What to look for in the best live betting sites
Live betting is now a standard feature for most sportsbooks. Because of this, finding betting websites with live betting is the easy part. The challenge lies in finding the very best live betting sites. Rather than choosing a sportsbook solely based on its live betting capabilities, it’s important to investigate further and consider the following aspects.
Licensing
First things first: the absolute must-have for any live betting site is a license from the governing body in your state. Why does this matter? Simple. It’s the seal of approval that says, “This site’s legit.” With a license, you know they’re playing by the rules, keeping things fair, safe, and secure.
So, before you dive into the action, take a quick look at the footer section and check if it’s licensed by the regulatory body in your state. For instance, if you’re in Pennsylvania, you want to see the seal of approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Playing from New York? Make sure the New York State Gaming Commission has given them the thumbs up. Each state with legal sports betting has its own governing body in charge of keeping things legit, so always take a moment to check that it’s available in your area.
Sports and betting markets
Once you’ve found a licensed betting site, it’s time to check if it has a variety of sports and betting markets. Variety is the spice of life, right? You wouldn’t want to sign up, all pumped to place live bets, only to find out they only offer in-game live betting for sports that you’re not interested in. And even if they do have live betting for your chosen sports, you’ll still want to check that they’ve got more than just the basic bets.
Sure, your favorite sports might be on the list, but what if you’re stuck with just basic moneylines? No fun, right? That’s why you gotta look for sites that bring the whole menu to the table. We’re talking about everything from the regular moneylines and totals to over/unders, props, parlays, and beyond. This ensures you have the flexibility to place bets in a way that best suits your betting style.
Live streaming
Live betting is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting ways to bet on sports. And when you pair it with live streaming? Now, that’s a game-changer. When a sportsbook nails this combo, you know you’re in for a treat. It means you can place bets while also watching every play unfold right on your screen.
Not every sportsbook has got live streaming capabilities, so finding the ones that do is an easy way to narrow down your search for the best live betting sites. Sure, there are big names like DraftKings and Caesars that do not have live streaming, but these have managed to compensate for the lack of live streaming with some of the best odds and bonuses out there.
User-friendly design
Picture this: You’ve found a live betting site that’s got it all – a variety of live betting options, some of the
best sportsbook promotions, and even live streaming that takes you to the heart of the action. Sounds like a perfect live betting site, doesn’t it? Well, not exactly.
If the site’s as tricky to navigate and as responsive as a sleeping sloth, then we’ve got a problem. This is why it’s important to check each site to make sure that it is designed in a way that you can find everything you need without breaking a sweat.
Automatic odds updates
Most bettors overlook this, but it’s crucial to keep an eye on how the site deals with odds updates. Do they update on their own, or are you stuck hitting the refresh button?
Trust me, in the fast-paced world of live betting, where seconds can mean the difference between a win and a ‘what-could-have-been’, waiting for odds to refresh is like watching paint dry.
So, let’s keep it real – a site that doesn’t update its odds automatically probably isn’t worth your time. I mean, who wants to be that guy stuck hitting the refresh button? Not me, and I bet, not you either, especially when every second counts in live betting.
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to take your live betting experience to the next level is by claiming bonuses. But of course, not all bonuses are worth claiming. It’s all too common for sportsbooks to offer bonuses that look great on the surface, only to find that they have unfair wagering requirements and many restrictions on what you can bet on.
That’s why you should always check that the bonuses are actually fair before claiming them. I appreciate this can be time-consuming, so if you want to save some time, just check my top recommendations.
By signing up at the live betting sites recommended here on this page, you can not only get off to a flying start with welcome bonuses, but also claim reload bonuses,
free bets, loyalty rewards, and a whole lot more as a returning player. I’ve tried and tested all of these bonuses to ensure that they’re fair and enhance your betting experience.
Take a look at these top sportsbooks for 2024!
1.
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Comparing the best live betting sites
I’ve checked out a bunch of sites and picked the best ones for live betting: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, and Caesars. Why are they the top picks? They’re not just about betting on different sports live. They’re also super trustworthy, offer great bonuses, and some even let you watch live games. I’ve done all the comparing and reviewing for you, so finding the perfect one for you is a breeze.
| Sportsbook | Live betting? | Live streaming? | Special features |
| BetMGM | Yes | Yes | Ability to create live event parlays |
| FanDuel | Yes | Yes | The Pulse for NBA fans |
| Bet365 | Yes | Yes | Full-screen streaming with special features |
| DraftKings | Yes | No | Highly competitive odds |
| Caesars | Yes | No | Detailed stats and infographics for live games |
BetMGM – Thousands of live events annually
BetMGM Pros & Cons
- Live betting is available in 23 states
- Ability to create live event parlays
- Live streaming for major sports
- Daily live events available
- Live betting is excluded from some bonuses
BetMGM is one of the biggest
sports betting sites
in the US, boasting licenses in 23 states. But it’s not just the fact it’s available far and wide that’s got everyone talking. What really sets it apart is the top-tier live betting options. We’re talking about thousands of live events every year, so there’s never a dull moment. NBA games, college basketball match-ups, international tournaments—you name it.
