Best NBA Betting Apps December 2024
The NBA has quickly become among the most popular sports to bet on. Instead of spending hours upon hours comparing the best online betting sites, we’ve gone ahead and put together a comprehensive guide to help you find the best NBA betting app and sites of 2024.
In this review, we’ll go over the best online sports betting platforms for the NBA along with all the exciting ways you can wager.
Getting Started with NBA Betting
Getting started with NBA betting can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it’s essential to understand the basics before placing your first bet. In this section, we’ll cover the fundamentals of NBA betting, including how to read NBA betting odds, the different types of bets you can place, and how to evaluate an online basketball betting site.
Understanding NBA Betting Odds
NBA betting odds are a crucial aspect of basketball wagering. Odds represent the likelihood of a particular outcome, such as a team winning a game or covering a point spread. There are three main types of odds formats: American, decimal, and fractional. American odds use a plus or minus sign to indicate the favorite and underdog, while decimal odds represent the total payout for every dollar wagered. Fractional odds show the potential profit relative to the stake.
To read NBA basketball betting odds, look for the following:
- A negative number indicates the favorite and shows how much you need to bet to win $100.
- A positive number indicates the underdog, showing how much you win if you bet $100.
- Odds can be presented in different formats, including American, decimal, and fractional.
Understanding these odds is essential for making informed decisions when placing your bets. For example, if the Los Angeles Lakers are listed at -150, you would need to bet $150 to win $100. Conversely, if the Lakers are listed at +150, a $100 bet would win you $150. By familiarizing yourself with these odds formats, you can better navigate the world of NBA betting and make smarter wagers.
Best NBA Betting Apps – Current Offers
Let’s start with the current welcome offers from the top NBA betting apps, all of which you can find and claim below.
Where to Bet: The Best NBA Betting Sites
Parsing through the best NBA betting sites and choosing the best NBA betting app by evaluating features, interface, and usability is no small task. However with most online sportsbooks, signing up and getting involved in NBA betting is a breeze.
Let’s take a look at the few steps required:
- Choose an online sportsbook: Using the reviews below, as well as shopping for betting lines, choose the online sportsbook(s) that best fit your needs. Having more than one account to find the best odds for the NBA games you wager on is a sound approach.
- Sign up for account: To get started in the signup process, you’ll first have to enter basic login information such as username, email address, and password. From there, the app/site will ask that you verify your identity. This will include entering legal information such as first and last name, phone number, home address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
- Fund account: There’s plenty of payment options at your disposal when it comes to funding and withdrawing from your new account, such as Venmo, PayPal, or debit/credit cards.
- Claim welcome bonus: Almost all of the legal online betting sites today offer some form of welcome bonus for new customers. Ensure you understand the terms and conditions and claim your welcome offer after your initial deposit is made.
- Find NBA lines: Navigate to the NBA section on an online sportsbook. From there, you will find a number of NBA bet types, such as player props, straight betting markets, futures, and more. Choose the betting line that you are looking for, enter an amount to wager and then confirm your bet.
1. Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics took over the rights to PointsBet in 2023 and is already one of the best NBA betting sites. Customers can find odds on all their favorite teams using a variety of all the most popular NBA bet types.
In term of basketball betting apps, Fanatics Sportsbook also offers a terrific product. Basketball bettors are treated to a plethora of options with competitive odds. Lastly, the rewards program at Fanatics Sportsbook is also top-notch, as sports bettors can accrue FanCash with every bet placed.
Check out our Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code and review for more information!
2. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook is one of the best NBA betting sites. They offer a wide variety of NBA lines and are a quality option for the experienced and casual bettor alike.
BetMGM Sportsbook offers a bet editor, which is a unique function. It’s essentially a bet safety net for hedging out of a parlay already in motion when using their parlay builder tool.
BetMGM Sportsbook also leans into their basketball betting promos. They offer plenty of promotions throughout the NBA regular season and playoffs.
Check out our BetMGM Bonus Code and review for more information!
3. DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook has taken their expertise in the Daily Fantasy Sports space and parlayed it into a world-class sports betting product.
New customers at DraftKings do not need a promo code to get the welcome offer. With their generous promos, intuitive design, and best-in-class customer service, DraftKings is one of the best NBA betting sites.
Check out our DraftKings Promo Code and review for more information!
4. Caesars Sportsbook
With one of the largest signup bonuses of any NBA betting site, Caesars Sportsbook is a top platform. Caesars Sportsbook offers a plethora of NBA betting options throughout the season.
The sportsbook gives boosts on NBA player props and other NBA betting lines throughout the season. When it comes to an overall NBA betting experience, Caesars Sportsbook isn’t one to pass up.
Check out our Caesars Promo Code and review for more information!
5. ESPN BET Sportsbook
As one of the main television partners of the league, ESPN has made a quick splash in the NBA betting market with their online sportsbook since arriving in 2023.
With NBA promos provided by their on-air personalities such as Stephen A. Smith, ESPN BET is constantly updating their betting menu. It is already one of the best NBA sportsbooks, with plenty of potential for the future.
Check out our ESPN BET Promo Code and review for more information!
