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The biggest sporting events to bet on are some of the most beloved events in the world, even by those that aren’t as interested in sports. Many people will tune into the Super Bowl simply to watch the high budget commercials. Others will watch the World Cup every four years just to see the team represent their home country. Other Triple Crown events such as the Kentucky Derby are viewed by many just to witness the majesty of the horses racing. In every one of those scenarios, there are plenty of betting lines that sportsbooks make in order to capture the interest of anyone watching the event.

1. Top US Sporting Events to Bet On One way to raise the thrill in any sporting activity is to add a little betting into it. Placing wagers on sporting events not only adds anticipation to watch the games but also raises the joy and fun levels when your team or player wins.
2. In the list bellow you will have the top 10 sports that people love to bet on; if they are in the top 10, there must be a good reason behind it. Soccer: is sometimes also called football, however, a lot of people call it soccer. This is one of the most-known sports, and there is.

The above graph shows the profits from 500 simulated bets for the five betting systems, with a 55% probability of winning each bet. The initial bet for each system was $100 (except for the bet everything method, which initially bet $1000).

For many, simply getting to see these events is enough to keep their attention, but as any sports bettor knows, the chance to win money simultaneously is the best way to keep you locked in. The biggest sporting events to bet on in the U.S. are some of the most profitable days for sportsbooks, but those sportsbooks aren’t always located in the U.S. This is why it’s important to first understand the legality of betting on professional and collegiate events. After that, it’s important to know which events in each sport to bet on. That’s why we’re here to help. Find out below if the biggest sports events to bet on are actually ones you’ve always watched.

The Legality Of Betting On Professional And Collegiate Events

The legality of betting on professional and collegiate events has started to clear up ever since the repeal of the federal ban on sports betting known as PASPA. Over a dozen states have officially legalized the activity and many of them have active state-regulated sportsbooks of some sort. Using those sports betting channels, weather land-based or through a statewide mobile betting app is completely safe and is backed by the state government. However, each state has its own laws when it comes to betting on professional and collegiate events.

Multiple states prohibit betting on the state’s home college teams or college events happening within their borders. Other state’s such as Iowa prohibit in-game wagers on in-state college athletes. These measures were put in place because the state lawmakers believed that college athletes were susceptible to bribes and thus the integrity of their games was at risk. Offshore sports betting sites don’t have to worry about these provisions because they operate overseas. That is why all college sports betting lines are fair game with them. Those sites are regulated in their home territories, making them another legal option if you need to find odds for a certain team. Below, you can find a list of some major events to bet on, and some of the best 2021 online sportsbooks to do so at.

Football Events To Bet On

While it may not be the case everywhere in the world, in America, football is king, and there are plenty of football events to bet on. In college football, every Saturday matters because even one loss could knock you out of the four-team playoffs. For the NFL, having a preseason and longer postseason means there are football events to bet on from August until February. However, in both cases, there are certain events that draw in the most action every year and we’ve listed those events below.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest sport to bet on in all of sports. March Madness may draw in more action as a whole, but for a single event, the Super Bowl wears the crown. It’s easy to see why. Betting on the NFL isn’t the only reason that people put down wagers for the event. Some people will bet on the opening coin flip, others will bet on the length of the national anthem, and some will even put money on what color Gatorade the winning team will splash their head coach with. The betting lines can get outrageous, making every second of the event a chance to score big.

College Football Playoffs

Betting on the College Football Playoffs, while still a relatively new activity, has proven to be monumental for sports bettors. College football betting has never been more exciting and the addition of these two games before the championship makes for hours and hours of betting opportunities for a single day event. There’s no telling which conferences are going to make it in. There have been scenarios were two teams from a single conference have made it in, and there has even been the case of Notre Dame making it in having no conference. This gives fanbases across the country a chance to bet on their favorite college football team during the playoffs.

Basketball Events To Bet On

The number of basketball events to bet on are staggering given the amount of college basketball and NBA games played each season. Conference tournaments in college basketball extend seasons for more events to bet on while the seven-game series structure of the NBA playoffs also adds to the wagering opportunities. However, the best basketball events to bet on are identified below.

