Best Sportsbook Listing & Betting Sites 2023

Whether you're a casual or professional sports bettor, finding the perfect online sportsbook is very important. With the right sports venue, you will enjoy attractive bonuses, competitive betting odds, and a selection of sporting events to wager on. But how do you find the best online bookies from the vast variety of options? Well, this is where oddstime.com comes in. On this page, we will share our secret selection criteria on how you can find and review the leading bookies available. With this formula, you'll learn how to choose the ideal site based on features like licensing, payment methods, customer support, betting markets, and more. And as usual, we'll list some top sportsbooks 2023 to save you from the stress of finding one.

How We Find the Top Sportsbooks 2023

Before a sports venue gets the green light from us, it must fulfill some strict basic minimums. So, without wasting time, below are the important boxes that a bookie must tick before we recommend it to our readers in review:

Licensing & Regulation

Before writing that and other online sportsbooks reviews, we checked the legality of all bookies in this article. The best betting sites are often legal in countries like the UK, US, Canada, Malta, Curacao, Gibraltar, and more. Showing proof of licensing is a sign that the online bookmaker is transparent and secure. Most licensing authorities like the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario have strict licensing requirements. Bettors can also report the bookie to the regulatory authority if they feel aggrieved.

Security & Encryption

After confirming that the betting site is legal, this online sportsbook review proceeds to check if the website is safe and secure. To ensure this, we check if the bookmaker uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption like 128-bit or 256-bit. The best online sports venues in 2023 will often display their SSL certificates at the bottom of the home page. Click the "padlock" sign on the sportsbook's URL link to confirm if the connection is secure. The URL must also start with HTTPS.

Reputation & Transparency

The best online bookmakers have an excellent reputation among current and previous bettors. That's why it's essential to read sportsbook reviews before agreeing to anything. You can find many sports betting online reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Reddit, AskGamblers, etc. These online sports betting site reviews can provide helpful information on how the bookie treats its customers. But be careful because some reviewers are paid to add positive or negative thoughts. In other words, don't believe everything!

Bonuses & Promotions

Competition for customers is high in the online betting industry. As such, bookies try to outdo each other by offering the most attractive promotions. But a bigger bonus isn't necessarily the better reward, as we'll discuss later in the online sports betting site reviews. Some bookies can add unreasonable wagering requirements, qualifying odds, validity periods, and more. Therefore, read the bonus terms to confirm that the conditions are fair.

Betting Odds & Markets

There's no point in joining a site with irresistible bonuses when the odds are not competitive. In light of this, in our review, we compare the odds on numerous sites to ensure we only recommend bookies with the best betting opportunities. We also check if the betting markets are extensive enough. The ideal bookmaker should offer markets like moneyline (match winner), totals (over/under), parlays, double chance, futures, and more. Choose a bookmaker on our list to place bets on these markets and many more.

Game Coverage

Another critical factor to consider in our bookmaker review is game coverage. The best sportsbooks in 2023 should cover most, if not all, professional sporting activities. We only review and rank bookies that offer odds in top leagues like NBA, MLB, NFL, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and more. Some bookmakers can even go as far as offering odds in greyhound and horseracing competitions.

Payment Methods and Speeds

Top bookies allow bettors to make payments via reliable and universal options. Credit/debit card users can find options like Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro on our recommended bookies. But because card payments can take a long time to process, it's best to confirm if the bookie supports e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, and more. Cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum are welcome additions.

Customer Service

This is often an overlooked point by most bettors. But we don't make the same mistake. Our expert team ensures that the bookie offers customer support via numerous channels, including live chat, email, and phone. Some bookmakers can also provide customer service on social media apps like WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook Messenger. Moreover, the FAQ section should be detailed enough to save bettors the stress of contacting agents for minor inquiries.

Extra Betting Features

To ensure the most exceptional betting experience, an excellent site should have lots of additional features. A prime example is the "Early Cashout" choice which has become a standard feature at top sportsbooks 2023. This allows punters to get their winnings while the game is still going on if it looks like they will be victorious! Other advantageous attributes include live streaming, odds boosts and live betting capabilities.

Sports Betting Software

The idea of starting a betting site is always at the back of the mind of every avid bettor. After all, bookies average $5,000 to $10,000 weekly, making this a lucrative business idea. But make no mistake, setting up a site from scratch is not everyone's cup of tea. You'll need to choose a programming language, pay a software developer, get an operating license, and more.

Thankfully, PPH (pay per head) sportsbook software creators will do all the dirty work for a fee. The website owner only needs to decide on basic things like the design, branding, navigation, and jurisdiction. They will also help you configure the lines, odds, and limits. In short, the PPH sports software creator will set up your betting business in no time.

However, not all sports software creators are the same. You must consider features like the creator's reputation, charges, the programming language used, and more. That's why we take our time to rank sites that use the best software in the game. Below are some top sports betting software we consider:

Best Online Betting Site for Customer Service

As mentioned earlier in this bookmaker review, customer service is essential when choosing a betting site. Selecting a site with reliable customer service ensures that your inquiries will be attended to swiftly and professionally. For example, you should contact customer service in case of payment delays. Ideally, any bettor would want to avoid the gut-wrenching experience of waiting for days to get a response.

