2024 NFL Betting Guide: Bet Pro Football smartly, responsibly
Author:
Zach Lutz
Published:
Aug 7, 2024
,
10:48 a.m.
ET
With the NFL season officially underway, now is a good time to run through some reminders for betting smartly and responsibly. The aim is to ensure that if you bet, it remains a casual, sustainable and healthy activity that doesn't negatively impact any other parts of life.
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to the game, our 2024 NFL betting guide will help you navigate the complexities of NFL betting smartly and responsibly. Let’s dive into how you can maximize your betting experience while reducing risks.
Introduction to betting on NFL football smartly
Betting on NFL games can be exciting, but it's crucial to approach it with a sound strategy. Here are some tips for betting on football smartly:
Don’t Bet on Every Game
One of the biggest mistakes bettors make is trying to bet on every game, especially all of the primetime ones. Between Thursday Night Football, special Friday Night Football matchups (such as in Week 1), Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football, the NFL is showcased in the best viewing windows the majority of weekdays. However, feeling a need to get in on all the primetime action can be incredibly troublesome. The NFL season is long, and spreading your bets too widely, too rapidly can quickly deplete your bankroll. Focus on games where you feel confident in your research and predictions of how the game will unfold.
Avoid Parlays
While parlays can offer massive payouts, they are also incredibly difficult to win. Each additional leg in a parlay increases the complexity, risk and “vig” that sportsbooks build in to increase their advantage. Instead, it’s wise to stick to single-game bets where you can better manage your odds.
Limit “Futures” Bets
Futures bets before or during the season can be tempting, but they tie up your bankroll for months. These bets often come with higher house edges and can limit your ability to place other bets throughout the season. Keep futures bets to a minimum and ensure they don’t interfere with your overall betting strategy.
Stay Informed About New Rules
The NFL often implements new rules that can impact the game significantly. For instance, the new kickoff rules this season (which we’ll dive into later in this article) may affect scoring opportunities. Staying updated on these changes can give you an edge when making your bets.
Research New Players and Coaches
The offseason is a time of change, with new players joining teams and coaching staff changes. These changes can dramatically affect a team’s performance. Make sure to research how these new faces might impact team dynamics and game outcomes. We’ll also dive deeper into this topic later in the guide.
Who can legally bet on the 2024 NFL season?
Where You Can Legally Bet: Available Locations
Before placing any bets, it’s important to know where sports betting is legal. As of August 2024, 38 locations in the U.S. have some form of legal sports betting, with 30 of them offering online (mobile) sports betting:
Online Sports Betting: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming.
In-Person, Retail-Only Sports Betting States: Delaware, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin.
There are still 12 states that do not offer sports betting at all, whether online or retail:
California, Texas, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alaska, Hawaii.
Age Requirements
Legal age requirements for sports betting vary by location. Most locales require bettors to be at least 21 years old, but there are six locations where the minimum age is 18:
Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Wyoming.
Even in these locations, individual sportsbooks may still impose a 21-year-old minimum. Always ensure you meet the age requirements of the location where you are placing your bets.
Dangers & risks of betting on the 2024 NFL season
Overestimating Knowledge
Many NFL fans believe their extensive knowledge of the league translates into betting success. This is an incredibly off-base assumption, as NFL knowledge is very different from NFL betting knowledge. Sure, the Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowl championships, but have they covered the spread much during their dominant run? No, they haven’t.
Getting caught up in the excitement
As mentioned above, the steady stream of great games in primetime windows leads many bettors to wager on every one of them, often since they plan on watching them anyway. However, betting should be done selectively, with wagers only placed when you are very confident in a certain outcome. There is no need to bet on every exciting primetime matchup, and it can be very unwise to do so.
Endless betting opportunities
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of bets available for every NFL game. And with the increased popularity of in-game live betting, those opportunities don’t end at kickoff. The constant availability of potential bets leads some bettors to “chase” losses by betting more in hopes of winning back what was lost earlier. This is incredibly dangerous and one of the telltale signs of a potential gambling problem.
Responsible Gaming Tips for NFL Betting
Whether you are betting on the NFL, college football or an entirely different sport, ensuring you adhere to a personal code of responsible gaming can save you from potential mental and financial pain down the line. Here are some tips to help ensure you’re betting responsibly:
Know Yourself
While this tip can apply to many activities, understanding whether you have an addictive personality or not could be crucial when it comes to NFL betting. The brain’s reward system is triggered during the action of placing bets due to risking something of value for something greater. Have you had a tendency to get obsessed and enveloped with other vices or activities? If yes, you should not dip your toe into sports betting, which can be very addictive.
Set Budget & Time Limits
Establish a bankroll, which should be seen as the total amount of money you’re willing to lose without any negative impacts on your financial wellbeing, such as the ability to pay bills and afford life’s necessities. From this betting budget, allocate a percentage (1-4% is generally recommended) for each wager, known as your “unit” size. This can help manage your balance, avoid losing your entire bankroll during inevitable cold streaks, and minimize the risk of significant losses.
It can be helpful to set time limits as well. It’s important to have balance between gambling other activities, so be sure to step away, move around, get fresh air or go get food. Many sportsbook apps nowadays allow you to set daily time restrictions, so you are not gambling longer than you want to be on any given day.
