Nothing has contributed to the rise of sports betting through an online casino than the advancements in internet connectivity. Before the world wide web became, well, worldwide, sports betting wasn’t as popular and prominent across the globe. With the help of the internet, people could place bets anytime from anywhere, using a device of their choice. That has resulted in an explosion in sports betting across the globe. Sports betting has become so popular that even high school and college games have bets placed on them these days. Online sports betting has also removed the need to visit a bookmaker for placing bets. And you don’t have to go to stadiums and watch the games in person to place bets. What’s more, you don’t even need a computer, you can place bets with just a mobile phone. With online betting, you can also observe the betting lines in real time and this allows you to find the best betting opportunities as the event unfolds, especially when you are betting on live sporting events. You can also bet on just about every event in the world. From basketball to boules, nothing is off limits. You can also place bets on dog shows, presidential elections, reality TV shows, movies (how much will a movie earn on the box office), eSports etc.
What does the future hold for sports betting?
As long as sports will be played, people will continue to watch and enjoy them. The popularity of sports is only going to increase with time. With the advent of social media, people are able to enjoy sports and connect with sports stars even more. Two of the most popular sports to bet on are Football (known as soccer in America) and American Football (both the NFL and COllege Football). These two sports generate billions of dollars in betting revenue every year. Some of the other popular sports among gamblers are basketball, baseball, cricket and hockey. If we haven’t mentioned your favourite sports so far, don’t worry, you will most probably be able to place bets on it. Bets are commonly placed on tennis, badminton, auto racing, Olympic sports, golf and ostrich races as well.
The expansion of the world of sports betting is continuously being fuelled by the rise of the internet and smartphones. However, if you still want to place bets in the old fashioned way, you can call or text your local bookie, walk into a sportsbook or log into a web sportsbook to put bets. Online sports betting sites provide live sports betting as well. Gamblers can bet from the kick off to the final whistle. You don’t even need to bet on the outcome itself, you can also bet on the points spread and the victory margin. Meyer Lansky said this about sports betting, “All pro sports, as well as the NCAA, should thank God every day we have sports betting here… We have the only agency in the world that regulates the honesty of games.”
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are by far the shining example of the future of sports betting which is growing by leaps and bounds every day. Popular websites like FanDuel and DraftKings all help customers bet on their teams and collect their winnings on the same day. DFS has been legalized across many parts of America today. Once online sports betting is legalized fully, DFS will soon become more mainstream. Sports betting is a massive revenue generating business and many states in America are realizing that they can earn a lot of tax revenue if they legalize sports betting. People are going to place bets whether it’s legal or not, so it’s better to legalize it, regulate it and tax it. Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred and National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner Adam Silver have openly spoken out in favour of legalizing sports betting. The leagues themselves can also earn a good amount of money once betting is legalized. Here’s what Adam Silver said: “Any new approach must ensure the integrity of the game. One of my most important responsibilities as commissioner of the NBA is to protect the integrity of professional basketball and preserve public confidence in the league and our sport. I oppose any course of action that would compromise these objectives. But I believe that sports betting should be brought out of the underground and into the sunlight where it can be appropriately monitored and regulated.”
Sports Betting Tips
“Sports betting is all about money management, so the most money won on one event is not the most important thing.” – Bruce Dern
Sports betting combines two really lucrative and interesting things, watching sports and making money. As sports become more and more entertaining and presented in a better package, betting on sports is only going to rise in the future.
A great thing about sports betting is that any person can do it, even if he/she is not entirely knowledgeable about a particular game. Technology has made it even easier to place bets with the help of online bookmakers. So if you are thinking about dipping your feet in the world of sports betting, here are some tips you should keep in mind before starting off.
1. Select the right bookmaker
When you are new to the world of sports betting, you shouldn’t just go out and place bets with anyone. You should select the right bookmaker. Whether it’s a person that you know through somebody or a popular sports betting website such as NetBet Sports, selecting the right bookie can make all the difference between a smooth transaction and one filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Always go for a known bookmaker that is legal and has a good reputation. Another very important thing to keep in mind is the payment method. Check if the bookmaker offers your preferred payment methods. Read reviews from other punters, and go through the terms and conditions thoroughly. When your money is involved, no print is too fine to read. Don’t bet a single cent unless you are satisfied about the bookie’s credibility.
2. Analyze the game
Sports betting has become so popular and widespread that a lot of bookmakers offer different odds for the same games. Some of the most popular sporting events for betting are the Premier League for soccer, Wimbledon for tennis, and the Super Bowl for American football. Before you place any bets, it is pertinent to analyze the teams and players you want to support. Spend time reading what the pundits have to say and check to see which players are at the top of their game. Consider and weigh everything prior to placing your bets.
3. Be mindful of bonuses
Before you sign up with a sports betting website, don’t forget to check out the bonuses offered by those sites. Yes, you love to place bets on sports, but online bookmakers also want you to place bets through them. Because of that, most leading bookies will have promotions that include doubling your initial deposit, free bets, and no deposit bets, as a way to get you started. These are great ways for you to earn some money indirectly, even before you bet your first cent.
4. Diversify your bets
If you just take a look around, you will see that the world of sports is changing rapidly. Professionals aren’t the only ones who play sports anymore. A lot of people play sports to stay fit and have fun. Even events like running have become very popular among people and runners continuously search for tips to run better and then training and participating in marathons or homegrown regional competitions. As a sports bettor, you shouldn’t just place your bets on big events like UEFA Champions League Finals, NBA Finals and the Super Bowl. You should also try to make money through smaller competitions where the odds are often in favour of the punters. You can indulge in football youth leagues, esports, tennis competitions other than the Grand Slams. You can also place bets on any of the numerous horse races that happen across the world almost every day.
5. Stick to a budget
Sticking to a budget is extremely important for every beginner (and a seasoned bettor as well). Sports betting can be a great way to earn some extra money, Blaise Pascal said “The excitement that a gambler feels when making a bet is equal to the amount he might win times the probability of winning it.” However, you need to be in control of it at all times. Just because you win five bets in a row, doesn’t mean you should continue placing bets recklessly. You can lose a lot of money with ease as well. To make the most of sports betting, you should set aside a fixed amount to bet every month. Whenever you win, top up the balance and use some of the winnings to boost your savings balance. Never forget what Michael Jordan said about gambling “I want people to understand, gambling is not a bad thing if you do it within the framework of what it’s meant to be, which is fun and entertaining.”