The Complete Guide to the Best Basketball Betting Sites
Betting on basketball has been growing from strength to strength in recent years. Whether you are already an expert or a novice, our guide of best basketball betting sites will ensure you are covered in all your needs.
The very best sites offer a huge variety of markets, from the NBA to the EuroLeague and more. So, whether you are looking for some big-time games, or those smaller ones our recommended sites will have you covered. A long time ago, basketball betting was pretty limited. Match-winner bets were pretty much the only way to go. Thankfully, today things are much different. There a numerous wagering types that have been developed, not to mention in-play betting, which has seen huge advancements in recent times.
There are many operators out there, both new and old. It is an ever changing a developing landscape. There are many factors that come in to play when assessing a bookie and their ability. On this page we will attempt to discern which ones are the best and what makes them stand out from the crowd. Read on to find out more and why we make the decisions we do.
The Best Basketball Betting Sites and How to Choose Them
There are innumerable factors that go into deciding what the best basketball websites are. It’s easy to focus on certain things like odds levels to determine the best sites because after all, you want to get the most bang for your buck. However, there are lots of other important things that cannot and should not be missed. Most importantly, all the operators have to be regulated. Don’t fret, all the sites featured here are. Other security features should also come into consideration, such as if the site uses SSL and more. Something such as customer service is also important as if you have a problem you want to be sure to receive help.
We thoroughly test any online basketball betting site before featuring them here, so you don’t have to go through the arduous process. Once you pick one of our recommended sites, you’ll be sure you are betting with the best.
| Bookmaker | Welcome Bonus | Min. Deposit | Max. Deposit | Odds Levels | Visit Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Type | £10 Deposit MatchBonus Token | £10 | £5,000 | 91.02% | Bet Now! |
| Unibet | £20 Deposit Match2 x £10 Token | £10 | £50,000 | 90.47% | Bet Now! |
| Paddy Power | £20 Risk FreeRefund Stake | £5 | £30,000 | 90.12% | Bet Now! |
| Risk Free 20: New customers only, limited to one per person. If you’ve previously had a Paddy Power account, you will not qualify for the offer. Place your FIRST bet on any Sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is €20. Only deposits made using Cards or PayPayl will qualify for this promotion. T&C apply. Paddy’s Reward Club: Get a €10 free bet when you place 5x bets of €10+. T&Cs apply. | |||||
| Mr Green | £10 Deposit MatchBonus Token | £10 | £10,000 | 89.83% | Bet Now! |
In the coming paragraphs we’ll be going through various benchmarks we have set to review bookmakers. We’ll first look at odds levels, before looking at markets available, and things such as bet types, and the importance of in-play features. All of which will give you a well-rounded view and let you make the best decision on which site to use going forward.
Basketball Market Prices & Odds Levels
In general, we found that the odds-on basketball betting sites were quite similar with the major players. Even so, it still pays dividends to do the research and see which operators offer the best in order to make your payout reach its full potential. It is therefore essential to check the odds margins. These are the most important marker in which you see how stingy (or generous if you are glass half full type of punter) the bookies are. The higher the payout level the better for you.
If we are talking a difference of 0.01% that is pretty negligible, yet once the gap is a few % or more that’s where the difference comes in. If a bookie is paying out 94% and the one you bet at only 89% that’s 5% you are missing out on! That’s why it’s important to do some research beforehand. Obviously, this takes a lot of time, so we’ve done the hard work for you in the table we’ve made a review for below. Just take a look to see the difference.
| League | Betfair | Black Type | Unibet | Paddy Power | Mr Green |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 92.17% | 91.58% | 90.89% | 88.29% | 91.89% |
| NCAA | 91.34% | 91.09% | 90.54% | 90.10% | 90.94% |
| EuroLeague | 92.93% | 87.14% | 87.41% | 89.75% | 87.89% |
| Basketball Champions League | 89.99% | 88.69% | 91.22% | 90.12% | 88.99% |
What you must take into play is that these odds can and do change. Especially in the days leading up to the event. Depending on where the money is going and the form of the teams this can all affect the resulting odds. On our live betting page we explain this more in-depth, but basically the odds here can change depending on what’s happening in the game. So, all in all there are many factors that go into determining what odds are on offer. Of course, it’s not so simple and the bookmakers do use the latest up-to-date technology when calculating, but that is the basic gist of things. We recommend always to keep an eye out on the movement of odds and keep your eyes open.
