Best Sportsbooks Guide
Compare top sports betting sites for odds, bonuses, markets, and betting strategies
Choosing the Right Sportsbook
The best sportsbook depends entirely on what type of bettor you are. Sharp bettors need different features than recreational bettors. Arbitrage bettors need access to many books, while casual bettors might only need one or two.
Key factors to consider:
- Odds quality and margins
- Betting limits (low or high)
- Market variety and depth
- Sign-up bonuses and promotions
- Speed of limiting winning bettors
- User interface and mobile app
- Withdrawal speed and methods
Best US Sportsbooks
DraftKings
Best for: US recreational bettors, promos, variety
Strengths:
- Excellent mobile app and user interface
- Wide variety of bet types and props
- Strong sign-up bonuses and daily promotions
- Same-game parlays
- Available in most US states
Weaknesses:
- Limits winning bettors relatively quickly
- Odds not always the best (higher vig on some markets)
- Can be slow to grade certain bets
FanDuel
Best for: Beginners, user experience, NFL betting
Strengths:
- Most user-friendly interface
- Competitive NFL and NBA odds
- Fast payouts and withdrawals
- Excellent customer service
- Good sign-up offers
Weaknesses:
- Limits winners moderately fast
- Fewer international markets than competitors
BetMGM
Best for: Prop betting, variety, MGM Rewards
Strengths:
- Extensive prop market offerings
- Good odds on major sports
- MGM Rewards integration (casino/hotel points)
- Slower to limit than DK/FD
Weaknesses:
- App can be clunky
- Occasional odds posting delays
Caesars Sportsbook
Best for: Bonuses, promotions, rewards program
Strengths:
- Generous sign-up bonuses
- Caesars Rewards program
- Competitive odds on major markets
- Good NFL and NBA coverage
Weaknesses:
- App interface less polished
- Limited alternative lines compared to DK/FD
Circa Sports
Best for: Sharp bettors, high limits (Nevada only)
Strengths:
- Sharpest US-based sportsbook
- High betting limits
- Low margins on major sports
- Doesn't quickly limit winners
Weaknesses:
- Nevada only
- No mobile app betting outside Nevada
Best International Sportsbooks
Pinnacle
Best for: Sharp bettors, best odds, not available in US
Strengths:
- Best odds in the world (lowest margins)
- Never limits or bans winning bettors
- Extremely high betting limits
- Industry standard for sharp betting
- Wide international market coverage
Weaknesses:
- Not available in US
- No bonuses or promotions
- Basic user interface
Learn more: Pinnacle Dropping Odds Strategy
Bet365
Best for: Market variety, live betting, international access
Strengths:
- Widest variety of sports and markets globally
- Excellent live betting platform
- Cash out features
- Strong mobile app
- Available in most countries
Weaknesses:
- Limits winners fairly quickly
- Higher margins than sharp books
- Not available in most US states
Betway
Best for: European bettors, soccer markets
Strengths:
- Excellent soccer coverage
- Competitive odds on major leagues
- Good bonuses
- Fast payouts
William Hill
Best for: UK bettors, traditional markets
Strengths:
- Established brand (founded 1934)
- Wide UK market coverage
- Retail locations
Sharp vs Soft Sportsbooks
Sharp Sportsbooks
Definition: Books that cater to professional bettors with accurate odds and high limits.
Characteristics:
- Low margins (1-3% vig)
- High betting limits ($5,000-$50,000+)
- Don't ban or limit winners
- Odds move based on sharp money
- Used as pricing reference by other books
Examples: Pinnacle, Circa Sports, Bookmaker.eu
Best for: Sharp bettors, getting best odds, line shopping
Soft Sportsbooks
Definition: Books that target recreational bettors with promotions and user experience.
Characteristics:
- Higher margins (4-7% vig)
- Lower betting limits ($500-$2,000 typical)
- Limit winning bettors
- Copy lines from sharp books
- Heavy marketing and bonuses
Examples: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, most US books
Best for: Value betting, arbitrage, bonus clearing
Best Books for Different Strategies
For Value Betting
- Primary: Pinnacle (get the best odds, use as benchmark)
- Secondary: Circa Sports, Bookmaker.eu
- Softs: All major US books for finding mispriced lines
For Arbitrage Betting
- Need accounts at 10-20+ books
- US: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers
- International: Bet365, William Hill, Betway, Unibet
Learn more: Arbitrage Betting Guide
For Casual Betting
- Best overall: DraftKings or FanDuel
- Best bonuses: Caesars, DraftKings
- Best variety: BetMGM
For Bonus Clearing
- All US books with sign-up offers
- Use low-hold betting to clear rollover
- Target: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers
Sportsbook Features Comparison
| Sportsbook | Odds Quality | Bonuses | Limits Winners? | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ | Never | Wide |
| DraftKings | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate | Very Wide |
| FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate | Wide |
| BetMGM | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Slower | Very Wide |
| Bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate | Widest |
| Caesars | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate | Wide |
Multi-Sportsbook Strategy
Why You Need Multiple Accounts
- Line shopping: Same bet can have different odds at different books
- Arbitrage opportunities: Need odds discrepancies between books
- Bonus value: Each book offers sign-up bonuses
- Risk diversification: Don't keep all funds in one place
- Market access: Different books offer different markets
Recommended Account Setup
Beginner (1-3 accounts):
- DraftKings (main account)
- FanDuel (backup + bonuses)
- BetMGM (props and variety)
Intermediate (5-8 accounts):
- All above +
- Caesars (bonuses)
- BetRivers
- PointsBet
- Unibet
- Bet365 (if available)
Advanced/Professional (10-20+ accounts):
- Every legal book in your state
- Regional books
- International access if possible
- Pinnacle for benchmarking (if outside US)
Which Sportsbooks Have Best Odds?
