Tap, Draft, Bet: Sports Betting

Courtesy of PixaHive

Sports gambling has revolutionized into an online betting juggernaut. The never-ending desire to “go big or go home” traditionally motivated betters to place bets through local and hard-to-find bookies. Nowadays, the adoption of sports betting apps has made it possible to place bets from the comfort of home, all with the tap of a button. 

According to Business of Apps, the revenue of sports betting apps increased by 71% in 2022 compared to the prior year. Given the allure of easy money, gambling has become a staple of American entertainment. 

No matter the gambling medium, it always seemed historically as if “the house always wins.” However, artificial intelligence is flipping this belief on its head. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a competitive advantage for betters based on its ability to crunch historical trend data and provide unbiased analysis. 

The WalterPicks app uses a machine learning algorithm to recommend players and analyze trades for Fantasy players. Managers can sync their Fantasy leagues to the app for specialized analysis based on league settings and team needs. 

AI can also draw on past data and social media to detect suspicious betting patterns. Because gambling is associated with cheating, this safety measure allows players to feel comfortable that they are playing a fair game. AI technology also increases the odds of winning. 

Fantasy Football has broadened the range of betters by allowing players to determine their league stakes. Some betters rely on Fantasy as their full-time job, while others partake in casual leagues. Tenth-grade player Ezra Goldfarb said, “It’s only once a week, so it’s a lot lower commitment. It’s also a fun way to get to know your friends.”

No matter the competition level, Fantasy drives managers to watch sports games and regularly follow players. Tenth-grade Fantasy manager Shrey Kanji said, “I definitely find myself watching more football as a result, and I’m much more invested in most of the games.” 

Many leagues have instituted league punishments for losing players, including tattoos and stand-up comedy sets to amplify the stakes. With these punishments in mind, AI is certainly not a trend to bet against.