Entertainment Events You Can Bet on in 2023

Entertainment Betting Options

The advent of the internet means that betting on entertainment has never been easier than it is today. Now, instead of making a pilgrimage to the sportsbooks of the Nevada desert, you can bet on just about anything under the sun from the comfort of your couch. Just fire up your laptop or your preferred mobile betting app and you’re on your way!

Betting on entertainment events has been a mainstay in Europe for years, and it’s just now starting to gain a real foothold in the United States as well. Betting has exploded onto the mainstream since the US Supreme Court voted to allow states to legalize recreational betting in May of 2018. While land-based sportsbooks are still prohibited from taking bets on things like American politics, there’s nothing stopping the top offshore sites from doing so.

So, what kinds of online entertainment betting options are there?

Reality TV Betting

For better or worse, reality television has been a staple of American pop culture for the better part of two decades and counting. Shows like Survivor, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, The Amazing Race, and American Idol have become well-known commodities in the entertainment industry.

So, it makes all the sense in the world that betting opportunities on shows like The Bachelor and many others are in abundance!

The aforementioned top entertainment betting sites will typically post odds on reality TV show betting at the beginning of their respective seasons. The odds will then update with each passing week until the conclusion of the season. For example, you can bet on which of the 30 Bachelorette candidates will take home the coveted “final rose” at the end of the season, and the odds will change as the field continues to narrow during the season.

Of course, the betting value will dissipate as each season progresses, so get your bets in early! The following are just some of the reality TV shows with odds offered at most of the best entertainment betting sites:

• The Bachelor
• Survivor
• Dancing with the Stars
• The Voice
• American Idol
• Big Brother
• The Bachelorette
• The Amazing Race
• Eurovision
• Britain’s Got Talent

X Factor Betting

Of all the reality shows, The X Factor is a very popular entertainment betting option all over the world. The show originated in the United Kingdom back in 2004 with noted record producer Simon Cowell at the helm. The show was created while Cowell was still one of the judges on the hit reality show American Idol, and it has since launched in a number of other countries (including the United States) and has grown in popularity ever since.

A new season of the show hasn’t aired in the US since 2014. Still, it remains one of the most popular shows on TV in the UK.

While there will not be a new season of X Factor in the UK in 2023, those in charge of the show do plan on bringing it back in the future. In most years, new seasons begin in September and run through December. In most years, you can find X Factor betting odds starting around a month before the new season begins. A good tip to get ahead of the game is to search up the list of contestants and look them up on YouTube to get an idea of the talent pool.

You can place your bets on the potential winner over the course of the entire season at sites for X Factor betting online. Of course, the X Factor betting odds for each contestant will change with each passing week as more and more singers are eliminated, so getting your bets in early is probably the best route to finding an upside in the odds.

Place Bets on Movies and Scripted TV

While reality TV makes sense as a betting option considering it’s “unscripted,” you can still bet on scripted TV shows, too. Take Game of Thrones as an example. The final season of the acclaimed HBO series was a massively popular television betting option.

Betting on which of the show’s main characters would be the first to die or which character would ultimately rule Westeros at the end of Game of Thrones were a couple of the more well-known entertainment prop bets offered at just about every viable site that offers TV betting odds.

You can also place bets on feature films. Massively popular franchises like Star Wars and The Avengers have been prominent opportunities for those who want to bet on entertainment online. Before the release of Avengers: Endgame, for example, fans could wager on whether main characters like Captain America, The Hulk, or Iron Man would die.

Casting decisions, such as whether Daniel Craig will continue in his role of James Bond in the next Bond film, are also among the popular movie betting options you’ll find.

Major Awards Show Betting

Awards shows go hand-in-hand with entertainment betting online. As mentioned, many have spent plenty of time debating on who should win Best Actor, Best Director, or Best New Artist at awards shows like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys.

