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85/100 Live betting rating by Ramona D. 83% Playscore based on |
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80/100 Live betting rating by Melanie H. 85% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Ian Z. 89% Playscore based on |
Bet $1 get $200 in Bonus Bets
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21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler (call or text in Colorado). |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Ramona D. 89% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Anna M. 91% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Ian Z. 85% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Ian Z. 86% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Anna M. 86% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Ian Z. 94% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Anna M. 92% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Anna M. 87% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Anna M. 85% Playscore based on |
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–/100 Live betting rating by Melanie H. 78% Playscore based on |
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This list was compiled with the best in-play betting sites in mind. While the expert opinion is a valuable tool for gauging a sportsbook’s overall quality, we paid specific attention to each sportsbook’s live betting features to compile this list. That’s why the operator with the highest expert score or play score may not necessarily hold the top spot on this list.
Why are these picks the best live betting sites?
Choosing the best sportsbooks for in-play betting involves more than simply looking at who offers the most live betting opportunities. There are other factors like sports odds, bonuses/promotions, and safety.
Let’s break down the specific criteria we used for this best live betting sites list.
Sports and markets
How many different sports does each sportsbook offer? Obviously, we like to see as many different sports offerings as possible. Additionally, we look at the number of markets available for each event, game, contest, etc. We pay special attention to the amount of in-play betting markets available, but we also consider the overall amount on an online gambling site. Some sportsbooks offer hundreds of markets in total, while some (like SugarHouse) offer around a thousand. That’s a lot.
Odds
Bettors love to increase their live betting odds whenever possible. When choosing from the live betting sites available, it only makes sense to go with a sportsbook offering good odds. Live betting odds tend to be a tad bit lower than the odds for other types of wagers; the range you’ll typically find for in-play betting is 93-96%. Don’t judge a sportsbook solely on this one category, though. FanDuel’s live odds can dip to the lower end at times, but it’s still a solid bookie with many redeeming qualities. Betsafe sportsbook, on the other hand, provides some above-average live odds.
Bonuses
Live betting bonuses can be quite rare, but some sportsbooks do offer bonuses and promotions tied specifically to in-play betting. BetMGM is a great place to go if you’re looking for live wagering-specific bonuses, as they offer these from time to time. Any live betting promotions available will land a bookie extra points in this category.
Mobile interface/apps
Who isn’t live betting on the go these days? A sportsbook’s mobile interface is an important feature to consider if you’re placing bets using your tablet or smartphone. We award points in this category to live betting sites that have native apps and smooth mobile interfaces that mirror the quality of their desktop versions. Graphics, load time, and overall user experience while in-game live betting are also taken into account. Now that we’re in the third decade of the third millennium, a live sports betting app should easily hold its own with the best sportsbooks.
Platform/usability
How easy is it to actually place a live bet? Is there a good search function in place to find the markets you’re looking for? Is the site attractive and arranged in a way that allows for seamless navigation? We also consider whether or not live streaming is available. When you’re in-play betting, it’s helpful to actually watch the action unfold in real time. Live data and the quality of live data available makes a difference too — we’ve got a bit of a soft spot for the BetRivers sportsbook there, their live data is off the charts! Most major live betting sites offer at least a few games for live streaming. (Caesars doesn’t, which is surprising).
Overall rating
We’d never leave safety off of the list. That also goes for customer support and payments. This category covers those things and anything else we feel deserves to be addressed. A sportsbook can rack up points here for offering 24/7 customer support, lots of payment methods, quick withdrawal times, and safety features that protect you and your money.
In-play betting on the best sports and markets
Baseball may be America’s pastime, but on the gridiron is where you’ll find America’s game. Football is America’s favorite sport to watch, according to Gallup. A whopping 37% of Americans named the sport as their favorite to watch in a 2018 poll. The NFL regular season generates substantial live football betting action in the US, with college football also enjoying extreme popularity with sports bettors.
It stands to reason that football would be the go-to sport for in-play bettors as well. It makes sense that many players would prefer to place live wagers on football, given the way the games are structured: two halves, four quarters. It’s ridiculously easy to break a football game down into several small contests.
Basketball is another popular sport that is easy to in-play bet on. Similar to football, NBA basketball is broken down into two halves and four quarters. It’s fairly simple to learn the basic rules of basketball, and the wagering possibilities are endless. NCAA basketball, especially when it comes to March Madness, is a favorite for live bettors as well.
The following are the most popular sporting events for in-play betting in the US:
- Super Bowl
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
- NBA Championship
It shouldn’t be surprising that the Super Bowl is one of the biggest events for live wagering in the US. According to CBS News, roughly one in six Americans had money riding on Super Bowl LIII in 2019. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and NBA Championship round out the top three sporting events for in-play betting in the US.
Other sports that are popular picks for live wagering in the US include hockey, tennis, and soccer. We’ve highlighted some unique markets offered by some of the live betting sites on this list.
| Sport | Market | Where to bet? |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Fourth Touchdown Scorer – Live | FanDuel casino |
| Basketball | Will the final score be odd or even? | BetMGM casino |
| Hockey | Will both teams score 4 or more goals in regular time? | Borgata casino |
| Tennis | Player B to win at least one set | FanDuel casino |
| Soccer | Both teams to score | BetMGM casino |
Gambling on the go: a look at live betting apps
Who isn’t using a mobile device to place sports bets these days? Having an app that allows bettors to place the same wagers available on a desktop can be a make-or-break feature for a sportsbook. Ideally, a sportsbook’s app will mirror the desktop version by featuring the exact same bonuses, markets, odds updates, etc. you’d find on your mac or pc.
