The last year has seen some incredible growth in the sports betting world, as more and more people are looking for ways to engage in wagering. According to a report by Grand View Research, the worldwide market value of sports betting increased by 11% year-over-year in 2018 to reach $16.9 billion, and is projected to hit $26.4 billion by the end of 2022.
With the wide array of sports and sports leagues that are available for betting, there is bound to be something that interest you. No matter if you’re a huge football fan or you enjoy following the NBA, there is plenty to engage in wagering on. Below, you’ll discover four ways that the world of sports betting can benefit you.
Keeps You Active
One of the most appealing things about sports betting is that it allows you to stay active. You don’t need to spend hours in front of the TV watching football, as you can do that and still bet on the sidelines. Plus, there’s nothing like getting a decent seat at a sporting event and placing a few wagers to make the experience that little bit more exciting.
A study from Oxford University found that people who took up sports betting as a hobby participated in 11% more moderate-intensity physical activities, such as going for walks and hikes, than those who didn’t. People also engaged in 7% more intense physical activities, such as running and football, simply because they were able to do so while enjoying betting on their favorite sports teams. The study also found that a majority of adults (55%) who took up sports betting as a hobby felt that it helped improve their quality of life, while 40% of surveyed individuals felt that it made them more socially active.
Brings Friends Together
One of the major pleasures that comes with watching sports is meeting new people and making friends. The world of sports betting allows you to do just that, as you can follow numerous leagues and follow games, which means that you’ll be constantly meeting new people. If you’re looking for a way to make friends or just want to meet new people, sports betting is a great way to go.
A study from the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort found that children who engaged in sports activities at the age of 14 were much more likely to have a higher quality of social relationships, particularly with friends, as adults, than those who didn’t participate in sports early on. The researchers also stated that children who participated in more sports activities had a greater chance of being physically active as adults, which in turn led to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. So, by keeping your body active and engaging in sports activities, you not only improve your quality of life, you could also potentially reduce your risk of serious health problems.
Allows You To Travel
One of the major appeals of sports betting is that it allows you to travel. Depending on where you are located, you may be able to access the leagues, teams, and games that you want to follow, whether it’s from your couch or from the comfort of your home. The ability to travel and follow your favorite sports teams and games, wherever you are, is one of the major draws of sports betting.
Being stationed abroad can also pose some challenges for an avid sports fan. For instance, unless you have Internet access at your fingertips, you may not be able to follow your favorite teams or get the results that you want. But with the right VPN, you can prevent service shutdowns and ensure that your data stays secure while accessing leagues, teams, and games that you want to follow from virtually anywhere in the world.
Enhances Your Leisure Time
Another major appeal of taking up sports betting is that it provides you with additional leisure time. You can read all the in-depth reviews and analysis of your favorite sports teams and games, whether they’re playing in the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB. You can also follow all the relevant news stories and analysis pieces, keeping you up to date on everything that’s happening with your favorite teams and players. Sports betting allows you to take your hobby or pastime and become an expert in the field, leading to an increase in your leisure time.
Creates An Interest In Science
One of the fastest-growing groups of people taking up sports betting are those who are interested in science. It seems that many people are genuinely fascinated by the inner workings of sport, from the way that the physics of the sport impact the outcomes to how much skill is required to predict those outcomes. If you’re interested in science and athletics, you may enjoy taking up sports betting, as you can use your knowledge to better understand the game and make better bets.
If you’re looking for a way to combine your interest in science and sport, you could pursue a career in sports analytics, where you’ll use various statistics and data to evaluate the performance of professional sports teams and athletes. This is a fast-growing field that offers exciting opportunities for those with a genuine love for numbers and an interest in sports.