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Best NCAAB Betting Sites & Apps in the US for April 2024

Stephen Abiola
Author: 
Stephen Abiola
26 mins
December 22nd, 2023
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Are you looking for more basketball betting opportunities in the US? Consider NCAA basketball betting.

NCAA is a national sport that brings together 500,000+ students from 1,100+ colleges and universities. Besides basketball, the competition comprises NCAA baseball, football, hockey, soccer, and other sports.

To help navigate the College basketball betting arena, we’ve compiled a list of the best college basketball betting sites in the US. These NCAAB betting sites offer a wide range of betting markets and attractive bonuses to keep you engaged. Let’s dive into the full details.

Best NCAA Basketball Betting Sites in the US

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BetMGM Sportsbook9.8Claim OfferBetMGM.com
Bet $5 Get $158 in Bonus Bets
Cash, Venmo, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Apple Pay, Play+
20+
3-8 Days

Gambling problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+ and present in the state you're wagering in. T&C Apply.

bet365 US9.2Claim Offerbet365.com
Bet $5 Get $150
PayPal, Skrill, Paysafecard, PayNearMe, Visa, Mastercard
20+
Hours - 5 Days

Gambling problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+ and present in CO. T&C Apply.

FanDuel Sportsbook9.6Claim OfferFanDuel.com
Bet $5 Get $200 In Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins
Cash, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, ACH Transfer, Visa, Mastercard
18+
Hours - 5 Days

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. Gamblinghelplinema.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or Text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

DraftKings Sportsbook9.4Claim OfferDraftKings.com
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Cash, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Play+, ACH Transfer, Visa, Mastercard
25+
Hours - 5 Days

Gambling problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+ and present in CO. T&C Apply.

Betway USA8.6Claim OfferBetway.com
Up to $250 Back In Bonus Bets If Your First Bet Loses
PayPal, PayNearMe, Play+, ACH Transfer, Visa, Mastercard
16+
Up to 7 Days

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. Gamblinghelplinema.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or Text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Caesars Sportsbook8.8Claim OfferCaesars.com
Get Your First Bet Back If It Loses - up to $1,000
Cash, Venmo, PayPal, PayNearMe, Play+, ACH Transfer, Visa, Mastercard
Hours - 5 Days

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

What We Look for in US College Basketball Betting Sites

The best college basketball betting sites are not your usual college basketball betting apps. These sites tick vital boxes like US licensing, transparency, quick payouts, multiple markets, etc. Below is an in-depth overview of how we select the best online sports betting sites:

US licensing & Legality

The first rule of thumb is to always bet on a US-licensed basketball betting app. Before recommending any college basketball betting site, we also confirm to see if the college basketball betting site is approved in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and more. We take the safety of all our players very seriously.

Reputation

After confirming the licensing of the college basketball betting site, we dig out any information about the online sportsbook's reputation among former and current customers. There are many online forums where you can get vital information about the bookie. This is the only reliable way to know how the bookie behaves beforehand. You'll know about the payout speed, odds quality, support quality, bonus terms, and more. Of course, we don't believe everything, as some reviews are simply from disgruntled customers.

Safety & Security

How safe is the sportsbook? Does it use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology? With cybercrime becoming a global threat these days, the best NCAAB betting sites leave nothing to chance. Besides SSL encryption, modern sites use advanced security systems like fingerprint authentication.

Customer Service & Customer Support

You'll definitely experience some technical issues even at the most reliable online sportsbooks in the US. For example, the bookie can delay disbursing your bonus or winnings. Or, you might feel that you've waited too long for the VIP enrollment. Whichever the case, contacting the best college basketball betting apps in the US should be a click away. The bare minimum these days is 24/7 live chat support. Email support should also be available within 24 hours. Put simply, the more, the merrier. Some NBA betting sites are also known for good customer support with 24/7 chat.

Range of Betting Markets & Methods

The best college basketball betting sites on our list support pre-match and live betting. The former is the most common, where you place a college basketball bet before the match begins. On the other hand, live betting is where a bookie offers markets on an NCAAB match already underway. Speaking of markets, the best bookies offer all basketball markets, whether you're placing a pre-match or live bet. You should easily find money lines, totals, parlays, teasers, player props, and more. And don't forget to compare the betting odds.

