The Legalisation of Online Sportsbooks in the USA

It was a Wild West less than a decade ago. Before 2018, bettors outside Nevada had a tough time due to a federal ban on sports gambling (PASPA) effective since 1992. Some bettors just gave up, while many decided to bet illegally at home or swim in the shark-infested waters of offshore sports betting.

That was about to change in May 2018 when the US Supreme Court overturned the federal ban, empowering the states to organize sports betting activities as they see fit. After 2018, states like Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey quickly latched on to draft their own betting bills. Today, more than half of the states allow sports betting in one form or another.

In Which States Can You Legally Bet on Sports?

Until 2018, it was Nevada and Nevada alone – the rest of the US had to get by. Today, 38 states (plus the District of Columbia) allow sports betting in some form, 30 of which are fully on board with the online offering. Here’s the complete list of states where you can bet legally:

Why Offshore Sports Are Always a Bad Idea

The PASPA ban on sports betting did the predictable – it pushed punters to try their luck and know-how overseas. Some players from California or Texas still do it, knowing that these websites operate outside of US jurisdiction.

The shady offshore sites often compensate for the lack of safety with favorable betting conditions or competitive bonuses. But make no mistake, however convincing their presentation is, you can always lose money for no reason whatsoever without the possibility of securing any of the rights wielded in the legal sports betting sites.

Apart from the risk of losing money for no reason, here are three other reasons to avoid offshore betting sites at all costs:

• Betting license: legal bookmakers in the US must earn permission to operate under a state regulatory system. Offshore sites don’t need to do it, nor do they risk losing their license due to malpractice.
• Dispute resolution: Regulated US sites must respond to any and all disputes that may arise. Again, bookies registered overseas don’t have that obligation, and you can easily be left on an island.
• Zero guarantees: Even if some offshore sites pay and pay on time, what happens if they go under, as so many have already? In that case, there’s simply no way to retrieve your losses.

How We Rate Online Sportsbooks

At OnlineCasinoUSA, we believe that no single factor is responsible for how good or subpar an online sportsbook is. That’s why in our reviews and ratings, we don’t judge the covers but take deep dives to really break down a betting platform.

How does it look? What sports are available? How’s the app working? These are only some of the questions that we poke and probe with. For the sake of transparency, here are the main factors we consider when rating a sportsbook:

• Betting options: what sports and markets are available?
• Competitive odds: what are they and how do they compare against other platforms?
• Sports betting bonuses: are they competitive enough?
• Reliability: how reliable is the sportsbook in terms of customer support?
• Banking options: the payment options, fees, limits, and timeframes.
• User experience: what are the features that make or break the overall user experience?

Answering these and many follow-up questions, we arrive at a decision whether a sportsbook is worth your time and money or not.

Types of Bonuses at Online Sportsbooks

To attract new bettors and keep the existing user base going, bookmakers have come up with all sorts of bonuses and promotional campaigns that can boost your betting proficiency. Almost all bonuses come with wagering requirements attached, but nevertheless, they provide a great incentive to jump at the occasion and bet with these free-ish funds.

The first promotion you’ll find is a welcome bonus, realized as deposit matches or free bets that come with wagering strings attached. Similar in nature are the many daily or weekly reload bonuses that also match your deposit and have a limited time span.

To incentivize further bets, sportsbooks might also give users all sorts of boosts on selected sports and markets. These could be boosted odds, profit boosts, and referral bonuses for each friend you bring onto the platform. All these promotions have their respective requirements, be it the deposit amount, time limits, or a minimum odds requirement.

Payment Methods at Online Sportsbooks

Banking is one area that US sportsbooks have honed to perfection. Unlike when they were in infancy, today, we have dozens of legal payment and withdrawal methods, from in-person to e-wallets and bank transfers. The best part is that most of them require zero hassle and involve zero risks on your part.

Let’s quickly break down the most common payment methods legally available to US sports bettors:

• Wire transfer: Direct bank transfers are the most common withdrawal method. It is safe, but can sometimes take a few days to complete the transaction.
• Payment cards: you can useeither credit or debit cards to make sportsbook deposits. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are usually all accepted.
• Prepaid cards: For convenience sake, you can also use prepaid cards such as Play+.
• Instant payment services: If time and speedy deposits are of the essence, you can always use services like Apple Pay, PayNearMe, or Venmo.
• Digital wallets: you can link up e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller to your sportsbook account. The withdrawals are mostly instant.
• Real-world casinos: given the fact that online sportsbooks must be associated with a brick-and-mortar casino, you can physically go and deposit funds in that casino.
• eChecking: Last but certainly not least, the eCheck option (VIP Preferred ACH/e-check) is also a possibility.

Security of Online Sportsbooks

Caution is the word. Every sportsbook under the sun will require some sensitive information in order to sanction payments, and this sensitive information is only as safe as the bookie you gave it to.

