Basketball is recognised in the betting community as one of the top sports to wager on. Punters adore it for its volatility, competitive odds, and general team spirit. Between October and April, the long NBA season operates, giving you plenty of time to bet on the extensive list of games taking place.
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If you don’t know where to start, or are looking for some new strategies, look no further than our handy guide below. Learn about the best betting sites, variety of markets, and most profitable betting offers associated with basketball.
How We Rank The Best NBA Betting Sites
The sheer popularity of the NBA means that there is a vast array of bookmakers that offer basketball betting options. As a result, we have compiled a list of essential criteria that every good betting site will have. This will help you streamline your list of bookmakers depending on their useful features.
| Fast Registration | An NBA betting site should have fast registration in order to be considered a top bookmaker. The entire process should take no longer than 2-5 minutes, as only essential questions are asked. You will be required to input contact details, a password, billing information and asked to verify these details. |
| Competitive Odds | Although the bookmakers may have similar betting markets, their odds differ greatly. It is important to research different betting sites, and make a mental note of whose odds are greater. This way you will get the most profit out of your stake. It is worth noting that you can use multiple betting sites for different purposes. |
| Range Of Offers | Welcome offers are the most prevalent, and you will see them before signing up to any betting site. Compare which bookmakers to see which will give you the most value for your money. Other types of offers include free bets on basketball, free spins on their casino, and VIP loyalty programs which rewards customers for placing wagers. |
| Selection Of Markets | There are several NBA betting markets. The most popular include outright winner, handicap betting, under/over betting, total points betting, individual player betting, futures betting, and accumulator betting. These are fundamental markets that every bookmaker should offer. In addition, there are other niche markets which are worthwhile looking into. |
| Security | When placing basketball bets, the last thing you should have to worry about is your security. Every betting site should have a license, encryption, double verification, and a range of authentication methods depending on the preferences of its customers. This way, you can focus on your betting with the relief of your details being safe. |
| Variety Of Payment Methods | Nowadays, there are a range of ways to fund your betting site account. Whilst the most widespread payment method is via debit card (for instance Visa or Mastercard), there are other modern transaction methods. E-wallets are a popular way to deposit and withdraw your basketball bets, as they are separate from your bank account and help you maintain balance between everyday spending and your wagers. This includes Skrill, Revolut, and Neteller. |
| Mobile App | What better way to bet on the NBA than remotely? Mobile apps have revolutionised the way we wager, allowing us to place bets from outside the home. This can mean at the gym, on a lunchtime break from work, or even on a walk. This convenience is a huge advantage, therefore ensure the betting site you wish to join has a compatible mobile application for your phone (e.g. iOS or Android). |
| Engaging Features | There are numerous engaging features that a betting site can have. For example, live streaming capabilities mean that you can watch NBA games without worrying about which channels you need. Especially for Irish punters, this is a big benefit. Other notable engaging features include bet calculators, updates, and in-play betting. |
Best Basketball Bookmakers in Ireland for 2024
After reviewing the criteria above, we have hand-picked our top four basketball bookmakers for NBA betting. They exhibit the exceptional features of a high-ranking betting site.
Bet365
Pros
- Impressive website design
- Plenty of offers
Cons
- Known to limit professional bettors
Bet365 is one of the best betting sites for the NBA because of its user-friendly interface, contemporary website design, and friendly customer service. They also have plenty of engaging features such as high-quality live streaming, which allows for Irish punters to watch games without paying extra for subscription services.
The bet365 welcome bonus is worth €30 in free bets, when you deposit only €10. This is amongst the best deals out there for basketball.
Ladbrokes
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus
- Good variety of payment methods
Cons
- Currently no loyalty scheme
Ladbrokes is another extremely popular option for betting as it covers a variety of sports, and is especially known for its basketball betting. As well as an extensive range of markets, it is renowned for its competitive odds for handicap betting in particular.
When you first join, you only need to deposit €5 in order to qualify for the welcome bonus of €20 in free bets.
Novibet
Pros
- Large welcome bonus
- Competitive odds to other betting sites
Novibet, although newer than the majority of other betting sites, is a trustworthy bookmaker to register with for NBA betting. Since 2006, the company has worked hard to achieve its stellar reputation, known for competitive odds and plenty of betting offers.
In addition, Novibet has the largest welcome offer. When you deposit €10 on a qualifying bet, you receive a generous €50 in free bets.
Cons
- Mobile app not compatible with all phones
888sport
Pros
- Huge variety of basketball betting markets
- High quality live streaming
- In-play betting
Cons
- Withdrawals can take longer than other betting sites
888sports has many great features for punters who wish to bet on the basketball. Whether you want to wager on the pre-season or the playoffs, or even as the match is live, these options allow you to place bets at any time. Furthermore, they have a range of markets such as total points, over/under, odds/evens, and so on.
