Online Sports betting is growing rapidly across the US, and this is down to a number of factors, clearly the chief among them being the fact that state after state is now legalizing the activity.
By doing so, the avenue for those keen to get on board the sports betting train has become far safer and more secure as these individuals can now select from regulated providers instead of taking the calculated risk of using an offshore sports betting brand, which can be problematic due to the fact that these operate in a very gray area when it comes to their legality in the United States.
So if you are lucky enough to reside in a state that allows sports betting, you now have a choice of a decent number of well-known brands, but the critical question then becomes. How do I know which of these is any good?
Key Features
The rush to get your business has led to regulated sportsbooks spending large sums in trying to attract your attention. This has involved aggressive advertising campaigns and moves to be more visible, be that by sponsoring specific teams or stadiums or by offering promotions that are very enticing.
Before you select a brand to sign-up with, and you should never do so on a whim, it’s best to check out a reliable sportsbook review or, ideally, a site that offers an in-depth analysis of all the relevant options so that you can make an educated decision based on known metrics.
These will give you invaluable information about key features that should be part and parcel of the sportsbook you join. Here are a few areas that are important to consider.
Size of Betting Market
You want your sportsbook to offer a wide range of betting options across all relevant sports and leagues. You don’t want one that only deals with the very top games and events, and you’ll want as many betting options per match, game, or event as possible, thus making the whole process more exciting and potentially rewarding.
Competitive Odds
The worst thing that can happen to a sports bettor, beyond losing a big bet, is to win a bet and only then find out that the same bet would pay out significantly more elsewhere.
Imagine you’ve backed the Los Angeles Lakers to defy the odds, and recent form book, to defeat the Golden State Warriors, and only when you come to collect your winnings, a friend of yours points out they won far more.
So, make sure you do the relevant research to establish just how competitive your chosen brand is in this market.
Modern and Fit for Purpose
In 2022 you need your sportsbook to have its finger on the pulse. That means being ahead of the curve and able to offer a betting experience that utilizes the latest technology and trends. So, for instance, you’ll want a brand that has a solid, secure, and speedy in-game betting interface and one that offers a wide range of payment methods, such as e-wallets like PayPal and even, perhaps, Bitcoin.
Sportsbooks that Go the Extra Mile
In general terms, most regulated sports books are good bookies, but when it comes to separating these from excellent ones, there are incentives that they offer that show they have gone the extra mile.
Key among these is the offer of a VIP or Loyalty Program that rewards you for every action you take. This level of service is vital for those who are likely to spend a lot of time, and money, on their sports betting action. So, if you are likely to wager a fair bit and reasonably often, make sure your chosen bookmaker makes it worth your while.