Best of 2012: Best Online Sportsbook

Competition between the online sportsbooks reached a new high in 2012, and customers were the beneficiaries. New sports betting platforms popped up, and the leading online betting sites took on the challenge by introducing new features and adding more events with wagering options.

This was a big year for sports betting, with a number of major events such as the 2012 London Olympics and Euro 2012, along with all the usual tennis and golf grand slam tournaments, NFL, NBA and MLB in the United States, and the top football leagues in Europe such as the Champions League, English Premier League and Spanish La Liga. Here are a few of the year's highlights:

Mobile betting

Mobile sports betting was the big story of the year, with the latest studies revealed that it comprises just over three-quarters of all mobile gambling activities. In fact, the latest trends show that the mobile betting market should reach around $45 billion by 2017, up from $13 billion last year.

Even Americans are now getting in on the act, with William Hill US launching a mobile betting app compatible with iPhones, iPads, Blackberry and Android smartphones and tablets, and available from anywhere within the traditionally pro-gambling state of Nevada. William Hill's betting apps are free to download and use.

In-Play betting

Live Betting, or as bet365 online sportsbook refers to it - LIVE in play - is all the rage these days. Bet365's live betting page has the updated score and running clock presented, followed by odds and betting options.

Horse racing and soccer and the most popular sports punters will find on bet365's LIVE in-play sports betting, but many other sports and events were made available during 2012 - one of the reasons that kept the customers coming throughout the year.

Live streaming

Live betting wouldn't be the same without live streaming of matches, and once again bet365, William Hill Online, Betfair and the other leading sportsbooks were there. Customers of these casinos are able to bet live on matches while streaming those same matches from the comfort of their own computer or mobile device.

Great promos

Sports betting would be nothing without great promos, and all the top betting agencies kept them coming. Again, bet365 Sportsbook was the most creative: it offered its Price Promise on selected games, in which it matches the best odds from major rivals; and it reintroduced its Bore Draw promo for Euro 2012, in which customers have the chance to win a refund in the case of a boring goalless draw.

London Olympics

If ever there was any doubt about the popularity of sports betting, the 2012 London Olympics proved it wrong by smashing records set by all previous events. William Hill's online sportsbook took in a record number of bets on the Games, attracting more than 1 million wagers overall - including 17,800 on the 100 meter spring won by Usain Bolt.