New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Are you looking forward to placing a bet on the Eurovision Song Contest? Find out how to stay safe while betting on the most significant musical event in the world.
The Eurovision song contest is one of the most famous music competitions globally, watched all over the globe by millions of viewers. Leading up to the event, certain songs attract an almost cult following and are hotly tipped for success.
With such a high level of interest in Eurovision, it offers multiple betting opportunities. From guessing the winner to predicting which country will finish with the dreaded "nil points""", it's a potential goldmine if you get it right.
Yet betting on Eurovision isn't as easy as it sounds. Here are a few tips if you want to have a flutter.
More than Sports Betting
Traditionally, betting is linked to sports such as football and horse racing, but a bookmaker can offer a much wider variety. If you enjoy betting but aren't a huge sports fan, it's possible to bet on the outcome of other events, such as the Eurovision song contest.
As one of the highest-profile events which take place globally, Eurovision attracts bets from all over the world. On the run-up to Eurovision, you'll be able to find a variety of special offers from bookies targeted towards those who want to bet on the event. These could include new player bonuses and free cash deals in return for signing up.
The most apparent bet to place is the winner of the contest, but there are lots of other outcomes you might want to bet on too. A top 4 finish might not sound that appealing, but with only a small number of countries likely to make it close to the top of the leaderboard, you've got a pretty good chance of winning this bet. Top Scandinavian country, finishing position for the UK and most ridiculous performance of the night are alternatives you might want to place.
Stay Safe
If you're not betting with your regular bookmaker or being infrequent better, you could find yourself attracted to several different offers in the market. Eurovision is a popular time which means there are even more people betting than usual.
Remember: no matter how good an offer seems, only provide your sensitive data on secure and trustworthy sites. Look for sites that offer encryption and high levels of security, such as two-step verification. Don't be tempted to enter personal data, such as bank or card details, on a connection which isn't secure.
It's also important to understand that money held with a betting company isn't protected in the UK in the same way that bank account funds are. The Gambling Commission explains this in more detail, but you can check what level of protection your betting company voluntarily offers. It's generally recommended to look for a bookmaker that has a mechanism in place to ensure customers get their money back (classified as medium or high protection).
If you anticipate leaving money in a betting account for a prolonged period of time, you might also want to consider splitting large bets across multiple companies to reduce the risk and stay safe.
