Football Betting
| Updated: 
Football is by far the most popular sport in the world, and the betting scene surrounding it is also the largest on the planet. Football betting is among the most popular activities in the online gambling industry, and sportsbooks are ready to accommodate punters who wish to participate.
If you are thinking about entering the world of football betting, be sure to read this article, in which we cover every major aspect of the activity. Below, you will find information on the types of bets you can place, odds formats, important sportsbook features, popular payment services, and much more.
Best Rated Bookmakers for United States-
Claim
$1000
Match Bonus9.718+ New customers only. 100% match bonus up to $1000. Min deposit $50. 10x rollover requirement. Promocode: MYB100 -
Claim
$250
Match Bonus9.4Join Bovada, make your first deposit and instantly receive a 50% Sports Welcome Bonus up to $250. -
Claim
$500
Match Bonus9.3Get a 100% Bonus, up to $500, to wager in the Xbet Sportsbook when you sign up and fund your new account with minimum of $45. Be sure to use promocode XB100 to claim this offer on your first deposit. 7x rollover requirement prior withdrawal. -
Claim
$200
Match Bonus9.2The bonus and the deposit need to be rolled over 4x at min. odds of -200 (1.5) before a payout is possible Max. $200 of every bet count towards the rollover. -
Claim
$150
Match Bonus9.1Get a 150% Bonus, up to $150, to wager in the BetUSR Sportsbook. Deposit minimum $100 and wager at least $500 within 30 days of registerening your account and you will automatically qualify for $150 CASH BONUS with just 1x wagering requirement.
Features of Football Betting Sites
When you first start betting on football matches, you will quickly see that sportsbooks offer various features designed to make placing wagers easier. The Internet has made many options available that were once unthinkable, and it is worth checking whether your chosen sportsbook offers them.
One of the best features currently available at modern sports betting websites is live match streaming. Many gambling websites give you the opportunity to watch a match as it is being played. This not only allows you to follow the action for entertainment but may also help you make more informed in-play betting decisions.
Additionally, you may have access to detailed statistics. These allow you to track the performance of teams and players, giving you more information on which to base your decisions. If you are analytically minded, such a feature can be useful and is worth looking for when choosing a sportsbook.
Nowadays, the Internet allows punters and betting companies to follow matches from around the globe more closely. This means that you can access betting markets for major football events around the world. Punters have never had such a wide variety of football betting markets at their disposal, and the selection continues to expand.
Odds Types at Football Betting Sites
One of the most important aspects of online sports betting is knowing how to read the odds presented to you. Naturally, placing a wager without understanding how the odds work can be detrimental to your bottom line. To help you avoid this, we have prepared a brief overview of the three popular odds formats you will encounter at modern online sportsbooks.
The decimal format is arguably the most popular of the major types, and it is the default at most European gambling websites. It is presented as a number, such as 2.50. Multiplying your stake by this number shows the total return if the bet wins. At odds of 2.50, a $100 bet would return $250, including $150 in profit. When comparing the odds, the team with the lower odds is considered more likely to win the matchup, and the lower risk results in a smaller potential profit.
The fractional odds format is typically found at UK and Irish bookmakers, and it is written with a slash, as in 5/4. Unlike decimal odds, fractional odds indicate only the profit you stand to make from a winning bet. Therefore, a $100 bet at odds of 5/4 would earn you $125 in profit, for a total return of $225. Again, lower odds generally indicate a greater implied probability of a team winning.
Finally, we come to the American format, which is the least popular of the three worldwide but is still available at major sportsbooks. American odds are presented as +200 or -300. The plus symbol indicates that the team is the underdog in the matchup, and the number following it is the profit you stand to earn from a $100 bet. The minus symbol indicates the team favored to win the game, while the number following it is the amount you must wager to earn $100 in profit.
