Sportsbooks & Online Casinos: What is the Relationship?
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To many people, the phrase ‘iGaming’ encapsulates online slots and little else. However, the truth of the matter is that iGaming refers to any and all forms of gambling done online. That includes slots, roulette, poker, and even sports betting. For many, the following question then naturally arises: what is the relationship between bookies and casinos online? In this article, we attempt to answer that question.
One of the most obvious things to note is that online casinos often share a website with sportsbooks. Indeed, if you visit some of the most popular gambling websites, more often than not, you’ll find that you can play live casino games and bet on your favorite sports. But, many might wonder why that is. Well, the answer is quite obvious.
By offering options for both, online gambling/sports betting websites attract a bigger audience. If the site runners have done their due diligence and ensured a safe, licensed, reliable, and fair gambling site, then it is much more likely that the sports bettors will also come along. Similarly, if the bookie offers fair odds, covers a wide range of sports, and is safe, gamblers are much more likely to join the casino as well.
Not to mention, there is also the matter of sports bettors and gamblers who are interested in each other’s hobbies. If you are a sports bettor who is already using an online sportsbook, you are much less likely to look elsewhere if the same sportsbook already lets you play games. The same logic applies vice versa as well.
Similar Rules Apply
Though online sportsbooks and gambling websites often operate differently, there is a principle ruleset behind both markets that ought to be followed. In much the same way that all runners have to do certain exercises, all online gambling websites have to follow the same guidelines. Let’s take a look at some of these guidelines now.
Licenses: All online gambling websites, whether they be sportsbooks or casinos, have to be licensed. Regulators issue licenses to websites that they believe have done a good job in ensuring safety, fairness, and security for their customers. If a gambling site operates unlicensed, you should most likely avoid it.
Bonuses: Whether you are gambling on sports or on roulette, you more than likely want to get an edge. Well, gambling websites often provide an edge in the form of a bonus. Bonuses can lend you a bit of extra cash, or they will allow you to boost your chances with what you already have. In either case, they are a huge reason why customers continue to flock to online gambling websites.
Payment Options: Finally, both online casinos and bookies often have a diversity of payment options. The classic is a credit card. However, nowadays, you can also use cryptocurrency, digital wallets, direct bank transfers, and even e-checks. By embracing these methods, gambling websites have managed to increase their customer base quite drastically.
Mobile Compatibility
In 2024, there are very few people who do not own a smartphone. Indeed, slick, flat, touchscreen devices have become a popular and available commodity. Considering the smartphone is capable of doing tasks just as well, if not better, than some old-school PCs, plenty of online gambling businesses have attempted to pander to the smartphone demographic.
What this means is that there are online casinos and online sportsbooks that you can access using your phone. Some are designed with iPhone in mind, while others will only work for Android. However, most websites will be available to users of both. In other words, in 2024, you don’t even need to be at home in order to place a bet. All you need is a smartphone and a strong internet connection.
Advantages of Mobile Compatibility
The primary advantage of mobile compatibility is one we already mentioned. It has made online casinos and sportsbooks much more accessible. If you have a smartphone, all you need is a strong internet connection and a bookie that offers come great odds. If you’ve ticked those boxes, placing a bet is easy.
Disadvantages of Mobile Compatibility
The biggest disadvantage of mobile compatibility is that you won’t always be able to find a strong internet connection. Certainly, there are a ton of public Wi-Fi spots. However, quite a few people don’t trust these connections, and many of them are not particularly strong, as they are being used frequently by a lot of people.
Responsible Gambling
The biggest misconception about online gambling is that these providers encourage people to gamble frequently and irresponsibly. While compulsive gambling is a major problem, there is no evidence that it is caused by online casinos or sportsbooks. Indeed, some polls suggest that those who use online platforms to place wagers are at a much lower risk of falling victim to problem betting.
But how can that be? Well, the reason is simple: online gambling platforms are much more likely to take certain measures against reckless gambling. Unlike land-based establishments, online casinos and bookies can frequently and efficiently monitor customer activity. They can do so through the use of AI or human moderation.
If the Artificial Intelligence/human monitor spots something strange regarding a user, they can contact said user to make sure everything is OK. If the user seems to be at risk, the online casino has the authority and right to shut down their account, at least temporarily. Plenty of online gambling platforms also take part in “self-exclusion” programs that have proven quite effective in combating problem gambling.
Some Things to Consider
The future of gambling is digital. Or so many believe. Online casinos and online sportsbooks have done their best to replicate the environment that so many people love about land-based businesses. At the same time, they have not compromised on the vision of creating a more accessible and safer gambling industry. In doing so, they’ve managed to create something totally unique that many fans are growing increasingly interested in. We are excited to see where the future of iGaming will go.
