Your Beginner’s Guide to Online Sports Betting in 2023

Partake in one of the oldest, if not the oldest, forms of gambling ever. Explore online sports betting, see the potential of major sporting events, consider sports betting odds, evaluate mobile sports betting, learn popular terms, pick up handy tips, and see the sports betting variants that you can play today. Round your research up with the best sportsbooks in the business and partake in the fun in no time.

Top Pick
Approved Approved
Favorite
Hot
New
22bet Sports
9.8

Up to $100 on your first 2 deposits

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Payment Methods
2
New
Boomerang Sports
9.8

100% Match Bonus up to $500

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
Payout Speed
1 hour
Payment Methods
3
Approved Approved
Favorite
Hot
1xBet Sportsbook
9.7

100% Match Bonus up to $200

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Benefits

Excellent reputation since it went online.

Virtual sports games are available.

Helpful live chat and email customer support.

Withdrawals are unlimited.

Deposits by cryptocurrencies are accepted.

Instant play games available.

Payment Methods
4
New
BetiBet Sports
9.7
Payout Speed
1 hour
Payment Methods

Up to $1800 on your first 2 deposits

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
5
Approved Approved
Favorite
Hot Hot
bet365 Sports
9.6
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Payment Methods

50% Match Bonus up to R$500

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
Registre-se na bet365, deposite R$30* ou mais na sua conta e você se qualificará a 50% deste valor em Créditos de Aposta (até R$500*) quando fizer apostas qualificativas no valor de 12 vezes o seu depósito qualificativo e estas forem resolvidas. Apenas para novos clientes. São aplicados T&Cs.

Full T&C apply
6
Unibet Sportsbook
9.5
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Payment Methods

up to £20

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
7
GG.BET Sportsbook
9.5
Payout Speed
2 - 4 Days
Payment Methods
Exclusive

100% Match Bonus up to $200

ESBR200

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
8
888 Sport
9.4
Payout Speed
2 - 3 Days
Payment Methods

300% Match Bonus up to $30

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
9
N1 Bet Sports
9.4
Payout Speed
3 - 5 Days
Payment Methods

50% Match Bonus up to $200

18+ Only, T&C Apply.
10
Approved Approved
New
ZotaBet Sports
9.4
Payout Speed
1 hour
Payment Methods

Up to $450 on your first 2 deposits

18+ Only, T&C Apply.

Overview

Noting is more natural than placing wagers on the outcomes of various sports matches and events. You can find bookmakers at your local sports events and international sports matches. While some of these are shady, the legitimate ones offer a world of unmatched thrills. Join us on this deep dive into the world of online sports betting and enjoy an unforgettable sports betting session today.

The Ins and Outs of Online Sports Betting

Deciding to gamble on online sports is a giant step that you should make after meticulous planning. First, you should decide whether you even want to partake in online sports betting in the first place. We recommend that you consider the following pros and cons whilst deciding. The pros include:

  • Convenience - You can gamble on your favorite sports anywhere and at any time with various mobile solutions, including dedicated Android and iOS apps.
  • Variety of Sports - You can gamble on various sports and events, including international games, matches, tournaments, and even fantasy sports.
  • Bonuses and Promotions - You can claim a plethora of exciting bonuses and promotions, including free bets, deposit bonuses, and loyalty programs. There are even options for high rollers and VIPs.
  • In-play Betting - Certain online bookmakers allow you to play in-play or live bets whilst an event is taking place.
  • Information Access - You can easily access statistics, expert analysis, and more.

Pros and naturally balanced out by cons, which in this case include:

  • Lack of Personal Interaction - You do not have personal interactions with your bookmakers and fellow punters. The closest you can get is a text chat.
  • Technical Issues - Your gambling can be interrupted by disruptions in your internet or the internet of your sportsbook.
  • Risk of Scams - There are hundreds of fraudulent sites that want to steal your hard-earned funds.

