Athletics has a rich history, from the Olympic Games in ancient Greece to today’s international championships. This sport includes various events highlighting human endurance, speed, and strength, making it an exciting choice for sports betting. Whether it’s the thrill of a 100-meter dash, the challenge of a marathon, or the skill required for the high jump, betting on athletics offers something for everyone.
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I will help you choose the best athletics betting sites in this article. Picking the right platform can greatly improve your betting experience. I will outline the key criteria to consider and recommend some of the top-rated, reliable, and user-friendly bookies.
Athletics covers a sizable group of sports, which explains why athletics betting is so popular. Consequently, this also explains why most online sportsbooks offer odds and betting markets on all of its disciplines.
However, while finding a bookmaker that will accept your athletics bets is easy, you should take the time to find the best one. It is a fairly straightforward process as you only need to keep an eye on 2 important things – the quality of the odds and market depth.
If a bookmaker has competitive odds, enough market depth, and is legal, trusted, and licensed, you have found a solid bookie. Many sites fit that bill, including William Hill and Bwin, but those are just 2 of many athletics online bookmakers that can offer you a solid betting experience. Check out my list of the best betting sites below!
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The United States market has fast and significant growth in the past years. Since the Supreme Court overruled PASPA in 2018 as unconstitutional, Nevada is no longer the only state in the US where people can place bets. After this ruling, states are allowed to legalize sports betting individually, giving the market the boost it deserves.
States like New Jersey were the first to legalize sports betting; after this, many states joined. Currently, the total number sits at 38.
| State | Online Betting | Retail Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Arkansas | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Colorado | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Connecticut | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Delaware | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Illinois | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Indiana | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Iowa | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Kansas | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Kentucky | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Louisiana | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Maine | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Maryland | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Massachusetts | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Michigan | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Mississippi | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Montana | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Nevada | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| New Hampshire | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| New Jersey | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| New Mexico | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| New York | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Ohio | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Oregon | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Pennsylvania | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Rhode Island | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| South Dakota | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Tennessee | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Vermont | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Virginia | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| West Virginia | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Wisconsin | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Wyoming | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
Thanks to giants like DraftKings, Unibet, and FanDuel setting up shop in the country, sports betting apps in 2022 generated $7.43 billion. This marked a 72% increase from the previous year.
After Nebraska, Ohio, Maine, Kentucky, and Massachusetts legalized sports betting, the country’s revenue grew to $10.85 billion in 2023. Bookmakers also handled around $119.84 billion in sports betting alone. This, among other things, has made the US market a fertile and booming market.
Check out my list of the best bookies in the USA below!
The United Kingdom has a long, healthy sports betting history, which makes it no surprise that it is one of the most established and regulated markets in the iGaming industry. After the Gambling Act of 2005, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission was established two years later to oversee all the legal bookies in the country. Even with this, the uptick trend shows no sign of slowing down, with records showing over 44% of British adults gambling.
In 2023 alone, the UK has a total sports betting market value of around £4.21 billion. While this shows a 9.7% rise from the previous year’s $3.84 billion. This growth is thanks in part to major bookmakers like Ladbrokes, Betfair, SkyBet, etc, dominating the market by providing a wide variety of games and betting options.
With the popularity of mobile betting, live streaming, and in-play betting, the UK sports betting market is projected to have an annual growth rate of 4.53% between 2024 and 2029, and a significant percentage of this growth will come from athletics betting.
Canada was very late to the show but has also seen significant growth in the sports betting market. Before 2021, Canadians could only place parlay bets, which can be quite restricting when it comes to athletics betting. However, the market has seen immense improvement with the new legislation allowing single-game sports betting.
According to iGaming Ontario, in the first year, the province generated over $1.48 billion in sports betting revenue alone. While there are several land-based betting sites in Canada, online and mobile bookies played a huge role in this growth as they provide easier access and wider sports betting options.
The Great White North sports betting market is expanding and is projected to have an annual growth rate of 8.52% between 2024-2029. Not just this, the expected 48.8% user penetration for 2024 is projected to increase to 62.7% by 2029.
