Sports betting has become a global phenomenon that highlights the prominence of gambling. New Jersey (NJ) is one of the leading states with a higher propensity for sports betters in the US, however, sports cultures differ in every country and so do betting practices. There are, however, some similarities as well as differences when compared side-by-side.
Carefully analyzing the sports betting landscape in NJ unpacks insight into the diversity and vibrance it embodies compared to other countries active in this scene like Norway, Australia, and the UK.
Soccer
Soccer is a common denominator that unifies punters from all countries. This is mainly due to the popularity of international and local soccer leagues. The universal appeal of leagues like the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League attracts sports betters from around the world, including NJ, because of the appealing odds these sporting games provide. For example, gambling expert Alexander pointed out how a popular Norwegian betting site provides competitive odds and bonuses for punters in Norway who wager on international soccer leagues. He also mentions that the odds offered by betting sites can vary, such as point spreads, match outcomes, and future bets. This is quite similar to the odds several sportsbooks in NJ offer as well.
The culmination of these benefits and the sport’s increasing popularity is leading NJ punters to join bettors from around the world, betting on matches with teams offering competitive odds. Breaking down the increasing interest of soccer among betters in New Jersey, highlights how soccer has become a major part of the sports culture in the US as a whole.
Football and Rugby
Despite the similarities between the two sports, there are still some key differences, especially within the sports selection arena. Some sports are uniquely valued in the Garden State. American football matches in the NFL, for example, are wagered on locally with very little attention from other parts of the world.
During the NFL season, local passion for sporting events comes to the forefront. This is reflected in the increased activity on betting platforms. High stakes and the general attraction to the games drive this fan engagement. Some of the most popular wagers on NFL games include point spreads and money lines. Punters also place intricate prop bets based on a variety of factors.
Although football games are bet on worldwide, New Jersey stands out. The Garden State is one of the major contributors to sports betting activity related to football in particular. In other countries, the betting population generally favors larger events like the Super Bowl. New Jersey, on the other hand, tends to wager on less popular games.
NJ punters wager on most events, placing bets on final scores to individual player performances. Similarly, the different cultural aspects play an important role in shaping betting trends in other countries. For instance, the Australian and British betting markets tend to be attracted to Rugby League and Rugby Union games over NFL events.
Ice Hockey and Skiing
In New Jersey, some of the most prominent sports to bet on include the winter games. Like other countries, the most popular winter game sports to bet on in NJ are ice hockey and skiing. Gamblers take full advantage of NHL fixtures especially when the New Jersey Devils are contending for a win on the ice. Ice hockey and skiing are two of the most popular sports among Norwegians. This is unsurprising since Norway has one of the world’s best icy slopes and hockey spirit.
Ice hockey games attract immense betting interest because of the diversity of bets that can be placed. You can bet on game results, individual player performances, and even broader odds like championship predictions. The strong tradition of this sport in the Garden State and Norway propelled it to be one of the highly regarded sports betting options.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is another staple in the global sports betting scene. The sport is universally appealing for its betting style and rich traditional history. One of the most popular bets that appeal to seasoned horse racing enthusiasts is exotic bets, which allow betters to wager on multiple horses at the same time.
This specific bet provides punters with more profitable odds stemming from the higher likelihood of at least one horse winning. Therefore, NJ betters and international punters from countries like Norway and the UK leverage exotic bets while also opting for additional racing action by placing trifecta and exacta bets.
The competitive nature of trifecta and exacta bets requires a deeper understanding of horse racing and sportsbooks offering live streaming tend to have more punters who prefer live betting. International races are one of the best events to wager on, due to the availability of information on horses and jockeys that feature in the races.
However, local enthusiasts also stake in races that are closer to them and their familiarity with norms and recent performances go a long way toward propping up betting strategies. Ultimately, each region has its unique trends that play a crucial role in accurate predictions for higher winnings.
Basketball
The basketball scene in the U.S. makes the sport a popular option in NJ, more so, than in any other parts of the world. To put this into perspective, the NBA leads in the global basketball scene and betters from other countries prefer wagering on NBA games more than their local tournaments.
A major contributing factor to the popularity of betting on the sport is NBA star players and the diversity of thrilling games, particularly during the playoffs and finals. At the same time, college basketball also attracts more local betters who want to expand their horizons.
March Madness games are the pinnacle of college basketball, offering some exciting odds as upcoming players seek to make their mark as future star players. Unlike the NBA, betting on these less popular events is mostly limited to a few states in the US including New Jersey, and doesn’t extend to other parts of the world.
