This is how bookmakers cheat people

Online gambling is a consolidated phenomenon in our society, with consequent problems. Large bookmakers quickly adapt to any type of regulation by institutions.

Advertising is your most powerful weapon to consolidate your customers. By "consolidating" we mean turning gambling behavior into a habit that allows them to get as much money as they can from ordinary people.

Fortunately, it is also one of the sectors that have generated more social alarm in recent times, and society is reacting to protect itself from the advertising tricks of these companies.

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The advertising tricks of the bookmakers

What are the main pillars of sportsbook advertising campaigns?

1. Aggressive campaigns targeting youth

Studies show us that the usual gamer profile has changed over the years, ending in people younger than 35 years old. The bookmakers are the first to know it, so they adapt their advertising campaigns focusing on this group.

With very aggressive and interactive ads on the internet and social networks

, they manage to attract many of their new clients, new players with the probability of becoming long-term players.

The betting companies are "sowing" in the youth, hoping to be able to have them as clients for many years.

2. Using celebrities as a claim: the halo effect

It is no coincidence that so many celebrities and well-known faces are associated with the advertising campaigns of the big sportsbooks. Great sports clubs, popular footballers, prestigious tennis players, nice presenters of television contest ...

The big betting companies take advantage of what is called in psychology the Halo Effect: when a famous person is associated with a certain product or service, users transfer the values ​​and opinions about that character to the product or service in question.

That way, if a famous athlete that I follow and admire a lot comes out advertising a platform for bets that offers me some initiation bonuses... it is much easier for me to end up biting the fish hook. Basically trust in that character is transferred to what he is announcing. That is why it is not the same that a famous person appears in the media than any other person.

The sentimental bond with professional sports leagues and their star players it is intimately rooted in the collective imagination of the youngest. That is why they are the flagship of those who sell bets online.

As long as they are allowed, the betting companies will continue to use all the gift loopholes to make advertising: the jerseys of all the great soccer teams are full of advertising, directed at all fans.

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3. Initiation bonuses: I let you start betting "for free"

Browsing any Internet page, it is common that you have come across advertisements from bookmakers promising you 50, 100 or even 200 euros to play for free.

It is one of the most effective advertising claims. One of the objections of the player who is starting is usually "I do not have enough money to start betting."

But the big bookmakers have the solution! They invest real fortunes every year to be able to offer these "free" game credits and thus facilitate the entry of new players.

The system is simple. You register, and you already have "virtual money" to start placing bets. The player who takes the bait can start playing for free, or with very little money.

Sooner or later, the usual house wins. Normally, that free credit ends right away, and by the time the person has to start invest your own money, you will have already established the habit of gambling and paved the way to develop a addiction.

In addition, the bonus claim fosters the initial illusion that "I am not spending money" and that these bets pose no danger to the person. What they do not know is that they have simply taken the bait that the predators of the online gambling companies put on them.

4. Control illusion

Many young people have claimed that sports betting ads teach them that “with enough preparation and knowledge about sports, they can control the outcome of matches and their bets ”.

This is one of the messages that bookmakers leave implicit in their campaigns and advertisements. Promotes the cognitive bias of the illusion of control, make people think that they can earn much more than other people, if they follow a certain system.

But this is paradoxical, because if the odds of winning a lot really existed, the bookmakers would have been in charge of closing that hole, as it would not be profitable for them. We've all heard of those big Vegas casinos that end up kicking out players who have won too much money.

Remember, "the house always wins"

Experts say that sports knowledge does not influence to win bets. It's random there are too many factors at play, the results cannot be predicted.

In the end it is no more complex than the National Lottery system. You just have to cross your fingers, but most of the time, you will lose money.

Addiction Specialist Psychologist

If you or someone close to you are having problems with online gambling, immediately contact a specialized professional. It is only a matter of time before the problem worsens and they end up generating huge financial debts.

I work with many people who have fallen victim to gambling tricks and developed a problem with gambling. I offer face-to-face therapy sessions at the psychology clinic in Valencia, and also online therapy for everyone.

Check my contact information at this page.