Until recently online sports betting in the US was illegal. This meant that the online sports betting market was dominated by offshore unregulated and unlicensed sportsbooks. This made betting an incredibly risky affair as ultimately these sportsbooks were not liable.

In 2018, the Supreme Court scrapped the ban on sports betting and it was left up to each individual state if and how they should legalize online wagering. There are now a number of states such as, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois that allow fully licensed online sportsbooks. The state gaming commissions oversee these sportsbooks. This had made the business of sports betting much more secure.

However, this doesn’t mean you can be complacent. Many states have not legalized sports betting which means that betting online is still illegal. It also does not mean that the offshore sportsbooks have left. In fact, in an effort to survive the new competition from legitimate registered sportsbooks they are going to even greater lengths to lure in bettors all over the US.

This makes it more important than ever to weed out the good from the bad. At BettingScanner we have years of experience within sports betting, and only work with fully licensed sportsbooks. If we didn’t, we would simply lose our license. That’s why it is essential that we thoroughly vet every online sportsbook we list on our site.

As part of the process we look at a number of key factors which determine whether a sportsbook is safe or not.

A license is an absolute must. An online sportsbook must be fully licensed in your state for it to be legal for you to bet online with them. So, for example, FanDuel is licensed in New Jersey (as well as many other states) by The Sports Wagering and Paid Fantasy Sports Division. This means that the sportsbook is a fully regulated legal entity.

An offshore sportsbook, such as MyBookie, is not licensed anywhere in the US. So, although they may sometimes offer better odds than FanDuel, you are effectively handing your money over to an unregulated company that is not legally obliged to pay you back. It is also important to remember if they can offer you better odds, it is in part down to the fact they do not pay taxes and licensing fees - and therefore not liable.

Now, just because a sportsbook is licensed does not mean it is entirely safe. However, this factor is an essential barrier to making our list or not. Simply, if you do not have the accreditation you're not getting in!

Customer Testimonials: Our team at BettingScanner, have a wealth of experience in the sports betting industry. They are also part of a larger network of sportsbook affiliates that boast an expansive and in-depth of every major company. We place a huge emphasis on feedback from customers and it is a crucial factor for us in deciding whether a sportsbooks can be trusted.

It might come as a surprise to some bettors that most online sportsbooks are not legally required to payout in certain circumstances. For example, if they expect you of cheating in some form, or displaying suspicious betting habits. Sounds fair right? Well, yes, but sportsbooks have been known to use this excuse in a pretty liberal manner.

However, it is unlikely that a licensed sportsbook will do this. It is bad publicity for them, and the more you have won, the more likely it is that it will become big news. Instead, they may just choose to block, or restrict your account.

It is also important that online sportsbooks offer secure payment methods for depositing, and crucially, for withdrawals. Now, the majority of legal sportsbooks in the US have a good selection of depositing options, however they may not always offer the same payment services for withdrawals. This makes it essential that you are 100% sure that you are able to use a payment option for withdrawal, such as PayPal. After all, you don’t want to win a load of money and not be able to get paid.

This factor is a lot less obvious that the others. Odds vary, and for some events a certain sportsbook will have better odds than another and vice versa. However, there are some sportsbooks that consistently offer odds below the market average. Although, it might seem like a stretch to classify these as unsafe, but we do thing in the long-run these sportsbooks should be avoided.

When choosing a sportsbook it is essential that they have a proven track record of consistently offering high-value odds.

You can think of it like this; if you are consistently placing bets at low-value odds, you are losing a lot of money in the long-run compared with other sportsbooks. A sportsbook that consistently offers lower than market-average odds, is fully aware of what it is doing and can therefore not be trusted.

In an industry that has for so long operated in the informal economy, we believe transparency and openness are an important factor when it comes to trust.

The team at Betting Scanner dedicate a lot of time to researching and verifying who owns a company and how it is structured.

It is also important to us that the sportsbook’s employees are treated fairly, after all if they don’t treat their own workers right, they are unlikely to treat their customer’s right.

Online sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings are well known to the US public, with offices in most states. However, when it comes to the foreign sportsbooks that have headquarters in Gibraltar, Malta or the UK, we like to see that they have opened regional offices in the US states that they are operational. This adds an extra level of trust for our team as it means it is easier to hold them accountable and that their customer service options are more likely to cater to the local bettor.

There is nothing that inspires trust more than a reliable and helpful customer service - especially when they are available 24/7.

Not only does this show that the online sportsbook cares about you as a customer, it is also essential when you are new to the sports betting world and are trying to navigate a number of new issues.

We do rate online sportsbooks that have a customer service available round the clock higher on our ranking because we think this is the mark of a serious company. This is especially important when you are live betting, since you will need issues fixed immediately.

We also judge a sportsbook's customer service on how many different lines of communication they have available, this can be e-mail, live-chat, post and phone.

