Soccer Betting Guide: How to Bet on Soccer in the US
Curious about the world’s most popular betting sport? In the US, you might guess basketball or the NFL—but globally, soccer takes the crown.
Ready to join the action? Our guide covers everything you need to know, from the betting sites to choose for your soccer bets to the best soccer picks to make, starting with checking if soccer betting is legal in your state!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Find the best sportsbooks for your soccer wagers.
- Understand the legal situation of soccer gambling in the US.
- Learn the soccer rules and the betting basics.
- Discover top soccer betting markets and the best picks.
Top Soccer Betting Sites 2024
Online Soccer Betting in the US
Soccer may not dominate the US sports scene like in Europe or South America, but it remains a popular choice for bettors, especially during events like the World Cup and MLS.
If you live in a state with legalized sports betting, you’ll find plenty of online sportsbooks and apps for soccer betting: AZ, AS, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MT, NC, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, WY.
Sports betting laws vary by state, with federal laws like the Wire Act influencing regulation. Each state decides whether to legalize online betting, so check your local laws before placing a wager.
Soccer Rules: How Soccer Works
Soccer is a team sport played with a round ball on a rectangular field with goals at each end. Two teams of 11 players, including a goalkeeper, aim to score by getting the ball into the opponent’s goal.
A match consists of two 45-minute halves, with a total duration of 90 minutes. If the score is tied at full-time, extra time or a penalty shootout may be used to determine the winner, depending on the competition rules.
Key rules include:
- Players can pass, dribble, or shoot but cannot use their hands, except for the goalkeeper within the penalty area.
- Fouls, such as tripping or pushing, result in free kicks or penalties.
- The ball must completely cross the goal line for a goal to count.
- Offside rules prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage near the opponent’s goal.
Soccer Betting Rules
Before placing soccer bets, it’s important to understand the rules, which can vary by sportsbook. Most bets are settled based on the 90-minute result, including injury time but excluding extra time and penalties, unless stated otherwise.
For complex bets, always confirm whether extra time or golden goals count. Rules can differ, so checking the terms for each bet is essential, especially if you use multiple sportsbooks.
Is Soccer Good to Bet On?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Soccer is entertaining, and betting enhances the experience. | Extra time and injury time can lead to unexpected outcomes. |
| Soccer is relatively easy to bet on, with many markets. | Odds can be low on straightforward bets. |
| Potential to profit, especially with consistent following of the sport. | Following multiple competitions can be overwhelming. |
| Soccer season runs year-round, offering constant betting opportunities. |
How to Bet on Soccer
Placing your first soccer bet can be thrilling, especially during a major tournament. My first bet was on Spain to win the 2012 UEFA Championship Final, and while the 4-0 win over Italy didn’t pay much, the excitement was unforgettable.
Beginner or experienced, I’ll guide you on how to place your soccer wagers in the best conditions:
- Understand soccer odds.
Soccer odds come in three formats: Fractional, Decimal, and American. Check out our detailed guide to learn more.
- Choose a betting site.
Select a reputable sportsbook with competitive odds. Compare options to find the best welcome bonus like free bets or deposit matches, and ensure features like live betting are available if you’re interested.
- Place your bet.
Deposit funds or use existing credits, then select the event, the bet type, the wager amount, and confirm. Your bet will appear on your virtual slip.
Soccer Bet Types
Understanding the different soccer bet types helps you decide how to place your wagers. Here are the most popular options:
3-Way Moneyline
This bet allows you to pick one of three outcomes: either team to win or a draw. If the match ends in a tie, and you bet on a winner, you lose.
Example: In the 2024 Euros, Switzerland vs. Germany ended in a 1:1 draw. A bet on the tie would win, while bets on Switzerland or Germany to win would lose.
In knockout matches, bets on ties apply only to the 90-minute result, excluding extra time and penalties.
Double Chance
Double chance bets cover two outcomes, such as a team to win or tie, increasing your chances of winning but at lower odds.
Example: Betting on a team to win or tie pays out in either scenario. Only a loss results in losing the wager.
Soccer Spread Betting
Spread betting involves a goal handicap to balance the odds. Favorites receive a negative spread, while underdogs get a positive spread.
Example:
- England (+2): Wins the bet if they win by more than two goals.
- France (-1): Wins the bet if they draw or lose by only one goal.
Draw No Bet
A draw no bet refunds your stake if the game ends in a draw. Odds are lower compared to a 3-way moneyline, but your money is safer.
