Darts is a game that anybody can play, but only a select few can excel at. If you have ever watched darts on television then you know the intensity and competitiveness that goes into the sport and you will also know the familiar chant of “one hundred and eighty” that makes the crowd go wild.
On this page we look at where you can bet on darts, explain the most common darts bets and how to read darts odds, and finish with a step by step guide to getting started.
Where Can You Bet On Darts?
Where you can bet on darts 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. Many licensed sportsbooks offer odds on major darts events such as the PDC World Championship and the Premier League, although the markets available can vary by state. 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 darts varies by site, so check the markets offered before signing up.
United Kingdom
The UK is the biggest darts betting market in the world, and licensed bookmakers offer odds on almost every professional tournament along with in-play betting. 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.
Darts Betting Options
The most common wager in a darts match is the money line wager, which involves betting on which player wins the match outright. The odds associated with each player winning the match determine the payout.
Sportsbooks also offer many prop bets on darts matches in addition to the basic money line wagers. Some typical darts prop bets include betting on the total number of sets the match will take, what the final score of a match will be, which player gets the most 180’s and more.
Futures betting in darts, like all individual sports, is also very popular. Futures betting involves wagering on which player will win a certain tournament and the futures betting odds can change as the tournament or league progresses. An example of a darts futures bet would be wagering on which player will win the Darts Premier League this year.
Here is an example showing the spread, money line and total odds for a darts match from the PDC Masters:
Darts Betting Odds
US sportsbooks usually show American odds, while UK bookmakers more often use fractional or decimal odds. Here is an example of a darts match money line using the odds from the screenshot above:
Ian White -122
Mensur Suljovic +102
In this example Ian White is a small favorite over Mensur Suljovic. In order to win $100 betting on Ian White you must risk $122. On the other hand a $100 bet on Mensur Suljovic would win $102 if he pulls off the minor upset.
How To Bet On Darts 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 darts 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 darts 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.