The National Football League’s dominance means there are several best NFL betting sites to sift through for NFL bettors. Even though Canada doesn’t officially have an NFL team of its own (do the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks count?), we are no stranger to the league—through watching games or placing bets from one of the top NFL betting apps.
Thanks to the explosion in regulated Canadian betting there’s no shortage of options for NFL betting in Canada. With the biggest league in the world just down the street from us, here’s our rundown on where to find NFL betting odds to get your best NFL bets on!
Best NFL Betting Apps Canada
Not everyone likes setting up the ol’ laptop to bet on the game, especially if you’re pounding down some brewskis at the bar with the amigos. Most, if not all, of these sportsbooks have a legal NFL betting app that you can download on your phone for free.
Even if a book doesn’t have an official app, you can still use your phone’s mobile browser to make bets wherever you go. As it is our duty to keep things real with y’all we’re going to list the app ratings for both IOS and Android devices so you can see the best NFL betting app according to the masses:
NFL App | App Store | Google Play | Sign Up |
---|---|---|---|
bet365 | 4.7/5 (99k reviews) | 4.7/5 (128k reviews) | Download! |
BetVictor | 4.7/5 (1.4k reviews) | 4.2/5 (333 reviews) | Download! |
SIA | 4.5/5 (3.8k reviews) | 3.6/5 (353 reviews) | Download! |
BET99 | 4.6/5 (705 reviews) | N/A | Download! |
Betway | 4.7/5 (56.8k reviews) | 4.2/5 (12.9k reviews) | Download! |
Parimatch | 4.8/5 (4.3k reviews) | 4.5/5 (948 reviews) | Download! |
Football Betting Sites: Top NFL Betting Sites in Canada
To earn a spot on our best NFL betting sites list, sportsbooks must offer a variety of NFL betting lines and markets. That includes regular NFL season wagering lines, NFL playoff odds, and a complete list of popular Super Bowl prop betting options. Below, we present our NFL betting sites reviews and showcase the best NFL betting sites Canada has to offer.
1. bet365 NFL Betting 🏈
NFL Betting at bet365!
When we think of the best NFL betting sites and apps in Canada, bet365 is top of mind. This sportsbook is known for doing things right. Its instant deposits, fast withdrawals, and top-notch customer service are why so many Canadians are placing the bulk of their NFL bets on the book.
Best For: Parlays, Good Odds, Fun Specials
For the “Parlay Kings” out there who couldn’t bet a game straight up if their lives depended on it, they’ll love bet365’s NFL betting early payout. You can load up a parlay full of moneyline bets. If a team goes up 20 points early that bet instantly gets counted as a win even if the team chokes later on in the game.
bet365 also offers several sorts of bet boosts every week. That’s a great way to increase your potential winnings.
You’ll have plenty of NFL betting markets like moneyline, spread, totals, player props, and more. Plus, the NFL odds at bet365 are super fair when compared to its sportsbook’s competitors. Furthermore, bet365 packs a pretty good punch with its NFL season specials. Each year, there’s something different and enticing to bet on, usually with an emphasis on teams closer to Canada (think the Buffalo Bills or Detroit Lions).
2. BetVictor NFL Betting 🏈
NFL Betting at BetVictor!
BetVictor is one of the best football betting sites you can use to wager on the NFL. The site makers focus on the trendy side of the league.
Let’s be honest: you’re going to be reloading your account a few times during the NFL season. As such, BetVictor wants you to maximize your money by offering a 100% deposit match up to $200 for your first three deposits. If you get lucky, you can gamble with the house’s money for the rest of the season. That’s not a terrible deal, even if you have to roll the bonus money over 10 times.
Best For: Betting the Underdog, NFL Stats
Their aim is to keep customers super informed with what’s going on in the league while some skeptics might say it’s to get NFL bettors to wager a certain way. Whatever choice the bettor makes afterwards is between them and their god/high power/sentient AI overlord.
We find that BetVictor is one of the better NFL betting sites when it comes to offering value on underdogs. The oddsmakers know that bettors will hammer the big-name teams, so the book can get away with putting a stiffer line/price up. If you don’t each chalk, well, you’ll get value for days at BetVictor.
3. Sports Interaction NFL Betting 🏈
NFL Betting at SIA!
