Most Bet On Sporting Events

  1. The Super Bowl is the largest sports betting time for both Las Vegas sports books and online betting shops. The handle in Nevada alone is over $100 million on this single event. This equates to roughly just one or two percent of the overall handle bet in the world on the Super Bowl.
  2. The National Football League’s finale, known popularly as The Superbowl, is comfortably the largest annual single-day event in the world of sports, in terms of the winning purse as well as the amount of money gambled on the event.

Oct 30, 2020 The amount wagered on the US election to date is more than the combined wagering on Betfair for the four most bet-upon sporting events: the 2017 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Conor McGregor boxing. Betting Online is Not Just About Sports – These 10 Quirky Bets Can Make You Big Profits! Of course the vast majority of money bet will be on sports. Football (soccer) and Horse Racing make up the majority of this in Europe and around the world. In the US the ‘Big 3’ of NFL, MLB and NBA make up the lion’s share of money bet. Many of you will recognize at least some of the bets below.

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Sports betting is big international business, and by ‘big’ we mean astronomical! The estimated global income for the sports betting industry is somewhere between $700 billion and $1 trillion a year. In 2017, a record-breaking $4.68 billion was wagered in Nevada sportsbooks alone!

What is everyone betting on? Which sporting events take the biggest bucks in the world of sports betting? We’ll take a look at some of the world’s most popular sports and discover just how much money is wagered.

The FIFA World Cup

Football (soccer) is the world’s most popular sport, and it makes sense that it pulls in the most money. Each year, it’s estimated that soccer makes up 70% of the above-listed $1 trillion!

The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate tournament in the football calendar, occurring every four years. Despite a runtime of just one month, the World Cup provides an enormous amount of betting opportunities.

The competition kicks off with 210 countries participating in the qualifying rounds, then battling it out through different stages to make the final 32. Bettors from around the world are able to place wagers each step of the way. Although there aren’t any official figures as to how much is bet worldwide during the entire tournament, it’s estimated to be more than $260 million.

The Super Bowl

If we focus on the American scene, the National Football League is king. Bets on the NFL make up almost half of all sports bets placed, with the Super Bowl being the single most popular betting event during the sporting year.

The 2018 Super Bowl LII, which saw the Eagles stick it to the Patriots, brought in a record-breaking $158.6 million worth of wagers at Nevada sportsbooks. This staggering figure broke the record of $138.5 million wagered during the Super Bowl LI the previous year.

Of course, these are only the official (legal) figures. According to estimates made by the American Gaming Association, the real total wagered was likely in the region of $4.76 billion.

March Madness

The NCAA tournament is one of the highlights for sports fans and bettors alike. 68 teams battle it out through seven single-elimination rounds in one month with the hope of being named national champions.

Figures from the American Gaming Association (AGA) predicted that more than $10 billion would be wagered on the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. A mere fraction of that amount (3%) was probably bet legally.

However, considering that betting is legal in only one state then $300 million total bets on one sporting event is madness!

Most Bet On Sporting Events

Kentucky Derby

Sporting

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most important horse racing events in the United States and is, in fact, one of the longest-running sports events in the country. The event takes place on the first Saturday of May at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.

The ‘Run for the Roses’ (also known as ‘the fastest two minutes in sport’) draws a crowd of more than 150,000 spectators to the racetrack. This isn’t even counting the huge number of home viewers: The 144th Kentucky Derby pulled in 16.2 million viewers on NBC.

Churchill Downs reported record-breaking wagering with $209.2 million in bets over the 14-race card. The main race alone pulled in over $139.2 million in wagers, breaking the previous record of $137.9 million set in 2015.

The Grand National

Keeping with the equestrian theme, The Grand National is Britain’s own horse-racing extravaganza. It’s reportedly one of the world’s most challenging horse-races, with two laps of a racetrack which is 4-mile 514 yards (6.907 km) long and includes 30 jumps.

It’s a hugely popular event that’s attended by members of the Royal Family, as well as other A-list celebrities. In addition to seasoned horse racing enthusiasts and betting pros, it draws in upwards of 600 million viewers, making it the most watched TV event in the world.

It also beats the betting figures for our own Kentucky Derby. The 2017 Grand National reportedly saw wagers totaling £300 million, which is roughly $400 million!

