Do you love this game like it was still the 1990s? If you like basketball, then you’re going to love NBA betting. And the best part is that you don’t have to be a Michael Jordan to be successful at it. As a matter of fact, as a gambler, you want to be like MJ. He was great. Just great at the game. Hopefully, the following information will help you become an NBA betting expert.
Top NBA Betting Websites
| 1 |  | BET NOW AND CLAIM: 100% up to $1,000 Mobile Friendly Fully Licensed | Bet NowRead Review |
| 2 |  | BET NOW AND CLAIM: 55% up to $5,000 Mobile Friendly Fully Licensed | Bet NowRead Review |
| 3 |  | BET NOW AND CLAIM: 100% up to $1,000 Mobile Friendly Fully Licensed | Bet NowRead Review |
| 4 |  | BET NOW AND CLAIM: 100% up to $300 Mobile Friendly Fully Licensed | Bet NowRead Review |
You can confidently use any of those NBA betting sites. In fact, you can use more than one of those websites. What’s more, you can use all of those sportsbooks. But we will talk more about using several different websites later on. For the time being, you can place your trust, as well as your bets, on those four. They have been around for a while, except for Intertops, which has been around forever. But you may be wondering why those four and not another four – or three or five. Glad you asked. The short answer is that they all legitimate, secure, trustworthy, and offer quick and hassle-free withdrawals. And the long answer? Please read on to learn how we go about it to select the websites that we recommend.
This is how we rate the best NBA betting sites
Our NBA betting staff is like the Harlem Globetrotters as seen in Futurama. They have keen basketball-oriented minds and put them to use to scrutinize NBA gambling sites. They look for blips in the radar. You know how they say that the squeakiest wheel gets the oil? Similarly, when a website starts making noise – in a good way – we turn our attention to it. Our job then becomes to separate hype from fact. For example, Xbet claims to be “the last book you’ll ever join”. That is a bold claim, so we naturally set out to prove or disprove whether or not they can back it up. To accomplish that goal, we proceed to analyze several different factors. The presence or absence of which can make a world of difference. Here are the most important of those factors:
- Reputation
- Safety
- Ease of use
- Betting market range
- Competitiveness of odds and lines
- Deposit and withdrawal methods
- Quickness of payouts
- Live betting
- Mobility
Let’s break those down for you
Reputation
A good reputation is an invaluable indicator because it is something that can seldom be bought. Customers, both happy and unhappy, tend to be very vocal. If they like an NBA betting site, they will recommend it to others. If, on the other hand, they don’t like it, they will go out of their way to make their displeasure known. Intertops.eu, for instance, has built a flawless reputation since the early 90s. At this point it is indeed a built-in reputation that they have. Intertops is the first-ever online sportsbook. Need we really say more? You don’t make it that long in this fickle business without a plentiful supply of moral fiber.
Safety
Sadly, the gambling industry lends itself to much monkey business and chicanery. To be sure, many NBA betting sites are interested in taking your bets but not in paying them back when you win. Don’t let one bad apple – or a few – spoil the entire bunch, though. Intertops, to continue our example, has as perfect a payout record as you will ever find. That’s when reputation comes into play. Then again, not all NBA betting sites have been in business 20-plus years. And that’s where we come in. We research and investigate these websites to make sure they are safe for gamblers such as yourself.
Easy to use
Remember in Philadelphia how Denzel Washington would say, “Explain this to me like I’m a two/four/six year old, okay?” That is exactly what we are looking for. A user interface that even a toddler can easily navigate. Not that we are promoting infant gambling. Which we are not. The point is that NBA betting should only be frustrating when your team can’t seem to cover the point spread. But never when you are placing a bet. Ever. We favor platforms that look good and work well. We prefer clearly labeled tabs. We love quick loading times. And so on and so forth.
Range of betting markets
Moneyline, spread, and total is the bare minimum. Anything less than that is simply unthinkable. Anything beyond that is very much welcome. After all, the more the merrier. We like to see NBA betting sites go the extra mile. We want them to think of the future. Such as the ability to pick the winner of the NBA championship before the regular season has even started. We also like to see props. As many props as it is possible. Props upon props. Props hanging from the rafters. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous they are; anything that can be bet on should be bet on. Bookmakers who think outside the box are our favorites.
