A look at Motorsports Gambling in Western Europe

Is motorsport wagering popular in Western Europe countries? Is gambling on motorsport as popular among French, Germans, Dutch, Austrians, or Swiss as it is elsewhere?

Whether you’re a fan of motorsport or not, you certainly have heard of it. There are many types of motorsports events around the world, such as Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, MotoGP, WSBK, AMA Pro Racing and many others. Some countries like Japan actually have motorsports events happening there year-round, while others only hold them once every couple of months or even years!

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that betting on motorsport is also very popular across the world. Even in places like Western Europe, where people prefer sports like football/soccer and basketball. So, in this article, we’ll take a closer look at gambling on motorsports in Western Europe and see just how widespread this activity is in this area.

Western Europe Has a Pretty Large Motorsport Gambling Market

Gambling on motorsport is a pretty popular activity in Western Europe, especially for the fans who have skin in the game so-to-speak. It makes watching their favorite driver that they bet on, cheering them on.

This includes betting on Formula One and MotoGP, the two most popular forms of motorsports in Europe. What is more, this part of the world features some of the best betting sites with competitive odds for motorsports fans. Western European countries can bet on motorsports, for example – casinos Netherlands and other similar wagering platforms.

However, there are still fans who prefer wagering at the local betting shops. Luckily, the number of available betting markets isn’t lacking at land-based sportsbooks either. So bettors can have the same amount of fun whether they decide to bet online or in person.

The popularity of motorsports betting has been increasing in recent years and it seems like there are no signs that will change soon. The fact that there are so many ways for you to place bets makes this activity even more appealing for people who enjoy racing but prefer to participate from their couch and with their wallet.

In addition, the recent legalization of online sportsbooks in different countries across Europe has only contributed to the growing interest in this sport.

Wagering on Motorsport

Many racing fans like to delve into sports betting. This applies to racing fans in Western Europe as well. Although some do it in an attempt to win a prize, others use betting to show their support for their favorite driver.

When it comes to motorsports, you can bet in many different ways. First and foremost is the race winner. This is the most obvious choice for many bettors in Western Europe. Then you can also bet on head-to-head matchups, or you can wager on long-term bets.

How Popular Is Motorsports in Western Europe?

Gambling is a global industry and is not just popular in the United States. The world of gambling is a vast one, with millions of people across the planet placing their bets and hoping that a bit of luck and fortune will shine on them. This also includes Western European countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

For those who don’t know, France, Monaco, Belgium and Portugal are the top four nations with MotoGP hosting infrastructure. What is more, there are also several important races that take place in Spain, Italy and Germany. So, it goes without saying that countries with such a strong presence of motorsports events also have a lot of passionate fans who are eager to wager on their favorite driver.

Germany

Germany is one of the most popular countries for motorsport. It has a large number of MotoGP fans who have been following the sport for over 50 years. It used to have a huge F1 following when Michael Schumacher was racing. That has dwindled somewhat since he is gone and Sebastian Vettel recently retired. This country supports numerous teams and events annually, which makes it an ideal destination for people interested in watching or participating in this exciting activity.

German driver Sebastian Vettel, 4-time World Driving Champion

Motorsports are popular all over Germany. The country’s largest and most important venues are Nurburgring and  Hockenheimring. They used to host the German GP (including European Grand Prix), but currently Germany does not host an F1 race.

France

Another country in which motorsport is very sought-after is France. The country is known for a number of motorsport events, including the famous Le Mans 24-Hour race and the former French Grand Prix which was held at Paul Ricard Circuit through 2022.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.
World Endurance Championship.
Le Mans 24 Hours Race

In addition to these two events, there are many other smaller races held throughout France that are dedicated to motorsport.

The Netherlands

People are very passionate about Formula 1 and MotoGP  in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has national hero is Max Verstappen, who has won the last two F1 World Driving Championships. His fans travel around the world to see him race.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and The Netherlands fans during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 03, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Spain

Nearly a quarter of MotoGP Grand Prix races are held in Spain. Some of the most famous events include Valencia, the Jerez circuit in Cádiz as well as the Motorland-Aragon. And for fans who prefer 4-wheelers, there is also the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix held in Barcelona each year.

MotoGP at Valencia – 2022 Race Start

The UK

Last but not least on our list is the UK. The UK hosts over 60 motorsports events throughout the year. Among the most popular ones are Formula 1 British Grand Prix and the British GT Championship. In addition, it is also the home to many of the best online sports betting sites. Therefore, motorsports fans can enjoy some of the best races in the world while browsing live odds at the top online wagering platforms in Europe.

British hero Lewis Hamilton, 2022 British Grand Prix 2022, Sunday – LAT Images for Mercedes F1

Conclusion

The answer to the question of whether or not people in Western Europe gamble on motorsport is –  yes, they do. It’s true that individual countries in Western Europe have different betting laws, market demands, and betting preferences. But they have one thing in common, the popularity of this sport is certainly growing in each of these countries as more and more people bet on racing.