As known from:
Pulse Sports white logoFootballfancast white logoTransfermarkt white logo
Contains commercial content
Betastic / Betting Guide / What You Need To Know About Sports Betting and How to Bet on Sports in 2024

What You Need To Know About Sports Betting and How to Bet on Sports in 2024

Last Updated:
09/03/2024
Topic:
Betting Guide
Experiences:
Loving football and all about writing

The world of online betting gives players the chance to bet on just about anything and everything they can think of from politics to TV shows. However, the real stand out avenue of choice is undeniably sports betting. Sports betting has arguably been around since the days of the ancient Greeks but formed in the way we are familiar with in 1876. It has grown exponentially since then to become the dominant force in the betting world.

Want to know how to bet on American football? Or, how about finding out how to bet on darts? Online bookmakers offer their punters a diverse array of different sports betting options from boxing, athletics, tennis and golf to football, horse racing and rugby. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to what you can place your bets on when it comes to sporting events. Bookmakers will also offer sports betting odds on the more obscure sports to punters with a taste for the truly different.

Betting on sports in this day and age can be difficult to find what sports are the best to bet on, what sports are most profitable and what sports offer you the best chance for success. As such, we will take you through all the things you need to know when approaching the world of online sports betting.

Our top picks: Best sportsbook sites for beginners

LeoVegas
1.
91/100
Rating
PayPal
UKGC - UK Gambling Commission
100% Profit Boost up to £100
LeoVegas Sports Bonus
100% Profit Boost up to £100
LeoVegas Review
Go to LeoVegas
Visit Site
Full T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
  • A choice of welcome bonuses
  • Award-winning provider
  • Excellent range of betting markets
T&Cs apply. New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via “My Offers” page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
bzeebet
2.
91/100
Rating
PayPal
UKGC - UK Gambling Commission
Bet £10 & Get £10 Free Bet
bzeebet Sports Bonus
Bet £10 & Get £10 Free Bet
bzeebet Review
Go to bzeebet
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
  • Limits for all
  • Great market coverage
  • HD streams
Sportingbet
3.
91/100
Rating
PayPal
UKGC - UK Gambling Commission
Claim Freebets & more
Sportingbet Sports Bonus
Claim Freebets & more
Sportingbet Review
Go to Sportingbet
Visit Site
Highlights
  • Very clearly designed website which is easy to use
  • The registration process is very easy indeed
  • Excellent apps and mobile version of the site available
Please gamble responsibly. Visit www.GambleAware.org. 18+
Betfred
4.
91/100
Rating
PayPal
UKGC - UK Gambling Commission
Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses
Betfred Sports Bonus
Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses
Betfred Review
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
  • Incredible 400% Welcome Bonus
  • Wide Choice of Markets
  • Clear and great structured Page
New customers only. 09:00 on 08/03/24 – 17:30 on 15/03/24. Register with CHELT50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports which settles before 23:59 on 15/03/24. Free Bets: £20 Horse Racing, £20 Football Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply Full T&Cs Apply.
10bet
5.
91/100
Rating
PayPal
UKGC - UK Gambling Commission
50% up to
£50
10bet Sports Bonus
50% up to £50
10bet Review
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
  • Plethora of betting markets
  • Great odds on popular events
  • Live streaming feature available
New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; See full terms; Terms apply; 18+

Understanding the Range of Sports Betting Options

With so many different sports to choose from, it is important to note the differences between them. You may be a fan of a particular sport and as such may not choose to venture into anything different. However, should you choose to expand your sports betting portfolio, you will need to know what sets certain sports apart from one another.

You may for example, be a fan of strictly placing your bets on football matches such as the English Premier League or the Bundesliga. UK sports betting is particularly invested in football wagering. Football is a team sport and is vastly different from say golf or tennis. This means that not only is the sport different but the way in which you bet on that sport is too. Football will offer betting types such as “first goalscorer”, “last goalscorer”, “halftime score”, “full-time score”, “scorecast”, “correct score” and “total goals”. There are of course additional types of combined bets and asian handicap bets you can place but in terms of how the sport allows you to bet, this is what you will find.

A sport such as tennis will have its own types of betting that may in some instances be similar to football betting. Tennis is an individual sport that will share a handful of betting types with football, however these betting types are inherently different due to the differences in the sports. Tennis will offer betting types such as “correct score”, “score after first set”, “outright winner” or “over/under”. While they are similar to the football betting types, they are referring to things like “set scores” and the “total number of sets played”. In this guide you can learn how to make the “best Tennis Predictions“. Markets you can bet on even go as far as how many winners will be hit or how many unforced errors will be made.

When going forward with your sports betting endeavours, it is always important to note the differences in the types of bets pertaining to contrasting sports. Should you be looking to branch out with your betting, make sure you understand these differences.

Favourite Sports to Wager On

The popularity of certain sports will of course not influence what you as the punter enjoy betting on. You may be a fan of the more obscure sports but it is still worth knowing what the most popular sports are. The current state of popularity in the sporting world would indicate that the most popular sport is far and away football. Not to be mistaken with American football, football (or soccer) receives by far the most sporting bets annually because it is beloved on a global scale by millions of people.

While football dominates the sports betting world there are several other sports that deserve an honourable mention for the amount of bets they receive. Horse race betting was one of the original sports to be bet on and has remained a constant in the online betting industry with horse racing events taking place all over the world.

Boxing has also grown into a global brand over the years, in particular with the heavyweight bouts that take place. It is a tenacious and vicious environment that excites people and as such entices them into betting on who they believe will win the fight.

Another sport that has grabbed the interest of sports bettors alike, is tennis. Tennis has several famous names such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic that have attracted the attention of millions of people and as a result many sports betting fanatics. The betting can be tricky as the quality of world class tennis players has increased, making the choice of outright winner quite difficult.

