Sports betting sites across the US are ready for the start of NFL season, offering promotions, new bets, and special features.
Though there are games to bet on 365 days a year, sports betting sites such as BetMGM, Caesars, Bet365, DraftKings, and FanDuel have been waiting all year for the NFL season to start on Thursday night.
As the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens open the Week 1 NFL slate, here’s a rundown of the best sports betting sites and the sportsbook promotions available for the start of your football season.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook goes the extra mile for a local experience. Take Detroit Lions fans, for instance, who can win Lions tickets with promotions, play a Barry Sanders-themed free slot machine promotion for free bets, and easily find game offerings on Sundays after you “Select Your Squad” for customized NFL content and specialized features.
- We like: The value-added features. We enjoyed the “Edit My Bet” tool, the parlay builders, and the early cash-out options, which give you more control over your wagers. The live streaming service is also excellent, covering NBA, MLB, and NHL games, plus loads of other sports.
- We don’t like: We found the app and the website a little slow and cumbersome, especially when compared to rivals like bet365 and FanDuel. The betting pages can be slow to load, and navigation is sometimes clunky. We have also been wrongly flagged as using location manipulation, which triggers a frustrating process of reinstatement.
- Customer service: BetMGM is responsive to queries, though not always comprehensive and fully helpful. The help center is well-organized and answers many questions before you would need to get in touch.
- Sign-up bonus: New users can get up to $1,500 in bonuses with the BetMGM bonus code PLAYLSR.
- App ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: The number of betting options makes up for what the app lacks
- Top feature: Edit My Bet
- Available in: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NC, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY – Note: Offer not available in NV or NY
Bet365 Sportsbook
We are impressed with the bet365 user experience, as the app is fast and easy to navigate, the odds are competitive, payouts are fast, and 24/7 customer service is available via phone, live chat, or email. App Store and Google Play ratings continue to trend up, and the site is catching up on American staples like same game parlay+ options.
- We like: Bet365’s early payout promotions pay out losing bets if your team had a big early lead. The promos go across the board in sports, paying out for five-run leads in baseball, three-goal leads in hockey, 20-point leads in football, two-goal leads in soccer, and 18-point leads in basketball.
- We don’t like: Unlike most rivals, bet365 does not run a loyalty program. We appreciate the wide range of ongoing promos, which include parlay boosts and early payout specials, but we would like to see regular customers earning greater rewards.
- Customer service: Bet365 best answered the test questions we sent to each app with the greatest detail, accuracy, and clarity. The company prioritizes customer service, which helps in what can be a frustrating hobby.
- Sign-up bonus: New customers can bet $5 to get $150 in bonus bets OR get up to $1,000 in bonuses with the bet365 bonus code LSROH.
- App ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Ascending app coming on strong in US
- Top feature: Great customer service
- Available in: AZ, CO, IN, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, PA & VA
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook meets the steady and reliable standard of its namesake casino/resort brand. You won’t find the media partners or celebrity endorsers of other top sportsbooks, nor is the depth of available bets at the top of the heap. But innovations such as quick pick parlays and FireBets live betting give the iconic brand modern touches to keep up.
- We like: The trusted rewards program. If you have a Caesars Rewards account, or enjoy racking up rewards with purchases, you will be hard-pressed to find a better sportsbook rewards program. We were able to find many ways to spend Caesars Rewards on everything from free bets to Adele tickets to a Caesars robe fit for an emperor.
- We don’t like: We appreciate having more than a couple dozen odds boosts on game nights. However, these are often small odds boosts such as a four-team NFL moneyline parlay boosted from +899 to +950 (Seahawks, Browns, Bucs, Rams to win in Week 1). We would love to see bigger odds boosts, even at the expense of less choices.
- Customer service: A well-organized FAQ handles most questions, and live chat handles responses quickly. Email and phone options are available too, answering our call with a live operator in the middle of the night.
- Sign-up bonus: New customers can use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code LSR1000 to get a first bet on Caesars up to $1,000.
