Best 2023 College Football Betting Sites: How To Bet & Best Promos
The best college football betting sites for the 2023 season are Caesars Sportsbook, bet365 Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook, and BetRivers Sportsbook. As the regular season comes to a close, each sportsbook offers odds and betting options for all of the upcoming games. This applies through to the postseason, which is highlighted by the College Football Playoff and the crowning of a national champion.
Down below, the LSR experts go over the top college football betting sites and experiences while reviewing the best features of each. There’s also information on how you can sign up to wager in states in which college football betting is legal, details on the best available sportsbook bonuses, important dates to know, and more.
Best local online sportsbooks with college football betting promos
5 best college football betting sites
We consider several factors to determine the best college football betting sites. During our grading process, we take a look at areas like available wagering options, the competitiveness of odds and lines, banking options and payout speeds, customer service, and welcome bonuses.
- Caesars Sportsbook (4.8/5) — best for spread betting
- BetMGM Sportsbook (4.7/5) — best welcome bonus
- Bet365 Sportsbook (4.6/5) — best ongoing promos
- BetRivers Sportsbook (4.5/5) — best variety of bets
- FanDuel Sportsbook (4.5/5) — best sportsbook app
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars is a leader in legal online sports betting. Bettors will find all of the bets that they could ask for with college football, as well as a solid welcome bonus. Once you click on the NCAAF icon, you’ll see the full menu of upcoming games, as well as a host of future bets.
The experience on both web and mobile is similar, with the latter seeing some consistent improvement over time. Caesars also has a dedicated tab for odds boosts. During our test run, available boosts for college football included a wager on three teams to cover the spread and another for four outright winners on the moneyline.
| Welcome bonus | Top college football features | App rating |
| Bet $50, get $1,000 in bonus bets (Promo code LSR1000) | – Regular odds boosts – TD scorer over/under bets in select markets | 4.6 (iOS) 4.3 (Android) |
Caesars Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IN, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA & WV.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM has been working toward gaining market share with a solid online and mobile product. The sportsbook offers a range of betting options and wagers. On the college football side, bettors will find a clean layout of all of the games, as well as an “easy parlay” feature for building multi-leg wagers.
Once you click an individual game listing, there’s a clean layout of all of the available bets, such as the main game lines, props, and alternate lines. During our review, we found a few futures that you won’t see everywhere else, including on teams to make the ACC, Big 12, or Pac-12 championship games.
| Welcome bonus | Top college football features | App rating |
| Up to $1,500 in bonus bets (Bonus code PLAYLSR) | – Easy parlay builder – Rare futures bets | 4.8 (iOS) 3.7 (Android) |
BetMGM Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY – Note: Offer not available in DC, MS, NV or NY.
Bet365 Sportsbook
Bet365 is one of the biggest global brands in online sports betting. The company is aiming to become the same in the US and has been steadily expanding its reach. Competitive college football odds and a wide selection of wagers are among its strong points.
There are regular bet boosts available for college football, as well as prebuilt parlays on select games. In addition to the sign-up bonus, bet365 has several other recurring promos, including a potential early payout for specific wagers.
| Welcome bonus | Top college football features | App rating |
| Bet $1, get $150 in bonus bets (Bonus code LSRVA) | – Regular bet boosts – Prebuilt parlays | 4.7 (iOS) 4.6 (Android) |
Bet365 Sportsbook is available in the following states: CO, IA, KY, LA, NJ, OH & VA.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers offers an easy-to-use platform that still manages to contain a good number of features. The sportsbook also participates in an established rewards program, and college football bettors will find competitive odds on the website and app.
If you click an individual game listing, you’ll see one of the key areas in which BetRivers stands out. In addition to a clean layout of all of the available wagers, there are also game-specific details, such as recent trends and betting records for both sides.
| Welcome bonus | Top college football features | App rating |
| Second-chance bet up to $500 (Bonus code LSRRIV) | – Regular assortment of house specials – Betting tips and trends | 4.4 (iOS) 3.2 (Android) |
BetRivers Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, OH, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has also emerged as a leader in sports betting. A clean layout and visually appealing app have helped it become a go-to for bettors. You’ll find a wide selection of bets and competitive odds and lines for all of the upcoming games.
