It is possible to bet on just about anything, in a betting shop or online. For example, in football, you can bet not just on the winning team, but also on the actual final result, on the total number of goals scored, on the player(s) scoring them. In some cases it is possible to place a multiple bet, with two variables in the same match. Winnings can be quite small or somewhat larger depending on how daring the punter is.

Sporting bets are fun and there is also the chance of sharing the excitement with friends (who may be betting as well): these are the factors that are attracting young people more than any other age group, now accounting for 50% of the punters, followed by the 35 - 45 age group (25%). Sporting bets appear to attract fewer and fewer older people: only 14% of the punters are in the 45 - 54 years range, while the over 55's account for only 11%. Overall, every Italian adult placed an average of 11 bets last year.

Football is the great passion for Italians, on the field or on the cards in the betting shops. 92.3% of total takings revolve around football bets, an increase in takings of 52.23% over the previous year. Basketball comes in second place, with just 2.9% of the total, followed by Tennis (2.3%). 

According to data released by the AAMS, sector takings in 2008 have reached nearly €4 billion, an increase of around 51% on the previous year. The number of tickets issued nationally was 391,285,396, with an average bet of €9.99.

The European Football Championship was a factor behind the increase in betting in 2008. Last June ten matches registered the highest takings, and top of these was the Italy-Romania match. Overall the takings reached €211.5 million. In addition to the European football matches, the other major sporting attraction was the Olympic Games in Beijing, with 302 different competitive events.

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