6. FanDuel Sportsbook
Next to DraftKings, FanDuel Sportsbook has the largest footprint in the country when it comes to availability across states. As another of the best basketball betting sites, FanDuel has you covered, with no shortage of action throughout the NBA season.
You don’t need a promo code to claim their lucrative welcome bonus and begin wagering on NBA action.
Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Promo Code and review for more information!
Evaluating an Online Sports Betting Site
When choosing an online sports betting site for NBA betting, there are several key factors to consider. Here are some essential criteria to evaluate:
Key Factors to Consider
- Licensing and Regulation: Ensure the site is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority, such as the Nevada Gaming Control Board or the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. This guarantees that the site operates legally and adheres to strict standards.
- Security and Safety: Look for sites with robust security measures, such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication, to protect your personal and financial information. A secure site ensures that your data is safe from potential breaches.
- Betting Markets and Odds: Check if the site offers a wide range of NBA betting markets, including moneyline, point spread, and totals. Also, compare the odds with other sites to ensure you’re getting the best value. Diverse betting markets and competitive odds can enhance your betting experience.
- Payment Methods: Evaluate the site’s payment options, including deposit and withdrawal methods, fees, and processing times. A variety of payment methods can provide flexibility and convenience.
- Customer Support: Assess the site’s customer support, including availability, response time, and quality of service. Reliable customer support can help resolve any issues you may encounter.
- Mobile App: If you plan to bet on the go, ensure the site has a user-friendly mobile app with a seamless betting experience. A well-designed app can make betting more accessible and enjoyable.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Check if the site offers attractive bonuses and promotions, such as sign-up bonuses, free bets, and loyalty programs. These incentives can provide added value and enhance your betting experience.
By considering these factors, you can choose an online sports betting site that meets your needs and provides a safe, enjoyable betting experience.
Betting Markets
Whether you are betting on an individual NBA game, a season-long bet, or the NBA Finals, understanding basketball betting starts with a few simple concepts.
It’s important to keep in mind that bonus bets received from basketball betting sites are not eligible for all betting markets. Make sure to be aware of the terms and conditions of the offer you use to receive them.
With all of the following betting markets available at the aforementioned betting sites, let’s take a closer look at how each of the bet types works.
Futures Bets
Futures bets allows you to bet on the outcome of the NBA regular season, NBA playoffs, NBA Finals, NBA awards, and more. With futures bets, as the name implies, you are wagering on an outcome that will be decided down the line, at the given odds.
An example of a futures bet would be betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the championship before the season begins.
Point Spread
Simply put, an NBA point spread is the number of points an oddsmaker expects one team to win and the other team to lose by. For example, if the Los Angeles Lakers are -4 versus the Los Angeles Clippers, oddsmakers expect the Lakers to win by at least four points. If they win by less than three or lose the game outright, Clippers (+4) backers would win their point spread bet.
Moneyline Bets
The most popular bet type for most sports bettors is a moneyline bet. This is a bet on which team will win, at the given odds. Teams with a negative (-) next to their odds are the favorite, while teams with a plus (+) next to their odds are the underdog.
For example, if the Boston Celtics are -230 in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks (+200), a bettor would have to spend $230 to win $100 if the Celtics were to win. Conversely, a $100 Mavericks bettor would win $200 if they win the game.
NBA Player Prop Bets/Team Props/Game Props
Prop bets are another great way to get involved with NBA betting sites. These are bets within the game that don’t affect the final outcome. Oddsmakers will set odds on various prop bets such as how many points a player will score, how many turnovers a team will commit, or how many 3-pointers there are in a given game.
As an example of a player props bet, let’s say oddsmakers post LeBron James to score over/under 29.5 points. If James scores 30 points or more in the game, “over” winners will cash their ticket, while the converse is true for “under” backers.
It’s important to note that the betting lines for NBA player props vary by basketball betting site, so it’s critical to shop around for the best number available for long-term success.
Parlays
One of the more popular and fun ways to get involved in basketball betting is the parlay. This requires you to make more than one successful prediction in order to cash. A traditional parlay requires you to make a point spread, money line, or total bet involving two or more different games.
As a rule of thumb, the more bets (“legs”) in your parlay, the higher the potential payout, but also the higher the risk. If choosing to make a parlay bet, make sure you shop around for the best odds for the highest possible payout.
Teasers
Another fun way to get involved on basketball betting sites is teasers. With NBA teasers, you have to bet on two (or more) different point spreads or totals, and you will receive additional points in the direction of your choosing.
For example, if you want to take the Atlanta Hawks (-3) vs. the Washington Wizards and the San Antonio Spurs (+8) vs. the Phoenix Suns, an NBA teaser will give you the Hawks -7 and Spurs +12. In order to win your teaser, both of those bets have to be correct.
Over/Under Total Bets
Over/Under total bets on NBA betting sites involves the number of points an oddsmaker expects to be scored in a given game between both teams involved. If you bet the “over”, you are predicting that more combined points will be scored than the posted total, while the opposite is true for the under.
For example, if the total for an NBA Finals game between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics is posted at 212.5, 213 points or more combined points (i.e. Mavericks 107 Celtics 106) would have to be scored for “over” bettors to win their bet.