March Madness

Almost everyone has filled out a March Madness bracket at some point in their lives. Even those that don’t normally bet on college basketball have to admit to joining an office pool of some sort. March Madness is one of the most unpredictable events in all of sports, but there is always bound to be a Cinderella story somewhere in the mix. This makes for the potential to have some very lucrative payouts if you pick the right Cinderella school to advance.

NBA Finals

NBA betting reaches its pinnacle each season when it comes to the NBA Finals. This is especially true when people put money down before the series begins. Picking the right time to win in the right amount of games could load your pockets well into next season. But, there is always the potential for injuries to affect each game and for buzzer-beaters to keep certain teams alive. Good thing it’s a seven-game series, so even if you don’t cash-in on the first game, there is always another chance with NBA Finals betting.

Big 3

New to the NBA offseason is Ice Cube’s Big 3 basketball league. The league features former NBA and international basketball stars competing in a modified three-on-three basketball tournament. The league presents terrific betting options for basketball fans during the offseason. The season usually runs for eight weeks, with two sets of three games every week. The game featured modified rules, like a four-point shot, and features former stars like Stephen Jackson, Gary Payton, and Rashard Lewis.

Baseball Events To Bet On

With over a hundred regular season baseball games each season, you’ll never run short of having baseball events to bet on. MLB betting is common during the dog days of summer when there aren’t very many other sports in season. But, there are two events specifically that are the high points when it comes to betting on the sport as a whole.

World Series

There’s nothing quite like grabbing a warm cup of pumpkin spice latte and betting on the World Series in October. The World Series, (even though only played by American teams and possibly one singular Canadian team), features all the greatest players from around the world. Whether it be players from Japan, Mexico, the Carribean Islands or the US, there are always high-profile athletes that make for great player prop bets. Just like the NBA Finals, even though you may have a bad beat the first game, you’ll at least be able to redeem yourself the next game.

The Final Korean Baseball Championship AKA Korean Series

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) or KBO League has its own World Series for baseball around the same time as the MLB, during the Fall months of every year. The Korean Series as it’s called is part of the post-season playoffs. While it’s the Championship for the league, the winning team will move on to compete in the Asia Series. The play-offs continue for the third and fourth place finishers in the Korean Series to properly rank who will be second place for the season and then third and fourth. Every bit of these series playoff games and the Asia series are listed on sportsbooks for betting. Korean baseball is highly popular worldwide and is very similar to the way the MLB runs its organization.

College World Series

Hearing that your favorite college program is going to Omaha is a great feeling. It means that your team is in the College World Series and that they have a chance to bring home college baseball’s greatest prize. While not as popular as other collegiate sports, betting on the College World Series is one way to keep you locked in for every pitch thrown in Nebraska during May and June.

Soccer Events To Bet On

Since soccer is the most popular sport in the world, the number of soccer events to bet on can actually overwhelm you. The English Premier League Title is a common trophy that soccer fans in America pay attention to. But just blink and you’ll miss your chance to bet on the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Euro Cup, Copa America, or even the CONCACAF. Don’t forget about MLS betting in the U.S. too. However, there is one event that is worth waiting every four years for.

World Cup

When you’re betting on the World Cup, you’re not just putting your money down on any regular team. Those players are in charge of representing their country in front of the entire world. With it comes high stakes and high payouts. This is true even for the group stage games in the early rounds. There have been plenty of upsets and even some of the most prestigious soccer-crazed countries have gone down in those games. Be sure to bet on the World Cup when you have the chance, otherwise, you’ll have to wait another four years before you get another chance.

Hockey Events To Bet On

You might that only northerners know which hockey events to bet on. But, you’ll be surprised to find that there are plenty of hockey fans in as far south as Florida. Hockey is constantly growing in its popularity so each regular-season game has only become more of a viable option to bet on because of that. But, ask any pro sports bettor and they’ll tell you that there is only one real hockey event that grabs their attention.

Stanley Cup Finals

The Stanley Cup Finals betting lines are not to be slept on. NHL betting is one thing, but putting action on the final series takes on a whole new meaning. That’s because similar to the Super Bowl, there are plenty more betting lines for the event than any other single hockey game. The chances for you to actually come way a winner yourself are increased just by that fact. Who knows, maybe after you win your Stanley Cup Finals bet you’ll be able by a giant cup of your own.

