Michael McKean is an experienced writer with a portfolio that includes work on the subjects of sport, gambling, travel and finance. With a background rooted in journalism, Michael first ventured into the professional writing world based in Switzerland, where he wrote for a number of language and travel sites and magazines before moving into the world of sports writing and gambling sites.
As an avid soccer fan, who follows everything from the Scottish lower leagues to the European elites, he has earned himself a solid reputation as a reliable football betting tipster and predictor. Outside of work, Michael has always gotten involved with grassroutes football everywhere he has worked and lived - UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Brazil - and still isn’t shy when it comes to pulling the boots on himself. As well as soccer, he has also developed a love of North American sports, particularly ice hockey - a love which began in Switzerland and saw him venture across the pond to follow the NHL. Moving away from dry land, he’s also a keen longboard surfer and is happiest when writing with a view of the ocean.
Looking for an awesome US sportsbook? We can help with that! Keep reading to see how you can get deals like the BetMGM bonus and take your sports betting to the next level!
We’ve created a stunning comparison that ranks and rates all US sportsbooks. Each of these betting sites has been checked to make sure that it has US regulation. Plus all of our recommended sportsbooks will give you amazing odds for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more. Take a look below and find your new favourite US online sportsbook!
Start by considering the different sporting events that you're most interested in and the events you'll want to wager on. The top online site is no good if it doesn't offer all of those different sporting events for wagering purposes. The first thing you should look at when evaluating any website for personal use is if it offers every type of sport that you're interested in. It's also important to consider the extra features that the site has to offer and what's important to you. For instance, think about the deposit and withdrawal options available and go with a website that uses methods you're comfortable with and whether your chosen operator offers fast payouts to reward your gameplay. You can also look for mobile support, free bets deals, live-betting support and minimum and maximum wager limitations to help with selecting a leading site for online betting.
The 8 Criteria that Make a Good Online Bookmaker
At Captain Gambling we look at factors such as sport selection, the simplicity of the signup process, mobile support, its customer service provision and others to help us determine which of the top rated bookmakers are the highest quality options, and which online betting sites should be avoided. Below are the eight considerations or the eight criteria points we use to judge a bookmaker and whether it's one of best sports betting sites for players. As part of this process, we explore its featured betting options and decide if the site is worthwhile and one of the best places to place a wager at or not.
Betting Offer and Live Betting: Experienced bettors look for ample wagering options to select from, such as prop bets and special promotions. They want point spreads, full cover bets, parlays, moneyline wagers, free bets, prop bets and more special wagering options to select from.
Odds: It’s vital to find a site with good reliable odds listed by each of the wagering positions. These odds should be simple to read and make placing reliable wagers easier as well.
Welcome Bonus and Promotions: All gamblers are looking for the best gambling bonus in the US. As such, solid welcome bonus offers are a staple of most leading sportsbook sites offered today. These sites offer solid welcome bonuses, exciting bet insurance offers and powerful odds boosts that result in bigger prize payouts.
Customer Service: The web platforms offer excellent customer service and make it easy to ask for help no matter what the issue is. Leading sites should offer several different contact methods, feature a dedicated customer service department and also provide a reliable FAQ section for searching for answers reliably.
Deposit and Withdrawal: Quick deposits and rapid withdrawals from a bookmaker help to improve the overall experience. This is another key factor betting websites need to offer players.
Limits and Payout: Experienced players looking for earn significantly from sports betting are interested in the betting limits available at an online bookmaker. The best establishments offer larger maximum wagers for serious profit potential. This can result in better payouts and more success with the sportsbook as well.
Usability: During the evaluation period it’s important to look at the navigation setup of each site and how simple or complex they are to make use of. Good sites can be navigated easily and offer a wealth of features that are readily accessible.
Devices and App: Many players betting in the USA want to be able to place wagers while at sports bars and a friends' house. Good mobile support makes this convenient to do.
Important Criteria for Sports Betting Sites
It's not enough to choose the highest quality sportsbook if that site doesn't offer a good user experience. That's why at Captain Gambling we look at specific criteria that will determine how enjoyable an online bookmaker is to use on a regular basis. This includes considerations like the quality of the user interface, the bonus offers available for major sports, such as free bets rewards and the data offered to aid each important wagering decision. We also look at options in specific states, including Iowa sports betting.
#1 Simple Navigation
Some sports betting sites are easier to navigate than others are. The sites that are easy to use are almost always the most enjoyable to use in our experience. That’s why easy-to-navigate websites are strongly recommended over other websites available online today. If the features can be accessed rapidly, wagers can be placed faster as well and the bettor can spend less time researching and more time enjoying the game.
#2 Easy Signup Process
Even a high-quality sportsbook can’t be enjoyed until after a member goes through the signup process successfully. High-quality online betting sites with a difficult signup are often skipped over in favor of simpler bookie websites. That’s why when determine the best online bookies we spend time thinking about which signup process is easiest and we factor that into the equation used to choose our recommended websites for US sports betting.
