While Ethiopia legalized sports betting in 2012, the market is still relatively new and has a significant gap. Numerous sports betting operators have attempted to get a market share, although most of them have failed. However, the entry of Safaricom’s mobile payment service Mpesa in 2023 is taking the Ethiopian gambling market to new heights, with operators offering players live betting options.

So, which live betting options are available for Ethiopian bettors and why is it worth exploring?

What’s Live Betting?

Also called “in-play” betting, live betting is the act of gambling on an ongoing game. It allows viewers to wager throughout the game and the odds keep constantly changing in response to the performance of the players and the latest developments. This form of gambling has transformed the Ethiopian sports betting market and there are plenty of options to wager on at the Betway sportsbook. Betway is listed as one of the most trustworthy platforms on Cheekypunter with over 190,000 in-play events annually and offers up to £10 in free bets to new players.

Live Betting Options Worth Considering

There are plenty of live betting options that you can choose whether you are betting on football, basketball, or rugby. While the options may vary depending on the sportsbook operator, here are common in-play betting options worth considering:

• Next team to score – A live bet on which side will score the next goal, run, or point during a live match.
• Next Scorer – A bet on the individual players expected to score the next touchdown, goal, or basket.
• Next corner – This soccer-specific live bet involves betting on which side will land the next corner kick in a game.
• Over/Under total points – Involves betting on the total points that both teams will score,  wagers placed on whether the scores will reach over or under a predetermined line.
• Next drive result (Football) – You wager on the result of the next offensive drive in a football game such as a field goal, turnover or touchdown.
• Next set winner (Tennis) – You bet on which tennis team or player will win their next set during an ongoing match.
• Next foul (Basketball) – It involves predicting which side will commit a foul next during a basketball match.
• Exact score at halftime – It’s a bet on the exact score expected in a match by half-time or any other designated point in a match.
• Next free throw (basketball) – Involves betting on whether the next throw in a basketball match will succeed or miss.
• The first team to record X points – A bet on which side will record specific total points first.

Why live betting is worth considering for Ethiopians

The primary reason why live betting markets are worth considering is the ability to make informed decisions based on what’s happening in a match. That helps you to evaluate current developments like player injuries, momentum shifts, weather conditions, and tactical changes. Additionally, live betting gives you the chance to capitalize on improved odds and the opportunity to adjust your pre-match bets to increase your winning chances.