How we Rank Sportsbooks
Here at Sportsbooks Online, we list the best online sportsbooks in the US based on a wide variety of criteria. Our goal is to help users find the right betting site for how they want to play, so the way we categorize and rank sportsbooks is a crucial aspect of achieving that goal.
You can rest assured we only list legitimate sportsbooks, so if you sign up with a betting site linked to on our site, you know you're in safe hands.
If you want to learn a little bit more about our ranking factors, you can read a bit more below.
A Note From the Editor
Please note that none of these factors are an end-all-be all. We only give our recommendations based on the criteria you're looking for to try and empower players to make the right choice.
The final choice is up to you after weighing up what's most important for your betting style.
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Licensing & Availabilty
At Sportsbooks Online we are fully committed to only listing legitimate, legal, and licensed online sportsbooks. That means no sketchy offshore bookmakers that you can't trust.
In the still relatively young landscape of US online sports betting, this is an extremely important distinction. There are a lot of new sportsbooks cropping up, and we think it's our responsibility to help our users suss out which ones are safe and trustworthy.
Additionally, the variance between sportsbook availability on a state-by-state basis is still stark and a massive factor in deciding which bookie to bet with.
A brand like FanDuel Sportsbook is available to many more users across the country than one like Bet365, so it may be a better choice for more players.
Bonuses
One of the most vital aspects when initially choosing an online sportsbook is the quality of sports betting sign up offers made available to users.
In determining our rankings, we meticulously assess not only the attractiveness of the initial welcome bonuses but also the ongoing promotions available to existing customers.
As a regular bettor, you can tap into a number of ongoing promotions, like Parlay Insurance or Odds Boosts. While the sign up offer may be the flashy headline, these ongoing promotions may end up being more valuable in the longrun.
Betting Variety
Most sportsbooks offer the 4 major sports, plus college sports, soccer, golf, and a few others. But if you're on this site, we don't think you're a basic bettor.
That's why we like to highlight operators that have a range of niche sports and leagues for bettors. Darts, table tennis, and Korean baseball have surprisingly large audiences among US bettors, so we really appreciate when an operator goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Beyond that, the quality of betting markets offered is even more important than the quantity. If a sportsbook offers great Same Game Parlay features, many futures betting markets, or live streaming, we'll make sure to take note and push them up our rankings accordingly.
User Experience
Both on mobile and desktop, a nice user experience is paramount.
On a basic level, the sportsbook needs to be easy to navigate and preferably pleasing to the eye. If you're a serious bettor you're going to be spending a lot of time on this platform, after all.
On a more technical level, the amount of lag or load time can be a major element of making sure you have a smooth live betting experience or hit the closing line right before kickoff.
These elements separate the good sports betting apps from the great and is a very heavily-weighted element of our ranking system.
Payment Options
The sportsbook payment options offered for both deposit and withdrawal are an important part of the experience as a bettor.
Most debit and credit cards as well as bank transfers are available on just about all US sportsbooks. If e-wallets like PayPal and Venmo are also available, It helps a lot with user flexibility.
Beyond just the number of payment methods offered, the minimum requirements on deposits and withdrawals and processing time on withdrawals can make a huge difference in whether or not the banking experience is user-friendly.
Customer Support
Customer support is like car insurance - you hope you never need to use it, but it can bail you out of a tough jam.
If you use any site enough, there’s a decent chance you’ll run into some issues. This is why it’s important to choose a sportsbook with a rock-solid suite of service options.
Key features to look for include a detailed FAQ page, 24/7 live chats with real customer service representatives, and a helpline you can call.
