Best NHL Betting Sites
There are few sports as exhilarating as ice hockey, whether you’re playing, watching, or betting on it. Originally developed in Canada more than a century ago, this highly followed sport is as popular as poutine across the world today.
The object of the game is straightforward. Two opposing teams of six players use hockey sticks to attempt to shoot a disc or puck into a net to score points while defending to prevent the other team from scoring. Simple. Except they do it at a very high speed. On ice, making is one of the fastest sports.
The first hockey games were played outdoors, and pucks were made out of frozen cow dung. These days, sports bettors in the states have turned the cow muck puck into great luck with hockey betting sites offering an array of NHL games online to wager on.
5 Best NHL Betting Sites for 2023
The NHL, or National Hockey League, first expanded to the United States in 1924 and started with just six teams. Nowadays, the NHL is 32 teams strong and one of the most popular sports in sports betting markets across the country.
Online sportsbooks and betting sites have made it easier than ever to bet on the NHL. Hockey bettors can place NHL wagers from wherever they are with some of the best hockey betting sites and mobile betting apps a screen swipe away.
Betting on the NHL online can be as exciting as the sport itself, with the following five recommended hockey betting sites presenting a world of options for wagering on NHL games:
#1. FanDuel Sportsbook – Best Betting Site for NHL Live Betting
The FanDuel name is becoming as renowned in real NHL betting as it has been in fantasy hockey for years. The trusted sports betting site offers a quality experience for online NHL betting, from competitive odds to the wide variety of online betting options for real money NHL bets. FanDuel is one of the top NHL betting sites for live betting with outstanding coverage of hockey events, from the NHL playoffs to the Stanley Cup. The FanDuel online sportsbooks feature a great selection of betting options for hockey bets. Classic money lines spread bets or puck line bets, parlay betting, and many exciting prop bets. Hockey fans can take advantage of regular free bet offers at FanDuel, and new customers can currently enjoy a $1,000 no sweat first bet. Sign up is quick and easy and FanDuel is one of the market-leading betting sites.
$1,000 No Sweat First Bet#2. DraftKings Sportsbook – Best Betting Site for NHL Bonuses
Much like FanDuel, DraftKings also started in fantasy sports and is now recognized as one of the best sports betting sites in the states. Online sportsbook users rate the popular platform highly for NHL betting with great sports betting market coverage and a huge variety of options for NHL bettors. DraftKings delivers a quality sports betting experience whatever the betting strategy. Consistently offering above-average NHL betting odds, the top online betting site sees big action during the NHL season. Bettors never need to miss an NHL game or a minute of the Stanley Cup playoffs with the DraftKings online sportsbook. Customers have access to regular promotions, including exclusive hockey bonuses.
Currently, DraftKings is offering bonus bets on the popular sport and a lucrative welcome bonus to new customers. Bettors signing up today can benefit from a 20% deposit bonus of up to $1,000 with this reputable operator. Check out our guide to the latest DraftKings pomo code and see how to claim the offer.
$1,000 Deposit Bonus#3. BetMGM Sportsbook – Best Betting Site for NHL Odds
The MGM name needs no introduction in the world of gambling, and the BetMGM Sportsbook upholds the operator’s noteworthy reputation. BetMGM is undoubtedly one of the best hockey betting sites for favorable odds all year round. The sports betting site offers extensive coverage of sports betting markets, and hockey bettors can kick off the season with a range of betting options. Game lines, spread bets, period lines, and totals to scoring props and interesting parlays, NHL bettors can add even more excitement to the sports betting experience.
Live betting odds are among the best on NHL betting markets, and customers can enjoy free bets for betting after signing up. Currently, there is a welcome offer of a bet credit up to $1,000 upon making an initial deposit when using the BetMGM Sportsbook promo code PLEDGE.
$1,000 In Bonus BetsBONUS CODE: PLEDGE#4. Caesars Sportsbook: Best Betting Site for NHL Betting Loyalty Rewards
The Caesars brand is as big online as it is on the strip and is the only sportsbook to come with Caesars rewards. NHL fans are regularly spoiled with offers and promo codes to enjoy sports betting on the NHL free or with boosted odds. With the acquisition of bookmaking giant William Hill, Caesars has secured its place among the best NHL betting apps with slick features, a variety of betting options, and above-average hockey odds. In a regular season, hockey bettors will find the sportsbook has great live betting options and broad betting limits. The online betting site comes with plenty of options for betting on an NHL game or the Stanley Cup, from puck line to exciting prop bets. New customers can take advantage of an incredible welcome offer of up to $1,250 first bet on Caesars.
First Bet Is On Caesars Up To $1,250BONUS CODE: PLEDGEFULL#5. PointsBet Sportsbook – Best Betting Site for NHL High Rollers
PointsBet offers a truly unique online sports betting experience. The popular hockey betting platform comes with a unique points-betting feature, an exciting form of spread betting exclusive to the operator. High rollers can benefit from the PointsBet “Game Day Guarantee,” which allows bettors to wager up to $10,000 even on game day for any NHL playoff game. Stanley Cup odds are usually decent on PointsBet, and futures lines are always good value. NHL bettors signing up to the Pointsbet Sportsbook get two bet credits up to $2,000 to enjoy this one-of-a-kind online sports betting experience.
