Best NBA Betting Sites: Basketball Betting Apps for Dec. 2024
The 2024-25 NBA season is underway, and the defending champion Boston Celtics are favored to repeat with another NBA title. With the season tipping off this week, the competition for new user sign-ups among NBA betting sites is getting fiercer by the day. This is why we've done the work to sift through all the best sportsbooks, like FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, and Caesars, to see which one should get your hard-earned wagers.
Best NBA betting sites
Features
- Some of the best live-betting odds.
- Great deposit options.
- Earn MGM Rewards from betting activity.
BetMGM Review
BetMGM is one of the top-rated sportsbooks in the U.S. offering some of the best live betting odds in the industry. They’re also the largest iGaming operator across the U.S.
Features
Features
- Extensive live betting options.
- More markets than any other sportsbook.
- One of the best apps in the industry.
bet365 Review
Terms and conditions: Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
bet365 is one of the largest and most popular sportsbooks globally. With a well-received mobile app, popular same-game parlays, and a wide variety of sports leagues to bet on it’s no wonder 80 million sports bettors worldwide continue to use bet365.
Features
Bet $1, Get 10x 100% Profit Boosts
New users only. Must use promo code. Min. $10 deposit. Max. additional winnings $2.5K per token. Tokens expire in 14 days. Void where prohibited. Full terms.
Features
- Earn Caesars Rewards from betting activity.
- Live streaming of NFL games.
- User-friendly mobile app.
Caesars Sportsbook Review
Caesars is proving to be one of the most aggressively expanding brands in sports betting. Unfortunately, like all major U.S. sportsbooks, they are quick to limit you if you go on a tear and their odds boost promos offer low maximum bet limits.
Features
Features
- Top-tier app experience.
- Same Game Parlays and SGP+.
- Extensive promos and odds boosts.
FanDuel Review
FanDuel reigns supreme right now as the No. 1 betting site in America. And it has largely earned that spot on the strength of superior brand recognition, an easy-to-use product, an overwhelming number of markets for North America’s most popular sports, and representation in every state in which it is permitted to offer legal sports betting.
Features
Features
- Live in 21 states
- Extremely powerful brand history and recognition
- FanCash reward system is great for sports fans
Fanatics Sportsbook Review
Fanatics Sportsbook has launched its app in 22 states already, with plans to expand to more in the near future. Fanatics is poised to be a major player in the sports betting industry.
Features
Features
- Lots of promos and odds boosts.
- Wide range of sports and bet types.
- Seamless integration with DFS.
DraftKings Review
DraftKings had a solid reputation as the leading DFS provider in the country, so the shift to legal sports betting felt natural. They offer one of the most voluminous collections of ongoing promos and odds boosts in the industry as they cater to the beginner crowd.
Features
Features
- Competitive odds across all markets.
- Live betting section is well organized.
- Earn iRush Rewards from betting activity.
BetRivers Review
With its solid lines and user-friendly promos, adding BetRivers to your sportsbook rotation makers a lot of sense.
Features
Features
- Longstanding reputation in Atlantic City.
- User-friendly betting site and app.
- Competitive odds.
Borgata Review
Despite limited availability, the Borgata Sportsbook experience is considerably better than other operations similar in size due to being backed by MGM Resorts International and Entain. The experienced backing allows for a pleasurable user experience on the Borgata betting site and app.
Features
Features
- Available in Arizona
- Secure Payment Options
- Mobile app available
Desert Diamond is in Arizona! Desert Diamond has a welcome bonus of up to a $250 matched to 100%.
Must be 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Features
Quick links On this page
- Best NBA betting sites
- Top NBA betting site bonuses and promos
- Top NBA betting sites and apps reviewed
- NBA betting quick facts
- NBA betting sites guide
- 2024-25 NBA Championship odds
- NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
- What to look for in an NBA betting site
- How we rate, review, and rank NBA betting sites
- Sports betting sites by category
- Sports betting in other regions
- NBA betting sites FAQs
Top NBA betting site bonuses and promos
Here are the essential details regarding the top five NBA betting apps in the U.S. and their respective welcome promos.
