Wearable Tech Meets Wagering: Can Biometric Data Influence In-Game Bets?

Wearable technologies are making their way into professional sports at a rapid pace. Most of us will use wearable technology like a smartwatch daily, whether wearing it as a practical device to tell the time and stay organized, or as a tool to track our exercise at the gym, count calories, and ensure we meet our goals.

While professional athletes may not typically wear watches due to the potential for injuries, they can often be seen wearing other types of technology. For instance, soccer players might wear a vest underneath their jerseys that holds a microchip, which collects data. They might even have a chip in their cleats, as this can track their movements without interfering with their ability to perform.

The data being collected is used in various ways to create better experiences. While analysts work with athletes to ensure they are performing as well as possible and make necessary adjustments, others also utilize the collected data. Broadcasters utilize it to enhance the viewing experience for their audiences, while sportsbooks are also adopting this technology.

An operator like Betway, who offer betting markets across various sports, will use the data to ensure it can offer their members competitive odds in real-time. They will use the biometric data that is collected to set the markets and odds offered as accurately as possible. It can give them a clearer picture of what is happening, which can influence the in-game bets that they make available.

Is biometric data the future of live sports betting?

At the moment, bettors do not have access to certain biometric data that can be collected from athletes in real time. Neither do bookmakers; however, they have access to data that can be influential when setting odds. For instance, they’ll be able to know how much distance has been covered, or they may have other statistics that can easily be shared and found by everyone else.

Perhaps the next step in live sports betting is offering real-time biometric data to sportsbooks and bettors. With athletes able to share information such as their heart rates, hydration levels, fatigue, oxygen levels, and muscle exertion, bookmakers like Betway may be able to fine-tune the markets they offer even further. For example, if they recognize that a player’s heart rate is exceptionally high during a penalty kick, they might alter the odds differently.

Of course, this can come with privacy challenges that athletes may object to. They may not want everyone knowing what their body is going through when they are competing, nor may they be willing to share sensitive data that can be exploited for monetary gain. There is a fine balance that needs to be respected, but it appears to have the potential to change sports betting in the future.

Final Thoughts

Biometric data that is obtained through wearable technologies can influence in-game bets. They can help sportsbooks to redefine the odds and markets they offer, perhaps making them more accurate and competitive, as they are based on real data. Still, it is impossible to ignore the potential challenges with it that athletes may not consent to.