Best low deposit betting sites ranked
All four sportsbooks below are fully licensed, available across multiple US states, and allow you to start betting with $5 or $10. Here's how they compare at a glance.
| Sportsbook | Minimum deposit | Welcome offer | Available states |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | $5 | Bet $5+ get $100 in bonus bets | AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, and WV |
| FanDuel | $5 | Bet $5 get $150 if your bet wins | AR, AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, and WV |
| BetMGM | $10 | Bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets if you win | AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV |
| bet365 | $10 | Bet $10 and get $200 + 50 spins | AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, and VA |
DraftKings Sportsbook - $5 minimum deposit
- Legal in 26 US states
- Long A-Z list of sports markets
- Awesome promos
- Limited list of legal states
DraftKings is one of the two lowest-minimum sportsbooks in the US market, accepting deposits from just $5 via debit card, PayPal, Venmo, and online banking. That same $5 is all you need to unlock the welcome offer: bet $5 on any eligible market and if your bet wins, you receive $300 in bonus bets instantly, giving you a 6,000% return on your qualifying wager.
Beyond the welcome offer, DraftKings covers over 20 sports with a strong in-play betting product, same-game parlays, and a dynasty rewards loyalty program that earns Crowns on every wager redeemable for bonus credits or merchandise. The app is rated 4.8 on iOS and 4.7 on Android, among the highest of any US sportsbook. Available across most legal US states.
| Minimum deposit | $5 |
| Welcome offer | Bet $5+ get $100 in bonus bets |
| Fastest withdrawal | Same-day via PayPal or Venmo |
| App Store rating | 4.8 ⭐ |
| Google Play rating | 4.7 ⭐ |
| Available states | AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, and WV |
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
FanDuel Sportsbook - $5 minimum deposit
- Wide range of sports and bet types
- Includes deep prop markets
- Fast withdrawals with PayPal and Venmo
- Reliable app with quick loading and stable live betting
- Some prop markets can be buried under extra clicks
FanDuel matches DraftKings with a $5 minimum deposit and has the highest-rated sportsbook app in the US at 4.9 on iOS. Bet $5 on any eligible market and if your bet wins you receive $150 in bonus bets, making it one of the most accessible entry points in the licensed US sports betting market. Payment options include debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and online banking.
FanDuel covers all major US sports alongside international football, tennis, golf, and more, with a strong same-game parlay builder and competitive odds across most markets. Existing players benefit from regular odds boosts, profit boost tokens, and the Rewards Club program. If you already use FanDuel for daily fantasy sports, everything connects under one account. Available across most legal US states.
| Minimum deposit | $5 |
| Welcome offer | Bet $5 get $150 if your bet wins |
| Fastest withdrawal | Same-day via PayPal or Venmo |
| App Store rating | 4.9 ⭐ |
| Google Play rating | 4.7 ⭐ |
| Available states | AR, AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, and WV |
BetMGM Sportsbook - $10 minimum deposit
- Comprehensive sports betting markets
- Regular bonuses and promotions
- Dedicated mobile betting apps
- Not available in all US states
BetMGM's minimum deposit is $10, which is still one of the lowest in the US market and a realistic starting point for any casual bettor. The welcome offer gives new players $150 in bonus bets if their first $10 bet wins, which is a clean and straightforward offer with no complicated conditions attached.
BetMGM covers 20+ sports with a solid live betting product, boosted odds, and the MGM Rewards loyalty program that connects your betting activity to real-world perks at MGM resort properties. Payment options include PayPal, Venmo, debit cards, Play+, and cash at cage at MGM properties. Available across most legal US states.
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Welcome offer | Bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets if you win |
| Fastest withdrawal | 24 to 48 hours via PayPal |
| App Store rating | 4.8 ⭐ |
| Google Play rating | 4.1 ⭐ |
| Available states | AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV |
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
bet365 Sportsbook - $10 minimum deposit
- Generous welcome bonus
- 24/7 live chat
- Intuitive site interface
- Dedicated mobile app
- No VIP program
bet365 accepts deposits from $10 and offers one of the more complete welcome packages in the US market. Bet $10 and you receive $200 in bonus bets plus 50 casino spins, giving the offer a combined value that goes beyond what most sportsbook-only welcome deals provide. The offer is only available through the mobile app, so downloading it before registering is a required first step.
bet365 stands out for its live streaming product, which lets you watch thousands of events directly in the app alongside your bets. The cash out feature is available on a wide range of markets, giving you more control over your positions. Payment options include PayPal, Venmo, debit cards, Apple Pay, and online banking.