Bonuses & Promotions

Nothing motivates an avid punter to join a bookie like college basketball betting offers. The best college basketball betting sites on our list welcome new bettors with generous offers like risk-free bets, free bets, deposit bonuses, and no-deposit bonuses. As for loyal players, the bookie can offer VIP enrollment, cashback/rebate, parlay insurance, and more. But whichever bonus you claim, read the bonus terms carefully.

User experience

Our recommended US sports betting sites offer the best betting experience on mobile or desktop. Their interface is highly responsive, and the load time is super-fast. These sites also offer services via standalone Android and iPhone apps. If you like betting on mobile, always use the app for a quicker and more convenient experience.

Payment Methods Available

How you deposit and withdraw money at a bookie matters a lot. We don’t recommend NCAA basketball betting apps with limited banking options. Instead, we prioritize top college basketball betting sites that support payments via credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, EcoPayz, PayNearMe, cash payments, and more. And if the bookie supports crypto payments, the better.

Payout Speeds

The best sports betting sites support instant deposits, whether you're using bank transfers or e-wallets. But when it comes to payouts, the processing duration might vary. For example, some bookies might offer instant PayPal withdrawals, with others taking up to 24 hours. It's also common for credit/debit card payouts to take 3 to 5 business days. So, all in all, carefully read the payment terms of each banking method to know what to expect.

Is It Legal to Bet on College Basketball in the US?

Yes! Betting on College basketball in the US is legal on the federal level. This is after the US Supreme Court ruled against PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 2018. This law was passed in 1992 to curb widespread gambling nationwide, except in a few states like Montana, Delaware, Nevada, and Oregon. Interestingly, this discrimination was the weakness New Jersey and other states used to challenge the law at the highest federal court.

But despite that reprieve, the law allows individual states to legalize or criminalize gambling within their borders. As such, joining an online sports betting site licensed in your state is advisable. This way, you won't go against state gambling laws. And as said earlier, the bookie won't play monkey games with your winnings, thanks to the watchful eyes of the regulator.

Which States Is It Legal to Bet on College Basketball?

Now that you know the legality surrounding college basketball betting in the US, let's narrow it down to individual states where college basketball betting is legal. There are 20+ states where online sports betting at online oddsmakers and in-person venues is legal. However, you can't wager on college basketball in all states. While this might seem unfair, the idea is to protect the college basketball game from external influence by oddsmakers.

Consider this; college basketball betting is currently legal in states such as New Jersey, New York, Washington, Virginia, and more. But despite that, many states have a strict policy barring bookies from offering NCAAB markets on local college teams. For example, New York bettors can't get markets on popular teams like Buffalo Bulls, Colgate Raiders, and Cornel Big Red. Below is a table of the 28 states where it is currently live.

State

Legal?

Arizona

Yes

Arkansas

Yes

Colorado

Yes

Connecticut

Yes

Delaware

Yes

Florida

Yes

Illinois

Yes

Indiana

Yes

Iowa

Yes

Louisiana

Yes

Maryland

Yes

Michigan

Yes

Mississippi

Yes

Montana

Yes

New Hampshire

Yes

New Jersey

Yes

New Mexico

Yes

Nevada

Yes

New York

Yes

Ohio

Yes

Oregon

Yes

Pennsylvania

Yes

Rhode Island

Yes

South Dakota

Yes

Tennessee

Yes

Virginia

Yes

Washington

Yes

Washington D.C

Yes

West Virginia

Yes

Wyoming

Yes

It is also worth noting that betting on player props is illegal in most states. So, a US bookie won't offer this market when betting on a local college team or a team from another state. However, college basketball betting in Connecticutis a unique exception, where you may get future bets on props.

How to Bet on College Basketball in the US

As mentioned before, there are many college basketball betting types and markets. So, let's list the most common options:

Point Spread

Point spread betting is one of the most prevalent betting markets in the US. Here, the oddsmaker creates a level playing field between the potential teams. For example, if their is a clear favorite for the game, they may have a -35.5 point handicap, bringing their odds up to 1.95, while the underdogs have a +35.5 headstart. In other words, you'll be betting on the margin of victory or loss. Also, the odds usually float around $1.95, depending on the bookie.

For example, a bookie can offer point spreads of 15 in a duel between Kansas Jayhawks and Kentucky Wildcats. Assuming that Kansas Jayhawks are the favorites, they must win the match with at least a 16-point gap for the bet to win. You can also win if Kentucky Wildcats lose the college basketball game by 15 points or less. Anything other than the two scenarios is a loss.

