When it comes to online betting for real money, knowing where to find the best sportsbooks pays, literally.
You know what we mean. Like any sports fan, you’re probably looking for great market variety, generous bonuses, fast payouts – and great match prices.
The option that has it all and even more? Bovada took our number one spot, offering competitive odds and great promotions.
But we've got nine other excellent alternatives for you to look at as well.
Ready to see the candidates? Let's go.
Best Online Betting Sites for Real Money
- Bovada: Best overall
- BetOnline: Best bonuses
- BetWhale: Excellent racebook
- Sportsbetting.ag: Top pick for live betting
- Everygame: Best for mobile betting
- Wild.io: Ideal for crypto users
- BetUS: Top pick for NFL bets
- XBet: Impressive coverage of eSports
- MyBookie: Competitive NBA odds
- BUSR: Quickest payouts
1. Bovada - Best Online Betting Site for Real Money Overall
Pros:
- $750 sports welcome bonus
- Competitive odds
- 35+ sports betting categories
- Mobile-optimized
- 10+ years of experience
- Bitcoin promotions
- Offers dual lines to some sportsbook players
- Could have more fiat payment options
Sportsbook Features: 5/5
If it's online betting you're after, this is where Bovada really shines.
It has a wealth of markets across 35+ different betting categories, complete with competitive odds across all major American sports.
There are so many categories to choose from that getting bored is never an option. Want to wager on eSports? They’ve got Dota 2, King of Glory, and League of Legends. You can even bet on celebrities and Grammy Awards while waiting for your sports events to begin.
Bonuses & Promotions: 4.9/5
If you opt for the sports bonus, you'll be entitled to $250 with wagering requirements set at 5x. If you use cryptocurrency, this is boosted all the way up to $750 with the same terms and conditions.
For the casino section, new players can claim a welcome bonus worth up to $3,000. This is unlocked over three deposits and by using two bonus codes. The wagering requirements are set at 25x which is just below the industry average.
Design & Interface: 4.8/5
Bovada sports a stripped-back and minimalist style. It's not exactly eye-catching or making a statement of any kind, but it works well for what it is.
The same can be said for the website's overall functionality. It works well and there are no obvious or deal-breaking issues.
Customer Service: 5/5
Bovada's customer service initiative is one of the best around.
Not only do they have a comprehensive help center that has the answer to most of your questions, but they also have a video guide that explains solutions in a more accessible way.
Furthermore, there's a Bovada community so you can get help and ask questions from your fellow players.
Failing all of that, you can fall back on a trusty 24/7 live chat function, as well as an e-mail for any ongoing problems.
Banking Tools: 4.8/5
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Bitcoin SV
- Litecoin
- Ethereum
- USD Tether
- Check by Courier
- Vouchers
>> Grab a $750 welcome bonus [Bovada]
2. BetOnline - Best Bonuses of any Real Money Online Betting Site
Pros:
- 50% match up to $250 bonus
- $50 risk-free bets
- Over 20 payment options
- 25+ years of industry experience
- NFL survivor contests
- Fees for some banking methods
- No reload offers
Sportsbook Features: 4.8/5
Make no mistake - BetOnline is a top online betting site for real money, perfect for getting that Las Vegas sportsbook experience right from the comfort of your own home.
There’s an excellent selection of sports to bet on from around the globe. The site even features a separate section for horse betting.
They also feature regular competitions and tournaments, such as the current NFL survivor contest - where you can win hundreds of thousands of dollars for little or no risk.
Bonuses & Promotions: 5/5
Sports betting lovers can claim up to $250 in free bets plus an extra 100 spins for the casino section. To unlock this offer, you need to use the code FREE250.
Additionally, the site provides two $50 risk-free bets - one for your first live bet, and one for your first pre-game player prop bet.
If you are after casino games, there’s a 100 free spins welcome bonus at this real money online betting site. No minimum deposit is required – just make a successful payment and you’ll get 10 spins for the following 10 days.
Design & Interface: 4.7/5
Smart, modern, and overall classy, BetOnline checks a lot of positive boxes for its design scheme. It's not going to turn many heads, but it doesn't have to, either.
Overall, the website functions fine in both the sportsbook and the casino. We were able to navigate through the site easily, experiencing minimal issues along the way.
Customer Service: 5/5
As one of the best online betting sites for real money, BetOnline offers a 24/7 live chat service. In support of that, there is a phone line, email address, and finally, a pretty good help center.
If you do run into problems here, they won't last long.
