The History of Sports Betting
Sports betting is a modern business phenomenon. It’s a booming industry that new technology has revolutionized. Yet, its origins extend far into the past.
Today’s sports fans often bet on big Wembley, Lord’s, or Wimbledon events. But go back a few thousand years. Ordinary people were doing the same thing. They were betting on the outcome of a chariot race or a bare-knuckle fight.
Scripts found in Ancient Egypt from around 3000-4000 BC reveal that laws existed. They were written to control the spread of gambling. In Ancient China, there is significant evidence that people engaged in betting on a variety of games. They were of various ages and shared the same pastime.
They put their sports knowledge to the test and made a few pounds along the way. It was much like what one might do at Bizzo Casino online.
For centuries, people gambled on the sports and pastimes they followed. Much was underground. By the mid-20th century, it was becoming increasingly apparent that legislation was necessary, at least in the case of the United Kingdom.
Then, the government set up a royal commission after the Second World War. It tapped into the mood of a nation happy to see the shackles come off. The commission realized that public opinions had changed. Betting on sports had become okay.
Betting And Gaming Act of 1960
This resulted in the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960. It fixed minor issues. For example, it allowed betting on bridges and pubs to install slot machines. But, it also allowed betting shops to open for the first time across the land.
Within a year, around 10,000 new gleaming bookies were reported on Britain’s high streets. The uprising had gained significant momentum, and the winds of change were sweeping across the nation. The revolutionary fervor had ignited the people’s hopes, and they stood united in pursuing a better future.
Betting back then still centered almost wholly on horse racing and greyhounds. Inevitably, illicit betting on other sports occurred. Still, if you wanted to bet on football, the only legal way was via the Littlewoods Pools. They were first introduced in 1923. It used a points-based scoring system. Punters would pick 1-2-X (home, away, draw) on matches from the weekend coupon.
Football Betting
Football betting emerged when Sky TV and the Premier League began. Back then, you could only bet singles on games if they were live on TV. So, the airing of more matches changed everything.Soon after came the biggest revolution. It changed gambling and sports betting. It marked the dawn of the internet era.
Online Betting
At first, it was like the wild west. Operators were springing up everywhere. They tried to avoid paying taxes in an era when bets were taxed. Several long-standing UK bookmakers departed for offshore locations in droves. Online betting needed to start faster. But, bettors soon latched on to the idea that betting from a home computer was easier (and tax-free).
There are countless operators today, and the taxation of bets was eliminated in 2001. All operators need a license to operate legally in the UK. Punters have endless sports and markets to explore without any restrictions. They have never had it so good, much like what you can find at Bizzo Casino DE.
Sports betting has changed from ancient practices. It is now a regulated, high-tech industry. Chariot races were in Ancient Egypt. Now, it’s easy to bet from home. But, the core thrill of testing one’s sports knowledge remains the same.
The introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960 paved the way for the widespread growth of sports betting, particularly with the advent of online betting platforms. This has created many chances for fans to enjoy their favorite pastimes.