There’s a lot to take in when choosing a new bookie. In fact, you might not be placing your first sports bet, but thinking it’s time to find a better offer. Whatever your reason for checking out online sportsbooks, you’re in the right place.
From NASCAR betting lines and football odds to payment options and customer support, check out the key features that you should review before signing up for an account at a sports betting site.
1. Sports Options
Before you visit a bookmaker’s website, you’ll probably have in mind the kinds of bets that you’d like to place. Your first area of research for any sportsbook you check out is the list of sports. The most popular in the UK are usually available, but it’s best to check out the depth of coverage. Is it just main events, or will smaller leagues and tournaments feature? The better the coverage, the more likely you’ll have opportunities to wager all year round.
2. Markets
While your basic needs might be met by coverage of the right sports, to get the best bookie, you need to look at the markets. It means browsing the bet types available to see what types of wagers are possible. You might prefer to stick to 1X2 match bets, but if you ever feel like branching out, it’s worth knowing whether you can build accumulators, make prop bets, or use a live betting section.
3. Odds and Value
Finding the right sports and markets might narrow down your selection. However, to get to the best bookies, you’ll need to consider the odds and the opportunity to find good value bets. The margins for the markets you wager on should be competitive, and another positive sign is if odds boosts or zero margin promos are offered regularly. These bets are what will bring you more success in the long run.
4. Customer Service and Features
Wagers take center stage, but they aren’t the only thing that affects your experience. For everything to run smoothly, the wider features of the site need to be carefully thought out. That includes payment options, opportunities to live stream, notifications, contests, and more. Customer service impacts your overall experience, so look out for the methods of contact and whether it’s available 24/7.
5. Reputation and Security
Last but by no means least, it’s crucial to pick a bookmaker that you trust. A famous name is a good start. If they’ve maintained a solid reputation over many years, it’s a sign that they know how to run a successful business and look after their punters.