Sports Interaction (SIA) is one of the more widely regarded NFL betting sites in Canada. Like other NFL sportsbooks, SIA offers quick deposits and fast withdrawals. What we love most is the attention to detail.
Best For: Live NFL Betting, Unique Prop Bets
This sportsbook offers a bunch of special bets every year. What’s also cool is that you can bet on particular things, like the exact finishing order of the AFC North, if a team will finish in the top two positions in its division, etc. All those wild bets you see your American relatives making in the States, you can now make in Canada using SIA. Other sites offer some of these markets, but not all.
Let’s not forget that SIA is the place to live bet NFL games. Yes, the sportsbook offers tons of great pregame markets, including moneylines, spreads, and totals, but it shines in the live betting department. SIA’s player prop variety is also a step above top-tier. You can find markets for almost any player in some of the most inconsequential games of the NFL season.
4. BET99 NFL Betting 🏈
NFL Betting at BET99!
BET99 is one of the most colourful NFL sportsbooks in Canada. Bettors love BET99’s user interface. A good chunk of those bettors also say the site is easy to use. Deposits are quick and easy, and withdrawals are painless. That’s music to our ears.
Best For: Most NFL Betting Market Depth
Make no bones about it: BET99 freaking LOVES football. This book seems to be the most NFL-centric. The sports traders at BET99 know how to get the best bets in front of the faithful. In years past, the sheer amount of NFL markets the book offered was crazier than a night out with Antonio Brown. Super boosts, featured single-game NFL parlay bets, and tons of other cool things kept the lights on all night at BET99.
The traditional markets, like moneylines, spreads, totals, and player props, are priced fairly. You’re not going to find a bunch of deals on bet prices, but you won’t get played like Lamar Jackson in the playoffs, either.
5. TonyBet NFL Betting 🏈
NFL Betting at TonyBet!
TonyBet’s NFL betting game is right up there with the big dogs, even with their relatively new status in the Canadian market. First off, their live betting setup is something you won’t want to miss. Odds shift faster than a wide receiver off the line, letting you place bets as the action unfolds. It keeps the adrenaline pumping right until that final whistle blows.
Best For: Analytics on Every NFL Game
TonyBet also serves up some serious analytics for every matchup, and let me tell you, it’s can be a game-changer for new bettors looking to get that edge. Veterans will know to do their own research elsewhere, but for the newbies TonyBet’s breakdowns are worth reading through. TonyBet’s got the goods on player performance, team trends, and even weather conditions that could impact the game. So if you’re looking to bet on the NFL in Canada and want to feel like you’ve got the inside scoop, TonyBet’s where it’s at. They’re not just playing the game; they’re changing it.
6. Betway NFL Betting 🏈
NFL Betting at Betway!
We ain’t playin’ when we say Betway is one of the best NFL betting sites in Canada. In fact, it’s one of the only sportsbooks that got a five out of five review from us! Betway offers several payment methods that are different from the rest of the competition. Not to mention, Betway Plus Loyalty Club is a step above what else is being offered in Canada.
Best For: High EV, Good Loyalty Program
And, yes, folks, we know that Betway is based in Europe. You can bet that when Betway made the choice to sail the high seas, it learned what North Americans like: pigskin football! As such, the sportsbook offers a good chunk of boosted bets with decent expected value. You won’t be fleecing Betway on their NFL odds but you’re getting bets that are “worth your while.”
Betway knows that the football betting site market is VERY competitive in North America. As such, the sportsbook isn’t afraid to dish out a solid move from the capitalist’s playbook by undercutting the competition. Meaning, if you want to get some very good prices on traditional NFL markets, like moneyline, spreads, and totals, you better make Betway your first stop
7. Parimatch NFL Betting 🏈
Bet on NFL at Parimatch!
Have you seen the Shaq meme where he says, “I wasn’t familiar with your game?” Bruh, we thought Parimatch was hot 🗑️ at first because we read the Reddit posts, and DAYUMN, those guys and gals didn’t hold back. But we decided to check things out for ourselves. To be honest, we say this is a great NFL betting site if we’ve ever seen one.
Best For: High Value Pre-Game Lines
Parimatch’s betting markets are pretty solid. You can find a bunch of different player props that have decent expected value. Heck, we might argue the lines are “boosted,” even if the sportsbook ain’t out there advertising it to the masses. Parimatch doesn’t really offer much in the way of super boosts, but what it does offer is well-thought-out pregame lines and decent live betting options.
