Is it legal to use offshore sportsbooks in the U.S.?

It is not explicitly illegal for individuals to use offshore sportsbooks in most U.S. states. However, these operators are not licensed domestically, which can pose risks to bettors.

What is the difference between legal and offshore sportsbooks?

Legal sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by U.S. state authorities. Offshore sportsbooks are located outside U.S. jurisdiction and operate without state oversight.

Are there any legal risks for using offshore betting sites?

While enforcement is rare, using offshore sites may violate terms of service with payment providers or conflict with state laws in some areas.

Which U.S. states have legalized sports betting?

Over 30 U.S. states have legalized some form of sports betting. Check your local laws or our state-by-state guide for full details.

How often does the favorite win in NBA?

19/08/2020 | Categories: NBA | Published by: Andy Nelson

How often does the favorite win in NBA? – When having to choose between the favorite and the underdog, the general betting public usually chooses the favorite – especially if that also happens to be their preferred player or team.

However, underdogs remain a big part of sports betting culture, and many advanced bettors intentionally pick the underdog to cash in on massive winnings.

Still, the odds of this happening vary greatly from sport to sport, and knowing how likely the favorite is to win is perhaps the most important detail.

Contents show

How often does the favorite win in NBA?

In the NBA, the overall winning percentage for favorites is 49.4%, and home favorites cover just 48% of the time.

As you can see, the ratio is pretty balanced, which means that no matter who you bet on, you technically have equal chances of winning.

However, things are a little more complicated than that, so here are several details to keep in mind before placing your bet at NBA betting sites.

Top NBA Sportsbooks

sort by:

26 ratings

Review

Up to $1000 + $10 Casino Chip

Big Welcome Bonus
Highest Credit Card Acceptance Rates
Fast, 48-Hour Payout Processing

Get DealGo to MyBookie.ag Get DealGo to MyBookie.ag

20 ratings

Review

Deposit $100, Get $50 Free Bet

-105 Reduced Odds
Customer Service 24/7
In-Play betting

Get DealGo to Bet105 sportsbook Get DealGo to Bet105 sportsbook

22 ratings

Review

Up to $250 Deposit Bonus

Fast Payouts within 48 Hours
High Limits
100 free spins

Get DealGo to BetOnline.ag Get DealGo to BetOnline.ag

18 ratings

Review

Heritagesports 20% Cash Deposit + $20 No Deposit Free Play

New Offshore Sportsbook for US Players
Live Betting
100% deposit bonus for NFL in september

Get DealGo to Heritagesports Sign Up Bonus Get DealGo to Heritagesports Sign Up Bonus

How good is the favorite, and how bad is the underdog?

When trying to predict the outcome of a basketball game, it's not enough to know who the favorite and underdog are and then choose either side.

You should also consider their performance as a whole, not just compared to one another.

For example, if the Raptors are facing off against the Cavaliers, they’re favorites, and they’re very likely to win because of their game.
However, if the Raptors are playing against the Pacers, their victory is no longer a given because the two teams are relatively close.

Is the favorite motivated enough to win?

A team’s performance can change dramatically after they’ve qualified for the playoff or not.

In the NBA, it’s quite common for underdogs to play better in the first couple of months after the season starts, but if they don’t make it to the playoffs, they tank because they’re no longer motivated to win.

This goes to show that it’s not enough who the favorite and underdog are, but also the trend in their performance.

What are the most unexpected underdog wins in recent NBA history?

Although the favorites are expected to win, there were plenty of times in the NBA when the underdog took everyone by surprise by making it to the final and even winning the trophy.

Dirk Nowitzki was named the 2011 Finals MVP

For example, in 2011, Miami Heat was defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, even though they had the “big three” playing together:

LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade.

In 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons, despite having Kobe Bryant in his prime and three other Hall of Famers.

On the other hand, the Pistons had mostly unknown players, and by defeating the Lakers, they forced them to rebuild the team from scratch.

As you can see, betting on the favorite isn’t always a surefire way to win.

You will, 49.4%, of the time, but surprises can always happen.

To increase your winning chances, make sure you stay up to date with each team’s performance and odds because the victory of high-profile teams isn’t always guaranteed.

Top NBA Betting Sites

Here's 4 of the top 10 offshore betting sites you can use to wager on NBA favorites or underdogs.

5 / 5

TOTAL SCORE

Bet105 is shaking things up in 2025 – offering that sweet -105 reduced juice, fast same-day payouts, and a handful of perks that make your bets feel a bit sharper. More edge, less stress. Whether you're chasing the thrill of a last-second three-pointer or sweating out a late-game pitch, it's all about keeping a little more in your pocket. Smarter moves, bigger wins. Don't settle – bet with the edge you deserve.

Review

Get Deal Get Deal

5 / 5

TOTAL SCORE

Get a 20% Cash Deposit and $20 Free Play Signup Bonus when you sign up with Heritagesports today and enter the code: SPORTING20. Plus save with 20% reduced juice on major sports. Earn up to 0.8% cash back quarterly, plus extra rewards for parlays. No rollover limits!

Review

Get Deal Get Deal

Andy Nelson

Andy Nelson is a seasoned sports betting analyst and journalist with over 7 years of experience reviewing offshore sportsbooks, US-friendly betting sites, and crypto betting platforms. He provides in-depth guides, bonus breakdowns, and expert insights to help players navigate online sportsbooks safely and make informed betting decisions.

offshoresportsbookfact.net/