Football Rules

Date/Site Changes

Football games and any games/events not specifically listed must be held within one week of the originally scheduled date and at the scheduled venue when the bet was placed to be considered action unless otherwise noted in the specific sports rules section or the inventory game page within the mobile application or web browser application. Please see Same Game Parlay Football Rules for Same Game Parlay Postponed Match, Cancelled Match and Venue Change Rules.

Minimum Length of Play

For wagering purposes, unless otherwise stipulated in individual Football sports wager rules, Pro and College Football results are official after 55 minutes of play, unless an official result is declared by the official governing body before then. BetMGM does not recognize suspended games (after they have met the minimum time or length requirement specified in the specific sports rules), protests, or overturned decisions for wagering purposes.

Football Wager Rules

Football wagers are accepted in the following manner:

Point Spread

A wager in which a bettor “takes” or “lays” a specified number of points. The team wagered must “cover” the point line for the wager to be deemed a winner. Overtime periods are counted in the final score.

Money Line

A wager in which the bettor “takes” or “lays” a specified price. The team wagered must win the game for the wager to be deemed a winner. Overtime periods are counted in the final score.

Total Points (over/under)

Wager on whether the total number of points scored in a game is over or under a specified number. Overtime periods are counted in the final score.

First Half

Wagers on the first half will be decided by the score at the end of the first half. If the first half is not played to completion, all first half wagers will be cancelled. Once the first half has been completed, all wagers on the first half will stand regardless of the length of the remainder of the game.

Second Half (post halftime)

Wagers on the second half will be decided on the basis of points scored in the second half. If the second half is not played to completion, all second half wagers will be cancelled. Overtime periods are counted in the Second Half score and considered official regardless of the length or suspension of the overtime period.

Quarters

Wagers on any specified quarter will be decided on the basis of points scored in that specified quarter only. All specified quarters must be played to their completion or the wager will be cancelled.

Once a specified quarter is completed, that specified quarter wager will stand regardless of the length of the remainder of the game. Fourth quarter wagers do not include overtime periods unless otherwise stated.

Scoreless Quarter

Scoreless Quarter markets do not include overtime.

Team to score first

Settled on the first score of the game. Bets stand even if game is not completed. Overtime counts.

Team to score last

Settled on the last team to score. Game must be completed. Overtime counts.

Highest Scoring Quarter

Wager on which quarter will produce the most points. Dead Heat Rules apply. Game must be completed for bets to stand. Fourth quarter wagers do not include overtime periods unless otherwise stated.

Race to X Points

Wager on which team will reach the specified points tally first. Should neither team reach the total, and a ‘Neither’ option is not offered, then bets on that market will be cancelled.  Please see Same Game Parlay Football Rules for Same Game Parlay Race to X Rule.

Touchdown Scorers

These rules apply for any market on a player or team Touchdown Scorer. In the event of an abandoned game, bets stand on scores that have taken place already.  Overtime counts for these markets. The touchdown scorer is the player who scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone. (i.e. not the passing player.) Bets are cancelled on players that do not play at least snap. Touchdown scorers are offered with the option of others on request. If a player not listed is deemed the winner, all bets stand.

Halftime/Full Time (excluding overtime)

Wager is settled on the result of the game at both halftime and full time. Regulation time only.

Winning Margin

Wager on the number of points that a team will win by. Overtime counts.

In the event of a wagering tie, the straight wager is considered “no action” and wager is cancelled. Parlays reduce to the next lowest amount of teams.

Correct Score

The final score of the game or specified period. Overtime is included for full game correct score markets.

Football Prop Rules

Various unique wagers may be offered from time to time, called proposition bets. When wagering proposition bets, unless stated otherwise, overtime does count for settlement of wagers.

Football Game Props

All time-based props will be settled as per the official scoring time listed on the official league source box scores. Scores exactly on the quoted time count as ‘Yes’ for settlement. For example, a score with exactly 02:00 on the clock will be settled as ‘Yes’ on the ‘Will there be a score in the final 2 minutes?’ prop bet.

Any turnover proposition does not include a ‘Turnover on Downs’ and only includes Fumbles and Interceptions.

All penalty props are based upon accepted penalties only. Declined or off-setting penalties are not included for settlement purposes.

Coach challenge props only include a challenge initiated by the coach throwing a red flag. Prop does not include booth reviews. 

Sacks props are settled as per the official league source. Includes 0.5 sacks awarded, however for props such as ‘Player to record a sack in the game’, the player must record at least one total sack (1.0) for ‘Yes’ to be settled the winner.