It’s not easy to find a bookmaker that caters to all your preferences. Even if it offers athletics betting, it might be lacking in other aspects. To make your search easier, I’ve compiled the top 7 athletics online bookies and why they are the best at what they do.
| Feature | Sportsbook | Available in the UK 🇬🇧 | Available in the US 🇺🇸 | Available in Canada 🇨🇦 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Betting Site ⭐ | Ladbrokes | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | No ❌ |
| Best for Bonuses 🎁 | SkyBet | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | No ❌ |
| Top Mobile App 📱 | BoyleSports | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | No ❌ |
| Best for Live Betting 🔴 | Mr.Play | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| High Payout Bookie 💰 | AccessBET | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Safe Bookmaker 🛡️ | ZetBet | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| The Best Odds 🎲 | Betfair | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | No ❌ |
Ladbrokes Website
Ladbrokes is one of the longest-standing bookmarkers in the world, having been founded in 1886. It’s also one of the few operators with land-based facilities at FA Premiership racecourses and grounds. It offers extensive betting options across over 40 sports markets, including football, baseball, basketball, or other popular sports or specialty sports like greyhounds, lotto, and athletics. The sportsbook also features various domestic and international leagues, making it a perfect melting pot for all punters.
Besides offering competitive odds and various pre-game betting options, Ladbrokes also provides one of the most comprehensive in-play betting platforms. For a better experience, you can also livestream games.
Punters’ betting experience is not limited to PCs. You can also download its mobile app on the App Store and Google Play Market for more convenient betting. New punters just joining the sportsbook will be awarded £25 free bets when they place a £5 wager.
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SkyBet Website
If you are a bonus hunter or you are looking for a bookie with many ways to earn bonus money, then SkyBet is your most suitable option. In addition to finding bets on a variety of sports markets, punters also have access to numerous bonuses. Unlike most sportsbooks, where new bettors have just one welcome bonus, SkyBet provides punters with two, allowing them to choose the most suitable one.
There is the £30 free bet offered to punters who bet at least 5p on any sports market. This makes this offer a massive 60,000% bonus. This free bet can be used on football, baseball, tennis and, of course, athletics events. If that isn’t enticing enough for you, or you would prefer a bonus tailored to football, then the £40 bet token might be more in your alley. After your first wager settles, you will be awarded a £40 bet token that can only be used for football accumulator bets.
New users aren’t the only ones enjoying freebies at this bookie; SkyBet has a number of bonuses for existing punters. Variety is the spice of life, hence why these bonuses are constantly being changed to reflect the current leagues or championships. Some examples of ongoing promotions to look forward to are the Money Back as Cash, where you get a full refund of up to £10 if your horse finishes 2nd in a race, and free bets when you bet on a race. If you want something more consistent, the SkyBet Club is a good option. Make a total bet of £30 each week and get the opportunity to choose from a list of promotions.
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BoyleSports Website
Mobile betting is the new cool, and BoyleSports is a trendsetter in this aspect. From being a family-owned business founded in 1982, this bookmaker has become a household in many countries, including the UK. This bookie caters to all fan favorites, offering bets on NBA, NFL, MLB, and UFC, among other virtual games and Esports.
Besides its vast array of sports markets, BoyleSports also offers a variety of betting options that are suited for bettors of all levels. So, whether you are a casual punter or a high-stake bettor, you will always find a comfortable option for you.
All these are great, no doubt, but where BoyleSports excels the most is its accessibility. If you lead a busy life or just want the ease of betting on the go, this bookie has you covered. With its mobile app for iOS and Android devices, you can bet conveniently from your smartphones or tablets.
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Mr.Play Website
Don’t let the few sports markets in Mr. Play fool you; this bookmaker is one of the best out there if you are interested in live betting. Owned by Marketplay Ltd, Mr. Play offers a series of bets on different international leagues, including the NBA, FA Cup, EFL Premier League, La Liga, and the start of the show athletics.
For real-time betting, Mr. Play is your surest bet, as it offers the most comprehensive features. In addition to having competitive in-play odds on football, volleyball, golf, table tennis, ice hockey, badminton, and Athletics, there is also a Play Bot option.
The Play Bot provides you with live betting tips that could enhance your wagering decision. Information like goalscorer, BTTS, dropping odds, shot statistics, and current standings are some of the information you get on games. Even if a game isn’t going your way, there is a cash out option that allows you to salvage your stake in the game by allowing you to withdraw part. To make things easy, the bookie allows punters to set the kind of tips they receive on each game for a more personalized experience. New bettors are offered a 100% bonus of up to €100 on their first deposit of at least €10.
