Everywhere we look and practically surrounding everything we might enjoy doing, there are critics and naysayers. Whenever we do something pleasurable, it seems there is always a downside which some people are only too eager to point out. But is the pursuit of happiness and doing things we enjoy, really so bad? It’s an interesting question, because it’s part of human nature to consider the pros and cons of everything we do in life.
One of The Oldest Hobbies in the World
For almost as long as human civilisations have existed and in practically every early culture, some forms of gambling and wagering have been part of daily life. Archaeologists have discovered the presence of gambling artifacts dating back thousands of years, with examples of betting activity found to have been commonplace in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient China.
Indeed, some of the first examples of gambling date back to around 2300bc in China, where tiles were unearthed that are believed to have been used in a rudimentary game of chance. Older still, the most preserved ancient board games and playing dice aged between 4400 to 3000bc, even though Greek poet Sophocles claimed that wagering on dice was invented by a mythological hero, around the time that Troy was under siege.
One of the most popular forms of wagering in Ancient Greece actually involved sporting pursuits, with spectators betting on the outcome of contests in the ancient Olympic Games, named after the location of Olympia and held during a religious festival honouring Zeus. Since then and throughout history, gambling on physical and sporting activities has always been present, uninterrupted and continually enjoyed to the present day.
Support & Criticism of Popular Activities
The higher the profile of any activity, the more attention it raises, often amongst those who don’t understand that activity and maybe for one reason or another, are opposed to that activity. In the 1950s and 1960s, some claimed that under the influence of rock ‘n’ roll music the younger generation was being corrupted, while in more modern times, some critics have insisted that video games inspire evil deeds. There is little to no solid proof of either being the case.
Despite having been present throughout the course of history, when the gambling and online sports betting industries began to boom, driven by rapid improvements in digital technology, there has been a gradual and growing wave of opposition. No sooner had the age of online sports betting arrived, it was immediately cancelled in most of the United States, led by concerns within sporting organisations like the NFL, concerned about the integrity of their competitions if participants were tempted to sway outcomes.
Nevertheless, elsewhere in the world sports betting has thrived amidst the surging technological revolution, largely due to the widespread ease of access to high-speed internet and mobile connectivity. Notably, along with self-regulation by the industry itself, recognised governmental bodies and authorities have also been established, imposing strict regulations which betting companies must adhere to. Interestingly, sports betting is now more popular than ever in the United States, thanks to permissive changes in legislature in recent years.
Moderation is the Key to Enjoyment
We often hear about how alcohol is bad, yet there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine with a good meal, maybe even a couple of sociable beers with friends as we watch our favourite sports. Indeed, medical scientists have found that when consumed in moderation, certain alcoholic beverages actually provide some health benefits. Like anything we do in life, when consumed with care and moderation, there is nothing wrong with having a drink or two.
Spin this around the other way, look online and you will undoubtedly find thousands of websites focusing on exercise and fitness, yet they are rarely frowned upon compared to other activities. That said, pushing beyond our physical limitations can also cause health problems and serious injuries, which means that they also require great care and moderation, just like other activities that are often considered negatively or to be vices.
At the moment, there is a huge drive surrounding responsible gambling. This is a positive step for the industry, as like any other activity, there are those who are unable to control their urges. Yet sports betting remains one of the most popular hobbies and pastimes in the world today, mostly because the majority of people enjoy wagering with care and moderation, viewing this activity as an additional form of entertainment.
For this reason, Asiabet has produced an extensive guide to online sports betting, aimed at keeping this activity entertaining. This guide covers all the top sports we bet on, while providing information about safety and security, whilst evaluating and rating the trust and reliability of leading sports betting sites, via detailed reviews of what they have to offer. The best advice is always to set yourself limits, follow expert advice and the detailed research in guides such as this, ensuring that your sports wagering activity always remains fun.
