Football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and its immense popularity has led to the rapid rise in online football betting. Finding a trusted football sportsbook can become a task due to the increased availability of legal betting platforms. This is where we come in, offering a well-researched selection of the best football betting sites in the US. Our suggestions are based on the highest industry criteria, making it easy for bettors to find an option that matches their needs.
Throughout this page, we discuss what defines a great football betting site, break down the basics of wagering on football, and guide you through the most popular bet types. If you are a new bettor or even a seasoned pro, this page serves as a one-stop solution for all things related to football betting in the US. Start by scrolling through our list of best football sportsbooks and finding the right fit for your needs.
When reviewing top football betting sites, we follow a multi-step process covering each betting site’s crucial features. Our team, drawing on years of experience and expertise in the industry, developed these criteria to ensure you’re getting trustworthy and unbiased suggestions from industry experts. Below are the most important features we consider when evaluating these sites.
Bonuses and Promotions
The appeal of football betting sites often comes from their bonus offers. The best platforms have a variety of offers for both existing and new customers to keep them coming back.
We evaluate the bonuses and promotions on these sites based on several factors, such as the availability of welcome bonuses, ongoing promotions, and their overall value. We also examine the terms and conditions, particularly the wagering requirements, to ensure fair play.
Online betting sites with loyalty programs rank higher on our list as they reward regular bettors with additional perks.
Betting Features
Betting on football games that are interesting to you should be a smooth experience. Our team concluded that to achieve this, the site must offer several key betting features, including:
Live betting
Streaming
Bet Builder
Early cashout
We thoroughly test all these features to ensure a top-notch betting experience. Here, we prioritize the availability and number of live betting options and the possibility of streaming popular sports.
Of course, the bet builder also significantly impacts building parlays more straightforward and transparent for patrons. Finally, as mentioned, sites that promise early cashouts with good odds receive higher ratings from our team.
Payment Methods
One of the first things our team checks when reviewing football bookies is the availability of US-specific payment options and popular options in general, like:
We also check the limits and time required to process these transactions. A sportsbook needs these banking methods with reasonable limits to suit the U.S. market. Falling short on these criteria means they are not featured on our list.
Security
Online security is essential. The best online sportsbooks use various security measures to protect their users. We always recommend you licensed platforms. This means that they have passed rigorous security checks before getting a license.
Also, the sites on our top list use the latest encryption methods, two-factor authentication, firewalls, and other tools to protect your personal and financial data.
Competitive Odds
Although the coverage of the leagues and football betting markets offered by a sportsbook is essential, it should be noted that the betting odds also play a significant role in your experience.
The recommended options on this page have competitive odds. This applies to matches from the most notable football leagues, such as the NFL, NCAAF, and UFL.
What Defines a Great Football Betting Site?
For an online betting site to be called great, it must have the features we cover below. They may not have all of them or not shine in every department, but the majority of them will have strong ratings in most of them.
Sports and Betting Coverage
Regarding coverage, you should look for sites that cover the most leagues and types of bets.
Typically, US punters are interested in the most popular professional American football league—the NFL. However, the best sites don’t limit their offer only to this league. Like the ones we highlight on this page, the top platforms also let you bet on college football (NCAA).
For some platforms, the football coverage doesn’t stop there. They also give you options to wager money on the Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, and more.
In addition to the events and leagues, you can recognize a quality sportsbook by the types of bets it offers. Moneylines, point spread, and totals are a must, but it’s even better when you can take advantage of match prop bets, player prop bets, and future bets.
Availability of Live Betting
A decade ago, live betting, or in-play betting, was considered an additional feature in the online sports betting industry. Today, you can’t say that a platform belongs to the list of top sportsbooks if it doesn’t have such a feature.
Live football betting is important because it lets you get into action after the event has started. This lets you take advantage of injuries, coaching decisions, and other in-game developments. You can use it to get better value because the odds keep changing.
Does the Sportsbook Have a Mobile App?
