BETTING and the Olympics don’t usually go hand-and-hand, but it has become increasing popular since the arrival of online betting and now punters can bet on every sport at the Olympics.
The 2016 Olympics is held at Rio in Brazil which has had its fair share of controversy, but us punters couldn’t care less as we’re interested in making some money and betting the Olympics is easier than you would think.
The predictability of the Olympics is an attractive aspect for bettors and it’s rare to see a major upset. With names such as Usain Bolt, Valerie Adams and Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy, betting on the Olympics is a must for 2016.
It starts in August which means there isn’t long to get involved with the global sporting event. Sign up to our recommended bookmakers and start betting on your favourite athlete.
Top Australian Olympic bookmakers
All the recommended bookmakers offer betting on the Olympics. With it being such a massive global event, bookmakers will be offering the best odds and the best promotions in the coming weeks.
Knowing when your favourite sport is scheduled can be tough, but our bookmakers tailor the betting markets so it’s easy to find when the event is on. The following bookmakers are taking bets now so don’t miss out on the best odds available.
Sportsbet
Crownbet
WilliamHill
Luxbet
Bet365
Reasons to bet on the 2016 Rio Olympics
The Olympics is already an exciting event, but it’s better with a bet on it. We mentioned the predictability of the Olympics and that should appeal to every punter.
Betting on Usain Bolt has been profitable for punters over the last few years and it’s hard to believe the Jamaican superstar is currently paying $1.65 to win the 100m sprint at Rio. That’s the kind of value punters can find betting the Olympics.
Every sport is available to bet on – anything from athletics to archery. It’s all there and due to the nature of some events, bookmakers can make mistakes to the punters favour.
For example – an event like the women’s omnium cycle race isn’t an easily-researchable event so bookmakers can make some errors in the odds they release. Punters with some knowledge of the lesser-known events can make some serious cash at Rio in August.
Top Australian Olympic betting hopes
Fabrice Lapierre (Men’s Long Jump) – $9
The Frenchman-turned Australian long jumper is on the fifth line of betting behind the well-fancied Greg Rutherford.
Lapierre won the silver medal at the 2015 World Championships and he will be looking to recapture the form which saw him capture the 2010 Commonwealth gold medal. It won’t be easy to overcome the favoured long jumpers, but he has the talent to win at $9 at Sportsbet is a good price.
Boomers (Basketball) to win a medal – $21
Whilst it’s not one of Australia’s best chances to medal, the Boomers should be fun to watch. NBA stars Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills will all be included in the side which also features NBL stars Chris Goulding and Kevin Lisch.
They don’t have the easiest group to play in, as it features the raging-hot USA team, but they could finish second in the group and have a chance at the medals.
$21 is certainly a good price and worth the risk.
Annette Edmondson (Women’s cycling omnium) – $7
We talked about how events such as the cycling omnium could be where punters find the best value and it’s apparent with Australia’s own Annette Edmondson.
She has been riding in good form this season and current favourite Laura Trott is far too short at $1.91. The value is with the Australian who should at least find herself in a medal position come mid-August.
Kookaburras and Hockeyroos (Hockey):
Both men’s and women’s hockey teams are medal hopes this year. The Kookaburras are the current $3.60 favourites to win Olympic gold and the Hockeyroos are on the second line of betting at $6.
It will be harder for the Hockeyroos to win with the strength of the Dutch team, so take the Kookaburras at $3.60 with Crownbet for the best odds available.
Men’s quadruple sculls (rowing) – $1.91
Australian present a strong rowing team this year, but the best chance of winning a gold medal belongs to the men’s quadruple sculls.
The team of four is the current $1.91 favourite at Sportsbet over the next best entrant Germany at $3.35.
The team consists of Karsten Forsterling, Cameron Girdlestone, James McRae and Sasha Belonogoff and all four combine for a team which won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, but is expected to have strengthened up since then.
Women’s Rugby 7’s – $1.72
The women’s Rugby 7’s gold medal is a two-horse race with Australia and New Zealand the two contenders.
