Baseball is among the top four sports in the United States. If you’re a fan of MLB games or baseball in general, you might want to use your knowledge and experience for something profitable. Baseball betting can be exciting, but it requires a deep understanding of how things work for success.
Let’s start with one of the most important things—finding the best baseball betting sites. This is where we and our knowledge come into play. Luckily, we’ve identified the best options after thoroughly researching what they offer in terms of betting on MLB and other baseball games.
Keep reading to see our list of the top sports betting books and get detailed information about baseball betting.
How We Evaluate and Review Baseball Betting Websites
Choosing the right baseball betting site needs to factor in a few things, like betting opportunities, bet types, the presence of a betting app, and the overall betting experience. That’s why we do all the heavy lifting and only recommend ones that deserve our readers’ attention.
We approach our review process by focusing on bonuses like odds boosts, the selection of sports, and bet types like MLB futures, among others. Keep reading to get the full picture of what we do to know where to start:
UX/UI
Placing online baseball bets on a sports betting site should go over smoothly and efficiently, regardless of any external factors. That’s why we pay attention to how such platforms operate so we steer our readers in the right direction.
We look for intuitive menus with organized categories and visually attractive features. Also, we highlight betting sites that are fully optimized for mobile devices. Finally, we also check the security measures and the registration and login processes, which should be hassle-free and straightforward.
Betting Odds & Betting Features
When assessing these baseball betting sites, we focus not only on the odds quality but also on their variety. The latter means you should look for MLB odds alongside other ranges of betting markets. So, here’s a summary of the things we check regarding betting odds:
Competitive odds
Variety of betting markets
Quality of live betting odds
As for the betting features, there are a few main features that we always check to ensure the best experience:
Early cashout
Bet Builder
Live betting
Live streaming
Payment Methods
The most competitive and best odds and a modern user interface don’t mean much if bettors can’t withdraw their winnings quickly. The same goes for topping up your account without much effort. So, the deposit and withdrawal options and how well they work are among the main criteria when assessing online baseball betting sites.
Only platforms offering the most popular payment methods for online betting in the United States deserve to be on the top list. These methods include:
PayPal
Visa, Mastercard, Amex
Play+
ACH/eCheck
Of course, these are only a few examples, and additional options are more than welcome. Other factors we consider are the processing times, limits, and potential fees.
Bonuses and Promotions
You can’t expect a memorable experience at betting sites offering baseball betting lines without bonuses and promos. Thanks to such deals, bettors can enjoy online sports betting longer and have more chances of improving their balance.
We examine quite a few factors when evaluating the bonuses and promos on the platforms. For starters, we ensure that the site has both welcome bonuses for new players and ongoing promos for existing users.
After that, we analyze the bonus policies, like the wagering requirements, maximum payouts, and expiry dates. In other words, we want to ensure that our readers are looking at fair and valuable bonus offers.
In the end, we explore the various types of bonuses you can claim, including:
Welcome offer
Free bets
Reload bonus
Odds booster
Refer-a-friend bonus
Parlay boosters
Baseball betting sites in the USA with VIP/loyalty programs are rated better than the rest. The same goes for platforms with baseball-specific deals.
Live Betting
Live betting on baseball can take the excitement to a new level. Imagine making a winning bet on who wins the World Series while the action is already underway. This is one of the best betting options, especially for those seeking a bit more action. Fortunately, many baseball betting sites offer in-match betting on almost every MLB game and more.
There are a few things our team inspects regarding this activity:
Odds updates and competitiveness
Betting market availability
Live streaming and in-play stats availability
Cash-out options
Mobile experience
What Makes the Best Baseball Online Bookmakers Stand Out?
With dozens of active baseball online bookies, US players might find it difficult to make the right choice. To be honest, legal sports betting sites typically come with decent baseball offers, but many options go the extra mile for baseball fans.
If you’re interested in joining a baseball betting platform, you should check the three factors mentioned below to narrow down your search.
