The rise of online sports betting from home

The rise of online sports betting from home

Sports betting has been transformed in recent years, with more people than ever betting from the comfort of their own homes. This post looks at how from betting on major sports to delving into niche markets, the ability to do so from one’s own home offers unparalleled convenience, safety and access to all types of options.

Convenience

One of the key reasons why online sports betting from home is really popular is convenience, and there’s no more having to visit a bricks-and-mortar betting shop to place wagers. With a computer, tablet or smartphone, gamblers can access a wealth of betting options and can place a bet anytime, 24/7 and from anywhere. This shift has been particularly convenient for busy individuals, as they can engage in sports betting without having to adjust their daily routines. Additionally, 24-hour betting has made late-night sports action in other time zones available, which has made it even more convenient for you to place a bet.

Live wagering

While it may be convenient to log on to your favourite betting site and quickly place a bet on the upcoming match, what happens if you want to place bets during the game? Fortunately for you, live betting has utterly transformed how people engage with sports betting, and the benefit is to the home-based punters. Unlike conventional betting, where wagers must be placed ahead of a match, live betting allows users to make real-time choices based on what is unfolding during the game and with faster internet and special live-streaming websites, punters can view an event and simultaneously alter their wagers. This interactive type of in-play betting is more exhilarating and captivating, and it’s one of the major reasons why online sports betting is so successful. Being able to make instantaneous choices is a major draw.

Promotions and bonuses

Online bookmakers give constant bonuses and promotions to attract and retain customers, and at-home users benefit from welcome bonuses, wagers given out for free and cash back offers that aren’t available in conventional betting shops. The promotions provide added value, providing more chances to win without increased risk. There are even loyalty programs with certain bookies, where frequent users are rewarded in the long term. By betting from their homes, users can compare multiple offers and choose the best ones, maximising their returns. This competitive market is to the advantage of the users with better deals.

Mobile apps

The rise in mobile betting apps is mostly to be credited to the growing popularity of sports betting from home and on the move. Mobile betting applications provide users with an effortless betting experience with simple-to-use interfaces, real-time updating odds and secure payments. With push notifications, users receive timely alerts about their sports and options to bet.

Security and privacy

The majority prefer to bet from home due to enhanced security, privacy, comfort and convenience, in contrast to betting in physical betting shops where transactions are public. Online betting allows individuals to bet anonymously, which many people prefer. Secure payment methods, such as e-wallet and cryptocurrencies, really help to add an extra layer of protection. Licensed websites also have the best encryption technology to secure personal and monetary data. For people who prefer to be anonymous and in a risk-free zone, betting from home offers a level of protection that offline bookies may not provide. Security measures continually increase digital protection for consumers.

The social dimension

While betting from home may be a solitary experience, most have found ways to make it more social. Online forums, betting communities and social media groups give sports fans an in-real-time forum to post predictions, strategies and outcomes. Live-streaming sites, including Twitch and YouTube, also offer the option of watching together, really promoting a sense of community. Some bookies even give interactive options, including in-app chat rooms and betting contests, that add to the social aspect of betting from home. The options promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Responsible gambling

With the convenience of betting from their own homes, responsible gambling is more important than ever and online bookmakers have built-in tools to help users manage their betting; including deposit limits, time-out and self-exclusion. Home betting allows users to exercise greater control, preventing impulse wagers that may be placed in betting shop environments that are highly stimulating. By setting personal betting limits and keeping to a budget, players can engage in sports betting responsibly and enjoy the process. Self-control is the key to really successful betting in the long-term.

Conclusion

The trend of sports betting from the comfort of your own home is unstoppable, driven by technology, accessibility and convenience. With mobile apps, in-game betting and more safety measures, betting from home is now an experience that rivals the classic betting shop. As the market continues to grow, betting shop customers can look forward to even more developments that will make sports betting more convenient, safe and fun than ever before. You’d be right to say that the digitisation of sports betting has only just begun.

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How to welcome party guests

How to welcome party guests | H is for Home

It’s Christmas, the time where the biggest and the best parties are happening all over the world. It’s a time for family and friends, and for get-togethers with people you haven’t seen all year.

If you’ve thought about, or are planning, your own party at home this year, then there are some things you’ll need to think about in advance. We wanted to provide you with some tips when it comes to welcoming your party guests.