Sports Betting is Big Money

The figures in sports betting are staggering, to say the least. Bet big or bet small, it all adds up to a multimillion-dollar industry. Of course, there are those professional bettors who seem to live by the motto ‘bet big or go home’. Discover the biggest bettors in history right here.


The biggest sporting events to bet on are some of the most beloved events in the world, even by those that aren’t as interested in sports. Many people will tune into the Super Bowl simply to watch the high budget commercials. Others will watch the World Cup every four years just to see the team represent their home country. Other Triple Crown events such as the Kentucky Derby are viewed by many just to witness the majesty of the horses racing. In every one of those scenarios, there are plenty of betting lines that sportsbooks make in order to capture the interest of anyone watching the event.

For many, simply getting to see these events is enough to keep their attention, but as any sports bettor knows, the chance to win money simultaneously is the best way to keep you locked in. The biggest sporting events to bet on in the U.S. are some of the most profitable days for sportsbooks, but those sportsbooks aren’t always located in the U.S. This is why it’s important to first understand the legality of betting on professional and collegiate events. After that, it’s important to know which events in each sport to bet on. That’s why we’re here to help. Find out below if the biggest sports events to bet on are actually ones you’ve always watched.

The Legality Of Betting On Professional And Collegiate Events

Most Bet On Sporting Events

The legality of betting on professional and collegiate events has started to clear up ever since the repeal of the federal ban on sports betting known as PASPA. Over a dozen states have officially legalized the activity and many of them have active state-regulated sportsbooks of some sort. Using those sports betting channels, weather land-based or through a statewide mobile betting app is completely safe and is backed by the state government. However, each state has its own laws when it comes to betting on professional and collegiate events.

Multiple states prohibit betting on the state’s home college teams or college events happening within their borders. Other state’s such as Iowa prohibit in-game wagers on in-state college athletes. These measures were put in place because the state lawmakers believed that college athletes were susceptible to bribes and thus the integrity of their games was at risk. Offshore sports betting sites don’t have to worry about these provisions because they operate overseas. That is why all college sports betting lines are fair game with them. Those sites are regulated in their home territories, making them another legal option if you need to find odds for a certain team. Below, you can find a list of some major events to bet on, and some of the best 2021 online sportsbooks to do so at.

Football Events To Bet On

While it may not be the case everywhere in the world, in America, football is king, and there are plenty of football events to bet on. In college football, every Saturday matters because even one loss could knock you out of the four-team playoffs. For the NFL, having a preseason and longer postseason means there are football events to bet on from August until February. However, in both cases, there are certain events that draw in the most action every year and we’ve listed those events below.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest sport to bet on in all of sports. March Madness may draw in more action as a whole, but for a single event, the Super Bowl wears the crown. It’s easy to see why. Betting on the NFL isn’t the only reason that people put down wagers for the event. Some people will bet on the opening coin flip, others will bet on the length of the national anthem, and some will even put money on what color Gatorade the winning team will splash their head coach with. The betting lines can get outrageous, making every second of the event a chance to score big.

College Football Playoffs

Betting on the College Football Playoffs, while still a relatively new activity, has proven to be monumental for sports bettors. College football betting has never been more exciting and the addition of these two games before the championship makes for hours and hours of betting opportunities for a single day event. There’s no telling which conferences are going to make it in. There have been scenarios were two teams from a single conference have made it in, and there has even been the case of Notre Dame making it in having no conference. This gives fanbases across the country a chance to bet on their favorite college football team during the playoffs.

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Basketball Events To Bet On

The number of basketball events to bet on are staggering given the amount of college basketball and NBA games played each season. Conference tournaments in college basketball extend seasons for more events to bet on while the seven-game series structure of the NBA playoffs also adds to the wagering opportunities. However, the best basketball events to bet on are identified below.

March Madness

Almost everyone has filled out a March Madness bracket at some point in their lives. Even those that don’t normally bet on college basketball have to admit to joining an office pool of some sort. March Madness is one of the most unpredictable events in all of sports, but there is always bound to be a Cinderella story somewhere in the mix. This makes for the potential to have some very lucrative payouts if you pick the right Cinderella school to advance.