Obviously, you can bet on these outcomes, as well. Shows like the Academy Awards have a habit of running long, but putting a little money on the line in order to raise the stakes can make the viewing experience a lot more fun and interesting.

You can obviously wager on who will win certain awards, but the best sites that offer awards show betting odds also offer fun ancillary props. For example, some sites offer you the chance to bet on what color dress Jennifer Lopez will don at the Grammys. Or, you can bet on whether the longest acceptance speech will run over or under two minutes in length.

Popular award show betting events include:

• Academy Awards
• Grammys
• Emmys
• Mercury Prize

Golden Globes Betting

The Golden Globes are among the most prestigious awards in Hollywood. As a result, you should have little issue finding a quality betting site that offers an array of different options for Golden Globes betting online.

The Golden Globes typically kick off awards season, and will usually be aired before the Grammys and Academy Awards, taking place in January in recent years. Nominations for the various categories are often released about a month before the show airs, with various betting sites releasing their Golden Globe awards odds shortly thereafter. So, you should have more than enough time to review your options and get your bets in before the show’s TV broadcast.

Here are some quick-fire tips for placing your Golden Globes bets:

• Shop for lines: It’s no secret that betting sites carry different odds. Shop around to find the best value for the bet you have in mind to ensure you don’t leave any money on the table.
• Do your research: Reading as many advice articles as possible can help you get a better idea of how to attack your bets. Another way to give yourself an edge when it comes to betting is to see as many of the movies and TV shows that earn nominations as possible. Frankly, it’s a good excuse to be a couch potato. Knowing more about what you’re betting on can only be helpful in the end.

VMA Betting

The MTV Video Music Awards may not be the TV ratings king it was several years ago, but the show still generates some buzz. There have been several unforgettable moments to come out of the VMAs over the years. Nobody will forget the time Kanye West got up on stage to interrupt Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech.

There’s no telling what the next VMAs will have in store, which is why it makes for such a fun betting event!

Unlike most awards shows, the VMAs typically take place in the late summer or early fall with nominations released a month prior. You can always guess as to which artists will eventually be nominated beforehand, but betting sites won’t release their VMA odds until nominations are formally announced. In most cases, you’ll have about a month before the show actually airs to get your bets in on the VMAs. There is no in-play betting for awards shows.

A piece of advice ahead of the VMAs; the latest Grammy results can give you a glimpse into who may wind up taking home the most Moon Man trophies in August. Obviously, quite a bit of time elapses between the Grammys in January and the VMAs in August, but the artists that clean up at the former usually fare well at the latter, too.

BAFTAs Betting

The BAFTAs have long been a prestigious and sought-after honor for actors and actresses across the world. Presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, these awards honor the most significant accomplishments in TV and film entertainment from the previous year. Generally presented in February, the BAFTAs are one of the earliest award shows on the calendar.

Here are three top tips to up your BAFTA betting strategy:

• Do your homework: Reading up on prior winners in each category will give you an idea whether a film or actor/actress has a good chance of winning.
• Look out for prop bets: Keep an eye out for exciting bets that go beyond the winners of each category. Your BAFTA betting website could offer bets such as who will wear what, who will give speeches, and so on.
• Bet what you know: Your chances of success are going to be much higher if you love watching and analyzing films. Stick to categories to know best and use all the info at your disposal to make the best possible picks.

BRIT Awards Betting

The BRIT Awards have long been an exciting piece of the music industry in the UK. These prestigious awards have been given to some of the most famous names in all of music for their incredible contributions. Originating in 1977, the BRIT Awards are the UK equivalent of the famed Grammys.

A little expert advice before you start betting on the BRITs:

• Understand the UK music scene: Especially the latest trends. Since there are a variety of categories you can bet on, narrow down your research to focus on the area you think you can have the most success.

Razzies Betting

The Golden Raspberry Awards, the “Razzies” as it’s better known, is an awards ceremony that celebrates the very worst the film industry has to offer on an annual basis. The Razzies typically take place once mainstream awards season begins to die down. A list of Razzies nominees is typically released about a month before the show takes place, giving you plenty of time to do your research.

