Entertainment Differences between the US and Europe

If you want to learn more about the culture of the world, then one interesting comparison would be Europe and the US. Although a lot of entertainment crosses over, there are some stark differences. 

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Games Have Different Rules

When you look at Europe, you will soon see that although the same games can be played in the US, they have different rules. If you play European roulette at Betfair Casino, you will notice that there is only one green zero. This changes the odds slightly, as you have a higher chance of landing on the number you’ve bet on, and the house has a lower edge. If you play American roulette at the MGM Grand however, then you will notice that there are two green zeros, resulting in a lower house edge. Game preferences are also different. In the US, games like Risk that involve direct competition are popular, but in Europe, games like Catan are played more. They’re more resource-driven over being directly competitive. 

European Sports are More About Passion

It’s not just games that are different either. There are also differences in sport. In the US, football refers to American football, but in Europe, it’s soccer. European sports tend to be about passion and devotion, whereas, in the US, there’s a bigger focus on the fun and entertainment factor. In American sports, you’re more likely to see huge plays and exciting clutch moments, whereas in European sports, strategy and playing conservatively tend to be key. Another factor that is different when you compare European sports to US sports would be the length of a season. In European sports, the season usually begins in August and finishes in late May. This makes the average season 10 months. In the US, however, seasons are much shorter, across all sports.

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A lot of this comes down to weather conditions. Some sports in the US can only really be played in good weather, limiting the season’s potential. In the US, sports seasons tend to be between 5 and 6 months in total. Another difference would be the way that teams invest in the experience for their fans. American leagues are known for introducing new tech, to try and provide fans with a more immersive experience. It also goes a long way when it comes to fan engagement too. The NBA in particular has introduced VR headsets in the past.

This has yet to be done in Europe, but when you look at the data, it looks like things could be about to change. European clubs are now investing in fan experiences but in very different ways. Although interactive activities before the game starting are gaining traction, they still aren’t as popular as they are in the US. Tailgating is another element that’s more popular in US sports. Tailgate parties are common and are often held in arenas, stadiums or sometimes, in parking lots. In Europe, this isn’t common practice.

So there are a lot of differences between European and US sports, and when you look at the culture, it’s easy to see why things are the way they are.