Legal sportsbooks are obliged under both federal and state laws to safeguard your payment information and comply with data protection policies. Illegal or offshore companies don’t have those restrictions, making them ripe for cyber attacks and privacy leaks.

The other side of the bet slip is also important. Legal sportsbooks are obliged to protect sports data, which constitutes the intellectual property of the teams and leagues that are present. This will make sure that you always get fair odds and do not fall prey to the common malpractice of rigging the margins.

How to Place Your First Bet?

There are a few things to consider before placing an actual bet. First, you need to ensure that online sports betting is available in your state. At this moment, sports betting is legal in 38 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. Of that number, 30 states (plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico) offer betting online via a website or an app.

The first step is to choose a sports betting site you like. If you don’t know where to start, you can rely on our choice and select a sportsbook from our list. Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one option. Prepare a budget for sports betting. Beginners should select an amount they would spend on some other form of entertainment.

When opening a new sportsbook account, make sure to take advantage of any available offer, including match bonuses, bonus bets, or some other deals.

You’ll also need to choose a payment method to fund your account. The list of available options can vary from one sportsbook to another, but the best betting sites in the US usually offer online banking, credit or debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Play+, and ACH or e-check.

Once you’re ready to start placing bets, log into your online sportsbook. Find the sport you’re interested in, choose the bet you want to make, and add it to your bet slip. Finally, you must add the amount of money you wish to bet, and after reviewing the slip, place the bet.

Here’s how the entire process should look like:

• Log into your betting site or app, and find the game you want to bet on.
• Review the odds line for the main bet and click on it to add it to the bet slip.
• Enter the amount you wish to bet.
• After completing all the steps, review the bets to make sure everything is fine.
• Click to submit your bet slip.

The Odds Explained: Moneyline Bets

The odds are a central part of sports betting. They are essential as they reveal the probability of an outcome you’re betting on, which is represented as a price.

The legal USA sportbooks offer American odds, also known as moneyline bets. They use positive odds (+) to indicate how much money a successful $100 would bring, as well as negative odds (-) to show the amount you need to bet in order to win $100. The best way to show you how this works is through an example.

Example

Let’s say a team has +700 odds to win a sporting event. In that case, placing a $100 bet would result in a $700, provided the outcome is correct. You’ll also receive your $100 wager back. On the other hand, if a team has odds of -150, it means that winning $100 would require betting $150.

Of course, you don’t have to bet $100 to win, as the odds scale with the amount you wager. So, if you bet $20 on the odds of +700, you can win $140 since the bet is multiplied by 7. At the same time, a bet of $30 at the odds of -150 can bring you a win of $20, as your stake is divided by 1.5.

Odds with negative symbols show the favorite. This term refers to a side that is more likely to win, at least according to a bookie. Positive odds indicate the underdog, the side that bookies believe is less likely to emerge victorious. If you encounter more than one side with positive odds, look for the smaller numbers for the favorite, whereas the large ones indicate the underdog.

It works the other way around with negative odds, meaning the bigger numbers show who’s the favorite, and the smaller numbers reveal the underdog.

Types of Sports Bet Explained

Understanding the various betting options is crucial for making informed wagers. Below, we’ll break down the most common types of bets you can place in sports betting, explaining how each one works and offering tips to help you get started.

Spread Betting

Spread betting is one of the most popular forms of sports betting. In spread betting, a point spread is established to create a more even playing field between two teams, regardless of their perceived strength.

• Example: If the spread is -7 for Team A, they must win by more than 7 points for you to win the bet. Conversely, if you bet on Team B with a +7 spread, they can either win outright or lose by less than 7 points, and you’ll still win the bet.

Spread betting is ideal when you believe one team has a significant advantage but are unsure if they will cover a large spread.

Over/Under (Totals)

Over/Under betting, also known as Totals, involves wagering on the combined score of both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a number, and you decide whether the actual score will be over or under that total.

• Example: If the Over/Under for a game is set at 45.5, you can bet on whether the total points scored by both teams will be more than 45.5 (Over) or less (Under).

This type of bet is great if you have a strong opinion on how high or low scoring a game will be but aren’t sure which team will win.

Parlays

Parlays combine multiple individual bets into one larger bet for a higher payout. However, for a parlay to win, all the bets within it (often called “legs”) must be successful.

• Example: A three-leg parlay might include bets on Team A to win, the Over in another game, and a different team to cover the spread. If any of these bets lose, the entire parlay loses.

Parlays offer the potential for large payouts from small wagers, but they are riskier because all selections must win.

Teasers

Teasers are a type of bet similar to parlays, but with a twist: you get to adjust the point spread or Over/Under total in your favor. This makes it easier to win each individual bet in the teaser, but the potential payout is lower than in a standard parlay.