Lastly, consider that the welcome offer sees you receive €30 in free bets and €10 in free spins.
Basketball Betting Markets
There are many basketball betting markets available; the best betting sites will have a diverse range of markets. Below are the most popular which you will undoubtedly find the majority of bookmakers will offer.
Match Winner
Match winner, or money line betting, is the most common type of bet. This is where you must predict which team will win the game, and it does not matter whether it is a pre-season game or the playoffs. Of course, the odds will be higher when betting on the final, as this is a highly anticipated game.
For example, you may see a bookmaker publish these odds:
- Detroit Pistons to win with odds 7/2
- Indiana Pacers to win with odds 5/1
If you bet on the Pistons and win, your total earnings will include your stake and the profit. If they lost, you will simply lose your stake.
Handicap
Handicap betting, or poin is popular in all sports, especially basketball. This is because NBA games are incredibly popular worldwide, hence all punters have a favourite team. When you are backing the underdog, handicap betting is ideal, as you can assign them an advantage and the opposing team a disadvantage. It may look something like this:
- Los Angeles Lakers (-2)
- New Orleans Pelicans (+2)
If you bet on the Lakers to win, they would have to win by at least 3 points for your wager to be successful. If you bet on the Pelicans to win, they can lose the match by 1 point, or draw, and your wager would still be successful.
Total Points
The total points market is more advanced than match winner, because it requires more accurate guesswork. Like its name suggests, your bet must correctly predict any of the following:
- The total points scored in the game by both teams
- The total points scored by one team
- The margin of points by which a team has won
- The total points scored by a specific player
Usually, this will be in the form of an under/over bet. The bookmaker will state the points, and you will choose whether the outcome will be under or over this number.
Individual Player Props
Instead of betting on an entire team, you can place a wager on a player. There is a plethora of outcomes to bet on such as:
- The total points the player will score in the game
- Which player will score the first points
- Which team will score the first points
- Who will be awarded MVP of the game
- The number of assists in the game
Again, this type of bet comes with experience, as you must already have an understanding of how the game works and how recent games have unfolded. These elements will help you to gain knowledge and create a successful wager.
Futures Betting
If you feel confident in your skills, you can place a future bet. This is where you guess the winner of the NBA final, often months in advance of the game. The odds are astronomically high because the bet is riskier. You have no results of recent matches, cannot foresee injuries, the two teams in the final, and any other useful information that you would gather in a regular bet.
It is worth noting that when placing a future bet, you will have to wait longer for the final outcome than a regular bet. This type of anticipation is stressful for some, whilst others enjoy the excitement.
Accumulator Betting
An accumulator bet is one large wager made up of several selections. In order for you to be successful, every selection of the wager must come true. Alternatively, if even one leg fails, you forfeit your stake and gain no earnings.
In the NBA, an accumulator bet may look something like this:
- The Denver Nuggets to win the NBA Championship
- Nikola Jokic to win MVP
- The total points scored from both teams to be over 190
For you to win the wager, every selection above must be fulfilled. If you want to place an accumulator bet but are worried about one of the selections, it is worth searching for a betting site that offers Acca Insurance.
Types Of Betting Offers For NBA Basketball
Now that we recognise the betting markets for NBA basketball, it is worth mentioning the types of betting offers available from bookmakers. Below are the most common types of offer you will come across.
Welcome Offers
Welcome offers are the first type of offer you will see when registering for a betting site. This is what entices new customers to join, so they are often of high value. Compare different bookmakers to see which will offer you more in contrast to the others.
Usually, this is awarded in free bets for sports wagering and free spins for the online casino. However, there are stipulations. This may include placing a minimum deposit, a bet of odds greater than a certain value, and having a time period to redeem the offer.
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds, otherwise known as odds boosts, are another common type of bet advertised by bookmakers. By artificially inflating the bets, they become more attractive as the profit you stand to gain is much higher than it would normally be.
This promotion is short term and therefore if you find promising odds, be sure to take advantage of them. For example, you may see that the winner for an NBA pre-season game would be 20/1, which is astronomically boosted in comparison to regular odds.
NBA Betting Strategies
Once you understand the different NBA markets and types of offers available, you can begin to strategize. We have listed the best tips we could gather to help you create the perfect wager.
Research
Doing your research when it comes to basketball is essential. This could mean a variety of things:
- Checking the previous winners of the NBA championships
- Statistical analysis of recent matches
- Roster updates
- Keeping up-to-date with injuries
- Spotting any drastic changes in betting odds
Most betting sites have important updates published on their webpage and will inform you if there are any changes which could be beneficial or detrimental to your wagering decisions. Furthermore, registering with a betting site that has high-quality livestreaming will keep you informed on the league tables and other useful details.
