The coronavirus crippled travel and triggered global lockdowns, which necessitated the postponement of the
2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games
to 2021. The betting markets are heating up as online sportsbooks release betting lines and Olympic betting odds.
With the opening ceremonies for the Tokyo Olympics drawing closer and increasing new legal betting markets, we expect to see a significant uptick in online
betting volume. Our experts share advice and tips for navigating the ins and outs of betting on the Olympic Games.
With bettors searching for proverbial gold medals, follow our step-by-step process to learn about how to choose an online sportsbook and identify the features you need to place
your Olympic bets.
Trust and security
Athletes train intently for this moment and leave nothing to chance. The same goes for selecting a sports betting partner. Safety and security,
along with unshakeable software, is one way to reach the betting podium.
Coverage
The global reach of the Olympic Games extends to the comprehensive broadcast coverage devoted to competitions. All crucial matches and events are televised,
making tuning in to watch one of the best ways to get familiar with the athletes and their teams.
Betting odds
Nailing the dismount is key to securing the podium, and landing the best price for your Olympic bets is another key to a successful betting strategy. Select oddsmakers are
not inclined to take on the risk of paying out at big odds, but the best Summer Olympic betting sites found on our list offer fair odds.
Banking
The recommended betting sites offer plenty of banking methods and options. Getting your funds in and out of a betting site should not be a marathon, so make
effortless transactions a high priority.
Bonuses and promotions
As a new user, you are more than likely in line to receive a welcome bonus. These offers consist of a free bet or deposit match. Take advantage of as many different
bonuses and promotions as possible but review the fine print for these sports betting bonus offers and promotions.
Mobile interface
2021's most trusted betting sites boast a dedicated mobile app or mobile-friendly interface. Smooth navigation and a user-friendly interface help avoid mistakes.
Mobile betting platforms enhance critical features like live betting.
Customer service
Sites that offer 24/7 customer support are worth their weight in gold. There's nothing wrong with asking questions, and we advise all bettors to choose an online
sportsbook partner that supports live chat and email, too.
How we rate Olympic betting sites
The Covers BetSmart System™
is our tried, tested, and true method for evaluating, reviewing, and recommending sports betting sites. Our comprehensive guides provide you and the Covers community with the most up-to-date and necessary information and analysis.
Olympic betting strategy
Olympic betting operates similarly to other sporting competitions. Researching the sports, teams, and individual competitors will provide you with the knowledge needed to
line up the types of wagers you can place. Betting on country Olympic medal counts requires knowledge of the athletes and teams, while information on individual sports can be
found in familiar new sources.
Leveraging a betting strategy that includes bankroll management and setting betting limits will keep you in and your funds in check. The payoff or stakes for the Olympics are
different, but it is still sports at the end of the day.
Getting started at Summer Olympics betting sites
Betting on the Olympic Games online is more accessible and less strenuous than training for its demanding athletic competitions. Follow our step-by-step registration process
to get started.
1
Register
Once you've chosen a reputable online sportsbook partner, tap the sign-up or create an account button and follow the prompts. Enter personal information, like your full
name, date of birth, and address.
2
Deposit
Before placing any wagers, you'll have to add real-money funds to your new account. The 'deposit' or 'cashier' button is typically located within the account or
profile section. Choose the deposit method that you are most comfortable with using.
3
Bet
Place your bets by clicking or tapping on the desired betting lines. Identify and enter the amount you intend to stake and confirm the action. The newly made selection
will appear on your betting slip and discloses the potential payout for your wager.
4
Withdraw
Reaching the podium is special and hitting on your Olympic Games bets is exhilarating. Accessing your winnings once the event has concluded is a top priority.
Those funds can either be withdrawn or kept in your account for future wagering opportunities.
Summer Olympics sports 2021
The Tokyo Summer Olympics — scheduled to run July 23 - Aug. 8 — are set to feature 33 competitions and 339 events held at 42 venues. Depending on the online sports
betting site selected, Olympic odds should be available for most events in addition to live betting odds for supported team sports.
At the top betting sites, you'll find a variety of sports, including several niche sports, popular events, and heavy favorites. Look over
our how to bet guides to become more familiar with some sports and terms. These are some of the popular Summer Olympics betting favorites:
Gymnastics
Olympic betting lines on gymnastics revolve around wagers made on a country or individual female or male athlete to take home the victory or gold medal. Team USA gymnast
and decorated Olympian Simone Biles has qualified for the Tokyo games.