Moneyline

Moneyline is the most popular and straightforward college basketball betting market. This bet usually has one or two outcomes, depending on the sport. In basketball, where a draw is extremely rare, unlike in soccer, you'll simply choose a winning team. Remember that the team with long odds usually has a bigger payout.

Remaining with the Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kentucky Wildcats example, a bookie can offer -110 on the favorite and +180 on the underdog. In that case, you bet $110 to win $100 on the favorite. On the other hand, a $100 bet will win you $180 if the underdog pulls a surprise card. It's that simple!

Over/Under Betting

Over/under is another standard betting market in basketball. This bet usually involves predicting the total score of two teams. A typical basketball game has two halves in two sessions. So, you can predict the total combined score in the first half, second half, or full time. Here's how it works; a bookie can give you college basketball odds for a 100.5 score in the first half of the game. Now, if you predict over 100.5 points scored between the teams by the end of the first half, there must be at least 101 points scored, as there’s no such thing as a half point in basketball. But if you choose under 100.5, the bet wins if both teams fail to score 101 points.

Parlay Insurance

A parlay or combo bet combines several individual bets into one bet. In parlay bets, each leg has to win for the bet to pay out. This makes parlays one of the riskiest wagers, although the total payout can be handsome. Also, the best NCAA basketball betting apps in the US can offer parlay insurance if the bet losses.

A standard parlay bet can feature markets like moneyline, point spreads, totals, and props. Some bookies even allow college basketball bettors to place parlay future bets. And yes, you can find same-game parlays at top bookies like FanDuel and DraftKings. Here, you can choose betting markets from a single contest, making it less risky.

Player Prop

Prop bets or proposition bets are college basketball wagers that don't relate to the game's outcome. In plain words, player props focus on individual player statistics during the match. This bet can also expand to cover game statistics that don't impact the score.

Futures

NCAA basketball's future bet is a wager for a future basketball game or event. For example, you can wager on a team to win the NCAAB finals or a team to reach the NCAAB semifinals. Futures can also include individual player performances like the top scorer, top assist player, player with most rebounds, and more.

So, why should you bet on futures, considering a potential payout is months or weeks away? The thing is that futures have higher payouts than pre-match or live bets. Given the huge range of future bets that you can take on college basketball, the best college basketball odds vary greatly. With some college basketball odds even getting up as high as $5001 for extremely unlikely events - like the league underdog winning the championship and going undefeated…it’s possible, but they bet it’ll never happen.

Live Betting

A live bet or in-play bet is a wager placed during the NCAAB match. This bet is trendy among basketball fans as sportsbooks constantly update the college basketball odds to fit the current flow of the game. And because basketball is a high-action game, you'll get plenty of betting opportunities to exploit.

In NCAAB live betting, the best college basketball betting sites in the US offer markets like parlays, moneylines, totals, and more. Also, some bookies allow college basketball bettors to cash out early in the game, although the payout reduces drastically.

Best College Basketball Betting Offers in the US

The best college basketball betting sites have no shortage of college basketball betting offers for US sports bettors. You can get everything ranging from free bets and risk-free bets to deposit bonuses and no deposit bonuses. Below is a quick overview of the most common promotions at top college basketball betting sites:

  • Risk-free bonus: You're likely to be welcomed with a risk-free bonus at the best college basketball betting sites in the US. With this wager, you get a refund up to the amount of your ante bet. For instance, if you bet $100, you get $100 in bonus money. But you must lose the wager first.

  • Free bets: Free bets are slightly different from risk-free bets. Bettors get free bet credits after creating a sportsbook account. The bookie will often give you free bets on one or two matches.

  • Deposit bonus: A deposit bonus is a sportsbook incentive for new customers. The bookie will match your deposit up to a certain percentage and amount. For instance, a 100% up to $250 means that the bookie will give you a bonus equal to your initial deposit. However, the bonus can't exceed $250.

  • No-deposit bonus: If you don't intend to deposit anything on your first day at the bookmaker, find a sportsbook with a no-deposit welcome offer. It's simple; create an account, and the bookie will reward you with bonus money. Sadly, the amount is usually too small to last a few sessions.

  • Cashback/rebate: Bookies know that too many losses can drive bettors out of business. Therefore, they can give loyal bettors a refund on all weekly, monthly, or weekend losses. For example, you can get a weekly rebate of 25% up to $30.

