Compare the Best Sportsbooks With Sign Up Bonus For March 2023
The best online sportsbooks provide large welcome offers, exciting promotions, competitive odds and an excellent overall user experience. This guide is designed to steer you towards the leading sportsbooks in the business. We will break down the key strengths and features of the seven best online sportsbooks, allowing you to find your perfect match.
You will also learn how to sign up with the best online betting sites, make a deposit and place your first bet. We will explain which sports you can bet on, provide an overview of the most popular wagering options and highlight the most attractive bonuses on the market. Read on to learn more about the best sportsbooks.
- Full suite of betting options after relaunch in 2021
- Extensive in-play markets on US sports
- Rewards program allows you to earn betting offers or money off at Caesars facilities
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Among largest selection of sports in the industry
- Lots of team-specific offers due to partnerships with franchises
- Lion's Boost gives you the chance to further increase your bankroll
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Must be 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NV, NY or ON.
- Multiple sign-up bonus options
- Focused on major US sports
- Refer a friend bonus available
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Sportsbook Pools offers cash prizes for free
- Stats Hub provides advanced stats to help you with your wagers
- Exclusive price boosts with the teams DraftKings has partnerships with
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Unique betting features like Captain Morgan’s Soccer Pick’em
- Exclusive odds boosts for FanDuel customers
- Market leader available in majority of states
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- App is very well laid out and incredibly easy to use
- Wide range of live-streaming options
- Access to CityCast podcast in certain states
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Can live stream multiple sports without betting on them
- Among the widest variety of sports to wager on in the industry
- Caters to almost every bettor by allowing wagering in 17 different currencies
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Commercial content notice: Taking up one of these offers may result in a payment to
bookmakers.com. Over 21s only please gamble responsibly.
Offers updated 28th March.
Best Online Sportsbooks
Online sportsbooks provide you with an intriguing opportunity to cash in on your expert knowledge of a particular league. You will find hundreds of betting options regarding NFL betting, NBA markets, MLB contests or NHL betting. Just predict how the game will unfold, choose a bet that fits your projections and make your play. It will seriously dial up the excitement you feel when watching that game.
The best online sportsbooks offer user-friendly mobile apps and websites. They make it quick and convenient for you to bet on more than 20 sports, from athletics to water polo. The top sportsbooks also provide very compelling bonuses to attract new customers. We have highlighted the best sportsbooks online below.
Sportsbook Reviews
Our expert reviewers sign up for accounts with every legal, licensed online sportsbook. That allows them to gain first-hand experience of the banking process, the payout speeds, the customer service response times and the overall quality of the software. We put the online sportsbooks through a series of rigorous tests, focusing on 10 key areas detailed below. When we have assembled a robust body of evidence on each sportsbook, we compare them and ultimately rank them. These are the areas we focus on when seeking out the best sportsbooks.
How We Test The Top Sportsbooks
Welcome Offers and Promotions
The best sportsbooks provide very appealing welcome bonuses. They include risk-free bets, match deposit offers, "bet and get" deals and huge odds boosts. You can often risk a small amount of your own money to unlock hundreds of dollars in site credit when you sign up with an online sportsbook. We look out for sportsbooks that offer lavish bonuses, but it is also important to delve into the terms and conditions. The best sportsbook promotions have a 1x playthrough requirement, which gives you a great chance of withdrawing a cash profit.
Existing Customer Bonuses and Free Bets
High-quality online sportsbooks provide their existing customers with a wide range of recurring bonuses. They are designed to reward your loyalty to the brand and discourage you from taking your business elsewhere. You can look forward to free bets, odds boosts, parlay payout boosts, insurance deals, prize draws and contests at the best sportsbooks. Sportsbooks such as DraftKings, Caesars and BetMGM also provide excellent loyalty programs. They reward you with points when you place bets. These points can ultimately be redeemed for free bets. You will receive additional perks too, such as hotel room upgrades, free meals and gifts - especially if you are a VIP player.
Customer Service and Support
We test out the customer support department on several occasions when conducting our sportsbook reviews. We check how quickly the agents respond at peak times and quiet times, and we ask a range of questions to test their knowledge, friendliness, attentiveness and general professionalism. The best sportsbooks offer 24/7 support via live chat, email and sometimes over the phone too. They put you through to a representative quickly. The customer support staff should be able to answer questions quickly and effectively.
