Betting on the sport you’re really passionate about undoubtedly cranks up the excitement to an electrifying level.
It’s not just about the adrenaline rush from potentially winning a few bucks—it’s the pride of backing your hunches, proving you’ve got the chops to outwit the bookie.
Today I’m going to cut through the noise and lay out the easiest sports to bet on, prepping you for what’s in store before you slap down that bet.
So, hang tight if you’re eager to discover not just which sports, but also which sportsbooks, might tip the odds in your favor.
My Top 10 Easiest Sports to Bet On:
1.Football
Where better to kick off than with football? It’s the sport that’s won over fans worldwide, making it a favorite for both viewing and betting globally. Its immense popularity is a boon for bettors, too, thanks to a sea of bookmakers competing for your attention, ensuring you’re likely to find some of the best odds for big matches.
Football betting also stands out for its rich selection of markets, reflecting the game’s strategic depth. From a wealth of promotions to tempting odds across a wide range of events, it surely is a bettor’s .
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Widely available across bookies |
| Highly competitive odds |
| Features some of the most engaging betting markets |
| ❌ Cons |
| The sheer volume of choices might be daunting for some |
🏅 Noteworthy Markets:
- Double Chance: Beyond the standard Win (or 1X2) markets, which cover win or draw outcomes, Double Chance lets you cover two of these possibilities, significantly improving your odds.
- First Goal Scorer: Pick the player you think will open the scoring and add an extra thrill to the game’s early stages.
- Both Teams To Score: Unsure which side will triumph? Opt for a market that focuses on the match’s dynamics rather than predicting the victor.
My favorite Sportsbook for Football: FortuneJack Casino
Fortune Jack Sportsbook
2. Horse Racing
Stepping into the world of horse racing, you’re looking at one of the globe’s most cherished sports for betting.
The odds here are often more than favorable, partly due to the Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) promotions that are a hallmark of racing bets, offering a strategic edge that’s hard to beat.
Yet, beyond the strategy, for many, horse racing captures the essence of sports betting at its most traditional. With live coverage so widespread, it’s as if you’re at the trackside, feeling the anticipation build.
Despite the crowded fields making it a distinct challenge from other sports on this list, the vast array of betting markets skillfully leverages this, turning it into an advantage.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Among the top choices for sports betting enthusiasts |
| Extensive options for live streaming |
| Unique, game-changing odds |
| ❌ Cons |
| Making the smartest bets often means diving deep into research |
🏅 Markets Worth Watching:
- To Win: Straightforward – just pick the horse you think will cross the finish line first.
- To Place: Broadens your chances of winning, with your selection paying out if it finishes in the top three (sometimes even more, thanks to certain promotions).
- Forecast Bet: A real test of your racing insight, requiring you to accurately predict the first and second place finishers in their exact order.
My favorite Sportsbook for Horse Racing: CoinPlay Casino
CoinPlay Sportsbook
3. Tennis
Switching gears to the intense head-to-head (or doubles) battles of tennis, which many enthusiasts hail as the pinnacle of betting excitement.
Honestly, there’s not much out there that rivals the high-voltage drama tennis brings to the table. Placing bets on tennis? That just cranks up the intensity, giving you the chance to wager on every single point, set, and match.
While it might not boast the universal appeal of my top two contenders, tennis betting shines during major showdowns like Wimbledon, offering some pretty enticing odds and, often, the chance to catch live streams of the action thanks to more lenient licensing rights.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Access to some top-tier live coverage |
| Markets cleverly dissect the game into bite-sized, bettable chunks |
| ❌ Cons |
| Might not hit the sweet spot for everyone |
🏅 Markets to Watch
- Handicap Betting: The big leagues often pit David against Goliath, making handicap bets a savvy way to level the playing field by assigning game handicaps.
- First Set Winner: Zeroing in on who’ll clinch the first set, or any set for that matter, this market distills the match to its core components.
- Total Games Betting: Known also as Over/Under, here’s where your crystal ball needs to predict the total number of games played in the match.
