The true value of college sports betting
College sports, particularly basketball and football, foster an intense sense of community spirit that engages athletes, students, alumni and local residents alike. The passion and excitement generated by a basketball or football game can be felt throughout the entire region.
This same enthusiasm for college athletics is just as strong for betting on collegiate games. It increases the intensity of the experience for fans, offering them an opportunity to show their loyalty and passion for a team. For teams, sponsoring with betting partners can bring in additional revenue, help pay for scholarships and facility upgrades – all of which can directly benefit the athletes. In this article, we will be looking at the value that betting and college athletics, specifically that of the Mountain West region, brings to each other.
Ohio betting opens up: Betting helps college sports expand
Betting brings more attention to college sports teams by creating an even larger fan base that is partially comprised of bettors. As betting markets are opening around the country, even more bettors are able to increase their knowledge and engagement with the Mountain West conference teams.
One such example is through the 2023 opening of the betting market in Ohio, where companies such as betJACK.com are offering online odds for all Ohio bettors. This increased exposure helps generate more interest from local businesses who are looking to sponsor teams and buy advertising during games and tournaments.
The Ohio betting market officially opened its doors on 1 January 2023. It is the 33rd state to do so in the four years that have passed since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, the ban against gambling on sports.
A unique American opportunity
College athletics in America offer a unique value to both the athletes and fans. At their core, college sports create an intense sense of community among athletes, students, alumni and local residents alike. The passion and excitement generated by a basketball or football game can be felt throughout the entire nation. This type of enthusiasm helps foster school pride and loyalty to a college or university.
College athletics is popular to bet on for several reasons. First, college sports are widely available in the form of television broadcasts and streaming services which makes them accessible to a large number of people. Second, college sports contain an element of unpredictability due to their competitive nature which increases the possibility of upsets and exciting finishes. Third, college sports are typically cheaper to bet on compared to professional sports due to lower ticket prices and smaller payouts. This allows for college sports betting to become a movement of the people more so than professional sports.
A relationship with many benefits
Betting on college athletics can be beneficial to college athletics on a range of levels. It increases fan engagement, helps teams generate more revenue, and brings more local, regional, and national attention to these teams. Increased fan engagement means that the games are more exciting for both players and spectators alike. This leads to a larger fan base which in turn generates more interest from local businesses who are looking to sponsor teams and buy advertising during games and tournaments.
Betting partnerships and revenues can help pay for scholarships and facility upgrades which will directly benefit the players. It can also bring in additional revenue for these teams in the form of admission fees, concession sales, and merchandise sales. This extra money can be used to recruit better talent, improve facilities and ultimately help teams reach the top of their respective leagues.
NCAA partnerships – but no wagering
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or the NCAA, is known for being strict with paid partnerships and experiences for collegiate athletes. However, the organization has allowed schools and conferences to enter partnerships with sportsbook companies. These partnerships aren’t structured the same as professional teams, and representatives for the schools are not allowed to partake in wagering, but they are allowed to share information and statistics. These deals can still be profitable to the schools in terms of sponsoring scholarship budgets and equipment.
It is important to note here that any student-athlete or involved staff will be suspended by the NCAA for participating in wagering events.
