Types of NFL bets

The NFL’s popularity has boomed in both the United States and Canada in recent years.

In the US, the National Football League remains the dominant sports competition. It commands massive viewing figures.

In Canada, the NFL’s popularity has grown with increased broadcasting of games and the prominence of Canadian players like Chase Claypool and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

Betting on NFL

Football has become one of the most wagered-on sports in North America.

In the US, a multibillion-dollar betting industry has emerged. Much of it is heavily linked to the NFL. This betting trend is mirrored in Canada.

The growth in both fans and gamblers reflects the NFL’s rapidly growing popularity.

Changing laws

The liberalization of gambling laws in North America helped the growth of remote gaming in general. It has led to a thriving online industry.

This ranges from casino players taking advantage of several types of bonus offers to sports fans betting on songs performed at half time in the Super Bowl.

In the United States

In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had previously restricted sports betting to a few states.

Since then, more than 30 states have legalized sports betting. Millions of Americans can now legally wager on NFL games.

It led to a massive jump in revenue for sportsbooks and created a bigger audience for NFL betting.

The NFL formed partnerships with major sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars. These now integrate betting features into NFL broadcasts, apps and websites

This has made it easier for fans to engage with games. Today’s NFL has more sustained viewer interest throughout games, as the bets keep fans engaged.

 

Canada

Canada followed a similar path.  It saw the legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021 under Bill C-218.

Previously, Canadians could only place parlay bets (multiple-event wagers). The change allowed for more straightforward betting on NFL games, which helped boost the league’s popularity.

Provinces like Ontario quickly established regulated markets, partnering with sportsbooks to create platforms accessible to the Canadian audiences.

The range of NFL bets

Today’s betting options available for NFL followers is vast. They appeal to both the casual fan and the serious bettor.

Here’s are the most popular types:

Moneyline bets

The simplest wagers are where you bet on which team will win a game outright. Odds are set to reflect each team’s likelihood of winning.

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are favorites with odds of -275, a $275 bet would win $100 if they win. Betting on an underdog like the Detroit Lions at +225 odds would yield $225 on a $100 bet

Point Spread

The point spread is designed to level the playing field between teams of differing strengths. Bettors wager on whether a team will “cover the spread” by winning (or losing) by a specific margin.

For example, if the Chiefs are -7, they must win by 8 or more for a bet on them to succeed. Underdogs like the Lions at +7 can cover if they lose by 6 or fewer points or win outright.

Totals (Over/Under)

This involves betting on whether the total combined score of both teams will exceed or fall short of a predetermined figure.

For instance, if the total is 54 points, bets on “over” win if the score exceeds that number, while “under” wins if it does not.

 

Prop bets

Proposition bets focus on specific events within a game. This could be which player will score first, the total passing yards for a quarterback or unique outcomes like halftime show details during the Super Bowl.

These sorts of bets are especially popular during high-profile games like the Super Bowl.

Futures bets

Futures involve wagering on long-term outcomes, like which team will win the Super Bowl, conference championships or specific player awards like MVP or Rookie of the Year.

These bets are often placed before or early in the season. They offer bigger payouts due to the difficulty of predicting results so far in advance.

Parlays and teasers

Parlays combine multiple bets into one. All the selections need to win for the wager to pay out.

This increases potential payouts – but also the risk. The latest developments include teasers that allow bettors to adjust the point spread or totals in their favor across multiple games, reducing the risk but also lowering payouts.

Quarter and half-time bets

These are shorter-term wagers focused on specific periods within the game, like betting on the score at the end of the first quarter or halftime. These are great for bettors looking for quicker results.

The wide variety in these types of NFL betting ensures there are options to suit every type of fan. They also cater for every type of gambling strategy, from straightforward wagers on game outcomes to complex, multi-faceted bets with high potential rewards.