Betting on a win! What are the top 8 sports to wager on?

Join us as we take a look at the most famous sports to bet on among residents across the globe. Is your favourite listed? Let’s find out.

Top sports around the globe

Here are the best and most popular sports for betting success, followed by winning tips:

1. Football

Football, also known as soccer, is easily considered the most popular sport worldwide.

It’s one of the many sports that brings people from all over the world together, including Brazil, Europe, Japan, South Africa, Scandinavia, and Canada. It's no wonder, then, that footballers are among the richest athletes of 2023.

It’s a universal sport that offers a wide range of betting outcomes, allowing you to predict goals, corners, and match outcomes. Often, there are special promotions from top bookies to increase your fun during the big match seasons.

2. Basketball

Basketball is one of the most beloved sports to wager on, with a global fan base.

Basketball is loved in the United States and Canada and is quickly growing in popularity in other regions thanks to the fast-paced action and range of bets, including slam dunks, three-pointers, and buzzer-beaters.

Basketball offers you access to a diverse range of markets, including special player performance bets or even in-game wagers. The NBA finals are among the most wagered-on sports.

3. Horse Racing

The reality in terms of sports betting is that, to this day, horse racing remains at the top of the list. It’s a sport wagered on globally, with different races, including the Grand National.

It’s a sport that gets the adrenaline rushing, as all eyes are glued to the horses to see which way they will go and who will be the champion. Famous races like the Grand National playoff in the UK, which, coincidentally, puts it among the top 10 popular sports in the UK.

However, their global accessibility makes it an event people across the globe can wager on.

4. Cricket

Another highly popular sport that involves global interaction is cricket. It’s most popular in India, Pakistan, Australia, and the UK.

Cricket also offers a challenge with its complex betting, which requires a bit more strategy and skill. There are tons of betting options, including wickets, runs, and boundaries.

5. Tennis

When it comes to betting online, you can’t forget about tennis, with massive tournaments like Wimbledon and the US Open grabbing the attention of locals in England, America, Australia, and worldwide.

Betting on tennis is a lot of fun. You try to predict the outcome of specific games, set scores, and even the tournament finale overall. Tennis attracts enthusiasts worldwide and is considered one of the top sports to wager on, especially in France and the UK.

6. Golf

Also known as the gentleman’s game, golf is not for the faint of heart but for fans who enjoy a bit of a challenge.

With golf, you can wager on specific player performances, try to predict tournament winners, or wager on a specific slot. The combination of strategy and anticipation leads to some of the best sports betting entertainment.

Golf is played on a large field, so it can prove quite difficult to pick a winner. However, there are long odds and big potential payouts up for grabs. The odds can also change quite dramatically, and there are plenty of betting markets, with popular markets including the Outright Winner and Top Finish.

7. eSports

Another popular sport that has grown in number of participants over the last couple of years is eSports. It offers a unique betting landscape featuring games like Dota 2, League of Legends, and CounterStrike. Actually, the latter is the top choice for eSports bettors.

It’s a virtual battle that can be viewed from anywhere, thanks to the latest technology and live streaming. There are pre-match and live betting options to enjoy. eSports is especially popular to wager on in regions like the United States and China.

eSports offer generous odds, a wide range of events and markets, and high entertainment value. One challenge might be picking the winning team. Some of its most notable markets include fantasy betting, first kill/blood betting, and map-winner betting.

8. Rugby

Rugby is a sport that can’t be missed! It’s a betting option popular in the UK, Australia, and South Africa. The game's popularity continues to increase as 30 rugby countries fight to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.

Aside from the World Cup, there are competitions like Home Nations and Six Nations, as well as the Super Rugby League and Champions Cup. These are just a few of the local and international events that allow for tons of in-play betting activity.

Rugby is popular because of the intense games and the fact that the action is quite easy to follow. There’s also access to many games and tournaments and a wide range of betting markets. Some top bets include the first-try scorer and the anytime-try scorer.

How to wager on sports

The first thing you need to do before wagering on any sport is to understand how the odds work. Know that there are different odds formats, such as decimal, moneyline, and fractional. You should also understand what the different bet options are and how they payout.

Once you’ve done the research, you can check out our list of top recommended sportsbooks. Each has been tested and reviewed to ensure it offers the best odds, great variety, and bonuses to boost betting.

Then, you can register your new player account with your sportsbook of choice. Once you’ve created your account, make your way to the cashier to make a first deposit using fiat or crypto payment options. Don’t forget to follow the instructions on the welcome offer to get started with a bonus boost.

From there, it’s time to place your bets:

Always keep your eye on the latest sports news, statistics, and expert analysis to help you make the most informed and successful wagers.