Three Hot Takes on the Sports Betting World

Alright, I’m just the intern, but I’ve got some takes—and I’m not here to play it safe. Sports betting is supposed to be fun, right? So why are we treating it like some cold, number-crunching grind? In this article, I’m diving into a few hot-button topics that might ruffle some feathers: why betting on games you actually watch hits different, why arbitrage feels like cheating, and why losing every leg of a parlay should absolutely earn you something back. 

Call me crazy, but someone had to say it. Let’s get into it.

Gambling Hot Takes

1. Money won on games you watch is sweeter than money won on games you don't

This one may be controversial to most, as all money is green, and all money won is theoretically the same. However, I disagree with this.

As a bettor, when you put your hard-earned money on a game you're going to be watching or a team you are a fan of, you are essentially adding a risk-reward scenario to an activity you were already doing. 

The absolute best part of sports betting is the sweat. Not knowing if the bet will win as you're glued to the final seconds of a game or match ratchets up the excitement level tenfold. 

I am not telling you not to bet on games you are not watching. You can win money and be very profitable operating this way. 

MORE: Meet the Dimers Summer Interns

When you win money on bets from watching the games, you are being rewarded for work and viewership, whereas if you win money on bets from games but don't watch, it feels like you're cheating the process.

I argue that you're operating as a stock trader staring at all the best odds and numbers. There was no sweat. 

You didn't truly earn it; you may not even have noticed if the bet won or lost had you not checked the score or your sports betting app.

There is no skill involved in blindly tailing bets. Prioritize betting on the games you know you will watch, and you will enjoy the activity so much more. 

2. Arbitrage betting is not gambling

The next topic I wanted to discuss is the differences between arbitrage and standard sports bets. 

Arbitrage betting is the practice of wagering on every possible outcome of a sporting event across different bookmakers to secure a profit. It capitalizes on the differing odds provided by bookmakers, combined with the best sportsbook promos, and enables bettors to take advantage of these variances to guarantee themselves a profit.

Arbitrage betting can be a wildly profitable strategy, and I know many people who have successfully implemented it. 

RELATED: The Three Most Overrated Player Props to Bet On

However, I would push back on the arbitrage practice as actual sports betting. Risk is inherent in all forms of gambling, especially sports betting. When risk is removed or mitigated, you're no longer gambling. In addition to eliminating risk, you also remove luck or skill from the activity. 

It's difficult to respect the money earned from arbitrage bettors merely pushing buttons. While it is a proven and profitable strategy, it takes little to no skill or luck, downgrading the activity. 

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3. Parlay Refunds

The next topic I wanted to discuss is rewarding bettors and users with a parlay refund.

Let's do a quick overview of what a parlay is. 

A parlay is a form of sports betting that merges two or more individual selections into one combined wager. For a parlay to be successful, every single pick, or "leg," must be correct. If even one of the picks loses, the entire parlay is deemed unsuccessful.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, over 25% of bets at popular recreational sportsbooks are parlays. Sportsbooks generate over 56% of their profits from those same parlays.

The sportsbook marketing and app designers are working overtime to entice bettors to make parlay bets.

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From parlay boosts, pre-populated parlays, and same-game parlays to even promoted parlays from celebrities. They know what their money maker is.

Most bettors lose parlays because they don't understand the math behind them and treat them like lottery tickets.

I want the sportsbooks to offer parlay refunds or free bets to all customers who place a parlay and LOSE every one of their legs.

This idea feels fair, considering it's just as difficult to lose every leg on a parlay bet as it is to win every leg on a parlay bet. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like sportsbooks can risk some free bets and refunds in these situations. 

Do you agree with our summer intern? Let us know if he's on the money, or way off the mark by following Dimers on X, or by jumping into the Dimers Pro Discord!

Responsible Gambling

Remember to please gamble responsibly. If you sense that you're taking your luck too far, know when to call it quits and don't be afraid to seek assistance. Keep in mind that gambling is all about having a fantastic experience! If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling issues, reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER for crisis counseling and support.