The Best NFL Betting Sites

Now that legal sports betting has been written into law by over half of the United States, sports bettors have more options than ever before when it comes to the best NFL betting sites, with so many unique ways to bet on NFL games.

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The History of the National Football League

Before the NFL became the behemoth it is today, it went through several periods of ups and downs where it often needed to course-correct before becoming the most significant sports league. With the establishment of the most dominant football league, competition became much better, which led to the best football betting sites growing into the most popular destination for fun-seeking fans.

Whether you’re a football fan or just want to learn more about the sport to bet on NFL games, there’s never been a better time to experience the best of the sport itself and the best NFL betting sites.

If legal sports betting is an option in your home state, surely you’re wondering how to get in on the action and bet on NFL games using the best online NFL betting sites, perhaps to bet it all on the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or whatever’s on the Sunday night football.

Whether you’re a lifelong NFL fan looking to start betting on NFL games online legally, or a complete newbie to the sport who wants to also start betting, a good place to start any conversation about NFL sports betting is understanding its history.

The NFL was started in 1920, but it wasn’t even called the National Football League until 1922 – it was known as the American Football Professional Association (AFPA). The league was started with 10 teams from 4 states.

Failure was never an option for the NFL, because several leagues had tried and failed to organize professional football on such a large scale. When the NFL started, many had written the league off and condemned it to the list of other failures before the NFL.

But the NFL didn’t back down. They weren’t just planning to start a new league for a sport that was already popular – their mission was to popularize the sport itself, to make NFL games a celebration of football and sporting integrity. And sure enough, after decades of leagues failing to achieve the exact same thing, the NFL became the first football league to go national.

The period of the 1920s to early 1930s was one of organization. The NFL had learnt from the mistakes of its predecessors, and spent time organizing the league structure and getting teams to sign up and become a part of the league in a bid to represent as many states as possible.

In 1933, history was made as the first official NFL championship game was played – thus kicking off the first ever NFL season. The NFL’s marketing machine had successfully piqued the interest of the American people, and had managed to sign teams representing most major states – thus getting the entire United States excited about a football league for the first time in history.

Administrative changes were made to the league – for instance doing away with the post of a ‘President’ and the appointment of a NFL Commissioner, which was inspired by similar administrative changes made by Major League Baseball. These administrative changes were essential to set the foundation for the NFL to become the biggest sports league in America.

Recent History of the NFL

The 1950s and 1960s were about achieving stability. The NFL was strategic about achieving sustainable growth to secure the present and the future. Instead of establishing new teams and investing too much into building assets from the ground-up, the NFL went through a lot of strategic mergers in this period that paid off.

Once most NFL teams had achieved financial stability in the early 1950s, the league first acquired the then-successful All America Football Conference – absorbing all their league teams in the process. This significantly bolstered the NFL’s credibility as a truly national football league, and was a major step towards becoming the phenomenon it is today.

In 1958, the NFL championship final game was described as the “most exciting game ever played.” Not just in football, but in any sport ever. By then, the NFL’s success was practically inevitable and the world knew it was here to stay.

However, it was one merger in the 1960s changed the course of history itself in one of the smartest deals in the history of sports. The rival American Football League was gaining popularity and on-course to become as successful as the NFL. The American Football League eventually forced a merger with the NFL – which seemed to have hit a ceiling in terms of growth – and the modern form of the NFL was born.

The greatest outcome of this merger was the birth of the Super Bowl, which is the biggest sporting event in the United States and is viewed by millions of fans from around the world. The merger also led to the present day format of the league having 32 teams, and the lucrative TV contracts, packed stadiums, and sponsorship deals eventually led to the NFL becoming one of the most profitable, sustainable leagues on the planet.

Legal Betting on the NFL is Still Young

While the NFL was always a sport that people wanted to bet on, gambling laws meant that betting couldn’t legally happen on the NFL until the legalization of sports betting in Nevada and then the 2018 US Supreme Court verdict that led to 22 states making sports betting legal.

The government tried its best to curb the influence of illegal bookmakers and organized crime on the sport and ultimately failed, and the NFL has now embraced sports betting by partnering with the best NFL betting sites, paving the way for more trustworthy NFL betting sites and online sportsbooks to establish themselves.

How Many of the Original Teams Still Play in the NFL?

From the founding members of the NFL from the 1920s, only the Chicago Bears (then the Decatur Staleys) and the Arizona Cardinals (then the Chicago Cardinals) still play in the modern league. The Green Bay Packers joined the NFL in 1921, and remain the oldest NFL franchise to continue representing the same location. From the merger with the All America Football Conference, only the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers continue to play football in the NFL to this day.

The Biggest NFL Game: The Super Bowl

When the American Football League and the NFL merged in 1966, a part of their merger agreement was the establishment of the Super Bowl – a playoff final where the best teams from the NFL and the American Football League would play against each other for the coveted Super Bowl trophy that effectively makes the winner the champions of the NFL season.

The Super Bowl is now the most-watched sporting event in America, with millions of viewers tuning in from around the world to watch the two best teams from both conferences battle it out for the ultimate glory. It is second only to the UEFA Champions League final for the distinction of being the most-watched sporting event in the world.