Ease of use is an area in which FanDuel really shines. Bettors can smoothly sort through matchups and futures and build same-game parlays with ease. There are even dedicated tabs for current player props.
| Welcome bonus | Top college football features | App rating |
| Bet $5 on any Money Line, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins. (No promo code necessary – click here) | – Same-game parlays – Player props in select markets | 4.8 (iOS) 4.7 (Android) |
FanDuel Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY.
College football sportsbook ratings
While reviewing the best college football betting sites, we also consider the public perception of each sportsbook. Here’s how the top five rank on the two major mobile marketplaces.
| Sportsbook | Apple App Store | Google Play |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.8 | 3.7 |
| Bet365 Sportsbook | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 4.4 | 3.2 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 4.8 | 4.7 |
How we rank the top college football betting sites
The promotional links on this page will take you directly to online sportsbooks that are legal and regulated in the states in which they operate. Legal Sports Report provides thorough reviews and only promotes top sportsbooks in the legal market. All the books we review must follow responsible gambling guidelines and implement betting limits that users can set.
Sportsbook rankings are based in part on direct experiences from the LSR staff. Among the items that we dig into are how the sportsbooks operate on various platforms and the overall user experience. We also take a detailed look at other important features, including how the promotions compare and the accessibility and helpfulness of customer service.
How to sign up for college football betting sites
- Begin by choosing where you want to bet. You’ll find a list of top legal online sportsbooks above, along with information on the current betting promotions they have available for new customers. If you see an option that you’re interested in, just click on the “play now” button to get started. Age and eligibility requirements may vary by location, and you also need to be located in a state where sports betting is legal and where that particular book is licensed.
- Create an account. The sign-up process is generally quick and painless. Just follow the prompts and enter the necessary information, a list that includes things like your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. This is all standard practice when signing up to bet at a legal online sportsbook, as the book needs to verify your identity.
- Download the app. If you sign up for an account via your computer and plan to wager on your mobile device as well, then take the time to download the sportsbook app to your device. Next, enable geolocation so that the sportsbook can confirm that you are within one of the states in which it operates.
- Add money to your account. The dedicated cashier section will walk you through the process. This also may be the point where you are able to claim any welcome bonuses.
- Choose your bet. Locate the college football odds section on the sportsbook and check out all of the upcoming games and betting options. If you come across a bet that you’re interested in, click on the odds to add the wager to your betting slip.
- Place your wager. Once your bet is on the slip, you’ll add in how much you want to bet, confirm that everything is correct, and place your bet. You can keep track of your wagers in the open bets section of your account.
Choosing the best college football betting sites
When deciding on the best NCAAF betting sites, LSR reviews a number of factors. Before signing up, it’s a good idea to do the same. Here are some of the key areas to look into:
Bonuses
Many legal online sportsbooks have bonuses available for new players, examples of which appear at the top of this page. Beyond the amount of the bonus, take a look at the details, such as playthrough requirements and general terms and conditions.
Live betting
Once the games begin, it’s great to have the option of being able to react in real time to what’s happening on the field. If you’re interested in live betting, make sure it’s available where you want to bet, and also try to get a feel of the responsiveness of the platform.
Odds boosts
In addition to bonuses, many sportsbooks offer a regular array of odds boosts, while others may be lacking on this front. Take the time to scroll through the current promotions to get a feel for which books hit the mark most often.
Additional types of bets
Make sure that all of the bets that you’re interested in are available and easily accessible at your chosen sportsbook. The main game lines and futures odds appear at all of the top books, but offerings may vary when it comes to things like props and alternate lines.
College football betting terms
Here are some of the standard terms that you’ll come across as you get set to wager on college football:
- Moneylines: When betting on the moneyline, you are simply choosing which side you think will win the game. There are odds on both sides — negative for favorites and positive for underdogs — and the range between the numbers indicates how close the sportsbook expects the matchup to be. If the team you pick goes on to win the game, you win.
- Point spreads: For an additional strategy component, you can bet on the spread, which is a line that the sportsbook sets to level the playing field from a betting perspective. You can bet on the favorite minus the spread number or the underdog plus the number. The side that you select has to cover the spread for you to win the bet.
- Totals: Sportsbooks will also set a total for each game, representing a benchmark of combined points in that game. Bettors can then wager on the actual total score ending up over or under that line. Totals for college football games can range from the high 30s all the way up to 60-plus points.
- Props: A prop bet is a side wager on a smaller aspect within a game, such as on the accomplishments of an individual player or team, or something that may or may not happen during the game or by its conclusion.