The Aussie sportsbook has made a huge impact in the US since its arrival in 2018. Pointsbet’s USP is its points betting system which allows you to win more, or less, depending on how right, or wrong, your bet is.

It is now in a number of states, with a growing customer base. The success of PointBet is no doubt making FanDuel and DraftKings sweat.

Licensed in six states

For being the new kid on the block, PointsBet has achieved an incredible geographical spread. In a number of states they have been one of the first sportsbooks over the line.

The best odds for a number of pro teams

PointsBet have gone to great lengths to endear themselves to residents of the states where they are now legal by sponsoring popular local sports teams. We have noticed that they have also offered enhanced odds for these sports teams as well as special promotions. So, if you support, or bet on, any of the following teams then we can recommend PointsBet:

• Detroit Tigers → The MLB team signed with PointsBet in 2021.
• Detroit Red Wings → The famous NHL team also signed with the Aussie sportsbook in early 2021.
• Indianapolis Colts → Indiana is an important state for the sportsbook.
• Chicago Bears → The Bears, who have won nine NFL Championships and one Super Bowl signed with PointsBet in 2020.
• Denver Nuggets → The Colorado based team partnered with PointsBet in 2020 when the state legalized sports betting.
• Colorado Avalanche → The two time Stanley Cup Champions signed with PointsBet in 2020.
• Colorado Mammoth → The sportsbook was one of the first to partner with a lacrosse team.

Generous welcome bonus

The welcome bonus currently on offer by PointsBet is simply the best on the market.

Like 888Sport they offer risk-free bets instead of welcome bonus which includes a turnover requirement. We find this a must more honest and trustworthy approach, as it does not encourage you to spend more than your initial deposit in order to win.

The risk-free bet is split into two 2x risk free bets. The first is a standard $500 risk free bet which means that you get your money back in the form of free bets if you lose your first bet, which can be between $10 and $500. The second is a $1,500 points-bet risk-free bet which is also a money back guarantee but your bet must be their unique form of points betting.

The sportsbook that began its life around 20 years ago in a portacabin in northern England is now one of the largest in the world. The global brand boasts over 45 million customers around the world.

The British sportsbook decided to begin its American chapter in 2018, when it launched in New Jersey. In 2020 it entered the burgeoning Colorado market.

Licensed and regulated in NJ and CO

Bet365 is as trustworthy as a sportsbook can be. It is one of the most established online sportsbooks in the world with millions of customers. It simply would not have been able to build such a popular brand had it not been a reliable and safe sportsbook.

Bet365 are licensed in the Garden State by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. They are also partnered with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

In Colorado, they are one of six sportsbooks licensed by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission.

Safe & Secure Payments

A clear advantage that comes with being a mega-brand is that payment providers and banks generally want to work with you! It didn’t take long for Bet365 to sign agreements with the major service providers in the US including PayPal and Skrill. You can also pay using your credit or debit card and if you want to go old school, a cash deposit at Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City.

Excellent Odds

Bet365 offers above market average odds for a number of sports. We find that their odds for MLB are particularly high-value. This may have something to do with the fact that they are an official gaming partner with the league. Bet365 also has the widest selection of soccer odds in the US.

Helpful Customer Service

Bet365 offers 24/7 customer service which is a must for us, especially for sportsbooks that offer live betting. You can contact them in the following ways:

• Live Chat: (24/7)
• E-mail: supportusa-eng@customerservice.365.com
• Phone: 1-888-8-BET365
• Mail: Customer Services, Suite 122, The Greentree Center, 9000 Lincoln Drive East, Marlton, NJ 08053

888Sport began its life in the European markets and has since established itself as one of the most trusted sportsbooks.

They first arrived in the US in 2013, with a retail sportsbook in Nevada. When the country went online in 2018, 888Sport opted to launch in New Jersey. It has since become one of the most popular sportsbooks in the Garden State.

Licensed in NJ and NV

888Sport received it’s license from the Nevada Gaming Control Board in 2013 when it first set up shop in the US. When the federal ban on sports betting was dropped, the Control Board allowed the company to offer an online product. The online product is of a good quality, but the current in-person restrictions applied by the state have so far stifled the number of downloads.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement awarded 888Sport a license in 2018.

Safe & Secure Payments

888Sport offers a large selection of payment options including debit/credit cards, PayPal and even in-person registration at the Caesars Atlantic Casino.

888Sport have an excellent record when it comes to paying out, with very few bets disputed.

The best odds in NJ

888Sport’s odds are, on average, very high-value. The online sportsbook offers a wide range of odds for a variety of sports.

We find that their odds are particularly good for NFL games. The online sportsbook is partnered with the NFL which means that they have access to additional data. They also sponsor the New York Jets.

