Is it legal to bet on MLS?

The legality of betting on MLS depends on your location. In many regions, sports betting, including MLS, is legal and regulated. However, it’s essential to be aware of your local laws regarding online gambling. Ensure you use licensed and authorized sportsbooks to comply with legal requirements and enjoy a secure betting environment.

Where can I bet on MLS?

You can bet on MLS through various online sportsbooks. Reputable platforms like Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and others offer a wide range of MLS betting markets. Ensure you choose a licensed and regulated sportsbook with a good reputation to ensure a safe and secure betting experience.

What are the best MLS bets today?

The best MLS bets for any given day depend on current team form, player availability, and other relevant factors. Popular MLS bets include match outcomes (win, lose, draw), over/under goal totals, and player-specific bets. To find the best MLS bets today, consider researching recent team performances, injury updates, and expert analyses to make informed betting decisions.

How does MLS betting odds work?

MLS betting odds represent the probability of a specific outcome in a match. Odds are typically presented in three formats: fractional, decimal, and moneyline. Understanding odds is essential for calculating potential winnings. The favorite has lower odds, indicating a higher probability of winning, while the underdog has higher odds, suggesting a lower likelihood of success.

What is a safe MLS bet?

A safe MLS bet refers to a wager with a higher likelihood of success, minimizing potential risks. This often involves betting on favorites, considering team form, player injuries, and other relevant factors. Research and analysis play a crucial role in identifying safe MLS bets, allowing bettors to make informed decisions.

What benefits come with utilizing offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie for MLS betting?

Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie offer advantages such as broader MLS betting options, competitive odds, and diverse promotions. These platforms often provide a user-friendly experience with a wide range of betting markets.

How do state regulations influence the availability of MLS betting bonuses on offshore sportsbooks?

State regulations can impact the availability and nature of MLS betting bonuses on offshore sportsbooks. While these platforms may offer enticing bonuses, users should be aware that state-specific regulations may influence the types and amounts of bonuses available in certain regions.

What MLS betting markets tend to be popular on platforms like Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie?

Popular MLS betting markets on platforms such as Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie include match outcomes, player-specific bets, prop bets, and various in-play options. These sportsbooks strive to provide a comprehensive selection to cater to diverse betting preferences.

Can I engage in MLS betting using offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, or MyBookie?

Yes, you can participate in MLS betting through offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, or MyBookie. These platforms offer MLS betting options, providing users with a variety of markets, competitive odds, and convenient betting interfaces.

Is MLS betting legal in California, Florida, and Texas when using offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, or MyBookie?

The legality of MLS betting in California, Florida, and Texas using offshore sportsbooks depends on the specific state regulations. Users should be aware of the legal landscape in their respective states and adhere to local laws regarding online sports betting. It’s advisable to stay informed about any legal developments in these regions.

Top MLS Betting Sites: Expert Reviews & Tips

MLS Cup 2024
Inter Miami	+138	+140	+150
Los Angeles Galaxy	+400	+380	+350
Los Angeles FC	+650	+650	+650
FC Cincinnati	+900	+900	+900
Seattle Sounders FC	+1200	+1200	+1200
Columbus Crew	+1400	+1400	+1400
New York Red Bulls	+1600	+1600	+1600

The 2024 MLS Season

The 2024 Major League Soccer season is here! The new campaign kicked off on February 25th, and soccer fans everywhere are all hyped to see if Los Angeles FC can hold onto the MLS Cup once again.

This season’s going to be even more intense with the addition of St. Louis City SC to the Western Conference, bringing the total number of teams in the MLS to 29. The West now has 14 clubs, while the East has 15, with Nashville SC moving back to the Eastern Conference.

As for the teams to watch out for, Inter Miami is the top contender to defend their title–and all major bookies have them as the number one pick. However, the Philadelphia Union, are also strong contenders, with odds of +600 to win the cup. Could these two teams face off in 2024 for another epic MLS final?

When it comes to the 2024 MLS MVP award, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami might be the one to keep an eye on. He was a runner-up last year after scoring an impressive number of goals last season, and now he’s the heavy favorite to take home the honors this year.

Gone are the days when LA Galaxy dominated the league. Nowadays, there are an array of teams that could go on to clinch the MLS Cup — teams like Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, New York City, and New York City Red Bulls. With so many MLS matches and so many great teams, the MLS futures odds are well worth a look at.

The focus has always been on European soccer, but now the USA has its own soccer matches to wager on. From Orlando City to Kansas City, there is a wealth of soccer action to enjoy. So without further adieu, Let’s get to grips with how to play!

How to Bet on MLS Moneyline

In mainstream sports like the NBA and NFL, one team will lose, and one team will win. Meaning you have a 50% chance of predicting the outcome correctly.

