Those interested in sports have probably known about betting for a while. The same goes for gambling fanatics, but what has happened in the betting world lately? Numbers show that betting reached an all-time high in 2021, and it is predicted to increase further this year.
About sports betting
In the U.S alone, it was wagered for more than $52.7 billion last year. This means that the legalized sports betting market has doubled in 2021, and more people than ever are turning to betting sites for quick and easy entertainment. Point Spreads Betting and lives to bet are some of what is adding to this extreme growth in the market.
More betting platforms are joining in, and bettors today have a large option when it comes to choosing a website to bet on. Furthermore, the sites are becoming smarter and more developed, offering betting at any time, place, and on almost any sport. Compelling ads and welcome offers are also driving sports fans and others to the betting sites, and people are betting largely before and during the huge sports events.
Getting back on the field
A reason for the huge increase in bettors, and the money wagered, could very much be due to the end of the pandemic. The world is reopening, and sports events can finally be held like they used to be. During the year 2020, almost any social event happening in the sports scene was either cancelled, postponed, or executed in a less crowded manner. One example is the EURO 2020, the professional men’s soccer league in Europe hosted by FIFA. This was originally set to happen, as the name suggests, in 2020, but was pushed and was played in the summer of 2021 instead.
The Super Bowl comes back
During the 2020 Super Bowl, “only” 22,000 people were allowed to watch at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The stadium originally holds 65.890 people, and the restrictions as the Kansas City Chiefs won over the San Francisco 49ers. The Super Bowl is usually the most betted-on sports event in the world, and this came to show this year. In the 2022 Super Bowl where the Bengals and the Rams competed for victory, it was wagered an estimated $8 billion. In other words, a great shift from the two last years.
New and improved marketing
Another reason why online sports betting is becoming more popular is the increase in marketing budgets. The biggest sportsbooks understand the importance of attracting these new and eager bettors, and it is all about becoming the obvious choice for all. This is done through ads, social media, news, and more. Many countries around the world are also opening up for a less strict marketing law, where ads on gambling are more accepted than they used to be back in time.
Some of what is marketed to the full extent are the convenience of betting, and how easy it is to get started. One can locate a sportsbook and create a betting profile within minutes. Before you know it, you can wager on the next football match or any other sport that you please. This fits the online target audience, as our attention span is getting narrower, and we are attracted to quick fixes and easy solutions.
The betting industry is booming, and it is showing! More American states and countries worldwide are beginning to legalize it, and betting opportunities are growing. We are seeing impressive numbers from last year, and everything indicates that the success will continue.