NFL betting 2025/26

The National Football League, or NFL, is bet upon all around the world, with most betting sites featuring extensive markets on the top-flight of American Football. NFL bettings sites offer everything from match-day markets, like head to head odds, right through to futures markets, on things like to reach the Super Bowl; while many sportsbooks will also have extensive prop betting options. Our NFL betting guide will run you through everything you need to know to successfully wager on the sport, including the latest odds, top NFL betting sites and apps, latest betting offers and bonus bets, NFL bet types (including an in-depth look at spread betting), NFL history, FAQ and much more.

NFL betting 2025/26

The NFL 2025/26 season is underway and the Kansas City Chiefs are favourites with most online betting sites.

The clear favourites are the teams at the very top: the Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Broncos. Both have strong records (Rams 7-2; Broncos 8-2) and are showing consistent form — Rams with a dominant point-margin and Denver riding a stout defence.

In-form teams to watch: the Indianapolis Colts are booming behind their running game, while the Seattle Seahawks have just posted one of the best point-margins in the league and are trending upward.

Meanwhile, teams that were expected to contend but are slipping: the Buffalo Bills have dropped five spots and are showing vulnerability against the run and in turnovers.

From a betting perspective: backing the top-ranked teams looks reasonable, especially in favourable matchups; look for value in under-the-radar squads like Indianapolis and Seattle who are in strong form. Conversely, be cautious about investing heavily in teams with warning signs (e.g., Buffalo) until they address those flaws.

NFL futures betting is live, with NFL betting sites pricing Super Bowl favourites, division winners, MVP hopefuls, and all major rookie awards. Traditional contenders remain short in the market, but several teams with upgraded coaching and quarterback play are attracting early money.

NFL betting odds 2026

Super Bowl odds for the 2025/26 season are available, with the Seattle Seahawks (5.00) and Los Angeles Rams (5.50) receiving the most attention from punters. Kansas City has officially been wiped from Super Bowl contention after missing the playoffs for the firs ttime in 10 years.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is the 1.14 favorite to win the NFL Regular Season MVP, ahead of New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (4.33), Trevor Lawrence (326) and Box Nix (501).

NFL odds are all taken from the top international betting sites, but you rest assured wagering on the US’s top-flight American Football competition is possible from most places in the world.

Step by step: How to bet on the NFL

Betting on the NFL can be confusing for newcomers, but in this section of our guide we will break it down by steps, including how to find a website, do they have betting apps available, registration process, bonuses and more.

Follow these steps to begin betting on the NFL:

1. Check if NFL betting is legal where you live
   * Look up your local gambling laws and regulator (for example, a national gambling commission or state regulator).
   * Legal NFL betting sites are licensed in your jurisdiction, follow KYC rules, and offer responsible gambling tools.
   * Unlicensed or offshore NFL betting sites may accept your currency, but they usually don’t have local consumer protections, may not follow AML/safer gambling rules, and can be harder to resolve disputes with.
2. Choose a legal NFL betting site or app
   * Prefer locally licensed sportsbooks that will have recourse if something goes wrong, with a list usually available on each regulator’s website.
   * Compare NFL coverage (moneyline, spreads, totals, props, futures), odds quality, mobile app quality, and support.
   * Avoid NFL betting sites with no clear license info, vague contact details, or unrealistic bonuses.
3. Register an account
   * Click Sign Up / Register and provide basic details: name, date of birth, address, email, and sometimes phone.
   * You must be over the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction.
   * Use accurate details; they must match your ID or you’ll have problems withdrawing later.
4. Verify your NFL betting account account (KYC)
   * Legal bookmakers must verify your identity and sometimes your address and source of funds.
   * Common documents: passport or ID card, driver’s licence, utility bill or bank statement.
   * Upload through the secure KYC section and wait for approval; some sites let you deposit and bet before full verification, but withdrawals are usually blocked until KYC is complete.
5. Deposit using a suitable payment method
   * Common options: debit/credit cards (where allowed), bank transfer, e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), prepaid vouchers, and sometimes local payment systems or mobile wallets.
   * Check fees, minimum/maximum deposit limits, processing times, and whether the same method can be used for withdrawals.
   * Avoid using someone else’s card or account; this can cause blocks or account closure.
6. Understand welcome bonuses and NFL promos
   * Common NFL offers: matched deposit bonuses, bonus bets, odds boosts, parlay insurance, or early payout promos.
   * Always read the terms: wagering requirements, minimum odds, expiry dates, restrictions on payment methods, and whether NFL bets qualify.
   * Don’t chase a bonus if it forces you to bet more than you’re comfortable with.
   * Some countries are unable to claim new account incentives at NFL betting sites, because of local laws.
7. Learn basic NFL bet types
   * Moneyline: who will win the game.
   * Point spread: a handicap (for example, a favourite must win by a certain margin).
   * Totals (over/under): combined points scored by both teams.
   * Props: individual player or team stats (yards, touchdowns, field goals, etc.).
   * Futures: long-term markets such as Super Bowl winner, conference/division champions, MVP, Rookie of the Year.
   * Parlays/multis: combining multiple selections into one bet (higher potential payout, higher risk).
8. Place your first NFL bet
   * Log in and navigate to Sports → American Football → NFL.
   * Select the game or futures market you want.
   * Click the odds to add a selection to your bet slip.
   * Enter your stake; the slip will show potential return or profit.
   * Confirm the bet and check it appears correctly under Open Bets or My Bets.
9. Track bets and manage your bankroll
   * Set a budget for the season and stick to it, using deposit limits or loss limits if the site offers them.
   * Keep a basic record of stakes and outcomes.
   * Avoid chasing losses, cashing out in a panic, or increasing stakes just to “win it back”.
10. Withdraw your winnings
    * Go to the cashier/banking section and choose Withdraw.
    * Most legal sites pay back to the same method used for deposit where possible.
    * Check minimum withdrawal amounts, any fees, and expected time frames.
    * Ensure all bonuses are fully cleared and your ID is verified, or payouts may be delayed.