In MLS, there can be winners and losers, but an additional outcome of a draw decreases your chances of success to 33.3%. Be aware that before you even start to bet, your chances of succeeding have been reduced by 17%.

Take a look at what moneyline odds for an MLS game might look like:

MLS Club	Moneyline
Seattle Sounders FC	-125
Portland Timbers	+210
DRAW	+250

From the example above, you can see three possible outcomes; either Seattle wins, Portland wins, or the game ends in a tie. To win $100 on Seattle you would have to bet $125, whereas placing a $100 bet on Portland nets $210, and the draw nets $250.

Best Time to Bet on MLS

MLS odds are usually released one week prior to the games. Much like the NFL, this gives you time to research any potential injuries and to hear how practices leading up to the game are going. That being said, there are two optimal times to place an MLS bet.

If you plan on betting on the favorite, it’s best to place your wager as soon as the lines open. The thinking behind this is that the betting public generally supports favorites, so the moneyline will shift accordingly. For instance, using the table above, if everyone were to bet on the Seattle Sounders then -125 will become -135. Getting this bet placed for -125 has just saved you $10 and you’ve also reduced the juice.

On the flip side, if you were interested in backing Portland for this game, +210 could become +220. Maybe it stays at +210, but there isn’t a rush to hurry to the betting window for an underdog.
soccer fan cheering at soccer game in a stadium
The second ideal time to bet on MLS is one hour before kickoff as that is when clubs post the starting lineups and formations. This will allow you to see which players are involved in the game.

Bonus:

50% up to $250

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How to Read MLS Odds: Explained

If you seek more than moneyline betting then the MLS has you covered. MLS offers a wide variety of betting from over/under goals scored, ATS (against the spread), totals, parlays, props, and in-game live-betting. Let’s break each one down to avoid any confusion.

Over/Under

Placing a bet on the total number of goals scored in the match. Similar to an NFL game for points scored.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Using our previous example of Seattle vs. Portland, Seattle could be -1.5 and Portland +1.5. A wager on Seattle would mean they’d have to win by two or more for the bet to cash while Portland could lose by one for the bet to cash.

Totals

Similar to over/under, but you can bet on the total goals scored by one particular team. Sportsbooks will advertise Seattle TT (Team Total) 2.5 -110. An Over bet on this would mean Seattle would need three goals at least to cash.

Parlays

Combining multiple outcomes onto one betting slip. For example, Seattle’s moneyline parlayed with Over 2.5. For this bet to cash Seattle would need to win and for the game to have three or more goals. As you can imagine the potential payout increases, but the difficulty does as well.

Props

Props are fun! Examples are “Will Seattle keep a clean sheet?” (commonly referred to as a shutout in other sports), “Will Justin Dhillon (Sounders FC player) score a goal?”, and the total number of corner kicks at 7.5 are common prop bets in MLS. Why stop there? You can bet on yellow and red cards, penalty kicks, fouls, and more! Did I mention prop bets are fun?!

Live Betting

A popular live bet is will there be a goal scored between the 30th and 40th minute. These bets are created and offered to the public once the game starts.

Future Bets on MLS

The MLS season is structured like other North American sports as opposed to MLS being structured like European soccer leagues. In all soccer leagues, you can bet on the season’s champion. For leagues in Europe, for example, the Premier League, you would be predicting the club with the most points after 38 games.

In the MLS, after the 34 regular-season games are played, 18 clubs compete in a playoff where the winner is declared the champion. The MLS Cup Winner is how this is classified and advertised in sportsbooks.

That is a huge difference as playoff soccer is different than regular-season soccer in terms of intensity and also the “unknowns”(no different than the NFL). The MLS Cup winner is usually decided in early November. As with all future bets that is a long time to tie up your capital.

Additionally, some sportsbooks might offer a future bet on the winner of the Golden Boot (most goals scored by a player) or MLS MVP, so be aware of those as well.

How Are Bets Scored in MLS

MLS bets are scored on the result after regulation (full) time, 90 minutes plus injury time, is complete. Sportsbooks will have “FULL TIME” advertised most commonly.

Say a Seattle vs Portland game goes to extra time and then Seattle wins. If you had bet on Seattle to win, you do not win your bet. After 90 minutes, aka FULL TIME, the game was tied so the DRAW bet would win.

A bettor must be aware that they are only betting on 90 minutes. If a match is suspended then usually that bet is canceled, but always read the sportsbook’s rules prior to placing a bet.

