In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could allow sports betting, and since this change, some form of sports betting is now allowed in 38 states. Thirty of these states allow online sports betting. To use online sportsbooks, you’ll need to be in a state where this is allowed—and you’ll also have to meet the minimum age requirement; for most states, this is 21, but some jurisdictions allow this from age 18.
Though you don’t need to be a resident of the state, you do need to be physically within the state where you want to place a bet. You’ll also have to pay taxes on your winnings, and these differ according to your state. So, if you’re somewhere where it is legal to use online sportsbooks, how do you decide which ones to use? In this article, we’ve written about some key factors to consider when deciding to bet on sports.
User Experience and Interface
Firstly, your experience as a user matters. If the online sportsbook values how you experience their site, they’re going to value other important features, like your safety and privacy, too. It’s important to have a smooth experience with a site that’s easy to get to grips with—even as an experienced player.
Most of the time, people choose to use sportsbooks on their mobile devices, so having a mobile-optimized site is crucial. Some online sportsbooks choose to have native apps, but a lot of the time, this isn’t needed because the websites themselves are so good on mobile. However, if this is something you would prefer, you’ll need to find a good sportsbook that has this capability. Check out reviews on AskGamblers for third-party, unbiased information.
Betting Markets and Odds
Not all sportsbooks will offer the same sports or betting markets. Their odds will also be different. While most will cover the major sports, like the NFL, NHL, and NBA, some online sports betting sites offer a wider range of betting options, including entertainment, politics, and niche sports like darts or MMA.
In terms of odds, you’ll want to choose a site with the most competitive ones. The listed odds affect how much you’re paid out in winnings, so be sure to compare the same bet types of different sportsbooks to see which ones will return the most money. The odds may appear in different formats (American odds, fractional, or decimal). Most sites let you choose which format to use, so you should only make comparisons with odds when they’re written in the same format.
Bonuses, Promotions, and Loyalty Programs
As there are so many different online sportsbooks, competition is fierce. Betting sites will try to encourage newcomers to join by offering bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs. Here is an example of the types of offers you might see
– Matched deposit bonuses
– Free bets
– Insurance bets
– Free spins at the casino (if there is one)
– Cashback on losses
– Boosted odds
Whenever you see a bonus, it’s important to read the attached terms and conditions. For example, lots of matched deposit bonuses have rollover requirements, which can be high and have very quick expiry dates. It’s also important to check whether there are offers for regular customers. Sometimes, sportsbooks are great at encouraging you to join but then do nothing to keep you coming back as a regular customer. The best sites will offer rewards to both new and existing customers.
Live Betting and Streaming Capabilities
Being able to bet live when an event is taking place adds further excitement to your betting. While many online sportsbooks offer in-play betting, not all offer the same quality. Some will offer a huge range of sports and include free live streaming, while others won’t have any live streaming capabilities and might only offer basic stats and a low number of betting markets to choose from. For live betting, speed is also important, so you should choose a responsive site to make bets quickly in line with the action.
Payment Methods and Withdrawal Speeds
Nowadays, there are so many different payment options. Many online sportsbooks accept a range of options. The common ones are
– Card payments like Visa and Mastercard
– E-wallets like PayPal
– Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
– Prepaid cards like Paysafecard
– Bank transfers
– Cryptocurrencies
Whenever you choose a payment method, it’s important to look up the minimum and maximum withdrawal amounts and how long it will take to process. Some transactions are faster than others (e.g. e-wallets and cryptocurrencies), while others (like bank transfers) can take up to 10 business days to be received, which is a little frustrating. You should also review the safety information and security measures the sportsbook uses to ensure you’re protected when making payments.
Reputation, Licensing, and Security
Above all else, it’s important to choose a licensed and regulated sportsbook. If you don’t, you’re taking a huge risk. All the best sportsbooks will look after their players, and they’ll be bound by regulations like Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML), so you’ll know you’re in good hands.
Customer Support and Responsible Gambling Tools
Finally, you should choose a sportsbook that’s going to look after you and look out for you. Should you have any issues, you’ll need access to a responsive customer support system. Most good sportsbooks will have a live chat available 24/7, at the very least. Some also have telephone support, which is useful.
Responsible gambling tools are also a must. We expect to see tools like
– Deposit limits
– Loss limits
– Time outs
– Self-exclusion
These tools should be available to all players easily. Many online sportsbooks go beyond this and provide self-assessment questions and links to support sites like Gamblers Anonymous.
Conclusion
So, there you have it—our list of things to look out for when choosing a reputable online sportsbook. Though it can take time to check all these things out for yourself, it’s crucial for your safety that you do.
