NBA Online Sports Betting: A Complete Guide for Beginners
NBA betting is one of the most popular sports gambling options in the US. Many online sports betting sites are offering more props and odds on the NBA than ever before. Basketball lovers can make a lot of profit if they only know how to bet right and use the best sites. This guide will reveal to beginners how to choose the best US sportsbooks. It will also discuss the types of NBA sports bets available.
Best NBA Betting Sites
Choosing a Good NBA Betting Sites
While many expert bettors know how to choose a good NBA betting site, it may be difficult for newbies to do so. This is because they do not know the important aspects to consider. Explained below are the factors to consider before choosing a site.
Types of Bets Available
There are different betting options gambling sites can offer. Punters can determine which option will be favorable for them or the one they prefer to place bets on. Some punters may like to make prop bets while some may prefer moneyline wagers. Another option which a lot of punters like is the live betting or in-game wagers. Thus, most good legal sports betting sites will provide different options to ensure bettors find the suitable one.
NBA Bonuses and Promos
Many sportsbooks offer bettors a kind of bonus when they first register on the site. These bonuses are used by sportsbooks to make bettors choose them over competitors’ sites. The welcome offer is usually given in the form of a match bonus when the punter makes the first deposit on the site.
For instance, a sportsbook could offer a 100% match on the first deposit. This means a bettor who deposits $50 will get an extra 100% of the deposit which is $50. It gives the user a total of $100 to make bets. The welcome offer can also come in the form of risk-free bets.
This offer helps players regain their first loss made on the sportsbook. For instance, if a bettor makes his or her first bet and loses $50, the $50 will be refunded. Both types of welcome bonuses come with maximum limits. Other promotions are offered from time to time. They could occur during special holidays, events, or at the beginning of a new season.
NBA Loyalty Programs
These are also a form of promotions but they are meant to reward loyal users of the sportsbook. They are usually structured into levels. The users move from lower levels to higher levels as they make more bets on the site. Also, the higher the loyalty level of a user, the more benefits offered to them. Users at higher levels usually are offered more bonuses and premium services.
Banking Methods
Sports gambling sites need to provide payment methods for punters to make deposits and withdrawals. If there are many banking methods on a site, the users have the opportunity to choose the most convenient. Hence, expert bettors take their time to see which site offers the banking method they can use conveniently. They also check the withdrawal and deposit limits and how long it takes to receive funds after making a request.
Security
One very important aspect of a legal sportsbook is its security. Punters have to make sure that the site makes use of SSL technology to keep their data secure. The US gambling sites need to make sure users enjoy a safe and very secure online gambling experience.
Mobile sports gambling
Since many punters make use of their smartphones to make bets, the platforms must be optimized for mobile use. Punters will always prefer mobile sites to platforms that can only be accessed on a PC. Mobile compatibility makes it possible for them to make use of the site anytime and anywhere. It becomes easier when the platform even offers a sports betting app, punters can download these applications and make use of them on the go.
Best NBA Real Money Betting Sites
Draftkings
Draftkings is one of the most popular sports gambling platforms in the US. It offers a great mobile sports betting site and a downloadable app. New users are offered a sign-up bonus of up to $1000 which consists of a 20% deposit match and a risk-free bet. The minimum deposit to qualify for this welcome offer is $5. It also offers many more promotions from time to time which is available to regular users of the site. The site offers a few popular US banking methods. The deposit methods include Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, and Bank transfers. Withdrawals can be made via Paypal, Bank Transfer, Check, and Cash at the Casino Cage. The minimum withdrawal a punter can make is $20. Payments on the site are processed safely and users’ information is also secure.
FanDuel
FanDuel is another popular site that offers many NBA gambling options. It offers a beautiful and user-friendly mobile platform. It also offers a welcome bonus like many other sports gambling sites. The welcome offer is 100% up to $100 for the first deposit and the playthrough requirement is 1x. It also features daily odds boosts and many other seasonal promotions. FanDuel accepts many payment methods. Players can make deposits and withdraw winnings via Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, ACH, PayNearme, and Online Bank Transfer. The sportsbook provides a safe platform for all transactions.
PointsBet
This site offers a unique points gambling system that is different from fixed odds. Also, it offers other gambling options and lots of gambling features for punters. The platform can be accessed through a website or a mobile app. It features a great sign-up offer which includes $25 free and 200% up to $500 match bonus. Withdrawals and deposits can be made on the site via Visa card, Mastercard, ACH, and Online banking. It doesn’t offer an e-wallet payment option as other gambling sites do. It is a safe gambling platform and is trusted by many US punters.
