Sports and betting on them are becoming increasingly popular in China, with more and more Chinese citizens taking part in them. The main trends that are outlined include a growing interest among the younger generation, as well as an increasing acceptance of online sports betting platforms. This has led to a surge in the number of people participating and wagering on sporting events across the country. Additionally, there has been an increase in investments from international companies into China’s sports betting industry due to its huge potential for growth over time.
Also, it needs to be mentioned that as sports betting is becoming a worldwide trend, Chinese people do not make themselves an exception and start to follow it. So, it has not been a long time since China widely enjoys sports and even sports betting. In this article, we will talk about sports popularity in China and outline the sports viewing results from the previous year. This will make it more clear what we should expect in 2023 in the sports industry.
Less Popular Sports in China
When it comes to less popular sports to watch, the first position is horse riding. That is mostly due to the lack of infrastructure and resources. Horse racing is traditionally seen as an elite sport, requiring expensive horses and equipment as well as specialized training facilities. But the interesting fact is that it is very popular in betting. So, if you are interested in crypto betting on horse racing, you can find much information even among Chinese fans too. Even though the sport is not successful to play, because of cultural significance it is popular for betting. Additionally, there are many different types of bets that can be placed at racetracks throughout the country which adds even more excitement and fun for those looking for an adrenaline rush.
Similar to horse riding, you will find very few fans of volleyball, cycling, and swimming. These sports have yet to gain widespread popularity among Chinese people compared to more traditional activities such as martial arts and table tennis. Additionally, extreme sports like skateboarding and snowboarding also remain relatively unpopular amongst the population due to their novelty factor and lack of infrastructure for them within the country’s cities or rural areas.
Popular Sports to Watch in China
In China, the most popular sport in 2022 was soccer, followed by basketball and badminton. According to the September 2022 results, there were more than 200 million football fans in China. 30 million of them are actively watching football matches and only 13 million of them pay for that. As the difference between these numbers is pretty high, it is difficult to say how many real football fans are in the country. But in general too, having football as a leading sport is not a surprise, as it is in most countries around the world. The same can be said about betting. Soccer is the leading sport in betting too. Most people place bets on the English Premier League, Serie A, and Chinese Jia League. Important to know that the world cup championship is not very popular to watch or place bets on in China.
Basketball is also very popular in China due to its fast-paced nature as well as its international appeal. Many Chinese citizens follow NBA teams closely. When it comes to betting, more people are taking part in this activity. In addition, with increased access to streaming services like ESPN and NBA TV for Chinese viewers, interest in the sport has grown significantly over recent years. As a result of these factors combined with an ever-growing population of basketball fans across China, placing bets on NBA games is now a mainstream activity among many Chinese citizens.
Badminton is another widely played sport that draws a lot of attention from viewers. It’s an exciting game that requires skillful play from both competitors. With all these sports being so highly watched, there’s sure to be plenty of action for sports fans across the country!
The Main Betting Trends in China
Sports betting in China was pretty active during 2022. According to experts, the Chinese government’s recent decision to legalize sports betting was one of the main drivers for this increased interest. Additionally, with more and more people turning towards online platforms for their gambling needs, it is likely that mobile and online sports betting apps became increasingly popular among Chinese bettors.
In 2023, the most popular leagues to place sports bets in China are likely to be those that have an established presence and fan base in the country. This could include major international football leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga. Basketball associations like the NBA or CBA. Cricket tournaments such as IPL or Big Bash League, and even esports competitions like Dota 2’s The International.
With more Chinese citizens becoming interested in betting on sports events each year, it is likely that these larger professional leagues will continue to draw a lot of attention from bettors looking for a reliable source of entertainment.