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AccessBET Website
AccessBET was founded in 2016 by TM Gaming Networks LTD. Since then, the sportsbook has expanded to offer over two dozen sports markets in 30+ countries. This means bettors have more than enough games to choose from. Besides having one of the lowest margins among competitors, AccessBET also has the highest payout of ₦40 million. With this, high rollers can bet comfortably without having to split their withdrawals. Payouts are also processed and credited within 24 hours, ensuring that you receive your winnings quickly without hassle.
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ZetBet Website
Sportsbooks having over 3 dozen sports markets is great as it allows punters to bet on popular and niche events worldwide. But this isn’t the only aspect that earned ZetBet a spot on our list. Betting aside, ZetBet is one of the safest sportsbooks you’d ever bet at.
The sports betting site has multiple licenses from reputable authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission. This means the site operates under strict regulations that ensure utmost security and fairness. ZetBet also uses a 128-bit SSL encryption technology to protect your data from being leaked or stolen.
Hackers aren’t the only thing the sportsbook is keeping you safe from. It also has several responsible gambling features to protect you from overbetting and even gambling addiction. Features like a deposit limit and a cool-off tool are helpful for a short-term account restriction. If you feel this isn’t enough for you or your concern is gambling addiction, there is a self-exclusion option for a more long-term and permanent restriction. ZetBet doesn’t also leave you to deal with this alone as it’s partnered with several responsible gambling organizations like GamCare and GambleAware to provide you with resources and support. Punters in the UK and Canada are awarded a £10 bet token when they place their first wager of at least £10 or equivalent.
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Betfair Website
Betfair was founded in 2000 and quickly became popular for its extensive coverage of football, baseball, basketball, and 17+ other sports markets. It became even bigger in 2015 with its merger with Paddy Power, cementing its name as one of the best sportsbooks in the UK.
While there isn’t an event you wouldn’t find in this bookmarker, what set Betfair aside is its odds. When compared to other competitors, the bookie’s odds are very competitive and often with low margins. This means you get a better return on your winning bets, making it an ideal choice for athletics bettors.
In addition to this, Betfair also has an Oddsboost feature. The Oddsboost token is added to your bet slip for a better price on game selections. Whether you prefer pre-play bets or live betting, this token can be used to increase your return.
For new punters, if you place a minimum bet of £10, the sportsbook will award you with £50 in free bets to wager on athletics games or any other sports you prefer.
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If you are not sure which to choose from or which sportsbook offers all you need, below is the table that highlights the features of the 7 betting sites for athletics I’ve handpicked for you.
| Features | Ladbrokes | SkyBet | BoyleSports | Mr.Play | AccessBET | ZetBet | Betfair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Play Mode | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Live Streaming | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Cash Out | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Mobile Application | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | No ❌ | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Bookmaker Payout | 95% | 96% | 94% | 94% | 96% | 97% | 94% |
| Min Deposit | £5 | £5 | £5 | £10 | ₦100 | €10 | £5 |
| Min Bet | £0.01 | £0.05 | £1 | £0.10 | ₦1 | €0.10 | £1 |
| Max Profit | Unlimited | £500000 | £50000 | £90000 | ₦40000000 | €90000 | £1000000 |
| Min Withdrawal | £0.01 | £10 | £10 | £10 | ₦1000 | €10 | £1 |
| Withdrawal Time | Up to 4 working days | Up to 5 working days | Up to 5 working days | Up to 6 working days | Up to 24 hours | Up to 6 working days | Up to 5 working days |
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Any good athletics bookmaker will offer competitive odds and a solid gambling market. And even though those are two key things you need to look for, it helps that you also pick a bookmaker that can offer you betting bonuses and other promotions.
Offers, bonuses, and promotions are the best and easiest way to get extra value for your money and should always be taken advantage of. Admittedly, not all sportsbooks will offer a bonus, but you can be sure there will be promotions once a prominent athletic event is on the schedule.
So while you should not consider bonuses as the most crucial thing a bookie can have. Most bonuses – such as odds boosts or deposit bonuses – won’t require you to do anything more than place a bet or deposit money. Still, others might have some terms and conditions, so check if you’re eligible for the bonuses before you risk your money.
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If you have never bet on athletics before, it might sound like a daunting task, but I’m here to tell you that online betting on athletics is pretty straightforward after you get familiar with the fundamentals.
