To assist sports betting fans, we have taken on the task of ranking and reviewing the best online betting sites. How we rank these sites is a result of our team’s extensive research and hands-on experience with multiple sportsbooks. We invest countless hours into compiling a comprehensive list that showcases the top contenders. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of our ranking process, revealing the specific criteria upon which our opinions are based.
When determining our rankings of betting sites, we carefully consider a wide range of different factors and criteria. The importance of certain elements may vary depending on the specific list we are compiling. For example, when rating the best NFL betting sites, we pay extra attention to factors such as NFL odds and the availability of diverse markets tailored to this sport. However, regardless of the type of list we are creating, we consistently evaluate the aspects outlined in this article.
Competitive Odds
Sports betting is a fun way to pass your time and adds an extra bit of excitement to games. While you shouldn’t look at betting as a form of income you should be trying to make more money than you lose. Odds play a huge part in achieving this therefore it’s something we pay close attention to when ranking sportsbooks. There’s no one betting site that has the best odds for all markets, but there are many sites that outdo a lot of their competitors on a regular basis. We rate the odds offered by sportsbook by looking at the following factors:
Odds for Straight Bets
Straight bets are the staple of any betting site. The term straight bet refers to moneyline, spread and totals bets. For totals and spreads you are going to find that almost all of the time the odds for either side are -110. These odds give a payout percentage of 95.28% and the closer to 100% the better value the odds are. Anything below this for totals and spreads is poor. While these are standard odds we also pay close attention to whether or not a site offers reduced juice games. This is when a sportsbook reduces its juice or vig which means that the payout percentage is increased. For example, you may find some games where the odds for spreads or totals are both -105 and these are reduced juice games.
Moneyline bets aren’t quite as simple as totals and spread as the odds for each side of the bet can differ significantly based on the oddsmaker’s views on each team’s chances of winning. That being said we can still use the payout percentage to give an indication of how good the odds are. The payout percentage of around 95% is good anything above that is very good value. If the payout percentage is below 92% then it would be considered very poor value odds for a moneyline bet.
Odds on Other Types of Bets
Other types of bets with multiple possible outcomes like futures, get even more complicated to work out the payout percentage and it’s more useful to work out the implied probability. With futures, the probability of each team winning when added altogether is 100%. However, a sportsbook is going to always attach an implied probability of over 100% as that’s how they make their money. When you work out the implied probability of all the odds for a futures market at a sportsbook the closer it is to 100% the better value the odds. We want to see an implied probability of no more than 140% but ideally looking for 110-120%.
We will also directly compare odds at a sportsbook for each available option and pay particular attention to the favorites to win the competition as they are more likely to win. So even if a site has slightly better-implied odds they may offer shorter odds on the favorites and make up for that by offering longer odds on teams or players that have little chance of winning.
When assessing a prop bet working out the value depends very much on the type of prop bet. For some bets, like which team will win the coin toss in the Super Bowl, we can use the same method as straight bets as there are two possibilities and you can bet on either outcome. For prop bets that have multiple selections but all eventualities can be bet on then we can use implied probability like with future bets.
Some props, however, may have two or more possible outcomes but you can only bet on one side. For example, a sportsbook may offer odds on a player to make a triple-double in an NBA game, but you can only bet on this happening and are unable to bet on it not happening. With these types of bets, we directly compare the odds of sites plus work out the implied probability and see if those matches are thoughts on the chances of it happening.
Betting Options and Sports Coverage
The more sports and betting options a sportsbook offers the better as having a diverse range of possible bets means bettors can implement a wide variety of strategies and make use of their sports knowledge when wagering thus improving their chance of winning. It’s also evidence of a sportsbook’s commitment to its users by providing options for all types of bettors and that they are willing to adapt and keep up to date with current demands and betting trends. When we evaluate this aspect we look food the following features:
Major Sports
The first thing we evaluate is if there are markets for the most popular sports and leagues in the county. For example, in the US we expect to see the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, soccer, motor racing, golf, MMA/boxing, NCAA football/basketball, and tennis all available. If a US sportsbook is missing any of these it’s unlikely they will make it into our top 10 ranking.
