First things first – What is college basketball?
Before going deeply into some of the best NCAAB betting sites, let’s quickly give you a run down of what college basketball is, in case this is your first time. College basketball is a competitive level of game played by student-athletes who represent colleges and universities in the US. These teams compete in organized conferences and leagues, usually under popular bodies like NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA.
The season usually runs from late fall through early spring, featuring regular season games, conference tournaments, and national championships. One of the biggest highlights of college basketball is the NCAA tournament, which is popularly known as March Madness. During March Madness, top teams face off in a single elimination format that draws massive national attention.
Top markets on college basketball sportsbooks
We’ll highlight some factors to look out for on top betting sites, but before then, here are some college basketball popular markets and what they mean:
Moneyline
Betting on this market means that you’re backing a particular team to win the event outrightly. However, since it’s a relatively straightforward bet to place, the odds are quite lower when backing a favorite and much higher when backing an underdog. As a newbie, the moneyline is one of the best markets to explore because it’s very easy to understand.
Point Spreads
Spreads were generally designed to bring equality between two teams from a betting perspective. One team is usually listed as the favorite and given a negative number, while the underdog is given a positive number. If you bet on the favorite, it means that the team must win the game by more than the selected number of points for the bet to win. On the other hand, if you bet on the underdog, that team can either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the spread. Overall, spreads help to create even odds and is one of the most popular markets for beginners.
Totals
The totals market gives bettors the chance to wager on the number of points that will be scored by both teams during the sporting events. So, if you wager on over 185 for instance, it means that the two teams must score up to 185 points or more for the bet to win. However, if your wager is placed on “under 185”, it means that the points scored by both teams during the event must not be up to 185 for the bet to win.
Props bet
Props bets focus on specific events or outcomes within college basketball games rather than the final results. These bets can be centered on team-related outcomes or individual player performances. For instance, props bet gives you the opportunity to bet on whether a particular player will score over 20 points in a game, regardless of which team wins.
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A quick summary of top college basketball betting markets
Here’s a quick summary of some of the top betting markets on college basketball betting sites:
| Betting markets |
What they mean |
| Moneyline |
Placing bets on a particular team to win the event outright |
| Point Spread |
Betting on a team to win by a certain favorite to win by a certain margin or an underdog winning or losing by certain points. |
| Totals |
Betting on whether the total points by both teams will go over or under a certain number. |
| Props bet |
Betting on specific events within a game |
| Futures |
Betting on long term outcomes |
Choosing the best online college basketball betting sites – What to look out for
It is no longer news that
NBA betting
sites are launched almost on a daily basis, with many promising to offer the best experiences when it comes to odds, betting markets, and mobile performance. However, you just can’t choose the best site based on the promises that they offer. We recommend you consider checking out some of the following factors before hitting that registration button:
💳 Supported Payment Methods
You won’t deny the fact that payment methods are very important factors to consider before joining any betting site. This is crucial because sites that support popular and secure payment methods like PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, etc make it possible for bettors to process deposits and withdrawals without issues. So, before signing up for that site, don’t forget to check its supported banking options as well as their corresponding transaction fees to proceed.
Licensing information is also an important thing to check before signing up for any betting site, especially in the US. It’s crucial to check because a properly licensed operator functions under strict regulatory standards, which help ensure fair betting practices and the protection of bettors’ interests. To ensure a betting site is licensed to operate in your state, you can scroll down its homepage for its licensing information. Alternatively, you can reach out to the operator’s live chat feature by asking for its licensing information.
We are sure you wouldn’t want to wager at a betting site that lags. That’s why it’s best to check the mobile performance of any betting site that you wish to use. Check if it has a dedicated mobile app and if it doesn’t have one, you can explore the mobile site for a first hand experience. Navigate to different sections of the site, including live betting, pre-match betting arena, supported leagues, and more. Once you’re satisfied with your findings, you can then proceed to creating an account.
🏀 Available Betting Markets
It is a known fact that top-rated college basketball betting sites often offer wider betting markets than some of their competitors. That’s why you must go for the best one with wider betting markets. Thankfully, all the sites that we recommended on this guide offer some of the most varied betting markets on college basketball games. Having said that, betting on sites with deep markets gives you the chance to place more personalized bets, thereby improving your overall betting experience. This consideration is also very important when exploring other options, including the best
college football betting sites.
📊 Check for Competitive Odds
Because odds can vary from one betting site to the other, it’s very important that you check them before signing up to wager on any college basketball betting site. You can do this by comparing the odds on one site with those from the other and if your preferred site shows consistent higher odds, you can proceed to signing for an account. This step helps ensure that you’ll get the best possible values for your wagers over time.
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Here are some of the best NCAA sportsbooks that you can explore
While there are tens of betting sites that you can turn to for college betting, here’s a quick look at some of the best ones:
BetMGM Pros & Cons
- Wide variety of betting options
- User-friendly mobile app interface
- Generous promotions for new users
- Extensive selection of casino games
- Limited availability in some states
BetMGM is no longer a new name in the US online betting scene, and for a good reason. With a vast coverage of over 25 sports, including college basketball, BetMGM stands out from some of its counterparts for its exceptional mobile performance. Aside from offering a dedicated mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, our experiences on its mobile site have been great as well. The site also features competitive odds on not just college basketball events but also on markets tied to other popular sports like football, golf, and cricket. As for bonuses, the operator welcomes new bettors on board with a $25 bonus and a matched deposit bonus of up to $1000.
