Football is arguably the most beloved sport globally, and if you’re reading our football analysis, you already know that. Apart from horse racing, football betting is one of the most popular sporting events worldwide. What led to the immense popularity of football betting? Why is it so popular now? We’ll look, and if you’re interested in placing bets, 20Bet is a great platform to explore.

The Earliest Days of Football Betting

It’s quite a challenge to pinpoint the exact beginnings of football betting. We assume it started then, When football became organized, in the late 19th to early 20th century.

It’s hard to know when people started betting on football. This is because there were no sportsbooks at that time. If someone wants to gamble on the sport, they’ll talk to their friend. They’ll make some informal bets. Though it wasn’t legal, people had to work with what they had.

Determining the number of bets in circulation during that time is quite a challenge. Everything was below board, and few records were kept. Yet, you can bet your bottom dollar that most of the ‘big’ games at the time had people betting on them. The players were likely involved, too. That’s a big no-no now for obvious reasons.

Online Sportsbooks

Online sportsbooks revolutionized gambling, especially in the US. It started in the mid-1990s and grew in the early 2000s. They’ve made betting more straightforward and more accessible.

• Ease of Access: No need to visit a local bookmaker. People can place bets from their computer or mobile device.
• Variety: Access to international events and domestic leagues. Bet on thousands of games. They include lower leagues and aspects like the first goal scorer, number of cards, and fouls.
• Better Odds: Online sportsbooks offer better odds due to lower overhead costs.
• Live Betting: Modern sportsbooks allow in-play bets. They let you bet while the game is happening.

Enhancements like mobile betting and bonuses have further boosted its popularity. Online betting has been a major driving force in the growth of football betting.

Why Is Football Betting So Popular?

Football is the most popular sport in the world. Every week, millions of fans around the globe tune in to watch the games, and every four years, hundreds of millions of people are captivated by the excitement of the World Cup. Due to its massive following, football has also led to widespread betting. Almost everyone over 18 has it’s bet on football at least once.

Football betting is fun due to the variety of bets available. New bettors can pick game winners, while seasoned fans can make more tactical bets. Winning on those bets is exciting and rewarding.

Football betting will likely continue to grow. This is especially true as it becomes legal in more places, like the US. The increasing popularity of football, especially women’s football, will also drive this growth. The future holds even more potential for its development.