Daily Two Cents

The good and the bad sides of sports betting

Sports betting has been present since ancient times. Nobody really knows when it started but ancient Greeks used to bet on the Olympics Games and ancient Romans on the Gladiator fights. Some track sports betting to Africa, Asia (for example, in India cricket is very popular and many people want to know yesterday cricket match result) and South America. There is a high probability that sports betting has been present ever since sporting events started to take place. These events were probably just primitive competitions of strength and endurance at the start and gradually evolved into sports that we know and love. Sports betting is a hobby for most people but for some, it is a profession and for some, an addictive problem. Let’s discuss some negative and positive things associated with sports betting. 

Negative Sides of Sports Betting

Sports betting is an acceptable form of behaviour but it does have its potential risks. The main problem is losing your money. Some people believe that they can play it safe and bet on favourites only but the odds on them are low and sports are unpredictable and favourites often lose. And it should be noted that on average, more punters lose than they win. After all, sports betting is a highly lucrative industry and as such, it is based on mathematics that the house always wins. And it does. The bookies always have an edge since they set the odds and the lines. This means that it is really hard to constantly be a profitable bettor. 

Additionally, sports betting can cause a lot of negativity such as rage and even depression. Furthermore, it can also lead to a bigger problem and that is a betting addiction. An addiction is a big problem as it can cause a player to bet everything that he has and even go in debt and wager everything that he owns and has worked hard for. 

The Positive Sides

Earning money is the best thing with sports betting. Sports betting has its risks but after all, it is not like casino games and an experienced bettor can use math and analytics in his favour and beat the bookies. 

Additionally, sports betting can be a lot of fun for people who are sports enthusiasts and just bet as a hobby. Once a player makes the correct bet, they also get the satisfaction of predicting how the match is going to turn out. 

If you are thinking about sports betting, first ask yourself do you have an addictive personality? If the answer is yes, don’t start. If no, and you want to bet out of fun and are a sports enthusiast then sports betting might be a lot of fun for you. 

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