In recent years, the world of sports betting has grown way beyond betting on pro leagues - and it’s now well into the realms of college sports. Nowhere is this more evident than in the US, where college sports have become hugely popular - with both sports fans and bettors. Here, we’re going to take a look at the rise in college sports betting, why this has come about - and the impact it has had on both the sports and sports betting industries.
Increased Legalisation and Regulation
One of the main reasons that there has been such a big boom in betting on college sports is because it is becoming legalised and regulated in more regions and states. After PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) was overturned in 2018, individual states were allowed to legalise sports betting however they wished - and many have taken advantage of this… for both pro and college sports.
The fact that there is now a more established framework, means that bookies can offer betting odds and markets for college sports across many states in the US.
More Media Coverage
College sports are also getting more attention from media channels - including mainstream media, which makes them a lot more accessible to everyone. TV networks, streaming platforms and online sites now offer lots of coverage of college basketball, football, soccer and other sports. This has got more people involved and got more people betting…
Increasingly Popular College Tournaments
Then there are those college sports tournaments that have had a massive impact, not just on US bettors, but bettors from all over the world. Most people who are interested in sports know about the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament - known as March Madness. This single-elimination competition involves 68 different college teams from across the country who all compete for the national championship. This alone generates lots of betting action.
Certain college sports tournaments have captured the imagination of bettors worldwide.
More Betting Markets
This also means that bookies have started to expand their offerings to include lots more betting markets for college sports. As well as the traditional moneyline, point spread, and over/under bets, you can now bet on player props, team props, live in-play betting, you can find goal-scoring odds on college soccer just as easily as top goalscorer odds on the EPL - the options are now plentiful. This ever-increasing variety of markets gives you an even better experience and offers something for all types of bettors.
College Sports Betting Communities
There are also now lots of online betting communities about college sports and college sports betting. These bring people together from all over to share their knowledge, insights, tips and betting strategies, helping to create a real camaraderie between fans - and encouraging more people to get involved.
The Impact on College Sports
Unsurprisingly, this has had quite a big impact on the world of college sports - both positive and negative…
Firstly, the ability to bet on college sports has made it even more engaging for fans. Even games between lesser-known and less popular teams get more exciting when money is on the line… and this is great for everyone - the fans, the sports - and the online gambling industry.
What’s more, colleges and universities now have more opportunities to benefit financially from this increased interest. This could mean sponsorships, partnerships with sports betting sites etc., which can all be great sources of revenue, which can be used to reinvest in college sports.
However, the increase has also raised concerns about the potential for match-fixing or other such scandals seeping their way into college sports. To address these worries, regulatory bodies have had to implement strict guidelines to keep it ethical and make sure it keeps its integrity.
Conclusion
For ‘bettor’ or for worse, the rise of betting on college sports is a trend that doesn’t look as though it will be slowing down any time soon. Of course, it comes with advantages and disadvantages for the sports and sports betting industry, but the continued legalisation, growth in betting markets and wider media coverage have meant it has never been better or more widely available - and it’s exciting. So, as long as regulations are in place to keep it fair, this is a great time to start betting on your favourite college teams.