Niche Sports
As well as the major sports we also look for what less popular sports and leagues feature on a website as although most people are looking to bet on major sports and leagues there are still a large number of people looking to bet on other sports and it also allows bettors to diversify what sports they bet on. Minor leagues, like XFL, WNBA, various international soccer, basketball, and baseball leagues, plus niche sports like darts, lacrosse, skiing, and wrestling are all things we look out for.
Special Bets
Sometimes you might fancy a break from sports betting and we like to see sportsbooks that offer a few unique markets for their patrons including political betting, TV show betting, and special markets like betting on the next pope or how who will be the next James Bond.
Esports
Competitive eGaming has seen a huge rise in its viewership in recent years and as such the number of people wanting to bet on eSports has also dramatically increased. For this reason, we prefer sportsbooks that offer at least some eSports markets.
Alternate Lines
Straight bets which are money line bets, spread bets, and over/under bets are the staple of any sportsbook and if a site doesn’t offer these then they definitely worth your time. However, not all sportsbooks offer alternate lines for spreads and totals, An alternate line is where the spread or totals line makes the odds higher or lower depending on which way it moves.
For example, if the standard spread for an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions is Lions +7 at odds of -110 then an alternate line may offer +8 at slightly lower odds of say -150. The line could move the other way and the lions might be +6 and you will get better odds of +100. The more alternate lines available the better as it gives bettors the freedom to use their knowledge and how they feel a game will play out to increase their chances of winning or increase the payout they will receive.
Parlays and Other Multi Bets
Another betting option every sportsbook should have parlays. However, not every sportsbook offers the same game parlays and even if they do it may be limited to certain sports, or the number of max selections may differ. Like with most things we’ve covered so far the more options the better. In addition, parlays are not the only form of multi-bets and we want to see sportsbooks offer trixies, teasers, round robins, and other multi-betting options.
Prop Betting
Prop betting opens up an incredible amount of betting opportunities which is why they have become the favor wager type of so many sports betting enthusiasts. We look favorably on sites that offer a wide range of props for sports and for major sports like football, soccer, and basketball we would expect hundreds of available props for games.
Futures
Futures give you a lot of bang for your buck because not only do they have some of the most lucrative odds but your one futures bet can remain active for months which means you have a vested interest for a long time. While pretty much all sportsbooks offer futures for major championships like Super Bowl or World Series winners the best sportsbook offers lots more futures for niche sports and other individual awards like 6th Man of the Year or comeback player of the Year.
Create Your Own Bet
A select few sportsbooks now let players create any bet they want that’s not currently on offer and will do their best to offer odds on the said wager and let players bet on it meaning that the betting options are virtually limitless. This is a rare feature that not many sportsbook offer so not every site we recommend will have it but we look very fondly on a site if it has this option.
Live Betting and Live Streaming
Live betting also known as in-play betting, is a must-have for us when we rank sportsbooks. It is a hugely popular betting market and as such any sportsbook that does not offer it can not be classed as a good option. Its rise in popularity is because it allows different betting strategies to be implemented and lets bettors make informed bets based on unforeseen events in-game that are impossible to predict pre-game.
Unlike live betting live streaming is not an essential feature. However, it is a very useful and entertaining one that greatly enhances a user’s experience. If you are betting on sports you probably enjoy watching it so being able to live stream games for free is a huge bonus. Additionally, it pairs well with live betting as if you are watching a game you can make more informed decisions when placing your in-play bets.
Live Betting Markets
Just as is the case with pre-game markets the more betting options variable the better as it provides more winning opportunities. We rank a sportsbook live betting based on how many markets they have available and ideally want to see alternate lines on moneylines, spreads, and totals, plus a diverse range of prop bets and the ability to place same game live parlays.
