The idea of betting on sports is probably as old as the games themselves. And while we’ve come a long way since the days of betting on the outcome of a footrace (with no idea how to actually place a bet), the culture surrounding sports has changed significantly.
In today’s world, sports betting is a multi-billion dollar industry. And in the UK, where we talk a lot about soccer, the industry is worth around £2 billion per year.
Often, when someone thinks about sports betting, they think about placing a large wager on a game. After all, that’s what the majority of people do. The problem with this perspective is that it prevents you from understanding how betting odds actually work. So let’s take a look.
The Evolution Of The Odds Structures.
While the odds of getting certain outcomes in sports have always been set by bookmakers, over the last decade or so, the industry has shifted to create more flexible betting odds. And what’s more, the concept of ‘backing’ or ‘against’ an event has become a little less common. Nowadays, if you want to place a wager on a game, you’ll often find yourself offered a range of odds to choose from. Let’s take a look at what’s changed and how these new structures have evolved.
The Rise Of Online Sports Betting
In the past, if you wanted to place a wager on a sports event, you would’ve had to visit a bookmaker’s shop in person. Today, with the internet, people can place bets on sports events from the comfort of their homes. This is highly beneficial to people who want to bet on sports but don’t have the time to physically visit a bookmaker’s shop. Furthermore, with companies like Bettingexpert and PaddyPower, punters can have access to live betting odds from over 60 sports events, 365 days a year.
Adjusting The Odds
Whether you’re placing a bet on a game or event, once you make your selection, the odds will change in accordance with the rules of the game or event you’ve chosen. So, for example, if you bet on a team to win a certain match, the odds of that team winning will change depending on the time of day and location of the game. The most common example of this is with American football – if you bet on the New York Jets to win the Superbowl, the odds of them winning will change once the game starts.
Creating A Culture Of Curiosity
One of the major factors driving the growth of online betting is that it allows people to place bets while still being engaged with the sports. During a match, you’ll often see fans placing bets on the go. This creates a culture of casual betting among football fans, for example, which has gradually led to a rise in the number of people placing bets. In the past, not many people would’ve known how to place a bet or would’ve been interested. But today, with the world of sports expanding exponentially thanks to the internet, anyone can get involved.
In this way, online betting can create a more immersive experience for sports fans, increasing engagement and retention. Furthermore, by keeping up with the ever-changing world of sports, people can stay ahead of the game and continue placing winning wagers.
The Future Of Betting
Ultimately, the growth of online betting is set to continue. Not only do fans have more opportunities to bet on their favourite teams and players, but the industry is also set to evolve.
Thanks to things like Blockchain technology, online betting will increasingly resemble traditional sports betting. For example, using smart contracts, bookmakers can ensure that all transactions are transparent while also avoiding the issue of gambling addiction. In the coming years, we can expect to see more innovation and developments in the world of sports betting as the industry continues to grow.