Sports are an integral part of human culture, society, and history. For as long as we’ve been around, people have been participating in different athletic competitions. Among the first sports to appear were combat sports. However, even some of the games that we still play today have a longer history than many might think.
Of course, for as long as sports have been around, we’ve been betting on them. But, in the 21st century, sports betting is much more popular, and more widely accepted than ever. The question some may have is why? That very question has fascinated many, and in this article, we are going to approach it from multiple angles. So, let us take a look at why people love betting on sports.
Online Sportsbooks Surely Contribute
Sports betting is not a new concept. However, it certainly has changed immensely in the 21st century. In part, we have Novibet, and similar sites, to thank for this shift. Online sports betting has completely changed how sports gamblers engage with the hobby. In the first place, it is now possible to place a wager no matter what you are doing, or where you are.
This is because most sports betting sites have adapted to the era of smartphones. Research shows that over 60% of all online traffic comes from mobile devices. In an attempt to stay at the forefront, online bookies have done their best to create mobile-compatible website. Having access to odds is surely one of the reasons that people are betting much more today than ever before.
Global Acceptance Like Never Before
Another big reason is that the views on sports gambling have largely changed worldwide. During the Medieval era, and even some time after, governments would go as far as to ban certain sports, all in an effort to ensure that no form of gambling occurs. Today, that sort of behavior seems unthinkable. Governments have embraced, not just sports betting, but online sports betting.
The legalization of online casinos and bookmakers has greatly contributed to people’s acceptance of it. Some have expressed fear that legalizing these sites might lead to an increase in problem gambling. However, that does not seem to be the case. In fact, research shows that online sports betting no more contributes to compulsive wagers, than the land-based counterpart.
Increased Interest in Sports in General
Finally, we would be remiss if we did not bring up the fact that there is an increasing interest in sports in general. Football became a hit in the Victorian era, but it has never received the sort of global attention that it does today. There are over 3 billion people watching, playing, and betting on the numerous competitions related to the sport.
In part, of course, we have the internet to thank for this. Digital technology has brought us closer together, but it has also opened different avenues to engage with various fandoms. Football is no exception, nor is any other sport for that matter. Fans today can watch football whether they are on the go, or at home, which greatly increases the game’s popularity.