The NBA is one of the most popular sports to bet on in the United States and worldwide. With the playoffs just around the corner, join us as we rank and review the best NBA betting sites available online.
Best NBA Betting Sites in the USA
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Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Best NBA Betting Sites for Punters Reviewed
The following sportsbooks top our list of the best online NBA betting sites. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of using each one.
FanDuel
Betting on the NBA using FanDuel is as smooth as it gets, which is why we ranked the platform No. 1.
Same-game parlays, generic parlays, and player props are FanDuel’s specialty. There are also odds boosts often posted for a certain player to score over or under a specific amount of points, or for a team to win straight up.
Cross-sport parlays and mixed market parlays are allowed on this platform, which is a huge plus since not all bookies allow this feature. It enables you to combine certain bets, such as Lebron James’ assist total, the San Antonio Spurs moneyline, and the Houston Astros’ spread.
The odds at FanDuel are extremely competitive, too, and less juiced than many of its competitors. To top it off, FanDuel also boasts a daily fantasy platform, where punters can compete in both paid and free NBA competitions.
- Resources are provided to teach how to bet
- Has its own TV network
- Horse racing book not separate from site
- Sometimes, the software has geolocation problems
- VIP program is invite only
BetMGM
The sportsbook synonymous with the original MGM Grand, founded in Las Vegas in 1973, features a state-of-the-art user interface that is always simple to use.
When betting on the NBA using the platform, the main bets are featured next to the team logos, while other markets — such as player props — are organized via separate tabs.
A “media” section is also visible next to any match you’re looking to bet on, displaying useful data such as NBA division standings, both teams’ last five matches, as well as their head-to-head records.
Another function that aids punters is the ability to favorite an upcoming game by clicking the star next to it. This allows you to return later to wager or see whether lines have changed.
- Rewards can be used online or in person
- Available in a multitude of states
- UI is extremely organized
- Customer support doesn’t offer a phone number
- Existing customers don’t receive many bonuses
- Casino available in limited locations
DraftKings
Considered an industry leader in the sports betting world, DraftKings is known not only for being a sportsbook, but also for offering daily fantasy games.
This platform also focuses on player props, where users can bet on a variety of markets including total points, rebounds, and three-pointers made, to name a few.
One unique feature it boasts is its preset same-game parlays. There are six clickable options with dropdown menus showcasing parlays that range from under +200 odds to ones with +10000 odds.
An example would be the Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers. A three-leg SGP offered at +274 odds features the Sixers moneyline, Joel Embiid to score over 30.5 points, and Embiid to record over 4.5 assists. A successful $100 bet would pay out $274 in profit along with your initial $100 wager back.
Another unique feature of the platform is its rewards program, which offers a tiered system and awards crowns. These can be used to enter contests or else, can be converted to DK Dollars to be used across the sportsbook.
- Many different betting markets
- Odds boosts are provided daily
- Early lines for certain sports
- Doesn’t accept cryptocurrency
- No search bar when looking for bets
- Customer service isn’t available on the phone
Borgata
Handicapping the NBA at Borgata can be a fun experience, especially when betting on professional teams from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Many customers consider it to be one of the premier NBA betting sites in New Jersey and a top retail casino.
The platform offers regular odds boosts for a wide range of wager types, including futures. At the time of writing, it is offering a boost for the New York Knicks to win the Eastern Conference. However, these boosts aren’t just limited to the NBA; there are futures boosts for the NHL (New York Rangers) and MLB (New York Yankees).
Borgata is BetMGM's sister site, so all rewards accrued can be used on either operator. Both also feature physical sportsbooks, so you can visit their retail versions and enjoy the action in person.
- Competitive odds for the NBA
- Search bar lets users find unique wagers
- Livestreaming is available for certain events
- Very limited availability across the United States
- Could offer more player prop boosts
- Withdrawals can take longer than other bookies
Caesars
While Caesars doesn’t rank as high as our other four online betting options, the site is still solid and offers unique features for NBA bettors.
Its most recognizable offers are its NBA odds boosts for everything, ranging from player props and parlays to futures. The platform is one of the rare sites that offers NBA Championship futures boosts for heavily favored teams, such as the Denver Nuggets.