Live Betting Odds
The importance of odds is just as important for live betting markets as it is for pre-game markets. It’s a little harder to work out as the odds continuously change in the game but we are still able to calculate payout percentage and expect to see the same percentage amounts for straight bets as we would pre-game.
Another aspect we have to consider for ranking live betting odds is how quickly a sportsbook updates their odds as while they are changing the odds some bets are locked out and if a sportsbook takes a while to update the odds you can easily miss your chance to bet at the odds you want. Some sportsbooks even offer automatic betting where you can input the bet you want to place if the odds hit a particular amount you set and then the bet is automatically placed which is a very useful feature.
Live Betting Tool
There can be significant differences between betting sites’ live betting tools. While this does not hold as much weight as the markets and odds of live bets it’s still important to our rankings. The best sportsbooks have modern live betting tools with state-of-the-art visualizers that display in-play action. They also have the option to track multiple games at once and provide useful in-game statistics and analytics which are a big help when wagering on live games.
Live Streaming
When we are reviewing a site’s live streaming the first thing we do is see what sports are available to live stream. Some sites advertise live streaming of sports but in reality, they stream a few games a day from very niche sports or leagues. The other thing we weigh up is the quality of the streams. It’s exasperating trying to watch a live game when it freezes and buffers constantly or the quality looks like you are watching a game on TV from the 1980s.
Security and Privacy
Sportsbooks can still rank well on our site if they perform ok or even poorly in one area of our ranking system if they make up for this by doing very well in other areas. However, security and privacy are not one of these areas and it is our number one priority. If we deem any site to have average or poor security and privacy then we would never recommend them even if everything else was amazing. We judge how safe a betting site is by analyzing the following factors:
Privacy Policy
You enter into a contract when creating an account at a betting site and in that contract, there is a privacy policy. You are able to check this while you are signing up or it should be available somewhere on a site’s home screen at any point. You want to work with sportsbooks that ensure your personal information is kept safe and that do not sell your information to third-party organizations.
Digital Security
Any site we recommend also has to have proper software and procedures in place to protect itself from cyber-attacks and third parties trying to hack the site. We ensure that any site we recommend has the latest data encryption technology and appropriate firewalls to keep your money and information safe.
License
This is another critical factor that is the first thing we check when reviewing a website. Any sportsbook we recommend must hold a valid license from a verified regulating body with appropriate rules and regulations and properly enforces them. The reason is this ensures that the site is legitimate and offers a fair gambling experience for its users.
User Friendly Design
The way a site looks is something we assess when reviewing them but it’s not a criteria that plays much of a role in our overall ranking. However, how the site functions and how user-friendly it is is something we pay considerable attention to. The chief areas we assess for a betting site’s design are as follows:
Information Architecture
The information architecture of a website refers to how the site is organized. As we discussed earlier the best sportsbooks have a huge range of markets and sports on offer which means they need good organization so users can easily navigate a site. Having clearly labeled menu tabs that make sense, good mapping and a search function are important elements of any betting site.
Loading Times
This is something incredibly important for any website including sportsbooks. We expect when switching between pages of a site for them to load pretty much instantly when there are no issues with our internet connection.
Special Tools
Fast loading times and good organization are the basic functions we expect from every sportsbook. The best sportsbook also includes extra tools that enhance a user’s experience. Things like prop builder tools, automatic multi-bet builders, popular bet filters and other features that speed up the betting process and assist users are what set good sportsbooks and great ones.
Mobile Compatibility
Bets placed on mobile devices make up the majority of all online bets so a betting site has to have a high-quality app or mobile-optimized site that provides a smooth betting experience site if it’s going to do well in our rankings. We assess if all of the same functions are present on a sportsbook mobile site/app including the same betting lines including live betting, banking options, and the ability to claim promotions. We apply the same user-friendly design criteria as we would for a desktop site.
