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The NBA trails only the NFL in terms of gambling popularity in the United States.
Because of the NBA’s immense following, every regulated online sportsbook has NBA odds and lines, including moneylines, spreads, totals, parlays, props and futures. Furthermore, the top NBA betting sites have promotions for new and existing customers.
Your access to the online sportsbooks depends on which legal sports betting state you’re located in.
| Company | Company – Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Notable Features | Menu Options Available | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.0 | > |
Futures | Parlay Builders Menu | Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | ||
| Caesars Sportsbook | 3.0 | > |
Scoreboard, Game Tracker | Quick Pick parlays | Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | ||
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 4.5 | > |
Section on betting data for the game | NBA Featured Players | Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | ||
| FanDuel Sportsbook |  |
5.0 | > |
Offers data on team performance in spread, moneyline, and over/under categories. | Parlay Builder along with Star Player Props and Futures | Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | |
| Bet365 Sportsbook |  |
3.0 | > |
Live Sports Streaming, Multiple Bonus Offers | BetBuilder and Parlay Builder Tools | Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 3.0 | > |
Information on Player injuries | Quick Pick, Futures and Player Props | View More | |||
| Fanatics Sportsbook | > | Search Option, Unique Promos | Parlay Builder, Prop Finder | Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | |||
| ESPN Bet |  |
> | Live Sports Streaming, ESPN Data | Parlay Builder, BetBuilder | Learn More | Read Forbes’ Review |
- Top NBA Sportsbook Apps
- Which NBA Betting Site Has the Best Promotions?
- Which NBA Betting Site Has the Best Odds?
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- ESPN BET
- ClutchBet Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Bet
- Sportsbook Rankings Methodology
Top NBA Sportsbook Apps
- BetMGM Sportsbook: BetMGM is known for its excellence across the board. It has odds boosts, a useful parlay tool and a $1,500 welcome offer if your first wager loses.
- Caesars Sportsbook: If you’re looking for NBA odds boosts, look no further. Caesars typically has the most in the industry on any given day, usually offering at least one boost per game. It also offers a bonus bet up to $1,000 if your first wager loses.
- DraftKings Sportsbook: One of the most popular and widely available sportsbooks in the country, DraftKings makes building parlays easy with its Parlay Builder tool. New users can get $150 in bonus bets by wagering $5+ after signing up.
- FanDuel Sportsbook: FanDuel is user-friendly and has some of the most extensive betting markets in the industry. New customers can get $150 in bonus bets by winning their first $5+ wager.
- Bet365 Sportsbook: The British-based gambling company has one of the best sportsbooks in the U.S. There are two welcome offers for new users to choose from: a second-chance bet up to $1,000 or a bet $5, get $150 offer.
- BetRivers Sportsbook: BetRivers’ welcome offer varies by state but gives new users up to $500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses. BetRivers is a solid option with a good range of betting markets and odds boosts.
- Fanatics Sportsbook: Previously PointsBet Sportsbook, Fanatics debuted in 2023 and is one of the newest sportsbooks on the market. It features a strong rewards program that provides FanCash with every bet.
- ESPN BET: ESPN’s sportsbook launched in late 2023 and has quickly established itself as a high-quality sportsbook with a modern app.
- ClutchBet Sportsbook: A new and growing sportsbook, ClutchBet debuted in 2022. It has a generous welcome offer and a simplified layout that makes betting easy.
- Hard Rock Bet: Hard Rock Bet launched in 2019 and has a modern app that’s now available in seven states.
We recommend the following sportsbooks for NBA betting. Their respective products are similar, but we recommend using more than one to take advantage of different promotions and compare odds and lines.
For example, one sportsbook may list the Boston Celtics at +270 to win the NBA Finals, while another sportsbook might have them at +290. You’d want to bet with the latter book because it has a higher potential payout.
There’s less variation with single-game odds compared to futures, but the differences can add up in the long run. If you’re looking to bet regularly, we recommend using the unit betting method.
Which NBA Betting Site Has the Best Promotions?
If you’re new to sports betting or looking to try a new sportsbook for NBA betting, one of the first things you should consider is the welcome offer.
