Summer Olympics Betting 2020

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The Olympics is a unique sporting event which traditionally takes place in the summer every four years and features 33 different sports.

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The Olympic Games is famed for showcasing some of the biggest sporting events in the world – from the iconic 100m final through to the gruelling marathon. Half the planet’s population will watch the 2020 Olympics this summer as thousands of athletes arrive in Japan seeking to fulfil their lifelong ambitions of winning gold.

Below, we’ve reviewed the best Olympics betting sites and looked into the markets to help you on your way. Learn which are the most popular Olympic sports to bet on, which markets are worth monitoring, and understand core strategies when placing a wager.

2020 Olympic Betting Odds

This year’s athletics festival was delayed 12 months due to the coronavirus but the wait is finally over. Fans around the world are gearing up to watch all the action from Tokyo and plenty are also considering their 2020 Olympics betting options before it all begins.

Olympics betting is one of the most exciting ways to keep up to date with your favourite athletes and potentially win big! With 33 sports, 50 disciplines and 5,000 medals to distribute, there are plenty of chances to bet on Olympics odds and get even closer to the action.


Most Popular Olympic Sports To Bet On

When it comes to the Olympics, most fans automatically think about athletics and gymnastics as the two core sports of the Games. And it’s true that these two disciplines take up a big chunk of the action. But the beauty of having 33 different sports at one event is that there’s something for everyone.

What’s more, the global fame of the sport doesn’t always correlate with its popularity within the betting markets. Football and golf, for example, aren’t big Olympics sports – yet there is a hive of activity on these disciplines during the Games.

Below is a list of the most popular Olympic sports to bet on:

 


Also Check Out: The best online betting apps and get in on the betting action.


 

Established 2017
Total Sports Tooltip The number of different sports you can bet on
Cash Out Tooltip Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
26
Yes
Bet Builder Tooltip Can you create your own personalised bets?
Free Bet Value
Yes
50
19+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly
Established 2012
Total Sports Tooltip The number of different sports you can bet on
Cash Out Tooltip Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
34
Yes
Bet Builder Tooltip Can you create your own personalised bets?
Free Bet Value
Yes
300
19+. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly
Established 1997
Total Sports Tooltip The number of different sports you can bet on
Cash Out Tooltip Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
34
Yes
Bet Builder Tooltip Can you create your own personalised bets?
Free Bet Value
Yes
30
19+ • $10 min deposit • The Bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least once with cumulative odds of 1.5 or greater • Half of the bonus will be credited to you right away, while the other half will be credited after you verify your documents • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & T&Cs apply

As bettors, we often gravitate towards sports we are familiar with. That’s why football and golf are popular markets. Football has been an Olympic sport since 1900, while golf only returned to the event in 2016 after more than a century away. Golf betting was a big hit during Rio and should be again in Tokyo.

Individual sports such as swimming, athletics and gymnastics don’t attract too many bets outside of the Olympics. But their popularity spikes over the three-week Games as suddenly everyone becomes a javelin or pommel horse expert! Boxing acts as the perfect breeding ground for future professional superstars and boxing betting interest reaches a frenzy when the medals fights get underway.

As for the Olympic hockey betting odds, the sport has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity at the Games thanks to Australia and Great Britain’s recent prowess against the powerhouses of the sport Netherlands and Germany.

Olympic Betting Markets

With over 5,000 medals awarded, it’s no wonder there are plenty of Olympic betting lines to follow throughout the summer. Now, there are two core market types supported by bookmakers: team and individual markets.

Team sports such as football, basketball, handball and rugby sevens feature bets on the eventual gold medalist, and also often for silver and bronze too. Most of these sports include a group stage before knockout rounds, which means there are opportunities to bet on individual matches throughout the Games. These matches open up the possibility of hundreds of betting variables to choose from – whether it be first goalscorer in football, handicaps in basketball or even innings betting in baseball.

Individual sports like the 100m, heptathlon, tennis and shot putt focus on specific athletes, which may require greater knowledge of those individuals. However, these are also perfect opportunities to not only bet on your favourite personalities but also follow them through the summer. In-play sports betting on events such as tennis and boxing is an ideal way to get closer to the action and potentially win big at the same time.