Differences Between MLS and European Leagues

A big difference between Major League Soccer and European soccer leagues is the travel requirements. The longest distance traveled in the MLS is from Vancouver to Orlando at 2,624 miles. In the Premier League, Newcastle to Bournemouth is the longest at a significantly shorter 353 miles. The less time big, tall, and strong athletes have to sit scrunched up on a plane the better. The recovery time between jet lag and the physical discomfort from a plane can easily take a toll.

back of a soccer player looking at flight times board

League survival is the second major difference. While clubs at the top of the standings in each respective league are all fighting for something, it’s the bottom of the standings that is dramatically different. The worst clubs at the end of an MLS season don’t have to worry about their league status for the following season.

In Europe, clubs that finish in the bottom few positions get dropped to a lower-level league. Good MLS clubs might be able to pick up easier wins playing against the worst in the league.

Though the quality of players is a recognized difference between MLS and Euro leagues, it’s one disparity that can be dismissed. Each and every position in MLS is considered weaker than European leagues, or at least the European leagues you’re already betting on.

MLS Betting Tips and Strategy

To be a successful bettor you need a betting strategy. Formulating a system and sticking to it is vital for long-term success. MLS requires the same research, attention, and detail as other sports in finding daily value. While there are several factors to consider, there are a few that are baseline requirements. Below we’ve listed a range of MLS bet tips to help our readers to maximize their opportunities to profit in the market.

How to Research Clubs/Matchups

Form, form, and form. Form is the current level of play by an individual or team which is defined by wins and losses. Form can never be understated in soccer. Naturally, you want to be putting your money behind a team in good form. Researching key players’ form is ideal too. If a team is dependent on a player or two and those players are in bad form then placing your bet accordingly would be wise. When conducting your research be sure to take into account goals scored vs goals allowed, clean sheets (shutouts), and comparing performances against similar opponents.

Transfer Window

The transfer window is a designated time period in which clubs are allowed to bring in new players and sell players. Each season has two transfer windows with one being in mid-February lasting until May while the other lasts one month starting in mid-July. This period allows clubs to address weaknesses and fortify areas because of injuries. Finding articles that recap the transfer window is wise as you can easily identify which clubs added key additions to their clubs.

Media Coverage

As you would with any sport checking daily or weekly on recent news, happenings, or developments is essential. MLSsoccer.com is the official site for MLS and will always have the latest news. A smart play would be to follow the Twitter of a local beat reporter for the team in question. Beat reporters are around the club daily, even watching parts of training sessions, and can provide insights that either the club won’t divulge or managers won’t elaborate on during a press conference. For example, Steven Goff is the DC United beat reporter for the Washington Post. A quick google search can discover who the beat reporter is for a club.

Away vs Home Form

It should come as no surprise that clubs perform better on the road or at home. Playing behind a home crowd can lift a club to victory. On the flip, clubs can gel and bond on the road so their performances will improve away from the pressures of being at home. When researching form make sure you take note of away vs home form before placing a wager.

An Insider’s Strategy

Keeping in mind the aforementioned strategies, if I may, I’ll share with you one general soccer strategy I have. To win $100 on the Galaxy, the wager would cost you $120. A $100 wager on the Dynamo nets $230 and a DRAW nets $260. By placing a wager on any of those events you have a 33.3% chance of winning. Therefore, when I see a team at +200 or more AND the DRAW at +200 or more, I will place a half unit on the Dynamo and a half unit on DRAW. I’ve still wagered $100 in total, but I’ve given myself a 66% chance of success as opposed to a 33% chance if I were to only bet on one outcome. Additionally, a 16% greater chance of success than any other bet in any other sport (NFL ATS, MLB O/U, NBA ML, etc). For that wager, a win on Dynamo would net $65 ($115 for Dynamo minus the $50 wager on DRAW) and DRAW would net $80 ($130 for DRAW minus $50 wager on Dynamo). While your net gain is less you have greatly improved your chances of being successful. Remember, sports are 50/50 with no sure things so improving your chance of success can aid in long-term survival.

MLS Live Betting

Live betting and the MLS go great together. While some sports are fast-paced and willow for an extremely exciting live betting experience, soccer allows for a contemplative, fun, and educational experience.

With the relatively slow pace of a soccer game, you will have plenty of time to reevaluate the changing odds. You can use this opportunity not only to make the MLS best bets today but also to begin to understand how soccer odds work in general.

One of the biggest risks of live betting is getting caught up in the moment and making a rushed decision. Soccer is a safer place to try live betting. Plus there are lots of great bet types you can make during live MLS soccer betting:

Outright winner
Spreads
Over/unders
Props

It’s Time to Win

Now you can say you’re ready for the upcoming MLS season. With a better understanding and insight on placing wagers not only can the season be enjoyable, but also potentially profitable! Be sure to check out our other guides that will further help your betting journey. As for now, sit back and enjoy what will be another great MLS season.