Asia is home to 48 countries, diverse cultures and some of the best sports betting sites around. With such a large population, it’s no surprise, really, and more international brands are joining the ranks to bring Asian punters the best of the best in terms of markets and odds. Here, we provide an overview of betting online and how to make the most of it.
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Introduction
Asian sports bettors have a mixed bag when it comes to the legalities of online sports betting. The laws and regulations vary from country to country, making things pretty confusing. While some Asian countries do have clearly defined laws, others still lack clarity.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate the online betting world and provide you with the information you need when it comes to online bookmakers, payments, bonuses and even Asian online gambling sites in general. With so many sportsbooks available to Asian bettors, finding the best can be a tough task. Most of the sites out there are good, and we only recommended trusted and regulated platforms where you can rest assured your money and details are safe.
Legalities of Sports Betting
| Country | Is Online Sports Betting Legal? |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Illegal |
| China | Illegal with the exception of state-run online bookmakers |
| Hong Kong | Illegal with the exception of state-run online bookmakers |
| India | Legal |
| Malaysia | Legal |
| Macau | Legal |
| Philippines | Illegal with the exception of state-run online bookmakers |
| Singapore | Illegal with the exception of state-run online bookmakers |
| South Korea | Legal |
| Thailand | Illegal with the exception of state-run online bookmakers |
Popular Sports in Asia
Asia has a long history of sports betting, with some sources suggesting that Asians have been betting for more than 5,000 years – and there are certainly no signs of slowing down. Due to the popularity of betting on sports, the odds and stakes tend to be somewhat more generous than you’d find in other parts of the world. The most popular sports to bet on amongst Asian punters include:
Sports Betting Bets
Sports betting options are vast and varied, especially from one country to the next. So, we’ve put together a table of the most popular sports betting types across Asia. If you’ve never tried them, or you’re keen to try something different, be sure to check out our gambling strategies for in-depth information and tips.
Keep in mind that most online sports betting sites across Asia may be regionally focused, and that means there will be different betting options and unique features from one site to the next, including the variety of sports, unique betting conditions and different odds.
Terms and Strategies
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Odds | Once you understand odds, you’ll better understand the most likely outcome of a game or match along with which side the public is backing and the potential return for winning bets. |
| 1x2 | A basic betting option that includes betting on whether the home or away team will win or if the game will end in a draw. |
| First Goal | Betting on who is going to score the first goal in a game. |
| Asian Handicap | Traditionally called Hang Cheng, this is the traditional way to bet on football in Asia. With this bet, the home team comes with a -0.5 handicap and the away team gets a +0.5. If it’s a draw, the away team wins. There is no option to bet on the outcome of the game if there is a draw. |
| Last Goal | Taking a punt on who will score the last goal in a match. |
| Total Goal | Betting on how many goals in total there will be in a game. |
| Odd or Even | Betting on whether the total goals will amount to an even or odd number. |
| Exact Score | A bet on the exact score at the end of a match. |
| Over/Under | This number is set by the sportsbook giving you the opportunity to bet on if the number of goals scored will be over or under a proposed value. |
| Half Time/Full Time | Here, you bet on the winners of both halves. There are 3 options for each part of a match: Draw, Home or Away and there are special odds for each combination. |
| Moneyline | A basic bet where you choose which side you think will win. The favourites have a negative number while the underdogs are assigned a positive number. |
| Parlays | A bet where you combine two or more outcomes in a single bet slip. |
| Spread | A point spread aims to level the playing field between two teams. It also goes by the names of puck line or run line betting, depending on the sport. |
| Totals | Similar to over/under bets where you wager on the total combined score of a game. |
| Props | Revolves around a player or team during a game, or even the contest as a whole. It’s a side bet on something that might/might not happen. |
| Teaser | Allows you to move the point spread on 2 or more games to shift lines in your favour. |
Payment Methods for Sports Betting
When it comes to a variety of payment options at sportsbooks, Asian countries have plenty of choices. Most Asian sports betting sites are reliable and secure when it comes to fast and easy deposits and withdrawals.
Most Asian sportsbooks support a wide variety of casino payment methods. If you ever struggle to gamble on sports, we recommend visiting the best Bitcoin sports betting sites in Asia.
Sports Betting Bonuses
One of the best things about online bookmakers is that pretty much all of them offer up some great online gambling bonuses, promotions and rewards, giving you the chance to earn cash without risking cash.