Fast Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposits should be instant at online sportsbooks. The best operators provide a variety of secure methods, including credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, e-checks, e-wallets, bank transfers and cash deposits. We also shine a light on the sportsbooks that provide the quickest withdrawals. BetRivers stands out in this regard. It approves most payout requests automatically and instantly, so you will receive your funds straight away if you opt for a Play+ withdrawal. All deposits and withdrawals should be free, and the limits should be wide enough to suit all bankrolls.
Range of Available Sports
You can bet on a wide selection of sports at the best sites and mobile apps. We examine how comprehensively each sportsbook covers the most popular sports - football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, soccer, tennis, MMA, boxing and motorsports. For example, top sportsbooks offer plenty of basketball markets from games across the world with NBA betting the most popular. They provide a huge array of prop bets and same game parlay combinations. We also delve into how many additional sports they cover, and how deep they go. The leading sportsbooks provide competitive odds on a huge choice of pre-game and in-play wagering options on thousands of events each week.
Mobile App (iOS and Android)
The best sportsbooks offer native apps for iOS and Android users. They are powerful, user-friendly and ultra-reliable, so you will never miss the chance to place a bet. The best sports betting apps often look similar to the sportsbooks' websites, but they are optimized for the smaller screen, with lots of intuitive design cues, shortcuts and dropdown menus to improve browsing speeds. FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM offer elite mobile apps. They allow customers to place bets effortlessly when they are on the move, which is particularly helpful for in-play wagering.
Website User Experience
The best sportsbook websites are easy-to-browse. They benefit from a clean and uncluttered layout, with a powerful search function and an intelligent navigation system. That will allow you to find games very quickly. The betting options will be laid out in a user-friendly format too, ensuring you do not need to scroll down the page to find bet types you like. The best sportsbooks also offer value-added features, such as pre-game stats, bet editing tools and same game parlay builders, which enhance the overall user experience.
Live Streaming
Some online sportsbooks allow you to stream live games on their websites and mobile apps. It allows you to watch the action while weighing up your live betting options. BetMGM stands out by offering live streaming of NBA, MLB and NHL games, and they can add another dimension to soccer betting. BetRivers also offers a very strong live streaming service. The streams are sharp and dependable, so you do not have to worry about lag times or pages crashing. This is a very helpful feature found at the best sportsbooks.
Cash Out
Most sportsbooks offer an early cash out feature. It allows you to earn a guaranteed profit on an open bet before the game has finished. For example, with NFL betting, let's say you bet on an NFL team to cover a 2.5-point spread and it is ahead by 3 points in the fourth quarter. If you are worried that the team will lose its lead, hit the cash out button. Your profit will be smaller than the payout you would receive by hanging on until the end of the game, but it gives you peace of mind. It can also be used to claw back some of your bet amount on a wager that looks destined to lose. The best sportsbooks provide reasonably generous cash out terms, and the cash out feature can be used on lots of sports and bet types.
In-Play Betting
Live betting allows you to wager on a sports event after the game has started. The best sportsbooks provide a wealth of in-play wagering options, with competitive odds on spreads, totals, moneylines and props. They also offer fast markets, such as betting on whether there will be a corner in the next 5 minutes of a soccer game. The best sportsbooks allow you to bet on the outcome of every single point in a tennis match. Speed and reliability are crucial when it comes to in-play betting, as the lines and the odds change quickly. We look for sportsbooks that make it very quick and easy to place live bets. If live streaming is unavailable, they should provide play-by-play updates and stats to help you stay on top of the action.
Sportsbook Promotions
Bookmakers highlights the best sportsbook promotions on the market. You can visit the site to find large sign-up bonuses, including deposit match offers, risk-free bets and odds boosts. We will also highlight the ongoing promotions that sportsbooks offer existing users, such as free bets, parlay bonuses, contests, odds boosts, prize draws and loyalty programs. If you see an offer you like, click the link we have provided to claim it today.
Sportsbook Promo Code
Some sportsbooks require you to enter a promo code to claim the best welcome bonus. If that is the case, we will provide our readers with that sportsbook promo code. You can click on the "CLAIM OFFER" button next to any deal, and that should automatically add the best sportsbook promo code to your sign-up form. If you do not see it in the "Promo Code" box, you can just type it in manually.
Lots of sportsbooks do not require a specific sportsbook promo code. If that is the case, you can just click the link found at Bookmakers.com to grab the best welcome bonus. Our "How to Sign Up to a Sportsbook" section further down the page explains the steps required to create an account and unlock the bonus money.
