NHL bettors have a rich selection of sportsbooks to pick from and we’re here to help you make the right choice.
Best NHL Betting Sites 2024
When it comes to sports leagues in the US, the NHL is considered one of the big four, alongside the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Hockey is one of the most watched sports in the US – in 2023, 2.72 million Americans tuned into the Stanley Cup to watch the Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers. As the NHL features teams across the country and has millions of diehard fans, it is not surprising that betting markets light up on game day!
If you are looking for the best NHL betting sites, you are in the right place. We have tested all licensed NHL sportsbooks and narrowed down the list to an elite 5 sites, which you can see below. Also, don’t forget to check out our insider NHL betting strategies that you can try out on any of our recommended sportsbooks!
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Best NHL Betting Sites 2024
After putting every licensed NHL betting website through our exhaustive testing process, I have finally settled on 5 incredible NHL sportsbooks. All of these betting sites excel when it comes to odds, bonuses, ease of use, and overall NHL betting experience, check them out below!
#1. BetMGM
BetMGM is live in 20 US states and has live betting markets for every single NHL game. They have 10 + bet types, including the best odds for puck line and futures markets. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for classic NHL moneyline bets or exciting props, BetMGM has it all!
BetMGM regularly offers odds and parlay boosts for NHL games, and if you are a mobile bettor, they have an exceptional app that you can pick up from the App Store or Google Play. Sign up now and use our promo code: GAMBLEUSA to get your bonus bets for all NHL games!
As far as I am concerned, BetMGM is the number 1 NHL betting site. They always have a massive welcome bonus, and when it comes to playoff time, where I bet on nearly every series, their NHL odds boosts have netted me some impressive wins. I am also a big fan of BetMGM’s extra features like early cash-out, 24/7 customer support, and high betting limits.
Promocode:
GAMBLEUSA
1
Up To $1,500 First Bet Offer
- Superb range of sports
- Enticing rewards program
- Extensive catalogs of betting markets
#2. DraftKings
DraftKings is available in 21 US states and has the most NHL bet types we have come across. For every NHL game, including pre-season matchups, you can make moneyline, puck line, totals bets, as well as tons of player props like season total goals and goalie wins.
DraftKings is truly in a league of its own when it comes to live streaming and betting, you won’t find better dynamic odds anywhere! DraftKings also offers instant free deposits, and your winnings will hit your account in 48 hours. Register via the offer below and claim your awesome sign on bonus! You can use the bonus money to bet on all NHL games!
I keep coming back to DraftKings, thanks to their NHL markets. They really give you the flexibility to bet on all aspects of a game. I usually start the game with some pre-match puck line wagers, and before you know it, I am making live prop bets, which really adds excitement to games.
2
Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
- Accepts deposits as low as $5
- Hefty welcome and referral bonuses
- Available in 22 US States
#3. Caesars
Caesars Sportsbook is open in 26 US states and always has fantastic odds for NHL games, particularly for moneyline bets. The first thing you will notice about Caesars Sportsbook is just how well-designed their website is. Navigating their NHL markets is super fast, making Caesars ideal for live betting.
Caesars Sportsbooks also has an excellent range of bet types, including all of your classics like puck line and totals, as well as fun over/under bets on penalties, shots, and assists. Sign up and use the promo code: GUSAFULL and get 100% insurance on your first NHL bet!
I am obsessed with Caesar’s loyalty program. Not only do I get to bet on live NHL games and get awesome odds, but the more I bet, the more credits I earn, which I can use for free trips to Vegas. Massive hotels, suites, tickets to shows, and amazing feasts I have paid for 100% using Caesar’s credits.
Promocode:
GUSA1000
3
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
- Great Mobile App
- Brilliant Welcome Bonus
- Range Of Bet Types
#4. FanDuel
FanDuel is live in 19 US states and is one of the top NHL sportsbooks for a reason! FanDuel offers live betting and same-game parlays on all NHL games throughout the season. Their choice of game bet types is unmatched, ranging from puck line to correct score to will there be a draw.
FanDuel has a sleek mobile-optimized site with a lovely blue and white theme. They also have one of the best mobile apps out there that allows you to bet live on NHL games at the click of a button. Join FanDuel to get a no-sweat bet on any NHL game!
I am always on my phone, so I appreciate FanDuel’s mobile-optimized site and app. This sportsbook has way more NHL bet types than other sites, and their odds are typically better. FanDuel has always looked after me with lots of reload bonuses and odds boosts.
4
Bet $5, Get $150 In Bonus Bets
- Massive Choice of Sports
- Daily Odds Boosts
- Convenient Banking
#5. bet365
Bet365 burst onto the US scene in 2019, and is already amassing a huge following. The sportsbook has an exciting range of NHL bets, including player bets, props, specials and a bunch of futures with super low juice. I also tested out the parlay boost and won some of my NHL moneyline wagers through the bet365 Early Payout promotion – where bets are settled after your team goes ahead by 3 goals.
You c an follow all the action at bet365, from the regular season to the playoffs, and pick out lengthy odds on your pregame and futures bets. I couldn’t recommend the platform more, as it has great bonuses and a thrilling welcome offer for which you don’t need to make a huge deposit.
One of my buddies recently clued me up about bet365, and they have been my go-to NHL sportsbook ever since. My bankroll has been trending in the right direction thanks to their parlay boosts and odds boosts. I always like getting the Early Payouts when my team goes up by 3 goals.
