The Best US Soccer Betting Sites - 2023

The popularity of soccer is definitely on the up in the US. With the improvement of the MLS and rising US stars like Christian Pulisic, soccer is now establishing itself as a major US sport. US soccer fans can now enjoy betting on competitions throughout the world, following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Want to get in on the action? Compare.bet US has covered the ins and outs of soccer betting, from betting markets to soccer odds, to help you kick things off.

Looking to bet on soccer in the US? We’ve got a line up of the best sports betting sites available to punters in legal states. Compare our expert reviews, scores and the bonuses on offer to pick out the bookie that suits you best. All that’s left for you to do is make your pick, sign up and start betting.

How We Rank the Best Soccer Betting Sites

With so many different soccer betting sites to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to start. Thankfully, our team reviews and ranks the best soccer betting sites against a range of criteria, so it’s easy for you to pick out a sportsbook that meets all your needs. Check out some of the most important aspects we take into consideration below.

Bonuses and Promotions

All the best soccer betting sites offer a range of promotions for new and existing customers. This all starts with the welcome offer — you’ll be able to claim rewards like free bets when you sign up and deposit funds into your account for the first time. There are also bonuses available for existing customers, including parlay bonuses, enhanced odds, free bets and more. Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to bonuses. We review the small print so you don’t have to – plus points for a player-friendly bonus that gives gamblers a good chance of keeping their winnings.

Fast Payouts

Quick access to funds is something every gambler has come to expect, which is why we look out for payment methods that allow you to access your winnings within hours. The best options for this are e-wallets such as PayPal. Gamblers love using PayPal at online casinos because it means you don’t have to share sensitive banking information with the betting site — simply head to the cashier page and log in to your e-wallet account to add or withdraw cash.

Markets

It’s no good signing up with a soccer betting site that only allows you to bet on a small number of teams. That’s why we promote sites that offer a wide range of leagues — from the MLS to competitions across Europe and beyond, so you have plenty to choose from. Additionally, the best sites also have a range of markets on offer for each match — some bettors like to place wagers on the team to win, while others enjoy more niche eventualities, such as the number of throw-ins to be taken in the first ten minutes.

Odds

Our team scours the latest odds on soccer matches and cross-references across sites to ensure we bring you the best prices. Our top sportsbooks all price competitively, so there isn’t a whole lot in it, but small margins can make a significant difference, particularly when you’re combining several bets together into a parlay.

Security

We also ensure your personal data is secure by checking if a sportsbook has a secure and encrypted connection. We refer to the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate that protects all the data you enter at the site, including your personal information and bank details. This is the same technology other legitimate businesses such as financial institutions use. On your address bar, the site should have a padlock symbol just before the text and the address should also read “https” instead of “http”.

Licensing 

We only recommend online sportsbooks that are licensed to operate in all states in which they offer their services. A license from a state authority, such as the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), ensures that online soccer betting sites are regulated and checked regularly for fair playing conditions and customer safety. 

If you’re not sure whether a site carries the necessary licenses to operate in your state, the regulator’s logo will be displayed on the footer of every page of the site. If you want to double-check that the license is legit, you can check the state authority’s website where all licensed sites will be listed. 

Keep in mind that any US sportsbook that we recommend will carry all the licenses necessary to operate legally in any state within which it provides soccer betting services. 

Mobile Site and App Availability

Betting on the run has become a big part of US soccer gambling, so to make our shortlists, a soccer betting site in the US has to provide excellent mobile site availability. 

The freedom to play from anywhere within a sports betting legalized state, and at any time, is a big boost, especially if you’re making in-play bets that necessitate quick action.
The easiest way to do this is via an online soccer betting app that you can download to your smartphone or tablet device. These apps allow you to make bets quickly and easily, with smooth, seamless interfaces that are designed to fit the screen of any device. 

Apps also provide the opportunity to enable push notifications so you can be immediately informed of any new bonuses or odds boosts that may be on offer from your chosen soccer sportsbooks. 

If apps aren’t your thing, you don’t have to download a native sportsbook app in order to bet on the move. Instead, you can access a sports betting site directly from your web browser, accessing all the content you’d typically find via a desktop. Mobile betting is not available in all states, and some services are not as impressive as the app equivalent. However, the benefit of mobile betting over a native app is that you’ll save space on your device as you don’t need to download anything. 

Player Experience and Site Design

Why have we grouped these two qualities together? Well because one directly affects the other. Good site design goes much further than creating a sportsbook that’s easy on the eye – this is of course important, but more important is organising the site in an intuitive way, making sure visitors can navigate their way across different sports and markets easily. This combination of good aesthetics and careful presentation is what enables great player experiences at the best soccer betting sites.

How to Sign Up at a Soccer Betting Site

Ready to get going with soccer betting? Getting started at a new site is easy — just follow our simple step-by-step guide below.

1. Choose Your Site
   Here at Compare.bet, our expert team has taken the legwork out of finding your next soccer betting site. Take a look at our reviews and recommendations — once you’ve found a sportsbook you like the look of, just click through and begin the sign-up process.
   
