Nowadays, betting is part of fans’ engagement with their favorite sports. From punters who like traditional things to tech-savvy bettors in the digital age, where wagers are placed from the comfort of their spaces, the sports betting scene has really evolved. It not only spans continents, but also cultures, and countless sports.
However, certain sports reign supreme when it comes to betting markets. In this article, we explore the most popular sports to bet on around the world. We provide insights into the dynamics of global sports betting.
1. Football
Given the figures and the devotion as well as near obsession that characterize football all over the world, soccer is at the top the list of the most bet on sports in the world. With more than 4 billion fans globally watching the game and a significant number participating in football betting, the sport rightly holds the title of the most popular sport in the world.
Right from the popular leagues- English Premier League (EPL), La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga to the international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, European Championships, African Cup of Nations, and Copa America among others, football attracts not just billions of fans but also millions of bets from every part of the world. Experts point out that the key reasons behind football’s betting popularity are:
- Variety of betting markets on offer
- The ease of placing bets
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission, observes that about 45% of all sports betting revenue in the country is from football. No wonder, the football legend Pelé once said, “Football is a beautiful game,” and for many, betting adds to the thrill of the sport.
2. Hockey
Pundits note that fast pace, game dynamism and wide range of options for wagers have contributed to making hockey a popular sport for betting across global markets. With leagues such as NHL in North America, pundits observe that steady flow of activities in the betting sphere are guaranteed. They also note that events such as the Winter Olympics and Stanley Cup Playoffs have been big boosters in the sports betting scene.
With hockey offering a wide range of betting markets and wagers looking to catch on to opportunities, such as those for Golden knights odds and other NHL franchises, these teams are often thrown around as bettors look for the best value. Live betting has been exciting wagers with odds changing quickly based on the game events such as power plays, penalties and goals
3. Tennis
Billy Walters, a legend in the field of sports betting famously said “Tennis is the thinking man’s game,”. Although he may have used this quote to show how bettors rely on deep analysis to find an edge, he may have been rooting for the popularity of this game not just to fans but punters alike.
Tennis betting uniqueness stems from the numerous tournaments that are held throughout the year and in different parts of the world. Talk of the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon Open among others. These are tournaments that not only bring fans together but also tennis bettors.
4. American Football
In the United States, American football is a part of popular culture. People not only love the game but also participate in American Football betting in large numbers. Pundits rate the sport as the most betted in America. The NFL has for years dominated the sports betting market. The Super Bowl ranks as the single most bet-on event in American sports. According to the statistics that were released by the American Gaming Association prior to the 2023 Super Bowl, an estimated 68 million people were planning to bet.
NFL betting offers punters a variety of wagers. This includes point spreads, over/under totals, as well as money lines. Quoting the legendary American football coach, Henry Rusell who once said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” This is a philosophy that mirrors the attitude of many American football bettors, who as per the sentiments of commentators approach sports betting with strategy and passion.
Although the most bets on sports in the world vary from one region to another, sports betting is today a big global pastime with American football, tennis, horse racing, soccer, and basketball dominating the market.