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Welcome offer | Bet $10 and get $200 + 50 spins |
| Fastest withdrawal | 1 to 4 hours via PayPal |
| App Store rating | 4.8 ⭐ |
| Google Play rating | 4.4 ⭐ |
| Available states | AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, and VA |
What is a low minimum deposit betting site?
A minimum deposit is the smallest amount you can add to your sportsbook account in a single transaction. Every licensed US sportsbook has one, and at the best operators it starts at just $5. It's worth noting that the minimum deposit is not the same as the minimum bet, which is the smallest individual wager you can place, often as low as $0.10 at many sportsbooks.
Low deposit sportsbooks are particularly useful for new bettors who want to try a platform before committing a large amount, or for casual bettors who prefer to keep their spending in check. Most welcome offers at licensed US sportsbooks are designed to be triggered by a small qualifying bet of $5, meaning you don't need a large bankroll to access the best bonuses on the market.
Why choose a low deposit sportsbook?
There are several practical reasons why low deposit sportsbooks are a smart starting point, whether you're new to betting or an experienced player trying a new platform.
Low risk for new bettors
Starting with a small deposit lets you learn how a sportsbook works, explore the betting markets, and place your first few wagers without putting significant money on the line. DraftKings and FanDuel both allow you to get started for $5, which is less than the cost of a coffee. It's the lowest-risk way to decide whether a platform suits your style before you commit more.
Test a platform before you commit
No amount of reading reviews tells you as much as actually using a sportsbook yourself. A $5 or $10 deposit lets you assess the app, the odds, the cash out feature, and the speed of payouts before deciding whether to use it as your primary betting account.
Unlock welcome offers with minimal outlay
Most welcome offers at licensed US sportsbooks require only a $5 qualifying bet to unlock. DraftKings' $300 bonus bet offer and FanDuel's $250 offer both trigger from a $5 first wager, meaning you get outsized value from a very small initial investment.
Better bankroll management
Keeping deposits small is one of the simplest and most effective tools for responsible bankroll management. Setting a budget and depositing only what you're comfortable spending in a session makes it easier to stay in control of your betting activity over time.
Welcome bonuses at low deposit sportsbooks
The welcome bonus structure at US sportsbooks is well suited to low-deposit players. Most top operators tie their welcome offers to a minimum qualifying bet of $5, not a minimum deposit size, which means even a $5 deposit is enough to unlock hundreds of dollars in bonus bets.
It's important to understand how bonus bets work before you claim them. When you win a bet placed with a bonus bet, only the profit is paid out as real cash, not the bonus bet stake itself. For example, a $25 bonus bet on a +200 market that wins returns $50 in real cash, not $75. This is standard practice at all four sportsbooks on this page and is not a disadvantage, just something to factor in when deciding how to use your bonus bets.
Note that to claim a welcome offer, the minimum deposit required is sometimes higher than the sportsbook's standard minimum. Always check the specific welcome offer terms for your state before depositing, as these can vary.
The sports betting sites worth your time
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
+9
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
+6
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
+7
- Bet on 40+ different sports
- Dynamic odds on live, in-play fixtures
- Deposit and bet $5 to receive up to $300 in bonus bets
10 x $100 bet match in FanCash
+3
- 15+ sports categories
- An extensive range of betting markets
- Supports in-play betting and live streaming
Payment methods and minimum deposits
Minimum deposit amounts can vary by payment method at the same sportsbook. Here's a breakdown of what to expect across the four operators on this page.
| Sportsbook | Debit card | PayPal | Venmo | Online banking | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| FanDuel | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| BetMGM | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| bet365 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
How to make a minimum deposit at a sportsbook
Making your first deposit at any of the sportsbooks on this page takes just a few minutes. Here's how the process works from start to finish.
