The rush one gets from tennis matches is unlike anything else. It is difficult to compare this sport to any other. The dynamic gameplay between two opponents is the closest thing to a combat sport that does not involve fighting. But tennis is more popular than any combat sport can imagine. There are over a billion fans that follow the game with a level of passion that most can’t even imagine.
We can see that same level of passion in online and land-based gamblers. Casino goers will often be able to talk your ear off about the intricacies and strategies that they have had to formulate in order to improve their chances at slots online or blackjack. The passion that these players exude is often contagious and may easily sway a newbie into testing their own luck.
But the question is why such passion exists in both tennis and gaming circles? Is there a correlation between the two that runs deep? Or is it just shared thrills between two fandoms which are both deeply passionate? The goal we’ve set out for this article is to examine the similarities and differences that connect the two fandoms.
A Similar Thrill
There is a level of thrill that arises from both watching and playing tennis. One could compare this burst of excitement that comes from the game to that which also accompanies gamblers playing their favorite slots at the various online casinos. It is a well-established fact that exercise and strain leads to the release of endorphins. Endorphins have been dubbed the “feel good hormone” by many, because they carry a chemical that makes us feel good in the moment. It is why exercise has been linked to improving mental health.
Playing tennis is a sure way to release endorphins into one’s system and make them feel good. But the thrill that comes from playing and winning at online slots could be said to have a similar effect on the psyche. Taking risks is often associated with a boost in adrenaline which is known to have an effect that approximates a thrill in the human condition. What is gambling if not taking a risk on a random game of chance? But there is more to this story. Winning at slots has been linked to the release of dopamine in the human brain. The pleasure hormone has similar effects to endorphin, making the thrills feel similar.
It doesn’t end there though. Dopamine is also the hormone being released when we watch our favorite television shows or programs. The correlation has also been observed among sports fans present at the games of their choice. The point we are making is that tennis fans are releasing dopamine when they are watching a match between two top athletes. The obvious correlation here is that the feeling of watching a tennis game is a similar thrill to that of playing your favorite slots. It is no wonder there is such a crossover between tennis fans and online casino players.
Betting and Gambling
There is a lot of discussion about the similarities and differences between sport and casino gambling. The iGaming industry could be said to encompass both industries. Many make the argument that online casinos often double as sportsbooks. The obvious implication here is that the industry should be lumped together under one big umbrella. But there is another faction of the gambling industry that believes sports betting and gambling should remain separate.
The main argument is that most people are not really interested in both. There are certainly some who love betting on tennis and spinning reels. But most online casino attendees tend to stick to the gambling side of things. The opposite seems to be true too as most tennis betting enthusiasts prefer to follow the latest on the ATP rather than visit online casinos. But that doesn’t mean that a correlation between tennis and gambling does not exist.
We can’t deny that there is a profound relationship between these two seemingly separate industries. We mentioned before that most gambling websites double as sportsbooks as well. Coverage of odds is typical among the experts that run internet-based casinos. But the most important link comes from before the age of the internet. Plenty of brick and mortar casinos would have had odds makers working for them. They would cover most sports including tennis, which obviously shows that there is enough of a demand for sports betting among fans of casino-based gambling.
Slots and Tennis
So far in the article we have talked about the broad connection between betting on tennis and gambling on various games. But what are the intricate connections between tennis and slots specifically? Despite there seemingly being no correlation some may be shocked to learn that there is a pretty strong link between the two. Tennis is a game of skill where every move a player makes might spell victory or defeat. Slot games are based on pure luck and no amount of foresight will change the outcome.
Yet online slot games have found a way to elevate the classic game of chance that we all love to the next level. The introduction of themed slots has been a godsend for creative game developers who want to push their skills to the limit. It may not surprise anyone reading this text to know that tennis is a pretty popular theme among slot creators on the web. It may not have the draw power of football or basketball. But tennis slots have managed to carve a niche that attracts players the world over.
Slots inspired by tennis will often feature unique symbols that remind one of the sport. The racket or ball will be featured prominently of course. But what also may shock some is learning that tennis slots could include the likeness of some of the best tennis players in the history of the Open. That is because slots often look to embolden their brand by making license deals with pre-existing celebrities. Considering the success of both tennis and slots; it is not surprising that the two industries would clash.