There is no exact science for making your Razzies betting experience a profitable endeavor, but you can look at previous winners to educate yourself on how the process typically works.

• Look for big names: The Golden Raspberry Awards relish in the opportunity to make Hollywood’s finest seem more human. Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis, and Gerard Butler are among the most well-known actors in Hollywood. They all also happen to be former Razzie winners and nominees. If any Oscar-nominated actresses also happen to get nominated for Razzies for less well-known movies, they generally have a solid chance at winning.
• History repeats itself: Some actors have fared well at the Razzies awards in the past. Adam Sandler, for example, has 16 Razzie nominations and five wins under his belt. Nicolas Cage, meanwhile, has nine Razzie nominations without a win to this point. Certain actors or actresses tend to do better than others when it comes to the Golden Raspberry Awards. Betting on those with multiple wins in the past is a smart strategy.
• Musicians are bad actors: Plenty of celebrities try to bridge the gap between acting and music. Let’s not forget that Lady Gaga was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her work in A Star is Born. There are exceptions, but lots of musicians that try to hack it in the world of acting fail miserably. In all, 10 musicians have won a total of 17 Razzies in the show’s history.

Other Entertainment Betting Options

Betting on TV shows, movies, and awards shows is plenty of fun, but those aren’t the only entertainment betting categories. There are several other miscellaneous opportunities that don’t necessarily fit under television or film.

For example, betting on politics has become hugely popular over the past few years. The world of politics has become incredibly divisive in the US, which has naturally led to increased interest in the political betting market. Election outcomes and presidential impeachment odds are just a couple of the more popular political betting options.

If politics aren’t your thing, you can also wager on more lighthearted events, such as the winner of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest or the National Spelling Bee. You can even bet on whether Elon Musk will successfully land on Mars, or which member of the Royal Family will be the next to become betrothed.

Here are a few unique entertainment betting options:

• Esports Betting
• WWE
• Miss Universe
• Puppy Bowl
• Nobel Prize
• Political Betting
• Celebrity Betting
• Crossfit Games

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Every Fourth of July, we get to experience the thrills of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. It has become a hugely popular betting event in recent years, with all of the top sports betting sites offering odds, including futures on the winner and over/under bets on how many hot dogs the contestants will choke down.

The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest features a field of 20 contestants vying for the title. Quite simply, the winner is the person that manages to ingest the most hot dogs (and buns) over the course of 10 minutes. Historically, Joey Chestnut is the most successful eater in the contest. As of 2022, he has won the competition 15 times. On the women’s side, Miki Sudo has won the contest every year since 2014, except 2021 which she skipped due to pregnancy.

Here is some advice if you’re looking to bet on who’ll down the most dogs:

• The favorites tend to win: Oddsmakers are tasked with doing as much research as they possibly can before slapping odds on the eaters set to duke it out on Coney Island. While betting on underdogs can be a fruitful strategy in other sports, this isn’t necessarily a smart strategy when it comes to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Betting against either of the heavy favorites can be a fool’s errand.
• Betting the over is smart: With Chestnut and Sudo being so dominant in the field, it seems as though both competitors are trying to break their own individual records with each passing year. Wagering on the over is often the best bet.

National Spelling Bee Betting

The Scripps National Spelling Bee may not be the biggest event on the sports calendar every year, but it sure has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. The Scripps National Spelling Bee was actually created back in the 1920s as a consolidation of a number of other smaller spelling bees. The event has grown in popularity over the years, and nowadays, it takes place on television in front of a national audience with no shortage of media coverage.

The spelling bee has also become a popular event for bettors. While the notion of placing bets on whether children can spell a bunch of words properly may sound strange, online betting sites have taken advantage of the surge in popularity in recent years. Of course, placing a winning bet on the eventual Scripps National Spelling Bee champion may not improve your own spelling ability, but you can at least pad your betting bankroll. The event typically takes place in late spring or early summer. Most years, the Bee is scheduled for late May, which is near the end of the school year in most places around the United States.

