FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars are the most widely licensed sportsbooks for basketball betting in the US, covering all the major legal states where NBA and NCAA wagering is live. Picking the right one depends on where you live, which bet types matter to you, and how comfortable you are navigating an app under pressure during a fourth-quarter comeback.
Which Sportsbooks Are Licensed for Basketball Betting?
All four operators below are licensed across the core legal states — New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Colorado, and Arizona among them. Texas, California, and Florida do not have fully operational statewide legal online sports betting as of early 2025, so if you're in one of those states, you'll need to wait for legislation to catch up.
| Sportsbook | Key States | NBA Betting | NCAA Betting |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | NJ, PA, MI, CO, NY, AZ, TN + more | Yes | Yes |
| DraftKings | NJ, PA, MI, CO, NY, AZ, TN + more | Yes | Yes |
| BetMGM | NJ, PA, MI, CO, NY + more | Yes | Yes |
| Caesars | NJ, PA, NY, AZ + more | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN Bet | Several legal states (launched late 2023/2024) | Yes | Yes |
Always confirm your state before registering. The American Gaming Association's state gaming map is the cleanest way to verify which operators hold a license where you live.
What Actually Separates These Books for Basketball Bettors?
On a practical level, the spread lines and totals across major books are rarely more than a half-point apart on NBA games — sharp bettors shop lines, and competition keeps them tight. Where books differ is in their player prop menus, live betting interfaces, and how fast they grade bets after the final buzzer. If NBA player prop bets are your thing, the depth of the prop menu matters a lot more than the moneyline.
For a side-by-side breakdown of the two most popular apps, our full FanDuel vs DraftKings comparison for basketball bets walks through everything from odds to interface. If you're still deciding on your first account, that's the right place to start.
How Do I Get Started on a Basketball Betting App?
The process is straightforward: pick a licensed book, create an account, verify your identity (KYC), deposit, and place your first wager. Our guide on creating a sportsbook account for basketball betting covers every step so you're not scrambling when tip-off is twenty minutes away.
Once you're in, you'll need to fund the account. Debit card, PayPal, online banking/ACH, Play+, and cash at the cage are common deposit methods — details vary by operator. See exactly how each method works in our guide to depositing funds on a basketball betting app. When you're ready to pull money out, the withdrawal guide explains what to expect and why having your ID documents ready speeds things up considerably.
Is My Age and Location Going to Be an Issue?
The minimum age is 21 in most legal states, though a handful permit 18 — check the legal age requirements for basketball betting before you register. On the location side, sportsbook apps use GPS and Wi-Fi to confirm you're physically inside a legal state; a VPN will get your bet voided, not approved.
If you're unsure whether your state is even in play, our basketball betting legality guide by state is the fastest way to find out. Must be 21+ (18+ in some states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
See also: Basketball Betting Taxes: What US Bettors Need to Know.
See also: Responsible Gambling Tools for Basketball Bettors.
See also: Offshore Sportsbooks and the Risks US Basketball Bettors Face.
See also: ESPN Bet Basketball Betting: Availability, Features & How It Compares.
See also: Basketball Sportsbook Bonus Terms Every Bettor Should Understand.
See also: How Sportsbook Vig Works in Basketball Betting Odds.
See also: BetMGM Basketball Betting: Where It's Live and What to Expect.