Cricket is a very popular game around the world, but especially in Australia, Africa and Asia. From Test matches to T20 leagues like the IPL, there is cricket to bet on almost every day of the year. You can find our guides to other sports on the betting on sports page.
On this page we look at where you can bet on cricket, explain the most common bets and how to read the odds, and finish with a step by step guide to getting started.
Where Can You Bet On Cricket?
Where you can bet on cricket depends on where you live. Here is a quick look at the main options in the United States, Canada, the UK and elsewhere.
United States
Sports betting is legal in more than 35 states plus Washington, D.C. Some licensed sportsbooks offer odds on major cricket events such as the IPL, the T20 World Cup and big Test series, although coverage is thinner than for American sports and varies by state and operator. You must be 21 or older in most states and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed. Offshore sportsbooks also accept bets from Americans, but they are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means there is no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
Canada
Ontario has a regulated market of licensed online sportsbooks, and the other provinces offer online betting through their provincial lottery sites. The legal betting age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Coverage of cricket varies by site, so check the markets offered before signing up.
United Kingdom
Licensed bookmakers in the UK offer extensive cricket markets, from Test matches and The Hundred to the IPL and international tournaments. Use an operator licensed by the Gambling Commission, which requires you to be 18 or older and verifies your identity before you can bet.
Elsewhere
Many other countries regulate online betting with their own licensing systems, while some restrict it. Check the rules in your country before signing up with any betting site, and stick to operators licensed where you live.
Types Of Cricket Bets
The most common type of cricket bet is the money line wager which involves betting on the outcome of the match. You can typically bet on either team winning the game or the game ending in a draw.
Most sportsbooks also offer prop bets on cricket matches, which can be a lot of fun to wager on. Some of these prop bets include wagering on which player will be named man of the match, who will be the top batsman for a specific team, the correct series score, etc.
Futures bets are also popular and you can find lines on tournaments such as the Cricket World Cup well before they start. Only a handful of nations have a realistic shot at winning the World Cup, so the favorites are usually priced fairly short.
Cricket Betting Odds
US sportsbooks usually show American odds, while UK and international bookmakers more often use decimal or fractional odds. I will run through a quick money line betting example using decimal odds.
Australia 1.72
Draw 3.75
India 4.30
In this example Australia are heavy favorites over India. An Australian victory is most likely, with a draw being the second most likely and an India win being the least likely. A $100 wager on Australia to win the test would payout $172 for $72 of winnings, while a $100 wager on India to win would payout $430 for a $330 win. Of course a draw is also possible and a $100 draw wager would payout $375 for winnings of $275.
How To Bet On Cricket Online – Step By Step
Whichever site you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose a Licensed Site
Pick a sportsbook that is licensed where you live and offers cricket markets. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
The minimum age is 21 in most US states, 18 or 19 in Canada depending on the province, and 18 in the UK. Most licensed sites also confirm that you are located where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Licensed sites are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for a photo of your ID or other documents.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the site’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the cricket section, select the market you’re interested in, and enter your stake. Before confirming, check the odds and how much you stand to win.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before the match and stick to it. Most licensed sites let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, free help is available: call 1-800-GAMBLER in the US, ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 in Ontario, or the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 in the UK.
To find more cricket information and up to date scores visit the ESPN cricket information website.