The NFL is one of the richest and most popular sports in the world, with supporters spanning the globe. Its expansion into international markets, including regular-season games in London, combined with changes to the US sports betting market, has also helped increase interest in NFL betting.
For UK bettors, the NFL now offers far more than simply betting on which team will win. Online bookmakers provide NFL odds across a huge range of markets, including moneylines, point spreads, over/unders, player props and futures. Interest reaches its peak around the Super Bowl, but American football betting markets are available throughout the regular season, playoffs and offseason.
Following American football and betting on it, however, can be two very different things. Online betting is commonplace in the UK, but the terminology and markets used for the NFL can be unfamiliar. Point spreads, moneylines, totals and American-style betting terminology can make placing your first NFL bets seem more complicated than it needs to be.
That’s where this site can help. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that answers the question of how does NFL betting work, alongside detailed guides covering NFL odds, betting markets and major NFL events. Whether you’re learning how NFL betting odds work, trying to understand a particular type of bet or comparing the best NFL betting sites, you’ll find the relevant guides here.
NFL Betting Sites
Before placing NFL bets online, you’ll need an account with a suitable sportsbook. Choosing where to bet isn’t simply about finding the biggest bonus or the largest number of markets; UK bettors should also consider whether a bookmaker is appropriately licensed and regulated.
The online bookmakers that feature in our best NFL betting sites guide have been tried and tested by us, as well as receiving excellent reviews from customers. They are also well established and for that reason they have an extra element of trust for processing payments and honouring bets.
These online American Football betting sites offer some great NFL odds, bonuses and even some quirky proposition bets. So you can be assured of excellent options and value for money if you opt for one of them.
| NFL Betting Site | Best For | NFL Betting Features | Our View |
|---|---|---|---|
| BoyleSports | NFL betting markets | Moneylines, spreads, totals and player props | A strong all-round option for UK NFL bettors |
| NetBet | Simple American Football betting | Core NFL markets, accumulators and in-play betting | A straightforward choice for betting on NFL games |
| BetVictor | Range of NFL markets | Moneylines, spreads, totals, props and live markets | Well suited to bettors looking for a broad selection of NFL bets |
For a more detailed look at each bookmaker, including NFL betting markets, features and what to consider when choosing where to bet, see our complete comparison of the best NFL betting sites.
When comparing American football betting sites, we look beyond the number of markets available. Competitive odds and betting lines are important, but so are secure payment options, customer support and, most importantly, whether the bookmaker is appropriately licensed and regulated for UK customers.
How Does American Football Betting Work?
American football betting works in much the same way as betting on other sports, but some of the terminology and markets can initially look unfamiliar to UK bettors. Rather than simply choosing which team will win, NFL bookmakers offer betting lines that allow you to wager on the winning margin, total points scored and individual player performances.
The main markets include moneylines, point spreads, over/unders and prop bets, alongside longer-term futures such as the Super Bowl winner. Each market works differently, so understanding the betting line and the odds being offered is important before placing a wager.
Our complete guide to how to bet on NFL games explains each of these markets in more detail and takes you through the process of placing an NFL bet.
NFL Betting Odds
NFL betting odds show both the likelihood of an outcome and how much a successful bet could return. UK bookmakers will usually display NFL odds in decimal format, although fractional and American odds may also be available depending on the sportsbook.
For example, decimal odds of 2.00 mean a £10 winning bet would return £20 in total, including the original £10 stake. Lower odds generally indicate a more likely outcome, while higher odds suggest a less likely result with a larger potential return.
NFL odds are available across a wide range of betting markets, including moneylines, point spreads, over/unders, player props and futures. The price offered can also vary from one bookmaker to another, which is why comparing odds before placing a bet can make a difference to your potential returns.
For a more detailed explanation of how NFL prices and betting lines work, including the different odds formats and how to compare them, see our complete NFL odds guide.
Popular NFL Betting Markets
One of the reasons NFL betting is so popular is the variety of markets available on each game. You can bet on which team will win, whether a team will cover the point spread, how many points will be scored or even the performance of individual players.
The main NFL betting markets you’ll find at UK bookmakers include moneylines, point spreads, over/unders and prop bets, while futures allow you to bet on outcomes across the entire season.
American Football Spread Betting
Point spread betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on NFL games. Rather than simply choosing which team will win, the bookmaker gives the favourite a points handicap and the underdog a points advantage.
For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are -6.5, they need to win the game by at least seven points for a bet on the Chiefs to cover the spread. If their opponents are +6.5, a bet on the underdog can win if they win the game outright or lose by six points or fewer.
Point spreads can therefore make betting on games between teams of different abilities more competitive, as you’re betting on the margin of victory rather than simply the final result.
For a more detailed explanation, including favourites, underdogs, covering the spread and examples, read our American Football spread betting guide.
NFL Moneyline Betting
The moneyline is one of the simplest NFL betting markets because you’re betting on which team will win the game, regardless of the winning margin.
