Professional Wrestling and Betting: Is it Possible to Wager on WWE?

There is no denying the fact that sports are a form of entertainment. It has been so since ancient times and the early Olympic games. With running, wrestling, horse racing, and athletics being early forms of competitive sports, crowds had always been a part of it. Filling up the stands of old arenas was as popular back then among the general population as it is today. It was, and is, an important part of everyday life. Apart from watching and cheering on, wagering was also popular back then, and it continues to be in the modern world. The online sports betting market is bigger each year, with more ways to play than ever.

But what happens when sports and entertainment are mixed in a brand new way, where athletes are as close as actors and performers as they can be? Can something considered sport be scripted like a movie or a TV series would be? Yes, it can, and it exists in the shape of professional wrestling. Immensely popular around the world, WWE and other promotions and houses script their matches and add drama and tension the likes of which video mediums can only dream of. So can it be taken as seriously as real sport, and could there be a way to place bets on it? Read on to find out, and be sure to check out Bety for all of your online casino and sports betting needs. Besides sports betting and online casinos, you can also find Bety live games on their site, dynamic and perfect for those who are looking for excitement and adrenaline.

Wrestling and Betting: Can it be Done?

The World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE for short, is a high profile promotion of what has been called professional wrestling. While it combines immense athleticism and stunts with scripted entertainment storylines, it is not technically a sport despite many fans swearing by it, knowing full well it is not authentic. Not everyone can do it. It is dangerous. It requires a lot of practice and being in shape. However, indeed, it is not a real sport like football, basketball, and especially fighting sports. The unique blend often sparks an interesting question, though: Can you legally bet on WWE matches the same way you can on traditional sports? The short answer is yes, of course you can. The long, however, is that there are some caveats. 

To understand whether or not WWE is capable of introducing betting, one must first know its nature. Unlike traditional sporting leagues and competitions, the “fights”, which are called matches since there is no actually fighting, have predetermined outcomes. Wrestlers follow storylines crafted by teams of writers and producers based on what the fans enjoy. It is an ongoing series of matches, rivalries, story beats, and surprises. This makes the outcomes more akin to TV drama than true competitive sport. Despite this, though, the action in the ring is real and highly physical. And despite no real stakes, betting could be a part of it, and here is how.

Betting on WWE Might Work 

While it is scripted by nature, online sportsbooks do offer some betting lines and markets on major events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. There are limited wagers, as most platforms limit how much can be wagered on WWE to reduce the risk of insider leaks influencing the betting pool. Betting is usually placed in the same category as entertainment betting, i.e., wagering on who will win an Oscar or who will be the next James Bond. Technically, it is still betting, but it does not 100% qualify as real sports betting. These bets are offered as novelty or prop bets and tend to gain traction only around big events. There are, sadly, still no active betting options for regular matches that happen weekly, but that could soon change.

Even though every single result is scripted, WWE keeps match outcomes tightly held secret. Only the organizers and the wrestlers know the result. With proper risk controls in place, sportsbooks can safely offer limited betting markets, and many fans will treat them as a fun way to enhance their viewing experience, rather than as a serious investment. The fans know it is predetermined, but they are still surprised by it, like they are with their favorite TV show. Imagine betting on who survives a new season of a show like Game of Thrones or Squid Game. Would it not be more fun to watch it? 

Legal Considerations and Risks 

As is usually the case with gambling, there are certain legal issues and risks to talk about when it comes to a more widespread pro wrestling wagering market. In the United States, where the matches are the most popular, the legality of betting on them depends on the state. Some allow it through licensed sportsbooks, while others prohibit novelty or entertainment betting altogether. In the UK, betting markets are much broader, and WWE is more commonly available. It is regulated under gambling commissions that allow novelty bets regardless of the content and area. 

Regarding the risks, since the outcomes are scripted, insider information poses the most significant risk. Those with inside knowledge about the outcomes can manipulate the bets and earn money from it dishonestly and illegally. Odds can be manipulated quickly if leaks happen, and since they do with movies and TV content, it would be expected every once in a while. And since it is not a game of skill like sports betting on unscripted competitions, it can never feel the same, and oftentimes, the users may be cheated if an improbable situation or an unlikely scenario happens. For example, what happens if a third wrestler suddenly appears and beats the other two? What kind of a bet would there be for it that would not feel suspicious? 

WWE’s Stance on Betting 

The promotion does not openly promote betting on its matches, but it does not prohibit it either. In early 2023, it was reportedly exploring regulatory approval to allow wagering on certain high profile matches through sportsbooks. This suggests that the company sees the potential in the market, but it remains to be seen if anything official will happen. All in all, you can bet on professional wrestling matches, both the WWE and other promotions. However, it is best viewed as a novelty market and entertainment, and not a reliable way to make money. As a fan who enjoys analyzing storylines and predicting outcomes, making bets can and will add extra layers of excitement to the whole spectacle and is worth exploring further.