My favorite Sportsbook for Tennis: Stake.com
Stake Sportsbook
4. Cricket
Cricket’s where it’s at if you’re aiming to dive deep into a sport. It’s not just the complexity and strategic layers that make it fascinating, but also its variety—from the enduring Test cricket to the fast-paced Twenty20.
A brilliant array of inventive cricket markets also encourages you to view the game from every conceivable angle, with the crème de la crème of betting sites making sure you’re well-informed throughout those marathon matches.
Betting on cricket does what only the best sports betting should do: it amplifies your connection to the game, win or lose.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Unrivaled depth and strategy |
| Smart, diverse betting markets |
| ❌ Cons |
| The length of games might be a bit much for some |
🏅 Markets to Check Out:
- Innings Runs: A prime example of stats-heavy markets, here you guess the total runs scored in just the first innings.
- Team Of Top Bowler: Bet on which team the game’s leading wicket-taker will be playing for. You’ll win this bet even if the team doesn’t.
- Coin Toss Winner: Highlighting the market variety, take a stab at predicting who’ll win the match’s initial coin toss.
My favorite Sportsbook for Cricket: Vave Casino
Vave Sportsbook
5. Rugby
Rugby might not be the world’s most universally adored sport, but in the places where it is cherished, the passion for it is unmatched.
I reckon it strikes a rare balance between tactical depth and raw, immediate action, setting it apart in the betting world.
This dynamic allows seasoned fans to delve into complex markets, while newcomers can still follow their gut with straightforward picks at premier rugby betting sites. Plus, being a high-scoring affair, rugby is ripe with chances for engaging over and under bets. If only live streaming were a bit more widespread, rugby would climb even higher on my list of top sports to bet on.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| A thrilling mix of strategy and physical play |
| Exciting international competitions to bet on |
| A wealth of engaging Over/Under betting options |
| ❌ Cons |
| Lacks the broad broadcast reach of some other sports |
🏅 Markets Worth a Punt:
- Tournament Top Scorer: Rugby’s penchant for racking up scores makes for some electrifying competition in the top scorer stakes, whether over a tournament or season.
- Winning Margin: Rugby’s hefty point tallies open up intriguing markets. It’s not just about who wins, but the scale of their victory.
- Team To Score The First Try: With points often scored early, betting on which team will land the first try adds an edge-of-your-seat thrill to the game’s start.
My favorite Sportsbook for Rugby: Justbit Casino
JustBit Sportsbook
6. Boxing
Unlike the other sports I’ve talked about, where you can pretty much set your watch to their events, boxing dances to its own rhythm. It’s all about those blockbuster fights that pop up without a set schedule, turning each bout into a spectacle for both sports fans and bettors alike.
These big-ticket events are a magnet for bookies, each throwing out juicy promotions to catch your eye. Beyond the buzz, boxing itself offers a betting experience unlike any other.
Sure, snagging a live stream for these showdowns might be tough. But the top boxing betting sites do a stellar job at bringing that pay-per-view, big fight night atmosphere right to you.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Monumental betting moments |
| Exclusive promotions tailored to each fight |
| A distinct set of rules and markets for betting |
| ❌ Cons |
| Fewer betting chances compared to other sports |
🏅 Markets to Watch:
- Method of Victory: Place your bets on the fight’s conclusion.
- Round Group Betting: Instead of who wins, wager on when the fight will end.
- Go The Distance: If you’re bracing for a battle of endurance, bet on the match lasting the full distance.
My favorite Sportsbook for Boxing: Rocketpot
RocketPot Sportsbook
7. MMA/UFC
Earlier, I touched on how boxing’s calendar might leave bettors wanting more. MMA, particularly UFC, hits the sweet spot, mixing those blockbuster clashes with a steady stream of events.
Not only do you get the adrenaline-pumping fights and the enticing odds, but there’s also a predictable schedule with planned fight cards, letting you dive into the world of elite combat sports with more regular betting opportunities.
