Sports betting, often called sports betting, has become a natural part of many people's interest in sports. With a few keystrokes, you can bet on everything from the Champions League final to table tennis in Asia. But what do people actually bet on the most, and are the most popular games also the most profitable?
The most popular games
There is little doubt that football dominates the betting market . Internationally – and especially in Norway – these markets in particular are the most traded:
- Football: Premier League, Champions League, Eliteserien
- Long-term bets (league winner, top scorer, etc.)
- Goal bet (over/under, both teams to score)
- Live betting during the match
After football, sports such as:
- Ice hockey (NHL, SHL, Norwegian league)
- Tennis
- Basketball (NBA)
The common denominator is that these are large, commercial sports with high media coverage and many players .
Are the most popular games profitable?
For most people: no .
The biggest matches and leagues are analyzed extremely thoroughly by betting companies. The odds are continuously adjusted based on:
- Statistical models
- Injuries and team news
- Betting volume from customers
The result is that margins are often small, and the odds are very “correct.” This means that it is difficult to find real value, especially on:
- Big favorites
- Top matches with large crowds
- Televised matches where "everyone" has an opinion
In addition, many people play with their hearts:
- Favorite team
- Famous stars
- "Safe" matches with low odds
This is exactly where gaming companies make the most profit.
Do smaller sports offer better odds?
Potentially – yes, but with reservations.
In smaller sports and lower divisions, it is often:
- Less analysis from gaming companies
- Lower game volume
- Greater room for error in the odds
Examples could be:
- Lower football divisions
- Women's sports
- Small national leagues in ice hockey or handball
- Niche sports like futsal, bandy or snooker
Here a well-informed player can have an advantage – for example through local knowledge, team news or tactical insight. This is where 90minutefamily can perhaps tip the scales? Maybe we have just that little bit extra to offer our players?
At the same time, the risk is higher:
- Less information available
- Bigger odds movements
- Lower betting limits
Popularity vs. value
The most important distinction in betting is between popularity and value .
- Popular games = high entertainment value, lower profit potential
- Narrow bets = lower interest, but greater opportunity for mispricing
Those who attempt to play profitably over time often look for:
- Overpricing of underdogs
- Markets with little attention
- Situations where the odds do not reflect new information quickly enough
A realistic conclusion
For most people, betting is primarily entertainment , not a source of income. The most popular games are easy to play, but rarely profitable in the long run.
To have any chance of winning over time, you need:
- Discipline
- Knowledge
- Narrow markets
- Acceptance of loss
And most importantly: You should never gamble for more than you can afford to lose.
