US sportsbooks are thriving. The likes of BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel have attracted countless sign-ups over recent years, which has led to what can only be described as a sports betting ‘boom’. And at the center of this movement is the NFL, the number one most popular sports league when it comes to overall bets placed.
- US adults will wager $35bn throughout the 2024 NFL season
- Over $23bn was wagered on Super Bowl LVIII
- 71% of bettors now place wagers on multiple NFL games per week
Simply put, the NFL is the place to be when it comes to betting — and America has become hooked. It’s not just the US that has an extreme liking for NFL betting, either, as Entain has just recently reported that there’s also been a 65% yearly increase in NFL betting figures from the UK and Ireland.
So, with huge waves of people around the world now placing bets on all of the major NFL franchises each game week, many are interested to know whether NFL betting is actually worth it. In other words, what can you actually get from doing it?
Is NFL Betting Worth It? If You’re a Genuine Fan — Yes.
If you’re a fan of one (or multiple) NFL franchises and are looking to make the games even more entertaining to watch, then betting is definitely something you might want to try. Here’s a closer look at why.
A Huge Range of Betting Markets
One of the main attraction points behind NFL betting is that there’s a huge range of betting markets that you can dive into. These markets include basic moneylines, futures, point spreads, and even parlays. Parlays in particular have become especially popular among NFL fans over recent years, with supporters of all the major franchises — from the Chiefs to 49ers — using each game week as an opportunity to build parlays with big profit potential. The betting experts from BettingTools have put together an example of an NFL parlay that someone might place during the Week 9 action:
✅ Chicago Bears (WIN) (-300) vs. The New England Patriots
✅ Atlanta Falcons (WIN) (-174) vs. New Orleans Saints
✅ San Francisco 49ers (SCORE FIRST) (-104) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With this hypothetical parlay, a $10 bet would return $31.18. Essentially, what you’re doing is combining multiple different wagers into one single bet. This then increases the odds, makes the payout bigger, and adds some entertainment to what would otherwise be a regular gameweek. Even if you only place parlays as small as $1 each game week, there’s usually potential there, which is why countless NFL fans enjoy doing it.
The Excitement of Super Bowl Betting
The Super Bowl is always one of the year’s biggest sporting events. Earlier this year, Super Bowl LVIII averaged 123.4 million viewers, officially making it the most-watched TV program ever. And fans of the Chiefs and 49ers weren’t just watching the game, either — they were betting in huge numbers, too.
After all, there’s nothing more exciting than an annual bet on the Super Bowl, which is why an estimated 68 million Americans bet on the most recent Super Bowl. Even if you’re only a casual fan of the NFL, betting on the Super Bowl is a lot of fun, as it’s a great way to add some excitement to the big day and allows you to put your football knowledge to the test on the biggest stage of them all.
Get Free Bets (and Other Bonuses) from Different Sportsbooks
Because NFL betting has become so popular, many of the US sportsbooks offer free bets and other bonuses so that they can attract as many NFL fans as possible. For instance, FanDuel gives out $150 in bonus bets to new users who deposit (and bet) $5 or more, which is great if you’re looking for some extra funds to use on Thursday Night Football, next year’s Super Bowl, or any game you feel like in the 2024 NFL regular season.
The Opportunity to Bet Low
According to Statista, around 34% of NFL fans aged 18 to 29 report that they bet less than $1,000 a season. On top of this, Optimove found that 90% of NFL bettors create a budget for betting that involves weekly or seasonal limits.
What this shows is that NFL betting is very budget-friendly and suitable for all types of fans, including those who like to be extremely responsible with their money. Luckily, most US sportsbooks only require you to make a minimum deposit of $10 and a minimum bet of $0.10, so it’s easy to enjoy the experience of betting without having to splash out on huge wagers.
Enjoy Competition with Friends and Rival Fans
Lastly, NFL betting is an amazing tool for having competition with friends and rival fans. Whenever it’s game week, friend groups will typically share bets with each other (e.g. the parlays they’ve built) so that they can have some light-hearted fun and see who can come out on top when all the games have concluded. Whether it’s betting on the Chiefs potentially going undefeated this season or who will be the season’s MVP, it’s all good fun.
Summary
It’s going to be a record-breaking season for NFL betting. An estimated $35bn is projected to be bet by fans — the most amount of money wagered in a single season ever — and this figure is expected to keep increasing season-by-season for years to come. So, if you’re an NFL fan, now is the perfect time to try it yourself.
From a fan’s perspective, it’s worth it if you gamble responsibly and play with a budget. Plus, it’s a great way to add some excitement to the experience every game week, as it provides you with a way to put your knowledge to the test, whether it’s through individual bets or 5-leg parlays.
