Although football and basketball are the most popular choices for American bettors, they can sometimes become boring for the everyday handicapper. Niche markets are the sports and championships that are less publicized and have less of a following than the most popular sports to wager. Instead of only playing at their favorite online casino, bettors should also consider becoming an expert in niche sports and stay a step ahead of the bookmakers.
We know that bookmakers are good at handicapping but can’t always be an expert in every sport. The less popular the sport, the more likely an informed bettor knows more than the sportsbooks when choosing niche sports.
Sportsbooks will always focus on mainstream markets where most of the betting action comes from among professional and casual players. There are some popular choices of niche sports that more players are following.
Motorsports
Betting on motorsports is one of the fastest-growing activities for online bookmakers and is quickly growing as a spectator sport. Annual attendance at events in the US has recently exceeded 15 million spectators per year. There are three major circuits to choose from which are NASCAR, Formula One, and MotoGP. They all have multiple championships with many betting opportunities.
NASCAR has the Sprint Cup Series, Camping World Truck Series, and Nationwide Series, with more than 1,500 races to choose from throughout the year and unlimited betting opportunities. The MotoGP World Championship also has three racing classes: MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3.
eSports
Betting on esports might seem unusual for the regular sports bettor. Likewise, betting on players sitting in front of TV screens playing video games may seem strange. Still, esports’ market value exceeded $900 million worldwide in 2018, with gambling revenue of more than $6 billion globally.
Sportsbooks are increasingly starting to offer odds on eSports tournaments and events in which bettors can pick tournament winners or things like whoever gets the most kills in games like PUBG. Some of the biggest events feature games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Call of Duty.
Hockey
NHL Hockey is one of the top sports to watch in the North American market but is still considered a niche sport. It may not have the same popularity as football, but it features fast action and physical play, which has helped the sport achieve a loyal fanbase.
There are various leagues to bet on, such as the World Championships, the American Hockey League (AHL), and the National Hockey League. There is even some great action to be found among college hockey matchups.
Bettors can wager on tournament winners, game results, total goals, and hockey-specific wagers such as the puck line, which is the same as betting on the spread in other popular sports.
UFC
Ratings for the Ultimate Fighting Championship have increased recently in popularity, although it’s still considered a niche sport to wager on. However, it has been accepted as a mainstream sport and has come a long way despite years of resistance to the activity.
The fact is that most sportsbooks haven’t reacted to the UFC’s popularity and are far from being handicapping experts on the sport. This means some great value can always be found in the odds offered, giving bettors an edge.
There are also many different ways to win, as opposed to boxing. For example, players can bet on whether the fight will end in a submission or knockout. Wagers can also be placed on a fighter’s moves to end the bout, such as an armbar or joint lock.
Boxing
Because of the hype around championship matches in boxing, many don’t think of it as a niche sport. However, many matches are available daily at online sportsbooks besides the high-profile events featured on pay-per-view.
Besides betting on the results of a match, players can bet on the specific round the fight will end, the total number of rounds the fight will last, and even be able to pick a range of rounds for when they think the fight may be stopped. The sport offers many options for bettors that can be favorable for everyone.
