It is believed that Americans bet over $150 billion on sporting events each year, with many more betted legally all over the world. However, as additional states legalize sports betting, that figure could increase much higher, especially since betting has gotten even more convenient with the advent of online/mobile choices such as sbobet.
Although the $150 billion figure mentioned before applies to all sports, several events stand out above the rest. Check out our list of the most popular sports bets from across the world.
Super Bowl
Unsurprisingly, one of the most bet events each year is America’s favorite sport and greatest game. Each year, more than 100 million people tune in to watch the Super Bowl, and the number is growing. The halftime show, national anthem, coin toss, and other unique bets that attract more casual sports bettors are a big part of the Super Bowl’s appeal.
Boxing
Boxing has lost some of its shine in recent years, but high-profile fights such Floyd Mayweather, Conor McGregor, Manny Pacquiao, and others attract a lot of attention. Over $100 million in wagers were placed in Nevada, making it the state’s single largest handle for an event. Single bets of over $1 million for one of the two fighters were placed at multiple sportsbooks across the state. If Floyd Mayweather returns to the ring in boxing, we should expect more of the same.
NBA Finals
Basketball is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, so it’s no surprise that its championship series is one of the most popular betting events. Because most bets are placed at illegal offshore bookmakers, it’s difficult to quantify the precise amount, but it’s estimated that bettors in Nevada alone risk about $10 million per game. With over 20 million people watching each game of the series, it’s safe to assume that a lot of money is being wagered on the illegal offshore sportsbooks.
Rugby World Cup
Rugby is another sport that isn’t extremely popular in the United States, yet it is one of the most popular around the world. The Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 drew over 850 million viewers from around the world, the largest number in the tournament’s history. We don’t have particular betting data, but given the number of people who watch, we may estimate a significant amount of money is wagered throughout the tournament.
World Cup
Soccer isn’t a popular sport in the United States, but when the World Cup arrives, it captivates the entire world and everyone tunes in. In 2018, it was claimed that 3.572 billion people watched 64 matches over the course of the event. The Men’s World Cup will return in 2022, and for the first time, a majority of Americans will be allowed to legally wager on the sport.
The addition of internet betting and mobile betting possibilities has also contributed to a rise in the number of players and the money produced from sports bets. The amount of money made from online sports betting around the world is enormous, and it is growing as more countries legalize sports online betting.