Olympics 2028 Betting - How to bet on the Los Angeles Olympics
By Eric Uribe,
As the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympics features over 200 nations, thousands of athletes, and countless betting opportunities for both sports enthusiasts and bettors. The Games alternate between the Summer and Winter editions every two years within a four-year cycle.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, bringing global attention back to the United States. Nations will compete in sports ranging from basketball to Greco-Roman wrestling to ice dancing, all in pursuit of glory and personal pride. We created this Olympics betting guide to walk you through this sports extravaganza.
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Olympic games betting – Who will win the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?
We’re still a few years out from the next Olympic Games. As the event rolls around, keep an eye on the table below for updated betting lines from our partner offshore sportsbooks.
Can you bet on the Olympics?
Yes, you can bet on the Olympics. In fact, the Olympics is such a huge event it practically takes over online sportsbooks. Olympic bets from Olympic prop bets to special Olympics betting are available everywhere. The two main Olympics to bet on are the Summer and Winter Olympics.
The Summer Olympics took place most recently in Paris in 2024, running in August for 16 days. That edition featured more than 300 events across 32 sports and around 45 disciplines.
The Winter Olympics most recently took place in Beijing in 2022, running in February for 16 days. That edition included 109 events across 7 sports and 15 disciplines.
No matter the type of Olympics or the sport, they are all lined with the same format: the moneyline.
How to bet on the Olympics
Moneylines
Get familiar with the moneyline, the most basic bet you can make in the Olympics. This is when you bet on a team or athlete to win outright. No extra conditions.
Moneyline is popularly displayed as American odds: either as minus odds like -200 or plus odds like +185. These odds denote many things including the implied probability of the team or athlete.
Minus odds indicate a favorite in betting. This means the team or athlete has a greater than 51% chance of winning their competition. The lower the minus odds, the better their chance of success.
- If Noah Lyles is lined at -500 to win the 200 m dash gold medal, it means he has an implied probability of about 83.3% of winning
Minus odds also show how much you have to wager to win $100. In this case, you will need to bet $500 to win $100. The higher a team or athlete’s chance of success, the more you will have to risk.
On the flipside, plus odds indicate an underdog. This means the team or athlete has a lower than 50% chance of winning. The higher their plus odds, the lower their chance of winning.
- If Team Sweden is lined at +350 to win the women’s ice hockey gold medal, it means they only have a 22.2% chance of winning.
Plus odds show how much you win if you wager $100. For this example, you will win $350 if you bet $100 should Team China pull off the upset.
These moneyline odds are used for all types of betting markets including Olympic prop bets, futures, and totals (over/unders).
Olympic prop bets and futures
Prop bets, short for “propositions” are side bets you can make. These bets come in a wide variety though they are usually “Yes” and “No” types of bets. You bet on whether an event or outcome will happen or not happen.
Here are some possible prop bets ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games:
- Will Team USA win the gold medal in men’s basketball for a sixth straight time?
- Will Noah Lyles set a new Olympic record in the 200-meter dash?
- Will Katie Ledecky add to her all-time Olympic medal count in swimming?
- Will Simone Biles or another U.S. gymnast capture multiple gold medals in Los Angeles?
- Will China finish atop the overall gold medal standings ahead of the United States?
- Will host nation athletes win more than 40 total medals?
Olympic prop bets add some variety to the traditional moneyline bets. They also differ from Olympics to Olympics and are usually determined by the corresponding events. Certain teams or athletes may become so popular they open many props.
In some cases, you can open your own prop bets. Contact your oddsmaker if your sportsbook offers this option.
Futures bets are similar to outright wagers but apply to events that have not yet taken place. These can include the next Olympic Games, which might be years away, or even a potential Olympics that has not been officially awarded to a host city.
Both prop bets and futures bets typically come with lower betting limits. Futures markets can also be removed by oddsmakers at any time, and bettors may have the option to cash out early if they no longer want to wait for the outcome.
