Below you will learn how to place special and novelty bets. You already bet on sports, but did you know that you can also wager on entertainment and politics? Novelty betting makes it possible to bank on your favorite TV shows, celebs, awards, or elections.
With our guide to novelty betting, we'll walk you through how to place special bets online. Look ahead for top bookmakers offering special bets, wagering tips, and all you need to know about novelty betting.
1. What Are the Most Common Types of Special Bets in 2026?
First up, what are special bets? Also known as specials, these are unique bets on events or markets not tied to sports. Unlike sports bets, in which you're betting on sporting matches and games, special bets have to do with wagering on events like the Oscars, political elections, or Nobel Prizes. Such betting options are available in the majority of the top bookmakers which we present in our articles, for example in the one including the listof the best legal betting sites with bonuscodes in Canada.
Off the back of that, top betting sites offering special bets tend to lump them under two umbrella types. That’s political and entertainment bets.
1.1 Political Bets
Political betting works like wagering on sports. You can be on both politics-related and election markets, from outright election winners to props on what a candidate might say during a debate. Here are the most common political betting markets and options:
-
Outright winner: Here, you can back a candidate or party to win outright
-
Prop Bets: Political prop bets cover just about anything politics-related. Will the president finish their term? Props may not predict an election's outcome, but can sway voters.
-
Over/Under political bets: For example, will Trump win over 270 Electoral College votes?
-
Head-to-head political bets: When two candidates go up against each other, head-to-head markets let you back one over the other.
1.2 Entertainment Bets
Entertainment betting serves as an umbrella for a bevy of special and novelty bets. These include markets for TV shows, film awards, or celebrity pop culture. Let's look at the most popular types and markets for entertainment bets:
Awards Betting
The Oscars, Grammys, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes are the most popular awards betting markets. You can find top betting sites offering special bets on props like the color of a dress at the Emmys.
TV Betting
With TV betting, you can wager on who will play the next James Bond or which character gets written off a show. Markets open up whenever there's enough public interest.
Celebrity Betting
Everything goes here, including celebrity relationships, career moves, or even arrests. You can wager on which famous couple gets married next or what a tech billionaire like Bezos will buy next.
1.3 How to Place Special Bets Online
How to place special bets is simple if you've ever placed sports wagers. All you need is a registered account at the betting site. When creating a new user account, don’t forget to check our registration codes, such as 1XBET promo code, to increase your potential winnings. The process should be familiar, and here's how to get started with political or entertainment betting:
-
Choose and register at a reputable bookie
-
Deposit funds
-
Browse markets and odds Look for markets under "Politics," "Entertainment," or "Novelty" tabs
-
Add your selection to the bet slip and enter your stake amount
-
Confirm your bet and wait for the event result to determine your payout
2. In Which Countries Are Special Bets Allowed?
Most countries with sports betting allow special and novelty bets. A few countries roundly ban or limit political betting. Here's a quick breakdown of where to place special bets in 2026:
3. Special and Novelty Betting Tips
Unlike sports betting, odds and markets for specialty bets move in a snap with news and trends. Here are tips for how to bet on specials and boost your winnings odds:
-
Bet on markets and topics you know: If you have a knack for politics, start there. If music is more your speed, betting on Grammys or Emmys is the way to go
-
Shop for odds: Odds on specials vary more than you'd expect between bookies
-
Follow the news obsessively: Political and entertainment markets move at the speed of news
-
Eye early markets: Futures bets on elections or award ceremonies placed months out often carry better odds
-
Analyze polls and public opinion: For political bets, especially, it pays to track polling data
-
Expect the unexpected Awards shows, reality TV, and elections all throw curveballs
-
Claim welcome bonus Some bookmakers offer free bets and promos for these markets
4. Best Bookmakers Offering Special Bets
Most bookies now feature special betting markets under their Politics, Entertainment, or Novelty categories. Here’s what to consider when looking for the best bookmakers offering special bets in 2026:
-
Range of markets - Look for sites that offer outright winners, alongside props, over/unders, and place markets across politics, TV, and awards categories
-
Sharp odds Shop around for the best odds before choosing your site
-
Welcome bonuses The best bookies run special promotions around major events like US elections or the Oscars
-
Mobile experience This is especially useful if you love betting on the go
-
Licensing and reputation It’s non-negotiable to find a site licensed in your country
Of course if you would rather stick to more standard sport betting, we provide you with a number of useful guides on different sports, such as our article including Ice Hockey betting tips.
