Overall Rating 4.7
50% Signup Bonus
Up To $1,000 Code: BVD1000
Reload Bonuses
Up To $250
Bovada Sportsbook Rating
BovadaLV is the best online sports betting site that serves the United States operating today. They achieve high marks across the board and routinely deliver premium sports betting services year after year. Our 2024 Bovada Sportsbook Review provides an honest, inside look into the brand, including its pros and cons.
New members are eligible to take advantage of an SBL exclusive welcome bonus offer: 50% deposit bonus up to $1000 – BVD1000 Bonus Code! This sportsbook also has a Bitcoin bonus, offering a 75% match up to $750 when using Bitcoin to fund online accounts. (You can use Bitcoin/crypto with the new exclusive bonus offer if you prefer - just insert the bonus code when making your deposit!)
Overview
Bovada was launched in 2011 and was previously owned and operated by Bodog. Their online sportsbook has since become an independent entity, and they are known for their long-term, reputable presence in the US online sportsbook industry.
They offer 24/7 customer service and access to betting lines on the world's most popular sports. Today, they operate out of the legal gaming jurisdiction of Costa Rica and are licensed by Curacao (License Number B2C-4FML2EDR-1668JAZ.). They are able to legally serve the US sports betting market over the web.
Their optimum customer service practices, timely and accurate payout delivery systems, and online data protection technologies are just a few reasons why we do business with them. Their longevity in these departments is what makes them the best online sportsbook in the game today.
Although Bovada sports betting has been around since 2011, we’ve been in the game much longer than that. Our decades of collective experience here at Sports Betting Legal grant us the knowledge and industry insight to quickly assess who the reputable and illegitimate vendors are.
When we offer our opinion on an online sportsbook, you can trust that it is because we’ve done business with them for years, and have first-hand familiarity with depositing funds, withdrawing winnings, and placing a bet.
Bovada is, in the shared opinion of our review team, the best online sportsbook taking bets over the web from US sports gamblers. We suggest that anyone who takes online sports betting seriously consider this bookmaker.
Bovada owns a top three ranking in just about every possible sports betting category imaginable, frequently claiming the number one spot. They aren’t the best at everything, but the total combined online sports betting experience that they provide equates to a second-to-none rating.
If you routinely bet online on sports or anything else, then a membership with Bovada is essential for the following reasons.
- Longevity – No other offshore sportsbook can claim a longer run in the business
- Competitive betting odds that are in line with what Las Vegas offers
- Guaranteed payouts with our staff’s preferred deposit and withdrawal options
- Top-end user interface with easy to find betting lines on all major college and pro sports
- The best customer service we’ve experienced, and it’s not even close
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Is Bovada Sportsbook Legal For US Bettors?
Yes. The Bovada sports betting site can, in fact, offer its services to American players over the web because they are operating inside a legal gaming jurisdiction outside of the United States.
There are no US federal gambling laws that prohibit anyone inside of the borders of the United States from placing bets at offshore sportsbooks over the Internet. They operate inside of the gaming jurisdiction of Costa Rica and are licensed to accept online sports bets by Curacao - License Number B2C-4FML2EDR-1668JAZ.
Please note that Bovada restricts access in the following states: CO, CT, DC, DE, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, and WV.
Bonuses & Promotions For October 2024
How To Get Free Money on Bovada
This sportsbook doesn't always offer the most promotions compared to many other top betting sites, but they're a lot more generous in their terms and conditions.
Bovada sports bonuses and promotions come attached to wagering requirements that are reasonable and transparent and in line with industry standards. Their sportsbook bonuses and promotions are definitely worth considering when making a deposit.
Special $1000 Exclusive Welcome Bonus – SBL Readers Only
This is a 50% deposit match bonus that will earn you up to $1000 to use on any sports bets, virtual sports bets, or horse racing bets you make. Use Bovada Bonus Code: BVD1000 to claim this limited-time offer. Just click or tap on any of the links on this page and the code will be applied to your new account. (To opt-out, simply deselect the code during the deposit process.)
Standard $250 Welcome Bonus – All New Members
This is the standard sign-up bonus, and it's offered year-round. If you deposit using credit or debit (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx) or an international gift card, you'll be eligible for this 50% deposit-match offer that adds up to $250 in free plays to your betting bankroll.