The more structured setup of MMA allows savvy bettors to thoroughly research fighters and strategies before laying down bets on premier UFC betting platforms. It’s a world where knowledge and passion for the sport directly enhance your betting game.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| More predictable schedule than boxing |
| Combines the excitement of major fights with consistent betting options |
| Thoughtful matchmaking encourages long-term engagement and strategy |
| ❌ Cons |
| The sting of pay-per-view costs |
🏅 Markets to Keep an Eye On:
- Method of Victory: I’m repeating myself with notable markets here. But MMA’s thrilling possibility of submission victories was too good to pass up.
- First Round Victory: MMA bouts can end abruptly if one combatant overpowers the other early on. Spotting this potential gives this market its edge.
- Draw No Bet: This option takes the draw off the table. So if there’s no clear victor, you’re essentially off the hook, as if the wager was never placed.
My favorite Sportsbook for MMA/UFC: Bets.io
Bets.io Sportsbook
8. Esports
Grouping all of esports into one category isn’t meant to undersell its diversity; it’s quite the opposite. The esports world is bursting with a range of fantastic games. These include CS:GO, League of Legends and everything in between.
If I were to break down each game’s betting potential individually, I’d be here all day – but if you want to know more, go check out my comprehensive guide to betting on eSports here.
What I will say is that esports represents a fresh, cutting-edge betting frontier, showcasing levels of skill and strategic play unlike anything traditional sports have offered. It’s drawn in a new wave of fans and even led to the creation of betting platforms solely devoted to esports.
Though still in its (relatively) early days, esports betting is evolving rapidly, promising even richer markets and sharper odds down the line.
And, for now, there’s already a broad selection to dive into, not to mention the bonus of extensive live streaming access.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| A vast array of incredible games to bet on |
| Live streaming is widely accessible |
| Has introduced sports betting to a new audience |
| ❌ Cons |
| Odds may not be as competitive as those in more established sports |
🏅 Markets to Watch:
- Map Winner: Focus your bet on a team winning a particular map.
- First Blood: In FPS games, wager on which player will notch the first kill.
- Handicap Bets: Handicaps in esports betting either give the favorites a challenge to overcome or grant the underdogs.
My favorite Sportsbook for eSports: TrustDice
Trustdice eSports
9. NBA
While European sports may often hog the limelight in the online gaming world, some might argue that the NBA is a hidden gem in the betting community, particularly for those who appreciate the lightning-fast pace of basketball at its highest level.
NBA games unfold in a frenzy of action, making them prime territory for live and prop bets that keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus, the established teams and frequent matchups provide ample sunstance for stats enthusiasts who love to dissect every play.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Thriving live betting scene |
| Regular matchups between well-established teams |
| Often delivers nail-bitingly close games |
| ❌ Cons |
| Live streaming is typically unavailable due to licensing restrictions |
🏅 Notable Markets:
- Race To 30 Points: Bet on the team that reaches a designated point threshold first, regardless of the final outcome. The threshold could be any number, but 30 is a common choice.
- Quarter Winner: Elevate the excitement by betting on the winner of a single quarter, turning each segment into a mini-battle.
- Conference Winner: Predict the champion of either the Eastern or Western conference. This bet that pairs well with an overall finals winner.
My favorite Sportsbook for NBA: 0XBet
0xBet Sportsbook
10. American Football
American Football, much like its international counterpart, rugby, offers a thrilling blend of intense action and strategic depth.
This creates an exciting betting experience with options for all types of punters. Similar to the NBA, the familiarity between teams and their rich history adds to the allure.
With the Superbowl, one of the world’s largest sporting events, American Football becomes an irresistible betting opportunity. And what’s more, European bookmakers are increasingly recognizing the potential of NFL betting, offering quality odds and promotions.
| ✅ Pros |
|---|
| Extensive Superbowl coverage |
| Diverse and intriguing markets |
| Exciting to see American Football gain traction in the betting world |
| ❌ Cons |
| Still lacks coverage on some European platforms |
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