Why people bet online or prefer betting in stores - Research Proposal Example

? WHY PEOPLE BET ONLINE OR PREFER BETTING IN STORES WHY PEOPLE BET ONLINE OR PREFER BETTING IN STORES Considering how rapidly the betting industry has been growing, then I may be forgiven if I said that betting might just be as old as the society. The UK opened its doors to betting back in 1961 and since then the industry has never looked back. The betting shops have been rising in the number and so does the number of those who practice betting. Originally, people used to bet by visiting the betting shops (Ferris 2011, 118). Supplementary to that, some people employed the services of a telephone credit betting. Due to the advancement in technology, however, some people started opting for online betting. And indeed online betting has not disappointed. The big question is, why do some people prefer online sports betting? And why do a section of people still bet in stores?This literature review generally revolves around sports betting. It seeks to explore the reasons as to why people practice online betting and at the same time look into the reasons why some people prefer visiting the betting shops (Griffith 2006, 62). The organizztion of the literature review is such that it first deals with why people carry out online sports betting followed by the reasons why people bet in stores. According to Griffith (2009), online betting came up in early nineties. This was about the same time when there was a massive advancement in information technology. One of the reasons as to why online betting has greatly improved in sports is that it offers flexibility. Flexibility in online betting comes in that, the sites offer a huge range of offers within which a customer can place wagers (Griffith 2009, 318). Flexibility in online sports betting also comes in when the customers are in a position to put bets even sports events that have already started. This gives the customers the opportunity to get the feeling and direction of the game. In so doing, the customers shall be able to place their bets in a manner that they are likely to get good returns. The overall advantage of flexibility in online betting is that; it leads to good odds hence the chances of an individual winning are high (Bashman 2002, 163) . The fact that the betting companies offer huge bonuses and rewards is also a factor that positively contributes towards the development of online betting. This is according to Luntz (2006). For starters, an individual can gamble within several sites. It is imperative to note that those sites offer massive rewards and bonuses. The bonuses come when the betting sites agree to reward new customers who have just registered to their sites. At the same time, the betting sites may agree to reward their old and loyal customers (Luntz 2006, 467). By this, they will be making the customers committed to what they do. Betting rewards also come in the form of clients being allowed to offer free bets on some occasions. In addition, the customers may be offered general bonuses. According to Petry (2004), we should not ignore the fact that people practice online sports betting because they find it somewhat safe. This fact may be debatable especially because there are a number of sites that claim to provide opportunities for betting, while their main intention is to fraud the public at large. Nevertheless, most of the betting sites in the UK are under the management of well-known companies with an irrefutable reputation like William Hill, Gala Coral, Bet365, Sky Betting and Gaming and 32Red among others (Petry 2004, 661). This makes online sports betting to be safe. Another reason as to why people indulge in online sports betting is the fact that it is comfortable.This is according to Kelly (2011). The ease is because for one to participate in online sports betting, then they need to be computer literate and have data access. The two requirements will enable any interested party to register on any online sports’ betting site and take part in betting. The ease is also demonstrated by the fact that the customers can be able to obtain the betting sites anywhere and at any time be it at home, at work, during the night or in the course of the day (Kelly 2011, 225). Due to technology, people who practice online sports betting can also receive the updates regarding either the betting odds or game results direct on their phones. A sport at large is all about joy. There is no doubt people practice online sports betting only when they are somehow inclined towards that team if it is basketball, football, rugby, hockey or cricket.This is according to Todosichuck (2011). Similarly, an individual can online bet on a person winning in an event like tennis if the person is a fan of the sports personality taking part in that event. It goes without saying, therefore, that, the joy and passion felt by somebody upon seeing bets placed on their favorite teams or sports personality is a contributing factor towards people taking part in online Sports betting (Todosichuk 2011, 344). Both Griffith and Luntz share the same idea that online sports betting and gambling at large involves entrusting your money with someone else. The fact that the companies that manage the online betting sites show commitment to the customers through fostering proper customer relationship is also a contributing factor towards ensuring that an individual takes part in online sports betting (Griffith 2009, 197). The fact that the customers feel valued, appreciated and feels that they can trust the various companies with their resources is the reason why people always take part in online sports betting (Luntz 2006, 562). Another reason as to why many people practice online sports betting is the general atmosphere which it takes place (Mallya 2007, 410). Many casinos and betting shops have stringent codes of conduct which must be adhered to. Some prohibit activities like smoking while some have specific dressing codes. People always practice online sports betting because they create their own environment. Those who are fond of smoking can do so and bet at the same time. Similarly, those who consider adhering to the dressing codes as a tough call can always bet online in any attire they deem fit (Petry 2004, 601). We are aware that so often we are afraid of doing things for the first time. This is so despite the fact that people cannot explain why this seldom happens. Philosophers in the past have attested to the same and claimed that it is simply human nature. The manner in which people fear going about several activities is the same way people can be afraid of going to the casinos for the first time (Wood 2006, 47). To save them from the embarrassments of either loosing too often or seen as a starter, people often opt for online sports betting.This is according to Wood (2006). In