Legal NBA betting provides a level of intensity that’s a step above almost all other sports. Between the speed of the game and sudden changes in momentum, basketball pairs well with sports betting to keep bettors active and engaged.

Only the best NBA betting sites can keep up with the fast-paced action of basketball, especially when it comes to in-play markets. They also have the technology and experience to offer the most betting markets, superior lines, and enticing promotions.

As a result, identifying the best basketball betting apps and NBA betting websites is crucial for fans. The remainder of this page will help readers do exactly that. In addition, this page outlines where it’s legal to bet on the NBA online and in-person, provides NBA odds comparisons, compares bonus offers, and much more.

Best NBA Betting Sites

BetMGM Sportsbook$1500 Second Chance BetBetMGM Bonus Code: BUSABONUS Get Bonus
DraftKings SportsbookNo Sweat Bet up to $1,000DraftKings Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
FanDuel SportsbookBet $5 Get $150FanDuel Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
BetRivers SportsbookSecond Chance Bet Up To $500BetRivers Bonus Code: BUSA Get Bonus
Caesars Sportsbook$1000 Bonus BetCaesars Sportsbook Promo Code: BUSA1000 Get Bonus
Bet365 SportsbookBet $5 Get $150Bet365 Bonus Code: Not RequiredGet BonusGambling problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IN/LA/NC/NJ/OH/VA) 21), (KY) 18+. New Customer Offer Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Live NBA Betting Odds

Where Is NBA Betting Legal?

The map below provides an overview of where it is legal to bet on the NBA in the USA. This map is color-coded to show which states have legal mobile betting and retail sportsbooks. Readers can hover or tap on any state to see what options they have for legal NBA betting.

States with Legal Sports Betting Placeholder
States with Legal Sports Betting

Map Key

  • Blue: Online sportsbooks and NBA betting apps are legal
  • Green: Retail sportsbooks only (no online betting)
  • Red: NBA betting coming soon; legislation fully passed but waiting for implementation

Additional states are considering legislation to legalize sports betting, but progress comes in fits and starts. For readers in states that do not yet have legal NBA betting, the next closest thing to full-fledged sports betting is daily fantasy sports.

What To Look For In Legal NBA Betting Sites

BetMGM SportsbookBetMGM NBA PromotionsGet Bonus

The only surefire way to ensure a fair NBA online betting experience is to do business exclusively with legal, licensed, and regulated sportsbooks. After that, it’s a matter of narrowing it down to find apps that fit your needs, whether that be frequent promotions, stellar odds, vast betting markets, or a wide variety of depositing options.

Bet With Legal & Licensed NBA Betting Apps

BettingUSA focuses strictly on legal betting in the United States and only recommends NBA sportsbooks authorized in each state.

Generally speaking, all licensed betting sites are quality places to bet on the NBA and other sports. Licensing guidelines are strict in states with legal sports betting, which keeps the overall quality of online sportsbooks high. The same cannot be said about illegal offshore books, which pay players out on their schedule (if at all), fail to institute strong safeguards against identity theft, and don’t provide players with outlets to air their grievances.

Don’t know how to differentiate between legal and offshore betting apps? NBA bettors who live in states with online sports betting can view our recommendations by state for licensed online sportsbooks.

In most states with legal online NBA betting, readers can verify these recommendations on the official website of the gaming regulator where they live.

For example, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement website maintains a list of licensed operators. Colorado provides a similar list here, and other states provide similar resources.

Other Considerations For NBA Betting Apps

It’s tough to go too far wrong as long as bettors stick with licensed sportsbooks, but it is also true that some sportsbooks are better than others when it comes specifically to betting on the NBA online.

Listed below is a look at the factors we deem the most critical when ranking legal NBA betting apps. It’s rare for an app to excel in every single one of these areas, but the best always seek to evolve their product and refrain from penny-pinching their loyal customers.

Extensive Betting Markets

The NBA is such a widely-bet sport that all online sportsbooks are effectively forced to hang a decent variety of spreads, totals, moneylines, props, and futures. Otherwise, they’d be missing out on a ton of betting action.

However, some NBA betting sites go above and beyond, loading their menus with dozens of alternative lines, derivatives, game props like “Winning Margin” or “To go to OT”, player props on how many points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks each of the starting five will record, and much more.

The best NBA betting apps also stack their futures menus with bets on divisional winners, NBA final pairings, and the winners of individual accolades like Rookie of the Year. They also offer extensive and responsive in-play markets, that nearly parallel pregame markets but extend to instant betting options, right down to the result of the next possession and who will score the game’s 59th point.

