Sports betting has become a normal and accepted part of American sporting culture. Over the past decade the industry has gone through a massive shift. Betting lines and spreads are now discussed openly by national sports media, sportsbook partnerships with major leagues are commonplace, and millions of new bettors have been introduced to wagering online. The result is a competitive marketplace where fair odds, generous sign up bonuses and a huge variety of betting options are available to anyone looking to get in on the action.
On this page you will find links to every sport we cover, a step by step guide to placing your first bet online, and some general tips that apply no matter which sport you are betting on.
Bet On Any Sport
Each of the sport pages listed below includes our recommended sportsbooks for that sport, explanations of the most common bet types with examples, and a simple guide to get your first wager placed. Click through to any sport you are interested in for a deep dive.
Popular Sports
Football – The most bet on sport in the United States by a wide margin. The NFL and NCAA both draw massive betting handle throughout the season, and the Super Bowl is the single biggest betting event of the year. Football’s weekly schedule and point spread format make it a natural fit for sports bettors of all experience levels.
Basketball – The back and forth momentum swings, spreads that even out the playing field, and the excitement of betting on March Madness or the NBA Playoffs make basketball one of the most popular sports to wager on. The long season and daily games during the week provide plenty of opportunities to find value.
Baseball – America’s national pastime provides a ton of betting action with teams playing almost daily throughout the regular season. The moneyline-driven format makes baseball a different animal than football or basketball betting, and the real excitement kicks into gear in October with the MLB playoffs and World Series.
Hockey – A fast-paced, low-scoring sport that is even more entertaining with some betting action on the line. Hockey betting revolves around the moneyline and puck line, and the sport’s parity means underdogs win often enough to keep things interesting throughout the NHL season and Stanley Cup playoffs.
Soccer – The world’s most popular sport offers year-round betting opportunities across dozens of leagues and international competitions. From the Premier League and Champions League to the World Cup, there is always a soccer match to bet on somewhere in the world.
MMA – The UFC and sports betting go hand in hand. The build up, the hype, and watching two athletes battle it out until there is a winner brings out bettors in droves. The variety of prop bets available on UFC cards – method of victory, round betting, fight to go the distance – makes MMA one of the most engaging sports to wager on.
Boxing – Big boxing events continue to generate massive betting handle in the United States. Celebrity crossover fights have brought new eyeballs to the sport, and high level professional boxers keep the legitimate side thriving. Boxing betting is straightforward and exciting for both casual and serious bettors.
Golf – Golf is one of the most rewarding sports to bet on because of the potential for big payouts. With large fields and long odds on most players, picking a tournament winner that comes through on Sunday is a thrill that is hard to match. Head to head matchups and prop bets round out the options for golf bettors.
Tennis – Tennis betting really takes off during the four Grand Slam tournaments, especially the US Open. The head to head format lends itself well to moneyline and set betting, and the year-round calendar of ATP and WTA events means there is always a match on the board.
Horse Racing – Horse racing and betting have gone together for centuries. The parimutuel wagering system makes horse racing unique compared to other sports, and events like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes draw some of the biggest betting pools of the year.
More Sports
Best Sportsbooks For Betting On Sports
The best sportsbooks can vary by sport – some books excel at covering certain markets while others may barely offer lines on a niche sport. We rank the best sportsbooks for each individual sport on the pages listed above, taking into account the variety of betting options and lines, how competitive the odds are, and the overall quality of the sportsbook including features, reputation and bonuses.
That said, if you are looking for an all-around recommendation these are our top sportsbooks for bettors in the United States.
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1
50% up to $250- Built for American bettors
- Wide variety of competitive betting lines
- Easy to navigate betting platform
- Long history as a trusted sportsbook
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2
50% up to $250 in Free Bets- Accepts players worldwide, but focused on North America
- Competitive and early betting lines
- Fast & easy crypto deposits and withdrawals
- Easy to clear sign up bonuses.
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3
100% up to $1000- Accepts players worldwide (including US)
- Frequently offers value-added contests and promotions
- Wide variety of betting lines and props
You should consider opening accounts at more than one sportsbook. This allows you to compare odds across sites and always bet the most favorable line. Over the long run these small differences in price add up to a significant amount of money. Every sportsbook listed on BetOnIt.org is safe, secure and has a proven track record in the industry.
How To Bet On Sports Online
If you are new to sports betting the process of getting started is straightforward. Here is a simple three step guide to placing your first bet.
Step 1: Open a sportsbook account. Pick one of the recommended sportsbooks above or choose from any of the sport-specific pages on this site. Creating an account takes just a few minutes and requires basic information like your name, address and email. BetOnline.ag is our top rated sportsbook for American bettors thanks to their competitive odds, wide range of deposit options and dedication to the US market.
Step 2: Fund your account. You will need to deposit money before you can place real wagers. Credit card deposits are generally the fastest and easiest method, but crypto deposits through Bitcoin or other currencies are becoming increasingly popular because of faster processing times and lower fees. Each of our recommended sportsbooks offers a variety of deposit methods to suit your preferences. Check out our sportsbook bonuses page to make sure you claim the best available bonus when you make your first deposit.
Step 3: Place your bets. Navigate to the sport you want to bet on, browse the available lines and select your pick. Enter your wager amount on the bet slip and confirm your bet. If you are not sure how the odds work, our odds formats guide breaks down American, decimal and fractional odds with easy to follow examples.
General Sports Betting Tips
Here are a few tips that apply to every sport you bet on. For a more detailed look at strategies that can improve your results check out the general betting tips page.
- Shop for the best odds. Having accounts at multiple sportsbooks lets you compare lines and always take the best price. A difference of a few cents per dollar may not seem like much on a single bet, but over hundreds of wagers it has a major impact on your bottom line.
- Be selective with your bets. You do not need to bet on every game on the board. The most profitable bettors are patient and only wager when they have identified a sharp line where they believe they have an edge. Betting more money on fewer games is a much smarter approach than spreading yourself thin.
- Manage your bankroll. Decide how much money you are comfortable risking and stick to a consistent unit size. Chasing losses or increasing your stakes after a bad day is one of the fastest ways to go broke. Our bankroll management guide covers this topic in detail.
- Stay disciplined. Do not bet when you are emotional, tired or under the influence. Impulsive wagers made after a bad beat or a few drinks are almost always losing bets. Treat your sportsbook account with the same discipline you would a financial investment.