Top Bookmakers for Special and Novelty Bets
bet365
Bonus Sports
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
1XBET
Bonus Sports
Exclusive Bonus 130% up to $145/€130 (or currency equivalent)
1xBit
Bonus Sports
Welcome Package up to 7 BTC and 250 Free Spins
Roobet
Bonus Sports
Roobet Sports Deals
5. How to Place Special and Novelty Bets FAQ
5.1 🏈 What Are Novelty Sport Bets?
Novelty sports bets are wagers on current sports events markets, such as the winner of the coin toss, next manager, etc.
5.2 🎲 How to Place Novelty Bets?
The first step is to choose a reputable betting site where to place novelty bets. You can then choose and bet on your favorite novelty markets, be they Nobel Prize winners, next Pope, or whatnot.
5.3 📋 Which Bookmakers Offer Special Bets?
You can choose from a bevy of top betting sites offering special bets, including bet365 or 1XBET.
5.4 ❓ What Is a Novelty Bet?
A novelty bet is a wager where you predict current events at a bookmaker, such as who the next Pope will be. Find out from our guide above how to place special and novelty bets.
How to Place Special and Novelty Bets
Below you will learn how to place special and novelty bets. You already bet on sports, but did you know that you can also wager on entertainment and politics? Novelty betting makes it possible to bank on your favorite TV shows, celebs, awards, or elections.
With our guide to novelty betting, we'll walk you through how to place special bets online. Look ahead for top bookmakers offering special bets, wagering tips, and all you need to know about novelty betting.
Contents
1. What Are the Most Common Types of Special Bets in 2026?
First up, what are special bets? Also known as specials, these are unique bets on events or markets not tied to sports. Unlike sports bets, in which you're betting on sporting matches and games, special bets have to do with wagering on events like the Oscars, political elections, or Nobel Prizes. Such betting options are available in the majority of the top bookmakers which we present in our articles, for example in the one including the listof the best legal betting sites with bonuscodes in Canada.
Off the back of that, top betting sites offering special bets tend to lump them under two umbrella types. That’s political and entertainment bets.
1.1 Political Bets
Political betting works like wagering on sports. You can be on both politics-related and election markets, from outright election winners to props on what a candidate might say during a debate. Here are the most common political betting markets and options:
1.2 Entertainment Bets
Entertainment betting serves as an umbrella for a bevy of special and novelty bets. These include markets for TV shows, film awards, or celebrity pop culture. Let's look at the most popular types and markets for entertainment bets:
Awards Betting
The Oscars, Grammys, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes are the most popular awards betting markets. You can find top betting sites offering special bets on props like the color of a dress at the Emmys.
TV Betting
With TV betting, you can wager on who will play the next James Bond or which character gets written off a show. Markets open up whenever there's enough public interest.
Celebrity Betting
Everything goes here, including celebrity relationships, career moves, or even arrests. You can wager on which famous couple gets married next or what a tech billionaire like Bezos will buy next.
1.3 How to Place Special Bets Online
How to place special bets is simple if you've ever placed sports wagers. All you need is a registered account at the betting site. When creating a new user account, don’t forget to check our registration codes, such as 1XBET promo code, to increase your potential winnings. The process should be familiar, and here's how to get started with political or entertainment betting:
2. In Which Countries Are Special Bets Allowed?
Most countries with sports betting allow special and novelty bets. A few countries roundly ban or limit political betting. Here's a quick breakdown of where to place special bets in 2026:
3. Special and Novelty Betting Tips
Unlike sports betting, odds and markets for specialty bets move in a snap with news and trends. Here are tips for how to bet on specials and boost your winnings odds:
4. Best Bookmakers Offering Special Bets
Most bookies now feature special betting markets under their Politics, Entertainment, or Novelty categories. Here’s what to consider when looking for the best bookmakers offering special bets in 2026:
Of course if you would rather stick to more standard sport betting, we provide you with a number of useful guides on different sports, such as our article including Ice Hockey betting tips.
Top Bookmakers for Special and Novelty Bets
5. How to Place Special and Novelty Bets FAQ
5.1 🏈 What Are Novelty Sport Bets?
Novelty sports bets are wagers on current sports events markets, such as the winner of the coin toss, next manager, etc.
5.2 🎲 How to Place Novelty Bets?
The first step is to choose a reputable betting site where to place novelty bets. You can then choose and bet on your favorite novelty markets, be they Nobel Prize winners, next Pope, or whatnot.
5.3 📋 Which Bookmakers Offer Special Bets?
You can choose from a bevy of top betting sites offering special bets, including bet365 or 1XBET.
5.4 ❓ What Is a Novelty Bet?
A novelty bet is a wager where you predict current events at a bookmaker, such as who the next Pope will be. Find out from our guide above how to place special and novelty bets.