Ideas such as hiring a festive booth from Photo Booth Rental Fort Worth as a fun way to create memories of the occasion.

Clean, fresh bedding

Prepare the guest room

Even if you haven’t planned for anyone to stay, there might be that person whose lift doesn’t turn up, or a train gets cancelled, or someone decides they’d prefer to stay and have a couple more drinks instead of drive home. You should always be prepared just in case someone decides they’d like to use the guest room.

You can do this by preparing the bedding, and maybe even buying new from somewhere like Julian Charles. Even if you buy new, make sure you wash it before putting it on the bed to give that amazing ‘fresh bedding’ smell.

You’ll need to make sure the room has all the basics like a wardrobe with hangers and bedside lamps. You might also want to add some homely touches such as candles, plants and throws.

Christmas dining table

Prepare the food

Depending on the tone you want to set for the party, you’ll need to decide on your food choices. Are you going to do a sit down meal? Are you going to do a casual buffet? The former is more effort for you, and you’ll need to think of the number of people you’ll be inviting. Can you realistically cook a two- or three-course meal for 15 people? If you’d rather have more people there in a casual setting, a buffet is the easiest way to go.

You’ll need to consider the vegetarians, vegans and anyone with allergies. Will you do a vegan dessert for everyone, or provide multiple options? There’s so much to think about!

Mopping a kitchen floor

Spring clean

In a survey done by Julian Charles, they found that 85% of people will be doing last minute tidying and preparing right up until their guests arrive. This could include lighting candles, laying out snacks or plumping up pillows. People care about their homes and what the rooms look like to guests. It’s a time to wow people and give them an amazing impression of your home.

The day of the party is the time to vacuum and dust any room guests might enter. This includes both the downstairs and upstairs bathrooms; make sure there’s enough toilet roll,  soap and a clean hand towel in there too. Floors should be mopped, and if you’ve done any food prep in the kitchen, it should all be cleaned away and set in the fridge for when you need it later.

There’s tons to think about when you’re having a party, but you want to welcome your guests and make them feel instantly at home.

How else might you prepare your home for when you have guests over?

Price Points: Board games

Trio of board games | H is for Home

How does your Christmas Day pan out? Is your house full of friends & family? Do you go over to the parents(-in-law)? How do you pass the time?

There’ll be ones who busy themselves in the kitchen, preparing food and washing up. Some scarper to the pub to stay out of the way for a few hours.

Then there are other people who use the opportunity of having a captive audience to bring out the board games. They can be the source of hilarity, act as ice-breakers where there are newcomers to the abode or bring out a competitive streak where least expected.

I love a session of Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit, and the three board games above are all in a similar vein. Words, trivia and quick thinking; what’s not to love?

  1. 5 Second rule board game: £11.25, Argos
  2. Bananagrams party edition word game: £12.99, eBay
  3. Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game: £16.99, John Lewis

shop board games

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
£16.99
Bananagrams party edition word game
Bananagrams party edition word game
£12.99
5 Second rule board game
5 Second rule board game
£11.25
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
£16.99
Bananagrams party edition word game
Bananagrams party edition word game
£12.99
5 Second rule board game
5 Second rule board game
£11.25
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
£16.99
Bananagrams party edition word game
Bananagrams party edition word game
£12.99
5 Second rule board game
5 Second rule board game
£11.25
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
£16.99
Bananagrams party edition word game
Bananagrams party edition word game
£12.99
5 Second rule board game
5 Second rule board game
£11.25
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
Gibsons ‘Pass the Pud’ family word game
£16.99
Bananagrams party edition word game
Bananagrams party edition word game
£12.99
5 Second rule board game
5 Second rule board game
£11.25

The rise of home entertaining

The rise of home entertaining

Overall, we’re a social bunch us Brits, aren’t we? Sometimes there’s nothing we like more than a good old-fashioned chin-wag with our loved ones. However, in recent years, we’ve tended to opt against heading away from our home comforts. In 2001, reports showed that just over half of the UK’s adults would prefer friends come over to their house to socialise rather than head to a pub or restaurant. By 2017, this figure had substantially risen to 75%. And, with two pubs on average closing each day in Britain, the rise of home entertainment is clearly having an effect.