2. Enter Your Details
   You’ll be required to enter some personal details in order to sign up for an account, including things like your name, date of birth, and address. All our recommended soccer betting sites are 100% legitimate and your data will be protected. Once you’ve filled out the required information, your new account will be created.
   
3. Confirm Your Registration
   There may be a few additional steps required, like proof of identity, or confirmation of email address or cell number. If you’re asked, you’ll need to complete these steps before you can begin betting at the site. 
   
4. Deposit Funds and Place Your Bets
   Once you’ve completed all necessary steps and your account has been created, you can log in. Head to the cashier section to deposit funds — taking advantage of a soccer betting bonus along the way if you want — and top up your sportsbook wallet. You can then browse the markets and place your first bet!

Best Soccer Betting Site Bonuses

We mentioned that bonuses and promotions contribute significantly to our rating of a sports betting site, so what exactly is on offer? 

There’s a whole range of soccer betting bonuses across US sportsbooks, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deals. Many of the best bonuses are up for grabs as part of welcome offers, where the betting site will offer you rewards in exchange for signing up and making your first bet, however equally prevalent are those bonuses specific for existing, loyal customers.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common offers you’re likely to find on the best soccer betting sites.

Free Bets

A free bet is exactly what it sounds like: you’ll get to place a soccer bet at no cost to yourself. Free bet tokens are claimed in a number of ways — you might need to make a deposit to receive one, or place a certain number of bets within a given period. Free bets may also be handed out as part of a ‘bet refund’ bonus, like parlay insurance — that’s where your stake is refunded as a free bet if just one leg of your accumulator fails. ‘Risk-free’ bets are another type of bet refund, where you receive a free betting token if your qualifying wager loses. 

Here’s an example of a free bet offer you might see:

• $50 in free bets with 2x wagering requirements when you deposit at least $10.

To receive the free bets, you need to deposit at least $10 with an eligible payment method. The $50 bets could be given as one big bet or multiple smaller bet credits — say five $10 bets. In any case, you should take note of any attached wagering requirements, as these need to be met before you can withdraw your winnings. It’s also worth bearing in mind the free bet stake is usually not returned, and you’ll only keep the profit should your bet win.

First Deposit Bonuses

If you’ve just created a new account at a soccer betting site, there’s a strong chance you can claim a first deposit bonus when you add funds to your sportsbook wallet. These bonuses are reserved for your very first deposit at a betting site, and usually take the form of a matched deposit, such as:

• 100% deposit match up to $500 when you deposit at least $20.

Essentially, that means the sportsbook is doubling your money — if you deposit $500, you’ll get another $500 in bonus funds for a total of $1,000 to play with. The bonus credit is usually similar to a free bet in that the stake isn’t returned if you win and there could be wagering requirements attached. We’ve run through some of these key T&Cs below.

Risk-Free Bets

Risk-free bets give you a fallback when you make your first bet at one of the best soccer betting sites. A fairly regular feature as a sign up bonus, this is a great way to get something back, even if you lose your initial wager. Staying within the terms and conditions set out by the site, if your bet wins, you win as you usually would, however, if your bet is not successful, you will be reimbursed the full amount of the wager in free bets. This gives you a second chance to make a bet of the same value. 

Risk-free bets are commonly offered as part of welcome bonuses at US sportsbooks. A typical offer might be:

• Risk-free bet up to $1,000 on your first wager

This might sound unrealistically high, but this is an honest representation of the kind of offers available when you first sign up to a new soccer betting site. With this example, you could place a bet on the MLS up to $1,000, and if the wager lost, you’d receive the total betting amount back in full in the form of free bet tokens. Remember that the money returned will have conditions attached and can only be spent on-site, so be prepared to part ways with whatever bet you place as a qualifier.  

Matched Deposit Bonus

Matched deposit bonuses aren’t exclusive to your first deposit at the site. Admittedly your first deposit is the one that will receive the most generous returns, but matched deposits are also used by US soccer betting sites as a way of keeping loyal bettors interested. As an existing member reloading funds into your betting account, you could receive an offer like:

• 25% deposit match up to $50 when you deposit at least $10

Clearly this offer isn’t as substantial as the first deposit bonus above, but smaller bonuses aren’t necessarily worse than large ones. Remember that terms and conditions like wagering requirements will be easier to complete on smaller bonuses, so an offer like this could be just what you’re looking for.

Odds Boosts

Artificially boosting the odds of major soccer events is one way in which the best sportsbooks attract and then retain their customers. These bonuses lengthen the odds on specific betting calls, offering punters the chance to earn bigger returns than they normally would if that bet comes off. Odds boost bonuses are everywhere in the build-up to big matches or tournaments; for example, you could see the following offer at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar:

• USA vs England to score a total of more than five goals – was +350, now +750

Before the odds boost, a $100 wager on the combination of goals would return $450; after the odds boost, the same bet would return $850. Keep an eye out for odds boosts throughout the soccer season, particularly before a big clash.

