Best NBA Sportsbooks and Basketball Online Sports Betting Sites September 2025
NBA betting has exploded in recent years, and the top online sportsbooks deliver an excellent user experience for its players to make those wagers. Whether you’re betting on a single game or placing a wager on who will win the upcoming NBA Finals, doing so at a legal, licensed online sportsbook gives you the best overall experience.
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Best Online Sports Betting Sites For The NBA
The best NBA sportsbooks provide hundreds of odds on the night’s biggest games for players looking to get in on the action. They also feature season-long futures odds and promotions to help players increase their potential payouts on the wagers they place. These operators are also well known for having the industry’s best welcome offers for new players, providing incentives for NBA bettors to sign up and place wagers on their favorite NBA teams and players.
Canada has seen an influx of new NBA sportsbooks in recent years. That’s great news for bettors in provinces where online sports betting is legal, considering players can register at as many online sportsbooks as they want. Here’s a shortlist of the NBA sportsbooks that we’ve had the best experience at, what their welcome offers look like and what they’re most known for in the space.
Bet365
Bet365 is one of the industry’s most well-known brands and arguably one of the largest in the world. It’s huge in Europe, has made recent inroads in the United States and is available in select locations in Canada. It has something for all types of players, including Same Game Parlays, insurance opportunities, fun contests and a breadth of NBA odds. It also has a great user interface and mobile app that keeps players coming back when they’re ready to make their NBA betting picks.
Pinnacle
High-rollers and serious bettors will love what Pinnacle provides its players. It’s known for having competitive odds and high limits, allowing big-time bettors to wager to their heart’s desire. It’s also one of the most transparent online sportsbooks in Canada, publishing its margin and vig data.
That means it backs up what it preaches for big spenders looking to continue playing there. But it’s also good for more casual players, providing hundreds of lines on the best NBA odds each night. It also features “betting resources” where players can read about trends and analysis that help them make smarter wagers.
TonyBet Sports
There may not be an NBA sportsbook that does more to help its players than TonyBet. The site provides timely reload bonuses for players with relatively low playthrough requirements; there are plenty of stats, trends and analysis on the biggest games to help make smarter decisions, and there is a healthy welcome bonus for new players.
All those features create an excellent user experience for all types of bettors, who will have the resources and features to have an enjoyable time whenever they log in to place their NBA bets. Its bet builder feature is also great for creating parlays in a seamless, simple manner.
BetVictor Sports
Fans of soccer will love what BetVictor brings to the table as one of the best football betting sites. It’s huge in Europe, providing hundreds of in-season odds on the biggest soccer matches each day. But we’re here for basketball, and BetVictor brings the goods in that capacity as well. Live betting is simple here, as odds refresh quickly, and there are cash out options for players who want to get out of their losing wagers with some of their original funds.
While we’d like to see a VIP or rewards program for the most loyal players, we can’t argue with everything it brings to the table for all types of bettors, especially those who want to bet while NBA games are going on.
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LeoVegas Sports
Those with busy lives who are always on the go are in luck when they start playing with LeoVegas Sports, which touts one of the top mobile-first user experiences of any NBA sportsbook on this list. It is known for its online casino but has branched out into online sports betting, which is great news for NBA fans. In addition to some great mobile features, new players who sign up with the LeoVegas Sports promo and wager $25 will pick up $50 in bonus bets - regardless of the outcome of their first wager.
888 Sports
There really is something for all types of bettors at 888 Sports, which features low minimum wagers, multiple odds formats to choose from and same-game parlays on all the biggest NBA games each night. A unique aspect is that players can change the interface that they see, providing some solid customization that isn’t seen everywhere. New players are welcome to a stellar welcome bonus offer, too, with the 888 Sports promo delivering a 100% deposit match up to $2,000. That’s one of the biggest offers on this list.
William Hill Sports
William Hill is one of the oldest names on this list, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s outdated or not with the times. It has a handful of innovative features to keep the experience exciting for all players, including streaming on certain markets, live betting and regular promotions like boosted odds and even scratch cards that reveal other prizes. New players who sign up using the William Hill Sports promo code C500 are eligible for up to $500 in bonus bets, making it a solid welcome bonus offer no matter how you’re betting.
Prontobet Sports
Prontobet is known for its vast array of online casino games, but it also has a smaller online sportsbook that packs a punch. While it has fewer markets than some of the other names on that list, one area where it provides odds is with the NBA - making it a good name to have here. It has a solid interface and navigation, and players can toggle between the NBA sportsbook and casino with ease. Even better, new users who register for an account will earn 10% cashback, a nice option despite its somewhat limited offerings in the online sportsbook space.