NBA betting app 🏆 | Welcome offer💰 | Promo Code ✅ |
---|---|---|
⭐ bet365 | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets OR $1,000 first bet | SBRBONUS |
⭐ BetMGM | Up to $1,500 in bonus bets | SBRBONUS |
⭐ BetRivers | $500 second-chance bet | SBRBONUS |
⭐ Caesars | Bet $1, Get 10x 100% Profit Boosts | SBRBONUSDYW |
⭐ DraftKings | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets | No code required |
⭐ ESPN BET promo code | Up to $2,000 in bonuses | No code required |
⭐ FanDuel promo code | Bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets | No code required |
⭐ Fanatics Sportsbook promo code | Up to $1,000 in bonus bets | No code required |
Top NBA betting sites and apps reviewed
Editor's Note: Bonuses are for U.S. residents only
Every major sportsbook offers a vast NBA betting market. However, not all sportsbooks are created equally. Each offers something slightly different when it comes to app design, welcome bonuses, odds boosts, and user interface.
We've done the research for you, and can confidently say these are the five best NBA betting sites you can chose from. And check out our NBA best bets when you're ready to bet!
1. FanDuel NBA sportsbook 🔵
FanDuel is an easy number-one choice due to its supreme mobile product, clean desktop interface, excellent range of NBA markets and props, and solid welcome promo. FD pioneered same-game parlays and was among the first to offer SGP outside major American sports leagues. You can now enjoy SGP on pretty much every NBA game.
- Extensive same-game parlay options
- Industry-best mobile app
- Great range of markets
- Plenty of odds boosts
New users at FanDuel are eligible to claim a bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets welcome offer.
To claim the $150 bonus bets, all you have to do is register an account, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and place your first real-money wager of at least $5 on any market during the timeframe of the offer.
If your first bet wins, FanDuel will credit your account with $150 in bonus bets. The bonus bets will expire within seven days but can be used to make additional wagers. You won't need to use any FanDuel promo code.
For more details on the sportsbook, see the FanDuel Review.
FanDuel App | |
📱 App Store Rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐(41K reviews) |
📱 Google Play Rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐(267K reviews) |
💵 Payout Speed | Within 24 hours |
📺 Live Streaming | Yes |
⬇ Download Size | 142.4 MB |
🗺 States Active | 22 (+DC) |
2. DraftKings NBA sportsbook 👑
Like FanDuel, DraftKings has a great mobile app praised for its functionality and overall design. Plenty of odds boosts and solid initial pricing are further reasons to take your NBA bets with DraftKings, although the sportsbook is also known for imposing limits on winning bettors.
- Excellent mobile product
- Solid pricing across the board
- Constant flow of promos, odds boosts, and betting pools
New customers to DraftKings can score a bet $5, get $150 in bonuses welcome offer, without using a DraftKings promo code. Start by creating an account and submitting a minimum first-time deposit of $5. Then, wager $5 or more on the market of your choice, and regardless of the outcome, DraftKings will send you $150 in bonuses. Bonus bets cannot be redeemed for cash, and are non-refundable and non-transferable. Bonuses will expire after seven days.
For more on the top sportsbooks, see the DraftKings Review.
DraftKings App | |
📱 App Store Rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐ (5K reviews) |
📱 Google Play Rating | 4.6/5.0 ⭐ (129K reviews) |
💵 Payout Speed | Within 24 hours |
📺 Live Streaming | Yes |
⬇ Download Size | 466.3 MB |
🗺 States Active | 25 + DC |
3. Caesars NBA sportsbook 🏛
The main reasons to pick Caesars as your go-to place for online NBA betting lie in a massive welcome bonus, a neat-looking website interface, and solid pricing for all NBA events. If you want to bump those prices, browse Caesars’ daily odds boosts.
- Biggest welcome bonus among online sportsbooks
- Plenty of daily odds boosts
- Clean site interface
- Great rewards program
Caesars' welcome bonus is one of the best in the industry. Get ten 100% Profit Boost tokens after betting just $1 or more, giving you multiple chances to double your winnings. Just sign up with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUSDYW.
Learn more on the sportsbook with this Caesars Review.
Caesars App | |
📱 App Store Rating | 4.6/5.0 ⭐ (55K reviews) |
📱 Google Play Rating | 4.2/5.0 ⭐ (23K reviews) |
💵 Payout Speed | Within 24 hours |
📺 Live Streaming | Yes |
⬇ Download Size | 226.7 MB |
🗺 States Active | 22 (+DC) |
4. BetMGM NBA sportsbook 🦁
Today's basketball bettors don't just want competitive lines and functional interfaces. They want a quality live betting product that adjusts lines seamlessly and offers as many betting markets as possible.