Olympic Totals (Over/Under)
Totals are bets you make on whether the total number of an outcome will go over or under the oddsmaker’s prediction. These can be a variety of things like the total score of a game, the total time, or the total medals a country or athlete will collect. But it will always be a number.
Here are some common totals you might see:
- Total gold medals won by a single athlete
- Total medals collected by a country
- Combined final score of two hockey teams
- Winning time in the triathlon
- Final score of the gold medalist in gymnastics
Totals are usually lined with a decimal number to avoid draws or a “push”. This is when the actual result is the same as the oddsmaker’s prediction thus negating all bets (as it neither went over nor under).
Olympic betting odds: the different sports to bet on
There are more than 300 different sporting events to bet on during the Olympics. The Summer Games, most recently held in Paris in 2024, are significantly larger in scale, while the Winter Games, last staged in Beijing in 2022, also draw strong betting interest—particularly in North America, Asia, and Europe. Looking ahead, the next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, with the next Winter Games set for Milan–Cortina in 2026. Betting opportunities also extend to the Paralympics and, in some cases, the Special Olympics.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Olympic sports to bet on whether it’s summer or winter:
Gymnastics (Summer)
Gymnastics remains one of the star attractions of the Olympics, consistently drawing huge global audiences. At the 2024 Paris Games, the sport once again delivered some of the most-watched moments, with athletes like Simone Biles reaffirming their superstar status and new talents emerging on the world stage. Because of its popularity, sportsbooks regularly offer a wide variety of betting lines on gymnastics events.
Soccer (Football) (Summer)
Soccer, including women’s soccer, is one of the best sports to watch and bet on during the Olympics. These games are usually competitive and filled with drama, with the occasional upset. At the most recent Games in Paris 2024, Spain claimed the men’s gold medal while the United States won the women’s tournament. Even if you’re not into Olympic betting or soccer, you may find yourself glued to the screen when the final rounds come on.
Basketball (Summer)
Globally, only soccer rivals basketball in popularity, but within the Olympics you could argue that basketball takes center stage. This isn’t just due to the men’s tournament, which showcases the top NBA stars, but also because the women’s competition has grown significantly in stature and competitiveness.
Athletics (Summer)
Athletics (sometimes mistakenly referred to as track) is one of the most straightforward Olympic sports to follow, which makes it one of the most popular for betting as well. From sprints to distance races, the competition is fast, dramatic, and easy to understand. Even without icons like Usain Bolt, the thrill of watching today’s top sprinters and runners chase Olympic records continues to deliver some of the Games’ most memorable moments.
Swimming (Summer)
The aquatic counterpart to athletics, swimming is simple to follow and remains one of the most popular Olympic sports for fans and bettors alike. While Michael Phelps defined an era during his historic career, the spotlight in recent years has shifted to new stars. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky continued her dominance in distance events, while Léon Marchand emerged as a new global swimming superstar. Their performances ensure that swimming remains one of the premier betting markets at every Games.
Ice hockey (Winter)
This is the most popular team sport in the Winter Olympics and tends to hog the ratings, especially if the NHL players are involved. Olympic hockey betting odds are plentiful and make up a good chunk of online betting action.
Figure skating (Winter)
This is akin to the gymnastics of the Winter Olympics. Figure skating is filled with awe and wonder as its athletes perform unbelievable feats. Even if it is determined by judging, like gymnastics, it remains a legitimate Olympic sport and a staple in Winter Olympics betting.
Other sports
There are hundreds of other sports we couldn’t list here and most of them, if not all of them, have their own betting lines:
- Team Volleyball (Summer)
- Ice dancing (Winter)
- Snowboarding (Winter)
- Weightlifting (Summer)
- Wrestling (Summer)
- Water Polo (Summer)
- Skiing (Winter)
- Tennis (Summer)
Our Olympics Betting Strategy Tips
Consider these five key strategies to enhance your Olympic betting approach:
- Research athlete and team performance by studying recent results, rankings, and injury reports.
