The Alliance of American Football (AAF) is the brand-new baby of the American sports landscape, and sports betting is now available in multiple states. Accordingly, there are now several New Jersey online sportsbooks taking spread, moneyline and totals wagers on the fledgling league as of Wednesday.
So far, the following online sportsbooks are accepting AAF bets:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- playMGM Sports
- PointsBet
FanDuel Sportsbook had futures odds posted on Wednesday but no single-game odds for Week 3 of the upstart league.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook has been the leading sportsbook in New Jersey since its inception. So, it’s no surprise that the site remains on the cutting edge for offering wagers, even on new sports leagues.
Currently, DraftKings is accepting bets on all AAF regular season games. Bettors can choose between point spreads or moneylines for wagering on favorites or underdogs.
Other AAF bets available on DraftKings include single-game totals and championship futures. So, DraftKings players can take the over or under for any AAF game. They may also select one of the AAF’s eight teams to win the inaugural league championship.
playMGM Sports
playMGM Sports also offers wagering options on AAF events already. However, at this point, the site is only giving limited action on the regular season games.
So, playMGM bettors can wager based upon the established point spread if they choose. Moneylines are not available yet.
The only other type of AAF wagering accepted on playMGM are totals bets. Effectively, playMGM bettors can pick their teams and take the over or under.
PointsBet
PointsBet is one of the newest members of the New Jersey online sportsbook community. However, the site is already distinguishing itself as an aggressive early adopter.
Fittingly, there are some AAF wagers up on the Australia-based company’s site. At this point, though, the only AAF action on PointsBet are futures bets on the eventual champion.
Is the AAF legit?
The AAF is, by no means, the first upstart football league to launch in the US. Many remember the ill-fated Vince McMahon product, the XFL, that remains something of a punchline to this day. Shockingly, McMahon remains undeterred and plans to revive the league in 2020.
Before the XFL, several similar leagues came and went through a similar trajectory. Notable entries to that list include the United States Football League (USFL), which featured a Donald Trump-owned franchise, and the World Football League (WFL), which distinguished itself by placing a team in Hawaii.
Nevertheless, the AAF is making a legitimate go of it, and has plenty of bona fides in its stable. One of its principal founders is Bill Polian, a longtime NFL general manager. Additionally, several former prominent NFL players work in the AAF’s management team, including Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, Jared Allen, and Justin Tuck.
As usual, the league has several purposeful differences with its chief competition, the NFL. Those variations affect both gameplay and overall league management.
Only time will tell if the AAF will carve a permanent niche in the American sports market. History would tend to suggest difficulty lies ahead, but the AAF has enough financial backing to test its concept fully.
So, we’ll just have to see. In the meantime, league games are certainly worth a bet.