NBA Finals

NBA betting reaches its pinnacle each season when it comes to the NBA Finals. This is especially true when people put money down before the series begins. Picking the right time to win in the right amount of games could load your pockets well into next season. But, there is always the potential for injuries to affect each game and for buzzer-beaters to keep certain teams alive. Good thing it’s a seven-game series, so even if you don’t cash-in on the first game, there is always another chance with NBA Finals betting.

Big 3

New to the NBA offseason is Ice Cube’s Big 3 basketball league. The league features former NBA and international basketball stars competing in a modified three-on-three basketball tournament. The league presents terrific betting options for basketball fans during the offseason. The season usually runs for eight weeks, with two sets of three games every week. The game featured modified rules, like a four-point shot, and features former stars like Stephen Jackson, Gary Payton, and Rashard Lewis.

Baseball Events To Bet On

With over a hundred regular season baseball games each season, you’ll never run short of having baseball events to bet on. MLB betting is common during the dog days of summer when there aren’t very many other sports in season. But, there are two events specifically that are the high points when it comes to betting on the sport as a whole.

World Series

There’s nothing quite like grabbing a warm cup of pumpkin spice latte and betting on the World Series in October. The World Series, (even though only played by American teams and possibly one singular Canadian team), features all the greatest players from around the world. Whether it be players from Japan, Mexico, the Carribean Islands or the US, there are always high-profile athletes that make for great player prop bets. Just like the NBA Finals, even though you may have a bad beat the first game, you’ll at least be able to redeem yourself the next game.

The Final Korean Baseball Championship AKA Korean Series

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) or KBO League has its own World Series for baseball around the same time as the MLB, during the Fall months of every year. The Korean Series as it’s called is part of the post-season playoffs. While it’s the Championship for the league, the winning team will move on to compete in the Asia Series. The play-offs continue for the third and fourth place finishers in the Korean Series to properly rank who will be second place for the season and then third and fourth. Every bit of these series playoff games and the Asia series are listed on sportsbooks for betting. Korean baseball is highly popular worldwide and is very similar to the way the MLB runs its organization.

College World Series

Most Bet On Sporting Events 2020

Hearing that your favorite college program is going to Omaha is a great feeling. It means that your team is in the College World Series and that they have a chance to bring home college baseball’s greatest prize. While not as popular as other collegiate sports, betting on the College World Series is one way to keep you locked in for every pitch thrown in Nebraska during May and June.

Soccer Events To Bet On

Since soccer is the most popular sport in the world, the number of soccer events to bet on can actually overwhelm you. The English Premier League Title is a common trophy that soccer fans in America pay attention to. But just blink and you’ll miss your chance to bet on the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Euro Cup, Copa America, or even the CONCACAF. Don’t forget about MLS betting in the U.S. too. However, there is one event that is worth waiting every four years for.

World Cup

When you’re betting on the World Cup, you’re not just putting your money down on any regular team. Those players are in charge of representing their country in front of the entire world. With it comes high stakes and high payouts. This is true even for the group stage games in the early rounds. There have been plenty of upsets and even some of the most prestigious soccer-crazed countries have gone down in those games. Be sure to bet on the World Cup when you have the chance, otherwise, you’ll have to wait another four years before you get another chance.

Hockey Events To Bet On

You might that only northerners know which hockey events to bet on. But, you’ll be surprised to find that there are plenty of hockey fans in as far south as Florida. Hockey is constantly growing in its popularity so each regular-season game has only become more of a viable option to bet on because of that. But, ask any pro sports bettor and they’ll tell you that there is only one real hockey event that grabs their attention.

Stanley Cup Finals

The Stanley Cup Finals betting lines are not to be slept on. NHL betting is one thing, but putting action on the final series takes on a whole new meaning. That’s because similar to the Super Bowl, there are plenty more betting lines for the event than any other single hockey game. The chances for you to actually come way a winner yourself are increased just by that fact. Who knows, maybe after you win your Stanley Cup Finals bet you’ll be able by a giant cup of your own.

Other Big Sporting Events To Bet On

There are other big sporting events to bet on rather than just the traditional team sports that most are accustomed too. UFC betting has become increasingly more popular over the years, especially now that it is being televised in more locations. Betting on Boxing was one of the first major sports to see action, and even though it’s lost a bit of its luster in recent years, there are still great betting lines to be had. But, most of the time it’s these three sporting events below that capture the interest of common sports bettors.

