The Rise of Fantasy Sports as a Direct Competitor to Traditional Sports Gambling
Daily fantasy sports, popularly referred to as DFS, have now transcended their original concept of friends simply spending time selecting, making the best teams, and competing amongst one another. This form of entertainment is now a global powerhouse, continuously captivating millions of gambling enthusiasts across different parts of the globe. As technological advancement and the evolution of sport fandom continue to fuel the rise of fantasy sports, it appears that more players are switching from traditional sports gambling to DFS. But is that really the case?
Well, of course, traditional wagering on sporting events is still far more popular than the fantasy vertical, but the trends are quickly shifting as more fans continue to embrace the latter. To help you understand how the DFS realm has evolved, here is a deeper dive into the skill-based form of sports entertainment and how it is shaking up the world of wagering.
What Is Fantasy Sports, and How Does It Compare With Traditional Sports Betting?
Today we are talking about a type of virtual game where players assemble imaginary teams made up of proxies of real-world professional sport players. The teams compete against each other based on the actual statistical performance of the players in real life.
So, what makes DFS different from traditional bet placing? Here’s a quick tabulation of what separates the two forms of entertainment:
| Fantasy Sports | Traditional Sports Betting |
|---|---|
| Players create their own virtual teams. | Players bet on a real-world team or player. |
| Leagues last for an entire season, thus requiring ongoing management and strategy. | Wagers are often placed on individual games/events. Engagement is more immediate. |
| This activity requires skills and knowledge of player performance to win. | The outcome usually depends on luck, but savvy players can still apply some skills for favorable results. |
| There is no way to stream as players pick virtual teams. | It’s possible to stream the telecast while wagering on a specific event. |
| Generally considered a game of skill, making DFS legal in many regions where betting on sporting championships is not. | The legality of traditional betting varies widely by region. Some jurisdictions have strict regulations or outright bans. |
That said, there are still similarities between the two, as the outcomes of your selection can be affected by real-life events such as player health, injury, and fitness.
Look Back in History: From the 1960s to Today
The origin of tis entertainment form can be traced to the 1960s with manual fantasy baseball and later the emergence of the baseball app. Its football-centered counterpart became popular in the US in the 80s and 90s, resulting in football apps. Participants started tracking their teams easily with the rise of the Internet in the late 1990s to early 2000s, which further saw the development of more apps, making specific leagues more accessible worldwide.
The experience of playing became more exciting with the introduction of smartphones, allowing players to play on the go. Game development agencies were releasing more apps, including cricket apps, and in the 2010s, the fantasy sport world took another exciting turn as league competitions involved cash prizes. Once the platforms allowed the drafting of teams for everyday competitions, this realm became increasingly competitive, with players anticipating substantial wins.
The fact that professional video game players can create virtual teams resulted in the rise of esport fantasy league teams. New markets such as NASCAR and golf have led to the emergence of more customized platforms that offer great variety of games. Thus, as electronic sport and technology expand, the DFS world will only continue growing.
Why Is the Fantasy Sports Industry Expanding Fast?
Will DFS replace sport betting on licensed online casino platforms such as the famed Mr Bet? While irs growth has been significant and quite notable, it cannot replace the thrill offered by traditional gambling. Like some online casino games such as poker, DFS requires skills and knowledge when creating your teams, which is not required in online betting on sporting events. Thus, when sports fans play DFS, they are looking for a different type of thrill compared to traditional slots.
So, what are the driving forces behind the continuous rise in popularity of this entertainment? Some of the most notable factors include the following:
• Widespread penetration of smartphones allows players to play anywhere, anytime. Fans thus have an easier time accessing betting functionality;
• The ever-growing and changing fandom where major events such as the FIFA World Cup, cricket’s IPL, and NHL seasons continue to widen the market;
• Given that DFS is considered a skill game, it is usually legal in many more jurisdictions worldwide compared to wagering on sporting championships;
• Many countries are legalizing gambling, enhancing the integration of fantasy sports;
• Technological innovations such as user-friendly apps, secure payment methods, and AI-driven data analytic reports of each player are revolutionizing the DFS world.
Moreover, it is common for sporting betting enthusiasts to also participate in this kind of electronic sport. Many online sportsbooks that offer sports betting will also offer this king of entertainment within the same app, which makes it easier to jump from sport gambling to DFS gaming.
The Future of Fantasy Sports Is Promising
The integration of DFS with electronic sport betting hints at a successful future in the Internet gambling realm. As professional sports continue evolving into new forms that shake up the existing paradigms, the DFS world will expand as game development agencies introduce new, exciting types of experiences.