Furthermore, some apps support more basketball leagues than just the NBA. Sites that post lines on the WNBA, the Euroleague, women’s and men’s NCAAB, and the Olympics, enable bettors to get their b-ball fix during the offseason.

Fair Betting Odds

There’s no doubt that the NBA is one of the most efficient betting markets. It’s not quite in the same league as NFL betting, where bookmakers have nearly a week to perfect their lines, but due to sophisticated data modeling and heavy sharp action, it’s relatively close.

The one major benefit of efficient markets is that bookmakers are more comfortable taking a small vig. If an online sportsbook offers worse than -110 odds on point spreads and totals, and at worse, -115 odds on two-way in-play wagers and props, then it’s probably time to seek greener pastures.

Top-tier NBA betting sites extend their customer-friendly odds to markets historically known for their high house edges, like futures and same game parlays, and offer reasonable fixed odds on teasers.

Finally, bettors should seek more ambitious books that don’t merely copy and paste lines from market makers. Sportsbooks that take positions on NBA games increase the value of line shopping and are more likely to welcome big betting action.

To quickly compare betting lines across multiple sportsbooks, see our NBA line pricing tool above.

Varied And Swift Cashiering Options

A bettor’s sports journey ends as quickly as it begins if they can’t deposit funds onto a site. Luckily, all licensed online sportsbooks offer an array of depositing methods.

It’s gotten to the point now where sportsbooks that only accept eChecks/ACH, credit/debit cards, and cash deposits are trailing the pack. Not only do the major sports betting apps now accept PayPal, Venmo, multiple cash options, and prepaid Play+ cards, but they also process them instantaneously and without hassle.

Withdrawals used to take about 3-5 business days to process, but major sportsbooks have cut that time down to 1-3 business days. A few will now even process a trusted bettor’s payout request immediately. In the time it takes to hit “Withdraw,” they’ll receive a notice from their banking institution that funds have been added.

Simple, Profitable NBA Betting Bonuses

It’s common practice for legal online sportsbooks to welcome new bettors with hefty bonuses. Even apps that don’t regularly offer promotions know the value of customer acquisition and will throw at least a modest bonus your way.

Yet, some NBA betting bonuses have much higher monetary caps than others. These typically offer the best value. However, budget bettors should consider bonuses that don’t require a large upfront investment but still provide a sizable reward.

Regardless, the best NBA betting bonuses are never bogged down by confusing terms and high wagering requirements.

Rotating Promotions & Fixed Loyalty Programs

Promotions and loyalty program kickbacks are two of the easiest ways for bettors to offset their losses. If an NBA betting app hangs outstanding odds and lackluster rewards, it’s probably fine to still use it. However, if a site uses the same lines as another book, prioritize the one with a tiered rewards program and lots of NBA-focused promotions.

When considering the value of an app’s promotional schedule, quantity isn’t the only relevant factor. A site that rolls out a few great promotions is better than one that offers tons of odds boosts that barely elevate the odds to break even. Judge quality as much, if not more, than quantity.

A Final Note on Choosing the Right NBA Betting Site

There is an occasional odd exception to the availability of NBA markets. One such anomaly is Golden Nugget Online in New Jersey, which is prohibited by law from accepting wagers on any NBA game involving the Houston Rockets due to Golden Nugget’s owner also having an interest in the team.

The restriction (which is specific to New Jersey) is not due to Golden Nugget Sportsbook doing anything wrong; it is merely a function of NJ law that prohibits anyone with a significant ownership stake in a sports team from taking wagers on events involving that team.

The law previously prohibited Golden Nugget from accepting any wagers whatsoever on the NBA, but lawmakers relaxed the rule in 2019. Under the revised guidelines, sportsbooks are only prohibited from taking bets on specific teams if there is an ownership conflict of interest.

Lawmakers implement these types of restrictions out of a desire to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest and any repeats of scandals such as the one involving former NBA ref Tim Donaghy.

The Best NBA Betting Sites Ranked

Based on our own stringent vetting process, BettingUSA has determined that the following are the best betting apps for NBA fans.

FanDuel NBA Betting

  • Standout features: Best overall odds, diverse markets, responsive software, state market access

FanDuel Sportsbook was the pioneer of many betting innovations that have since become the norm. Although it has allowed the competition to close the gap, its NBA game is still extremely strong. It takes the top spot by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

Years of experience in DFS have enabled FanDuel to fine-tune its proprietary sports betting tech. Its confidence is reflected in its NBA betting odds, which are nearly the best across the board. The vigorish on NBA moneylines rarely exceeds 4%, the in-play lines are a tick better than industry averages, and FanDuel offers by far the lowest house edge on NBA In-Season Tournament futures. Even the vigorish on its custom-built parlays is fair, often lower than if bettors built the same parlay manually.

