Choosing a Sports Betting Site: Top 7 Most Important Factors
Beginner's Guide to Choosing a Sports Betting Site
Online gambling has become part of human lives, with statistics pointing out that at least 1.6 billion people gamble across the globe. With such a wide market, the number of online betting sites has grown tremendously, and operators are utilizing every available resource to increase their online traffic. This makes the sportsbook selection process difficult, especially if you have no idea where to start. Fortunately, that doesn't have to be the case. You can use various criteria to find the perfect bookie and guarantee an amazing gambling experience.
So keep reading to learn which factors are necessary when choosing a sports betting site, whether you are an expert or an amateur gambler.
1. Sports Coverage
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing the best sportsbook is the site's sports coverage. Top betting sites in the USA have a tremendous coverage of different sports, including golf, ice hockey, MMA, and tennis. Furthermore, they offer international basketball and American football fixtures. With such impressive coverage, you will have an easy time accessing NHL, NBA, and NFL matches. Besides, you will never miss any WTA and US Open event for betting.
To find out whether a bookie has the ideal sports coverage, you can load the site on your computer and go through the sports offered. Note that you don't need to register for an account to browse the sportsbook's sports coverage. If you want a second opinion, search for the best bookie review and go through it keenly. These reviews often have an in-depth analysis of the sportsbook, seeing you gather more than enough details regarding a select betting site.
2. Available Bonuses
Before opting into any sportsbook, you need to ensure it has a couple of bonus offers for new and existing clients. For instance, it should have a compelling first deposit bonus, whether it is in the form of free bets or match deposits. Furthermore, it should have cashback and reload bonuses. If you are interested in claiming USA no deposit bonuses, apply the casino selection strategy where you pick the casino you want with the desired promotion, read the review, and start playing if it suits your needs. Note that bonuses play a significant role in sports betting sites. You can increase your betting activities while spending less, with the right offer.
You can also use the promotions to enhance your sports betting skills and learn gambling strategies. However, go through the bonus terms and conditions to ensure the promos are suitable. Focus more on the bonus activation steps and the wagering requirements. If you're keen and vigilant, you may land on a bookie with VIP or loyalty programs. Such bookmakers are generous since they give you a chance to access more offers that would be unavailable otherwise.
3. Betting Markets and Odds
Sports betting is only as enjoyable as the number of markets provided by the operator. An ideal betting site should offer a full range of markets regardless of the event. Ideally, a bookmaker should provide at least 500 markets per event. Some of the markets that should be available include Money Line, Winning Margin, Total Band, and Odd/Even bets. However, you should note that different sports have different markets, so don't be surprised to come across events with a distinct betting option than the ones mentioned above.
In addition to having a wide range of markets, the bookie should offer competitive odds. For instance, the odds should range from 1.02 to 500.00 or more. After all, odds sizes determine the payout to expect if you place a correct prediction. For instance, if you are provided with the best tennis odds, you are likely to end up with a significant payout even if the wager is small. Furthermore, ensure the operator offers different odds formats. For instance, the bookie should have decimal, American, UK, and Hong Kong odd types just in case you cannot convert the default odds format.
4. Betting Features
Most punters often neglect the betting features a bookie offers. If you are new to sports betting, betting features are the additional functions in a sportsbook designed to make betting entertaining and give you control of your betting account. One of the betting features to check is cash-out. With a cash-out function, you can easily make a bet independent of the outcome by withdrawing your wager. Another feature that you should look forward to is a bet builder. The function is suitable when placing multi-bets since it helps you combine compatible markets. Moreover, a bet builder ensures you get the highest odds possible in the process.
Remember, other bookies offer bet builders in the form of request a bet. Request a bet feature requires you to contact the operator and ask for special betting markets that are unavailable. Lastly, ensure the bookie offers live streaming so that you can watch continuing events. Since the pandemic could lead more states to allow online betting, it’ll probably lead to more online casinos and these features should be included in sports betting sites to attract more players.
5. Payment Methods
When it comes to sportsbetting, you need fast and safe payment method to deposit and cashout. Therefore, choose a betting site that has multiple online banking solutions. For instance, it should have e-wallet payment options like ecoPayz, PayPal, and Skrill. Moreover, the bookie should possess Neteller and Euteller digital payment systems, among many others. Most gambling platforms also offer card payment solutions and bank transfer methods. Recently, the betting industry started incorporating cryptocurrency methods like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin so that punters can gamble with decentralized currencies.
Each payment option should be available round the clock and must ensure fast deposit and withdrawals. Confirm the safety of the methods to ensure your banking information and money are secure. Pay attention to two-factor authentication systems. Lastly, check the deposit and withdrawal limits. An ideal bookie should have reasonable transaction limits to accommodate standard punters and high rollers.
6. Security and Licensing
How secure is the site? This is the first question you should ask yourself before signing up for a sportsbook. Your safety is paramount, so you need a site with all the necessary security measures in place to ensure that is the case. As a result, make sure the bookie you choose is SSL secured to guarantee end-to-end encryption, has an HTTPS protocol to protect your betting account, and uses an up-to-date firewall system for punter privacy.
In addition to customer security, the bookie should possess a valid license from a recognized regulator. Some of the most common regulators known to issue betting licenses include the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA), the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), and the Curacao government. In the US, online gambling is regulated by the Department of Justice under the Wire Act. You can find information about the bookie's licensing on the site's footer.
7. Contact Information
Online betting will not be smooth all through. You may also have questions regarding the sports betting services. That is why you should only go for a bookie with multiple and prompt contact methods. The bookmaker should have all the relevant communication methods, including telephone, live chat, email, and a contact form. Additionally, confirm that the contact options have a fast response time. For instance, live chat and email should have a response time of less than 5 minutes and 20 minutes consecutively.
Furthermore, you need to ensure the communication methods are safe with communication encryption systems. This will keep unauthorized personnel from tapping your messages and retrieving user data. The good news is that you don't need an account to test the aptness of the communication methods. However, other bookies may require you to sign up to access their live chat services. These are the most important factors to consider when choosing a sports betting site.
In a nutshell, you should make sure the platform has great sports coverage, a full range of markets and impressive bonuses. You should also look around and find a bookie with the best odds, whether you’re betting on the Super Bowl or any other event. If you have gone through this piece carefully, you know why these and other factors mentioned above are crucial.