The Most Popular Sports To Bet On in Europe

The history of gambling is one that is as ancient as time itself, and over that period it has evolved into several forms, including sports bettings. Now, sports betting, like every other form of gambling has become more accessible than ever, and players can now enjoy an excellent betting experience right at home. With the current boom of sports betting in Europe, we can only wonder which sports are driving this surge.

In this article, we look at some of the most popular sports that bettors wager on in Europe. This way you can find the inside edge, and join the excitement.

Overview of European Sports Betting Market

According to Statista, the European sports betting market is growing at an exponential rate, with the market valued at $327.9 million in 2022. With an annual growth rate of 11.30%, it is expected to reach a market volume of $713.50 million by 2029. It is important to point out that easy accessibility to European bookies has played a pivotal role in this growth.

With most punters preferring to bet online, it’s no wonder that online betting contributes to about 50% of the total wagers made in sports betting. However, with this growth the need for regulation is essential and this is why the The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) and local regulatory bodies are consistently working towards a safe betting environment.

These bodies ensure that Europe betting sites follow legal regulations and also get licensing before they can operate. European sportsbooks who fail to adhere to these instructions oftentimes find themselves fined or restricted.

Most Popular Sports for Betting in Europe

There are lots of sports to bet on, but here are the most popular ones in Europe according to available data:

Football (Soccer)

The fact that football is the most popular sport in the world makes it a valid choice for sports bettors looking for a market to bet on. With an estimated 4 billion fans worldwide, this sport continues to draw in more bettors around Europe.

Bettors can choose to bet on top football leagues and tournaments such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, the Spanish La Liga, UEFA Europa League, the Euro Championship, and more. These competitions are followed by millions of fans and most European sportsbooks offer various betting markets and odds on these competitions.

According to MightyTips tipster, Aladar Kollar, “it doesn’t matter where you are in Europe, whether it’s in England, Italy, or Hungary, football offers several betting options”. For people looking for where to place their bets on football or any other sports in Hungary, this list of the Best Hungarian sports betting sites from MightyTips experts can point you in the right direction.

Cricket

Cricket has over the years proven that it has a high following among sports bettors, though it is usually considered a niche market. With an estimated 2 billion fans worldwide, we can all agree that its popularity is undeniable. As former Australian captain Steve Waugh aptly puts it, ‘‘Cricket is a game that can ignite passion and united nations.’’

Although its history is deeply embedded in the indies, Cricket has shown it has a huge following in Europe. The sport has a range of events that makes it a bettor’s delight, as they can choose from the T20 Blast League to the renowned ICC Cricket World Cup.

Motorsports

In Europe, motorsports has found its way into the hearts of the people, as they tune in to watch this exciting and high energy sport. One of the most popular motorsports that Europeans enjoy is Formula 1, which is the top competition in this sport.

In the United States, most motorsports fans prefer NASCAR which has etched out a rich history over the years. The exciting nature of this sport is why bettors enjoy risking their money for a chance to win much more.

Basketball

While most Americans continue to claim that the US is the hub of basketball, they are usually surprised when they find out about European basketball. In fact there was an argument on social media where US Sprinter, Noah Lyes argued against the claim by NBA players that they were the world champions whenever they win the NBA finals.

In the post he said, “World champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong, I love the U.S., at times, but that ain’t the world.”

It is even obvious that the Europeans are a people that have over the years shown that they are quite competitive when it comes to sports and it’s no different with basketball.

They have built competitive teams in most countries and their emotional enthusiasm is one that outmatches that of their American counterparts. As a result, a lot of Europeans place bets on the various basketball games and leagues in their continent and beyond.

Other Popular Sports Europeans Bet On

While cricket, football, basketball and motorsports have gained ground among Europeans bettors, the following sports also attract a lot of attention from punters:

• Golf
• Tennis
• Horse racing

Regional Variations in European Sports Betting

So, what’s sports betting in Europe like? Well the truth lies in the fact that preferences in the activity vary by region. For instance,  in the UK, most bettors prefer to bet on football with the English Premier League being the top pick.

In Germany, you would most likely find gamblers betting on basketball and tennis alongside football. The Italians on the other hand prefer to bet on football and would most likely choose to bet on their domestic leagues. These regional variations continue to play a role in betting strategies and picks by bettors.

Conclusion

As the adoption of sports betting continues to spread in Europe, we expect that bettors will even venture into newer sports. This would open more winning possibilities and boost the popularity of the sector.