Our 5 Best Hockey Betting Sites
#1 NHL Betting Site – Bet365
Bet365 have a generous welcome offer, NHL-specific promotions and a fantastic Bet Builder feature. We rate Bet365 as the best ice hockey betting site around. There are plenty of in-play markets, not to mention a live stream of most NHL games - simply make sure your Bet365 has a positive account balance to watch.
✅ Pros:
Great live betting platform and live streaming for most events.
Huge variety of betting lines to choose from.
Great odds for a variety of markets.
#2 NHL Betting Site – 888sport
888sport offer new customers a great welcome bonus as well as a range of ice hockey markets for punters to choose from, including bet boosts on selected special markets. 888sport also has live streamed graphics of most ice hockey matches alongside their in-play markets.
✅ Pros:
Easy to navigate website and mobile app
Wide range of markets
Good odds
Wide range of bonuses
#3 NHL Betting Site – William Hill
William Hill offer customers early cashout on many ice hockey betting markets, with in-play markets and live streamed graphics available for live games. With WHTV there is live streaming of all NHL games throughout the season; customers must have a positive account balance to be able to watch. There are also enhanced odds on selected NHL markets.
✅ Pros:
Long history in the industry
Odds boost for NHL bets
Great user interface
#4 NHL Betting Site – Tonybet
With oodles of selections available for NHL games,Tonybet has a lot to offer NHL fans. There is even a Bet Builder feature for NHL markets and early cash out available, with in-play betting also available.
✅ Pros:
Decent odds
Good user interface on the website and mobile app
Great range of markets
#5 NHL Betting Site – Betway
Betway have a generous welcome offer for new customers, plus a Free bet club that rewards regular customers. There are lots of betting markets available for NHL games, with early cash out available on some of them. Customers simply need to log in to be able to watch the live streams of in-play events. There are plenty of player special bets and prop bets to enjoy at Betway, so it is definitely worth considering when you are looking to place and NHL bet.
✅ Pros:
In-play betting
Great statistics center
How We Rank The Best NHL Betting Sites
To rank our top 5 NHL betting sites we used a long list of criteria. Below are each of our criteria and an explanation of what each of them means!
The Sign Up Process
The first element to joining a betting site is signing up. If the signup process is subpar then it may discourage you from continuing on the site. Each of the bookmakers listed above offers a fluid and easy signup process which allows users to quickly create an account without bother.
Depositing & Withdrawing
Depositing and withdrawing your funds is one of the most fundamental parts of sports betting, and having a fluid and useable system to deposit and withdraw quickly is very important. All of the bookmakers that we recommend have good deposit and withdrawal options and almost everyone on the list offers many different withdrawal options.
Odds
Arguably the most important aspect of a betting site at the end of the day is the odds. It is the equivalent of the "price" when considering anywhere else. Each of the sites listed above offers above average odds for betting on the NHL. If a site were to have below-average odds you will be either losing money more quickly or even in the best scenario winning more slowly over the long run compared to using above average odds.
Bonuses
Bonuses are one of the most entertaining parts of the betting experience and what betting sites can use to differentiate themselves from each other. Often providing each user with either bonus money, boosted odds, or Free bets to name just a few promotions can enhance a users betting experience.
In-Play betting
In-play, betting is one of the most exciting forms of betting due to the speed with which things can change. In-play betting allows you to place bets on the fly as the game goes on and includes micro markets which may be decided in the next minute or two, instead of placing them before the game starts and having to wait hours or even days for a result.
Betting Apps
A bookmaker having a good mobile App not only demonstrates their commitment to their customers but also allows their customers another level of functionality. Betting on the go or even just at home on the couch allows customers to have a more enjoyable betting experience and not be restricted to the inside of a bookmaker or sitting at a desk.
How to Bet on Hockey
Betting on hockey has several steps and if it's still something you're new to, it can be a little daunting the first time. In the guide below we show you the basics of discovering NHL bets on a betting site and how to place the one that you want.
Locate the NHL section of your chosen site. This can be done either by using the search bar built into most bookmakers' sites or by navigating to the hockey page down the available sport.
Choose your market. There are a wide variety of markets available for NHL games each of which is described and explained in detail in the next section!
Step 3) Choose your team and add the selection to a betslip.
Enter your stake amount and submit.
Types of NHL Bets
With a long list of markets available knowing the specifics of each available bet can be difficult. Below we list almost all of the major betting types for the NHL and explain how they work.