Other Big Sporting Events To Bet On

There are other big sporting events to bet on rather than just the traditional team sports that most are accustomed too. UFC betting has become increasingly more popular over the years, especially now that it is being televised in more locations. Betting on Boxing was one of the first major sports to see action, and even though it’s lost a bit of its luster in recent years, there are still great betting lines to be had. But, most of the time it’s these three sporting events below that capture the interest of common sports bettors.

Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments

For many sports bettors, a bulk of their money comes from betting on Tennis. This is especially true when it comes time to lay down a few dollars on Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments. It begins with betting on the Australian Open. Even though it takes place during the winter months in America, the weather in Australia is perfect for the tournament. Up next is French Open betting. Played in Roland Garros, the French open is unique to other venues in that it is played on Clay. After that, bettors turn to placing wagers on Wimbledon. This tournament comes with a bit of prestige in that players must wear all white and the crowd remains silent. But, it all comes full circle once the end of August comes. Betting on the U.S. open is many people’s last chance to find the most odds for a given tennis matchup. While the big names in the sport usually come away from these tournaments victorious, there is always some new faces ready to make some noise.

PGA Golf Tour

The PGA Golf Tour, believe it or not, can be a thrilling event to watch. While some are simply taking in the beauty of the courses, those that have bet on the PGA Golf Tour are crossing their fingers for every drive and every put. Betting on the Masters drives most of the action throughout the tour and for good reason. It’s the first major golf event of the year and the prestige of wearing the green jacket draws in a high amount of action. The tour continues with the PGA Championship and with that comes PGA Championship betting lines. While the event may get overshadowed by other sports in May it is definitely one to keep an eye on. The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world which means betting odds for the Open Championship are available by international sportsbooks as well as ones in the U.S. But, the last major event of the Tour comes back to America for the U.S. Open. The final major golf event of the year comes near the end of Summer, so be sure to place a wager on the U.S. Open before the other sports such as the NFL start.

Olympics

Whether it be for the Summer games or the Winter games, betting on the Olympics is something you don’t want to miss out on. Each of the games comes once every four years and the amount of betting lines available during the games is incredible. You can bet on sports you may never have thought to place a wager on, making every sport one to peak your interest. You can also bet on athletes from the U.S., giving you an extra reason to cheer for America’s success in the games.

Triple Crown

Winning a Triple Crown doesn’t happen often. With so many well-trained horses competing in each race, it’s easy to see why. However, once the winner of the Kentucky Derby is announced, all bets are on that horse to win the Triple Crown. Betting on the Kentucky Derby itself is also one of the oldest and most popular forms of sports betting in America. The event itself draws in huge crowds each year and the races leading up to the “most exciting two minutes in sports” also present great wagering opportunities. Preakness Stakes betting lines also see a heavy amount of action given the expectations put on the Derby winner. If somehow a single horse is able to come on top of both of those two races you’ll surely want to bet on the Belmont Stakes. It is the final leg of the Triple Crown and it is the last time many people will place a pari-mutuel bet all year.

Is It Legal To Bet On Popular Sporting Events?

Yes, it is absolutely legal to bet on popular sporting events such as the Super Bowl or the Triple Crown. In fact, more people are likely to wager on events such as the NBA Finals more so than any other game in the NBA. The reason for that is because they are the biggest events of the year and people want to bet on who will be the champs. No sportsbook in the US or on one of our recommended online offshore sportsbooks will not take action on big events. The only exception is that if a state has specific laws against college matches within state borders or the like. But online offshore sportsbooks will always take action on big events, so do not worry.

Can I Use My Mobile Device To Bet On Big Sporting Events?

You can absolutely use your mobile device to bet on big sporting events. Unfortunately, life is busy and there is no guarantee that you will be home to watch the biggest games of the year. But that does not mean that you should miss out on the biggest bets of the year. Betting on your mobile device allows you to bet on sports no matter where you are and the action is always with you. Just access one of our recommended books using a browser on your mobile device and you are good to go. You will also receive exclusive bonuses for doing so, so give it a try.