Bonuses and Promotions
One of the main reasons so many bettors choose to place bets via the internet instead of in person is the number of generous bonuses that can be claimed from online betting sites. It’s also one of the key aspects for bettors when choosing what sportsbook to use. As such it’s something we research thoroughly and plays a major role in how we rank a site. In this section, we uncover what kind of bonuses and promotions we look out for and what aspects we deem important when making decisions on if a bonus is good or not.
Welcome Bonuses
You should expect any good sportsbook to offer some sort of welcome bonus and shouldn’t waste your time or money on one that doesn’t. These are usually the most lucrative of all bonuses so we consider them important. Bigger doesn’t always mean better with welcome bonuses and we thoroughly assess not just the maximum amount or percentage match but also what terms and conditions apply like rollover requirement, betting limits, and expiration date of any welcome promotion.
Promotions for Existing Users
If a sportsbook offers a generous welcome bonus but nothing for their existing users it’s a red flag as it shows they only care about getting new customers and not ensuring all their customers are happy. We expect to see at least a few promotions for current customers like reloads, free bets, risk-free bets, no-deposit bonuses, free competitions, and sports/event-specific bonuses. Like with the welcome bonus, we don’t only consider the amount but what conditions are applied to these bonuses.
VIP Programs
When we mention VIP programs we are not referring to only schemes that reward thigh rollers. Many sportsbooks now provide these types of programs for all their regular users no matter what their bankroll is. Most of the time these work by awarding points for wagers made on the site and then these points can be exchanged for rewards. In most instances, these schemes have multiple levels and you move up levels as you acquire more points. When reviewing a sportsbook VIP scheme we will base our ranking on how easy it is to earn points, move u levels, and what perks and rewards are incorporated.
Banking Options
The best sportsbooks provide a diverse range of safe and secure payment methods for both withdrawals and deposits. In fact, if you find a site that has only one or two ways to make payments then you should be very wary. In addition, if you find astronomical fees for transactions then that’s also something that raises alarm bells. When we evaluate the banking options we consider, what fees are applied, and how long they take to process. And of course, we look for what are the options available and we expect to see the following:
Cryptocurrency
This has become a very popular way to complete transactions at betting sites in recent years and for good reason. Crypto offers an extra level of security, and anonymity, plus they are processed very quickly and it should be a maximum of 48 hours before you receive a withdrawal using this method. Ideally, we look for sites to be under 24 hours.
The best crypto sportsbooks on the market today don’t just accept Bitcoin but also other popular digital currencies including Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple. The more crypto options a sportsbook the better.
Fiat Options
Not everyone is a fan of crypto and there are still a large number of people who prefer to stick to more traditional options so we expect online betting sites to provide multiple fiat options. Major credit/debit cards, bank transfers cheques and P2P transactions are all things we look for a sportsbook to provide. Unlike crypto, there are almost always fees for either deposits and/or withdrawals but we look for sites that charge lower-than-average fees. It’s also true that the forms of payments take longer for you to receive your cash when withdrawing but again we look for sites that don’t take over the average amount of time.
EWallets
An additional payment option we expect to see at a high-quality sportsbook to provide its patrons with is eWallets. These are similar to crypto transactions in terms of what benefits they provide which include faster processing times and lower to no fees. The one main difference is that sportsbooks often offer increased bonuses for using crypto but not for eWallets.
Customer Service
This isn’t always at the top of everyone’s list when choosing a sportsbook but it should be Good customer service can be the difference between a good sportsbook and a great one. Ideally, you will never have to contact customer service but even the most experienced gamblers may have questions and problems can arise even at the best sportsbook and customer service is the last line of defense. We watch for the following facets at sportsbooks when ranking them.
FAQs
Having an extensive frequently asked questions page at an online sportsbook is a real-time saver for users. The majority of issues or questions you have will be very simple easy to understand answers. Having detailed information online with a good search engine means you don’t have to contact the customer service team for every little issue, saving you time and effort.