Popular Bonuses

Now you’ve got a better idea of what’s up for grabs, let’s take a closer look at some of the best soccer bonuses on the market right now.

Bonus Terms and Conditions Explained

So, you’ve singled out a soccer betting offer and you’re nearly ready to pull the trigger — but have you checked the terms and conditions? This is an essential step when you’re evaluating any bonus, as restrictive T&Cs can quickly erode the value of a seemingly fantastic offer. Here are some of the most important terms to understand.

Wagering Requirements

The bane of many punters, wagering requirements prevent you from withdrawing your winnings until they’ve been met. Sportsbooks and casinos use them to stop you turning up, grabbing a free bet, and never returning. 

Essentially, you’ll need to wager the value of the bonus a certain number of times with your own cash. Say you see an offer for a $50 bonus with 2x wagering requirements — you’ll have to stake $100 of your own cash before any winnings resulting from the bonus can be withdrawn. Fortunately, wagering requirements are usually low or zero on free bets, but if your sportsbook bonus comes with additional casino benefits like free spins on the slots, watch out for higher wagering requirements of 20x and up. 

Eligible Markets

Free bets and deposit bonuses can’t always be used on everything — you should check the eligible markets to be sure an offer is right for you. After all, there’s no point claiming a free bet if you want to use it on a certain sport but that market isn’t included. Soccer is generally always eligible for free bet bonuses, but check for any specific match or league exclusions, or bet types like accumulators. 

Minimum Odds

You’ll usually need to use your free bet on a market with minimum odds of around -200 or longer (that’s 1/2 in fractional and 1.5 in decimal). Otherwise, it would be easy for punters to make a profit on a low-risk bet — sportsbooks are businesses, after all. 

Maximum Win Limits

You’ll also need to pay attention to the bonus’s winning cap, which restricts the amount you’ll be able to win from one bonus. After all, sports betting sites are businesses, and this is the method through which they protect themselves from wildly successful bonuses. But instead of feeling this as an injustice, consider that hitting the maximum win limit is a good way of guaranteeing a payout.

Time Limits

Once the bonus is activated on your account, you’ll get a certain amount of time to use it. More generous soccer betting sites allow their punters 30–60 days to use a free bet, but some will have to be used within a week. You’ll need to meet any wagering requirements within this period too. Make a note of when your bonus expires as soon as you receive it — any unused portion will be forfeited after this time, along with related winnings if you haven’t met the wagering requirements.

Excluded Payment Methods

In order to protect themselves against bonus fraud, some sportsbooks restrict punters to certain payment methods when claiming a bonus. e-Wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are most commonly excluded, but you should always check the terms before making your deposit — you won’t be eligible for the bonus if you use an excluded payment method. 

Stake Not Returned

When using a free bet, check for the stake returned (SR) or stake not returned (SNR) clause. If it’s the latter, you’ll receive the profit if your bet wins but not the stake. SNR is most common, but you will occasionally find free bets where the stake is returned.

Popular Soccer Betting Site Banking Methods

Whether you prioritize security, speed, or simply ease of use, there’s a payment method to suit everyone at our top soccer betting sites. We’ve outlined a few below.

Bank Cards

Debit cards like Visa and Mastercard are the most ubiquitous payment options, both in terms of support at sportsbooks and players having access to one. You just have to key in the 16-digit card number, expiry date, and CVC and you’re away. Bank cards are rarely excluded from bonus offers and deposits are generally instant, although you’ll have to wait longer for withdrawals — usually 3–5 days unless the betting site supports Visa Fast Funds.

e-Wallets

If you’d prefer not to share your bank details with a soccer betting site, e-wallets are a great option. Services like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are free to sign up to, and once you’ve added a payment method to your account, you’ll be able to make casino deposits and withdrawals by entering your username and password. Two-factor authentication can be enabled to add an additional layer of security, and you’ll also get some of the quickest withdrawal speeds, with money usually landing back in your account within a day. The main drawback? e-Wallets are the most commonly excluded payment method when it comes to claiming a betting bonus. 

Trustly

Trustly is able to directly link two bank accounts together using Open Banking technology. As such, there’s no need to create a Trustly account when using this payment method, with transactions authorized through your online banking information. Your banking institution will need to be signed up to the Trustly service, but if it is, you can enjoy fast deposits and withdrawals with excellent security at the best soccer betting sites. Just check the sportsbook’s terms and conditions when it comes to eligible payment methods on bonuses – Trustly sometimes finds itself on the list of exclusions.  

Prepaid Cards

Those looking to keep tight control over their spend or avoid sharing any banking info with betting sites might want to use a prepaid card for their deposits. Paysafecard is one example, and the vouchers can be bought at participating retailers around the country in denominations from $10 to $100. You can then use the 16-digit number to instantly transfer the funds to your sportsbook account. Paysafecard does have a major disadvantage in that there’s no support for withdrawals, meaning you’ll need to use another method to cash out your balance.

