Guide to Online Sports Betting

Guide to Online Sports Betting

Sports betting is one of the oldest forms of gambling in the world and the preferred form of gambling in many countries. It was 2,000 years ago when the sports betting activities were recorded. It was the Greeks who first showed passion for sports which led to the development of the Olympics. This was followed by the Romans where gladiator games were a source of entertainment and bets. This was soon followed by the spread of sports betting in different civilizations and states covering different types of sports.

Today, sports betting is considered a popular form of gambling and entertainment. The frequency and types of bets may vary, but the majority of the best that are made today are placed on American football, hockey, baseball, basketball, horse racing, auto racing, mixed martial arts, and boxing. Thanks to its popularity, betting also extend to non-sporting events like political elections and entertainment events like the Emmy Awards and the Oscars. In short, betting on the outcomes of a sport or event has become a popular activity for many. Its popularity has also led many states to regulate the activities associated with it. Different countries now have different rules and laws in place that regulate sports betting. What may be applicable in one country may not be necessarily applicable in another. As a player, it pays to know the rules governing sports betting in a particular country or region.

At Sport One, we can provide you with a comprehensive guide on the rules and laws adopted in different countries in the world. As a form of gambling, sports betting is also subject to laws and operators must comply not just with rules of the licensing bodies but with local laws.

As your premier destination for online gambling information, we review the status of sports betting in different countries. We take a look at the most popular sports covered, legalities, and the most popular sportsbooks and casinos that are operating in these areas. Read on, and find out how sports betting works in the following countries.

Sports Betting in the Philippines

The Philippines is a sports-crazy country and loves gambling. Throughout history, the Filipinos were known to indulge in different forms of gambling particularly sports betting. Although there were no exact records on where and what types of gambling were preferred, the majority of the historians agree that the first forms of gambling were introduced by the Chinese in the 16th century. One of the early forms of gambling is betting on cockfights which is still a popular past-time among many Filipinos. Today, there are different forms of gambling in the country with sports betting as the most popular. Sports betting in the Philippines is allowed particularly in casinos licensed by First Cagayan, the premier licensing jurisdiction in Asia.

According to current laws, these locally licensed casinos can only cater to foreign players, leaving locals with limited options. Filipinos can bet on sports in casinos that are licensed offshore. There are brick-and-mortar casinos and betting hubs too available to Filipinos and these are licensed and regulated by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. For sports, the most popular are football, basketball, boxing, billiards, volleyball, eSports, and horse racing. Filipinos also prefer betting on National Basketball Association (NBA) and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), a local league. In the Philippines, the leading online sportsbooks are the following:

  • 888 Sports
  • Intertops Sportsbook and Casino
  • MSW
  • Pinnacle
  • Other PAGCOR - licensed sports betting hubs (read our dedicated review to learn more)

Read more on our dedicated page for Sports Betting in Philippines

Sports Betting in Australia

Australia is one of the countries that fully allow its residents to play online casino games and take part in online sports betting. With the government’s liberal policies on online gambling, the country has become an attractive hub for casino operators and software vendors that specialize in game and casino solutions development. According to the latest industry survey, more than 80 percent of the adult population are involved or have tried gambling, considered the highest in the world. In Australia, locals are known to play different types of casino games and bet on almost anything! Aussies are primarily known for their love for online pokies or slots, but they are also passionate about sports betting.

Sports betting is one of the most popular forms of gambling in this country, and the bets are often placed on leading sports and popular leagues around the world. Some of the top online sportsbooks for Aussie players deliver the best odds on Rugby League, Aussie Rules, Rugby Union, and Cricket. And if you are lucky, you can also find other fully licensed bookmakers that offer the best odds on other sports and events, including the hard-to-find ones.

Online casinos and bookmakers should be fully licensed before they can accept real money wagers from Aussie players. Below are some of the leading online casinos and bookmakers that accept bets from Australian players:

  • Bet365
  • 1xBet Sports

Read more on our dedicated page for Sports Betting in Australia

Sports Betting in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is one of the biggest markets for legal sports betting. Since the 1960s, players and punters from the country are enjoying sports betting activities offered by both the sports betting shops, online bookies and casinos. The popularity of this form of gambling is made possible by the 1960 Betting and Gaming Act which legalized fixed odds and off-course betting. With this law, sports fans and gambling enthusiasts were given the opportunity to visit and play at sports betting shops. The approval of the Gambling Act of 2005 allowed online sportsbooks and casinos to operate and provide players with platforms and the tools to bet on sporting outcomes. As long as the online bookies and the betting shops are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, they can accept real money wagers from players. In the UK, horse racing and football are considered the most popular sporting events. With sports betting, players can access different racing bets, the best deals, and odds.

