The Summer Olympics only happen once every four years, but every time they do occur they offer two weeks of endless sports betting opportunities. The Summer Olympics are much bigger than the Winter Olympics, with 329 medal events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris compared to 116 at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028, and most of the events will be available to bet on online.
On this page we look at where you can bet on the Summer Olympics, 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 The Summer Olympics?
Where you can bet on the Summer Olympics 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 the Olympics, from medal counts to individual events, although the events available vary by state and some states limit betting on certain events. 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 the Summer Olympics varies by site, so check the markets offered before signing up.
United Kingdom
Licensed bookmakers in the UK offer odds on a wide range of Olympic events, from the marquee track and swimming finals to team sports and medal tables. 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.
Summer Olympics Events
With more than 300 medal events at every Summer Games, there is no shortage of betting options. If you want to learn more about betting on specific events, you should check out our “bet on sports” page where there is information about a wide variety of sports such as basketball, boxing, cycling, tennis and more events you will find at the Summer Olympics.
Summer Olympics Betting Tips
These tips should help improve your chances of having a profitable Summer Olympics betting experience.
- Research Lesser Known Events – You can often find sharp lines if you research lesser known events because the fact that not many people will be betting on these events allows the oddsmakers to set lines that may not be perfectly accurate.
- Compare Odds – Because there are so many events you will often find different lines at different sportsbooks. Having accounts at more than one sportsbook lets you take the best odds every time you place a bet.
How To Bet On The Summer Olympics – 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 Summer Olympics 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 Olympics 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 Games 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 learn more about the Summer Olympics check out the official Olympics website or the Summer Olympics wiki page.