Most importantly, you should know the most basic things about online sports betting, meaning you need to know what the odds mean and how sportsbooks operate. Besides that, you have to get familiar with the many wager types that athletic sports have, but none is too different from the most common bet types you’ll find betting on other sports.
You need to know the basics of online sports betting and get knowledgeable about the sport you want to bet on.
Any reputable online bookmaker will offer athletics odds and betting markets. However, while finding a bookmaker that offers athletic odds is simple, you have to know that sportsbooks often won’t have the same prices. All sites for athletics betting have systems to set the odds, which explains why you might find different prices on the same event.
Remember, no such thing as the best athletics betting site will always have the best odds. Instead, if you want to bet with the best prices, you need to price shop and check all the available offers on all bookmakers.
Before you can do that, you need to know how to read odds, but that’s simple, as the offered odds on athletics don’t differ much from the offers on any other sport. What you should know, however, is what all the different bet types mean and what they’re used for, so keep reading to find our list of the most popular athletics betting markets!
There is no shortage of athletics competitions worldwide for your viewing enjoyment and world betting needs. There are way more events that a casual fan knows of, yet only a few stand out as the most popular.
Athletics is an integral part of the Olympic Games, more precisely, the Summer Olympics, arguably the most prestigious athletics competition in the world. Ultimately, all athletes are judged on their success at the Olympics – even more so than their performances at the World Championship, Commonwealth Games or any other international competition.
Unsurprisingly, Olympic Games are also top-rated amongst people who enjoy online betting on athletics, and there are a few reasons for that. The Olympic Games feature a plethora of athletic disciplines, and there is no shortage of Olympics athletics betting promotions you can find on athletics betting websites.
The World Athletics Championship is an annual athletic tournament beside the Olympic Games, the most prestigious competition in the world. Not only does it welcome some of the best athletes from all over the globe, but just like the Olympic Games, the Athletic World Championship is well covered by all bookies for athletics.
So you can be sure that you won’t struggle to find athletics odds if you desire to wager on the World Championship, and there won’t be any shortage of athletics betting bonuses either.
Diamond League is an annual athletic tournament featuring field athletic and elite track competitions. Although not as prestigious as the World Championship or the Olympics, Diamond League is highly popular among people who like online betting.
The main goal of the Diamond League is to improve the appeal of athletic disciplines outside of Europe. As of 2024, the Diamond League has already been held in Asia, North America, and Africa to help with the sport’s global recognition.
Not only can you bet on many different disciplines, but the athletics online betting sites also ensure you have enough gambling markets and different athletics bets to choose from. Here I will look at some of the most popular athletics betting markets, but know that sportsbooks offer far more variety of athletics bets, particularly during significant events such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and the World Championship.
Athletics includes numerous events in which the participants compete for medals; however, they must qualify before they can do so. For example, an athlete can’t just enter the Commonwealth Games and compete for the title but must first be eligible for the main race.
And you shouldn’t be surprised that you can bet on which athlete will qualify for any event. It is a popular future wager available on all athletics online betting websites.
Once an athlete qualifies for an event, he can compete to win, and as a bettor, you can bet on which athlete will come out ahead. It is the simplest wager type you’ll find while betting on athletics, as it only requires you to predict which athlete will win the gold medal. You can find the “to win” bet on any event.
To win a medal is one of the most popular bet types amongst punters. As its name would suggest, this is a wager on whether a certain athlete will win a medal or, in other words, finish the event inside the top 3.
Some betting sites will also name this market as “to finish on the podium” or any other name indicating that you’re betting on an athlete to end the event inside the top 3. It’s a reasonably straightforward bet you can find while betting on any other sport about racing.
Sportsbooks will also allow you to bet on whether an athlete will set a world record. Although not as popular a bet type as those above 3, it is very prevalent and widely available during significant events.
World and Olympic records are a big deal for both the fans of the sport and the world of athletics betting. That is mainly because this niche wager type offers generous payouts, offering athletics betting odds much higher than any other athletic wager.
Here I provide tips and tricks on how to bet, what you should do and which things you should avoid to set yourself up for success every time you place a real money bet.
The latter is the most important thing you need to learn if you want to achieve long-term profits.
I end the article with exciting facts about this sport.
It ends my in-depth guide, covering everything you need to know about where to find the best online athletics betting sites and how to approach gambling. Now go, visit the top-rated bookmakers, choose the best one and start betting!
