Best Online SportsBetting Sites in February 2026

Best Online Sportsbooks For February, 2026

Best Online Sportsbooks in the US Reviewed

Our expert team here at Gambling America has narrowed down our list of betting sites to the best three choices. We’ll break down the top sites in more detail, sharing key information about bonuses and promotions, payout speeds, betting features and markets, and odds value.

Are Sports Betting Sites Legal in the US?

Online betting sites became legal in the US in May 2018, after the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). That ruling didn’t legalize sports betting nationwide overnight. Instead, it handed the power to regulate sports wagering back to individual states.

As of 2026, most states have legalized sports betting in some form, and many now allow online sportsbooks. That means you can place wagers through desktop platforms and mobile betting apps in a large part of the country. Still, the rules are not the same everywhere. Some states only permit sports betting at retail locations, while 11 states continue to prohibit sports betting entirely.

Supporters of legalization have long argued that PASPA overstepped federal authority and clashed with states’ rights under the Tenth Amendment. At the same time, the potential tax and licensing revenue has been a major driver. In 2024, total US sports betting revenue reached $13.78 billion, which was a 24.8% increase from the previous year.

Overview of the Legal Sports Betting Framework in the US

PASPA was a federal law that banned all forms of sports betting in most US states. States such as Montana, Oregon, Nevada, and Delaware were exempt from the law, with sports betting running through their respective state lotteries.

In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the PASPA ruling, handing the power over to individual states to determine their own sports gambling laws. As a result, states nationwide have since begun opening physical and online sports betting sites. That said, not all states have decided to legalize sports gambling.

Where Online Sportsbooks Are Legal

Online sports betting is legal in the US, but it is regulated at the state level, so what you can do depends on your physical location when you place the bet. Even in states with legal mobile apps, sportsbooks use geolocation, so you typically cannot wager unless you are inside that state’s borders.

It also helps to separate “online/mobile” from “retail”. Some states offer full statewide mobile betting, others only allow in-person sportsbooks, and a few sit in the middle with tribal-only or on-premise mobile rules (you can bet on your phone, but only while you are at a casino or on tribal land).

Legal Sports Betting By State (Retail vs Online)

State	Retail Sports Betting Legal?	Online/Mobile Legal?
Alabama	No	No
Alaska	No	No
Arizona	Yes	Yes
Arkansas	Yes	Yes
California	No	No
Colorado	Yes	Yes
Connecticut	Yes	Yes
Delaware	Yes	Yes
Florida	Yes	Yes
Georgia	No	No
Hawaii	No	No
Idaho	No	No
Illinois	Yes	Yes
Indiana	Yes	Yes
Iowa	Yes	Yes
Kansas	Yes	Yes
Kentucky	Yes	Yes
Louisiana	Yes	Yes
Maine	Yes	Yes
Maryland	Yes	Yes
Massachusetts	Yes	Yes
Michigan	Yes	Yes
Minnesota	No	No
Mississippi	Yes	Limited
Missouri	Yes	Yes
Montana	Yes	Limited
Nebraska	Yes	No
Nevada	Yes	Yes
New Hampshire	Yes	Yes
New Jersey	Yes	Yes
New Mexico	Yes	No
New York	Yes	Yes
North Carolina	Yes	Yes
North Dakota	No	No
Ohio	Yes	Yes
Oklahoma	No	No
Oregon	Yes	Yes
Pennsylvania	Yes	Yes
Rhode Island	Yes	Yes
South Carolina	No	No
South Dakota	Yes	No
Tennessee	Yes	Yes
Texas	No	No
Utah	No	No
Vermont	Yes	Yes
Virginia	Yes	Yes
Washington	Yes	Limited
West Virginia	Yes	Yes
Wisconsin	Yes	No
Wyoming	Yes	Yes
District of Columbia	Yes	Yes

Regulators and Licensing for Sports Betting Sites

Betting sites in the US are licensed and regulated by official state regulatory bodies, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). They provide regulatory oversight to protect bettors who gamble at licensed betting sites.

