You might be familiar with ESPN, America’s number one sports broadcaster. Now, they’re branching out from just broadcasting sports and have diversified into digital media, which includes the websites they’re most known for: ESPN.com, NBA.com, and NFL.com. They’re also the pioneers of fantasy sports, having invented the concept and launched ESPN Fantasy back in 1998. In 2020 alone, ESPN had nearly 100 million unique visitors across their platforms.
Who Uses ESPN For Sports Betting?
According to BetOnline, a U.S.-based sports betting website, the global sports betting market was valued at around US$16.9 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to hit $26.5 billion by 2027.
The majority of the sports betting revenue in the United States currently comes from Nevada and New Jersey, which enacted sports betting laws permitting offshore gaming in the early 2000s. Due to these regulations, the majority of the sportsbooks in the country are located in Canada. In 2020, Canadians made up the largest single demographic among both NBA and NFL bettors. And the trend appears to be shifting: in 2021, the largest demographic within NFL bettors is expected to be American.
The Top 5 NBA, NFL, and NHL Betting Sites
With so much going on in the world of sports, it’s difficult to keep track of all the websites and apps that let you place bets on your favorite American sports. It’s also hard to know which ones are worth your time and money. To save you the effort of performing this exercise yourself, we’ve compiled a shortlist of the best sports betting sites for NBA, NFL, and NHL betting purposes.
The following are the top sports betting destinations for betting on the NBA, NFL, and NHL in 2021:
NBAtix
The NBA is currently enjoying a golden era, with several teams having sustained success while others have disappointed. For those seeking to wager on the NBA, NBAtix is the ultimate one-stop-shop for all your sports betting needs. They cover all the major American sports leagues, including the NFL and NHL. Additionally, they offer NHL betting only on their Asian sites, which are generally regarded as the best in the industry. You’re able to access all their content with a simple account creation – we won’t go into the details here since you can find an overview of their services on their website.
Bet365
One of Europe’s largest sports betting companies, Bet365, originally launched in the United Kingdom but now have offices around the world, including the States. They’ve been around for so long that they’ve built a reputation for providing the safest, most trusted online betting experience. This year, they expanded their offerings beyond just sports, launching several new ventures, including a dating app and food delivery service. For sports bettors, this is one of the premier online sportsbooks where you can bet on almost all major sports, including the NFL, NBA, and NHL, as well as numerous others, such as soccer and tennis. The minimum deposit to open an account is just £10, and you can place bets of £2 or £5 per day depending on the game. For those seeking to bet on the NFL, NBA, or NHL, Bet365 is the place to be. On their website, they boast that they’ve paid out over £1 million to winning NHL, NFL, and NBA bettors.
BetOnline
BetOnline is another U.S.-based company that primarily offers sports betting, but they also have a casino part which they tout as the world’s largest. The company was founded in 1999 and immediately began offering sports betting, with a casino eventually landing on their roadmap. In the past year alone, they’ve paid out over £100 million to winning sports bettors. Like many other sportsbooks, BetOnline covers all the major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and NHL, as well as major college football and basketball teams. On their website, you’ll find all the necessary information you need to make an informed decision about placing a wager. They also have a mobile app that is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Bovada
Bovada is one of the largest and most reputable sportsbooks in the world, having established itself as the go-to source for esports betting, casino games, and American sports, all in one place. The company headquarters are in Malta, giving them full access to European sports leagues as well as the NFL, NBA, and NHL, which they launched back in 2014. If you’re looking for a reliable place to make wagers, Bovada is certainly a top choice. The minimum deposit is just $10, and you can use a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, for deposits and withdrawals. Bovada’s customer support is available in seven different languages, including English, so you’re sure to find someone who can assist you.
BetPhoenix
BetPhoenix is one of the newer additions to our list, having launched in October 2019 and offering NFL, NBA, and NHL betting alongside a full suite of American sports, including college football and basketball. The minimum deposit to open an account is just $10, and you can use Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin to make deposits and withdrawals. As an added bonus, you’ll receive a 100% bonus up to $500 on your first deposit. For hockey fans, this is a good option if you live in Canada as they offer live scores and stats for all games.
BetUS
If you live in the United States and are looking for an online sportsbook that supports your country’s major sports leagues, you’ve probably considered BetUS. Since they launched in 2017, they’ve branched out from just sports betting and now offer a wide array of options, including fantasy sports, daily fantasy, and casino games, for those who are still seeking to wager legally in their country. The minimum deposit to open an account is $10, and you can use Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin for deposits and withdrawals. For those seeking to bet on the NFL, NBA, or NHL, you can’t go wrong with this option, as it’s one of the few that still offer those leagues along with college football and basketball as of this writing.
Hopefully, this article gave you enough information to make an informed decision about the sites you might consider using for sports betting. In the end, it’s all about which ones you feel most comfortable with, as much as which one provides the best odds. Good luck out there.