Here’s how betting on football has become so popular

In recent years the popularity of football betting has reached new levels and it’s easy to see why.

The world’s favourite sport has become a truly global enterprise with opportunities to place wagers on games in a multitude of leagues.

The English Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League are just three of the biggest and most prestigious competitions in world football.

They’re also shown to billions of people on television meaning their captive audiences can place bets and watch first-hand to see how they get on.

The Internet, live streaming and betting online, on mobile and on tablet devices have also made keeping up-to-date with the latest news and developments even easier than before.

How football betting markets have exploded

Once upon a time you could only bet on the single outcome of a football match.

Now most games have over a hundred markets available, covering a huge range of eventualities.

Will your fancied team score over 2.5 goals against a struggling side? Or can an in-form striker add to their tally for the season?

The choice is yours and there are so many ways to get involved.

Here are a few of the most popular football betting markets explained:

• Win-Draw-Win

Bet on the home team, the away side or on a draw. Simple.

• First Goalscorer

Who will score the first goal of the game? Maybe no-one at all? You decide.

• Correct Score

Can you spot any score patterns? Bet on what you think the final result will be.

• Scorecast

A popular bet offering lucrative returns by correctly selecting who’ll score first and which team will win.

• Asian Handicap

This is a system that concentrates on the number of goals in a match. E.g – Will there be over or under 1.5 goals scored in a game?

Thinking of placing a bet? Get off to the perfect start

Bookmakers have long recognised the importance of the football market.

That’s why you’ll find a host of sign-up offers designed to entice you into placing your bets with them.

Do your homework and see which offers work best for you. If you’re going to start betting on football then you won’t have to look too hard to find a bookie willing to hand you a bonus for doing so.

How you should bet on football

Before you get started make sure you follow a few golden rules.

DO – Your research. There’s no point betting on a particular team or outcome if you’re going in blind. That leaves you relying heavily on luck rather judgement and is a surefire way to failure.

DON’T – Bet what you can’t afford to lose. This is the most important rule of them all. This should be a fun pursuit, not a way of trying to turn a hobby into a career.

DO – Seek out the right bookmaker for you. A sign-up bonus may look great but is that where the rewards end?

DON’T – If betting in-play don’t make rash decisions. So the team you’ve bet on prior to the match have just gone a goal behind early on? That doesn’t mean you have to pile in to their opponents to cover your back!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.