Enhanced $750 Bitcoin Bonus – All New Members
If you use Bitcoin (or any supported cryptocurrency, like BCH, LTC, ETH, or USDT) for your initial deposit, your Welcome Bonus is a nice 75% match worth up to $750. You can claim this by entering promo code: BTCSWB750.
Refer-A-Friend Bonus – All Members
Their refer-a-friend bonus offers existing account holders a 200% bonus up to $200 (with an extra $75 if they deposit via Bitcoin) for every account you get to sign up and deposit through your referral link.
Crypto Miner Contest – Free To Prior Crypto Depositors
Place a high score in a Pac-Man-style video game and win up to $1,000 each month through the end of the year - for free! If you've deposited in cryptocurrency before, then you can play as much as you want. The top 50 finishers win money, so take a crack at the high score now.
More information on the referral bonus and other offers can be found on the promotions page.
Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership Upgrade
Gamblers have long been depositing with Bitcoin to get the best online sports betting bonuses, the highest limits, no-fee transfers, and same-day payouts.
Current members can now upgrade to this new membership level for free and get all of the following benefits just for making the same weekly BTC/crypto deposits you already do!
- Weekly Deposit Match Bonus – 50% Up To $500
- Weekly Free Spins – 25 Free Spins w/ min. $30 BTC deposit
- Bonus Reward Points – 15,000 extra rewards points w/ min. $30 BTC deposit
While the weekly free spins are limited to casino action, even if you’re just at the site for sports betting, these offers should be strongly considered. The weekly deposit match bonus can be used for sports betting, and it’s only available via their Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership.
Plus, the additional Bovada Reward points are good for a whole host of benefits, and they apply to your account across the board, no matter your game. These points add up quickly, and our staff have already opted in and are taking advantage of the benefits.
2022 Update: Members can now upgrade to the Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership tier using any crypto deposit option (BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH, USDT, BSV) or voucher deposit options. To be eligible for this upgrade, you must credit all deposits to your account in USD, not mBTC.
Bonus Rollover/Playthrough Requirements
Now, this site isn’t setting any records with these bonuses, but one thing you’ll notice about them is that their sports betting bonuses are a lot easier to clear than other bonuses. The sportsbook bonus 5X rollover requirement is one of the most player-friendly offers around.
In addition to the above, they are known to offer seasonal and special promotions throughout the year, so be sure to check the promotions section of their site before adding new funds to your account.
Sports Betting Options
Their online sportsbook covers the most popular college and professional sports occurring around the globe, with Bovada NFL lines being among the most popular in the industry. Even in niche categories like eSports, celebrity divorce odds, snooker betting odds, or professional wrestling betting, you’ll often find a full assortment of lines and odds.
Point spreads, over-unders (totals), and straight money lines, are offered for nearly every contest, as well as parlay options, prop bets, round robin bets, and more.
Sports You Can Bet On
- Football: NFL, College Football
- Basketball: NBA, College Basketball, WNBA
- Baseball: MLB, College Baseball
- Celebrity Boxing
- Soccer: MLS, MWLS, Most International Leagues
- Hockey: NHL
- MMA: UFC
- Golf: PGA, Minor Tours, LIV Golf
- Nascar
- Esports: Esports lines for League of Legends, CSGO, Dota 2, Call of Duty, Sports Simulations, and more
- Virtual Sports: basketball, soccer, car racing, horse racing, greyhound racing, camel racing, and more
- Sports Sims: Madden, NBA 2K, MLB the Show, UFC, EA Sports FC (fka FIFA), NHL, NASCAR Ignition
- Politics: Political Betting on Presidential Elections, State And Federal Races, International Politics, Indictment Odds
- Table tennis
- Horse Racing: Domestic and International races
- Misc. Betting Options: entertainment betting, martial arts, cycling, tennis, US Open, Wimbledon, cricket, volleyball betting, wrestling, WWE, AEW, NCAA Wrestling, handball, rugby, Olympics, financials wagering, cryptocurrency wagering, commodities, badminton betting, F1 betting, Power Slap, Lacrosse betting, and more.
The minimum bet that can be placed at this sportsbook is $0.50, which is an advantage over other major online sportsbook sites that feature minimum wager requirements of $2.
The maximum bet that can be placed on a single wager varies from line to line. A nice feature is that each maximum bet total can be tested by clicking the “bet max” button inside of the bet slip.
Members can opt to try for a wager that is higher than the maximum bet allowance, but only when a pop-up appears after selecting the bet max option.