Below are the most widely used customer support channels at most betting sites:

• Live Chat: Modern bettors are the most impatient lot in the history of gambling. These gamblers want their issues attended to as quickly as possible, hence the introduction of live chat support. This customer support channel is available 24/7, with players waiting for a few seconds or minutes to speak to an agent.

• Email: Although live chat offers convenient and quick support, this bookmaker review insists on joining a bookie with email support. The website usually uses this support method to address technical issues and send responses after a live chat inquiry. However, you may have to wait up to 24 hours to receive the email response.

• Phone: Some bookies also have toll-free numbers in specific countries. Here, you just need to pick up the phone and make a call to speak to an agent. But note that finding a free agent could be challenging, especially during peak hours at top bookmakers in 2023.

• FAQ: This is the most overlooked online customer service channel. Most bettors will quickly contact support without first confirming if their issue has been addressed in the FAQ section. This page contains important information about payment methods, withdrawal limits, bonus codes, and more.

• Post: Is your house next to the bookmaker's offices? You can walk right in and present your complaints or compliments. Bookies such as bet365 have physical offices with postal addresses in major towns like the UK.

Sportsbook Deposit Options

The betting sites review will ask you to confirm the deposit options before joining a sportsbook. Bettors must ascertain that the bookmaker offers reliable and universally accepted deposit methods. As mentioned before, Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are the most common debit and credit card payments at top bookmakers in 2023.

However, some bettors don't like depositing via debit and credit cards because the bookie will ask for some financial information to link the card and make payments. For this reason, use online banking options like Interac, iDebit, and Instadebit. With these options, you only need to log into your banking account to make a sportsbook payment without sharing any details.

Another excellent credit/debit card alternative is an e-wallet. Electronic wallets like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, MuchBetter, and ecoPayz allow bettors to make payments without sharing sensitive details with the gambling site. However, this means e-wallet deposits may not qualify for the match deposit reward, although that's not always the case. So, read the bonus terms to know the qualifying banking methods.

Withdrawal Options

It's critical to note in our sports book reviews that some deposit methods may not support withdrawals. Excellent examples include Paysafecard, phone bills, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This means you must be careful when choosing a deposit option to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.

Below are some of the most popular withdrawal methods for online betting:

• PayPal

• Skrill

• Neteller

• EcoPayz

• Trustly

• iDebit

• Instadebit

• Interac

• MuchBetter

• Mastercard/Visa

• Bank Wire

• eCheck

• Cryptocurrencies, e.g. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc.

Pro tip: e-wallets often process payments within 48 hours, although some casinos can have a same-day payment policy. This makes them more attractive than credit and debit cards, which can take five business days. Our sports book reviews found three business days is the most common waiting period. So, use e-wallets whenever possible.

Types of Bets Offered

The best bookmakers in 2023 offer numerous betting markets to improve bettors' chances of winning. But while some options are safer than others, the payout odds could be lower than riskier bets. Here are the most common options:

Match Winner/Moneyline

This is the most widespread betting market. As the name hints, the wager is straightforward, as you only need to predict the winner of the match. The bookie can also include odds for a tie in games like football and hockey.

Over/Under (Totals)

This bet is also commonplace in most sporting events. In this wager, you'll predict if the score will be above or below the line set by the bookie. For example, a bookie can give over/under 2.5 in a football match. If you predict over 2.5, the score should be at least three goals for the bet to stand. The under 2.5 bet will win if the total score is two goals or less.

Double Chance

Double chance is one of the safest bets you can make. Here, you can predict two outcomes for a team. In other words, you'll predict the team to win or draw. The bet can pay out handsomely if you back the underdog.

Proposition/Prop

Proposition bets are common among American bookmakers. In this wager, you'll predict an event to happen in a match and win a payout. For instance, you can anticipate a team to get a specific number of yellow cards or corners. Prop bets can also include totals.

Parlays

Parlay bets are common in the American betting scene. Bettors will add odds from different markets/sports to create one big betting odd. But note that the wagerslip won't win if a single leg ends in a loss. Also, you'll receive reduced odds if a leg ends in a tie.

Asian Handicap

Asian Handicap is a spread betting that tries to even out the playing field. Put simply, the favorite team must beat the handicap line for the bet to win.

Futures

This bet can also be called an outright winner in esports games. In futures, players predict the winner, finalist, or qualifying teams weeks or months before the event starts. This bet can also include markets like a top scorer, player of the tournament, and more.

Live Betting

Most modern bookies allow bettors to place wagers on ongoing events. The bookmaker will prepare odds on most of the markets discussed above. Even better, bookies like bet365 and 888sport have a live streaming feature with detailed match statistics.

What Are the Best Legal Sports Betting Sites?

Betting sites specialize in varying sports and services. For example, betting sites review mention that Bovada offers the most comprehensive basketball odds. On the other hand, BetOnline lets bettors use tens of digital coins, whereas Bookmaker.eu is perfect for setting early odds and betting on futures. And yes, bookies with international standards like bet365 or 888sport offer bettors a better general experience.

