So you’ve recently discovered the joys of sports betting, and you’re looking to place your first bet? Congrats! But perhaps you’re a tad confused about how betting on sports works and what are the rules and restrictions surrounding such a fascinating wager? Fear not, gentle reader. We’re here to help with ten facts you need to know about retail sports betting!
TEN FACTS ABOUT RETAL SPORTS BETTING
1. Only States That Have Legalized Sports Betting Can Accept Wagering On Sports
You read that correctly. There are actually laws in place that prohibit sports betting aside from what’s legislated in Nevada. For instance, the Wire Act specifically mentions college sports but makes no mention of professional sports. Furthermore, the Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 also prohibits sports betting outside of Nevada. Despite this, there are still countless ways to bet on sports on the internet. The best option for you will depend on where you live.
2. The Majority Of Major League Baseball Betting Is Now Done Online
In 2016, there were approximately 101 million regular season game bets placed, a 15% rise from 2015, according to the South African-based International Sports Betting Report.
This makes sense when you consider that the majority of people now have access to the internet and therefore have the ability to place bets online. Additionally, traditional bookmakers and daily fantasy football platforms have begun to offer MLB sports betting, further extending the opportunity for casual fans and pros alike. Still, it would be wise to do some research into any online sportsbooks or casinos before making a deposit. You don’t want to end up at a scammed sportsbook.
3. The Evolution Of Online Betting
As previously mentioned, the majority of people now have access to the internet and can therefore place sports bets online. Furthermore, the evolution of online betting has led to innovation and convenience for bettors. Below, we’ll discuss three such innovations that have changed the game.
1. Mobile Sports Betting
The first major change was the evolution of mobile betting. It wasn’t that long ago that only people with internet access could place bets. However, with the invention of smartphones and mobile applications, it’s now possible to place bets on the go. This has resulted in a monumental shift in the sports betting landscape.
Consider that in 2016, there were 2.87 billion smartphone users around the world, according to the International Data Corporation. That’s a lot of potential bettors who can now place bets with the push of a button. Furthermore, the convenience of mobile betting has allowed for innovation in other ways as well.
2. Live Betting
The second major change is live betting. For those who love to bet on sporting events as they’re happening, the internet has brought with it the ability to place bets while viewing the game. Although this might sound like an easy feat – simply log onto a site with internet access and watch the game – the process is a little more involved than that. For starters, you’ll have to find a way to access the internet when the live betting window is open. Fortunately, you can do this from your phone in most cases. If not, you can access a VPN which will route your traffic through another country’s servers to ensure you’re always browsing the internet from an unblocked IP address.
To place a bet while watching the game, you’ll need to find a bookmaker that allows for live betting. Some of the more popular ones with this feature are bet365, betway, and matchbook. With these sites, you’ll simply need to confirm your email address and then make a deposit. From there, you can place your bets on the go. Of course, this is only possible if your chosen bookmaker offers this exciting feature.
3. Social Media And Sports
Last but not least, we have social media and sports. As previously mentioned, the majority of people now have access to the internet and can therefore place sports bets online. This has resulted in a massive change to how sports are covered and how fans interact with their favourite teams and athletes. In particular, social media has brought with it a whole new world of opportunities for sports journalists and fans alike. For instance, after José Fernández’s final out, the Boston Red Sox Twitter account tweeted out a special offer for BettingOnline. In a nutshell, the account tweeted, “Hey guys, BettingOnline is giving away a laptop to the player who predicts Nelson Cruz’s next hit!”
To be completely accurate, the tweet should’ve read, “Hey guys, BettingOnline is giving away a laptop to the player who predicts the Red Sox will lose the next two games!” Luckily for the Sox fan, Twitter approved the giveaway and Cruz agreed to take one. The next day, the Red Sox won both games handily, meaning the lucky fan would’ve returned home with a brand new laptop.
What’s fascinating about this scenario is how social media has made sports more accessible to those who weren’t exactly born into a world of internet surfing. Furthermore, the interaction and coverage opportunities afforded by social media allow for a level of engagement and interaction between fans and athletes that simply wasn’t possible before the dawn of a digital age.
In the end, betting on sports is a great way to pass time and perhaps make a little money. However, since only certain states permit it, it’s advisable to do some research into which states and counties you can and can’t place bets in. Fortunately, the internet makes this research super easy. With the right VPN, you can ensure you’re always gambling in an unblocked state and avoid getting scammed by any bookmakers or shady websites. Additionally, making a deposit and confirming an email address at a reputable sportsbook is the best way to ensure you’re not sending your money to a scammer. Last but not least, stay informed about state regulations and the many ways online gambling can be used for legitimate purposes. Then again, online gambling itself is a great way to make sure you stay within the rules and stay safe!