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Olympic Betting: How to Bet on the Olympics and Win

Betting on the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024 might be a new experience for many. With numerous events to bet on, it can feel overwhelming. BMR can help you learn how to bet on the Olympics with essential tips on understanding odds and strategies for placing smarter bets on the Summer Games.

Top Olympics Betting Sites

SPORTSBOOK TRUST SCORE ONLINE SINCE Expert Review BONUS Bet Now
9.6
2002
55% Cash Bonus
9.8
1996
$500 Cash Bonus
9.6
2001
100% Free Play
9.5
1996
$1,000 Cash Bonus
9.9
2011
$750 Cash Bonus
9.8
2001
$250 Free Bet
Table of Contents

The Best Olympic Betting Sites

There are plenty of options for players looking to bet on the Paris 2024 Olympics. The best sites will have competitive odds and a range of betting options. Here are the top Olympic betting sites:

  1. BetOnline – Best for generous bonuses
  2. Bovada – Best for Olympic prop bets
  3. BookMaker – Top for early lines
  4. Heritage Sports – Best for live betting
  5. BetAnySports – Best for reduced juice
  6. Everygame – Best for promotions

How To Sign Up & Place Bets on the Olympics

Betting on the Olympics is an exciting way to engage with the games. Before you can start placing bets, you need to follow a few simple steps. Here’s a quick guide on how to register.

  1. Choose a Reputable Sportsbook: Start by selecting a trustworthy online sports betting site. Look for ones with good reviews, competitive odds and a user-friendly interface. Popular options include BookMaker, BetOnline and Heritage Sports. Ensure the sportsbook is licensed and offers a variety of Olympic betting options.
  2. Create an Account: Once you’ve chosen a sportsbook, sign up by providing your personal details, including name, email and date of birth. You’ll also need to create a username and password. Some sportsbooks may require verification through email or phone.
  3. Make a Deposit: After creating your account, you’ll need to deposit funds. Most sportsbooks offer several deposit methods, such as credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, crypto options and bank transfers. Choose your preferred method, enter the necessary details and decide how much you want to deposit.
  4. Place Your Olympic Bets: With your account funded, you can start placing bets on the Olympics. Browse the available events and betting markets. Select the event you want to bet on, choose your bet type (e.g., moneyline, point spread) and enter your stake. Confirm your bet and you’re all set.

Now that you know how to sign up and place bets on the Olympics, you’re ready to dive into the Olympic betting action.

BMR - Olympics 2024 Infographic

2024 Olympic Basketball: Teams, Players and Odds

Men’s Team: Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum.

USA men are favored at -450 to win the gold medal.

Women’s Team: Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Lloyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young

USA women are favored at -1250 to win the gold medal.

Men’s Basketball_

Men’s Basketball
Gold Medal Winner Odds

TeamCurrent Odds

United States of America
USA
-700

Canada
Canada
+850

France
France
+1400

Spain
Spain
+1500

Germany
Germany
+1800

Serbia
Serbia
+2000

Australia
Australia
+2200

Greece
Greece
+4500

South Sudan
+20000

Brazil
+50000

Japan
+50000

Puerto Rico
+50000
Women’s Basketball_

Women’s Basketball
Gold Medal Winner Odds

TeamCurrent Odds

United States of America
USA
-1250

Australia
Australia
+2000

China
China
+2000

France
France
+2500

Belgium
Belgium
+2500

Japan
Japan
+2800

Canada
Canada
+3300

Serbia
Serbia
+6600

Nigeria
Nigeria
+15000

Spain
Spain
+25000

Germany
Germany
+25000

Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
+50000

Betting Odds for 2024 Olympic Basketball

While USA men are reasonably favored at -450, you’ll want to monitor the status of Joel Embiid. Embiid battled injuries during Philadelphia’s stint in the NBA playoffs, and it will be important that he’s healthy. Without him in the World Cup last year, America lost to Germany as it was decimated in the interior by the likes of Franz Wagner. Other teams, besides Germany, could inflict this sort of damage if Embiid is out and Anthony Davis is on the bench. Serbia, with Jokic, is of course a good option.

