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Sports betting has changed a lot over the last few years. The seismic event was the US Supreme Court overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. That gave the responsibility of legalizing gambling – or not over to individual states. Unsurprisingly, many states now have legal betting.
With millions more people able to bet on sports legally, there has been an explosion in the number of online sportsbooks touting for business. Many of these are run, or at least overseen, by big existing betting firms that had been waiting for such an opportunity. The sportsbooks for US players have been busy, but how do you know what to look out for if you are a newcomer? Read our guide to online sportsbooks to find out.
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Betting Offers and Promotions
These are probably the first things you will notice about online sportsbooks. With the competition for new customers so fierce you will be happy to know that the betting firms will try to entice you with a series of bonuses. You should be able to pick up a welcome bonus – and then continue to take advantage of more offers over time.
Some of these bonuses may seem too good to be true. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. What you do need to check, though, is the terms and conditions. There will be some kind of wagering requirements attached to these promotions – and you need to know what you are signing up for.
Betting Markets and Odds
These are the betting options and prices. Obviously you want there to be a wide range of betting markets, covering all sports. Because that will show you that the sportsbook has reach and expertise. But the main thing to look out for is if they cover the sports, events and leagues that you are interested in.
There is no point registering with a sportsbook that doesn’t cover the sports you want to bet on. The odds may look fairly similar from site to site to a newcomer – and they probably are. But there will be some small differences and that is where more profit can potentially be made.
Live Betting
We have decided to give live betting its own separate section because it is fast becoming the most popular way of betting on sports around the world. Live betting – sometimes referred to as in-play – is when you have the opportunity to bet on a sports event that has already begun.
You should take your time with this if you are brand new to gambling. But do take a look at the live betting markets. The odds shift in relation to what is happening in the event. That means a fast, responsive sportsbook is vital to make sure that you can time your bets to perfection.
Payment Options
This might not be quite as exciting as some of the factors to consider. But it is very important and crucial to the way you use the sportsbook. Before you register for an account, check to see whether the site accepts the payment method you are mostly going to use.
You can usually change methods as you go, but you will find that any winnings tend to be paid only to the same method that made the deposit in the first place. Also, take a look to see if a sportsbook accepts cryptocurrency if you know what you are doing in that field. There are sometimes extra bonuses for crypto users.
Bet Responsibly
After you have taken in all that advice, the main thing you should remember about sports betting is that it is supposed to be fun. Don’t have any ideas about becoming a professional gambler – very few people are. You should look at it as a fun way that may add some more interest to sporting events.
You should never let your betting get out of control and a good rule is to never stake more than you are willing to lose. Don’t go chasing wins when you invariably lose bets either. It can be a lot of fun, as long as you remember to bet responsibly.
Responsible Gambling and Tips for Staying in Control
Gambling, if done responsibly, can be an entertaining way to pass the time. Placing bets on sporting matches can add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to your favorite sports. But it’s important to remember that placing bets carries with it inherent risks – and even when you win, there will be losses as well.
To ensure you gamble responsibly, keep in mind the following tips:
- Set a budget and stick to it. Choose a budget before you start gambling, and stick to it! Trade off between wins and losses by only allowing yourself to bet what you can afford to lose.
- Take frequent breaks from betting. While having fun is important, taking a break after betting for a certain length of time or number of bets is important for keeping yourself in control.
- Know when to quit. If you ever feel like your gambling habits are impacting your life negatively or destroying your finances then stop gambling altogether – at least until you’re sure that it’s something you can do in moderation and within your range of limits. Even if you seem to be winning more often than not, calls it quits if things start getting out of hand or if it starts making up too much of your life.
- Seek help if needed. Gambling addiction isn’t uncommon so don’t hesitate to reach out for help should the need arise; several organizations exist solely dedicated to helping those battling with gambling problems such as Gamblers Anonymous and GambleAware UK.
By following these tips, we hope that our readers are able to maximize their entertainment value from online sportsbooks while still maintaining full control over their habits – have fun!
