Teemu Mattila on the Growing Interest in Chess Betting

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Chess, a centuries-old game known for its deep strategy and intellectual rigour, is finding a new audience through the lens of sports betting. As a sport that has long been dominated by traditional betting markets like football, tennis, and horse racing, the rise of chess betting offers an interesting shift in the landscape.

We sat down with Teemu Mattila, a sports betting expert at Bojoko, to explore the growing interest in chess betting, how it’s changing the market, and what players should know when diving into this niche for the first time.

Chess seems to be getting more popular with punters lately. Why do you think more people are into it now?

Yeah, it’s pretty cool to see. Chess has always had fans, but now, with platforms like Twitch and YouTube, way more people are watching it online. And when people watch something a lot, they often want to bet on it too—just like with football or basketball.

Betting makes it more exciting. It gives fans something extra to root for during a match. And with big events like the World Chess Championship or online tournaments happening all the time, there are now more chances to place bets.

While chess is obviously older and already has a huge following, what has happened is similar to esports. Having a big show like The Queen’s Gambit and popular stars like Magnus Carlsen also helps. Chess has found a new crowd online, and now those fans want in on the action.

What are the most popular ways people bet on chess?

There are a few fun ones. The most common bet is simple—you pick who you think will win a tournament. Easy. Another popular one is betting on the result of a single match: will Player A win, lose, or draw?

Then there are bets like “How many moves will the match take?” That one adds a bit more strategy. And some sites even let you bet on fun stuff, like whether a player will use a certain opening move.

So whether you’re into stats or just want to try your luck, there’s something for everyone.

How can bookies get more people interested in chess betting?

I don’t think bookies really need to do much themselves beyond calling attention to the fact that they offer chess bets, such as email marketing, promotions, partnerships with streamers, listings on sites like Bojoko, etc. They don’t really need to think outside the box. All of these strategies are already used already for other sports, so it’s not a big hassle.

Sure, chess isn’t a sport you usually see in a betting shop, but that’s changing. It’s all about getting the word out and making it easy and fun to get involved.

What’s the best way for UK players to find chess betting sites?

It can be tricky because not every site offers chess betting. However, you don’t need to look too hard. For instance, over at Bojoko, we gathered a list of the best chess betting sites in the UK. Our team, including myself, continuously updates this list.

When we review bookies, we check whether they allow chess gambling. We then see what else they offer for chess fans, such as the types of bets, what events they cover, if they have chess-friendly bonus offers, etc. We then use these insights to help people who want to bet on chess find the best options.

We also have comprehensive reviews where you can read about everything from payment options to promotions and markets. Our reviews are pretty in-depth, but they are also designed so that you can quickly scan through and find the information you are after.

What do you think the future looks like for chess betting?

I think it’s only going to get bigger. More people are watching chess online, and betting adds another fun element. There’s also a large number of chess streamers, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m seeing chess memes all over the place. Once more and more people see that they can bet on chess and get into the groove, the sky becomes the limit.