Are we really living in the golden age of sports betting? It’s certainly easy to feel that way since the concept is becoming more and more accessible to the public. Thanks to the proliferation of casinos and online betting websites, sports betting is no longer a secret niche; in fact, it’s something that’s just as readily available (if not more so) to the man on the street as it is to the high roller.
But while the public accessibility of sports betting is definitely a good thing, it’s also important to understand that not all forms of sports betting are created equal. Some are far more expensive to wager on than others, and it’s important to remember the difference. Here, we’re going to take a quick look at how often the public is permitted to participate in various types of sports betting, why some games are more expensive than others, and what exactly is fantasy sports betting.
How Often Is the Public Right in Sports Betting?
Probably the most recognizable symbol of the golden age of sports betting is the legalization and deregulation of sports betting in the United States in May 2018. The Professional & Pro-Am Sportsbook is just one of the many online sportsbooks that opened their doors to U.S. residents following the lifting of sports betting restrictions in the country.
Prior to the lifting of the federal restrictions, people in the U.S. were permitted to engage in sports betting – as long as they were employed by an organization that was registered with the federal government – but they could only use certain websites to do so. The ability to place bets on any sports event, regardless of where it is being played, is something that many people regard as the essence of online betting. The lifting of the restrictions in practice meant that any citizen could walk into any casino or online sportsbook and bet on any game – with odds that were set by the casino or sportsbook itself.
The lifting of the restrictions in the U.S. made betting on sports much more accessible to the general public. But just because the public is now able to engage in sports betting, it doesn’t mean that all bets are created equal. There are some lines of play that are more profitable for the bookmakers than others, and it’s important to know the difference. Here are a few of them.
NHL Hockey
To begin with, we have the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL is the oldest professional sports league in the world and is one of the most popular sports among American men and women alike. It’s also one of the most expensive sports to bet on, mainly because there are only six days of play in the NHL during the regular season (more than 80 games per team).
But even if you’re not into hockey, you should probably know what a hell of an investment you’re making by placing a wager on it. The average NHL rating is about 2.5, which makes it one of the more popular games for people looking to place a wager. According to statistics, the majority of the bets placed on the NHL are made by recreational gamblers who are looking to place a quick wager on a game they’re not very familiar with. However, as with any other game, if you have enough knowledge about the NHL and what is considered a winning line, you can become very profitable if you’re a skilled investor. The trick is finding the right balance between knowing what you’re doing and keeping an open mind about what could happen – or rather, what will happen if you make the wrong judgment call.
NBA
The second most popular sport in the United States, and quite possibly the most popular professional sport in the country, is the National Basketball Association (NBA). Like the NHL, the NBA is also a team sport and is played on a court (the size of which varies by the venue, but it’s generally around 95 feet by 60 feet). The NBA season runs from training camp in the summer to the postseason in the late winter, lasting about a month. Like the NHL, the NBA is also one of the more popular sports among recreational sports bettors, mainly because the odds are usually good and it’s a simple form of entertainment.
The NBA odds are generally good because the league is relatively balanced between the teams, and despite occasional off-year scandals, it tends to be a league of respect, with star players rarely if ever getting into trouble with the law. It would be a mistake to think that just because a game has good odds, it’s a sure thing that you’ll win. Just like any other sport, the NBA is a game that you really need to be aware of when placing a wager, simply because there are so many different scenarios that could play out.
Golf
The game of golf is often considered the ultimate test of skill, speed, and strategy. It’s also one of the most popular sports among affluent white men. But even if you’re not into golf, it’s important to know what an investment you’re making if you bet on it. Like the other sports we’ve looked at so far, the odds in golf are usually good, and you’ll usually win if you know how to pick your shots and how the course plays as a whole. It’s also important to know that with golf, it’s all about the bettor’s experience rather than pure chance. The more you know, the better – and that applies to both the game and the betting.
American Football
Last but not least, we have American football. The American football season runs from September through October and is played on a field (typically larger than the one used for the game of rugby, which is itself a variation of American football). It is a sport that is extremely popular in the United States where it is played professionally and recreationally alike. There are only 12 regular season games in the American football season, meaning that the odds are usually good and it’s a game that’s easy to keep an eye on. Even if you’re not a huge fan of American football, it’s important to know what you’re getting into if you bet on it.
The above mentioned sports represent the four major professional sports leagues in North America. It should come as no surprise that the majority of the bets placed on these sports are from recreational bettors who are looking for something easy and cheap to wager on. What is surprising, however, is that while the majority of the bets are placed on these four sports, there is actually some diversity in the types of games bet on. The other major league, the Major League Soccer, for example, is largely ignored when it comes to sports betting. Even within the NFL, which is the biggest of the big four in North America when it comes to fan involvement and TV coverage, fans are more inclined to wager on the other three sports listed above rather than the pro soccer game.
The reason behind this is that while the NFL, NBA, and NHL are popular because of their entertainment value, the skill involved in soccer makes it a game that is more suitable for betting. For example, the skill involved in choosing a player on the basis of their position on the field rather than just their name is something that cannot be replicated by a computer or smartphone app.
The above is a brief guide to the most popular sports in North America and how often the public is permitted to engage in each type of wager. Know the odds, know the rules, and know the score – and you’ll be able to make the right choice for your needs when setting up your sports betting account.