When you think about it, the phrase ‘sportsbook’ probably isn’t the first that springs to mind when you think about betting. Not when you consider the vast majority of people who bet do so from a physical location, sitting in front of a TV screen and placing a wager on the outcome of a sporting event.
However, times have changed. Thanks to the growth of online betting, the world of betting has been rocked to its very core. Gone are the days of sticking to your local bookmaker; today, avid sports bettors can place wagers from the convenience of their laptop or mobile phone. In light of this, it’s time for traditional bookmakers to embrace the future and evolve with the times.
Here, we’ll explore the underlying causes of this trend and how bookmakers can adapt to thrive in an online world.
The Growth Of Online Betting
It’s been predicted that in 2022, more people will bet from the comfort of their home than ever before. According to futurist firm DocuSign, online betting platforms saw a 33% increase in average session lengths last year alone. And, since the lockdown began, sports betting app Unibet reports that its users have significantly increased the amount of money they’re wagering. In fact, throughout the year, Unibet’s users have placed 8.9 billion pounds of bets – approximately $13 billion at current rates – with 40% of those bets being placed since March.
The rise of online betting has been attributed to several factors. Firstly, the convenience. With a bookmaker you’re required to make a physical journey to place a bet, which depending on the venue and time of day, can be an arduous process. Especially for those who have limited mobility or who live in remote areas. Thanks to the convenience of online betting, even the most unlikely of bettors can now place a wager.
The second factor is accessibility. Thanks to the rise of mobile and online gambling, betting has never been easier. If you have a spare 10 minutes, you can whip up a quick bet on the tennis match you’re watching, or place a clever bet based on the flow of the ball in a football match. Thanks to the prevalence of mobile phones and laptops, even those who are physically unable to venture to a bookmaker can still place a wager.
The final factor is speed. Thanks to the ever-increasing speeds of modern mobile networks and Wi-Fi, sports betting apps such as Unibet and DraftKings offer exceptionally quick payouts. That is, provided you meet the modest minimum thresholds for depositing and withdrawing money online.
The Evolving Sportsbook
While it’s wonderful that more people are engaging with sports betting, it’s also important to remember that not all online sportsbooks are created equal. Some are extremely safe and fair, while others are downright shady. Ideally, you want to choose an online sportsbook that is licensed and regulated by a governing body, such as the UK Gambling Commission.
It’s of paramount importance to research the various facets of a sportsbook before making a choice. Things like transaction rates and betting limits will vary from website to website, but you can expect to find information about these topics easily enough. If you’re not sure where to start, simply remember that a good place to start is the Malta Based Bookmakers Group, which is an independent self-regulatory body that ensures all member bookmakers adhere to strict codes of conduct. The MBBG is also overseen by the UK Gambling Commission, which means all profits from bookmaking are subjected to tough new taxes. The combination of these factors gives gambles some confidence that their money is being honestly handled.
Why Do More People Now Bet On Conner?
If you’re reading this, you probably already know who Conner is. If you don’t, he is the American football player who is regarded as one of the greatest comeback stories of all time. In 2008, Conner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Not only is this a chronic disease that affects the CNS, but it also puts a considerable burden on the person suffering from it. Conner spent most of the next five years in and out of hospital, with multiple sclerosis-related complications including pneumonia, shingles, and chronic pain. He also underwent four surgeries to remove bone spurs from his football-playing legs.
During this time, Conner became a firm favourite of the British public. His incredible journey, both on and off the field, inspired a generation of football fans and raised funds for the MS Society.
Thanks to the diligent work of Conner’s family, friends, and neurologist, he was eventually given the all-clear. He then opted to continue playing football, partly to give back to the community that had given him so much but also because he still had so much to give. Conner signed for English club, Newcastle United, in 2019 and will play a key role in helping the club overcome its financial problems.
Signs Of Progress
Since the return of sports betting, the online world of sports has changed. Thanks to the likes of Unibet and DraftKings, which operate in the UK in an entirely legal and regulated manner, the appetite for wagering has increased. This rise is illustrated by the changing of betting odds. When Conner first returned to the sports scene in 2019, the odds of him scoring a first-half touchdown were 12/1 (12 to 1). By the time he played his last game in the NFL, those odds had increased to 151/1 (15.1 to 1). In other words, bettors were willing to lay 12/1 that Conner would score a touchdown in the first half of his games. In the last game of his NFL career, however, the odds fell back to 150/1 (15 to 1). This was likely because bettors had enough experience of Conner to know he’d probably be out of action for the majority of the second half.
More and more people are also choosing to engage with all sorts of sports, not just football. The market for esports betting was worth £6.9 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach £17.7 billion by 2027. In the world of MMA, or mixed martial arts, betting is also becoming more popular. During UFC 229, the highest-grossing pay-per-view event of all time, over £6.4 million was bet on the fights alone. And, in the Ultimate Fighter tournament, where the winner gets an opportunity to take on the UFC champion, the average tournament purse is now over £200,000. In other words, the market for sports betting is growing and evolving, just like the sport itself.
The Next Trend?
Since the beginning of time, humans have enjoyed flocking to places where their beloved sports are played. From the Super Bowl to the NBA Finals, from World Cups to Ryder Cups, fans will congregate in large numbers to witness their beloved sports teams play. It’s a natural human tendency and one that will undoubtedly continue.
While live sport remains the gold standard for sporting events, the world of esports and the rise of mobile phone and online gambling, has changed the way we as sports fans will experience live sport in the future. Thanks to the likes of Unibet and DraftKings, as well as the many other reputable online sportsbooks, we’ll be able to place bets on the go, from the comforts of home. This is a trend that should be embraced, not shunned. At the very least, sports fans should be wary of betting shops that don’t offer an online presence. Not when competition is so easy to find online.