For the first time online bettor, choosing the right sportsbook is the first and most important step. Today we will take a look at the basic features you should consider. Keep in mind that we assume that you have some understanding of sports betting and you have bet before at a traditional sportsbook or bookie.
Unlike the traditional sportsbooks, primarily those in Vegas, the world of online sportsbooks is vast and vastly unregulated. Some sportsbooks are licensed, but in Latin or South American jurisdictions and to be perfectly honest – carry no more weight than a blank piece of paper. We have never heard of scenario when one of those licensing bodies have intervened in a dispute. That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. The online sportsbooks are probably the best example of true economy at work – only those with good reputation and treating customers the right way survive. On the flip side – how do you choose the right sportsbook and not one of the hundred rogue ones? Simple – see our list of sportsbooks for US players and choose one. We have listed only the very best few sportsbooks, which have been true to their customers for well over a decade each.
But how do you choose one among those sportsbooks? Well, there are a few main features which distinguish the sportsbooks. Deciding which one is a priority for you will indicate which sportsbook is the best for you. Let’s look at the major considerations you should think about:
The sportsbook bonus – naturally this is one of the first thing people wonder about – how much in free money they will get. Nothing wrong in that, just make sure you understand the sportsbook bonus beforehand. For example, some online sportsbooks offer large bonuses money-wise, while others offer a greater percentage. In other words, if you plan on depositing small, look for the biggest amount of money you can get as a bonus, while if you deposit big, look for the highest percentage. Also keep in mind the bonus rollover, the higher the rollover the worse the bonus is.
The betting markets – the betting markets simply refer to the number of things you can bet on. Some sportsbooks, such as Bovada have a very large number of betting markets, but the odds on some a slightly worse than Bookmaker, where you usually have an option to bet only on the core sports (football, basketball, baseball, etc). Is having the option to bet on Eastern European soccer more important than having a tad better odds? It’s up to you to decide.
Payment processing – finally we will look at the meat and potatoes, i.e. the deposits and withdrawals a sportsbook offers. Oftentimes this would be the main feature one considers when choosing a sportsbook, just out of necessity. Make sure you read our reviews of each sportsbook to see if they accept your preferred form of deposit (and withdrawal). For example, if you only have a Visa card and you plan on depositing using it, signing up at a sportsbook which does not offer Visa as a payment method would be pointless, no matter how good the sportsbook is.