How to Bet on Sports Legally in the US (DraftKings, FanDuel, and More)
Since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, sports betting in the United States has undergone a massive transformation. What was once relegated to offshore sites and Las Vegas casinos is now a multibillion-dollar legal industry accessible right from your smartphone. Whether you are looking to place a casual wager on Sunday Night Football or want to start building a strategic betting portfolio, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started safely, legally, and smartly.
The Legal Landscape: Is Sports Betting Legal in Your State?
The first and most important thing to understand about legal sports betting in the United States is that it is regulated at the state level, not the federal level. This means the rules, available sportsbooks, and betting options can vary wildly depending on whether you are standing in New York, Ohio, or Texas.
As of 2026, more than 38 states, plus Washington D.C., have legalized some form of sports betting. However, not all legal states allow mobile betting. Some states require you to place bets in person at a retail casino or specific kiosk, though the vast majority of the market has shifted toward mobile apps like DraftKings and FanDuel.
When you use a legal betting app, it utilizes sophisticated geolocation technology to ensure you are physically located within a state where their services are permitted. You do not need to be a resident of that state to place a bet"you just have to be physically inside its borders. For example, if you live in a state where betting is illegal but drive across the border into a legal state, you can legally place bets from your phone as soon as the app verifies your location.
Choosing the Right Sportsbook: The Big Four
While there are dozens of legal sportsbooks operating in the US, the market is largely dominated by four major players. Choosing the right one often comes down to user experience, the specific odds they offer, and the promotions available in your state.
1. DraftKings Sportsbook: Originally known for daily fantasy sports, DraftKings has built what many consider the most user-friendly betting interface in the industry. It is known for its wide variety of player prop bets, early payouts on certain moneyline bets, and a highly responsive live betting platform. Their "Same Game Parlay" feature is arguably the most intuitive on the market.
2. FanDuel Sportsbook: The main rival to DraftKings, FanDuel is often the market leader by revenue in many states. They actually popularized the "Same Game Parlay" and still offer some of the most competitive odds in the industry. The app is incredibly clean, and they frequently offer profit boosts and "no sweat" bets for existing users.
3. BetMGM: Backed by the casino giant MGM Resorts, BetMGM offers a slightly more traditional casino feel. They excel in offering a wide variety of niche sports and international leagues. They also tie their sports betting rewards into the MGM Rewards program, meaning your bets can earn you free hotel stays and dining credits at physical MGM properties.
4. Caesars Sportsbook: Another casino powerhouse that successfully transitioned to mobile betting, Caesars is famous for its massive sign-up bonuses and its rewards program. They also offer excellent customer service and a very clean, easy-to-read app interface that is great for beginners who might be overwhelmed by too much data on the screen.
Getting Started: How to Sign Up and Verify Your Identity
Signing up for a legal US sportsbook is a highly regulated process designed to prevent underage gambling and money laundering. It requires more information than signing up for a typical app, but the process is straightforward.
First, you will need to download the app and begin the registration process. You will be asked to provide your full legal name, date of birth, home address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). Some sportsbooks may require your full SSN depending on state regulations. This information is cross-referenced with public databases to verify your identity. If the automated system cannot verify you, you may be asked to upload a photo of your driver's license or state ID.
Once your identity is verified, you will need to fund your account. Legal sportsbooks offer a variety of secure deposit methods, including bank transfers, PayPal, Venmo, credit/debit cards (though some states prohibit credit card deposits to prevent debt accumulation), and Apple Pay. Withdrawals are typically processed back to the same method you used to deposit.
Understanding Odds: American Odds Explained
If you are new to sports betting in the US, the first thing you need to learn is how to read American odds. Unlike decimal or fractional odds used in Europe, American odds are centered around the number 100 and use plus (+) and minus (-) signs.
The Minus (-) Sign Indicates the Favorite: When you see a minus sign, the number following it tells you how much money you need to bet in order to win $100. For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are -150 to win, you need to wager $150 to win $100 in profit (your total payout would be $250: your $150 stake plus $100 in winnings).
The Plus (+) Sign Indicates the Underdog: When you see a plus sign, the number tells you how much money you will win if you bet exactly $100. For example, if the Las Vegas Raiders are +130, a $100 wager would yield $130 in profit (total payout of $230).
You do not have to bet in increments of $100. The apps will automatically calculate the potential payout for any amount you enter, whether it is $5 or $500. Understanding this baseline is simply crucial for quickly identifying who is favored and by how much.
The Main Types of Bets: Moneylines, Spreads, and Totals
While sportsbooks offer hundreds of ways to bet on a single game, the vast majority of wagers fall into three main categories. Understanding these basics is essential before you start exploring more complex options like parlays or props.