As we have mentioned, at the end of the day it comes down to your own preference when it comes to what sports you decide to bet on.

Which Sports Offer the Most Profitable Returns?

Nailing down what exactly the most profitable sport for betting is can be a difficult ask. However, it is easy to see what sports on average pay out the best winnings. In this case, football is not only the most popular but also on average the most enticing for sports betting odds. This is undoubtedly as a result of its global appeal, as online bookmakers will have greater capacity to offer better odds. The sport itself can also be unpredictable, making an underdog win more likely than in perhaps American football or rugby.

In terms of the biggest payouts, we would be remiss not to mention horse racing as it will oftentimes pay out massive winnings. It may not be as popular as football, but horse racing can at times offer incredible odds on races that give punters the chance of enjoying substantial wins off the back of one race. In this case, the underdog can run an unexpectedly excellent race.

Your Most Commonly Asked Sports Betting Questions

Sports betting can be exhilarating at times but not everyone is clued up about what sports betting entails. There are many things to look out for and many questions that need answering for newer punters that are venturing into the world of sports betting. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions to get you started:


Quite simply the answer is no. However, when it comes to betting in general, no matter what the event or sport is, it will only serve you to have a better understanding of what it is you are betting on. Increasing your base knowledge of a sport you are interested in will aid you in being more successful with your betting. You may also want to start your sports betting journey on a sport that you are already familiar with.

And remember, we’ve got plenty of guides to help you along your betting journey. From how to bet on golf and our wrestling betting tips to many of the more niche sports out there.

There is really no correct answer here, despite it being a question that is so frequently asked. It comes down to your own interests in certain sports and what sport you have the most knowledge of. Stick to what you know best and what interests you the most.

There are many paths you can take to increase your ability to place smarter bets. For example, it is a good idea to consult best sports betting strategies or a sports betting guide for whatever sport it is you have chosen to place your wagers on.

Sports betting online can absolutely be safe but it is up to you to make sure you at least do some research on the online bookmaker you are interested in before signing up. Most online bookmakers are absolutely safe and we go to great lengths to feature these here on Betastic, but if you need more assurance there are plenty of reviews out there for you to read on what bookmakers you should be avoiding.

Final Conclusion- Choosing Your Best Sports Bet

As you can see, sports betting has many facets to consider when it comes to the different sports, betting types and what the most profitable sports are. All of these factors need to be considered to some degree when you are starting your sports betting journey. At the end of the day, it is completely up to you as the punter to decide which sport interests you the most and what sports you are most knowledgeable in.

Sports betting online can be a fun and exciting experience, as long as you have chosen a quality, trustworthy bookmaker to wager your bets with. Once you have done this, there is nothing stopping you from potentially winning big on the sports that you love. Want to know how to bet on basketball? We’ve got a guide for that. Maybe you’re after a guide on how to bet on baseball? We’re here to help!

Read Also
Fancy TV Shows? | A Complete Guide to TV Show Betting 2024
Whilst many people enjoy wagering on sports like football and horse racing, ...
What is the Maximum Bookies Payout in Cash UK 2024?
Find the biggest cash outs from a single bet When it comes ...
The Proven Football Betting Strategy Guide To Dive In To 2024
There’s nothing in the world quite like football. An international phenomenon, it ...
Mugs Away? Learn What Is Darts Betting And How Do You Bet On It 2024
Darts is one of the most popular sports to bet on the ...
How to Bet on American Football? Full Guide for Beginners in 2024
American football is one of the most popular sports in the world, ...
Provider of the Month
Bet UK - Get Your Bonus Now! Get Your Bonus Now!
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
LeoVegas
LeoVegas
LeoVegas Review
91/100
bzeebet
bzeebet
bzeebet Review
91/100
Sportingbet
Sportingbet
Sportingbet Review
91/100
Betfred
Betfred
Betfred Review
91/100
10bet
10bet
10bet Review
91/100
LeoVegas
LeoVegas Bonus
100% Profit Boost up to £100
Full T&Cs apply, 18+
9.1/10
T&Cs apply. New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via "My Offers" page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
bzeebet
bzeebet Bonus
Bet £10 & Get £10 Free Bet
T&Cs apply
9.1/10
Sportingbet
Sportingbet Bonus
Claim Freebets & more
T&Cs apply
9.1/10
Get up to £50 in FreeBets, an Odds Boost Token, 20 Free Spins and £10 Casino Bonus when you sign up to sportingbet today. Get rewarded as you complete our 4 Welcome Challenges, plus get an extra £20 FreeBet when you complete all 4.
Betfred
Betfred Bonus
Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses
T&Cs apply, 18+
9.1/10
New customers only. 09:00 on 08/03/24 – 17:30 on 15/03/24. Register with CHELT50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports which settles before 23:59 on 15/03/24. Free Bets: £20 Horse Racing, £20 Football Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply Full T&Cs Apply.
10bet
10bet Bonus
50% up to £50
T&Cs apply
9.1/10
New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; See full terms; Terms apply; 18+
Betting Tips
07/11/2021 - 2:00 pm
Goodison Park
Tip:
Draw
3.40
Betfred
06/11/2021 - 3:00 pm
Brentford Community Stadium
Tip:
Brentford to Win
4/6
BoyleSports
06/11/2021 - 12:30 pm
Old Trafford
Tip:
Cristiano Ronaldo to Score Anytime
9/5
Unibet

Users must be 18+. If you are having trouble with gambling then help and advice can be found at begambleaware.org. Please Play Responsibly.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

Close
You didn't get to check out our top 3 betting sites in UK:
×
Your Bonus Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site