In addition, the software is responsive and highly stable, in part due to its alignment with Sportradar, from which it receives official NBA data.

FanDuel’s NBA betting markets are vast, covering an entire range of props, alternative lines, derivative odds, and futures. Collectively, there are hundreds of bets offered for each NBA game. Factor in its widespread availability, large welcome bonus, and strong cashiering options, and it’s as close to a one-stop sportsbook NBA bettors will find.

All of which is not to say FanDuel isn’t without its flaws. In particular, the recurrent promotions aren’t what they once were, there still isn’t a viable loyalty program, and the betting interface is starting to feel dated.

DraftKings NBA Betting

  • Standout features: Extensive betting markets, early lines, frequent promotions, Dynasty Rewards

DraftKings Sportsbook is making a strong run at overtaking FanDuel in the rankings, but its NBA betting markets suffer from a few small flaws.

First, the good. Like FanDuel, DraftKings is a leader in the daily fantasy space, and that has translated exceedingly well to sports betting. This holds especially true for the NBA, which, along with the NFL, is DK’s primary DFS market.

DraftKings is no stranger to handling big numbers, but the sheer number of NBA betting markets offered on a daily basis borders on the inconceivable. Hundreds of game and team props fill the lobby, and there are at least a dozen ways to bet on each team’s #1 and #2 players. The futures markets are just as vast, with DraftKings taking bets on everything from win totals, playoff seeding, player awards, exact NBA finals outcomes, and divisional forecasts.

In-play markets are just as prevalent as their pregame equivalents, perhaps more so. There is simply no other app that offers more microbetting markets than DraftKings. Going further, DraftKings aggressively lists main market odds for games far into the future and is usually the first to post proposition bets.

DraftKings has refined its betting interface to the point where it never feels overly cluttered, an impressive feat given the volume of betting categories. The betting process is not quite as fluid as it is on DraftKings, but long hangups are rarely an issue.

DraftKings also supports a strong promotional schedule and unquestionably one of the best player rewards programs in the industry, Dynasty Rewards.

The one area where it could improve is its NBA odds. The spread, totals, moneyline, and prop odds are fair but don’t strike us as anything special. Future odds are a mixed bag, with DraftKings offering excellent odds on NBA Championship futures and Win Totals (O/U), but abhorrent lines on the In-Season Tournament. Finally, its “Flash Props” are typically priced at -115, which feels too high for a market that is more gambling than skill betting.

BetMGM NBA Betting

  • Standout features: Beginner-friendly, easy deposits/withdrawals, creative markets, MGM Rewards integration

BetMGM Sportsbook is a very solid starting point for new NBA bettors. Its strengths are apparent from the start, as its $1,000 new player bonus has more hospitable terms than comparable offers.

The app has adopted a design philosophy that makes it extremely easy for users to flip between full- and part-time NBA lines, without the burden of navigating multiple submenus. In addition, BetMGM is an aesthetically pleasing and highly visual sportsbook. Great pains were clearly taken to prevent bettors from being overwhelmed.

Bets are categorized brilliantly, which is paramount given how many NBA lines BetMGM hangs on a nightly basis. Speaking of which, BetMGM gets very creative with its bets, particularly NBA props, putting a fun spin on what are already engaging wagers. It also integrates a parlay builder, which condenses the betting menu into a simple pop-up, from where bettors can easily construct their wagers.

New bettors will appreciate the sheer number of cashiering options at their disposal. At last check, there were 14 viable ways to deposit funds. That’s about twice as many as the average online sportsbook.

Unfortunately, all of this added flair and nuance comes at a price. The BetMGM app tends to have minor loading issues and isn’t particularly quick to accept wagers. This may pose problems for those who prefer in-play betting. Additionally, the NBA betting odds aren’t the greatest, with the house edge on pregame moneylines hovering around 4.5%, divisional futures clocking in at 10%, and up to 20% on NBA Finals futures. In-play odds are merely average, and BetMGM doesn’t display any odds from its parlay builder, which feels a tad predatory.

All of this initially led BettingUSA to the conclusion that BetMGM is only really viable for casual bettors. However, this isn’t entirely true. Not only will the book offer surprisingly low vigorish on select lines, but it often takes positions on NBA wagers, making it a worthy line shopping alternative. The benefits extend even further to serious bettors that also frequent MGM Resorts casinos, as the online and land-based rewards programs are intricately tied together.