Inside that pop-up, bettors can enter the amount they wish to bet, and the wager will be reviewed by Bovada’s internal team. The bet will appear as “under review” until it has either been approved or declined.
Bovada Super Bowl Betting
BovadaLV is our best-rated online sportsbook and is our number-one destination for betting on the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl odds number in the hundreds as they create NFL futures, game lines, and prop bets for the big game each year. Super Bowl props can be surfed easily using their prop builder app, with a bet slip that can be used to create on-the-fly parlay combinations.
Even during the offseason, Super Bowl futures will take action on next year's winner. Click on any link on this page and see for yourself why they rank as the best online NFL sportsbook in the country.
Bovada Live Betting
Live betting is offered for most sports, and the bigger the matchups, the more live lines you'll get. With traditional betting, sportsbooks require that your wagers be in before the game in question gets underway.
Live odds for in-play betting let gamblers put money on all kinds of in-play action as the contests proceed, from the opening whistle to the closing buzzer.
In-play lines are immersive and offer bettors not only extra entertainment but also the ability to make up for bad pregame bets (or double down on good ones). Our staff often takes advantage of live odds because it allows us to set our own bet schedule.
Once a given game begins, members can enter the sportsbook and locate the in-play lines placed in the center column. Wagers can be placed on live lines by clicking on the spreads, moneyline, or over/under. Prop bets and futures can also be wagered on during games as long as the odds are still posted and a conclusion has not been reached.
We must also advise account holders to rely on live scores instead of the scoreboard on their website, as it may not reflect the latest data. Also, don't be too hasty to jump on a live line that seems to contain erroneous information because it will only result in a voided wager.
Some of the benefits of live betting include:
- Ascertaining a player's injury status and availability prior to placing a wager
- Hedging a bet that was lost earlier in the game
- The ability to wager on a game when your schedule allows
Bovada Prop Builder – Make Your Own Prop Bets!
Bovada has a pretty cool tool that may interest proposition bet enthusiasts. The Prop Builder tool is an interactive feature that allows members to make their own props from all of the day’s or week’s action.
To access the Bovada Prop Builder, simply navigate to the sportsbook, select the “All Sports” tab in the top menu, and click or tap on the Prop Builder icon. Access to every major sporting event on the upcoming calendar of games is available for custom prop bet selections.
Legal Super Bowl Prop Builder odds offer gamblers thousands of options for every selection, and the live bet calculator shows you exactly how much you stand to win on all the permutations you select.
Most major sports are available via the Prop Builder, though their presence will be determined by whether or not the leagues/events are actually in season.
How To Join
As long as you are 18 or older, have some money to wager with, and are standing inside the United States*, you’re eligible to become a member with this betting site and bet on sports at any time of day. (*gambling is not allowed inside Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan, Washington, DC, West Virginia, New York, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland).
Any page located within the site will feature a red “join” button at the top. Click on it to initiate the creation of a Bovada login.
- The first page requires new members to enter personal information and create sportsbook login credentials.
- The following step takes users to the site's banking suite, where USD or cryptocurrency transactions can fund accounts within minutes (crypto is the fastest!). This step is also where you can claim your sign-up bonus or other relevant promotion.
- Once your deposit has been completed, click on the “Sports” button at the top of the page and then seek out the betting odds you’re after using the left tab hierarchy, the menu just under the header, or the search function on the right.
Layout & Design
The sportsbook section of Bovada’s website is usually the first stop for many of our team members when they want to cruise the betting odds, and that is because of their well-designed user interface.
All the day’s major betting lines can be accessed via the drop-down menu at the top-right of the page that says “All Sports A-Z.”
Bovada also features a search function for easy navigation of betting lines, and although not as intuitive as crawlers on other online sportsbook sites, can be fairly accurate as long as you know what you’re looking for.
The “bet max” button in the bet slip is a nice feature so that members can quickly access their maximum payout options should they secure a win.
We also get a lot of mileage out of the travelling bet slip that moves with members throughout the site like a shopping cart that never leaves your side. It creates for convenient cross-sport parlays with on-the-fly calculations.
Deposit & Payout Options
Sure, this sportsbook has all the usual suspects here, like credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, American Express), bank transfers, cashier's checks, etc., but what delivers a premium banking suite is its convenient cryptocurrency and P2P options.
Online sports gambling banking methods have really evolved well past credit cards and bank transfers. Some people are looking for payment options that are more reliable, quicker, and more secure.