SugarHouse
SugarHouse sports betting app is another great option for punters in the US. It offers many gambling options and also allows payments via different methods. Users make deposits and withdraw via credit and debit cards, Paypal, Online Bank Transfer, or Paynearme. They can also visit the physical SugarHouse Sportsbook to make payments. The welcome bonus given is 100% match up to $250 on initial deposits. Punters have to deposit a minimum of $10 to be qualified for the bonus. It further offers a loyalty program called “iRush Rewards” which has 11 levels.
Caesars
Caesars is a licensed gambling site approved in some parts of the US. It offers many NBA sports gambling options and even online casino games. The welcome offer is a deposit bonus of up to $300. This bonus has to be redeemed within seven days of signing up. There are many deposit options on the site. They include Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Paynearme, Paypal, Caesars Prepaid Card, and Cash at Casino Cage. Punters can withdraw wins via Bank Transfer, Caesars Prepaid Card, Neteller, Paypal, and Cash at Cage.
MGM Sportsbook
This sportsbook is one of the most respected in the Industry. The mobile interface is not so attractive but it still provides clear navigation and it is easy to use. It offers new punters a deposit match of 100% up to $500. Deposits can be made via e-check, credit and debit cards, and Neteller. Withdraws can also be made via the same methods but also at the Borgata retail sportsbook.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget Sportsbook is a great platform which is perfectly easy to use. It offers a $100 risk-free bet to new players. To partake in this bonus, the wager has to be exactly $100 and only straight bets are eligible. It also offers other promotions like Sports Mania, Golden Lines, and Parlay Boost. Deposits and withdrawals can be done through Cash at the Casino’s Cage, Bank transfer, Paypal, Neteller, Visa Discover +Play, and many other options. The platform is safe and secure for players in approved areas.
William Hill
William Hill entered the US online gambling market as an already strong operator. The sports gambling platform is great for use on desktops as well as mobile devices. It offers new players with free $10 for signing up and an additional 100% match up to $150 on the first deposit. It offers many gambling options for NBA and other sports. Payments are done through ACH, Credit and debit cards, and Cash at the Casino Cage. Overall, the site is safe and the customer support is great.
Physical Sportsbooks Vs Online Sportsbooks
To bet on basketball in any state where it is accepted, punters only have two options. They can either visit a physical sportsbook or make use of sports betting app or site. For many punters, gambling online has been the best option. More than 80% percent of bets placed on the NBA takes place online. This percentage of online bettors definitely cannot reduce but can only increase. The reason is obvious. Making bets at online sports betting sites is more convenient than visiting a physical bookmaker. Punters can make bets with apps and on sites wherever they are and at any time they want. They do not need to step out of their homes or talk to anyone about it. They only need their devices and internet connection. The experience at land-based sportsbooks is quite different. Wagers are placed before the games and punters can sit to watch the game. They could also take some drinks and snacks while the game is going on. They also get to make more bets as more NBA games begin. With many more people around and watching the games, there is this fun experience that may not be gotten while placing bets from home. Nonetheless, gambling online is easier, and with more options. It is also more convenient to place in-game bets online. But we cannot also overlook the communal feel and fun at the land-based sportsbook.
States That Allow Placing Bets on The NBA
Here are states where you can bet legally on the NBA:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
How to Bet on The NBA
Many sportsbooks offer different NBA gambling options. Understanding how each option works will enable punters to place bets effectively. Here are some common ways to bet on the NBA:
Moneyline Betting
A moneyline wager is a straightforward type of bet. The punters select the team they believe will win and wager against the Moneyline odds. If it is a favorite, it will have negative or what we call “minus-money” odds, meaning the player has to wager more than the returns if the expected team wins. On the other hand, moneyline wagers for underdogs are “plus-money” or positive, meaning the return on the bet will be much if the least expected team wins.
Point Spread
Point spread gambling is making wagers on a victory margin. The punter will have to wager on if a team will cover a point spread determined by the bookmaker. The favorite has to win by more than the determined number of points while the underdog must lose or win by less than the point spread.
Totals
This kind of bet is also referred to as over/under bets. It is a wager placed on the total number of points to be scored by both NBA teams in the particular game. When placing a total bet, the punter isn’t certain about who will win or lose the game. The wager only has to predict if the game will be a low scoring game or high scoring one.
Prop Betting
Proposition bets or prop bets are usually the “No or Yes” wagers. That is, whether certain events will happen in the game or not. For instance, a punter could wager on what will happen with a specific player during the game. It could be whether the player will score more than 30 points in the game or if another one will have over 15 rebounds. It could also be a bet on which team will be the first to score 10 points in the game.
