How Social Media and the Internet Impact Sports Betting
By FanSided
Social media and the internet have revolutionized the way modern society interacts with the world. It has changed how we deal with our friends and family. It has changed how we view entertainment. It has changed how we consume the news. Heck, it has even changed the way we bet on sports. Who would have thought that something as simple as the internet and social media would change the way we gamble?
Back in the dark ages of sports betting (before smart phones), if you wanted to place a bet while you were out of the house you would have to call your online betting site and have an actual conversation. Nowadays, you can follow a game straight from your phone, have enough information to make an educated halftime wager, then place that bet at an online sportsbook, and not interrupt whatever you were doing in the slightest.
Times truly have changed. If, as a sports bettor, you are not taking advantage of the truly unique opportunities afforded to gamblers by the advent of the internet and social media, then you might be costing yourself and your betting a large amount of extra value. Let’s take the time to explore the biggest ways in which social media and the internet have impacted sports betting.
Sportsbooks, Athletes and Twitter
In today’s sportsbetting market it is almost essential for a gambler to be on Twitter and use the social media site actively. Many companies, including online sportsbooks, have begun using social media as a marketing and advertising tool. Online sportsbook use twitter to engage their customers by constantly offer bonuses, such as free wagers, contests, and promo codes to earn extra money once you make an online deposit. Sportsbooks also tweet lines, betting article on tips and advice, and various other nuggets of information.
Another fantastic way that Twitter impacts sports betting is through the athletes who use the social media tool. Many athletes are using social media on a regular basis and that intimate access can be enough for a bettor get to handicapping information in real-time.
April 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) controls the ball against the defense of Memphis Grizzlies small forward Quincy Pondexter (20) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
A couple of weeks ago, after Kobe Bryant had twisted his ankle, and the extent of the injury was still relatively unknown, he tweeted the night before the next Lakers game that he was coming down with the flu. Kobe eventually missed the next day’s game and the line moved against the Lakers. An astute bettor would have been able to surmise that Bryant would probably not play during the next night’s game with a twisted ankle and while having the flu. That bettor could have in essence decided on the line that he wanted to bet on—the Lakers at a lower spread without Kobe or their opponent getting a few extra points.
Social media has become a tool to see into the minds of professional athletes, and while you should not run out and base all of your bets on Twitter tips, following a few online sports books and professional athletes can be an important part of your betting process.
The sports betting world is constantly changing and evolving with technology, and for gamblers, keeping up has become an essential tool for becoming a winning player.
By George Monroy
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