• Example: Imagine you’re betting on two football games:
  • Game 1: Team A is favored by 6.5 points (-6.5).
  • Game 2: Team B is an underdog by 3.5 points (+3.5).
  In a standard parlay, you would have to bet on Team A to win by more than 6.5 points and Team B to lose by less than 3.5 points (or win outright). However, in a 7-point teaser, you can adjust the spreads in your favor:
  • Team A’s spread changes from -6.5 to +0.5 (they just need to win by any amount).
  • Team B’s spread changes from +3.5 to +10.5 (they can now lose by up to 10 points, and you still win the bet).

Both of these adjusted bets must win for the teaser to pay out.

Why Choose a Teaser? Teasers are popular because they make it easier to win your bets by giving you better odds through adjusted point spreads. However, because the bets are easier to win, the payouts are smaller than regular parlays.

Prop Bets

Proposition bets, or prop bets, are wagers on specific events within a game that are not directly tied to the final outcome.

• Example: You might bet on a player to score the first touchdown, the number of strikeouts a pitcher will have, or whether there will be a safety in a football game.

Prop bets can add excitement to a game by focusing on individual player performances or specific game events.

Futures

These futures bets are wagers placed on events that will happen in the future, typically at the end of a season.

• Example: You might bet on a team to win the Super Bowl, a player to win the MVP award, or a team to make the playoffs.

Futures bets can offer high rewards, especially if you lock in favorable odds early in the season. However, they require a long-term commitment and patience.

Live Betting

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, allows you to place wagers on a game as it unfolds in real-time.

• Example: You can bet on the outcome of the next play, the next team to score, or the result of a specific quarter or half.

This Live betting adds an extra layer of excitement, as odds constantly shift based on the flow of the game. It’s ideal for those who can make quick, informed decisions.

Same Game Parlays

Same Game Parlays (SGPs) are a type of parlay bet that combines multiple bets from the same game into one wager.

• Example: In a football game, you might bet on the spread, the total points, and a specific player to score a touchdown—all within the same game.

SGPs are becoming increasingly popular because they allow bettors to leverage their knowledge of a particular game for potentially larger payouts, though they carry similar risks to regular parlays.

Sports Betting Strategies

Unlike online casino games, where the house always has the advantage, it’s possible to beat the bookmaker over time. Below, we’ll explore some key strategies that can help you become a more successful sports bettor and potentially turn the odds in your favor.

1. Bankroll Management

One of the most important aspects of sports betting is managing your bankroll—the money you’ve set aside for betting. To protect your bankroll and avoid big losses, it’s smart to bet only a small percentage of it on each wager. A good rule of thumb is to bet no more than 1-3% of your total bankroll on any single bet. This approach helps you weather losing streaks and keeps you in the game longer.

2. Comparing Odds

Before placing a bet, always check the odds at different sportsbooks. Not all bookies offer the same odds, and finding the best ones can make a big difference in your profits over time. Even a small difference in odds can add up, so it’s worth the effort to shop around. Using odds comparison tools or manually checking multiple sportsbooks ensures you’re getting the best possible return on your bets.

3. Researching Data

Making informed bets is key to successful sports betting. Instead of betting on a whim, take the time to research important data like team and player stats, recent performance, injuries, weather conditions, and even historical matchups. Keeping up with the latest news and trends in the sports you bet on will give you insights that can improve your betting decisions. The more you know, the better your chances of making winning bets.

4. Hedging Bets

Hedging is a strategy that allows you to reduce risk and secure a profit, no matter the outcome. This involves placing a bet on the opposite side of your original wager. For example, if you’ve bet on a team to win a championship and they make it to the final, you could bet on the other team to ensure a profit either way. Hedging is especially useful when the situation changes after you’ve placed your first bet, helping you lock in profits or minimize losses.

5. Contrarian Betting Strategy

The Contrarian Betting Strategy, also known as “Fading the public”, means betting against the popular opinion. When a large number of people place bets on one side, the bookmaker might adjust the odds to favor the other side in order to reduce their risk of a big loss. This adjustment often creates inflated odds on the less popular side, offering more value. This strategy is particularly useful when you believe the public is heavily influenced by emotion rather than logic.

6. Creating Your Own Betting Lines

Another advanced strategy is creating your own betting lines before checking what the bookmakers offer. By assessing the teams, players, and other relevant factors on your own, you can estimate what you believe the odds or point spreads should be. When you compare your lines to the bookmaker’s lines, you can identify discrepancies and find bets that offer value. If your line differs significantly from the bookmaker’s, it might be an indication that there’s a worthwhile betting opportunity.

8. Staying Disciplined and Avoiding Emotional Betting

Emotions can be your worst enemy in sports betting. Whether you’re feeling confident after a win or frustrated after a loss, it’s important to stay disciplined and stick to your strategy. Avoid making impulse bets or trying to recover losses with bigger bets. Consistency and discipline are key to long-term success in sports betting. Set limits for yourself, follow your strategy, and don’t let your emotions take over.

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