Cryptocurrencies 

Cryptocurrencies have been rapidly gaining popularity as an alternative way to make payments on the best soccer betting sites. While the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are not available at all US soccer gambling sites, you can find an increasing amount of sportsbooks that allow crypto payments. Deposits made with crypto have the benefit of negating any need to share your personal banking details with bookmakers. Withdrawals also tend to be faster than most other methods, with the exception of e-wallets.  The only big downside for cryptocurrencies is the lack of availability as a payment method at most major sportsbooks, however, this is changing over time. 

Pay by Phone Bill

Pay by phone bill is a deposit-only method that allows players to make payments using their pay-as-you-go balance, or by adding them to their phone bill at the end of the month. Please note that this deposit method is not available at many US soccer gambling sites, there also tend to be strict limits on the amount you can deposit using this method. 

As a deposit-only option, you’ll need to pick an alternative for withdrawals, so be mindful of which secondary payment method you may be comfortable using.

US States with Legal Soccer Betting

The repeal of the PASPA has seen soccer betting become legalized in several US states, though it isn’t yet legal in all parts of America. Here are the states in which legal soccer betting is available:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio – available from January 2023
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

You can legally bet on soccer in each of these states, but the sports betting regulation does vary. While mobile and online sports betting is legal in some states, others only permit soccer betting at land-based sportsbooks. Check out our state guides to learn more about sports betting laws in each state.

Soccer Competitions to Bet On

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, not just to play and watch, but to bet on as well. This means there’s a huge number of competitions around the world, all presenting a variety of betting opportunities at soccer betting sites in America. Of course, it’s the biggest tournaments that attract the most bettors, so let’s take a look at the top competitions.

Champions League

The most prestigious club competition in European football, the UEFA Champions League sees Europe’s best clubs face off to be crowned the continent’s champion. The tournament has a league and knockout format and features 32 teams, taking place from September to May each year.

Premier League

The English Premier League (EPL) is one of the world’s most popular domestic competitions and sees the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City compete to become league champions. Each of the 20 teams play 38 matches from August to May, and games are played most weekends. There are fortnight-long breaks through the season for international fixtures, and the 2022/23 season will be bisected by the World Cup in Qatar.

La Liga

Spain’s La Liga is the top domestic league along with the Premier League. Featuring Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, La Liga is home to many of the world’s best players, including Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann. Like the Premier League, it follows a 20 team format, wherein each side plays every other team home and away during the course of the season.

Bundesliga

Germany’s top division, the Bundesliga, contains only 18 teams, which means each club plays 34 games in a league season. It’s a competition that’s been dominated by Bayern Munich since its inception in 1963 — this soccer powerhouse has won 31 Bundesliga titles, including the last ten. The only other team to have been crowned Bundesliga champion in the past 13 seasons is Borussia Dortmund, who won back-to-back titles between 2010–12.

Serie A

Soccer betting sites will also run plenty of markets on Serie A — Italy’s premier division, comprising 20 teams. Juventus is the most successful Serie A club with 36 titles to its name, including nine in a row between 2011 and 2020. That winning streak was put to an end by the two Milan clubs, AC and Inter, who both have 19 Serie A crowns.  

MLS 

Major League Soccer (MLS) may not quite match the big European leagues, but it’s a rapidly growing competition that’s improving year on year. Featuring big names like Javier Hernández and Carlos Vela, there’s plenty of excitement in MLS. The 24 teams are split equally between the Eastern and Western Conferences, with the top 14 sides entering the playoffs to determine the MLS champion.

World Cup

The FIFA World Cup may only come around once every four years, but it’s undoubtedly the biggest soccer competition in the world. Featuring the best international sides from across the planet, the 32-team tournament is played in a league and knock out format, similar to the Champions League. The next tournament is in Qatar in 2022 — the first World Cup to be held in winter.

Women’s Euros 

The Women’s Euros is a soccer event that takes place every four years and pits the best teams in Europe against each other. The likes of England, Spain – favorites for this year’s competition, and eight time winners Germany, battle it out for supremacy during a grueling competition that culminates with the Euros Final, an increasingly popular event to bet on. 

If you want to place a bet on the Women’s Euros, you can make moneyline bets on a team to win, point spread bets on favorites or underdogs, or prop bets on individual players. There’s also a good range of future bets such as the eventual winner and top scorer of the competition. Check out the best soccer betting sites to see what soccer wagers they offer on the Euros.

National Women’s Soccer League

The best soccer betting sites in the US will also run markets on the National Women’s Soccer League, the elite division in the women’s game. The NWSL is the current iteration of the league, which was formerly called the WUSA and later the WPS. It is owned by the competing teams – there are 12 located across the US, but the league is not split by eastern and western conferences. 

Each team plays 22 league games in the main season, which runs from February to October, with the NWSL Challenge Cup taking place between March and May. The six best-placed teams in the league qualify for the playoffs at the end of the season, with the top two sides receiving first-round byes in the postseason. FC Kansas City, North Carolina Courage, and Portland Thorns FC have all won two NWSL titles each.