addition, online sports betting is user friendly to every party that is interested in carrying it out. It is considerate because it saves those persons who live with the disability from the hustles that take place in the betting stores. In the recent past, it was realized that the youths and the young adults aged between 12-24 have also been involving themselves in online sports betting. Williams established that such people take part in online sports betting due to boredom with the purpose of getting some fun, as well as money from the betting exercise (Williams 2003, 351). However, a worrying reason as to why this crop of people take part in online sports betting is the concept of pretending to be of the opposite gender. This practice is common among the males who pretend to be females with the hope of alluring the opposite sex. Supplementary to the points given above, Wood (2007), asserts some people prefer online sports betting because of privacy. Such people, claim that they are not that inclined to crowd and similarly that they do not enjoy being around noisy places (Wood 2007, 251). Over and above, such people prefer online betting because they tend to disregard land-based businesses. Though the advancement in internet connectivity especially its spread to the homes has really contributed towards people preferring online sports betting, a section of the population who take part in sports betting prefer visiting the betting stores (McMillen 2011, 514). One of the key reasons as to why people prefer betting in stores According to Weinberg (2003) is the concept of physical interaction. Just like in communication where 70% percent of the message is passed through the non-verbal cues, those who engage in sports betting through visiting stores believe that it is their presence at the betting stores, which can allow them win. Though this is debatable, it may be possible because one will be in a position to study the manner in which everything is taking place (Weinberg 2003, 254). Through getting the feel and the mood that the sporting event has taken, one will be able to place the correct wagers and may end up getting higher odds in return. Another logic behind visiting the betting stores according to Kelly (2011) is preference. As much as online sports betting is convenient, visiting sports betting stores physically will enable the customers to settle on what they really want. By visiting several sports betting stores, one will be able to evaluate the kind of facilities that are available in the various stores (Kelly 2011, 239). At the same time, an individual shall be able to find out the range of wagers they can put, the rewards to the loyal and even the new customers and with this shall finally make up their minds based on the most favored sports betting store. According to Azmer (2000) the problem gamblers also prefer sports betting in stores. We all know that sports betting and gambling at large is extremely addictive. Problem gamblers are those who are enslaved to gambling (Azmer 2000, 121). Actually gambling can be said to be their second nature. Such kind of people do not like online sports betting because it makes them get hooked to betting and to try and avoid this act, they opt for visiting the sports betting stores where time may be limited because they shall have other issues to attend to. Another reason why people prefer visiting sports betting stores in the UK is the availability of everything under one roof.This is according to Gregory (2008). Though the online sports’ betting stores are user-friendly, they may not have all the sports’ that one would like to place their wagers. Similarly, some people may feel the necessity for taking part in games like bingo during the betting process and due to this, may opt for visiting the betting stores (Gregory 2008, 56). Different people usually have contrasting wants and the whole world is a bag of mixtures. Whereas some may be partial to being discreet and hence opt for online sports betting, some would rather opt for the noisy places and the crowd witnessed in online sports’ betting stores (Derevenskey 2006, 143). This may be up for discussion, but it is true that people are indeed different, and this is also a contributing factor towards people betting in stores. Another reason why sections of people prefer betting in stores according to Bashman, is the accessibility. Online sports betting may be easy to access with advancements in technology (Bashman 2002, 270). However, we should not ignore the fact that the betting stores are increasing, as well and are quite easy to access given that, there are no much restrictions put in place for parties interested in visiting them. The fact that close to a hundred betting shops open its doors in UK annually, with most of them being sports betting stores supports this idea. From the points outlined above, it is beyond doubt that betting is slowly spreading its wings into our society. It does not consider age given that children as little as 12 years old have attested to be involved in betting at one point. Similarly, even the older population takes part in betting because statistics reveal that those aged above sixty also take part in betting. In like manner, betting knows no gender because both males and females take part in it (Abott 2009, 412). We may not be able to predict the rate at which betting is advancing in the society. One fact for sure is that, whichever form of betting one involves in, be it online sports betting or visiting the betting stores, betting is gaining ground. In addition, we ought to appreciate the findings and works of the various authours reviewed above. This is because they have managed to bring us upto speed with an area of our life we almost forgot. Reference List ABOTT, M. V. R., 2009. GAMBLING IN THE COMMUNITY. 6TH ed. WELLINGTON: DENVER . Basham, P., & White, K. (2002). Gambling with our future? The costs and benefits of Legalized gambling. Vancouver, BC: Fraser Institute. DEREVENSKY, J. G. L., 2006. INTERNET GAMBLING-A CASE OF CONCERN. 4TH ed. AMSTERDERM: VITESSE WORKS. FERRIS, J. .. W. H., 2011. THE UK PROBLEM- A LOOK AT THE GAMBLING INDEX. 8TH ed. OTTAWA: MAINZ PUBLICATIONS. GRIFFITH, M, 2006. INTERNET GAMBLING: WHAT CAN THE PAST TELL US ABOUT THE FUTURE. 3RD ed. WASHINGTON: HILL RISE PRESS. Griffith, M, 2009. Gambling Technologies: The Advancements. 3RD ed. Washington: Hill rise Press Gregory, W, 2008. ONLINE SPORTS BETTING: THE GAMBLING POLICY-A LOST OPPORTUNITY. 6TH ed. NEWYORK: GR PRESS. Azmer J.J, 2000. GAMBLING BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE. 2ND ed. MUNICH: MAINZ. KELLY, R. T. P., 2011. GAMBLING AT HOME: INTERNET GAMBLING IN THE UK. 4TH ed. LONDON: VENTURE PUBLICATIONS. WEINBERG, R., 2003. SPORTS BETTING: THE GAMBLING POLICY. 2ND ed. TEXAS: GREY . McMillen, G, 2011. 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