Moneyline Bets
Moneyline betting is essentially betting on the winner of the match. The major difference in ice hockey is that no draw can occur meaning that all bets for the winning team will be money line bets as opposed to sports like football where you can also bet on a draw.
Puck Line (Spread)
Puck line betting functions similarly to handicap betting. Due to the low-scoring nature of ice hockey, the favourite to win often gets -1.5 and the underdog gets +1.5. If you were to bet on the favourite to win they would need to win by 2 or more goals.
Over/Under (Totals)
Over/Under betting is essentially betting on certain statistics and whether they will be over or under a certain amount. For example, you can bet that there will be over 5 goals total in a match, or that there will be fewer than 2 penalties in a match.
NHL Prop Bets
A prop bet or "Proposal bet" is essentially betting on whether something will or won't happen in a game. For example, a certain player to score, assist, a certain player to take over or under a certain amount of shots etc. In hockey, there are many different types of prop bets and anyone who has a depth of player knowledge can use that to potentially really reap the rewards.
Total Goals
Total goals are as the title implies, betting on the total amount of goals scored in the match. Typically total goals scored as a bet comes in more/less than in a certain time frame (full match or extra time etc)
Correct Score
Correct score betting is a bet placed on the specific final score of the match. For example, placing a correct score bet saying that the Winnipeg Jets beat Washington Capitals 3-2. Your bet will only pay out if they beat them with that exact score.
Next Team to Score a Goal
As the name implies this bet is on the next team to score a goal. No matter the current score or any other statistic the next team which scores a goal is the only important factor. This bet is found when In play betting otherwise it would be the first team to score a goal.
Parlay
Parlay betting on the NHL works identically as it does for almost every other sport. Parlay betting also known as accumulators or combo bets essentially links together two or more individual bets into one bet where all bets involved must come back winning for there to be any payout.
Top Hockey Tournaments To Bet On in 2024
Ice hockey is a popular sport around the world as well as being an Olympic sport, the NHL plays for hundreds of thousands of viewers each year and is the biggest hockey tournament.
Event |
Schedule |
|---|---|
National Hockey League (NHL) |
October 23 - April 24 |
National Hockey League (NHL) |
October 24 - April 25 |
American Hockey League |
October 24 - April 25 |
Swedish Hockey League |
September 24 - March 25 |
Stanley Cup Final |
June 2024 |
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League also known as the NHL is the biggest ice hockey tournament worldwide. With 32 teams comprising 25 American and 7 Canadian teams, it is considered to be the top-ranking ice hockey tournament in the world and is one of the big 4 American sports leagues.
Champions Hockey League
The Champions Hockey League or CHL is considered to be the top level of European ice hockey. Similarly to the NHL, the CHL consists of 32 teams and is considered to be Europe's greatest hockey league.
The Olympic Games
The Olympic games occur once every 4 years and feature Ice hockey as one of its many major sports. With international teams competing against each other to be crowned the best in the world, the Olympics is a highly competitive tournament.
The Stanley Cup finals
The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. The trophy is named after Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, Lord Stanley of Preston, who purchased the original silver cup that became the Stanley Cup in 1893.
Hockey NHL Betting Tips & Strategies
Betting is a complicated task and can be difficult at times. Below we compiled a variety of tips and strategies that you can employ when betting on NHL games!
Bet on Teams or Players You Know Most About
Betting on teams or players you know the most about is easily one of the best tips when it comes to betting on both the NHL (and most other sports). Having knowledge of a team or players gives you a huge edge when it comes to betting. For example, if you know a specific player is known to take a massive amount of shots on goal then placing a bet for that player to be shooting lots is obviously a good idea. If you know a team is prone to second-half comebacks, carefully paying attention to odds while live betting and being prepared to bet on that second-half win could be lucrative.
Dime or Nickel Lines
This is an Americanism and it is referring to the odds that a bookmaker is offering. American bookmakers traditionally pick a handicap that can be given to one team, perhaps 1.5 goals, and from that point on the chances of each side winning are now 50/50 (or very close to it). The word "Dime" in American language means 10 cents, and "Nickle" means 5 cents. A Dime line is one that has a 10 cent margin for every dollar you wager, a Nickle line will have just a 5 cent margin and is therefore much better odds. In practical terms, it means that for the same bet one bookmaker is giving you odds of 1.95 and the other odds of 1.9 only.