We also really dig the simplicity behind Parimatch’s user interface. You don’t need to know quantum mechanics to make a bet on the Steelers game. For novice bettors, this gives them less clutter to worry about so they can focus on what matters the most: losing money on parlays!
Latest NFL Betting Site Promotions
Top-tier bookmakers post a range of great bonuses and promotions for NFL fans. We advise checking with the top bookmakers for the most up-to-date promotions but here are the latest NFL betting promos available to fans:
NFL Site | Sign Up Bonus | Promo Code |
---|---|---|
Get a 125% Welcome Bonus up to $250! | Claim Sign Up Bonus | |
Get a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets! | Claim Bonus | |
First Bet Insurance Up To $1500 | Use Code CANBET | |
100% Deposit Match Betting Welcome Bonus Up To $500 | Claim Bonus | |
100% Deposit Match Betting Sign Up Bonus Up To $600 | Claim Bonus | |
100% Deposit Match Betting Sign Up Bonus Up To $250 + $10 Casino Bonus | Claim Bonus | |
100% Deposit Match Betting Sign Up Bonus Up To $700 | Use Promo Code CSBTB | |
100% Deposit Match Betting Welcome Bonus Up To $500 | Claim Bonus | |
100% Deposit Match Betting Welcome Bonus Up To $300 | Claim Bonus | |
100% Deposit Match Up To $100 + 100 Casino Spins | Claim Bonus |
How to Bet on the NFL in Canada
By now, we hope you know what’s what with NFL betting sites. The next step in this magical journey is to get you signed up and ready to bet on the big game(s). Here’s how to bet on the NFL in Canada:
1. Choose an NFL sportsbook
What do you see yourself betting on? Are you going to be betting on pregame point spreads, or are you looking to find value on the in-game moneylines? Do you care for player props, or would you rather have access to a sportsbook with good super boosts? Are you planning to bet on the website or use your phone? Make sure the sportsbook you choose meets your needs.
2. Create an account
Once you find your sportsbook, just hit the sign-up button and give the sportsbook your information. Make sure it matches what’s found on your government-issued ID.
Yes, Karen and Ken, the sportsbook will ask you to take pictures of two pieces of government-issued ID and/or a utility bill. Don’t worry, though; it’s all a part of the process. And no, the sportsbook doesn’t care about your opsec. Nor does the government. You already have a big digital footprint, FurryLover57. Just complete the verification process.
3. Deposit funds into your account
Once you’ve gone through the registration process, you can deposit money into your account. Your deposit fuels the bets you make. Sportsbooks usually offer a range of methods to do this. Make sure you understand any fine print around funding your account and see if there’s a sign-up bonus that you can cash in on (Ontario bettors are not eligible for bonuses).
4. Place your bet
Check the latest NFL odds! When you’re looking at the NFL betting markets on your sportsbook of choice, take a quick peek to see what other sportsbooks are offering. Not necessarily because you want to jump ship; you just want to know what’s out there, especially if you’re making multiple bets on the day.
Once you’ve found a spread, moneyline, totals, prop bet, etc., that you like, put some money on that son of a gun. You can do that by adding the bet to your bet slip, entering in your wagering amount, and hitting confirm.
5. Monitor the game and track your bet
Now it’s time to tell the wife to watch the shows in her bedroom because you’ve got an NFL game to sweat through. As always, monitor the betting markets before, after, and during the game to see if you can pick up on anything to help you place future NFL wagers.
What Makes the Best NFL Betting Site?
Playing at an NFL sportsbook that offer a vast mix of NFL betting odds, NFL betting lines, props, live, and futures NFL betting markets are keys to a profitable online wagering experience, but there’s more than that which meets the eye. You can check out our in-depth guide to the best sportsbook apps here but for now here’s what makes a top NFL betting site in our eyes:
Competitive NFL Betting Odds
You always want a site that offers the best NFL odds. If the Kansas City Chiefs are being offered at -3.5 point favourites against the Baltimore Ravens at Book A but Book B is hanging -3, you’ll probably want to make an account a Book B. You don’t have no time to be over paying on the line.