The list of account funding options currently available at Bovada includes the following:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Bitcoin SV (BSV)*
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Tether (USDT)
- Vouchers
- MatchPay
- P2P Apps (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, etc.)
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Samsung Pay
To learn more about all the funding methods offered by legal sportsbooks see our detailed comparison guide to online sportsbook banking options.
At this bookmaker, you don’t have to hand over your CC info or your bank’s routing numbers. Like most reputable online sportsbooks, Bovada is considered a Bitcoin betting site.
That means members can simply enter their BTC or crypto wallet address and deposit and/or withdraw whatever they want without ever having to hand over their personal financial information.
Bitcoin/crypto is perhaps the most secure payment method on the planet, and it’s also 100% free. Plus, the transfers go through in an instant! As soon as you deposit your money with crypto, you can start gambling.
For those who are brand new to using Bitcoin/crypto for legal online sports betting, we've explained how easy it is to do just below.
*Bitcoin SV (BSV) deposits and payouts are reserved for VIP members. Eligibility is determined by your lifetime Bovada Rewards level, and players who unlock BSV support will see the option in their deposit menus when logged in.
How To Deposit Crypto At Bovada Sportsbook
The process for depositing funds with crypto is the same for all supported crypto coins at the site (BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH, BSV).
In order to make a crypto deposit, simply go to the deposits section of the site and select the appropriate cryptocurrency option. From there, you'll enter Bovada's crypto wallet address for the coin in question within your own wallet or exchange software, select the amount you wish to send, and initiate the transfer. It's just that easy.
For members who have never bought Bitcoin or crypto before, there are several ways to go about it. The most common option is to use a commercial crypto exchange (Coinbase, Binance US, etc.), but these exchanges institute a 5-10-day wait on first-time purchasers before they can send their coins off-platform. If you want to bet ASAP, this is a bad option.
Luckily, there are several alternatives available to you:
- Zelle-To-Bitcoin – Most US residents have access to Zelle through their bank accounts, which means they can use Zelle to buy BTC from private sellers. This process takes 1-2 hours at most, after which time you simply make your Bitcoin deposit into your sportsbook account.
- Cash App-To-Bitcoin – Cash App users can use the popular P2P app to purchase Bitcoin directly within the app itself. Account verification takes just a few minutes, and you'll be able to make same-day BTC deposits even if you've never used crypto before.
- Coinify Exchange – Coinify isn't exactly an "exchange," it's more of an instant crypto store that allows users to make credit card purchases of popular crypto coins. You can use Coinify to buy any crypto and deposit quickly and securely.
- Atomic Wallet – Atomic Wallet is the only mobile crypto wallet that has a built-in cryptocurrency store. You can use Atomic to buy all the most popular crypto coins on the market, and you can get them in just a few minutes instead of waiting a week or more.
We could go on about some of the other options that are available, but other than CC and crypto, there’s not much more Americans typically use (though vouchers and MatchPay could change that – see below). Regardless, our team suggests that you use the Bitcoin/crypto option, as it is the most beneficial all-around deposit and withdrawal method.
How To Withdraw Crypto
Using BTC to withdraw money from your account allows you take your money out right away, as Bitcoin payouts are added to your digital wallet in just 30-60 minutes after approval. Their effective integration of Bitcoin and other cryptos is one reason that the site is rated among USA sportsbooks with the fastest payouts.
To claim a Bovada Bitcoin withdrawal – or any crypto withdrawal at the site – you no longer have to actually deposit in crypto! This used to be mandatory, but site members can now claim payouts in BTC/crypto no matter what mode of deposit was used initially. Crypto is your only reliable option for same-day payouts, and these payouts come with no added transaction fees.
If you don't want to withdraw in BTC or crypto, you can choose to withdraw your money via Check by Courier instead. With this method, you will receive a check via a delivery courier within about a week. They offer one free check by courier withdrawal per 90 days. Additional checks requested within this timeframe may incur associated fees.
Voucher Deposits And Withdrawals
Sportsbook vouchers are one of the newest funding and withdrawal options at this site, and these player-to-player transfers work for both uploads and withdrawals.
Existing members can post any portion of their eligible balances to the Bovada Community boards, where other members can purchase these for instant deposits into their own accounts. Sales are made at the member's discretion via PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or other P2P services.
To buy a voucher, simply browse the community posts, find a seller, and purchase their code.
