Live streaming explained
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What is live streaming?
Live streaming is simply a live feed of a sporting event which you can watch via your computer. With high-speed broadband and ever-faster processing speeds, live streaming is growing massively in popularity. No matter which sport you enjoy watching and/or betting on, you can now see it as it happens - without subscribing to SKY or leaving your home.
The benefits of live streaming
1. You can watch your favourite sports as they happen. In the past, punters were restricted to watching only those sports that were screened on satellite and terrestrial TV - not too bad if you're into Horse Racing or Premier League soccer, but if you wanted to watch hockey or basketball, you weren't catered for. You'd have to place your bet, then read about it after the event had finished. These days, online bookies such as betfair stream over 20,000 events live to your PC every year - every sporting interest is provided for (see the example schedule from betfair to the right for a sample of which sports are on offer - every day, 24/7!)
2. The live streaming is free. So long as you have money in your account (ie you're a registered player) you can watch the live streams for free - even if you don't have a bet on the event! Of course betting in-play (see below) makes it even more exciting, but you have the chance to watch any event before committing to a wager.
3. You can bet on the live streamed sport as you watch. In play betting is the fastest growing betting medium in the country as it gives punters the opportunity to watch how the event unfolds - and change their bets accordingly!
Bet on live sports happening NOW at betfair...
Watching live streamed sports
Bettors can open accounts with various bookmakers and Betting Exchanges and then watch the sport - with or without having placed a bet. betfair require a minimum of £10 as a deposit to open an account, Ladbrokes just require you to be logged in and have a positive balance OR have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. This gives bettors access to all live sport. Sport not shown live on UK TV can be accessed purely by having an account - simply maintain a balance of just £1 to watch it on Live Streaming. NB Horse Racing shown on TV needs the punter to have a bet on it to watch through live stream.
In play betting
We have a feature on IN-PLAY betting on this site which will explain all the ins and outs of how to make the most of the opportunity Live Streaming offers.
Examples of markets available to bet on in play:
Football: Corners, bookings, goals, next goal, next corner, total goals in the match, halftime/fulltime, score in both halves, both teams to score, to win first half, to win second half, to score in first half, to score in 2nd half, double chance (a team to draw/win), under goals, over goals, anytime scorer, first scorer.
Tennis: Match winner, current set winner, next point winner, next game winner, next game score, next game to deuce, first to 2 games, 3 games, 4 games, 5 games in current set, total set in match, set betting, total games in match, handicap betting.
Rugby: total tries, goals, next try, next goal, total points, match winner, sin bin, sending off, half time/fulltime, winning margin, first scoring play, first try scorer, anytime try scorer, time of 1st try.
Cricket: total runs, wickets, next wicket, 6 in an over, no ball in an over, wicket in an over, next ball outcome, completed match.
Bet on live sports happening NOW at Ladbrokes...
Where to bet on live streamed sports
As discussed above, most online bookmakers offer Live streaming and in play betting. The choice of where to bet comes down to whether you prefer the more traditional route of betting on events to win, or whether you prefer to have the option to bet against yourself by laying bets i.e. acting as the bookie.
If you're looking for a solid, reliable traditional online bookmaker, we highly recommend bet365. A major player in Live betting, bet365 bet365 stream over 140,000 events live to your PC every year - so you can bet as the action unfolds. Highlights include Masters Series Tennis tournaments and matches from some of the top domestic Soccer leagues in the world. To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Any fixture/event on their website which has the Play or Video icon next to it is scheduled to be shown via Live Streaming.
Register with bet365 here...
If, however, you prefer the flexibility and excitement of being able to act as a punter or a bookie, your best bet for a betting exchange is the original and best - betfair. betfair Live Video streams live sporting events to betfair customers including Horseracing, Greyhound Racing, Football, Tennis, Snooker, Volleyball, Basketball and Darts. betfair Live Video is currently free of charge for all content with the exception of horseracing. However, to watch and bet on a horse race simply requires you to place a bet of at least £2 via the exchange. Then you can sit back and watch the race, safe in the knowledge that if things don't go your way, you can always change your mind and bet again! Sign up now at betfair and claim a Refund bet of £25.