Example: In Switzerland vs. Germany, a bet on Germany with “draw no bet” would be refunded since the match ended in a tie.
Over/Under
With over/under bets, you predict whether the total number of goals in a match will exceed or fall below a set number.
Example: A bet on “over 4 goals” in the Netherlands vs. Austria (3:2) would win, as the total goals exceeded four.
Prop Bets
Prop bets focus on specific events within a match, such as both teams scoring, the number of corners, or a player scoring.
Example: Betting on Jude Bellingham to score the first goal in England vs. Serbia would have been a winning bet.
Soccer Parlay
A parlay combines multiple bets into one. All predictions must be correct for the bet to pay out.
Example: Betting on Spain to win all three group-stage matches in the 2024 Euros would have won, as they achieved this feat.
Soccer Picks: Free vs. Paid
Soccer picks are expert betting tips tailored to various leagues like MLS, EPL, La Liga, and more. They offer predictions across popular markets such as match winners, over/under, and first/anytime goalscorers.
| Picks | Pros | Cons | How to Find Them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Picks | Accessible to everyone No cost Great for casual bettors | Perceived lower quality | Social media Free pick websites Online reviews |
| Paid Picks | Exclusive insights backed by in-depth research | Require a subscription, which can cut into profits | Subscription-based tipster websites or services |
Whether you opt for free or paid picks, the key is finding reliable sources to enhance your soccer betting experience.
Soccer’s Biggest Events to Bet On
Soccer runs nearly year-round, with major tournaments always on the horizon. Here are some of the top events for placing your bets:
- FIFA World Cup: Held every four years, it’s the most prestigious soccer championship. With 104 matches in 2026, it offers countless betting opportunities, including exciting parlay bets.
- Major League Soccer (MLS): The premier North American soccer league features 30 teams across conferences. Betting options include match results, props, and parlays, with top teams like LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire.
- Copa America: South America’s elite club competition provides a variety of betting markets, including props and parlays.
- UEFA Champions League: Europe’s top annual tournament, with 32 clubs competing for glory. Popular bets include outright winners and team performance props.
- English Premier League (EPL): England’s biggest tournament offers bets like over/under, prop bets (e.g., first scorer), and parlays across 380 matches per season.
- UEFA European Championship (Euros): Held every four years, this tournament is perfect for long-term bets and parlays, with odds shifting throughout.
- FA Cup: The world’s oldest soccer tournament features thrilling upsets as small clubs face top-tier teams, offering surprises and great betting opportunities.
Best Betting Systems for Successful Soccer Gambling
The best soccer gambling strategy is studying team form and stats, but using systems like Martingale and Fibonacci can also be useful.
- Martingale: Double your bet after every loss to recover previous losses.
- Fibonacci: A more complex system where you follow a sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.) after losses, betting on a draw until you win.
Soccer Betting Strategies I Live By
You may now be wondering: What is the best bet strategy in soccer? That’s a hard one, but I can certainly share my top tips for betting on soccer:
- I follow all the events I want to bet on closely and keep up to date with player form, injuries, and morale.
- I place many smaller bets, with a mix of safe, low-odds bets and less likely, higher-odds outcomes.
- I compare odds across different betting apps.
- I listen to the experts when they share their top soccer picks, and even consult a soccer betting app, but I always check if that lines up with my observations.
- I manage my soccer betting bankroll carefully and leave myself a budget for the later matches in any given tournament.
- I try to follow my head more than my heart.
- I shop around to find a good betting site or app, and consider new options if they’re offering good sport betting bonuses, which they often do at the start of a big tournament.
Current Trends in Soccer Betting
Technology and data analytics are reshaping soccer betting, making outcomes more predictable. Experts are using data to analyze team and player performance, recognize patterns, and predict match results.
While not everyone has advanced software, you can still access valuable data—such as stats from the 2022 FIFA World Cup on platforms like Statista—to inform your bets. Simple apps also offer predictions based on key statistics, injuries, and other factors.
Staying updated with trends and our guide on World Cup odds, and leveraging available data, can truly enhance your betting strategy.
Ready to Dive into Soccer Betting Tonight?
Now that you’ve learned about the biggest events, bet types, and top soccer strategies, you’re all set to log into your sportsbook and place your first wager.
Still unsure about getting the best odds? Use a handy betting odds calculator to ensure you’re making the smartest bets possible. The field is yours—start betting on soccer today!