Anyone with a TV knows the big names in sports betting. DraftKings and FanDuel regularly flood the airwaves with commercials, and these days, Jamie Foxx is better known as a BetMGM pitchman than as an actor (BTW, he won an Oscar once).
Though the big guns make most of the noise, smart sports bettors shouldn’t overlook lesser-known sportsbooks—we’re talking BetAmerica, Resorts, Tipico, Bet 365, and Unibet.
They don’t have marquee names—yet—but these operators have deep-bench experience.
BetAmerica, for example, is part of Churchill Downs Inc., which has run the Kentucky Derby since 1875. Resorts is the most experienced gaming operator in the U.S. outside Las Vegas—its Atlantic City casino was the first legal gaming hall to open in New Jersey, back in 1978. Tipico, founded in 2004 in Germany, came of age in the established European market. U.K.-based Bet365 brings almost 20 years of sports betting experience to the table. And Unibet, part of the global Kindred Group, got its start back in 1997.
Let’s run down each of these sportsbooks, all fully legal and regulated in the states where they do business, and all poised to expand into more U.S. markets. Then you decide.
#1. BetAmerica
Available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana, BetAmerica offers wagers on all your favorite sports, and a simple, easy-to-understand format that takes the confusion out of betting for newcomers. (Its sister site, Twin Spires, features bets on live horse racing in 40 states).
Go to the BetAmerica site, and you’ll find a streamlined layout with tabs leading you to major U.S. pro sports (NFL, MLB, NBA) as well as soccer, MMA, tennis and boxing, plus international favorites like soccer, rugby, and even table tennis and darts. Odds are from Quant Edge, which looks at player matchups, historic performances, injuries and in-game action to help you make more informed bets. BetAmerica also offers current odds, spreads, betting lines, picks and props.
Online and mobile, BetAmerica offers round-the-clock pre-game and live sports betting on every major sporting contest.
You’re Welcome
Create your new-player account at BetAmerica, and get a free bet of up to $50, matching your first deposit.
Sign up here to play BetAmerica in New Jersey, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
#2. Resorts Sportsbook
Resorts Sportsbook, live in its home state of New Jersey since 2019, offers an intuitive, user-friendly experience that’s ideal for newbies but also appealing for experienced bettors. You’ll find expected betting options—from moneylines, spreads and over/unders to props, parlays and futures.
The top U.S. sports leagues are represented: the Big 4 (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL), plus NCAA basketball and football, Major League Soccer, UFC, the PGA Tour, tennis and NASCAR. International sports include Euroleague basketball, English Premier League, World Cup, La Liga and Bundesliga ice hockey, including both the KHL and AHL. Niche sports include table tennis and rugby. Current enhanced odds are always at the ready.
While it’s not the jazziest mobile sportsbook out there, you’ll find the Resorts app quick, responsive and easy to navigate.
You’re Welcome
All new players at Resorts Sportsbook get a free bet of up to $250, based on their initial deposit.
Sign up here to play at Resorts Sportsbook in New Jersey and claim your free bet.
#3. Tipico
One of the world’s top sportsbooks, Tipico is now storming the U.S., with licensure in New Jersey and Colorado, and Indiana and Iowa in the queue.
Tipico’s tagline—“Let’s make this interesting”—pretty much sums up the experience, and the app really delivers. Its comprehensive Live Bet stats hub is the perfect tool for in-game betting. This module displays on-field, in-game action against historic trends, and it updates with every play.
Game picks, adjusted lines, player props—they’re all at your fingertips, and that makes for an immersive, immediate betting experience.
Moreover, Tipico has all the big sports betting leagues—the abovementioned Big 4, plus soccer, tennis, MMA, golf and more, including international contests. Thousands of sporting events are covered each week, with live, pre-game and futures options all available.
You’ll find the interface easily navigable and responsive. The platform is simple, streamlined and ultra-user-friendly.
You’re Welcome
Sign up as a new customer at Tipico, and you’ll get a 100% deposit match, with a generous $750 limit.
Sign up here to play at Tipico Sportsbook in New Jersey and Colorado.
#4. Bet365
Bet365, one of the biggest online gaming operators in the world, is quickly establishing itself as an industry leader here in the United States. Currently, the sportsbook is licensed to operate in New Jersey.
With 20 years of sports betting know-how, Bet365 is a known innovator—for example, it was the first company to offer in-play betting, and also introduced early payouts. Clearly, Bet365 easily stands up against the DraftKings and FanDuels of the world, because it knows what players want.
First of all, they want a lot of sports, from major-league U.S. markets to soccer, rugby, cricket, boxing, golf, MMA, auto racing and horse racing. Further down the list, you’ll find the nichiest of niche events—think badminton, bowling, cycling and snooker. Literally, there are thousands of sports to choose from.
The betting options runs the gamut, too: moneyline, totals, spreads, parlays, teasers, and futures, plus props, round robins and accumulators.
The user experience is commendable, with a website and app that are straightforward, super-quick and responsive.
You’re Welcome
Bet365 offers new customers a 100% first deposit match up to $100.
Sign up here to create your account at Bet365 in New Jersey.
#5. Unibet
This no-frills sportsbook sticks to the basics: plentiful sports, abundant betting options, and a website and app that make it easy to get into the action. Unibet is now legal and live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Arizona and Virginia. And soon they’ll launch in Colorado, Michigan, Illinois and Tennessee.
Here at Unibet, you’ll really find the wide world of sports—every market from NFL, MLS, MLB, NHL, PGA and tennis to cricket, MMA, boxing, and cycling. And that’s the short list. A search box makes it a snap to find the events and matches you’re looking for.
Bet types include straights and spreads, totals and parlays, futures, props and teasers. The odds for their futures, game/player prop markets and odds are competitive, offering impressive value.
Its live betting stands out from the competition; you can live-stream a wide selection of sports and tourneys, and place in-game parlays as well.
The interface is simple to get around, and while it’s not the flashiest user experience out there—few bells and whistles—Unibet stands up to even the giants of mobile sports betting.
You’re Welcome
Sign up as a new player at Unibet, and you’ll get two free bets of $10 plus a risk-free bet of up to $250, based on your deposit.
Sign up here to create your account at Unibet in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa and Virginia.
This holiday season, shop small and give these regional operators a piece of your sports betting budget. As always, bet responsibly and within your budget.