Caesars Sportsbook NBA Betting

  • Standout features: High-value promotions, low moneyline vigorish, quickly expanding markets, Caesars Rewards integration

Caesars Sportsbook aggressively markets its online sportsbook, which means it will be easy for NBA bettors to find value. Caesars Sportsbook bonus bets and signup offers are arguably the best in the industry.

Daily odds boosts and profit boosts run alongside a swatch of longer-term promotions, and many of these offers are NBA focused. The monetary cap on odds boosts is particularly impressive, as Caesars allows bettors to bet up to $100 on these often +EV wagers.

Caesars is continually updating its app, adding new features and more markets. Each year, the NBA market dwarfs its previous iteration in size. Most recently, Caesars began adding dozens of new futures including niche bets like who will have the best regular season record, and which teams will participate in the play-in game.

There still aren’t nearly as many NBA betting markets as there are on DraftKings or FanDuel, but the gap is closing, especially now that Caesars has expanded its partnership with Sportradar for NBA data tracking.

Ceasars offers highly competitive pricing on big NBA betting markets like moneylines, totals, and spreads, and is willing to take big action on these lines. However, the vigorish on futures is far too high for bettors to seriously entertain, running up to 31% on In-Season Tournament futures.

That’s really the only glaring flaw of a sportsbook otherwise feels fresh and offers a well-rounded experience for all NBA bettors.

Bet365 NBA Betting

  • Standout features: Early lines, regular promotions, vast NBA betting markets, fair odds

After several years of laying low, Bet365 Sportsbook appears to be taking its shot at the big time. Its NBA betting markets have expanded dramatically, and now include the same props, futures, and in-play bets as some larger US brands.

Bet365 is also the first to market with its NBA alternative spreads and totals. Although the pricing on these lines is merely adequate, there’s enough of them that savvy players should be able to find value. Other lines are mostly priced in accordance with market standards, the exception being its pregame moneylines, which average just a 4% house edge and often deviate from odds posted by other books.

The sportsbook initially shied away from NBA promotions but has shifted gears. Early payouts, where NBA moneyline wagers are settled if your team is up by 20+ at any time, are offered for most games. Bettors also receive parlay boosts on select wagers, and Bet365 Sportsbook rolls out NBA Bet Boosts in advance of the season, and updates them daily.

Unfortunately, none of these promotions offer enough value to flip the house edge, but they’re reliable edge trimming tools that bettors shouldn’t ignore.

The Bet365 interface still feels clunky and dated, and will need to be updated to suit younger bettors. The lack of a dedicated loyalty program also hurts its overall rankings, but it’s good to see one of Europe’s largest sportsbook put more effort into the US market.

Getting Started At Legal NBA Betting Sites

The benefits of wagering on legal sites are numerous, but prospective bettors will have to endure a slightly more vigorous signup process than they’re probably used to.

Rest assured, these extra steps are mandated by state law, exist solely to protect your identity and funds, and only add a minute or two to the process. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:

  • Choose a sportsbook: BettingUSA strongly advises NBA bettors to use the sportsbooks listed on this page. If you need more information, check out our in-depth sportsbook reviews. The key to selecting a sportsbook is to find one that suits your specific style. For some, a book with a casual-friendly interface, frequent promotions, and a small, yet easily digestible welcome bonus will appeal more than one that offers stellar NBA betting odds but few extra frills. Just know that most state markets have multiple online sportsbooks, so you’re not pigeonholed to one option.
  • Claim a new player bonus: Initiate the registration process by clicking on one of the links on this page. This will ensure that when the time comes to make a deposit, you’ll receive the best possible bonus offer. These days, many online sportsbooks allow bettors to claim welcome bonuses automatically, without a promo code. BettingUSA provides special codes for books that still require one. Just be sure that you understand how the bonus works before signing up because that’ll be key to building your starting bankroll.
  • Sign up: Registering at online sportsbooks isn’t that much different than creating an account at an e-commerce site. You’ll need to provide your full legal name, address, date of birth, phone number, and email address. Bettors used to have to supply their full Social Security Number, but now the last four digits will suffice. This step is necessary so that sportsbooks can verify your identity. You will not have to provide payment information at this time, so feel free to browse the interface, promotional menu, and NBA betting lines until you’re ready.
  • Visit the cashier: To reap the rewards of your welcome bonuses, and to place real-money wagers in general, you’ll need to deposit funds into your account. Start out by visiting the cashier and previewing your depositing options. Online sportsbooks never charge bettors hidden processing fees, but the issuing bank of select credit cards will treat deposits as cash advances. Luckily there are several other ways of getting money online, including PayPal, debit cards, prepaid Play+ cards, banking account transfers, and Venmo.
  • Place an NBA wager: During the regular season, NBA lines will likely be available directly from an app’s homepage, especially if games are live. Bettors can also visit the NBA market page, which will display spreads, totals, and moneylines for all in-play and upcoming matchups. Tap into a game to view all available bets, including alternative lines, derivatives, and props. Once you’ve found a bet, tap it to add it to the Bet Slip. From there, enter an amount to wager, or add more wagers. Most major sportsbooks allow bettors to convert their wagers into a parlay, teaser, or round robin directly from the Slip. Hit “Confirm” and await to see if your bet was accepted at the listed odds. Good luck!

