For sports fans, there’s nothing like the excitement of the NFL season. Beyond drawing millions of TV viewers, the NFL is the most popular sport to bet on in the U.S., making each game even more exciting for bettors.
With sports betting rapidly expanding across more states, millions are looking to place wagers on everything from game outcomes to the number of touchdowns and rushing yards. That’s why choosing the best NFL betting sites is crucial if you plan to bet on your computer.
The top desktop sportsbooks offer competitive odds, a wide range of betting options, and a smooth, user-friendly experience.
Best NFL Betting Sites
See below for the best sportsbooks you can bet on the NFL and some features they stand out with.
BetMGM
BetMGM is co-owned by MGM Resorts International and the British gaming giant Entain, combining the two companies’ gambling experiences in the U.S. and abroad.
At BetMGM, you can find many promos aimed explicitly toward your market’s team (e.g., in Colorado, you can claim many Broncos-themed promos). The sportsbook spends heavily on ads and promos, which means many opportunities to win bonus bets or other perks such as game tickets or meet and greets.
Bet365
While less famous in the U.S. than some other sites on the list, bet365 Sportsbook is among the global leaders in sports betting. The site has been around since 2000, bringing more experience than any other NFL betting site.
A unique bet365 feature is the “Early Payout”. With this option, you can cash out before the game’s end. For example, you bet that your team will win by 10 points. You can cash out as soon as it goes up by 10.
DraftKings
DraftKings started as a fantasy football platform in 2012, giving it over a decade of experience with the NFL. DraftKings was also the first sportsbook to launch outside Nevada in 2018 when sports betting became legal. You can say they know about football.
DraftKings Sportsbook offers new players an excellent welcome bonus while existing players enjoy many promotions and betting options. The sportsbook’s Stats Hub also provides information on teams and players so bettors can make better picks.
Caesars
Like MGM, Caesars is another iconic name in U.S. gambling. Under Caesars’ umbrella, the sportsbook offers bettors a chance to participate in one of the best loyalty programs, Caesars Rewards, and top customer service.
While it’s not famous for offering many promos, Caesars has several aimed at NFL bettors. Examples include 100% NFL profit boosts, odds boosts, and parlays with excellent odds.
FanDuel
FanDuel is the leader in the U.S. sports betting market share. The company’s experience with the NFL goes back to its establishment in 2009 as a fantasy football platform. In 2018, it became part of the European giant Flutter Entertainment, and today, the sportsbook is available in over 20 states, making it one of the most recognizable brands.
In addition to an excellent welcome bonus, FanDuel stands out by offering many promotions for existing users. The site’s popularity is also partly due to its superb platform and user-friendly desktop site.
BetRivers
BetRivers has attracted many desktop bettors due to its excellent platform. In addition, bettors choose BetRivers for its many weekly promotions, often tailored to each bettor. NFL fans can take advantage of promos such as parlay insurance and unique promotions to their respective teams.
Moreover, as it’s owned by Rush Street Interactive, a subsidiary of Rush Street Gaming, BetRivers is connected to the iRush Rewards, one of the best loyalty programs.
Fanatics
Fanatics is one of the newcomers among the best NFL betting sites, having launched in 2023. However, while relatively new, the sportsbook has quickly established itself as a top site. As the name suggests, the operator is backed by the retail giant of the same name.
One of the best things about Fanatics is the FanCash, which is cashback you earn with each bet, regardless if it’s a winning one. You get 5% back on single-game parlays, 3% on parlays, and 1% on straight bets. You can convert your FanCash into bonus bets or use it at the Fanatics retail store for your favorite team’s gear.
Also worth mentioning is that the minimum deposit is $5, lower than many other betting sites.
How to Pick the Best NFL Betting Sites
With so many online sportsbooks, it could be challenging to choose one. If you’re unsure where to start, see these tips to help you pick the best NFL betting sites:
- Availability: First, check whether the site is available in your state. Sites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM are readily available, but smaller operators might be available only in select states.
