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10 Niche Sports Bet Options at US Sportsbooks

Will Brown by Will Brown, July 14, 2025

Game controller esports niche sport

With sports betting now legalized in most US states, there are a plethora of interesting markets now available to wager on. Most major sportsbooks allow you to make a niche sports bet outside of major markets such as football, basketball, baseball, and hockey thanks to the inclusion of a broad selection of international sports. In this guide, we’ve looked at the unconventional sports markets that US bettors can wager on at legal operators.

What Are Niche Sports Betting Options?

We consider niche sports betting markets to be those that have small followings in the US, or may make people wonder whether they’re truly sports at all. Whether badminton, esports, handball, or darts, niche sports tend to be available year-round, with live markets offered at all hours.

To get this guide started, we’ve discussed the legal sportsbooks that offer fair odds on these markets. We’ve then listed 10 worthwhile niche sports to bet on, covering everything from their major tournaments and events to their most popular betting options.

Where to Make a Weird Sports Bet

While in the past, someone looking to make a weird sports bet would have to seek out international bookmakers, this is no longer the case. Now, major sportsbooks such as Caesars, BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel offer dozens of sports categories. These sites are widely available across the US and are verified to be secure and fair.

However, it’s worth pointing out that some states may limit what can be wagered on, so it won’t always be possible to find every niche sport in your state. Fortunately, you should have at least one of the following new sports to bet on available to you, with both pre-match and live markets regularly on offer for each.

Snooker

While snooker is less popular than pool as a cue sport in the USA, it does have a sizable following in the UK, Europe, and Asia. Known for its strategic depth and long-frame matches, bettors can wager on anything from frame winners to in-game events, with futures often available around major tournaments.

The biggest snooker tournaments to back include the World Snooker Championship, UK Championship, and the Masters. Current standout players include Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson, so backing either is usually a safe bet. A big perk of the sport is that its schedule is predictable and matches are widely covered by global media. Some sportsbooks with snooker include FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, Fanatics, and DraftKings.

Darts

Darts has become a fan-favourite niche sports betting option due to the fact that most viewers have played a casual game or two. For this reason, though, watching players such as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler excel is particularly impressive. Major betting events include the PDC World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts, and World Matchplay.

Popular betting options for darts include match betting, handicaps, most 180s, nine-dart finishes, and live betting. With Peacock now streaming major PDC Darts tournaments in the US, it’s easy to watch while you wager. We recommend checking out FanDuel, bet365, and BetMGM for the most diverse darts betting markets.

Esports

While only 16 states have legalized betting on esports, there’s no denying that there is a huge appetite for these versatile games. This niche sports bet option is unusual in that it offers markets for various popular video games, including League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Dota 2.

Therefore, major tournaments often relate to the individual game, with the International being the most revered for Dota 2 and the World Championship for League of Legends. Markets tend to include match winners, kills, and other in-game achievements. These best esports betting sites USA include BetMGM, DraftKings, and BetRivers in legal states.

Jai Alai

Interestingly, Jai Alai was once the most popular sport to bet on in the USA. This is because many states allowed pari-mutuel wagering on the sport in the 20th century. Now, the high-scoring squash-like game can be wagered on at sportsbooks such as Hard Rock Bet, DraftKings, and BetRivers.

Common markets include moneylines, totals, and exotic markets similar to horse race betting for what was once nicknamed “the world’s fastest sport”. The U.S. Jai Alai Championship is the crown jewel in the sport’s annual calendar, though events such as World Super Court and the quadrennial Basque Perota World Championships are similarly thrilling.

Table Tennis

In the last five years, table tennis has emerged to become one of the most popular niche sports in the world. Like snooker and darts, table tennis is beloved for its accessibility. However, the high-speed and precise format of major tournaments such as the Olympics and World Table Tennis Championships makes it especially thrilling for betting.

The beauty of table tennis betting is that it often has dozens of international markets, helping it to be a regular staple of live betting lobbies. Standard markets include moneylines, set bets, and totals, which are aided by its relatively simple scoring system. Table tennis is available at almost all major US sportsbooks in most legal states.

Handball

Although it would by no means be considered a niche sports bet in European nations such as Denmark and Sweden, handball remains an oddity in the USA. Look deeper, though, and you’ll find that it’s highly entertaining, with fast scoring, team-based play, and dynamic tactics making it great for total goals, handicaps, and half-time results at sportsbooks.

Major tournaments include the EHF Champions League, the World Handball Championship, and the Olympics. US sportsbooks offer plenty of markets during international seasons, with live bets frequently available. The sport, which is like a mix of soccer, hockey, and basketball, is listed in most states at the DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbooks.

Bowling

Despite being one of America’s favorite casual pastimes, many bettors may overlook professional bowling as a worthy wagering pursuit. However, the simplicity of the game’s rules, its straightforward scoring, and relatability make this a great niche sports betting option. Markets can focus on everything from outright winners to total tournament pins knocked.

The PBA Players Championship, World Championship, and U.S. Open generate the most local interest thanks to their broadcasts on networks such as CBS Sports. Current top talents worth backing include EJ Tackett, Andrew Anderson, and Jason Belmonte. Bowling betting is limited to BetRivers and DraftKings, though it is not available in all states.

Lacrosse

Considered to be among the fastest growing sports in the USA, Lacrosse has long been a fringe sport in the USA. However, its recent exposure on networks such as ESPN and CBS Sports has helped to develop a steady following amongst bettors. Scoring is simple, with moneylines, totals, and spreads being the most common markets.

The Premier Lacrosse League and National Lacrosse League are its most renowned governing bodies, though NCAA college betting is also frequently available. It is particularly popular on the East Coast, where the sport has its roots. Depending on your location, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM have been known to list lacrosse markets.

Badminton

As a long-time staple of the Olympics, badminton has steadily grown in popularity among US bettors. The BWF World Championships, All England Open, and Thomas & Uber Cups are the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, with participating sportsbooks regularly offering markets for these games. Like a mix between tennis and volleyball, badminton’s rules are very simple to follow.

Popular markets include match winners, set betting, and totals, with games played either as singles or doubles. Its international schedule also means it’s often available for late-night live betting. The sport can be found at bet365, BetMGM, and DraftKings during regular seasons and at most during the Olympics.

Cornhole

The last but certainly not least on this list of weird sports bet options is cornhole, the backyard lawn game that is immensely popular in the South. The last decade has seen the prestige of cornhole grow thanks to the broadcast of the ACL World Championships on ESPN and its simple yet addictive format.

Players can bet on singles or doubles events, with line bets, totals, and futures for the World’s and ACL Pro. Currently, cornhole is only offered at DraftKings, with the sportsbook the ACL’s official sports betting partner.

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