The betting industry is always open to new technologies, so it’s no wonder that it embraced the internet in the 1990s. Many gambling operators from all over the globe decided to launch websites and a couple of decades later, the sector is booming.
There are hundreds of bookmakers on the internet and their number is constantly growing. That works in favor of the customers, but also has one downside. Finding the best sports betting sites in the sea of sportsbooks on the web can be tough for people that have no experience and/or knowledge in the field.
This guide can help you understand what the most important factors are when it comes to picking the top betting sites online.
1] Your Safety Is Crucial
Before you start thinking about betting, promotions, and other aspects, you must make sure that the online bookmaker can be trusted. After all, you are going to share your personal information and let the site handle your money.
There are several important factors here and the first one is the online gambling license. The legit betting sites all have a license issued by some respected authority. The best options are the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, but there are other solid ones depending on your country.
The fastest way to understand who is the regulator behind the license of any betting platform would be to take a look at the footer. That’s where the bookmakers provide information about their license and the commission that issued it.
Once you are sure that the sportsbook operates under the monitoring of a reliable regulatory organization, it’s time to explore the security measures of the site. It should only work with proven payment options and all transactions of money or data should be protected through the latest SSL certificates available.
The final step would be to perform a quick google search for complaints against the bookmaker. You will find at least some against every single betting site on the internet, but the severity and the number of accusations matter. People complaining about a rude customer support agent is not the same as former customers getting their money stolen.
Up to this point, you should know if the betting sites can be trusted. If that’s the case, it’s time to proceed to the next step.
2] Are You Getting the Best Value for Your Money?
After security, the value you get for your money is the second most important factor when picking the best betting sites. There are a couple of things that you need to consider here. The most obvious among them are the odds offered by the bookmaker.
You want to find one that works with low margins and consistently offers better prices than the industry average. Even the slightest difference matters. Just imagine what 2% or 3% higher profits for every successful wager would look like in a couple of hundred bets.
The other crucial aspect here are the bonuses and promotions at your disposal. If you are constantly getting opportunities to earn extra cash, you will essentially receive a better return for your money.
The best bookmakers out there have a large welcome offer for new customers and at least a couple of promotions that reward consistent players.
The other factor that deserves a mention is the coverage and opportunities offered. You want to see as many sporting events available and a large number of betting markets for most of them. Naturally, most people are focused on one or two leagues, so they don’t care about other sports.
Even if that’s the case, the betting options for your preferred competition can often vary. Some bookmakers have 200+ markets for popular events, including all sorts of props and futures. That opens the door to finding value in places that are not available elsewhere.
3] Usability and Convenience
Finding bookmakers that allow you to make the most money in a safe environment is the core of your research, but there are other factors in play. If you are going to place wagers regularly, you are bound to spend a lot of time on the sports betting platform of your choice.
If the user interface is slow and inconvenient, you will lose a lot of time and energy clicking like mad. You need a site that’s smooth on all platforms, including mobile phones and tablets.
You should be able to place your bets in a heartbeat from your laptop or mainstream devices like iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows Phone.
It’s also imperative to find an online bookmaker that offers you enough reliable payment options. Most of the leading sportsbooks on the internet support credit and debit cards, e-wallets such as PayPal or Skrill, wire transfers, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
That allows you to find an easy way to deposit or withdraw your winnings.
4] Additional Factors That Matter
The aspects covered up to this point are enough to recognize some of the best bookmakers on the market. However, there are some additional factors that could make your life easier or harder in certain situations, so it’s better to think of them beforehand.
For start, the customer support service of the betting site should be easy to reach and competent. Most of us have dealt with agents that don’t have a clue in various moments and it can be a complete nightmare, especially if there is money on the line.
You also want to join a bookmaker that is always trying to improve the service and working on additional features like Cash Out and Bet Builders. Such tools provide a useful advantage in the hands of every experienced user, so it’s always better to have them at your disposal.
That’s also a sign that the platform you are using won’t stay the same forever but it will get better over time.
An Extra Tip Instead of Conclusion
If you follow this guide, you should be able to comfortably identify the best sports betting sites online and enjoy the most pleasant and profitable experience possible. However, it’s not uncommon for some of the bookmakers on the web to change.
They change owners or change their approach, they cut promotions, and so on. If you notice signs that your favorite sportsbook might not be the same, don’t waste your time and money, simply find a new one. There are plenty of betting sites that will be happy to welcome you.
You might like.