There are two main types of betting promotions for new customers. One is a “first bet” offer, also known as a “no sweat bet,” “second chance bet” or “safety net bet.” It involves getting your first bet back in site credit (up to a certain amount) if your first wager loses.
Other books will essentially give you free money for signing up. This is usually in the form of a “bet and get” promo, where you receive bonus bets or site credit just for making a small wager after registering. This gives you money to play with to see if you like the sportsbook.
The second option is often preferable, but it depends. A first bet offer is good for a casual bettor who wants to quickly sample a sportsbook or has a specific bet in mind. The second option is preferable for someone who wants to wager on multiple games or markets.
Terms and conditions vary based on sportsbook.
Once you’ve registered for a sportsbook and played through your welcome bonus, it’s also important to evaluate the promotions for existing users. Some sportsbooks offer daily odds boosts or rewards programs to keep customers engaged.
If you wager frequently, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent boosts and a robust rewards program like Caesars or Fanatics. If you’re a more casual bettor, these won’t matter as much.
Which NBA Betting Site Has the Best Odds?
Most online sportsbooks have the same basic basketball betting options . Whichever one you use, you’ll find moneylines, spreads, Over/Unders, parlays, prop bets and futures.
One area where sportsbooks can stand out, however, is with their odds for those markets.
Most sportsbooks will have similar but different odds for the same matchup. For example, the Los Angeles Lakers might be a -160 moneyline favorite at FanDuel and a -165 moneyline favorite at DraftKings .
However, one sportsbook will not have the best odds for every game. BetMGM may have better odds for one game while Caesars will have better odds for a different game.
If you’re serious about sports betting and want to maximize the value of your bets, you need to get the most favorable odds. The best way to do that is by joining multiple sportsbooks and comparing the odds at different sites before placing your wager.
Even slight differences in odds can significantly alter your payout, especially with parlays.
BetMGM Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Menu Options Available
Parlay Builders Menu
BetMGM Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Menu Options Available
Parlay Builders Menu
Why We Picked It
On the Sportsbook app, you’ll find a “Parlay Builders” menu above the day’s slate of NBA games.
For each NBA game, you’ll find the standard spread, total and moneyline listed. Click on “All Wagers” for additional betting markets such as the winning margin, first field goal props and the time of the first point scored.
At the top of the app’s NBA section, you can select “Futures” to look at betting markets such as the NBA Finals winner and various player awards. If you like extreme long-shot bets, you can find bets on the exact matchup in the Finals.
Caesars Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Scoreboard, Game Tracker
Menu Options Available
Quick Pick parlays
Caesars Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Scoreboard, Game Tracker
Menu Options Available
Quick Pick parlays
Why We Picked It
On the Caesars Sportsbook app, you’ll find a menu of “Quick Pick” parlays above the scheduled NBA games for any given day. The spread, moneyline and total are listed for each game.
Click on a matchup to view the other markets, including an array of props. A “Number of Dunks” market is one notable prop Caesars Sportsbooks offers that fans can enjoy.
Other noteworthy features include a game “Scoreboard” and “Game Tracker” at the top of the screen.
DraftKings Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Section on betting data for the game
Menu Options Available
NBA Featured Players
DraftKings Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Section on betting data for the game
Menu Options Available
NBA Featured Players
Why We Picked It
Star players drive interest in the NBA, and the DraftKings Sportsbook app leans into this dynamic. At the top of the app’s NBA section, bettors see a menu of “NBA Featured Players.”
The players shown are among the league’s biggest names, and you can select a player to see a long list of player props for their upcoming game. DraftKings also shows you stats and news regarding that player to help you make a more informed bet.
Below the “NBA Featured Players” are the day’s slate of games, with the standard spread, total and moneyline markets. Select a game to see the game props including “Quick SGP” options. You can also access player props here.
Another notable DraftKings feature is a section on betting data for the game. Bettors can see the percentage of bets placed on either side for the moneyline, spread and total.
FanDuel Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Offers data on team performance in spread, moneyline, and over/under categories.
Menu Options Available
Parlay Builder along with Star Player Props and Futures
FanDuel Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Notable Features
Offers data on team performance in spread, moneyline, and over/under categories.