bet365 – Enjoy competitive odds
BET365: Pros & Cons
- Available in NJ, PA and other US states
- Trusted British betting brand on the global stage
- Combined sportsbook and online casino platform
- Excellent welcome bonus for New Jersey and PA customers
- Extensive range of sports betting markets available
- Excellent range of banking methods including PayNearMe
- Not a homegrown US sportsbook
bet365 is obviously one of the best
betting sites
in the US for a lot of reasons. First of all, the site covers more than 45 sports, including popular options like football, basketball, golf, cricket, cricket, and much more. Aside from also covering hundreds of leagues worldwide, bet365 stands out for its competitive odds on college basketball markets, giving bettors the chance of getting better potential returns compared to other betting sites. If you like it here and decide to create your account, note that new users are eligible to claim a welcome bonus of up to $150. However, to be eligible for this offer, your initial bet must be a minimum of $5.
Caesars – Supports popular payment methods
Caesars is another top choice for NCAA bettors, offering a reliable platform with an easy to navigate interface. One of the operator’s biggest advantages is its support for a wide range of secure and popular payment methods, including PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and bank transfers. The presence of these secure options makes it very easy for bettors to process deposits and withdrawals on the site without running into any issues. The site also provides competitive odds across college basketball markets, as well as options tied to other sports, including football, golf, tennis, and many more. As new users on Caesars, we had the opportunity to enjoy a welcome bonus of up to $250 in bet credits.
FanDuel – Claim generous bonuses
FanDuel Pros & Cons
- Seamless integration of sportsbook and casino
- Diverse casino game selection
- Frequent promotions for both platforms
- User-friendly and responsive interface
- High playthrough requirements on bonuses
FanDuel may not be the oldest name in the NCAA betting scene, but it is certainly one of the most popular. The site is user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes placing bets easy for both experienced and new bettors. Aside from offering competitive odds on betting markets, the operator also shines when it comes to bonuses. For context, it gives new sign ups the chance to claim up to $300 in bet credits. However, your first bet on the site must be a minimum of $5 to qualify for this offer. Regular bettors are also open to other exciting offers like bonus bets and odds boost offers.
DraftKings – Wide market coverage
DraftKings Pros & Cons
- Extensive daily fantasy integration
- Frequent promotions and bonus offers
- Highly competitive betting odds
- Wide variety of casino games
- High rollover requirements on bonuses
DraftKings is widely known for its extensive range of betting markets, making it an ideal option for fans of NCAA events like yourself. Beyond moneyline, point spread, spreads, totals, and props bet, the site also offers futures and in-play betting markets for more dynamic wagering. Furthermore, the site also supports multiple secure payment methods while also providing a seamless mobile experience for bettors with its dedicated mobile app. Its welcome bonus is also top-notch, offering new bettors the chance to claim up to $300 in bet credits. While no bonus code is needed for this offer, regular users are also offered exciting bonuses like bonus bets and odds boosts.
Pros and cons of our recommended college basketball betting sites
Pros and Cons
- Easy to sign-up process
- Supports a wide range of payment methods
- Offers deep college basketball betting markets
- Generous bonuses for new and existing bettors
- Restricted in so many US states
Getting started with a college basketball betting site – A step-by-step guide
Getting started with a college basketball betting site is not really a big deal. All you have to do is register for an account on one of the best sites available, make a deposit, and start placing wagers. Fortunately, this page contains links to some of our top-rated options that you can consider. As soon as you’re ready to get into action, follow the simple sign up process below:
-
Create an account
Click the link to your preferred site from the banners featured on this page and wait for the registration page to load up. Once it loads up, start the process by providing all required information, including your full name, date of birth, phone number, etc. Next, verify your email address and phone number to proceed to the next step.
-
Verify your identity
As with most betting sites in the US, you’ll need to complete your identity verification to use any of our recommended betting sites. Thankfully, you can complete the process using your state ID card, international passport, or driver’s license on any of the sites.
-
Make a deposit
You can proceed to making an initial deposit on the site after completing your account verification. Fortunately, most of our top-rated sportsbooks support secure payment methods like PayPal, Skrill, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and much more.
-
Place your bets
As soon as your deposit reflects in your balance, head to the betting arena and select your preferred college basketball event. Make your selections, enter the amount you wish to stake, and place the bets.
However, while the steps above can also be helpful when getting started at a
football betting
site, ensure to only sign up on bookmakers that are fully licensed in your state of residence to avoid any legal implication.
Place your first college basketball bet today!
If you’ve followed this guide from the top, you must have learned a few things from all that we’ve discussed. What’s now left is for you to try out your hands on any reputable college basketball betting sites. Fortunately, we have explored some of the best options that you can consider in this guide, including BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings. Aside from offering competitive markets across the board, these sites are widely known for their wide range of betting markets and generous bonuses. To begin your betting journey on any of them, all you have to do is check the banners on this page for their registration links.
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College basketball betting sites FAQs
🏀 Are college basketball betting sites legal in the US?
Yes, they are legal, but only in states where online sports betting is regulated.
📱 Can I bet on NCAA games using my phone?
Yes, you can. In fact, aside from featuring mobile-friendly sites, all our recommended operators, including BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings, offer dedicated mobile apps that you can install on your phone.
🎁 Do college basketball betting sites offer bonuses?
Yes, all the sites that we recommended, including BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings offer generous welcome bonuses that you can claim. Not only that – they also come with regular bonuses like cashback, bonus bets, cashback, odds boost, and much more.