Mobile Support
Another important feature of modern online gambling websites is support for mobile devices. Nowadays, many punters like to place bets while on the go or whenever they have time to spare. Naturally, no one wants to be tied to a computer desk to place a wager. As a result, sportsbooks have offered mobile versions of their websites for years. These allow users with modern smartphones and tablets to place bets from wherever they are.
Mobile sportsbooks often feature streamlined interfaces designed to work on different display sizes and resolutions. Their mobile versions generally retain the functionality and features of the desktop websites. When you load a gambling website on a mobile device, you can typically use the same payment services, access the same promotions and betting markets, and manage your account as you would on a desktop computer.
Common Football Bet Types
Once you start placing bets, you will find that there are many different types available. This variety can be daunting for beginners because betting markets do not always include detailed explanations. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the most popular football bet types available at online gambling websites. Each bet type comes with a basic explanation to help you determine whether it is right for you.
Full Time Results
The Full Time Result market is one of the simplest betting options and among the most common wagers placed by punters. It is a bet on the outcome of the match, specifically on either of the two teams to win or on the game to end in a draw. It is one of the most basic wagers you can place, and it is commonly chosen by beginners. Each outcome has its own odds and potential payout.
Double Chance
Double Chance is another common football betting option, and it carries less risk than many other markets. This is because you are betting on two of the three possible outcomes. The available combinations cover either team winning, one team winning or a draw, or the other team winning or a draw. If either of your two selected outcomes occurs, you win the bet. However, this betting option generally offers a lower payout than many others because of the reduced risk involved.
Draw No Bet
If you do not want to account for the possibility of a draw, consider the Draw No Bet option. This is a bet on one of the two teams in a matchup. If you correctly predict the winner, you win the bet, while you lose if the other team wins. However, if the match ends in a draw, the sportsbook will refund your stake. It is a relatively low-risk bet, so the odds will generally be lower than those offered for the same team in the Full Time Result market.
Handicap
Handicap markets are where football betting becomes somewhat more complicated. A Handicap wager differs from many other betting options because it involves a hypothetical adjustment to the match result. When you place a Handicap bet, you add goals to or subtract goals from a team’s final score. If that team wins the match after the handicap is applied, you win the bet.
There are different handicap values that can be applied to a particular situation. The more goals you subtract from a team’s final score, the higher the odds and potential payout generally become. This is because the probability of the adjusted result occurring is lower, increasing the risk of the bet. Similarly, adding more goals to a team’s final score reduces the odds and potential payout because it lowers the risk. Keep in mind that, for this type of Handicap bet to win, your team must beat the other team after the handicap is applied. If the adjusted result is a draw, you will still lose the wager.
Over/Under
Over/Under markets are among the most popular in the sports betting industry, and they are available for practically every match. When you place an Over or Under wager, you are betting on whether the combined number of goals will be over or under a specified figure. For example, if you place an Over 1.5 bet, at least two goals must be scored during the game. Similarly, an Under 1.5 bet wins only if no more than one goal is scored. The additional 0.5 goal prevents the final total from matching the betting line exactly.
Futures
If you are confident in your long-term predictions, you may want to consider Futures markets. This betting option gives you the opportunity to make predictions about events that will unfold over the next few weeks or months. These are highly speculative, long-term bets that can involve substantial risk but may also offer a significant potential payout. There are many possible scenarios on which you can bet, depending on what the sportsbook offers. You should pay close attention to the risk involved and weigh it against the potential return before placing this type of bet.
Parlay
Parlays are another popular bet type, especially among punters who are confident in several predictions. Unlike a single sports wager, a Parlay consists of several smaller bets combined into one. It can include Over/Under, Handicap, Full Time Result, Draw No Bet, and other selections accepted by the sportsbook. One reason punters choose this bet type is the potentially large payoff from a winning Parlay. However, this potential return comes with added risk. If even one part of the Parlay loses, the entire wager loses. As a result, you need to be careful when placing a Parlay, since even one incorrect prediction can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Scorecast
Scorecasts are highly specific bets that test your ability to make detailed football predictions. A Scorecast wager involves predicting a particular player to score first, the total number of goals in the match, or other similar conditions. These bets offer higher odds than many standard betting markets, although the additional risk reflects the difficulty of making an accurate prediction. You should carefully consider the likelihood of each outcome before placing a Scorecast bet.