Bet on the Soccer World Cup

For the first time since the tournament was introduced, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be taking place during winter. The reason is to mitigate against excessive heat in the host nation, Qatar — one of many controversies surrounding the competition. 32 nations will compete for soccer’s biggest prize in a group stage and knockout format. Two teams from eight groups of four will qualify for the second round, before progressing to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, which is scheduled for December 18. 

Online soccer betting sites in the US will be looking to capitalize on World Cup fever, offering plenty of opportunities for sports bettors to pick up bonuses and promos throughout the tournament. Brazil are the favorites to win the competition, with France, Argentina, and England close behind them. The US campaign kicks off against Wales on November 21, before facing England on the 25th and Iran on the 29th. For a comprehensive run-through on tournament favorites, odds, and markets, head over to our dedicated World Cup betting page. 

Soccer Teams to Bet On

If you’re looking to pad out your parlay bet at one of our recommended soccer betting sites with a few wagers on game favorites, the following teams are generally a pretty safe bet, though of course nothing is guaranteed in sport!

• Manchester City – Following the club’s takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Man City have become one of the elite forces in European football. Considered by many to be the best team in the world, City have won four of the last five Premier League titles, though the Champions League continues to evade them. 
• Bayern Munich – Winning ten league titles in a row puts Bayern in an unrivaled position in the sport. Their success shows no indication of slowing down, and fans of the Bundesliga consistently berate Bayern’s tactics of hoovering up the league’s hottest talent year-on-year. They won the Champions League in 2020.
• Real Madrid – Europe’s most successful team, Real Madrid have won the Champions League an astonishing fourteen times, including an unprecedented five in a row between 1955–60 (then known as the European Cup) and three in a row between 2015–18. They’ve also won La Liga a record 35 times.
• Paris Saint-Germain – Like Bayern, PSG routinely make a mockery of their competition in Ligue 1 — France’s top soccer division. They’ve won eight of the last ten Ligue 1 titles, thanks in large part to the lucrative takeover by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011. The current crop of PSG players won’t receive sufficient praise for their achievements until they win the Champions League.
• Liverpool – Liverpool are the only side that have managed to disrupt City’s dominance over the Premier League in recent times, winning the title in 2019/20. They’ve also reached two of the last four Champions League finals, winning the competition for the sixth time in 2019.
• Barcelona – Between 2008 and 2012, while Pep Guardiola was manager, Barcelona were considered by many to be the greatest soccer side of all time, inventing a new playing style in the process. Amidst financial uncertainty the club is now in a period of stabilization but remains a heavyweight in the sport.
• AC Milan – One of the most illustrious clubs in soccer, with seven European crowns to their name, AC Milan have returned to former glory in recent seasons, winning their first Serie A title in 12 years in 2022.
• Inter Milan – It’s a similar story for AC’s city rivals, Inter, who also won their first league title for 12 years in 2021. These two clubs look set to compete for many more scudettos in the near future.
• Los Angeles FC – Here in the US, LA FC won their first MLS championship in 2022, with Gareth Bale scoring a memorable 128th minute equalizer against Philadelphia. It could be the beginning of a new MLS dynasty.
• New York City FC – Although reigning champions NYC failed to reach the MLS final in 2022, no other side has been as consistent as they have over the past five seasons. 

Top Soccer Players

In our humble opinion, the following ten players are the current best in the world in the men’s game:

• Kylian Mbappe – A prolific goalscorer with terrifying pace, Kylian Mbappe plays for PSG and France. Alongside Pele, he is only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final. 
• Lionel Messi – Considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, Messi has scored 785 goals and registered 345 assists in 995 professional games. He has won more Ballon d’Ors than any player in history, winning the award seven times. He represents Argentina and plays with Mbappe at PSG. 
• Kevin De Bruyne – Every attacker in the world wishes they had Manchester City’s De Bruyne as a teammate. The Belgian assist king is known for outstanding technique, imperious vision, and a surprising turn of pace.
• Erling Haaland – Simply a goal machine. After 20 games in the Champions League, Man City and Norway’s Haaland had scored ten more goals than any other player in the competition’s history. All goalscoring records are under threat.
• Robert Lewandowski – Spearheading Bayern’s dominance over the last decade was Poland’s Lewandowski, who scored 344 goals in 375 games for the German champions. He now plays in Spain for Barcelona.
• Karim Benzema – A true master of the no.9 position, Benzema has spent most of his career at Real Madrid, winning 23 trophies in that time, including four La Ligas and five Champions Leagues. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and will accompany Mbappe in attack for France at the World Cup.
• Neymar – Neymar will be aiming to become Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer at the Qatar World Cup, with 75 goals in 121 caps — two short of Pele’s record. He plays alongside Mbappe and Messi at PSG.
• Luka Modric – The only player to interrupt Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi’s dominance of the Ballon d’Or between 2008–2021, winning the award in 2018. Modric has been a key part of Real Madrid’s recent success and has 154 caps for Croatia.
• Harry Kane – Harry Kane is on his way to becoming the all-time record goalscorer for both Tottenham and England. He has three Premier League golden boots to his name. 
• Pedri – By far the youngest player on this list, Pedri has quickly become one of the leading central midfield players in the world. Similar in style and stature to Xavi and Iniesta, Pedri also plays for Barcelona and Spain.