- Welcome Bonus: Learn what welcome bonus is offered before you sign up. As the best NFL betting sites compete for market share, you, the player, are the winner. Start with deciding what type of bonus you prefer (e.g., Bet & Get or Deposit Match). Then, compare how much you would get compared with how much you must deposit. Lastly, read the terms, as some promos might offer more money but have unfavorable terms.
- Odds: The odds are among the most important things about an NFL betting site. Choose a site that offers better odds than others. If you’re a risk taker, look for improved odds on underdogs and parlays, while if you’d rather bet safely, look for better odds for the favorites. Another vital aspect to look for is the availability of odds boosts.
- User Experience: The best NFL betting sites have easy-to-reach sites with NFL odds on the home page. Also, consider factors like the availability of additional information, such as stats, history, and blogs, to help you make a more educated decision on your bets.
- Additional Promotions: The welcome bonus shouldn’t be the only promo you can claim. The best sportsbooks offer existing players many opportunities to get bonus bets, such as referring friends, odds boosts, deposit promos, and more.
How to Sign Up to an NFL Betting Site
Signing up to an NFL betting site is easy and takes only minutes. While exact steps might vary by sportsbook, you can register by following these steps:
- Decide which site you wish to sign up for. The fastest way to claim the welcome bonus is to click “Get Bonus,” which will activate the promo and transfer you to the registration page.
- Select your state.
- Enter the required personal information, including your address and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Don’t worry—your data is safe, and this is a legal requirement.
- Create a username and password and agree to the sportsbook’s terms and conditions.
- If needed, enter the welcome bonus promo code in the appropriate field. If you skip this step, you won’t be able to claim the bonus.
- Once you’ve signed up, go to the cashier section under your account. Select “Deposit” or the equivalent and make your first deposit. Most welcome bonuses require you to deposit to unlock them.
- Collect your bonus and start betting. If the offer is a second chance bet, you will receive the promo funds if you experience losses in your first 24 hours.
- You’re all set.
How to Bet on an NFL Betting Site
To bet on an NFL betting site, you must have an account. If you don’t have one, see the section above on how to sign up.
Once you have an account, you can bet by following these steps:
- Log into your account.
- If you haven’t done so, deposit enough money to cover your desired bet.
- Find a game and bet type (e.g., money line, spread, player props) to wager on.
- Click on the odds you want to bet on.
- The bet will be added to your betting slip. Enter how much you want to bet. You will see the potential winnings.
- Click “Submit.” and you’re all set.
Before building your betting card for this weekend, check out our NFL best bets today.
NFL Desktop Betting Sites vs Mobile
While mobile devices have the appeal of convenience, desktop computers are still superior in terms of betting on the NFL for several reasons.
The most obvious is the bigger screen, but others include higher processing power, not worrying about battery life, better research, and convenience:
- Computers have bigger screens: Bigger screens make navigating and selecting the odds you want to bet easier.
- Desktops have higher technological capabilities: The higher processing power of desktops allows you to access all the features of an NFL betting site. Even some of the best NFL betting apps might not have all account management options or enable live streaming.
- Desktops are more convenient for research: While you can research on your phone, computers allow you to navigate between tabs, and the larger screen quickly helps you read the information faster.
- Desktops provide convenience and allow multitasking: Besides research, desktops enable you to do multiple things simultaneously. For example, you can open your NFL betting site while doing work, paying a bill, or doing something else on another tab. Also, desktops are more comfortable for longer sessions.
- You don’t have to worry about battery life: There’s nothing worse than your phone dying in the middle of you doing something, such as placing bets or watching a game you’ve bet. When you bet on your desktop computer, you don’t have to worry about that, as the computer doesn’t run on a battery.
NFL Betting Site Offers to Keep in Mind
As a new player to an NFL betting site, you can take advantage of the best sportsbook bonuses. The type of promo varies by site, with some of the most popular options listed below.
