Betting has become interwoven with sports of all kinds. From hockey to horse racing, if there is an outcome to guess, there is a wager to be made.
There is no stopping the dramatically growing market for sports betting. It is expected to grow to be worth more than $100 billion in the next few years, which has people questioning what effects it has and will have on sports leagues and the athletes who participate in them.
Below, we look at the good and bad sides of wagering in sports. Bet999 sports betting believes in the benefits of bets but also understands the importance of responsible gambling. Here, we talk objectively about how the betting industry has changed sports, how it continues to impact athletes and teams, and what the future may hold.
What Are the Concerns Regarding the Impact of Sports Betting on Leagues and Athletes?
First, let’s discuss the negatives. There are those who believe that betting is damaging to the sports industry in several ways.
Controversial Connections to Gambling Promotion
Sponsorship is nothing new for sports teams. Companies have been advertising on kits and in stadiums for decades in return for financially supporting a league or specific team within it. The number of gambling-related sponsors visible in the world of sports nowadays is new, however, and the rate at which they have increased in the last few years is alarming.
Where people take issue is the fact that having teams be seen to promote something that can be addictive, dangerous, and bad for people’s mental health is pretty controversial. Although betting is par for the course these days in sports, that doesn’t mean everyone believes it is advisable.
Leagues and teams advertising betting sites suggest they are encouraging people to gamble. This is widely criticized, and many people agree that sport itself should be kept separate from the risk involved in gambling.
The Dangers of Game Fixing and Corruption
One of the darker sides of betting in sports is game fixing. Corruption in sports for monetary gain comes in various forms, but paying off athletes to lose games or shave points on purpose is particularly ugly.
It is particularly bad in high school sports and other popular amateur leagues. Because athletes don’t earn a salary, they are more likely to be tempted into taking payment to fix a game.
People will go to extreme lengths to ensure they win their wager. In the worst cases, this involves blackmailing coaches and players and even interfering with athlete’s health and ability to compete.
Of course, these are extreme cases, but even your run-of-the-mill point shaving can ruin a person’s future. High school athletes caught throwing games will never make it into college teams or professional leagues, and professional athletes connected to bribes are cut from teams immediately.
Sadly, the amount of money to be made in sports betting attracts corruption and cheating. It is the responsibility of athletes and sporting institutions to fight against it rather than be sucked down with it.
Immense Pressure on Players
There is already an incredible amount of pressure on athletes to perform well and win games. Even without bets, a lot of money depends on people winning, and even more goes into making them succeed. Then there is the pressure of not letting down the fans. All in all, there is a lot to deal with.
Add in knowing people who have put a lot of money on them to do something. Maybe they know the person or follow odds and wagers online. Either way, knowing your failure to do something will lead to someone losing money can be difficult to deal with.
It also leads to doubts over whether or not people did or did not do something on purpose. Even if it didn’t involve a bribe, did they know someone who had wagered a certain way? Were they protecting someone or doing someone a favor? Part of the problem is the uncertainty it creates.
What Positive Effects Does Betting Have on Sports Leagues and Athletes?
It’s not all bad! Although there are some elements of betting in sports that are controversial at best and dangerous at worst, it also does a lot of good for the industry. Like it or not, the future of money in the sporting world lies with betting. Here are some of the positive impacts that betting platforms have on sports and athletes.
A More Passionate, Invested Fan Base
In many sports, the support of the fans drives success. A great crowd can change the outcome of a game, and having a loyal fan base can motivate athletes to be better.
With betting, fans can become even more involved in games- adding to the passion they already feel for seeing their team do well. This benefits both sides:
- Fans get more thrill and enjoyment from the sports they love.
- Athletes have more support to drive them to succeed.
Wider Interest in Promoting the Sport
Sports such as baseball and football already have a solid following, but some of the less popular sports can attract new interest through betting platforms. Someone may never have considered paying to attend a dog race, but once they got into betting on it online, they wanted to be there in the flesh.
Teams can sell more tickets and attract bigger crowds, even in amateur leagues. It helps young talent get noticed and supports teams financially as they grow.
Potential for Income for Teams and their Stadiums
As mentioned, being able to bet on a sport increases the likelihood of people going to spectate live. That means tickets, concessions, and potentially merch sold that wouldn’t have been otherwise.
Betting in stadiums happens, but it is not fully legal and regulated. It does look like something that may happen soon, and when it does, teams can generate income through it.
Final Thoughts
There are pros and cons to the sports betting industry. Although it is difficult to ignore the negative connotations and risks, there is still a lot to be said about the positive effects betting has had so far.
Like most things, it comes down to the people in power practicing responsibility, fairness, and ethical behavior. Betting should be available to those who want it, but it should not be allowed to cross a line.
Whether you like cards, dice, chips, or sports, always remember to gamble responsibly.