With the introduction of official sports betting partners and the opening up of so many possibilities after States made sports betting legal, the Super Bowl will always be one of the most exciting days of the NFL season for sports bettors and enthusiasts alike.

While the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have the most Super Bowl titles each, The Patriots and Denver Broncos have faced the most defeats in Super Bowl history. Do with that information what you may as you weigh your NFL odds and consider how to place your NFL wagers on one of the top NFL betting sites or NFL sportsbooks.

Ranked: The Best NFL Betting Apps to Use in 2022

  • BetMGM Sportsbook
  • Unibet
  • WynnBET
  • PointsBet
  • Betrivers
  • Caesars Sportsbook
  • DraftKings Sportsbook
  • Betway
  • bet365
  • PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook

You can carry the complete NFL online betting experience on the go, since all the platforms mentioned in this article have cutting-edge mobile apps for you to place your bets on the NFL online. Better yet, most sportsbooks even offer NCAAF betting options for when the NFL season has wrapped up so you won’t run out of tournaments to bet on. Plan your NFL prop bets, avail lucrative bonuses, and carry the excitement of betting on the NFL in your pocket.

When to Bet on NFL Football Games

You can bet on the NFL for as long as the season is active. The NFL season always starts on the weekend following the first Monday of September, and continues till early January. During this period, the 32 teams play a total of 272 games, with each team divided into two conferences and playing 17 games each during the 18-week long season.

You can bet on all of these NFL games online, using various online betting sites, NFL betting apps, and a number of other NFL betting options that differentiate themselves through promos, bonuses, competitive odds, and more. You can see our football betting hub on how to play by site for a more in-depth look at the format at each operator during the season.

After the regular NFL season, the teams that make the cut will play the playoffs that start in January and culminate in the Super Bowl on the second Sunday of February. The winner of the Super Bowl is effectively the NFL champion of the season.

The certainty of knowing exactly when the season starts will give you enough time to perfect your NFL betting strategy, and do your research into the different types of bets in the world of online betting such as prop bets, NFL parlay bets, NFL futures, and how to make the most of the situation when you have the best NFL odds on hand.

Finding the Best NFL Betting Site and NFL Betting Apps

There are so quality football betting sites out there, that it can be complicated for NFL bettors to find the best NFL gambling site for them to place their bets. As a rule of thumb, here are some pointers we’d recommend that you keep in mind while choosing your preferred NFL betting site. We certainly wouldn’t advise placing your NFL bets on sites that don’t meet these criteria.

  • While it’s obvious that promotional offers and platform design play a role in choosing the best online sportsbooks, they aren’t the only key considerations.

  • Competitive odds, relaxations on commissions, and various types of offers that stand out from the rest are also important factors.

  • Loyalty programs on legal online sports betting sites and NFL betting apps are a bonus.

  • Bet wisely, but also safely. Check the licenses of your online sportsbook, and whether they have a robust customer support team.

  • A lack of info on payment options, an unclear withdrawal policy, and releasing NFL betting lines too late are red flags to look out for.

The Best NFL Betting Sites in 2022

Now that you know what green flags to look out for and which signs to avoid, here are the best legal NFL betting sites for you to start your NFL online betting journey. These sites meet all the criteria we just mentioned, making them the safest NFL sportsbooks for you to bet on any NFL game.

Most of these sites have a wide array of NFL betting options as well, with prop bets, NFL parlay bets, NFL playoff betting, live betting, and other exciting new ways to bet on your favorite NFL team.

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet is growing steadily and is poised to be in contention for the best sports betting site if it continues to grow at this pace. NFL bettors love the unique platform and how it provides much more than one risk free bet on the NFL to new players. It also features a number of promotional offers, giving sports bettors the opportunity to win free money.

What we really love about PointsBet is their proprietary feature called PointsBetting. While PointsBet offers the best traditional NFL betting odds, PointsBetting is truly something special. This form of betting doesn’t just reward you for winning, but also for the margin by which your NFL team wins. Similarly, losses also cost you only depending on the margin by which your team lost. PointsBetting and great traditional NFL betting odds makes PointsBet one of the top NFL betting websites that we highly recommend.

  • PointsBet NFL deposit Methods: Wire transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PointsBet Card, Paypal

  • PointsBet NFL withdrawal Methods: Wire transfer, Mastercard, Visa, PointsBet Card, Paypal

FanDuel Sportsbook

One of our favorite top NFL gambling sites, FanDuel has a number of ongoing NFL promotions even for NFL playoffs, and has tons of NFL betting markets. They also have a unique user interface and truly splash the cash on promotional offers and risk free bets, making it one of the best online betting sites for NFL betting.