Menu Options Available
Parlay Builder along with Star Player Props and Futures
Why We Picked It
The FanDuel Sportsbook app features a streamlined menu of betting options with the day’s slate of games front and center in the platform’s NBA section. A “Parlay Builder” is second on the sliding menu, followed by “Star Player Props” and futures.
FanDuel’s live betting updates are arguably the sleekest among the best NBA betting sites, with bettors clearly seeing whether the odds shortened or lengthened.
Furthermore, FanDuel gives bettors useful information on team records against the spread, moneyline and over/under.
Bet365 Sportsbook
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$150 in bonus bets; or up to $1,000 back
Wager Requirement
$5; or if first wager loses
Availability
Bet365 Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
$150 in bonus bets; or up to $1,000 back
Wager Requirement
$5; or if first wager loses
Availability
Why We Picked It
Bet365 Sportsbook is available in AZ, CO, IA, LA, IN, NJ, OH, KY, NC, PA and VA.
New Bet365 users can claim $150 in bonus funds after placing a $5 wager or get a bonus bet up to $1,000 if their first wager loses.
BetRivers Sportsbook
Notable Features
Information on Player injuries
Menu Options Available
Quick Pick, Futures and Player Props
BetRivers Sportsbook
Notable Features
Information on Player injuries
Menu Options Available
Quick Pick, Futures and Player Props
Why We Picked It
The BetRivers Sportsbook app’s NBA section features “Quick Pick” same-game parlays with single-game odds and lines underneath. A sliding menu then lists futures and player props.
One thing bettors will notice is that BetRivers doesn’t always use the word “moneyline” – instead giving “win” odds for each team in a matchup. BetRivers’ NBA “Stats” gives bettors useful information on player injuries.
Fanatics Sportsbook
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Each day for 5 straight days
Availability
Fanatics Sportsbook
21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Each day for 5 straight days
Availability
Why We Picked It
Fanatics Sportsbook is online in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV and WY.
Get up to a $200 bonus bet each day for five days after signing up ($1,000 total) if you bet $200 each day.
Read Forbes’ Review
($1,000 1st Bet Reset + $500 1st Deposit Match)
KHRC Licensed
Legal betting age
Read Forbes’ Review
($1,000 1st Bet Reset + $500 1st Deposit Match)
KHRC Licensed
Legal betting age
ClutchBet Sportsbook
Hard Rock Bet
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get $100 in bonus bets if your first wager loses |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | Arizona, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia |
| Offer Expires | Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Sportsbook Rankings Methodology
We’ve taken the time to sample and research numerous sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the best in the industry. These rankings can help you decide which ones to try first.
Our rankings are based on scores in the following categories:
- App reviews
- Availability across states
- Size of welcome offer
- Ease of claiming welcome offer
- Rewards program
- In-app streaming capabilities
- Existing user promos
- Customer service options
Below, we’ll break down each category and why they’re important to your sports betting experience. Then we’ll rank our favorite sportsbooks and explain what makes them stand out.
Criteria
Here are the factors we considered when constructing our list.
App Reviews
A quick and easy way to get a sense of a sportsbook’s quality is by comparing user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since ratings are out of five stars, you’ll generally want a sportsbook that’s well-regarded with an average score of at least four stars.
You can also dive into specific user comments to get a sense of what people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring complaints or issues. This can be helpful for features that are hard to gauge until you actually use the app, like lagginess or customer service.
Many commenters are there to complain, so don’t put too much stock in specific reviews.
That said, if you notice common themes throughout the comments, consider it a warning for issues you may encounter with the app.
State Availability
Each state handles sports betting differently. Some states allow both in-person and mobile sports betting, while others might only allow in-person sports betting or have a hard cap on the number of mobile sportsbooks permitted.
Accordingly, sportsbooks vary by state, as each state has to approve a sportsbook before it can launch there. No sportsbook is available in every state with legal online sports betting, but a few have launched in the majority of them.
Generally speaking, the more states a sportsbook is available in, the better. That means it’s more likely to be available in your state, a bordering state or a state you’re likely to travel to, making it easier and more convenient to use. That way, you’ll be able to take your sportsbook with you rather than needing to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.
