Many people engage in gambling to try their luck. They're called gamblers—individuals who attempt to beat their rival, the bookmaker, every time. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with trends and take advantage of them.
To beat the bookmaker, you need to manage your bankroll wisely, maintain control over your game funds, and follow a strategic approach. Strategy alone doesn’t always guarantee success, but identifying current trends can be a game-changer. So how can you do that?
Sports betting is evolving into a highly profitable, in-demand form of entertainment. Numerous operators in the sports betting industry offer competitive odds, bonuses, and promotions designed to attract fans of a wide range of sports.
With fans returning to stadiums in 2022, this trend is expected to become the new norm—further accelerating the growth of the traditional sports industry. Bookmakers like Betway understand the significant impact a fully revitalized sports sector can have on the betting market. The dynamic global sports calendar motivates millions of players to analyze statistics and place predictions for enjoyment and potential profit.
1. Processing Large Amounts of Data
Today, users have unprecedented access to real-time information about the sports world. Most professionals rely on Big Data technology to analyze the vast amount of collected data.
Despite the absence of fans in stadiums, sporting events continue to follow the scheduled calendar.
Hundreds of matches and tournaments attract millions of bettors each year, generating large volumes of data related to players, outcomes, performances, and other key metrics that support accurate predictions.
Even prestigious brands like Betway use this technology to set odds and determine the likelihood of specific outcomes.
2. Football Continues to Reign
All signs indicate that football will remain the king of sports betting, as more and more teams partner with brands affiliated with bookmakers.
Gaming brands rely on sports to gain exposure—sponsoring team jerseys, advertising in strategic stadium locations, appearing on official team websites, and building recognition across media platforms.
3. The Biggest Rise in Esports
Esports gained tremendous popularity during the pandemic, and they’ve continued to grow in both revenue and audience size. Platforms such as Twitch and YouTube have played a central role in promoting competitive events, cultivating a strong and loyal community rooted in the video game universe and online esports tournaments.
These competitions are watched by millions of viewers, and some participants even claim million-dollar prizes. Bookmakers have created dedicated sections to ensure fans can place bets as efficiently as possible—capitalizing on this boom, which will undoubtedly continue to grow in 2022.
The same holds true for esports betting, which is expected to trend upward next year as more followers embrace the excitement this virtual sport brings.
4. Cryptocurrencies Gain Preference
Restrictions and strict regulations on payment methods in some countries may limit access to financial tools from traditional banking systems.
To overcome these challenges, many bookmakers now accept deposits and withdrawals via virtual currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, just to name a few.
One of the key advantages of cryptocurrency is the ability to preserve user anonymity, along with reliability and speed in money transfers. Additionally, no complex procedures are required for digital wallet operators.
5. Automatic Bets
Automatic bets allow players to make predictions without spending excessive time. Betting experts use rule-based strategies to set fixed stakes and automate the entire process.
This type of betting can be highly effective, as wagers on yet-to-be-determined odds can prove extremely profitable.
Additional trends expected to shape the industry in 2022 include mobile betting, live-stream betting, and greater flexibility in regulatory frameworks.
6. Online Betting
After the bookmaker business was legalized in most parts of the United States in 2018, the live betting segment began expanding rapidly. In states where online betting is permitted, the vast majority of bets are now placed via mobile devices rather than in physical bookmaker offices. For example, in New Jersey in October 2021, over 90 percent of all wagers were placed this way—generating $10 million in tax revenue for the state!
The digital transformation of the market will continue to intensify, benefiting all parties involved—bookmakers, bettors, and the state. In regions where live betting remains restricted or banned, the “black market” often emerges. To eliminate this issue, remaining legal barriers are expected to be gradually removed. This outcome seems inevitable to most observers.
7. Esports Betting
The volume of esports bets is expected to continue growing in 2022. In the United States, they were legalized in Arizona, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Ohio during 2021, with New York State set to join them soon. Furthermore, esports companies are likely to increase their investments as legislation becomes more accommodating.
This trend is also expected to be visible in the Russian betting market, where esports is rapidly gaining popularity thanks to the success of domestic teams—for example, CS:GO is currently dominated by CIS representatives NaVi and Gambit. For newer generations of bettors, cyber disciplines are gradually replacing traditional sports. It’s no surprise that audiences for the biggest “virtual” tournaments have already surpassed those of the Olympic Games, while betting volumes for Olympic events are sharply declining.
8. NFT and Blockchain
The term non-fungible token (NFT), still unfamiliar to many, is gaining traction in the world of betting. These assets can take the form of digital versions of original artwork, skins for video game characters, virtual clothing viewable through special glasses or headsets, and even digital real estate.
Each NFT contains a unique identifier stored in a digital ledger secured by blockchain technology, making it virtually impossible to copy, hack, or duplicate. These tokens are already actively used in real transactions—and will undoubtedly become more involved in the betting industry.
Professional sports leagues have already entered licensing agreements with sports betting operators to create collectible digital assets featuring players’ names and likenesses. These can be bought, sold, and traded. For example, Wyoming has passed legislation allowing users to fund their sports betting accounts using cryptocurrency.
The digital generation is setting the rules—and only bookmakers that quickly adapt to these changes will thrive in the rapidly evolving market. In Russia, for example, the first bookmaker to enter the NFT space was Liga Stavok. In mid-December, a token called the “Golden Jackpot” was listed on a crypto exchange to participate in a large-scale “Jackpot” drawing—an initiative uniting users who place bets through Liga Stavok.
