Online US Sportsbooks – 6 of the Best | History of betting in the USA

Online US sportsbooks allow gamblers to conveniently wager on their favorite sports teams from home. The advantages range from exclusive bonuses to special features, live wagering, and more. 

Best Online Sportsbooks for US Players 2026

Check out these top online US sportsbooks and the latest welcome bonuses you can gain by signing up and depositing today.

  1. Bet105
  2. BetUS
  3. Bovada
  4. BetOnline
  5. BetNow
  6. MyBookie
  7. Sportsbetting.ag
  8. Bookmaker.eu
  9. Xbet
  10. BetAnything

But online sports betting wasn’t always what it is today.

With a history of legislation leading up to the online sportsbooks we know today, the industry has grown significantly. Now, with online betting, USA sports bettors can even join offshore bookmakers and enjoy the increased benefits of betting with them. 

Today, we’ll be sharing details about the history of online sports betting in the US, and we’ll also touch upon offshore betting and what makes it worthwhile.

Keep reading to find out which US online sportsbooks we think are the best. Now, let’s get into it!

A History Of Online Betting in the USA

Online US Sportsbooks and a history of betting
Online US Sportsbooks and a History of Betting in the USA.

Online betting hasn’t always been legal in the US. And to this day, only a limited number of states have licensed domestic bookmakers available to players.

First Legalization of Online Betting in the USA

While attempts to legalize US online betting date back to the 1990s, the nation wouldn’t see any laws allowing it until the 2000s. In 2009, the US House Financial Services Committee passed Bill 2267 in order to make online poker and certain online gambling practices legal.

Then, a year later in 2010, New Jersey’s state Senate passed a different bill (S490) so that NJ companies could take bets on poker, casino games, and slots.

Further Legislation for Online Betting

But it wasn’t until 2011 that New Jersey led other US states in beginning the process of legalizing sports betting. They amended the NJ constitution and passed the Sports Wagering Act, which decriminalized this type of gambling.

Then, later in 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned legislation from 1992 that officially banned US sports betting. This allowed limited US online gambling to be possible.

Today’s Major Online Betting Locations in the US

Now, the US has certain states with legislation that allows legal, licensed, and regulated online sports betting.

Currently, the following states have legal online domestic betting:

  • New Jersey
  • West Virginia
  • Nevada
  • Michigan
  • Delaware
  • Pennsylvania
  • Colorado
  • New York
  • Virginia
  • Indiana
  • Montana
  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • Wyoming
  • South Dakota
  • Arizona
  • New Mexico
  • Iowa
  • Illinois
  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • New Hampshire
  • Connecticut
  • Rhode Island

Forthcoming Laws for Online Betting in the USA

And as the country moves forward, more and more states are beginning the process of legalization for online sports betting.

Online Sports Betting USA – Why Choosing Offshore Sportsbooks Makes Sense

Although there are arguably some downsides to offshore betting, such as the risk of untrustworthy sites and payment difficulties, the pros tend to outweigh the cons. For US sports bettors who want a comprehensive online sportsbook experience, offshore betting is the way to go.

Cryptocurrency Is More Widely Available

One of the latest developments in online betting is the addition of Bitcoin, Litecoin, and other cryptocurrencies as sportsbook cashiers. And you’re more likely to have the crypto option at offshore bookmakers than domestic ones.

For example, online platforms like Bovada Sportsbook and MyBookie.AG Sportsbook and Sportsbetting.AG is a big proponent of BTC gambling.

Some of the biggest advantages of crypto gambling include:

  • Super fast transactions
  • Secure transactions
  • Lack of transaction fees
  • Increased bonus and promotion values
  • Higher limits on deposits and withdrawals

And when combined with the convenience of mobile offshore betting, the availability of crypto deposits/withdrawals is hard to beat.

Higher and More Competitive Odds

Another big reason to join an offshore bookmaker is that you’ll have access to the industry’s highest odds for sports betting. The main reason behind this difference is that the overseas bookmakers don’t have to pay as much in taxes as domestic bookmakers do.

Essentially, they are better able to afford the costs of running their online gambling operations. And as a result, they can afford to offer better odds to US players.

This means that offshore bookies present the benefit of getting more bang for your buck, and it’s sometimes why you’ll see offshore sites advertising things like “best odds guaranteed”.

