With so many options and so many similar or very slightly different offers, choosing the best online bookmaker can be like walking through a minefield at times. While there will be many other factors to consider, from sign-up bonuses and the usual promotions to the look and style of the site and the customer service offered, one of the most important things to keep in mind relates to identifying which site consistently offers the best odds. The best sports betting sites are the ones that can cater to all your needs, whatever they may be, but as individuals, we are different and appreciate some aspects more than others.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SPORTS BETTING SITE?
DEPOSIT BONUS. The most important immediate incentive to register with a bookmaker may be the deposit bonus offered by the bookmaker. Many bookmakers offer a bonus that can double your initial deposit, therefore giving you plenty of extra money to place bets and a significant advantage in the pursuit of winning. Any good bookmaker offers a deposit bonus, and some will even offer 100% bonuses for large initial deposits.
PROMOTIONS. In addition to offers on initial deposits, many bookmakers offer various bonuses, some of which are permanently available, some of which are offered on the spot for certain major events, while others offer bonuses such as free betting tokens to existing members based on their loyalty. Each bookmaker offers promotions on a wide range of sports, so you'll want to choose a bookmaker that offers promotions relevant to the sport you want to bet on. A good bookmaker will have great offers throughout the year, as well as some event-specific promotions that will help when it comes to big matches.
RANGE OF MARKETS AND SPORTS. It goes without saying that if you want to bet on a particular sport, then you'll want to choose a bookmaker that offers good coverage for that sport, including a range of markets for many games. Especially when talking about the less popular sports, the differences in coverage between bookmakers are significant, ranging from almost no coverage to offering a varied scheme of markets for any game on the planet. A good sports betting site needs to cover a wide range of sports and markets, without compromising excellent coverage of the major sports being bet on, such as football and horse racing.
ODDS. Of course, for a bookmaker to be worth our time, it must offer decent odds. Otherwise, it's not cost-effective. While no bookmaker will offer the best odds on every market and every game, excellent bookmakers will consistently offer good odds on a wide range of sports, meaning you won't have to move from one bookmaker to another to get the best prices.
CUSTOMER SERVICE. An often underrated aspect of a good bookmaker, customer service is essential to a pleasant experience. Inevitably, we will encounter problems at some point while betting, and the terms and conditions of some offers can be a little confusing and require a confirmation from a friendly person. An optimal range of services, such as FAQs, emails and live chat, can make the whole experience much more enjoyable, and a good bookmaker will allow you to voice your concerns and provide you with an answer within a short timeframe.
DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS. There's no point in using a bookmaker if they won't offer you the deposit and withdrawal methods you want to use. Many of us make deposits using our bank cards, but others prefer to use services such as PayPal and eWallets. A good bookmaker will offer flexibility in deposits and withdrawals, fast transactions and the ability to cancel withdrawals that are still being processed if you change your mind.
HOW TO CHOOSE
There are a lot of online bookmaker options for sports betting and there are many things to consider when choosing where to place your money.
- RANGE OF SPORTS AND EVENTS COVERED. There's no point using a sports betting site that doesn't offer the sports you like and the events you want to bet on. Most reputable sites offer the vast majority of sports, but many specialise in certain sports, offering only basic services for others and covering only the biggest matches and events. Look carefully for an online bookmaker that offers the range of sports and events you want.
- VARIETY OF BETTING OPTIONS. The ability to bet online has made betting much more convenient, but with live events taking place at all hours of the day, it's increasingly important to be able to bet when you're on the go. A good mobile betting site or app makes the process of placing a bet from your phone much simpler and more enjoyable. Similarly, placing a live bet during a match in progress with the Betwinner app, while watching the match, is gaining popularity. It is essential to have these options available if we are looking for a sports betting site that we can use no matter where we are.
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES. While all bookmakers will offer a basic service that allows us to place bets, many have expanded their services to provide additional information to help us choose bets and place them. These additional features include advice and guidance from their best betting specialists, statistics and analysis of betting trends to help you choose bets more wisely. Some bookmakers offer free games that give you a small chance of winning big prizes, while other features include casino games and virtual sports to bet on.
- COMPETITIVE ODDS AND LINES. Of course, when it comes to betting and betting winnings, it's essential to get the best odds possible. The better the odds, the more you win from betting, so you need to find a sports betting site that consistently offers the best odds. The site with the most favourable odds available is different depending on the game and the market, but if you do a little research, you can find sites that consistently offer the best odds for the sports you are interested in.
- QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. Just like any company offering a product or service, online betting sites live and die by their customer service. Initially, this may seem irrelevant, as we use their online interfaces and our bets are placed and settled without the need to interact with a person. However, when we have questions about special offers or if we have problems with payment or withdrawal, the site's customer service becomes visible. The easiest method of contact is a live chat, while the best sports betting sites also offer FAQ sections and phone lines for help and support. If you make sure these features are available from the start, you can avoid some problems in the future.
- BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS. Welcome bonuses are often what draws us to a sports betting site, while the regular promotions available are what keep us using a site. Welcome bonuses or free bets vary from bookmaker to bookmaker, so it's worth looking for the best bonus for you. The promotions on offer are also varied and interesting and each site will have a different offer, which may be more or less appealing. In the long run, it's worth the time and effort to take a quick look to find the site with the best promotions for you.
- DIVERSITY OF SPORTS. Most of the best sports betting sites offer markets for events in major betting sports such as football and horse racing, although some bookmakers tend to specialise in particular sports, offering coverage for lesser-known rugby events, lesser-known boxing matches around the world or additional markets in Formula 1.
Specialising in one or two sports is a good way to improve your betting performance - your knowledge of teams and players will improve and you'll have a better understanding of how, during a match, the odds can change. It certainly helps if it's a sport you like and enjoy watching. If you want to specialise in one or two sports, you'll need to find a bookmaker that offers the widest coverage available for that sport so you have plenty of options when placing your bets.
Ready to start betting? Choose the sportsbook that suits you and place your bet today.