Sports betting is now legal in a growing number of states across the US, and more people than ever are betting. This growth has led to a lot of new sportsbooks emerging, and people are signing up in greater numbers each year. Sportsbooks are sites that offer odds on sporting events such as the NFL, NBA, and NHL. In the US, people previously had to sign up to offshore betting sites, but lots of states now offer legal and licensed sportsbooks you can join.
Sites like Betway offer loads of betting options on a range of sports, as well as bonuses and live betting features. A lot of sports fans jump in straight away, but familiarising yourself with sports betting before you start is advised. For most people, choosing the right betting site is the most important step, so this guide is for you.
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Looking for a Trusted Site
If you’re betting online, you’re risking real money each time you deposit and place bets. While it might not feel the same as handing over cash in a retail sportsbook, the principle is exactly the same. As well as entrusting them with your money, you’re also giving them your personal details when you create an account, and most legal sportsbooks require you to upload your ID. Therefore, you need to be able to trust any sportsbook you sign up to.
Before you join a sportsbook, check that it’s licensed and legal in your state. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to check for a specific license from a gambling commission such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. These commissions set and enforce regulations designed to protect bettors and collect state tax revenue.
Checking the Odds
All sportsbooks will show the odds for events on their site. You can check these before you sign up, and some sites will also allow you to compare sports betting odds or all major sportsbooks. This will give you a good idea of how much value you can find on each site, as the odds determine how much you can win. The better the odds, the better the sportsbook, and the more you can potentially win.
When you check the odds, make sure you’re looking at odds for the sports you prefer to bet on. If you enjoy the NBA and want to bet on the upcoming games, there’s no use picking a site just because it has better NFL odds. Choose the site that suits you best, making sure you always get the best odds each time you bet.
Sports Betting Bonuses
Almost all sportsbooks now offer bonuses to new players, usually in the form of a risk-free bet or matched deposit bonus. These offers provide an easy way to gain some additional funds when you get started and are usually very easy to claim. Although the bonus shouldn’t be the most important factor when choosing a new sportsbook, it is definitely worth taking into consideration.
Remember that just because a site offers a big bonus, it doesn’t mean that it’s the best option. You should always check the terms and conditions of each sports betting bonus before signing up. Some of the bigger bonuses may be locked behind playthroughs which means there’s not much value on offer.
Mobile Use
Most of the time, when you’re watching sports, you’re not able to access your computer to place or check bets. If you want to get into live betting, it’s a good idea to find a sportsbook that offers a great mobile site or a downloadable app.
The majority of US sportsbooks are accessible on mobile, but you want to make sure that the site is still simple to use while on the go. Check out the mobile app and make sure it’s compatible with the particular make and model of your mobile device.