The internet has helped to bring an era of leisure and luxury. People can now shop without having to leave their homes. Remote work helps to alleviate stress, while simultaneously reducing the need for car use. Of course, the entertainment industries have also greatly benefited. Music, movies, and shows all greatly benefit from streaming services.
Gaming is another industry that has gotten a good deal thanks to the internet. Obviously, the big budget games are now more successful than ever, getting millions of players on occasion. But, even indie games these days get a lot more attention, in large part due to online advertisements. Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t bring up iGaming; an industry built on internet presence.
What is iGaming?
Often used as a catch-all term, iGaming most commonly refers to the online casino industry. Businesses like Casinofy, however, show that this definition lacks some nuance. While you can certainly find the most trusted online casinos there, you will also notice that the portal covers sports betting, live casinos, and even bingo. That is why many claim that “iGaming” encompasses all forms of online gambling.”
By this definition, sports betting would be the most popular form of iGaming around. Indeed, there is quite a bit of synergy between online sportsbooks and online casinos. From a certain point of view, it makes sense to classify them as two sides of the same coin. Below, we would like to take a look at where bookmakers and gambling sites converge, and the similarities that they might share.
The Similarities
The obvious similarity is that both sports betting sites and online casinos require fans to wager some cash in order to use their services. At their core, both are approaches to gambling. In sports betting, the winners are those capable of gauging the skill of others, while in gambling, the player has to rely on luck and at times their own skills as well. However, the similarity is there without a doubt.
Another similarity is that both types of websites often share similar features. Bonus options, for example, are a staple of the gambling industry on the internet. But, it is also a huge part of sports betting online. By offering bonuses to new and existing players, these websites manage to create a loyal fan base, that is willing to come back and have some fun again.
The Synergy
Synergy is about more than just similarities though. It is about how well the two industries work together to help each other to the top. The truth of the matter is that we already have proof of synergy between the two. Online sportsbooks and online casinos often exist on the same site, or are branded as sister sites. In other words, you can access a casino from a bookie, and vice versa.
The reason for their synergy is clear; they have plenty of similarities, and therefore often draw similar crowds. Often, fans of gambling might be curious to see what all the fuss around sports betting is about. Certainly, plenty of sports fans will visit an online casino now and then, hoping to test their luck during the off season for their favorite sport.
How They Differ
The similarities between the two are clear as day. However, there are still plenty of people who don’t believe that sports betting and online gambling should fall under the same umbrella. Some view them as unique, distinct industries, and they have their own reasons for that belief. After all, there are some key differences between gambling and sports betting.
The big one is that sports betting fans can make certain, accurate predictions about a game’s outcome. Odds makers create odds based on a variety of factors from NFL announcer statements to a team’s past performance, and even the weather forecast. However, in gambling it all comes down to luck. Now, of course, just because the odds say one thing, doesn’t mean that the outcome is set in stone.
Final Thoughts
To deny that there is synergy between online sports betting and gambling would be simply untrue. The two have been linked at the hip, so to speak, for a long time, and will likely continue to work fairly splendidly together for years to come.