Variety of NFL Betting Markets
You want selection. It’s like going to the pizza shop, and the only toppings it has are pineapple and pepperoni. That darn tooting sucks. The same is true for a sportsbook that offers the bare minimum, like spreads, moneylines, and totals. Who wants to be playing on that? Not too many people, except maybe your ex-wife because she be “like that.”
NFL Bonuses and Promotions
Look, we love playing with the house’s money because it’s not ours. The books know this and offer welcome bonuses like candy to convince you to sign up. In the spirit of being a freedom-loving gambler, make sure to get the best deal for you. There are tons to choose from, so you really can’t go wrong.
Banking Options
Everyone has different payment preferences. Usually, sportsbooks that offer a good number of payment options are better than the rest. Also, these sportsbooks are good because more payment vendors trust them to accept money.
Customer Support
We don’t anticipate problems, but that’s the name of the game sometimes. When you get ’em, you don’t want to deal with an AI bot or be left in the queue waiting for some dud to give you “the bad news.” If a sportsbook has solid customer support, you know it takes things seriously.
Legitimacy and Licensing
This one is kind of obvious: if your country’s regulating body doesn’t license it, that book is probably bad news. It’ll be a hard pass for us. Avoid the offshore sportsbooks.
Popular NFL Events To Bet On
If there’s one thing about NFL betting, it’s that there’s always a ton to bet on. If there’s an event, there’s going to be betting markets. We run down the most common events in the NFL and give you an idea of what to expect from each.
Super Bowl
Let’s be real; when we think of the NFL, we think of the Super Bowl. It’s hands down the biggest NFL game of the year. Not even the National Championship game in college football can top this star-studded event.
While two teams are battling for the Lombardi Trophy on the field, off the field, bettors are looking to get in on the action. Believe it or not, you can bet on all sorts of things like how long the national anthem will be, the colour of the coach’s Gatorade bath, and what songs the halftime act will sing. That’s not mentioning your “normie” football bets, like the spread, money, totals, and player props.
Bet on Super Bowl LIX!
NFL Playoffs
To get to the Super Bowl, you have to make it through the NFL Playoffs, which is no easy task. Bettors want in on that action and there are a few ways they can do so.
Of course, you can bet on the traditional markets, just like in the Super Bowl. That said, bettors can also place NFL futures wagers, such as who will win the AFC and NFC, who will be playing in the conference championship game and predict who will lead each conference in a plethora of player props categories.
NFL Drafts
NFL bettors seem to have a kink for betting on the draft. Unlike the Super Bowl or the NFL Playoffs, these markets aren’t as traditional. That being said, there are still moneyline bets, such as out of two given players, who will be drafted higher.
You can also wager on a player’s draft position. For example, will Marvin Harrison Jr. be Over or Under the 4.5 draft position? You can also wager on the exact order of the draft picks, one through five. There might even be special markets where bettors can wager on what school will have the most players selected in the first round. The possibilities are endless.
NFL Betting Markets
We get it; we’re name-dropping all these betting markets like y’all should know them. Some of you don’t know what’s what, and that’s okay. Below, you’ll see a great deal of what our editor calls “high-level” explanations for each market.
NFL Live Betting
NFL live betting is wagering on a NFL game that’s currently taking place. If you’re familiar with pregame betting, live betting is pretty much the same. The only difference is that the odds will fluctuate as things start to happen in the game. That means you have to be fast with your decisions. You can’t afford to take your time, especially in between commercial breaks, because most live streams are 30 seconds behind.
Most sharp bettors, punters who can actually make money gambling, wait to bet at halftime. They’ll usually have a price in mind and look to hammer it if they can find one. Some of the better books in Canada for live betting odds are Betway and bet365. One thing to keep in mind is that if you get good at live betting, these books tend to limit how much you can bet after a while.
NFL Moneyline Bets
Moneyline bets are very simple. You basically pick which team will win. For example, you can wager on the Baltimore Ravens to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in their Week 1 matchup.
NFL moneyline odds don’t offer the greatest value, especially if you’re looking to bet on a very heavy favourite. That said, if you’re a “Parlay King,” you’re probably doing 10-leg moneyline lottery tickets.
Some of the best NFL betting sites are bet365, Betway, and BET99, as they tend to offer the best value out of the bunch.