Banking Tools: 4.6/5
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Solana
- Stellar
- Tether
- MasterCard
- AMEX
- Visa
- Wire Transfer
- + Many more
The gripe here is obvious: More fiat currency methods, please. Preferably without the fees.
>> Claim up to $250 in free bets [BetOnline]
3. BetWhale - Best Real Money Betting Site for Horse Race Bets
Pros:
- Up to $1,250 welcome bonus
- One of the most detailed racebooks
- 15+ payment method options
- Phone support available
- Ongoing daily offers for all players
- A little dated in design
- Limited access to info for unregistered players
Sportsbook Features 4.7/5
Betwhale’s racebook is second to none - you’ll be hard-pressed to find a horse race that isn’t available for betting. They offer a variety of bet types for each race, including exactas and trifectas.
If you prefer betting on other sports, there are over 20 options to pick from. We enjoyed the extensive coverage of football, tennis, and golf. However, you won't find as many markets outside of sports, like financial or political bets.
Bonuses & Promotions 4.8/5
When you use the promo code BETWHALE after making the first deposit, you can get a 125% match up to $1,250. This is one of the largest sports betting welcome bonuses in the business right now.
This offer gets unlocked after you make a qualifying payment of $50 or more which might seem a bit high to some. However, given the bonus amount, we think it’s pretty reasonable.
If you want to try your luck at playing casino games, you can opt for the casino welcome bonus instead, which is a 260% match available on slots, cards, and table games.
Design & Interface: 4.6/5
The area in which Betwhale lets us down slightly is its aesthetics. The whole site just feels a little out of date. It could well have found itself a little higher up in our rankings with a bit of a refresh.
We don’t consider it a major downside, though. The layout is still intuitive so it should be easy to find your way around as a new player.
Customer Service: 4.9/5
BetWhale is one of the rare sports betting sites to still offer phone support, which is available around the clock. Alternatively, you can use the live chat feature if you’re not the “talking over the phone” type and prefer texting over calling.
Less urgent inquiries can be dealt with via email, but you may find yourself having to wait a couple of days for a reply if you go down this route.
Banking Tools: 4.9/5
- Bitcoin
- Litecoin
- Dogecoin
- Mastercard
- AMEX
- Neosurf
>> Unlock a $1,250 sign-up bonus [BetWhale]
4. Sportsbetting.ag - Best Live Betting Site for Real Money
Pros:
- Double your first two sports deposits up to $500
- Improved live betting interface
- Fast crypto payouts
- A vast array of customer service options
- Fantastic user experience
- High minimum deposit requirements for bonuses
- Low betting limits for fiat payment options
Sportsbook Features: 4.6/5
There are many solid reasons to give Sportsbetting.ag a try - and that's even before we've got to the actual function it’s named after. Hint: The sports betting section is very decent.
The platform shines when it comes to live betting, offering a wide variety of sports like football, basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball. For football enthusiasts, you can bet on quarter outcomes, half-time scores, or even individual player performances as the game progresses.
Live betting options include moneylines, spreads, totals, and more in-depth choices like next-goal predictions, point spreads, and player props.
If live betting is your game, you’ll find it hard to beat Sportsbetting.ag for real money action.
Bonuses & Promotions: 4.7/5
If you’re after the sportsbook promotion, you can get your first two sports deposits doubled up to $500. This one requires a $100 deposit at minimum to qualify. The wagering requirements are set at 14x, and all bonus funds expire after 30 days.
The $4,000 welcome casino bonus is split over the first four deposits you make. It is subject to wagering requirements, and can only be used on Betsoft games.
Design & Interface: 4.5/5
We'll keep this short and to the point. Sportsbetting. ag is not a pretty website. It's quite possibly the opposite in fact.
Luckily for Sportsbetting.ag - and you, the player - this isn't the case under the hood.
The website functions pretty well, and overall offers an easy and intuitive browsing experience, both on PC and mobile.
Customer Service: 5/5
Whether it's via telephone, e-mail, or live chat - this real money online betting site is available for you 24/7.
If you're looking to have your problem dealt with quickly, we recommend you use live chat out of all of what's available.
Banking Tools: 4.5/5
- Bitcoin
- ApeCoin
- BitcoinCash
- Cardano
- Chainlink
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Person2Person
- MoneyOrder
- Wire Transfer
- + Many more
Fiat currency users still have the choice of all four major credit card providers in the shape of MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, and VISA.
