Sports betting has today grown into a global activity, with almost every region offering a different kind of sport. These are based on cultural preferences, historical ties, and local popularity. The sports that are bet on most can also differ greatly depending on geographical regions, legal frameworks, and the sporting traditions of a region.
With online sports betting rising massively in the world, offshore sites are becoming more popular, even in regions that offer legal online gambling. For example, in Scandinavian countries where legal sports betting markets are on the increase, it captures a new way for fans to become involved with games and events.
Sports betting in Scandinavia runs deep within the culture of the region, with varied traditions built up in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. In the case of Norway, football is by far the most popular sport that people are betting on. However, since the Norwegian Gambling Authority only caters to two state-run monopolies, Norsk Tipping for sports and other types of gambling and Norsk Rikstoto for horse racing, players have limited options for sports betting.
However, according to gambling expert Edgar C Blakeslee, Norwegian betting guides serve as invaluable tools to help punters make informed decisions about prospective bets. These offer locals professional reviews of the best and safest offshore sites that players from Norway can still access despite the restrictions there. By offering superior bonuses, better odds, and faster payouts, these sites become huge draws for Norwegian punters (source: techopedia.com).
The Norwegian Eliteserien, along with top European leagues like Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga, hold leading positions among Norwegians. Interest in football within Norway mirrors most of the world in that regard, with corresponding betting markets including traditional options such as match outcomes, over/under goals, and player performances.
However, another popular sport to bet on in Norway, mainly during the winter season, is cross-country skiing. Since the country has a rich history when it comes to winter sports, it’s understandable that skiing and other winter events like biathlon and ski jumping are popular to wager on.
Ice hockey also holds a lot of sway as a betting sport in Norway and the wider Scandinavian region. The sport has some strong connections with its fans, particularly in Sweden and Finland, where the domestic leagues are followed with high regard, along with the NHL.
Hockey betting involves traditional markets such as money lines, totals, and puck lines. Apart from these, bettors love to indulge in prop bets, especially during larger tournaments like the IIHF World Championships and the Winter Olympics. Because of the high level of understanding of the game that Scandinavian bettors have, it can sometimes get very competitive.
Moving across the Atlantic, sports betting has grown rapidly in the USA after the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports betting in May 2018. In the years since, many states have put in place the relevant legislation, forming one of the fastest-growing sports betting markets in the world. Here are some quick facts about the US sports betting market.
- The NFL is the most popular sport to bet on, with the Super Bowl being the largest betting event in the USA.
- Betting options include point spreads, money lines, and a variety of prop bets.
- College football also draws heavy betting interest, especially in states like Texas and Alabama.
- Basketball is another dominant force in American sports betting, particularly the NBA.
As far as basketball goes, the NBA Finals is another mega-betting event, similar to the Super Bowl. Another big event that seems to pull in a lot of betting in the United States is College Basketball’s March Madness. It features office pools and smaller wagers within pools, turning over millions of dollars in bets. This event is notorious for how unpredictable some of the results can be.
Baseball, despite being one of the slower sports, holds a large following among bettors; most of the action is found through the World Series. Its season is very long, with a high frequency of matches, thus providing bettors with more chances to bet on than probably any other sport in a year. Many bettors use samples of pitcher performance and batting team stats to gain advanced metrics and ultimately make it more analytical.
Another huge potential market for the American sportsbook is ice hockey. The betting action is especially big in the markets where residents support the NHL, such as the northern states and Canada. Bettors in these regions love the action and the various bets associated with the game, which include puck lines, totals, and props.
The fast pace of hockey, combined with the unpredictability of game outcomes, makes it an exciting option for sports bettors. The Stanley Cup playoffs represent some of the biggest stakes in the world of ice hockey betting.
Moving into the Commonwealth countries, another major sport in the global betting environment is cricket. Some of the biggest contributors to its global market are as follows:
India:
- India has a colossal fanbase and betting industry, especially around cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
- T20 cricket has greatly rejuvenated betting markets, with fast-paced, dynamic play.
- Bettors focus on changing runs, wickets, and individual performances.
Pakistan:
- Passionate following, with strong betting markets for Test matches, T20s, and One-Day Internationals.
- Major tournaments like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) also attract significant betting interest.
Australia:
- Betting markets cover all formats: Test matches, T20s, and One-Day Internationals.
- The Big Bash League (BBL) is a key focus for T20 bettors.
South Africa:
- A well-established cricket betting market, with bettors focusing on domestic and international games.
- Key events include T20 leagues and South Africa’s participation in international tournaments.
United Kingdom:
- The home of cricket, with betting on Test matches, County Championships, T20 Blast, and international series.
- The major focus is on England’s international team and global tournaments like the Ashes and the ICC World Cup.
Tennis has also become a favorite among bettors, with the year-round season and simple betting markets making it a big attractor. But able to have a bet on the outright match prices, set scores, or even specific in-play actions regarding big tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open.
Popular in most parts of Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia, live betting on individual games and sets is only one reason it is so well-liked. The sport’s individual nature also makes it much easier to analyze and, therefore, predict, drawing in gamblers who enjoy strategic bets based on player form and head-to-head records.
Sports betting is a global business, where different regions have preferred sports events based on cultural patterns, ease of access, and market availability. In the United States, American football, basketball, and baseball are three of the major sports that cover most of the action. At the same time, Scandinavian countries are fond of football, ice hockey, and winter sports.
New trends are increasingly emerging in both areas. A change that involves an increasing take-up of sports betting is in-play betting and e-sports. With the continuous development of technology, sports betting will only become even more enhanced, and fans will be given other ways to enjoy their favorite sports across the globe.