NBA Betting Bonuses

BetMGM SportsbookUp to $1000 in NBA Bonus BetsGet Bonus
DraftKings SportsbookBet $5 Get $150 in Basketball Bonus BetsGet Bonus
FanDuel SportsbookBet $20 Get $200 in NBA Bonus BetsGet Bonus
Caesars SportsbookBet $50 Get $250 in NBA Bonus BetsGet Bonus
BetRivers SportsbookUp to $500 Second Chance NBA BetGet Bonus

The NBA season generates more than its fair share of betting promotions because it trails only the NFL in annual wagering handle nationwide and attracts a ton of in-play betting. In fact, the NBA outpaces the NFL in total wagering volume in some states.

As a result, online sportsbooks want basketball bettors and are willing to spend significant sums on NBA betting promotions to get them. For casual bettors and hardcore handicappers alike, NBA betting bonuses, short-term promos, and loyalty programs represent the easiest ways to improve their bottom lines.

We can broadly delineate two types of NBA betting promotions: new customer welcome bonuses and one-off promos open to everyone.

New Customer NBA Betting Bonuses

New customer NBA bonuses outshine all other types of promos in terms of value and maximum return to customers. The best NBA betting sites welcome new users with first bet refunds, deposit match bonuses, and other promos that often provide $1,000 or more in value to customers.

Most new customer NBA welcome bonuses take one of the following forms:

  • Second-Chance NBA Bets: Second-chance bets, also known as first-bet refunds, are the most common type of welcome bonus fans will encounter at licensed NBA betting sites. New customers can claim second-chance bets by signing up, depositing funds, and placing their first wager. If it loses, they’ll receive a 100% refund paid as bonus bets. Second-chance bet promos tend to be the biggest types of welcome bonuses, but the downside is that they only pay when bettors place losing wagers, and the bonus bet only returns the initial stake.
  • NBA Deposit Match Bonuses: Deposit bonuses are a welcome sight because they are flexible, benefit all new customers, and are sometimes withdrawable. The downsides are that they are rare and usually have a low match rate or maximum bonus amount. However, even small NBA deposit bonuses are usually worthwhile because bettors can split them up across multiple wagers and can withdraw the bonus money after meeting the wagering requirements. In contrast, second-chance bet promotions usually pay refunds as non-withdrawable bonus bets that customers must use in one shot on a single market.
  • NBA Bet & Get Bonuses: More NBA betting sites are now offering welcome bonuses that award players who make a small deposit and first wager with bonus bets. For example, a fan who registers and places a $20 bet on an NBA game would receive $200 in bonus bets to use on any sport.

Other Types of NBA Betting Promotions

Although welcome bonuses for new customers provide the most value in one shot, ongoing promos for existing customers produce even more value over the long term for fans who choose their spots wisely.

  • First Basket Scorer NBA Promos: A common theme for NBA betting promos is for sportsbooks to offer insurance on specific proposition markets, like which player will score the game’s first point. In these promos, fans place prop bets and get refunds if they lose, paid as bonus bets.
  • NBA Odds Boosts: NBA odds boosts are the most common type of basketball promotion, with some sportsbooks offering new boosts every day. Typically, NBA betting sites offer odds boosts for specific games only. These boosts vary in quality, so take a moment to analyze them closely.
  • NBA Profit Boosts: Profit boosts are similar to odds boosts, except they increase the payout by a certain percentage rather than enhancing the odds. The impact is the same (bigger payouts on winning wagers), but sportsbooks usually issue profit boosts as tokens that bettors can use to bet on any NBA game they choose.
  • NBA Bet & Get Offers: Sportsbooks frequently issue short-term “Bet & Get” offers during the NBA season that invite customers to bet on any NBA game to receive a bonus bet regardless of the outcome. For example, a typical NBA Bet & Get would invite bettors to place a $25+ wager on any NBA game and give them a $5 bonus bet whether the initial wager wins or loses.
  • NBA Parlay Promotions: Typical NBA parlay promotions offer refunds (paid as bonus bets) to customers who place parlays that lose by a single leg.
  • No-Brainer NBA Promotions: Occasionally, NBA betting sites offer no-brainer bonuses that provide solid value with minimal risk. For example, a sportsbook may launch a promo where customers who bet $10 on any NBA game win $10 in bonus bets if either team scores a three-pointer. The biggest downside of no-brainer bonuses is their rarity – sportsbooks rarely launch NBA bonuses that offer so much value. When they do offer them, they’re always worth claiming.
  • Early Payouts: These promos pay out NBA moneyline bettors if their team is ahead by 10-20+ points at any point in the game. Given the high frequency of swings in the NBA, this promo is worth more than it initially seems.
  • Sports/Casino Crossover NBA Promos: In states with legal online gambling, some sportsbooks release the occasional crossover promotion that gives players free spins or a casino bonus when they bet on NBA games online during the promotional period.