Single Play Markets

If the wagered-on play is declared ‘no play’ by the officials as the result of a penalty, then the wager will be settled based on the result of the next play. Plays involving penalties that are enforced at the end of the play will be settled according to the official outcome of that play not including the penalty yardage.

Will a Score on the Final Play of Fourth Quarter Win the Game

A wager on this market is settled as ‘won’ if there is a score on the final play of the fourth quarter that wins the game. For the wager to be settled as ‘won’ the clocks need to be at 00:00 and no play taking place after. Scores in this market include touchdowns (including the extra point or two-point conversion), field goals, and safeties.

“Play from Scrimmage” Markets

These markets do not include yardage by receiving team on a punt, kick, or field goal returns.

In-Play Drive Markets

In-play drive markets are action. If the specified drive does not occur, then all bets will be cancelled. The drive is considered to not have occurred if the listed team is not the offensive team of the specified drive.

Fourth Down Conversion and First Down Gained props include first downs awarded by penalties.

Longest 3rd Down market will be cancelled if no 3rd down occurs on the given drive. A 3rd down is considered to have occurred if a 3rd down play is run on the drive and is not nullified by penalty. This is settled based on the distance of the longest 3rd down play run on the drive which is not nullified by penalty.

Longest 3rd Down Converted market will be cancelled if no 3rd down is converted on the specified drive.

Drive Outcome market includes four selections: Offensive Touchdown, Field Goal Made, Punt, and Other. The “Other” selection includes the specified drive ending in the following ways: Defensive Touchdown, Field Goal Missed, Safety, Turnover On Downs, Interception, Fumble, or End of Period.

Football Player Props

For all player props, unless stated otherwise, the player(s) must play at least one snap for bets to have action. Wagers will be cancelled where the player(s) are listed as inactive.  For Quarterback markets only, the player(s) must start the game for bets to have action. Passing yardage props are settled as per gross passing yards.

Player First Statistic Markets

If a player does not record one of the wagered-on statistic (i.e., target, reception, rushing attempt), then all wagers will be cancelled. This does not include player first touchdown scorer markets.

NFL Draft

All markets will be settled in accordance with official information available on nfl.com. A player’s positional assignment will be determined by nfl.com.

Wagers on Over/Under draft position are settled based on when a team selects that player. Should a player go undrafted, Over/Under markets will be settled by assigning the next number after the last player drafted.

Round in which player is drafted wagers will be cancelled should a player go undrafted, unless ‘undrafted’ is an option offered in the betting market.

Wagers on any players who subsequently withdraw their eligibility for that year’s draft will stand. Should a player who is not listed in any market be the winning selection, all bets on that market stand. All markets involving listed players are offered with others available on request.

Wagers on which team will draft a player are settled on the team who officially draft that player as listed on nfl.com. Any previous or subsequent trades will not be taken into consideration for settlement.

Mr. Irrelevant is the term associated with the last player drafted in the final round.

Football Futures

Football season long futures are unique wagers which will be offered from time-to- time. For all season-long match bets and division betting, all bets stand regardless of team re-location, or a change to a team name, season length or playoff format. Unless stated otherwise, team(s) must play in all of their scheduled regular season games for bets to have action.

BetMGM will rely on official results and statistics from the official governing body to settle all future wagers. BetMGM will count any forfeited match as a game played where an official result was declared as a completed game for purposes of all future wagers.

Football Division and Conference Futures

Division Winner markets will be settled on who finishes top of the relevant division after the conclusion of the Regular Season. If two or more teams have the same regular season win record then ties will be broken using the governing organization’s official rules to determine outright winner. Conference Winner will be settled on team’s performance in the playoffs. Regular season records do not count. If there is a change to the post season structure whereby a Conference Championship is not possible, or called early, Conference Winner will be settled on the team that advances to the Pro Football Championship from that Conference.

Football Player Futures

For all player vs. player match bets, both players must play at least one snap in the regular season for bets to have action.

Player Season Specials

Bet on season performances for named individual players – Total Passing Yards, Rushing Yards, Receiving Yards, Tackles, Sacks, Interceptions, Catches, Passer Rating etc. Player must play at least one snap in the regular season for bets on their individual performances to stand, else bets are cancelled.  Wagers are also available on who will achieve the most for each statistic.

Football Futures List

Pro Football Divisional Odds

Wager on which team will win the division.

Pro Football Conference Odds

Wager on which team will win the conference.

Pro Football Championship Odds

Wager on which team will win the season-long championship.

Big Game MVP

Wager on which player will win the MVP in the game.

College Football Championship

Wager on which team will win the championship.

College Football Conference

Wager on which team will win the Conference.

