18+ NBA Betting Guide
As the highest level of basketball in the world, the NBA attracts interest from players of all ages. Of course, the league also attracts interest from sports gamblers, but the market for anyone 18 and up is a little limited in the United States.
However, all hope is not lost. Licensed or regulated online sportsbooks allow you to risk real money on games if you are at least 18. We have created this guide to help you navigate the world of offshore NBA betting sites. Here, you can find out where to play, what to wager on, and other key information necessary for successful and legal gambling.
Is NBA Betting Legal At 18 Years Old?
For the most part, domestic sports betting in the US is reserved for those 21 and over. That means, for 18 and up, the best option often lies with online sportsbooks that are based overseas.
If you use a regulated, offshore sportsbook, betting on the NBA playoffs and regular-season games is legal due to a lack of federal laws prohibiting such online gambling. However, we recommend that everyone, regardless of age, become familiar with (and adhere to) all state and federal laws regarding online sports wagering.
Best NBA Betting Sites For 18+ For 2024
| Sportsbook | Bonus | USA | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 50% Bonus Up To $1,000 | 5/5 | Visit SiteReview | |
 | 125% Bonus Up To $3,125 | 4.8/5 | Visit SiteReview | |
 | 50% Bonus Up To $500 | 4.1/5 | Visit SiteReview | |
 | 50% Bonus Up To $1,000 | 4.2/5 | Visit SiteReview | |
 | 50% Bonus Up To $1,000 | 4.1/5 | Visit SiteReview |
Where Can I Bet On NBA Odds At 18?
Since the only real legal option for 18+ NBA Finals betting, the playoffs, and regular-season matchups in the United States is with online sportsbooks, the choices are limited. That does not mean 18+ players don’t have any great options, though.
There are a plethora of online, licensed, or regulated sportsbooks available that offer legal NBA wagering and everything else from simulated sports to cricket for 18-year-olds. To make the sportsbook selection process even easier, we have a list of recommended sportsbooks listed on this page.
Are 18+ Online Sportsbooks Safe?
When betting on the NBA, regardless of location or format, safety is the top priority. Of course, given the stigma surrounding online sports gambling, verifying player protection is key to placing wagers faithfully.
With every online sportsbook featured on this page, state-of-the-art protocols are in place. To ensure player safety when making NBA bets, the sites use live customer support, data encryption, and cryptocurrency funding options. Also, due to their regulated status, these online sportsbooks are held to high standards to guarantee fair practices.
How To Fund Your Sportsbook Account
Using credit cards, vouchers, cryptocurrency, and services like Zelle sportsbook deposits gives you the chance to choose how to fund your account. In general, standard in-person sportsbooks only allow cash or card options.
One popular method right now is cryptocurrency. The most prolific crypto, Bitcoin, is a deposit and withdrawal option on most major online sportsbooks.
Now, with services like Zelle being so convenient, opportunities are endless. With Zelle, you can send money from checking and savings accounts directly to Bitcoin owners on private exchange within minutes.
Sportsbook Promo Codes
Most online sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions specifically for sports betting, which includes the National Basketball Association. For example, some offshore sites may offer you a 50% Welcome Bonus of up to $250.
Other sites may offer NBA wagerers a 25% Reload Bonus up to $500 to add extra value to subsequent wagers. Either way, regardless of the sportsbook chosen, there are almost always promos available.
Can I Bet On The NBA At 18 In My State?
NBA sports betting for 18-year-olds is limited domestically in the United States. So far, only a handful of US states allow 18+ sports gambling, while most require you to be 21 and up. Again, with this limited availability for domestic sports betting for those 18 and over, online sportsbooks are probably the best option.
How To Bet On NBA Odds
- Point Spread: Spreads dictate the margin of victory and/or defeat for both teams. If betting on the favorite, they need to win by more than the point spread. For wagers on the underdog, they either need to win or lose by less than the spread. (ex. Miami -8 means that the Heat must win by 9 or more to “cover the spread.”)
- Moneyline: These bets are more of a “win is a win” type of wager. Each team is given odds (such as Minnesota -110, Atlanta +125) that dictate how much will be won if choosing the correct team. In this example, $100 on Atlanta would pay out profits of $125.
- Totals: Also known as “over/unders,” totals are wagers made on how many points the teams or players will score. Totals can be for one or both teams, or they can be for players. (ex. Suns O/U112.5, or will a player score over/under 20 points?)
- NBA Prop Bets: Props focus on things that don’t always directly influence the game’s outcome. (ex. Will Anthony Davis get at double-double?)
- Parlays: To increase a payout but also increase the risk, parlays allow you to string wagers together for more money. The catch is that all wagers must win. Otherwise, the parlay is graded a loss.
- Futures: This is wagering on a team’s odds to win the NBA Finals, either before or during the season.
Betting On NBA All-Star Odds
Betting on NBA All-Star Weekend activities provides three days worth of pro basketball wagering fun during the mid-season break. Betting on the NBA All-Star game is the beginning, as there are also Slam Dunk Contest odds and lines for the Skills and Three-Point Contest as well.
Because so many events are in play over the NBA All-Star Break, pros are produced in the hundreds across the pro basketball sportsbooks we suggest for 18 and over gamblers to become members with.
NBA Betting Apps For iPhone, iPad, & Android
Don’t rush off to the Google Play or Apple App Stores to download NBA betting software. All that is required is an onboard mobile browser like Google/Chrome, Opera, Safari, Firefox, and others and the ability to click on any of the 18+ sportsbook links included in the table above to convert your smartphone or tablet into a handheld basketball gambling device.
Anyone looking to wager on NBA odds can do so on any modern phone or tablet that still receives routine updates as long as it is connected to the web and the gambler has money to risk on pro basketball betting. Chances are you’re reading this on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device now, so click any of the links above and watch it transform into a mobile sports betting application in nanoseconds.
NBA Betting Tips And Strategies For 18 & Over
- Understand the NBA: Apart from that, just knowing the teams, players, and win-loss records throughout the league can help with making informed sports bets. If nothing else, an interest in the league will at least make the odds easier to follow.
- Review injuries: Missing just one player can disrupt a team’s entire game plan. For that reason, it is always smart to keep an eye on injuries and which players will be sitting out as it can affect spreads, totals, lines, and more.
- Analyze matchups: Basketball is a game of matchups and adjustments. One team may do horribly against a certain defensive style but may thrive against another. Looking at the matchups is one of the easiest ways to determine where to bet.
- Manage your bankroll: This is key for all bettors, especially new 18+ gamblers. Gambling wisely and trying never to bust can prolong your chances of hitting big. Besides, who wants to lose a lot anyway?