The Impact of Betting on Major Sports Leagues

Up for discussion today is the impact of sports betting on major leagues and tournaments. We all know that sports and betting go hand in hand, but have you ever really thought about how the way we wager on sports has an impact on the industry itself? 

So with that question in mind, let's take a look at some of the positive and negative effects that sports betting has on major leagues and events.

Positive Impacts of Betting on Major Sports Leagues

Of course, there are plenty of benefits to the industry when punters bet on sports. Here are just a few of them.

More engagement from fans

Most people growing up have one or two sports that they really love. For example, in England, football and the Premier League are almost a religion! Betting introduces a new level of excitement, and fans of football may also find themselves watching and betting on leagues and teams based abroad, leading to more engagement from punters in general. 

Plus, with the invention of in-play betting and live streaming on major sportsbooks, fans can now bet in real time and even watch their favourite teams via a great sports betting site, rather than with an expensive TV subscription.

Increased revenue for sports and teams 

Somehow, we have to pay all those athletes and sports stars their giant salaries! That's where things like collaborations between sportsbooks and leagues like the NBA and NFL come into play. All of these cross-promotional collabs create more money for the sports and teams we all love.

Better exposure for lesser-known sports and events

Leading on from increased revenue, the fact is without sports betting, a lot of lesser-known sports, leagues and teams would never reach a wider audience. 

For example, eSports started out as a very niche industry, but with the help of sportsbooks, endorsements and advertising, it has quickly become one of the most watched and bet-on genres of sport.

Negative Impacts of Betting on Major Sports Leagues

Like anything in life, there are some negative impacts that betting has on the sports industry. Here are a couple of the main ones.

Increased criminal activity 

Unfortunately, there is always a dark underbelly of any popular hobby that involves money. Whenever you have potentially large sums up for grabs, individuals with loose morals may try to stack the odds in their favour. This can lead to things like match-fixing and bribes within the sports industry. 

Examples include boxers falling in specific rounds, or goalies intentionally missing shots on target in order to impact the final outcome of a match. This type of activity can not only impact bettors negatively, but it can also lead to poor mental health for players and even criminal convictions.

Risk of addiction 

As much as the odd bet on a match seems harmless, the fact is that sports betting can be addictive. That's why all licensed sportsbooks will offer responsible gambling tools, to help you manage your finances and avoid forming unhealthy habits.