Competitive odds and lines
The higher the odds and lines are, the better your chances of turning out a profit over time. Right down to its core it all depends on the betting margin that the sportsbook offers. This is similar to the house edge that casinos practice, only in NBA betting. It makes sure that the sportsbook comes out on top at the end of the day. It’s generally in the vicinity of 7%-8%, though the top sportsbooks have a house edge of 5% or lower on the most popular markets. Of course, the lower the number, the better your chances to profit. One simple trick to find higher odds is to use multiple NBA betting sites, but we’ll discuss that later on.
Deposit and withdrawal methods
These must include major credit and debit cards like Visa and Mastercards. E-wallets like Skrill, Paypal and Neteller. Wire transfers, money orders, and the increasingly popular cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. We are talking quality and quantity here. The more reliable banking options an NBA betting site offers, the higher it will be rated.
Fast payouts
Most if not all sportsbooks will be quicker to take your money than they will be to pay out. No need to worry; this is par for the course. It comes with the territory. Intertops, for instance, only begins processing a payout request 48 hours after it has been submitted. Payouts should take time in the holy name of safety, but not too much time either. In a vacuum, the fastest payout speed may be too slow for you. We rate higher those NBA sites that are comparatively faster to pay out.
Live betting
Some people live tweet NBA games. Other people live bet them. Live betting gives you the ability to place a bet before, during, and after a sporting event. Well, not really after, but you get the idea. We apply some of the criteria we have already discussed to live betting. For example, is it user friendly? Does it provide a sensible range of betting markets? As well as other features that are exclusive to live betting.
Mobility
If live betting allows you to bet at any time, mobility lets you bet from anywhere. The best NBA betting sites give as close to, if not the same experience on your smartphone or tablet as on your desktop computer. That means no downloading apps. Now there is an app for everything, but in this case they are a burden rather than a convenience. Why take up memory space? There may be betting apps. We don’t know and honestly we don’t care. We rate online sportsbooks, not betting apps. And never the twain shall meet.
Miscellaneous factors
The preceding are the most important aspects of each NBA betting site that we take into account. They are not the only ones, though. There are a few other features that could potentially make a sportsbook stand out among the pack. Examples of this include Cash Out, bet builders, and others along the same lines. They provide customers with much flexibility and could very well translate into higher earnings. In addition, we assess the help and FAQ sections, and the customer service departments. It is of the utmost importance to be able to receive quick and expert assistance whenever you need it. Another aspect not to be ignored concerns bonuses and promotions.
Pretty much every single gambling website site has given the NBA a prominent spot. It is after all the most popular and competitive basketball league in the world. It generates millions of dollars. Bookmakers want their piece of the pie. And, let’s be honest, so do you. Competition to become the best NBA betting sites benefits gamblers. The plethora of NBA promotions is one of those benefits. Sign-up bonuses are usually the best deals you will be awarded. However, but there are additional special offers for which to keep an eye open. Friend referrals, price boosts, reload bonuses, and tons more are a common trait of our highest rated betting websites.
Using multiple NBA betting websites
Finally, no more beating about the bush. What is this using multiple NBA betting sites all about? There is really nothing to it. This is the way that it works in a nutshell. Before we proceed any further, though, one small caveat. If you are a casual gambler, one sportsbook will likely suffice for you. Once again, either of the four betting websites listed above will meet your needs. However, if you are not betting just for the fun of it, here are the main reasons to use several websites:
- Comparison of odds and lines
- Multiplication of bonuses and promotions
- Circumnavigate account restrictions
- Alternatives to temporary setbacks
Let’s dig a bit deeper into each of those reasons
Comparing odds and lines
No single NBA betting website has the last word on odds and lines. Odds-making is not an exact science. As such, there can be and often are differences, even if ever so slightly, from one book to the next. Maybe My Bookie gives you the best odds on a particular game. Does that mean it will always give you the best odds on every single game? Not necessarily. It may happen to be that GTBets has better odds on some games. And Intertops on some others. Being a member of multiple websites allows you to easily switch back and forth and cross-compare odds and lines. Basically, it is like Goldilocks and the three bears. For any given game, a sportsbook may be too cold, another too warm, and a third just right.
