Comparing US to UK Betting Markets

The United Kingdom and the United States are two nations that share an equal love for sports. This is visible in the large number of sports fans in both countries and their active sports betting scene. 

Whilst the two nations both love sports betting, it is completely legal across the UK but not in the US. There are some states in the US that are yet to legalise it, following suit of most of the states to this point. For example Michigan, who legalised online gambling only in 2019 and already the popular wagering state, is filled with offers like the Michigan online sportsbook promos that are available online. However, the betting scene in these two countries is not exactly the same and differs in a few areas. Read on to learn more as we compare the two betting markets.

6 Comparisons of the US and the UK Betting Market

The United States and the United Kingdom possess some of the biggest sports betting markets in the world. This section puts these betting markets side by side and compares them to uncover their similarities and differences.

1. Betting Odds

An area where the US and UK sports betting scenes differ is their choice of betting odds. The US favours moneyline betting odds, where plus (+) and minus (-) signs show the favourites and underdogs, respectively.

However, the UK uses mostly British odds, also known as fractional odds. This makes it easier to calculate UK betting odds, as it’s just pure arithmetic.

2. Sports Popularity

The UK and US betting scene favours a variety of sports. In the UK, the most popular sports are football (or soccer), horse racing, darts, and even tennis. Hence, during special events like the Grand National, the English Premier League, or the World Cup, sportsbooks will be filled with bettors.

However, the US sports betting scene favours sports like American football, basketball, and baseball. This means that their busiest periods are during the Super Bowl or when the National Basketball Association (NBA) league is in season.

3. Legality

Sports betting in the UK is a widely accepted affair, with a legal framework from the Gambling Commission protecting all bettors. This legal status has also led to a thriving sports betting market in the United Kingdom. With this, punters have many options to choose from when they want to indulge in their favourite pastime.

While bookmakers are beginning to gain legal status in America, it has not been an easy ride. There have been lots of hiccups until the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act changed everything in 2018.

Even at that, the legal status of bookmakers in the US takes a state-by-state approach. This means that each American state is given the authority to approve or reject bookmakers in their area.

4. Accessibility

Following the various sports betting regulations in different US states, it’s not easy for bettors to indulge in their hobby. There are lots of legal restrictions to navigate for bettors to ensure that they’re legally engaging in gambling. This has discouraged many would-be gamblers in the US.

However, the UK betting scene is one where bookmakers have a legal and normalised existence. Punters can easily find bookmakers at every street turn and numerous legal sites with a simple search. With such a lively scene, the number of punters in the UK is increasing regularly.

5. Bonus Offers

The UK offers some of the best bonuses, as it has already had an established sports betting scene for years. So, there are many free bets, loyalty programs, enhanced odds, and other attractive features to entice punters. All of this ensures that punters enjoy a gambling experience that’ll keep them coming back.

In contrast, the sports betting market in the US is still growing, so there’s not a lot of variety to be found there. Rather, the gambling market there is still evolving and learning how to better entice bettors from its British neighbours.

6. Handicaps

This is one area where the UK and US sports betting scenes are similar, as handicap bets are very popular in both countries. Handicap bets, or point spread bets, as they are known in the US, give the weaker team an advantage over the stronger one. This way, bets on the stronger team, which is usually expected to win, can only do so by beating their handicap.

Conclusion

The UK and US betting scenes show similarities in a few areas and big differences in others. This difference in the legality of sportsbooks, the availability of bonuses, and the accessibility of sportsbooks confirms the betting culture of the UK. It also shows that the sports betting scene in the US is evolving and becoming more hospitable than in the past.