NBA fans should also check a few of their favorite betting sites daily during the Playoffs for unusually valuable promotions. NBA Playoffs betting promotions can take many forms, ranging from free-to-play prediction contests to bonus bets just for logging in, but the one thing they share is a tendency to outshine regular season promos.

How To Bet On The NBA Online

Getting started with NBA betting online is simple as long as one has a basic understanding of the odds. Every NBA bet is presented with American odds that explain the relationship between risk and reward.

How NBA Odds Work

Teams or outcomes that are favored to happen are presented with negative American odds such as -110, -220, -350, and so on. The larger the number behind the negative sign, the more likely the outcome, and the more one will have to wager relative to the potential payout.

Negative moneyline odds indicate how much the bettor must risk to win $100. Odds of -110 indicate the bettor must risk $110 to win $100 (or $1.10 to win $1.00), while odds of -350 indicate the bettor must risk $350 to win $100 (or $3.50 to win $1.00).

Teams or outcomes that are considered less likely to occur are presented with positive American odds.

Positive American odds express how much the bettor stands to win per $100 wagered. For example, odds of +250 indicate the bettor must risk $100 to win $250 while odds of +110 indicate the bettor must risk $100 to win $110.

All potential wins discussed above relate to net profit only. The actual amount returned will be larger as bettors also receive their original stake back as a part of the payout.

For example, a winning $100 bet at odds of +250 would return a total of $350 ($250 in net profit plus the return of the original $100 stake).

For more details and examples, see the BettingUSA live odds guide.

Types Of NBA Wagers

The number of wagers available for any single NBA game can vary by a wide margin depending on how far out the game is scheduled. Most NBA sportsbooks post game lines early in the week and then add markets as tipoff approaches, starting with standard game outcome wagers and then adding alternative lines, player props, team props, and more.

Some of the most common types of NBA wagers include:

  • Moneyline: Straight bet on which team will win; moneyline odds pay more for the underdog and less for the favorite
  • Point Spread: Bet on which team will win; the favored team has to win by X points to “cover the spread.” The underdog has to win or lose by less than X to cover
  • Point Total: Bet on the combined total points scored by both teams; sportsbook sets the total, and bettors take the over or the under at roughly even money odds
  • Game Props: Wagers on things other than the outcome or point total; game props can cover anything from whether the final score will be even/odd to the ranges of winning margins
  • Team Props: Like game props, but specific to one team; examples include team totals and team total field goals
  • Player Props: Prop bets on individual players, such as total rebounds, points, assists, blocks, or field goal percentage
  • NBA Futures: Longer-term bets such as regular-season win totals, which team will win the championship, and player to be named MVP
  • Parlays: Combine several bets into one for a larger payout; every leg must win, or the entire wager is lost
  • Teasers: A fixed-odd parlay consisting of NBA spreads/totals where each leg “gets” a certain number of points, whether it be 4, 4.5, 5, 8, or 10. This results in far less variance, but smaller payouts, than traditional parlays
  • Round Robins: A group of smaller parlays that are derived from a larger parlay. This format reduces the house edge and variance and enables players to eke out a profit despite all legs winning. The downside is that the returns are smaller than if players hit the larger parlay straight up
  • Alternate Spreads: Same type of wager as standard point spreads, but with the spread adjusted, which impacts the odds; for example, bettors can back the favorite but increase the point spread for a larger potential payout. Note: these have higher vigorish than main spreads
  • Alternative Totals: Same as regular totals, except players can move the line in half-point increments, and the odds adjust accordingly. As an example, bettors can move the line on the New York Knicks from -4.5 to -8.5 for a bigger payout
  • In-play Betting: Wagers that are taken after the game has started and throughout the game. In-play bets can cover typical markets such as who will win (with odds updated in real-time) or shorter-term markets such as the next team to score

How In-Play NBA Betting Works

In-play NBA betting works a lot like standard betting but with wagers accepted throughout the game. The odds on in-play bets shift in real-time in accordance with what’s happening on the court to provide a constant stream of new wagers from start to finish.