Multiply your bonuses and promotions
No miracles here. One NBA betting website gives you one sign-up bonus. Put two and two together, and two sportsbooks yield two sign-up bonuses. And three sites three welcome bonuses. And four websites four. Simply put, using the four websites listed above means quadruplying your bonuses and promotions. And just imagine referring your friends to not one, not two, not three, but four different betting websites. Yowsa! The NBA in particular offers many promotions, being such a popular sport. Make sure to combine your wagers with a special offer every chance you get. It is all about squeezing out every single penny that you possibly can.
Avoiding account restrictions
Even the best NBA betting sites might sometime give you the hammer and money choice. You don’t know what the hammer and money choice? Stop reading right now and go watch Casino! You can quit watching when you get to the part where a gambler is given the aforementioned choice. “You can either have the money and the hammer or you can walk out of here. You can’t have both. What do you want?” The online sportsbook version of that is limiting the maximum bet of a winning account. Now, if you have a winning account, it is probably not due to dumb luck. It is because you have a trick or two up your sleeve. And one of those tricks is using multiple betting websites. When or if one gives you the hammer, why, you just switch to another and problem solved.
Avoiding temporary setbacks
There are many other reasons for your account to be restricted or even suspended. In addition to that the NBA betting site could be undergoing maintenance. Or it could simply be down for reasons beyond their control. We’re not implying you can’t control your betting urges until the website is up. But what if you have a sure thing in your hands? It would downright suck if you could not cash in on it. On the other hand, what are the odds of four different sportsbooks being unavailable at the same time? Do you see what we mean?
How to manage accounts on different NBA betting websites
Hopefully you have found our reasons for using several betting sites compelling and persuasive. If that is the case, then keep on reading. We were not just trying to convince you of doing it and then leaving you to your own devices. We would be remiss if we did not also give you a few tips on how to go from theory to practice:
Keeping small sums on each website
You should not keep all your eggs in a single basket. Nor too many eggs in each of your baskets. Make regular withdrawals, leaving enough money’s worth for a week or two of bets. Keep in mind that unlike withdrawals, deposits are almost instant. Therefore, if your account runs out of money, you can quickly deposit more.
Bankroll your account in your preferred deposit method
If you keep your NBA betting bankroll in your Neteller account or on your credit card, for instance, you will be able to instantly deposit money whenever you need to do so.
Create dedicated e-mail accounts
Use an e-mail account that is not your regular account for each NBA betting site. That way, you will be constantly apprised of bonuses and promotions. Just don’t get lazy with the passwords. Remember; safety, always safety.
Available NBA betting markets
We have already mentioned betting markets above. However, it was more of a mention in passing than anything else. Now that we have covered using multiple betting sites, we can move on to this new topic. And make no mistake. Knowing about betting markets is just as important as knowing about using multiple sites. As a matter of fact, it could be even more important. No, it’s equally important. You may remember that we mentioned moneyline, spread and total as the most basic markets. It would serve us well to delve deeper into each one. Therefore, we shall go ahead and do just that.
The moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest bet in existence. All you have to do is pick a given team to win a given game. You win if your pick wins and you lose if your pick loses. The majority of NBA betting sites include overtime, so that a tie is not an option. Many a game is the proverbial clash between David and Goliath. We mention this because odds are very low when there is a heavy favorite.
The spread
Here you are not picking a team to win. You are betting on the point difference between the teams. If you bet on the Warriors as ten-point favorites, they must not only win but win by at least ten points. If you bet on the Clippers as ten-point underdogs, they must either lose by a maximum of nine points or win. The latter of which is known as an upset. Simple enough but made more complicated by decimal spreads. That is to say, the Warriors could be 10.5-point favorites as opposed to ten points. Meaning that they would have to win by more than 10.5 points. Ergo, by at least 11 points.