Contact Methods
If you can’t find the answer in a site’s FAQ section then you are going to need to contact them and for any sportsbook, you should have the ability to either email them and then either live chat, phone them, or ideally both.
Time of response is also important we expect a sportsbook to respond to emails within 24 hours but the sooner the better. For a live chat function, we would expect most of the time to make contact within a few minutes. The same is true for a helpline and we don’t want to be twiddling our thumbs waiting an extended period of time for an agent to answer. It’s also a big negative if a site has a contact number but it is not toll-free.
24-Hour Customer Service
This is a big factor for us when rating sportsbook’s customer service because although most issues you may face are not urgent, something could arise that needs immediate attention. This makes being able to contact a representative from the site, either by phone or live chat at any time of day or night 365 days a year very important.
Quality of Customer Service Agents
Obviously when evaluating customer service one of the most important elements is the people in the customer service team. We test out all contact methods a site has and assess the staff’s demeanor, knowledge, and willingness to help, plus how fast they are at answering questions and resolving issues.
Another important aspect we look out for is if the service is at the same level for all types of issues. For example, even the worst sportsbooks are probably going to move heaven and earth if you have a problem depositing money and making bets because they want your money. However, some sportsbooks may not treat an issue with withdrawing money with as much urgency and you may find their willingness to help subpar. This kind of thing is a huge red flag and we expect consistently excellent service, no matter the problem.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling is a fun way to spend your time and in some cases make a little extra cash. However, some people may develop a gambling problem and are not able to control their own betting and gamble way beyond their means. This is a very serious matter and sportsbooks should be aware of this and provide adequate tools and assistance to aid anyone who may not be able to gamble responsibly. For us to deem a sportsbook worthy of being highly ranked we look for them to have at least a few of the following features:
Deposit Limits
This is something that every sportsbook should have and if they don’t it raises serious questions about their commitment to protecting their customers. All this feature is it you can set a maximum limit on the deposits you can make either daily, weekly, or monthly. Once you hit this limit you will not be able to deposit any extra cash until the next time period starts.
Wagering Limits
Wagering limits are similar to deposit limits and you can use one or the other or both at the same time. This feature puts a maximum limit on how much you can bet in a time period of your choosing. This can be daily, weekly, or monthly. This is a very helpful tool for people that struggle to gamble responsibly but it’s also useful for novice bettors as it can help you learn how to manage your bankroll effectively.
Loss Limits
The name is fairly self-explanatory here and loss limits just let you set a maximum loss amount and if you lose your maximum limit you will not be able to place any more wagers. These like the other two time limits can be set on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This is a good feature as if you are on a hot streak you can continue but with the safety net of if you go cold, you can’t lose huge amounts trying to chase your losses.
Time Sessions
This feature is not too common at sportsbooks currently but some do offer it and it’s likely this will be used more in the future. This is also a limit but has nothing to do with money and you set a maximum limit on the amount of time you can use the site for. Again you can set the amount of time and the time period this limit applies to.
Time Outs
Even if you are using one or a few of the limits mentioned above, you may feel at times you need a complete break from gambling altogether. With a time out you can do this and you just have to ask your sportsbook and ask for this and they will suspend your account for however long you want. If you have any balance in your account you can either withdraw when you request the time out or alternatively leave it in there and it will remain untouched and be there once you return. In addition, any unsettled bets will remain active and if they win during your time out they will still be paid out and the winnings will be waiting for you upon your return.
Self-Exclusion
If you feel that you are really struggling to control your gambling then you may want to consider a self-exclusion. This feature lets you effectively ban yourself from a sportsbook. Your account will be permanently deleted and the site will prevent you from reactivating your account. In addition, if the betting site has any sister sites then you will be prevented from creating a new account with them also.
Joe Yarnold
Joe Yarnold
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