Up To $2,000 In Bet CreditsTop NHL Betting Offers
For hockey fans, the only thing better than placing a bet on an NHL game is placing a free bet on an NHL game. The best betting sites recommended above often run fantastic promotions for betting on ice hockey, and loyalty pays off.
FanDuel is currently running offers on same game parlays, and there’s an early cash-out promo on NHL games. Bettors can also earn free bets by referring a friend or taking advantage of the FanDuel bet$5 get $150 in free bets offer.
DraftKings has an NHL rfree SGP promo at the moment that sees bettors reimbursed up to $10 if their SGP loses. Frequent sports bettors on the site can also earn instant rewards by completing exclusive missions on the rewarding sportsbook site or app. New users can claim a deposit bonus of up to $1,000 when registering with DraftKings.
BetMGM runs some great promos for NHL bets. Current customers can take advantage of BetMGM’s Overtime Insurance during the NBA playoffs. Through the NBA finals, bettors can receive their moneyline stake back if their team loses in overtime. There is also a bet credit free token up for grabs for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. When betting on a team to win the Stanley Cup Finals, bettors receive a bet credits free token for each round that the team advances in the playoffs. To sweeten the deal, new customers can claim an enticing $1,000 deposit bonus when signing up.
With one of the best loyalty programs across betting sites, NHL online betting with the Caesars Sportsbook is more rewarding than ever. Betting on hockey with the notorious online casino giant pays off for Caesars customers with Caesars Rewards, earning bettors free bets and exclusive discounts throughout the year. From regular profit boosts to same game parlay bet bonuses, Caesar’s users can bet on NHL games with boosted odds by claiming one of the many offers on the dedicated promos page. New customers can claim up to $1,250 on Caesars when placing an NHL bet on the Caesars sportsbook.
PointsBet spoils hockey fans with many opportunities to earn free bets with no rollover requirements either. There are currently offers on same game parlay bets, and customers get the opportunity to earn points with every bet on the unique betting site. PointsBet also features a fun “name a bet” option that gives bettors a chance to request a bet they’d like to see on the sportsbook in the future. The sign-up bonus is very generous, rewarding new customers with free bet credits of up to $2,000.
How We Rate the Best NHL Betting Sites
Safety and security come first when rating the best NHL betting site. Legal hockey betting sites like the recommended ones above can guarantee a much more secure platform than most unlicensed or offshore sites. Fast and effective banking, a high level of customer service, and consistently good odds are all important factors, but the best betting sites sport the most advanced features for NHL betting online, such as:
Easy to Navigate
The top betting sites for 2023 listed above are all designed with bettors in mind. All five sites present user-friendly interfaces and straightforward navigation. Accessing the NHL odds page couldn’t be easier, with a dedicated page for the highly followed sport and a convenient A-Z listing of other sports available for wagering on. The deposit and withdrawal process is easy and efficient on these sites, and upcoming hockey games are simple to view. Moneylines and other betting options are clearly presented, and betting slips remain open for the bettor’s convenience. Dedicated mobile apps are purpose-designed for portable devices and deliver all the ease and convenience associated with the desktop sites.
Wide Hockey Events Coverage
Bettors don’t need to miss a minute of action in a regular season with the NHL betting sites recommended here. The hockey coverage is extensive, and all major events are thoroughly covered. From the Eastern playoffs to the Western playoffs, bettors can see the biscuit in the basket at home or on the go with the NHL betting sites above. Stanley Cup coverage is excellent on the sites, and smaller events are not neglected either. From minor league to International Hockey leagues, barnburners are easy to come by on a top NHL betting site.
Timely NHL Offers
Whatever the betting strategy, taking advantage of a well-timed NHL offer can sway the odds in your favor. The five recommended sites on this page all feature dedicated promotions sections with regular offers for betting on the NHL. A free bet or two is a great way to break the ice on the season, whether you’re wagering on the Florida Panthers or the Toronto Maple Leafs. New customers are welcomed with huge welcome offers, while regular bettors are rewarded with odds boosts and free bets to wager on ice hockey throughout the year.
Hockey Live Betting & Streaming
Live betting or in-game betting is one of the most exhilarating forms of legal online sports betting available in the states. Hockey fans can wager on live hockey games and major events in real-time as the action unfolds with the top-recommended NHL betting sites. NHL games are streamed in high quality straight to users’ devices, meaning bettors can watch and wager from wherever they are. The best sites offer many options for betting on live sports and deliver the thrill of ever-changing betting lines as events in the game unfold. Live betting on playoffs is hugely popular among NHL betting enthusiasts, from puck line to prop bets, and sees more action than a Zamboni during the season.
NHL Betting Options
One of the most important features of a quality NHL betting site is the choice of bet types for the popular sport. There are many ways to wager on ice hockey on the recommended sportsbook sites and apps. Betting lines typically include moneylines, points spreads, and totals and bettors have many interesting side bet or prop options for wagering on the NHL:
- Moneylines: Moneylines or straight betting is NHL betting in its simplest form. A moneyline bet is a straightforward wager on the predicted winner.
