Whilst the UK and wider Europe may have its ups and downs, in the world of international sport, there’s one thing they beat the rest of the world at every time, their renowned sports betting market.
Britain has been the home of sports betting for years now, permitting some of the most liberal gaming laws in the developed world that have even influenced regulation in the US. UK punters can take advantage of thousands of unique offers at hundreds of reputable sports betting providers and the options for choosing your bookmaker are seemingly endless, with waves of new online bookies emerging each year.
With its centuries old origins, ranging from the horse racing habits of the landed gentry, to dingy underground gambling dens in less salubrious corners of the country, sports betting has now matured to become a legitimate and regulated hobby in which millions of Brits count themselves as fans.
With all this sports betting heritage, a unique culture has arisen in Britain around the weekend’s betting success, and fans are always keen to welcome new and interested bettors into the inclusive and fun world of sports betting.
Here’s how sports betting became a lifestyle, one that could soon be embraced far more lovingly in the States.
How did we get here?
As we’ve mentioned, sports betting has a long and storied history in Britain, and often, punters treaded the rather thin line between legality and illegality. However, sports betting was officially licensed by the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, and more recently updated via the Gambling Act 2005, both of which have worked in tandem to help make sports betting a legitimate hobby in the UK.
Of course, whilst many still prefer to toddle down to their high street bookie and write their bet down with one of those impossibly small blue pens, most serious sports bettors now utilise the rapidly exploding world of online sports betting. The online sports betting market in the UK alone is worth over 650 million and continues to soar.
It’s clear then that us Brits have always had a strong appetite for sports betting.
What’s on offer?
Given the multitude of sports which are both played and watched in the UK, almost any sport you can think of will have some representation in the world of sports betting.
Football (or Soccer) leads the pack, as England’s national game, but other popular sports aren’t far behind. Rugby, tennis, cricket, golf and even ice hockey can usually be found on the pages of your favourite online bookie, and all represent unique and creative ways to bet.
Other more niche sports are also finding popularity with bettors. This includes the highly popular Esports market, which broadens its appeal year after year, and offers bet fans similar ways to pick a punt to traditional sports, including match betting and accumulators.
The landscape today
If you’ve spent any length of time in Britain, you’ll have probably noticed just how strongly ingrained the sports betting culture is over there and how it really is lifestyle. From the numerous sponsorship deals companies have with top tier football teams, to the creative and engaging adverts for sports betting featured on TV and other media, it’s hard to miss just how popular sports betting is in this country.
For some, this is part and parcel of living in a free and liberal world, however others also possess understandable concerns about the effects of sports betting influence in modern culture. However, given just how long sports betting has been a part of the fabric of this nation, a mature and responsible conversation has been sparked up in how best to help players stay in control of their bets, and keep gaming purely about the fun.
With all that in mind, sports betting remains a safe hobby which millions take part in each year, and regardless of whether they win, most simply enjoy the thrill that this unique industry provides.
What will the future bring?
Like most industries, sports betting is expected to increasingly utilise technology, both in the product they provide to their customers, and behind the scenes.
The near ubiquity of smartphones has allowed sports bet providers to offer their services at the push of a button, 24 hours a day, as well as allow players to bet on unique in play markets.
Virtual reality, cryptocurrency and live-streaming are all expected to play a part in the future of sports betting, and fans are understandably excited to see how the industry will develop into the future.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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