Coverage
How many different leagues and events does the sportsbook offer? Obviously, you’d like to see as many options as possible. The coverage of the MLB season is a must. In addition, some sites let you wager on preseason matches, the All-Star match, specific awards, and more, opening additional doors to the bettors.
There’s more than just the MLB—the top baseball betting sites cover other popular leagues, including NCAA, Minor League Baseball (MiLB), American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB), etc.
Of course, to get the best experience, check the types of wagers you can use on these platforms. From run line bets and moneyline bets to over/under bets, parlays, and prop bets – these are some options you can use at the best bookies.
Live Betting
Many bettors appreciate wagering their hard-earned money in a way that brings additional excitement to the game. This is where live betting comes into the picture. Since baseball is relatively slower than other sports, bookies get a chance to provide various betting options with solid odds.
The good news is that almost all baseball betting sites provide such opportunities. When looking for the best live betting solutions, you should consider the variety of prop bets and other types of betting. Additionally, the best bookmakers promise consistency and excellent value of their odds.
Mobile Apps
The best online baseball bookmakers take good care of their mobile users since most bettors often use their smartphones or tablets to bet on MLB games. Almost every online sportsbook is optimized for mobile users, whether through an app or in-browser.
But that’s not all. The top baseball websites also have mobile apps that improve your smartphone and tablet experience. These applications have an intuitive design, provide touch optimization and quicker access, and offer push notifications.
How to Wager on Baseball
Now that you know how we come up with the list of top baseball betting sites and what they offer, let’s highlight the betting process. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Pick a baseball betting site
It all starts with choosing one of the best baseball betting sites on our list. Think of your specific needs for the best experience.
Register
After selecting the platform, use the sign-up button, follow the on-screen instructions, and finish the registration.
Take a look at the bonuses and promotions.
Almost every bookie has bonuses and promotions. Check the offers and choose the deals that suit your betting style.
Place a deposit
The process continues with selecting a banking method, adding an amount, and submitting the deposit request, which should be processed instantly.
Choose the leagues and events to bet on
Select the baseball league you’re interested in (MLB, NCAA, MiLB, AAPB, etc.) and the event you know about.
Select your type of bet
Choose your type of bet wisely. Make sure it resonates with your betting style and strategy.
Place a bet
Once you find the right league, event, and type of bet, place your wager. Remember to bet responsibly.
Wait for the result
Stream the event if you have a chance. In any case, you will probably have to wait until its end to determine if you’ve won.
Most Popular Types of Baseball Bets
Like many other popular sports, baseball offers an abundance of bets. We prepared a list of the most popular types of bets to help you find the right one/s for you.
Moneyline Bets
If you’re a beginner in this field, you might want to try the simplest type of bet available at baseball betting sites. Moneyline bets are as simple as possible because they let you pick the team you believe (and hope) will win.
Remember that the minus sign in front of the team means you’re looking at the favorite. On the other hand, the plus sign indicates an underdog. For instance, let’s say you bet on the LA Dodgers against the SF Giants. The odds for the Dodgers are -150 and for the Giants +130. So, if you wager $150 on the Dodgers to win, you can get $100. If you bet $100 on the Giants to win, you can get $130.
Run Line Bets
Instead of point spread, baseball betting involves run lines. You wager money on whether a team will win by more or fewer runs than the predetermined run line.
For example, the NY Yankees might have a -1.5 run line against the Boston Red Sox. If you bet $120 on the Yankees to win by at least 2 runs at -120 odds, you can get $100. Also, betting $100 on the Red Sox to win or lose by 1 run at +110 odds will get you $110.
Over/Under (Total Runs)
According to some stats, there is an average of about 9 runs per baseball match. Of course, this figure can be higher or lower, which is why all baseball betting sites let you guess their number.