Bet & Get
This promo is one of the most popular ones you can claim as a new player. As the name suggests, you must deposit and wager a specific amount to receive the bonus. For example, with the bet365 bet 5, get 150 promo, you receive $150 in bonus bets after you make your first deposit of $10 and wager at least $5.
Other popular sportsbooks offering this promo include Fanatics Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, and FanDuel Sportsbook.
Second Chance Bet
With this bonus, you don’t receive anything upfront. Instead, you get the bonus if your first wager on the NFL betting site loses.
For example, the Caesars Sportsbook promo code gives you up to $1,000 back. That means if you deposit and bet up to $1,000 on your first bet and that wager loses, Caesars will give it back as bonus bets. Other sportsbooks offering this promo include BetMGM Sportsbook and BetRivers Sportsbook.
A few things to know about this promo is that you don’t get anything if you bet and win. Just collect your winnings. Also, some sportsbooks give you the bonus as one bet, while others award you several.
First Deposit Match
Another common bonus among NFL betting sites is the first deposit match offer. With this promo, the sportsbook matches a certain percentage of your first deposit up to a set amount.
For example, the DraftKings Sportsbook welcome promo includes a 20% deposit match up to $1,000. That means if you deposit $1,000, DraftKings will give you $200 in bonus bets.
While not as common anymore, sportsbooks sometimes offer a 100% or 200% deposit match, meaning you get double or triple your deposit. One example is ESPN Bet, which offers a 200% deposit match bonus up to $500.
Is It Safe To Bet On Desktop NFL Sites?
Betting on desktop NFL sites is completely safe and secure. These sites are licensed and regulated by the same agencies that oversee brick-and-mortar casinos. The regulators ensure your personal and financial information is safe and that the betting site follows all state laws.
The top desktop NFL betting sites have also implemented several safety features to ensure your safety:
- Social Security Number: When you sign up, you must provide your Social Security Number. That is required by law to verify your identity and prevent fake accounts.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Most sites require you to set up another authentication method, most commonly a text message, to ensure you are trying to log in.
- Data Encryption: Desktop sportsbooks use encryption technology to safely transmit and store your data. This technology converts your personal information into code, making it harder for hackers to steal it.
- Firewalls: Sportsbooks servers use firewalls to block unauthorized traffic. These software and hardware tools prevent hackers from accessing your information.
Where Can I Legally Bet the NFL on Desktop?
You can legally bet online on the NFL in 30 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. See the complete list below.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
While unavailable on your desktop, you can bet on the NFL in retail locations in Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
In Washington, you can bet in person or through an app if you’re located on a Native American tribal land.
Benefits of Betting Football on Desktop
Betting on your desktop or laptop computer has several advantages over doing it in person, including:
- Convenience: The best thing about betting on your computer is the convenience. You don’t have to drive to a retail sportsbook and lose time. You can just open your desktop or laptop and place your bets.
- Live Betting: Online betting lets you track many more games and events in real time, allowing you to adjust your bets as games unfold. Most sportsbooks also have live streams, allowing you to watch multiple games simultaneously.
- Improved Odds: With lower overhead costs, such as rent and employment, online sports betting sites can pass the savings to you, often in the form of better odds.
- Better Promotions: Lower overhead costs also mean better promotions for bettors, including welcome bonuses. Retail sportsbooks don’t have as many promotions as online betting sites and often don’t even have welcome bonuses.
- More Banking Options: Online sportsbooks offer more payment methods than retail ones, including digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo.
Choose More Than One NFL Betting Site
The best part about NFL betting online is that you’re not limited to using only one site. You can sign up for as many as you wish, which I recommend.
By signing up for multiple NFL betting sites, you can claim the welcome bonus and other available promotions at each. Multiple accounts are also recommended to compare odds, as not every site offers the same.
By being able to bet on different sites, you can choose the one that offers the best odds for the event you’re interested in. To save time, check out our NFL odds comparison, which lists the betting site with the best odds for each game.
