NFL Live Betting Guide

Written by: Joseph Falchetti, Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert
Last updated:
7 minute read
Live NFL Betting

NFL live betting is the most exciting way to bet on professional football games.

You can wager on a match as it happens in real time, making it a fun and fast-paced alternative to pre-match standard betting.

As a football bettor, there are essential aspects to consider when you bet on live football.

In-play NFL betting goes far beyond sides, money lines, and totals, and it’s a great option to win your money back if your pre-game bets perform poorly.

Keep reading to learn more about live NFL betting and how you can make a profit from it.

Best Live NFL Betting Sites 2024

Rank
Payment Grade
Rating
Bonus
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  • 1
    A+
    4.9/5.0
    100% Up To $2,500
  • 2
    A+
    4.9/5.0
    50% Up To $250
  • 3
    A+
    4.2/5.0
    125% Up To $1,250
  • 4
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    50% Up To $1,000
  • 4
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    100% Up To $500
  • 5
    A
    4.7/5.0
    100% Up To $1,000
  • 5
    A
    4.7/5.0
    50% Up To $1,000
  • 5
    A
    4.7/5.0
    50% Up To $1,000
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What Is NFL Live Betting?

NFL live betting is when you bet on NFL football as the game takes place in real time. Odds are adjusted constantly in response to market data, making it a very exciting way to wager on the sport while watching the game.

How Live Betting Works In NFL Football

Live football betting explained

The most significant difference between in-game NFL betting and placing bets before the start of the game is the ever-changing odds.

Live football betting odds frequently update, in some cases, after every single play. Standard betting odds are always changing, but live betting odds move far more often.

There are also several types of betting markets that are only available when betting live on football.

Almost every sportsbook will have live betting odds for sides, totals, and NFL moneylines. But, many betting sites have a lot more in the form of propositions.

Some examples of alternative live bets are:

  • Betting on the first half NFL moneyline
  • The result of each play (rush for a gain, completed pass, any other outcome)
  • The result of the drive (touchdown, field goal, turnover)
  • The first NFL team to score ten points (or twenty or ten)
  • What will be the result of the next play?
  • How many yards or receptions will a particular player have in the game?
  • Will a specific player score a touchdown in the game?
  • Which team will score next?

Best Live Football Betting Sites For USA Players

There are plenty of sites to bet on the NFL that offer live betting, but there are a few online sportsbooks that stand out compared to the rest.

The sites below not only have the best live betting options for bettors, but they’re also some of the best NFL sportsbooks when it comes to bonuses and, most importantly, fast payouts.

Rank NFL Sportsbook Deposit Bonus Highlights Get Started
1 Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $2,500 Highlights
  • Lots of bonuses
  • Offers VIP program
  • Reliable software
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2 Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 Highlights
  • Recognized brand
  • Very fast payouts
  • Low rollover offers
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3 Deposit Bonus 125% Up To $1,250 Highlights
  • Competitive odds
  • Solid banking options
  • Crypto-friendly
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4 Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $1,000 Highlights
  • One of the largest sportsbooks online
  • Large betting limits
  • Post odds earlier than others
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5 Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $500 Highlights
  • Reputable history
  • Valuable bonuses
  • Pays on time
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6 Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $1,000 Highlights
  • Trustworthy, USA Accepted Players
  • Easy Bitcoin & Credit Card Deposits
  • Excellent Parlay Odds
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7 Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $1,000 Highlights
  • Great betting software
  • Excellent software for live betting
  • Big welcome bonus
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8 Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $1,000 Highlights
  • One of the fastest paying sportsbooks
  • Early odds for most events
  • Large sign-Up bonus and reload bonuses
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Read Our Review Of The Best Live Betting Sites

How to Bet Live On NFL Football Games

Here, we’ve put together the five main steps to follow if you want to get started with live football betting.

Pay attention, and you’ll be placing your best NFL live bets in a matter of minutes.

  1. Choose a Betting Site

    The first step to wagering live is choosing an online sportsbook to sign up and deposit. It’s important to read reviews and select a reputable operator that pays bettors.

    You can save time by choosing any of our recommended sites above. We’ve reviewed all of them to make sure they are safe and legit.
  2. Claim A Betting Bonus

    Maximizing betting bonuses is essential to your long-term bottom line as an online sports bettor. Be sure to look for a football betting promo code before depositing.

    Some sites may also have specific promos for live betting, like the risk-free $25 live bet offer at Sportsbetting.ag.
  3. Deposit Your Funds

    Bettors have an extensive list of deposit options available for live betting. Credit cards, debit cards, and bank wires are available at most sportsbooks, but cryptos are ideal for faster transactions.

    Most sportsbooks charge zero fees when it comes to both deposits and withdrawals with Bitcoin or other cryptos.
  4. Choose a Live NFL Betting Market

    Look for the live betting option
    on the main sportsbook’s homepage or the betting markets page.

    Once you have decided on which market you’re betting, input your bet amount and get ready to confirm your bet.
  5. Place Your Bet

    Hit submit on your wager and lock in your bet
    . In-play NFL betting odds won’t be available for as long as pre-match odds. Odds will change quickly based on the results of the game.