If Embiid is completely healthy, then -450 still feels too steep especially because of Canada’s talent. This American group is insanely talented, but +800 is also very attractive for a Canada team that does have perimeter defenders who have proven their ability to lock down top-caliber Team USA guards – Alexander-Walker, for example, did a great job guarding Booker in the playoffs.

With the exception of Jrue Holiday and maybe a couple others, team USA does not have the same level of quality along the perimeter. In a potential game against the USA, Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray would have a lot of success generating offense.

I get that it is hard to go against Team USA, but it is worth investing something in the Canadians.

Key Facts About the Paris 2024 Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympics will begin on July 26 and end on August 11.

The competition will be carried out in 35 different venues throughout France. Just over a third of those venues is located in the Paris area. A similar number of venues is located in the region called Ile-de-France, which is the most heavily populated of the country’s 18 regions. This region encompasses Paris but also extends beyond the city itself.

The other venues are located in other areas in France. Surfing will take place in Tahiti, which is located in French Polynesia. 

New Sports and Changes for 2024

For all the tradition associated with the Olympics, there will be some new sports. One is completely new to the Olympic Games: breakdancing, also referred to as breaking. Participants will be judged according to six criteria: personality, technique, variety, performativity, musicality, and creativity. The winner will be the one whom the judges have accorded the highest point total. As part of this point total, not all the criteria are equal. Specifically, performativity and creativity are weighed most heavily. They combine for 60 percent of the score.

Another new addition to the Olympics is kayak cross. In this competition, athletes will race against each other – that is, they will be competing at the same time.

As for sports that are new but not as new as breakdancing, some sports debuted in the last Olympics, at Tokyo, that will return: these sports are surfing, skateboarding, 3 v. 3 basketball, and sport climbing. Sport climbing will have a new format, moving from one combined event to two events. One of the two events will be combined, combining boulder and lead, the other will be speed climbing.

For athletics, specifically the track portion, a new repechage round will be added to the process of qualifying for the finals of a specific event. Previously, athletes had to achieve certain qualifying positions in heats and other athletes would advance by achieving the fastest times. Now, the athletes that don’t achieve those qualifying positions will get a second chance in a repechage round to advance to the finals. This change applies to all track events from 200m to 1500m.

Nicolas Gestin French Army's Joinville battalion Paris 2024 Olympics

Exploring the Venues

Venues located in the Paris area include the Stade Roland-Garros, where the French Open is held, and the Parc des Princes, which hosts the home matches of international football powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain. 

As for the Ile-de-France region, noteworthy is the erection of a stadium on site of the historic Palace of Versailles, which was a residence for royal figures hundreds of years ago.

Though not a stadium, a location worth highlighting is the Seine, which is a river perhaps most famously associated with the bloody trench battles of World War I. The Seine will host the Opening Ceremony, as well as swimming and triathlon. This year will mark the first time in which the Opening Ceremony does not take place in a stadium.

* Interactive map of venues in Paris

How to Watch the Paris 2024 Olympics

NBC will provide live coverage of the Olympics every day.

Other channels, including USA and CNBC, will also display certain events. Peacock will have Olympics coverage available for streamers.

Mike Tirico will be a recognizable broadcaster. He’ll be joined by Rebecca Lowe, Craig Melvin, Damon Hack, and Ahmed Fareed. Plus, a very interesting well-known figure will make his broadcasting debut: the legendary rapper Snoop Dogg.

In order to catch all of the action live, Americans on the east coast will need to wake up early and tune in at around 3 a.m. Keep in mind that Paris is six hours ahead of Americans on the east coast.

official Olympic Phryges mascots Paris 2024 Summer Olympic
A photograph taken in Saint-Denis, north of Paris on March 28, 2024, shows two official Olympic Phryges mascots for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games displayed at headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Organizing Committee (Cojo). Joel Saget / AFP

Fast Facts on Olympic Basketball

  • For both men and women, there are twelve teams competing.
  • There is the group phase from July 27 through August 4 and then the knockout stage from August 6 through August 11.
  • The group stage involves three four-team groups. Within each group, each time will play each other one time. As measured by wins and losses, the top two teams in each group will automatically advance to the knockout stage plus the two third-best teams.
  • The knockout stage is single-elimination.
  • Significant statistics and records over the years
  • The Americans have dominated: the men have won the last four gold medals, the women the last seven.

