Features to Look for in Reputable Betting Sites

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to online betting sites and it is great to have such a wide variety of options. However, with such a large selection of betting sites from which to choose, it can become difficult to pick the sportsbook you would like to join.

You can join more than one online sportsbook of course and it is recommended you do that to keep your options open when betting. However, there are some features you should look for when finding reputable betting sites.

Safe and Legal

This first thing to look for in a reputable betting site is the license and security. You want to gamble online safely and that should always come before anything else when considering which online sportsbook to join. You can check the licensing details of the sportsbook before you join and this information is usually found in the footer of the website.

Security is also very important and you can look for a padlock symbol in the address bar of the website. Clicking on the padlock symbol will tell you if the website site secure and this gives you peace of mind when betting online.

Banking Options

When joining an online sportsbook, one of the first actions you will take is to make a deposit. Without making a deposit, it is impossible to place a bet.

You can usually see the full list of banking options at an online sportsbook without having to join, so you can check to see if the deposit method you like using is available before committing to an account.

We recommend you choose an online betting site that has plenty of banking options because you might decide to change your deposit method in the future. Furthermore, a betting site that has a wide range of popular banking options, including debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Paysafecard, is often a sign of trust.

If you are planning on betting using cryptocurrency, you will want to choose a betting site that offers crypto payments because there are many who are yet to adopt cryptocurrencies. Withdrawal times are also important and often differ between the sportsbook brands, with FanDuel offering some of the fastest payouts online.

Betting Markets

Having assessed the safety and banking options of the betting site, the next feature to consider when looking for a reputable betting site is the betting markets.

Firstly, you want to know you can bet on the sport of your choice and on the market you desire. All the leading online sportsbooks will allow you to browse their sports and betting markets without having to create an account. That means you can scan through their betting options before you join. So, there is no excuse for creating an account only to find the sportsbook does not offer the sport or market on which you want to bet.

Most bookies will offer odds on the Premier League for example, but not everyone will offer odds on less well know leagues.  Even if the betting site does have the sport and market on which you would like to bet, you are advised to check through all the betting markets. You may want to be bet on the NFL but when the NFL season ends, you might want to switch to something else, such as horse racing. Choose an online betting site that has the biggest range of betting options because not only is it a sign they mean business, but you know you will always find a sport or market on which to bet.

Promotions

All good betting sites should have a welcome bonus. How you can claim the bonus differs between the various brands but you can look for the promotion that best suits your budget.

Some online sportsbooks will offer a bonus based on your deposit, some will offer a bonus based on your first bet, and others will offer free bets. You should never base your decision on which betting site to join on the bonus alone as the website could be missing some of the other key features highlighted above. However, that does not mean you should ignore the bonus and a generous welcome package is always appreciated.

Customer Support

Customer support is often overlooked by many when looking for a reputable betting site but it is a key factor. Having a live chat service available 24/7 is better than offering an email only service between specific hours. If you run into a problem when betting, at any time of day, you want to know someone is on hand to help you.