- Visit the sportsbook using our link: Click a link or banner on this page to go to your chosen sportsbook. This ensures any welcome offer is correctly associated with your new account.
- Create your account: Fill in your name, email address, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Some sportsbooks also let you sign up with an existing Google or Apple account.
- Verify your identity: Confirm your email address and phone number. Some sportsbooks complete this automatically using the details you provide.
- Navigate to the cashier and choose a payment method: Head to the deposit section and select your preferred method. PayPal and debit cards are the simplest options if you're depositing for the first time.
- Enter your deposit amount: Type in at least the minimum required to trigger the welcome offer, typically $5 at DraftKings and FanDuel or $10 at BetMGM and bet365.
- Place your qualifying bet and claim your bonus: Place your first bet on an eligible market. Once the bet settles, your bonus bets will be credited to your account automatically.
Free alternative: social sportsbooks
If you're in a state where licensed real money sports betting is not yet available, or if you simply want to bet on sports without spending any money at all, social sportsbooks are the best free alternative. They work on the same sweepstakes model as social casinos, letting you make sports picks using virtual coins rather than real money, with the option to redeem Sweeps Coins for real prizes.
Pickem is our top pick in this category. It's available in 41 US states, completely free to join, and gives new players 50,000 Gold Coins and 1 Sweeps Coin just for signing up with no purchase required. The platform combines a pick'em style sports prediction game with a sweepstakes casino, covering major US sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. You make More or Less predictions on player props, and correct picks earn you multiplied Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for cash prizes once you've met the 1x play-through requirement and accumulated at least 100 SC.
The Pickem app is available on both iOS and Android and holds a 4.7 App Store rating. Daily login bonuses top up your balance every 24 hours, and the progressive streak means the longer you log in consecutively, the more coins you receive. For players who want the sports betting experience without the financial commitment, Pickem is the strongest free-to-play option currently available.
| Free sign-up bonus | 50,000 GC + 1 SC |
| Cost to join | Free, no purchase required |
| Sports covered | NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, F1 |
| Play-through requirement | 1x on SC |
| Minimum SC to redeem | 100 SC |
| App Store rating | 4.7 ⭐ |
| Available states | 41 US states |
Are low deposit betting sites legal in the US?
Yes. All four sportsbooks on this page are fully licensed by their respective state gaming authorities and operate legally in every state where they accept bets. Sports betting in the US is regulated at the state level, and the minimum deposit requirements are set by the operator, not by regulation. There is no legal distinction between a $5 deposit and a $500 deposit at a licensed sportsbook.
Real money sports betting is currently legal in most US states, though the exact list of available operators varies by state. The table below shows approximate availability for each sportsbook on this page.
| Sportsbook | Number of states | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | 25+ | 21+ (18+ in some states) |
| FanDuel | 25+ | 21+ (18+ in some states) |
| BetMGM | 20+ | 21+ (18+ in some states) |
| bet365 | 12 | 21+ (18+ in KY) |
How we rate low deposit betting sites
Every sportsbook on this page was assessed against a consistent set of criteria before being recommended. Here's what we look at.
Minimum deposit threshold
The headline figure matters, but so does whether the minimum is consistent across payment methods. A $5 minimum that only applies to one payment method is less useful than one that applies across all of them. DraftKings and FanDuel both apply their $5 minimum universally, which is why they lead the ranking.
Welcome offer value relative to deposit
We assess how much bonus value a player can unlock from the minimum qualifying deposit. A $5 deposit that unlocks $300 in bonus bets at DraftKings delivers exceptional value. We look at both the headline amount and the realistic probability of unlocking the full offer.
Payment method variety
More payment options mean more ways to meet the minimum deposit with your preferred method. We check that all major options including PayPal, Venmo, debit cards, and online banking are available and all respect the low minimum threshold.
App quality and ease of use
Low deposit sportsbooks attract casual and new bettors, so the app experience matters more here than at high-volume platforms. We assess load times, navigation, the ease of depositing and withdrawing, and overall app store ratings.