Futures
These bets are wagers placed on events that will take place in future. A wager on NBA future markets could be a bet on which team will win the next year’s championship. This could be before the roasters are even finalized. It could also be on Individual wagers like which player will be the most valuable in the year, or who will bag the Rookie of the year award.
Parlays
These kinds of bets are wagers placed on results of more than one event or propositions. It could be events over one game or many games. Parlay bets usually give higher payouts but are riskier than the straight bets.
Live Betting
These are wagers placed on ongoing events. The punter makes the bet while the game is going on in real-time. It could be moneylines, props, or point spread bets.
When is NBA betting The Biggest?
Betting on the NBA is usually not the same during the whole season. The types and number of bets and bettors usually vary with particular periods in the season. For instance, future bets usually dominate the pre-season period. The number of bettors and bets placed at this time are usually lower. But as soon as the season begins, NBA gambling activities increase tremendously. The new season usually comes with expectations from many fans and players. Many bettors take time out to study the teams before the season begins. The performance of the teams during the first few weeks also determines what kind of bets they place and which teams they bet on. Another time more bets are placed on basketball is during the NBA finals. Sportsbooks experience a lot of moneyline bets, prop bets, and in-game betting.
March Madness
March Madness is that time of the year (usually mid-March to April) when the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament is held. It is called “Madness” because of the excitement that comes with it. The NCAA Division 1 men’s tournament is a single-elimination tournament played by 68 teams. The teams compete in seven rounds for about three weeks for the national championship. The first “March Madness’ was held in 1939 and has continued every year since then. Sportsbooks also offer different types of bets on March Madness. But the types of bets offered may vary for different games. Basketball gambling is usually huge during these three weeks. The tournament is competitive as there are really no dominant teams. Punters always have to be strategic in placing bets.
Tips on Gambling on The NBA
Gambling in the NBA can be frustrating if you keep losing money on wagers. While there are no specific strategies that guarantee a hundred percent win on bets, punters can still increase the chances of placing accurate bets. Here are tips that would help you win more while gambling on the NBA.
- Understand the power rankings of each team: To produce lines on games, bookmakers and bettors make use of power rankings. A power ranking is a list of the teams, 1 to 30 depending on their strength. A power ranking will reveal how a team would perform against another. Every punter who wants to win bets on the NBA has to keep their power rankings and update them regularly. Punters can find NBA power rankings on different sports websites and even on the NBA official site. Understanding the power rankings will guide your bets.
- Home Advantage: The home-court advantage is usually around three points. That is, if two teams of equal strengths face each other, the team at home is usually favored with 3 points. This is because the home teams get the support of local fans and possibly preferential treatment of referees. The home players also get enough rest at home compared to the players who traveled for the game. Understanding this factor can help punters decide what teams to bet on.
- Player Injury and Rest: Monitoring the condition of players can help place bets better. If the key player in a team is injured, it could just change the overall performance of the team in a game. Also, taking the time to track a team’s schedule might help you decide if the team will be at its best performance in the game. If a team has had a busy week and the players were unable to rest, the fatigue may affect the game.
- Bankroll Management: Many people manage their bankroll when it comes to basic stuff like housing or feeding. But they overlook it when it comes to gambling. It is important to have a bankroll management plan while gambling on the NBA as it can be very intensive. It will help to reduce losses and also make more money available for more bets.
- Only Legalized Sportsbooks: Only legal sportsbooks can offer safe gambling. Thus, regardless of whatever bonuses an illegal site offers, it is better to stay off such sites as they are only out to rip off punters.
Latest News on NBA Betting
COVID-19 Impact on NBA gambling
The coronavirus disease outbreak affected many aspects of the NBA. The current season was suspended on March 11 and resumed on July 30. During the break, there were no events for bettors to place wagers on.
Upcoming NBA events
August 17th – NBA Playoffs 2020 begins, August 31st – Conference Semifinals begin
Best teams in the current NBA season
Some of the teams which are performing well in the current season are Lakers, Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Miami Heats, and Utah Jazz.
Conclusion
NBA betting can be fun if you do it rightly. Tracking your NBA bets will also help you save more money and identify your strong and weak gambling areas. If you understand the process perfectly and follow the tips, you will surely have a great gambling experience.
FAQ
You can bet on the NBA in states like Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and many more which have been listed in this guide.
You can make moneyline bets, propositions, futures, parlays, over/under bets.
Check the trends from the previous games, team ranking, fatigue, and Individual player’s performance.
Home teams win about 60% of the season home games.
Bookmakers adjust the lines to create a balance as soon as a larger percentage of bettors are wagering on a particular event.
Over/Under bets are placed on the total number of points both teams will score in a game.