Caesars's user interface displays a list of NBA bets that are easily sortable when clicking on a match. Its mobile app for Android or iOS also features a simple UI and centrally-displayed promotions.
Members can enjoy the tiered VIP system both online and when visiting the retail locations. Points can be spent on discounted hotel rooms, dining, or at the sportsbook.
- Longstanding reputable brand
- Retail locations available all over the country
- Massive bonuses for new users
- The website can load slowly at times
- Regular odds can be too juiced up
- Other bookies offer more betting options
How We Rate NBA Betting Sites
When putting together our ratings, we considered the attributes below as these options can make or break a platform.
Trustworthiness
Trust is essential for high ratings on a betting site. After all, you're providing the organization with your financial and personal information, and you want honest competition and payouts. Trust enables a bettor to unwind and enjoy the experience of wagering rather than always worrying about being duped.
Security and regulation go hand in hand with trust and the operator. Using a site regulated by the state, such as the New York State Gaming Commission, ensures it passes security regulations and that your data is encrypted.
Available Bonuses
Promotions are vital for new and existing members since they can greatly increase your bankroll and broaden your betting experience. These incentives — whether deposit matches or bonus funds — ultimately give you more money to play with, which could improve your chances of succeeding or mitigating the impact of any defeats.
This is especially appealing for rookie handicappers who are still figuring out the ins and outs of sports betting. Yet, even seasoned gamblers appreciate the ability to place additional wagers or test out new betting tactics without laying down as much of their own assets. These perks increase value and may assist the sportsbook to compete in a congested industry.
Banking Options
Sports betting sites accept a wide range of financial methods for deposits and withdrawals, including debit and credit cards, digital wallets such as PayPal, cryptocurrency, bank transfers, as well as prepaid cards. The more choices available, the better.
These options enable customers to select their preferred method depending on safeguards, speed, and fees during transactions. A broader array also accommodates consumers with diverse banking tastes or constraints with particular methods.
Live Betting
A top-rated NBA betting site should improve the overall live betting experience compared to most standard sites. This entails providing a diverse range of options during the game, allowing you to respond to on-court play and place savvy bets based on real-time results.
Websites should offer more than just basic bets when live betting, such as player props and boosts. However, it's more than just variety as users also care about the operator's efficacy, including how quickly they update odds. Delays can result in wasted chances or wagers at outdated odds, which prevents you from locking in a certain number.
Furthermore, options like livestreaming, real-time statistics, and even betting analytics could elevate live betting by having you informed and involved as you punt.
Competitive Odds
Competitive odds essentially imply you receive more value for your money. Higher-paying odds provide an opportunity to earn more money if the wager hits and lose less if it fails.
Moreover, when a betting site delivers odds that are worse than the market average, it indicates that they are attempting to exploit you, which leads you to lose trust in the bookie.
Customer Support
The top NBA betting sites must provide exceptional customer service, which preferably includes round-the-clock support via live chat or phone to answer queries and resolve issues.
Support should give in-depth answers that are straightforward and precise. Users shouldn’t be left wondering about their questions and concerns after they’ve finished talking with a representative.
Covered Leagues
While betting on the NBA might be a handicapper's primary goal, many have expertise in other sports. Since professional basketball isn’t in season all year round, there are plenty of other sports and leagues that should be offered.
Most sportsbooks will offer popular sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, PGA Tour, and top soccer leagues. This is where secondary betting markets also come into play. Betting on the main types of bets, such as the moneyline, spread, or total can be profitable, but sites that feature player props and niche leagues give punters a ton more betting options.
Mobile Betting
An effective mobile app is an essential component of a highly-rated online bookmaker in the present-day, mobile-first market. It is centered around accessibility; you need to be able to place wagers, monitor games, and manage your account from wherever and at any time using your mobile device.
This adaptability is imperative, particularly for busy enthusiasts on the move. An app with a usable interface improves the overall experience.
How To Place Bets on NBA Betting Sites
The step-by-step guide below explains how to sign up for an NBA betting site, place bets, and make a withdrawal if your wager cashes.