Round Robin
An NBA round-robin bet allows bettors to combine multiple picks in one, similar to a parlay, but offering insurance in case one of those picks loses. For example, if you place a 4-team round-robin NBA parlay, you will still win a portion of the total possible winnings if only three of those bets are successful.
Live Betting Options
One of the most exciting ways to get involved in NBA wagering is via live betting, which allows you to bet on a game already in action. With in-game betting, the NBA betting site of your choosing will post an updated point spread, moneylines, and totals on a game at each timeout that you can bet on.
Using mobile betting sites or apps is a great way to participate in live betting, allowing you to bet on the game from anywhere, including while in attendance. While promos such as odds boosts and bonus bets don’t apply to live betting, you can still use your current funds available to get in on the action.
Draft Betting
A form of prop betting, you can now bet on the NBA Draft at a majority of NBA betting sites. With its own betting market, NBA Draft betting has exploded in popularity in recent years. Basketball fans can take advantage of their college basketball knowledge in the realm of NBA betting.
Popular things to bet on when it comes to NBA Draft betting include the draft position of certain players, who the overall first pick will be, the over/under draft position of particular players, and which team players will land on.
Betting on the NBA Draft allows you to continue your NBA betting even in the offseason.
Responsible Sports Betting
When it comes to gambling on sports, responsible sports betting is critical. Setting limits to how much and how often you bet is a good first step, as is proper bankroll management to ensure you are never betting more than you can afford to lose.
Establishing a budget for betting, and more importantly, sticking to it, will help you avoid the emotional stress that comes with eventual losing streaks.
If you feel that you or someone close to you is struggling with gambling addiction, there are national resources such as the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), Gamblers Anonymous, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
These organizations offer everything from counseling, treatment programs, 24/7 hotlines, and more to help people manage and overcome their gambling issues.
Tips for First-Time NBA Bettors
- Know your limits: First and foremost, when it comes to getting involved with NBA betting sites, you should always know your limits in terms of how much you can afford to bet. As a rule of thumb, you should never wager more money than you can comfortably lose without the amount affecting your way of life.
- Manage your bankroll: Determine your bankroll size or the total amount of money you want to bet with, and then make your average bet size a small percentage of that. For example, if you want to bet $1,000 over the course of a month, no individual bet size should be more than 2-5% ($20-$50). This will ensure that you can sustain the losing streaks and still not blow your entire bankroll when emotions get involved.
- Keep an eye on NBA teams schedules: With an 82-game regular season followed by the playoffs, the NBA schedule gets a bit hectic. Make sure you are aware of teams’ travel schedules, especially when taking into account how many minutes particular players played the night before to forecast player props.
- Manage your load: Increasingly so, many of the top players in the league, such as LeBron James, are utilizing load management to take select games off. Get ahead of oddsmakers by predicting when a player might miss a game due to load management, but where it hasn’t been taken into account in the odds. For more information, check out our NBA betting odds, NBA starting lineups, and NBA betting tips pages!
- Try NBA betting on social sportsbooks: If wagering your real money on the NBA feels a little overwhelming – you should consider betting on a social sportsbook to start! Especially for those outside legal betting states, social sportsbooks such as Fliff, Rebet, and Thrillzz are great betting alternatives!
- Check out Best Ball contests: Another alternative to betting is best ball contests, which are fantasy drafts that require no roster management. Tournaments like those from Underdog Best Ball are a great, low-cost way to get in on the action.
NBA Betting Sites FAQs
Even with all of the aforementioned information on basketball betting sites, you still might have a few questions. Below, we answer the most important/frequently asked questions involving NBA betting apps and sites.
Where is betting on NBA games legal?
It is currently legal to bet online for NBA games in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Where can I bet on college basketball?
All of the aforementioned NBA betting sites also include legal college basketball betting, with odds posted throughout the NCAA basketball season.
Where can I find the most favorable odds?
While odds vary by bet type and betting market, DraftKings Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM Sportsbook typically have the most favorable NBA odds.
What is a bonus bet?
A bonus bet is an amount of money from an online betting site that is essentially an account credit. They have no cash value, and cannot be withdrawn for cash. If you win a bet with bonus bets, however, pending any rollover requirement, those winnings will convert to real funds.
What is the best NBA betting site?
Based on our research, the best NBA betting site is BetMGM Sportsbook, due to its promotions, Bet Editor tool, and plethora of NBA betting lines posted throughout the season.
Are NBA betting sites safe to use?
Yes, NBA betting sites that are legal in the United States are safe to use and legitimate. Each state where NBA betting is legal has a state regulating body that oversees the sports betting industry.
Can you bet on more than one NBA betting site?
Yes, you can bet on more than one NBA betting site and that’s a wise approach. Because each NBA betting site offers different odds on the same game, betting on more than one can ensure you receive the best number currently available. This will boost your chances of winning.
Where can I bet on the NBA playoffs?
You can bet on the NBA playoffs at any of the legal NBA betting sites operating in the United States including BetMGM Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, ESPN BET Sportsbook, and more.