Online betting is the act of placing wagers on sporting events or other games via a desktop or mobile device. It is a form of gambling that has taken off in popularity in recent years, with many states now regulating it and offering their own branded sportsbooks.
Online sports betting allows bettors to make money by taking advantage of favorable odds. The best sites offer a comprehensive list of betting markets, including football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf and tennis. Some even cover cricket, badminton, futsal, handball, motorsports, rugby league and rugby union. Bettors can also find odds on esports in some jurisdictions, though this is not a major market for most sportsbooks.
The list of legal online sportsbooks continues to grow, with 24 states and Washington, DC now permitting the activity. New York was first to launch in 2019 with retail sportsbooks at commercial and tribal casinos, while the state’s regulated online options include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers and Caesars Sportsbook.
Ohio is another emerging market, and the leading online sportsbooks offer appealing Ohio sportsbook promos. The state is home to numerous professional sports teams, and its population makes it a potentially lucrative market for sportsbooks.
The best online sportsbooks are renowned for their customer service, easy deposit options and competitive odds. They offer hundreds of markets on big games, with odds that update frequently to reflect the game’s action and player performance. They also feature live streaming and a range of in-play markets, with the option to watch a game and place a bet at the same time.