Few sportsbooks come close to BetMGM when it comes to giving NBA bettors everything they need to get the most out of their in-game wagering experience. Not only does BetMGM provide a veritable trove of live NBA betting options across all games, but it also gives customers access to valuable statistics that are updated quickly.
Additionally, BetMGM is holding an NBA Cup contest from November 21 through November 29. The grand prize for the sweepstakes is a five-night stay at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, tickets to the semifinal and championship games, on-court photo ops, and $2,500 in BetMGM reward points.
You should pick BetMGM if you’re a fan of proposition betting. The site has more NBA props than almost any other sportsbook. You’ll also enjoy a solid welcome offer and great live betting odds.
- Best for NBA betting props
- Above-average live betting odds
- Renowned MGM Rewards loyalty program
The sign-up bonus for BetMGM is one of the tops in the industry. New customers can get an up to $1,500 First Bet Offer using the BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS. If their first bet loses, they'll be awarded bonus bets equal to the amount of the initial wager.
See more about the book with the BetMGM Review.
BetMGM App | |
📱 App Store Rating | 4.8/5.0 ⭐ (186K reviews) |
📱 Google Play Rating | 4.1/5.0 ⭐ (25K reviews) |
💵 Payout Speed | 1-2 days |
📺 Live Streaming | Yes |
⬇ Download Size | 84.7 MB |
🗺 States Active | 22 + DC and PR |
5. bet365 NBA sportsbook 🟢
For some NBA bettors, choosing a sportsbook comes down to a simple question: Which site has the best odds? After all, one of the best ways for players to maximize their return is to make sure that they're getting the best odds possible on their bets.
In this regard, bet365 has set the gold standard for prominent U.S. sports betting sites. Their excellent pricing and frequent odds boosts make them a go-to choice for serious NBA bettors. New customers can grab $150 in bonus bets with an initial bet of just $5.
Alternatively, bet365 also offers a bonus of up to $1,000 first bet safety net. Keep in mind you can only pick one of the two offers, though. Use the bet365 bonus code SBRBONUS when registering your account to take advantage.
To learn more, check out our detailed bet365 review.
bet365 App | |
📱 App Store Rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐ (81K reviews) |
📱 Google Play Rating | 4.5/5.0 ⭐(82K reviews) |
💵 Payout Speed | Within 24 hours |
📺 Live Streaming | Yes |
⬇ Download Size | 45.3 MB |
🗺 States Active | 11 |
Additional Sportsbooks
To learn more about more sportsbooks, see the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code page and the Hard Rock Bet promo code section for all the latest on their welcome bonuses and much more.
NBA betting summary
🌎 Legal States | 38 (plus D.C.) |
🏀 # of NBA Teams in Legal Markets | 14 (plus Toronto) |
👑 Defending Champions | Boston Celtics |
🚀 2024-25 Preseason Favorites | Boston Celtics (+295) |
🏆 Largest Market Share (2021) | FanDuel (36%) |
NBA betting sites guide
Making your first NBA is really simple. All of the best NBA betting sites and apps offer a wide variety of interesting basketball wagering options, from a simple moneyline pick to a more complex same-game parlay featuring player and game prop bets. To get started, just follow this short step-by-step guide:
- Pick a sportsbook: Choose one of the top-ranked sports betting apps from our list above. Ensure that you're using a book that is legal and regulated in whichever state or jurisdiction you're physically in.
- Create an account: Whether you're using an NBA betting site or a mobile betting app, you'll need to register a new account. Just fill out of the sign-up form with some basic personal information to complete the process.
- Deposit: You can't make your first wager without any cash in your account. Head to the banking section of your NBA betting app and hit the 'Deposit' button. Choose a banking method that works for you and follow the steps to fund your account.
- Claim a bonus: The best NBA betting sites offer generous sportsbook promos to new customers. Most are tied to a minimum deposit or first bet amount, so keep that bonus in mind as you fund your account and make your first bet.
- Make your first bet: Navigate to the NBA section and browse the betting market. You can pick the Lakers to cover the spread, Steph Curry to score more than 26.5 points, or anything else on offer.
- Cash out: Hopefully you have some profit in your account after your first bet. Head back to the 'Cashier' or 'Banking' section to find the 'Withdraw' button. Fill in the required info and initiate your cash-out. Most withdrawals take between two and seven days,
Common NBA bet types
The first step in your quest to scale the NBA betting mountain is learning about the different basketball bet types and how you should approach each one from a strategic perspective.
