Sports betting markets in the US have exploded in size and visibility since the start of the 2020s, and given that the NFL is the crown jewel of US sports, it is not surprising that betting markets have moved in step with this growing demand.
That’s not to say that the only people who bet on the NFL are in the US, but that is where the bulk of the market is. Any company that can chisel off a decent chunk of this market puts itself in a prime position in the world of sports betting.
Today, our in-depth guide is going to show you many of the boxes you need to tick when it comes to legally betting on the NFL. As each state begins to take a different approach to the legality of sports betting, we’re going to cover all of the angles, where to place your bets, and how the industry could shape up in a decade or two from now.
Navigating the NFL betting market
We’ve seen every single prominent name in the sports betting world aim at NFL betting markets. In the US, although the atmosphere and approach toward NFL betting has recently changed, there has been a buzzing market and appetite for decades. Since the beginning of the 2020s, as the US sports betting market has taken off, a massive number of people are still accessing black-market betting sites.
For instance, over 220 million bets on the 2024 Super Bowl were placed on illegal sites, despite many states allowing betting companies to operate within their state lines, so there’s still plenty of room for the market to grow.
Granted, it has become a lot easier to bet on the NFL, given the rise of the online betting industry, and as you can see on WSN, there are dozens of reputable providers who are all looking to make a name for themselves, but the demand has always been there. Whenever you are navigating any sports betting market, there are many ways to tackle it.
Understand the local rules and regulations
First and foremost, when it comes to legality, the best source is to check the latest news about legislation and regulations within your state. There can be plenty of news sources that are not reliable. We have seen just how prolific misinformation is on sites like X (formerly Twitter) and how unreliable the information and news that goes viral on there can be.
Finding out the legality of NFL betting in your state can be a tricky road to navigate. This is why it is vital to get your information from reliable sources, such as blue-chip media organizations or licensed local government pages that provide the latest details on the legality of sports betting.
Depending on the state, the minimum age to participate may differ, and there may also be a different approach where you live. For instance, California is a state that rules with an iron fist; not only do they not allow NFL sports betting, but no sports betting sites may operate online within state lines. The authorities have extended this ban to include sweepstakes casinos and fantasy sports games, too.
Getting to grips with the terminology
Sports betting markets are vast, and if you are somebody who bets on many different sports, you will be able to attest to this. NFL betting offers many of the same markets you see in the NBA, soccer and other team sports, such as team betting and outright championship odds.
However, with the NFL, there are markets specifically related to the sport itself. It doesn’t matter if you are looking to bet on receiving yards, rushing yards or touchdowns scored; these are all markets you need to understand properly before you decide to bet on the NFL.
Due to the volume of marketing promotions that are out there, nothing is stopping you from sampling all of the top NFL betting market sites, including dominant global names such as bet365, Caesars, FanDuel and BetMGM. You can try their promotions and signup options, and then decide on which NFL betting market best matches your preference.
Factors that dictate the odds
When it comes to NFL betting, there are so many factors to consider. For some, it can boil down to where a team’s key player will be at the end of the season – especially big stars like Travis Kelce, who commands a huge chunk of the sports news and media. There are other factors, of course, including injuries, team form, management changes and off-field issues, which can disrupt play on the pitch.
Understand that these markets can change rapidly, and that you should only bet with money you can afford to lose. This is often the most significant difference between legalized betting sites and those that operate outside the law. If a site is registered and licensed properly, it needs to have measures in place that help to protect those most at risk from problem gambling.
This can take many forms, but the most common tools available include setting up time and deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion forms, and links to sites that champion responsible gambling resources, such as Gamblers Anonymous and charities that provide help to those who may be struggling.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, if you are looking to bet legally on the new NFL season, it boils down to two things. The first is to verify the legality of NFL betting in your state, and to bet within any restrictions. Make sure the platform you use is registered with the state governing body, and that it clearly details the authenticity of its active license on its home page. Once you have a good idea of the sites that can legally operate, you must combine this with a strong knowledge of how the market works, as well as how to gamble responsibly and within your own limits.
Once you have all of these factors ticked off, you can then begin to explore the vast ecosystem of NFL betting and what it has to offer. Be sure to stay updated on these changes, as state legislation can change with regard to specific aspects of betting laws.
Overall, as long as you understand the importance of responsible betting, know how to navigate a site and view its credentials, and have a good underlying knowledge of specific NFL betting markets, then you are in a good position to take advantage of what is on offer.