Most people are aware of online betting – after all, it’s often handled online and it’s one of the most popular sports activities to be involved in. But did you know that you can also be involved in ‘betting in the dark’?
While it may sound like something that is purely for gamblers, ‘in the dark’ betting actually has a long history in the sports world and even beyond. And perhaps surprisingly, it continues to be around even now that technology has made it possible for people to place bets from the safety and convenience of their home. In fact, some companies have even started using technology to make it easier for people to place bets when they are traveling. So let’s take a quick look at what ‘in the dark’ betting is and how it works.
What Is Online Betting?
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already familiar with online betting. Perhaps you’ve even participated in an online betting event yourself – either as a player or as someone running the game. For those unfamiliar, online betting is basically when two or more individuals bet on the outcome of a sporting event, with the betting odds determined by a bookmaker. The game is often run online, so that multiple individuals can participate from the safety and convenience of their home. As with any other form of online gambling, cybercrime and fraud are major concerns, with the latter being especially prevalent thanks to the increased use of mobile devices, which are easier for fraudsters to access and use. In light of this, the world’s governing body for online betting, the International Lotteries Association, offers the following advice regarding online betting:
“The onus is on the athlete, coach or manager to protect their reputation by ensuring that all of their betting is conducted legally and ethically. In the absence of effective leadership, this could potentially put all of their hard-won livelihoods at risk.”
History Of ‘In The Dark’
Betting in the dark actually has a long and interesting history. The concept of placing a wager on a sporting event, without being able to see the outcome, has been around since the 1800s. It was during this time that an English bookmaker named William Hill started offering odds on the outcome of sporting events, providing a convenient and safe way for individuals to wager. Hill and his company, William Hill, are credited with popularizing betting in the dark throughout Europe and the UK. But it wasn’t until the 1950s that stateside sportsbooks began offering the option to their customers.
During this time, bookmakers would actually travel to games to get the odds (often in person at a specific location, like a stadium or a racetrack). But since many people now live in areas where sports aren’t accessible, like certain parts of the US, people turned to online betting in droves. And thanks to the invention of the computer and smartphone, this option has become even more convenient – which is why you’ll often see online betting described as ‘cyber-sports’.
How Does It Work?
To begin playing, the individual simply needs to access an online sportsbook through a registered web browser. After entering an email address and using a security code that is generated by the web browser, the user confirms their identity. From there, the user can either choose to make a bet on a particular sporting event or they can browse a list of upcoming sporting events to choose from. Once a wager is placed, the user will receive a confirmation email from the site containing the results of their bet.
What makes ‘in the dark’ wagering interesting is that there are no physical goods involved in the contract. The bookmaker is simply assigning odds to various outcomes of a game based on the betting market at the time the bet is made. What this means in practice is that, in the event of a fraudster, the bookmaker can’t actually get in trouble since they didn’t physically hand over any money or other valuables. Essentially, the onus is on the individual playing the game to protect themselves from fraud – something that is incredibly difficult to do given the anonymity that mobile device technology provides. In fact, many of the sites that accept bets for events in the dark actually provide tools for the individual placing the bet to help protect themselves from fraud.
Where Can I Play?
While it is possible to play ‘in the dark’ wagering at any online sportsbook, it’s best to choose ones that are specifically designed for the practice. This way, you can be sure that your personal information is secure and that the site is committed to providing a safe and fair environment for players. It’s also a good idea to choose a web-based sportsbook that allows you to make wagers on a host of sporting events – if possible, the more the merrier, right?
How Many Betting Sites Do You Need To Check?
The more sportsbooks you check, the more convenient it becomes for you to keep track of your online wagers. When playing ‘in the dark’, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no need to have more than one account, as in any other form of online gambling. However, you should at least verify your account with a phone call to the bookmaker once a month to ensure that it is active and to make sure that no suspicious activity has taken place. This way, you can rest assured that your personal information is secure and that you are not being scammed by a fraudster.
Given the risks that come with online betting, it’s essential that you take the time to do your research before participating. Verify that the site you are using is certified and that your personal information is secure – if it isn’t, then it’s probably best not to use them. If you’re looking for a safe and convenient way to wager on sports, then ‘in the dark’ is definitely worth looking into.