No one wants to sign up for a service or purchase a product only to regret it right after. Especially with a service that demands regular financial contributions like a sportsbook, those consequences become more than mere inconvenience. Pick the wrong sportsbook, and you’ll be looking for the account deletion button seconds after you realize you’ve made a bad choice. Even then, you may have already shared your personal information and deposited real money you can’t get back.
But because online sportsbooks have become highly regulated and refined, there are now many reputable platforms to choose from. This guide will help you weed out the quality sportsbooks from the imposters.
Not Checking Payment Options
Signing up for a new sportsbook can come with a lot of emotions, especially if you’re late to jump on the sports betting train. You might be enticed by limited-time offers or a sleek user interface, but in the process overlook some of the most important factors, such as payment options. The way you fund and withdraw from your account has a real impact on the monetary side of betting. Arguably, it’s the biggest factor in the experience.
Some sportsbooks might only accept digital wallets like PayPal or basic credit and debit cards, but certain payment options might come with high fees that deduct from your winnings. Apple Pay, for example, is becoming a quick and popular method, but not every platform supports it. For a great guide on betting platforms that do, we recommend you view the website of Bonus.ca.
If your preferred option isn’t supported, you may find yourself frustrated with the deposit and withdrawal process and wish you had gone with a different sportsbook.
Ignoring Sportsbook Licensing
To qualify as an official sportsbook, these apps need to be licensed and regulated in the state where they operate. For example, sports betting in Nevada is fully legalized and has well-established betting laws, while the activity is illegal in Alaska and 19 other states. While regulation is a lot stricter and more difficult to get around, shady sportsbooks still try to bypass these rules and take advantage of legal gray areas to lure people in.
Always pick a licensed sportsbook and make sure sports betting is allowed in your state. Betting on these platforms is not only against the law but could also expose your personal and financial information and trick you into betting on fraudulent lines or events.
Getting Drawn in by Unrealistic Promotions
Nothing tempts people quite like a flashy promotion, and it’s no different in the sports betting world. Sportsbooks and online casinos alike are famous for boasting lucrative offers because the competition is so intense. With some having strong backing from big casino chains or national leagues, others have to find ways to stand out. Potential customers might see unbelievable promotions and sign-up bonuses, only to discover unrealistic requirements in the fine print.
Sometimes, these huge perks actually offer what they say they do, but other times, it’s simply a ploy to hook you in. And once you’ve already committed, you might realize there aren’t many other aspects you like about the app. As a rule of thumb, you should never let short-term incentives determine which sportsbook to stay loyal to.
Skipping the Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions are probably one of the least-read texts in the world. With pages and pages of content to read, nobody has the time to comb through every detail. However, when you’re entering a contest or signing up for something as important as a sportsbook, for example, you can’t overlook them. Whenever you place a “risk-free” bet or withdraw money from your account, you might realize that many conditions put users at a disadvantage.
Perhaps it’s a ludicrous amount of money you need to rack up before you withdraw or an almost impossible wagering requirement. For some sportsbooks, the terms and conditions are set up to benefit the company and disadvantage the user. In some cases, they could land you in legal hot water. These apps should be avoided at all costs.
Not Checking the Odds
The odds determine how much you could win and tell you a lot about how the sportsbook predicts the likelihood of an outcome. Each sportsbook may have slightly different odds based on its own assessment of various factors, like player statistics, injuries, team performance, and other external variables. It’s how sportsbooks balance their own interests and offer bettors a lucrative payout.
Some sportsbooks will inflate the odds just to attract bets or adjust them to minimize payouts. You’ll want to choose an app that demonstrates fairness, where the odds accurately evaluate the event and are not used as a tactic.
Neglecting Customer Support
Sports betting is often smooth sailing, but there may come a time when your winning bet is marked as a losing one or your app is glitchy and you’re unsure what to do. At its core, customer support is your direct helpline, where you can (hopefully) instantly turn to and get an actionable response. But the best customer support won’t just help you in emergencies. It will also be available if you have questions about the withdrawal process and clarification on bets.
A good way to test the waters is to check out what channels of communication the sportsbook offers. Is there a live chat option? Phone assistance? An FAQ section? Forums? If you don’t need an account to try them out, you could ask the site’s support team a question to see how quickly and well they respond.