>> Double your first two deposits up to $500 [Sportsbetting.ag]
5. Everygame - Best Online Betting Site for Mobile
Pros:
- Industry-leading live betting tools
- $1,000 crypto sports bonus
- Low wagering requirements
- Easy-to-use website
- Fantastic mobile compatibility
- Support channels might be slow sometimes
- Limited payment selection
Sportsbook Features: 4.5/5
At any given moment, you’ll find dozens of live betting markets at Everygame, highlighting the sheer variety available across the platform.
Beyond popular events like baseball, basketball, and soccer, you can also dive into sports such as cricket, handball, motorsports, rugby, and snooker, just to name a few.
However, one drawback is the limited market options beyond sports. Additionally, the eSports section could use a bit more depth.
Bonuses & Promotions: 4.5/5
As a new player at Everygame, you could opt for a $1,000 crypto sports betting bonus which unlocks after you use the code CRYPTO1K. If you don’t own cryptos, then there’s a $500 non-crypto package that comes with just 8x wagering requirements.
Compared to the other best online gambling sites, this rollover is very low, making it easy to cash out your winnings. Just don’t forget to enter the bonus code WELCOME500 when prompted.
Everygame casino players can get started with a generous $5,555 welcome bonus. It starts with a 125% match up to $1,000 when you use the code SIGNUP1000.
Design & Interface: 4.4/5
The live betting tools aren’t the only thing that looks good at Everygame. The website is presented with a simple, minimal design that’s pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate. That’s true for both the desktop and mobile versions.
Customer Service: 4.6/5
This sportsbook offers a 24/7 live chat feature that we found to be generally responsive during our tests. However, during peak times like evenings and weekends, you might experience a short wait of a few minutes before connecting with a representative.
Banking Tools: 4.4/5
- VISA
- Mastercard
- Bitcoin
- Paysafecard
- eZeeWallet
- Jet Bank Transfer
>> Redeem a $1,000 crypto bonus [Everygame]
How We Ranked the Best Online Betting Sites for Real Money
Sportsbook Features
Most online gambling sites function in the same way. After all, they're all largely offering you the same events and experiences. However, from time to time, they will have key differences or unique features. In this particular benchmark, as well as discussing market variety and diversity - we also analyze what sets them apart.Bonuses and Promotions
You can't move an inch in the world of online gambling without being offered a bonus. They really have become a staple of the modern online gambling experience. We aim to break them down, highlight key terms and conditions, and give you a sense of clarity about what you are opting into.Design and Interface
The design we speak about when it comes to online betting sites comes in two distinct flavors. The first is aesthetics, and the second is general functionality. Although one is more important than the other, as a combined package, they can make or break the online experience for a player.Customer Service
Even if you're a seasoned veteran when it comes to playing online, every now and then, you'll probably have to talk to customer service about a potential issue. The best customer care programs provide plenty of options, and most importantly, run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We'll be marking up and down based on these parameters.Banking Tools
Most online betting sites should be aiming for as many banking tools as possible. This is more about inclusivity than anything else. While there are certainly better quality methods around in terms of efficiency, we won't be judging as strongly on that.Why Is Bovada the Best Real Money Online Betting Site?
We selected Bovada as the number one site for online gambling right now. Here’s a reminder of the key reasons for that.Best bonuses: Whether you want to bet on sports or play casino games, you’re going to be able to make the most of some great bonuses as a Bovada customer. Their welcome offers are very strong offering up to $750 for sports players and a $3,000 pack for casino lovers.
Fast support: It’s super easy to get hold of the Bovada support team 24 hours a day through the live chat. We never had to wait more than a minute or so to speak to an agent when we tested this feature.
Great content: The range of betting markets at Bovada is the best in the business. You won’t find a more entertaining online gambling site.
A decade of experience: The fact that Bovada has been in the business for over 10 years tells us that it can be trusted. You don’t get to stay afloat in such a competitive industry without doing things right and retaining your customers.
Online Betting VS. Land-Based Bookmakers
As much as we enjoy a sports betting shop experience, there are quite a few things about gambling online that beat them.More competitive odds: The online sports betting world is far more competitive than traditional retail sportsbooks. This works to our advantage as players, offering better odds, which means you’re more likely to win bigger when your bets hit.
A wider range of betting markets: Along with the potential for higher payouts, it’s important to note that you’re simply going to have more options (both sport and casino-wise) if you decide to do it online.
Bonus offers and promotions: There are a lot more offers in the online gambling world than there are in any betting shop. Welcome bonuses, reload offers, boosted odds, and free spins are in abundance online!
Online Betting for Real Money – FAQs
Can I really win real money betting online?