The mechanics of in-play betting largely mimic those of pregame bets, but the experience is more intense as new wagers open constantly.

The NBA is a natural fit for in-play betting (also referred to as “live betting”) due to the pace of the game, frequent lead changes, and sudden changes in momentum. With in-play NBA betting, fans can watch a part of the game, get a feel for the pace and then place wagers with that knowledge in hand. Suffice it to say, in-play betting opens the door to a more engaging viewing experience.

It can also be a lucrative venture for bettors. Oddsmakers may be good at what they do, but they’re far more prone to post inefficient betting lines during live games, especially with sports that move as briskly as the NBA. This opens up opportunities for bettors to find value. On the flip side, it means that bettors will have to react quickly, and they’ll need to overcome a higher house edge, as bookmakers price uncertainty into the lines.

NBA betting sites offer in-play markets for many of the same types of bets discussed above. Bettors can bet on the moneyline, point spread, or total during the game with NBA betting odds that are adjusted nearly continuously.

Common in-play NBA betting markets include the following.

  • Moneyline, Point Spread, and Total: Same as pregame moneylines, spreads, and totals but available all game long with NBA betting lines that are updated in real-time
  • Team Totals: Bet on the total number of points to be scored by one team
  • Race to X: Bet on which team will be the first to score 10, 20, 30, etc. points from the time the bet is placed
  • Live Player Props: Bet on which player will score the next point, any player’s total points scored, and more
  • Other Props: Other props, such as the outcome of the next set of free throws; availability varies by state and operator; some states only permit specific types of wagers, other states are more permissive
  • Quarter/halftime results: In-play bets on which team will be winning at the end of the next quarter or half; some sportsbooks also offer in-play quarter/halftime totals
  • Flash betting: In-play opens the door to instant or “flash” betting markets. These are extremely granular bets on events like who will score the next point or what will be the result of the next possession. Flash betting is increasing rapidly in popularity, and it will continue to grow as more sportsbooks resolve latency issues.

Betting On The NBA Finals

Licensed sportsbooks offer NBA Finals betting year-round.

NBA Finals Champion futures are offered during the regular season and offseason, with some online sportsbooks offering even more futures on the finals, such as:

  • Which conference will win the NBA Finals?
  • Which two teams will reach the Finals?
  • What will be the exact outcome of the Finals? (Team A beats Team B)
  • Who will be the Finals MVP?
  • The state of the NBA Champion

Betting opens full-bore when the Finals get underway in late May or early June, providing bettors a full complement of wagers on every game, prop bets on players, updated futures on which team will win it all, and much more. This is also an excellent time to take advantage of NBA-focused promotional opportunities.

The outright odds on NBA Finals futures shift and change over time, first as more information about lineups and coaching changes comes out, and later as the season progresses.

Bettors can visit this page (scroll up) for up-to-date NBA finals odds throughout the year.

Betting On The NBA In Season Tournament

The 2023-24 season introduced a second major tournament to the NBA, this one occurring at the very beginning of the season. The NBA In-Season Tournament is like nothing ever seen before in major US professional sports and is sure to set the betting world ablaze.

The core of it is this:

  • Prior to the season, all 30 teams are pseudo-randomly split into six groups based on last season’s regular season record.
  • On Tuesdays and Fridays, teams will play regular season games against another in their group. This continues for four weeks, with teams playing other teams in their group just once.
  • The six group winners and two wildcards move on to the Knockout Round, which is a single-elimination tournament that concludes with the winner being awarded the In-Season Tournament trophy. In a unique twist, and all Tournament games also count as regular season games.

The In-Season Tournament has little bearing on the NBA Playoffs, with the exception that the winner will have obviously racked up a decent number of early regular-season wins. However, it does present some interesting betting opportunities.

First, it has inspired books to offer very early spreads, totals, and moneylines on group play matchups. Secondly, books are offering futures bets on the group play and the tourney winner.

The Tournament futures are subject to high vigorish because the market is highly uncertain. This uncertainty stems from the fact that the Tournament is new, takes place early in the season, and is a highly volatile single-elimination format. Just about anyone can win, which worries sportsbooks.

