Opening thoughts
Gambling is so ingrained in British culture that more and more people are starting to familiarise themselves with how this multibillion-pound market operates and continues to evolve and adapt to the new digital landscape.
If you’re a sports fan looking to get into online gambling, it’s next to impossible to avoid the litany of gambling advertisements, whether in between games at halftime, on advertising boards surrounding the pitch, or in some cases, on the players’ jerseys. Knowing where to begin can feel daunting, especially in a market that is so well established, both online and within British culture.
However, don’t fret; we’ve put together an easy guide to give you some pointers on how gambling online works, some rudimentary terminology, the foundations of the most common casino games and sportsbooks and some of the strategies that gambling companies use to try to attract new patrons.
Marketing strategies casinos and sportsbooks use
A business that lacks a valid growth model or an effective timeline for consistent growth immediately puts itself at a disadvantage compared to the other iGaming platforms that are looking to challenge it. Some of the most common marketing strategies are welcome bonuses, such as:
- Free spins bonuses that offer new customers a free slot machine spin when they sign up. Well-established casino review site Irishluck.ie has compiled a list of the highest-rated bonuses in this category.
- No deposit bonuses, which you receive upon signup, usually once you have verified your ID.
- Deposit bonuses matching an initial deposit, usually advertised as a percentage return, such as a 200% deposit bonus of £30, totalling £60.
- High roller bonuses for those in the higher bracket, who have a lot more disposable income to spend on gambling than most of us.
- Refer-a-friend bonuses involve a small bonus, such as betting credits or free spins, once your friend registers for the site.
Online advertising agencies dominate the casino world and companies that fail to have an effective marketing campaign risk falling behind the competition. This is why the iGaming industry as a whole continually looks for fresh ways and creative strategies to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Responsible gambling
It’s crucial for us to point out here that no casino game gives you an advantage – they all have a house edge and the odds are always against you. Some influencers on social media might claim they have casino hacks or know how to get ahead of the house – they don’t.
Only bet with money you can afford to lose, set up strict time and deposit limits, and never view gambling as a source of income. As a beginner, this is by far the most vital piece of information to remember.
Most popular types of online gambling markets
Online gambling can be divided into two distinct categories: sports betting and casino gaming. Sports betting involves wagers on football, basketball, tennis etc, and casino games include poker, slot machines and roulette. Growing numbers of markets, such as bingo and lottery, cater to other audiences. Niche markets, such as esports and mini-casino games, are growing in popularity too.
How betting odds work in online gambling
You can select many different ways to view odds online: fractional, decimal or moneyline. Although moneyline is more prevalent in the US, some see it as a much easier way to understand basic odds. For instance, let’s say Manchester City were playing Arsenal; a +200 moneyline bet on the game ending in a draw after 90 minutes, like last season, would mean you could receive £200 for a £100 bet.
Fractional odds for the same outcome and profit margin would be 2/1, so for every £1 you bet, you could get £2 back. So, a £10 bet could net £20 profit if it came in, a £20 bet would net £40 profit, etc. This also includes your initial stake.
Casino gaming has a different scale of difficulty. Slot machine games are literally a case of inserting money and selecting a spin; there is not much to learn. Roulette involves betting on numbers or groups of numbers, and the odds can range from evens (1/1) to 35/1 on individual numbers, so there’s a bit more to know. Poker and blackjack are card-based games, both with a little more nuance.
We recommend reading up on them separately if you want to play these games specifically. Another good idea is to check out social casinos that allow you to play in a live game environment but use on-site currencies. These platforms help you mirror how a game pans out without having to worry about losing your funds.
Final thoughts
The three starting blocks we’d recommend are:
- Understanding the importance of responsible gambling.
- Understanding how casino and sportsbook games work.
- Knowing the basics about how odds work.
Once you have this basic knowledge, the next step is to see how free-to-play games work, whether it be slots, virtual football or blackjack. As long as you can use in-game currencies instead of your own cash, this will provide enough experience and stand you in good stead when looking to gamble online on a live platform. It will also keep responsible gambling as the basis of your online gaming.
