If you are a sports fan, you know just how many leagues you can follow over the course of one year. With so many options, the media around strive to make them constantly interesting. As part of the entertainment scene, sports betting has become a trend among enthusiasts looking to enhance competitiveness, and enjoy their favorite matches by adding a little challenge.
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a newcomer eager to explore, understanding which sports are most popular and what types of bets are being placed is essential to improve your experience. Here we’ll discuss the most popular types of bets on sports and which ones are the current audience’s favorites.
Favorite Sports to Bet
It’s no surprise how big the sports industry is, with a market size worth $242 billion. Although football is the most popular sport, basketball has been the most waged on in the U.S. (52.7%), according to this data from Statista. Football follows closely, with 51.2% of preference.
With multiple NBA and off-season league games weekly, basketball provides consistent betting opportunities. The fast pace and numerous scoring chances make it exciting for bettors. Additionally, basketball’s point spread betting and fantasy basketball’s rise boost its popularity on American soil. Following, American football, baseball, tennis, horse racing, golf, Motorsports, hockey and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) are the next favorite sports to bet for Americans.
The U.S. list is one of the few where football doesn’t come first. A quick search on Google and you will see a lot of differentiations, but our beloved sport is always on top and it also reigns supreme in the world of sports betting. You just have to turn on your TV and change a few channels to find a football match and understand what makes the sport so popular.
Now, let’s go over the most popular types of bets throughout different sports.
Most Popular Types of Bets
According to this research from ENV Media, Sports betting is seen as a highly popular and linear consumption model. Mostly because it shares similar transaction mechanics and gamification principles that revolves around real-world events. Placing bets and trying to guess game results is part of the seasonalities of these events, and it’s what makes betting so interesting for online bettors and enthusiasts alike.
When defining best bet types, casinos and wagering houses often observe user behavior during sports events. Some prefer group betting in real-time with friends, while others analyze odds and place bets in advance.
During the last World Cup, KTO conducted research on what type of bets were the most popular. These are the results:
Match Result: clearly the favorite type of bet, attracting 94.74% of active bettors. It accounted for 70.50% of bets and 61.90% of the amounts wagered. Simple and straightforward: you choose who wins or if it will be a draw.
Total Goals: With 36.87% of bettors participating, this type of bet requires you to decide whether the game will have more or fewer goals than a specific number.
Binary Markets: Include bets such as “both teams to score,” “to qualify,” and “draw no bet,” which simplify the decision to a yes or no. These markets captured one-sixth of all bets (15.46%) and amounts wagered (15.10%).
Total Goals and Corners: These markets require you to bet whether the total will be above or below a specific value, such as 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, etc.
Draw No Bet: In this type, the user can return the bet if the game ends in a draw.
Double Chance: Increases your chances of success by allowing you to bet on two of the three possible outcomes of a game. It’s a popular choice for those seeking to minimize risks.
Build Your Bet: This option allows you to combine different predictions within the same event, increasing interaction with the game. A very popular example is KTO’s “Malandrinha,” which is basically a way to win big by mixing bets.
Sports betting offers a diverse array of options, but considering the preferences of bettors is essential to create new trends. When betting in local teams or sports leagues, finding great local online casinos helps to make informed decisions and choose the best type of bets for each event. Always keep in mind that betting should be fun and responsible. Take your time to decide and make sure the place you chose has clear policies and stay safe!
