Sports betting these days seems to evolve and alter all the time. That’s partially because gambling is so tightly linked to technology, and we know that tech is moving at an unbelievable rate.
Every new development seems like it has some bearing on the world of hobbies and entertainment, and this extends as far as the gambling industry, where sports bettors notice platforms providing them with more ways to place their wagers and follow the different games out there.
There are even platforms now where people can delve a little further into what features are popular, and AskGamblers is a place where people can go to check out the different features and compare operators and their offerings.
When sportsbooks moved online
Before looking into the specific features that have been added, it makes sense to consider the fact that sportsbooks and bookmakers have only moved online during the last 30 years or so, and that the world of online gambling is relatively new.
The introduction of online sportsbooks in the late 1990s was the first major leap forward that the industry saw in this period. Before this, placing a bet meant physically visiting a bookmaker or calling one over the phone. It was a clunky process and the options were often limited for bettors – they were nothing like they are today.
When sportsbooks moved online, things changed. Bettors could place wagers from the comfort of their homes. This accessibility brought sports betting to a much wider audience. The variety of sports and markets expanded and bettors had more choices than ever before.
Online sportsbooks also brought transparency to the industry. Odds were displayed openly, and bettors could shop around for the best value, which is very relevant and interesting for a lot of gamblers to consider.
Mobile gambling
Another big revolution came with the rise of smartphones. Mobile betting apps turned sports gambling into a truly portable activity. Bettors no longer needed to be tethered to a desktop computer or a laptop – they could place wagers anytime, anywhere.
This convenience was a game-changer. Watching a game at the bar or sitting in a stadium, these mobile betting apps put the action right at people’s fingertips. Betting from home was even easier, as people could do so while loafing on the couch.
The design of these apps and mobile sites has also played a key role in their popularity. We all know that people value convenience and this is something that they may well find when they look to the sorts of gambling sites that have grown so popular.
Building mobile-optimized sites is something that companies spend a lot of time focusing on and in the world of mobile gambling, it is one of the most important criteria for the whole industry.
In-play betting
In-play betting is one of the most significant innovations in sports betting history. This feature allows wagers to be placed on events as they happen and offers a level of excitement and interactivity that pre-match betting can’t equal. It is also an immense challenge for sports betting sites, as it relies on coverage of all of the major sporting events and having people suspend certain markets and track them in other ways.
Watching a game and betting on it simultaneously creates a different experience. People can react to how they think a game is unfolding and use this to predict the outcome of the next play, for example, or how many points will be scored in a quarter. In-play betting has taken spectators’ involvement in a game to a whole new level.
This feature has changed the way people watch sports. You might think there are only a few markets that sports betting sites can offer this on, but the truth is that there are way more being added all the time, and the coverage is huge and much higher compared to five or 10 years ago.
Streaming
Streaming is not something that all of these sites offer but a lot are trying to give their customers a new way to track games as well as bet on them. Sometimes, people have the option to bet on the sports and watch a live stream all within the same platform.
When sports betting platforms started integrating live streaming, they allowed users to watch games directly on the betting site or app, eliminating the need to juggle multiple screens or devices.
For bettors, this was a huge win. Streaming made it easier to make informed decisions in real time. Watching a team’s momentum shift or seeing a star player limp off the field can influence betting choices immediately.
Streaming also brought smaller leagues and niche sports into the spotlight. Sports that didn’t have mainstream TV deals found new audiences through betting platforms. There are a lot of other sports added to these platforms all the time, including international options. This provides more opportunities for wagers and engagement.
Cash outs
The cash out feature gave bettors more control over their wagers. Instead of waiting for an event to end, the cash out feature means users can choose to settle their bets early, either locking in a profit or cutting their losses.
This feature added yet another strategic element to betting. Bettors can now weigh the risks and rewards in real time, deciding whether to ride out a bet or take the money and run.
Cash out options also introduced a psychological aspect to betting. People may track their in-play bets and see what the cash out option is, adding another layer of intrigue to the experience.
Same-game parlays
We’re also in the age of same-game parlays, which have also come to be called “bet builders” in some areas. The features allow users to combine multiple selections from a single game into one bet. For example, predicting a particular player to score, as well as how many goals (or points) will be in a game, can now be combined.
This customization appeals to bettors who want more control over their bets and the chance to build up different markets to potentially increase the odds, too. These sorts of bets are popular in soccer, where sports betting has a long history and the historic odds have been collected for people to view.
More promos
This deserves to be included, even though it is not necessarily a feature as such. Promos, such as odds boosts, have become a staple of modern sports betting. By offering enhanced odds on specific events or markets, sportsbooks give bettors the chance to win bigger payouts, and in the process, they stand out from their opposition.
These promotions have made a way for betting sites to try and promote their offering compared to somebody else’s. The gambling industry is very popular but there are always battles among the providers to give the best prices and the best options.
Conclusion
Sports betting has become a huge industry, and it is predicted to continue growing. As technology also evolves, it is inevitable that a lot of different ways to bet and follow along with the different sports will develop.