Top NFL betting sites 2026

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The top NFL betting sites are determined by your location and the laws you are living under. For instance, the USA is in the midst of an online betting revolution, with many states rolling out legal NFL betting, while others are at the very least considering it.

Other countries have already regulated NFL betting, and online betting sites feature extensive markets, including both head to head, and futures markets, with this including things like who will reach the Super Bowl, or Most Valuable Player (MVP) betting.

The best NFL betting sites can be accessed via both mobile and computer, with the only real pre-requisite being that you have an internet connection and updated web browser. Most of these NFL sportsbooks will also have betting apps available, with these coming on Android, iOS and Huawei smartphones and tablets.

If you are betting on the NFL from a country like Canada (only Ontario has regulated sports betting sites), which has not outlawed or legalized sports betting sites, you can usually sign up at most operators based offshore.

Other countries, like Australia and New Zealand, have fully regulated their sports betting industry and in-turn allow legal NFL betting. Offshore operators, particularly in the crypto space, might still accepts customers from countries like these, but ultimately these are illegal in your jurisdiction and should be avoided.

Again, depending on the laws you are living under, NFL betting sites might have free bet offers or promotions surrounding matches or the competition in general. For instance, one popular bookmaker in the UK, offers a weekly boosted odds on a match of your choosing. Generally, unless betting incentives are banned like in Australia, offers will include things like matched deposit bonuses, cash back offers and enhanced props. It is worth noting these bonus offers will have wagering requirements attached to them.

You can learn more about the sports betting laws and NFL promotions in our country guides, which provide a clear, concise starting point for online bettors.

What is the NFL and structure

The National Football League (NFL) is the largest and most prestigious professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. 

NFL teams are divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference is then further divided into four divisions consisting of four teams each, labeled North, South, East, and West. During the league’s regular season, each team plays sixteen games over a 18-week period, generally from September to February. 

The NFL is one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States, and has the highest per-game attendance of any domestic professional sports league in the world, drawing over 69,500 spectators per game for its most recently completed season in 2024.

NFL football betting is far and away the most popular form of all of sports gambling, dwarfing all other sports in comparison. This goes hand in hand with the fact that pro football is the United States of America`s most popular spectator sport, with television ratings that, again, dwarf the competition.

The NFL grid iron competition is largely a weekend oriented game but in recent times the game has expanded, like most professional sports, and is now played Thursdays to Mondays for most of the season, while special events, like Christmas Day matches have been become highlights of the calendar. 

NFL football betting certainly has a large contingent of hard core dedicated professional bettors but it also draws the casual weekend warrior type bettor that simply doesn’t wager on other sports.

NFL betting online in the USA

For many years betting on the NFL in the USA was done via retail sportsbooks in Las Vegas, or illegally at offshore online betting sites, but in recent years the landscape has finally changed.

Now you can bet on the NFL legally in 39 states in the USA, with land-based betting options still available, but it’s the proliferation of NFL betting sites that has seen the legal industry explode.

NFL betting online is much more convenient, you can do it in a regulated and safe environment, and via your smartphone, tablet or computer; rather than visiting a casino and placing bets the old-fashioned way.

Undoubtedly the most popular football to bet on is the NCAA college football and the NFL, with both of these having millions wagered in each state of the USA.