Cobra Sports
Cobra Sports is a great option for bettors looking for a wide variety of options. That includes NBA betting, with dozens of odds on the most popular odds of a given night. Cobra Sports is widely known for having competitive odds with low margins, meaning spending less to make your picks that can earn profit. CobraBet also offers some cryptocurrencies as payment methods, which is a nice versatile option if crypto betting is something that interests you. We’re also fans of its recurring promotions that enhance the overall experience. New players who sign up with the CobraBet promo can earn 100% up to $150 in bonus bets.
SpinPlatinum Betting
As its name suggests, SpinPlatinum is primarily known for its online casino, with its name being a play on words for online slots. But it also offers an NBA sportsbook that lets its players make selections on their favorite teams and players. We were impressed with the variety of odds we found, and it has all the best features that others on this list have like live betting, profit boosts and same-game parlay builders. 24/7 customer support is always a positive, too. Players who register now with the SpinPlatinum promo will receive a 100% bonus up to $300.
Why Trust Our Top NBA Sports Betting Site Picks?
Safety
Legal and licensed online sportsbooks offer safety and security for players and their funds. Strong, encrypted data means players’ personal and banking information isn’t susceptible to cyberthreats, and the odds you see are regulated, meaning you’re getting fair play with every wager you place.
Reputation
A strong brand name goes a long way with online sports betting. The more reputable a brand is, the more perks and promotions it provides to players. Positive user reviews can be trusted, and you can expect to have that same experience once you get started.
User Experience
This often gets overlooked but is one of the most important aspects of NBA online sportsbooks. You should enjoy logging in, navigating the website and making your selections. A strong user interface and sleek mobile betting app really make a difference in the long run.
Offers
Welcome offers are no-brainers for new players, and you’ll want to make sure the ones you’re eligible for match the way you want to place bets. There are also a handful of recurring promotions and betting promo codes that each operator will provide regularly, so get a feel for which ones you like best before deciding where to spend your time and place bets.
Competitive NBA Odds
Most major NBA online sportsbooks have similar odds, but even a slight change in those numbers can make a difference in the long run. Odds at -120 vs. -110 mean betting an extra $10 for the same amount of return. That adds up over time, so keep an eye on which sites have the most competitive odds in the markets you’re interested in.
Payment Options
Playing at Canadian online sportsbooks means using your own funds, so you’ll want to find operators that allow you to make deposits and withdrawals that are easiest for you. Whether that’s syncing a bank account, using an e-wallet or some other method, make sure it matches with what you’re hoping to use and that fees are minimal (if not non-existent).
Customer Support
The top online sportsbooks for NBA betting are well-oiled machines that have worked out all major kinks. But bettors may have questions about the site or odds, or run into issues, which is why it’s important to find online sportsbooks that have prompt, helpful customer support staff.
Transparency and Responsible Gambling Practices
It’s important that the right sportsbooks are transparent about the decisions they make and the promotions they promote. It’s also good to find operators that encourage responsible gambling practices and have both internal and external resources to help out players who may be in need of assistance in that space.
NBA Teams
US NBA Teams
The NBA expanded to 30 teams in the 2004-05 season, adding the Charlotte Bobcats (which are now the Charlotte Hornets). They were the 29th U.S.-based NBA team and gave the league an even 30 teams altogether. The current 29 U.S. teams are made up of all different-sized markets and differently run organizations. The league’s three biggest cities make up five of those teams, including the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks (New York), the Chicago Bulls (Chicago) and the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers (Los Angeles).
There are also a handful of teams in smaller markets, including the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Milwaukee Bucks. Each team plays the rest of the league at least once, and the teams are broken up into six divisions of five teams each and split up evenly between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. There is some talk about further expansion in the U.S., with cities like Seattle and Nashville rumoured, but nothing substantial has come about on that front.
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Detroit Pistons
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Indiana Pacers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Miami Heat
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Orleans Pelicans
- New York Knicks
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
Toronto Raptors
The NBA expanded into Canada prior to the 1995-96 season when the expansion Toronto Raptors were born. The Vancouver Grizzlies also joined the NBA that season but relocated to Memphis in 2001. The Raptors have enjoyed plenty of success since entering the league, including the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2019 behind Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. The franchise has fallen on harder times of late, with their last postseason appearance taking place in 2022, but the franchise and brand are healthy as Canada’s only NBA franchise.