What Are The Best Sportsbooks To Wager On Big Sporting Events?

Without a doubt, it has to be on one of our recommended online offshore sportsbooks. Super Bowl 53 is a perfect example of this. During Super Bowl 53, sportsbooks in Rhode Island lost a ton of money because the New England Patriots won. Although everyone in Rhode Island was betting on the Patriots, the payouts were really bad because no one was really wagering on the Los Angeles Rams. If they were to wager on online offshore sportsbooks, they would not have to deal with homegrown fans ruining the payout odds. This is part of the reason why we recommend online offshore sportsbooks to you.

Legal online sportsbooks in the US offer numerous ways to bet on sports but sports betting odds can be confusing to new bettors. Time-tested betting methods like moneyline, point spread, totals, and parlays represent just some of the overall betting markets available on mobile sports wagering sites.

Futures, in-game, in-play, and prop betting offer even more ways to wager for bettors in the US. Brands like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook each employ linemakers, tasked with setting the in-house odds and lines for all games.

US federal law allows individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting. As of January 2021, 14 states legalized online sports wagering.

Types Of Bets Available At Online Sportsbooks

Legal online sportsbooks offer a vast number of different ways to wager on sports. Sports bettors have engaged in point spread and moneyline betting for decades, as these betting types represent some of the most time-honored and simple ways to bet.

Totals bets (aka over/under bets) task the bettor with predicting the total final score between two teams in a sports contest.

Bettors have enjoyed parlay wagers throughout the entire history of sports betting. Parlays allow multiple wagers to be placed on the same ticket, with the parlay paying out only if all bets on the tickets win. Parlays can generally involve any combination of different bet types, with winning tickets offering massive potential payouts.

Futures bets allow wagering on a season-long event. A futures bet sets sports betting odds on events like what team will win the NHL Stanley Cup, or which player will win the NBA scoring title.

Modern online sportsbooks also offer in-game and in-play betting, allowing for wagers on a contest while it’s being played.

Learn more in our Guide To Placing A Sports Bet Online.

Straight Bets

Moneyline

Moneyline bets represent the most straightforward kind of sports wager. This kind of wager tasks the bettor with simply picking the winning team in a sports contest.

Underdog teams pay out at better odds than favorites in a moneyline bet. For example, an NBA moneyline bet offered by DraftKings Sportsbook might look like this:

This line sets the Orlando Magic as the favorite. The -240 odds mean that a $240 wager would net $100 in profit if the Magic win.

The Brooklyn Nets +195 line means a $100 bet yields $195 in profit if the Nets win.

Over/Under

Over/Under, aka totals bets, allow bettors to wager on the total number of points scored in a game. An over/under line looks like this:

This line allows bettors to wager on whether the total score of the game will go over, or fall under 211.5 points. The under bet pays slightly better than the over in this example.

Note that both the over and under lines represent a bet on the total score from both teams. The bottom row isn’t offering a bet on the Nets to go under 211.5, for example.

Point Spread

The most popular bets at most sportsbooks are point spread bets. These bets allow the bettor to choose the underdog plus points, or the favorite minus points. Instead of significantly better odds on the underdog, the point spread allows sportsbooks to set the favorite and underdog at relatively even odds.

Here’s the Magic vs. Nets example from above as a point spread bet:

Bettors can pick favored Orlando with six points deducted from its final point total, or underdog Brooklyn plus six points. Both teams pay -110 odds in this bet, meaning a $110 wager wins $100 in profit.

For example, if you bet $110 on Orlando, and the team wins the game by a 98-91 score, you get $210 back total for a $100 profit. Applying the -6 line to Orlando’s score still positions the team as a 92-91 winner.

Futures Bets

A futures bet generally functions as a wager on a season-long event, rather than a single game. An example of a futures bet might be a wager on what team will win the MLB World Series, or what player will win the NFL rushing title.

A futures bet can be made at any time before or during a sports league’s season, up until the specified event occurs.

NBA Finals Futures Bets

Just before the restart of the 2019-2020 NBA season in July 2020, FanDuel Sportsbook offered the following odds on NBA Finals futures bets:

These five teams represent some of the favorites to win the championship, but all 22 NBA teams still in the championship hunt are available for betting.

