Dribble your way over to my guide on basketball betting sites, where I’m taking a court-side look at some of the best b-ball bookmakers with skin in the game – along with the essentials of placing basketball bets like a pro.
Join me in the ultimate basketball betting huddle, as we discuss NBA wagering and everything in between. I’ll answer your burning basketball sportsbook queries, before providing my expert tips on choosing the best hoop-ball bookie for your needs. Plus, I’ll be featuring some of my favourite basketball sportsbooks, which you can check out in the banners around this page.
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I’ll admit from the tip-off that b-ball is one of my all-time favourite sports to bet on online, so rest assured that you’re in a safe pair of hands. Whether you’re looking to wager on the crème de la crème of the NBA or have the know-how to back leading college sides with confidence – I’ve got you covered with a complete guide on basketball betting sites and how they operate.
First up, I’m eager to clear up some of the confusion you might have about basketball betting, so have pulled together some of the web’s most-asked queries on NBA wagering and similar. So, with the jump ball taken care of, shall we begin?
Let me start by saying that betting on basketball is different to wagering on other sports. Why? Because spread betting is the most popular type of wagering used on b-ball fixtures, as opposed to moneyline odds favoured by other sports.
If you’re not familiar, spread betting is when sports betting sites achieve more equal odds by handicapping the outright favourite team in a particular b-ball match-up. This is achieved by assigning a specific number of points that a team must win by for your wager to settle as a winner.
For example, let’s say the New York Knicks are scheduled to take on the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. The Knicks enter as the firm favourites here, so bookmakers may handicap them to ensure competitive odds.
To denote the margin that the Knicks must win by, bookmakers will assign a numerical point spread, such as -4.5. That means if you’re looking to place a spread bet on the Knicks to win, they must beat the Pistons by 5 points to cover the -4.5 handicap and settle as the victors.
While spread betting is the most popular way to wager on basketball, this isn’t a rule written in stone. B-ball bookies offer a ton of flexible odds and betting types for you to choose from, with some prime examples being.
| Basketball betting type | Key details to remember |
|---|---|
| Moneyline betting | Like to keep things simple? Then forget spreads and opt for moneyline basketball betting instead. The odds may not be quite as competitive, but choosing an outright winner is as easy as it gets. |
| Totals betting | If you know your NBA teams, placing totals wagers ups the ante nicely. This is when you predict the total points scored over the course of a game, with over or under rules in effect. |
| Prop betting | Mix up your b-ball bet slip with a prop bet or two. This is when you wager on in-game elements unrelated to the final outcome – whether it’s the player to score the next triple-double or the side that makes the most assists. |
| Parlay betting | Basketball parlay betting offers an edge-of-your-seat experience that’s hard to beat. Here, the objective is to combine a range of winning picks on a single bet slip. You only win if all bets settle as winners, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. |
| Futures betting | Predict that the Pacers could scoop the NBA trophy? Maybe you think Curry is the odds-on favourite to be this season’s best point guard? Futures betting is all about playing the long game, with some very competitive odds available the further out you place your bets. |
| Live betting | Live betting is rapidly becoming the most popular way to bet on basketball. Here, you’re placing in-game wagers on a mix of outcomes, with some enticing and fast-moving odds at your disposal. |
| First and second-half betting | First and second-half basketball betting is where pre-match and live betting meet. Here, you can predict what you think will happen in the first and second half of a basketball game; you can’t place these bets during live play. |
One of the things I like the most about betting on basketball is the fact that fixtures are available pretty much all year. Since the weather is never an issue, the basketball season can afford to be more spread out than outdoor sports, meaning there are usually fixtures, tournaments, and events to pique your interest on a near-continuous basis.
Looking for a little basketball betting inspiration? If you’re a budding fan of the sport and eager to get involved in the b-balling betting action, here are some of the big-name tournaments and events to look out for on leading basketball betting sites.
Basketball accounts for a lion’s share of the USA’s cumulative gambling expenditure, second only to American football in terms of popularity. But surprisingly, legal basketball betting isn’t widely available across the US, with around a half of states prohibiting the use of real-money basketball betting sites.
Legal sports betting is decided on a state-by-state basis, so there’s a real patchwork of different rules to consider depending on where you live. This is compounded by the fact that some brands are permitted in jurisdictions where others aren’t, so you need to check the T&Cs and small print carefully before registering with a new online sports betting site.
If you take anything away from my guide to basketball gambling sites, these pros and cons ought to be front and centre of your thinking…
Wondering how I whittled down my pick of the best basketball betting brands? There are a few tell-tale signs to look for, including features and attributes like…
Yep, this is, without doubt, the most important factor to consider when looking for basketball betting bookies. Some NBA betting sites only feature the minimum amount of b-ball fixtures while others specialise in covering the lot, even down to the collegiate level. Don’t be afraid to visit different sites to get a feel for their range of basketball markets.
Comparing basketball betting odds is essential before you commit to a particular brand, as the numbers do differ depending on where you bet. As mentioned, some sites specialise in basketball and so tend to deliver the best odds. Of course, there are other things to consider, but finding the best odds is kind of the silver bullet, right?
Welcome deals can certainly sweeten the deal when signing up for a new sportsbook, so there’s no shame in holding out for brands willing to put cash on the line to win your custom. Better still is if said brand also offers basketball-specific promotions and deals; plenty of sportsbooks do provide special offers, particularly around headline NBA Finals fixtures.
Let me tell you that live betting on basketball is some of the most fun I’ve had using online sports betting sites. The fast-paced nature of the game coupled with rapid-fire odds makes for an awesome combination, so be sure to add this feature to your wishlist.
Another non-negotiable for me has to be mobile basketball betting. Some of the best sports betting apps excel in the basketball arena, giving you the ability to make in-game bets in the palm of your hand. It doesn’t get much more thrilling than that.
Regardless of the bookmaker you choose, the team you’re backing, or the odds you pick, it’s impossible to have a bad time when betting on basketball. I don’t know if it’s the intensity and pace of the game or the fact that b-ball fixtures are available all year, but basketball betting for me will always be time – and money – well spent.
With all that said, there are, of course, ways to make your basketball betting experience that much more special. For instance, I’d absolutely recommend looking out for basketball gambling sites that offer live in-play bets as, for me, this represents one of the best and most exciting ways to wager on the sport. Be sure to make use of any available bonuses and special offers too, particularly those released in time for the NBA Finals and comparable headline fixtures.
Amid all these positives, though, there are a couple of bits of housekeeping to consider. The biggest of these slight niggles is the fact that only around 50% of US sports bettors can legally access real-money basketball bookmakers, so this is something to consider when you’re comparing different sites. I would say, too, that not every sportsbook does a great job of covering basketball to its fullest, so if b-ball is your go-to sport, I’d stick to the brands featured in the banners around this page.
Yes, you can, provided that you live in the right state. According to my research, 30 states currently accept online basketball wagers in the USA, while others prohibit real-money sports betting. Always check the rules for the individual brand you’re interested in, too, as the legality of different bookmakers is decided on a state-by-state basis.
Most big-name sportsbooks offer basketball betting markets, particularly NBA and NCAA fixtures. I’ve handpicked a selection of brands that I think cut the mustard, so check out the banners around this page for my top brands and their current welcome bonuses.
Spread betting is by far the most popular type of basketball bet, followed closely by moneyline. With some sizeable disparities existing between top basketball teams, even in the NBA, spread betting is favoured as the best way to level the playing field and ensure more competitive odds – regardless of the team you’re backing.
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