Last Updated May 2, 2022, 10:21 AM ET
The 2022 NFL Draft has concluded, but the NFL offseason, affectionately known as the silly season, continues to generate betting opportunities at legal online sportsbooks. This time of year presents an opportunity for bettors to build their bankroll ahead of the NFL regular season.
We're looking for comprehensive or blanket coverage when it comes to classifying the most trustworthy football betting sites. Keep an eye out for these key features:
LegitimacyLike the gold jackets reserved for Hall of Famers, our NFL betting site's recommendations factor results, merit, and track record into the equation.
BankingThe preferred online sportsbooks focused on NFL betting promote easy sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods for players to complete transactions. You'll come across standard methods like Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and ACH transfers.
Best oddsProfiting from your bets is the goal, but sorting through the choices can be overwhelming. The most reliable real-money NFL betting sites for 2022 prominently display their odds. Locking in the best price is key to a lucrative betting strategy, and it starts here: Use our NFL odds comparison tool to identify solid betting odds.
CoverageWhile the NFL dominates the betting action at online sportsbooks, you'll want access to other leagues, related events, and coverage of the most popular types of bets, too. Our recommendations include betting sites that promote odds for the CFL and college football, in addition to NFL preseason, regular season, and the Super Bowl.
Bonuses and PromotionsSimilar to NFL contracts, bonuses play a big part in your overall sports betting compensation. Football betting apps and sites leverage recruiting tools like sign-up bonuses, and particular betting offers to attract new users and maintain existing customers. Always read the terms and conditions before claiming bonus money.
Live bettingThe thrill of live sports extends to NFL viewing, where the practice of live betting is now commonplace. Today, sportsbooks must offer live betting capabilities to remain competitive.
Commitment to servicePosition coaches help football players navigate the ins and outs of the game, and customer support agents can similarly help you. We advocate for betting sites that offer real-time customer service via live chat, email, or phone.
Mobile appsThe football betting sites highlighted here boast convenient apps or optimized websites that work with your iOS or Android devices. Betting live from the stadium or on your way to the game depends on the operator's mobile-friendly capacity.
We've handpicked your best bets for ideal football betting sites, so it's time to make the next move in your football betting journey. Follow these four steps to get started:
The sign-up process is consistent across the major football betting sites. Tap the account sign-up button and follow the prompts to enter personal information, including your full name, date of birth, and home address.
Adding real-money funds to your account is required before any football bets can be made. Look for the 'deposit' or 'cashier' button and follow the instructions to finish this step. Select the method that you're most comfortable with and verify with your financial institution that the request can be accomplished using a credit card or debit card.
With your account verified and funds at the ready, you are free to identify prospective wagers and access football betting lines. The bet slip displays the selections you make and specifies the amount you want to stake for the game or event.
The featured football betting sites on our list provide instant deposits and quick access to your winnings. Remember that the payment option used to make the initial deposit will also be used for accompanying withdrawals.
We've identified the most popular NFL bets suitable for new and beginner bettors. Learn how to bet on the NFL draft in our 2022 guide and consult our how to bet guides — specifically our NFL betting guide and our CFL betting guide — to study the basics and fine-tune your betting strategy.
MoneylineBacking one football team over the other is known as the moneyline. Moneyline odds are designated by a minus (-) sign and assigned to the favorite in any football matchup. Conversely, look for a plus (+) sign to identify the underdogs. Oddsmakers install moneylines based on each team's win probability.
Point spreadThe NFL has seen unprecedented parity in recent years, but teams are not always matched equally. Betting the point spread requires you to classify by how many points the team you are supporting will win or lose by, to win the bet.
Over/Under (totals)For an Over/Under wager, you need to identify whether the number of points scored will land Over or Under the number set by oddsmakers.
ParlaysParlays unite multiple bets, and because all the chances involved must win for the parlay to pay out, the risk is considerable versus a single-game bet. However, that heightened risk is reflected in the parlay odds. Parlay wagers featuring multiple teams can produce excellent returns, but picking one winner is tricky enough, let alone three or more.
Props betFor a prop or proposition bet, you are wagering on a specific instance or aspect of the game. This bet type also applies to player-specific outcomes, including total catches for a wide receiver or passing touchdowns thrown for a quarterback.
FuturesLonger-term results decide futures bets, with the outcomes settled at the end of a season. Relevant examples include which NFL team will win the Super Bowl or who will win the MVP.