A tip on Spelling Bee betting strategy:

• Find prop bets: Given that the competitors are children, neither you nor the sportsbook will be able to make an informed decision on the likely winner. Instead, look for prop bets where you can find patterns in the previous years. For example, a sportsbook may offer an over/under on the number of letters within the winning word.

How to Start Betting on Entertainment

Sign Up at a Reliable Entertainment Betting Site

Fortunately, there is no shortage of sportsbooks out there, so you should be able to find the best site to suit your betting needs. Once you have settled on a site, you’re ready to get started.

Signing up is the easiest part of all. Find the “Join” or “Sign Up” tab, which is usually located near the top of the site’s homepage. After that, fill in some pertinent personal information (username, email address, password, etc.) and you’re good to go!

Deposit Funds and Collect Bonuses

Next, it’s time to put some money into your account so you are ready to bet on top entertainment events. It should be easy to find your preferred method of payment on the deposit screen, and you can choose from a number of different amounts that you wish to deposit.

This is also where you enter any promo codes associated with your first-time deposit bonus. After you’re done, your bankroll should appear on the screen, with bonus cash included.

Place Your Bets

Now comes the fun part. Find your way to the betting site’s entertainment section and scroll down to find betting odds. Sift through the variety of bets and props listed on the screen before settling on which bet you’d like to place.

Then, enter the amount you’re willing to risk on your bet slip and double-check to make sure you entered the correct amount. Finalize your wager, and you’re all set!

How to Choose an Entertainment Betting Site

Favorable Bonuses

A good bonus is the hallmark of a good entertainment betting site. Bonuses have become a staple of the online sports betting experience, and as a bettor, you have the ability to shop around to different sites and find the one that suits your needs the most.

Match bonuses, reload bonuses and free rolls are common. Sites are interested in getting you to sign up, but they’re also in the business of making sure you keep coming back for more. Some sites will also give you the chance to place some free bets before you deposit, just as a way to whet your appetite.

Banking Options

The advent of the internet means we have a lot more banking options today than we did just 20 years ago. You can still use traditional forms of payment like a credit/debit card or a check, but the best sites with entertainment odds offer an array of other options, too. These include:

• E-wallets (PayPal, Neteller, etc.)
• Cryptocurrency
• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• Wire transfers
• Money orders
• Checks

Betting on entertainment events online is supposed to be all about convenience. Convenience applies to everything, and the banking options you’ll have at your disposal are no exception. Be sure to find online betting sites that afford you several different methods of payment and withdrawal.

Entertainment Betting Odds

While things like payment method and fast payouts are obviously important aspects of an entertainment betting site, one of the first things you’re looking for as a bettor is a site that offers competitive and advantageous odds. The other perks are nice, but if a site is lacking when it comes to the odds themselves, that could be a dealbreaker.

Odds will vary from site to site, so it’s worth your time to shop around and find the site with the odds that look the most favorable.

Safety and Security

Betting on entertainment is all about taking risks. While most bettors are inherently risk-tolerant, one thing you don’t want to risk is the safety of your personal or financial information. Unfortunately, there are plenty of seedy sites out there that don’t have the best intentions when it comes to their customers.

The online sportsbooks featured here take your security seriously. To put it bluntly, if our experts wouldn’t wager their own cash on the site, we wouldn’t recommend it.

Entertainment Betting Blogs

Our team of writers is dedicated to getting you the best analysis when it comes to betting on TV, movies, politics, and everything that falls under the entertainment umbrella. Identifying useful trends or potential value in the odds is something that can give you an edge as a bettor. Let us do the hard work when it comes to breaking down the odds. Check out our constantly updating array of entertainment betting blogs.

Entertainment Betting FAQ