In 2025, sports betting will be legal in 38 states, including Washington, D.C. Sports bettors have the option to participate in both in-person and mobile sports wagering. Typically, the best sports to bet on are those where teams score many points in a game or match. Sports bettors also tend to bet on sports they are familiar with. The following sports are popular with fans across the country. They not only enjoy watching them but also like to bet on them.
1. NFL
Football has been the most popular sport in America since 1972. This is what Gallup reports from its public opinion polls. It is also by far the most popular sport to bet on. The Super Bowl is an event that draws the most betting action. In a game like football, weather conditions can affect the outcomes of a game. Wet, muddy conditions can lead to a more physical and less strategic game. Star players can also have a considerable impact on the game.
NFL teams often have partnerships with sportsbooks. These sportsbooks usually offer a wide selection of football bets. When betting online, gamblers can bet on everything from who will win the game to over/under betting. Online sportsbooks offer 24/7 football betting, and in-play wagers are very popular.
2. NBA
The NBA has plenty of games and betting opportunities. Players and fans tend to be younger and more diverse than in the other major leagues. In a sport like basketball, a single-scoring event doesn’t have much chance of changing the outcome of a game. This is different from other sports. The sheer number of divisions, teams, and events can make accurate predictions quite difficult, but not impossible.
Bets start with season win totals and other futures. When games start, sports bettors can wager on point spreads, money lines, and over/unders. Player prop bets are also very popular. This requires understanding the strengths and weaknesses of individual players.
3. MLB
In MLB, each team plays 162 games per season. The top players step up to the plate over 700 times. With all the players, teams, and action, betting on baseball can be challenging. Weather conditions can also affect the playing surface and flight of the ball, making it more difficult to hit home runs.
While football and basketball are based mainly on the point spread, baseball is a moneyline sport. Picking who will win a game gives you plenty of opportunities to maximize your edge with over 2,400 games a season. Futures, run lines, and props are some other popular bet types.
4. College football
Football has the most participants of any sport at the college level. It stands out for the great volume of potential plays. There are 261 teams in the top two subdivisions alone. Most colleges and universities have football teams and football stadiums. The teams mostly play other schools of a similar size, through the divisional system of the NCAA.
Strong traditions, tense rivalries, and a sense of pride make watching college football an extremely popular pastime in the USA. You may even decide to watch a football match with friends for your birthday party and have fun supporting your team.
Point spreads, money lines, and parlays are the most popular bets. Bettors can also bet on whether a team will fall short of its win total or exceed it for the season.
5. Soccer
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it is growing in popularity in the United States. The 2026 men’s World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
What makes betting on soccer and other sports more successful is using your knowledge of the sport to make more accurate predictions. This is better than trying to think of all the ways to improve luck. With the right approach, it is possible to make money on a consistent basis.
Soccer bets mostly involve picking a side to win. Player props, such as betting on a striker to get a goal, are also available. It is quite a simple sport to understand and follow. Sports bettors can bet on all the major soccer tournaments at online sportsbooks.
