How to Use Live Betting to Your Advantage

In-play betting often seems like a way to stay closer to the action, especially for bettors relying on mobile apps or using accumulators, but the ability to react in real-time does not guarantee better decision-making and can even increase risks.

How does Live Betting differ from Traditional Betting?

Compared to the predetermined odds seen in traditional betting formats, live betting odds can change based on what takes place during a game.

Using a hypothetical example, if Orlando Pirates scored a goal in a PSL match, the odds for the Bucs to win would shorten, making it more probable.

For many South African bettors who utilise mobile apps and bet across sports, the ability to adjust stakes based on live results is appealing.

However, live betting also increases risks for bettors, because decisions happen faster, odds move more quickly, and emotions can override control.

Why Live Betting feels Simpler than it is?

While live betting may be attractive due to its convenience, the higher pace of this format does not correlate to increased certainty when placing wagers.

Media houses such as Daily Maverick have reported on low-earning South Africans gambling away salaries on sports betting, including in-play options.

The appeal of live betting is based on factors including the illusion of control, less time to reflect on choices, and biases from a team scoring, for example.

While the assumption is that live betting can guarantee better results, the pace of this format requires stronger control to avoid compulsive behaviour.

A scoping study published on ResearchGate ^[1] suggests that in-play betting is potentially more harmful than any other traditional types of gambling.

In the study, authors Elizabeth Alice Killick and Mark D Griffiths emphasised the risks associated with the inherent structural characteristics of live betting.

This is due to in-play betting changing behaviour, where bettors fall to biases, chase losses, and overreact to short-term events (such as a wicket or a goal).

While the South African media has reported broadly on gambling-related harm, some sources suggest live betting could be potentially more harmful.

Live Betting and the Real ‘Edge’

Data-driven insights are important for bettors, since odds shift in real-time, driving differences between market efficiency and value.

Matches are constantly changing depending on factors like odds movement, momentum, tactical changes, or even the weather.

This underlines the true advantage of live betting: instead of acting fast and on impulse, patience and restraint are rewarded.

South Africa’s regulatory and responsible gambling context are also important, being enforced by the National Gambling Board ^[2].

Local bettors should only operate within a regulated environment and prioritise maintaining control and having support systems.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation ^[3] offers treatment and counselling for those affected by problem gambling.

This is an important resource against the risks of live betting, in a context of bettors needing to maintain their discipline and control.