THE RISE OF ONLINE BETTING BOOKS
Perhaps the biggest revolution that any industry has seen in recent times is that of the arrival of sports betting online in the gambling industry.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at some of the available betting book options and give a summation of each one.
Sports betting is sure to become ever more available in the USA as states relax their gambling laws and join the party. Depending on where you happen to be at the time, your options for online sports betting do vary.
Please see our article on what states allow sports betting for a detailed view of the situation in each location.
Suffice it to say that there are plenty of options in most parts of the country. If you live in Utah – find another hobby.
Each sports betting site available across the web has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Focusing on some key points can help you to identify the one that’s right for you.
Whether you’re an experienced ‘sharp’ sports bettor laying dozens of NBA bets or just a curious novice looking to dip your toe in the enticing, sparkling waters it’s easy to get overwhelmed at first. It also pays to remember that some nasty creatures lurk under the surface that says “come on in, the water’s lovely.” Be smart about how you approach your first online sports betting forays. Compare NBA odds against each other and listen to sage advice. Tips and tricks that apply most major sports will also hold true for basketball betting
The team here at The Jump Hub have put our heads together and analysed the plethora of available options when it comes to sports betting online. The guide that we have agreed upon looks at certain aspects of each site and rates them according to specific details and factors.
FOR NOW JUST REMEMBER THIS:
Provided you don’t pour your life savings into the first sportsbook that entices you with flashy advertising when you’re watching your favourite show, you’ll be fine.
Certainly, there are differences and things that make certain ones better suited to beginners. But at the end of the day, most sportsbooks are pretty similar when it comes down to the crux of the matter.
Choosing an online site to do some NBA betting site doesn’t need to be overly difficult or stressful. We’ve made things easier by looking at the main options and ranking them according to various criteria.
UNDERSTANDING NBA BETTING SITES AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR
When you’re looking for a great NBA betting site, it pays to look at the odds and betting options.
Without a doubt, every single online sportsbook and NBA betting app will offer the following wagers.
Moneyline
Point spread
Totals (total points scored over/under)
These will be available for all regular NBA season and NBA Playoff games. There will be additional opportunities for betting on the NBA All-Star game and other events.
Depending on your gambling preferences, you might prefer sites that offer more exotic prop and futures bets. Whatever your preferences, you really want to find the best odds in terms of variety and value.
Because of its nature, basketball is more affected by key players than some other sports. That means that prop bets on individual performances can be an exciting, different way to get some action without betting on the outcome of the contest.
If that sounds like it might be something that would interest you then it’s important to choose a site that caters for that.
Some NBA betting sites will even allow you to create your own prop bets where you choose the players and statistics you want to focus on.
The same principle applies to team props and you can bet that a team will execute a certain number of offensive rebounds or free throws per match if you so wish. A points scored wager is a popular bet where the end result of the matchup is irrelevant.
Futures betting concerns itself with NBA games and events that are relatively distant and will not be realised until later in the season. For example, if you were to place a bet that the best team (Atlanta Hawks) will reach the NBA Finals on day one of the regular season, that would be considered a (somewhat foolish) futures bet. You’d undoubtedly get great odds on that bet.
It is exceptionally difficult to predict certain NBA basketball outcomes so far in advance and opinions will differ between betting sites. That means you can really shop around when making futures NBA bets as the odds are likely to vary, sometimes significantly.
First things first then.
If you’re just looking for a recommendation for the best overall online sportsbooks then here we go:
BEST OVERALL NBA BETTING SITES
BETWAY – WWW.BETWAY.COM
Betway is an all-inclusive sportsbook that it’s hard to overlook as an all-encompassing gambling experience.
The site makes it incredibly easy to get started and then keeps you entertained with a huge selection of betting options and ways to bet. Their betting menu is as large as any in the business.
You can pick just about any sport imaginable, decide what sort of bet you want to make on a given match, and it will almost certainly be available.
Depending on where you’re betting from, and the local laws and restrictions, Betway undoubtedly has some decent bonuses and promos. They may not be the absolute best available anywhere but are solid. The rest of the experience makes up for it.