When we discuss the mobile-friendliness of football sportsbooks, many people usually think of website design. Indeed, websites with responsive designs allow bettors to place bets on the go.
However, football betting apps take this experience to another level. The top sportsbook apps are faster than most responsive sites. They also provide push notifications with information about promos, odds changes, and more. Some apps can also offer special deals for mobile users.
An excellent football betting site should have a dedicated mobile app for Android and iOS users.
The Basics of Football Betting
We explained how we review football betting websites and what defines a great site. Now it’s time to show you the basics of betting on football. This is a straightforward process consisting of a few simple steps. These steps include:
Choose a football betting site
Start by selecting one of the top football betting sites recommended by our experts. Consider your preferences before making a decision.
Create an account
Once you pick a website, click the register or sign up button and create an account.
Evaluate the available bonus offers
Most sportsbooks have bonus offers. Evaluate these deals to improve your betting experience.
Make a deposit
The next step is to select your preferred payment method and deposit according to your budget.
Decide which leagues and games to bet on
Take into account the football leagues as well as the specific events you wish to bet on.
Choose your type of bet
Since there are many different types of bets, pick the one you understand and matches your strategy.
Place your bet
After selecting the game and type of bet, place your wager. Make sure to stay within your budget.
Wait for the outcome
Enjoy the event, keep track of the results, and wait for the outcome. The site automatically adds the winnings to your balance if you have a winning ticket.
Most Popular Types of Football Bets
There are many types of football bets, which is another reason US bettors are fond of this activity. If you’re new to football betting, you don’t have to spend much time analyzing every type, but you should learn how the most popular kinds work.
Moneyline
The moneyline bet is the most used bet type at football betting sites, but—what is a moneyline bet in football? Simply put, it lets you back one football team to win the match outright. For example, if the Patriots meet the Jets, you can wager money on the Patriots to win against the Jets or vice versa.
Points Spread
In a match, football teams are often favorites or underdogs. In other words, it’s expected for one team to win the match. The only thing people wonder about is how many points the favorite will win or the underdog will lose. This is where football points spread bets come into play.
They let you guess this difference and reward you if your prediction is correct. For instance, you can back the Broncos to win by 6.5+ against the Buccaneers. In the same example, you can back the Buccaneers to lose with less than -6.5.
Points Totals
Points totals, or over/under bets, let bettors choose between the score going over or under the determined number. The latter is determined by the betting site. These lines for NFL games typically range from around 35 to 50 points. So, you can predict whether the event will end with, say, over 40 points or under 40 points.
Props
Prop bets, or props, in football betting, are types of bets that allow you to wager on a player, team, or game-specific outcomes. These proposition bets can include the number of points scored by specific players, the correct score, the winning margin, or even the first team to call timeout.
Parlays
Consider using parlays if you want to wager on two or more bets. They represent one wager on several bets promising a larger payout. However, if only one bet loses, you’ll lose the parlay. Football parlays can include bets like totals, moneyline bets, and receiving props. Most football betting sites have bet builder tools that make it easier to create parlays.
Futures
Football futures are ideal for bettors who don’t mind waiting for the outcome of events for a longer time. These future bets are decided by events that take time to unfold. For example, you can bet on who will win the NFL championship.
Top Leagues Available on Football Betting Sites
The most popular online football betting sites pay special attention to the NFL. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t bet on other football leagues. On the contrary, the leading platforms let you wager money on several football leagues.
Below, you’ll find information about the most popular and best football leagues to bet on.
NFL – National Football League
If you’re into sports, you don’t need an introduction to the NFL (National Football League). This is, by far, the most famous football league.
The NFL is a professional league where the best football teams with the most physically gifted athletes participate. It was established over a century ago. Today, it includes 32 teams, some of which have developed intense rivalries. That’s why we often witness surprises in these matches. This is why the NFL and NFL betting sites are so popular.
