If you are a gamer, you should consider the possibility of branching out a bit and trying similar activities. Gaming involves a lot of important cognitive skills, after all, and you could conceivably use these to your advantage in other areas.
Have you ever considered online sports betting? Particularly if you also have an interest in particular sports, you should consider giving it a try. You may be surprised at how many of your gaming skills will carry over. To familiarize yourself with what is out there, you can check out UK bookmaker apps, which will give you a sense of who is online and what they have to offer.
Not Convinced?
If you’re still not sure whether online sports betting could be for you, let’s take a closer look at the facts. We will first take a look at what goes into online gaming, and then see how it compares to the skills used in sports betting. Ultimately, the similarities will become clear.
What Goes Into Online Gaming?
While the main difference – that gaming is (usually) done for entertainment/recreational purposes, rather than financial ones – is clear, you will see that this is secondary to what goes into these two pastimes. Gaming has distinct psychological and sociological characteristics not dissimilar to those of betting. Not to mention the fact that people are starting to play games for money.
The following characteristics tend to define online gaming:
- Goals of playing: to have fun and unwind, develop strategic skills, beat competitors, and of course to win. Many games can be very addictive, so gamers spend long hours honing their skills, determining strategies, figuring out the psychologies of their competitors, etc.
- The role of finances. Sometimes gaming does involve the use of fees or putting money down at the beginning. Players might also purchase little “extras” in the forms of cosmetics, upgrades, items purchased from level to level, etc. And – as mentioned above – playing for money is becoming more and more common in the gaming world.
- Regulations. While not as heavily regulated as betting, governments are starting to pay more attention to gaming and its potential consequences. Age limits are becoming more common, and regulators are enforcing intellectual property violations more seriously.
Sports Betting
The online betting industry includes real-life sports, virtual, esports, and other activities based upon the idea of wagering money for potential profit.
Online betting is characterized by the following features:
- Goals of playing. The goal of taking part in online betting is clear: to make money. Although the process and emotions involved are very similar to those of gaming. Participants experience an adrenaline rush every time they bet, and the process almost invariably keeps them coming back for more. It is also a way for them to escape reality.
- The role of finances. People who participate in betting put money down at the beginning and hope to make a profit at the end. This is similar to old-style arcade games, and is sometimes the case with modern gaming. Participants can also make additional purchases as they go along.
- Regulations. Governments are starting to regulate the industry much more heavily. Regulators monitor who takes part, how sites are run, the way payments and winnings are transacted, and also other aspects of the industry.
Increasing Convergence Of The Two
Beyond the obvious similarities between these two activities, there have been several instances recently of specific overlaps between them. The existence of loot boxes in gaming, for example, is clearly taken from gambling. Although this presents potential legal issues in some cases, it is on the rise as gaming companies see it as a way to make money.
Conversely, there have been gaming elements incorporated into betting, with the physical appearance of sports betting sites increasingly resembling that of games. In short, gaming and gambling are developing a symbiotic relationship, where each takes elements from the other in a way that helps both of them grow.
Try Your Gaming Tactics On Your Favorite Sport
Considering all of this, there is no reason why you shouldn’t give online sports betting a try. Think about the tactics that you use in gaming, and how you could apply them to making a winning bet. You may just find yourself on the road to a profitable new hobby!