Markets on Offer
Another key aspect when comparing the best basketball betting sites, is to see what markets are on offer. As after all, the more the merrier. It’s no use to the modern-day punter to just be able to bet on a few things, they want variance and the ability to bet whenever they want. The major basketball leagues will obviously be covered, but what really makes an operator stand out is when they let you delve into a league that nobody has heard of and is exactly what we’ve been looking for.
| League | Betfair | Black Type | Unibet | Paddy Power | Mr Green |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 65 | 60 | 62 | 61 | 60 |
| NCAA | 59 | 54 | 56 | 51 | 55 |
| EuroLeague | 53 | 53 | 50 | 53 | 52 |
| Basketball Champions League | 51 | 54 | 53 | 59 | 53 |
From the NBA to the Balkan BIBL there is and should be ample opportunity to bet out there. All the top bookies should have as many markets available, no questions asked. Naturally, some of you will only be interested in some of the leagues, but for others it carries the upmost importance to be able to have a go on the VTB United Youth League!
Basketball Betting Bonuses and Promotions
Just having a quick look around a site like Betfair and you’ll see they regular have small promotions and bonuses for basketball. They may not be as popular as a sport such as football, but they do still come out with a few every now and then. A pretty good one is best odds guaranteed, which means if you find a better offer elsewhere, Betfair will match it for you! Not bad at all we’d say. When things like the NBA Finals are happening there is also a lot of promotion specific offers available, so it is a good idea to check when that is happening.
It’s also worth taking a look at our home page, as most welcome offers or even free bets are generally allowed to be used on basketball. These kinds of offers change all the time, and can definitely prove to be of good value, so be sure to keep an eye out so you don’t miss out.
Live Basketball Betting Arena
One of our favourite ways to fully get the basketball betting experience is to do so in-play, live whilst the game is happening. Sometimes you just get a gut feeling about a team that is going to win or make a comeback and you just know you have to place a bet to back your feelings. If a website or mobile app is too slow, then this could hinder you, and the chance could go.
We place a great ranking factor on the user experience. The page should be easy to use, buttons clear and accessible to click. Things should load quickly, and you should get to where you want, when you want. That’s why we tested the live arena in real life ourselves. There is nothing better than first-hand experience.
Live basketball betting is a great and riveting way to bet. The action is so fast-paced and consuming that it’s easy to get caught up in it all. Watching the players run and sink a three-pointer gets your heart pounding. You’ll be sure to find second half handicap’s or total points changing throughout. Or if a certain player such as LeBron James or Kevin Durant are non-stop sinking baskets, then you want to place a bet on them going over a certain points total. All this is available at our selected bookies, so try it yourself and be sure not to miss out on the fun to be had.
Using Cash Out at Basketball Betting Sites
An amazing feature of online basketball betting is that often times you can cash out your bet. It’s something that is very advantageous to your average punter and can sometimes help you in getting one-over on the bookmaker.
Imagine you knew the Cleveland Cavaliers were going to blow their lead against the Indiana Pacers. You’d backed the Cavs beforehand, but you could just see a comeback happening. You click the cash out button after you got a decent offer and happy days, you secured a decent profit. Of course, it’s not the full amount, but it’s a sure lot more than the zero you would have got after learning the Pacers stormed back to win.
Another way to utilise this feature is when you have an acca, and most of your results have come in. You are waiting on the final game, and not too sure. Then you can use the cash-out and secure a profit no matter what happens. Sometimes this comes back to bite you if the team pulls through, but at the end of the day, cash-out is a pretty good security option!
Bet Types Available in Basketball
There are innumerable basketball betting types out there, one of the most popular being money line, or simply put, staking on the final outcome of the game. Another one is handicap betting, where you bet on a certain team with a + or – start. People also like totals wagering, were you bet over/under on the amounts of points being scored. There are also many player specific markets, i.e. how many baskets they’ll score, or other kinds of specials on offer, so be sure to check specific events to see what is going on.
Below we’ll go into more detail about the types of bets on offer, in order for you to get a better grasp of what we are talking about, and so you’ll feel confident going out and trying them for yourself.
Race to Points
One of our favourite type of bets is the race to number of points bets. This means you can choose the team that is first to reach, 8, 10, 15, 25, 30 (and so on) points. This is a great little bet, particularly for those teams that are fast starters and usually falter later on. Maybe they aren’t favoured, but you know they are a pretty quick scoring team out of the blocks, then you’d be hard-pressed not to find a winner here. It’s a very intriguing bet, that once you delve into becomes very interesting.
Moneyline
Moneyline is one of the most popular types of betting on basketball. It is basically the match odds, where you back your favoured team to win the final result. It’s essentially an Americanised term for what we already use. It’s a pretty straightforward bet, with you only deciding on who you think is favourite to win. It’s pretty clear to see who the favourite is, depending on who has the shortest odds. The longer they are, the less likely it is expected they win.
Spread Betting
As with money line, this is another American term adapted for our use. Basically, it is a handicap bet on a certain team. You can either go + or – on a team to win. So if you back a team to win by -12 that means the final result should have a +12 point differential in their favour. It’s a pretty intriguing bet and a lot of research needs to go into it beforehand to see how teams are performing and how close the games tend to be, but it can pay dividends if you bet right!