BONUSES
100% on any amount up to $1,000
If you’re registering for betting action in Pennsylvania or New Jersey then you are eligible for up to $250 of risk-free bets. If you lose then Betway will give you the same amount of in-site credit.
MOBILE BETTING APP
Betway’s betting app has all the same promotions, betting options, and features as the website. Effectively there is no need to ever visit the main site if you have the mobile app. It doesn’t dazzle in appearance but is easy to navigate and loads rapidly.
The search option is a helpful touch and overall the app is a no-nonsense, practical way to make your bets quickly and with a minimum of fuss.
DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
Getting started at Betway is really easy. You can deposit as little as $10, or as much as you like. There is no limit. Simply pick the currency you wish to use.
Credit/debit cards are most commonly used and are instantaneous.
Withdrawals are similarly straightforward but do take 72 hours (or more at weekends) to reach your account. There is a minimum withdrawal of $10.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Customer service at Betway is easy to access 24/7 over the phone, via the online chat function, or email. Any issues we have experienced (there haven’t been many to be fair) were quickly and professionally resolved.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
There are no two ways about it – Betway is an excellent betting site. The sheer range of betting options and how versatile they are in giving the punter what they want is hard to match. While their sportsbook bonuses aren’t outstanding, they are acceptable and the rest of the experience more than makes up for any negatives. They are easy to deal with and professional.
All in all one of the best online gambling experiences you can have. Period.
TJH RATING – 9.5/10
888SPORT – WWW.888SPORT.COM
Gambling behemoth 888 have branched out and created a site with a specific focus on online sports betting. The site is well known for being entertaining and well-managed. Bettors are not likely to get bored as they are constantly engaged by its wide range of betting lines and styles.
The strength of 888sport lies in its flexibility. The site clearly aims to cater to every kind of bettor/bet type and does so remarkably effectively.
The sheer number of options available could potentially be overwhelming for new bettors but is easy to get used to.
As a global concern, 888sport offers the chance to wager on sports and leagues from around the globe and includes betting on college sports.
BONUSES
Depending on the market you find yourself residing in, the site offers a number of free bets, risk-free bets, and daily/seasonal promotions. These are not only to entice new punters but are also available to returning customers.
Using a promo code, it is fairly standard for 888sport to offer a ‘buy 10 – get 30’ deal in whatever currency you are using. So a $10 deposit will give you $30 to bet with. This is not the most exciting, lucrative of bonuses. However, it is easy to apply and does not require substantial investment to reap its rewards. Perfect for newcomers or those looking to spice up the odd game at the weekend.
RISK-FREE BET
For the US market, 888sport offer a $500 risk-free bet. This involves making one straight bet of up to $500 (of your own money) If this be loses, as with Betway, your money will be refunded in the form of credit to be spent on the site.
100% DEPOSIT MATCH
This offer effectively doubles your initial bankroll right from the word go. If you deposit $100, 888sport will give you another $100. It’s as simple as that.
MOBILE BETTING APP
888sport was one of the first sportsbooks to introduce a mobile betting platform to their range of options.
Again, it doesn’t exactly set the world on fire and there are more user-friendly apps on the market for sure. But it is easy enough to navigate and is almost identical to the website. The dark appearance makes it great for night-time use too, which we appreciate.
DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
888sport makes it very easy to make deposits and withdrawals. A range of currencies are available and a number of different payment methods.
Deposit and withdrawal methods do not incur fees and no matter where you are located, deposits are almost instant.
The minimum deposit or withdrawal required is $10.
The time it takes for money to appear in your account is almost alarmingly long in principle. They state that it may take as long as 11 days for the money to appear, but it has to be said that no-one here at The Jump Hub has ever known it to be anything more that a few days at most.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Help section of the website is useful for troubleshooting most issues or questions. If required, customer service is easily available in over a dozen languages. Phone, live chat, and email are all available and response times are excellent.
Again there have been very few occasions that we have needed their assistance. But when we did it was immediately forthcoming, professional, and effective.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
888sports does everything you could really want it to very well. The options are myriad, as are the ongoing promotions.
It’s certainly not the most straightforward ‘point and click’ kind of site due to that huge range of options with decent odds. But in the modern world almost anybody can get the hang of the site quickly.