But, why do we like to entertain at home?

Circular platter of food

Cost

The main reason we bring the ‘party’ to our own doorstep is to save on expenses. The average cost of a three-course meal in the UK last year stood at £28.59, excluding drinks and gratuity. That means that with the price of drinks hiked up in most restaurants, you could easily pay over £50 per head on your dinner date and that’s not factoring in other expenses such as taxis!

By entertaining at home, you can stock up your fridge and freezer with all your favourite foods and tipples for a fraction of the cost. Now that sounds better, doesn’t it?

Preparing salmon

Convenience

If ever you meet an old friend when you’re out running errands, you’re likely to have said, “let’s meet for a catch-up”, but how often do we actually follow this through? Organising a get-together can often be hard work and fall by the wayside. That’s where home parties come in handy. Unlike many bars, kids are allowed! This means less hassle in needing to find a babysitter if you have little ones as you can just bring them in tow. Great, eh?

By organising house gatherings, you can also take it in turns who plays host. That way, you continue your social circle without needing to spend too much

Setting the table for a dinner party

Personal praise

We can be a very competitive bunch. Gaining the plaudits from our peers can be a real ego booster, no matter how much we deny it. Hosting a good party or gathering can hold you in high esteem within your family our social circle. After all, we all remember who used to hold the best house parties at school, don’t we?

So, how can we make sure our homes are the perfect spot for socialising?

Meat skewers on a barbecue

Add a barbecue space

Ah, the old favourite. If you visit any supermarket when the sun’s shining, you’ll be met with a limited selection of sausages and burgers and empty beers, wines and spirits shelves. Those summer months and lighter late nights give us the perfect opportunity to bask in the fresh air and wine and dine outside. With so many barbecues to choose from, it’s simple – and cheap – to pull out the barbecue and cook a feast on the coals (or gas).

Table set for a garden party

Create a seating area

Beer gardens may be the port of call for some, but for others, their home garden is the place to be. While we love our lawns, we need a seated area to offer to our guests, especially if food is on the menu. Often, we choose to deck out an area of our garden and composite decking boards are a perfect low-maintenance option. This allows you to have a designated area for guests to congregate, eat and drink and best of all, it doesn’t take much to clean up afterwards!

Outdoor hot tub

Get a hot tub

Yes, you read that right. The hot tub is fast becoming a garden favourite in the UK. Despite the dramatic change in weather over the winter, hot tubs can actually be suitable for all-year-round entertaining. In Newcastle, sales were 600% higher in the first four months of 2018 than the whole of the previous year. With prices vastly varying depending on the model and size, the idea of relaxing in the comfort of your personal garden spa is clearly one that appeals.

Home bar

Create a home bar

Another relatively popular idea in which people had previously baulked over due to the price. A garden bar is becoming increasingly more sought after in the UK to those who have enough spare space. While these can be professionally built huts, some are using their imagination and recycling materials to create a one-off garden bar out of caravans and summerhouses. Imagine being your own landlord and not needing to deal with kicking out time!

If you don’t have enough outdoor space, you can buy cheap optics for your kitchen so that when you offer those spirits, you do so in a quirky manner instead of just heading for the ‘booze cupboard’. After all, we all like to show off our gadgets, don’t we? An impressive alcohol selection will look all the better in a well-presented manner.

Table set for dinner

Purchase a dining table

When the weather isn’t playing ball, entertaining must come inside. Some people prefer to eat their dinner in front of the television, and that’s fine. However, a nice dining table can come in extremely handy if you’re entertaining guests. Whether it’s for a ‘Come Dine with Me’-type sit-down meal, or just to place your buffet snacks and drinks on while people chat away, a table could be a great purchase. Make sure you place it in a space that still allows you to freely navigate around it and doesn’t clutter your room.

There you have it! With the rise of home entertaining set to continue, make sure you make the most of the space you have available and wow your guests with your amazing hosting skills.

Sources:

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2018/02/rate-of-uk-pub-closures-has-slowed-to-two-per-day/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/303776/trend-in-having-friends-over-instead-of-going-out-in-great-britain-uk/

https://www.dineindulge.co.uk/news/the-cost-of-eating-out/

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hot-tub-capital-uk-you-14643683

https://resourcefurniture.com/make-space-entertaining/

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