The Punter’s Choice: Most Popular Sports on UK Betting Sites

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This article looks into the most sought-after sports on UK betting sites, primarily football and horse racing. It explores the factors fueling their popularity, the diverse array of betting markets, key events and tournaments, as well as insights into betting strategies and emerging trends within these domains.

The United Kingdom boasts a thriving sports betting market, holding a 23% share in Europe as of 2021 ¹. While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the industry’s size, which totalled £5.4 billion in 2021 ¹, sports betting remains a popular pastime among British fans. Football, horse racing, and dog racing emerged as the leading sports for betting, with soccer recording an annual turnover of £1.34 billion between April 2021 and March 2022 ¹.

This article looks into the most sought-after sports on UK betting sites, primarily football and horse racing ¹ ³. It explores the factors fueling their popularity, the diverse array of betting markets, key events and tournaments, as well as insights into betting strategies and emerging trends within these domains.

Football

Football’s Dominance in UK Betting

Football is the most betted on sport in the UK, capturing over 40% of the sports gambling market share ⁵. This dominance can be attributed to the immense popularity of the sport, with around 40% of the UK population following football, from grassroots to the Premier League ⁵.

Diverse Betting Markets

Football offers a wide range of betting markets, catering to the diverse preferences of punters. In addition to the traditional match result bets, bettors can explore accumulator bets, individual player stats, and more ⁵. This variety of options adds to the excitement and engagement for football fans.

Match Result Bets
Goalscorer Bets
Total Goals Bets
Accumulator Bets
Player Stats Bets

Premier League and Champions League Reign Supreme

Football is the most popular sport for betting in the UK, with 45% of active bettors placing wagers on football, particularly on the Premier League and Champions League ⁶. These top-tier competitions attract significant betting activity, with punters taking advantage of the opportunity to bet on their favourite teams and players ⁷.

Major Events Drive Betting Frenzy

Big football events generate huge betting activity, with punters taking advantage of the opportunity ⁷. Tournaments like the World Cup, European Championships, and major cup finals witness a surge in betting activity, as fans look to add an extra layer of excitement to their viewing experience.

Enduring Appeal

Football remains a popular choice for Brits looking to place a bet ⁷. Whether it’s the Premier League, European and international competitions, or the World Cup, football betting offers a thrilling experience for fans and bettors alike ⁷.

Horse Racing

A Tradition of Equine Excitement

Horse racing holds a revered position as the second most popular sport for betting in the UK ⁵. This deep-rooted tradition has captivated British fans for centuries, with major events like the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National witnessing millions of bets placed annually ⁵.

Diverse Betting Markets

The sport offers a variety of betting opportunities, allowing punters to wager on horses to win, place, or build accumulators across multiple races ⁵. This diversity caters to different risk appetites and preferences, enhancing the overall betting experience.

Marquee Events and Festivals

Cheltenham Festival (March): Considered the highlight of the jump racing calendar, this prestigious event features the coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup, boasting over £625,000 in prize money ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰.
Grand National Festival (April): Held at Aintree Racecourse, the Grand National is a gruelling 4.25-mile race with 30 fences, attracting a third of British bettors and offering a £1 million prize pool ⁷ ⁹ ¹⁰.
Qipco Guineas Festival (May): One of the British Classic Flat races, this event marks the start of the flat racing season ⁸.
Royal Ascot (June): A prestigious event attended by the British Royal family, Royal Ascot features the prestigious Gold Cup, the first leg of the Stayers’ Triple Crown ⁸ ⁹.
Betfred St Leger Festival (September): The final British Classic Flat race of the season ⁸.
QIPCO British Champions Day (October): The culmination of the British Flat racing season ⁸.

Influential Factors

Beyond the thrill of the races themselves, several factors influence horse racing betting, including form, jockeys, and trainers. Punters closely analyze these elements to make informed decisions and maximize their chances of success.

Golf

Golf’s Rising Popularity Among UK Bettors

While football and horse racing dominate the UK sports betting market, golf has emerged as the third most popular sport for bettors ⁵. Although its market share is significantly smaller than the top two sports, golf betting has gained traction among UK punters.

