Sports betting has now become massive worldwide as online sites offer live odds and options for users to take advantage of. However, the history of the sports betting option has always been fascinating, especially in the U.K., where sports betting is massive with football and all types of other sports.
So how did sports betting become so popular at a rapid rate when you consider bookies used to be seen a lower class? Many think sports betting online only started recently, but the event can actually be backdated to the late 1700s and has since been an important part of the gambling world in the U.K. and in many other areas of the world.
There are unconfirmed rumours that the first person that offered sports betting was named Harry Ogden. The rumours are considered accurate but have no substantial evidence to support the facts. It’s been said that Harry used to operate near the Newmarket sports grounds in 1790, where he offered betting opportunities for those about to watch horse racing.
He would stand close enough to the field to see the results but also not close enough for workers on the ground to notice or report him.
In the early years, sports betting used to take place between friends by simply betting on a horse to win or lose. As the rest of the horses were not wagered on, there were no odds or anything of the sort, meaning the parties involved would win double their money or lose the bet amount to their friends.
Harry was the first to take betting to a new level when he started to assess the grounds and the results of each win. Ogden worked out the odds of each horse winning and applied basic maths to calculate the payouts for each bet amount; with this, the first form of sports betting came to life.
After 1845
In 1845, the U.K. government acted on a law that stopped any kind of sports betting on the track as they were growing concerned for the losing punters.
This bill also included gambling that was taking place among friends with card games in public bars and pubs, which means the idea Harry had created suddenly stopped for most other than those who still placed bets secretly. Most of the average betting ended with a strict 2-year jail sentence to be faced if anyone was caught placing or accepting any type of wager on a game or sport.
1960’s and Beyond
The 1960s was when sports betting became famous. In 1961, the first brick-and-mortar betting sites became available. This did not break the act's rules, as betting was not made on the actual track. This form of betting also allowed users to place bets, go about their day, and return for winnings and game results later.
This was by far the biggest advance in rugby, football and horseracing as far as sports betting was concerned. Most of these betting locations became available, giving all interested punters more options.
Online sports betting only became available at the turn of the 20th century, along with online slots and table games. This form of betting also took off relatively fast and is now the most preferred way to wager on sports as online provides many more options and in-play betting opportunities. There are plenty of great betting sites to choose from; we've put our recommendations below, each of which offers the best betting bonuses as well!
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