MLB National League MVP Futures Bets

Before the start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season, FOX Bet set the following lines on what player would win the National League MVP:

Futures market betting odds change as the season plays on, and the lines can alter drastically as the season comes into focus.

For example, if Mookie Betts leads the National League in multiple offensive categories with a few weeks left in the season, the odds on Betts winning the MVP will move closer to even money, or even beyond.

Prop Bets

A prop bet (short for proposition bet) is a wager on an aspect of a game unrelated to which team wins. Examples of prop bets can include what player will lead a basketball game in scoring, or whether the total number of points in the game will end up as an odd or even number.

Super Bowl MVP Prop Bets

The Super Bowl annually brings in the largest number of prop bets of any US-based sports event.

One of the most popular prop bets on the game each year involves predicting the Super Bowl MVP. Caesars Sportsbook set Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+110) as the favorite to win the Super Bowl LIV MVP, and Mahomes did just that.

Player Prop Bets

Player prop bets involve wagering on an individual player’s statistics in a particular game. The 2017 NBA Finals, for instance, offered several ways to bet on LeBron James’ statistics.

James was then a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Available prop bets on any single NBA Finals game included over/under bets on his total points scored, whether he would lead a game in scoring, and many others.

Exotic Prop Bets

Exotic prop bets can be fun but largely involve luck. Examples of exotic prop bets include predicting what team wins the Super Bowl coin toss, or the length of the National Anthem before the game.

Super Bowl LIV offered numerous exotic prop bets, including a prediction of what color liquid would be poured over the winning coach’s head after the game.

Live In-Game Betting

In-game betting presents one of the most exciting and dynamic ways to wager on sports.

Unlike other types of bets, in-game betting allows for wagering on a game, while it’s being played. In-game betting odds on moneyline, point spread, and prop bets flow dynamically based on what already happened in the game.

For example, a standard NFL point spread bet might look like this before the game starts:

If the Patriots take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, however, a sportsbook could offer an in-game bet with the following line:

With the Patriots holding a touchdown lead, the point spread on the underdog Jets switches from +7 to +10.5. In-game betting odds generally update at each commercial break for a televised sports contest.

In-play betting, a subset of in-game betting, offers an even more dynamic betting experience, with odds changing every few seconds during live play.

In-game and in-play bets are offered as time-sensitive bets, which must be made within a certain time frame for the bettor to get the advertised odds.

Where Can I Bet On Sports Online?

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook stands as one of the leading brands in the legal US online sports betting industry. New players can sign up at DraftKings Sportsbook and enjoy a 20% deposit match bonus up to $500, a $500 risk-free bet, and a $25 no-deposit bonus.

States in which DraftKings Sportsbook operates include Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook, much like DraftKings Sportsbook, represents one of the most popular legal sports betting brands in the US. Bonus offers for new players at FanDuel Sportsbook include a risk-free bet up to $500.

Bettors in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia enjoy access to FanDuel Sportsbook, with more states to come.

BetRivers

BetRivers Sportsbook originally launched in Pennsylvania, as a product of parent company Rush Street Interactive. The BetRivers platform now operates in four states, including Pennsylvania, Colorado, Illinois, and Indiana.

New player bonuses include a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250, with only a 1x playthrough requirement.

FOX Bet

Sports media powerhouse FOX Sports teamed up with gaming giant The Stars Group to launch the FOX Bet sports betting brand. The platform offers new players a 50% deposit match bonus up to $500, as well as a risk-free bet up to $500.

FOX Bet operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.

PointsBet

PointsBet offers a unique style of wagering known as “PointsBetting,” in which bettors can enjoy larger payouts based on how much their selected team wins by in a game.

Bettors in Indiana, Iowa, and New Jersey can wager at PointsBet. The platform includes a $200 risk-free bet bonus for new players.

How Odds Differ Across Legal Online Sportsbooks

Sports betting odds and lines for the same game often vary from one online sportsbook to another. Skilled bettors own accounts at multiple online sportsbooks, and shop for the most favorable lines.

