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Sports betting in the US has seen remarkable growth in recent years and bettors across America face the difficult task of finding the best online sportsbooks in their state. Over 30 US states now offer legalized gambling in some form, and many states have multiple online sportsbooks operating in their territory. Reuters reports that the US sports betting market could be worth $39bn by 2030, as more states open up and more sportsbooks go live. At The Independent, we have our fingers on the pulse when it comes to the latest developments in online betting in America, spending hours researching and testing some of the best sportsbooks in the US. Below, bettors will find our recommendations for the top sportsbooks in their states for 2025. All sportsbooks mentioned in this article are legal and regulated, and readers can find additional details on welcome bonuses (which can vary depending on your state), loyalty programs, our evaluation criteria and what you should consider before signing up to your chosen site. Below, we’ve unpacked our picks for the best sportsbooks. We’ve included details on welcome bonuses, unique features, key terms, state availability and more. Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Welcome Bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets if the Wager Wins Best For: Same game parlays FanDuel was among the first operators to launch an online sportsbook when legislation changed in 2018, capitalizing on the popularity they’d gained from DFS to launch the FanDuel sportsbook, which is now legal in 24 states. FanDuel is now one of the leading sportsbooks in the US, establishing close commercial ties with the likes of the NFL, MLB and NBA, as well as individual teams, such as Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles and baseball juggernaut the New York Yankees. In terms of its sportsbook offering, FanDuel provides a polished user experience, particularly on the app, which has been downloaded nearly two million times on iOS, with users scoring it 4.9 out of 5. Android bettors give it a very respectable 4.6 out of 5. FanDuel has earned its reputation as one of America's smoothest online sportsbook experiences, offering odds on over 20-plus sports on a platform with an intuitive interface. Live betting is a particular strength of FanDuel, featuring easy-to-navigate menus that display the latest odds, live statistics and game overviews. Bettors can also place live same-game parlays (SGP) with the original sportsbook when it comes to SGPs. It’s widely acknowledged that FanDuel offers the best odds on its SGPs, which are available on a wide variety of sports and carry a below-average minimum wager amount. We are big fans of the clever one-wallet system that ties together sports betting, horse racing and daily fantasy sports, delivering a hassle-free system to manage funds across different products. Setting a preferred withdrawal method also helps speed up payouts when you're ready to collect. Flexibility extends to features like the cash-out option, which allows you to settle bets early at the tap of a button. Any issues we have with FanDuel – such as the lack of a rewards program for sportsbook users – are minor and don’t detract from what is, in our opinion, the top US sportsbook. Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Welcome Bonus: Bet $50, Get $250 in FanCash Best For: Cashback Fanatics Sportsbook is the betting branch of Fanatics, a brand better known for sports merchandise and collectibles than sports betting before 2023. Since launching their mobile-only sportsbook, Fanatics has quickly expanded with the acquisition of PointsBet in 2024, expediting that growth. Fanatics’ key strength lies in its cashback offerings, where users can earn up to 10 per cent FanCash with each bet. However, you’ll need to be backing a lot of long shots to be regularly earning 10 per cent with that figure decreasing depending on the odds of your sportsbook selection. Fan Cash is awarded no matter the outcome of your bet though and regular bettors will find FanCash quickly adds up. It can then be redeemed for use as bonus bets, profit boosts, or it could go towards your next NFL jersey purchase from the Fanatics retail site. Other perks we appreciate include regular price boosts on a range of sports, the fair play NFL promo and the ability to live-stream NFL games, depending on your location. Market selection at Fanatics encompasses all the essentials across major sports, with a particular focus on player props, where Fanatics appear to provide more betting options than most sportsbooks. While banking options lean toward e-wallets and online banking, Fanatics distinguishes itself through withdrawal speed rather than variety, with PayPal users receiving funds instantly. Overall, the company’s sportsbook provides a solid betting experience for users – though only on mobile – with the cashback system a particular highlight. The range of offers for existing customers and customer support options are areas that are in need of improvement, but if they can get those right, Fanatics will continue to grow as a sportsbook. Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Welcome Bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets if your first bet wins Best For: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) DraftKings was originally launched in 2012 as a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) service, going head-to-head with FanDuel, and like its eternal rival, DraftKings has since branched out into the world of sports betting. DraftKings is now one of the best-known online sportsbooks in the US and is one of the most widely available in the country, operating in 25 states and Washington D.C. DFS remains one of DraftKings’ key strengths, with big-money contests and regular promotions available for fantasy players all under one roof, with users only needing one account to switch between DFS, the sportsbook and horse racing sections. Once you’ve switched to the sportsbook, bettors will find a pretty extensive list of markets, though DraftKings do have a reputation for providing worse odds than some of its rival sportsbooks. The occasionally uncompetitive odds are the biggest drawback with a sportsbook that provides another excellent interface on both desktop and mobile, with the app performing well on both iOS and Android devices. We also thought the Dynasty Rewards program was a nice touch with any loyalty bonus built up through betting eligible to be spent on a wide range of awards, including bonus bets and experiences. DraftKings also provides some useful tools to help bettors track wagers and have the largest range of banking options among US sportsbooks. We have a checklist to help us determine which are the best online sportsbooks. Below, we have listed the main criteria and what we consider when evaluating online sportsbooks: In order to qualify for a recommendation, a sportsbook must be fully licensed and regulated to operate in a given state. We only recommend sportsbooks that provide a great overall user experience, with designs that offer a pleasing user interface, focusing on easy navigation when accessing different areas of an online sportsbook. Our recommended sportsbooks all offer competitive odds across a range of sports, from all your major sports, such as NBA, NFL and MLB, through to more niche events. In addition to welcome offers, we look at what sportsbooks have to offer existing customers, such as loyalty programs or regular bet boosts. The best online sportsbooks will offer a wide variety of banking methods, many of which should offer fast or instant withdrawals. Top sportsbooks offer a range of customer service options for their users, including live chat, phone lines and email. In order to operate as one of the best online sportsbooks, betting platforms need a dedicated mobile app that performs well on iOS and Android devices. The top US sportsbook will provide tools to help bettors stay in control when gambling. Deposit limits, exclusion options and information to contact gambling addiction charities should come as standard. We’ve already covered a number of factors bettors should consider when assessing an online sportsbook in our list of ranking criteria, but here are a few more points you may want to consider: 38 states now offer some form of legal gambling, whether online or in-person. While some states are retail-only locations, sportsbooks can be found inside licensed casinos in these states. The table below provides information on which states offer sportsbooks, the name of the state gaming regulator, and contact details for gambling help organizations. Anyone who uses a sportsbook needs to remember to gamble responsibly. Sports wagering can be addictive, and it's crucial that bettors don’t ever lose control of their gambling. Never view sports wagering as a way to generate income, never wager more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and when it stops being fun, it's time to stop. All licensed US sportsbooks provide bettors with responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, wager limits, and self-exclusion options, to help you stay in control. Every recommended sportsbook on our list offers a comprehensive suite of responsible gaming tools that are easily accessible through account settings or the main navigation menu. But if you need more help, don’t hesitate to contact your local gambling addiction charity, or the nationwide organisations below: Sports betting in the US has rapidly expanded, with more than 30 states now offering legal online sportsbooks. Choosing the right platform depends on where you live, but the top operators consistently stand out for their features, bonuses, and reliability. FanDuel leads the way with its industry-best same-game parlays, polished mobile app and strong live betting options. DraftKings remains a household name with deep DFS integration and wide state availability, while Fanatics Sportsbook is carving out a niche through its FanCash rewards and mobile-first design. Each sportsbook we recommend is licensed and regulated, meaning players can bet safely with access to responsible gambling tools. With billions of dollars projected to flow into the market by 2030, bettors should focus on trusted names that combine competitive odds, fast payouts, and user-friendly apps. Our list highlights the best choices for October 2025, giving you confidence when picking a sportsbook. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
