Has iGaming changed the way fans are watching football?
The simple answer to this question would have to be a resounding “yes”. But the real question must surely be, why do we feel that fans have been influenced and to what degree has it truly impacted the way they watch and maybe think, about the wonderful world of soccer? This article attempts to drill down beneath the surface and explore the reasoning behind our simplistic “yes” to determine the factors that have potentially influenced fans over the past decade to make this change.
The blend of real and virtual
As technology has evolved, so has the way we think, breathe and watch our favourite sports. While we’ve been content to watch and cheer our teams to victory like when Brentford recently thrashed the Saints in their long-awaited first away league win of the season for years, with the introduction of video games, fantasy sports and online betting platforms, fans are able to interact with the game on a much more personal level, transforming them from viewers to participants.
Video games
The undeniable success of video games like FIFA (now FC) and Football Manager have brought fans much closer to their beloved game, serving not only as entertainment but also as educational tools. These games offer fans a deeper understanding of complex team formations, play styles and club management. It is this knowledge that a fan will now bring with them to the spectator’s stadium, including a deeper grasp of the realities of team management and player development. According to the BBC, FC24 was the UK’s most popular game for 2024, beating out stiff competition from games of other genres.
Fantasy Premier League
The introduction of Fantasy Sports changed the sporting landscape in the iGaming field forever. Up until recently when changes to the legalisation of sports betting came into effect, Daily Fantasy Sports was the only way many US sports bettors could interact with their favourite sports online. With over 11 million players from across the globe, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is the largest Fantasy Football game in the world.
It’s free to play and there’s the chance to win great prizes. Players of FPL must use their £100m budget wisely to pick a squad of 15 Premier League players. Once you have your virtual team of Premier League footballers, you collect points for how well their real-life counterparts perform each week. There are points awarded for goals, defending penalties, clean sheets, assists and more. Additionally, players can lose points for negative actions like being sent off or missing a penalty.
Online betting platforms
The uprising of sports betting platforms has changed the way traditional bettors place their bets but also how they can watch their beloved game and the variety of betting options available while the game is in play. Many of the top sportsbooks offer competitive odds and a variety of sports markets including football. By clicking Betway latest betting odds you’ll discover a lively sports betting platform which livestreams popular football matches and offers in-play betting action as the game unfolds.
With the convenience of online betting, footie fans no longer need to find a traditional brick-and-mortar bookmaker that’s open to place their bets, they can just download an app or access their favourite online sportsbook via their smartphone, tablet or PC. Thanks to live streaming, bettors can watch the game in real-time and even participate through in-game betting when the unexpected happens or the match reaches halftime and fans think it’s worth having a punt on the second half.
There’s usually a wide choice of betting options available at online sportsbooks, including moneylines, parlays, totals, props, teasers, point spreads and futures. Reputable sportsbook platforms will be licensed and regulated by a trusted authority such as the UK Gambling Commission and offer competitive odds to ensure you get value for your money.
Big or little screen
In years gone by, football fans have always been dependent on which TV channel had the rights to broadcast the match, if any did. Fans may have needed to travel to a city pub to see the game being aired but this was often welcomed as they could share in the highs and lows with fellow supporters.
These days there are fewer restrictions for fans to navigate as we have numerous sports TV channels available plus the match is often livestreamed across the internet and accessible via smartphone or tablet devices. The latter is a great option for football fans on the move as they don’t need to miss a single minute of their beloved game.