Comparing The Odds Of Different Bookmakers
Every NBA betting site will have different odds, and this is inevitable. Nonetheless, it is upto you as the punter to consistently compare the odds of betting sites and gather which have the highest.
For example:
- Betting site A: Toronto Raptors to win against the Brooklyn Nets with odds 5/2
- Betting site B: Toronto Raptors to win against the Brooklyn Nets with odds 4/1
If you place a €10 stake with betting site A you will only make a €25 profit. However, if you place a €10 stake with betting site B you will make a €40 profit. Therefore, with the same value stake, you can gain bigger earnings.
Home Games
Understandably, the setting of the game plays a huge role in how the turnout of the match is. This is true for all sports, especially the gruelling ones like basketball. The biggest reason for this is that teams are adjusted to their own stadium, which they have likely practised in for years. As a result, they feel more comfortable playing. Another important factor is transport, because they aren’t physically impacted by the stress of the journey.
In-Play Betting
In-play betting is a beneficial feature that all of the best betting sites have. Otherwise known as live betting, this is where you can place wagers on games that are being currently played. It is the opposite of future betting, where you place a wager in advance of the match.
There are several benefits to in-play betting such as:
- Many betting sites offer free live-streaming when you place an in-play bet
- The unique perspective of watching NBA games live puts you at an advantage to other punters
- There is less time to wait for the outcome of the wager
- In-play betting is dynamic and therefore enhances your betting experience
Setting Financial Limits
Lastly, it is vital to set financial limits when betting on the NBA. There are many ways to do this:
- Consider applying for an e-wallet account. In contrast to using a debit card registered to your main bank account, you can instead separate your expenses. This way, it is easier to see how much you are spending and how much you are earning.
- Setting yourself time limits can be helpful in balancing your finances. If you only spend an hour a day betting, for example, you will place less bets.
- Decide how much you can afford to wager before you look into placing any bets. Sticking to this budget will be beneficial in the long run.
- Creating fewer, more intentional bets is better than placing several hasty bets. Don’t make any rash decisions.
FAQs On Basketball Betting
In conclusion, we hope to have answered all of your questions on basketball betting. We have discussed the way we rank betting sites, the top bookmakers for NBA betting, popular markets, types of betting offers, and the best strategies associated with basketball betting. In final, we have listed the most commonly asked questions, which will help you have a more well-rounded understanding on this type of betting.
When Is The NBA Season?
A usual NBA season lasts around six months, operating between October to April. In this time approximately 82 games are played, although this number can be lower or higher depending on the outcome of the matches and other extenuating circumstances. The most recent NBA season is 2023/2024, commencing from Tuesday October 24th 2023 and ending on Sunday April 14th 2024.
- There are 14 group play games
- There are 7 knockout round games
Who Are The Previous Winners Of The NBA Championship?
To make an informed NBA bet, you must be aware of the previous winners of the NBA championship. This will not only help you scope out who is usually top of the league table, but will also aid in you getting a better understanding of the game and its rules in general.
| YEAR | WESTERN CHAMPION | EASTERN CHAMPION | WINNER | MVP |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | Miami Heat | Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokic |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | Boston Celtics | Golden State Warriors | Stephen Curry |
| 2021 | Phoenix Suns | Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | Miami Heat | Los Angeles Lakers | LeBron James |
| 2019 | Golden State Warriors | Toronto Raptors | Toronto Raptors | Kawhi Leonard |
Other statistics worth noting include:
- The Los Angeles Lakers have 17 titles
- The Boston Celtics have 17 titles
- The Golden State Warriors have 7 titles
- Chicago Bulls have 6 titles
- San Antonio Spurs has 5 titles
How Do You Place A Basketball Bet?
Placing a basketball bet is easy. The steps are:
- Register or log in with your favourite bookmaker
- Search ‘basketball’ and click on the NBA tab
- Browse through the different markets (match winner, handicap, total points, individual player props, futures betting, accumulator betting)
- Choose a market and find the best odds
- Fund your betting site account, place a stake and submit the wager
- Wait for the results of your bet!
Which Are The Best Bookmakers For NBA Betting?
Our pick of the top bookmakers for NBA betting includes bet365, Ladbrokes, Novibet, and 888sports. This is because they exhibit the most properties we look out for when ranking bookmakers. A variety of markets, generous bonuses and offers, robust security, friendly customer services, a range of payment methods, an accessible mobile app, and competitive odds are all examples of this. In addition, engaging features like live streaming, bet calculators, and in-play betting are also beneficial.
With this being said, there are countless other bookmakers out there. This includes Bet Victor, William Hill, BetWay, betfair, Paddy Power (an Irish favourite!), BoyleSports (another Irish favourite), Tony Bet, Quick Win, Pribet, Betition, and Leo Vegas.