The Covid-19 crisis has forced almost all industries to rethink their business strategies after the financial blows it has come with for the better part of 2020. The gaming industry has not been spared, and betting companies have had to implement various tactics to survive after most governments shut down sports. Contact sports including football and rugby were the most affected while the lockdowns also saw horse racing suffer massive losses, seeing that most betting there is done at the venue.
Both gamblers and betting companies have adopted new strategies to keep the industry going. Bookmakers have introduced new games and avenues to bet, while individuals have had to seek new arenas to continue playing. Covid-19 has opened up avenues like politics, virtual sports, Esports and even weather, as options for bookmakers, where their customers can place bets.
While avenues like Esports existed even before the pandemic struck, the marketing and publicity accorded to that wasn’t as aggressive as witnessed from March 2020. Bookmakers have now fortified remote gambling and more of this is being made visible on the sites, knowing too well that individuals are seeking alternative ways of socializing.
Bet365, for example, allows users to bet on politics in the Australian Federal and State Elections as well as on UK Politics, where individuals can bet on who will be the next party leader for the Labour and Conservative parties.
888Sport, on the other hand, have introduced several options in virtual sports and now users can bet on greyhound racing, cricket, tennis, football, darts and they even have a virtual World Cup and more. William Hill have the politics option, allowing users to bet on the next Prime Minister or country to leave the EU for example and 22Bet, on their part have a very interesting avenue for individuals to bet – weather.
From the various sites offering options aimed at survival during the pandemic, politics remains the most interesting, perhaps due to the goings on in world politics. William Hill has a wide range of options here, especially on the UK leadership, the parties and matters concerning EU exit.
Also, there are very juicy promotions, bonuses and offers being offered by these companies to entice users, to hold on them and keep them returning to the sites. Almost all bookmakers today have welcome offers and daily promotions of their sites.
For example, Bet365 have the Open Account Offer, targeting new customers while their 2 Goals Ahead Early Payout offer seeks to hold on to the existing customers. For the tennis lovers, Bet365 have the Tennis Accumulator Bonus, and many more.
At 888Sport, apart from the Welcome Offer, which offers new users up to £30 in free bets upon registration and placing a bet with a minimum £10, there’s also a daily free bet meant to entice existing users to stay on.
Some of the best bookmakers offering these options and more, are reviewed here. From Bet365 to William Hill and even 1XBet, Bwin and Marathon Bet, users can compare and make their best picks.