Emerging Features in Basketball Sportsbooks
Every day new trends and developments hit the online scene. The bookies are always trying to stay ahead of the curve in order to attract the most punters, and now things such as live streaming is commonplace. It’s great to think you can be anywhere and be watching some live action and then decide how to bet, it’s not just stats and graphics anymore, you can use your own two eyes to make a judgement before you place a wager. Below you can see other emerging features that all of the best basketball betting websites should employ in their offering.
Virtual Basketball Betting
Sometimes you just want to have a go at betting on the basketball, but then you check the upcoming and in-play events and nothing is on offer. You can now turn to the virtual arena in order to satisfy your needs. There are generally many games scheduled throughout the day, so you can always find something to have a go on.
Virtual basketball like at Unibet is a tasty affair. The games are played in quick time through four quarters, and there are many bet types available. Matches are completed in minutes and means it is a pretty quick moving scene. It’s a pretty good way of getting your basketball fix, with many of the teams looking very realistic in the simulated environment.
Flash Markets
Sometimes you may be in need of a little inspiration when it comes to placing a bet. This is where a betting site can be your friend. Flash markets are very simple and are offered from many of the big operators. They simply state ‘will something happen’. Such as ‘will LeBron James score 6 three-pointers, or something similar in that vain. You simply bet yes, if your gut is feeling it to win. They are generally a fun way of interacting with your operator whilst also allowing you to bet without doing too much of the old brain work.
New Basketball Betting Sites
Whilst the traditional players are set in stone new operators are emerging all the time. This drives old players to adapt and makes the new ones an intriguing prospect. Of course, there are some you can’t trust, but rest assured any site featured on our website has gone through stringent tests before making the cut. Take Fun88, whose £28 welcome offer is pretty solid and have some great in-play features to deal with.
- Up to £28 weclome bonus
- High payout level of 93.57%
- Over 50 basketball leagues for betting
- Top in-play markets and features
Even so, it can be a little off putting to try new sites, or you may have security concerns. That’s where we come in. We test all the new sites to make sure they are fully regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and that they use all the latest technological features for protection. You can be confident using any site we mention!
Basketball Betting by League
So far, we’ve gone through the type of bets on offer and such. Now, we will delve into the types of leagues that you will find you can bet on basketball. You may be surprised to know that there is more to basketball than the NBA. Of course, it is the major league, but there are many more out there. We’ll list some of the major leagues below, but we’ll give an honourable mention to the German BBL, and Italian Serie A whilst we’re here. When you can also have a go of the Romanian Liga Nationala it just goes to show the depth of what’s on offer.
NBA
In the UK the NBA is synonymous with basketball. Understandably then, it is the biggest league with the most markets. Founded in 1946, it has a rich history, with the Boston Celtics having the most titles as 17. The season culminates in the playoffs and then the NBA finals. Recently the sport has been dominated by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry. The favourite types of betting on the league are moneyline and the spread, due to the influence of the American market.
NCAA
NCAA stands for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. They have many different divisions, and sports, but for basketball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament is the most prestigious and most bet on. UCLA has the record for the most titles with 11, with the University of Kentucky second with 8. All the best players eventually go on to become pro, so the standard is generally very high, particularly in the playoffs. Due to being American, its betting markets are very similar with the NBA.
EuroLeague
The first European League to make this list is a very popular indoor sports league. In the last season, the average attendance was 8,780, which was the second highest for a basketball league in the world. The title has been won by 21 different clubs with Real Madrid having the most with 10. The league was created in 2000 and is run by the Euroleague Basketball organisation, due to a split in differences with FIBA. The betting types are once again very similar to the NBA.
Basketball Champions League
The final league we will look at is the Champions League. It was created in 2016 as an attempt by FIBA to wrestle back control from the EuroLeague. Teams from the European national leagues qualify on merit, much like the football counterpart. It’s actually seen as a level below the EuroLeague, thus the quality and attendance is not as high. Nevertheless, there is still ample opportunity to bet on the league, with many of the same markets as the other leagues available.
Q&A / FAQ
If you still have any burning questions that we haven’t answered, below are some of the most popular ones asked by our readership.
Who are the safest operators for basketball betting?
Any of the operators listed on this page should be treated with the utmost confidence. We would not list them if they did not pass our stringent safety tests. All are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and all ensure they have the latest technology on their website to ensure your data is kept safe.
Are there year-round bonuses?
Obviously, this really depends on the operator. So, we really cannot say for sure. Many of them do change what’s on offer in order to entice you to bet more. It’s also a good tip to check the websites when there is a big event coming up like the NBA Finals, as the operators are sure to tie their promotions with such events.