And when it comes to the bet types, the options are off the charts! Beyond the usual suspects like moneylines and props, you can also create parlays on live events as the action unfolds. That’s a game-changer, folks. Mixing bets from different games as they’re happening? That boosts the odds and could increase your wins big time. And get this—BetMGM even throws in live streaming for all the top sports, including basketball. I found that the streams are crystal clear, with no glitches. It’s like being right there in attendance.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
FanDuel – The best for live betting on the NBA
FanDuel Pros & Cons
- In-play betting for various sports
- Live streaming with crisp quality
- Game-tracking feature
- The Pulse for NBA fans
- Streaming is only for select events
FanDuel is a big name in the daily fantasy sports betting scene, but let me tell you, their regular sports betting options are just as impressive. They’ve got everything from pre-game bets to a whole bunch of in-play betting for sports like basketball, baseball, football, tennis, and even table tennis. The live betting interface? Super easy to navigate. You can flip between American, decimal, and fractional odds like it’s nothing, tailoring everything to your liking.
And guess what? They’ve got live streaming! Just hit the Watch Live button in the live betting section, and then you can see the games being streamed. I checked out the live streams and they’re super crisp, plus they come with a cool game-tracking feature and loads of stats to help you make smart bets on the fly.
And for my NBA fans out there, you’ve got to check out The Pulse because this can take your live betting experience to the next level. This is your go-to spot for all the latest NBA news on live games, expert betting tips, and even a feed of suggested bets. Just go to The Pulse on the Live Now page. It’s up every evening during the week and all day on weekends.
$65 value with just a $10+ deposit
Bet365 – Place bets while live streaming
Bet365 Pros & Cons
- Impressive live betting options
- Full-screen streaming with special features
- Manage bets and cash out easily
- Not available in all states
Bet365 has some of the most impressive live betting options that I’ve seen anywhere, which is why I had to include it on this list of the best live betting sites. They’ve got an awesome lineup of sports to bet on live, covering everything from your usual basketball, football, and soccer to the other stuff like esports and virtual sports. But what really sets Bet365 apart is the extra features.
Take their live streaming, for instance. You can watch most events live; just look for the play button. What’s cool about the live streams is you can watch the action in full-screen mode, all while being able to keep an eye on the odds, manage your bets, and even cash out without missing any of the action.
Plus, navigating through the markets is a breeze with a handy slider and a menu that lets you filter through your options easily. It’s these thoughtful touches that make Bet365 stand out in the crowded live betting scene.
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
DraftKings – Live betting made easy
DraftKings Pros & Cons
- User-friendly design
- Highly competitive odds
- Bet on various sports
- Automatic odds updates
- No live streaming capabilities
Betting on live games as they unfold is super exciting at DraftKings. I’ve spent a ton of time placing live bets there and it’s incredibly user-friendly. Seriously, even if you’re new to live betting, you’ll find DraftKings a breeze to use. From adding money to your account, to betting, to cashing out your wins, everything flows smoothly. Plus, the odds update in real-time, which is awesome since they’re always changing during the game.
Now, DraftKings doesn’t have streaming capabilities like some other sites on this list of the best live betting sites, which is a bit of a bummer. But here’s the kicker: I still think it’s one of the best spots for live betting. This is because the odds are some of the best I’ve seen anywhere. So when you place live bets at DraftKings, you can be sure that you’ll get some of the best possible returns on successful wagers.
20% up to $500
Deposit Bonus
|
18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply.
Caesars – Get live stats as the action unfolds
Caesars Pros & Cons
- Competitive odds on various sports
- Wealth of detailed information for smart bets
- Live infographics feature for game tracking
- Detailed stats for live games
- No live streaming capabilities
Out of all the different online sportsbooks with live betting, Caesars is right up there with the best. It’s not just about the competitive odds they offer on various sports, but also the wealth of detailed info they provide to help you make smart bets.
Picture this: you get all the detailed stats about the live game, like possession stats and win percentages for both teams. Now, the only bummer is they don’t offer live streaming. Instead, they’ve got a live infographics feature where you can track the flow of the game and see key plays happening in real time. Sure, it’s not as good as live streaming, but it still keeps you in the loop with the key events as they take place.
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Live betting sites have a lot to offer
Big-name sportsbooks like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, and Caesars really do live up to the hype. And when it comes to live betting, this is where they set themselves apart from the competition.
You’ll get the best live betting odds, special betting options like in-play parlays, plus extras like live streaming and ready-made bets. Choosing these sites means you’re in for the best live betting experience around.
Awesome bonuses to pick up
1.
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
3.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Live betting sites FAQ
🏆 What are the best live betting sites?
If you’re looking for the very best live betting sites, look no further than giants like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, and Caesars. Stick with these sites, and you’ll get the best odds, diverse betting markets, and special features like live streaming and game-tracking software.
📶 Do live sports betting sites have streaming capabilities?
Many of the live sports betting sites featured in my latest
betting guide
have streaming capabilities, but it’s not a universal feature. Some of the best ones I found include big names like BetMGM, Bet365, and FanDuel.
💫 How does live betting work?
Unlike regular betting, where all bets are placed before the event starts, live betting allows you to jump in at any point during the game. Odds are updated moment by moment, reflecting the current state of the game.
👀 Can I bet on parlays for live events?
Not all betting sites offer this feature, but some, such as BetMGM, stand out by allowing you to create parlays for live events. This means you can combine multiple bets from different games happening in real-time, which results in enhanced odds and higher potential payouts.
💯 What makes a live betting site the best?
The best live betting sites, such as BetMGM, FanDuel, and Bet365, stand out by having a combination of official licensing, diverse sports and betting markets, a user-friendly design, live streaming capabilities, automatic odds updates, and generous bonuses and promotions.