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How to Sign Up For a Sportsbook Account
Canada online sportsbooks want players to spend less time going through the sign-up process and more time placing bets on their favorite teams and players. That’s why they’ve made the registration process so simple. The steps take just a few short minutes to complete, meaning you’ll have your account created and your welcome offer in hand in just minutes. Though the actual steps differ by operator, here’s what you can generally expect to see once you get started.
- Click any of the links provided by Bookies.com to begin the sign-up process and create your account; provide the operator with all relevant information such as name, email address, home address, and phone number
- Verify your identity and that you are old enough and physically located in a province where online sports betting is legal; if there is a promo code that needs to be entered, make sure to do it in this step since you won’t be able to go back and add it later
- Make a qualifying first deposit that is large enough to grab the welcome offer that’s available to you
- Read the playthrough requirements of your welcome bonus offer and then begin placing wagers to meet them
- Watch your bets play out and rack up wins and real profit
How to Bet on an NBA Game
Betting on an NBA game is simple. Online sportsbooks will list all matchups of a given night, and players can click into that game to see the hundreds of odds they provide. This includes point spreads, totals, moneylines and both player and team props. There are dozens of ways to bet on NBA games, but the below are the most common types that players will use to fill their bet slips.
NBA Player Prop Bets
All major players in a game have projected statistics and corresponding odds to them, and bettors can wager on whether the player will go higher or lower than those projections. For example, LeBron James’ points prop at 24.5 pays out to over bettors if he scores 25+ points and under bettors if he scores 24 or fewer points.
NBA Point Spread
Oddsmakers set a point spread for every game that balances the playing field between two teams. Bettors can wager on the underdog, which adds points to that team’s final score, or the favorite, which subtracts points from their final score. For example, if the Raptors are +6.5 underdogs and lose by six or fewer (or win the game outright), they cover the spread. Most spreads have -110 odds, though alternate spreads can have different odds.
NBA Futures Bets
Bettors can wager on season-long outcomes like division winner, NBA champion and Sixth Man of the Year. These futures odds are always shifting over the course of a season based on what has already happened and typically have longer odds. At the start of the season, many online sportsbooks will have promotions around futures bets.
NBA Money Lines
Oddsmakers set moneylines for each game that is only concerned with the outright winner of a contest. Favorites are designated by minus odds (-300, for example) and are most expensive to wager on since they’re more likely to win. Underdogs have plus odds (+175, for example) that are cheaper because they aren’t expected to win.
NBA Parlay Bets
A parlay is a combination of two or more individual wagers that set higher odds for bettors. Though the potential payout is higher, the caveat is that bettors must win each leg of their parlay or else it pays out $0. Even an eight-leg parlay that goes 7-1 means no payout, so be careful on how high you build these bet types.
NBA Teaser Bets
Teaser bets shift lines like point spreads and totals, with corresponding changes to odds. For example, a six-point teaser would move a team that is +5.5 to +11.5 and an under bet on the total from 222.5 to 216.5. Odds are typically lower on teasers because of the help you’re getting on shifting lines.
NBA Round Robin Bets
Round robin bets form multiple parlays that don’t require all legs to hit in order to pay out profit. For example, a three-team moneyline round robin bet creates mini-parlays of Team A-Team B, Team B-Team C, and Team A-Team C. There are multiple chances to win instead of the black-and-white approach that parlays take - though odds are shifted lower because of it.
NBA Finals MVP
Bettors can wager on which player will win the NBA Finals MVP award throughout the postseason. These odds are always shifting based on which teams have won recent contests, and there’s plenty of value to be found if you can find an underperforming team that you believe will pick it up and advance behind their best player.
How to Read NBA Betting Odds
NBA betting odds can be tricky to read if you’re just starting out. American odds always work in pluses and minuses, where minus numbers (ex: -200) note the amount you’d need to wager to earn $100 in profit. Plus numbers (ex: +450) note the amount that a $100 wager would pay out. Fractional odds work the same way, where 4/1 means a bettor would earn $400 on a $100 wager, while 1/5 means a $500 wager pays out $100. Decimal odds also work in the same fashion, where the amount shown is what’s returned for a $1 wager - meaning 2.40 odds return $1.50 profit plus your $1 wager, while 1.40 odds return $0.40 profit plus your $1 wager. The odds all correlate no matter what method you find them in, but reading them is obviously different.
NBA Betting Tips and NBA Best Bets
There’s no guarantee that your NBA wagers will win. Anyone who says differently isn’t being truthful. Still, there are certain tips and strategies that players can use to increase their chances of success or at least put them in a better situation to be profitable. It isn’t simple and certainly involves a little bit of luck - we’ve all been on the wrong side of a backdoor loss that had no bearing on the outcome of a game - but it’s important to keep these tips in mind before you place your wagers.