Here's a breakdown on how to bet on NBA games, and how to tackle the most popular NBA bet types:
NBA moneyline betting
Moneyline bets are the easiest of all: You only need to choose who you think will win the game. Here's an example of a standard NBA moneyline:
Toronto Raptors (-120)
Brooklyn Nets (+100)
Here, the Raptors are considered the "favorite," which is why they're listed at -120. Brooklyn, by comparison, is the underdog at +100. As a quick rule, the team with the negative (or minus) value is favored, while the team with the positive (or plus) value is the underdog.
Take a deep dive into moneyline odds for every NBA game here.
In this example, if we use $100 as the base wager, you would need to bet $120 to win $100 on a Toronto victory, while a $100 bet on the Nets would yield a $100 return.
Bear in mind that, while the payout is higher for an underdog bet, that team is less likely to win – and in some cases, the gap between the teams is significant. It always helps to see where the public is leaning through consensus bet activity, which you can find within our matchup pages.
NBA spread betting
Against-the-spread (or ATS) bets are trickier than moneyline wagers. Here, oddsmakers give favored team a points "handicap" in order to make the matchup more even. Here's an example using the teams listed above:
Toronto Raptors -1.5 (-110)
Brooklyn Nets +1.5 (-110)
Here, you only win your Toronto wager if the Raptors win by two or more points; consequently, if the Raptors lose or win by only one point, you will lose. On the flip side, Brooklyn doesn't have to win in order for your Nets bet to cash; you are also successful if they lose by one.
Again, the consensus action will help you here – but you're going to need more than that. Study which teams are playing well, which ones are on short rest vs. more time off, which teams are at home vs. on the road, and whether either side is missing one or more key players.
NBA totals betting
While NBA game outcomes decide your moneyline and spread bets, it doesn't matter which team wins when you're making totals (or Over/Under) wagers. In this case, you're betting on whether the game will finish with more or fewer points based on the line set by the books.
For example:
Raptors vs. Nets
Over 215.5 (-115)
Under 215.5 (-115)
This one's a breeze: If you bet the Over, you need Toronto and Brooklyn to combine for more than 215 points. If they do, you win! If they don't, well... you know.
In addition to all of the factors listed in our ATS strategy guide, you would be wise to look at more advanced NBA statistics like Pace; this number indicates how many possessions each team averages per game. Higher Pace figures likely means more points scored.
NBA props betting
Once you feel comfortable with how standard NBA odds markets work, it's time to take a deep dive into props at the top prop betting apps. And these are especially fun if you're a fantasy basketball player looking to apply your knowledge and expertise in that area to the betting world.
Here's a look at a standard prop:
Kevin Durant
Over 26.5 Points (-115)
Under 26.5 Points (-115)
This works exactly like the totals wager explained above: If Durant scores 27 or more points, Over bettors will win. If he scores 26 or fewer, the Under cashes.
Props bets cover an incredibly wide range of outcomes, including which player will score the first basket, which team will be the first to score 20 points, which player will record the most assists, which quarter will feature the most points, and literally hundreds more for most games.
The best approach to team prop bets is to study the matchup similar to how you would for a standard bet, and lean into outcomes you feel most confident in based on that research. For player props, look at head-to-head matchups (who's guarding whom?), recent player trends, and whether an injury on either team improves that player's outlook.
One interesting new twist: the most popular sportsbook may start to impose certain restrictions on NBA prop betting, specifically for players on two-way or 10-day contracts, to help prevent betting scandals.
NBA parlays and teasers
NBA parlays and teasers allow you to combine multiple wagers into a single bet.
Here's an example of a three-game parlay card:
Toronto Raptors -1.5 (-110)
Bucks-Bulls Over 215.5 Points (-115)
Ja Morant Over 28.5 Points (+150)
Combining these three bets results in cumulative odds of +792, meaning that you'll take home a total of $892 ($792 winnings + $100 initial stake) if you win. The only catch: You would need all three outcomes to come through in order to win the bet at parlay betting sites.
