soccer betting sites usa

Home Betting Guides 101 Complete Guide to Betting on Soccer in the US

Complete Guide to Betting on Soccer in the US

46 Articles

“The Beautiful Game” is rapidly growing in popularity within the US market, and so we at American Gambler have assembled an online soccer betting USA guide. Whether it’s Major League Soccer, English Premier League, FIFA World Cup, or the UEFA Champions League, there’s an almost endless supply of matches you can bet on with odds for moneylines, spreads, goal totals, props, and more. Soccer betting has many similarities to other US sports but some distinct differences to consider as well, which we will cover here.

Soccer Betting Sites in the USA

The rise of legal online betting means soccer wagering is easily accessible at every sportsbook.

Here’s a look at some of the best apps to bet on soccer games.

Website

Bonus

Rating

Promo / Sign Up

Up to $1,250 in Bet Credit if you Don't Win

Caesars Sportsbook

Up to $1,250 in Bet Credit if you Don't Win

Caesars Sportsbook

Up to $1000 paid back in Bonus Bets if you don’t win

BetMGM Sportsbook

Up to $1000 paid back in Bonus Bets if you don’t win

BetMGM Sportsbook

Up to $2,000 in Bet Credit if you Don't Win

VISIT POINTSBET

PointsBet Sportsbook

Up to $2,000 in Bet Credit if you Don't Win

PointsBet Sportsbook

VISIT POINTSBET

Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets

Claim Promo Code

DraftKings Sportsbook

Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets

DraftKings Sportsbook

Claim Promo Code

Up $500 Bonus Bet If You Don't Win

VISIT BETRIVERS

BetRivers Sportsbook

Up $500 Bonus Bet If You Don't Win

BetRivers Sportsbook

VISIT BETRIVERS

States with Legal Soccer Betting

Online sports betting is presently legal in 18 states (including Washington DC), with several more lined up for launches early in 2023.

The current list includes:

Arizona
Connecticut
Colorado
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
New Jersey
New York
Michigan
Mississippi
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington DC
Wyoming

Types of Soccer Bets

Here’s where it can get a bit tricky. Learning how to read soccer betting lines can seem a bit daunting with tons of different markets and odds. However, it’s all pretty straightforward once you get the gist of it.

Here are some of the most commonly seen soccer betting lines:

Moneylines

Like in other sports, a moneyline wager is a bet on which team you think will win the match. Given the prevalence of tying in soccer, you have the option to bet on either a two-way or three-way moneyline.

Three-way moneylines are the most common and might look something like this:

Paris-Saint German -165
Juventus +425
Draw: +320

As you can see with this line, you can actually bet on the match to end in a draw. If you select either team to win outright and the match ends in a tie, your bet is graded as a loss.

A two-way moneyline allows you to bet on either team to win with more confidence by removing the draw line from the equation.

There are two betting options for this:

Tie no bet
double chance

With tie no bet, if the match ends in a draw, your bet is graded as a push. With a double chance, you can combine multiple outcomes (Juventus to win and a draw).

In both instances, while you have an increased likelihood of winning your bet, your odds decrease.

Ex. (Draw no bet)

PSG -425
Juventus +250

Ex. (Double chance)

PSG or Draw -650
Juventus or Draw +130
PSG or Juventus to win -450

Goal Spreads

Similar to point spreads seen in popular US betting markets like the NBA and NFL, you can also bet spreads in soccer. These are handicaps designed to account for the gap in talent between the two teams.

Traditional handicaps might include lines such as:

Manchester City -1
Arsenal +1

In this instance, a bet on the favorites means you would need Man City to win by two or more goals. A bet on the underdog would cash if Arsenal won the game outright or salvaged a draw. If Man City won by just one goal, that bet would be a push (stake returned to the bettor).

Asian handicaps allow you to spread your bet out over multiple outcomes by placing a portion of your bet on different goal spreads.

If you see an Asian handicap set at Manchester City -1.75, that means 50% of your wager is being placed on a goal spread of -1.5 and the other part on a line of -2.

If Man City won 3-0, you would win your entire bet. If they won 2-0, 50% of your bet would be graded as a win and 50% as a push.

Parlays

One of the more fun ways of betting on sports is by combining multiple outcomes into a single bet. With this strategy, you can wager a little to win a lot.

You can place parlay bets on multiple different games (ex. Bayern Munich and Liverpool to win) or on the same game (ex., Real Madrid to win and over 2.5 total goals scored).

While you will find favorable odds on parlays, the more legs you add make it harder to win the bets, given the level of variance involved.

Props

Instead of betting on moneylines, spreads, and totals, you can also utilize the prop market to place wagers on events that aren’t necessarily tied to the overall outcome.

You can bet on game props:

Manchester United to score the first goal
Over 7.5 corner kicks

Or player props:

Kylian Mbappe to score the first goal
Harry Kane anytime goal or assist

Best Sportsbooks for MLS Betting

Major League Soccer (MLS) continues to increase in popularity, bringing a refreshing mix of local young talent and recognizable stars from overseas.

If you are looking to place bets on local MLS action, consider the following online soccer betting USA sportsbooks, which will give you risk-free bets and bonuses when you sign-up and register a new account.

