We did a DEEP dive on the top sports books for NFL fans
As you know, football is one of the most popular sports in the United States and even Canada (with their weird hexagon end-zones). So, it shouldn’t really surprise anyone that sports betting has taken the world by storm since the Supreme Court overturned a law from 1992 that made it illegal.
Like the disaster/nuclear bomb on the bonfire that was the mafia that prohibition was in the 1920’s, Americans were already spending an estimated $150 billion a year by placing bets on sports anyway, which is $75 billion after Charles Barkley is done with things.
While Minnesota has yet to legalize things like it’s neighbors to the South, but with COVID impacting state budgets like Charles Barkley going to rehab for gambling addiction, it seems to only be a matter of time until the Northern most contingent state follows Iowa into the sports betting world (albeit, differently, most likely with the agreements that the state has with Native American reservations).
There are also a lot of Vikings fans around the country (which seems sort of like opting in to getting punched in the face, but to each their own). As sports betting is relatively new for many people that still have their thumbs, it may seem daunting to jump into the brave new world that is this new aspect of sport.
One of the things we try to do here at PurpleTERRITORY Media, is provide some sort of value to our readers outside of our day-to-day Vikings coverage (not to diminish that, outside of my stuff, which is of little value to anyone outside of my therapist).
Whether that’s cool ticket deals, insider access to certain events, or in this instance our experiences with and vetting of certain sports betting sites. With the internet, when you’ve got to use your credit card or personal information, you obviously want to ensure that everything is on the up-and-up.
That means that I personally tried each of these sites and others that didn’t make the list, which jokes on you to those that stole my identity from MakeMoneyonSportsandJunk.com, as my credit score could best be compared to the scientific concept of absolute zero.
I’m clearly kidding, about the first part, as I wouldn’t break the law (even though I am writing this article while doing my part-time job as a school bus driver). But, I scoured the internets and got the low down on the down low, and compiled what I found here, with an emphasis on the best platforms used to bet on American Football in the United States (take that, CFL!).
Just to ensure my credit score doesn’t dip below absolute zero, and thus destroy reality as we know it, keep in mind that gambling should be done with money you can afford to lose. Unless you have a sport’s almanac from the future and you know where old man Biff is at all times.
Great Scott!
888 Sport
If you’re really looking to make some money from your passion, in this instance that passion being football and not your plan to buy and breed guard three toed sloths (give it time), 888 Sport is a great option.
It has odds similar to those of many reputable bookmakers online when it come NFL/Vikings games and the Super Bowl. Which means that their odds for Minny didn’t change even after the Yannick Ngakoue trade.
Also, the rewards and bonuses given by the platform are some of the best in the industry. For example, there is a welcome bonus that new players that create accounts on the site can get, among others.
However, this welcome bonus becomes active when players deposit at least $10 to their account on the platform, which’d net the players $240 in profit should the Vikings do the impossible. Which should hopefully could be donated to my GoFundMe when I spontaneous combust.
Live bets can be made in case players are not able to place their bets before a game started, which is good for people like me that wait to the last minute. Another cool aspect is that games can be live-streamed at their site, 888 Sport, but there is no section for statistics.
Unibet
Unibet has been offering premium betting services worldwide for years. Their platform provides guides that newbs can use to enjoy betting on Football, especially. Also, there are also regular boosts and promos that players can benefit from.
Unibet features hundreds of betting options from a wide range of leagues, playoffs and even tournaments like the NFL, College Football League, and the College Football Playoffs. There are also some other smaller international events that the site covers, so players will be spoiled in regards to the choices that they have when they want to bet.
The odds are also competitive and have an average payback greater than 97.5%, so that when players bet, they are sure to get the best selection of top odds available.
As long as players have a funded account, they have access to live broadcasts of games, as well. The live betting option is also available and well as a section for statistics (which is a step up).
William Hill
William Hill sounds like an online law school in the Bahamas, but it actuslly offers a selection of markets for the two professional American Football leagues, which are the NFL and even the AAL (which apparently is still a thing? #BringBacktheMinnesotaFightingPike).
While they have the obvious bets that you can surmise even if you’re Amish (which raises the question, how are you reading this Ishmael?). Beyond that, though, they can bet on a diverse level of prop bets.
Prop bets, for the unfamiliar, are when you bet on how long it’ll take “famous” prop comedian Carrot Top to declare bankruptcy. I kid. Prop bets, for example, are on more specific things like which player will win the Heisman Trophy, or even more zany stuff like who will win the coin toss before a game (unless Carrot Top ruins it by stealing the coin mid-toss, but, let him keep it (it means more to him than any of us)).
Beyond that, their odds are decent and in line with the above of bookmakers.
Players can bet on the outcomes of live games on the platform and can live stream games. The site does not provide game statistics, but they have attractive bonuses for gamblers.
Bet365
This is another reputable platform for betting on football. The site provides betting options for the most football leagues in the country like the Arena Football League mentioned above, College Football, NFL and was even taking bets on the now defunct AAF (which was run by, you guessed it, Carrot Top).
Bets can also be placed on player awards as well as on the winner of the Super Bowl MVP. Outright bets can be made on the possible NFL champion and the on the winners of the two conference championship game, something that apparently CAN happen (to other teams).
Games are usually broadcast live, and in-play bets are allowed, which can make things interesting and profitable, or on the flip-side turn your finances into a real Carrot Top situation. Game statistics are not available on their platform, though.
New customers can obtain bet credits of up to $30 when they open a new account. Which is far-and-away the best sign-up bonus thus far.
FanDuel
The biggest household name on this list, FanDuel has earned their status as new users on their platform are offered a whole $500 as a risk-free bet. This amount will be issued in the form of refund for wagers that they lose. Of only Carrot Top had either heard about this, and had $500 at some point since the advent of the internet…
They cover both the NFL and NCAA football, which let’s be honest is going to be the main point of interest for most of you here (a good rule of thumb is that if you find yourself betting on arena football, you might want to get help).
FanDuel also offers fantastic odds, but they do not have game statistics available, yet. The site started as a fantasy football site so you can explore that section with your friends. If you are a fan of live betting, this is the site for you as the option is available and the most comprehensive of the sites/apps here.
You can also watch live games on the platform
PointsBet
This platform offers betting options on NCAA football and the NFL. The odds there are excellent and are in line with those of bookmakers around the world.
When new players from New Jersey sign up on the site, they will get up to two risk-free bets, which will hopefully help them save money to get out of New Jersey.
If you fund your account with $100 and wager it, you will get the $100 back if you end up losing the first fixed odds bet you make. The risk-free bets bonus is up to a maximum of $500 each, which totals to $1,000. Also, a no deposit $50 bonus bet is given to new customers when they sign up.
PointsBet has a unique type of betting called PointsBetting. Here, the odds are not fixed, as they vary throughout a game. If an event has started and still wish to place a bet on it, you can because the site offers live betting. There is no section for live broadcasts on the platform, though.
Conclusion
There is a lot to gain from betting on football games on these platforms. The odds are good, and a lot of them offer live broadcast services and cool first time user bonuses. That means that I’d recommend trying more than one site, especially the ones with initial bet loss forgiveness. One other conclusion we will all agree on is that Carrot Top needs our help. Either way, we hope that helps you bet responsibly and have some fun this season!