    It’s important to check your selection and bet amount before confirming your bet, but you will need to act quickly with in-play NFL betting markets.

NFL Live Betting Tips & Strategy

NFL live betting strategy

Savvy bettors care less about entertainment and take gambling seriously. Therefore they all use NFL live betting strategies.

There are plenty of them online, and they can be more or less successful depending on how well they are implemented.

To be frank, no in-play betting strategy will work all the time and in the absence of proper bankroll management and thorough research.

Below you will find our top time-tested live football betting strategies to grow your bankroll.

Strategy #1Wager After the Game Starts

We all lose track of time sometimes and forget to place a bet. Live sports betting allows bettors to wager on an NFL game after the opening kickoff.

Provided there isn’t a big play at the beginning of the game that changes things – the odds will mostly be the same as the opening line.

Strategy #2Get A Better Price Compared To Prematch Markets

Sometimes you miss a line move, and it’s not worth betting before the game starts, but if the opposing team takes an early lead, especially on something like a fluke play, such as a punt or kickoff return – then those odds will drastically change.

Taking advantage of variance or early game big plays to get a better price on the side you like is one of the best ways to profit when live betting on the NFL.

Strategy #3Hedge Your NFL Live Bets

Live betting allows the opportunity to hedge a pre-match wager if you have already placed a bet.

There are situations where hedging is certainly worth considering, and online in-play betting is a great opportunity that wasn’t available decades ago.

Strategy #4Create A Middle

Middles are similar to hedging but give you the opportunity to win both bets rather than reduce a position on a side or total.

You can give yourself some fantastic middles in NFL football utilizing live betting and halftime betting.

Strategy #5Live Bet On NFL Propositions

We always stress to new bettors to look at NFL prop bets. They have lower limits than other bets but are incredibly exploitable, especially if you’re trying to build a bankroll.

Many sites offer lots of propositions in their live betting markets.

popular NFL Live Bets

NFL bet types for live betting will vary depending on the sportsbook. Every betting site will offer the basics, sides, totals, and moneylines.

There can be many more options, such as halftime betting lines and live propositions.

Traditional NFL Bets: Sides, Totals, and Moneylines

NFL bets Icon

These are all available as prematch markets, as well. They’re the bare minimum a sportsbook will offer if they have live betting markets available.

There are a lot of strategies when it comes to wagering on NFL point spreads. These can also be implemented when live betting.

The same can be said for NFL totals betting or over/unders. NFL Moneyline strategy can be especially valuable when it comes to hedging your bets.

These will typically have larger betting limits than any other in-game betting markets, like propositions.

Quarter and Halftime Bets

NFL money bet icon

Most sportsbooks will offer live odds on each quarter, the first half, and the second half. This typically includes sides and totals on all the above markets.

These are some of the rare markets that may be available on the live betting platform and in the prematch or halftime wagering software.

Live NFL Prop Bets

NFL Props Icon

Prop bets or propositions are those bets that are not attached to the winner of the game. And they can be wagered live too.

They are often presented as propositions, hence the name, and they revolve around events that either happen or not. For example, “Will an interception happen on the next play?”

Props are the most fun part of NFL live betting, but they do have considerably lower limits than sides and totals.

Prop bets vary most from sportsbook to sportsbook regarding in-game live wagering options.

Some may have the outcome of each play available for wagering, the outcome of the drive, the first team to score 10 points, and so on.

Live Betting on the Super Bowl

Super Bowl Live Betting

The Super Bowl is a big deal for NFL fans, and live betting gets even more serious for the most important football event of the year.

Not only are pre-game betting limits typically increased for Super Bowl betting, but in-game live NFL markets are also expanded and have larger wagering limits.

In-play NFL wagering makes the biggest night on the NFL calendar even more fun, and each year betting options are growing.

NFL Live Betting FAQ

Is live NFL betting a good idea?

The answer is yes. This is because live betting allows you to make adjustments as the game progresses. If a bet you placed before the kickoff goes south, you can always find a new opportunity to cover your losses.

What is in-play football betting?

In-play football betting is another way of referring to live football betting. The name is very accurate since you can wager play-by-play as a game progresses.

How do I win a live football bet?

Live football bets work just as any other bet. If the outcome you picked materializes, then your bet is a winner. If not, then you lose.

How to make money on live football betting?

To be profitable with live football betting, you have to follow the same rules as with any other type of bet. Analyze the probabilities, find the best numbers, stick to your expertise, and follow a consistent strategy.

What is NFL draft live betting?

This is when people bet on who they think will be the #1 pick in the NFL draft, who will get drafted where, etc. All in real-time as the draft takes place. A lot of betting sites now offer live betting on each pick of the few first rounds of the Draft.

Check Out Our Complete NFL Betting Guide

About the Author

Joseph Falchetti

Joseph Falchetti

Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert

Joe is the author of the majority of sports betting pages on SBS and he serves as a gambling consultant to our content team. He's been mentioned on Forbes.com as a gaming analyst, and his articles have been linked by larger publications, such as the New York Times.

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