How to Bet on NFL - The Complete Guide for 2024
Unlock the ultimate guide to NFL betting in March 2024. Discover how it works, the best sportsbooks, various bet types, and more with FanNation.
The NFL continues to be king, which also means it dominates the sports betting markets. Whether you’re looking to back your favorite team, add excitement to the Sunday slates or want some skin in the primetime games, this article has everything you need.
We have everything from how to bet on the NFL online to where to bet on the NFL and claim some incredible sign-up bonuses. We’ll also answer, “Can I bet on NFL games online legally?” so that you know your eligibility. Our experts have even detailed the various bet types available to you.
So, read on as we take you through everything, including the best NFL betting sites.
Where is NFL Betting Legal?
One of the first questions to knock out right away is, “Can I bet on NFL games online legally?” To answer that, here is a list of where online NFL betting is legal:
Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
How to Bet on NFL
As long as you’re at least 21 years and in one of those states, the next question is how to bet on the NFL online. Before we dive into where to bet on the NFL, here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to bet on NFL games at the best sports betting sites:
- Use the links or banners in this article to get started at an NFL betting site
- Fill out your registration form with the necessary information, such as your name, age and email
- Make your initial deposit based on the sign-up bonuses we have for you
- Navigate to the NFL betting page
- Click on the odds of the selection you want to make to add it to your bet slip
- Place a wager amount that satisfies the new-user promo you’re claiming
Now let's cover where to bet on the NFL by diving into those sportsbooks and welcome offers available for you to claim as soon as today.
Where to Bet on NFL Games Online
Now that you know how to bet on the NFL, we have the best spots in terms of where to bet on the NFL. Each of the elite sportsbooks below offers incredible sign-up bonuses to get started, and we’ve detailed each one.
NFL at DraftKings Sportsbook
The first place we’re starting with in terms of how to bet on the NFL online is DraftKings Sportsbook. After being a leader in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) world, DraftKings is a leader in the sports betting world.
With that comes a new-user promo that provides a $1,000 No Sweat First Bet bonus after a losing initial bet on anything. That initial $1-$1,000 guarantees you walk away with winnings or a refund in bonus funds, and you won’t even need a DraftKings promo code. Additionally, all new customers receive SGP insurance every day when they opt-in.
NFL at FanDuel Sportsbook
Another top spot regarding how to bet on the NFL is FanDuel Sportsbook. Like DraftKings, they too got their start in the DFS space. Now, FanDuel is the #1 sportsbook in America.
That is partly due to always offering a generous welcome offer, which provides $150 in bonus bets with a winning $5 bet on the NFL.
NFL at Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is a fantastic operator when it comes to how to bet on NFL games. They have a lucrative sign-up bonus with the Caesars promo code FNEG1000. You’ll receive up to $1,000 back in a guaranteed bonus bet 72 hours within your first wager of $10+ settling in defeat.
This offer requires you to bet any range within $10-$1,000, but either way, you walk away with something. And, if you win, you receive potentially substantial winnings in cash.
NFL at BetMGM Sportsbook
Caesars became so well-respected thanks to their resorts, and so did BetMGM Sportsbook. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they are also a great operator when it comes to where to bet on the NFL.
BetMGM's new-user promo is fully insuring your first bet. Sign up with the BetMGM promo code FANNATION and, after a $10+ deposit, place a bet of $5+. Then, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets no matter the result of your wager.
NFL at Bet365 Sportsbook
An operator more known for its overseas presence but is making waves in the US as a great place to go when wondering how to bet on the NFL is Bet365 Sportsbook. They too have a welcome offer that provides a guaranteed bonus, if you so choose. They also have a $1,000 offer for a losing first wager, and you can decide which one you'd like to claim at sign-up.
Simply deposit $10+, wager $5+ on anything and you’ll receive $150 worth of bonus bets no matter what or bet up to $1,000 to be 100% reimbursed with bonus bets should it lose.
How NFL Betting Works
Those are the top sportsbooks for where to bet on the NFL, but we still want to make sure you know how to bet on the NFL. The standard betting markets are the point spread, money line and total (over/under). Those involve predicting whether a team will win or not, how much they’ll win by, how close a team can keep a game and whether a game will have more or less than a set number of points.
Popular NFL Betting Types
Now that you know the answer to, “Can I bet on NFL games online legally?” and have those standard markets, we’ve also explained several other popular betting markets for you.
NFL Parlays
Parlays are one of the most popular bet types outside of the aforementioned standard markets. In fact, money lines, spreads and totals are often used for this bet type. Parlays consist of piecing multiple betting selections together to create valuable odds.
However, all of the bet selections in a parlay have to be successful to win. If just one of the selections loses, the entire parlay loses.
NFL Same Game Parlay
A Same Game Parlay (SGP) is just as the name would suggest - a specific type of parlay that involves selections from a single matchup. Many fans use this opportunity to piece together several player props with something like a money line. Like the standard parlay, each selection within an SGP has to be successful.
