In 2018, there is no one-stop-shop for sports betting information. We cover all the major sports, but even then there are so many different books and websites that it can be hard to keep up with all the odds and prop bets. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and curated this list of 2018 sports betting trends, which is hopefully going to save you some time and help you make better-informed wagers. Let’s dive in.
Indian Gaming
The biggest trend to emerge in 2018 is the legalization of sports betting in various forms in a number of U.S. states. Most notably, this includes the nation’s largest market, California. If you are an avid bettor or simply enjoy a good bet, then you’ll want to pay close attention to what happens in California as a result of this new policy. It’s already opened the doors for numerous online casinos to operate in the state, and for existing off-resorts, such as the Resorts World Casino in downtown Los Angeles, to expand their reach to a wider audience.
Aside from California, Massachusetts became the first state in the country to legalize sports betting and formed a commission to oversee the industry. Other states that have legalized sports betting in some form include Montana, West Virginia, and Vermont. Several other states have considered legislation but have not yet passed it, including Florida, where the issue is highly contested. Finally, four states (Maine, Maryland, Nevada and New York) have total sports gambling bans in place, preventing individuals from betting on any sporting events within their borders, regardless of whether it’s legal or not in other states.
This trend is likely to continue in the near future, as more and more states consider either decriminalizing or legalizing sports gambling. If you’re looking to get in on the action, then be sure to check out the various legal options available online, as many casinos now provide excellent betting experiences, particularly for sports fans.
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts is a category that covers a variety of sports that feature various forms of martial arts, such as karate, jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts. While not always entertaining to watch, MMA is gaining in popularity, particularly among the more seasoned bettors. Mixed martial arts is included in the 2018 World Series of Poker, which means that more people are turning to online poker sites to place their wagers. If you’re looking for an alternative to watching the major sports, mixed martial arts is a great option. There are numerous kickboxing and mixed martial arts events that you can follow and place bets on, particularly if you live in Europe or Asia. Thanks to increased popularity and technology, mixed martial arts betting is easy to do from the comforts of your home.
MLB Betting
Major League Baseball is a premier American sport, traditionally played during the summer months. However, with the temperatures rising and the days getting longer, many MLB fans are turning to online betting to give them a sport to follow in the winter. Similarly, thanks to the World Series of Poker becoming available in the winter, many poker fans are looking to wager on the popular competition. As a result, in 2018 we’re seeing more people betting on Major League Baseball than ever before.
Oddly, despite the fact that it is one of the most popular sports to bet on, Major League Baseball has remained relatively stagnant when it comes to new developments and trends, especially when compared to other sports. That could change in the near future, however, with teams having adopted betting agencies and legal sportsbooks establishing odds and prop bets. It would be a great fit if MLB adopted similar policies, allowing fans to place wagers from the comfort of their couches.
Cycling
Though it may not seem like it due to the summer season, cycling is actually one of the most popular winter sports. This year, with more people than ever before being driven to work out with their personal trainers and take up yoga, cycling is becoming an appealing option for those who want to get in shape. Similarly, professional cyclists are realizing the importance of staying hydrated and eating well during the offseason, which is leading to more people taking up cycling as a form of exercise and entertainment. If you live in Europe, you may have the option of betting on cycling tournaments throughout the year. In the U.S., however, it’s mainly an offseason sport, so you’ll have to take that into consideration when placing your wagers.
Stargazing
For those who enjoy a good nightsky gazing, 2018 is the year to take up the hobby with plenty of interesting sights to look at. In April this year, the Hubble telescope detected what is believed to be a previously undetected planet located beyond Pluto. Though it’s not certain that the object is indeed a planet, it has been given the nickname of, “The Goblin Planet,” due to its elongated and sinuous orbit around the Sun. In October 2017, astronomers using the Hubble telescope detected a mysterious object moving through the depths of space and towards Earth. Dubbed, “THE WHITE DWARF”, it is the smallest object yet found to be circling our planet and is estimated to be around the size of a small moon. In September 2018, NASA announced that they detected water ice on the surface of the red planet, Mars.
These discoveries have certainly piqued people’s interest in astronomy and space, particularly since they’re able to indulge in this hobby without leaving the comfort of their homes. For those who want to bet on these amazing scientific discoveries, there are numerous sites that now allow for such action. Be sure to check out, “Betting on the Biggest Scientific Discoveries,” a listing of all the major space discoveries and their associated betting markets. You’ll find loads of exciting things to bet on, such as the possible discovery of extraterrestrial life and whether or not NASA is actually going to send people to Mars. Just remember to do your homework first and make sure that betting on astronomical discoveries is legal in your state.
Travel
Travel is another incredibly popular sport with a lot of variation. In some sports, such as tennis, you’ll see players from all over the world come together to compete. Others, such as car racing, feature local teams competing against one another. Still others, such as cricket, have teams from all over the world play against one another. The point is that there’s always someone nearby, whether it’s a professional team or an international squad, to enable you to bet on whenever you want. You can also travel to distant lands and place bets on the teams that play there. In 2018, with more people than ever before traveling the world and sharing their experiences with friends online, traveling to places such as Australia, where the sport is called “Aussie Rules,” and placing bets on the local teams is something that more and more people are doing. Be sure to check out all the options available when it comes to placing your travel bets, whether it’s a foreign team you’re supporting or a domestic rival.
Thanks to increased connectivity and the World Wide Web, allowing anyone, anywhere to access information, we’re seeing a big increase in the number of individuals who are turning to the Internet to satisfy their sports appetite. Whether you want to bet on baseball, cycling, or anything in between, the options are endless and the opportunities are there for you to get involved.