The Ultimate Online Sportsbook

Choosing your next online sportsbook is much more complex than you might think. There are hundreds of options with varying levels of quality. We want you to have the best possible gaming experience, which is why you should consider the following aspects when choosing your next sports gambling site:

  • Licensing and Regulation - Only join licensed, regulated, and audited online sportsbooks that are overseen by a reputable gambling authority.
  • Reputation - Make sure that your chosen sportsbook is renowned for its fairness and customer care.
  • Variety of Sports and Betting Markets - You should have access to various sports and betting markets, with at least a few options in each category.
  • Competitive Odds and Lines - You should have odds and lines that maximize your potential wins while keeping the gameplay demanding.
  • Bonuses and Promotions - Keep an eye on the bonuses, promotions, and free bets. These boost your bankroll and ensure more long-term gambling fun.
  • Safety and Security - Your chosen sportsbook should have leading security solutions, the least of which is SSL encryption and HTTPS protocols.
  • Deposit and Withdrawal Options - You should have access to various deposit and withdrawal options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
  • Customer Support - Your venue’s customer support should be responsive, helpful, and available via multiple channels.
  • Mobile Betting Options - There should be mobile gambling solutions, such as mobile-optimized websites and dedicated mobile applications.

Sports Event Betting

Major sports competitions and events draw in enormous crowds of fans who cheer for their favorite team. Some of these fans decide to place bets and capitalize on the skills and expertise of their stars. Some of the largest sports betting events that you can partake in while gambling online include:

  • The Super Bowl
  • March Madness
  • The Kentucky Derby
  • FIFA World Cup
  • The Masters
  • NBA Finals
  • World Series
  • Grand Slam tennis
  • The UFC
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Wimbledon
  • The Olympics

Sports Betting Odds

Sports betting is slightly different than conventional online gambling. Understanding how it works is crucial to maximizing your gambling experience. Check out the following breakdown of sports betting odds to learn more:

  • Fractional Odds - A common form of odds in the UK and several parts of Europe. The first number in a fraction, such as 2/1, indicates your potential profile, while the second one indicates your stake. If you wager $100 on 2/1 fractional odds, you can win $200 plus your initial stake of $100, which brings the total to $300.
  • Decimal Odds - Very common throughout Europe and Australia, this form is expressed with a decimal point. A great example would be decimal odds of 3.0 that in you $300 if you successfully wager $100. Note that the total win amounts to $400.
  • Moneyline Odds - Prominent in the United States, this format uses a plus (+) and a minus (-). The plus is for underdogs, while the minus is for favorites. A positive moneyline odd, such as +150, is what you stand to win from a successful $100 wager. A negative moneyline odd, such as -200, indicates how much you need to wager in order to win $100.

These odds often come with implied possibilities, which are simply the bookmaker’s assessment of how likely an event is. A prime example would be fractional odds of 2/1 with an implied probability of 33.33%.


Mobile Sports Betting

You should always be able to gamble your way, especially when it comes to the device that facilitates your gambling. The best sportsbooks in the business offer dedicated mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, as well as various solutions for other platforms. The most common modern solution are mobile-optimized websites based on HTML5. These can be accessed from anywhere and with any device at your disposal, including mobile ones.

It is important that you try to maximize your mobile gambling with various features, such as live betting and various bonuses. Bonuses are especially important, as a good welcome, deposit, or cashback offer can prolong your gameplay and give you an unforgettable gambling experience.


Popular Terms

You should not dive into an online sports betting environment without first familiarizing yourself with the terms that you will encounter there. The most common ones include:

