Top Five Things to Look for When Picking an Online Sportsbook

When it comes to placing a flutter on a horse or backing a favorite football team, picking the right online sportsbook is important. However, with so many to choose from, what should a novice look out for in a sportsbook?

Online gambling can be daunting for newcomers. While it feels easier to go down to the local bookmaker’s to place a bet with the help of the on-site staff, online sportsbooks are wonderfully convenient and hassle-free once it’s clear what factors to consider.

Whether it’s an online sportsbooks in UK or the US, here are top five things to look out for before committing to placing that bet at an online sportsbook.

Reputation

Popular Online Sportsbooks 

• Winner Sportsbook:
Even though Winner Sportsbook was launched in

2013, it has run an online casino since 2009. This online sportsbook is a

good choice for those residing in the UK or Australia looking for football

specials.

• BetVictor:
Popular in the UK, BetVictor offers a number of sports to bet

on from American Football to racing. They also have new mobile betting

options and exciting live action betting. 

• Bet365:
This comprehensive and established online sportsbook has gives

customers the chance to bet on available on every sport out there.

• Bovada and Bodog:
A good option for those based in the US or Canada, check

out the promotions available for new players.

• ComeOn! Sportsbook:
A popular sportsbook, great for Asian gamers.

Offers nice welcome bonuses and has a range of sports to bet on.

One of the most important things to consider is the sportsbook’s reputation. The willingness and the ability to pay off its winners is perhaps the most important thing any potential better should look for in a bookmaker. 

It might be hard to deduce the financial state of a company without burrowing through its financial history, but it’s a safe bet that established sportsbooks that have been around for few years are likely to be reliable and financially stable. 

There is plenty of information out on the web on which online sportbooks and mobile betting sites are trust worthy. Check out which ones pay or pay quickly before committing to an online sportsbook, and don’t be afraid to ask veteran sports bettors who they’d personally recommend.

Easy Banking Options

Since betting is partly about the money, it’s vital to find out what kind of payment and deposit methods are given by an online sportsbook. 

Can it take credit card deposits easily? Does it have a suitable payment method for US players? 

There are many methods to transfer money to and from a bookmaker, and but each one will come with varying payment policies and fees attached to it. 

Finding the right payment option is one of the most important issues to consider, especially if the bookmaker is located abroad. 

The banking laws in the US, for example, can especially make payment issues a bit of a problem, so it’s key to see which sportsbooks give the best deals and withdrawal options. 

Larger sportsbooks offer a number of payment and withdrawal options that might offer a more suitable way of collecting winnings than smaller, start up companies, for example.

Betting Options

Potential customers should bear in mind that not all online sportsbooks will offer the ability to bet on every sport. For example, if a client is looking to bet on sports in UK, then it makes sense to go with a British bookmaker. 

If a sportsbook doesn’t have the right sports on offer, then it becomes a waste of time and money to even consider it. Take a look around and see what betting options are available at each bookmaker. 

Another thing to consider is what kind of odds are being offered on the games accepting wagers. There are plenty of sportsbooks out, so it’s just a matter of finding the right one. 

One final thing to look out for is the betting limits set by the bookmakers. Certain sites cap the amount that can be wagered on in a match so if for those looking to bet higher stakes, check that the online sportsbook will take the wager. 

And it goes both ways, since each sportsbook also has a minimum wager in place, so whether the minimum stake needs to be GBP 5 or GBP 20, it’s worth checking before signing up.

Customer Service

If there is a problem with a bet or it’s taking too long to collect winnings, then good customer service is important for potential client. 

Good customer service lies in staff that knows both betting in general and their own company policies, and is easily accessible by either email or telephone. 

Customer service is something many of us take for granted, until it’s needed, that is. Even if the sportsbook works smoothly up until a point, as soon as a problem comes up, it’s vital to have someone who can help. 

For those picking a foreign bookmaker, then check to see if they have a 24-hour help service to overcome those pesky time differences. 

To be extra savvy, it’s a good idea to contact the bookmaker’s customer service prior to joining. Get some questions out there and see how they respond. 

It’s also a good way to kill many birds with one stone, since you can ask about their banking options, minimum deposits, maximum limits, payment fees, the time it would take to get winnings and so on.

Bonuses

Bonuses promise free money, which is quite an attractive point for a number of prospective bettors. 

Pretty much every sportsbook will offer some kind of incentive to get new customers to join, either in the form of cash deposits or discounts and so on. 

However, often there are rules or restrictions that apply. So a good rule of thumb is if something is too good to be true, then it probably is. 

It’s wise to exert caution on crazy bonuses, which are more likely to be a marketing gimmick and it’s unlikely the bookmaker will cash out the winnings anyway, or will find some loophole not to pay the client. 

However, if more than one sportsbook ticks the above requirements, then the bonus offered could be the last thing to swing the deal in its favor. 

So, when picking a sportsbook, it’s good to choose one that is well established and has a good reputation. Avoid any startup sportbooks with crazy bonus promises and no payment history.