Best NHL Betting Sites in the UK 2025
The NHL’s fast-paced action and unpredictable nature make it a thrilling sport for punters looking to diversify their betting portfolio.
With UK interest in ice hockey surging thanks to expanded streaming options and growing domestic leagues, more British betting sites are now offering comprehensive NHL markets.
Whether you’re keen on moneyline wagers, puck-line betting, or building complex same-game accas, finding the right NHL betting sites can significantly enhance your hockey wagering experience.
Top 5 NHL Betting Sites
- Up to £40 Back
- Bonus
- Bet £10 - Get £40 in Bonuses
- Bonus split for sport & casino
- Range of sports betting
- £50 Free Bets
- Bonus
- Bet £10 - Get £50 in Free Bets
- Range of sports betting options
- Good payouts
- Up to £100 more
- Bonus
- 100% Profit Boost up to £100
- Wide range of sports betting
- Award-winning mobile-first platform
| Bookmaker | License | NHL Highlights | Stand-out Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betway Sports | UKGC 39029 | Full moneyline, puck-line, totals, props & futures; in-play with real-time stats; selected games live-streamed. |
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| Unibet | UKGC 45123 | Dedicated NHL lobby with team filter; live streaming of the entire season via Unibet TV; Bet Builder & cash-out. |
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| Betfred | UKGC 39544 | Competitive odds on NHL games, player props & “Same-Game Acca” style multiples; clear tutorial for new NHL punters. |
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| LeoVegas Sports | UKGC 39198 | Extensive pre-match + in-play NHL markets incl. period betting & award futures; mobile-first design. |
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| NetBet | UKGC 39170 | Wide NHL selection, quick-bet bet-builder, rich stats (team shooting %, player awards). |
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Why We Picked These Bookies
Our selection process for the best NHL betting sites focuses on factors that genuinely matter to UK hockey punters. While many bookmakers offer basic NHL markets, these five stand head and shoulders above the competition for several reasons:
- Market depth: Each offers at least 50+ markets per NHL game, extending well beyond basic match result options into period betting, player props, and special markets.
- Competitive odds: Consistently tighter margins on NHL lines compared to industry averages, particularly on puck-line and totals markets.
- Live streaming capability: Betway and Unibet particularly excel here, offering proper live video feeds of NHL games directly through their platforms – a rarity among UK bookies.
- Mobile experience: All five offer responsive, quick-loading apps with NHL-specific features like game alerts and quick-bet functions.
- Dedicated ice hockey sections: Rather than burying NHL deep in their navigation, these bookmakers showcase dedicated hockey hubs with stats, form guides, and specialised filters.
- UK-focused: Each holds a valid UK Gambling Commission licence and offers GBP banking options that process quickly.
While other bookmakers like PokerStars Sports, 32Red, and Casumo do offer NHL betting, they lack the comprehensive package of hockey-specific features that our top five deliver consistently throughout the season.
Key NHL Betting Markets
When placing bets on NHL games at our recommended betting sites, you’ll encounter several core market types. Understanding these options is crucial for developing an effective hockey betting strategy:
Moneyline (Match Result)
The simplest wager – pick the team you think will win. Unlike football, NHL rarely offers the draw as a pre-match option since games continue to overtime and shootouts if tied. Example: Boston Bruins to beat Toronto Maple Leafs @ 2.10.
Puck Line (Handicap)
The NHL’s equivalent of a point spread, typically set at +/- 1.5 goals. Favourites must win by 2+ goals to cover, while underdogs can lose by one and still win your bet. This market often offers better value on heavy favourites. Example: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 goals @ 2.45.
Totals (Over/Under)
Bet on the combined number of goals scored by both teams, usually set around 5.5 or 6.5. This market works well when you’ve researched goaltender form and team scoring trends. Example: New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Under 5.5 goals @ 1.85.
Period Betting
Wager on outcomes within specific 20-minute periods rather than the full game. This includes 1st period result, total goals per period, or which team scores first. Example: Edmonton Oilers to win the 1st Period @ 2.25.
Player Props
Bet on individual player performances such as anytime goalscorer, total shots on goal, or points (goals + assists). These markets offer excellent value when you’ve studied player form and matchups. Example: Connor McDavid Over 3.5 shots on goal @ 1.75.
Futures & Outrights
Long-term bets on season outcomes like Stanley Cup winner, conference champions, division winners, or individual awards such as the Hart Trophy (MVP). Example: Colorado Avalanche to win Western Conference @ 4.50.
Same-Game Multiples & Bet Builders
Combine several selections from the same game into one bet for potentially larger returns. All our top NHL betting sites offer some version of this popular feature. Example: Combining Toronto to win + Over 6.5 goals + Matthews to score @ 7.25.
How the NHL Season Works
Understanding the NHL’s structure can give you a significant edge when betting on hockey. Here’s what you need to know about the league format:
Regular Season Format
The NHL regular season runs from early October through early April, with each of the 32 teams playing 82 games (41 home, 41 away). The league is divided into Eastern and Western Conferences, each containing two divisions:
- Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division (8 teams) and Metropolitan Division (8 teams)
- Western Conference: Central Division (8 teams) and Pacific Division (8 teams)
Teams play more games against divisional opponents, slightly fewer against conference rivals outside their division, and the fewest against teams from the opposite conference.
Playoff Structure
The top three teams from each division automatically qualify for the playoffs, plus two wild card teams from each conference (16 teams total). The playoffs consist of four best-of-seven rounds:
- First Round (Conference Quarterfinals)
- Second Round (Conference Semifinals)
- Conference Finals
- Stanley Cup Finals
Playoffs typically run from mid-April through mid-June, providing roughly two months of high-stakes betting opportunities.