Other Sports at Soccer Betting Sites

Of course, it’s not just about soccer at soccer betting sites. The best sportsbooks in the US will have 30+ different sports available to bet on — here are some of the most popular markets away from the beautiful game.

Basketball

NBA betting markets are some of the most diverse at US sports betting sites. Will the Warriors defend their title? Who will be the season’s MVP? And will LeBron beat Kareem’s all-time points record? These are the kinds of wagers you can place on the NBA. 

Football

Football’s appeal continues to spread around the world, with the Super Bowl now recognized as the single biggest event in the sports betting calendar. As well as betting on NFL markets, your sportsbook will also run plenty of markets on the NCAA, provided of course that college betting is allowed in your state.

Tennis

The tennis world is now officially lamenting the retirement of Roger Federer, leaving Nadal and Djokovic to battle it out for the most Grand Slam titles in the men’s game. These tournaments attract the most betting activity, but US sportsbooks will constantly have tennis markets open, making live betting particularly popular on this sport.  

Horse Racing

The US is home to some of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, such as the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby — known collectively as the Triple Crown. Look out for sportsbook promos in the build-up to and during these horse racing festivals. 

Golf

On both the PGA and LPGA tours, the US boasts many of the world’s current top golfers, including Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Kelly Norda. Similarly, excitement swells during the sport’s major events, the majority of which take place on US soil.

Picking a winner

As with all sports, you’re best off doing your research before placing a bet on soccer games. Here are some top tips to help you choose which bets to place.

Learn the Game

The best way to make well-informed soccer bets is by building up your own knowledge through following the sport, watching matches, and keeping an eye on the important stats. Developing your understanding of the game will improve your chances of landing a winning bet and mean you’re better placed to judge the quality of soccer betting tips.

Compare Sportsbook Odds

Comparing soccer betting odds across multiple sites will give you an idea of the favorite for each match. Keep in mind this is no substitute for doing your own research and analysis of the competitors — upsets are a regular occurrence, so the more you know, the better.

Study Past Performance

There’s a whole range of soccer stats that can be helpful when setting your stakes, including recent form, head-to-head record, and home and away record to name just a few. If you’re placing a player proposition bet, then you’ll want to look at individual player stats such as goals scored or yellow cards picked up, depending on the bet you’re making.

Practice Responsible Gambling

Never bet if you’re drunk or upset — you’ll be more likely to take risks you otherwise wouldn’t, as your ability to make sound decisions may be impaired.

In-Play Betting

Many top soccer betting sites let their punters place in-play bets — that’s where you’re wagering on a match or event that’s already begun. Imagine the thrill in a big match where both teams are giving it their all. With each twist and turn, you could place a bet in response to the action. Or perhaps you’re not too confident on the outcome of the match and you want to hold off to see who’s in better form. With in-play betting, you’re not restricted to placing your bets before the match kicks off. 

At some sportsbooks, you’ll find the in-play betting features augmented with live streaming capabilities — that means you won’t miss a moment while you’re making your selections, and can easily change your selections on the fly if the tide suddenly turns. 

Soccer Betting Markets

Soccer presents one of the widest ranges of online sports betting markets. Let’s take a look at the types of soccer bets you can place at US sportsbooks.

Moneyline

A moneyline wager is simply a bet on the match result. A standard soccer moneyline bet is a wager on team A or team B to win, or a tie. Some soccer betting sites offer “draw no bet” wagers, which means your stake will be returned if the match ends in a tie.

Both teams to score

This is a fairly self-explanatory bet – you need both teams to score within regulation time for your bet to pay out.

Spread betting

A spread bet is where you back a team to win and either maintain an advantage or overcome a disadvantage. For example, if you back a team with -2 spread, they’ll need to win by 3 goals. Spread bets are also referred to as handicaps at some sportsbooks.

Over/under

Here you’re wagering on the number of goals scored in a game to be higher or lower than the number set by the bookies. In soccer, this is usually 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 goals.

Proposition bet

Also known as a prop bet, this is a wager on an event to occur within a match, rather than a bet on the match result itself. For example, you could wager on a particular player to score during a match, or on the number of corners during a game. There’s a wide range of soccer prop bets available at betting sites and these wagers usually have longer odds than straight bets.

Parlay bet

Parlay betting lets you place a single wager on multiple soccer matches – as many as 20 at some US online betting sites. This means you can stack up your betting slip and potentially win larger profits, but keep in mind that every selection needs to win for you to land any returns.

