Online Sports Betting – The Key Basics You Need to Know

Sport is tailormade to provide great moments. There is nothing quite like your favourite team scoring that winning goal in the dying seconds, or that sweet moment when someone hits the perfect home run.

The excitement of sport means it is also an ideal partner for betting. So many aspects of football, baseball and countless other sports are unpredictable, so people can often win big on the strength of nothing but a hunch.

While eSports will always have a special place in our hearts here at Rivalry, we are proud to also offer online sports betting options. Here, we are going to examine the key basics around the area and provide some pointers on key things you need to know.

What is Sports Betting?

To get a clear grasp of the area, it is best to start at the very beginning. Sports betting revolves around predicting the outcome of a major match or event. You place a bet on that result and, if you are successful, get winnings based on odds.

The activity used to revolve around physically visiting a bookmaker at a shop or venue, but these days online sports betting is front and centre. Many betting companies now operate online, and this has brought a new level of convenience to the experience. Why? Because you can access odds on a betting website at any time of day. The services are also available on a host of devices, with mobile betting becoming popular thanks to an array of apps.

You can bet on more than just the outcome of an event too. These days, top gambling sites offer odds on many different aspects of individual matches. For instance, here at Rivalry, we feature markets such as Regulation Time – Correct Score, 1st Half Winner and Match Winner on football matches.

Furthermore, you do not necessarily have to bet before an event begins either, as many sports betting sites now let you access live betting odds. Finally, you are not limited to just placing bets on local events, as the best betting sites also feature odds on sporting action taking place all over the world. Whether you are a fan of football or besotted with basketball, the information you want is right at your fingertips.

Is Sports Betting Legal?

The sports betting industry has a massive, global presence these days and the activity is legal in many different parts of the world. However, there are some key issues to bear in mind before you start using online betting sites.

First up, you should consider the rules around both offline and online betting in your part of the world. Many regulations affect the area, including legislation like the Interactive Gambling Act. So, take some time to educate yourself. After all, the last thing you want is to be caught on the wrong side of the law.

Next up, it is worth checking that the specific sites you intend to use are licensed to operate within that region. You should also do everything you can to ensure any online sportsbooks you use are safe, secure, and trustworthy. Put simply, it is very important to only use regulated providers when betting on the latest sports events.

Other elements to bear in mind include the legal age for using gambling sites. This may vary across different countries, so sports fans in their late teens should check what the situation is where they are based. Once you have these key basics figured out, you can devote your time to both finding great odds and developing your understanding of the sports betting world.

Rivalry’s Expertise in Sports Betting

All in all, there is clearly a lot to consider when it comes to legal sports betting. However, one of the key issues is to ensure that you use a reputable sports betting site that is both transparent and trustworthy. Thankfully, one brand that fits the bill is not too far away. Basically, we are all of that and more here at Rivalry.

If you need to know more, here are just a few reasons why you can count on our sports betting offering:

• We are fully licensed and regulated by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. The Rivalry platform is 100% legal and compliant with the law.
• Our commitment to ethics is shown in our position as a member of the eSports Integrity Coalition. While this does not relate directly to our sports betting service, it still demonstrates our determination to make sure things are always done properly.
• We believe in financial transparency and will always be clear with our members about how we operate.

We take safety and security incredibly seriously, but we also want to ensure that our members always have fun. This is why we feature special deals in our Promotions section, including welcome offers ideal for those who are visiting our site for the very first time.

The team at Rivalry is here to help as well and that is why you can find a range of customer support options on our pages. Our FAQ section covers a whole host of topics and issues. You can also chat to us directly via the Contact Support button about anything from an issue with the site or simply some feedback on our sports betting offering.

Many different sites offer sports betting services, but we think the attributes above highlight how we really stand out from the crowd. Whether you are an experienced sports betting aficionado or someone taking their first steps into that world, we are determined to ensure you have a top-quality experience at Rivalry.

The Top Sports for Betting

If you are new to Rivalry, it will not take you long to realise just how many different sports you can bet on. We offer odds on a wide range of matches and sports events taking place all over the world, so our members are never short of options.

However, what are the most popular sports for betting and which events should you be seeking competitive odds on? Here we round up some key areas to consider.

Football

Few sports can match the global appeal of The Beautiful Game. Football always offers plenty of excitement and unpredictability, whether it is underdogs beating much-fancied rivals or results being turned upside down by last-minute winners.

