If you enjoy gambling online, you’re probably familiar with sports betting. The sportbook industry has become increasingly popular as more states legalize the activity. In the United States, 24 states plus Washington, DC now offer sports betting. The list is expected to continue to grow. In addition to traditional brick-and-mortar operations, many of the top sportsbooks now offer mobile and online betting options. The best US sportsbooks accept a variety of payment methods including Visa and MasterCard, American Express, Skrill e-wallets and more.
The top rated sportsbooks feature odds on all major sporting events, from basketball and football to baseball and hockey. You can also find odds on individual players and game props, such as how many points a player will score in a particular play. Most sportsbooks set their odds based on a combination of internal and external data sources. The more popular a particular event, the higher the odds will be.
When comparing odds between sportsbooks, be sure to take into account any potential bonuses or other promotions that may boost the odds of winning. These offers can be a great way to try your hand at sports betting for free or even win real money!
New Jersey was first out of the gate with retail and online sportsbooks following the Supreme Court decision in May 2018. The Garden State quickly surpassed Nevada to become the leading sports betting destination. It is now home to dozens of top-tier American gambling brands, all competing for bettors’ business.
West Virginia also sprang into action following the Supreme Court ruling. The state’s retail sportsbooks opened in September 2018, and the first online sportsbooks launched a month later. It’s one of the quickest law-to-launch intervals for any state to date. Top brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars and BetRivers are all live in the state.
Pennsylvania took a little longer than some other states to open its doors. Its first retail sportsbook opened in June 2018, but the first online sportsbooks rolled out a few months later. Its online offering is a bit limited, but it still provides bettors with plenty of options.
Arizona was another latecomer to the legal sports betting party. The state’s first sportsbook launched in 2021, and its first online sportsbook a few months later. Its online sportsbook is tethered to its physical casinos, and only bets on in-state professional and collegiate teams are accepted.
Arkansas and Delaware are the only other states to allow legal online sports betting. Their sportsbooks are available through just three apps: Betly, Oaklawn Sports and BetSaracen. In both cases, the sportsbooks are only accessible at their resident casinos. This prevents competitors from gaining an edge by offering better odds. Sportsbook operators are also required to post their payout limits in-game. They’re usually displayed on the left-hand side of the betting screen. In some cases, you’ll find a “Max Win” limit that indicates the maximum amount you can bet on a single wager.