So, the over/under bet (total runs) in baseball is about betting on whether the combined total number of runs scored by both teams in the match will be over or under a predetermined number. For instance, if the over/under for a game is set at 8.5 runs, you can bet on over 8.5 or under 8.5.
First Five Innings Bet
A baseball game is divided into nine innings. Even though most baseball online bookies let you wager money on any inning, betting on the first five innings is the most popular type of bet. As the name suggests, it’s all about predicting which team will have a lead after the fifth inning.
Interestingly, this bet can appear in the form of a moneyline, run line, and over/under bet.
Prop Bets (Player and Team Props)
Another popular type of baseball bet is the prop bet. These side bets allow you to predict specific outcomes within a single match. So, the overall result doesn’t play a role here.
Baseball bookmakers usually offer a wide range of options related to players and teams.
For instance, team props like total hits, total runs, longest home run, or number of stolen bases. Player props usually include player walks, shutouts, losses, home runs, total bases, etc.
Top Baseball Leagues for US Bettors
Undoubtedly, MLB (Major League Baseball) plays the leading role in the US baseball betting market. Of course, there are other famous leagues and events you can bet on, allowing you to pick and choose your preferred targets on most baseball betting sites in the US.
Keep reading the following paragraphs to learn more about the top baseball leagues for US bettors.
MLB – Major League Baseball
The MLB (Major League Baseball) is the top professional baseball league in the United States (and Canada). It includes 30 teams divided into the National League and the American League. The regular season starts in April and ends in September, making it the most popular competition for sports bettors during summer.
MiLB – Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball, or MiLB, serves as the developmental system for MLB. It includes hundreds of teams across various leagues. The truth is that US bettors don’t wager as much money on MiLB as they do on MLB, but this league still has a significant following. Most punters like the unpredictable outcomes of these matches, which allows them to experiment with different bets.
College World Series (NCAA)
The NCAA organizes the College World Series. This is an annual tournament for college baseball teams. The CWS takes place in Omaha, Nebraska, each June. This tournament is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. The latter includes 64 teams. The USC Trojans, LSU Tigers, Texas Longhorns, and Arizona State Sun Devils are some of the most successful college baseball teams ever.
American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB)
Launched in 2005, the AAPB (American Association of Professional Baseball) is an independent professional baseball league.In addition to the States, it also operates in Canada and focuses on the cities and areas not served by MLB or MiLB teams. This competition includes 12 teams, with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Kansas City Monarchs being the most successful.
Baseball Betting Bonuses and Promotions
We can’t talk about a good baseball bookie if it doesn’t have at least a couple of bonuses. These deals include various types of bonuses and promotions. Some of them cover baseball events, while others are baseball-specific. We’ll discuss the options below.
Welcome Offers
New players can kickstart their activities at baseball betting websites with the help of a welcome offer. They are typically connected to your first deposit and promise second-chance bets, cashback offers, match deposit bonuses, and more.?
Free Bets
You can bet without risking your own money whenever you claim a free bet on an online betting site. These free bets are often part of specific promotions. However, some baseball bookmakers grant them once you meet particular criteria, like placing a certain number of bets or during special events.
No Deposit Bonus
This rare bonus provides free money or credits simply for completing specific tasks. So, there’s no need to deposit anything to claim a bonus like this. For instance, you can get free credits for signing up at a baseball betting website.
Risk-Free Bets
These bets with a self-explanatory name allow bettors to place their first bet (or first few bets) without fear of losing their stake. If your bet doesn’t win, you receive your money back in the form of bonus bets. Usually, you get to keep everything you’ve won with these bonus bets except for the stake itself.
Referral Promotions
Many online baseball bookmakers promise cash rewards or bonus bets to registered users who will refer the site to their friends. Of course, your friend must sign up and meet specific conditions (like placing a deposit or a bet) for you and them to get rewarded.?
Baseball Betting Laws in the US
When it comes to the legal side of betting, baseball is not treated any differently than other sports in the United States. The most notable milestone in the betting legalization process was the Supreme Court’s decision in 2018. This decision effectively overturned the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), paving the way for legal online and retail betting.