For example, here’s a look at July 2020 futures odds for the NBA Championship, compared across five different legal online sportsbooks:

A bettor looking to bet on the Houston Rockets to win the championship would find enormous value by line shopping. The odds on the Rockets at FanDuel Sportsbook and FOX Bet offer significantly better odds versus other sites.

How Sports Betting Odds Are Calculated

Moneyline Bets

Moneyline bets simply establish a favorite and an underdog for a game. Bettors choose which team they think will win, straight up, with no point spread.

Underdogs pay at better odds than favorites. To calculate the potential payouts of a moneyline bet, you must understand what the odds notations mean.

Here’s another look at the NBA moneyline example from above:

Moneyline betting odds with a “+” notation are relatively simple to calculate. The +195 line on the Nets means a $100 wager would net $195 in profit. In other words, the $100 bet would return a total of $295 (the $195 in profit and the original $100 bet).

Another way to calculate “+” moneyline odds is to divide the odds number by 100. Using this method, the +195 odds convert to 1.95.

Multiplying this decimal number by the amount of the bet yields the total profit amount. A $50 bet on +195 odds yields $97.50 in profit ($50 x 1.95).

Calculating “-“ odds on the moneyline is a little trickier. The -240 line for the Orlando Magic means you would have to bet $240 to win a $100 profit.

For “-“ odds, you must divide 100 by the moneyline odds number. For a -240 line, dividing 100 by 240 yields 0.416.

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Multiplying your bet amount by 0.416 yields the total profit of the bet. A $50 bet, for instance, comes out to $20.80 in profit ($50 x 0.416). A $50 wager on the Magic, if it won, would result in the sportsbooks returning $70.80 to you ($20.80 profit plus the original $50 bet).

Point Spread Bets

A point spread bet adds points to the underdog’s score and subtracts that same amount of points from the other. Adding the point spread allows the sportsbook to put relatively even odds on the favorite and underdog.

The point spread variant of the Orlando vs Brooklyn NBA game looks like this:

Bettors can choose the Magic with six points taken off their final score, or the Nets with six points added to their final score. Both choices pay the same -110 odds.

Bettors on Orlando wins if the Magic win by seven points or more. If Orlando wins by exactly six points, the bet is a push, and the wager is returned to the bettor.

If Orlando wins by five points or less, or if the Nets win the game outright, Brooklyn bettors win this point spread bet. For instance, if Orlando wins the game 98-94, the Nets +6 bet wins.

Over/Under (Totals)

Over/under bets, aka totals bets, allow for wagering on the total combined score of a game. Bettors can wager that the game total will end either over or under a line set by the sportsbook.

Like point spread bets, the over and under options generally pay relatively even odds. For example:

The sportsbooks set the total at 211.5 for this game. If the total goes over 211.5, the over bet wins at -112 odds. If the game score total finished under 211.5, the under bet wins at -109 payout odds.

If the Nets win the game by a score of 100-98, for example, the total for the game is 198. This total is under the 211.5 line, and therefore the under bet is the winner.

Moneyline, point spread, and totals bets use the same notations seen above across all sports. The betting types are offered for virtually every NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB contest.

What Affects Sports Betting Odds Throughout A Season?

Each sportsbook employs its own linemakers (aka oddsmakers), and these expert analysts set the lines and odds for games. An algorithm determines the lines for certain kinds of in-play bets, as those lines rapidly change throughout a game.

Linemakers consider every imaginable factor when setting a game line, including lines set at other sportsbooks. Lines on a game can change considerably after they’re posted, as injuries, weather, lineup changes, and other factors influence the game.

NFL teams, for example, play just one game per week. The opening line on an NFL game could drastically change by kickoff time.

For instance, the Kansas City Chiefs could be listed as a 10-point favorite over the Los Angeles Chargers for an upcoming Sunday game. If Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffers an injury in Wednesday’s team practice, however, that 10-point line will drop, as it’s now unclear whether Mahomes will even play.

Linemakers will adjust point spreads and odds from game to game based on how teams are trending in recent contests. For example, the Milwaukee Bucks could stand as a strong pick to win the NBA title, prompting linemakers to set the Bucks as a big favorite in every game.

If the Bucks lose a few games in a row, however, linemakers will adjust accordingly, considering Milwaukee’s recent performances.

