Casino vs Sports Betting: Which is Right for You?

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A person holding a phone with a soccer player and sports betting on the screen in front of a laptop displaying sports betting options.
BetMGM Oct 18, 2021, 11:46 PM

What type of gambling are you in the mood for? Online slots or betting on that upcoming tennis Grand Slam tournament? Trying your “hand” at casino table games like online poker or putting some money on the most anticipated boxing match of the year? When signing up to explore an online casino, it’s safe to say you’ll probably be surprised to discover just how much entertainment is on offer. 

So, how do you go about choosing where to start? Are online casino games better suited to your personality? Or is online sports betting the perfect fit for you? Here’s some comparable information to help you decide.

Getting started

Casino games: It’s pretty simple to get started when opting to play casino games. You’ll just need to register at a digital casino of your choice and then find a game that appeals to you. The only problem might be deciding where to begin, considering how many types and titles are available!

Sports betting: It’s also easy to get started with sports betting after registering to enter a virtual casino. However, keep in mind that you’ll only be able to bet on upcoming sports events that are due to take place within a certain time frame.

The winner: It’s a draw. It’s straightforward and hassle-free to get started with both sports betting and playing virtual casino games. 

Variety

Casino games: There are hundreds upon hundreds of online casino games to explore and enjoy! There’s a broad variety available not only in terms of the type of game, such as casino table games, arcade games, and online slots but also in terms of themes, RTPs (returns to player) and gamification (that is, the potential to compete against other players on a leader board or to complete daily quests to earn rewards.)

Sports betting: There’s also plenty of variety on offer when it comes to sports betting, especially nowadays when betting is no longer limited to the most popular sports and the biggest sporting events. Today, you can bet on practically any professional sport and any match or game you want to, along with the option of choosing between a number of wager types, such as win and prop bets, and point spreads.

The winner: Again, it’s a draw. While there are definitely more titles to choose from regarding casino games, sports betting makes up for it with the various types of wagers available regardless of which sport or event you’re betting on.

Earning potential

Casino games: It’s not recommended to approach casino games with the intention of “making money.” Instead, it’s best to look at playing these games as a fun way to pass the time, counting any money that you may lose as the cost of your entertainment. This is why it’s so important to decide what bankroll you are going to play with before you get going. Remember that, while it’s indeed possible to hit the jackpot, there are no guarantees and you’re usually going to walk away with less than you started with, considering the house edge (the mathematical advantage that the casino has over you every time you play.) But that doesn’t stop you having fun!

Sports betting: It’s much easier to walk away with more than you started with when taking part in sports betting – although, once again, a win is never guaranteed and it depends on how you place your wagers and how much research you’ve done! The higher earning potential is because you’re betting based on odds and most likely with a strategy in mind. Do remember, though, that it’s also never a good idea to approach sports betting with the intention of making a profit.

The winner: Sports betting.

Time and convenience

Casino games: Casino games are an ideal pick for people who have some free time on their hands and are looking for a fun and entertaining way to keep busy. Generally, there’s little point in playing casino games if you’re going to rush through the experience.

Sports betting: Anyone can take part in sports betting, even those with extremely limited time. This is because it takes only a few seconds to place a bet – once you get the hang of the basics and how the betting platform works, that is.

The winner: It depends on what you’re looking for. Casino games probably come out on top if you’re looking for a means to pass the time. But sports betting would win if you’re looking for something that doesn’t always require a lot of time or commitment.

Skill required

Casino games: The level of skill required varies depending on what type of game you prefer playing. For example, very little skill is needed to play the best online slots. However, you’ll definitely need to have a solid understanding of the basics if you’re going to try a more strategic game such as online poker.

Sports betting: There’s no skill necessary to place a bet on a sporting event – but your odds of winning some money will be significantly higher if you take the time to learn more about the sport (so that your “guesses” are more informed,) the various sports betting strategies and how to make the odds work in your favor.

The winner: It’s a draw.

Play casino games and bet on sports at BetMGM

Ultimately, you need to experiment to find out what type of gambling is the right fit for you, your preferences and your lifestyle. Here at BetMGM, we make it easy for you to explore both realms in one place, because we offer some of the best games to play at a casino online as well as fantastic sports betting options across a broad range of sports. And if you’re still wondering, “how does sports betting work?” don’t worry! We’ve got you covered: You’ll find our online site provides detailed explanations on how it’s done.

Feel free to register via our mobile portal.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens flipping casino chips next to the text "The King of Casinos"
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Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.