In which countries can you bet on cross-country skiing?

With so many betting platforms now offering markets for hundreds of professional competitions and events, the growth of niche sports and their betting markets has become an intriguing element. We appreciate that the term “niche market” might come as loaded to some, especially if you have a passion for winter sports and cross-country skiing, but this is purely a statement of fact.

For instance, my favorite sport is boxing, which is a niche sport, especially if we’re looking at global viewing figures. Cross-country skiing might experience a spike in TV viewing ratings and betting markets during marquee events like the Winter Olympics, but it is considered a niche sport for most of the year.

That isn’t to say there isn’t interest in these markets though. A more critical element is whether local or national legislation allows you to bet on winter sports like cross-country skiing, and that’s what we will focus on today.

Notable gambling jurisdictions

The UK paved the way for gambling legislation in Europe as the landmark UK Gambling Act 2005 opened the doors for a new world where iGaming companies could flourish. The market is open primarily to European bettors who want to bet on cross-country skiing. It works both ways as betting platforms must adhere to legislation too, so they will pick a country where betting is legal before undertaking the arduous and costly process of setting up markets and advertising campaigns.

The only notable exception is Kosovo, the only European country that outright forbids any form of gambling. However, keeping up with legislation is essential, as it can be updated and changed quickly.

Despite being nearly 20 years old, the 2005 UK Gambling Act is still a blueprint for other prominent nations that have followed suit and updated their dated legislation or have entirely changed their stance on whether betting should be legal. The two most notable countries added to this list this decade have been the US and Canada.

Although gambling lobbyists have worked hard behind the scenes in both countries to get legislators to take a more favorable look at how the industry is regulated, taxed and managed across the vastness of the North American continent, it wasn’t until 2021 that changes in both countries allowed gambling to be legislated at a state and provincial level.

Areas where betting on cross-country skiing isn’t allowed

It’s probably too generic to state that you can bet on cross-country skiing in one country as a collective entity. Countries where skiing is most popular include the US, Canada, France and Switzerland.

You can bet in most US states, but sports betting is illegal if you live in Texas, California or Utah. You can face fines and other punishments for online betting on any sports event.

While Canada doesn’t have the same range among its provinces, and sports betting is managed but legal within each province, there are still small nuances between each province. As a result, it is always best to check locally before placing a bet on cross-country skiing just to ensure you know where you stand.

In the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is a popular skiing destination too, with many Kiwis winning medals in the Winter Olympics in various winter sports. The gambling markets in Australia and New Zealand mirror those in other Western countries, so you can also find ample markets for cross-country skiing events. Japan is another notable country where skiing is popular, but gambling is frowned upon.

Responsible gambling

Often, the main reason why countries or certain jurisdictions are uneasy about allowing online gambling is because of the risk posed to a percentage of bettors who will develop a problem. In countries where gambling is more liberally legislated, like the UK, sportsbooks have an extensive range of tools and there are organizations bettors can seek out to help them with problem gambling.

These range from organizations like Gamblers Anonymous to cooling off periods and time outs, which ensure you cannot place more bets on a platform for a specific period. It’s crucial to understand and use these tools and to reach out for help if you believe you or somebody you know is developing an issue with betting.

Final thoughts

Although the Japanese have an excellent record in skiing events, their culture takes a harsher approach to sports betting. Of all the countries and jurisdictions where cross-country skiing is a popular sport and a big tourist attraction, we’d say Japan, California and Utah are the ones to be aware of.

They have world-class skiing centers and athletes, but you cannot bet on the events. However, you will have no problems betting on cross-country skiing in European countries where skiing is popular, such as Austria, France and Switzerland.

Whether you’re looking to bet on cross-country, ski jumps or Nordic Combined, niche markets and winter sports are treated in the same way as some of the more popular mainstream markets.

While we have already mentioned it, we must reiterate that these laws are subject to change. Use this article as a guide but be sure to check the latest information to ensure you know the current stance on the legality of betting on cross-country skiing where you live.