5
Bet $5, Get $150 In Bonus Bets
- Great Welcome Bonus
- 20+ Sports to bet on
- Been operating since 2000
What Is the NHL?
The National Hockey League is the top tier of professional ice hockey in the US and Canada and features the best players from around the world. The NHL was established in 1917 in Montreal, Canada, and now features 32 teams, 7 Canadian franchises, and 25 American franchises.
Best NHL Teams
Back in 1917, the NHL had just four teams: the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Hockey Club, the Ottawa Senators, and the Montreal Wanderers. Incredibly, the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators still play in the NHL.
The Montreal Canadiens are the most successful NHL team of all time, winning a record 24 Stanley Cups. Unfortunately, the Canadiens haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1993, but they came oh-so-close in 2021, ultimately losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Detroit Red Wings are in second place with 11 Stanley Cups.
Other legendary NHL teams that consistently produce strong squads are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins. Most of the top teams are concentrated in Canada and the east coast of the US.
A number of recent expansion NHL teams have also had success in the league. The Vegas Golden Knights, who entered the league in 2017, won the Stanley Cup in 2023. Also, the Florida Panthers, who first played in the NHL in 1993, made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996 and 2003.
Who Are the Best NHL Players?
While the NBA has Michael Jordan, the NHL has Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky is the undisputed hockey GOAT and is even dubbed the “The Great One.” The Canadian played 20 seasons in the NHL and won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky has the record for the most number of NHL goals and single-season goals, assists, and total of points. Gretzky retired back in 1999, and now there is a new generation of stars, including:
- Connor McDavid
- Cale Makar
- Auston Matthews
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Leon Draisaitl
- Andrei Vasilevskiy
- Sidney Crosby
- Victor Hedman
- Aleksander Barkov
- Alex Ovechkin
How Much Do NHL Players Get Paid?
The average NHL salary is a very respectable $3.5 million per year. The minimum salary is a hefty $750,000, and the highest-paid player is Auston Matthews, who is raking in a mouth-watering $13.5 million per year, more than $1 million per month!
Despite NHL players earning the big bucks, it pales in comparison to the NBA, where the average salary is $8.5 million and the highest player in the league, Steph Curry, pulls in $51.9 million. But don’t feel too bad for NHL players, as the average player still earns 58 times more than the average American!
What Is the Stanley Cup?
The Stanley Cup is the Super Bowl of the NHL. Every year, the 16 best NHL teams progress to the playoffs, where they battle to make it to the Stanley Cup. Then, the two best teams compete in a best of 7 series to decide who is the NHL champion.
The Stanley Cup actually predates the NHL and was created back in 1892, and is named after former Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston. Prior to the NHL being formed in 1917, the Stanley Cup was handed to Canada’s top-ranking amateur hockey club.
How To Get Started on an NHL Betting Site
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to betting on NHL sites, and when picking a site to join, there is always a lot to consider. Here are a few aspects I always refer back to when rating NHL betting sites:
- NHL Betting Markets
- Ease of Use
- Generous Bonuses
- Mobile Betting App
- Customer Support
- Secure Payment Options
When you are ready, you can simply sign up for the site and then make your first deposit. Claim the welcome bonus too so that you can load up your account with a massive bankroll, and you are ready to start betting on NHL games.
Betting on NHL Games
Gone are the days when you could only make moneyline and spread NHL bets. Now, sportsbooks have extensive betting markets featuring 20 + bet types, including:
DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, bet365 and BetMGM each offer a massive share of hockey betting markets. If you are comfortable going into more detail with your bets and pick out alternative betting lines for your spreads or totals, you can squeeze the biggest returns out of your NHL game predictions.
If you are looking for more advanced betting options and some associated betting strategies, head on to our sports betting guide hub.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Online NHL betting is legal in many states across the US, and the number is growing every single year. If your state does not allow legal betting, then your safest bet is to check out some Daily Fantasy Sports sites. I would advise against looking at offshore sportsbooks as they have reputations for not paying out winnings. Check in on our list of legal US betting states, to stay up to date with all the movements and latest news in the US sports betting industry.
FAQs
Where to bet on NHL games?
The best sites to bet on NHL games are FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, PointsBet, and BetMGM. All of these platforms are licensed and offer NHL live betting, competitive odds, and some fantastic sign-up bonuses.
Are NHL betting sites legal and regulated?
NHL betting sites are legal and regulated in 28 US states. NHL betting sites have to apply for a sports betting license from each state authority and follow strict regulations relating to protecting players’ funds and data and offering fair and accurate odds/bonuses.
Can you bet on NHL preseason?
You can bet on all NHL preseason games at online betting sites like FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook. These licensed sportsbooks offer 20 + NHL wager types for preseason games, including spread, same-game parlays, props, and moneyline betting.
Can I bet on live NHL games?
You can bet live on all regular season and playoff NHL games, including the Stanley Cup. Live NHL markets are now standard at all top-rated sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel. You can make moneyline, totals, spread, and all kinds of prop bets live!
Are there any mobile apps for NHL betting online?
All of the biggest licensed sportsbooks in the US have free mobile apps for NHL betting. DraftKings and BetMGM have particularly well-designed apps with awesome features like early cash-out, live streams, same-game parlays, statistics, and NHL news. You can download these apps from Google Play or the App Store.
