An old man once said, “Tis the season to be jolly,” while I doubt he was referencing betting on sports with USA online sportsbook sites, the same holds.
The thrill of the upcoming NFL and NBA Christmas day games is palpable as the tradition continues for both leagues. While there might not be any additional perks for betting on holiday matchups, the high viewership is a testament to the excitement these games bring, especially as most people hang out with family and watch the television.
Below, we will discuss the NFL and NBA games for this holiday season and offer our knowledge on how to get in on the action.
NBA Christmas Games
Betting on NBA Christmas day games is not just a pastime, it’s a tradition that dates back to the NBA’s second season in 1947. This year, five games are scheduled for Christmas day, each one carrying the weight of this long-standing tradition: Spurs vs. Knicks, Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Sixers vs. Celtics, Lakers vs. Warriors, and Nuggets vs. Suns.
While most eyes will be on the Warriors vs Lakers, game line odds for all matchups will become available after this weekend’s games. For now, there are tons of futures, season props, and game lines for this upcoming weekend.
NFL Christmas Games
The National Football League (NFL) first started scheduling Christmas day games in 1970, and since then, at least one game has been played on the holiday. This year, there are two NFL Christmas games: the Chiefs vs. Steelers and the Ravens vs. Texans.
According to NBC, both games will be exclusively streamed on Netflix this year as the league is branching into the streaming market. Both games have playoff implications as the four AFC teams want to position themselves better for postseason play.
Game line odds for this year’s competitions are not live, as most online sportsbooks offer week 17 odds. After this weekend, betting odds for the NFL games on Christmas Day will become available.
Mobile Sports Betting
Many online sportsbooks understand the importance of convenience, especially during the holiday season. That’s why they optimize their mobile betting sites, ensuring you can enjoy the thrill of sports betting from the comfort of your own home or while on the go. Since real-money sports betting apps are only allowed in a handful of states, online sportsbooks operating outside of the USA’s jurisdiction have stepped in to fill the role, making betting during the holiday more convenient than ever.
Federal US gambling laws do not address online sportsbooks and allow states to create rules. No state has exclusively banned online sportsbooks; however, state-licensed sportsbooks will only be permitted in a handful of states in 2024.