While we discuss NFL betting online like someone based in the USA, the same general gist is true of wagering on the internet from all over the world, with it often providing more value and opportunities for bettors.

Here are just a few reasons why wagering on football online makes sense:

NFL betting sites want your business more, and they’re willing to pay for it.

Do you really think that it matters to the NFL sportsbook if you take your measly $100 parlay with them or with the guys across the Strip? They offer their NFL lines and Super Bowl odds and they’ll pour you a free watered-down drink while you look at them, but that’s about it for special deals. Online sportsbooks are a different story. There are over 30 different NFL betting sites in some US states so in order to stand out they will make you a far sweeter deal.

NFL betting sites will give you free money if you bet with them: in the form of a sign-up bonus and in reload bonuses.

They’ll run special promotions and competitions. If you bet with them on a certain day, say taking your NFL bets on a Friday you will qualify for lower juice on all your winning bets – try getting that deal in Vegas!

They will send you free gifts like pagers, golf shirts, and tote bags to reward you for being a loyal client.

Most importantly, if you are a serious sports bettor looking to make serious money from your NFL bets you have to bet online because they offer critical stretches on NFL lines. Online sportsbooks do offer superior odds on many NFL games, that’s a fact. If you don’t know how important that ½ point stretch can be then you clearly have never bet on football before.

2. They’re convenient and idiot-proof

Most of us didn’t want to fly to Vegas every time we wanted to place a bet on the NFL, and a lot of us were not comfortable phoning some guy who works out of the back of a laundry to take our action. We’ve seen “The Sopranos” and know that a lot of bucket shops are run by bookmakers without the best credentials.

Online sportsbooks are open 24/7, are fully regulated by state auditors, and have great customer service departments. They will take you through every step and if you ever have a problem or question the result of a bet they can sort it out for you. Their reputation matters a lot to them, so they will do whatever it takes to keep you as a satisfied client.

You can bet on the NFL whenever you want to, and it’s virtually impossible to make a mistake with your bet. There are confirmation screens and records of every bet you placed.

3. Online NFL betting caters to high-rollers and small-fry alike

If you want to put ten bucks on a game you can do it online, and if you want to take a $10,000 parlay they’ll take your action as well. If you are a professional gambler you will want several online sports betting accounts, because of the variety in the lines and the value of shopping around for the best NFL odds.

If you are just starting out you will feel a lot more comfortable betting on the NFL online where you can always receive personal assistance and check your own records, as opposed to standing in one of those monolithic Vegas rooms wondering what to do.

4. Betting on the NFL online is safe and legal

At least, the NFL betting sites recommended on the World GamblingList are safe and reliable. There are bad online gambling sites out there, don’t kid yourself. There are online sportsbooks we wouldn’t trust at all, and horror stories are plentiful. That’s why we only choose NFL betting sites that we use ourselves, and where we personally know the people who operate those sites.

The NFL betting sites you will find here are usually publicly traded companies on major stock exchanges around the globe. When you withdraw your winnings from these sites you will get paid, without any quibbles. You will also be able to deposit and withdraw money quickly and without any hassles. These are top-notch operations geared towards providing you with an enjoyable sports betting experience. They answer to you.

5. Online betting sites offer more NFL betting markets

They actually offer more sports betting markets than you can probably imagine. If you want to take an NFL parlay, a teaser, a multi-sport bet, or perhaps you want to bet on something completely different like the results of the next Academy Awards then you can do that at one of our recommended online sportsbooks.

If you’re interested in NFL prop betting, or want to bet on NFL preseason totals then you will want an online sports betting account. If you want to bet on the coin toss at the Super Bowl online sportsbooks are clearly the way to go.

Best NFL betting apps

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NFL betting can be done via betting apps in 2025, with most modern gambling sites featuring applications for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Huawei betting apps are also available in some markets, with this company particularly prevalent in South Africa, other African countries, and Asia.

Downloading NFL betting apps is a straight-forward process, but slightly different across platforms, with Android probably the most flexible out of the mainstream platforms. Apple, or iOS, smartphones and tablets are the most restricted, with NFL betting apps only available in places where sports betting is regulated. This means a NFL bettor, on an iPhone based in a place like China, where sports betting is banned, will have to wager via the mobile website of their chosen bookie, rather than an app.

Punters in countries where real money sports betting is legal and regulated, will be able to register an account and then download their iOS betting app from the App Store.

Android users will need to download their NFL betting apps directly from the operators themselves, or via Google Play, with this depending on their terms of service in your location. For instance, many US states allow betting apps legally, so you will find them available in Google Play. Other places globally, like India, have not regulated sports betting, so Android apps can be downloaded directly from the operators themselves, via non-market apps.

