Soccer Betting

Soccer is one of the most widely followed sports in the world, and betting on it has become just as ingrained in the culture.

With the rise of online sportsbooks and mobile apps, people can now place bets on their favorite teams from anywhere at any time, making it easier than ever to get involved.

soccer betting image 1 - Types of Soccer Bets

Types of Soccer Bets

When betting on soccer, you’ll come across two major categories:

1. Bet on Club Soccer

Club soccer betting remains incredibly popular, with many bettors gravitating toward domestic leagues and international club competitions. Some of the biggest events in this category include:

  • Top Domestic Leagues: Such as the English Premier League (EPL), La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), and the Bundesliga (Germany). These leagues host competitive matches where fans often bet on match outcomes, individual player performances, and even season-long outcomes.
  • European Club Competitions: Major tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League draw massive global attention. These competitions often see high stakes and are particularly popular among bettors who follow European club soccer.
  • Knockout Competitions: Domestic cups like the FA Cup (England) and Copa del Rey (Spain) also attract substantial betting action.

2. Bet on International Soccer

International tournaments bring out fierce national pride, and bettors flock to place wagers on these exciting events.

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Key international betting events include:

  • FIFA World Cup: Arguably the most prestigious soccer tournament, the World Cup attracts billions of viewers and millions of bettors globally.
  • UEFA European Championship (Euro): Another major international event, where national teams from across Europe compete for supremacy.
  • Copa América: South America’s premier international tournament, also draws significant betting interest.
  • AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations): A popular tournament in Africa, where top teams like Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal compete.

Online Sports Book Odds for Soccer/Football

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How To Bet Online

Betting on soccer online is easy and accessible. First, choose a reputable sportsbook, create an account, and deposit funds using various payment methods like credit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers. Browse the available soccer betting markets, such as match outcomes, goal scorers, and over/under totals, and place your bet. Many sportsbooks also offer live betting, where you can wager during the game. Once the match is over, you can withdraw your winnings through the same payment methods. Always research teams and players, bet responsibly, and take advantage of bonuses to get the most out of your soccer betting experience.

Popular Betting Markets in Soccer

Soccer betting offers various markets, each with its own appeal to fans:

  • Match Result: The most common type of bet, where you wager on the outcome of a match (home win, away win, or draw).
  • Goalscorer Bets: Predicting which player will score first, last, or at any time during a match. This market often offers high odds, especially when betting on star players or underdogs.
  • Correct Score Bets: These bets involve predicting the exact scoreline of the match. While challenging, these bets offer lucrative odds. Compare soccer odds with top online bookies on Wizard of Odds.
  • Over/Under Bets: Bettors predict whether the total goals in a match will be over or under a set number (e.g., 2.5 goals).
  • Parlay (Accumulator) Bets: Combining multiple bets into one wager to increase potential payouts. For example, betting on the results of multiple matches or outcomes within a single match.
  • Asian Handicap: A popular betting type, particularly for markets like the EPL, which seeks to level the playing field between teams of unequal strength.

Legal Landscape of Soccer Betting

United States

Soccer betting in the U.S. has evolved significantly in recent years. While it was once largely illegal outside of Nevada, the 2018 Supreme Court ruling legalized sports betting nationwide, allowing states to regulate it individually. Today, many states have legalized sports betting, and most major sportsbooks (like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, etc.) offer extensive soccer betting options.

  • Popular states: North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Michigan, and New York are among the states where betting on soccer is both popular and legal.
  • Online Sportsbooks: With mobile apps and websites, bettors can now place wagers on domestic and international soccer events.

United Kingdom

The UK is one of the world’s most advanced markets for sports betting. Soccer betting is entirely legal, with many well-established sportsbooks like William Hill, Bet365, and Ladbrokes offering various betting opportunities. The UK has a long history of soccer betting, with popular events like the Premier League, FA Cup, and Championship League attracting significant wagers.

Europe

  • Spain: Soccer betting is legal and widely practiced, with sportsbooks offering various betting markets on La Liga and other European tournaments.
  • Germany: Sports betting is fully regulated, and platforms like Bet365 offer wagers on Bundesliga matches and European club competitions.
  • Italy: The Italian betting market is heavily regulated, and major betting sites provide soccer betting options across Serie A and European events.

Australia

In Australia, sports betting is fully legal, with soccer being one of the most popular sports to bet on. The A-League, along with European leagues and major international tournaments, draws significant interest from Australian punters. Online betting is regulated by the Australian government, and bettors must use licensed sportsbooks.

Asia

  • China: While illegal domestic gambling in China restricts betting on local sports, international sports like soccer are still popular among Chinese bettors, particularly through offshore sites.
  • Japan: Sports betting is tightly regulated in Japan, but the country still allows limited wagering on soccer events via regulated betting pools.
  • India: Sports betting in India is a gray area. While not explicitly legal, many offshore sportsbooks offer soccer betting to Indian punters, especially during major events like the Indian Super League or international tournaments.

How Do Sportsbooks Make Money?

Sportsbooks profit through the vig (vigorish), which is essentially the commission they charge on losing bets. In most cases, sportsbooks aim to balance the bets on both sides of a game to ensure they make a profit regardless of the outcome. For example:

  • If you bet $110 on a soccer team, the sportsbook would typically pay out $100 on a successful bet, with the remaining $10 going to the bookmaker as the vig.
  • This system ensures that sportsbooks are profitable even if the outcome of the match doesn’t go in their favor, as they collect a commission on all bets, win or lose.