In-Play
In-Play betting is one of the most significant developments in online sports betting. This type of wager can be placed while a match is in progress, and some sportsbooks allow you to cash out before the game has concluded. The odds for In-Play bets change dynamically depending on the current state of the match. However, once your wager is accepted, its odds are fixed. Cashing out may be helpful if you believe your selection is unlikely to win, although the amount offered will generally be less than the full potential return of a winning wager.
Payment Solutions at Football Betting Sites
Once you register with an online sports betting website, you will need a way to fund your bankroll. The online gambling industry supports a number of payment services that are readily available to many customers. Each payment method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Below, we cover some of the most popular banking solutions available at online sportsbooks.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are a common payment method for millions of punters around the world. They are valued for their convenience and widespread availability. Many online gambling websites support credit cards because of their overall popularity. Credit card deposits are generally processed instantly, giving you immediate access to your funds. This means you can start placing bets as soon as the payment is confirmed. Most sportsbooks accept payments through MasterCard and Visa, with a smaller number also supporting Maestro, Diners Club, and Discover Card.
eWallets
Another popular payment method comes in the form of eWallets. These services are preferred for their ease of use and payment-processing speed. When you make a deposit through an eWallet, the funds will generally be available instantly, while withdrawals may clear within a few hours after they are issued. Their popularity within the gambling community also means they are supported by many websites. Some of the more popular eWallets include Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, PayPal, and EntroPay.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards have also found a place within the online gambling industry, offering users quick and straightforward transactions. Deposits made with a prepaid card are generally processed within seconds, allowing you to start placing bets. The trade-off is that you can rarely withdraw funds through the same service. Many prepaid cards cannot handle withdrawals, while others are not supported for this purpose by gambling websites. However, you may be able to request a bank transfer to your personal bank account. Popular prepaid services include Paysafecard and EcoPayz.
Online Banking
Online banking is another popular way to manage your bankroll. These services connect to your bank account, allowing you to make instant deposits into your sportsbook balance. They also serve as intermediaries, protecting your banking information from the sportsbook. Withdrawals are also possible through online banking, although transactions can take several business days to clear. Some online banking services are limited to specific regions because the companies must work directly with local banks. Popular online banking methods include iDebit and InstaDebit. If you are more comfortable with traditional banking, you can also consider bank wires, MoneyGram, and Western Union.
Security at Football Betting Sites
Security should always be a priority whenever you are online. Protecting your personal and banking information is essential, especially when you are asked to submit it over the Internet. This raises the question of what steps online gambling websites take to secure your data. Reputable websites employ strict measures designed to prevent data leaks and keep your information private.
Online gambling websites are generally required to store users’ information securely. To achieve this, they often use encryption technology to protect data entering their systems. This helps ensure that only authorized parties can access the information when required. Additionally, many websites give users the option to enable two-factor authentication, which requires them to enter a randomly generated code sent to their phone whenever they log in to their account.
Hallmarks of a Good Football Betting Site
There are several things you should look for when registering with an online sportsbook to place bets on your favorite football team. Some of these features provide greater convenience, while others help protect you and your information.
The first and most important consideration is whether the sportsbook holds a license from a recognized regulatory authority. This allows you to confirm that the website is regulated by an appropriate institution and is expected to follow the laws and rules governing its operations. Many international sportsbooks are licensed by authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission.
Another factor to consider is the quality of customer support you can expect to receive. Although most online gambling websites aim to operate smoothly, you may occasionally experience problems or have questions that need to be answered. In such situations, you need to know that assistance is available. Customer support typically comes in the form of live chat and email, although some websites also provide phone support. Ideally, your chosen website should have support staff available around the clock to ensure that you can receive assistance whenever you need it.