Sportsbook Free Bet
A risk-free bet is the most common betting offers available at legal online sportsbooks in the United States. The mechanics are simple: sign up, make a minimum deposit and place a bet on a game of your choice. If you win, keep the money and move on. If you lose, the sportsbook will reimburse you, up to a certain limit. For example, Caesars offers a risk-free bet of up to $1,500. The refund is normally paid out as site credit, with a 1x rollover requirement. That means you need to play it through once before cashing out any winnings earned.
You will also receive free bets via "bet and get" deals. These can be aimed at new and existing customers. For example, DraftKings regularly offers sign-up bonuses such as "Bet $5, Get $100" or "Bet $5, Get $150." You just have to place a $5 bet to receive a series of free-bet tokens, which come with a 1x playthrough requirement. The "bet and get" deals aimed at existing customers are more modest. For instance, you may be offered a $10 free bet as a reward for wagering $25 on a same game parlay with at least four legs.
No Deposit Bonuses
This is a very rare type of bonus. The sportsbook gives you bonus funds, and there is no need for you to make a deposit to redeem them. Caesars Sportsbook offered new customers a $300 free bet no deposit - plus a 100% deposit match up to $3,000 - when it launched in New York. The $300 was paid as a single free-bet token with a 1x playthrough requirement, so Caesars took a heavy loss on that promotion in a bid to build up market share in the Empire State. If any sportsbooks launch no deposit bonuses in future, we will be sure to let you know.
Deposit Bonuses
Deposit match bonus are another very common form of sportsbook welcome bonus. The sportsbook matches a percentage of your first deposit up to a certain level. For example, BetRivers provides a 100% deposit match up to $250, while DraftKings offers a 20% deposit match up to $1,000. You need to make a minimum deposit to qualify, and the bonus funds will be released immediately. When you have completed the specified rollover requirements, you can withdraw any profits.
Some sportsbooks offer a matched first bet instead of a match deposit. For example, you could deposit $1,000 and place a $200 bet, and you would then receive $200 in bonus funds.
What is a Sportsbook?
A sportsbook is an organization that accepts bets on sporting events, such as NFL games, tennis matches and UFC bouts. It is separate to a racebook, which takes bets on horse races. There are retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks, which can include mobile sports betting apps and websites.
What are the Best Sportsbooks?
Our reviewers have identified seven high-quality sportsbooks that excel in the areas we laid out above. These online sportsbooks provide a very strong overall user experience. However, they all have different specialisms, so they suit different players. Read our sportsbook reviews to determine which online sportsbook is best for you.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings started out as a provider of Daily Fantasy Sports contests. It was already a famous brand when it pivoted to sports betting in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn a federal ban called PASPA in 2018. That helped DraftKings Sportsbook gain an early edge on many of its rivals. It launched a sportsbook powered by a Swedish company called Kambi, which proved popular.
The company then merged with a different white-label provider, SBTech, ahead of a listing on the Nasdaq in 2020. DraftKings sportsbook now operates on in-house technology created by SBTech. It offers a very polished mobile app and the odds are generally above average. This is a great option for beginners and casual players, as the minimum deposit is just $5 and it often runs very generous welcome bonuses - such as "Bet $5, Win $280" or "Bet $5, Get $200" deals. It does not have a live chat or phone line for customer service, but that is the only real weak point for this excellent all-round sportsbook.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has surged past DraftKings to emerge as the most popular online sportsbook in the country by market share. It has been on a similar journey - moving from DFS contests to sports betting and online casino gaming, while it also now offers a racebook. Flutter Entertainment, the world's largest online gambling business, owns Fanduel sportbook along with famous names such as FOX Bet, TVG and PokerStars.
There are not too many differences between DraftKings and FanDuel. Payouts tend to be a little quicker at FanDuel, and it has larger betting limits on certain sports. It also offers live streaming, which is not available at DraftKings. It has 24/7 customer support via live chat too. The FanDuel app holds the number one ranking on both Google Play and the App Store, so it is a great option for sports bettors. However, it does not have a loyalty program for sports bettors, whereas DraftKings does.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is a very impressive sportsbook. It was created as a joint venture between MGM Resorts International, one of the country's largest casino operators, and a British company called Entain, which supplies the proprietary technology. The Entain platform is very sophisticated, featuring a huge volume of betting options and all sorts of features, including a bet editor, a one game parlay builder and live streaming.