Yes, you can. All the websites featured on this list are licensed to take real money wagers and pay out in real money.Is it safe to bet online for real money?
Yes, it's safe to bet online, so long as you’re using reputable real money sports betting sites. Each platform featured on this list is fully legitimate and trustworthy.Where's the best place to bet online for real money?
The best place to bet online is Bovada because it has the best market coverage, competitive odds, and amazing betting features and promos.How do I know these are legitimate real money sports betting sites?
All the sites on this list have been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts as well as licensed by regulatory bodies, so you can be sure they are 100% legitimate and trustworthy.What bonuses are available at real money online betting sites?
The bonuses available depend on the online gambling site you are playing on. We've listed some more common bonuses below:- Deposit bonus
- Welcome bonus
- Reload bonus
- Free spins bonus
What's the best site for real money sports betting?
There is a range of excellent sports betting sites that feature online betting. We recommend trying out Bovada and BetOnline, depending on your needs. Bovada is the best all-rounder, while BetOnline has the best bonuses.Comparison of the Top 5 Sports Betting Sites
Here's a quick overview of our top 5 real money gambling sites and their stand-out features.Bovada: The number one gambling site on this list features a top-tier sportsbook with competitive odds that puts it head and shoulders above the competition. Overall score: 99%
BetOnline: Check out an excellent range of promotions plus unparalleled experience within the industry, all of which make BetOnline an excellent online gambling platform. Overall score: 97%
BetWhale: If it's top horse racing action you're looking for along with a solid casino experience and a great new customer offer, Betwhale is well worth your time. Overall score: 96%
Sportsbetting: Sportsbetting.ag delivers a comprehensive all-around betting experience and deep market coverage. Overall score: 93%
Everygame: Everygame’s cutting-edge modern design and top mobile optimization make it an easy choice to appear on our list of the best online betting apps. Overall score: 91%
How to Bet On Sports Online for Real Money
Here's a quick guide to registering a new account. It doesn't matter if you're new to online gambling and need a little guidance or a returning player who needs a reminder. We've got your back.Step 1 - Create a New Account
- Choose your favorite betting site from our list
- Or visit Bovada and click the red 'Join button
- Fill out your details
- Wait for a validation link to arrive
Step 2 - Validate Your Account
- Check your email inbox for the validation link
- If it's not there, check your spam box
- Once you've located it, click the link to complete the account validation
Step 3 - Make the First Deposit
- Log into your account
- Deposit using your chosen payment method
- Use a bonus if you wish
Step 4 - Start Gambling Online
- Explore the sports section
- Select an event you want to bet on
- Enjoy and have fun!
Expert Tips for Sports Bettors
Read the Terms and Conditions
Every online gambling site will have a set of terms that you’ll be agreeing to by signing up for an account. So, you’re going to want to be reading these just in case there’s something in there that you don’t like the look of.Look for the Best Odds
Most online gambling sites offer competitive odds for particular markets. If you like to bet on the same sport or even the same competition, then it’s good to check which sports betting site provides the best prices. That way, you can get the most out of your winnings.Make Use of Every Welcome Bonus
There are a lot of awesome offers out there, particularly throughout our top 10 picks, so take the time to work through each of their sign-up bonuses. You’ll be able to get free bets and matched deposits while you search around for your new favorite real money gambling site.Be Safe When You Gamble Online
You might not think that you have a gambling addiction, but you can never be too safe when you gamble for real money. Consider using deposit limits and always set a cool-off period if you feel like your habits are getting out of control.Ready to Start Betting Online for Real Money?
Hopefully, by now, you feel as if you know more about the world of online gambling in general, and where to find the best online sports betting establishments.Bovada is our undisputed number-one choice for an all-around elite real money gambling experience. It's the highest mark of quality for both sports betting and casino action.
But even if Bovada isn't quite up your alley, we have nine other awesome alternatives for you to choose from as well. There's no reason why you shouldn't give all of them a go.
Wherever you end up playing, just remember our golden rules: Have fun and gamble responsibly!
DISCLAIMER: The information on this forum is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with risks. There's no guarantee of financial gain, so you should only gamble with what you can afford to lose.
While gambling can be fun, it can also be addictive. If you or anyone you know suffers from a gambling addiction problem, we recommend you call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 to speak with an advisor. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are 21+. Also, check with local laws if online gambling is legal in your area.
For free online gambling addiction resources, visit these organizations:
Anyone here tried it yet?! Wanna know if it's worth the hype!
Plus, their customer service is super helpful – makes the whole experience a lot nicer for me!
Bovada’s odds make it fun to go wild.