Australia bring in the better form which is why they are the $1.72 favourites (New Zealand at $3) and considering it’s unlikely to have a challenger from any of the other 10 teams, the $1.72 is a respectable price which should be included in plenty of Olympic multi-bets.
Cameron McEvoy (100m freestyle swimming) – $1.83
The Australian swimming team was disastrous at the London games, but they should recover and produce some medalists at Rio.
Of the Australian swimmers, Cameron McEvoy is the strongest winning hope. He will compete in the 50m freestyle as well, but he’s a much better chance at the 100m and bookmakers believe he will bring home one of the most popular events at the Olympics.
Popular Olympic betting markets
Men’s 100m sprint:
Usain Bolt – $1.65
Justin Gatlin – $2.61
Yohan Blake – $8.50
Trayvon Bromell – $9.50
Andre De Grasse – $12
Jimmy Vicault – $12
Femi Ogunode – $41
Nickel Ashmeade – $41
Marvin Bracy – $41
James Dasaolu – $67
James Ellington – $67
Bingtian Su – $101
Christophe Lemaitre – $101
Keston Bledman – $101
Chijindu Ujah – $101
Josh Clarke – $501
Men’s 200m sprint:
Usain Bolt – $1.50
Justin Gatlin – $4
LaShawn Merritt – $7
Yohan Blake – $9
Ameer Webb – $17
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake – $23
Anaso Jobodwana – $41
Alonso Edward – $41
Nickel Ashmeade – $51
Adam Gemili – $51
Warren Weir – $67
Zharnel Hughes – $101
Femi Ogunode – $101
Chruandy Martina – $101
Christophe Lemaitre – $101
Ramil Guliyev – $101
Usain Bolt has captivated the sprinting world at the Olympics and many believe his run will come to an end.
His biggest threat comes by the way of noted drug user Justin Gatlin who has the ability to beat the Jamaican champion, but his cheating record speaks for itself. Gatlin couldn’t beat Bolt with the assistance and it’s tough to see him winning without it.
Bolt might be getting slower, but he’s still the best and the odds around him appear to be great value.
Equestrian Team Event:
Germany – $2
Great Britain – $4
USA – $5
New Zealand – $5.50
Australia – $7.50
France – $13
Russia – $34
Ireland – $51
Switzerland – $67
Netherlands – $101
Canada – $101
Brazil – $101
Sweden – $101
Italy – $101
Australia doesn’t have the best record in the equestrian events, but they are well-supported at $7.50 this year. In what always proves to be an exciting event, the equestrian team event is our best chance of getting a medal in the equestrian markets.
Women’s Single Sculls:
Kim Brennan – $1.40
Emma Twigg – $2.50
Miroslava Knapkova – $13
Jingli Duan – $21
Ekaterina Karsten – $26
Genevra Stone – $26
Jeannine Gmelin – $34
Carling Zeeman – $51
Anna Svennung – $81
Magdalena Lobnig – $81
Lina Saltyte – $91
Sanita Puspure – $276
Fie Udby Erichsen – $376
Men’s 100m Freestyle Swimming:
Cameron McEvoy – $1.83
Nathan Adrian – $5.50
Zetao Ning – $5.50
Clement Mignon – $10
Federico Grabich – $17
Vladimir Morozov – $17
Santo Condorelli – $19
Luca Dotto – $26
2012 Olympic medal table
Gold, silver, bronze, total*
United States 46 – 28 – 29 – 103
China 38 – 29 – 21- 88
Great Britain 29 – 17- 19 – 65
Russia 22 – 25 – 32 – 79
South Korea 13 – 8 – 7 – 28
Germany 11 – 19 – 14 – 44
France 11 – 11 – 12 – 34
Australia 8 – 15 – 12 – 35
Italy 8 – 9- 11 – 28
Hungary 8 – 4 – 6 – 18
Olympic betting markets list
Athletics
Archery
Badminton
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Canoeing
Cycling
Diving
Equestrian
Fencing
Gymnastics
Handball
Hockey
Judo
Rowing
Rugby 7’s
Sailing
Shooting
Soccer
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Volleyball
Waterpolo
Weightlifting
Wrestling