College Football Heisman Winner

Wager on which team will win the Heisman Trophy.

Pro Football Regular Season Wins

Wager on the number of regular season wins made by a team. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

College Football Regular Season Wins

Wager on the number of regular season wins made by a team. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

Division of Winning Team

Wager on which division the winner originates from.

Conference of Winning Team

Wager on which conference the winner originates from

State of Winning Team

Wager on which state the winner originates from

Name the Finalists

Wager on which two teams will meet in the Championship Game. Should no game take place, all bets are cancelled.

Exact Outcome

Wager on which team will win, and who will they beat in the championship game.  Should no game take place, all bets are cancelled.

#1 Seed

Wager on which team will be the #1 seed in a specified conference (NFC or AFC) at the end of the regular season. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

Pro Football Division Finishing Position

Wager on the exact position a named team will finish within their division. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

Pro Football Awards

Wager on which player will win the named Award – AP MVP, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Coach of the Year.

Pro Football Regular Season Wins

Wager on the number of regular season wins made by a team. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

Head to Head Regular Season Team Wins

Wager on the number of regular seasons wins made by one team vs. another team. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

Team Season Specials

Wager on team specific specials – total yards gained, total TDs scored, exact total wins, record after x games etc. Team must play all regular season games for the wager to have action.

Football Same Game Parlay Rules

All American Football Same Game Parlay selections must win (no ties, draws or pushes) for a bet to be deemed a winner. A selection that does not win, unless explicitly specified within the Football rules stated above will be settled as a loser. For instance, selections on a team to win a match where it is a tie after overtime, even where the draw or tie may not have been offered through Same Game Parlay will be settled as losers. Football Same Game Parlay rules are the same as Football rules stated above, with the following exceptions.

Race to X Points (For Same Game Parlay):

‘Race to X’ selections where neither team reaches the selected score will be settled as losers, regardless of whether a ‘neither team to reach X’ selection was available as an alternate selection or not.

Postponed Games (For Same Game Parlay):

Where a game is postponed or incomplete, and subsequently resumed or played within 48 hours (inclusive) of the original scheduled start time, all bets will stand. All bets placed on games played which commence more than 48 hours past the originally scheduled start time will be cancelled. Once the 48 hours have expired, all bets are cancelled and stakes will be refunded.

If a game is cancelled prior to commencement, it falls within the 48-hour rule for postponed games as described above. If it is cancelled after commencing but before its natural end point, the following rules apply:

Cancelled Games (For Same Game Parlay): 

Same Game Parlays will be cancelled if they include at least one selection involving a player who has not yet been on the field for at least one play. The rules outlined below are all applied subject to and subsequent to the application of this rule.

If every selection within a Same Game Parlay on the game is already a winner where the fact of cancellation had no impact on the outcome of each selection, the Same Game Parlay in its entirety will be treated as a winner. For example, a 2-leg Same Game Parlay containing an over total points selection and a certain player to score a touchdown, in a game where the required points have been reached and the player did score a touchdown before the game was subsequently cancelled, will be treated as a winner. In this case, the cancellation had no impact on either selection. The same would not apply to an under total points selection where a game is cancelled while the total score is still under the chosen number, as the cancellation would impact that outcome.

If a single selection of a Same Game Parlay has lost and a match is then cancelled, the Same Game Parlay will be treated as a loser, where regardless of the fact of cancellation, the selection(s) in question had been irrevocably concluded. For example, a Same Game Parlay including a first team to score selection, in a game where the other team scored first and the match was subsequently then cancelled, will be treated as a loser. In this case, the bet had already lost, and this outcome could not be affected in any way by whether the game was subsequently cancelled or not.

If there are no losing selections within a Same Game Parlay and at least one cancelled selection at the time of a game cancellation, the Same Game Parlay will be treated as cancelled. This rule applies where one or more selections are still undecided at cancellation and may have won or lost if the game had been completed as scheduled. For example, a Same Game Parlay including an over total points selection, in a game cancelled while the total points are still below the required amount, will be treated as cancelled. In this case, the total points selection was still undecided and may have won or lost but for the cancellation, so the bet will be cancelled.

Same Game Parlay Plus:

The general SGP and SGP+ settlement rules outlined above apply to all SGP wagers on Football events within the SGP+ wager. Wagers within the SGP+ on other sports follow that sport’s house rules.

If any selection (either SGP or Single wager) within an SGP+ is settled as a loss, then the entire SGP+ is settled as a loss.

If any leg in a SGP is void or cancelled, then the entire SGP is void. If all other SGP or Single wagers within a SGP+ are winners, the SGP+ will be paid out at a re-calculated price using the remaining legs.