Lowest Margins (Best Odds)
- Pinnacle: 1-2% margin (industry best)
- Circa Sports: 2-3% margin (best in US)
- Bookmaker.eu: 2-3% margin
Competitive US Books
- BetMGM: Often has best odds on major markets
- Caesars: Competitive on NFL and NBA
- DraftKings: Good on soccer and UFC
- FanDuel: Strong on NFL
Why Odds Quality Matters
Example: Betting $100 per game, 100 games per year
- At -110 odds: Need 52.4% win rate to break even
- At -105 odds: Need 51.2% win rate to break even
1.2% difference seems small, but over 100 bets at $100 each = $120 difference in expected value!
Sportsbook Bonuses and Promotions
Sign-Up Bonuses
Most US sportsbooks offer first-bet insurance or deposit matches:
- Caesars: Often $1,000-$1,500 first bet insurance
- DraftKings: Deposit match up to $1,000
- FanDuel: Bet $5 get $150+ promotions
- BetMGM: Risk-free first bet up to $1,000
Learn how to maximize: Sportsbook Bonuses Guide
Ongoing Promotions
- Odds boosts: Enhanced odds on specific bets
- Profit boosts: Increase winnings by 20-50%
- Parlay insurance: Refund if one leg loses
- Early payout promos: Get paid early if team leads by X
Understanding Betting Limits
Why Limits Matter
Betting limits determine how much you can wager on a single bet. Different books have vastly different limits:
| Sportsbook | NFL Moneyline | NBA Total | Soccer EPL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle | $25,000+ | $10,000+ | $15,000+ |
| Circa Sports | $10,000+ | $5,000+ | $2,000+ |
| DraftKings | $2,000-5,000 | $1,000-3,000 | $500-1,500 |
| FanDuel | $2,000-5,000 | $1,000-3,000 | $500-1,500 |
| BetMGM | $1,500-3,000 | $1,000-2,000 | $500-1,000 |
Personal limits: Winning bettors get their max bet reduced, sometimes to $50-100 per bet.
Read: How to Avoid Bookmaker Limitations
Choosing Your Sportsbooks
✓ For Recreational Bettors:
- Open 2-3 accounts: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM
- Focus on user experience and bonuses
- Line shop between them for best odds
✓ For Serious Bettors:
- Open 8-12 accounts at all available US books
- Add Pinnacle if outside US (or Circa in Nevada)
- Track which books offer best odds per sport
- Use bankroll management across multiple books
✓ For Professional Bettors:
- Accounts at 20+ sportsbooks globally
- Pinnacle for benchmarking and best odds
- All US books for arbitrage and value betting
- International books for market access
- Betting exchanges (Betfair, Matchbook)
Maximize value across all your sportsbooks. FairOdds Terminal scans 60+ books simultaneously to find the best odds and +EV opportunities for every bet.
FAQ: Best Sportsbooks
What is the best sportsbook?
The best sportsbook depends on your needs. Pinnacle has the best odds and doesn't limit winners (best for sharp bettors). DraftKings and FanDuel offer the best bonuses and user experience (best for US recreational bettors). Bet365 has the widest market coverage globally.
Which sportsbook has the best odds?
Pinnacle consistently offers the best odds in the industry. They have the lowest margins (vig), accept sharp bettors, and don't limit winners. For US bettors, Circa Sports and BetMGM often have competitive odds on major markets.
What is a sharp sportsbook?
A sharp sportsbook caters to professional bettors with accurate odds, high betting limits, and doesn't ban winners. Pinnacle is the sharpest book globally. Sharp books are harder to beat but offer better odds. Soft books have worse odds but are easier to find value in.
How many sportsbooks should I have accounts at?
Serious bettors should have accounts at 10-20+ sportsbooks. This allows line shopping for best odds, arbitrage opportunities, and access to different markets. More books = more betting opportunities and better average odds.
Which sportsbook is best for bonuses?
DraftKings and FanDuel typically offer the best sign-up bonuses and ongoing promotions in the US market. Bet365 has strong international bonuses. Always read terms and conditions - rollover requirements vary significantly.
Do sportsbooks ban winning bettors?
Most sportsbooks will limit or ban consistent winners, especially arbitrage bettors. Exceptions: Pinnacle never limits winners. BetMGM and Caesars are slower to limit. DraftKings and FanDuel limit faster but offer better initial limits.
What is the safest sportsbook?
In the US, all licensed and regulated sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars) are safe and trustworthy. Internationally, Bet365, Pinnacle, and Betway have decades of reliable operation. Always use licensed books in your jurisdiction.
Can I use multiple sportsbooks?
Yes, and you should! Having accounts at multiple sportsbooks lets you line shop for best odds (increasing profits), access different markets, and take advantage of various promotions. Professional bettors use 10-20+ sportsbooks.