Here at Rivalry, you can find the best odds on matches taking place all over the world. Our service includes information on a range of competitions, such as the English Premier League, Australia’s A League and the USA’s Major League Soccer. Big international tournaments are also covered, including the European Championships. When you enter specific matches, you can also bet on a host of different markets.

Basketball

This is another sport with massive global popularity. The action on the court is always fast and frenetic, while the best players in the world can seemingly shoot hoops at will. Basketball features pace, power, control, and a whole lot of skill.

In a similar vein to football, we cover a range of different basketball events all over the globe at Rivalry. Whether you want to bet on matches in sports leagues across Australia, the Czech Republic or further afield, you will find odds here. But which sporting events should you be looking out for specifically? Well, when it comes to basketball, few beat the excitement of the NBA. The NBA Finals are always a major date in the calendar and the event is simply unmissable.

MMA and Boxing

All sports revolve around competition, but few can match the intensity of actually going toe-to-toe with a rival in an enclosed space. Mixed martial arts – also known as MMA – and boxing offer that and more, with competitors engaging in combat to be crowned the champion.

We offer odds on all the latest action in both worlds, including the top bouts taking place in relation to boxing. Of course, when it comes to MMA, we have a big focus on the exciting battles of the UFC. The competition has really come to the fore in the past couple of decades and it now has a huge number of fans all over the world.

Baseball

Baseball is undoubtedly one of the classic US sports and it is now played in countries across the globe. The big hitting, fast pitches and home runs make it a thrilling sport to watch, and it understandably now has a significant presence in the betting world.

Major League Baseball – or the MLB – is the biggest baseball competition covered here at Rivalry, with it featuring some of the sport’s most famous names. The World Series is always a key date to look out for, with top teams going head-to-head.

Top Tips for Betting on Sports

So, you clearly have plenty of choice when it comes to online sports wagering. However, what is the best approach to take when it comes to online sports betting? There are many ways to tackle the issue, but here we have pulled together a few ideas for you to consider.

Bet on Something You Know

The old saying goes that knowledge is power, and who are we to argue with that? If you are a massive fan of specific sports and have an in-depth knowledge of those areas, it may be useful to focus your betting efforts on them.

You will be able to use your expertise to make an informed decision around your bets and this could take you a step closer to betting success. So, assess the latest odds here at Rivalry and think about what might happen in line with your own insight.

Do Your Homework

Whether you are familiar with a specific sport or not, it is always important to do a bit of research. Gather the latest information and learn what you can about an upcoming match. For example, has a team lost many of its key players to injury, or is another side on a bad run of form? Could suspensions have an impact, or is a striker struggling with confidence in front of goal?

By assessing and analysing such issues, you might get some important pointers on whether you should bet in a certain way. Again, knowledge is power and it can definitely make a difference when you are using gambling sites.

Consider Your Options

Online sports betting in the 21st century is about much more than just predicting the winner of an individual event. For example, if you are betting on football, you could get odds on issues including 1st Half – Winner and the Correct Score.

With that in mind, look at the odds featured in different markets and think about where the best deals might be. Furthermore, consider different betting combinations and how that could impact your winnings. For instance, if you create a parlay and bet on multiple matches, you may stand to win much more than if you opt for an individual bet. Explore all angles and you might find something that works perfectly for you.

Get Betting with Rivalry

Online sports betting has been on an incredible journey through the years, and it now offers a huge amount of options, convenience and flexibility.

While eSports are a major part of our work at Rivalry, we are proud to offer a host of odds on traditional sports as well. So, check out our latest odds and see whether there is something that meets your needs.

FAQs

Is Betting Online Safe?

Online sports betting is perfectly safe, as long as you use the services of a reputable provider. Sites need to meet certain requirements to offer sports betting and Rivalry is licensed by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. You should always check the credentials of a site to ensure it is meeting its fundamental responsibilities.

What Sports Can I Bet On?

Very few areas are out-of-bounds when it comes to sports betting these days. Here at Rivalry, we offer odds on everything from football and baseball to tennis and MMA. There are also different markets to consider when you look at specific events.

How Do You Start Making Bets Online?

Well, you could start by signing up to our services here at Rivalry. Once you are a member, you can cast your eye over our odds and add some selections to your bet slip. After that, you simply have to place your bet and see whether your predictions are successful.

How Many Bets Can You Make at Once?

The choice is ultimately yours. As our full FAQ section details, you can place bets on a whole range of events at the same time. If you bet on two or more matches at one time, that would technically be a parlay and it could offer some big winnings if you are successful.