• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

NFL Betting Lines Set Earlier Than Ever

  • NFL betting lines are being set earlier than ever.
  • With sports betting becoming more popular and available, incentives have shifted for sportsbooks.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The NFL season doesn’t start until September, but you can bet on it now.

Sports betting has gone from niche to mainstream phenomenon practically overnight, as more and more states legalize it. The interest of sportsbooks has shifted from setting a stable and accurate betting line to claiming market share.

Traditionally, sportsbooks would wait at least until after the NFL Draft and the season schedule reveal before setting their lines on team win totals and other wagers. And when Las Vegas was the only real hub of legal sports betting in the U.S., the market size was contained.

Now that people can place sports bets in around half the states in the country, the race for customers is on, and NFL win totals are among the more popular lines to bet on

As a result, sportsbooks are embracing earlier-than-ever betting opportunities — with all the increased risk and reward that entails.

The sector, still in its early stages, is poised for huge growth. JPMorgan estimated in February that sports betting will grow sixfold from its $1.5 billion 2020 revenue to $9.2 billion in 2025.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ex-Steelers RB Najee Harris Shades Pittsburgh’s Facilities

Harris heaped praise on the Chargers facilities, in apparent contrast to Pittsburgh’s.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Fanatics End 10-Month-Long Legal Battle

Fanatics initially filed the lawsuit last May for breach of contract.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.

As NFL’s QB Carousel Spins, Even Backups Are Getting Big Money

Daniel Jones signed a $14 million deal with the Colts.
Behind the scenes with NBC's TODAY show at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

NBC, Olympics Reach $3 Billion Rights Extension

The Olympics will remain on NBC through at least 2036.

Featured Today

Auburn Tigers guard Miles Kelly (13) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half in SEC basketball at Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025

The SEC’s Ascent to Men’s Basketball Supremacy

The league brought its football pageantry and power to college hoops.
San Diego Wave FC falls to Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA on April 29, 2023.
March 14, 2025

The New Tailored Approach to Women’s Sports Uniforms

For new women’s sports leagues, every detail is custom.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion
March 9, 2025

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Moolah Kicks
March 8, 2025

Breaking the Mold: The Brands Designing Footwear Specifically for Female Athletes

New companies are laser focused on changing the women’s athletic footwear landscape.
Mar 10, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Jacob Melton (76) steals second base past Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) in the second inning during spring training at TD Ballpark.

MLB Asks CFTC to Ensure ‘Integrity’ of Bets on Exchanges Like Kalshi

The CFTC is reviewing the legality of sports event contracts.
Jan 17, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles past Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) in the second half at Frost Bank Center.
February 21, 2025

Fanatics Pays Out and Refunds Wembanyama Bets After Injury Ends Season

Fanatics applied its Fair Play rule to bets related to Wembanyama winning awards.
March 5, 2025

Nevada Orders Kalshi to Shut Down Sports Markets

Kalshi has not taken down the markets yet.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Jon Batiste
February 10, 2025

Sportsbooks Split on Hotly Disputed Super Bowl National Anthem Prop Bet

FanDuel and DraftKings split on the national anthem duration.
Andy Reid
February 9, 2025

Sportsbooks Call for Tighter Regulations on Prediction Markets

Sports betting and sports event contracts are treated differently—for now.
Josh Allen
February 6, 2025

Polymarket Whale Made Huge Late Bets On Josh Allen Winning NFL MVP

Allen’s odds skyrocketed from the 50s to over 90% on Thursday afternoon.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles helmets at the Caesars Superdome prior to Super Bowl LIX.
February 6, 2025

Amid ‘Record’ Super Bowl Betting, Market’s Two Largest Forces Still Reign

FanDuel and DraftKings still dominate the ever-expanding space.