Huawei betting apps can be downloaded from the AppGallery, with these types of apps working on the Harmony Operating System, which in our opinion, has many similarities with Android. It is also worth noting that several prominent western countries — like Australia, New Zealand and the USA — have banned or heavily restricted Huawei from their 5G networks – citing national security risks.

NFL betting strategy

It’s NFL betting season once again, and that means that you should brush up on betting terminology and strategy. As we’ve said before, an informed gambler is a winning gambler, so its important to understand concepts like betting the spread, total bets, money line bets, and nfl parlay bets.

Once you have a solid understanding of these fundamental betting strategies, you can start betting like a pro and hopefully turn a profit when betting on the NFL.

Rules to live by when betting on the NFL

• Always read you sportsbook’s wagering rules and house policies carefully – Don’t get caught with your pants down, betting rules can sometimes vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, so be sure to review your sportsbook’s rules carefully.
• If in doubt, bet small – Most sportsbooks accept a minimum deposit of $20. If you’re not sure how to bet, or what to bet, deposit 20 bucks and experiment with $2 bets or $5 bets. Yes, most sportsbooks will accept a $5 bet, and some even accept $1 parlay wagers.
• Stay away from Fad bets – Fad bets are much like specialty blackjack games in casinos that have a progressive jackpot if you’re willing to pony up an extra $1 per hand. In the long run, this is a sucker’s bet. The same goes with sports. If there is a specialty bet being offered by a sportsbook that requires some extra financing or other unusual circumstances, pass on it.

NFL spread betting & bet types

The advent of online betting has seen NFL bet types and what is available to punters explode in recent times, with prop bets the tip of the spear when it comes to this expansion.

While prop bets can be somewhat insane, with things like betting on the colour of the winning Super Bowl coach’s tie, or what colour Gatorade they will be showed with, there are plenty of NFL bet types that are more punter friendly.

For instance, if you are highly knowledgeable about the NFL and fancy yourself a good handicapper, you can take on the spread or take the overs or unders in various markets like point-scored, downs, sacks or various other aspects of American football.

Lets take a look at some of the key bet types available on the NFL:

Take note of the following match-up, before reading on, with a detailed explanation of how each market works directly below.

Under/Over Total Bets

The Total bet is a popular easy bet for first time nfl bettors. Using our example from above with the Raiders and Browns, one can bet that the final tally of the game’s points (Points scored by Raiders + Points scored by Browns) will either be OVER 36 or UNDER 36. Like the standard spread bet, this bet pays $11 for each $10 wagered. Total bets are very popular and neutral in nature, in that they don’t hinge on which team is favored, just that both teams will score a certain number of points.

Money Line Bets, Money Line Betting

Money Line bets are also one of the most popular betting alternative that plays on the concept of a favorite vs. underdog. Using the example above from the Raiders and Browns, we see that the Money Line for each team is: Raiders -160 and Browns +220. What do these numbers mean? Well, if the bettor chooses to bet the favorite on the Money Line wager, which in our example would be the Raiders, the bettor would have to bet $160 to win $100. Alternatively, if the bettor chooses to bet on the underdog, the Browns, the bettor would win $220 for every $100 bet. In general, sportsbooks try to balance action on Money Line bets as well, to make sure they won’t get shafted.

NFL Parlay Betting

Parlays (known as multibets or accumulators in some places) are considered an “exotic” bet, but that doesn’t mean they’re complicated. The object of parlay betting is to pick a number of teams that you believe will each win their games over a given time period (usually the weekend for the NFL, or mid week for college football).

Example: The Giants, Lions, and Redskins are playing this weekend, and you believe each team will win their game. You can go to your sportsbook and place a 3 team parlay wager believing the Giants, Lions, and Redskins will each be victorious. Note, it’s also possible to bet on 2-15 different teams. The more teams in your parlay, the greater the risk, but the greater the payoff.

Spread Betting, Betting the Spread

From our example bet between the Raiders and Browns, the key number for the betting the Point Spread is -7. As a result, two bets are possible:

1. Betting on the Spread of the favored team; in which case you would bet that the Raiders would win by 8 or more points and;
2. Betting on the Spread of underdog team; in which case you would bet that the Browns would not win or lose by more than 6 points

The payout for spread bets is usually $11 for every $10 bet. Exceptions may occur if the “action” at the sportsbook weighs heavily on one team more than another, in which case the sportsbook might offer even money on the favorite and a higher payoff than $11 for each $10 wagered on the underdog. This encourages more players to bet on the dog, making the the “market” for this wager more balanced. This is how sportsbooks make money.