Bankroll Management
Responsible gaming means knowing how much you should be placing on the wagers you make. Never bet more than you can afford to lose and never chase losses with more bets at higher dollar amounts. Set limits for yourself, either in your head or within the actual online sportsbook.
Injuries & Load Management
Load management - players resting for precautionary reasons - is more prevalent in today’s NBA than ever before. It’s important that bettors always know the health status of a team’s top players before making their bets. Lineups and rotations can change in an instant; you’ll want to continue checking right up until tipoff.
Travel Schedules
Knowing whether a team has been on the road for a week or been at home with multiple days off can make a massive difference. Oddsmakers typically take this into account, too, when setting lines, but you can do yourself a favor by checking the travel schedules of each team before placing your bets.
Fade The Public
Canada online sportsbooks are looking to balance the action that it receives, which usually means odds will shift away from what the public is betting on. That means going against the grain of what the majority of players are betting on can earn you an extra point or two or secure better odds.
Second-Half Lines
Certain teams start out of the gates slow but turn it on later in the game. Bettors should look into which teams typically finish strong and consider second-half lines. These are wagers that only take the third and fourth quarters into account and can be a strong play if you’ve researched how teams (and their opponents) play down the stretch.
Statistical Analysis
Doing your research before placing wagers is a critical element to NBA betting. Whether that’s looking a player’s last few games, how fast both teams play or what teams and players do on the road vs. home, make sure you’re considering all statistical factors of a game before placing bets.
My advice for betting on the NBA is to always look at recent trends. Every game is different, but teams typically keep their rotations the same - and hot (and cold) streaks are real in the sport. Looking back at a team’s or player’s last five games can give you an indication of what will happen in the game you’re wagering on.
Mark Strotman, Sports Betting Journalist
NBA Betting Apps
Whether you’re out at a bar watching the game or inside a stadium, the top betting apps let you take your picks and your online sportsbook with you on the go. The best NBA betting apps are subjective, but typically players will want to look for a user experience that mirrors what they find on desktops.
What’s nice about adding these apps - which are all free to download and available for both Apple and Android users - is that players can turn on push notifications to receive updates on recurring promos and actually get the statuses of their wagers sent directly to them. Some apps even allow players to track their wagers on their lock screens, so you’ll always have the most up-to-date statuses on how close your bets are to winning. Some sportsbooks may have a different app based on your location such as Alberta sports betting apps and Ontario Sports Betting Apps.
It’s good for bettors to download all NBA betting apps with the online sportsbooks they’re registered with so they can get a feel for what each entails to enhance the online sports betting experience.
You May Also Be Interested In
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- Canada NFL Betting
NBA Live Betting
The fast pace of the NBA and the wild swings that happen in an era of 3-point shooting make live betting an awesome part of the action. The top Canada online sportsbooks offer a certain number of different odds over the course of an NBA game–including point spread, totals, team and player props, and moneylines.
Bettors will need to be quick with the bets they place considering how fast NBA games can change scores, which is why it’s important to find an online sportsbook that has quick response times and refresh rates. Even needing to wait a split second can change your +5.5 bet to +3.5, which is a major swing. Live betting is available throughout the entire game, though some online sportsbooks close odds in the final seconds of a contest. It adds a unique element to the entire online sports betting experience and can be profitable for savvy bettors watching trends in games.
NBA Sports Betting Offers to Look Out for
Online sportsbooks in Canada know the best way to get more player activity is to provide frequent promotions. This keeps players coming back while giving players an incentive to place wagers. That’s great news for bettors, who can increase their chances of success or potential payouts at no additional cost to them. It’s important that players understand the wagering requirements of each type of bonus so they can maximize their chances or do what’s feasible for them while staying within responsible gaming habits. Here’s a look at what players can find when they log into their online sportsbooks.
Free NBA Picks
Bookies.com has some of the betting industry’s top experts, all of whom provide free NBA picks to subscribers and readers. These picks can be single game, parlays or teasers. We recommend bookmarking our NBA page so you can access these picks from experts and increase your chances of success.
Deposit Match
Certain Canada online sportsbooks will provide bettors with deposit match offers, where you’ll receive casino credits equal to the amount that you deposit. This is often a welcome offer at associated top online casinos, but certain online sportsbooks will do the same for existing players every now and then.
Free Bets
Often referred to as “bonus bets” or “site credits,” free bets allow players to make wagers using house funds instead of their own. It’s important to note that the bonus bet amount is not returned in any winnings, meaning a $20 bonus bet on -200 odds would pay out $20 total, not $30. Also note how long players have to use bonus bets before they expire or you’ll be out of luck.
