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Why Use a Sportsbook Over a State Lottery?

Aaron Gray

By Aaron Gray

Updated:


image of a man at a sportsbook

Are you still religiously buying your lottery ticket every week, hoping and praying that your numbers will come up in a random draw? It’s time to stop dreaming and take luck into your own hands.

Sports betting is still a game of wins and losses, but with the right approach, it can easily be a far more lucrative gamble. Still not sure? Read on to discover why sportsbooks are a better bet than a state lottery.

State Lottery Explained

A state lottery is a game of chance organized and controlled by the government. More than 40 states offer lottery games, such as Mega Millions and Powerball. In a standard lottery game, players pick a number or series of numbers in hopes that they’ll match the numbers selected by a random number generator. If they match, they could win a huge cash prize.

The Lottery Is Totally Random

There will always be that one person who swears that you can increase your lottery winning chances by analysis, math, or strategy. It really comes down to pure luck of the draw and betting against a machine. There’s literally no reason why a number 10 is more likely to be drawn than the number 12.

While you might get lucky every now and then by matching one or two numbers, your odds of matching all of them (and winning the jackpot) are extremely slim. Just how slim?

What Are the Lottery Odds?

Unfortunately, the odds of winning the lottery are ridiculously low. In fact, you have more chance of being struck by lightning or becoming the President of the United States than you do of winning the jackpot.

The approximate odds of actually bagging the Powerball grand prize is 1 in 292.2 million and it’s even worse for the Mega Millions jackpot which comes in at 1 in 302.5 million.

Yet people still play because the cash prize is so enticing. It’s like the proverbial carrot, dangling right there in front of you. Instead of buying your lottery ticket every week, how about putting that money on a sports bet? How does that change your odds of winning?

Betting on Sports vs. State Lottery

Betting has been a favorite pastime since the dawn of man! Ancient civilizations show many depictions of gambling in mosaics, paintings, and literature, dating as far back as 3,500 years ago.

When our ancient love of gambling meets a modern nation of sports lovers, sports betting is the inevitable match made in heaven! Luckily, widespread legalization is underway, and more states are expected to lift bans on sports betting which will give the lottery a run for its money.

What Do Sportsbooks Offer?

You’ll also find the slightly less popular sports such as UFC, motorsport, golf, cricket, and tennis. Any sportsbook worth their salt will offer a selection of both national and international sports to bet on. The most popular, of course, are football, basketball, soccer, and baseball.

As well as sports, bettors can also find odds on a variety of high profile events, such as Presidential Elections, the winner of America’s Got Talent, or even who the next Pope will be. Basically, if there is money to be made, then you can bet on it!

Odds of Winning a Sports Bet

Let’s take the simplest of bets: When you wager on who will win in a football match, you have two choices. This means a 50:50 chance of picking the winner. Of course, this is before you take sportsbook margins, or the vig, into consideration.

The odds for each sporting event differ and are dependent on a number of factors. This is why sportsbooks engage a number of professional oddsmakers who weigh up the factors and determine which odds to offer so they make money on both sides of the bet.

Successful Sports Betting Involves Skill

With the lottery, you have no control, since it’s dependent on random luck. With sports betting, it’s not a simple game of picking numbers: Sports betting requires skill, knowledge of the sport, and understanding of value.

Many recreational bettors tend to bet on their beloved teams, or on the favorite which is why many people lose, but with a little extra care and attention, you’ll have more success and fun.

Pay attention to your team’s history, how many games they’ve played and won, who’s playing, personal records, and any outstanding injuries. Outside factors, such as weather or field conditions, may also play a part in match outcomes.

Entertainment Value

Watching your favorite team live is even more exciting when there is money on the line. If your team isn’t playing, you can keep it interesting by betting on others with live wagering and still get that adrenaline rush.

The entertainment factor doesn’t stop with the game. There’s also fun to be had by sifting through the team and player stats and talking it out with friends.

Sports Betting Is More Satisfying

When you’ve taken the time to understand rules of the game, done your homework on the teams, and carefully selected the best odds, the satisfaction you get from winning is so much more than random digits of the state lottery.

Ready to Place a Sports Bet?

Placing a bet at a sportsbook gives you more bang for your buck. If you’re itching to get started but aren’t sure where to go, let us help you find the best place to bet on sports.

Aaron Gray
Aaron Gray

Sports & Politics Writer

Aaron has been featured in publications such as Intelligence Magazine, The Investing News Network, Haven, Tech Bullion, and many local and national publications. He has contributed to SBD since 2017. Western B.A. '14, NYU M.A. '17.

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