- App ratings: 4.7 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Gets back to basics with a simple but effective app
- Top feature: Caesars Rewards
- Available in: AZ, CO, DC, IN, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA & WV
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is the No. 1 US online sportsbook by market share, which reflects the quality of the user experience. It also offers regular promos each week, fast withdrawals, reliable customer service, a strong selection of betting options, and lots of helpful features.
- We like: The smooth user interface. We found FanDuel Sportsbook to be faster, easier to navigate, and more reliable than most rivals. It is quick and easy to find games, browse your betting options, and place bets on the FanDuel Sportsbook app or the website. The site also leans into current trending topics, dedicating separate pages of bets to “Skenes” and “Ohtani.”
- We don’t like: FanDuel heavily promotes longshot parlays and same-game parlays, which carry high house edges and often stand little chance of success. There is a parlay hub on the app, lots of the promos are tied to parlays, and same-game parlay suggestions often dominate the homepage. In contrast, we would prefer to see a sharper focus on classic — and fair — bets like spreads, over/unders, and moneylines. But, if you’re into SGPs, this is the site for you.
- Customer service: FanDuel is sometimes overzealous about locking accounts after missed password attempts, though we admit security concerns are a challenge for apps these days. The chat function is easier to find than on other sites. However, like all chat functions, it’s pretty unhelpful with anything other than a basic issue.
- Sign-up bonus: New customers who place a $5 bet will get $200 in bonus bets if their wager wins, PLUS a daily boost or bonus all summer. No FanDuel promo code necessary.
- App ratings: 4.9 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Easy-to-use app that delivers on most key betting features
- Top feature: Bets for trending topics
- Available in: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV & WY
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is powered by a Swedish company called Kambi, so it features the same odds, markets, and layout as fellow Kambi clients. However, parent company Rush Street Interactive has invested in additional features to help BetRivers stand out, including live NFL streaming, a strong iRush Rewards program, a lively forum, and lots of unique bonuses.
- We like: The instant payouts. BetRivers has an automated payout system called RushPay, which approves more than 80% of withdrawal requests right away. You will then get your money immediately if you use a method like Play+ or PayPal or if you attach your online bank account.
- We don’t like: We compared the odds at all the leading online sportsbooks, and we found that BetRivers sometimes takes a larger house edge than its rivals on its sides and totals. For example, we found a lot of -112/-109 lines on NFL games, which equates to vigorish of 4.99%, and that is higher than the industry standard juice of 4.77%.
- Customer service: In our testing, BetRivers’ help section sent us out of the app to webpages designed to answer FAQs. We’d rather stay in the app. There is a support phone number, but it wants to call us back without a guess on how long it will take. The chat function is not accessible through the app (that we could find), and support email addresses are also hard to find.
- Sign-up bonus: New customers can get a second-chance bet for up to $500 if their first wager loses with the BetRivers bonus code LSRRIV.
- App ratings: 4.6 (iOS), 4.2 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A good app for the beginner who likes a touch of casino gambling, too
- Top feature: RushPay
- Available in: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, OH, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook expanded into the competitive online sports betting market when it launched its app in 2023. We tried out the new Fanatics app, and we enjoyed the sleek design, the simple payout process, and the live NFL streaming.
- We like: The FanCash rewards program. You will receive 1% FanCash on every straight bet you place on the Fanatics Sportsbook app, 3% on parlays, and 5% on same-game parlays. We liked the ability to either exchange the FanCash for bonus credits or to spend it on apparel and merchandise at the Fanatics store.
- We don’t like: Fanatics Sportsbook does not offer betting via a website, so you need to download the app to place bets. We understand that most bettors use iOS or Android devices, but we sometimes enjoy using a desktop site. It is easier to browse the betting options, and you can also enjoy live streaming on a larger screen, especially when researching the Sunday NFL slate.
- Customer service: Fanatics Sportsbook does not have a customer service helpline, which removes the comfort of knowing that you can talk to a real person if needed. However, the app has betting guides for obscure sports along with view counts to show how infrequently these sports are researched.
- Sign-up bonus: New customers can get a welcome bonus of up to $1,000 by opening a Fanatics Sportsbook account and betting for 10 or 11 days. After using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo, the site will match your first bet daily (minimum $5, maximum $100). The site also has a $5 million Jersey Drop, giving $150 in FanCash to random fans each day throughout the start of football season.