Free Spins
Free spins are a common welcome offer and recurring promotion at online casinos. These offers allow players to test out hundreds of online slots using funds from the online casino, with winners earning real cash profit. It’s not relevant to online sportsbooks, but certain operators also have online casinos so it’s good to know the term.
Cashback
Many Canada online sportsbooks have loyalty and reward programs where players can earn points with wagers they place and then redeem them for perks like bonus bets. Some operators even have a cashback program that will drip bonus funds into your account with certain wagers that you place.
Double The Odds
Profit boosts are one of the best promotions that bettors can find at online sportsbooks. You’ll double your potential payout (up to a certain amount) at no additional cost to you. Certain operators pick which odds get boosted, while others allow you to choose yourself.
Losses Back
Sometimes referred to as “no-sweat bets,” these wagers give players some insurance that if they lose, they’ll recoup their losses in the form of bonus bets. It gives players a potential second chance and an opportunity to stretch their odds a bit knowing they’ll be getting something back if they’re unsuccessful.
NBA Betting Glossary
Underdogs: The team expected to lose the game, meaning they receive points on the spread (ex: +6.5) and have a plus moneyline (ex: +300)
NBA Odds: The different prices that players can place wagers on in a number of categories, including point spread, total, moneyline, player props, and team props
NBA Experts: Individuals who dive deep into statistics and trends and share that advice to help bettors make more informed decisions on the bets they place
NBA Picks: The actual wagers that experts and individuals make at Canada online sportsbooks
Score: The final tally of points between two NBA teams over four quarters and any required overtimes
Home-court advantage: The team hosting a game, giving them an advantage with no travel, the crowd, and familiarity with the floor and arena
Public Money: Data on which side of a specific wager the majority of bettors have placed their wagers, helping bettors decide whether to ride with the public or fade them
Push: When neither side of a wager wins or loses, resulting in a bettor receiving his or her initial funds back.
Point spread: The number set by oddsmakers that evens the playing field between a favorite and underdog; bettors can bet on either side that either subtracts (favorite) or adds (underdog) to the final score
Moneyline: The price that it costs to bet on the outright winner of a matchup; point spread and total do not come into play with these types of wagers
Total: Oddsmakers set a projected point total between two teams, and bettors can wager on whether the outcome will be higher or lower.
Is Gambling on the NBA Legal in Canada?
Betting on the NBA is legal in Canada in a number of different provinces. Legal online sports betting on single-game events first appeared in 2018 and has made its way across numerous territories in recent years. That has also meant an explosion of new online sportsbooks hitting the market, meaning registered players have access to great welcome offers and thousands of different odds to place on the Raptors and more of their favorite NBA teams and players.
As it pertains specifically to the NBA, the Toronto Raptors have betting partnerships with Betty and BetMGM. It’s a testament both to how far the country has come in its acceptance of legalized online sports betting and the NBA buying in. Alongside the United States, Canada’s rapid growth in the online sports betting space has been remarkable to see, and it all means more great access and features for players who register at the leading online sportsbooks in Canada.
Gamble Responsibly
It’s critical that all bettors - regardless of bankroll or betting habits - place their wagers responsibly. It requires real funds to place bets, meaning you’ll need to do so in a manner that keeps you safe, responsible and within your means. Betting on the NBA and betting in general is only as entertaining as it is safe. That means knowing your responsible bankroll, never betting more than you can afford to lose and never chasing losses.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that betting becomes a problem when it becomes overly emotional. The good news is that the top online sportsbooks have a number of resources for players to use if they believe they’re unable to control some of those troubling factors.
Players can set deposit limits and time limits to their account, they can freeze their accounts and there are myriad resources available if players need to chat through some of their betting issues - that includes both external, province-specific resources as well as customer support. Keep your betting in check with an appropriate bankroll, know the statistics behind how much you’ve wagered, won and lost, and you’ll have an enjoyable experience each time you log on to make your NBA bets.
NBA Betting FAQs
What is the best sportsbook for the NBA?
The best online sportsbook for betting on the NBA is the one that best suits your needs. In general, the top online sportsbooks have a great welcome offer, odds boosts to increase potential payouts, fair odds, and live-betting capabilities so bettors can wager on the game from before tipoff all the way up through the final whistle.
Can you bet on the NBA online?
Is NBA betting rigged?
Can I bet on NBA games live while they’re happening?
What happens if an NBA game is postponed or cancelled?
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