Tennis has been around for many years, with the modern form taking place around 1859. Since then, there have been informal bets on the outcomes of games. When official sports betting became a mainstream activity, tennis was among the first sports to be adopted by bookmakers in addition to the then common horserace betting.
The popularity of tennis betting has grown steadily since it first began. Today, there are big tournaments and star players that attract punters in droves to bet on game outcomes. Names such as Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams are often 'sure bets' for many bettors. Big tournaments like the Opens (Wimbledon, Australian, and French) and the Olympics are always popular with bettors.
Today, online sports betting has made betting on tennis even more popular. People are able to stake in overseas betting companies and receive their winnings instantly. Betting companies have also expanded markets by introducing live in-play betting, cash-outs, and virtual tennis games and leagues.