The top-rated sportsbooks that we recommend use bonuses and promotions to entice new bettors to sign up and start punting and to retain current clients.
Once you familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions these offers come with, you can take full advantage of the best bonuses and promotions at sports betting sites.
Sportsbook Bonuses
| Bonus | What Is It? |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus | A welcome bonus for punters who sign up and make a deposit at a sports betting site. The match deposit amount can vary from 50% to 100% or more and often come with large rollover requirements. |
| Free Bets | Bets you can place with no risk to your own money, often as part of a welcome package, promotion or for special sporting events. |
| Reload Bonuses | A bonus for existing members who fund their sportsbook accounts. They often come with lower wagering requirements. |
| VIP Bonuses | Offers especially for high rollers and VIP bettors. |
Choosing A Sportsbook
It doesn’t matter where in Asia you live, you have plenty of options when it comes to first-class sports betting sites. When we conduct our reviews, we put each site through a strict review process, keeping the following factors in mind:
Since plenty of places in Asia renders it illegal to gamble at offshore sportsbooks, we make sure the sites we recommend keep your information and money safe and only accept trusted payment methods.
We make sure that the top sports betting sites are mobile-compatible and easy to use, making sure you never miss out on betting on your favourite sporting events. We also check sites for regional languages, currencies and payment options.
Different sports hold different weights in different countries. Having a variety of markets to choose from is a big part of making sure you bet at the right bookmaker for you.
Sports Betting Tips
We know it takes time to find the best sportsbooks, especially when it comes to regulations and reliability. On this page, you’ll only find top-rated sports betting sites that are regulated by renowned authorities and regularly audited for fairness.
One top tip we can give you, though, is to join more than one Asian sports betting site. This gives you the opportunity to shop around for the most competitive odds and the variety of markets.
Next, set achievable objectives. While you can make a profit betting on sports, it takes more than just a little knowledge of your favourite game. Set realistic expectations and budgets and always gamble responsibly.
Most importantly, trust your judgement. There are plenty of self-proclaimed “experts” out there who love to share their opinions and make predictions. It’s okay to take it all on board, but don’t be easily swayed. Put faith in your judgement, experiment with different ways to bet on different sports and, most importantly, have fun.
Finally, learn the basics before you start placing wagers. This will put you in a far better position to enjoy your online sports betting experience. Just the basics aren’t likely to help you score a profit, but they’ll get you on the right track.
Conclusion
While online betting is a grey area throughout Asia, finding safe and regulated Asia betting sites isn’t as difficult as it sounds, with many accepting a wealth of local and safe payment options, including e-wallets, credit cards, pay-by-phone and even cryptocurrency options.
Different online bookmakers cater to different punters when it comes to which markets and events they offer, the bonuses and promotions and even the loyalty rewards. The best site for you is going to depend on where in Asia you live, and which sports you want to bet on.
We always recommend shopping around for competitive odds, special features like in-play betting and even for unique offerings like e-sports to bet on. Most importantly, don’t get overconfident when you’re winning. We know it’s hard work picking winners, but don’t get carried away when things are going well – know when to stop and always keep tabs on your gambling budget.
FAQ
It depends where you live. It’s legal in some countries and a grey zone in others. Read up on the laws of online sports betting in your country before you decide to spend money online.
It really depends on the sporting event and your strategies. It’s always going to be a game of chance, and there is no guaranteed way to win, but you can stay on top of winning patterns and statistics and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Mostly, the answer is no. Do your research before you decide to take part in online sports betting, though, and check your country’s laws and also tax requirements should you win.
Cryptocurrency is untraceable and offers additional layers of security, but most sportsbooks that accept Asian bettors also accept a variety of payment options, like e-wallets, credit/debit cards, pay-by-phone and prepaid vouchers. Some even accept bank transfers, provided your bank allows it.
Generally, Asian bookies follow four kinds of odds formats: Malay, Hong Kong and Indonesian odds as well as decimals.
Due to diverse preferences and a varied population, this is a personal choice. Trends show, though, that cricket is the most popular sports betting choice, followed by basketball and football.
Yes. Asia has a long, colourful history of betting, and online bookmakers are gaining popularity with no signs of slowing down.
Yes, all the top-rated online sportsbooks offer a range of bonuses and promotions for new and existing punters. Always read the terms and conditions before claiming an offer.
