5 Questions to ask before Choosing a Sportsbook

The sportsbook industry is such a crowded one that it can be confusing knowing which site to actually choose. With bookmakers and sportsbooks constantly bombarding you with advertising, where large bonuses and various promotions are being offered, it can be tempting just to sign up after seeing one of these ‘impressive’ ads, however spending a bit of time in choosing the right site will pay dividends in the long run.

Here I consider the five key questions you should ask of any sportsbook – ideally your sportsbook of choice should give a ‘Yes’ answer to all of these.

Is the Sportsbook Reputable?

This is perhaps the most important question of all. When joining a site you’ll want to know that the funds you deposit to the site are safe, that your financial details are safe and that you’ll actually be paid out when you win, especially when you win big. You can feel completely at ease in this regard at the majority of sportsbooks and particularly those that have been in the industry for a long time. Key pointers to a reputable sportsbook include being licensed in a known gambling jurisdiction, being listed on a particular stock exchange and membership of a known gambling help site (such as GamCare). Many of the known sites that advertise on TV or sponsor sports teams will tick all of these boxes. If unsure about a particular site, take some time finding out a little more about them – there are independent sites which review sportsbooks, so this would be a good place to start.

How good are their Prices / Odds?

This is the bottom line for any sportsbook, as a site with bad pricing simply won’t give you value for money. If shopping on the high street and you see exactly the same product £10 cheaper at one shop than another, you’d obviously go for the cheaper option, and sports betting is no different. If one site offers you 8/1 about ‘that horse’ and another offers 9/1, you clearly want to choose the latter option. Fortunately, in this day and age, comparing the prices from site to site is particularly easy, due to the emergence of odds comparison sites. You’ll generally find that sites might offer better odds at some sports than others, so look at the areas of betting that interest you and see which site offers the best odds in those markets.

How good is the initial deposit bonus?

This is an important question, as your bankroll will be given a very welcome early boost. Bonuses will generally come in two forms – a bonus based upon a percentage of your deposit, or a free bet. Obviously you’ll want to choose a bonus which gives you the most ‘free’ money, however you should ensure you know the full details behind the bonus, so always read the ‘terms and conditions’. All bonuses will have a rollover condition, where you’ll have to gamble the total amount of the deposit and the bonus a certain number of times – any number of 5 or below is competitive. You’ll also find that bonuses have an ‘expiry date’ so be aware of how long you’ll have to clear the bonus. There is nothing more disappointing than missing out on a bonus due to not being aware of the exact conditions.

How good are the Offers at the site?

Some sportsbooks will have a wide range of offers available across a number of sports. As examples, a site might offer your money back as a free bet if a soccer game remains goalless, or if a horse finishes second in a particular race. Check out the offers available at the sites, and consider which of these offers might be most beneficial to you. Ideally you’ll want a site that you will give you offers on bets you will be making anyway, as you’ll effectively gain ‘free’ money when gambling as you normally would. A site which has offers on soccer, horse racing, cricket and tennis is no good if you specialize on the NFL.

How good are the Mobile Betting Options?

Many sportsbooks now have apps or specially designed responsive mobile sites for iPhones, Android and various other devices. A great example if the 888 Sports Betting app. For someone who likes to gamble on the go, or for someone who simply prefers using these devices in the home, these mobile options are a necessity. Obviously the quality of these apps or mobile sites can vary, and being a site you’ll be using often, you’ll want as user friendly an experience as possible. Fortunately you’ll be able to check these out before actually signing up, so if a site has an app, download from the relevant app store and give it a go.

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Sportsbook – Last Word

By asking those 5 questions you are exercising a great amount of quality control and you’ll find yourself choosing a site which is ideal for YOU. Choosing the right sportsbook initially will ensure that you are starting off on the right track and will make you more money over the long term.