People often say you can place a bet on almost anything with a bookmaker. In practice, the choice is wide, but it is not limitless. From weekend football to one-off events, there is plenty to explore in shops and online.
Clear rules set out what can and cannot be offered. If you are curious about the scope, this guide breaks down the main areas, where options tend to differ, and what sits firmly off the table.
By the end, you will know what is typically available, what is not, and how bookmakers decide where to draw the line.
What Can You Actually Bet on at the Bookies?
UK bookmakers offer markets on sport, certain public events, and a handful of entertainment-based outcomes. The exact menu varies by firm, but it is shaped by regulation and whether an event can be settled using a reliable, official result.
Sport is the core. Football, horse racing, tennis, rugby, and cricket are the mainstays, with darts, snooker, boxing, golf, and MMA also common. For major fixtures and tournaments, the number of markets can be extensive.
Beyond sport, some bookies price political outcomes such as a general election result or a party leadership contest. TV and entertainment can appear too, including who might win a talent show or be eliminated from a reality programme, and occasionally award ceremonies.
Online sites tend to list more niche options. You may see eSports for competitive gaming, plus virtual sports that use computer-generated events with published rules and results schedules. Availability can rise and fall with public interest, data sources, and how straightforward it is to settle each market.
Not every idea becomes a market. If an outcome cannot be verified by a trusted source, or would be unfair or inappropriate to bet on, it will not be offered. Where you are using an online provider, the market rules page explains how each bet will be settled.
If you do decide to try your hand at betting, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Popular Sports Betting Markets Explained
Football attracts the broadest range of markets. The match result is the starting point, covering home win, draw, or away win. From there, options often include both teams to score, correct score, first goalscorer, and total goals. For bigger matches you might also see handicap lines, where one team is given a goals head start or deficit to balance the contest.
Horse racing remains a favourite. The simplest option is to back a horse to win. Many races also allow each way betting, which splits your stake between the win and a place finish, with the place terms set by the race type and field size. Some bookmakers also price forecasts and tricasts that predict the first two or three finishers in order.
Tennis, cricket, and rugby are regularly covered with markets that reflect how each sport is played. In tennis, you will often find match winner, set betting, and total games. Cricket can include top batter or bowler, method of next wicket, and team totals. Rugby may feature match result, winning margin, and total points.
Online platforms usually add live in-play markets, which update as the action unfolds. Prices move with the state of play, and settlement is based on official statistics or the event’s governing body.
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Can You Bet on Non-Sporting Events at the Bookies?
Many bookmakers cover a small but notable list of non-sporting events, provided the outcome is public and can be checked against an official announcement.
Politics is the clearest example. Markets might include the result of a UK General Election, the number of seats won by a party, or the outcome of a leadership contest. Interest tends to peak around campaigns and key votes, and most markets close once polling begins or when new rules require it.
Entertainment betting appears around popular shows where votes or results are made public. Typical examples include the winner of a singing competition or the next contestant to be eliminated from a reality programme. Award ceremonies may also feature in the run-up to the event.
Each firm makes its own call on what to list. If there is no trusted way to verify a result, or the subject is unsuitable, the market will not be offered. You can always check the site’s market rules to see how a non-sporting bet would be settled.
What Types of Bets Are Not Allowed?
Bookmakers work within strict standards about what they can put on the coupon. If a market cannot be settled fairly or would breach legal or ethical boundaries, it will not be available.
Bets on events without a clear, verifiable result are excluded. That rules out private disputes and anything that relies on information that cannot be checked. The same applies to subjects involving illegal activity, court case outcomes, and matters that relate to serious harm.
Integrity is a key consideration. Where a participant could unduly influence the result, such as betting on oneself or using inside information, markets are restricted or refused. This protects competitions and ensures results are determined on the field rather than through conflicts of interest.
Firms also decline markets that cannot be monitored reliably or where settlement would be uncertain. If the rules for a proposed market are not clear enough to guarantee a fair outcome for everyone involved, it does not get listed.
How Do Bookies Decide What You Can Bet On?
Before a market appears, bookmakers assess whether it meets regulatory standards and can be settled using an official source. Settlement clarity is fundamental: there must be a trusted way to confirm the outcome and apply the stated rules.
They also weigh up customer interest and practical considerations. Trading teams look at data availability, event integrity, and the potential for unfair influence. Markets that rely on robust statistics or authoritative announcements are simpler to manage, while those with unclear or contentious outcomes tend to be avoided.
If you want to know exactly how a market works, you might want to check the rules shown alongside it. They explain what counts for settlement, when bets stand or are void, and the timeframes used.
