Sports betting is one of the most popular ways that fans of athletic competitions
spend their time. However, in the digital age, the entire industry has shifted in a
major way. Online sportsbooks have completely taken over the industry,
outperforming their land-based predecessors in some cases. The convenience that
these websites provide has proven quite effective in attracting an audience.
The success of sports betting websites hinges on numerous factors. One of them is
the variety of sports that an online betting site like Novibet covers. But, even with
the incredible diversity, there are certain games that rise to the top. In this article,
we are taking a look at the top five most popular sports in the world of online
sports betting.
Football
At the top of the list is football, or soccer as it is known in some parts of the world.
The sport enjoys over 3 billion fans around the globe. Standing at the top of the
sports world, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that football is also the biggest
game to bet on. With events like the five European national leagues, the FIFA
World Cup, UEFA, and the intercontinental cup, betting on the sport is a given.
Basketball
The recent surge in basketball’s popularity can really be attributed to the efforts of
the top-level players in the NBA today. People like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic,
Keegan Murray, and of course, LeBron James. Recently, basketball has surpassed
the 2 billion fans mark, making it second only to football in terms of success. Of
course, that means that basketball-based betting is now more popular than ever
before, earning the sport the second spot on this list.
Cricket
When most people in the west think of the most popular sports, cricket is usually
far from their mind. However, in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa, and even in the United Kingdom, cricket is a hit. There are two billion fans
of cricket, and counting, putting this game in a sort of rivalry with basketball.
Regardless of which sport has more fans, cricket’s popularity in sports betting is
undeniable. The fans are so dedicated that they even started a simulated reality
league, which allows them to wager on their favorite sport all year round.
Boxing/MMA
Martial arts are an integral part of human culture, and have been with us since the
inception of civilization. Boxing is one of the oldest martial arts, though it has been
around so long, that it is now much more identified with sports. Luckily, combat
sports are quite popular, and both boxing and MMA get a ton of coverage at online
sportsbooks. As of now, boxing is still on top, but many believe that MMA will take
over the combat sports circuit in the future.
Horse Racing
Horse racing may not be the most popular sport to watch or participate in, but its
success in the world of betting is almost unrivaled. Since the Victorian era, horse
racing has been a staple of the betting world. So popular is the sport, that in many
countries where gambling is prohibited, the law specifies an exemption for horse
racing wagers.
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