NFL Teasers
Teasers are a bit more nuanced than that of parlays but can be thought of in a similar light. They piece together multiple selections but make them more favorable. For example, a bettor can pair two different spreads but get them at more favorable values.
There are various options, but the standard is six points. In other words, a 7.5-point favorite would become a 1.5-point favorite and would then only have to win by two points. Like the previous two, each selection in a teaser must be successful for it to win.
NFL Futures
Another option in terms of how to bet on the NFL is futures markets. These focus on predicting long-term aspects, such as awards, teams’ win totals and a Super Bowl winner. Of course, that means they take time to come to fruition, but they often provide great plus-money odds. They are successful as long as what you predicted comes true, such as a player winning an award or a team winning the Super Bowl.
Other Popular NFL Bets
The above are the most popular betting markets at those top sportsbooks when it comes to where to bet on the NFL, but they aren’t the only ones. The variety of prop markets is ever-growing, but many fans enjoy one we mentioned when detailing SGPs. That would be player props, which include things like predicting if a player will go over a specific number of passing/rushing/receiving yards or score a touchdown.
NFL Odds & Betting Lines Explained
We mentioned the standard markets when first breaking down how to bet on the NFL, so let’s further explain exactly how those lines and odds work. When it comes to money lines, selecting those odds is simply betting on a team to win.
A favorite is designated with a minus sign (-), such as -150. That would mean it requires a $15 wager to profit $10 as long as that team wins. An underdog is designated with a plus sign (+), such as +150. In that case, it would be a $10 bet that profits $15 as long as that team comes out victorious.
As for point spreads, a favorite is a team that is expected to win by a specific amount. So, a -6.5 point favorite must win by at least seven points. On the flip side, a +6.5 underdog must keep the game within six points or pull off an upset.
Perhaps the most straightforward is game totals (over/under). They are set at a specific number, such as 36.5. For that example, a bet on the over would be successful if there are at least 37 or more points scored. Conversely, a bet on the under wins as long as the game ends with 36 or fewer points.
How to Read NFL Odds & Betting Lines
The above breakdown on how to bet on the NFL with the standard market can be applied to other prices, but it’s also worth further outlining how to read those lines and odds. The money line is rather straightforward, but spreads and totals have multiple components.
Using our above example for a 6.5-point spread, there will also be an odds component that looks as such:
- Team A +6.5 (-110) vs. Team B -6.5 (-110)
Totals have a similar case that will read as the following:
- Over 54 (-110) vs. Under 54 (-110)
NFL Betting Trends
Analyzing trends is a great place to start once you’ve joined each of the top spots we shared for where to bet on the NFL. Those can vary based on which market you’re focused on, but here are some things to consider:
- How a team performs against the spread (ATS)
- How a team’s strengths and weaknesses matchup against an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses
- How a team performs when playing at home and on the road
- How a team performs when playing indoors or outside
- How a team’s strengths and weaknesses perform in inclement weather
NFL Betting Strategies
When researching how to bet on NFL games, the available strategies are virtually endless. We’ve broken some popular strategies down into three categories for you below.
Basic
Simply make sure you’re betting with your head and not your heart. As tempting as it can be to always back your favorite team, that can lead to clouded judgment.
Intermediate
Going a bit further is to begin using the trends we outlined above by keeping in mind how teams match up and where the game is being played. It is also beneficial to see how specific teams have historically fared against one another.
Advanced
Expanding on the above intermediate strategy, coupled with those trends is utilizing the injury report. Furthermore, begin monitoring lines and odds at the beginning of the week and see how they move as game time gets closer.
What to Avoid When Betting on the NFL
Along with those strategies when it comes to how to bet on the NFL online, we also have some things to avoid for you:
- Betting with your heart rather than your head
- Not factoring in injuries
- Overreacting to the most recent performance
- Chasing your own losses
- Having unreasonable expectations
Betting on NFL Games With Mobile Apps
If you’re wondering if you can also bet on the NFL on mobile, the answer is yes. Better yet, each of the sportsbooks we shared when detailed where to bet on the NFL, also provides the best sports betting apps. That means you’ll be able to place wagers, check on current bets, claim sign-up bonuses and more all from a few clicks of your phone.
FAQs
What is the Over/Under in NFL Betting?
The over/under in NFL betting is also known as the total. This is set as a specific number with an odd value where fans can predict if the game will end with more or fewer points.
Can I Bet on Individual Player Performances in NFL Games?
Yes, which is a betting market we outlined when explaining the various ways how to bet on the NFL. These are often referred to as player props, but you can also bet on futures markets like NFL MVP odds.
Can NFL Betting be Profitable?
Yes, it can be, but it is certainly not guaranteed. By putting in the research, finding the best value and being responsible, NFL betting can turn out to be profitable.
How to Bet on NFL & Win
As stated above, it requires dedicating the time to researching trends and statistics, individual matchups and much more to go from asking, “Can I bet on NFL games online legally?” to winning your NFL wagers.
Enjoyed this article? Further enhance your betting experience with our guides, handpicked for you:
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org(MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
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