For many, betting online is one of the key parts of enjoying sports. Fans in different countries have their preferences on what sports they like to bet on and the types of wagers they place. With that said, let’s look at some differences and similarities in sports betting habits between people in Norway and the UK.

The Dominance of Football Among Punters

Unsurprisingly, football is the most popular sport for both Brits and Norwegians to bet on. After all, it’s the most popular sport in the world with 3.5 billion fans worldwide. 

Football is deeply woven into British culture with fans gathering every weekend to support their favorite teams. Besides watching games, they also bet on them with 45% of active punters placing wagers on football. 

The situation is quite similar in Norway. Football is by far the most popular sport among punters in the country, with many of them turning to online sports betting sites for best odds and promotions. Sites found here have established themselves as the top options for Norwegians looking to bet on football, as well as on other sports.

We should also note that the English Premier League (EPL) and the UEFA Champions League attract the most interest among punters in both the UK and Norway. However, with football fans always looking to bet closer to home, the Eliteserien is also a popular betting option among Norwegians.

The Popularity of Betting on Skiing in Norway

Skiing is Norway’s national sport, with the country turning into a real paradise for skiers during the winter. Not only is the sport widely practiced among Norwegians but it also attracts a significant number of punters.

Data has shown that Norwegians bet the most on cross-country skiing and biathlon, but often also place bets on other popular winter sports. Winter Olympics and World Championships attract the most attention, but other international tournaments are also popular options.

Another reason why Norwegians enjoy betting on skiing so much is that it offers types of bets you can’t place in other sports. Punters can test their skills and try to predict time margins, score/time head-to-head, and more.

Additionally, since the competitions take place in the winter, there’s an additional layer of excitement in betting on them.

On the other hand, although an option for Brits to bet on, skiing doesn't attract that much attention in the UK.

Betting on Horse Racing

Horse racing is one of the sports that have been inseparable from betting since their early days. The sport is extremely popular among punters in both the U.K. and Norway.

In the U.K., the sport is integrated into the country’s tradition with its history stretching back a few centuries. Events such as Royal Ascot and The Grand National attract a large number of viewers, but there are races taking place across the country every day that punters can put their money on.

In Norway, the sport has been around for over a century and has started gathering interest from sports bettors right from the start. The annual Oslo Grand Prix is the biggest race in the country, hosting some of the best horses from all around the world. Naturally, the event also attracts a significant number of punters.


Long gone are days when betting enthusiasts could only place bets on which horse is going to win the race. With more options emerging, horse racing has become one of the most popular sports to bet on, not just in the U.K. and Norway, but worldwide.

The Growing Popularity of Handball in Norway

Although always an exciting option for punters to bet on, handball has seen its popularity in Norway increase in recent years. The rise in fan excitement is mostly attributed to the success of the country’s national women’s team.

The team won its fourth World Championship title in 2021 and Norway was one of the host countries for the 2023 event. In 2023, Norway's national team came in second, losing to France in the finals. They confirmed their status as one of the best teams in the world, winning gold in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.


With the recent successes of the team, handball also started attracting more and more punters in Norway. They often place wagers on the Norwegian Handball League, EHF Champions League, and other popular competitions.

The Bottom Line

Sports betting is a widespread activity in both the U.K. and Norway. Punters in both countries have one passion in common - football. However, this isn’t shocking as football is the biggest sport on the worldwide betting scene. Other than that, winter sports attract more attention in Norway, due to the country’s climate and strong tradition in these sports. And with the success Norway’s women’s handball national team has had, it’s no surprise fans in the country find it an exciting option to bet on.

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