The NFL is the world’s biggest football league and the most-watched sports league in the US, but NFL fans are no longer restricted to simply watching matches. Thanks to the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, NFL betting is now legal in several states. Want to get in on the action? We’ve created a list of the very best NFL betting sites, so that you can easily compare sportsbooks and pick out your favourite. Simply sign up to bet on the NFL.
If you’re new to sports betting, then you’re probably looking for some guidance on how to get started. We’ve got you covered – read on for everything you need to know about betting on the NFL, including where it’s legal, what bets you can place and how you can bet on your mobile.
NFL Betting in the US Explained
A number of states have legalized and launched sports betting since the PASPA was overturned. These are:
While you can legally place NFL bets in each of these states, the betting regulation and sportsbook availability varies. Some states, such as New Jersey, allow you to bet online and via mobile apps. However, other US states like Mississippi require you to be at land-based sportsbooks and commercial or tribal casinos in order to wager on sports.
NFL season
The NFL regular season may only run from September to December, but don’t worry – there are loads of betting opportunities in these few months. With 256 games in total, you’ll never have to wait too long before you can place your next NFL bet.
The NFL is made up of two 16-team conferences: the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each conference is split into North, East, West and South divisions, which all comprise of four teams. Every team plays 12 games against teams from its own conference and four matches against opponents from the other conference during the regular season.
The top teams at the end of the regular season go into the NFL playoffs. These are the eight division winners and two wild-card teams from each conference, which are the remaining teams with the best record. The playoffs are made up of three rounds and determine the NFC and AFC champions.
The two conference champions then face off in the NFL’s showpiece event: the Super Bowl. This is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, so there’s often special Super Bowl promotions available at the best NFL betting sites.
Picking a winner
Making a winning prediction isn’t always easy when it comes to NFL games. The draft system helps keep the league competitive and there have been plenty of upsets over the years, so it’s important to do your research before placing your bets.
Checking out the statistics can be helpful when betting on NFL. The official NFL statistics page is a great resource that can help you get a better understanding of a particular team’s chances in a match.
Team stats like points per game, head-to-head records and offensive and defensive stats can be a great way to inform your NFL bets. Imagine you’re placing a regular-season point spread bet on the New England Patriots’ game against the New York Giants. Statistics will let you to know that, in 2020, the Buccaneers averaged 30.8 points per game, while the Giants averaged 17.5 points.
Looking at individual player stats can also help you make an informed decision, especially if you’re placing proposition bets. For example, if you’re placing an over/under bet on how many yards Tom Brady is going to pass in a game, it’s useful to know that he averaged 277.2 yards per game in 2020.
Of course, watching NFL games and keeping up with the latest news will also help you make sensible bets. There are plenty of NFL betting tips online, but we’d recommend building up your own knowledge rather than simply following tipsters’ prediction.
NFL Betting Markets
Bettors can place wagers on a range of markets at the best NFL betting sites. The exact betting options vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, but here are some of the most popular markets you can bet on:
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is simply a wager on which team you think will win a game. This market can provide good value when two teams are evenly matched on paper. If you’re looking to bet on a game with a clear favourite, however, you might be better off betting on the point spread.
Combining multiple selections in an accumulator is one way to get better odds, but of course, there’s an increased risk – if just one of your selections loses, then your accumulator bet loses.
Outright
Here, you’re betting on the winner of a competition. For example, you can bet on the LA Rams to win the NFC 2020/21 Championship at +400 odds, or wager on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the Super Bowl again at +550.
Total points
Also known as over/under, this is where you bet there to be more or less than a certain number of points scored in an NFL game, such as over 47.5 or under 41.
Spread betting
A point spread bet is where you wager on a team to win and either maintain a points advantage of overturn a disadvantage. For example, if you bet on the Seattle Seahawks with a +5 spread, they’d have to win by at least 6 points.
Proposition bets
Prop bets are where you wager on a certain event to occur within a game, rather than the match result itself. Examples of NFL prop bets include the first team to score and for a particularly player to score a touchdown.
Parlays
This is a single bet that is made up by two or more wagers. Parlay bets provide longer odds, but you’ll need every selection to right in order to win. If just one loses, you’ll lose the entire bet.
NFL Betting Odds
Having a strong understanding of odds is always crucial when it comes to sports betting. Not only do the NFL betting odds tell you how much you’ll win if your bet comes in, but they also tell you how likely a sportsbook believes an outcome is to happen.
US betting sites generally use the American odds format. Positive NFL odds tell you how much you’d win from placing a $100 dollar wager, while negative NFL odds show how much you’d have to wager to win $100. Let’s take a look at an example.
