The arts is a sector which encompasses not only theatre and film but TV as well. There is as much merit in a well-produced, well-acted TV series, after all, as there is in a hit Broadway musical or iconic Hollywood movie. This is easy to see when you look at highly regarded recent shows on our television sets, like Ludwig, Sherwood, and Showtrial.
One of the most important aspects of any TV series is the theme it has, or the world it’s set in. One of the most popular examples of this, which brings an air of real excitement to any series, is the sports betting sector.
But why is the case and which are the best three TV series that have highlighted how thrilling betting on sports is?
Sports Betting and TV: Why Does it Make for Exciting Action and Hit Shows?
The simple reason why sports betting makes for exciting action on TV is that sports betting itself is an exciting industry to delve into. This is especially true for people who have never placed a bet and watch to get a glimpse into an exotic, new world. For people who are regular punters, the chance to see the inner workings of the sector and their hobby on-screen is also thrilling.
Sports betting has made for hit TV shows in the past because betting on sports is well-loved in places like the UK. Betting at online sportsbooks in the country is especially popular and sees people placing bets on virtual racing, football, tennis, and other top sports.
This ensures that shows based on this sector have a ready-made audience of people ready to tune in—they already bet at the best UK betting sites. But which are the top three TV shows that show how exciting betting on sports is?
Luck
The growth of on-demand TV streaming services and a myriad of overseas channels to access means that UK viewers are no longer confined to shows that are only on national networks.
Luck is a great example of this and ran on HBO for a short time in the early 2010s. Created by David Milch, it was set in the world of horse racing sports betting and starred Dustin Hoffman. The show explored the lives of various people involved in the sports betting industry and gave an authentic insight into how it all works.
It also managed to capture the sheer dynamism of betting on sports like horse racing, and it showcased how exciting it all can be. If you’re looking for top TV shows to watch, this should be on your list.
Ballers
Another HBO show that showed how exhilarating betting on sports can be, Ballers included Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as the main star. The show ran for several seasons and followed former NFL pro Spencer Strasmore as he moved into becoming a financial manager for elite athletes.
Although it did not have sports betting as its main theme, Ballers did touch on it heavily and showed the thrills that winning bets brings. Alongside the awesome central performance from Johnson, the show also drew praise for its accurate behind-the-scenes portrayal of the sports betting sector.
Footballers’ Wives
We end our roundup with ITV’s smash hit from the early/mid-2000-s, Footballers’ Wives. This was a huge show on UK TV at the time and made major stars of actors like Gary Lucy. Whilst it was centred on the world of professional football, it also included many episodes where betting on the sport was a crucial plot theme.
This saw some episodes across the series touch on the excitement characters felt when enjoying big wins from football wagering. As a result, the show was able to give viewers an idea of the high-energy, fast-paced nature of football betting—and the excitement that getting it right can bring. This, combined with drama that unfolded in the personal lives of characters across the series, made it a must-see show.
TV Shows and the Thrill of Sports Betting
The TV shows above all contain sports betting as their main theme or see it crop up in several key episodes. This allowed them to highlight the excitement that betting on sports can deliver and helps explain why people do so in real life. For those who hadn’t ever placed bets on top sports, it also showed how it all works and gave them the perfect introduction to what makes it so alluring.
