American sports have long been a staple of entertainment in the United States, but they’re becoming increasingly popular across the UK as well. From the Super Bowl to the Stanley Cup, fans are tuning in late at night to follow the action, and many are looking for ways to add extra excitement by placing bets. 

While football (soccer) remains the UK’s most wagered-on sport, bookmakers now offer comprehensive markets for American Football, Ice Hockey, Baseball, Basketball, and even Stock Car Racing. In this guide, you will discover the typical markets that UK betting sites will offer on the most popular American sports. 

American Football

The NFL is by far the most popular American sport for UK bettors. With regular-season games in London and growing TV coverage, the sport has developed a strong following.

Betting markets include:

• Moneyline: Betting on the outright winner.
• Point Spread (Handicap): The most common market, where one team starts with a points advantage/disadvantage.
• Totals (Over/Under): Wagering on the total number of points scored.
• Prop Bets: Options such as first touchdown scorer or passing yards for a quarterback.

Tip: Learn how the spread works, as it’s central to NFL betting.

Ice Hockey

The NHL provides fast-paced action and plenty of betting opportunities. With a dedicated UK fanbase, ice hockey markets are offered by most major bookmakers.

Popular bets include:

• Match Result (including OT and shootouts): Backing the winner after extra time.
• Puck Line: Similar to point spreads in NFL, usually set at -1.5/+1.5.
• Goals Over/Under: Betting on the total number of goals scored.
• Player Specials: Betting on goals, assists, or saves by individuals.

Tip: Keep an eye on goaltending lineups, as they can drastically affect game outcomes.

Baseball

Major League Baseball (MLB) has a slower pace, but it offers one of the most unique betting landscapes. With 162 games per team each season, there’s plenty of action.

Betting markets include:

• Moneyline: Picking which team will win.
• Run Line: A type of handicap, typically set at 1.5/+1.5 runs.
• Totals: Wagering on the number of runs scored in a game.
• Innings Betting: Markets for the first five innings are particularly popular.

Tip: Study starting pitchers, they are the most influential factor in MLB betting.

Basketball

The NBA is one of the fastest-growing US sports among UK bettors thanks to its global appeal. With high-scoring games and star-driven narratives, it offers dynamic betting opportunities.

Common markets:

• Spread Betting: A points handicap to balance teams.
• Totals: Over/Under on combined points are often very high compared to other sports.
• Player Props: Betting on points, rebounds, or assists by individual players.
• Quarter/Half Betting: Wagering on specific periods within the game.

Tip: Because of the pace and scoring frequency, in-play betting is particularly popular in basketball.

Stock Car Racing

While Formula 1 dominates UK motorsport betting, stock car racing, particularly NASCAR, has a dedicated following. Events are long and unpredictable, creating unique betting opportunities.

Markets include:

• Race Winner: Betting on the outright winner of a race.
• Top 3/Top 5 Finish: Backing a driver to place within a certain range.
• Head-to-Head: Betting on one driver to finish higher than another.
• Futures: Wagering on championship winners.

Tip: Track type (short track, superspeedway, road course) can hugely influence which drivers are likely to perform well.

Final Thoughts

Betting on American sports in the UK is more accessible than ever, with major bookmakers covering everything from NFL Sunday to the Daytona 500. Whether you prefer the tactical grind of baseball, the relentless scoring of basketball, or the high-speed drama of NASCAR, there’s a market to suit every fan.

As always, the key is preparation: understand the rules, learn the betting formats, and do your research before placing wagers. With the right approach, betting on American sports can add another layer of excitement to the action you already enjoy.