This online sportsbook provides more bonuses and promotions than DraftKings and FanDuel. It also has more banking methods and betting options, so it is a great option for anyone that values variety. It excels at customer service. BetMGM is also part of the MGM Rewards loyalty program. The app is not as fast and easy-to-use as those provided by DraftKings and FanDuel. Those sportsbooks may be better for anyone in a rush, whereas BetMGM is great for advanced bettors that like to take their time.
TwinSpires Sportsbook
We will be sad to bid farewell to Twinspires sportsbook. It was launched as an extension of the popular TwinSpires racebook, which is owned by the company behind the Kentucky Derby - Churchill Downs Inc. TwinSpires offers a Kambi-powered sportsbook, with lots of betting options and features, along with some interesting promotions.
However, it has not been able to keep pace with FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars. Those brands have been operating at a loss while building up market share, investing huge sums in promotions for new customers, and TwinSpires no longer wants to play that game. It will soon cease sports betting and casino operations and focus solely on horse racing.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Entertainment completed its $4 billion purchase of William Hill in 2021. It rebranded William Hill as Caesars Sportsbook, and it has now sold all non-U.S. assets of William Hill to 888 Holdings. The Caesars sportsbook app is a reskinned version of the old William Hill app, but it has some interesting new features, including a same game parlay builder. It is very clean, fast and easy to use.
This is the best option for anyone seeking large sportsbook promotions. Caesars regularly offers the largest sign-up bonuses in the country. It also furnishes existing customers with more odds boosts each day than any of its rivals. Customers can also join the Caesars Rewards loyalty program and benefit from a variety of ongoing sportsbook promotions. It does not offer as many betting options or features as BetMGM, but the bonuses are very impressive. This is also an excellent option for high-stakes bettors, as it has very high limits.
William Hill Sportsbook
William Hill emerged as one of the most popular sportsbooks in the United States before Caesars Entertainment bought it. It is no longer available in the U.S., but it remains a large and popular brand in other markets. The company was founded in London in 1934, and it has a large chain of betting shops spread across the UK. It has become a powerhouse in the online gambling industry in recent years.
The William Hill website found in countries like the UK and Canada is a lot busier than the sportsbook that the team built for the US market. It is more akin to BetMGM, with a large volume of sports, betting options and features. If you are in the UK, this is one of the best betting sites at your disposal. It will be interesting to see how it evolves under the stewardship of the 888 team.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is one of the best all-round sportsbooks in the United States. It is owned by Chicago-based Rush Street Interactive and named after a small chain of Rivers Casinos venues located in Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois. BetRivers is available in 11 states. It also has an identical sister site called PlaySugarHouse, which is live in Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The BetRivers sportsbook uses the Kambi white-label platform. That covers a huge selection of sports, leagues and games. It is user-friendly, with lots of helpful features. The BetRivers team has also invested in live streaming and some generous promotions, including a 100% deposit match welcome offer. This is the best sportsbook for anyone seeking fast payouts. It processes most withdrawal requests automatically, so Play+ payouts show up in your account immediately.
Best Sportsbook App
The best sportsbooks offer native mobile betting apps, which you can download through the App Store or Google Play. They allow you to place quick, easy and convenient wagers, no matter where you happen to be. An alternative would be to access the mobile version of a sportsbook's website, but it is quicker and easier to log into an app, and the user experience tends to be smoother.
iPhone Sportsbook Apps
You can download an iOS app by simply visiting the App Store on your device. Search for your chosen sportsbook - DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars and BetRivers all offer high-quality iOS apps - and then tap on it. Hit the "GET" button, confirm the download and it should be ready to use in less than 30 seconds. You will need to update it occasionally, as that fixes any bugs and updates the security measures.
Android Sportsbook Apps
Android users can download apps by visiting Google Play. The process is similar to downloading an iOS app - just search for your chosen brand, tap on it, tap the "Install" button, confirm the download and it will appear on your main interface in seconds. There are no fees for downloading sportsbook apps.
Available Payment Methods at Sportsbooks
The list of available payment methods at sportsbooks depends which market you are in. Most American sportsbooks accept credit cards, debit cards, branded prepaid cards, e-checks, bank transfers and e-wallets. BetMGM is a great example, as it provides a very long and comprehensive list of deposit methods: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Play+, PayPal, Skrill, VIP Preferred e-check, online banking, instant banking, PayNearMe and cash at the cage. Sportsbooks such as Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel provide most of those methods too. Iowa does not allow credit card deposits.