But whichever bookmaker you choose to roll with, it's best to confirm if the site is legal in your country or state. We said earlier that licensing proves that the bookie is transparent and respects all the betting laws in your area. And if punting is illegal in your country, there's no harm in joining a legit offshore bookmaker. Don't forget to read the online betting site reviews so you don't end up on a fraudulent one. Unfortunately, these types of websites are widespread!

Betting Sites Review Of Common Bonuses

Almost all bookmakers reward their new and loyal customers these days. However, the packages might vary depending on the operator. So, below are some standard sportsbook promos you'll find online:

No Deposit Bonus

This is the most sought-after prize in the gambling world. It's a welcome promotion where bettors don't need to deposit anything to trigger the reward. Just create an account, and the incentive is all yours.

Deposit Bonus

Deposit bonuses are the most common rewards to new bettors. After setting up an account, the bettor will make a minimum deposit, which will be matched up to a certain percentage and amount. For example, a 100% up to $100 match promo means getting up to $100 in extra money after depositing a similar amount. Note that a deposit incentive can be available in installments called reload rewards.

Risk-Free Bet

Risk-free bets are becoming widespread these days as online sports venues ditch deposit bonuses. In this promo, the punter will receive a refund equivalent to their first real-money bet. But there's a catch; the wager must lose to receive this bonus.

Free Bets

Freebies apply to both new and loyal bettors. A bookie can decide to welcome free signees with free bet credits on two or three betting matches. But as free as it comes, the wagering requirements apply.

Cashback

Cashbacks are widespread in the online casino industry. In sports betting, some bookies can offer cashback percentages to new bettors. It's basically a refund percentage for the amount used to place a wager. These bonuses are also called rebates in loyalty schemes.

Odds Boost

Numerous bookies offer boosted odds these days. The sportsbook can decide to increase your odds on selected sports or markets. Bet365's "Bet Boost" feature is an excellent example.

Early Cash Out

Modern punters often look for a sportsbook that supports early cashing out. This feature gives bettors more control as they can collect their winnings before settling the wager. Remember, the money is yours to keep even if the team/player you're backing loses the match at full time.

Accumulator Bonus

An accumulator bet or acca is a wager placed on numerous selections. Because these bets can be tricky, some sports venues offer accumulator bonuses. In a nutshell, it's a percentage enhancement should the accumulator bet win. For instance, the bookie can increase the total odds by 70% should the wager win. 

Key Terms to Know When Choosing Online Sportsbook Rewards

In this section, we want to discuss some key things that should make or break an incentive.

Wagering Requirement

Wagering or playthrough requirement is a typical online sports bonus condition. In fact, almost all sportsbook rewards come with wagering requirements. It's the number of times an eligible bettor can wager with the promo amount before withdrawing any winnings. For example, a $100 sign-up token can have a 20x playthrough requirement. In that case, the wagering requirement is $2,000 (20 x $100).

Minimum Odds

Most bookies will also specify the minimum odds to use on a bonus. This means higher odds present bigger wins using the extra money. However, most bookmakers rarely go past 2.00 odds.

Validity Period

How much time do you have to use the bonus? The validity period is the duration you have to use the incentive from the triggering date. The longer the period, the better the reward!

Minimum Deposit

You don't need any introduction to this promotional requirement, do you? The bookie will specify the minimum qualifying deposit for the incentive. But check the percentage with match deposit bonuses because a lower deposit will attract a smaller amount.

Maximum Winnings

A sportsbook can specify the maximum winnings from a reward to prevent bonus abuse. This means higher maximum winnings will help you quickly fulfill the wagering requirement.

Qualifying Games

Lastly, remember to check the qualifying sports before claiming the reward. That's because bookies often specify the qualifying sports for the incentive.

Mobile Apps

According to the latest studies and online sportsbooks reviews, most gamblers prefer placing bets on their mobile phones over PCs. That's because mobile phones offer bettors the flexibility and convenience of betting on the go. These bettors only need a stable internet connection to place a wager at the bank, supermarket, traffic jam, etc.

With that in mind, mobile gamblers can use dedicated apps or web browsers. Regardless of the option, mobile apps offer all the services you'll find on the desktop version. You can request payouts, speak to a support agent, place live bets, and stream live events. The only drawback is the smaller screen, which counts for little in sports betting.

In the meantime, many bettors ask if there's any difference between iOS and Android apps. There's no difference when betting on these two mobile platforms. The experience depends on the hardware and software capabilities of your mobile phone. However, iPhone users will download the app directly from the App Store, whereas Android users will likely install an APK from the official sportsbook site. But who needs an app when everything is readily available on a mobile browser?

Summary: Online Sportsbooks Reviews

If you’ve read up to this point, you should be ready to start betting on sports virtually. Just find a legal site and read online sportsbooks reviews to confirm if the website is reliable. Alternatively, choose an ideal site from our list and get going. And most importantly, practice responsible betting in 2023.