If you are a fan of athletics and would like to use your extensive knowledge of the sport to earn some cash while having fun, then betting on athletics is for you! It is very easy to understand the principles of betting on athletics, especially if you are familiar with other types of sports betting.
In this article, we will focus on online betting because it offers a greater variety of betting options, but there are also land-based bookmakers that offer betting on athletics, and the basic rules are more or less the same.
First, you will need to choose from a plethora of online bookmakers out there. Choose wisely: some bookmakers offer much better betting odds and bonuses (see for example 12bet Bonus Code) than others. Always check promotions offered for new customers when you are picking a bookmaker.
To avoid scams, check if the bookmaker has an official licence, if it looks reliable, and read the reviews from other people who gambled there.
Also, check if they offer betting on athletics and if the event you want to bet on is on the list of betting markets. Usually, markets for athletics are available ahead of big events, such as Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships or famous marathons.
The next step is to create an account on the bookmaker’s website and make a deposit. This is a very simple procedure. Deposits are usually processed very fast and you can choose from a variety of deposit methods: bank transfer, credit card or e-wallet. The money you deposit on your account remains there until you place a bet. If you lose, the money will be subtracted from your account and if you win, the winnings plus the bet will be added to your account. Cashing out winnings can usually take a few business days.
You found a casino, opened an account and you made a deposit, now you are finally ready to place some bets! Choose “athletics” from a betting options menu on the main page. You will get a list of events that are available for betting at the moment, as well as a list of all possible bets you can make (betting markets). These options will vary depending on the type of athletic event.
We will take running as an example. The most usual type of betting on running is the outright betting market. You are placing bets on who will win a particular race. You can also place several bets simultaneously, combining them into one betting slip. For example, you can bet both on the winner of Men’s race and Women’s race. The potential winnings are bigger if you combine, but the risk of losing is also increased, because you will have to predict both outcomes correctly.
Another common option is called Each-way bet (EW). In this case, your risk of losing money decreases, because you will get some returns even if your chosen athlete finishes second or third (conditions vary depending on the bookmaker).
Most casinos will automatically calculate your potential winnings based on the amount you type in the appropriate box. This is a helpful tool for understanding the odds and making combinations. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the winnings, the less likely the outcome is.
Finally, don’t forget to bet responsibly!