Additionally, the offshore sites regularly offer incentives to US punters, such as price boosts, enhanced odds, or odds boosts.

The Largest Bonus Offers

Another major benefit of offshore bookies is the selection of bonuses and promotions. Although domestic US bookies are going to offer large welcome incentives, you’ll find bonuses of much greater value at the offshore counterparts.

Again, this has to do with the fact that offshore bookmakers can afford to offer these incentives to customers since they don’t pay as many taxes or operational fees.

But keep in mind that with these high-value bonus offers, you may incur stricter or more expensive deposit rules, wagering requirements, and other terms.

Larger Selections

Overall, offshore sites are also going to have more variety when it comes to the types of sports you can bet on and the ways you can bet on them. While domestic licensed sportsbooks offer the basics and sports popular in the US, such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, etc., offshore sites have more unique selections.

Some of these expanded sports lists include:

Further, the offshore sites will feature a wider selection of betting options, including parlays, specials, live markets, and more.

Best Online Sportsbooks For US Players

Drawing on qualities like decent customer support, large sports betting selections, competitive odds, and generous bonuses, these trusted offshore bookmakers are some of our favorites. US punters can join them to enjoy some of the best features in online gambling.


MyBookie

MyBookie Sportsbook features all of the best qualities of an offshore betting site, from Bitcoin wagering to competitive odds on professional sports leagues, large welcome/crypto bonuses, and more.

This bookmaker offers enhanced rewards for crypto bettors, and there is even a VIP membership for loyal customers. Should you have any trouble, the secure online platform provides 24/7 customer support so that you can get assistance no matter where you are in the world.


Bovada

Bovada is yet another offshore bookie featuring the ever-convenient crypto betting option, accepting BTC, LTC, ETH, and Bitcoin Cash. There’s a huge selection of markets for American football, soccer, horse racing, UFC, and other popular sports. And players can enjoy a large referral bonus when they become members of this site, which has more than a decade of trusted experience.

Bovada betting is trusted for its responsible gaming policies, self-exclusion features, SSL encryption, and 24/7 customer support via chat.


BetAnything.eu

BetAnything.eu, an online sportsbook, is a 24/7 bookie with a well-designed user interface. Players can enjoy tons of markets for popular sports, special events like the Super Bowl, horse races, and more. There’s even an option for mobile bettors to conveniently wager.

BetAnything.eu offers decent 24/7 customer support, along with secure, easy deposit methods, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and credit cards.

And when it comes to rewards, the bookmaker offers several promotions, such as a 30% welcome bonus worth up to $600 in CASH, a 20% cash referral offer, re-up bonuses, rebate bonuses, and more.


Xbet

Xbet Sportsbook is another offshore option for US gamblers with a great interface on both desktop and mobile. Some of the key benefits of Xbet include “lightning fast payouts”, live wagering markets, parlay opportunities, automatic rebates on horse racing bets, and a generous welcome bonus.

Players can deposit using a wide variety of payment methods, including BTC, LTC, P2P, Visa, Mastercard, Wire, Money Order, and more.

For offshore bettors, there is also some security in the customer support offered 7 days a week via telephone and email.


BetOnline

BetOnline is another offshore bookie we recommend for its long-standing reputation in the industry, with 25+ years under its belt. There are huge bonuses for new customers, which only increase if you decide to pay with cryptocurrencies.

Additionally, BetOnline offers some of the fastest payouts, earliest betting lines, and highest limits on wagers. Whether you’re looking for odds boosts on your favorite football games or hockey, you have options at BetOnline.

Further, you’re privy to live chat customer support and a secure online platform.


Bet105

Last but not least, consider Bet105 Sportsbook as an offshore betting option for its live wagering opportunities, large crypto bonus offers, reduced juice offers, and friend referrals. The sportsbook offers super-fast payouts to customers, whether you’re paying with a card, cryptocurrency, money transfer, or other method.

This responsible gaming platform is protected with SSL encryption, and players can easily access customer service via chat, phone, or email.


Summary – Online US Sportsbooks

The selection of online US sportsbooks is growing, and with those options come even more choices for offshore US bettors. While online sportsbooks weren’t always legal, there are many licensed and legal options today.

If you’re considering joining an offshore sportsbook, check out our suggestions above, from BetOnline to Bovada, BetAnything.eu, and more.