Top American Bookmakers

The United States of America is the world’s largest economy and home to some of the most passionate gamblers around the globe. We are all well-accustomed to the iconic gambling scenes of the Las Vegas Strip with its luxurious casinos. However, the ‘Land of the Free’ places strict restrictions on US bookmakers, as they are prohibited from operating in several states.

More specifically, as of May 14, 2018, every state has the right to legalize gambling activities and regulate its own gambling market; nonetheless, not all have done so yet. In any case, US bettors love placing their wagers online on the top offshore bookmakers that are offering their services stateside. Besides, since there is no federal law on gambling, there isn’t any federal regulatory authority preventing offshore bookies from operating in the country. Consequently, American bettors are free to opt for any bookmaker they like.

Best US Bookmakers for 2024

Right below, you can view the top US bookmakers in 2024. To place them on this list, we evaluated their odds and range of markets on all the big US sports, the payments they offer and their withdrawal times.

5 Things to Know about American Bookmakers

• 1
  The legal gambling age is set at 18 or 21, depending on the state
• 2
  A large number of payment methods can not be used on US bookies
• 3
  Crypto payments are allowed at online bookmakers in the USA
• 4
  You are not required to pay any taxes on your winnings
• 5
  Many states are steadily moving towards legalized gambling

How US Bookies Operate

Gambling in the US is not considered illegal anymore since, nowadays, it is up to each state to regulate its own market or prohibit all gambling activities. Regarding sports betting in particular, it became legal on May 14, 2018, when the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional and struck down a 1992 federal law (i.e. the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act [PASPA]) that was banning all the states from legalizing betting.

Now it's up to every state to decide whether sports betting is legal or not within its jurisdiction. As for online betting, it became legal in the US at the same time as land-based sports betting did. Nevertheless, out of the 50 states, only a few have fully regulated online betting within their territory.

More specifically, for the time being, bettors can legally place their online wagers on American bookmakers if they find themselves in the following states: New Hampshire, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Rhode Island, Oregon, Tennessee, Nevada.

Moreover, those who wish to wager online legally while being in Washington, D.C., are left with only one option. The single licensed operator GambetDC. Keep in mind that in the USA, bookmakers that operate online are not limited to those regulated by each state; since many offshore bookies accept locals.

What Should Bettors Know about US Bookies

Regardless of the current situation around betting in each State, there are mainly two types of bookies very popular among Americans: Vegas bookies and offshore online ones. Most US bettors opt for offshore bookies since they have optimized their online platforms based on their needs.

More specifically, they accept the USD and offer American odds (i.e. moneyline odds), as well as payments that are widely used in the US and can be found on any American bookmaker. On top of that, they offer high odds and extensive lines on the top American sports & leagues. NBA bookmakers are particularly prominent. This is also the case for NFL, NHL and MLB. 

Last but not least, they come with bet types that are popular in the States, such as point spreads, totals, If Bets & Reverse Bets, moneyline, parlays, teaser & pleaser bets, player props and futures. Bettors who place their wagers on offshore online bookies are not prosecuted by the authorities.

Lastly, it is worth noting that players can rest assured that no taxes are levied on their online winnings deriving from offshore bookies. So, remember that if you are looking for an online bookmaker, the USA has plenty of decent offshore options to choose from.

How to Deposit on American Bookmakers in the Caribbean

Since we have analyzed how American bookies operate and highlighted all the essential info that bettors should keep in mind when placing their wagers online on any offshore bookmaker in the USA; it is time to list the most popular payment methods among US players.

Obviously, you will find dozens of American Express betting sites. In addition, several online bookies will accept other credit cards (e.g. Visa, Mastercard), gift cards, bank transfers (i.e. MoneyGram), money orders (e.g. Western Union), person-to-person payments, checks and crypto.

Cryptocurrencies, in particular, have gradually become a popular payment method due to the low banking fees, fast transactions and complete anonymity that they offer. However, there is some scepticism about the use of digital currency, like Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Trox, as its price is highly volatile. Our two cents is to purchase some form of digital currency, use it to deposit and withdraw and exchange it for real cash instead of keeping it stored. 

Also Read: How to Bet on Ethereum Bookmakers

Gambling Regulations in Nearby Nations

By analyzing the regulations in neighbouring areas, one can gain a better grasp of the established protocols for online gambling. Underneath, you can find detailed guides on the laws in Canada and the Virgin Islands, which are part of the United States. 

⏩ Best Bookmakers in Canada

⏩ Best Virgin Islander Betting Sites

Why It's Worth Betting on US Bookmakers

When discussing the establishment of federal gambling law in the US, unfortunately, the future doesn’t look very promising. This is happening since some states don't seem willing to regulate gambling at all. Since this is the case, bettors will keep on wagering online on offshore bookies that freely manage to operate all over the country.

More specifically, those who choose to bet on offshore bookmakers can do so in the comfort of their own homes. They can also deposit funds to their account via all the popular payment options (i.e. cards, bank transfer, crypto) seamlessly; place their favourite bets on the top NFL bookmakers, alongside all other sports, and get higher odds due to the reduced juice offered by online operators.

On the contrary, those who opt for Vegas bookies located inside Vegas casinos should be aware that their odds come with a 10%+ juice. Moreover, they tend to offer much shorter lines compared to their online counterparts.

Thus, remember that if you’re looking for a bookmaker, the US has many decent options to offer. Nevertheless, the best American bookmakers are not the land-based Vegas ones; but those that operate online, particularly the offshore ones.