Register: Visit the sportsbook of your choosing and click the sign-up or register link. You’ll be asked to enter personal information to be verified.
Complete Deposit: Choose your preferred payment method and select a bonus. Many punters prefer cryptocurrency if it’s an option because sportsbooks don’t charge fees for it.
Place Bet: Select the NBA wager you want to place and then confirm it in the bet slip. You’ll be given a confirmation number after it is successfully placed.
Make Withdrawal: If you can win your bets and wish to pull out your winnings, pick your preferred withdrawal method and click confirm. Withdrawal times can vary on the sportsbook and method chosen.
NBA Betting Sites in the USA: Quick Facts
Here’s a table of noteworthy tidbits regarding the past NBA season and the current one.
2022-23 NBA Champions | Denver Nuggets |
2023 NBA Finals MVP | Nikola Jokić |
2023-24 NBA Champion betting pick | Boston Celtics (+165) |
2023-24 NBA MVP betting pick | Nikola Jokić (-5000) |
Best NBA betting sign-up offer | BetMGM |
Available bonuses | $1,500 in bonus bets back for a losing wager |
Available bet types | Straight bets, parlays, futures, and player props |
States with legal NBA betting | 38 |
Number of NBA teams | 30 |
Mobile apps availability | iOS and Android (BetMGM) |
Legal age for NBA betting | 18 or 21, depending on the state |
Types of NBA Bets
This section explains some of the popular NBA bets. Please note that these examples do not constitute a recommendation to place them.
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Moneyline: A bet on which team will win straight up.
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Player Props: Wagers on player stats regarding the over or under for their points, rebounds, assists or three-pointers.
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Futures: A bet on a future event, such as the winner of the NBA Championship or who the NBA MVP will be. These can be made before the season or during.
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Point spreads: A spread is a wagering number calculated by bookmakers to act as a handicap between two competitors. Because not all teams have identical skill levels, bookies employ the spread to even out the competition. If the favorites win by more than the spread, they cover it. If the underdogs win outright or lose by less than the point spread, they cover it.
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Over/under: In the NBA, over/under (the total) wagering depends on the combined score of both teams. It doesn't matter who wins. The oddsmakers provide a total, and you predict whether the sum of the scores will be larger or less than that number. If the final score equals the total, the bet is canceled out and graded a push.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
NBA betting can be extremely fun and profitable at times, as long as you remember to gamble responsibly and bet with what you can afford. Sportsbooks in this list, such as FanDuel, allow you to bet on more markets, which can give you more value in the long run. It’s important to odds shop on different sportsbooks, do in-depth research on more than the game logs, and compare different expert opinions.
faqs
Yes, betting on the NBA is legal in 38 out of the 50 states in the USA. As of April 12, 2024, it remains outlawed in Texas, California, Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Alaska.
NBA betting can be profitable for certain bettors. Breaking even is good in sports betting because the algorithms oddsmakers use to create lines are extremely complex and hard to beat.
Be sure to look up the best NBA betting prediction sites to learn from different professional cappers/tipsters.
The handicap in NBA betting can refer to the spread. For example, the sportsbook will “handicap” a game by setting the team they deem better as 3.5-point favorites (-3.5) and the underdog at (+3.5). If the favorite wins by four or more points, it covers the spread. If the underdog wins the match outright or loses by three or less, then it also covers the spread.
The alternate spread in NBA punting is a customized point spread provided by the bookmaker that differs from the standard betting line. If you believe the game will be a complete rout or a tight one, look beyond the regular spread to see whether the sportsbook gives other spreads with additional points in favor of the favorite or fewer points in favor of the underdog. Every site in our rankings offers alternate spreads.
The moneyline is a type of bet you make when you select one of the two teams facing off to win outright.
Odds are numbers that represent the likelihood of an event happening. This might be for a team to win, cover the spread, or for a player to go over or under a specific number of points.
The three forms of odds are American (+100 or EVEN), fractional (1/1) and decimal (2). All three lines are equivalent, with implied chances of the bet hitting at 50%. Most sportsbooks allow consumers to choose the category of odds they want displayed.