Understand the Game & Odds
Make sure you fully understand the intricacies of NFL betting, including rules, team dynamics, player performances, various wagering markets and odds tied to each market type. This knowledge will help you make more informed bets.
Don’t View Gambling as a Source of Income
Betting on sports should be a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Viewing your gambling money as a paid expense helps keep expectations realistic, reduces the pressure to win and hopefully keeps potential losses at a manageable level.
Balance Gambling with Other Activities
Don’t lose sight of your other interests during gambling. The NFL gets more betting action than any other sport, so it can be difficult in the fall and winter when your other friends are enjoying NFL betting as well. Maintaining or launching into an exercise routine, establishing activities to enjoy outside and board games or other social gatherings can all help maintain balance.
Don’t Try to Win Back Losses
Accept losses as part of the betting experience and NEVER try to win back what was lost by placing additional bets. That is known as “chasing losses” and is incredibly dangerous, as losses can compound quickly and result in significant debts. Instead, always stick to your strategy and allocated betting budget.
For more in-depth responsible gaming tips, check out the top seven tips for gambling responsibly.
Take the first step with Birches Health today!
Gambling addiction resources & treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, Birches Health offers multiple treatment options from the comfort of home. The Birches team of specially trained, licensed therapists can always help.
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New faces in new places in the 2024 NFL
The offseason has brought significant changes to several teams, with new players and coaches set to make an impact. Here are some notable moves:
Key Players In New Places
Quarterbacks:
Kirk Cousins – Now: Atlanta Falcons, Formerly: Minnesota Vikings
Russell Wilson – Now: Pittsburgh Steelers, Formerly: Denver Broncos
Justin Fields – Now: Pittsburgh Steelers, Formerly: Chicago Bears
Running Backs:
Derrick Henry – Now: Baltimore Ravens, Formerly: Tennessee Titans
Saquon Barkley – Now: Philadelphia Eagles,Formerly: New York Giants
Joe Mixon – Now: Houston Texans, Formerly: Cincinnati Bengals
Tony Pollard – Now: Tennessee Titans, Formerly: Dallas Cowboys
Josh Jacobs – Now: Green Bay Packers, Formerly: Las Vegas Raiders
Austin Ekeler – Now: Washington Commanders, Formerly: LA Chargers
D’Andre Swift – Now: Chicago Bears, Formerly: Philadelphia Eagles
Wide Receivers:
Stefon Diggs – Now: Houston Texans, Formerly: Buffalo Bills
Keenan Allen – Now: Chicago Bears, Formerly: Los Angeles Chargers
Diontae Johnson – Now: Carolina Panthers, Formerly: Pittsburgh Steelers
Marquise Brown – Now: Kansas City Chiefs, Formerly: Arizona Cardinals
Calvin Ridley – Now: Tennessee Titans, Formerly: Jacksonville Jaguars
Odell Beckham Jr. – Now: Miami Dolphins, Formerly: Baltimore Ravens
Other Notable Players:
Tyron Smith (Offensive Tackle) – Now: NY Jets, Formerly: Dallas Cowboys
Danielle Hunter (Edge) – Now: Houston Texans, Formerly: Minnesota Vikings
Head Coaching Changes
Jim Harbaugh – Now: Los Angeles Chargers, Formerly: Michigan Wolverines
Jerod Mayo — Now: New England Patriots, Formerly: Patriots Linebackers Coach
Brian Callahan – Now: Tennessee Titans, Formerly: Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator
Raheem Morris – Now: Atlanta Falcons, Formerly: Los Angeles Rams
Dave Canales – Now: Carolina Panthers, Formerly: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator
Mike Macdonald – Now: Seattle Seahawks, Formerly: Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator
Dan Quinn – Now: Washington Commanders, Formerly: Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
These changes can drastically alter team dynamics and performance, so keep an eye on how these new faces integrate into their teams as the season progresses.
Notable new rules for the 2024 NFL season
The NFL has introduced several new rules for the 2024 season that may affect some betting outcomes:
Hip-Drop Tackle
Unanimously voted to remove this form of tackle from the game. Occurs when a defender wraps up a ball carrier or grabs a ball carrier with both hands and rotates or swivels his hips, unweighting himself and dropping onto the ball carrier’s legs. This will now result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
New Kickoff
The new setup aims to create a new form of a free kick play that is designed to align players on both teams closer together and restrict movement to reduce space and speed. The goal is to promote more returns.
If you want some of the more minor, specific rule changes, the NFL Operations team explains more here.
Top storylines of the 2024 NFL season
Here are some of the top storylines heading into the new NFL season:
Can the Chiefs become the first NFL team to three-peat?
Can Joe Burrow return to pre-injury form and lead the Bengals to glory?
Can #1 overall pick QB Caleb Williams and the new-look Bears offense live up to the hype?
Can Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets bounce back after an injury-plagued 2023?
Can star quarterbacks Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen finally get over the hump and win a Super Bowl?
Will the Houston Texans be even better after a great start to the C.J. Stroud - DeMeco Ryans era?
Sources:
New Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer | NFL Football Operations
