Why Football is one of the most Popular Sports to bet on in the UK

Football is the national sport across the UK, and it’s natural that it would have a strong following among the betting community. In recent years, however, it has eclipsed horse racing to become the most popular betting option of all.

Its rise up the ranks is due to more than just its history and following as a sport. Football offers more for bettors than many of its rivals, and we’re about to discover the reasons why.

Accessibility

A key reason for the move is accessibility. Since the first online bookmaker arrived in the mid-1990s, the market has expanded exponentially. There are hundreds of gambling companies providing sports betting markets, you can learn more here.

It’s never been easier to place a bet. Along with regular static websites, the vast majority of sports betting operators now publish an app for the major operating systems. Other sports have taken advantage of this enhanced level of accessibility, but it’s football that’s benefited most.

Choice

Bettors like to have options when they approach the markets, and it isn’t just about staking on who wins the game. Most sports have a good selection of side bets, known as props in some parts of the world, but football has more of these markets than any other event.

Football side markets can generally be divided into two categories:

• Player
• Score

Popular player markets include first goal scorer where bettors look to stake on who they think will find the net first. Similarly, there are options for last goal scorer and anytime goal scorer.

More obscure player bets relate to discipline. Not all sportsbooks cover these niche markets, but it may be possible to stake on whether or not a named player will receive a yellow card in the game.

Score betting covers a wide range of additional markets. Both Teams to Score is one of the most popular and, as the name suggests, it’s about staking on whether or not both of the teams will find the net during the game.

Football also offers a popular set of markets known as Total Goals. Sportsbooks will issue a series of lines including 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5. The bettor will then decide whether or not to stake Above or Below one of those lines.

The Correct Score markets are less predictable, but they still attract a loyal following. These are some of the more popular side markets in football, but they form just part of many possible options for sportsbooks to list.

Keeping it Live

Live betting is a relatively new innovation and it’s one that has been made easier in the digital age. A live, or in-play bet is staked after the sporting event in question has started.

Live betting exists for most sports, but it’s a perfect fit for football. The action is fast paced and the odds for most in-play bets continue to fluctuate. Bettors look to take advantage of the higher figures while they are still available.

The speed of live betting matches the pace on the football field. Games are won and lost in an instant and that’s an obvious advantage for this particular sport. In play betting will also test the analytical skills of each bettor. You need to understand the game in order to follow its patterns of play, before making a decision on the final outcome.

Football was always popular, even before those live markets came along, but the advent of in-play betting has helped to build an even bigger following.

A Harmonious Rise in Popularity

Has an increased interest in football helped the sport to become the new number one among the betting community? While it’s always been the national pastime in the UK, certain factors have boosted football’s profile since the start of the 1990s.

In 1992, England saw the inception of the Premier League, an elite division showcasing the country’s best clubs. The satellite TV broadcaster Sky was at the forefront of this revolution, pumping in significant revenue in return for the rights to show live games.

Football was now placed in front of a much larger audience. While some may argue that the increase in betting was a coincidence, it’s unlikely that this is the case. TV advertising and club sponsorship was adopted by the gambling industry which became far more visible as a result.

It could, therefore, be argued that the growth of football has had a beneficial effect on the betting markets. In addition, we have the question of choice with most sportsbooks offering over a hundred markets for the big games.

With new innovations such as live betting offering a perfect enhancement, it’s easy to see just why football is a firm favorite for the UK’s betting community.

Categorised in: Sports Betting

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