- App ratings: 4.7 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Only a year old and already catching up
- Top feature: FanCash
- Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, & WY
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is the most widely available online sportsbook in the United States. When we use DraftKings Sportsbook, we are impressed by the breadth of sports betting options, the quality of the odds, and the sharp user interface. This sportsbook also offers lower deposit and withdrawal limits than its competitors, so it is ideal for anyone with a modest bankroll.
- We like: The early lines. DraftKings is often the first major sportsbook to release odds and lines on big games, so it can be a source of early value for sharp bettors, especially for UFC events. The odds are competitive, too, and this sportsbook also offers more prop bets than most rivals. Betting pools, especially private options, can be fun.
- We don’t like: We were underwhelmed by the customer service at DraftKings. Only players in the higher tiers of the rewards program can enjoy 24/7 live chat support, so most bettors need to fill out a web form and wait for a reply, which is often a slow, tedious process.
- Customer service: DraftKings video guides are helpful for new customers, and the help center is organized well. DraftKings updates its help center regularly to address current issues. For instance, you can easily find out what pools are, and information about the discontinuation of NFT Marketplace and Reignmakers was easy to find.
- Sign-up bonus: DraftKings offers up to $1,250 in bonuses to new users, no DraftKings promo code necessary.
- App ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A strong app for live betting
- Top feature: Early lines
- Available in: AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV & WY
Hard Rock Bet
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook is the only option for Florida sports bettors. When we tested the Hard Rock Bet app, we enjoyed the elegant user interface, the wide array of bets, and the promos linked to local teams.
- We like: The odds boosts. Most rivals only offer odds boosts on longshot parlays and niche player props. We found sensible, attractive odds boosts on straight bets and simple two-leg parlays at Hard Rock Bet, which makes for a refreshing change.
- We don’t like: Hard Rock Bet does not offer as many recurring promotions as many of its competitors. We liked the odds boosts and the welcome bonus, but it would be nice to see a wider range of additional promos for existing customers.
- Customer service: High marks from us here. We posed all major sportsbooks the same regulatory query through their chatbots and email addresses, and Hard Rock was quick with a correct answer during off hours.
- Sign-up bonus: New users can bet $5 to get $100 in bonus bets, no Hard Rock Bet promo code necessary.
- App ratings: 4.9 (iOS), 4.8 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Solid choice for betting on the local teams
- Top feature: Nice promos for existing customers
- Available in: AZ, FL, IN, NJ, OH, TN, & VA
ESPN Bet Sportsbook
ESPN Bet is a high-profile and long-awaited sportsbook that could someday challenge the top tier. Parent company Penn Entertainment switched branding from Barstool to ESPN in November 2023. But for ESPN Bet’s first NFL season, the offerings are not as vast as more established rivals.
- We like: That $1.5 billion branding deal also gives this online sportsbook access to ESPN talent. We enjoyed browsing picks and insights from famous ESPN hosts on the app, and there are often odds boosts and promos linked to those picks.
- We don’t like: ESPN Bet does not offer as many betting options as rival sportsbooks. The app runs on a proprietary software platform developed by theScore Bet, another company that Penn Entertainment owns, and it is not quite as refined, polished, or comprehensive as rivals like bet365, BetMGM, and FanDuel.
- Customer service: One year in, plus Penn’s runway of Barstool Sportsbook before that, ESPN Bet is still well behind rivals. One call, with an estimated hold time of 10 minutes, was disconnected with directions to use the chat function after 25 minutes. Also, the @ESPNBetSupport account on X doesn’t get ahead of issues, announcing outages like rivals do. The account only tells complainants to connect via DM after reaching out.
- Sign-up bonus: ESPN Bet offers new customers a “first bet reset” of up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager and a 200% deposit match up to $500 (10x playthrough requirement). No ESPN Bet promo code is necessary.
- App ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Solid start for ESPN, but not enough there yet to be the best
- Top feature: Bets tied to trending topics in exclusives
- Available in: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, & WV