Highlights from The 2020 Olympic Winners

In 2020, the men actually lost a game to France, so they finished second in their group. However, they got revenge and beat France in the gold medal game.

The women were arguably more dominant than the men in that year. The women went undefeated. Griner scored a Finals record-breaking 30 points.

BASKETBALL-FIBA-WOMEN-BEL-USA

Teams to Watch in 2024

Coming off its Bronze performance in last year’s FIBA World Cup, Canada is a team to watch out for. This is a very talented group that is filled with big names from the NBA. Its offense will be spearheaded by the likes of playmaking guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray. Luguentz Dort, Dillon Brooks, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have likewise committed themselves to playing for Canada. They, as well as Gilgeous-Alexander, are known in the NBA for their strong defense.

It does not surprise me to see Canada as the second-most favored team behind the USA. While Canada is +800 to win gold, Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, is +900.

While the USA women should have no problems dominating again, the American men do face some stiff challenges. France is the last team to beat them in the Olympics, and they are the host. I do not find their roster as strong as Canada’s, although four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and rising star Victor Wembanyana will certainly create highlights. I see Canada, with the improved experience of its group, posing the biggest challenge to the Americans.

Star Power: NBA Players at the 2024 Olympics

In addition to the USA men and the other players from other countries mentioned, several other NBA players will represent their respective countries.

These include: Jock Landale, Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, for Australia, Bol Bol for South Sudan, Dennis Schroder for Germany, Luka Doncic for Slovenia, Giannis for Greece, Domantas Sabonis for Lithuania and Kristaps Porzingis for Latvia.

Other players are still deciding or remain for some other reason in the mix. One example is Japan’s Rui Hachimura. Donte DiVincenzo could also play for Italy.

Key Players to Watch

We know the stars, such as Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray for Canada. But let’s also talk about slightly lesser-known players.

Two other Canadians worth highlighting are Luguentz Dort and R.J. Barrett. Dort is a guard for the Thunder and Barrett is a wing for the Raptors

Dort’s defense is the real deal: most recently, he held Doncic to under 20 points, forcing him to be highly inefficient. On offense, he isn’t a prolific scorer per se, but he does add significant value especially from behind the arc, where he had a breakout year. In the regular season, he converted a career-best 39.4% of his three-point attempts.

As for Barrett, he is known for his scoring. This season, he averaged just over 20 points per game. His offensive game has always prioritized inside scoring, but his jump shot has also improved. This year, he shot 39.2 percent from deep. His defense has been an object of criticism at points in his career, but with his length and athleticism, he certainly projected as a good defender coming out of Duke. His defense has shown a lot of promise, as evident in the ability he’s shown to limit opposing field goal efficiency.

Damian Lillard United States Tokyo Olympic Games
Damian Lillard #6 of the United States shoots against Pau Gasol #4 of Spain during an exhibition game at Michelob ULTRA Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Spain 83-76. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

How to Place Bets on the 2024 Olympics

Once you sign up for a sportsbook and log in, you need to find the available bets. There will be a menu of available bets that you can click on.

BetOnline, for example, has a black-colored menu on the left. Scroll down to “Olympics” and you can access several different sub-menus. Click on the odds for a specific bet in order to add it to your betting slip where you can determine your wager amount and whether you want to play your wagers straight-up or in a parlay.

Straight-up means that specific wagers will be scored individually. For a parlay, one lost wager means that the whole parlay will lose.

How to Read Olympic Betting Lines And Odds

Moneylines 

You are betting on a team to win. For example, the money-line for Team USA against Serbia might be -400.

Point Spreads

You are betting on a team to cover the spread. For example, Japan might be an eight-point underdog (+8) to Canada, which means that your wager will be scored by adding eight points to Japan’s final point total.

Totals

You are betting on the number of points for which both teams combined. For example, the over/under for a given game might be 210 points. If you play the “over,” you are betting that both teams will combine for more than 210 points.

