In the last few years, virtual shopping has become so popular that retailers have had to adjust the way we think about in-store promotions and bonuses. Thanks to the rise of online marketplaces like Taobao and Amazon, we’re accustomed to accessing deals and offers from the comfort of our phones. The same is true for betting—your phone is likely to be your best friend while you’re trying to win some money on the side.
This trend has manifested itself in brick and mortar betting shops. With the rise of eCommerce, brick-and-mortar betting shops have had to adapt and change the way they operate in order to keep up with the times. Fortunately for us, some of the best places to gamble have recognised the value that mobile devices offer and have begun to embrace the way we use our phones while we gamble. As a result, we now have places like 180, which brings us to our next point.
The Rise of Mobile Gambling
While mobile gambling certainly isn’t a new concept, 2019 has seen a huge uptick in mobile gambling apps and websites. According to Statista, as of 2019 there were 144.5 million American adults between the ages of 18 and 64 using mobile phones. Of those, 46.3 million people were actively using smartphone apps to help them gamble. That’s more than one in ten people using mobile phones for something other than surfing the web or sending texts.
Gameloft’s Fantasy Life, for example, has been downloaded more than 500 million times and is one of the best-known fantasy sports games globally. Other popular fantasy sports games include Draftstreet, Fantasy A.C., and Yachtclub.
These kinds of apps and websites make it easy for people to gamble from anywhere. We don’t always have to be at the casino to play — something that can be particularly useful for people with busy schedules. Mobile gambling also makes it easier for people to gamble when they want to. Before the rise of virtual shopping and the convenience of online marketplaces, a person would typically have to go from store to store, trying to find the best deals and offers on whatever they’re looking for. With mobile gambling, all of that is done remotely, and everything can happen whenever the user wants it to.
Why 180?
Most people are probably familiar with the concept of a match-booking agency. If you’re not, let us explain. Back in the day—which, let’s be honest, was a little while ago—you would get a book of matches in the mail, with each match representing a possible bet. You would match up the teams you thought would be the most likely to win against each other, place the bets, and then wait for the results. If you’re lucky, you might even get to watch a little bit of football (soccer to you and me) while you’re waiting.
These days, match-booking agencies have adapted to the modern era and now exist almost entirely online. As a result, places like 180 have had to adapt as well. Back in 2017, when the company first launched, they started off by taking bets on the football matches that were most popular at the time. Naturally, as the World Cup came and went, so did the demand for in-play betting on football. However, as the popularity of football grows worldwide, so does the demand for places like 180 to offer their services.
With the increasing popularity of fantasy sports and betting, it’s important to look at the companies that can help you make the most of your wagers. Luckily, we already did that for you. Check out our guide to the best fantasy sports sites.
Working With A Trusted Source For Your League’s Matches
The vast majority of leagues and gambling websites we’ve recommended in our guide are safe and secure. However, occasionally, we get some bad apples. Thankfully, gambling sites and apps are regularly audited by third parties like McAfee and AV-Test to ensure that everything is above board.
If you’re planning on placing a bet or making a wager on any online league or tournament, be sure to do your research first. It’s not always easy to tell what kinds of malicious software might be present on a site or in a league, so it’s best to be sure. Luckily, with some quick research, you’ll be able to tell if a particular league or website is safe or not. If it’s not, it might be a good idea to look for a different one. Most professional gambling websites and apps are legitimate businesses, but sometimes there are issues that need to be resolved.
Keep Your Gaming And Betting Activities Separate
The same way you wouldn’t want to mix business with pleasure, you don’t want to mix gaming with betting. The last thing you want is to place a wager on a game that you’re already heavily invested in. The odds of you recovering your initial investment are pretty slim, especially if the team you’re rooting for loses.
To avoid any misunderstandings, make sure that your gaming activities and your betting activities are kept separate. You may want to set one up under a different name and login so that you can keep track of what’s happening. Some gamers find it helpful to track their wins and losses on separate spreadsheets. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your bets in a separate book, just in case you do end up losing all of your money. It’s not always easy to determine how much you should bet, especially if you’re a new user or if the site isn’t something you’re used to.
Bets On Football Matches? Try These Alternative Sports
Back in the day, people who liked to gamble mostly had to settle for playing cards or spinning the Wheel of Fortune. Today, however, there are numerous ways for people to gamble, whether it’s taking a shot at the lottery or placing a bet on their favorite sporting event. If you’re looking for a new way to gamble, check out these alternative sports offered at the bookmaker’s you’re already using. They might just offer the perfect fit for you.
For instance, let’s say you’re a big fan of the San Francisco 49ers. You’ve been to a few of their games this year, and you think they’re going to win the Superbowl. According to you and your bookmaker, the odds are in your favor—you have a 98% chance of winning. However, you want to hedge your bet a little bit, so you contact your local bookmaker and place a $100 bet on the 49ers. But, before the end of the season, the Niners lose to the New England Patriots and your $100 bet doesn’t pay off. What now?
In the grand scheme of things, you’re not really that far off. The odds of you winning were 98%, and the 49ers did end up losing. But, if you think about it, it was a pretty amazing season for you and your bookie. From March onward, you had to be one of the few people in America who had a rooting interest in the San Francisco 49ers. You followed their every move, anxiously awaiting their next matchup. When they finally lost, it was a crushing blow. You lost all of your money and were forced to start over again from scratch. But, at least you had some excellent stories to tell your friends.
It’s always a good idea to look for alternative ways to make money. Sometimes the conventional methods won’t work for you. Fortunately, the world of online slots and casinos has provided you with countless opportunities to earn extra money. And for the best part, it’s all up to you. You literally just have to decide what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it. So, if you’re looking for ways to make money, why not try gaming? As long as you’re playing by the rules and using the right resources, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t become financially successful. It’s all about what you want out of life. And what could be more important than that?