These regulators will only license online sportsbooks that are safe and trustworthy. This means betting sites must adhere to rules, such as providing fair odds, preventing underage gambling, setting clear terms and conditions, paying out funds in a timely manner, and offering responsible gambling tools.

Taxes, Limits, and Player Protections

Gambling winnings in the US are taxable income, meaning you must understand your own state laws regarding taxes and declare your winnings. You must also report all of your winnings to the IRS due to federal tax gambling laws.

Sportsbooks must implement player protections, including bet limits, age verification, and responsible gambling tools. This allows you to have better control over your gambling, while age checks stop those underage from placing wagers. Geolocation is used by the best betting sites to confirm your location, ensuring you are legally permitted to use the site and place bets.

How Offshore Betting Sites Fit In

Offshore sites are available to residents of states that have not yet legalized online sports betting. These are international sportsbooks licensed outside of the US, such as in Curacao, Anjouan, and Panama, but accept US bettors.

There is no federal law that specifically prohibits US residents from placing wagers offshore. Instead, you should verify your own state’s gambling laws before you decide to place bets at international sites.

How to Choose a Trusted Offshore Sportsbook

Most Popular Sports to Bet On Online

A recent Statista survey found that 51% of American sports bettors have placed wagers on football, making it the most-bet-on sport in the US. Basketball typically comes next, followed by baseball, soccer, and boxing. Beyond those front-runners, ice hockey, tennis, and mixed martial arts (MMA) also attract significant interest.

You can find a breakdown of each sport, along with its major professional leagues, below.

Red Flags to Be Aware of

Knowing how to identify a trusted sportsbook site is just as important as finding the best odds or bonuses. With the rapid growth of online sports betting, not every platform currently operating meets the standards bettors expect. Alongside reputable sportsbooks, there are poorly run sites and bad actors that can put your funds and data at risk.

Once you know what to look for, the warning signs are usually clear. Below are five key red flags to keep in mind before signing up.

• Unclear Licensing Information

  Legit online betting sites are transparent about where they are licensed and regulated. If a sportsbook fails to display licensing details from recognized jurisdictions here in the US, or trusted overseas locations, such as Curaçao or Anjouan, it may lack proper oversight. Betting sites without clear regulatory credentials should be approached with caution, as there may be limited protections if disputes arise.

• Weak or Limited Betting Markets

  A trustworthy sportsbook offers depth across major sports and leagues, including spreads, totals, props, futures, and live betting. Sites with extremely limited markets, missing major US leagues, or offering only basic moneylines often indicate low-quality operations or minimal sportsbook infrastructure.

• Poor Odds and Pricing Transparency

  Consistently uncompetitive odds or unclear pricing is another red flag. Reliable betting sites publish clear odds formats, update lines frequently, and explain how promotions or boosted odds work. If pricing feels opaque or lines seem noticeably worse than industry norms, value and fairness may be lacking.

• Overhyped Bonuses With Vague Rules

  Inflated welcome bonuses with unclear wagering requirements are a common tactic used by questionable betting sites. If bonus terms are difficult to find, poorly explained, or seem deliberately confusing, that’s a sign the platform may make withdrawals unnecessarily difficult once wagering requirements are met.

• Negative Bettor Feedback

  User feedback remains one of the most reliable indicators of sportsbook quality. Repeated complaints about delayed withdrawals, restricted accounts after winning, or unresponsive customer support should be taken seriously. Consistent negative experiences reported by bettors are a strong signal to avoid the site altogether.

Best Betting Features in 2026

More and more legit betting sites are adding features to enhance your experience when gambling on sports, as they also attempt to gain a competitive edge. We’ve taken a look at some of the main features in 2026.

Live betting

Live betting is a growing method of wagering on sports. Your in-play bets are made after the game has started, allowing you to evaluate how the match has begun before deciding your wager.