Risk-free welcome bonus

This type of welcome bonus inspires trust. Instead of promising thousands of dollars in bonuses - only to fill the small print with turnover requirements and further restrictions, 888Sport have simply offered a risk-free bet. This means that you can place your first bet up to $500, safe in the knowledge that if it loses you will be given the amount back in the form of free bets.

Fanduel is one of the most popular and trusted brands in the US. The company is, along with DraftKings, a popular Daily Fantasy Sports provider, as well as an online sportsbook.

FanDuel was one of the first companies in the US to launch an online sportsbook in the US, when the federal ban was removed in 2018. In 2021, it will be the largest online sportsbook in the country, and not without good reason.

Licensed & Regulated

FanDuel is fully licensed in a number of states. This means that they pay tax to the respective states and a license fee. This means that they are fully liable and regulated by the state.

Secure Payments - Deposits & Withdrawls

FanDuel has one of the better selections of payment options for US customers, and since they are a trusted brand, most reputable banks will accept deposits to your account.

Depositing is, as is the case with most sportsbooks, easier than withdrawing money. This is not the fault of FanDuel, but more the US banking system. If you sign up and deposit money to FanDuel via an online bank transfer or with your credit/debit card, then you will not be able to withdraw money using the same method.

This is why to make the process as safe and secure as possible we recommend you sign up and deposit using a payment method that you can also withdraw funds with. PayPal is a secure and trusted method of payment.

Reliable Odds - Above the market average

When it comes to finding high-value odds then FanDuel has you covered. The sportsbook consistently offers odds slightly above the market average, especially when it comes to betting on the NBA and NFL.

Transparent & Trustworthy

FanDuel was bought in 2018 by Flutter Entertainment (formerly Paddy Power Betfair PLC). The group owns a large number of global sportsbook brands including Betfair, Fox Bet and The Stars Group. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The team at BettingScanner have used many of Flutter Entertainment’s brands for many years and know the company inside out. They are a trustworthy company with a transparent ownership structure.

Customer Service - A company that cares

The sportsbook has incredible customer service - arguably the best in the business. They not only offer a 24/7 live chat option, but you can also contact them via phone or email. They are also available on social media, including Twitter and Facebook.

DraftKings, like its main competitor FanDuel, began as a Daily Fantasy Sports Operator. In 2018, when the Senate legalized sports betting at a federal level, the company jumped at the opportunity to expand into the world of online betting. It was a decision that has more than paid off. DraftKings is the largest online sportsbooks in a number of states and is the second best-known brand in the US.

DraftKings has millions of users and is a well respected and trusted brand. You can feel entirely safe when using their online sportsbook.

DraftKings would have been a definite 5/5 if it hadn’t been for a slightly misleading welcome bonus. We explain below why we feel this is the case.

Licensed & Regulated

DraftKings is licensed in almost every state that has legalized online sports betting. This means that it is entirely legal and safe to bet with them in the states they are operating in.

Secure Payments

When it comes to payments, you can sit back and bet with DraftKings, secure in the fact that it is one of the most reliable sportsbooks in the country. DraftKings not only offer a wide selection of secure payment options for both deposits and withdrawals, it also has an excellent payout record - with very few wagers contested.

The online sportsbook is also trusted by all the major banks, and secure payment systems, thanks in large part to their years of experience with DFS.

High-Value Odds

The online sportsbook generally offers odds at just above market average. The fact that they are constantly competing for top spot, along with FanDuel, in the sports betting industry means that they will also offer highly competitive odds.

We find that they offer the best odds for the major events, such as the SuperBowl.

Transparent Company Structure

There is nothing shady about this company. DraftKings was originally founded in 2012 and is still run by its three founders Jason Robins, Paul Liberman and Matt Kalish. They employ roughly 1,000 employees and are a publicly listed company.

Good Customer Service

DraftKings’ customer service is available 24/7. They do not offer a live chat, but an quick and reliable online messaging service. You can also e-mail them at sportsbook@draftkings.com and they should get back to you in less than an hour.

We find their customer service staff reliable, friendly and efficient. We also find that the level of service is better than their Daily Fantasy Sports customer service.

Misleading Welcome Bonus

DraftKings is, in general, a very safe and reliable sportsbook. They won’t run off with your money, or refuse to payout. However, we do find that their welcome bonus is slightly misleading and therefore they lose a trust point.

Firstly, the bonus amount you receive in site credits is equal to 20% of your original deposit, so to qualify for a $1,000 bonus you will need to deposit $5,000; an incredibly high sum, especially considering you are new to the sportsbook.

You will then receive $1 of these funds for every $25 you wager with DraftKings. So, to receive the full $1,000 in bonuses, you need to wager $25,000 and win those bets (with-300 odds or longer).

This is a lot of money and does not reflect the enticing up to $1,000 that is advertised. Sure, it says ‘up to’ but to even get near to that amount you need to wager and win a whole load of money. We would rather they lowered the amount and were more realistic with the offer.