Diverse Betting Markets

Golf offers a variety of betting opportunities, catering to different preferences and strategies. Bettors can wager on outright tournament winners, as well as more specific markets like whether a player will make the cut ⁵. This diversity allows punters to explore different betting avenues and adds to the excitement of following golf events.

Outright Tournament Winner
Top Player Finish Position
Make/Miss the Cut
Head-to-Head Matchups
First-Round Leader

Higher Spending Among Golf Bettors

Interestingly, a higher proportion of golf bettors (14%) spend over £200 monthly on sports bets compared to football (7%) and horse racing (8%) ¹¹. This statistic suggests that golf attracts a dedicated following among UK bettors, with a willingness to invest more in their wagers.

Major Golf Tournaments Drive Betting Activity

Similar to other sports, major golf tournaments generate significant betting interest among UK punters. Events like The Open Championship, the Masters Tournament, and the Ryder Cup witness a surge in betting activity, as fans and bettors alike follow the action and place wagers on their favourite players or outcomes ⁵.

Other Popular Sports

American Sports Leagues Attract High Spenders

American sports leagues like MLB (20% spend over £100 monthly), NHL (20%), NBA (22%), and NFL (15%) tend to attract an even higher share of high-bet spenders compared to the more popular sports in the UK ¹¹. These leagues cater to a niche but dedicated audience of UK bettors willing to invest more in their wagers.

Discerning Customers Prefer Loyalty Schemes

Sports that attract high-spenders also have a higher share of discerning customers who say they only use sites that offer loyalty schemes, with over 40% of MLB bettors agreeing with this ¹¹. This highlights the importance of loyalty programs and incentives for retaining high-value bettors in these niche markets.

Boxing: A Concentrated Betting Market

Boxing is the fourth most popular sport for betting, with 8% of active bettors placing a bet ⁶.
Promoters like Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have been responsible for some high-profile match-ups in recent years, driving betting activity ⁶.
Boxing has a smaller but more concentrated betting market, with millions of bets placed on major championship fights ⁵.
Bets can be placed on the fight winner, as well as the round and method of victory ⁵.
Boxing is also a popular sport for betting in the UK, especially during big fights involving Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Jake Paul ⁷.

Tennis: A Seasonal Betting Frenzy

Tennis is the fifth most popular sport for betting, with 8% of respondents saying they had bet on the sport over the past 12 months ⁶.
The sheer number of matches during the year and the ability to live bet during matches are advantages for tennis betting ⁶.
Tennis betting is more seasonal, focused on major events like Grand Slams and the Olympics ⁵.
Bets can be placed on match and tournament winners, as well as specific in-game stats like aces ⁵.
Tennis is another popular sport for betting in the UK, with Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon and the Australian Open drawing significant bettors ⁷.

Rugby Union: Excitement and Close Matches

Rugby Union rounds out the list, with 6% of respondents placing a bet on the sport ⁶. The excitement and close nature of rugby matches make them interesting for punters.

Other Notable Sports

Cricket is one of the most popular sports for betting in the UK, with an annual turnover of around three-quarters of a billion pounds ⁷. International cricket matches, Twenty20 cricket, and the Indian Premier League have boosted betting activity ⁷.
Basketball, both the NBA and European/college leagues, also attracts betting interest in the UK ¹².
Darts is a growing betting market in the UK, with options to bet on match winners, tournament winners, and specific stats ⁵. Tournaments organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the British Darts Organisation (BDO) are popular for betting on match outcomes, correct scores, total 180s, and specific checkouts ¹³.

FAQs

Which online sports betting site is the most frequented? The most popular online sports betting site can vary based on user preferences and the sports season.

Which app is considered the premier betting app in the UK? The UK’s number 1 betting app can be subjective and change over time. However, the top bookmakers mentioned, such as talkSPORT BET, Betfred, bet365, and others, typically have apps that are highly rated by users for their convenience, offers, and user experience.

What type of sports bet is most commonly placed? The moneyline bet is one of the most common types of sports bets. It’s straightforward: you simply choose a team to win at the given odds. If your chosen team wins the game, you win the bet. This simplicity makes it a popular choice among bettors.