Online sports betting allows individuals around the world to bet on their favorite professional and collegiate sporting events for real money. In order to engage in online sports betting, you’ll need to sign up for a sports betting site (also known as a sportsbook) and make a real money deposit. High quality online sports betting sites offer a huge range of available sports upon which you can bet, as well as varied wagering options that let you bet in different ways on the same events. Other factors important to online sports betting sites include customer service channels, available banking methods, mobile betting, bonuses and software.
Sports Bookmakers Online
Online Sports Betting Markets
Online sports betting sites usually refer to the sports on which you can wager as “betting markets.” High quality online sports betting sites offer a huge range of available betting markets, including sports that are popular in both the United States and other areas of the world. Soccer (often referred to as “football” at many international betting sites) and horse racing are among the most popular betting markets, and many sites devote exclusive areas to these sports. Some of the most popular sports betting markets online include:
- Baseball (MLB, NCAA, World Series)
- Hockey (NHL, Stanley Cup)
- Basketball (NBA, NCAA)
- UFC
- Tennis (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon)
- Golf (US Masters, PGA Championship)
- Nascar
- Formula 1
Wagering Options at Online Sports Betting Sites
After you sign up for an online sports betting site, you’ll have access to several different wagering options. You can use these wagering options to place real money bets on different betting markets in different ways. Some betting options include:
- Straight Bets
- If Bets
- Pleasers
- Teasers
- Totals
- Round Robins
- Parlays
- Propositions
- Futures
- Reverse Bets
Straight bets are a good choice for online sports betting beginners, as they allow you to simply wager on the winner of a game. If bets can consist of two straight bets, in which the second bet will only activate if the first bet is correct. Propositions allow you to bet on specific components of events as they’re happening, while futures allow you to wager on major championships months in advance.
Online Sports Betting Bonuses
Online sports betting sites usually offer valuable bonuses and promotions in order to attract new bettors and keep their existing members. These bonuses include initial deposit, Refer a Friend and VIP programs, as well as free bets for various promotions. For example, you might receive free bet vouchers when you first sign up for a site, or when you try out a new version of their software.
Initial deposit bonuses reward you when you first make a deposit. The site will usually match a certain percentage of your deposit and give it to you as a bonus up to a max value. Reload bonuses work in a similar way, though they’re usually smaller in size. You’ll need to frequently check the Bonuses page of the online sports betting site to determine when they’re offering reload bonuses.
Refer a Friend bonuses offer a cash reward or a free bet when you convince another individual to sign up for the site. VIP programs keep track of your wagers and award you points accordingly. These points can often be redeemed for cash.
Online Sports Betting Banking Options
In order to bet real money at online sports betting sites, you’ll need to choose a banking method that allows for deposits. Some methods are exclusive to withdrawals, while others allow you to do both. Deposits are usually processed without fees, while you may need to pay a small amount for each withdrawal request. Popular banking options at sports betting sites include the following:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- PaySafeCard
- InstaDebit
- EcoCard
- Check by Mail
- eCheck
- MoneyBookers
- Neteller
- WebMoney
- EntroPay
- Cash Transfer
- ClickandBuy
- UKash
It’s important to ensure that the sports betting site you choose offers secure financial transactions protected by the latest encryption methods.
Customer Service at Online Sports Betting Sites
Live chat, email, fax, phone and an FAQ sections are among the most popular support methods offered by online sports betting sites. Live chat and phone support are often considered best since they allow for real time feedback. All support methods should be free, with the exception of phone support. Some sites do offer free phone support, though it’s usually only available in select countries.
You can determine the customer service hours maintained by an online sports betting site by visiting their Contact or Help page. At least one method should be available 24/7.
Online Sports Betting Software
Most online sports betting sites offer software that runs directly in your web browser. This saves hard drive space, and prevents you waiting for a download and installation process to finish. It also allows users of all operating systems to access the betting software.
High quality online sports betting sites offer certain software features, such as live betting and live video streams, that enhance the wagering experience. Live betting allows you to place proposition bets on games in progress, while live video increases your ability to make the best wagers since it lets you watch games as they occur in real time.