  • Parlay insurance: Bettors love parlays despite the bet being one of the riskiest. As said before, the bet burns if a single leg loses. So, a bookie can offer a refund on a lost parlay bet to sweeten the deal. The bonus conditions can be strict, though.

  • Referral programs: Almost all bookies run this bonus scheme. The mission is to get more customers through the existing ones. The site can reward you if a new bettor joins through a link you sent them. The bonus is often the same as the new customer's first deposit.

College Basketball Betting Tips for US Bettors

They say that betting is all about luck. But we beg to disagree here at BestGamblingSites. With proper strategies and planning, frequent wins are assured. Below are some tips:

Check the Team Schedule

Unlike football teams, basketball teams play many games, thanks to their jam-packed rosters. It's common for a college team to play multiple weekly matches. Therefore, look at the number of contests a college basketball team has played in the week. For example, a team that has played two college basketball games in five days is likely to have fresher legs than a team with five games in as many days.

The Home Underdogs

Most bettors don't like to stick their necks out for the underdogs. But if you do your research correctly, you'll realize that some underdogs have the potential to pull a fast one of the favorites. It's normal for the underdog to be pumped up in front of their home fans. If you're not sure they can beat the favorites, spread betting will likely yield the desired results in this case.

Watch How the Lines Move

The reason why most bookies are profitable is that most bettors bet with emotions. So, don't join the 'blind' bandwagon. Instead, take time to watch how the college basketball betting lines move throughout the week before placing the bet. As you may already know, bookies consider many things before setting the odds. And most of these factors are volatile. An excellent example is public opinions from experts, which can change overnight. Also, the star player can pick a minor pre-match injury.

Compare the Odds

Nothing prevents you from opening multiple sportsbook accounts, as long as you do that on different bookies. Before placing an NCAAB bet, log into your sportsbook accounts and compare the vig. You'll realize that some college basketball betting sites offer slightly better odds than others. Remember that even the slightest difference can determine the eventual payout, especially for risk-takers.

Bankroll Management

Practicing bankroll management is a must in the uncertain world of gambling. Ensure that you set a budget strictly for gambling. Avoid gambling with money you can't afford to lose to the bookie. In addition, divide your bankroll into several units, and don't use more than 5% of the total bankroll on a single wager. And above all, don't chase losses.

Be Careful With Your Favorite

It's always wise to bet with your mind instead of your heart. It can be tempting to bet on your former university or college to win the basketball game. But that decision will likely haunt you if the team is weaker than their opponent. So, keep it purely business. If you can't stomach choosing the opponent over your favorite team, skip that leg altogether.

Practice Responsible Gambling

At BestGamblingSites we want our readers to enjoy betting on sports and stay safe when doing so. To stay safe when betting we advise you to:

  • Establish a budget: Set yourself a financial limit before you start betting. Adhere to this budget strictly and do not chase losses.

  • Manage time wisely: Set specific time boundaries for betting. If you're betting a lot, then take a break. Most US betting platforms offer timeout options to assist with this.

  • Emotionless decision-making: To ensure responsible gambling, it is crucial to detach emotions from the betting process. Recognize that luck plays a role, and that heightened emotions can lead to poor choices. Take a pause.

  • Avoid pursuing losses: Although betting losses are undesirable, resist the urge to chase them. Doing so can exacerbate errors in judgment. Most US betting platforms offer payment caps to assist with this.

  • Understand the risks: Gain comprehensive knowledge about the potential risks associated with betting. Acknowledge that the odds generally favor the house and approach sportsbetting as entertainment, rather than a reliable source of income.

  • Do not borrow to bet: Refrain from borrowing funds for betting purposes. This practice can lead to financial distress and a cycle of debt. Only utilize disposable income for betting.

  • Seek assistance when necessary: If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling addiction, do not hesitate to seek support from dedicated organizations or helplines. These resources provide valuable assistance, guidance, and access to relevant tools for overcoming gambling-related challenges.

OrganizationDescriptionWebsite
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)Advocates for individuals and families affected by problem gambling and provides resources and helpline services.www.ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)Offers support groups for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.www.gamblersanonymous.org

FAQs

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Author

Stephen Abiola
Stephen has over 4 years' worth of experience writing gambling, casino and sports betting content. When away from writing he enjoys watching US Major League sports, particularly when it comes to anything relating to the Steelers!