Established 1997
Sports with Cash Out
Acca Insurance Tooltip Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
34
Yes
Bet Builder Tooltip Can you create your own personalised bets?
In-Play Sports Tooltip The number of sports with in-play betting available
Yes
14
19+ • $10 min deposit • The Bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least once with cumulative odds of 1.5 or greater • Half of the bonus will be credited to you right away, while the other half will be credited after you verify your documents • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & T&Cs apply
Established 2017
Sports with Cash Out
Acca Insurance Tooltip Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
26
No
Bet Builder Tooltip Can you create your own personalised bets?
In-Play Sports Tooltip The number of sports with in-play betting available
Yes
13
19+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly
Established 1946
Sports with Cash Out
Acca Insurance Tooltip Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
9
No
Bet Builder Tooltip Can you create your own personalised bets?
In-Play Sports Tooltip The number of sports with in-play betting available
Yes
33
19+ | T&Cs apply | Please gamble responsibly | Begambleaware.org. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.

Betting Strategies for the 2020 Olympic Games

Mastering a betting strategy at the Olympics is the perfect way to enjoy all the action and stick to a regular wagering pattern. Here are four Olympic betting tips you may want to follow throughout the summer:

Avoid the most popular events

Everyone rushes to athletics at the Olympics but there is great value to be found in niche sports. You may not be familiar with events such as weightlifting, canoeing and taekwondo but this is often where less realistic odds can be found. It’s here where favourites may be priced higher than usual, and where outsiders are actually a lot better than their odds suggest.

Back the hosts

It’s common knowledge that host countries usually boost their medal haul at their home Games. In fact, on average the hosts can expect to win 20 more medals and almost 11 additional golds. So, keep an eye out for Japanese athletes – especially in the gymnastics, judo and wrestling.

Do your research

You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy 2020 Olympics betting but it certainly helps to know a little about the team or athlete you want to back. Most new betting sites provide detailed stats banks for players to pour over and brush up on their knowledge. Watching the Olympics and taking notes of the commentary will also help better inform your bet decisions if you’re focusing on a niche sport.

Take your time

The beauty of placing an Olympics bet is there’s no rush to get that wager down. After all, the Games last 16 days and there are thousands of medals to be won. So make sure you shop around, find the best online betting site to suit you, take advantage of promo deals and free bets and stay in control when making considered, smart bets.

Established 2012
Acca Insurance - Max Stake
24 Hour Customer Service
N/A
No
Sports X Cash Out
Sports X Price Boost
35
1
19+ New customers, outside Ontario only, 1x 100% profit boost, max stake $25, max winnings $1000, min odds 1.50, paid out in cash, no wagering requirements. Please bet responsibly • BeGambleAware.org • T&Cs apply
Established 2010
Acca Insurance - Max Stake
24 Hour Customer Service
N/A
No
Sports X Cash Out
Sports X Price Boost
28
3
19+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly
Established 2005
Acca Insurance - Max Stake
24 Hour Customer Service
N/A
No
Sports X Cash Out
Sports X Price Boost
29
N/A
19+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly

History of the Olympic Games

The history of the Olympic Games begins back in ancient Greece, around 700BC, when city states across the region sent their best athletes – usually warriors – to compete in events such as running, boxing and chariot racing.

The modern Olympics, inaugurated in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin, were first staged in Athens. Just 14 nations competed during the one-week Games that April, across nine sports. The Olympics has been cancelled three times – once due to the First World War, twice due to the Second World War – and has been staged in every continent apart from Africa.

The United States has hosted the Olympics four times and will also stage the Games in 2028. Both London and Paris have hosted the event three times, while this summer will be the second time Tokyo have hosted the event after 1964.

It wasn’t until 1924 that the Winter Olympics began, with French town Chamonix hosting the first event. Over the years punters have been able to enjoy an increasing number of sports and winter sports bets at the Winter Games and access Olympic ice hockey betting odds, skiing and curling markets.

Full List of Olympic Host Cities

Year Host City
1896 Athens
1900 Paris
1904 St. Louis
1908 London
1912 Stockholm
1920 Antwerp
1924 Paris
1928 Amsterdam
1932 Los Angeles
1936 Berlin
1948 London
1952 Helsinki
1956 Melbourne
1960 Rome
1964 Tokyo
1968 Mexico City
1972 Munich
1976 Montreal
1980 Moscow
1984 Los Angeles
1988 Seoul
1992 Barcelona
1996 Atalanta
2000 Sydney
2004 Athens
2008 Beijing
2012 London
2016 Rio de Janeiro
2020 (in 2021) Tokyo

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Where to Bet on the Olympics in Canada

In Canada your ability to sign up with a sports betting site depends very much on your location. Each province has its own set of laws regarding online sports betting. In some cases your only option may be to sign up with an offshore betting company. Of course the laws in Canada much like the US are beginning to change and soon Ontario betting apps will be available legally. Be sure to check out your options in advance of signing up with a site to bet on the Olympics.

FAQ

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