Today, wagering money on baseball is legal in 38 states plus Washington, D.C. Remember that in most states, betting online and in-person is legal. Still, in some states, only one option is available. For example, you can bet only online in Maine and only in-person in Montana.
Baseball betting sites must obtain a license from the respective state regulatory body to operate legally. For example, in Nevada, the Nevada Gaming Control Board is in charge of this process. In New Jersey, that body is the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The legal age for betting is usually 21 in almost all states. Sometimes, you can bet if you are over 18, but only in land-based facilities.
To ensure safe betting that will not harm users, all baseball bookmakers are obliged to offer various responsible gambling tools and features. These options include time-out periods, reality checks, questionnaires, deposit limits, bet limits, and self-exclusion.
Tips & Advice for Betting on Baseball
Even though there’s no magic formula that can help baseball bettors win every time, a few tips and pieces of advice can help. They’re based on the experience of seasoned punters.
Analyze team and player stats: Check the most important player and team stats like batting averages, ERA, WHIP, slugging percentages, etc. Only well-informed bettors can expect success in the long run.
Shop for the best lines: Not all bookies provide identical odds for the same event. Shopping around for the best lines can significantly improve your return over time. You can use betting comparison tools and apps to identify the best values.
Monitor line movement: Thanks to the line movement, you can determine where the smart money is going. If a line moves significantly right after opening, it might mirror new info or the consensus of sharp bettors. Use this information to your benefit, but consider other factors too.
Stay updated: Baseball, like most sports, is heavily influenced by variables such as injuries, form, and even weather conditions. Stay updated and adjust your betting activities according to the latest changes.
Set a bankroll: We all have limited budgets. Before you start betting on baseball, setting a bankroll is a good idea on either a weekly or monthly basis. Additionally, decide how much you are willing to bet on a single event. Regardless of your bankroll, stick to it and don’t chase losses.
Find the Best Sportsbooks Offers on Baseball Betting Sites
Baseball is among the fan favorite sports in the United States. This is also mirrored in the sports betting scene, with baseball betting sites being one of the most used websites of this type in America.
We have a unique system to find the best baseball bookmakers and help players choose by utilizing the most important factors, like user experience, odds, features, payment methods, bonuses, and live betting options, among other things.
Since there are many online sports betting sites, it’s in your best interest to learn how to identify the best ones for you. Our top list makes this process way easier. But we would still encourage learning more about the different types of bets and the competitions in this sport, which can definitely make you a better punter.
By following our tips and joining one of the recommended baseball bookmakers, you’ll add to the excitement that this team sport provides!
FAQ
Since every player is different, it’s impossible to determine the best baseball betting site in the US. Still, we have created a top list of the best overall options and shared it above.
Online baseball bookmakers offer various payment methods to help players deposit and withdraw funds. Even though not all methods are available on every platform, most accept credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), PayPal, Play+, and eChecks.
Yes. You can enjoy live betting on baseball matches in the US. Most baseball betting websites have live betting sections, allowing users to wager money on events that have already started.
Baseball prop bets are side bets that are usually unaffected by the result of the match. Some popular baseball props include total runs, total hits, player walks, and shutouts.
Even though they might not be exclusively related to baseball, you can usually use many bonuses on baseball betting sites. Some of the most popular include welcome bonuses, free bets, risk-free bets, no deposit bonuses, and referral bonuses.
Baseball betting is not legal on a federal level in the United States. However, bettors can legally wager on this sport in 38 states plus Washington, D.C. In most states, they can bet online and in person.
Staying up-to-date with the latest baseball news, setting up a bankroll and sticking to it, and analyzing team and player stats are a few popular tips for successful baseball betting.
Yes. You can bet on college baseball on many betting platforms operating in various states. Still, there might be states where betting on this sport is legal, but betting on college baseball is not allowed.