The most common withdrawal options at US sports betting sites are Play+, PayPal, e-check and online bank transfer. You can be paid out in cash by visiting a retail sportsbook owned by the company or the casino cage at a venue it has partnered with. Some also send you a paper check in the mail. BetMGM offers withdrawals via Visa Fast Funds too.
In Canada, the list changes. You are more likely to find methods such as Interac, Instadebit, iDebit, ecoPayz and MuchBetter. In the UK, betting sites cannot accept payments made via credit cards, but they do offer prepaid cards and sometimes pay by phone options. There are specific methods in other markets too. Visit the FAQ or the cashier section of an online sportsbook to learn more about the payment methods, the limits and the withdrawal speeds.
Are Sportsbooks Legal?
Until 2018, Nevada was the only state with legal sportsbooks. The U.S. Supreme Court then overturned a federal ban called PASPA, allowing each state to govern its only local market. More than 30 states have now legalized sports betting, either via the legislature or by putting a measure on the ballot and letting voters decide.
Some of them only permit retail betting, but you can place bets at legal online sportsbooks in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming, along with the District of Columbia. Kansas, Maryland and Ohio will soon roll out online sports betting too.
With Canada betting sites, you can access online sportsbooks in every province and territory. Ontario has rolled out a full online sports betting market featuring privately owned operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings. There are lottery-run sportsbooks in other parts of the country, such as Mise-o-jeu+ in Québec and PlayNow in British Columbia, while the Canadian government allows sports fans to access overseas sites too. Sportsbooks are legal in lots of other countries, including Ireland, Australia and UK betting sites, where they are referred to as bookmakers.
What Can I Bet On With a Sportsbook?
It depends on where you are based. All US betting sites accept bets on professional sports. They normally cover at least 20, from popular sports like football and baseball to more niche sports such as Aussie Rules and ski jumping. A few states permit betting on entertainment markets like the Academy Awards and eSports, but that is rare. No sportsbooks in the U.S. are permitted to accept bets on political events, such as elections.
College sports betting varies on a state-by-state basis. States such as New Jersey, New York and Virginia do not permit betting on college games featuring teams based within the state. Other states allow college sports wagering, but prop bets are banned. Sportsbooks can offer online casino gaming too, but only in a few states - Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
In countries such as the UK, you can bet on pretty much anything - sports, entertainment, esports, politics, casino games, poker, bingo, horse racing, greyhounds and so on. On Australian betting sites, you can only place pre-game bets online, whereas live, in-play bets must be placed over the phone. Canada will have a similar patchwork approach to the U.S., with each province deciding its own regulatory framework.
How to Sign Up to a Sportsbook
It is easy to sign up for an online sportsbook account. Just choose one of the sportsbooks featured on this page and click the link to visit its website. You will notice a button that reads "Register" or "Join Now" or something similar. Click that button to fire up the sportsbook registration form.
You will be asked for basic personal and contact details. They vary depending on where you are based. For example, in the U.S. you will be asked for the final four digits of your Social Security Number. You will need to create a password, and you may potentially need to set up a username and security questions. When you have filled in the form, check the boxes to agree to the privacy policy and the terms of use, choose marketing preferences and then click to complete it.
Most U.S. sportsbooks approve accounts automatically based on the personal details provided. If that is not possible, you will need to upload official ID documents, such as a driver's license and a scan of a utility bill. That verification process is also required at betting sites in countries such as the UK. You may also need to click a link sent to your inbox to verify your email address. When your account is approved, you can make a deposit, claim the new customer offers and start betting.
How to Place a Bet on a Sportsbook
You can place a bet via a sportsbook website or mobile app. The main menu will highlight a list of sports covered. Click on a sport to see a list of competitions. For example, if you select football, you will often be presented with a choice of the NFL, NCAAF or CFL. Click on one to see a list of games and futures markets.
Select a game to browse the various betting options, such as the point spread, over/under line and moneyline. Find one you like and click or tap on it. The selection will then be added to the betslip, which should appear on the screen. Type in the amount you would like to wager, and the slip will highlight the potential profit available. Click to confirm. The funds will be deducted from your account balance. If you win, you will be paid out after the game.
Which Sportsbooks offer Daily Fantasy Sports?
DraftKings and FanDuel run Daily Fantasy Sports contests on everything from football and basketball to NASCAR and esports. DFS proved popular before legal sports wagering was rolled out in the United States, and it remains popular to this day. Most states permit DFS contests. The only exceptions are Nevada, Montana, Idaho and Washington State. DraftKings Fantasy is also available in Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Malta. Fanduel accepts customers in Canada and the UK.