Teasers are similar in that you need to bet on a minimum of two games to win, but a teaser allows you to "buy" points against spread or totals lines to minimize risk. For a typical NBA game, you can "tease" a spread or total by 4-6 points in your favor:
Raptors -1.5 (-110) ➡️ Raptors +4.5 (-215)
Bucks-Bulls Over 215.5 (-115) ➡️ Over 209.5 (-190)
As you can see, the chances of converting these bets are much better when teased, but the payouts are considerably lower. And again, you have to get them both right.
NBA live betting
It's one thing to get all of your NBA bets in before the games start. It's a completely different experience to dive headlong into the action while the contests are taking place.
NBA live betting is growing in popularity, and with good reason: Live betting sites offer dozens of live wagering opportunities for every matchup, including live spreads, totals and moneyline markets, updated team and player props and quarter- and half-specific wagers.
The strategy here is simple: Act quickly. Live odds can change in the blink of an eye, so if you hesitate, you might very well lose out on an opportunity to capitalize on a favorable wager. Practice makes perfect, and getting in your reps is the best way to improve your live betting.
NBA futures betting
If you're the NBA bettor who can't wait for the season to start, futures bets are for you! Futures bets are placed on outcomes well into the future; in some cases, you have a handful of teams or players to choose from, while other futures bets include all 30 teams or dozens of NBA players.
Strategizing futures bets is extraordinarily difficult since so many things happen over the course of a season that can change teams' fortunes for better or worse. Consider teams that have made offseason moves designed to either make them contenders or strengthen an already-strong roster. And don't be afraid to spread your bets across multiple teams since futures markets almost always feature long odds on the majority of clubs.
2024-25 NBA Championship odds
Most people love finding a good deal. Whether it's the cheapest hotel for a weekend vacation, the best price on gas or the most affordable home insurance, bargain-hunting is a way of life.
The same should be true for NBA line shopping. If you're not signing up for multiple sports betting sites, you're almost certainly missing out on an opportunity to maximize your return on your basketball wagers.
Here are some pointers on how to shop for the best NBA odds:
Turn up the volume
The best way to ensure that you're getting the best NBA odds every time out is to sign up for as many sports betting sites as you can.
We know that not every NBA bettor has access to a trove of sportsbook options. The number of legalized sportsbooks varies from state to state. However, you would be wise to build a strong portfolio of sites, if you're able, and make at least a token deposit in each so you can scour the odds for their NBA matchups of interest. You might be surprised to see just how much the odds vary from one site to another.
Look for consistency
Once you sign up for multiple sportsbooks and begin studying the quality of NBA odds for each, you'll undoubtedly notice trends or patterns.
Pay close attention to those, and use them to inform which sports betting sites you use moving forward. The fact is, it probably isn't practical for a casual or recreational bettor to actively roll eight or more sportsbook accounts at once. But by narrowing your activity down to the books that offer the most consistently strong odds, you'll ensure the best ROI.
Let us help!
Need help monitoring NBA odds movements from multiple sportsbooks in real time? Let us do the work for you!
The Sportsbook Review Odds page allows users to compare real-time odds from more than 30 online sportsbooks using SBR odds. Monitor live scores, track line history, and dive into a world of handicapping stats – all in one convenient place!
🏀 2025 NBA Championship odds
The Boston Celtics edged out the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, bringing a league-leading 18th championship to Beantown. The 2024-25 NBA season is underway, and sportsbooks have identified the teams they think will compete for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
For the most up-to-date odds, check out the NBA futures section of your favorite sportsbook. Our table below was last updated on December 9, 2024.
Team | DraftKings 👑 | FanDuel 🔵 | BetMGM 🦁 |
---|---|---|---|
Boston Celtics | +265 | +200 | +225 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | +380 | +400 | +450 |
New York Knicks | +1000 | +1100 | +1000 |
Dallas Mavericks | +1100 | +1300 | +1100 |
Denver Nuggets | +1300 | +1600 | +1400 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | +1400 | +1400 | +1200 |
Milwaukee Bucks | +1700 | +2700 | +1800 |
Golden State Warriors | +1800 | +2200 | +1600 |
Phoenix Suns | +2000 | +2100 | +2000 |
Minnesota Timberwolves | +2500 | +2500 | +3000 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +3000 | +5000 | +2500 |
Memphis Grizzlies | +3000 | +3200 | +3000 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +3500 | +4300 | +4000 |
Miami Heat | +4500 | +7000 | +5000 |
Orlando Magic | +4500 | +3700 | +4000 |
Houston Rockets | +5000 | +3100 | +4000 |
Los Angeles Clippers | +5500 | +9000 | +10000 |
Sacramento Kings | +12000 | +11000 | +12500 |
Indiana Pacers | +15000 | +10000 | +12500 |
Atlanta Hawks | +30000 | +15000 | +25000 |
San Antonio Spurs | +40000 | +37000 | +25000 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +40000 | +55000 | +50000 |
Detroit Pistons | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Washington Wizards | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Utah Jazz | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Toronto Raptors | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Portland Trail Blazers | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Chicago Bulls | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Charlotte Hornets | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Brooklyn Nets | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
On opening night, LeBron James and Bronny James made history. They became the first father-son pair to ever play in an NBA game together. Bronny's NBA debut was forgettable, as he just played three minutes and didn't score any points.