Olympics Futures Betting

You can bet on the number of medals that a given country will earn. For example, you can bet on the United States to win more than or fewer than 38.5 gold medals. You can also bet on which team will win a given event. For example, you can bet on France at +175 to win gold in men’s handball.

Odds On Which Country Will Win The Most Gold Medals

Gold medal

Odds On Which Country Will Win The Most Gold Medals

TeamCurrent OddsBetOnline

United States of America
USA
-600

China
China
+400

France
France
+5000

greatbritain
Great Britain
+10000

Japan
Japan
+10000

Netherlands
Netherlands
+15000

Australia
Australia
+25000

Germany
Germany
+25000

Italy
Italy
+50000

Canada
Canada
+100000

South Korea
South Korea
+100000

Brazil
Brazil
+200000

Cuba
Cuba
+200000

Hungary
Hungary
+200000

New Zealand
New Zealand
+200000

Poland
Poland
+200000

Spain
Spain
+200000

Belgium
Belgium
+500000

Czech Republic
Czech Republic
+500000

South Africa
South Africa
+500000

Olympic Props

Prop bets will be published for specific events as they approach. For example, you might be able to bet on whether a specific track star earns a certain number of gold medals.

Parlays

You can maximize your payout by parlaying individual wagers.

Live Betting On The Olympics

While you can lay a pre-game wager, you can also take advantage of live betting opportunities. This will be useful in case you want to get better odds. For example, let’s say that you want to bet on the U.S.A. men to beat France straight-up in basketball. You might wait until the game starts, and France starts out with a 10-0 lead, to place such a wager, so that the odds are more attractive.

FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-2024-MEDALLS
This picture shows upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics medals designed by Fench luxury jewellery house Chaumet, on February 01, 2024 during their presentation at the Eiffel tower in Paris. Stephane de Sakutin / AFP