If you are making your first deposits with online sportsbooks then you are unlikely to be disappointed if you choose 888sport
TJH RATING 9/10
BETVICTOR – WWW.BETVICTOR.COM
BetVictor cover an extensive range of sporting events and have a fun, easy to navigate main website. They frequently offer the best odds in the market and provide regular enticements and promotions to appeal to newcomers and keep the regulars happy. Their deposit and withdrawal system is also one of the best.
BONUSES
Bet €5 get €30 is one of BetVictor’s main enticements.
Dependent on their location, new customers can take advantage of a variety of bonuses.
CASH-OUT IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT
If the bet that you made is hanging in the balance you will often be offered a ‘cash out’ price. That means that you abandon the bet there and then and accept the price that the site offers you.
This can be a canny way to limit any potential losses and can occasionally result in a large offer. If your bet looks like it has a good chance of coming in big but there is still time on the clock. The site will try and tempt you out of that full winning amount with a very decent offer. If you cash out and the win comes in shortly thereafter, well that’s your bad luck (or lack of conviction, you decide). But if the game is tight and there is every chance of a late equaliser or winner for the opposing team then it might save you losing all at the last moment. This element of BetVictor’s site protects the nerves a little too.
BetVictor has a deal with Chelsea FC in the UK and so unique offerings and promotions appear when they play.
MOBILE APP BETTING
Although it appears outdated at first glance, the BetVictor mobile experience is actually a fairly pleasant one. The app is effectively a full-service sportsbook that offers and accepts all the same bets available on the website. There are actually a number of features that can only be accessed using the app.
Load times are rapid enough to allow for making effective in game bets and it is easy to follow the action and get any wagers in expediently.
The app just lacks refinement and seems old-fashioned and clunky compared to some of the others on this list. It’s one of the main reasons that BetVictor aren’t sitting at the top of this list.
DEPOSITS/WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
The deposit process at BetVictor is incredibly straightforward and easy. As usual, there are a number of payment options available and various currencies are catered for.
There is no maximum deposit and BetVictor lead the industry in offering a maximum withdrawal of £100,000 per day using the same method you used for the deposit.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Currently, support is available by email and telephone. It’s nice to see that live chat was also recently added and is now available 24/7. Our favourite touch with BetVictor’s customer service was that they offer a callback service. This is revolutionary for us and means not having to spend time listening to banal music on hold. A superb addition to an already professional and efficient service.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
The bottom line is this: BetVictor does everything rather well.
Aside from the shortcomings of the mobile app, they hit the mark pretty much everywhere else that it matters. The details are well thought out and navigating the main site is easy and pleasurable. BetVictor’s main draw is their odds (including the best NBA odds), bigger payouts, and lowest juice around. They are the leading site in the betting market for that.
TJH RATING – 8.5/10
UNIBET – WWW.UNIBET.COM
Unibet has been online for over 20 years. Available in more than 100 countries, it finally expanded into the USA in 2019.
Unibet is another worldwide sportsbook that boasts one of the broadest sports betting menus in the business. This includes an exrtensive choice of basketball betting lines and other NBA betting odds.
BONUSES
Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to €25
Unibet offers a wide range of sign-up bonuses depending on where you live.
$500 RISK-FREE BET
New customers in Pennsylvania can expect a risk-free bet of up to $500. As ever, the deal applies to the first bet you make only and is refunded in the form of in-site credit should you lose.
$250 RISK-FREE BET
New customers signing up with Unibet in Arizona, Iowa, Indiana, New Jersey, and Virginia get the same offer, just at half the value.
ONGOING PROMOTIONS
Ongoing promotions (subject to frequent change) include:
Boosted Odds
Free Bets
Level Up Parlay Booster
Refer-A-Friend Bonus
Sport Club ($10 free bonus every week when you place five live sports bets of $10 or more)
Predictor Games (free-to-play contests)
Always check the promotions tab before placing any bet. Taking advantage of bonuses is a great way to boost your bankroll, so you don’t want to miss out on any especially appealing offers.
Partnering with professional sports teams means that Unibet can offer special promotions involving those teams.