It’s essential to time your bets, as sportsbooks update odds quickly based on in-game action. By analyzing momentum swings, you can better predict what may later happen in the match and capitalize on value odds.

For instance, the Dallas Cowboys may take a 20-point lead against the Denver Broncos. This means that the odds for the Broncos will get longer in-play. If you believe the Broncos will still go on to win, and that they are starting to perform better in the game, you can capitalize on these higher odds and potentially win your bet. 

Cash out

A cash-out feature is common at many of the best online betting sites, where you can lock in your profits early before the game has ended. This gives you greater control over your wagers, allowing you to secure profits or mitigate losses while the event is still unfolding.

The cash-out value will be lower than the original return, but it means you can reduce the risk of the result changing late and still win your wager. This could be used when the team you have backed to win has a narrow lead and the opposing team is making a comeback. Here’s an example of how it works:

• You place a $100 bet pre-game on the Boston Red Sox to beat the New York Yankees @ +150 ($250 total payout)
• The Red Sox hold a 4-3 lead at the top of the seventh
• The cash-out value is $165 ($65 profit), and you lock in your profit
• The Red Sox go on to lose the matchup 7-5

In this example, you have managed to lock in a $65 profit before the game finishes. It has worked in your favor, since the team has then gone on to lose. If you had not used the cash-out feature, you would have lost $100.

Same-game parlays

Parlays are where you add more than one selection to the same bet. This makes it harder to win, as you need more favorable outcomes to occur, but this is reflected in the odds. With same-game parlays, you are adding multiple lines into one bet from the same game. 

These can keep you interested in one game, and you don’t necessarily need to bet on the moneyline. Instead, you can create your own same-game parlays based on game and player props, keeping you engaged with multiple game facets. Licensed betting sites will also create their own same-game parlays that you can automatically add to your betslip.

Here’s an example of a same-game parlay:

• The Dallas Cowboys to beat the Kansas City Chiefs @ +156
• Dak Prescott to throw over 258 passing yards @ -114
• Patrick Mahomes to throw 3+ touchdown passes @ +149
• Total Odds = +1097 ($100 bet would win $1,096.59)

Bet builders

Same-game parlays can operate similarly to bet builders, since the bet builder feature allows you to create one bet with multiple selections from the same game. However, you can also create bet builders with lines across more than one game. A bet builder acts as more of a tool used by the sportsbook to create custom bets.

This feature is popular because you can create and tailor your bets to your preferences. You can therefore have more control over what you are betting on, potentially finding your own unique angles that other bettors have missed.

You could place a bet builder like this:

• The Boston Celtics to beat the Detroit Pistons @ +124
• Jaylen Brown to score over 26.5 points @ -125
• Oklahoma City Thunder -8.5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves @ -111
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score 3+ three-pointers @ +162
• Total odds of the bet = +1908 ($100 bet would win $1,908.07)

Odds boosts

Odds boosts are promotions offered by sportsbooks that increase the odds for a particular line. This can offer better value than the original odds, increasing your payout potential. The best betting sites with bonuses, such as BetUS and BetOnline, have dedicated odds boost tabs located in their sportsbook menus, allowing you to easily locate their featured lines with enhanced odds. Here’s an example of how you can get more profit:

• The LA Lakers’ normal price to beat the Boston Celtics is -125
• The sportsbooks boost the odds to -115
• A $100 bet at -125 = $80 profit
• A $100 bet at -115 = $86.96 profit
• Total extra profit from the odds boost = $6.96

Some of the best sports betting sites offer daily odds boosters, providing you with frequent opportunities to get better value. However, other platforms offer parlay boosts and boosts on specific events, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness.

Understanding Betting Odds

Before you place your bets, it’s vital that you understand betting odds. There are three common formats for displaying odds: American, Decimal, and Fractional. We’ll briefly explain each one below.

