How to Bet On NFL: A Guide

Football is the most popular sport in the United States, making the NFL the king of US sports leagues. As a result, there is no shortage of fans seeking to wager on this league. If you’re one of them, check out the following NFL betting guide for some top tips.

What States is it Legal to Place NFL Bets Online?

US sports betting laws have changed considerably over the last few years, and those changes are still coming. Here’s a current rundown of where you can and can’t place sports bets in the US.

What Sportsbooks Offer NFL Betting in the US?

After learning if sports betting is legal in your state, you must choose which site to join. There are a number of licensed sportsbooks currently operating in the US, and more are being added all of the time. Here are a few of the best ones, all of which offer NFL betting lines:

• Caesars Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• BetRivers
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• Unibet
• BetFred
• WynnBet
• BetWay

Sign up to a Sportsbook

Check the site’s Welcome Bonus before signing up. 

It will typically offer you bonus credits or free bets, as well as other perks.

Find a bonus that you like, check the terms and conditions to make sure you qualify, and then sign up. You will be expected to confirm your identity and location and may also be asked to install an app or location finder. This is used to confirm that you’re in the state where the licensed NFL sportsbook is based.

Find a list of the Legal Sportsbooks HERE.

Types of NFL Bets

Not sure what types of bets you can place? Here’s a quick summary of the most popular NFL betting lines:

• Moneyline: A bet on Team A or Team B to win the game.

• Spread: A minus score is added to one team (increasing the odds) and a plus score is added to the other (increasing the probability). These give the punter more variety with regards to the odds.

• Total: An “Over/Under” market that covers the total points / goals / rounds / corners / touchdowns and more.

• Team Total: As above, only focusing on each of the teams.

• Correct Score: Predict the exact score. This market is offered on many sports, but the odds can vary greatly. For instance, the odds tend to be lower in soccer than in football as there are fewer variations. Most sites don’t even offer this market on football.

• First Touchdown: The team or player who will score the first touchdown.

• In Play Betting: A range of bets that you can place after the game has begun.

Take Advantage of Sign-Up Bonuses

As noted above, you should always look for sign-up bonuses and check the Ts & Cs. But it’s not necessarily a case of finding the best one, joining, and then ignoring all others.

There’s nothing stopping you from joining multiple sites and collecting multiple offers. You can also participate in other bonuses offered by the sportsbook, including giveaways and regular free bets.

View all of the best Sign Up Bonuses HERE

Take Advantage of Odds Boosts

Odds Boost promotions are available on most NFL sportsbooks. They increase the odds of specific bets and are typically offered on a daily basis.

You’ll find boosted odds on all sports, but as the NFL is the most popular league for bettors, it tends to be where most of these promotions are focused.

Always check the Odds Boost section before placing your bets, just in case the same—or similar—wagers are located there. 

Use Odds Comparison Tools to Improve your Value

Multiple Welcome Bonuses aren’t the only reason to sign up for several sites. If you’re a member of multiple sportsbooks, you can scan them to find the best odds before placing a bet.

Use odds comparison tools to help you with this process. They highlight the best odds for any given wager, and if you’re a member of that particular site, you just need to sign in and place the bet.

Follow the Picks of Top Performing NFL Bettors

You should never blindly follow picks, even if you have a lot of respect for the pundit and they have a good track record. However, you can use those picks as a foundation for your own bets.

Not sure which way to go? See what experienced bettors have to say. Looking for a little guidance regarding a spread? Check those picks. Be sure to read them in full, as well. That way, you can learn some very useful tips about players, form, formations, and even the weather conditions.

After all, pundits have checked the form and the stats. They have studied the weather conditions and have stayed on top of the latest injury news. They have done all the work for you, so just give those tips a read and see what you can learn.

Follow the Free Picks from the top performing NFL bettors HERE.

Monitor Odds and Line Movements

You can’t leave everything to the pundit. If you want to increase your chances of winning when betting on the NFL, you must do a little research of your own.

After one game week ends, start thinking about the next. Check the betting lines and watch as they move up and down, waiting for the right moment to place your bet. 

Look for Odds Boosts, as well as promotions relating to parlays and futures. It may help if you opt-in to receive marketing messages from the sportsbook. No one wants more junk in their inbox, but if you stick with the best sportsbooks and tailor your marketing preferences, you’ll receive some sound advice and insights.

Gamble Responsibly

Regardless of where or how you bet, remember to always gamble responsibly. Don’t wager more than you can afford to lose, take a break if you are stressed, frustrated, or angry, and avoid gambling when intoxicated. If you need any further assistance, check the sportsbook’s responsible gambling section.