However, despite the high house edge, bettors may be able to find edges, especially if they can quickly decipher how much more seriously coaches and teams are taking In-Season Tournament games.

If anything, the In-Season Tournament is another opportunity for bettors to cash in on what are sure to be generous promotional offers, that they wouldn’t normally see during the early NBA season.

NBA Stance On Sports Betting

The NBA’s position on sports betting has long been more pragmatic than dogmatic.

Notably, its position shifted noticeably during the lead-up to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

The league supported the passage of PASPA in 1992 and joined the NCAA in opposing New Jersey’s attempts to legalize sports betting. But in 2014, as the Supreme Court case was dragging on and the league officially opposed legalization, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver penned a New York Times op-ed urging Congress to legalize and regulate sports betting.

Adam Silver described New Jersey’s effort to legalize sports betting as “unlawful and bad public policy,” but only in light of a lack of federal regulation. Although Silver opposed New Jersey’s approach, his support of legalization at the national level highlighted the NBA’s willingness to take a position other than outright opposition.

The NBA officially came around to Adam Silver’s point of view in 2017 when the league announced it would begin lobbying Congress to regulate sports betting at the federal level.

After the Supreme Court ruled for New Jersey in May 2018, the NBA reiterated its position with a statement that read in part:

Today’s decision by the Supreme Court opens the door for states to pass laws legalizing sports betting. We remain in favor of a federal framework that would provide a uniform approach to sports gambling in states that choose to permit it, but we will remain active in ongoing discussions with state legislatures. Regardless of the particulars of any future sports betting law, the integrity of our game remains our highest priority.

NBA Sports Betting Lobbying Efforts

After the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey, the NBA began lobbying state legislatures for certain concessions that would benefit the league.

The NBA has sought three concessions in particular to varying degrees of success:

  • Integrity Fees: The NBA has lobbied state and federal lawmakers for a 1% fee to be taken off the top of all betting handle and paid to the leagues. The NBA has at times justified the integrity fee as necessary to offset the costs of protecting the league from corruption, and at other times as a sort of royalty fee for hosting the games people bet on
  • Data Rights: The NBA wants any sports betting law to mandate that sports betting operators purchase data directly from the leagues. Operators use data to settle wagers and to provide bettors with in-play betting markets
  • Right to Prevent Certain Types of Bets: The NBA wants to be able to have control over which types of wagers sportsbooks offer on its games. Specifically, the league wants to be able to tell sportsbook operators not to accept bets it believes are more susceptible to corruption – such as the first basket of the game or other things that rely on the performance of a single athlete

The NBA has had limited success with data rights and no success with integrity fees, but the league is still well-positioned to benefit from legalization. As the American Gaming Association estimated in 2018, the NBA could see up to $585 million in additional revenue through increased fan engagement, NBA betting sponsorship deals, advertising, and product fees resulting from widespread legalization.

NBA Betting FAQ

It depends. More than two dozen states have legalized online sports betting so far, and more will follow suit over the coming years. Readers can scroll up on this page for a list of states where online NBA betting is legal or see BettingUSA’s state guides for more information about the legal situation in every jurisdiction.

BettingUSA’s editors believe DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM have the best mobile betting apps based on their high scores in multiple critical aspects: security, legal status, features, odds, and functionality.

Each holds a sports betting license in multiple states, has significant financial backing, is experienced, offers live streaming video, and posts competitive odds on all sporting events.

It varies depending on the game and betting market in question. The mainstream sportsbooks recommended on this page have the most competitive odds on average, but fans who want to extract maximum value from every wager should shop around to get the best line on every bet they intend to place.

Licensed basketball betting websites are safe because state regulators vet them extensively before authorizing them to accept NBA bets online. Unlicensed operators and offshore sportsbooks cannot guarantee the safety of customers’ funds or account information because they are unregulated and operate from outside the jurisdiction of US authorities.

In most states, yes.

Real money fantasy NBA contests are legal in all but a handful of states here in the USA. You can see a full list of states where DFS is legal, but the odds are good you live in a state with legal daily fantasy sports.

Yes. The daily fantasy basketball industry has shown remarkable innovation over the years, even as legal sports wagering has come to dominate the news cycle.

For people in states without legal sports wagering, daily fantasy basketball contests are an attractive alternative to full-fledged sports betting. The research skills fans develop when building fantasy NBA lineups will translate well to sports betting when it becomes available where they live.

In addition, DFS prediction sites like PrizePicks offer prediction-style contests that involve making simple over/under picks for fixed payouts. The result is an experience that is surprisingly close to parlaying NBA props.