League Coverage
For UK online sports betting sites ice hockey betting is not top of their list of priorities because there are just not that many hockey bettors. If you are hockey betting though you will want an NHL betting site that covers as many games as possible and have as many betting options as possible, to give you the maximum amount of bet options.
Best NHL Betting Apps
The best NHL betting apps (not surprisingly) are correlated to the best NHL betting sites. Each of the best betting sites for the NHL offers betting apps with identical functionality and useability. Listed below are each of the apps again and the ways they can benefit you over using the site!
#1 NHL Betting App – Bet365
The Bet365 app offers identical functionality and useability as their website. With the only real difference is that the app is in landscape and the website is in portrait. Other than that the two are identical in almost every way. The main bonus that comes from using the Bet365 mobile app is the ability to play while on the move no matter where you are or what time the game is on. The ability to be notified when a game is starting and a variety of other information about your bets are massive advantages for when in-play betting and Bet365 offer this functionality.
Pros:
Easy to navigate app
Bet Boosts available for selected NHL markets
NHL-specific promotions
Cons:
Customers must have a positive account balance to watch live streams
To Download the App click below:
#2 NHL Betting App – 888sport
888Sport offers a polished app with a great user experience. The user interface functions excellently and is easy to navigate. The 888sport App also offers the ability to receive notifications for a variety of different actions when betting.
Pros:
Easy to navigate app
Bet Builder feature for NHL games
Comprehensive stats available for each NHL game
Cons
Lack of enhanced odds for NHL bets
To Download the App click below:
#3 NHL Betting App – William Hill
William Hill is one of the oldest registered bookmakers in the UK and has an App that oozes class. With an easy-to-use and easy-to-navigate user interface and a very smooth and well-optimised bet process, it is a great tool. The William Hill app is a great aid for betting at home or on the go.
Pros:
Smooth running app
Live video streaming for customers with a positive account balance
Enhanced odds on NHL special bets
Cons:
NHL events could be marked more clearly
To Download the App click below:
#4 NHL Betting App – Betway
The Betway App is one of the best-reviewed Bookmaker apps on the app store. With a whole host of excellent features and incredible useability, the app deserves its almost 5-star rating. Including the same functionality as the website, the app allows users access to statistics, on-the-go live betting, and notifications when a variety of events occur.
Pros:
Live video streaming of NHL games available
Easy to navigate app
NHL player specials and prop bets available
Cons:
Some screens can be slow to load
To Download the App click below:
In-Play Betting On NHL
In-play betting on the NHL works in exactly the same way as other sporting events. By allowing users to place bets midgame, Live betting opens up a whole new realm of fun even opening allowing them to make a range of different bets as well as place previously unavailable bets that can only be placed live. An integral part of in-play betting is that the NHL odds change as the game goes on (and the movements will depend on the state of play). This allows the opportunity to take advantage of sporting knowledge and make well-informed bets with an upper hand.
Best Hockey Betting Offers
There are not a huge number of specific NHL betting offers and promotions but there are a large number of bookmaker bonuses that can be used for NHL bets. We will look at the most common ones below.
Free bets
The most common type of bookmaker reward which you are likely to find at an online sportsbook is Free bet offers. These are most likely to be found as part of a welcome bonus and will involve depositing and wagering a certain amount at certain odds, then you receive the Free bets. It is highly likely that you will be able to use NHL betting markets to both qualify for the Free bets and also when you use the Free bets.
Sometimes you get Free bets as an existing user when a betting site tries to encourage an inactive customer to return, and these can be either "no deposit" Free bets or "Deposit" Free bets. These too can be used on NHL betting odds unless it is specifically stated otherwise.
Acca Insurance
A promotional bonus that has become popular with online sports betting sites in recent years is "Acca Insurance". Now as the name suggests this bonus involves placing an Acca, and the exact terms and conditions will vary but as a general rule the Accumulator bet must have at least four legs and minimum odds of at least 3/1. Then should just one leg of your Acca let you down, the "Acca Insurance" means that your stake amount is returned to you either as cash or as a Free bet. During the NHL season there is no reason why NHL bettors can not use hockey odds to qualify for this offer.
Price Boosts
In order to encourage their customers to place specific bets an online sportsbook will boost the odds of certain odds. The betting markets that they choose is random really and ultimately up to them but a good NHL betting site will boost hockey bets at least some of the time.
Loyalty Schemes
It is worth looking for an NHL betting site that has a loyalty or reward scheme of some kind to give you something back at the end of the week or the end of the month. Each scheme will vary in the specifics but commonly after wagering a certain amount of a certain type of bet there will be either Free bets or Free spins or even cash credited to your betting account.