They include:
New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
Paris Saint-Germain (France Ligue 1)
Aston Villa (EPL)
A feature that we consider to be rather a good bonus is:
UNIBET TV
This is a free live-streaming service offered with your Unibet account. Thousands of live games from a variety of sports are streamed live every year. It’s an invaluable addition when live betting and a genuine bonus all round.
All that is required is a minimum of $1 in your account and you’re good to go!
MOBILE APP
Unibet has an intuitive, user-friendly app that is fast enough for live betting and is generally easy to use.
The mobile app looks slick and feels well thought out. Being an almost exact replica of the website, it is easy to switch between the two if necessary.
DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
Unibet are on top of their game with deposits and the simplicity of making them. Lots of payment options abound as usual for this kind of site.
Although there is a minimum of $10 deposit, Unibet offers customers the option to set their own deposit limits. This is in a welcome effort to promote responsible gambling practices.
Unibet is similar to most of the sportsbooks here in that withdrawal options are less agreeable than those involved in deposits. This is, in part, down to rules and regulations beyond their control, but can still frustrate on occasion.
The Jump Hub team have almost unanimously experienced withdrawal times that were faster than the ‘worst-case scenario’ and generally have no complaint here.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
A useful Help section deals with most of the issues and problems you are likely to encounter. Should you need further assistance, Unibet have a dedicated 24/7 customer support team that you can contact by phone, email, or live chat in a variety of languages.
As with all the other sportsbooks here, we have never had any trouble getting a highly professional response and solution to our problems.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
Unibet offer a vast array of options for sports bettors. They generally have some of the most competitive odds in the market. These are available via a simple mobile app.
Unibet provide a modern service with a range of options to rival any here. They profess to take their motto “By players, for players” very seriously and it shows.
TJH RATING 8/10
BEST BETTING SITE FOR NBA ODDS
WILLIAM HILL – WWW.WILLIAMHILL.COM
William Hill is the best site we have come across to access good NBA odds.
Their commission rates, while changeable, tend to be lower and often equate to a better set of odds on any given NBA betting line.
This might not seem significant but in the world of infinitesimally small margins that sports betting represents – every little helps. If you can sustain your bankroll for even just one more bet as a result then it will have been worth it.
NBA bettors often appreciate depth in their basketball betting. It’s not always engaging enough to simply straight bet the result in a sport where the lead changes hands so frequently.
They accept wagers on a very wide range of alternate spreads and team/player props. Usefully they also present their NBA odds with plenty of time ahead of tip-off.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As with any type of entertainment, individual tastes and preferences are key. Finding the online sportsbook and mobile app that work best for you is central to your overall experience and enjoyment.
When you assess the pros and cons of each option, consider the betting experience itself (or your feel for it based on the available information) vs the cost. The cost may not be immediately apparent but will largely come down to higher levels of ‘juice’ or ‘vig’*and less-impressive bonuses and enticing offers.
*Please see our comprehensive sports betting glossary for a list of useful terms and references related to betting.
Ask yourself what it is you hope to get out of your foray into the heady, often confusing world of sports betting.
If that motivation is a desperate need to make extra money with a gambling hot streak then we can only urge that you reconsider. Even for professional ‘sharp’ bettors, the chances of turning a profit gambling are exceedingly slim. It can be done with an effective betting strategy but it is naive and potentially damaging to think that it is the magical answer to any financial ills. When the fun stops. Stop.
Approaching sports betting with a view to entertainment purposes and adding a bit of spice to certain games by having ‘skin in the game’ is preferable. Certainly to begin with. Choose a site that provides a fun, easy-to-use interface. Explore any other sportsbook reviews that you can find. seek out the best odds (see our in-depth article on how to read NBA odds) and take your time.
It is not a race and there are literally hundreds (1,230 to be precise) of NBA games to wager money on across the breadth of a full NBA Championship. You will have plenty of time to hone your betting skills making more bets with practice and experience.
We STRONGLY urge you to read our in-depth article on how to manage your bankroll in sports betting before even placing your first bet. You don’t need an advanced betting strategy right away, or a detailed understanding of the nuances of betting. But you DO NEED to know how to control your bankroll. One game can never be your downfall if you emply the right tactics and that is the perfect guide to doing so.