#3 Live Betting Coverage
When choosing the right online sports betting site for you, one of the things we look closely at is whether live betting coverage is offered or not. Many sites make it possible for gamblers to place wagers while a sporting event is occurring. This increases engagement, helps enhance the gambling experience and is a serious positive to gamblers that like to be as involved as possible when watching sporting events.
#4 Excellent Sports Coverage
One of our major concerns when picking websites for betting in the USA is how much sport coverage US sports betting sites offer. The best sites offer a wide range of coverage and make it possible to wager on all the popular American sports along with many international sports as well. Players should look at the sports covered by any particular sportsbook, and decide on an option with the coverage they are most interested in. In our guides, we cover everything from the best online betting sites for soccer to horse betting websites.
#5 A Streamlined User Interface
Placing game-day wagers should be quick and easy, and that's largely determined by the interface of each sportsbook. A simple, easy to use interface that presents useful data like odds and recent betting trends, along with clear wagering options makes betting more enjoyable. This interface should work well with mobile devices as well. We avoid US sports betting sites with complicated betting systems and too many menu items because it takes away from the wagering experience.
#6 Powerful Bonus Programs
Players want to unlock as many bonus offers and bet match offers as possible. We look at the offers from different sports bookies, and give preference to the sites that offer the most favorable bonus programs. By joining Online Bookmakers it's possible to unlock free bets, wager match bonuses, deposit match bonuses and more from the sportsbook. We'll look at each and every bonus - from the best horse betting sign up bonus to the ultimate soccer promo code. Take a look at our individual bonus reviews, such as our FanDuel promo code sportsbook and DraftKings sportsbook bonus code reviews.
#7 Up to Date Odds Information
The last piece of the puzzle when it comes to having a good time placing sports bets online is frequently updated data about teams and individual athletes. The best sportsbooks post up-to-date odds and statistics for wagerers to make use of. The US betting sites that offer updated data in a neat format get preference from us.
#8 Varied Banking Tools
Few gamblers rely on the same banking methods to bet online, especially when it comes to withdrawing winnings out of an account. That’s why we prefer the US betting sites that offer many different methods to choose from such as credit card and debit card options as well as prepaid cards. These sites cater to every sort of gambler, making it easy for everyone to get started playing at the site, whether they want to make a deposit or simply withdraw their winnings. We don’t favor any particular banking method over the others, but look for overall variety instead.
#9 A Straightforward Withdrawal Process
Winning big on sports betting sites is exciting, but that excitement can quickly be ruined if the withdrawal process is too complicated. Whether they opt for credit card or direct bank transfer, we understand that winners want to enjoy their winnings, and we look for sportsbooks that make the withdrawal process simple for that very reason. Many winners will leave a site and look for a new option if the withdrawal process is too difficult or time-consuming, so we avoid recommending US betting sites with those issues when possible.
Our Top 5 Online Sports Betting Bonus Offers
Below are our favorite betting bonuses and promotions from top sportsbooks throughout the US, with the enticing free bets deals particularly popular with players. These top sports betting offers provide benefits to every sort of gambler, and there's no guarantee our top pick is the best option for you. Gain access to wager matches, free bets, deposit matches bonuses and more using our top offer recommendations. Choose an offer that will reward you the most depending on your deposit method of choice, wager amounts you will use and your sport of choice.
Sports betting is largely an activity carried out on mobile devices today via a downloadable betting app. That's why we've assembled a list of the top 5 legit betting apps here at Captain Gambling. These betting app options are well-known for offering an excellent wagering experience, but some of our selections will be better for you than others depending on your unique circumstances and which betting sites you tend to frequent. Select a betting app based on your device of choice, the sporting events you're interested in and the type of bets that you make to find the best app for your online betting activities and the available betting options.
Trust Captain Gambling for Online Betting Information
Captain Gambling is a trustworthy bookmaker review site because it's licensed, and it relies on careful research and well-defined research criteria to choose quality bookmakers and betting websites across the US. On our site you'll find numerous gambling reviews, a gambling sites list, betting tips, strategy guides and much, much more. We stand to benefit the most by recommending quality online bookmakers to players throughout America and the rest of the world because that will build our reputation and encourage improved brand recognition and success in the future. If you're searching for a top rated sportsbook to join, you can rely on the betting sites presented by Captain Gambling because they are carefully researched and validated with testing and data over time.
Legal Situation in the USA
According to the most recent rulings by the US Supreme Court online sports betting is legal, but is controlled on a state-by-state basis. That means every state has the power to determine whether online sports betting is legal to do or not within that state. Betting in the USA is largely controlled by this new ruling, and there are many states already allowing online sports betting, with more on the way. The ruling went directly against PASPA, the old law forbidding single-game wagering throughout the United States. There is still a chance that Congress could pass a new law overruling this Supreme Court decision, but that seems unlikely at this point.