In an NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings, a betting side sets odds of +130 on the Eagles to win. So if you bet $100, you’d win $230 in returns – a $130 profit. If the odds on the Vikings to win are -160, you’d have to bet $160 to win $100. In this case, a successful $100 bet on the Vikings, would land a more modest $62.50 profit.
A winning bet on the Vikings rewards less profit because the sportsbook rates them as the favourite, while the Eagles are the underdogs. Check out our how to read odds guide for more information on understanding betting odds.
NFL Betting on the Go
Online and mobile sports betting is currently available in three states:
- Arizona – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Colorado – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Illinois – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Indiana – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Iowa – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Michigan Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Nevada – Online betting is only available via mobile apps.
- New Jersey – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- New Hampshire – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Oregon – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Pennsylvania – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Rhode Island – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- South Dakota – Mobile betting is allowed on casino premises only.
- Tennessee – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Washington – Mobile betting is allowed when on licensed tribal casino premises.
- Washington D.C. – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- West Virginia – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
- Wyoming – Online betting is available via apps and browser sites
In these states, you can place your NFL bets via mobile apps and websites from anywhere within state lines; unless you are wagering in South Dakota and Washington, where you will need to be on licensed casino premises to place a mobile wager. Native mobile betting apps are usually available for both Android and iOS devices and are free to download.
One thing to keep in mind is that mobile betting regulation differs from state to state, which can affect how you sign up. In Nevada, for example, you’ll have to sign up and verify your identity at a land-based sportsbook before you can bet online.
Nonetheless, wagering on your mobile phone comes with a lot of benefits. First and foremost, being able to place a bet on the NFL from wherever you are in your state is incredibly convenient. What’s more, you can enable push notifications to keep you up to date about the latest bonuses and promotions offered by that betting site. Finally, you can save personal data to your mobile app, such as login and bank details, making it easier for you to sign in and pay for your wagers.
Want to learn more about mobile sports betting and how to find the right app for you? Check out our guide to sports betting apps.
Claiming an NFL Betting Bonus
The best US sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses that you can usually use to bet on NFL games. Common offers include free bets and matched deposit bonuses, which reward you with bonus funds when you make your first deposit. Some sites also have money-back welcome bonuses, where you receive a betting bonus if your first wager doesn’t win.
Matched Deposits
Matched deposits are some of the most common welcome bonuses available to NFL bettors. When you claim these offers, the betting site will match your first deposit up to a certain amount, such as 100%, giving you extra funds to wager with. You will have to fulfil certain terms and conditions when you claim these promotions, however, such as wagering requirements which may be applied to the value of the bonus, deposit or both.
Free Bets
Free bets are one of the simplest bonus types you can claim at an NFL betting site. By signing up to one, you are given extra funds to wager on NFL games with. You may have to make a deposit in order to claim these funds, or you can be given them free of charge. There could be wagering requirements attached to them, however, and you may also be limited to using them on specific NFL games or markets.
Money-Back Welcome Bonuses
A money-back welcome bonus is effectively an insurance bonus that will give you a portion of your stake back should your bet lose. Some NFL betting sites will give you this money back as cash, while others will allow you to claim the funds as a free bet. Bear in mind that if your stake is returned as a free bet that there may be terms and conditions to meet in order to claim your winnings.
Existing Player Promotions
As well as sign-up bonuses, the best NFL betting sites often have a range of promotions available to existing customers. As the NFL is so popular, you can often find event-specific promotions such as free bets for NFL games, particularly for the biggest events like the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
Whenever you’re browsing sports betting bonuses, it’s important to pay close attention to the terms and conditions. While bonuses are a great way to get familiar with a new sportsbook, terms like wagering requirements, minimum odds and maximum win limits all impact your ability to win real money using your bonus funds, so make sure you read the small print before you sign up.
How to Pay for Your NFL Bets
You can deposit and withdraw your betting funds using a range of different banking methods at the best NFL sportsbooks. Let’s take a quick look at the top payment options available to you.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are two of the most popular ways to pay for your online NFL wagers. These methods provide players with instant deposits, while withdrawals take between one to five working days. Your transactions will also be protected by your bank’s own data-encryption software.
E-wallets
If fast withdrawals are high on your priority list when choosing a payment method, then an e-wallet is one of the best options available to you. Options like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill can provide you with payout times as low as 24 hours in some cases,it is totally free to sign up to each one and you don’t need to share your card details directly with the bookie. But using one of these payment methods can exclude you from some welcome bonuses, which is why you should always check the terms and conditions before signing up.
Play+ Cards
The Play+ card is a prepaid card that can be used to make both deposits and withdrawals at the best NFL betting sites. You can use the card to both deposit and withdraw your betting funds, you can even use it to get cash out from an ATM. What’s more, your account will be protected by the FDIC which provides 24/7 monitoring for your account.
