Most Popular Sports to Bet on in the UK
Let's take a closer look at the most popular sports to bet on in the UK. Betting on everything from football to horse racing, boxing to cricket, you're sure to find something to keep you entertained.
With so many popular sports to choose from, you'll have plenty of opportunities to make some extra money.
Key Takeaways
- Football is the most popular sport for betting in the UK, with the highest betting spends and billions of pounds in annual turnover.
- Horse racing remains popular for betting, especially during events like the Grand National, and offers diverse betting options throughout the year.
- Tennis is also a popular sport for betting, particularly during Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon, and the popularity of British players contributes to the interest.
- Cricket generates substantial betting spends in the UK, especially during international matches and major tournaments like the ICC World Cup.
Football
Football is the most popular sport for betting in the UK. Around 5% of Brits placed a football bet in the last month, and £11.4 billion is bet on it each year.
Punters can place bets on the Premier League, European and international competitions, or the World Cup. Football betting includes various markets, such as match result, goalscorer, and total goals. Since football is the most popular sports in the UK, you can bet on it on almost every sports betting website.
Big football events generate huge betting activity, with punters taking advantage of the opportunity. Football remains a popular choice for Brits looking to place a bet.
Horse Racing
Horse racing remains popular for betting, especially during events like the Grand National. Around a third of Brits place a bet on the Grand National, enjoying the thrill of being close to the action.
Even though the sport has lost some of its significance, it still generates a substantial betting turnover throughout the year. Punters have various options like win, place, and each-way bets, making it easy to get involved.
Horse racing also continues to attract attention due to the availability of major events. While it isn't as popular as football, it's still a major source of betting revenue in the UK.
Boxing
Frequently, boxing is a popular sport for betting in the UK. Especially during big fights, punters flock to place a bet on the outcome.
Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Jake Paul attract large numbers of viewers and bettors, generating betting revenue for the sport.
Bets are placed on the match winner, round betting, and method of victory. Boxing betting turnover increases during major title fights and rivalries, adding excitement to the unpredictability of the sport.
Fans also enjoy betting on clear victories via stoppage rather than decisions via points.
While boxing remains popular, lower-ranked fights may be declining in popularity for betting.
Cricket
You can bet on cricket for a chance to win big. It's one of the most popular sports for betting in the UK, with an annual turnover of around three-quarters of a billion pounds.
International cricket matches are particularly popular, especially those involving the English cricket team. Betting options include match result, top run-scorer, and total wickets.
Twenty20 cricket and the Indian Premier League have further boosted betting activity. Major tournaments like the ICC World Cup also drive up betting turnover.
Cricket is a sport that provides plenty of opportunities for punters to win.
Tennis
Following on from cricket, tennis is another popular sport for betting in the UK. Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon and the Australian Open draw significant bettors. Betting options on tennis matches include winner, set score, and total games.
British tennis stars like Andy Murray boost betting interest in the sport. Betting turnover increases during big tournaments and high-profile matches. Tennis offers diverse betting opportunities, making it a popular choice for UK bettors.
Conclusion
Betting on sports in the UK can be an exciting and profitable activity. Football, horse racing, boxing, cricket, and tennis are some of the most popular sports to bet on, each offering a unique betting market and turnover.
Whether you're looking for a fun way to pass the time or to make some extra money, betting on sports can be an enjoyable experience.
So brush up on the most popular sports to bet on and get ready to place your bets.
