In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, sports betting has seen a surge in interest. The world’s most popular sporting events have been canceled or heavily regulated, creating a need for alternatives.
Why Documentary?
Documentary is the new trend in sports betting. Essentially, documentary betting gives you access to games that are hidden away from the general public. While live cricket and rugby matches can be watched for free on YouTube, NFL games and other professional sports have largely been restricted to venues and platforms built for enthusiasts. In the past, only big spenders with dedicated sports bars and high-speed Internet connections could enjoy sports betting on an extensive scale.
Thanks to the novel coronavirus, this distinction has changed. The pandemic has provided an opportunity for anyone, anywhere in the world, to get instant and free access to major sports events. The sports betting documentary The Place Your Bet focuses on how online accessibility and technological innovation have enabled a resurgence of interest in this popular leisure activity.
The Rise of Online Sports Betting
Before the pandemic, online sports betting was gaining popularity. Thanks to mobile phones and the Internet, people were more likely to access their favourite sportsbooks from the safety of their home.
However, this convenience came with its own set of problems. Since sports betting is essentially a form of gambling, the lure of betting on, for example, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers was great, but also great temptation for those hoping to avoid gambling problems. The only real solution before the pandemic was to adopt a better approach, such as the one used by betting sites in the UK and other countries, which limit the maximum bet to two percent of an individual’s deposit or purchase.
The interest in online sports betting grew significantly after the pandemic as betting sites looked to exploit the interest in sports in a post-pandemic world. The Australian government introduced regulations specifically geared towards boosting sports betting after the pandemic including expanding the definition of ‘place of worship’ to include online betting venues, creating exemptions for participants aged under 19 and enabling remote betting. The UK government also provided financial support to online and mobile sportsbooks, which, in turn, led to greater interest in the activity.
The Impact of Technology
The impact of technology on sports betting is undeniable. Thanks to the Internet, smartphones, and social media, individuals are constantly connected to sports information and can always find an opinion on any sporting event.
This increased connectivity has changed the landscape of sports betting forever. While in the past, fans would congregate at stadiums to witness sporting events live, the advent of online streaming and social media has led to a shift in the way we consume sport. Instead of being restricted to a few platforms and having to make do with limited information, online sports betting gives fans the ability to follow every nuance of a game from anywhere.
The technology that enables online sports betting has made a world of difference. Mobile phones enable fans to place bets from the safety and convenience of their homes. Virtual reality headsets such as Google Cardboard and PlaystationVR give fans the illusion of being at a game, while also distracting them from the fact that they’re consuming digital content on their smartphones.
The mobile phone has been the conduit through which the Internet has influenced sports. Thanks to devices like the iPhone, which was released in 2007 and enabled fans to place wagers on the outcome of sporting events, online sports betting truly hit the mainstream.
The Impact of the Coronavirus
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on sports betting is also undeniable. The world’s most recognizable sports events were canceled or held with significant restrictions. Professional sports leagues saw revenue drop by 30% in the 2020 season and many venues were closed to the public.
However, just because sports venues were closed, it didn’t mean that sports betting had to disappear. Instead, online sports books looked to exploit the interest in pro sports and created innovative platforms that enabled anyone, regardless of location, to place bets on the outcome of major sporting events.
In the UK and other countries, betting sites that previously had to hold their operations in physical locations have shifted to online platforms, which have enabled them to continue providing competition and value to customers. Thanks to the technology that is at our fingertips, we are now able to bet on sports, even if the stadiums are closed.
The UK’s only licensed bookmaker, William Hill, saw a 72% increase in wagers placed on Premier League matches thanks to the continued accessibility of sports betting websites. According to the company, over 3.9 million bets were placed during the 2007–08 season, which was the first after the pandemic. This figure jumped to 5.7 million bets in the 2009–10 season and has continued to increase each year since. In March 2027, William Hill expected this number to hit 19.2 million.
The interest in sports betting is undoubtedly because of the public health benefits that come with participating in this leisure activity. However, for those hoping to curb their gambling habits, the best thing to come out of the pandemic is the ability to play online, where they can keep an eye on their finances, instead of going to a physical bookmaker’s shop.
The way we consume sports has changed forever, thanks to the pandemic. While live sports have largely been restricted to those who can afford to pay for premium access in the past, online sportsbooks have opened this activity up to potentially millions of new fans around the world. Furthermore, as places of worship have become virtual, the desire to bet on sports has increased as well.