- Understand the impact of home advantage, considering how host nation athletes often overperform expectations.
- Look for value in lesser-known events where odds may be less accurate due to reduced media attention.
- Consider multiple betting markets beyond just picking winners, such as prop bets and over/unders.
- Manage your bankroll wisely by setting a budget and using proper stake sizing based on your confidence level.
Olympics Betting: which sportsbooks to choose
Once you’ve figured out how to bet on the Olympics, you can now look for where to bet on the Olympics. The answer is within the online sportsbooks online. There are hundreds of them that offer Olympic betting lines and even feature them on the landing page so you don’t need to look hard.
How to Find The Right Sportsbook
- Evaluate Olympic event coverage and odds competitiveness: Look for sportsbooks that offer a wide range of Olympic events, including niche sports and less popular competitions. Compare odds across multiple platforms to ensure you're getting the best value for your bets. A sportsbook with extensive Olympic coverage and competitive odds will provide more opportunities for strategic betting.
- Check for Olympic-specific promotions and bonuses: Seek out sportsbooks that offer special promotions tied to the Olympics. These could include sign-up bonuses, free bets, or enhanced odds on specific events. Such offers can significantly boost your betting potential during the Games, potentially increasing your overall returns.
- Assess live betting options and streaming capabilities: Verify the availability of in-play betting for Olympic events, as this can add excitement and strategic depth to your betting experience. Additionally, check if the sportsbook offers live streaming of Olympic competitions. This feature can be invaluable for making informed decisions on live bets and staying engaged with the events.
- Review user interface, mobile compatibility, and payment options: Ensure the sportsbook's platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, especially when searching for Olympic markets. Test the mobile app or site for smooth betting on-the-go, as you may want to place bets during the multi-week Olympic period. Also, confirm that your preferred deposit and withdrawal methods are available, with reasonable processing times and minimal fees.
- Research reputation, security, and customer support: When betting on the Olympics, it’s essential to use trusted offshore sportsbooks that have built a track record of reliability. Look for established bookmakers known for fair odds, timely payouts, and secure transactions. Choosing a reputable offshore site not only gives you peace of mind but also ensures you’ll have access to a wide range of Olympic betting markets throughout the Games.
Best Olympics Betting Sites
When betting on the Olympics, many bettors use offshore sportsbooks. These platforms generally provide a betting experience similar to onshore options and are considered safe to use. While not technically legal in every U.S. state, these sites welcome bettors from all corners of the country. Not only are they safe and reliable, but they also offer exceptional bonuses and promotions!
Below you’ll find the top offshore sportsbooks for Olympic betting:
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MyBookie
Known for offering a wide range of Olympic events, including niche sports that are often overlooked by other bookmakers.
BetUS
Provides comprehensive coverage of Olympic events with competitive odds, and often features special promotions tailored to major international competitions like the Olympics.
Bovada
Offers a user-friendly interface and live betting options on many Olympic events, allowing bettors to wager as the action unfolds.
Xbet
Tends to post Olympic betting lines early, giving bettors the opportunity to potentially find value before odds shift.
BetNow
Often provides generous bonuses and promotions that can be particularly advantageous for betting on a multi-week event like the Olympics.
It is best to look through these sites by opening them in different tabs and windows. Alternatively, you can read our comprehensive reviews to save you time. Remember that you can avail of as many deposit bonuses and promotions as you can find so it’s only logical to sign up for more than one book.
Olympic Betting Picks
Even if you’re a hardcore Olympic fanatic, you’ll still need some help when it comes to Olympic betting. This is why several betting pick sites will give you their betting picks or at least a background on the different sports. Here at OSB, our in-house experts provide a range of Olympics picks to help new users find the right lines to win.
When choosing betting picks, be aware of both the site and the writer’s credentials. Likewise, there are many touts out there who will sell you their picks but may also have a write-up or a podcast.
Before making your picks though, remember the basic betting fundamentals of setting a budget and having fun while you’re at it.
Olympics Betting FAQs
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