Withdrawal speed and reliability
Being able to withdraw your winnings quickly is just as important as being able to deposit with a small amount. We verify withdrawal speeds across different methods and flag any operators with slower than average payout processing.
Responsible gambling
Low deposit limits make it easier to bet with small amounts, but it's still important to set a clear budget before you start and stick to it. All four sportsbooks on this page offer deposit limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion tools in your account settings. Setting a weekly or monthly deposit limit from the moment you sign up is one of the simplest and most effective habits you can build.
If gambling starts to feel like a problem, help is available. The following organizations offer free and confidential support.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) — 24/7 helpline, chat, and text support. Call or text 1-800-522-4700.
- Gamblers Anonymous — Peer support groups based on a 12-step recovery program, with meetings available across the US.
Final thoughts
You don't need to commit a large amount to bet on sports at a licensed US sportsbook. DraftKings and FanDuel both accept deposits from $5 and deliver some of the best welcome offers in the market from that starting point. BetMGM and bet365 are strong options at $10, particularly if you value a large safety net bonus or live streaming alongside your bets.
If real money betting isn't available in your state or you'd rather start completely free, Pickem is the best social sportsbook alternative, covering major US and international sports with no financial commitment required. Use our links to claim the best available welcome offer at whichever sportsbook suits you best.
More excellent betting sites
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
+9
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
+6
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
+7
- Bet on 40+ different sports
- Dynamic odds on live, in-play fixtures
- Deposit and bet $5 to receive up to $300 in bonus bets
10 x $100 bet match in FanCash
+3
- 15+ sports categories
- An extensive range of betting markets
- Supports in-play betting and live streaming
FAQs
What is the lowest minimum deposit at a US sportsbook?
DraftKings and FanDuel both accept deposits from $5, which is the lowest minimum deposit among major licensed US sportsbooks. BetMGM and bet365 have a $10 minimum. Most payment methods at these sportsbooks respect the same minimum deposit threshold.
Can I claim a welcome bonus with a $5 deposit?
Yes. DraftKings and FanDuel both offer welcome bonuses triggered from a $5 qualifying first bet. DraftKings gives you $100 in bonus bets regardless of the result, while FanDuel gives you $150 if your bet wins. A $5 deposit is enough to fund the qualifying wager at both sportsbooks.
What payment methods have the lowest minimum deposits?
At DraftKings and FanDuel, all major payment methods including debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and online banking carry a $5 minimum. At BetMGM and bet365 the minimum is $10 across all methods. There are no payment-specific exceptions at any of the four sportsbooks on this page.
Are low deposit betting sites safe?
Yes, provided they are licensed by a recognized state gaming authority. All four sportsbooks on this page hold valid US state licenses, use SSL encryption to protect your data, and are regulated for fair play. The minimum deposit amount has no bearing on the safety or legitimacy of the operator.
What is a social sportsbook and is it free?
A social sportsbook lets you make sports picks using virtual coins rather than real money. Pickem is the leading option in the US, available in 41 states completely free of charge. You can sign up, receive 50,000 Gold Coins and 1 Sweeps Coin with no purchase required, and start making picks on NFL, NBA, MLB, and other sports immediately.
What is the minimum bet at a low deposit sportsbook?
The minimum bet is different from the minimum deposit. At most licensed US sportsbooks including DraftKings and FanDuel, the minimum individual bet is as low as $0.10 on many markets. This means even a $5 deposit can be stretched across dozens of small wagers if you prefer to bet conservatively.
Can I withdraw after making a minimum deposit?
Yes. There are no restrictions on withdrawing funds deposited at the minimum amount, provided you have met any applicable bonus wagering requirements. If you claimed a welcome offer, check whether any active wagering requirements need to be cleared before your withdrawal request will be processed.
What states have legal sports betting with low deposit sportsbooks?
Real money sports betting is legal in most US states, with DraftKings and FanDuel available in 25 or more states each. bet365 operates in a smaller number of states including AZ, CO, IL, IA, IN, KY, LA, NC, NJ, OH, TN, and VA. If your state is not yet legal for real money sports betting, Pickem social sportsbook is available in 41 states as a free alternative.