The Best NFL Betting Sites Across the US
Online NFL Betting in New Jersey
| Sportsbook |
Website |
iOS App |
Android App |
| 888Sport NJ |
us.888sport.com |
Yes |
Yes |
| BetStars NJ |
BetStarsNJ.com |
Yes |
Yes |
| Caesars Sportsbook |
caesarscasino.com/sports
|
Yes |
Yes |
| DraftKings Sportsbook |
draftkings.com/sportsbook
|
Yes |
Yes |
| FanDuel Sportsbook |
sportsbook.fanduel.com/sports |
Yes |
Yes |
| PlayMGM |
nj.playmgm.com/en/p/sports |
Yes |
Yes |
| PointsBet |
pointsbet.com/ |
Yes |
Yes |
| SugarHouse Sportsbook |
playsugarhouse.com |
Yes |
Yes |
| William Hill Sportsbook |
nj.us.williamhill.com |
Yes |
Yes |
| Hard Rock Atlantic City |
hardrockcasino.com/sportsbook |
Yes |
Yes |
Online NFL Betting in Nevada
| Sportsbook app |
Operator |
iOS |
Android |
Where can I sign up? |
| B-Connected (Sports and Horses) |
Boyd Gaming |
Yes |
Yes |
Cannery
The California
Suncoast
Sam’s Town
The Orleans
Gold Coast
Fremont
Main Street
Jokers Wild
Eldorado
Eastside Cannery |
| Caesars |
Caesars Entertainment |
Yes |
Yes |
Planet Hollywood
Bally’s
Paris
The Cromwell
Flamingo
The LINQ
Rio
Caesar’s Palace
Harrah’s |
| Golden Nugget |
Golden Nugget |
Yes |
Yes |
Golden Nugget Laughlin
Golden Nugget Las Vegas |
| PlayMGM |
MGM Resorts International |
Yes |
Yes |
Aria
Bellagio
Circus Circus
Excalibur
Luxor
The Mirage
Monte Carlo
MGM Grand
New York-New York
Mandalay Bay |
| NV Sports |
South Point Casino |
Yes |
Yes |
South Point Casino
Rampart Casino |
| CG Sports |
CG Technology |
Yes |
Yes |
Cosmopolitan
Hard Rock
The Venetian
The Palazzo
The M
Palms
Tropicana
Silverton |
| Station Casinos |
Station Casinos |
Yes |
Yes |
El Cortez
Fiesta Henderson
Fiesta
Rancho
Greer’s
Barley’s Casino
Wild Wild West
Wildfire Casinos
Red Rock
Green Valley Ranch
Sunset Station
Texas Station
Boulder Station
Palace Station
Santa Fe Station |
| TI Mobile Sports |
Treasure Island |
Yes |
Yes |
Treasure Island |
| Westgate Superbook |
Westgate Las Vegas |
Yes |
Yes |
Westgate Las Vegas Casino SuperBook |
| Wynn |
Wynn Resorts |
Yes |
Yes |
Wynn Las Vegas |
| William Hill |
William Hill US |
Yes |
Yes |
The D
SLS
Hooters
Plaza
Downtown Grand
Tuscany
Binion’s
Four Queens
Ellis Island
Silver Sevens |
Online NFL Betting in West Virginia
| Sportsbook |
Website |
iOS app |
Android App |
| BetLucky |
betlucky.com |
Yes |
Yes |
Ready to Place Your First Wagers on the NFL?
Now you know all there is to know about NFL betting online, all that’s left to do is sign up! Compare the best NFL betting sites with the help of our carefully selected list. Once you’ve picked out your favourite, simply follow the sign-up link to register your account and claim your welcome bonus.
FAQs
Yes. We only recommend legal and regulated sports betting sites that are licensed by state bodies, so they’re held to high standards in terms of security, player protection and fairness. This means you can bet on NFL games in confidence when you use our recommended legal sportsbooks.
Yes. In most states with legal sports betting, you can wager on NCAA football games. However, some states such as Rhode Island and New Jersey do not allow bettors to wager on college football games held in the state of games that involve college teams from the state. You can also bet on Canadian Football League at some of the best football betting sites.
Yes. Some of the best NFL betting sites offer PayPal support, meaning you can enjoy fast, secure and convenient deposits and withdrawals. Most sites also support a range of other banking options, so compare the payment methods on offer to find the best sportsbook for you.
Line betting is another term for point spreading. The point margin is referred to at the betting line, so wagering on NFL betting lines is simply another way to say you’re placing a spread bet.
This depends. At some NFL betting sites, a tie will mean moneyline bets become void, meaning you’ll simply get your stake back. However, this may not be the case at all NFL sportsbooks, so make sure to check the betting rules beforehand.