Additional states are already preparing to offer their own online bookmakers and to begin licensing and monitoring sports betting in their jurisdictions. There is always a chance for sports betting to no longer be legal again, but by leaving the decision up to individual states the betting landscape will likely improve in the future. States like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Mexico, West Virginia, Rhode Island and others already allow web betting on sporting events. Also included is Sports Betting New Hampshire. This is an exciting trend for proponents of American betting sites and many supporters throughout the country will continue pushing for the remaining states to embrace sports betting as well.
In the meantime, those of you who live in a US state that has yet to jump on the bandwagon might be wondering 'is offshore gambling illegal?' It must be said, this is something of a grey area, because in some US states it is, but in others, although it's not encouraged, it's not against the law either. Our advice if you decide to go that route is to stick with one of the well-known operators which already has a reputable track history in other parts of the world.
Preview on the Sports Betting Market
Sports betting is now legal across the United States, but it's regulated by individual states. That means that laws for betting in the US change depending on the state that individuals reside in. It's highly unlikely that every state will ever make online sportsbetting legal, but many more states will probably pass their own laws in the upcoming years. That means more US citizens will be allowed to participate in online sports betting than ever before and a big market for sports betting will develop with a range of sports available on US betting sites.
We don't have a way to look into the future here at Captain Gambling, but it's likely that sports betting will become more popular with the coming years, and that more and more establishments will begin offering their services. This means that players will enjoy more diverse and profitable options over time, but that they will have to work harder to identify the best betting establishments. As more betting site options are added we'll work harder to review and recommend the top options to interested gamblers in a state-by-state way.
10 Important Questions and Answers about Sports Betting
Is sports betting safe to do online today?
Yes, it is safe as long as you play at a regulated sportsbook that's licensed and closely monitored for security. Modern sports betting websites are reliable and secure to use, but only when they make safety a priority for their users.
How do I know if sports betting is legal in my state?
Sports betting isn't legal in every state just yet, so this is a valid question for anyone living in the United States. If you are wondering which sports bookies are legal in your state, or even if sports betting is legal where you are, look at our guide for your state to learn more about the local laws in your area and how this impacts US players.
Where can I find information about sports betting operators in my state?
At Captain Gambling we pride ourselves on offering state-specific information for US players about online sports betting sites. One of the best ways to do this is to view the results for your state to learn more about what operators are available in your area and the range of sports you can choose from.
What is a Payout Percentage and why does it matter?
The Payout Percentage is how much of the total wagered money a sportsbook pays back to the bettors after the game is over and winners and losers are determined. Payout Percentage is important because it determines how much money the winner stands to gain from a particular wager. A higher percentage results in a higher payout to the winners via their chosen method, whether that be credit card or direct bank transfer.
Is it time-consuming to join an online sportsbook?
No, modern-day US online betting is quick and easy. The signup process to most sportsbooks and betting sites takes just a few minutes. It may be necessary to wait a day or longer for an initial deposit to clear before real-money wagers can begin though.
Which sports are best to wager on?
The sports a player is interested are the best to wager on. Every sporting event offers a mix of good and bad odds depending on the teams involved. Players should wager on sports they're familiar with and that they enjoy watching for best results.
Is it a good idea to bet on the Super Bowl?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the bettor. Bettors that enjoy watching the Superbowl and that want to be more involved with the game can draw additional enjoyment out of the day by placing a bet on the Super Bowl. For these people placing a bet on the Super Bowl is a good idea. For everyone else, it's best to focus on the sporting events they are most interested in.
How Can I protect against gambling addiction while wagering online?
If you are concerned about developing a gambling addiction there are some simple steps you can take to avoid this problem while using online bookmakers. Before wagering and draining the funds on your credit card, one of the best things to decide is how much you are willing to win or lose before you stop. Also, decide on a maximum time that you will be involved with wagering in a given play session and never exceed this amount. Take breaks from online gambling on USA betting sites and cultivate additional hobbies as well.
Will I have to deal with a complicated signup process as a player in America?
No, the signup process on betting sites will be simple as long as you play at a sportsbook meant for American players. Fill in a simple form and complete the initial deposit to start placing bets. A customer service team is usually around to answer any question you may have or to point you in the right direction.
Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings from an online bookmaker?
Yes. You are expected to pay taxes on all your winnings from online bookmakers at a tax rate of approximately 24%. Winnings of $5,000 or larger will often be withheld until the taxes on them are collected.
Become a Member Now
Interested in joining up with a reputable bookmaker in the US and placing your first bet at one of the top US betting sites on the planet? The process is quick and easy. Select a sportsbook you want to play at, fill out the sign-up form and complete your initial deposit into the website via payment methods such as credit card or Paypal. Once it clears you can begin placing wagers on upcoming sporting events. If you want to create and share your own sportsbook reviews, or interact with a sports betting community, join Captain Gambling today through our simple sign-up form and make some new friends on betting sites.