Soccer
Olympic soccer has the same look and feel as prestigious tournaments like the European Championships and World Cup. While the opening ceremony takes place on July 23, the
soccer competition starts on July 21.
Basketball
Thanks to elite NBA and WNBA talent, Olympic basketball is big for viewers and bettors. USA basketball and their respective men's and women's basketball teams dominate
the Olympic competitions and medal count. The men have claimed 15 gold medals, and the U.S. women have won gold eight times.
Track
The world's best track and field athletes participate in arguably the most exciting Olympic events, highlighted by the 100-meter dash and relay races. The absence of
Jamaica's Usain Bolt opens the door for a new crop of sprinters looking to make their mark. Track and field yield a wide range of events, which provides plenty of betting
opportunities at legal sportsbooks.
Golf
Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016 following a 112-year absence. The men's and women's competitions are back for Tokyo, with 60 players representing their respective
home countries. All three male medalists from the 2016 Rio Olympics — Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, and Matt Kuchar — failed to qualify for Tokyo.
Tennis
Like tennis' Grand Slam tournaments, you'll find men's and women's singles and doubles events, plus mixed doubles draw in Tokyo this summer. Bonafide stars have buoyed the
sport, and as sports wagering expands across the U.S., interest in tennis and interest in betting on the sport is increasing, too.
Swimming
Similar to track events, swimming is an Olympic event that garners significant attention from bettors. TV viewership soared on the back of U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps
and his record-run of 23 gold medals. With 35 events scheduled, U.S. sportsbooks in legal jurisdictions will soon post their Summer Olympics swimming odds.
Tokyo Olympics betting odds for 2021
Wagerers can choose from more than 300 various sporting events during the Olympic Games. The Summer Olympics is more prominent in scope than the Winter Olympics due to the
number of events. Let's review the most appropriate Summer Olympics betting options:
Moneyline
Betting the moneyline is the most straightforward way to wager on teams or individual athletes. Here, you are picking the winner, whether it is a team or an individual athlete.
Point spread
Olympic team sports is where you'll find spreads most commonly used. This is where oddsmakers handicap the
favorite and strive to get more betting on both sides.
Futures
Online sports betting sites list several futures betting options that cover most events during the Olympic Games, with the
total medal count serving as the most important. The odds on which country will win the most gold medals are typically available in advance of the Olympics.
Over/Unders (totals)
For Olympic Over/Unders, you are wagering whether a particular country will earn more (over) or under (fewer)
the total number of gold medals set by the sportsbook. Totals serve as head-to-head bets pitting two nations against each other.
Props
Olympic prop bets consist of wagers made on the performance of an individual athlete, like the number of events a swimmer
will win or identifying the top goal scorer in the soccer competition. Prop bets are betting on an event not directly affecting the game's outcome.
Pro tip: Most betting sites you access from the United States will default to American odds. Should you prefer decimal or fractional tools, use
our odds converter tool to switch between odds types quickly.
Blacklisted Olympic betting sites
We advise you to register with legal and local sportsbooks despite the wide variety of offshore gambling sites. With the Covers community's assistance, we have identified
several sports betting sites involved in unlawful business practices. Those findings revealed issues related to late payments or bets not honored, in addition to poor
customer service. Avoid these blacklisted betting sites at all costs.
Instant replay: Trusted Olympic Games betting sites
Olympic sports betting comes around every four years — outside of the Tokyo games' circumstances — and alternates between the Summer and Winter Games every two years during
the four years. The vast range of sports and available legal betting markets translates to potentially lucrative summer games. Follow these online gambling tips for a shot at
the betting podium:
Register with a reputable sportsbook listed earlier to ensure safety and security.
The top betting sites post odds on popular Olympic sports, including basketball, swimming, and track and field.
Any betting strategy starts with bankroll management and setting your betting limits.
Summer Olympics betting sites FAQs
Yes, you can bet on the Olympics with one of the online sportsbooks identified earlier. The Olympics is a massive global event that dominates betting sites.
Depending on the betting site, you must be at least 18 years of age to wager on the Olympics legally.
Yes. The most trusted Olympic betting sites will extend new players a sign-up bonus.
Medals will be awarded for 339 events across 33 different sports during the Summer Games.
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.
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