The Differences Between Sports Betting and Online Casino Gambling
In most cases, experienced gamblers have a game or games of choice. Seldom will there be a dedicated sports bettor who is willing to risk a portion of their bankroll on online casino options. Likewise, online casino gamblers prefer to reserve their bankrolls for casino games. In the case of novice gamblers, they usually have a different mindset. They are far more likely to invest time and money in an effort to find their preferences.
For the benefit of those novice gamblers, the following information should be useful in creating an understanding about the differences between sports betting and online casino gambling, the two most popular online gambling options available on the Internet. The information will address functional and financial differences.
Betting Options
Sports gamblers tend to have favorite sports on which they prefer to bet. For equal opportunity sports bettors, there are literally dozens of different sports on which they can wager their dollars. The available betting markets cross international borders with hundreds of games or events being played every day. Each betting markets is built around games that have vastly different rules, odds and possible results. Furthermore, bookmakers give sports bettors a wide range of betting options that allow a sports bettor to determine the amount of risk/reward they are willing to pursue on a given wager.
Online casino gamblers play in a restricted environment. They have a finite number of available games with statutory odds. They are further restricted to about 15-20 different types of games. Yes, there may be 1,000 available video slots on a particular online casino website, but those same games are there every day with the same possible returns. Even the act of using multiple online casinos does little to increase the number of available gaming options because many of the top casinos use the same software providers.
Skill Versus Chance
All forms of gambling involve some level of chance. However, sports gamblers have access to information and data that makes some forms of sports investing a game of skill. Sports gamblers, who are willing to do their homework (handicapping), can isolate betting opportunities that provide a higher probability of success. It is common knowledge that online bookmakers live in fear of “professional” sports gamblers who invest the necessary time and money to identify bets that can create real wagering value. The bettors with the highest level of skill often find themselves restricted or banned from multiple websites.
All casino games are “games of chance.” The games are built on a platform that assures each roll of a dice, spin of a reel or turn of a card creates a random event. In fact, online casinos and gaming software developers are required to have all online casino games tested and certified as random and fair by an independent testing firm. Remember, each game provides a statutory statistical advantage to the house. This advantage is inherent to the structure of the game. There is nothing a player can do to change the odds, including using mischaracterized “systems” that simply don’t work.
Winnings
With every sports wager, the bettor knows exactly how much they are going to have to invest to get a predetermined amount of winnings. They usually have a significantly lower number of bets during a given gambling session and the per bet wagers are larger. With each result, they will know exactly how much they won or lost.
Online casino games require the player to make a continual stream of small wagers. Winning results can return anything from a very small net loss to a huge win. The huge wins feel really good, but they happen infrequently, making it a race between the player losing their bankroll or hitting the big win.
Bonuses
Sportsbooks that offer bonuses usually offer rather small bonus options. Note: not all online bookmakers offer bonuses. The bonuses are usually restricted to a welcome bonus and a couple of betting bonus. While sports betting bonuses are smaller, the related terms and conditions tend to make it easier for the player to convert the bonus amount into real cash.
Online casinos have to compete in a much larger market. This requires they offer bigger bonuses, often times bordering on fantastic. While online casino bonuses may look attractive from a pure dollar standpoint, the terms and conditions are often restrictive enough to make it near impossible for a player to claim any real cash.
Hopefully, the above information will make it easier for a new online gambler to decide which betting options will better meet their specific needs. Time should be spent trying a little of everything in order to find the options that provide the most enjoyment.
