Pros and cons of free sports betting sites
Pros and cons
- Make picks on real sports
- Back your favorite teams, players, and fighters
- Get the latest industry-standard odds
- Low-risk and casual way to “bet”
- No deposit, purchase, or payment needed
- No possibility of winning real cash
Free sports betting in the USA: What’s the score and is it possible?
The concept of placing free sports bets on your favorite teams, players, and fighters might sound, frankly, a little implausible. This is especially true in the USA, where tricky state-by-state gambling laws mean that many jurisdictions are yet to legalize real-money sportsbook wagering, let alone so-called “free” sports betting.
But, what if we told you that it
is
possible to place free sports “bets” in the USA? And that there are already several neat websites specializing in this exact thing?
Skeptical? Then join us for a detailed look at the concept of free online betting in the USA. We’ll set the goal posts on the legal standing of
free betting apps
and social sportsbook sites, providing you with a clear picture of what may be available in your jurisdiction.
Are free sports betting sites legal in the USA?
Given that the USA has some strict laws surrounding real-money online gambling (covering both online sportsbooks and
casino sister sites), the idea of accessing “free” online betting sites does sound unlikely. But a new type of site has emerged that offers a free and legal way to place “bets” on your favorite sports teams; we’re talking, of course, about social sportsbooks.
Social sportsbooks are only designed to simulate real-money gambling sites by allowing players to “bet” on real sports fixtures. We keep placing “bet” in quotation marks because these sites don’t offer real cash betting; instead, you’ll be making free “picks” or “selections”, with no money changing hands between you and your chosen social bookmaker.
What are the benefits of using free social sportsbooks?
Over the past couple of years, free social sports betting sites have risen in numbers across the States, showing a promise of an authentic sportsbook experience on a legal, free-play basis. These sites offer a wide range of benefits, including, but not limited to, the following:
| Make sports picks for free |
Like their counterparts, social and sweepstakes casinos, social sportsbooks do not require any payments, purchases, or deposits to use. Instead, they’re available on a 100% no-purchase-necessary basis, although many of them do have optional monetized elements that can augment your experience. |
| Legal in lots of US states |
If you live in a jurisdiction with tight anti-gambling measures, leaning on a social sportsbook to get your sports betting fix might be a good call. Part of the appeal of free sports betting apps like those recommended down below is that they’re often available in regions where RMG (real-money gambling) sportsbooks remain prohibited, so you can enjoy a similar experience without breaking any laws. |
| Real coverage of live sports fixtures |
Free social betting apps and sites aren’t make-believe; they feature real sports fixtures and standardized betting odds, creating an authentic experience. So whether you follow the Rams in the NFL, the Astros in the MLB, or Miami Heat in the NBA, you’ll find all your favorite teams and full upcoming fixture lists on these legal and free-play betting sites. |
| No risk of losing money |
Even if you live in a state that
has
legalized some online betting sites, you may not want to risk losing money by betting for real on your favorite sports teams, which is totally relatable. Social sportsbooks are great because you never need to put your own money on the line to use them, meaning you can make sports selections on a casual basis without fear of being left out of pocket. |
| Develop shrewd sports betting habits |
If you’re completely new to online sports betting, betting for free via a social sportsbook is a great way to hone your skills and develop healthy habits. Sites like Legendz, Onyx Odds, and Kickr offer a platform where you can get used to the dynamics of online sports selection, with no risk of losing cash if your latest round of predictions goes belly up. |
Our standout bookmakers
1.
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
+ Get up to $5 Per Day
2.
Spend $25 Get $50 in Coins
3.
100% purchase match for up to 100 in Onyx Cash Free Picks
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4.
Up to 200 Prophet Cash in first 30 days
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5.
150,000 Bits + FREE 4 Bucks
Can you win real cash on free sports betting sites?
Now that we’ve introduced free
social betting apps
and outlined their core benefits. But we’re guessing you still have one big question on your mind: can you win real money on these sites?
The short answer is no, you can’t. Given that social sportsbooks don’t support real-money deposits, wagering, or withdrawals, it isn’t possible to win cash from a successful bet like you would through a regular bookie.
Can you redeem sweepstakes tokens on free betting sites?
With real-money winnings off the table, your next question might be whether or not you can redeem sweepstakes coins for prizes on free social betting sites. On many such sites, this is possible. Brands like Legendz, Onyx Odds, and Kickr offer free sweepstakes coins alongside their standard just-for-fun tokens, meaning that it may be possible to exchange them for real prizes like cash, gift cards, and merchandise.
However, do be aware that winning prizes is not guaranteed when using free social betting sites. Strict terms and conditions, such as minimum redemption and playthrough requirements, apply. Also, brands reserve the right to withdraw promotional sweepstakes coins at their discretion.
How do you get started with a free social betting site in the USA?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of how social betting sites work and their legal standing in the USA, let’s pop the hood and show you how to start with these social sportsbooks:
-
Your first step is to choose the right social sportsbook for your needs. There’s a surprising number of
new social sportsbook
sites and apps available in the USA, so if you’re unsure of which brand to take a punt on, check out our expert recommendations below.
-
Once you’ve found a site you like, we’d recommend a little due diligence. Start by double-checking that the site operates in your state before checking its terms of service, ensuring that there are no red flags that could affect your experience.