Now that the season is underway, the major sportsbooks have dropped Bronny from the NBA Rookie of the Year conversation. So, who is favored to win the award? Find the latest odds below (last updated December 9):
Player | DraftKings | FanDuel |
---|---|---|
Jared McCain 🏀 | -150 | -170 |
Dalton Knecht 🏀 | +450 | +700 |
Stephon Castle 🏀 | +700 | +600 |
Zaccharie Risacher 🏀 | +1700 | +2000 |
Alexandre Sarr 🏀 | +2500 | +3000 |
Yves Missi 🏀 | +3500 | +2000 |
What to look for in an NBA betting site
When shopping for the best betting apps for NBA, both casual and experienced wagerers would agree that responsiveness counts for a lot.
Sportsbooks that allow players to quickly and easily identify and make bets across the NBA landscape will have a measurable advantage over apps with lag or convoluted interfaces. And it doesn't hurt for sports betting apps to be aesthetically pleasing, as well (though that's more of a cherry on top than the actual sundae for most bettors).
Choosing the right NBA betting app
Between the swift expansion of legal sports betting across the nation, the proliferation of reputable sports betting apps, and an explosion in available betting markets for each and every game, there has never been a better time to be an NBA bettor in the U.S.
Unfortunately, that frenetic activity can making finding the right NBA betting site a daunting task – particularly for first-time players who want things as simple as possible. Here are the most important things to consider when choosing a sportsbook, and why you should prioritize them.
Deposits and payout options
Players need to consider several factors here. How secure is my deposit? Will my funds be available immediately? How many deposit options does the sportsbook offer?
The questions you ask are even more important when it comes to payouts. How can I make a withdrawal, and how long will I have to wait? Are there restrictions to my payout, and how much I can withdraw at one time?
Getting satisfactory answers to these questions will not only make you feel secure about where your money is going, but also that you'll have no trouble withdrawing it.
NBA odds prices
Choosing your sports betting sites based on the quality of their NBA odds is perhaps the best long-term decision you can make. Odds almost always vary from one sportsbook to another, and having access to the best odds can make a big difference in the long run.
This is especially true when it comes to futures odds, where the variance between sports betting sites can be significant. If you see the Boston Celtics at +800 on your primary book, and see that the Celtics are listed at +1500 at another site, you would be wise to add that second sportsbook to your rotation.
We cover odds shopping in more detail later in this primer.
User experience
When it comes to searching for the right NBA sports betting site, nothing else matters if you can't count on a great experience. And as with most other categories listed here, there are a variety of things that go into the overall evaluation.
How easy is it to find what you're looking for on the site? How quickly can you connect with a customer service representative if you have questions? Is the sportsbook's responsible gaming section satisfactory? New players should consider all of these questions, along with any others they choose to prioritize in terms of creating a positive user experience.
We regularly evaluate the sportsbook user experience as part of our exhaustive review process. We cover this in greater detail below.
Safety and security
The top NBA sports betting sites take security seriously, so you know you're in good hands. But while it's important to alleviate concerns over cybersecurity (and in particular, having your personal info stored with them), some sportsbooks go the extra mile here.
Our comprehensive sportsbook reviews point out which sports betting sites are best at allaying players' concerns over safety and security, and which ones have work to do in this regard. We get into this in more detail below.
How we rate, review, and rank NBA betting sites
Sportsbook Review relies on experienced members of the sports betting industry to walk through each sports betting site to analyze their fundamental features, sign-up processes, terms and conditions, and more, relying on first-hand experiences to best inform NBA bettors.