Total goals over/under

Bet on the number of goals there’ll be in the match — often displayed in halves, e.g. if you bet on 3.5 goals or more, you’d need at least 4 goals to be scored.

Player to score

Which player do you think will stick one in the back of the net? You can also choose to bet on the first goalscorer in the game, or an anytime goalscorer.

Correct score

Predict the exact full time scoreline, e.g. 1–1 or 2–0.

Halftime/fulltime

Here you’ll be betting on the result at halftime and fulltime as one bet. For example, Liverpool/Liverpool would mean Liverpool to be winning at halftime, and to be winning at fulltime. An alternative bet would be Draw/Liverpool, if you think Liverpool will only take the lead in the second half.

Double chance

A bet on two possible outcomes. Convinced LA Galaxy won’t win but not sure if their opposition will? A 1X bet would be a bet on team 1 to win or the game to be a draw. Other options include X2 and 12.

Futures

A longer-term bet on a broader event, such as which team will win the Champions League, or the team to get relegated from the Premier League.

Three-Way Moneyline Bets

Soccer is a sport where a tie at full time is a reasonable possibility, so you’ll often find three-way moneyline bets as an option at soccer betting sites. They work much like a normal two-way moneyline bet, allowing players to wager on a particular team to win, but there’s also the third option of a draw. 

Here’s an example from the 2018 World Cup, where Brazil played Switzerland in the group stage:

• Brazil -213
• Draw +338
• Switzerland +724

Brazil was the clear favorite for this match but it ended 1-1. 

It’s important to note that in a three-way moneyline, the bet is usually only valid for the first 90 minutes of play plus any stoppage time. While that’s not a problem for games in the regular season, it’s possible a soccer match will go to extra time during a cup competition or the knock-out phase of a tournament. In that instance, bets are decided at the end of the 90 minutes. Even if the team you backed goes on to win during extra time or penalties, your bet will still count as a loss. 

Penalty Shootouts

Who doesn’t love the mounting tension of a penalty shootout? If a match does progress to this stage, you can turn the excitement up a notch with a range of live soccer in-play bets. 

The best soccer betting sites let customers wager on different aspects of the shoot-out, such as total penalties missed or scored, total saved, and a specific player to miss or score. You might even be able to bet on the order of the penalty takers, such as which player steps up to the plate to take the first. 

Of course, if you’d rather keep things simple, ‘To Qualify’ is another option — that’s where you’ll back a team to go through by any means, including a penalty shoot-out.

Parlay Betting

Parlay betting lets you place a single wager on multiple soccer matches — as many as 20 at some US online betting sites. This means you can stack up your betting slip and potentially win larger profits, but keep in mind that every selection needs to win for you to land any returns.

Parlay Bonuses

Parlay bonuses are some of the most popular around, thanks to the excitement around these types of bets. Some sportsbooks such as FanDuel offer your stake back if just one of your selections lets you down — a worthy consolation prize if your parlay is a near-miss. Other parlay bonuses include odds boosts, where the sportsbook will choose a parlay for you and offer an improved payout.

Same Game Parlays

With a same game parlay, your multiple selections will all come from one match. Of course, with soccer betting, there are plenty of markets to bet on — you could choose the final score, the first goalscorer, and the number of corners, for instance. Bonuses for same game parlays are up for grabs too — DraftKings often run promotions where you can work your way up to a $150 free bet by placing same game parlays. To get started, simply look for the +SGP icon and begin building your bet.

Live Betting

While many bettors like to get set up with their wagers before a match kicks off, the fun doesn’t have to stop there. With live betting, you can place bets on soccer matches right up until the final whistle. 

Sportsbooks will offer fluctuating odds throughout a match, responding to the current score and other influences, such as a team going down to ten men. Live betting gives you the chance to take advantage of over-generous odds, or simply to get involved in the action if you didn’t place a bet before the game. 

DraftKings is a great option for soccer fans interested in live betting. It offers live streaming across a wide range of soccer matches, giving you the chance to watch every ball being kicked as you place your bets in real-time. 

However, it’s the Flash Betting option at DraftKings that takes its live betting offers to another level. Unlike regular in-play betting, with Flash Betting there are no delays, so you can place bets in between points and avoid missing the chance to stake your claim. What’s more, if your bet wins, you’ll get your payout just moments later.

Soccer Betting Odds

If you want to have a shot at betting on soccer, then you need to know about betting odds. Soccer odds do two things: reflect how a sportsbook thinks a sports event will play out and tell you how much you’ll win from your bet.

US soccer betting sites normally use the American odds format, which displays odds as negative and positive numbers. Negative odds indicate the favourite, while positive odds indicate the team that’s less likely to win.

Here’s a real-world example of soccer odds:

Barcelona and Real Madrid are contesting a La Liga match. The odds on Real Madrid to win are +110, so a correct $100 bet would result in a return of $210. These returns include your $100 stake, so you’ve made $110 profit in total.

Barcelona winning is priced at -120, which means the sportsbook believes they will come out on top. Here, a $100 wager would net you $183 – a profit of $83. As Barcelona are the favourites, the payout is less generous.