Key numbers to cover the spread

When it comes to NFL betting there is nothing more important than key numbers. What does the term NFL key number even mean though? Basically the majority of NFL games end with similar margins of victory. The two most common margins are 3 points and then 7 points, and they are the primary key numbers when you delve into NFL handicapping.

When an NFL spread moves from 3 points to 3.5 points or to 2.5 points many sports bettors figure it is no big deal, but it is a huge deal. However, if a line moves from 5 points to 5.5 points that really isn’t a big deal. Why? Because 5 is not a key number in NFL spreads. Most games do not finish at 5 point margins of victory so a move to 4.5 or 5.5 is not that important.

Let’s look at how important key numbers really are:

Over the past five seasons of NFL action 33% of all games fell on either 3, 7 or 10 points. These are the three most significant key numbers.

• 3 points (the big one) – close to 17% of all NFL games fall on this number. If you have a team at -3 and they win by 3 it is a push so no big deal, but taking 3.5 is something you need to think about carefully. Conversely, getting +3.5 points on an underdog might be excellent value.
• 7 points – 10% of all games fall on this number.
• 10 points – A little over 6% of all games fall on this number.
• 6 points – Not surprisingly, almost 6% of NFL games ended on this number.
• 14 – 5% of all games fell on this number, but this is not as important a key number because spreads rarely get to a 2 TD level.
• 4 points – A little over 4% ended on a spread of 4 points.

All other victory margins not mentioned above occurred less than 4% of the time during the past five seasons.

To be sure, there are many other types of bets offered by most online sportsbooks, in addition to these 4 standard bets. Sometimes it’s best to ask a friend or more seasoned gambler how these more complicated bets work. You’ll start hearing terms like “buy points”, “against the spread”, “teaser”, etc that may be foreign to you. In reality half the battle is all the jargon, and the rest is basic math and odds.

NFL teams, divisions and home stadiums

NFL marquee matchups, rivalries and major dates

The NFL has a rich history and much of this is based around the marquee matches, which have spawned into major dates on the international sports calendar, and helped deliver some fierce rivalries.

Some of the events to look forward to each NFL season include:

1. NFL Kickoff Game

• The NFL kickoff game is the season opener featuring the defending Super Bowl champion at home. Introduced prior to the 2022 NFL season, the Kickoff game is usually played on the Thursday night, following Labor Day. 

2. Thanksgiving Day Games

• A tradition since 1934, the NFL features three matchups on Thanksgiving Thursday, with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always hosting games. Remarkably the tradition of playing American Football on Thanksgiving actually dates back much longer, with Princeton and Yale clashing in 1878. At a professional level, the first Thanksgiving American Football was in 1920. 

3. Christmas Day Games

• The NFL schedules high-profile games on December 25 (if it falls on a game day). Christmas Day football has become a massive tradition in the USA. What could be better? Eating Turkey and watching the NFL? We’re in. 

4. International Series (London, Germany, Australia)

• The NFL plays regular-season games internationally, featuring major teams. In 2025 the NFL announced it would be taking its travelling roadshow to Melbourne, Australia. Expect to continue to see NFL teams play matches on the road, with grid iron having an increasing presence internationally. 

5. Sunday Night Football Marquee Games

• NBC’s Sunday Night Football gets top matchups weekly.

6. Monday Night Football Rivalries

• ESPN’s Monday Night Football features primetime battles.

7. Historic Rivalries

• The most intense NFL rivalries draw national attention and huge betting interest. Millions tune in to watch the likes of Green Bay play Chicago, or the Cowboys clash with the Eagles. The NFL has a very long history, and these rivalries are the life blood of the competition. 
• Examples:
  • Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (Oldest rivalry)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (AFC North battle)
  • Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East clash)

8. AFC & NFC Championship Games

• Probably our favourite weekend of the NFL season, with the winners of the AFC and NFC Championship Games going to the Super Bowl.
• Example (2023 AFC Championship): Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
• Example (2023 NFC Championship): San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

9. Divisional Round Playoffs

• The best 8 teams battle for a Super Bowl spot.
• Example:
  • San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys (2023 playoffs)
  • Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2023 playoffs)

10. Super Bowl (Biggest Game of the Year)

• The NFL Championship Game, played on Super Bowl Sunday. It draws global attention, if not for the football, for the drama that takes place both via the lucrative advertisements and the entertainment that takes place. We would love to forget the sickening Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift sideshow that took place earlier this year. 

NFL betting FAQ

NFL betting is available all over the world. If you have a question about it drop us a message in the box below or email us at contact@worldgamblinglist.com.