NFL Futures Bets
NFL Futures bets are some of the most popular in football betting. We love futures bets, as they tend to focus on the biggest events of the year like the Super Bowl.
Futures are often like moneylines in that you make a simple bet on who you think will win. The only kicker is that these bets tend to be for bigger events far into, you guessed it, the future. For example, you can bet on next year’s Super Bowl winner as soon as the game is over. The odds go up almost immediately after the last Super Bowl ends. You’ll find really good deals on Sports Interaction and Bet99.
NFL Prop Bets
NFL betting sites are famous for their great prop selections. NFL props are typically bets that do not have to do with the result of the game. They tend to be more creative and are often divided into two subdivisions: team and player props.
In team props, you might see questions like “Which team will score first?” or “Will the first score be a field goal?” These are bets that deal with the entire team.
Player props, on the other hand, deal with individual players. They might ask “How many times will Aaron Rodgers be sacked?” They may also ask about rushing yards or points scored for example. In this category, you may also see bets on the NFL MVP.
We love using Sports Interaction and Bet99 to find the best value on props. These sportsbooks seem to hang good lines more often than not.
NFL Parlay Bets
NFL Parlays are one of the most famous bets you can make. Parlays are where you can package all the above betting markets into one play. The caveat is that every play must win. If one play loses, you’re SOL. For example, we want to package the Baltimore Ravens moneyline with the Over in the total and Lamar Jackson to finish with 60+ rushing yards; every play must win. If Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the Ravens, but every other play wins, your parlay loses.
People often play parlays because they offer way better odds than straight-up bets. Of course, with higher odds, you have a lower chance of winning, which is why most sharp bettors call parlays “sucker bets.” That said, if you must dabble with the dark side, we recommend using bet365 and BetVictor for NFL picks and parlays.
NFL Point Spread
In NFL point spreads, the favourite has to win by a certain number of points. The bookies provide a number and you bet on whether or not the favourite will win by at least that amount. You can see why this will make the wager a closer call than the actual game. Teams react to each other situationally and, in a sport where six to eight points can be swung on the clock in a matter of seconds, truly understanding how both teams operate is key to a shrewd spread bet.
Parimatch seems to be hanging some good lines as of late. We’ve also been seeing some nice spreads at Sports Interaction. Those are our two go-to’s right now when betting on the NFL.
NFL Totals
In NFL totals, the bookie will also provide a number. In this case, it is the potential total amount of points scored in a game. You bet whether, together, they will score more or less than the amount posted by the sportsbook. Even a lopsided overall matchup could go a lot of ways in score totals depending on the style the teams are playing, who is healthy, etc. A one-sided affair could mean a 21-3 result or it could mean 52-28. Having a feel for both teams, rather than just which one is better can go a long way in finding success via the totals method.
Much like the point spreads, Parimatch seems to be still hanging some good lines. We’ve also been seeing some nice totals at Sports Interaction that offered great closing line value. Those are our two go-to’s right now when betting on the NFL.
NFL Betting 101: A League Overview
Need a beginner’s overview of the NFL before you bet? Here you go!
The National Football League is made up of 32 teams. They are equally divided between two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), with 16 teams in each.
Each conference is then subdivided into divisions: north, south, east, and west. Each division contains four teams. These are the teams an NFL team will play against most often, generally twice per season.
The NFL’s regular season is 18 weeks long and includes one bye week for each team. It runs from September to early January. Before the regular season, you can watch the pre-season, which can give you great insight into how the season will unfurl.
The NFL Playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, meaning the heat is turned up every match. The highest-seeded NFL teams earn a first-round bye week, giving them extra time to rest and train which is a huge advantage. From then on, the top-seeded teams face off against the lower seeds.
The postseason culminates in the Super Bowl: a one-off championship game. This normally takes place in February at a pre-determined football stadium which usually isn’t the home field of either team. After this game, the Most Valuable Player is announced.
NFL Betting Tip & Strategies
Here are some practical and helpful NFL betting tools and tips if you’re a newbie just starting out on your NFL betting journey.
Manage Your Bankroll
Only bet what you can afford! You can accomplish this by making a bankroll. A bankroll is how much money you’re willing to bet (and possibly lose) altogether. TIP: Make your bankroll out of 100%. One unit = 0.01% of your bankroll. Only bet up to five units on one bet at a time, and tell anyone who thinks differently to take a hike because they don’t know 💩.
