How We Review & Rate Online US Sportsbooks

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  1. Licensing

  We first check whether a site is licensed by a trusted state regulatory body. If the appropriate regulators don’t license a sportsbook, we won't proceed with testing. We do not recommend offshore or blacklisted betting sites, as no governing body has licensed them or ensured the safeguards necessary to protect bettors.

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  2. Security

  A member of our team signs up and evaluates the SSL registration process for data protection.

  While signing up should be quick and simple, we also want sites to carry out the necessary legal checks to ensure customers are over 21 and can legally place bets.

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  3. Fair Odds

  This is crucial: checking which betting markets are available and how valuable the odds are. To evaluate betting odds, we research prices for individual betting markets and compare them with odds from leading sportsbooks.

  This is one of the lengthier parts of the testing process. We aim to compare odds for 100 markets across at least 15 sports, which can take a few weeks.

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  4. Responsible Gambling

  We also assess a site’s commitment to player safety, including the tools, policies, and messaging it provides to help players stay in control. This includes options such as deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks, self-assessment tools, and self-exclusion.

  We expect these tools to be clearly explained and easily accessible. Additionally, we look for links to third-party support organizations and responsible messaging that promote safer play across the site.

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  5. Banking

  The next step is depositing real money into a betting account. At this point, we want to see a wide range of payment methods, including debit cards and digital wallets like PayPal.

  We also look for flexible deposit limits and expect funds to be accessible as soon as they're deposited. It usually takes a couple of hours to test all deposit methods and check limits.

  We test each withdrawal method to determine how long the process takes, as withdrawal times can vary by method.

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  6. Welcome Offer

  We read the terms and conditions of welcome betting offers (where applicable) so you don't have to.

  Then we claim the sportsbook's sign-up offer to ensure it accurately reflects the information outlined in the terms and conditions. We place bets using these credits, typically over a seven-day period, to ensure the site adheres to the offer's terms.

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  7. Promotions

  In addition to welcome offers, sites should offer a range of promotions that can be claimed regularly after signing up.

  We test offers such as odds boosts, early payouts, money-back specials, and loyalty promotions to ensure a site rewards existing customers. We spread these tests over a month to ensure we can form opinions on most promos.

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  8. Market Variety

  We place bets on a range of pre-event, outright and in-play markets to determine if this process runs smoothly. After at least 30 bets have been placed, we have a good feel for the process.

  We examine the betting slip after placing a bet to check the odds and markets selected. If the bet wins, we verify that the bookmaker pays the correct amount promptly.

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  9. Customer Support

  To assess a site's level of customer service, we contact support agents using all available contact methods.

  If a site offers 24/7 live chat, we test this function to check whether support agents deal with queries promptly and professionally.

  We also put email and phone support functions to the test during this step of the process.

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  10. User Opinion

  We gather authentic feedback from Gambling.com users to determine whether most bettors have had a positive experience with a sportsbook. We consider user feedback essential to comparing and ranking betting sites, ensuring that real insights shape our recommendations.  

  You can submit your own opinions and ratings—positive or negative—directly on our sportsbook reviews.

  We also conduct ongoing one-to-one user-testing interviews, where players interact with sites under the guidance of trained moderators who maintain a neutral manner and encourage candid, unprompted insights.

Shannon Lane

"Reviews are only as valuable as they are current. That’s why we refresh our reviews monthly and conduct a full reassessment of each site every six months, using our rigorous 10-step evaluation process.

Betting platforms are constantly changing, with new promotions, payment methods, and updated features. By actively monitoring these developments, we ensure that our recommendations remain accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely helpful for punters looking for top-tier service."

Unlicensed & Unregulated

Licensing ensures a site operates under regulatory oversight. Without it, there is a risk of being exposed to unfair practices and potential financial losses.

No SSL Encryption

SSL encryption protects sensitive user data, such as personal payment details. Sites lacking this safeguard put bettors at risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.

Restrictive Bonus Terms

Unfair bonus terms, such as unrealistic wagering requirements, undermine user trust and make it difficult for bettors to benefit from promotional offers.

Unclear Terms & Conditions

Transparent terms and conditions are critical for informed decision-making. Avoid sites with restrictive clauses in the fine print.

Low Winnings Limits

Excessive limitations on winnings prevent bettors from fully cashing in. Sites that impose low limits on winnings aren't worth it.

Sports & Markets

A diverse range of sports betting markets is crucial to cater to all types of bettors. A betting site must offer depth and variety for each sport to score highly.

Promotions

Strong promos include sign-up bonuses and regular rewards. This rating is based on the amount available, their value, and terms' fairness and transparency.

Payments

Trusted sites prioritize multiple seamless payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. High marks are given for instant withdrawals.

Customer Support

Top sites offer 24/7 live chat and agents who respond within minutes. To earn high marks, a site must respond promptly and have genuinely helpful, courteous support teams.

Reputation & User Feedback

We read verified reviews from real iOS and Android app users, as well as reviews on Reddit and TrustPilot. We also note sites' industry awards and recognitions.

Site UX

We evaluate sites' interface, navigation, and overall quality to ensure bettors can wager without frustration. Sites should avoid crashes or lags.

Mobile Product

A feature-rich mobile app should be easy to navigate, load quickly, and be available on both major app stores. We also look for perks like push alerts and Live Activity.

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling should be easily accessible to help bettors stay in control. Top sites provide tools, including limits, timeouts, self-exclusion lists, and resources.

Live Betting

To earn a high score, a site should offer fair early cashouts, real-time stats, and live streams. Streams should run smoothly across platforms with minimal buffering.

Odds Value

Consistently competitive odds translate to better returns. We compare odds pricing to find sites with top value. For a 10/10, a site must consistently outperform its rivals.