  • FanDuel NFL deposit methods: Wire transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PayNearMe, Venmo, Paypal, FanDuel Prepaid Card, Cash at FanDuel retail outlets

  • FanDuel NFL withdrawal methods: Wire transfer, FanDuel Prepaid Card, Venmo, Paypal, Cash at retail outlets

BetRivers SportsBook

Betting on NFL games is more rewarding than ever on BetRivers SportsBook, which is one of the only sports betting sites to offer a tier-based loyalty program. While the platform does offer great NFL betting odds and has a robust number of NFL betting markets, what really stands out is its loyalty program which allows users to exchange points for perks and the occasional free bet. We love this site for being one of the few online sportsbooks that rewards loyalty as much as it incentivizes new players.

  • BetRivers NFL deposit methods: Wire transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PayNearMe, BetRivers Play+ Card, Cash at Rivers Casino

  • BetRivers NFL withdrawal methods: Wire transfers, BetRivers Play+ Card, Cash at Rivers Casino, Check via mail

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM is probably has the most interesting betting menu on this list, with online NFL betting options that one wouldn’t typically find on other online NFL betting sites. We love BetMGM for its huge array of NFL markets for one to place their sports bets, and also how liberal they are when it comes to odds boosts and risk free bets.

  • BetMGM NFL deposit methods: Wire transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Play+, Paypal, Skrill, Cash deposits at MGM properties, PayNearMe

  • BetMGM NFL withdrawal methods: Wire transfer, Play+, Paypal, Skrill, Cash withdrawal at MGM properties, Checks

Caesars Sportsbook

The name Caesars invariably carries the burden of great expectations, and this online NFL football betting site proves why Caesars is still the biggest name in the world of gambling. The no-frills app has an extensive betting menu, and is liberal with the occasional free bet and glorious NFL betting odds boosts. It is one of the most refined, complete sports betting packages compared to anything else, and offers competitive betting lines across a number of NFL betting markets.

  • Caesars NFL deposit Methods: Wire transfer, e-Check, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Caesars Sportsbook Prepaid Card, Skrill, PayNearMe, Cash at Caesers casinos or physical sportsbook locations

  • Caesars NFL withdrawal Methods: Wire transfer, e-Check, PayPal, Caesars Sportsbook Prepaid Card, Skrill, Cash at Caesers casinos or physical sportsbook locations

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings is truly the king of this list as probably the best NFL sportsbook out there, period. This king of NFL sportsbooks has everything one could ask for from an NFL betting site, with competitive betting lines and NFL odds, prop bets, and a betting menu that is second to none. Their live betting feature is an experience that other live betting sites don’t even come close to. Open an online sportsbook account with DraftKings, and you’ll most likely receive a ton of bonuses, risk free bets, and other perks that’ll set you up for success.

  • DraftKings NFL deposit methods: Wire transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Play+ Prepaid Card, PlayNearMe, Cash at DraftKings retail outlets

  • DraftKings NFL withdrawal methods: Wire transfer, Play+ Prepaid Card, Paypal, Cash at DraftKings retail outlets, Checks

Best NFL Betting Sites Promo Codes 2022

The aforementioned NFL betting sites are also known for their spectacular promos, which are summarized below:

1. PointsBet Sportsbook Promo Codes

Up to $2,000 in risk free bets

  • Claim on sign-up

2. Caesars Sportsbook Promo Codes

Use promo code: [Placeholder]

  • Bonus: Risk free bet up to $1,500

3. DraftKings Sportsbook

100% Match on your first deposit: Use code [Placeholder]

  • Bonus: Up to $2,000 in bonuses and $50 in casino credits

4. BetMGM Sportsbook

Get up to $1,000 in bonuses

  • Use code: [Placeholder]

5. BetRivers Sportsbook

Get up to $250 in bonuses for new users

  • Use code: [Placeholder]

6. FanDuel Sportsbook

$1,000 no-sweat first bet for new users

  • Claim on sign-up

Best Online NFL Betting Site for Daily Fantasy Sports

It is admittedly easier to find the best NFL betting sites for traditional betting, but the Daily Fantasy Sports scene is still thriving with its two biggest players – FanDuel and DraftKings – one-upping each other with generous risk free bets, free tournament entries, signing bonuses, and more for the NFL. We recommend that you start your daily fantasy sports adventure with a risk free bet on one of these two websites.

Get up to $500 deposit bonus for DFS 4.7/5 Start Playing! T&Cs apply. Must be 18+ and only valid for new DFS players.

FAQs

Can I bet on NFL games online legally?

Yes you can - provided you live in one of the 22 states in the US that has legalized online sports betting. If you do, then you are free to explore the world of NFL odds and different forms of NFL betting on the top NFL betting sites.

Where can I place a football bet on the NFL?

DraftKings, Caesars, Pointsbet, BetRivers, FanDuel, and BetMGM are the best websites to place a bet on the NFL. They have the best NFL betting lines and offer great NFL odds, bonuses, and more.

Can NFL players gamble on NFL games?

NFL football players are allowed to gamble on other sports and traditional forms of gambling, but are strictly prohibited from betting on NFL games in any form. This includes game of skill type of betting such as daily fantasy sports.



Ben Brown is a diehard football fan who has been watching since he was a kid. After college he focused on his career, but never gave up his passion for the game. Now in his 40s he is the proud owner of thehogs.net.