1. The Moneyline (Who will win?)
The moneyline is the simplest bet in sports: you are simply picking which team will win the game outright. It does not matter if they win by 1 point or 50 points. Because teams are rarely perfectly matched, the odds reflect the likelihood of each team winning (as explained in the American Odds section above).
2. The Point Spread (Who will cover?)
To make betting on lopsided games more interesting, oddsmakers create a point spread. This is essentially a handicap applied to the favorite. If the Philadelphia Eagles are favored by 6.5 points over the New York Giants, you will see it listed as Eagles -6.5 / Giants +6.5.
If you bet the Eagles -6.5, they must win the game by 7 points or more for you to win your bet. If you bet the Giants +6.5, you win your bet if the Giants win the game outright OR if they lose by 6 points or fewer. Point spreads typically have odds of -110 on both sides, meaning you bet $110 to win $100. The extra $10 is the "vig" or "juice""the fee the sportsbook takes for brokering the wager.
3. Totals (Over/Under)
If you don't want to bet on who will win, you can bet on how many total points will be scored in the game by both teams combined. The sportsbook will set a line"say, 47.5 points for an NFL game. You bet on whether the actual combined final score will be Over 47.5 or Under 47.5. Like point spreads, totals are typically priced at -110 on both sides.
Advanced Betting: Props and Parlays
Once you are comfortable with the basics, you might explore the more popular modern betting types that have driven the recent explosion in sports betting popularity.
Prop Bets (Proposition Bets): These are bets on specific events occurring within a game that don't necessarily relate to the final outcome. Player props are wildly popular"for example, betting that Patrick Mahomes will throw Over 2.5 passing touchdowns, or that LeBron James will score Over 25.5 points. Game props might include betting on which team will score first, or whether there will be a safety in the game.
Parlays: A parlay is a single wager that links together two or more individual bets. To win a parlay, every single bet (or "leg") within the parlay must win. The appeal of a parlay is that the payout multiplies with each leg added, offering the chance for massive payouts on small wagers. However, because one single loss ruins the entire ticket, the true mathematical odds are heavily in favor of the sportsbook. Parlays are fun and can be profitable, but they should be approached with caution and not form the core of your betting strategy.
Bankroll Management: The Golden Rule of Sports Betting
The single biggest mistake new sports bettors make is failing to manage their bankroll. Your bankroll is the total amount of money you have set aside specifically for sports betting. It should be money you can afford to lose without impacting your daily life or financial obligations.
Professional bettors and seasoned amateurs follow a strict rule: never bet more than 1% to 5% of your total bankroll on a single game. This is called a "unit." If your bankroll is $1,000, your standard unit size should be $10 to $20. This conservative approach ensures that a cold streak"which happens to every bettor"won't wipe out your account. Chasing losses by doubling down on subsequent bets is the fastest way to lose all your money.
Taking Advantage of Promos and Bonuses (Safely)
Because the legal sports betting market is incredibly competitive, sportsbooks offer massive bonuses to attract new customers. DraftKings might offer "$200 in Bonus Bets when you bet $5," while Caesars might offer "Your First Bet Back in Bonus Bets up to $1,000 if it loses."
These offers are legitimate and you absolutely should take advantage of them, but you must read the fine print. "Bonus Bets" are not cash. If you wager a $50 Bonus Bet and win $50 profit, you only get the $50 profit"the original $50 Bonus Bet stake is not returned to you. Additionally, many bonuses have expiration dates, typically 7 to 14 days, so don't claim a bonus unless you plan to use it soon.
A smart strategy for beginners is to sign up for multiple sportsbooks, claim the sign-up bonuses, and then "line shop." This means checking DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM before placing a bet to see which app offers the best odds on the specific game you want to wager on. Over time, getting slightly better odds on your wins makes a massive difference to your overall profitability.
Responsible Gambling and Knowing When to Stop
The convenience of having a casino in your pocket means that responsible gambling practices are more critical than ever. Sports betting is designed to be a form of entertainment, not a reliable way to make a living or get out of debt.
Every legal sportsbook offers robust responsible gambling tools within their apps. You can"and should"set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. You can set limits on the amount of time you spend in the app, and you can even place yourself on a "cool off" period where you are locked out of your account for a set duration. If you ever feel that your betting is becoming a problem, resources are available nationwide. The National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) is completely confidential and available 24/7.
The Bottom Line
Betting on sports legally in the US is safer, more transparent, and more user-friendly than it has ever been. By sticking to regulated operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars, you ensure your money and personal data are secure. If you approach sports betting with a clear understanding of the odds, a strict bankroll management plan, and realistic expectations, it can be a highly engaging addition to your sports fandom.