Football betting sites display odds in American format, while some opt for a decimal or fractions. Use our odds converter to customize your selections and toggle between each class.
This year's NFL draft takes place in Las Vegas, where the Nevada Gaming Control first approved betting on the draft in 2017. Despite the proliferation of legal U.S. online sports betting, which stands at 30 states plus DC, fewer than a dozen states permit wagering on the showcase offseason event.
If you find yourself in one of these states, wagering on everything from which player will get drafted first overall to the number of quarterbacks taken in the first round and even the last player taken in the draft are some commonly available draft props wagers.
| State | Can you bet on NFL Draft? |
|---|---|
Colorado |
Yes |
| Illinois |
Yes |
| Indiana |
Yes |
| Michigan |
Yes, until Thursday, April 28 at 7 PM ET |
| Nevada |
Yes |
| New Hampshire |
Yes |
| Tennessee |
Yes |
| West Virginia |
Yes, until Wednesday, April 27 at 8 PM ET |
Several prominent states with legal mobile sports betting, including Connecticut, Iowa, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, deem the NFL off-limits because it is not considered a legitimate sporting event.
With several more rounds to go, monitor up-to-date NFL Draft odds to find value and the best prices. Here's a snapshot of popular betting props from Round 1:
| Player | Position | Odds to go first overall in 2022 NFL Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Travon Walker | DE | -450 |
| Aidan Hutchinson | DE | +400 |
| Ikem Ekwonu | OT | +750 |
| Evan Neal | OT | +2,000 |
| Kayvon Thibodeaux | DE | +5,000 |
| Jermaine Johnson II | DE | +10,000 |
| Malik Willis | QB | +10,000 |
| Ahmad Gardner | CB | +10,000 |
| Charles Cross | OT | +10,000 |
| Kenny Pickett | QB | +10,000 |
| Kyle Hamilton | S | +10,000 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | +10,000 |
| Drake London | WR | +20,000 |
| Chris Olave | WR | +20,000 |
| Desmond Ridder | QB | +20,000 |
| Jordan Davis | DL | +20,000 |
| Zion Johnson | OG | +20,000 |
| Jameson Williams | WR | +20,000 |
| Nakobe Dean | LB | +20,000 |
| Garrett Wilson | WR | +20,000 |
| Tyler Linderbaum | C | +20,000 |
| Trevor Penning | OT | +20,000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 28, 2022.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Malik Willis | -190 |
| Kenny Pickett | +170 |
| Desmond Ridder | +1,000 |
| Matt Corral | +1,800 |
| Sam Howell | +4,000 |
| Carson Strong | +10,000 |
| Bailey Zappe | +10,000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 28, 2022.
The NFL's 18-week regular-season schedule includes 17 games for all 32 teams, with the time slots earmarked for Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays. That translates to 272 games — excluding the playoffs — and betting opportunities galore.
The CFL season kicks off on June 9, 2022, with an 18-game schedule.
Saturdays are all about college football, whose season kicks off on Aug. 28. Bettors will find the action robust at the online sportsbooks highlighted earlier.
See all blacklisted sportsbooks 
With the help of our valued Covers community, we have identified a handful of football betting sites that engaged in negligent business practices. Our findings uncovered late payments or bets not honored, poor customer service, and other dubious actions. Avoid these blacklisted betting sites at all costs.
You're about to push the proverbial ball across the goal line. Don't hesitate; trust your instincts, the research, and keep these tips handy:
We've reviewed each football betting site listed in this guide to validate their trustworthiness and overall user experience. Our unbiased opinions, plus user preferences and needs, should dictate which betting site you will join.
Yes, you are encouraged to browse the offerings at various online betting sites. Shopping the lines and identifying which sportsbook is paying out the most for each bet is part of the research process.
The most common deposit methods found at online betting sites include Visa, MasterCard, and ACH transfers.
Yes, you can withdraw funds using the same method leveraged for the initial deposit.
The best or most trusted betting sites listed within this guide provide vital customer service, hold valid operating licenses, and promote security.
Michael Duchesne is a senior commercial content editor at Covers, who has been researching and reviewing products for more than a decade. The former travel publisher is all in on sports betting. When he's not supporting Covers' broad array of betting experts in making smarter sports bettors, you can find him by the BBQ, perfecting his cross-hatch marks.
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