Some of the leading betting sides in the region allow its customers to bet on dozens of races and meets hosted in the UK and Ireland and in other countries like the Kentucky Derby. Some of the big races covered by these websites are the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National.

With the UK Gambling Commission taking the lead, online sports betting becomes fun, convenient, and truly secure. A fully regulated sports betting environment also allowed for the introduction of highly reliable online casinos and sportsbooks that allow players to bet on outcomes and follow different types of games. Some of the most popular sportsbooks in the UK are the following:

  • Bet365
  • 888 Sport
  • MansionBet
  • Bethard Casino and Sportsbook
  • Betway Sports

Read more on our dedicated page for Sports Betting in the UK

Sports Betting in Canada

Canada is not just the home of the maple syrup and hockey but it’s also a thriving hub for online sports betting and casino entertainment. With the Kahnawake Gaming Commission taking the lead in regulating the industry, players can count on dozens of online casinos and sportsbooks which cover some of the leading games and events. Some of the popular sports covered by online sportsbooks for Canadian players are football, hockey, tennis, volleyball, and basketball. With the Toronto Raptors winning its first-ever championship in the National Basketball Association (NBA), it’s expected that the popularity of basketball betting will continue to grow. Other important leagues and events followed in Canada are the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Football League (NFL), and English Premier League.

When betting, Canadian players can take advantage of fully-licensed online casinos and sportsbooks. Here’s a quick look at the best destinations for online sports betting:

  • 888 Sport
  • 22 Bet
  • Intertops Sports Betting
  • Betway
  • Bet Online

Read more on our dedicated page for Sports Betting in Canada

Sports Betting in the United States

The United States is an exciting yet confusing destination for many casino enthusiasts and sports bettors. It’s home to Las Vegas, the epicenter for global casino entertainment and casino games. Here, you can find dozens of hotels and casinos operating along the strip which appeals to both locals and foreign players looking for casino entertainment that can change their fortune. However, the rules on sports betting are different and can be quite confusing for first-time players and punters. Ever since the US Supreme Court overturned the ban on this activity, a number of online casinos and sportsbooks have rapidly spread across the country. Today, you can find some states that are now offering sports betting but you can still find a few areas where this is not allowed.

As of the last update, the states of Nevada and New Jersey allow sports betting in the United States. Nevada is the leading destination for players who want to take part in sports betting since this activity has been allowed since 1940s. Both states allow for online sports betting and covers popular sports like basketball, baseball, tennis, boxing, football, athletics, and non-sporting events. For US-based players, the most popular sportsbooks are the following:

  • My Bookie
  • Bovada
  • BetOnline

Read more on our dedicated page for Sports Betting in the US

Sports Betting in India

Despite the tight and restrictive rules for sports betting in India, it’s residents love following placing bets and following the results of games. According to some industry estimates, more than $60 billion has been wagered by players and punters from this South Asian country, with the bulk of bets placed on foreign sports betting websites. In India, the laws on gambling and sports betting are still dated. Based on existing laws, gambling is mainly illegal with the exception of horse races. In a ruling made by India’s Supreme Court, it stated that horse racing is a game of skill and can be considered legal. However, the laws on sports betting is dependent on the laws adopted by individual states. By virtue of the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and Technology Act of 2000, sports betting is not permitted but states may create their own laws.

One state that allows sports betting is Sikkim. However, the national government is known for not actively prosecuting locals who participate in sports betting making this a popular activity for many. In India, the most popular sport is cricket. After cricket, Indian casino customers also love betting on football, the English Premier League, and NFL. Listed below are some of the favored destinations for sports betting in India:

  • Bet365
  • Royal Panda Casino
  • LeoVegas
  • 22 Bet

Let Sport One serve as your primary destination for all things related to online sports betting. We cover and review the sports betting industry in different countries. This website also features some of the best online sportsbooks and casinos that can work for players from different countries.

Read more on our dedicated page for Sports Betting in India

Read on and be an informed online bettor starting today!