NCAAF – National Collegiate Athletic Association Football
When people discuss college football, they usually think about the National Collegiate Athletic Association Football (NCAAF). Launched in 1978, this highest level of college football is known for churning talented players. Interestingly, some of these footballers go on to play in the NFL.
College football betting is popular amongst bettors because it often features unexpected outcomes, which is excellent for those who fancy underdog bets. There are over 100 teams, so you can expect to bet on many games.
UFL – United Football League
The UFL is one of the freshest professional American football leagues. It resulted from the merger of the XFL and USFL (United States Football League). UFL betting doesn’t provide as many options as the NFL or NFAAC because it includes only eight teams. Still, it’s an excellent alternative for those who want to try something different.
Football Betting Sites Bonuses and Promotions
Football betting platforms usually treat existing and new customers to bonuses and promotions. To help you better understand what you can expect, we have prepared a list of the most common football betting bonuses:
Welcome Offers: Thanks to the welcome offers at football betting websites, users can expect to boost their balance from the first deposit. These welcome deals usually include cashback deals, bonus bets, and match deposit bonuses for new users.
No Deposit Bonus: No-deposit bonuses are rare nowadays, but many football betting platforms still have deals like this. As the name suggests, you don’t have to deposit a dime to get rewarded. They usually provide free bonus bets to players who have completed the registration process or have been inactive.
Free Bets: This is another bonus bet popular at online betting sites. They represent credit given to bettors by the bookmaker. In other words, you can place a bet without risking your funds. If you win, you keep the winnings without the stake.
These bonus bets are the most popular deal at football sportsbooks. However, you should expect many more promotions on these sites, including enhanced odds, reload bonuses, and refer-a-friend bonuses.
Legal Oversight of Football Betting across the US
The US’s active legal sports betting market includes 39 states plus DC. This means you can bet on sports legally in these states. However, some states allow retail-only betting while others, like Tennessee and Vermont, allow betting online only.
The PASPA Act (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) of 1992 prohibited sports betting nationwide with a few exceptions (Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana). The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act extended this ban to online betting.
However, in 2018, in the Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the US Supreme Court decided that PASPA goes against the Tenth Amendment. Simply put, it left the states with the decision to regulate this matter on their own.
As a result, the first legal online sports betting site was launched in Nevada in 2018.
Elevate Your Game with the Best Football Betting Sites
Football sportsbooks are rapidly expanding across the US. Thanks to our research, bettors can find the best platforms that are suited to their needs. We have developed a system that lets us identify and recommend the top sportsbooks for every type of bettor, from new users and casual punters to seasoned pros.
Remember, it’s essential to make sure betting is legal in your state, stick to any of the sites we have listed and you should be in good hands. Whether you’re betting on the NFL, NFAAC, UFL, or another league, you can trust that our top picks have been carefully vetted to provide you with the best betting experience.
FAQs on Football Betting Sites
Yes, using football betting sites and wagering money on football events is legal in many US states. We only recommend licensed and reputable platforms on our list.
Absolutely. The top online betting sites on our list have mobile-friendly designs vouching for an enjoyable smartphone, tablet, and computer experience. In addition, many of these sites have sports betting apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android-powered mobile devices.
There’s no limit to the number of football sportsbooks you can join. However, joining one or more sportsbooks is up to you. Some punters stick to one platform, while others bet on several sites, hoping for better odds and markets.
Every online football bookie has a different policy regarding payment options. Still, generally, the ones we recommend accept credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Additionally, some accept mobile wallet payments and prepaid cards.
The football betting sites on our top list promise a memorable experience. Before committing to these websites, we recommend considering your needs and preferences.
Starting with simple strategies and bet types is best if you’re a beginner. An excellent example is moneyline betting, which lets you wager money on the team you believe will win the game outright.
Yes. Online betting sites offer sports betting options beyond just football. They post odds on basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball, and other sports.
Of course. Almost every top football sportsbook offers live betting. This means you can wager money after the match starts, giving you a chance to take advantage of better odds.
