There are a lot of places you can bet sports – from the local pub to the more unusual locations such as the circus or the beach. If you want to bet on sports other than those covered by the Nevada betting law, you have to look into the laws in your state. Some places do allow bets on virtually all the major professional games while others have more restrictive laws that apply only to certain sports.
What Types of Sports Can You Bet On?
As you might expect, laws around sports betting vary from state to state. The most popular sports for betting are listed below. If you want to place a bet on a professional sports game, just make sure that whatever sport you choose is either legal or at least partially legal in your state. Some states, like New Jersey, actually prohibit gambling on most sports except in situations where the players are paid. Keep that in mind as you browse through the following list of sports that you can legally wager on:
Basketball
Basketball is the most popular sport among both beginners and seasoned gamblers alike. The game itself is easy to understand and fun to watch, making it a perfect fit for someone new to betting or for those who want to have some fun with their free time. The NBA (National Basketball Association) and the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) keep their seasons on an even keel, meaning that there are no long breaks between games like in the NFL (National Football League). This also means that there are fewer opportunities to place wagers on basketball than on, for example, the NFL, which has its games every Sunday.
Football
The NFL (National Football League) is the premier American football league, with many games being broadcasted on TV and popular around the world. Those who enjoy the game but aren’t really sure how to bet on it or where to do so might consider wagering on, say, the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Giants. These teams are popular because most people are familiar with them and their games are easily followed and understood by TV audiences who watch mostly American teams play against each other.
On the other hand, the CFL (Canadian Football League) is similar but a bit different. Most fans might not be that familiar with the rules of Canadian football, making it an intriguing option for someone who likes the idea of betting on sports but doesn’t know much about the game itself. One of the most popular teams in the CFL is the Toronto Argonauts, whose mascot is an argyle-patterned goat named Goony.
Hockey
Ice hockey is another popular sport among both beginners and seasoned gamblers alike. It’s easy to understand the rules and how to place a bet on them, and it’s available in most states (and some states allow for online betting as well). Since it’s winter everywhere but Canada, people who love to bet on sports will mostly be focused on hockey this winter – not a bad time to learn more about the game!
The NHL (National Hockey League) and the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League) are the premier professional hockey leagues in North America and Europe, respectively. The game is pretty much the same everywhere, but the rules are a bit different and it takes a while to get used to the fact that players can get penalized for certain actions unlike in some other sports.
Tennis
Tennis is yet another sport that can be easily understood and played by everyone. It’s popular around the world and is continuously growing in popularity, meaning there is always a lot of money to be made if you know how to bet on it. The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) tour rolls along once a year with some big-name tournaments that attract large TV audiences and encourage gambling. One of the most popular and longest-running betting markets on tennis is the Grand Prix Counter-Strike, which is known for being one of the biggest and most popular eSports (electronic sports) wagering events. You can literally bet on anything related to tennis – from the exact match win/loss records to the weather conditions that day (e.g., rain, hail, snow, etc.).
Other Sports
There are a variety of other sports that you can wager on including baseball, golf, cricket, and more. Some of these sports are fairly easy to understand, while others can be tricky depending on where you live. If you’re looking for a sport that isn’t exactly covered by the above list, you can always contact one of the many sportsbooks that cater to all sports enthusiasts.
In most states, you can place bets on pretty much all major sporting events as long as the place you frequent is licensed to do so. Many sportsbooks have regular contests and promotions to get more people interested in betting, so be sure to check out their websites or social media to see what’s going on. You can also find a local bookie who might have special offers for new customers!
The above information should give you a good idea of what types of sports you can bet on, as well as the places you can do it legally. If you want to find out more, you can start by visiting the American Gaming Association’s website, where you can browse state-by-state regulations or check the status of online gambling across the country.