Most sports bettors are likely to be placing wagers with sportsbooks through a mobile app. Having a technically sophisticated and user friendly app is vital to being rated highly by our experts. The five evaluation elements that makeup this category are:

• Log In Process: How easy and quick is it to sign in to the sportsbook mobile app?

• In-app Navigation: How straightforward is it to find specific contests and information as well as to browse the available bets? 

1. General app layout, navigation menus, and in-app search functions are all accounted for here.

• App Speed: How quickly does the mobile app update, redirect users to new pages, and respond to user input?

• Data Density: How much game data can be viewed at once without users having to scroll through multiple pages?

• Bet Slip: How intuitive and seamless is the bet slip to facilitate placing wagers?

All five elements are rated separately on a scale of 1-5. The scores are then averaged to provide an overall rating for the Mobile App Functionality & User Experience category.

Desktop Functionality & User Experience 5%

While most bettors are likely to utilize a mobile app, there are users who prefer a desktop experience. We have graded the functionality and user experience using desktop in the same way as above:

• Log In Process: How easy and quick is it to sign in to the sportsbook mobile app?

• Desktop Navigation: How straightforward is it to find specific contests and information as well as to browse the betting markets? 

1. General app layout, navigation menus, and in-app search functions are all accounted for here.

• Website Speed: How quickly does the mobile app update, redirect users to new pages, and respond to user input?

• Data Density: How much game data can be viewed at once without users having to scroll through multiple pages?

• Bet Slip: How intuitive and seamless is the bet slip to facilitate placing wagers?

All five elements are rated separately on a scale of 1-5. The scores are then averaged to provide an overall rating for the Desktop Functionality & User Experience category.

Cashiering 5%

Ease and speed of depositing and withdrawing money with a sportsbook is another key component to a solid sportsbook. When rating cashiering, our team focuses on the following:

• Deposit & Payout Options: What options are available to users to deposit money and withdraw it from their account. The more options available, the more flexibility users have to manage their money in the way they prefer.

• Deposit Amounts: Is there a reasonable minimum and/or maximum deposit amount in place? Do sportsbooks have a reasonable barrier to entry for lower-end players and do they have high enough ceilings for more high stakes players?

• Payout Speed: How quickly will users get money into their hands after requesting a withdrawal from the sportsbook? 

Each of these three elements is rated separately on a scale of 1-5. The scores are then averaged to provide an overall rating for the Cashiering category.

Market Pricing (Compared to Other Sportsbooks) 25%

Having strong, competitive odds and reasonable pricing across sports markets is a great way to keep bettors using a sportsbook. Action Network looks at prices across sportsbooks to make direct comparisons on the following areas:

• Overall Average Pricing Across Markets: On average, how does a sportsbook compare to others on its pricing across sports and betting markets? For example, does bet365 offer more value on a bet than Caesars Sportsbook? 

• By Sport: How does a sportsbook compare to others on its pricing for specific popular sports markets (i.e. NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAAF, NCAAB, etc)? Can you find better overall league pricing on FanDuel vs. BetMGM?

• By Bet Type: How does a sportsbook compare to others on its pricing for a specific betting market (i.e. moneyline, spread, totals, etc)?

Each of these three elements is rated separately on a scale of 1-5. The scores are then averaged to provide an overall rating for the Market Pricing category.

Market Coverage 10%

Every legitimate sportsbook will cover the major sporting events and bet types, but we also rate each sportsbook on their additional market coverage as well.

• Sports Markets: What sports markets does the sportsbook cover? How niche do they get with their coverage of sporting events?

• Bet Types: What bet types are available through the sportsbook?

• Featured/Unique Bet Types: Does the sportsbook feature unique bet types or wagering opportunities that cannot be found at another sportsbook?

Each of these three elements is rated separately on a scale of 1-5. The scores are then averaged to provide an overall rating for the Market Coverage category.

Generating the Final Sportsbook Review Score

A final sportsbook review score is then generated by creating a weighted average from the scores of the six evaluation categories outlined above. Action Network experts have weighted categories differently based on the level of importance we believe that they represent to bettors. Below is an example of how a final score would be determined using this weighted average method.

• Bonuses & Promotions - 4.5
• Mobile App Functionality & User Experience - 4
• Desktop Functionality & User Experience - 3.5
• Cashiering - 5
• Market Pricing - 4
• Market Coverage - 4.5

Once we have scores, we would multiply those by the weight of each category and then divide that sum by the total sum of the weights.

4.5(20) + 4(35) + 3.5(5) + 5(5) + 4(25) + 4.5(10) / (20 + 35 + 5 + 5 + 25 + 10)

417.5/100 = 4.2

From here, we multiply this score by two to get a rating out of 10. In this example, the sportsbook would receive a final review score 8.4/10.

We know that not everybody will just take our word for it when it comes to selecting a sportsbook. For those who like to dig-in and do the research for themselves, be sure to keep the evaluation criteria outlined above in mind. Don’t be afraid to register for more than one sportsbook. Having accounts in multiple places can help ensure you’re always getting the best odds and lines possible on your wagers.

How to Start Betting on Sports

To start betting on sports, you're already in the right place. This guide has everything you need to start betting, from information on how to bet to links to actual sports betting providers (and their welcome offers)! Start at this point if you want to sign up and then claim a promotional offer just for becoming a new customer of a sportsbook.

Remember, read our guide on what common sports betting mistakes to avoid before putting your hard-earned cash down on a bet. Then, sign up using the guide below and claim your offer. Now you're ready to start betting, hopefully with some extra credit in your bankroll! (21+ in most jurisdictions. You often cannot bet on sports if you work for a sporting team, venue, casino, or sportsbook: if this applies to you, you probably already know.)

