Drawn in by the convenience of betting sites? Unsure of where to start? Worry not: this guide outlines what to look for in an online betting platform and how to get the most out of your playing experience.
From how to recognize gambling authorities to finding the top reviews, this guide has everything you need. Not only will you find the best website for your needs, but you’ll also learn how to spot sites that aren’t as secure as they should be. You’ll learn just how to make bets safely online so that you can play worry-free.
Betting sites simply enable you to place a bet. How, where, and on what will differ from platform to platform. Some are exclusively sports betting sites, while others offer a little bit of everything and let you bet on sports and play online casino games.
You don’t need your betting platform to only do one or the other. What you need is for the website you choose to handle your sport well. The best betting sites for sports, for example, stand out for their live watch features. Not only can you make bets while the games are on, but these top live betting sites also typically allow you to watch the game live right on their own platform.
Picking which sports betting sites are best for you will first boil down to which ones keep your information and financial transactions secure. The last thing you want when making a bet is to also be gambling on how safe your details are on the World Wide Web. That’s why secure payments, strong passwords, and an encrypted connection are all essentials. Online betting must be, first and foremost, safe to do, after all, and only then must it also be fun and convenient.
One of the best ways to check if you’re on one of the top betting sites versus being on a site that just looks the part but can’t back its reputation up is to check if it’s licensed. The best new betting sites are going to be licensed by several gambling authorities, especially if they cater to a global audience.
That being said, some gambling authorities can be pretty lax. That’s why you’ll want to check and see if your site is authorized by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, or the Swedish Gaming Authority. These are some of the strictest enforcers out there, meaning that those sites have to adhere to the highest standards.
The top betting sites typically have a betting app that they call their own. These apps are great if you commonly make bets on your phone. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect a decent experience when using that brand’s mobile site, but it does mean faster and more intuitive experiences are available via the app.
If mobile play is important for you, check to see if there’s a corresponding app that makes the experience much more streamlined and hassle-free.
The best online betting sites typically give you multiple payment options. This way, you can choose the method that you are most comfortable with. For many, that’s going to be an option like PayPal, credit cards, bank transfer, or even crypto. This way, if there’s an issue, you have a bit more protection financially.
The best betting sites for sports will give you multiple betting options and even give you the ability to make bets during the game. This way, if something drastic happens, you can make new bets to reflect the change in circumstances. You can’t take back a bet made, so if you make a bet that one specific player is going to score a goal and then they get sent off, you can’t take that back. However, you can make a new bet on a new player instead.
Odds are one of the most important things for betting sites for sports. There are so many people behind the scenes using key information to create the odds for every game. Those odds are also how you can make more informed bets. There’s no guarantee that you’ll win, even if the odds are in your favor, but strong odds can help you make worthwhile bets as opposed to blind ones.
Many of the best online betting sites offer bonuses. These bonuses can be first deposit bonuses, free bet bonuses, free spins, and so on. You’ll likely get multiple bonuses on a regular basis when you use the top betting sites regularly. Do keep in mind that bonuses require you to reach or exceed the minimum wager requirements to cash out. This means you’ll need to wager more than you initially put in to get those winnings out.
Betting site bonuses should be fully understood through and through so you know exactly what to do to make full use of them. Rather than free money, these bonuses are little perks the best online betting sites use to get you betting. Use them wisely and only work within your pre-defined bet budget to keep your play experience fun.
The site itself should be so easy to use. This means that all the information is readily at your fingertips. You are guided through the process of finding your preferred team, making a bet, and even how to cash out. All the information you need to know should be easy to find and understand. Be wary if it seems like the most important information is hidden in any way, as that isn’t a good sign.
Finally, people love them! The best sports betting sites have rave reviews and are talked about by news media and fans alike. They’ll have large online communities, very active events, and many players who are happy to recommend them. If you’re considering a new brand that hasn’t had much traction, do go in warily. That platform may be a big up-and-comer, or it may just be yet another false platform out there to scam you.
That’s why, when in doubt, go where the crowds are going and check out the best-reviewed platforms first.
Ready to learn about the best of the best when it comes to online betting? These betting sites have either been put through their paces and are the current leading giants, or they’re up-and-comers here to change up your play style. The one that’s right for you will ultimately boil down to preference, yes, but these top operators are an excellent choice for your next favorite platform.
Bet365 is a popular British gambling company that’s infamous for its sports betting range. As one of the world’s largest and best betting sites, it covers most leagues and popular bets, allowing you to place bets on your favorite games. You also get competitive odds and multiple in-play betting options. As a plus, you can also live-stream the game you’ve bet on, allowing you to watch the action in real-time.
Bet365 is known around the world for its user-friendly platform, comprehensive sport betting coverage, and even its reliable customer support. That said, if you’re looking for a platform that covers more niche sports, like a greater range of eSports, then Betway may be more your speed.
Betway is another global giant in the online betting world. It also covers a wide range of sports and leagues, so you can make a bet on your favorite team. This includes more niche sports like darts or eSports. You’ll get competitive odds and a variety of different bet types, and you can build your own bet for greater flexibility and control. The platform is very user-friendly, and you’ll also get live 24/7 customer support through chat, email or phone, so you can always get help if and when you need it.
Compared to Bet365, Betway’s site has many of the same robust features that spruce up your play and betting options, yet has a more modern touch. If you are hoping to make payments (and collect winnings) in crypto, however, then you’ll need a crypto casino like BC.Game.
Most betting sites accept traditional payment methods and nothing else. If you want to make the most secure payment when betting, then head over to BC.Game. It’s a crypto-only platform that offers it all. Not only can you place bets on eSports, but it also has a fully realized sportsbook.
What makes it stand out is its big welcome bonus, where you can get up to 180% of your first deposit, up to 1BTC, which is one of the highest in the crypto casino industry. Rest easy, as there are also extensive security measures in place to keep your assets secure. Lastly, the platform is a breeze to use, and the community is very active, thanks to the many tournaments and other live events the site hosts.
So, how do you choose from the best betting sites when there are just so many options about? First off, you don’t need to stick to just one platform. Sure, you might get more VIP bonuses if you keep all your wagers on one platform, but those minor boosts won’t be better than the freedom of choice offered by using more than one site.
You may prefer the wagering experience on Bet365 when placing bets on your favorite sports team, but then go to Betway for eSports tournaments. If you want to place bets in crypto, but have a minimal amount of crypto to work with, then you may occasionally go to BC.Game.
So long as the site is licensed, encrypted, and well-reviewed, the only thing that matters is your experience. If one alone doesn’t cover it all, go for several!
While you bet on both online, eSports and sports betting couldn’t be more different:
| eSports | Sports betting | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of competition | Video games | Real-world sports |
| Events | Typically organized by professional teams or leagues | Can be organized by individuals or organizations |
| Location | Online or in person | Online or at a physical sportsbook |
| Popular games | Dota 2, League of Legends, etc. | Football, basketball, horse racing, etc. |
Gambling authorities exist around the world for the citizens in their jurisdiction. For the best experience, make sure the platform you use is licensed by an authority with strict regulations, as this will improve the safety of your bets.
The best betting sites are often licensed by multiple authorities so that the greatest number of players can use their platforms. The only time you won’t see your gambling site have multiple licenses is if it’s a small local brand.
There are a few different ways to check that the security measures go beyond the basics:
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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