The total
In this case it makes absolutely no difference which team wins and which team loses. What matters is that they combine to score a specific amount of points. For example, the total for the Warriors-Clippers game is projected to be 205 points. If you bet on the over, you are betting that the final score will be more than 205 points. If you bet on the under, you are betting that the final score will be fewer than 205 points. Winning and losing has no bearing on whether you win or lose.
Futures and props
We have also mentioned these already. Our example of a future bet was betting on the NBA champion. But you can also bet on which team will win a division or a conference. An example of prop betting would be betting on the number of points, assists, rebounds, etc., a certain player will have in a particular game. As we hinted above, the possibilities for prop bets are almost endless.
NBA Betting Types at Top Sportsbooks
Tips for NBA betting beginners
Becoming a successful gambler is not as easy as we are making it sound. On paper everything seems rather simple. However, it is an entirely different matter being in the thick of it. So let’s try to actually make it easier and not just make it sound easy. We will attempt to do that with the following pieces of advice.
Favor trustworthy NBA betting websites
We always come back to this. We know we have talked about this abundantly before. Nonetheless, it bears repetition. Not all online sportsbooks are on the up and up. Some, too many even, are after a quick buck. Thus, they take advantage of bettors who are also after a quick buck. The online gambling industry is not a no man’s land, though. Look for licensed, reputable establishments. Avoid websites of ill-repute. Don’t just listen to the sites themselves. They can promise you the moon and the stars, but if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Therefore, listen to other gamblers as well. Remember that a good reputation can go a long way. Do your own research, or better yet, let us do your homework for you.
Hunt for bonuses
Welcome bonuses are a given, but don’t take for granted they are the only bonuses available. We encourage you to do some spelunking and dig deep for bonuses. You know, really suck the marrow out of the bone. Or bonus, in this case.
Search for the best odds and lines
The best way to do so is by following our earlier advice. Join as many NBA betting sites as you possibly can. And then use them to compare odds and lines. Even a little difference can make a big difference, if you know what we mean.
Frequently Asked NBA Betting Questions
Is it safe to bet online on the NBA?
It is the safest of activities as long as you stick to safe betting websites. All of the sites that we recommend you are completely safe. You can of course use other websites. However, if at any point you feel less than 100% safe, abandon them immediately.
Is betting on the NBA online legal?
The answer to that question depends on whether you live in a country where NBA betting is legal or not. Every country has a different set of laws, so what is legal in one is not necessarily legal in another. And what is illegal in one is not necessarily illegal in another. Basketball betting is neither globally outlawed nor illegal worldwide.
Can American gamblers bet on the NBA online?
The United States is an example of a country that does not technically outlaws online betting. What is illegal is the processing of online payments for gambling purposes at offshore sites. Since that is not what you would be doing, you are not breaking the law by betting online. Moreover, our recommended websites have found a loophole for the processing of etc., etc. And those websites are also abiding by the law. They have a legitimate license in the jurisdiction where they operate.
Can you win big betting online on the NBA?
You can win big in proportion to the time and effort that you invest. It would be unrealistic to expect to retire from your day job and make a living as a professional gambler. Not that it is impossible. However, most people who try that end up broke, homeless, and alone. Keep in mind that this is a recreational activity. An activity, mind you, that can realistically provide a nice additional income, if you play your cards right.
Are your NBA betting winnings subject to taxation?
Once again, that all depends on where you live. Some countries tax online betting winnings, and other countries do not.
How can you fund your online basketball betting account?
- Debit and credit cards like Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, Diners Club.
- E-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill
- Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, and Ethereum.
- Other methods such as wire transfers, Western Union, Paysafecard
How can you withdraw your NBA betting winnings?
More often than not, you can use the same methods for withdrawal as for depositing.
Can you become addicted to online betting?
Yes, and the potential consequences include the aforementioned bankruptcy and homelessness. Self-monitor your betting and visit our responsible gambling page.