While smaller “local” sportsbooks usually offer profit boosts and other bonuses based on hometown teams, they’re usually only available in a handful of states at most, offering limited availability.
Size of Welcome Offer
This is an important one. How much free money will a sportsbook give you for signing up?
Most sportsbooks have welcome offers to entice new customers, but it’s important to know how these offers work. Just because an offer has a higher dollar amount attached to it doesn’t necessarily make it better.
Some sportsbooks have “bet and get” promotions where you receive bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of money. For example, you might get $200 in bonus bets just for placing a $5 wager. You’re essentially getting free money to bet with.
Other sportsbooks have “no-sweat” offers that give a bonus bet only if your first bet loses.
For example, if you place a $20 bet after signing up and it loses, you’ll receive a $20 bonus bet, similar to a refund.
These offers tend to wow bettors with larger amounts than “bet and get” promos, often going up to $1,000 or $1,500. However, you’ll only receive a bonus bet if your first wager loses, in which case you’ll need to use the bonus bet to try to win your money back. If your wager wins, you’ll receive your cash winnings like a normal wager but won’t receive any bonus.
Accordingly, “no sweat” offers generally aren’t as good as “bet and get” promos.
When comparing sportsbooks, it’s better to focus on welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you site credit no matter what.
Ease of Claiming Welcome Offer
The size of the bonus offer won’t matter if it’s difficult to claim.
The best sportsbook bonus offers are as easy to claim as they are generous, being simple and straightforward without requiring you to jump through hoops.
The best bonuses are guaranteed and hit your account instantly as soon as you place your first bet. They’ll also be easy to follow and won’t require you to check a bunch of boxes to get your bonus.
Some sportsbook bonus offers require you to make multiple wagers or wait days or weeks to unlock your full bonus. This can be inconvenient, especially if you’re trying to get your full bonus ahead of a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or March Madness .
More complex offers can be a pain, so we prefer simplified offers with fewer requirements.
Rewards Program
If you bet often and are planning to use a sportsbook frequently, a strong rewards program is essential.
Loyalty programs differ by sportsbook. Some give you rewards points for each bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other rewards. Others offer big rewards like free trips, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events and more.
On the other hand, some sportsbooks don’t have any rewards. That might not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for frequent sports bettors.
It’s like paying for something with cash versus a credit card. If you place a bet at a site without a loyalty program, you’re missing out on points elsewhere.
In-App Streaming Capabilities
While bigger sports like football or basketball are usually only available to watch via traditional cable or streaming services, some sportsbooks offer the ability to stream smaller sports in the app, which is a benefit for bettors.
For example, FanDuel ‘s app often streams tennis matches, which makes it easier to follow the action and place live wagers .
Beyond just offering live streaming, we also considered how laggy the stream was, how much battery it used and the amount of events available to stream in the app.
Existing User Promos
Most sportsbooks have some type of welcome offer to get new customers in the door, but where they really differ is with their promotions for existing customers.
Some sportsbooks offer a slew of daily promotions like odds boosts, no-sweat bets, bonus bets and more to keep customer coming back every day. Others only offer these sparingly, however, if at all.
One key existing user promo to consider is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks have some type of referral bonus for getting someone else to sign up, but the amount can differ ($50 per person, $100, $200, etc.). If you’re planning to bet with friends or family, this can be a great way to score bonus bets for you and them.
Similar to a rewards program, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent offers for existing customers if you plan to bet frequently.
Customer Service Options
Strong customer service options are a must for any sportsbook considering most disputes or calls involve someone’s money.
High marks were given to any sportsbook that offered 24/7 customer service (sporting events often end at night, after all), while points were deducted if a sportsbook relied on a FAQ page as a key part of its customer service profile. The more options for contacting customer service (email, chat, phone, etc.), the better.
Customer support is essential to guaranteeing a smooth sports betting experience. If a problem arises, it’s important to have it handled quickly and effectively.
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Tyler is the Deputy Editor of Forbes Betting, helping expand the vertical since its launch in 2022. Before joining Forbes, he worked for MLB.com, The Game Day and Minute Media. Originally from the Boston area, he graduated from Tufts University in 2015 and currently lives in Providence, RI.
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