- Over/Under Bets: With Over/Under betting or totals betting, bettors do not necessarily need to accurately predict the winner. Instead, stakes are made on the overall total points of both teams scored during a hockey game.
- Pucklines: Puck line betting is the NHL version of spread betting. This involves a handicap on the favorite, which result in more wagers on the underdogs.
- Prop Bets: NHL prop bets are side bets not necessarily relating to the overall outcome of a hockey game. Prop bets can include betting on hockey games, teams, and players, from who scores the first goal to whether the game ends in a tie.
- Futures: Future bets on the NHL are just as they sound. Bettors can wager on future or upcoming hockey events with huge payout potential. Placing future bets is a great way to keep NHL bettors entertained during the off-season, with options to already bet on who might win the next Stanley Cup or the first game of the NHL season.
- Parlay Bets: For seasoned bettors that thrive on a challenge, parlay betting is a highly popular angle. Parlay bets involve stringing together a series of bets or betting on multiple events, but the overall bet must be correctly predicted to win. Market-leading sites like the ones recommended come with a useful parlay-builder tool, and there are regular offers on same game parlays on the NHL.
- Live Betting: One of the most fast-paced and action-packed ways to wager on hockey, live betting allows bettors to place bets as action in the real-time game unfolds. Odds are dictated by events in the game as they occur, and there’s usually an early cashout option to quit while you win or cut losses if your team is having a bad day.
- Grand Salami: Grand salami betting is unique to hockey and baseball and involves betting on the total score for every hockey game being played that day. Bettors can wager on the over or under of the combined number of goals scored in all the hockey games played in a day.
Other Hockey Leagues & Events to Bet on
Although the NHL is by far the most betted upon of the hockey leagues, bettors are not limited to wagering exclusively on the National Hockey League. Other leagues to bet on include the American Hockey League, The East Coast Hockey League, The Federal Prospects Hockey League, The Southern Professional Hockey League, and the Kontinental Hockey League.
All hockey betting enthusiasts look forward to the NHL playoffs and the Stanley Cup, in particular, but there are other events to keep bettors entertained when it comes to ice hockey. Infamously, the Winter Olympics is well worth the four year wait to wager on world-class ice hockey at its best. Other major events include the world championships and the NCAA Ice Hockey Championship.
Real Money NHL Betting Sites FAQ
Where can I legally bet on the NHL?
Sports betting is currently legal in over half the states, with more states soon to follow suit. Bettors in legal states can bet on the NHL using the licensed and registered operators above by visiting the sites or downloading the sportsbook apps. FanDuel, for example, is available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, West Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Louisiana, and Wyoming while BetMGM is licensed in New Jersey, Colorado, Wyoming, New York, Arizona, Mississippi, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington DC (only at Nationals Park), Tennessee and Nevada.
Which are the best iOS and Android hockey betting apps?
The recommended sportsbooks on this page are all associated with dedicated mobile apps, making NHL betting on the go a seamless and slick experience. The best sportsbook apps on the mobile market for betting on ice hockey are, therefore:
- The FanDuel Sportsbook
- The DraftKings Sportsbook
- The BetMGM Sportsbook
- The Caesars Sportsbook
- The PointsBet Sportsbook
These highly rated sportsbooks are available for Android and iPhone via Google Play or the App Store. Some operators also offer direct download links on the sportsbook or casino site.
Should I use more than one hockey betting site?
It can be a smart betting strategy to take advantage of multiple NHL promotional offers across a variety of sportsbooks. Seasoned bettors with a sharp eye for odds can offset wagers against each other to ensure a favorable outcome. There are no restrictions on how many sportsbooks a bettor can register with, and all five of the recommended sites are worth a visit.
Which hockey betting sportsbook has the lowest juice?
Juice refers to the cut a sportsbook takes from a bet, like the house edge equivalent in sports betting. The lower the juice, the better the return to the bettors. Juice is also known as vigorish or vig, and finding the lowest vig sportsbooks or reduced juice betting sites is paramount to strategic sports betting. The five sites recommended are all fair and reputable, and there are other factors to consider alongside the vig, such as lucrative bonuses and above-average betting odds.
How much can I win at an NHL betting site?
The winning potential depends on the odds and the size of the wager. Betting on the underdog team, for example, sees much greater payouts than betting on the favorite. Futures bets on the NHL are particularly rewarding when they pay off, and a strong parlay will always stash the cash. Choosing the best value bets is the best long-term strategy when betting on ice hockey or any other sport.
How do I sign-up with an NHL sportsbook?
Creating an account with one of the top sportsbooks is a quick and easy process. There’s normally a prominent “sign-up” or “register” button, and only a few details are required to open an account, including a name, address, and password. Some operators may ask for additional identification, such as a social security number. Once the account is verified, bettors simply need to sign in to make the first deposit and, most importantly, claim a welcome bonus to kickstart NHL betting.