The Pros and Cons of Online Sports Betting

The global growth and development of the online sports betting industry has been exponential in recent years. At the heart of this boom in popularity has been convenience, with more and more people living a connected lifestyle and being able to bet easily online has very much been part of that.

Sports betting is a billion-dollar industry, with huge sportsbook conglomerates all jostling for position in a congested marketplace and that popularity inevitably leads to potential pitfalls within the industry too.

One of the key draws for UK bookmakers however within the world of online sports betting is consumption, as each bookmaker looks to bring in new and existing customers to bolster their numbers within their sportsbook operation. Countries from all over the world are developing their online sports betting platforms and the sign up offers, as all sportsbooks look to entice as many bets placed as possible.

This growth and development is generally all positive for the sports betting fraternity but as with any industry, there are pros and cons to online sports betting, which all levels of punters should be mindful of.

Pros of Online Sports Betting 

Connectivity

Long gone are the days of having to visit an in-person bookmaker to place a bet and then having to wait and see if the chosen stake comes good. The online sports betting realm has given punters the ultimate level of connectivity when it comes to sports betting, enabling each and every punter to place bets in the moment, almost as the action happens and the instantaneous nature of online sports betting, has presented the industry to a whole new generation of punters.

Live Betting

In a similar vein, being able to be on anything as it happens live, naturally provides an additional level of investment and excitement for punters. The global sporting calendar is now packed to the rafters and with every online sportsbook working hard to provide the most varied and accessible betting opportunities for their customers, the live betting industry is booming. Whether it be which player will score next in a football match or the outcome of the next point in a game of tennis, live betting is a huge facet of every bookmaker’s offering, and it is something that has become part of the fabric of online sports betting.

Promotional Activity

At the core of the matter for sportsbooks is the number of players they have betting with them, as once they are signed up as customers, then they will (in theory) spend money with said bookmaker. In order to incentivise players to join a particular bookmaker, all of the biggest sportsbooks on the planet work hard to deliver enticing promotional activity packages. From free bet tokens through to risk-free first bets, every major sportsbook is constantly looking to crack the code when it comes to promotional activity, and it is something all levels of punter can look to utilise to their advantage. 

Cons of Online Sports Betting

Security

The online world has developed exponentially across a range of industries in recent years and with that has come some dangerous pitfalls. Security is something all of the biggest bookmakers and sportsbooks are aiming to clamp down on in the 21st century but there is always a risk associated with sharing personal data online. 

All of the biggest and best online bookmakers in the world have to be registered and licensed with the relevant Gambling Commission for their country, meaning their data security levels are of the appropriate standard but there is always a risk for punters when it comes to sharing their financial details through online platforms.

Addiction

Whilst a huge percentage of the rhetoric surrounding the pros of sports betting online revolves around accessibility and connectivity, such access to sports betting can be dangerous for certain people. Being able to stake thousands of dollars at the touch of a couple of buttons can be thrilling but it can also be devastating if a punter becomes addicted to online sports betting.

The major players in the world of online sports gambling and betting are working hard to promote the conversation around gambling addiction and help can be found (just remember about Responsible Gambling requirement in the UK, for instance), but still it is necessary to always regard this scenario as possible and to take measures for it to remain safely closed.