Website

Bonus

Rating

Promo / Sign Up

Up to $1,100 Risk Free

William Hill (Caesars Sportsbook)

Up to $1,100 Risk Free

William Hill (Caesars Sportsbook)

Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
(New Jersey, Colorado & Ohio)

bet365 Sports

Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
(New Jersey, Colorado & Ohio)

bet365 Sports

$500 in Free Bets

VISIT BETRIVERS

BetRivers Sportsbook

$500 in Free Bets

BetRivers Sportsbook

VISIT BETRIVERS

European Soccer: All You Need to Know

Soccer has always been popular in Europe, and it is the continent where you will find most of the best players and most competitive leagues. Because it has the highest level of soccer in the world, it also has some of the most attractive betting markets.

Some top leagues include:

English Premier League
Spanish La Liga
Italian Serie A
German Bundesliga
French Ligue 1

The Champions League is a tournament where the best teams from league’s across Europe compete for the ultimate prize. It consists of a Group Stage and Knockout Phase and runs in tandem with the rest of the pro leagues.

Europe also features some of the most elite international competition. European nations have won five of the last six World Cups and are in a good position to secure the title again in 2022 with powerhouses in France, Germany, Spain, and England.

Soccer Betting Tips to Keep in Mind

There are several things you should keep in mind when analyzing soccer betting lines. These include:

Any recent injuries: The absence of a star player can dramatically shift the betting odds
Recent form: Just like other sports, momentum is really important in soccer. Before blindly locking in a bet because you like the odds, take a moment and reflect on each of the team’s recent results to see their form.
Home/Away: Homefield advantage is massive in soccer and needs to be taken into account. You will often see this reflected in a betting line so if the line looks too good to be true be sure to double check the home/away teams and how each team has performed in that role.
The Vig: Soccer is particularly tricky because of the prevalence of the three-way moneyline. It’s not uncommon to see both teams at plus money. Don’t automatically assume you are getting the best odds. Shop around to a few different sportsbooks and compare prices.

FAQ

What is in-play soccer betting?

In-play or live betting refers to wagering on a game after it has already started. This is a great way to get more favorable odds than you might find pre-game.

How do you read Soccer Lines?

The team with minus (-) odds is the favorite, and the team with plus (+) odds is the underdog. On a standard three-way moneyline, you will also see odds for the match to end in a draw.

Ex

Manchester City -115 (favorite)
Draw +220
Tottenham +190 (underdog)

Which soccer betting strategy is best?

There is no tried and true best strategy. Consider your risk tolerance before locking in any bets. If you want more favorable odds, the three-way moneyline is likely the way to go, whereas if you want to back an underdog or play it safer, consider two-way moneylines (tie no bet, or double chance)

Is Soccer betting rigged?

Despite what you might read on the internet, soccer betting is not rigged. The plethora of odds can make it challenging to calculate if you are getting a fair price, so make sure to do your research.

When do soccer bets close?

Soccer betting odds are available right up until the minutes before a match kicks off. Even after it has started, you will find plenty of similar odds in the live betting market, but these odds tend to change much more rapidly.

Can Soccer betting be Profitable?

Yes, if done smartly and patiently, soccer betting can be profitable over the longer term. Bettors should do their due diligence and consider factors such as recent form, home/away results, and best sportsbook prices.

Robert Lewandowski

Betting on Transfers in Soccer: Strategy and Tips

- Complete Guide to Betting on Soccer in the US

What happens with a bet if match goes into extra time?:

In soccer betting, if you just make a straight wager on a match, it ends when regulation ends.

- Betting Guides 101
- Complete Guide to Betting on Soccer in the US

What is 1×2 soccer betting?:

When betting on soccer, 1 is the home team; 2 is the visiting team.

What is draw no bet in soccer?

In both soccer and football, there can be a “push’’ or no bet depending on the line of the game and the final score of the game. Let’s use an example from soccer first.

Complete Guide to Betting on Soccer in the US

What does “dropping odds” mean in soccer betting?

If the odds are dropping at your online sportsbook, that means that people are betting heavily on one side of the betting line. When the odds drop, it means you are getting less favorable odds than what was previously available.

Complete Guide to Betting on Soccer in the US

How to read three-way moneyline in soccer betting?

When you bet the money line on any soccer game, there can be three outcomes, also known as 1 x 2. The home team (1) can win, the away team (2) can win, or the match can end in a draw (x).

What is European handicap in soccer betting? How does it work?

If you are not going to bet the money lines on any soccer match, there are alternate ways to bet on the games that allow you to get more favorable odds and probabilities. Sometimes, betting on an underdog to win at +300 is not appealing.

What is Three-way Betting (Handicap) in soccer and NFL?

This is another bet usually strictly for soccer and not used in American Football. When you bet the money line on any soccer game, there can be three outcomes, also known as 1 x 2.

How to read odds -0.75 in soccer betting? What does it mean?

An example of a -.75 or -3/4 goal Asian handicap came from a Premier League match in March between Leicester City and Bournemouth.

notification icon

Subscribe to our notifications for the latest news and updates. You can disable anytime.