How the feature works, which allows you to tailor wagers based on your preferences, and what makes it different from ready-made offers in the bookmaker’s line. Learn how to use your imagination in betting.
What is a Request a Bet?
It is a feature that enables you to propose custom odds on specific events or outcomes that are not available in the standard betting markets. This service allows for a high degree of personalization, as you can combine various selections to form one unique outcome.
How Does It Work?
To initiate a Request a Bet, you typically contact the bookmaker with your proposed wager, often through social media or a dedicated online platform. The bookmaker then assesses the feasibility of the chance and, if approved, provides odds for the requested wager, making it available for you and potentially other customers to place their bets on.
Pros and Cons of Request a Bet
The main attraction to it is the customization it offers, allowing you to leverage your knowledge and create wagers that align with your predictions. This can lead to a more engaging experience and the possibility of higher returns, as well as the opportunity to explore niche markets. Still, you should keep in mind that bookmakers have the discretion to accept or decline any proposals.
Examples of Request a Bet
Examples might include a stake combining the winner of a football match with a specific player to score, or predicting the exact scoreline and a player to receive a yellow card. This bespoke nature sets it apart from Bet Builders and combo bets, which are predefined by the bookmaker. The creativity of Request a Bet is limited only by your imagination and the bookmaker’s willingness to set the odds.
Who Offered It First?
The feature, also known as “Create Your Bet” among other names, has been offered by various bookmakers over the years, and it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who was the first to introduce this concept. However, the idea was popularised by Sky Bet with their “RequestABet” service. They were one of the early adopters to allow customers to order their own wagers, encouraging users to engage with them on social media using the hashtag #RequestABet.
This creative approach paved the way for other bookmakers to introduce similar features, recognizing the demand for more personalised betting options in the market.
Why Bookies Offer It
Bookmakers offer the “Request a Bet” feature for several strategic reasons:
- Increased Engagement: You experience heightened interaction with the sportsbook when you can request your own stakes.
- Competitive Edge: Personalised services give bookmakers a distinctive feature that can attract and retain customers.
- Market Insight: Your bet suggestions offer bookmakers insight into preferred wager types, informing potential adjustments to their standard options.
- Customer Retention: Tailoring to your betting preferences helps bookmakers foster loyalty and maintain a strong customer base.
- Social Media Interaction: Sharing your bet requests and results on social media can act as organic marketing.
- Profitability: Unique and complex custom outcomes can carry higher margins, potentially increasing bookmakers’ profits.
- Showcasing Expertise: Fulfilling custom requests allows bookmakers to demonstrate their skill in odds setting and bet management.