Complete Guide to Olympic Sports

  • Archery: In this sport, competitors try to have their arrow land as close to the center of a distant target as they can. Precision and composure under pressure are necessary to succeed.
  • Beach Volleyball: In this version of volleyball, teams consist in two players. There are two sets, both played to 21. A third, tiebreaker seat will be played to 21 if necessary.
  • Boxing: You might not recognize any competitors because amateur boxers will compete here. Although some great boxers have essentially started their careers in the Olympics, with one example being none other than Muhammad Ali. Men go through three three-minute rounds while women have four two-minute rounds.
  • Breaking: Also known as breakdancing, competitors face off in solo battles and will be assessed by judges.
  • Canoe Slalom: This event features canoeing, kayaking, slalom, and kayak cross. Canoers use paddles with a blade on one end. Kayaking distinguishes itself from canoeing in that kayakers use paddles with a blade on both ends. For slalom, competitors navigate a course laden with gates. Kayak cross is a combination event.
  • Canoe Sprint: If you haven’t seen this event before, you can think of it like track, where participants compete against each other over a prescribed distance, except in boats on water.
  • Cycling BMX Freestyle: Competing riders will be judged for their tricks. Good execution but also good creative planning is required to succeed.
  • Cycling BMX Racing: For this riding variety, participants compete with each other over a prescribed distance.
  • Cycling Mountain Bike: This is a race on mountain bikes. The course that competitors traverse will be harsh.
  • Cycling Road: This is a road race in which women race each other over 120 km (about 74 miles) while men go 200 km (about 124 miles).
  • Cycling Track: Various races take place on a 250-meter track. Like track, there are races contested over short distances, which require raw speed and power, and longer races where strategy comes into play.
  • Diving: There are eight events comprising both individual and synchronized competition. The winner gets determined by judges, who will score each dive.
  • Equestrian: There are three different events: a jumping one, a dressage one, and a combined one. Jumping is self-explanatory. Dressage is artistic. The combined one features jumping, dressage, and a cross-country component.
  • Fencing: In this sport, competitors use a weapon to try to strike their opponent in an allowable part of their body. The body parts that are allowed to strike depends on the variety of fencing being played. Contestants get three three-minute rounds to land the most strikes.
  • Football: Known to Americans as soccer, the noteworthy feature here is that men, based on participation rules, will field younger teams.
  • Golf: Competitors try to use their clubs to get the golf ball in the hole in the fewest number of attempts, or “strokes.”
  • Handball: This is a physical and high-energy sport in which each team tries to score more goals than its opponent. With the contact and movement demanded by the game, players need to be strong and to possess great endurance.
  • Hockey: This is the field hockey variety, where games have four periods, each spanning 15 minutes.
  • Judo: Two individuals face off, with each one trying to throw and/or pin and/or force into submission his or her opponent.
  • Marathon Swimming: Swimmers race over a ten-kilometer course, which tests the limits of their endurance, physical strength, and, because swimmers are human beings with limited powers, their tactical abilities.
  • Modern Pentathlon: This is a combined event in which competitors ride on horses, fence, swim, and shoot at targets on the run.
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics: Women perform artistic movements to music. Judges score competitors according to the difficulty of their exhibition, their execution, and their artistic value.
  • Rowing: When you think of competitors in a boat moving backwards, then you are thinking of rowing. There are teams of different sizes, with different varieties of rowing having individuals use either one oar or two oars, that traverse 2,000 kilometers.
  • Rugby Sevens: This variety of rugby is played on a traditional rugby field but involves fewer players on each team than you’ll normally see. Speed and skill are arguably more in demand in this variety of the sport.
  • Sailing: Competitors race by using the wind to move their boat.
  • Shooting: There are rifle, pistol, and shotgun varieties of this sport. Competitors will also shoot from different positions. The rifle and pistol varieties resemble archery in that they use targets. The shotgun variety replaces stationary targets with objects flying from different directions.
  • Skateboarding: Competitors get 45 seconds, three separate times, to perform tricks. The winner is decided by judges. Participants will need to go high, be fast, and control their board.
  • Sport Climbing: There are three climbing varieties: boulder, lead, and speed. For boulder, competitors face a 4.5-meter wall that they must navigate within a prescribed period of time. For lead, competitors face a 15-meter wall. For speed, the wall is again 15 meters but the time allotted to them is six seconds for men, seven for women.
  • Surfing: Participants use their surfboards to perform tricks on waves. The winner will be determined by judges who assess their moves.
  • Swimming: Similar to track, there will be both individual and relay races that will be contested over various distances.
  • Table Tennis: Also known as ping pong, there will be both singles and doubles. Games are up to eleven and must be won by at least two points.
  • Taekwondo: Competitors try to kick and punch each other. They get more points if they use more difficult moves.
  • Tennis: There are singles and doubles. Singles will play three sets while, for doubles, a tiebreaker – to ten points – will replace a third set.
  • Trampoline: Competitors use a trampoline and win by being judged according to the difficulty and execution of their maneuvers. Similar to gymnastics, competitors require clever planning and precision to win.
  • Triathlon: Competitors swim, cycle, and run. The swimming portion is 1500 meters, which is almost a mile. The cycling is 40 km, which is about 24 miles. The running is ten km which is about six miles.
  • Volleyball: For this version of the sport, teams consist in six players. The matches are best of five sets, with each set being played up to 25 points.
  • Water Polo: If you haven’t watched this sport, think handball but in water. It is a contact sport and is often very physical.
  • Weightlifting: There are two sorts of weightlifting in play: the snatch and the clean and jerk. For the snatch, competitors take the bar from the floor and lift it above their head. The clean and jerk is different in that competitors leave the bar at their shoulders before lifting it above their head.
  • Wrestling: There are two wrestling varieties: Greco-Roman, which is above-the-waist, and freestyle. The winner will pin his opponent or score more takedowns.
Athletics: Kenyan trials for Paris Olympics
Kenyan 3000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech (C) and Kenyan 3000m steeplechase U20 world champion Faith Cherotich (L) take part along with other athletes in the 3000m steeplechase Women Final during the Kenya Athletics 2024 Paris Olympic Trials at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on June 14, 2024. Tony Karumba / AFP

Types of Olympic Bets

There are a wide range of types of bets available on the Olympics, including the following common types of betting markets:

