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| Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash |
Norway is a nation that prides itself on a broad range of sports played everywhere from icy slopes to heated arenas. The adrenaline, strategy, and thrill of competition are not only limited to participating players but also extend to sports enthusiasts who place their bets on their favorite sports.
Edgar C Blakeslee, an expert in sports betting explains how the worldwide popularity of online sports betting has grown the industry in recent years. According to Edgar, this means the best online betting sites around offer a wide range of great odds and more ways to bet on a range of different sports. These include the opportunity to place bets both before and during a game through the unique bet types made available on such sites, though punters should ensure they only play on sites that have been vetted for quality and security (source: https://www.techopedia.com/no/gambling/bettingsider).
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the most popular sports to bet on in Norway.
Football (Soccer)
Worldwide, football is one of the preferred sports to bet on due to the variety of odds and massive international fanfare it comes with. Religiously popular across Europe because of the number of famous European leagues, Norway has had some great teams and players itself—right now, it most notably boasts arguably the best striker in the world in Erling Haaland. However, it is not solely the fame of Norwegian players or its best teams that makes football one of the most popular sports to bet on in Norway.
There are also the elements of skill and strategy in the game that attract many sports enthusiasts to bet on football matches. Fans there don’t just appreciate the tactical aspects of soccer but forecast team performance by placing bets based on factors like player skill, teamwork, and strategic play. Norway has an abundance of talent and strategic play — something often displayed in the Eliteserien league which draws significant attention from bettors.
The participation of Norwegian players and teams in coveted tournaments like the UEFA Champions League or national team games attracts punters from across the country. To match the interest in soccer, bookmakers offer a diverse market for football bets. Bets can be placed on a variety of factors such as match outcomes, handicaps, and goalscorers. These bets can also be placed live as the match progresses, adding an extra layer of excitement to them.
Winter Sports
The icy landscapes of Norway make winter events some of the prime sports to wager on there. There are plenty of sports competitions and tournaments that give this category of sports a thriving gambling scene. For example, skiing has a wealth of tournaments such as the FIS World Cup event and the Holmenkollen Ski Festival. These competitions also offer exciting betting opportunities through different types of skiing, including cross-country skiing and ski jumping.
Similarly, snowboarding and biathlon also offer a variety of bets that can be placed either on individual races or relay events. Winter sports also expand beyond Norwegian competition events as there are also Winter Olympic games and world championships where players from Norway go head-to-head with participants from other countries.
Among winter sports, Norway has some thrilling talent, a fact that provides some great odds, not just for Norwegian punters, but fans from across the globe as well.
Handball
The popularity of handball in Norway has captured a lot of attention from both seasoned and new-coming gamblers. By combining elements of soccer, hockey, and basketball, handball is a fast-paced and physical game requiring intelligent gameplay. The strategic element of this sport is popular among gamblers and Norwegians show great interest in wagering on it. There are different types of bets to place in Handball, including match result bets, player performance predictions, and over/under goals.
With major tournaments like the EHF Champions League, World Handball Championships, and the Norwegian Handball League, there is never a shortage of action. However, between Handball seasons, punters still have plenty of options for online gambling in the country, including new-age platforms like crypto gambling sites that include plenty of fast-paced action, instant rewards, and swift withdrawals—providing a great alternative to Handball betting in the off-season.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has been around for almost 100 years in Norway. With a variety of ways to wager on horses, punters find great excitement whether at the track or using online platforms. The Oslo Grand Prix is one of the most notable races that hosts some of the top-performing horses around the world. As a result, this competition features some of the highest stakes and intense competition around.
Player analysis and research have made plotting the odds more exciting. Examples of this come from analyzing form through researching a horse’s recent performances, enabling bettors to identify winning partnerships. In addition, since trainers and jockeys play a crucial role in winning, punters also study their track records and find the perfect combinations with better odds of crossing that finish line first.