• American: These are displayed with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, with the plus indicating the underdog, and the minus indicating the favorite. The number next to the minus sign indicates the amount you need to wager to win $100. The number next to the plus sign is how much you will win from a $100 bet. For example, a line priced at -110 means you need to bet $110 to net a $100 profit. If the odds were +200, a $100 bet would result in a $200 profit.
• Decimal: More popular in Europe, decimals display the total return per stake. For instance, if the odds are 1.8, a $100 bet would yield a $180 return ($80 profit). These odds include your stake.
• Fractional: Fractional odds are used in the UK. If you see a line priced at 3/1, it means that a $100 bet will return $300 (including your stake).

Types of Sports Bets

There are three common bet types you will find at all sportsbooks: the moneyline, points spread, and totals. Most real money betting sites will also offer lines on game props, player props, and futures, while parlays are typically available as well.

Moneylines

The moneyline is the simplest sports wager you can make. You are simply betting on the winner of the game. You could place a bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Houston Rockets at -110. You would need to wager $110 to win a $100 profit, as long as the Thunder go on to win the matchup.

Spreads

Betting on the spread is when you are wagering on the margin of victory (or defeat) for a particular team. Underdogs will be signalled with a plus (+) symbol, whereas the favorites are allocated a minus (-) symbol. The sportsbook will allocate a points handicap for a particular matchup, and the team you select must ‘cover the spread.’  

For instance, the Kansas City Chiefs could be given a -6 handicap at home against the LA Chargers. If the Chiefs win by seven points or more, your bet will land, since they will have covered the spread. However, if the Chiefs lose or win by five points or fewer, your bet will lose, as they did not cover the spread. 

In the case that the Chiefs won by six points, your bet would be pushed. This means it’s neither a win nor a loss, but your initial wager amount will be refunded. 

Totals

Totals betting is when you wager on the total number of points scored by both teams in one game. Online sportsbooks will allocate a total number for the game, based on historical data, team news, and other factors. You must then decide whether or not to bet over or under that number. 

For instance, a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants may have a total set at over/under 41.5. If you decide to bet on the over and the game finishes in a 27-20 win for the Eagles or the Giants, you will win your bet. The result of the game doesn’t impact whether your totals bet will win or not.

Props

Props betting is where you wager on team or player outcomes during a specific matchup. You are not betting on the winner of the game. Team props typically consist of a team’s total points, the first team to score, the total number of team points per quarter or half, total team rebounds, total team three-pointers, and more.

Player props focus on specific player outcomes. Some examples you can wager on are whether Patrick Mahomes will throw 2+ touchdown passes, whether Aaron Judge will hit a home run, or if LeBron James will score over/under 24.5 points. These are often used in same-game parlays and bet builders, alongside moneyline and spread bets.

Futures

You can wager on long-term outcomes at top betting sites that offer futures markets. Typically, you bet on season outcomes, such as the Super Bowl winner, the NBA champion, the World Series winner, the Stanley Cup winner, or the March Madness winner.

Many bettors place futures wagers before the season starts because the odds are typically at their widest, maximizing payout potential. The trade-off is uncertainty: you are betting without much real-season evidence, and injuries, coaching changes, and early form can quickly swing a team’s outlook.

Other bettors prefer to wait a few weeks to see how teams actually look before locking in a futures ticket. That approach gives you more information and can help you avoid bad reads, but sportsbooks will typically shorten the odds on the strongest early performers, so you are paying for that extra clarity with a smaller potential return.

Before the start of the season, the Edmonton Oilers could be priced at +1000 to win the Stanley Cup. Say they start the season well and have a record of 14-7. The odds of them winning the Stanley Cup would then shorten to around +525. Timing your futures bets to optimize value is crucial.