Points System
The NHL uses a points system where teams receive:
- 2 points for a win (regulation, overtime, or shootout)
- 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss
- 0 points for a regulation loss
This system means that games that go to overtime result in a total of 3 points being awarded (2 to the winner, 1 to the loser), while regulation wins result in only 2 points being distributed.
Scheduling Quirks & Betting Edges
NHL scheduling creates several betting opportunities that savvy punters can exploit. Being aware of these factors can significantly improve your betting success:
Back-to-Back Games
Teams typically play between 8-15 back-to-back sets per season. Performance tends to drop on the second night, especially for the road team. Statistics show that rested home teams facing opponents on the second night of back-to-backs cover the -1.5 puck line approximately 54% of the time – a significant edge in betting terms.
Travel Fatigue
NHL teams travel between 32,000 and 56,000 miles per season. Teams crossing multiple time zones for road trips often underperform in their first game back. East Coast teams travelling west typically struggle more than West Coast teams coming east.
Goaltender Rotation
Most teams rotate goalies on back-to-back nights, meaning the backup (typically weaker) goaltender often plays every second or third game. Bookmakers frequently don’t adjust lines enough to account for this significant change, creating value opportunities on totals markets.
Pro tip: Track confirmed starting goalies before placing bets. Even the strongest teams can become vulnerable when their star netminder gets a night off.
Three-in-Four Situations
When teams play three games in four nights, defensive performance typically deteriorates in the final game. Data shows the “over” on goals markets hits at an elevated rate of approximately 57% in these situations over the past three seasons.
Home Ice Advantage
Home teams in the NHL win approximately 55% of games, but this advantage varies significantly by team. Some franchises consistently perform better or worse than this average, creating potential value in the match odds markets.
Live Betting & Streaming
In-play betting has revolutionised how punters engage with NHL games, allowing for wagers based on shifting momentum and game flow. Among our recommended NHL betting sites, two stand out for their exceptional live offerings:
Unibet TV – Complete NHL Coverage
Unibet offers the most comprehensive NHL streaming package available to UK bettors. Through Unibet TV, customers can watch virtually every regular season and playoff game live, provided they have a funded account or have placed a bet within the last 24 hours. Their in-play interface includes real-time statistics like shots on goal, faceoff percentages, and power play opportunities – crucial information for making informed live betting decisions.
Betway – Selective Streaming with Enhanced Stats
While Betway doesn’t stream every NHL game, they do offer selected marquee matchups throughout the season. What sets their in-play betting experience apart is their comprehensive stats hub, featuring interactive visualisations of scoring chances, shot locations, and possession metrics. Their #BetYourWay feature allows for custom bet building even while games are in progress.
Both LeoVegas and NetBet offer robust live betting on NHL without streaming capabilities, focusing instead on quick-update graphics and competitive in-play odds. Betfred provides a simplified live experience with emphasis on user-friendly navigation and quick bet placement for mobile users.
Bonuses & Ongoing Promotions
Each of our top NHL betting sites offers promotions that can be particularly valuable for hockey punters.
Here’s what to look for:
Welcome Offers
New customer promotions vary significantly, with Betfred’s “Bet £10 Get £50” welcome bundle currently providing the highest raw value. LeoVegas offers a 100% profit boost token up to £100 on your first bet, which can be especially lucrative when applied to NHL markets with longer odds.
Remember, all welcome offers come with terms and conditions, including minimum odds requirements and time limits.
Hockey-Specific Promotions
During the NHL season, look for:
- Betway Boosts: Enhanced odds on popular NHL selections, particularly during playoff series.
- Unibet’s Profit Boost Tokens: Regular 25-50% odds enhancements that can be applied to hockey accumulators.
- Betfred’s Early Payout: During promotional periods, bets on teams that take a 3-goal lead are paid out as winners regardless of the final result.
- LeoBoosts: Daily enhanced prices on NHL player props and special markets.
NetBet’s weekly free bet club provides ongoing value regardless of which sports you bet on, requiring a series of qualifying wagers to earn free bets that can be used on NHL markets.
How to Start Betting on NHL
For newcomers to NHL betting, here’s a straightforward process to get started:
- Choose a suitable bookmaker: Select from our recommended NHL betting sites based on the features most important to you – whether that’s streaming capabilities, market depth, or specific promotional offers.
- Register an account: Complete the sign-up process, which typically takes 2-3 minutes. You’ll need to provide basic personal details and set up security measures.
- Verify your identity: UK regulations require bookmakers to verify your age and identity. Prepare to upload proof of ID (passport/driving licence) and address (utility bill/bank statement).
- Make your first deposit: Choose from payment methods like debit cards, PayPal, bank transfers or Apple Pay. Consider deposit limits as part of responsible gambling practice.
- Claim any welcome offers: If eligible, follow the specific steps to claim any new customer promotions. Pay attention to minimum deposit requirements and qualifying bet conditions.
- Navigate to the NHL section: Typically found under “Ice Hockey” or sometimes its own dedicated tab during playoffs.
- Start with simple bets: Begin with straightforward markets like match winner or over/under goals while you familiarise yourself with how odds work in hockey.
Consider starting with smaller stakes until you develop a feel for NHL betting patterns. Most of our recommended sites offer educational resources specifically for ice hockey betting, with Betfred providing particularly clear guides for novices.
