In recent times, there has been an increased interest in American sports from British bettors. The UK features a longer history of sports betting and a more established culture than the US. In the latter, the level of industry maturity is not yet at the same level. This arouses the interest of UK-based bettors, who want to explore diverse sports betting offerings.
There are also differences among sports betting activity as a whole. Thus, on the basis of research carried out by the NCPG, it was found that UK-based bettors are much more actively wager on in-play events compared to the US sports betting enthusiasts: 75%-80% versus 40%-50%.
Meanwhile, the British sports betting market is already abandoning practices that are just being introduced in the USA. It is worth noting that some American sports, such as basketball, baseball, and American football, also have a powerful cultural impact (through movies, music, etc.), which makes them more tempting for UK-based bettors.
Also, considering the current level of technological development, it is not a problem to register at almost any NonGamStopBetting American online bookmaker for UK punters in a few clicks via any device. So, let us open all the features of betting on US sports now!
US Sports: What You Need To Know
Among US sports, there are many disciplines which become popular among sports enthusiasts as well as people who are far from sports. They are presented in mass culture, collect multi-thousand stadiums, and bring a hundred million in revenues. Among the most popular are the following
- American football. The most popular sport based on audience analysis, with the world-known National Football League and Super Bowl Championship.
- Basketball. Often, this sport is associated with the professional NBA league that is popular for eye-catching events like the All-Star Game, Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, etc.
- Baseball. This sport is the top choice among UK-based bettors, especially when it comes to games within the Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Hockey. With a popular National Hockey League, hockey attracts millions of fans worldwide, including the UK.
Keep in mind that some of these sports have their own peculiarities in the US compared to the UK. As for American football, it is completely different from a soccer game that is played on an oval-shaped field with much more physical contact between players. Also, US basketball is more individual compared to the UK, with longer 3-point distance, other defensive rules, different court dimensions, etc.
Time Zone Challenge
If UK-based bettors decide to enjoy live betting on US sports disciplines, it is important to consider time zone differences. There are 3 simple tips which can help in this case:
- Make a list of events since it mentally helps prepare for betting;
- Create a betting plan where events are distributed based on their complexity;
- Develop so as not to fall into the trap of tempting odds offered.
To stay informed about upcoming events, it makes sense to follow the official sites of sports teams/leagues to check schedules and calendars. Also, it is helpful to set reminders using multiple apps, digital calendars, etc.
Currently, you can get a lot of information about particular games on the social networks where corresponding teams develop their official communities. Also, modern betting apps provide users with all necessary info, including statistics, scores, and other data that is updated in real-time.
Betting Platforms and Accessibility
When choosing betting platforms, it’s best to focus on accessibility and other features most important for your preference. Usually, the loudest voices of the industry recommend considering licence, availability in your region, and high odds.
- Legality issues. A platform must be operated legally under the relevant licence.
- Banking options. Ensure the site offers secure payment processors without hidden fees. It is better when you can use local currency or exchange it directly on the site at an adequate rate.
- Sports markets. The platform should offer various sports disciplines with multiple local and international events.
- Betting options. Ensure you can choose among both traditional and prop bets within live and pre-match wagering.
- Customer support service. In case of betting-related problems, you should be 100% confident that you can resolve any issue 24/7 via handy communication channels like live chat, e-mail, or phone.
Of course, the site must accept British bettors and does not set any limits/restrictions on users from UK jurisdiction.
US Odds and Betting Formats: Overview
While both American and UK odds formats display the same information, they represent it in different ways. This may be a problem for UK bettors unless the platform offers multiple formats. The American odds format is based on the $100 wager and uses “-” and “+” signs to show favourites and underdogs.
For example, an underdog may have a +250, while a favourite features -250. So, if the odds are +110, a bettor gets $110 for every $100 wager placed. The UK odds format is fractional. For example, 4/1 means that you receive $4 for every $1 bet placed. And vice versa: if you bet on ¼, it means you receive $1 for every $4.
Strategies for Betting on US Sports
Here are several tips for successfully betting in US sports.
- Understand the draft system since it directly impacts future team building (for example, in the NBA and NHL);
- Explore the team’s performance during the toughest period of playoffs and postseasons;
- Follow news about teams, including injuries of key players, roster changes, new contacts, etc.
Also, you should always keep an eye on the team’s/players’ statistics. It can give a big picture of their current conditions. There may be info about individual players' performance, the history of games between teams, the outcomes of recent games, and more.
Always use only reputable and independent sources of information like Baseball Reference, ESPN, Sports Reference, and more.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
As mentioned above, the sports betting industry in Great Britain has come a long way compared to the American one and is characterised by a more regulated environment.
By registering at UK-based bookmakers, bettors can be sure that their rights are protected and that they do not have to worry about the protection of their sensitive data. The main body that regulates the industry is the UK Gambling Commission. It works based on the Gambling Act of 2005
In the US, this process has been more chaotic, especially after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Now, every state must create a regulatory framework where all the rights and prohibitions are written down. It often leads to confusion and incorrect interpretations. More problems bring differences in fees.
For example, in Arizona, there is an 8% fee on retail and a 10% fee on online betting, while in California, there are no taxes at all. Currently, the sport of begging is legal in 30 states, including Ohio, Kentucky, New York, and Massachusetts.
Conclusion
Both UK and US sports betting markets are among the biggest in the world. Compared to the UK, the US sports betting market differentiates regarding rules in the same disciplines (for example, basketball or esports betting with its privacy), odds formats, and more.
All these make US sports interesting for bettors from the United Kingdom. Also, there are differences in the regulation of this industry. While the British sports betting industry has come a long way and has already developed a strong regulatory framework, each state in America must independently regulate this industry.
On the one hand, it brings confusion for both operators and bettors. On the other hand, it provides potential opportunities for each regulatory body to adjust laws to the region's peculiarities and the betting community's requests.
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