Bruce Dias 
Sports has been one of the largest forms of entertainment for centuries, and legal sports betting has added a new way for fans to interact with their favorite teams. Plus, you might even make a profit.
Sports betting has become a massive industry, with mobile apps making it easier to get in on the action from anywhere. Fans can place bets in just a few clicks with a Leading online sportsbook, at a casino, or even bet on their favorite teams right from inside the venue. Billions of dollars get wagered on everything from darts to the World Cup, every year.
In this article, we’re going to look at where some of that money goes. Here’s a breakdown of the most bet on sports.
1. Football
Football, known as soccer state-side, is one of the most popular sports around the world. Because of its huge following, there are tons of national and international leagues to enjoy, like MLS in America, the English Premier League (EPL), La Liga in Spain and more. There are head-to-head matches to get in on almost every day. Plus, major events like the UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores and even the World Cup make soccer futures extra appealing.
2. American Football (NFL)
Given that the Super Bowl is is one of the largest annual betting events in the world, it makes sense that the NFL dominates the American sports betting industry. But that’s not all.
Every week from August to February, the nation’s most elite football players go head to head to see who will make it to the playoffs, and beyond. You can place bets on everything from who will win the game to smaller markets, like who will get the most rushing yards. And you can even combine them into multi-leg parlays.
3. Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game with origins dating back to the 16th century. It’s especially popular in India, Australia, and many other Commonwealth nations. From 2023 to 2024, the market size grew by 25% and it’s expected to keep climbing. Along with big events like the IPL and Cricket World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles will also bring the sport back to the world stage. The variety of bet types — from match winners to individual player props — keeps fans invested throughout each match.
4. Basketball
Basketball is a popular sport for betting because of its fast-paced, high-scoring games. Many fans enjoy live betting on NBA games because of how dynamic they are and how many different prop markets there are to choose from. Along with the NBA, there is college basketball, which draws fans and bettors in the millions, especially for the annual March Madness tournament.
5. Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a big sport for bettors because the seasons run long. Games are played for six months out of the year, with a whopping 162 matchups in the regular season. From there, the Division Series all the way up to the World Series make for a stacked schedule that players can enjoy.
6. Tennis
Tennis is perfect for frequent bettors because of its daily matches and Grand Slam events like Wimbledon and the US Open.
Even though you may not think of tennis as big, athletes like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are known around the world. Serena even recently made her NFL Halftime debut! Punters can bet on moneylines, totals, and more.
7. Hockey (NHL)
Hockey isn’t as widely played as other sports, but the fans are diehard loyal. Bettors, too. There are tons of exciting prop bets on NHL games because of their unpredictability, and you could win big with futures bets, like picking an early winner for the Stanley Cup. Every hockey game provides a high stakes atmosphere that’s perfect for in-game bets, too.
There’s Something for Everyone When It Comes to Sports Betting
Whether you want fast action or to approach your betting career slowly and strategically, there are thousands of sports to choose from. The most popular sports are a great place to start, because of their huge betting interest and volume, you’re bound to find a wager that suits you. No matter your preference, today’s sportsbooks make it easier than ever to find a match, place a bet, and enjoy the ride.