It should come as no surprise that every sportsbook on our list has an app. But which live sports betting app is worth your time? Here are a few things to consider when deciding:
- How well the desktop version’s graphics translate to the app
- Reliability of the app’s live odds ticker/updates
- Overall ease and smoothness of app’s navigation
- Availability of same live betting features found on desktop version
A beginner’s guide to live betting
Live betting is a popular way for sports bettors to place wagers on matches that are already underway. A bettor simply chooses a live market, and places a wager on the market after the game has begun. This type of betting has grown in popularity as online sportsbooks have begun to offer more live betting opportunities, and there’s no sign that in-play betting will slow down anytime soon.
- Get a feel for the game’s momentum before wagering
- Can take advantage of defining events (such as injuries) before odds adjust
- Added level of excitement when betting in real time
- Decreased time to make calculated decisions
- Momentum can shift quickly
- Less enjoyment of the actual game due to focusing on wager(s) placed
What is live betting?
Live betting (or in-play betting) is exactly what it sounds like: wagering on games that are happening as the odds change in real time. Traditionally, bettors were only able to place moneyline, point spread, prop bets, etc. well before a game was underway. However, bookies realized that many bettors would enjoy wagering on the action as it unfolds before them. The popularity of in-play betting has grown, especially with the rise of online sports betting.
Live betting isn’t necessarily better than traditional pre-game betting, but it does add another exciting element to sports wagering. As a gamer, you’ll have to determine which type of betting is best for you.
How does live betting work?
Typically, the same traditional pre-game bets can be placed with in-play betting. Some sportsbooks even offer additional markets specifically for live betting. The main difference is, of course, that in-play bets are made after the opening whistle blows. The odds will be going up and down, depending on the score and other factors.
How to place a live bet:
- Find a bookie that offers live or in-play betting.
- Determine which game you’d like to wager on.
- Wait for the event to begin, and choose a market.
- Pay close attention to the changing real-time odds.
- Cross your fingers, place your bet, and await the outcome.
Some operators offer a litany of in-play prop bets that make live betting all the more interesting; examples include betting on who will be ahead at halftime, which player will be next to score, and whether the final score will be odd or even.
What are some types of live bets?
Most of the traditional sports bets you’re accustomed to placing translate pretty seamlessly to live betting. Of course, the exact types of in-play bets you can place will vary depending on the bookie you’re using.
Here are some of the types of live bets you can make:
- Moneyline
- Over/under
- Parlay
- Point spread
- Prop
Again, some online sportsbooks will offer more live betting markets than others. BetMGM, for example, offers a lot of different prop bets for in-play wagering while Caesars only offers the basics like moneyline, spread, and over/under.
Where is live betting legal?
You can place online in-play sports bets in Washington, D.C. and the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
As with any type of online sports wagering, check your particular state for any rules and restrictions regarding in-play betting.
Live betting tips and strategies — show me the money
It’s never a good idea to rely on gambling as a means to make money. You should only risk that which you can afford to lose and gamble strictly for the fun of it. But, let’s not kid ourselves; it’s always better to win than to lose. When placing live or in-play wagers, there are a few live bets tips to keep in mind to increase your odds of winning.
Here are a couple lists of tips, one for beginners and one for more seasoned sports bettors, that will help you beat the bookies and come away a winner on the best betting sites.
Beginner tips
Familiarize yourself with the sport(s) you’d like to bet on
You don’t have to be an NFL rules expert to place live bets on your hometown football team, but it helps to understand the way the game’s played and which teams are currently in contention. Be sure to gain at least a basic understanding of the sports you’re betting on so you can make informed decisions. Many sportsbooks will even offer data from previous games to help you out.
Understand the different types of in-play bets
If you’re familiar with traditional sports betting, you already have a leg up when it comes to placing live bets. Moneylines, over/unders, spreads, etc. mean the same thing for in-play wagers as they do for traditional ones. If you’re new to live sports betting, it’s best to learn the basics before you bet.
Find a good live betting sportsbook
Check out our top live betting sites to find a sportsbook that offers good odds and features for in-play betting. Some even offer signup bonuses for new bettors and promotions tied specifically to live betting.
Advanced tips
Know your odds
All sportsbooks are not created equal. Find an online live betting site that offers good odds, bonuses, and features related specifically to in-play wagering. Our list is a great place to start. Who knows, you may find a new favorite bookie.
Take advantage of parlays
Parlays are an excellent way to heighten the excitement of in-play betting. You may have placed previous parlay wagers when betting on sports in the traditional manner; did you know that many sportsbooks offer live betting parlays as well? Hitting the right parlay can lead to massive payouts.
Bet with your head, not your heart
There is a good deal of analytics to consider when making an informed sports bet. When live betting, it’s especially easy to get swept up in small momentum changes and make poor decisions. Be sure you’re betting intelligently and not just wagering in the moment.
FAQs
What is a live bet?
A live bet (also called an in-play or in-game bet) is a wager that is placed after a contest has started and while it is still happening.
Can you parlay live bets?
It is possible to parlay in-play bets at many of the top live betting sites. Check with your preferred bookie to see if you’re allowed to parlay live bets.
What is the best live betting site?
Our number one pick is FanDuel. Just because it’s our top choice, however, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best for your style of play. That’s for you to decide.
How does live betting work?
You simply choose a reputable sportsbook that offers in-play betting, find a live betting market, and place your wager after the game has started.
Which sports are good for live betting?
Pretty much any sport that is good for traditional pre-game wagering is good for in-play betting as well. Football, basketball, soccer, and hockey are popular options here in the US.