-
Before creating an account with a new social sportsbook, always compare its welcome bonus to that of other brands. Most sweepstakes sportsbooks in the USA offer sign-up incentives to new players, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal from your chosen site.
-
OK, so now that you’ve triple-checked everything, go ahead and register with your new social sportsbook. You’ll only need to provide a few details, but you may need to verify your email address or telephone number for security purposes.
-
With your account set up and ready to use, all that remains is to make your first free sports selections. Most social sportsbooks give new members a small starting sum of free play credit, so you should have some virtual funds available to make your debut sports pick.
Free sports betting sites recommended by our experts
Now that you’re filled in on social sports betting sites, how they work, and their prospective benefits, let us showcase three social sportsbook brands that we can recommend for use in the USA.
Legendz – 35+ sports available on this awesome social sportsbook
Legendz: Pros and Cons
- Available in most US states
- User-friendly interface
- 24/7 live chat support
- Top sports coverage
- Can be tricky for newbies
Available in 43 US states (at the time of writing – check the brand’s terms of service for a complete list of restrictions), Legendz is a social sportsbook that originally launched back in November 2024. Since then, the site has gone from strength to strength, and now boasts a rich line-up of 35+ sports selector markets ranging from all-American favorites like the NFL to niche fixtures from across the globe.
Like the best RMG betting brands, Legendz offers an impressive range of “wager” types, including moneyline, spreads, props, and others, giving you ultimate control over your social betting experience. On top of that, all new members receive 500 Gold Coins and 3 Sweeps Coins when they sign up and verify their account, with supplementary offers to keep the free coins coming.
Onyx Odds – Expect live “betting” and other excellent features
Onyx Odds: Pros and Cons
- Generous promotions
- Popular sports to choose from
- Diverse payment options
- Loyalty program
Onyx Odds specializes in covering American sports, specifically pro and college football, baseball, and basketball. There is a strong coverage of international sports fixtures, too, specifically soccer, tennis, and golf, though it’s fair to say that the brand doesn’t quite match the same far-reaching market coverage as Legendz.
No matter, though, because Onyx Odds players will have access to some pretty neat features, including live “betting” on marquee sports fixtures. Dynamic odds mean that you can place in-play bets on a range of sports, with plenty of betting types available. Elsewhere, all new members will receive 1,000 Onyx Coins at sign-up, with the option to make an optional $10 purchase to pick up more Onyx Coins and 25 Onyx Cash (the brand’s redeemable sweepstakes tokens).
Kickr – Grab a sweet welcome offer worth 150,000 “Bits” and 4 “Bucks”
Kickr: Pros & Cons
- A great selection of casino games
- A great sports section
- Amazing bonus and promotion offers
- Limited customer service options
Kickr has emerged as one of our go-to social sportsbooks in the USA. The app uses “Bits” as its just-for-fun currency (comparable to “Gold Coins” on sweepstakes casinos) and “Bucks” as its version of redeemable sweepstakes coins. With that said, it’s an understatement to say that the Kickr welcome bonus is generous, with all new members receiving 150,000 Bits and 4 Bucks when they register for a free account.
Of course, Kickr isn’t defined by the strength of its sign-up bonus alone. The brand offers a vast range of sports selector markets, including full coverage of the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL, along with sports like soccer, motorsports, and MMA. There’s also a huge variety of bonuses and promotions for returning players, including a fully-fledged friend referral program offering incentives when you bring your friends on board.
Free sports betting is possible in the USA
Coming into this feature, we can see why you are skeptical about the prospect of betting for free in the USA. But, hopefully, we’ve convinced you that this is possible, provided you play and “bet” on the right type of sites, with a new wave of social sportsbooks providing a legit way to make free sports predictions without falling foul of the law. If you’re eager to get started with a free betting site in the USA, we can wholeheartedly recommend the likes of Legendz, Onyx Odds, and Kickr.
These social betting apps represent some of the most reliable ways to make legit sports selections for free in the States, and also bring the added incentive of welcome rewards and other promotions. With a lot of choices at hand, simply use the links above to get started with one of our recommended social betting brands, or check out the banners around this page for other social betting and casino recommendations direct from The Grueling Truth team.
Discover the sportsbook bonuses we recommend
1.
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
+ Get up to $5 Per Day
2.
Spend $25 Get $50 in Coins
3.
100% purchase match for up to 100 in Onyx Cash Free Picks
Best Alternative
Open Fliff
4.
Up to 200 Prophet Cash in first 30 days
Best Alternative
Open Fliff
5.
150,000 Bits + FREE 4 Bucks
Free sports betting FAQs
❓ Can you win money on free sports betting sites in the USA?
No, at least you can’t on the kind of legal free betting sites we’re talking about. Social sportsbooks do not support real winnings, wagering, or withdrawals, even if you do score a winning sports pick.
🎁 Can you get free welcome offers on social sportsbooks?
Yes, most free social sportsbooks in the USA offer welcome bonuses, including free play credits. These usually take the form of fun-only credits and sweepstakes-style coins, with each token going by a different name depending on the site you’re using.
🏆 What are the best free betting sites in the USA?
There is now a surprising number of free betting sites to choose from in the USA, so you may need help finding the best of the best. We can recommend Legendz, Kickr, and Onyx Odds as some of the best social sportsbooks for free-play sports selector games.
