How has cricket betting changed over the years?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it would have been unthinkable to back against certain teams

You might not realise it, but cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world. Yes, it’s a stereotypically British affair, especially the afternoon tea break for a cuppa and scones! However, the game is at its healthiest in Asia where hundreds of millions of kids and adults follow their superstar heroes. 

As a result, 1.6 billion people watched the last World Cup, an increase of 38% from the previous tournament. With the popularity and viewing figures comes sports betting. The industry is a billion-pound market, and cricket plays a significant role. 

Yet, is the scene the same today as it was a decade ago? Has cricket wagering changed over the years? Read on to find out… 

Match Markets 

In the past, the most popular form of cricket bets were single wagers, such as one team to win an ODI or test match. Now, the variety of betting markets means that there is a plethora of options for everybody from advanced gamblers to those who prefer a casual flutter. 

The result is a boost in customers who gamble on events that didn’t exist before. A prime example is the top run-scorer. Like a goal scorer bet in football, watchers like to try and predict who will form the foundation of a team’s innings by piling on the runs. The same applies to the bowler who takes the most wickets in a match. These markets are quickly becoming bigger than the traditional cricket wagers that have been popular for years. 

Home Versus Away 

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it would have been unthinkable to back against certain teams. Who can say they expected Australia to get beat when they had the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting? 

Rewinding further, you wouldn’t imagine the West Indies losing due to their top batting line-up and rapid fats bowlers. 

Today, it’s a different story since teams are strong at home and weak away. From 2013 up to 2018, 57% of the winning sides had home advantage, which accounted for 54 of the 94 test series that was played in that period. Cricket fans understand the pattern better than anyone else and tweak their betting habits accordingly. Currently, people like to wager based on which team is at home, rather than investing in the team itself. 

The Rise of the Internet 

Of course, the internet has had a huge impact on cricket gambling. Instead of going to a bookmaker’s shop and placing the bet in-person, gamblers can do it via their phones and mobile devices. Not only has this opened up new markets for wagering, but it’s also introduced the sport to different fan bases and audiences. 

Japan is a prime example: betting is usually done online in The Land of the Rising Sun. This is also true lately for games such as roulette and baccarat, which are often enjoyed on online casino websites, known in Japan as ライブカジノ. However, due to the success of the country’s u19 team, Japan participated in their first-ever World Cup qualifiers in 2019. The increase in popularity in cricket has inevitably led to more extracurricular, sport-related activities, such as betting.  

So, not only are the markets new but so are the people who are betting money. At the beginning of the millennium, it was silly to think of cricket outside of its usual bubble. Today, everything is different.