  • Betting on Event Winners (Moneylines): Moneyline bets are straightforward head-to-head wagers. With this common bet type, you bet on which athlete or team will win a specific Olympic event. Odds are set based on the perceived likelihood of each competitor winning. If your chosen athlete or team wins, you win your bet.
  • Betting on Point Spreads: Point spread betting involves betting on the margin of victory in an event. The sportsbook sets a spread and you can bet on whether a favorite will win by more than the spread or if the underdog will lose by less than the spread or win outright.
  • Betting on Olympic Totals (Over/Under): Over/Under bets involve wagering on the total number of points, goals or other measurable outcomes in an event. The sportsbook sets a total and you bet on whether the actual number will be over or under this figure.
  • Prop Betting: Prop bets (or proposition bets) are unique wagers that focus on specific outcomes within an event. Examples of this betting type include betting on the number of gold medals a particular country will win, if the Olympic Flame is accidentally extinguished early or whether a world record will be broken in a specific event.
  • Futures Betting: Futures bets are long-term wagers placed on outcomes that will be determined by the end of the Olympics. These can be exciting as they often offer attractive Olympic betting odds.
  • Country to Win Most Gold Medals: This bet involves predicting which country will win the most gold medals during the Olympics. It requires analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each country’s athletes.
  • Total Medals by Country: With this bet type, you wager on the total number of medals (gold, silver and bronze) a specific country will win. This bet can involve extensive research into each country’s medal prospects.
  • Head-to-Head Country Bets: These bets pit two countries against each other and you bet on which one will win more medals. It’s a comparative bet that adds a competitive edge to Olympic betting.
  • Parlay Betting: Parlay bets combine multiple individual bets into one wager. For a parlay to win, all the individual bets within it must win. While riskier, parlays offer higher payouts.
  • Live Betting (In-Game Betting): Live betting allows you to place bets in real time as events unfold. This dynamic form of betting lets you react to the action as it happens, offering exciting and immediate betting opportunities.

With so many types of bets available, Olympic betting offers a diverse and engaging experience for sports bettors, regardless of their personal betting styles.

By understanding the different betting options, you can tailor your strategies to match your preferences and knowledge of the events. Whether you prefer the straightforward nature of moneyline bets or the complexity of parlays and futures, there’s something for everyone.

Popular Olympic Sports to Bet On

The Olympics offers a diverse array of sports, providing a wide range of betting opportunities for sports fans. Understanding these sports and the key factors that impact their outcomes can help you make more informed bets and increase your chances of success.

We will go over the most popular sports betting markets for the Olympics below:

  • Athletics: Athletics, also known as track and field, is a major highlight of the Summer Olympics. Key athletic events include sprints, middle-distance and long-distance races, hurdles, relays and field events like long jump, high jump and shot put. When betting on athletics, consider the athlete’s recent form, personal bests and performance in major competitions leading up to the Olympics.
  • Swimming: Swimming features a variety of events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medleys. Races range from 50 meters to 1500 meters. Research the swimmers’ performance in international meets and their times in previous Olympic Games. Pay attention to world records and personal bests.
  • Gymnastics: Gymnastics is divided into artistic and rhythmic events. Artistic gymnastics includes apparatus like the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Rhythmic gymnastics involves routines with ribbons, hoops and balls. Look at the gymnasts’ scores in recent world championships and their consistency in performances.
  • Basketball: Basketball in the Olympics includes both men’s and women’s tournaments. The United States has traditionally been dominant, but other countries are becoming increasingly competitive. Analyze team rosters, individual player statistics and recent performance in international tournaments.
  • Soccer: Olympic soccer features U-23 teams with a few over-age players. This makes it different from other international tournaments. Consider the strength of the youth squads, recent performances in qualifiers and individual player form when placing bets.
  • Tennis: Tennis at the Olympics attracts top-ranked players from around the world. Matches are played in a knockout format. Look at players’ rankings, their recent performance on similar surfaces and head-to-head records against their opponents.
  • Boxing: Boxing events are divided by weight classes. Research the boxers’ amateur records, recent matches and their style of fighting. Pay attention to their performance in qualification tournaments and previous international competitions.
  • Cycling: Cycling events include road racing, track cycling, mountain biking and BMX. For road races, consider the cyclists’ performance in recent grand tours. In track cycling, look at individual times and team coordination. Mountain biking and BMX require analysis of riders’ skills and performance on similar courses.
  • Weightlifting: Weightlifting involves two lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Research the lifters’ personal bests, consistency in major competitions and their performance in recent events. Keep an eye on any injuries or changes in weight class.
  • Wrestling: Wrestling includes freestyle and Greco-Roman styles, with various weight classes. Analyze wrestlers’ performance in world championships and their head-to-head records. Consider their technical skills, physical condition and experience on the international stage.