Payment Options at NHL Betting Sites
Depositing and Withdrawing are two of the most important features of a betting site. Making sure bookmakers provide users access to good withdrawal options is imperative.
Debit Cards
The most common way (and indeed the recommended way) to deposit into an online sports betting site these days is to use a debit card issued to you via your bank. In doing so you will find deposits almost always instant and free, withdrawals instant if your bank is part of the "Visa Fast Funds" scheme, and importantly you will be eligible for all of the promotional bonuses that are on offer. All NHL sportsbooks that we have listed on legalbet.uk will accept debit cards to fund your account.
Bookies that accept Debit Cards
Credit Cards
It is no longer possible to deposit into any UK licenced online betting site using a credit card.
PayPal
PayPal is probably the most widespread deposit method out of all the E-wallets mainly due to its link with eBay. There are some advantages to using PayPal because it will keep any gambling transactions you make off your main bank statements and it can be used to easily ringfence your betting bankroll to help prevent spending more than you can afford.
Skrill
The other E-wallet worth considering is Skrill. It comes with all the advantages that PayPal has with instant deposits and quick withdrawals, a layer of privacy not available from using a bank account and the ability to easily allocate specific gambling funds. An additional benefit some people may find use in is the ability to use Skrill as a complete financial package. They provide a day to day bank account with a real debit card, easy money transfers at competitive rates all around the world, and even the ability to buy cryptocurrencies as well.
Betting Sites With NHL Bonuses
Star Sports
If you are NHL betting then there is a great bonus waiting for you at Star Sports. NHL bettors get 50% of their stake refunded if their selection is beaten in overtime as a Free bet. For anyone NHL betting this could be a very nice consolation, especially given the competitive odds available at Star Sports anyway.
Best Hockey (NHL) Betting Sites Comparison
| Bookmaker
|
Welcome Bonus
|
Best NHL Offer
|
NHL Bet Builder
|
Live Streaming
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365
|
Yes
|
Early Payout Offer |
Yes
|
Yes - with a funded account or bet placed within 24 hours |
| 888sport
|
Yes
|
Acca Club |
Yes
|
No
|
| William Hill
|
Yes
|
Enhanced Odds |
No
|
Yes - with a funded account |
| Tonybet
|
No
|
Cash Out |
Yes
|
No
|
| Betway
|
Yes
|
Free Bet Club |
No
|
Yes - just log in! |
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of UK NHL sportsbooks that offer odds all through the season. There are a large number of betting markets offered and it is certain that you will be able to place bets on a game involving your NHL team. The exact bookmaker that is the best for you will differ from one person to the next, but we hope this guide has helped you in finding the one that is right for you.
Top betting sites
By Sport: Football | Tennis | Boxing | Cricket | Snooker | Golf | UFC | Darts | Greyhound | Rugby | Horse Racing | Basketball | Baseball | Formula 1 | Ice Hockey (NHL) | Volleyball | Cycling | Netball | AFL
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes absolutely! Betting on NHL games is offered by a huge variety of the most well-renowned bookmakers in the UK all of which are licensed by the gambling commission.
Real Money wagers can be placed on NHL games from your phone using any one of the apps listed above! As well as those listed above almost every major bookmaker offers a mobile app or mobile site of some sort so placing real money wagers from your phone is absolutely possible.
Although this question does depend on the site you are playing at, every major site which is licensed by the gambling commission can reasonably be described as "safe". Regardless it is still essential to never gamble (or even deposit) money that you can not afford to lose.
You can bet on the NHL playoffs on any of the bookmakers we listed above! Betting on the playoffs is also available on a variety of other sites however those listed above are our picks for some of the best!
Although it depends from site to site, almost every major bookmaker offers both Visa and Mastercard Debit as well as some E-Wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.
The best way to bet on the NHL is purely opinion based so essentially only you will know what is best for you. It can be said however that with a wide variety of excellent Apps and Sites available you are spoilt for choice and will have fun searching for what is best for you.
The Puck Line is a market offered on most bookmakers' sites. When betting on the Puck Line you are essentially betting on whether there will be more or less than a set amount of goals. For example, you can bet that there will be more or less than 4 total goals in a match. The winning result is 2-1 and you are a winner!
In our opinion, the best app to bet on the NHL with is the Bet365 app due to its excellent usability, high-quality user interface, excellent range of markets, high odds and good in-play betting service.