Bets

Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments

For many sports bettors, a bulk of their money comes from betting on Tennis. This is especially true when it comes time to lay down a few dollars on Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments. It begins with betting on the Australian Open. Even though it takes place during the winter months in America, the weather in Australia is perfect for the tournament. Up next is French Open betting. Played in Roland Garros, the French open is unique to other venues in that it is played on Clay. After that, bettors turn to placing wagers on Wimbledon. This tournament comes with a bit of prestige in that players must wear all white and the crowd remains silent. But, it all comes full circle once the end of August comes. Betting on the U.S. open is many people’s last chance to find the most odds for a given tennis matchup. While the big names in the sport usually come away from these tournaments victorious, there is always some new faces ready to make some noise.

PGA Golf Tour

The PGA Golf Tour, believe it or not, can be a thrilling event to watch. While some are simply taking in the beauty of the courses, those that have bet on the PGA Golf Tour are crossing their fingers for every drive and every put. Betting on the Masters drives most of the action throughout the tour and for good reason. It’s the first major golf event of the year and the prestige of wearing the green jacket draws in a high amount of action. The tour continues with the PGA Championship and with that comes PGA Championship betting lines. While the event may get overshadowed by other sports in May it is definitely one to keep an eye on. The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world which means betting odds for the Open Championship are available by international sportsbooks as well as ones in the U.S. But, the last major event of the Tour comes back to America for the U.S. Open. The final major golf event of the year comes near the end of Summer, so be sure to place a wager on the U.S. Open before the other sports such as the NFL start.

Sporting Bets Odds

Olympics

Whether it be for the Summer games or the Winter games, betting on the Olympics is something you don’t want to miss out on. Each of the games comes once every four years and the amount of betting lines available during the games is incredible. You can bet on sports you may never have thought to place a wager on, making every sport one to peak your interest. You can also bet on athletes from the U.S., giving you an extra reason to cheer for America’s success in the games.

Triple Crown

Winning a Triple Crown doesn’t happen often. With so many well-trained horses competing in each race, it’s easy to see why. However, once the winner of the Kentucky Derby is announced, all bets are on that horse to win the Triple Crown. Betting on the Kentucky Derby itself is also one of the oldest and most popular forms of sports betting in America. The event itself draws in huge crowds each year and the races leading up to the “most exciting two minutes in sports” also present great wagering opportunities. Preakness Stakes betting lines also see a heavy amount of action given the expectations put on the Derby winner. If somehow a single horse is able to come on top of both of those two races you’ll surely want to bet on the Belmont Stakes. It is the final leg of the Triple Crown and it is the last time many people will place a pari-mutuel bet all year.

Most Bet On Sporting Events Tonight

Is It Legal To Bet On Popular Sporting Events?

Yes, it is absolutely legal to bet on popular sporting events such as the Super Bowl or the Triple Crown. In fact, more people are likely to wager on events such as the NBA Finals more so than any other game in the NBA. The reason for that is because they are the biggest events of the year and people want to bet on who will be the champs. No sportsbook in the US or on one of our recommended online offshore sportsbooks will not take action on big events. The only exception is that if a state has specific laws against college matches within state borders or the like. But online offshore sportsbooks will always take action on big events, so do not worry.

Can I Use My Mobile Device To Bet On Big Sporting Events?

You can absolutely use your mobile device to bet on big sporting events. Unfortunately, life is busy and there is no guarantee that you will be home to watch the biggest games of the year. But that does not mean that you should miss out on the biggest bets of the year. Betting on your mobile device allows you to bet on sports no matter where you are and the action is always with you. Just access one of our recommended books using a browser on your mobile device and you are good to go. You will also receive exclusive bonuses for doing so, so give it a try.

What Are The Best Sportsbooks To Wager On Big Sporting Events?

Without a doubt, it has to be on one of our recommended online offshore sportsbooks. Super Bowl 53 is a perfect example of this. During Super Bowl 53, sportsbooks in Rhode Island lost a ton of money because the New England Patriots won. Although everyone in Rhode Island was betting on the Patriots, the payouts were really bad because no one was really wagering on the Los Angeles Rams. If they were to wager on online offshore sportsbooks, they would not have to deal with homegrown fans ruining the payout odds. This is part of the reason why we recommend online offshore sportsbooks to you.