By thoroughly understanding these popular Olympic sports, you can make more informed betting decisions during the Summer Olympics.

Mateo Colsenet France's BMX
Member of France's BMX team Mateo Colsenet demonstrates at the BMX Stadium, the venue of the BMX competition of 2024 Paris summer Olympics, in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, near Paris, on May 11, 2023. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP

Olympic Betting Tips & Strategies

With major events like the Olympics, it’s important for sports fans to have a thoughtful betting approach. There are things to consider whether you’re betting on individual athletes or the most popular team sports. You may have high hopes for Team USA to take the gold medal, but it might pay off to put your loyalties aside and consider current form, the sporting event itself and more.

Here’s the rest of our experts’ tips: 

  • Budget Wisely: Managing your bankroll is crucial. Set a betting budget for your Olympic bets and stick to it. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. This discipline helps you enjoy betting without financial stress.
  • Stay Informed: Knowledge is power. Stay updated on athletes’ form, player injuries and historical performances. Follow a wide variety of reliable sports news sources and keep an eye on any changes that could impact outcomes.
  • Track Betting Lines: Sports betting lines can fluctuate. Track these changes to find the best betting odds across multiple Olympic betting sites and identify betting trends. This can help you make more informed bets and maximize your potential returns.
  • Consider Weather Conditions: Weather can significantly affect outdoor betting events. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and understand how different conditions might impact athletes’ performances. This can give you an edge in making smarter bets.
  • Start Slow: If you’re new to Olympic betting, start with simple types of bets and small wagers. This allows you to learn the ropes without risking too much. As you become more confident and knowledgeable, you can gradually increase your stakes.

By incorporating these tips into your overall online sports betting strategy, you can enhance your Olympic betting experience and increase your chances of making successful bets. Experienced bettors know that a disciplined approach, staying informed and understanding the various factors that influence outcomes are key to making smart wagers.

Paris 2024 Olympics Schedule

The Opening Ceremony will take place on July 26 and the Closing Ceremony on August 11.

Archery

  • The key dates are July 28, July 29, August 2, August 3, and August 4.
  • On July 28, women’s team gold medal match takes place.
  • July 29 is the date of the men’s team gold medal match.
  • On August 2, the mixed team gold medal match takes place.
  • On August 3, the women’s individual gold medal match happens.
  • August 4 is the date of the men’s individual gold medal match.

Artistic Gymnastics

  • The men’s all-around final is on July 31
  • The women’s all-around final is on August 1.

Artistic Swimming

  • Competition takes place on August 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

Athletics

  • The women’s 100m final takes place on August 3, the men’s on August 4.
  • The men’s marathon happens on August 10, the women’s on August 11.

Badminton

  • August 3 is the women’s doubles gold medal match.
  • August 4 is the men’s doubles gold medal match.
  • August 5 is the gold medal match for both women’s singles and men’s singles.

Basketball

  • The men’s gold medal game will happen on August 10
  • The women’s on August 11.

3×3 Basketball

  • Both the men and the women will have their gold medal match on August 5.

Beach volleyball

  • The women’s gold medal match will take place on August 9.
  • The men’s on August 10.

Boxing

  • The men and women’s respective finals for the different weight classes will take place on August 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Breaking

  • The women will have their gold medal battle on August 9.
  • The men on August 10.

Canoe Slalom

  • Women will have their kayak single final on July 28, their canoe single final on July 31, and their cross finals on August 5.
  • Men will have their kayak single final on August 1, their canoe single final on July 29, and their kayak cross final on August 5.