Sports Betting Terminology

There is a lot to learn when it comes to sports betting. Whether you consider yourself a casual bettor or a more sophisticated player, it pays to have a foundational understanding of how sports betting works. 

Types of Bets

Sportsbooks offer no shortage of betting options, including some extravagant markets. Most bettors, though, will find the following bet types the most compelling and easy to wager on:

• Moneylines - Moneyline betting is the most straightforward type of wager. This simply requires a user to correctly pick the winner of the game or event being played. Learn more about what is moneyline betting?

• Point Spreads - Spread betting is a wager on the margin of victory in a game, or the point differential between teams. Learn more about the point spread definition and examples.

• Totals (Over/Under) - Totals, also known as Over/Unders, is a bet on the number of points both teams combine to score in a game. The winner of the game is irrelevant in totals. Learn more about how overs/unders work in sports betting.

• Half Bets - Halves betting allows a bettor to treat the first and second half a game as separate matches. This means users can make different bets for each half (or quarter). Learn more about half bets.

• Player Props - Prop bets for short, this type of wager is typically placed on an individual player performance. This wager is not tied to the final score or outcome of a game, but purely to the individual stats of a single person. Learn more about what is a prop bet? in our guide.

• Futures - A futures bet is a wager on an event that will be decided later in a season (i.e. end of season result). Odds are more favorable for bettors with futures due the difficulty in correctly predicting an outcome far in advance. Learn more about futures sports betting and odds.

• Parlays - Parlay sports betting is a type of bet where multiple wagers are combined to create a greater payout. "Same game parlay" options allow bettors to create unique and potentially lucrative bets within the same game. Each “leg” of the parlay is required to win in order for a bet to payout. Learn more about what is a parlay in sports betting?

• Live Betting - Also known as in-play or in-game betting. Live betting apps allow you to place wagers on sporting events that are already in progress. Currently, bet365 is among the best live betting sites available. If you're a sports bettor in Illinois, be on the lookout for a bet365 Illinois Bonus Code! Users in other states like New Jersey, North Carolina, and Ohio can start betting with bet365 now by using the bet365 bonus code.

How Betting Odds Work

Understanding how betting odds work is probably the most important place for a new sports bettor to start their education. Without knowing how the odds work, it will be very difficult to make smart wagers. This guide will specifically detail American odds, as this is what bettors will encounter when wagering with the sportsbooks detailed above. However, it is worth noting that users may run into decimal odds in sports betting as well, particularly with internationally based sportsbooks.

American odds are designed around the notion of a bettor winning or wagering $100 on a given bet. While you are not required to wager that amount, this is the format in which the odds are presented. A favorite (team/player expected to win the competition) and an underdog (team/player expected to lose the competition) is designated for each event. The favorites to win an event are designated by a minus sign (-) while underdogs are given a plus sign (+). The number associated with the favorite is the amount of money that a bettor needs to risk in order to win $100. Conversely, the number associated with the underdog is the amount of money that a bettor will win for every $100 risked. Here’s an example to illustrate how American odds work:

Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals

Golden State Warriors (+150) @ Boston Celtics (-175)

As you can see, the Warriors were considered the underdog for this game whereas the Celtics were the favorites. Bettors who placed a wager on Golden State would have won $150 for every $100 wagered. The odds will scale based on a user’s wager, though. For example, if someone had only put $50 on the Warriors to win at +150 odds, their total payout would have been $75.

For anyone betting on the Boston Celtics, they would have to bet $175 to win $100. Negative odds will scale as well based on the bettor’s wager. A $50 wager on the Celtics at -175 odds would have netted a bettor $28.57. 

A good sportsbook will allow users to input different wager amounts to see the potential payout prior to submitting the bet. This way, bettors will always know what they stand to gain.

Get more information about in our guide: How Do Sports Betting Odds Work? American Odds, Explained.

Using Parlay Science to Build Betting Strategies

Parlay Science combines AI technology with traditional betting strategies to help users make informed betting decisions and identify lucrative opportunities. The platform offers a vibrant community on Discord where sports bettors can engage, share strategies, and access exclusive betting insights and tools.

Learn more about Parlay Science and take advantage of the Parlay Science promo code ACTION, which provides a 25% discount on your first payment, making it an excellent way to test the waters without a hefty financial commitment. To apply the promo code ACTION, simply enter it in the designated field during checkout on Parlay Science's WHOP.com marketplace.

Action Network Responsible Sports Betting Resources

Even with a strong knowledge base of online sports betting, it helps to have some resources in your back pocket to streamline your wagering and boost your success rate. Action Network has created a variety of tools past this sportsbook review to help every level of bettor. 

Betting Odds Calculators

Figuring out odds in your head can be a hassle. Action Network has a variety of easy-to-use calculators to take the guesswork out of any wager. Bookmark our sports betting calculators page for quick access.

Bankroll Management

When it comes to being a successful long-term sports bettor, bankroll management is vital. Learn about the importance of bankroll management in sports betting from Action experts.

Sports Betting Glossary of Terms

Sports betting has a wide range of terms that may be confusing to new bettors. We’ve created a glossary of commonly used sports betting terms to help you understand what you’re seeing on sportsbooks.

Sports Betting Mistakes to Avoid

There are any number of ways to lose money with sports betting. There are, however, many strategies that bettors can and should implement in order to steadily build their bankroll.

The History of Legal Sports Betting