Parlays

Parlays are when you combine multiple single bets into one total wager. For the parlay bet to win, all bet outcomes in the parlay must win. This means they offer greater payout potential but are significantly riskier and harder to win. The odds for each leg of the parlay are multiplied together to calculate the total odds for the parlay. Here’s an example:

• Baltimore Ravens -7 vs Cincinnati Bengals @ -106
• Milwaukee Bucks +7.5 @ Miami Heat @ -105
• Colorado Avalanche -2.5 vs San Jose Sharks @ +122
• Houston Texans win @ Indianapolis Colts @ +182
• Total Odds = +2275 ($100 bet would win $2,275.37 profit)

You can build parlays across multiple sports leagues and markets, as in the example above. However, you can also opt to build a parlay across a single sports league on a single day. NFL Sunday is a popular choice, as you can build parlays across the large number of games played simultaneously on the same day.

Mobile Sportsbook Apps

According to Statista, the primary reason for preferring to gamble online or on mobile is convenience. Other top reasons include easy deposits, rewards and promotions, and more betting options. Here, we take a look at the key factors that impact the quality of betting apps.

• App Performance: If betting on a mobile app, it should load quickly and provide smooth navigation between pages and menus. We appreciate fast, real-time updates, push notifications, and seamless deposit and withdrawal processes.
• Mobile Browser Betting: An optimized mobile browser is crucial when a dedicated mobile app is unavailable. Quality should not differ compared to that on a desktop. Mobile browsers do not require a download and update automatically.
• Live Betting Fluidity: The mobile interface should facilitate fast navigation and loading to ensure a fluid live betting experience. Odds and events change by the second, making speed critical for effective mobile live wagering. Rapid game updates and real-time updates are pivotal features.
• Notifications: Mobile betting apps will allow you to receive notifications. This keeps you up to date with developments, such as bonuses and promotions, game updates, in-play changes, and tracking wagers.
• Mobile-Exclusive Boosts: You may be able to benefit from mobile-exclusive boosts, such as bonuses and promotions. This will give you more value just for placing bets on your phone.

Responsible Gambling

Sports wagering at trusted sportsbooks can be fun and engaging, increasing your interest in multiple games and sports events. However, it’s always essential that you gamble responsibly, only risking money you can afford to lose by setting a budget. Our curated list of the best betting sites has been thoroughly vetted to ensure they offer safe and responsible gambling tools to protect you.

These platforms all offer a range of tools to ensure you gamble responsibly. We encourage you to make the most of them. Here’s a list you will find:

• Deposit and loss limits
• Wager limits
• Time limits
• Reality checks
• Cool-off periods
• Self-exclusion

Problem gambling affects many people. Warning signs include chasing losses, wagering money you can’t afford to lose, borrowing money to place bets, feeling anxious about betting, and missing life obligations due to gambling. If you are suffering from any of these signs, you can contact the following support resources:

• National Council on Problem Gambling: Offers a range of support and resources to assist individuals with problem gambling, including a 24/7 helpline. Call 1-800-522-4700 for support and information.
• Gamblers Anonymous: Help locating support and meetings for those suffering from gambling problems. You can call (909) 931-9056 for help finding free recovery programs.
• SAMHSA: SAMHSA offers support and resources for mental health and substance abuse, including gambling addiction. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for help with emotional distress.

Our Final Pick

BetOnline is our No. 1 pick among offshore sportsbooks thanks to its depth across top US leagues and its consistently strong NFL coverage. You will typically find 200+ markets per NFL game, plus expansive menus for the NBA, MLB, NHL, and major college sports. Its flexible same-game parlay builder and 16+ ongoing promotions deliver real, day-to-day value, while the welcome bonus stands out for its zero wagering requirements. Add in a solid live betting offering, and BetOnline delivers one of the most complete betting experiences overall.

You can also take advantage of our other recommendations, BetUS and CoinCasino, and explore their welcome bonuses and offerings. The choice is yours regarding which one of our suggested sportsbooks you sign up for. Use our guidance to make your own decision and select a site that best suits your preferences.

FAQs