Trusted Soccer Aid 1
So you have decided to start betting online - or maybe you just want to locate a new dependable sportsbook - what do you need to consider?
Well I am in a position to talk from some experience - I did at one time hold accounts with about sixty bookmakers in Europe, UK, Australia and offshore - the latter catering mainly to the us market. I have had at least three online sportsbooks go broke on me - luckily my losses were kept to a number of thousand dollars - that could sound a whole lot but it could happen to be a lot worse.
It's not that easy finding a reputable sportsbook - partly since the web is populated by website owners whom shall sing the praises of a sportsbook or casino mainly because they earn revenue from signing up customers via an affiliate program. Often these website owners know nothing about betting, don't hold accounts with the sportsbooks they can be advertising and have not researched the businesses they may be involved with.
You are keeping your money in an account online. Therefore you should think of the sportsbook you are considering as a bank - an area that you intend to keep funds long-term.
Read press articles instead of reviews - reviews are usually authored by the sportsbooks marketing team.
Test run the software by joining and playing gambling for free - most sportsbooks offer this facility.
Find out if your funds are insured or separated in ESCROW accounts in order that if the sportsbook company goes under - your funds are still safe.
Find out in the event the sportsbook is independently audited.
How long has the operation been online - three to four years is generally a great marker as a minimum.
Test out the customer services to determine if they meet your standards or the standards they promise you.
If you are aware about betting already, then check several of their odds and lines - are they in keeping with what you will expect? Some less scrupulous sportsbooks offer very attractive prices to lure unsuspecting bettors.
Find out if the sportsbook is part of a larger group of companies. Sometimes what this means is added solidity.
What will be the deposit and withdrawal options as well as the associated charges. These vary quite a bit from book to book. Options should be available which are free or where the sportsbook absorbs the charges. But ask yourself ; how easy is it to get access to my money and just how much does it cost?
Not all the above are critical - but help towards finding a secure book.
Should you have already have an account with a sportsbook watch out for lapses in customer support and slowness of payment - these may be signs that the company may be in trouble.
