Online Sportsbooks for Betting Online

We'll start with the most important features of a good online sportsbook first.

Reputation & Longevity

One of the first things to look for is the reputation of the online sportsbook. The longer a bookmaker has been in existence, the easier it will be to determine its true colors. Try to find an online betting site established at least 3 years ago. Some have been around for decades, or even over a century in the case of Ladbrokes, as land-based establishments. Read over user-posted, personal experience reviews to find out how reputably an online sportsbook operates. Or, read over our honest, unbiased and professional Sportsbook Reviews.

Security and Regulation

Every online gambling facility should be licensed and regulated by a a respected gaming authority. Without proper licensing and regulation, one simply doesn't know whether the operator will hold true to its proclaimed intentions. Will you get your requested payout or not? Who knows, because no one is regulating its activity. To find out if an online sportsbook is licensed and regulated, scroll to the bottom of the main page (or check the About Us page) and you should be able to find the jurisdiction in which it is regulated. Common licensors include Alderney, Gibraltar, Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), Kahnawake, Isle of Man, United Kingdom, and the island nations of Antigua and Barbuda.

Regional Player Acceptance

Be sure the online sportsbook you choose accepts players from your geographic location. Residents of Europe, Australia, Canada and the UK will have less issues in this department, but for Americans, and some other regions, it can be quite a task. You can usually find this information in the terms and conditions, by searching the text for the term “jurisdiction” or you country name.

Payment Options

Make sure you'll be able to move funds into your online sportsbook account, AND be able to withdrawal your winnings. You can find this information in the baking section of the online sportsbook, usually under FAQs or Help. Look for viable methods of deposit and withdrawal that you have, or can get, access to.

Sporting Events & Other Bets

Look over the list of available sports betting venues to make sure they offer all of the sports you wish to bet on. Note that seasonal events may not be on the list during the off-season, but you may be able to find a complete list in the FAQs or Betting Rules section. If you wish to make proposition bets on other betting venues, such as politics, financials, celebrities and reality television, look for its availability as well.

Odds Formats

If you are familiar with UK odds formats, but not EU odds formats, it's going to be difficult using an online sportsbook that only displays EU formats. There are three main odds formats. UK odds are shown as Fractional Odds, EU odds are shown as Decimal Odds, and US odds are shown as Money Line Odds. Make sure you understand the odds displayed at the online sportsbook you sign up with. Many wagering sites will offer odds in 2 or 3 formats to accommodate everyone.

New Members Bonuses

As a first-time depositor at an online sportsbook, you may be able to take advantage of special bonus offers. Be sure to look for new member promotions before you make your first deposit. You may not be able to view optional bonus offers until you've signed up an account, or during the deposit phase, so keep your eyes peeled. Most bonuses are free bet bonuses, giving a new punter a certain amount of free betting dollars to place wagers with.

If you don't know how to bet online you can read this article or this beginners guide to online betting.