The exciting world of niche sports betting in the UK

A number that might make you stop and think just how big the betting industry actually is - it certainly did for me.

We've always been a country that loves to bet on football and horse racing, with all UK casino sites offering these favourites along with poker and slot games.

Most people used to put money on Premier League games or the Grand National, but things are changing - and changing quickly.

We can't avoid this change happening in the betting scene either. New markets are popping up grabbing bettors' attention with fresh chances - way beyond the usual ones.

It's changing how we bet on sports, along with eSports to virtual races, from guessing TV show endings to drone races, these new markets are making their mark in a very exciting industry.

Let's see how these new areas are giving us more betting choices and also changing what new sports betting means in the UK.

 

What's changed?

Online sports betting grew to £3.1 billion in 2023 from £2.1 billion in 2019. This growth brings to our attention what lies ahead.

While you can still bet on football accumulators or horse racing trifectas through many online casinos, the industry has seen our desire for newer things and has acted on it.

This shows how, as consumers, our interests in the sports we bet on (and also the tech involved in the process) are developing at a faster pace than predicted.

Several things are causing this niche market to grow. As bettors, we want new experiences looking for thrills beyond what we know.

Bookmakers always thinking ahead, have used these trends to offer new markets to get and keep our interest and business.

Popular niche betting markets

Let's check out some of these new stars in the niche betting world. eSports betting has burst onto the scene. In the third quarter of 2023 alone, it had a gross gambling yield of £2.4 million.

This isn't just kids playing video games; it's a pro sport with worldwide tournaments and loyal fan bases – who bet on their favourite online casino.

Virtual sports have made their own space making up 3-5% of total UK gambling revenue. These computer-made events give non-stop action letting you bet on fake football matches or horse races at any hour.

Novelty bets also bring a fun twist to betting slips. If you want to, you can place money on how your favourite reality TV show will end, guess who'll win awards, or even bet on OTT celebrity gossip.

It's a mix of entertainment and gambling done in a very clever way. Drone racing, a sport that didn't even exist ten years ago now gives punters exciting betting options.

The mix of fast-paced action and new tech has caught the eye of new, generally younger, bettors. New ideas for changing times.

Even political ups and downs - and we sure have enough of those - now attract bets. You can test your political know-how by wagering on election results or policy choices.

You can bet on if a political figure will outlast the longevity of a vegetable (yes, that's right).

These specific markets give us new ways to connect with our interests, perfect our knowledge, and maybe even earn from our understanding.

As we keep looking into these new markets, we're growing what sports betting means in the UK.

Tradition is still a wonderful thing, with football and horse betting still holding firm. But to bring in newer areas and expand on the interests of a changing society shows innovation and forward thinking.

What does the future hold?

17.1% of people will use online sports betting by 2028, which points to enormous room for growth in the industry.

Although, we'll always have to deal with the inevitable input of rules that follow this. The UK Gambling Commission will bring in new regulations to make sure these new markets stay safe for gamblers - great.

As people who enjoy this past-time, we'll need to keep up with these changes and learn how we can stay safe and better informed.

As new technology will undeniably change how we bet, this will keep those who make the rules on their toes.

Blockchain will likely cause a big change in this regard – but still work towards making it open and safe to all involved.

Virtual and augmented reality could also change how we interact with virtual sports, eSports and actual sports betting; creating far more engaging experiences.

As niche betting markets expand, they can very easily have an impact on the sports and events they cover. Could we see new eSports tournaments created just for betting fans?

Might drone racing become a popular, mainstream sport because of its betting interest?

The growth of niche betting markets means more than just a change in where we bet.

Going forward, the boundary between viewer and player, between fun and gambling, will keep getting fuzzy.

In this new betting world, the only sure thing is change. Are you set to bet on what's coming to the United kingdom?