Canoe Sprint

  • Men and women will have final events on August 8, 9, and 10.

Cycling BMX Freestyle

  • Finals will take place on July 31.

Cycling BMX Racing

  • The finals will happen on August 2.

Cycling Mountain Bike

  • Women’s cross-country is scheduled for July 28
  • Men’s for July 29.

Cycling Road

  • The men’s road race is on August 3.
  • The women’s on August 4.

Cycling Track

  • Finals for men and women will happen on August 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11.

Diving

  • Men and women will have their finals on July 29, July 29, July 31, August 2, August 6, August 8, August 9 and August 10.

Equestrian

  • Finals will take place on July 29, August 2 and August 6.

Fencing

  • Women’s individual foil final will happen on July 28.
  • Men’s individual foil final is scheduled for July 29.

Golf

  • The men wrap up on August 4.
  • The women on August 10.

Handball

  • Women have their gold medal match on August 10.
  • The men on August 11.

Hockey

  • The men’s gold medal match is on August 8.
  • The women’s on August 9.

Judo

  • Finals are sprinkled from July 27 through August 3.

Marathon Swimming

  • The women compete on August 8.
  • The men compete on August 9.

Modern Pentathlon

  • Men’s finals are on August 10. 
  • Women’s  finals are on August 11.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

  • Individual all-around final takes place on August 9.
  • Group all-around final on August 10.

Rowing

  • Men and women have their finals from July 31 through August 3.

Rugby Sevens

  • Men have their gold medal match on July 27.
  • Women on July 30.

Sailing

  • Men and women have their finals on August 2 and 8.

Shooting

  • Men and women have their finals on July 28 through August 5.

Skateboarding

  • Men’s street final is on July 27, men’s park final on August 7.
  • Women’s street final is on July 28 and their park final on August 6.

Soccer

  • The men have their gold medal match on August 9.
  • Women on August 10.

Sport Climbing

  • Women’s finals are on August 7 and 10.
  • Men’s on August 8 and 9.

Surfing

  • The respective gold medal matches for both men and women are on July 31.

Swimming

  • The different finals will take place from July 27 through August 4.

Table Tennis

  • Women (singles) will have their gold medal match on August 3.
  • The men (singles) on August 4.

Taekwondo

  • Gold medal matches for both men and women will happen from August 7 through August 10.

Tennis

  • Women (singles) will have their gold medal match on August 3.
  • The men (singles) on August 4.

Trampoline

  • Finals for both men and women are scheduled for August 2.

Triathlon

  • The men compete individually on July 30.
  • The women (individually) on August 1.

Volleyball

  • Men have their gold medal match on August 10.
  • Women on August 11.

Water Polo

  • Women have their gold medal match on August 10.
  • Men on August 11.

Weightlifting

  • Men and women compete from August 7 through August 11.

Westling

  • Finals take place from August 5 through August 11.

Conclusion

Betting on the Olympics can be an exciting and rewarding experience if approached with the right strategies and knowledge. By understanding the popular sports, analyzing athletes and teams and considering external factors, you can make more informed bets and increase your chances of success.

Remember to manage your bankroll wisely, stay updated on the latest news and monitor betting lines for the best odds. With careful planning and a thoughtful approach, you can enjoy the thrill of Olympic betting and potentially achieve profitable results. Start placing your bets with confidence and make the most of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Iliana Rupert Olympics torch
French basketball player Iliana Rupert holds the Olympics Torch as she arrives for the screening of the film "Marcello Mio" at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 21, 2024, as part of the Olympics torch relay. Antonin Thuillier / AFP

Olympic Betting FAQs

You can bet on the Olympics. Many sportsbooks offer various betting options on Olympic events, including moneyline, point spreads, futures and props.

You can bet on the Olympics at many online sportsbooks, including popular ones like DraftKings, BetOnline and Bovada.

You can bet on Olympic basketball. Sportsbooks offer various bets, including moneyline, point spreads and over/under on Olympic basketball games.

DraftKings will offer betting on the 2024 Olympics.

Breakdancing is being added to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, officially known as “Breaking.”

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