Once the transaction is complete, you’ll enter this code into the Voucher field via the Cashier page, and the amount will be instantly credited to your bankroll.
For sellers, sportsbook vouchers can sometimes allow for same-day payouts (this depends on how quickly you find a buyer), and the process is just as easy. There are no fees for buying or selling Vouchers.
MatchPay Banking Options
Bovada MatchPay is once again available for making deposits and claiming payouts. Essentially, MatchPay works the same way as vouchers or player transfers. That is, MatchPay lets site members buy and sell their account balances between one another.
However, MatchPay is actually its own third-party service, and it streamlines the voucher/transfer process considerably. Instead of requiring site members to post voucher codes for sale or browse message boards whenever they want to make deposits, MatchPay handles this automatically.
To use MatchPay here, you can sign up for the service for free right from the Cashier page. Just make your account to become a MatchPay Trader, and you're good to go. Then, when you want to use the service to facilitate online betting via PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, etc., simply select the MatchPay option, put in the amount of money you wish to buy or sell, and check all the different P2P services you use.
The only downside with MatchPay is that the limits are lower. That is, you can only deposit or withdraw up to $1000 at a time with the service, whereas vouchers have a $3000 limit and player transfers have a $15,000 limit. Otherwise, as with vouchers and transfers, there are no added fees of any kind.
Mobile Bovada Betting App
In terms of both presentation and user interface, Bovada's mobile sportsbook app is the best we have encountered.
When it comes to how to use mobile betting solutions, there's nothing to it – not even a download! That's because you won't find an iPhone app or Android app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Their mobile betting application is web-based for quick access from any current mobile browser on an up-to-date smartphone or tablet (Apple, Android).
No matter what make or model of mobile device you have – and no matter how big or small your phone or tablet screen is – this browser-based web app will conform to fit those dimensions perfectly, and secure SSL technology ensures a hassle-free, safe betting experience.
You can bet on sports at this site from anywhere with a mobile device connected to the web via wifi or cellular service. Learn more about legal mobile sports betting to find out the upside to placing bets from your smartphone and/or tablet.
How To Handle Bovada Complaints
If you ever encounter a problem with a payout, a betting line, software, or any other aspect of their online gambling operation, you can contact their support team 24 hours a day. They can be reached by phone, email, or live chat if you are logged in to their website.
- Bovada Email: disputeresolution@bovada.lv
Their team has an additional step for its members should their team be unable to settle the dispute. The Curacao eGaming Commission is their regulatory body. You can access their credentials by clicking on the Curacao eGaming icon at the bottom of their homepage. Once you get there, you can scroll down until you find a button that will take you to the form labeled "File a Complaint with CEG."
Pressing this button takes you to a new form where you can enter details regarding the dispute. You must type in your member identification number and email address and provide details regarding the issue. The commission assumes that all players have already exhausted all attempts to resolve a payment dispute, account access, and suspect gameplay with Bovada before submission of this form.
The CEG will review your complaint and provide a final ruling to both parties. We've always had immediate success with their customer service, but it is nice to know this option is available if needed.
Self Exclusion Option
Clint Eastwood once famously said, "A man's got to know his limitations," as Dirty Harry in 1973's Magnum Force. Regardless of gender, there are situations where setting a gambling limit or an outright prohibition from sports betting is a good idea. Members can start the self-exclusion process by clicking on the Curacao eGaming logo at the bottom of their homepage.
You can then scroll to the "Request For Self-Exclusion" page and fill out the information boxes. By submitting this self-exclusion form, you agree to terms that include triggering an automatic 6-month ban. The licensing body must review the request and then allow Bovada an additional seven days to consider it before acting on any self-exclusion request.
Their help section also features numerous tips on how to limit your gambling activity with online resources and links to software that can block any gambling site that you choose.
Summary
BovadaLV has earned a 4.7 out of 5 overall rating. It all starts with the massive amount of betting options you find on the site. You can bet on politics, eSports, international sports, sports sims, and most other subgenres that are currently grabbing headlines.
Most of their odds are available to bet on live. They’re also generous with their bonuses and promotions, offering them to new members and long-term customers via reload promos.
Their banking methods are plentiful, and although we prefer Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals, there are several other options that are just as advantageous to use.
We can't oversell the customer support enough. They're good at what they do and have come through quickly in a pinch for us on a couple of occasions over our ten years of doing business with them.
Any serious online sports bettor in the United States should consider becoming a member before making another wager.