For example, if you have $1000 that you can freely gamble; one unit would equal $10. Five units would equal = $50.
Track Your Bets
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS track your bets. This is a good way to understand what you’re doing right and wrong. For example, maybe you have no luck with totals bets but happen to find a lot of success betting the spread, especially if it’s on divisional NFL games (i.e., Steelers-Ravens).
You can quickly create strategies to get better at betting by tracking your bets. Plus, you can limit your losses and keep yourself in check. The best way to do that is to GET OFF THE CIGGERATES and start tracking your bets like yesterday.
Leverage Betting Strategies
Everyone has that one angle they love to attack when betting on the NFL. Sometimes it’s profitable, but other times, it’s not. Nevertheless, find what works for you, track that angle, and look for the most opportune times to bet on it.
For example, if you have an angle that says to bet against the NFL team coming off a bye week, find opportunities to bet on it that yield a high return on investment.
NFL Betting Sites FAQs
The best site for NFL betting in Canada isn’t something that’s an easy question to answer, as there are many options available. What we would advise to new players is to take a look at our list of sportsbooks and decide on one which suits your betting desires.
Follow these simple steps to bet on NFL games in Canada:
1. Choose an NFL sportsbook
2. Create an account
3. Deposit funds into your account
4. Place your bet
We recommend bet365 as one of the best NFL betting sites along with BetVictor, Sports Interaction, Bet99, Betway, and Parimatch.
Sign up with a sportsbook from our list of NFL betting sites above, deposit money into your account, and select an NFL wager to bet on. Once you entered in your desired wager amount, confirm the bet and monitor the game.
Yes, NFL betting sites are legal in Canada! Most football betting sites also have legal NFL betting apps so you can wager on the go.
The next Super Bowl is the LVI and it will take place on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
When searching for an NFL betting site, you should take into account various factors. The bonuses on offer, the competitiveness, the range of betting markets, and payment methods available. Once you’ve assessed these, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on where to bet.
The moneyline is certainly the most popular, but it largely depends on how you want to bet. The moneyline is simply betting on the winner and loser of a game outright, so it’s worth venturing elsewhere if you want a more complex wager.
Absolutely. There are all sorts of legal sportsbooks in Canada now, and pretty much all of them not only have the NFL as an option, but put extra effort into giving you the best experience. When you work with our bookmakers, you’re always betting with registered bookmakers.
A lot of this will be personal preference. All the books we mentioned in our breakdown above have either mobile apps, or mobile-friendly components to their website. In fact, with the app-only theScore Bet in mind, there are technically more apps and web apps than dedicated sites in the Ontario market!
Obviously, if there was an easy way to guarantee success, everyone would be betting on the NFL! Knowing that there’s no such thing as a sure thing is a key part of playing responsibly. With that said, staying up to date with the latest NFL news, NFL injury reports, and the like will go a long way, as well as being educated on the matchups. We help with that here on CSB as well – a quick glance at our home page will show our latest posts, including weekly NFL betting guides.
Yes, if you want to dip into NFL betting, Canada has lots of options! NFL Betting in Ontario gives you the most flexibility, as local regulations have allowed for an immense third-party market, but if you want to bet NFL in any other province, you’ll find first-party books run by provincial regulators as well. Check our list of the best sportsbooks in Canada if you need some help finding a good spot.
Those who want to get into online American football betting will see no shortage of options available to them. Firstly, you have a ton of NFL gambling websites to choose from. Once you pick one, though, you’ll have a variety of methods. Maybe you want to bet on the moneyline for outright outcomes, or you want to go up against the spread, or maybe it’s a prop bet that catches your eye. It could even be live football betting in play that scratches your itch! There is no such thing as guaranteed money, so you’re best off finding the types of bets that you enjoy playing the most on a personal level.
Like with other sports, sometimes you get a game where the favourite vs underdog split is just too wide to be good value, barring a miracle. But if you want to get in on the action despite that, and think there’s a path to an edge, spread betting becomes one of your best football bets available. Here, the books set a line for what they expect the margin of victory to be, and you bet against that. In the above examples, a +6.5 spread means that the underdog will still pay out if they lose by six, though if the favourite wins by seven or more, the bet goes to them.