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The Top Novelty Betting Sites in the UK for 2024

The best novelty betting sites in the UK. Find special bets and great odds with our list of the top 10 bookmakers that offer novelty betting.

Luke Andrews: Editor-in-Chief at BestBettingSites.com
Written by: Luke Andrews
Updated on: 12.12.2024

The Criteria for Choosing the Best Novelty Betting Sites

When it comes to novelty betting sites, there are a number of factors that come into it when we do our ranking. Naturally, some bookies perform better in certain categories than others. Yet a good overall performance is integral in scoring high with us. Below are the criteria we look at.

What is Novelty Betting?

Novelty betting is about the results of non-sporting events. Good novelty betting bookmakers, such as those listed on this page, offer markets on political elections, winners of awards such as the Oscars or the Grammys, reality TV shows, the subject of gossip columns, like Who Will Be the Next James Bond – you can even bet on the weather.

Novelty Betting Markets Available

Below, you can find all of the special markets. We have covered everything from GBBO to Strictly, so take a look at each one for some more invaluable info!

Betting on Entertainment and TV Shows

One of the primary ways to enter the novelty betting world is through betting on entertainment or tv shows. The best betting sites usually offer novelty betting. All types of showbiz events are usually covered.

The Four most Famous Shows to Bet On

So which shows are the best to bet on? The TV shows with the most viewers tend to be popular among punters and offer excellent bookmaker odds. In the boxes below, you can see the shows which have the most extensive coverage.

  • X Factor

    When it comes to novelty betting markets, this is the primary one. Every year audiences tune in to see who will be the winner, and there is always a surprise or two in tow. It has been broadcast since 2004, and is still going strong.

    The main bet is to predict the winner, yet there remains other smaller bets, such as predicting a finalist. Overall, millions of viewers tune in to watch this show, and as a result it is a very popular market.

  • Strictly Come Dancing

    Much like the Simon Cowell’s talent show, Stricly Come Dancing has become a mainstay on the television for British audiences.

    Since its introduction in 2004 it has been exported to 40 countries worldwide. It is an incredibly popular dance show where celebrities can showcase their talent.

    The main bets revolve around predicting the winner, but you can also wager on who will be knocked out, and if to what stage they will progress. It is a great show, and one that has numerous fans throughout the country and the world!

  • I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

    I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! forces a number of celebs to live together in a jungle. There, they must partake in a number of different challenges – Bushtucker Trials – from eating insects, to climbing trees.

    The eventual winner will be crowned ‘King’ or ‘Queen’ of the jungle. It’s been running since 2002 and shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

    Gambling on the show tend to focus on predicting the winner, or who will be eliminated in the next round. It is loved by the general public and is one of the top novelty markets on offer.

  • Dancing on Ice

    A cooler version of Strictly, you could say, is Dancing on Ice. Originally released in 2006, it’s a terrestrial TV competitor of Strictly. So betting marketss are largely the same: revolving around the main winner, next stage, and when participants will get knocked out. It’s not the biggest of the shows, but it still has a dedicated following and many people tune in every night.

Betting on Politics

Politics is another popular option for online novelty betting fans. This could be betting on the next prime minister, US president, or general elections. It’s very popular as virtually all the top gambling sites cover elections and key party votes extensively.

The Four most Famous Politics Events to Bet On

So, what are the most favours things to bet on? Well, that depends as things like Brexit can pop up and throw a spanner in the works, but in general the American Presidential election and the UK general election are the most popular.

  • United Kingdom General Election

    One of the most popular ways of betting on politics is generally predicting the result of the election. There are also other bets, such as an over/under on the number of seats a party will get or predicting which party with receive the most votes.

  • US Presidential Election

    Much like in the UK, the US has an election every four years. In it the country decides who will be president for the next four years.

    At the beginning of the race to be president, each side has many candidates, and the face off against each other, before then running head-to-head.

  • EU Elections

    Another event covered is the EU elections. You can wager on whether certain people or countries can will get more votes than others. You can also choose who will be the next president of the EU. Overall these elections are much more frequent and as a result more bets will be available. For many this type of novelty betting adds to an already intriguing campaign.

  • Political Events

    The fourth type of event is any political event such as a referendum. Brexit was perhaps the most prominent one in recent times.

Betting on Gossip and Newspaper Talk

One of the other major categories that novelty betting sites have is placing a wager on tabloid gossip. These are heavily influenced by newspapers and gossip magazines. Typical markets include betting on affairs of the Royal family or who will be the next James Bond. Below are the best bookies for goss.

Two Examples of Gossip Betting and Newspaper talk

You may still be wondering what gossip betting could entail. In the boxes below we have provided you with two examples. Now, these are purely theoretical but could ultimately happen in the near future.

  • Name the Baby

    One of the best examples of gossip betting is when it comes to naming a Royal baby (or even that of a celebrity). It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, you basically have to choose one of the names from the list the bookie has compiled.

    Obviously, this kind of wager is so irregular that it’s truly only a fun kind of bet and isn’t one you should count on happening regularly.

  • Who Will Be the Next James Bond?

    A hotly contested form of gossip betting – who will be the next 007 is a popular market for UK punters.

Tips and Strategies for Online Novelty Betting

So, are there any things you should consider when it comes to this type of market? Much like any strategy, there are certain things you need to look out for. Our experts have collected the top four tips in the boxes below.

  • Check the News

    For this kind of market, it is integral to keep an eye on the news. When it comes to elections, this is paramount. The more you know, the better it is for you. Things change quickly: did a candidate put their foot in it? If you find out before anyone else, then you can profit from this.

  • Follow Social Media Accounts

    If you are into gossip bets, then it makes sense to follow all kinds of accounts on social media. You could be the first to get the scoop on the next Royal Baby’s name.

  • Timing is Important

    What you may have noticed about these kinds of bets is that they are seasonal. That means that you must plan and keep on top of things in order to get ahead.

    When is the next election? Which referendum is happening and when? All of these things should be on your radar, ready for you to pounce and place your wager.

  • Check previous records

    Knowing past results can help you predict the outcome of novelty betting markets.

Conclusion

Our list of the best novelty betting sites cover all the most popular and fun markets available to British punters. As this is a beloved pastime you’ll find that almost all betting sites offer novelty markets. With this page you can find the markets and bonuses that best suit you.

FAQ

What are the most popular novelty bets in the United Kingdom?

When it comes to novelty betting the wagers placed on TV shows are probably some of the most popular ones. Obviously, there are many other little bets that can be place, these are just some of the most common ones.

Is specials betting legal?

Yes, in the UK bookies are allowed to offer special bets on things like TV shows, entertainment, and politics.