Check out our betting odds guide to learn more about sports betting odds, including how to calculate profits and compare different odds formats.

Soccer Betting Apps

If you’re looking to place soccer bets on the go, a soccer betting app is the best way to do it. The availability of mobile soccer betting in the US has been on the rise in recent years, following a Supreme Court Ruling in 2018 that declared the previous Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional. Following that ruling, states have been given the power to establish their own sports gambling legislation. 

Mobile betting is now legal in the following states:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio – from January 2023
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Washington DC
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Keep in mind that online and mobile betting regulations vary in each state — in Nevada, for example, you have to create your account at a land-based sportsbook before you can use mobile betting apps. What’s more, some states have greater availability than others — the likes of Arkansas and Oregon are yet to offer multiple betting options. As a result, many of the top sportsbooks offer sports betting to just ten or so states.

Soccer betting apps are available for both iOS and Android devices, while sports betting sites can be accessed via web browsers. You’ll usually have access to the same free bet bonuses and markets regardless of whether you use a mobile app or online sports betting site, so you won’t miss out when you bet on soccer on mobile.

Our guide to sports betting apps has got all the need-to-know information on mobile betting apps, including how to find the perfect sports betting app for you. We’ve also picked out a few of our favorite soccer betting apps below. Once you’re all clued up, it’s time to get the ball rolling and try out soccer betting for yourself — hopefully, you’ll score some returns! 

Can’t decide whether placing a bet on the MLS should be something you do from a top soccer betting app? Take a look at our list of pros and cons to help you make a decision. 

We at Compare.bet always want to provide the full picture, so here are some potential downsides to betting in a mobile app. 

Responsible Gambling

At Compare.bet, we take our responsibility to our readers seriously when it comes to raising awareness about the potential harms of gambling. Whenever you gamble, you’re at risk of losing money — and since gambling can be addictive, it’s important you’re always in control. 

There are a number of rules players can stick to to help them gamble responsibly, including the following:

• Never bet more than you can afford. You’re never guaranteed a win when you gamble, so make sure you only bet an amount you’re comfortable losing. As an extension of this, you should never borrow money in order to gamble.
• Set a budget and stick to it. Never chase your losses. Once you’ve spent your bankroll for the session, it’s time to call it a day.
• Make use of on-site limiters. Most soccer betting sites allow their customers to set limits within their account, either for time spent at the site, or deposits and losses within a given period.
• Use self-exclusion tools. If you want to take a break from gambling, you can opt into a self-exclusion register which locks you out of your accounts for a set period of time.
• Choose the right payment method. If you want to keep a close eye on your spending, a payment option like a prepaid card is a good option. Likewise, using an e-wallet to segregate your betting funds from your everyday bank account makes it easier to keep tabs on your gambling profits and losses.
• Never gamble when emotional or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s harder to exercise proper judgment, and you may be more likely to take risks you otherwise wouldn’t.
• Only bet on markets and sports you understand. If you’re unsure what you’re betting on, it’s probably not a good idea.
• Don’t treat gambling as a form of income. You’re never guaranteed to make money and you may well lose it instead.
• Never hesitate to seek help. If you think you might have a gambling problem, there’s plenty of support available — read on to find out more.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

An integral part of responsible gambling is recognizing the warning signs of when you may have a problem. Here’s a quick list — if any of these resonate with you, it’s time to stop and seek help. 

• Needing to bet larger amounts to get the same thrill from gambling.
• Gambling more than you can afford to lose or chasing losses.
• Neglecting personal, familial, or professional responsibilities in order to gamble.
• Prioritizing gambling over social events or other hobbies.
• Feeling ashamed about gambling or hiding it from family and friends.
• Borrowing money in order to gamble, or, in extreme cases, stealing.
• Feeling anxious or stressed about gambling.

Where to Get Help

If you do feel like your gambling has become a problem, there are many avenues of support. 

The first port of call is the National Council on Problem Gambling. The NCPG runs a 24-hour problem gambling helpline which is entirely confidential. You can contact it in the following ways:

• Phone: 1-800-522-4700
• Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
• Text: 1-800-522-4700

The NCPG website also offers a state-by-state guide to problem gambling resources in your area. 

Another organization that offers group sessions and counseling is Gamblers Anonymous. It’s free to access and offers a 12-step support program to problem gamblers. You can access the website at GamblersAnonymous.org. 

If you’ve been affected by the gambling of someone you know, there’s support available for you too. Gam-Anon runs a program for friends and relatives of gambling addicts — you can find more details at Gam-Anon.org.

Bet on Soccer at the Best Online Soccer Betting Sites

You’ve reached the end of our soccer betting guide — so if you’ve found a site you like the look of, why not click through and sign up? New customers can take advantage of a welcome bonus to get their time at a soccer betting site off to a flying start. Just click the link from Compare.bet, enter your required details, make your qualifying deposit, and you’re good to go.

Citations

800gambler.org