Trying to decide upon an online sportsbooks can be a daunting process.
The online sportsbook industry is heavily saturated which further complicates the process of trying to choose one, but the good news is that this means that they are all clamouring for your business.
You should always be cautious as not all sportsbooks are as good as they look on paper!
Welcome Bonuses and Promotions
All online sportsbooks will offer a welcome bonus which could range anywhere from 10%-100% of your initial deposit and some may even offer free bets as well.
While the welcome bonus may be highly tempting, before accepting it’s important that you read through the terms and conditions carefully as in many cases you will have to wager a certain amount before your bonus will be released.
Be sure to contact customer service if you’re unsure about any aspect of the bonus.
Range of Betting Markets
Not all online sportsbooks are going to offer wagers on the sports that interest you the most. Even if the bonus offer terms and conditions are agreeable, it is all rather pointless if there isn’t a good range of wagers on your favourite sports.
As such, be sure to peruse the range of betting markets on offer before creating an account and accepting the bonus.
If your favourite sports are listed, be sure to check the wagers on offer to see if you find the odds favourable as odds aren’t uniform across all online sportsbooks.
Reputation within the Industry
Is the online sportsbook well-known? Does it have an international presence? Do they advertise their services in the media? Just as you would take careful consideration when deciding , there are many factors which should be considered when deciding on an online sportsbook.
One such factor is industry reputation. It’s important that you answer ‘yes’ to these questions as the largest online sportsbooks are generally the most reliable and the safest places to place wagers.
It’s also advisable that you check sports betting forums and review sites for real customer experience and feedback.
Security of Financial Transactions
The most reliable online sportsbooks will use bank-level 128-bit or higher SSL encryption software to safeguard all financial transactions.
Besides the safety and security of all transactions, it’s also important that the options for deposits and withdrawals are varied and easy to use, low on fees, and have reasonable waiting periods attached.
There is no point in winning big if you have to wait weeks for your pay out to clear into your account!
Ease of Access and Usability
Consider the following: is the online sportsbook easy to navigate? Is it readily available at all times?
Does it crash or bug out when you try to access a certain feature? Does the site offer a mobile option for wagering on the go? Is the site compatible with a wide range of devices?
These are all questions you should ask yourself before signing over your details and hard-earned money as a badly run site could make or break your betting experience.
Customer Service Assistance
Customer service is an often overlooked aspect of the online sportsbook industry, but I can assure you that you’re going to regret not considering it when something does go wrong with your account!
The best online sportsbooks will offer 24 hour live chat, email, and telephone support, and all your queries should be resolved in a timeous matter.
Before signing up, send a question to customer service and see how long it takes to receive a reply.