We then track these features and weigh them for each competitor in the crowded basketball betting market to see where each sports betting site stands compared to the industry average in features such as betting app user ratings at the App Store and Google Play, and banking options, among others.
When evaluating a sportsbook's overall viability, we seek out the answers to several important questions, including (but not limited to):
- Which sportsbooks offer the simplest deposit and withdrawal process?
- Which sports betting sites have the most intuitive and easy-to-use interface?
- Which sportsbooks provide the best NBA live betting experience?
- Which sports betting sites boast the widest range of NBA betting markets?
- Which sportsbooks have the highest quality of NBA odds?
Here are the three most important factors that help us separate the top sportsbooks from the lower tiers of sports betting sites:
Simple sign-up process
New customers do not want (nor do they have the patience for) a long, drawn-out sign-up process. And while verification of user data is critical for sports betting sites, those processes can't come at the expense of sign-up simplicity.
Sportsbooks need to ensure that they don't send new NBA customers fleeing before they even get a chance to experience the site. Thankfully, many permit prospective new users to at least explore the app or desktop site before actually signing up and making an initial deposit.
Between geo-targeting issues, technical problems upon submission of verification documents and other nagging issues, the sportsbook sign-up process can be a frustrating one. So we rightfully elevate sites that minimize these frustrations for new NBA customers.
Consistently competitive odds
Boosts are a nice way to capitalize on one-time offers and bolster your NBA bankroll – but players want more long-term gratification. To that end, the best thing a sportsbook can do is offer the best NBA odds in the industry.
We place a great deal of value in sportsbooks' willingness to buck the trend of 20-cent spreads, moneyline and totals vig and 30-cent juice on player and team props. A -107/-107 or -109/-109 two-way NBA total line might not seem like much of a gain over the industry standard, but in the long run, it could mean significant gains for even a recreational bettor.
On the flip side, sportsbooks that routinely juice standard NBA lines 25 or 30 cents – with even higher margins on prop plays – are doing their players a major disservice. And we make sure that our audience knows which sports betting sites are guilty of doing this.
Quality customer service
The NBA betting experience at a particular sportsbook won't be the same for every player. Stuff happens, right? And when it does, players need to know that they're going to have a positive customer service experience.
Our ratings reflect the importance of sports betting sites taking customer service seriously. We expect customers to receive timely responses to their queries. We value sportsbooks that make an effort to resolve problems satisfactorily. And we place high regard on sports betting sites that are accessible 24/7 – after all, their sites happily accept bets at all hours of the day.
Customer advocacy is our No. 1 priority – and when it comes to recommending a sportsbook to our NBA users, we value a sports betting site's quality of customer service as much as anyone.
Sports betting sites by category
Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:
Sports betting in other regions
Legal Canada News
Stay updated on the status of Canadian sports betting in provinces where it is legalized:
Provincial Sports Betting | ||
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Alberta sports betting | British Columbia sports betting | Manitoba sports betting |
Nova Scotia sports betting | Quebec sports betting | Ontario sports betting |
International News
For sports betting in U.K., visit our U.K sports betting pages.
NBA betting sites FAQs
Is it legal to bet on the NBA?
Yes, NBA betting is legal. More than 35 states have opened their doors to legal online betting, licensing some of the best NBA betting sites on the market. Each state has its own legislation and regulations, so check out which books (if any) are available in your state.
Which U.S. states are legal for betting on NBA?
Any state that has legal sports betting offers NBA betting. The list is currently more than 35 states, plus Washington, D.C.
Legal sports betting states: AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, and DC.
States with pending/passed legislation but sports betting still not available: MO, NM, ND, SD, GA, MN.
States with no legal sports betting: AL, AK, CA, HI, ID, SC, TX, UT, OK,
How do you start betting on the NBA?
If you are in a state with legal sports betting, the process is easy. Just register a new account at the NBA betting site or mobile app of your choice, make a deposit, and start making picks.
What types of bets can you make on NBA games?
NBA betting markets are as plentiful as they've ever been, with most of the top-tier sports betting sites offering hundreds of opportunities per matchup. Bet types include (but are not limited to):
- Moneylines
- Spreads
- Totals
- Team Props
- Player Props
- Quarter-Specific Bets
- Halftime-Specific Bets
- Parlays
- Half-Time/Full-Time Outcome
- Alternate Spreads
- Alternate Totals
- Method of First Basket
- Will There Be Overtime?