When it comes to sports, there aren’t many countries in the world where people are more passionate than in Australia. Australia has some of the worlds best swimmers, rugby teams, cricket sides and they also excel at more unique and interesting sports like netball, hockey and Australian rules football. It’s not just the athletes but every day Aussies also love to play sports and of course watch them too. Watching sports is enough for many Australian’s, but the country’s unique gambling culture also helps to make many Australians crazy about sports.
For this reason, the online betting industry in Australia is one of the most lucrative in the world. Every year millions of people spend their money on bets. As the world transitions from offline to online betting, it is safe to say that Australia is at the forefront of this change.
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Australians are passionate about both sports and gambling and they have tons of options to choose from when deciding where to wager their money. There are many sports both on a national and international level that Aussies regularly bet on.
If you are wondering what the five most popular sports for betting in Australia are, here are our top picks:
1. Rugby
Though there are many popular sports to choose from, rugby is right up there with the most loved. The National Rugby League or NRL benefits every year from the money Australians spend on rugby betting. As soon as the season begins in March, the betting starts. This culminates in one of Australia’s biggest annual sporting and betting events in October – the NRL Grand Final.
There are many ways to bet on the NRL including win/loss bets, total score bets, futures and handicaps. Because there are ten teams based in and around Sydney, as well one from New Zealand, these matches also attract a lot of attention from punters.
Australia also has 5 teams in the Super Rugby league. This, slightly different form of rugby is less popular in Australia but the intense domestic and international rivalries that exist between New Zealand and South African teams make Super Rugby another popular sports for betting.
Both the NRL and Super Rugby competitions attract the world’s best rugby players and as such, they are also immensely popular with Aussie bettors.
2. Horse racing
If you’re not into it, then the popularity of horse racing may seem odd. While the sport is underestimated by many it certainly has a unique charm. Horse racing has a long and decorated history in Australia and it is directly tied to Australia’s gambling industry.
Horse racing has been a part of the Australian sports experience for over a century and is one of the oldest modern sports in the world. In fact, it is estimated that 76% of all online bets are placed on horse racing.
There are many racing clubs across the country, each at different levels including provincial, country, and metropolitan clubs. Thanks to these clubs, horse racing is a daily event in Australia giving bettors plenty of opportunities to gamble.
Some of the most popular horse racing events in Australia include the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, WS Cox Plate and the Golden Slipper. These race days attract millions of viewers and provide the perfect opportunity for Aussies to place bets on horses.
3. Cricket
It is well-known that cricket is a national sport in both Australia and Great Britain. That’s because Australia is still under the British crown reign; the love and passion for cricket is another thing that the Australians have inherited from their British forefathers. However, it is not just the British and Australians that love cricket, it is an extremely popular sport that is played and loved all over the world.
Because of its extreme popularity, Australians are just as passionate about betting on the sport. Whether it’s the ICC Cricket World Cup, Twenty 20 matches, or any other championship, you will always find Australians rooting for their teams and betting on games. The most common bets are on the total scores a team will get, who will be the man of the match, how many runs a particular player will get, and the total number of wickets. However, as you go deeper into the betting possibilities, the sky’s the limit.
Cricket fever in Australia reaches its peak in the summer and so does the betting season. Whether it is local matches or international matches, Australians never cease to ignore a chance to bet on cricket. International matches against countries like England, New Zealand, and India are particularly popular.
4. Hockey
Believe it or not, Australians are also crazy about hockey. No, not ice hockey but field hockey. This sport was brought to Australia by British Naval officers in the late 19th century.
Over time, hockey has gained a surprising following amongst the locals. In fact, you will find several hockey tournaments in Australia. They host many national and international teams every year with enthusiastic audiences.
It is an interesting fact that despite the fame, hockey is a bit unpredictable. You might think that this calls for less gambling, but punters often find it more exciting and like to try their luck because of the game’s thrill and unpredictability.
5. Tennis
Tennis is one of the most popular sports globally and its popularity in Australia is no less. The major tennis championship known as the Australian Open is among the year’s biggest events. The tennis season starts in January every year and as the new year starts, the gamblers align their money and options. Some of the most common bets include victory margins and overall winners of specific matches.
Australian gamblers also look forward to international championships like the US Open and European majors. In short, they are so interested that they do not leave behind any chance to bet even if they have to do it online.
There are several other sports like soccer, motorbike racing, golf, and Australian rules football that are also popular for Australian bettors. However, the five sports that we have mentioned are among the most popular. Understanding these games may be tough for newbies, but once you get into them, the thrill is totally worth the time and money.