Sports Betting Odds For Professional Leagues

NFL Odds

The NFL stands as the most-watched professional sports league in the US. Point spread betting on NFL games represents one of the most popular ways to bet on any sport in the US.

The NFL plays regular season and playoff games in a weekly format. The 32 NFL teams play one game per week in the regular season, with 14 teams advancing to the playoffs.

Here’s a look at what an NFL bet for Week 1 of the 2020-21 regular season looks like at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Note that the “Total” column displays the over/under line for the combined final score. The “O 54.5” bet isn’t a bet on the Texans, even though it’s the same row as the point spread and moneyline options for the Texans.

The NFL season culminates in the Super Bowl, which brings in more bets than any other sporting event in the world. FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FOX Bet, and all other legal online sports betting platforms offer numerous ways to bet on the Super Bowl.

These betting options include exotic prop bets, such as betting on the color of Gatorade dumped on the winning head coach after the game. The Super Bowl produces many different prop bets not seen in any other sports event.

For more resources, check out our NFL Odds Calculator and Sports Betting Edge Table.

NBA Odds

Much like the NFL, the NBA functions as one of the most popular sports in the US. Ways to bet on the NBA regular season and playoffs are also similar to the NFL setup.

The NBA’s 30 teams play 82 regular-season games. Of those 30, 16 teams advance to the playoffs, with teams facing off in best 4-of-7 series until a champion is crowned.

With that many games on the schedule, betting opportunities abound for the NBA. Here’s a look at how an NBA bet is displayed at FanDuel Sportsbook:

The linemakers at FanDuel set this game as almost dead even between the Clippers and Lakers. Note that the moneyline odds on both teams are identical, and there isn’t a favorite or an underdog on the moneyline for this game.

All legal online sportsbooks offer NBA betting throughout the regular season and playoffs, all the way through the NBA Finals. Special bets on the NBA Finals allow bettors to predict what player will win the NBA Finals MVP, what player will be the first to be ejected in a given game, and many more.

Major League Baseball Odds

The numbers for MLB single-game betting look a little bit different, as baseball by nature is a lower-scoring game than its NBA and NFL counterparts. The odds and lines work the same, however.

A typical MLB game setup at FanDuel Sportsbook looks like this:

The names under the teams (G. Cole and M. Scherzer) are the names of the starting pitchers for this particular game. MLB teams generally use a rotating cast of 4-5 starting pitchers, with each pitcher starting around 30 games throughout the 162-game MLB season.

The MLB season culminates in the World Series, where the National League champion meets the American League winner in a best 4-of-7 series. Prop bets on the World Series include over/under lines on the number of strikeouts from a particular pitcher, odds on a certain player hitting a home run, and many others.

NHL Odds

The betting setup for an NHL game looks similar to an MLB contest. Like MLB, NHL games tend to be low-scoring contests, and as such point spreads typically linger around 1.5. Anything higher than that represents a pretty massive spread in an NHL game.

Here’s a look at the setup for an NHL game at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Like MLB games, payout odds on point spread bets are often wider than moneyline odds. This differs from the NFL and NBA, where the point spread usually evens out the odds.

The NHL plays 82 regular-season games and four rounds of best 4-of-7 series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The playoffs end with the Stanley Cup Finals. Special bets on the Stanley Cup Finals include wagers that task the bettor with predicting the score at the end of the first period, and lines on whether a particular player will score a goal or assist.

See our complete guide to NHL Betting On The Stanley Cup.

Other Sports Betting Odds

College Sports Odds

The popularity of NCAA football and basketball in the US rivals that of any professional league. With hundreds of teams in each sport, bettors enjoy an enormous selection of games throughout the year.

The main difference between college sports and professional leagues is the larger point spreads in college contests, as the disparity between teams can be much greater.

College football games generally feature higher scores than an NFL game. College basketball games, however, usually end with lower scores than an NBA game.

NCAA Football And Basketball Postseasons

The biggest college football league, known as the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, culminates its season with the four-team College Football Playoff.

The most prestigious college basketball championship is decided in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. This tournament, also known as March Madness, draws some of the biggest betting interest of any event on the US sports calendar.