Each team is given odds based on its perceived chance of winning. The favourite will generally have shorter odds, while the underdog will offer a larger potential return.
For example, if one team is priced at 1.50 and another at 2.70, a £10 winning bet would return £15 or £27 respectively, including the original stake.
Moneyline betting can be a straightforward starting point for anyone new to American football betting because there is no point handicap to consider.
NFL Over/Under Betting
NFL over/under betting—also known as totals betting—focuses on how many combined points will be scored rather than which team wins.
The bookmaker sets a total for the game, such as 47.5 points, and you decide whether the final combined score will finish over or under that number.
If the game ends 28-24, for example, 52 points have been scored and the over would win. A 24-20 result would produce 44 points and the under would win.
Totals allow you to bet on how you expect a game to develop without needing to predict the winning team.
NFL Prop Bets
NFL prop bets are wagers on specific events or individual player performances within a game rather than simply its final result.
Player props are particularly common and can include markets such as:
- Quarterback passing yards
- Player rushing yards
- Player receiving yards
- Touchdown scorers
- Pass completions
- Receptions
There are also game props covering events such as the first team to score or whether a particular event will occur during the game.
Prop betting becomes especially prominent for major events such as the Super Bowl, where bookmakers typically offer a much wider selection of player and game-specific markets.
NFL Futures Betting
NFL futures are bets placed on outcomes that will be decided later in the season rather than during a single game.
Common NFL futures markets include:
- Super Bowl winner
- AFC and NFC conference winners
- Division winners
- Regular-season win totals
- NFL MVP
- Other player awards
Futures odds can change considerably throughout the season as teams’ performances, injuries and playoff prospects alter their chances of achieving a particular outcome.
Two of the biggest futures betting events have their own dedicated guides. You can explore our guide to the best Super Bowl betting sites or learn about how to bet on the NFL Draft.
NFL Betting Strategy
Successful NFL betting involves more than simply backing the team you think will win. The odds, betting line, team news and matchup can all affect whether a particular bet offers value. Before placing an NFL bet, there are several factors worth considering.
Understand the Betting Line
Always understand exactly what you’re betting on before placing a wager. Backing a team on the moneyline is very different from backing the same team to cover a point spread, while an over/under bet depends on the combined score rather than which team wins.
The favourite doesn’t necessarily need to be your selection either. A team may be expected to win but still offer little value at the available odds, or you might believe an underdog can keep the game close enough to cover the spread.
Check Team News and Injuries
Injuries can have a significant impact on an NFL game and its betting markets. Quarterbacks naturally receive much of the attention, but injuries to offensive linemen, receivers, running backs and key defensive players can also affect how a team performs.
Check the latest team news before betting, particularly if you’re looking at a market several days before the game. NFL odds and point spreads can move as new information becomes available.
Consider the Matchup
A team’s win-loss record doesn’t tell the whole story. NFL games can be heavily influenced by how the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams match up.
Consider factors such as each team’s passing and rushing performance, the opposition’s ability to defend those areas, recent form and whether there are particular matchups that could influence the game. These factors can also be useful when assessing player props and totals.
Compare NFL Odds
Different bookmakers can offer different odds on exactly the same NFL bet. Even relatively small differences in price can affect your potential returns, particularly if you bet regularly.
It’s therefore worth comparing the available NFL odds rather than automatically placing every wager with the same bookmaker.
Look Beyond the Favourite
The shortest-priced team isn’t automatically the best bet. American football betting is ultimately about the price available relative to the outcome you think is likely to happen.
This is particularly important with point spreads. You may expect the favourite to win the game but believe the bookmaker has given away too many points, making the underdog more appealing against the spread.
Our dedicated NFL betting Strategy section takes a closer look at NFL games, betting markets and potential opportunities throughout the season.
Super Bowl Betting
The Super Bowl is the biggest event on the NFL calendar and also produces one of the widest selections of NFL betting markets. Alongside betting on which team will lift the Lombardi Trophy, bookmakers typically offer odds on the moneyline, point spread and total points scored.
The range of prop bets also increases considerably for the Super Bowl, with markets covering individual player performances, touchdowns and specific events during the game.
Super Bowl odds can change throughout the playoffs and in the build-up to the game, so understanding the available markets and comparing prices can be particularly important.
NFL Draft Betting
American football betting isn’t limited to what happens on the field. The NFL Draft also attracts a growing range of betting markets as bookmakers offer odds on which college football players will be selected and where they could be drafted.
NFL Draft bets can include the first overall pick, individual player draft positions, the first player selected at a particular playing position and which playing position a team will choose with its opening pick. Bookmakers may also offer a selection of NFL Draft prop bets as the event approaches.
As with other futures markets, NFL Draft odds can change considerably in the build-up to the event. Team requirements, trades, player performances and expectations surrounding potential selections can all influence the available prices.
Our dedicated guide takes a closer look at the markets available, how NFL Draft odds work and what to consider before placing a bet.