- Yardage: In comparison to other sports, player props are limited for college football and not available in all states where sports betting is legal. Yardage props for key players, in an over/under format, are the most common option that you’ll come across.
- Team props: A team prop could be based on scoring, yardage, or another quantifiable stat.
- Game props: The menu for game props includes the exact margin of victory, the possibility of a shutout, and more.
- Parlays: A parlay is a multi-leg wager in which you include multiple selections on the same betting slip, such as a pair of moneyline bets. For you to win your parlay, all of the selections that you’ve included on the slip have to be correct.
- Futures: A futures bet is a long-term wager on a season-long outcome. Odds for the top college football futures will generally come out over the offseason.
- National championship: You can wager on the winner of the national championship via the futures market. Odds will be available for all of the teams in advance of the season, ranging from favorites down to extreme long shots.
- Heisman Trophy: The winner of the Heisman Trophy is another popular attraction for college football futures. Sportsbooks will have odds for all of the top contenders, and the numbers will fluctuate in response to betting action and the performance of the candidates as the season plays out.
- Regular season wins: Before the season kicks off, many sportsbooks will release regular season win total lines for college football teams. Bettors can then place over/under bets on those lines.
Upcoming college football dates
The college football season is in progress. Here are some of the key dates to look forward to the rest of the way:
- Dec. 16: College football bowl season begins.
- Jan. 1: College Football Playoff.
- Jan. 8: CFP national championship game.
State-by-state college betting rules
Individual states can set their own rules for sports betting, and some states have imposed specific restrictions related to betting on college sports.
| State | Launch date | Restrictions | Legal betting age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | September 2021 | No college prop bets. | 21 |
| Colorado | May 2020 | No college prop bets. | 21 |
| Connecticut | October 2021 | No betting on in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). | 21 |
| Illinois | June 2020 | Can wager on in-state college teams only with pregame, in-person bets. | 21 |
| Indiana | October 2019 | Pregame prop betting only. | 21 |
| Iowa | August 2019 | No prop bets on individual college athletes. | 21 |
| Kansas | September 2022 | None. | 21 |
| Maryland | November 2022 | None. | 21 |
| Massachusetts | March 2023 | No betting on in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). | 21 |
| Michigan | January 2021 | None. | 21 |
| Nevada | 2010 | None. | 21 |
| New Hampshire | December 2019 | No betting on in-state college teams or events. | 18 |
| New Jersey | August 2018 | No betting on in-state college teams or events. | 21 |
| New York | January 2022 | No betting on in-state college teams. | 21 |
| Ohio | January 2023 | None. | 21 |
| Oregon | October 2019 | Must place college bets in person at a retail sportsbook. | 21 |
| Pennsylvania | May 2019 | No prop bets on college athletes. | 21 |
| Rhode Island | September 2019 | No betting on in-state college teams or events. | 18 |
| Tennessee | November 2020 | No prop bets on college athletes or in-game college props of any sort. | 21 |
| Virginia | January 2021 | No college prop bets or betting on in-state college teams. | 21 |
| Washington, DC | June 2020 | No betting on college games taking place in the district or colleges that call the district home. | 18 |
| West Virginia | August 2019 | None. | 21 |
| Wyoming | September 2021 | None. | 18 |
College football betting FAQs
Is it legal to bet on college football?
It’s legal to bet on college football in states in which sports betting is legal and regulated. State rules on wagering on in-state teams and prop bets for college sports vary, so be sure to understand all of the rules and regulations in your state.
Can you bet on college football online?
College football is available for betting at legal online sportsbooks. To wager online, you must be located in a state where online betting is legal, and you must be of legal betting age in that state.
What is the best way to bet on college football?
The best way to bet on college football is to begin by choosing the wager(s) that align best with your risk tolerance and overall knowledge. There is no single way that’s better than others or any bet that’s necessarily easier to win consistently.
Are college football spreads easier to beat than the NFL?
Spread betting is challenging in both college football and the NFL. One is not necessarily easier than the other, but it is possible that you’ll find that your wagering style aligns better with one of the two options. Additionally, if you have a better understanding of one than the other, that may also play a factor.
What’s the easiest way to be profitable with college football betting?
There are no guarantees when it comes to sports betting. As such, there are no easy ways to be profitable. When wagering on college football or any other sport, it’s always a good idea to track your results to gain a sense of where you are having the most success or coming up short.