South Africa is home to one of the richest betting cultures in the world, with it often being cited that one in ten South Africans gamble. Betting, or gambling, however isn’t for everyone, and furthermore the inclination to bet relies upon the presence of a number of factors, some of which will be covered in this article.
If you’re wondering whether or not betting is the next activity for you, think about whether you have access to some of these things, or if some of these factors apply to you.
First and foremost, you must be over 18…
If you’re younger than 18 years of age you may as well stop reading this article straight away, because the activity of betting is reserved exclusively for adults who have seen the world spin more than a dozen and half times around the sun.
But why you may ask? Why does this rule apply? Well, first off, because it’s the law, and secondly, those under the age of 18 are not in a position or of maturity to make decisions that involve the risk of losing money.
Children who engage in gambling from an early age have far higher chances of developing problem gambling habits in later adult life, and nobody wants that, plain and simple.
If you’re 18 or older, you need a device…
The reason the world has seen such a surge in online betting is because it is far more convenient than its land based brick and mortar counterpart.
While nothing will replace the feeling of being inside a betting shop or inside a casino, the positive associations with these establishments is becoming obsolete with the rise of technology.
If you’re wanting to bet online, and join the iGaming revolution you will need a device such as smartphone, laptop or computer, or lastly a tablet. The absence of any of these devices will mean you won’t be able to engage with betting sites.
You need an internet connection…
Having a device is all good and well, but if you don’t have access to wifi, or a positive data balance, you won’t be able to get into sports betting.
While some South African betting sites do offer data free versions of their products, the list is very limited.
Furthermore, these data free versions are only available to existing users, who already have accounts to log into. So to sum it up, you need either wifi or data to start betting.
You need to have a thrill seeking attitude…
If you don’t like a bit of thrill and a knowing that you do in fact stand to lose, then betting may not be for you.
Walking the tightrope between winning and losing is what makes many punters engage in the practice in the first place.
If you prefer activities that are perhaps more relaxing, that don’t get your heart rate up, then betting may not be the activity for you.
You need to have a curious mind for sports …
The process of signing up with a betting site, and eventually placing bets is pretty straight forward. But winning bets and making calculated wagers is what betting is all about. The only way to get better at this is to be curious about the sport or sports you’re betting on.
In short, you need to study the sport you want to bet on. You need to know the players, their past performances, how they perform in the rain, how they perform at altitude; the list could go on forever.
You need to have the ability to analyse and make informed decisions, in order to have a solid betting strategy. Otherwise, the practice is a little bit pointless, and just plain unenjoyable.