March Madness starts with 68 teams and culminates in the Final Four each year, with the last four teams remaining to battle it out for the championship.

For both NCAA basketball and football, numerous special prop bets can be made on postseason games. The 2020 CFP National Championship Game was attended by President Donald Trump, and prop bets for the game included an option to wager on whether Trump would tweet during the game.

Different states have different laws on betting on off-the-field events like President Trump’s tweets, however, and these kinds of bets might not be offered in every state.

NASCAR Odds

NASCAR’s large and loyal fanbase makes the stock-car racing circuit one of the most popular sports in the US. Legal online sportsbooks allow wagering on the NASCAR schedule throughout the year.

NASCAR bets resemble futures markets bets for other sports. The most popular NASCAR bets involve picking the winner of a race from the NASCAR Cup Series, which represents the top level of the sports.

DraftKings Sportsbook offered the following betting lines on the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, a NASCAR Cup Series race from July 2020:

The “Winner,” “Top 3,” and “Top 10” columns represent different bets. For example, if you make a “Top 10” bet on Kevin Harvick and he wins the race, your bet still pays out at -670 odds. The bet pays the same if Harvick finishes anywhere in the top ten places.

English Premier League Odds

Soccer betting on major international leagues like the English Premier League opens up even more betting opportunities at legal online sportsbooks.

Betting on the EPL offers many more lines on any single game, compared to domestic sports leagues. DraftKings Sportsbook offered the following moneyline odds on a July 2020 EPL match between Liverpool and Chelsea:

Unlike the four major US sports leagues, EPL games can end in a tie. Moneyline bets for EPL games include an option to bet on a tie. Soccer moneyline bets are generally based on what happens during regular time in the match and doesn’t include overtime or penalty kicks.

Point spread bets for the same Liverpool-Chelsea match look like this:

Instead of one point spread for the Liverpool-Chelsea match, the sportsbook offers numerous different spreads with varying payout odds.

A unique feature of soccer betting is the “quarter goal handicap,” seen in this example on lines like Liverpool -0.75 and Chelsea +2.75. A quarter goal handicap bet on Liverpool -0.75 splits the bet between Liverpool -0.5 and Liverpool -1.

For example, you place a $100 bet on Liverpool -0.75. This places a $50 bet on Liverpool -0.5, and a $50 bet on Liverpool -1.

Sports Betting Odds FAQ

Yes, in states that legalized online sports betting after the overturn of PASPA. Federal law allows US states to legalize and regulate online sports betting on an individual state basis.

States with legal online sports betting include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, among several others. Legal online sportsbooks in these states function as extensions of retail or tribal casinos.

All online sportsbooks employ their own team of linemakers, and odds and lines vary across all of the different sportsbooks.

Most Bet On Sporting Event

Skilled bettors shop for lines, evaluating the odds at different sportsbooks before making a bet.

Odds written out as 5/1, 5-1, or 5-to-1, indicate fractional odds notation. The 5/1 odds here are just an example, as 10/1, 9-4, 7-to-2 and any other odds displayed in this fashion represent fractional odds.

A winning bet made at 5-to-1 odds means you win $5 for every $1 bet. For example, a $100 bet made at 5-to-1 odds pays $500 in profit ($100 x 5). This bet would return $600 total ($500 profit plus the return of the original $100 bet).

A 5-to-1 fractional odds bet is equivalent to +500 moneyline odds, or 6.00 decimal odds.

Decimal odds are written as Lakers 2.00, Bucks 3.00, Clippers 5.00, etc. The payout for this notation is calculated by multiplying the odds by the amount of the bet, then subtracting the original bet to determine the profit.

A $100 bet on Bucks 3.00, for instance, would result in a total return of $300. Subtracting the original $100 bet gives you $200 in profit.

A 3.00 decimal odds bet is equivalent to a +200 moneyline bet, or a 2-to-1 fractional odds bet.

Most Bet On Sporting Events Tonight

No. Betting on contests involving athletes under the age of 18 is not permitted in any US state.

Yes. Some states do have restrictions on college sports betting. New Jersey, for example, outlaws betting on New Jersey-based college teams and contests.

Biggest Sporting Events

In general, however, college sports betting is permitted in all states with legal online sportsbooks.