Is there an individual sports betting market that has benefitted as much over the last six years in the way the NFL has? Granted, it has never been short of popularity in the US, but after a considerable number of state-specific barriers started coming down in 2018, America’s most watched sport quickly became its most bet on. Within six years, sports betting transformed from an activity available in a handful of states to the modern market that is available in over 35 states. Mobile sports betting isn’t as readily available, but it is still legalized and regulated in over 30 states. So, with such a huge, budding customer base and the number of individual NFL markets growing with each passing season, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks for bettors to gain a good grasp of how the market operates and how to bet on NFL games safely.

Explore sportsbooks with fast payouts

For those of us lucky enough to win a nice little payout from our wager, the next, most important hurdle to climb is getting the money from the site and into our bank account. While the majority of sportsbooks will generally not withhold your money for any significant period, we would say that it is vital you verify your ID with the site and jump through the necessary hoops to become fully verified. If you haven’t done this already, then your withdrawal might be held pending verification. This can be avoided if you verify upon sign up. Even among those platforms that have fast payouts, there are several different factors to consider. The experts at WSN have collated a list of fast payout sportsbooks that tick a number of boxes, but here are some of the main things to consider when exploring which betting platform has the smoothest payout feature:

• • The number of payout options available – including PayPal, crypto etc.

• • The maximum amount you can cash, including daily and weekly limits.

• • Are bonuses paid out in cash or as free spins and betting credits?

Stay within your limits

Any sportsbook worth its salt will have a mountain of tools available to you where you can set up time and deposit limits. That’s what we mean by limits – it’s not just monetary, it’s also about not using every possible moment of spare time to place sports bets. Betting on sports is designed to be fun, and you should not see it as anything other than that. Not only does this point apply to the NFL, but it applies to all other types of sports betting and casino gaming. Keep it responsible and safe, and if you think you are developing an issue, reach out to a problem gambling charity that can provide more assistance.

Understand the market

As with any sports betting market, just because you understand the sport doesn’t mean you will understand the betting market that underpins it. Only by exploring the market, the promotions on offer and the terminology, and reading what tipsters and experts have to say online will you be able to build a bigger picture. Diving head first into any market without doing the necessary research is never a good idea, but when your money is at stake, it becomes even more pressing.

Find your niche

While average NFL viewership has dropped slightly over the last 12 months, the league’s title as the king of US sports remains unchallenged. Tens of millions of Americans tune in to watch games every week, and sports betting companies are champing at the bit to offer the widest selection of NFL betting markets. Some bettors opt for the more traditional markets, such as betting on the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. Others dive into more specialist types of NFL betting, including prop bets and winning margin bets, such as handicaps. While you might love the NFL, like millions of other US sports bettors, your approach to betting on the sport could be completely different – hence why exploring a niche within the market is important. Sports betting platforms sometimes offer promotions that revolve around these less popular, more specialist markets. Spend time shopping around, using promotions and understanding how these markets work to get a good idea of the scope on offer.

Final thoughts

By combining all of the different elements we have touched on today, you’ll be able to build a much stronger idea of what the NFL betting market looks like and what drives it. Although we’ve used these tips and tricks for NFL betting, you could apply them to a number of professional sports betting markets. If we were to pick the main factors to remember, they are that you understand the market and shop around. While some sports on the periphery of sporting culture struggle to find their feet, the NFL suffers from an embarrassment of riches in this sense. In a nutshell, hundreds of sportsbooks are out there, so shop around, check out promotions and see what the experts say before simply placing a wager on the first NFL betting site you come across. Consider all these factors, and you’ll be able to use the tips and tricks that more experienced bettors use to keep their betting modest and in moderation. By Chris Bates