  • Point Spread (Spread) - A margin of victory that the sportsbook assigns to a game to facilitate bets on both teams.
  • Moneyline - A bet in which you wager on which team will win the game outright. It does not consider the point spread.
  • Over/Under (Total) - A bet that is focused on predicting the combined points, goals, or runs that are scored in a game. Your goal is to wager on whether the number will be over or under the sportsbook's estimate.
  • Parlay - A bet that links two or more individual bets whilst offering higher potential payouts at the cost of higher risk.
  • Teaser - Similar to a parlay bet, with the difference that you can adjust the point spread or total in your favor.
  • Futures Bet - A long-term wager on the outcome of an event, such as betting on the winner of a championship or tournament.
  • Prop Bet (Proposition Bet) - Wagers on specific events or outcomes, such as which player will score first.
  • Juice (Vig or Vigorish) - A commission that sportsbooks charge for placing bets. It is usually already part of the odds.
  • Push - When a bet results in a tie or “no action” outcome. Wagers are then refunded.
  • Handle - The sum that is wagered by bettors on a particular event or during a specific period.
  • Live (In-play) Betting - Wagers that are placed whilst a game or event is taking place.
  • Betting Slip - A digital ticket that appears after you place a bet.
  • Multiple Bets - A mechanic that allows you to place multiple wagers on multiple markets.
  • Market - A category or type of bet that is available for a particular sporting event or outcome.

Terms and Conditions

It is impossible to talk about the exact sports betting terms and conditions of your chosen sportsbook. These often rely on local jurisdictions and laws, which complicates things further. Some general terms and conditions that apply across the board include:

  • You usually need to be at least 18 to 21 to partake.
  • You need to submit valid personal information during your registration process.
  • You need to accept the venue’s privacy policy and betting rules.
  • You need to comply with the rules of bonuses and promotions, including wagering requirements and eligible games.
  • You have to adhere to minimum and maximum bet limits.

Pros & Cons

Pros
You can gamble in real time
You can bet on your favorite players
You can bet on multiple markets
You can bet on multiple markets
Your favorite players win you real money
Cons
Live betting can end horribly
You need to be familiar with betting odds

Tips

Everyone wants to maximize their online sports betting session. Some punters look towards choosing sports that they are more familiar with, while others opt to impact the aspects surrounding their sports betting. Check out the following handy tips and maximize your online sports betting today.

Kicking Things Off

Partaking in sports betting can be daunting, especially if you have never gambled before. We recommend that you use the following crash course to do so the right way.

1 Understand the Basics

You should know the fundamental concepts of sports betting, such as odds, bet types, and gameplay loops before you even open a sportsbook site. What is more, you should understand the basics of your chosen sport so that you can evaluate situations quickly.

2 Pick a Reputable Sportsbook

Always join licensed, regulated, and audited online sportsbooks that have superb customer reviews and invest a great amount of care into your gaming experience.

3 Start Small

If you are starting a gaming session or if you are a beginner, always start with small wagers. Remember, you can always switch to larger ones further down the line.

4 Learn the Sports

Study the sports that you will gamble on, especially if you are unfamiliar with their rules and nuances. You should also invest some time into researching the various teams and players that will impact your winnings.

5 Bet Responsibly

Avoid chasing losses or wins, as impulsive bets always lead to disaster. We recommend that you set out a gaming plan, preferably in the form of a bankroll, and stick to it at all times.

6 Use Bonuses Wisely

Different sportsbooks offer different bonuses and promotions. Make sure that you are getting the best deal by reading the terms and conditions carefully.

7 Stay Informed

Stay up to date with sports news and developments, especially injuries and lineup changes. This greatly impacts matches, with some events completely changing the sports scene.

Terminology

It is easy to be completely confused and disorientated when partaking in sports betting. We have, therefore, prepared an extensive list of slang and jargon that online sports bettors use. Familiarize yourself with said list to maximize your online sports betting experience.

Learn more

Sports Betting Variants

There are a lot of sports, betting odds, and markets out there. Choosing a sport that you get behind is very difficult, but picking the right betting type is even more complicated. We recommend that you take your sports betting to the next level by familiarizing yourself with its most common betting types, which include:

Parlay Bets

Sometimes referred to as accumulator or combo bets, these combine multiple bets into a single wager. They offer higher payouts than conventional bets, but you need to win all of the included bets in order to achieve a parlay payout. Note that you can even bet on different games or events.

Flat Stakes

A betting strategy that has you wager the same amount or a flat stake on every bet regardless of the odds or outcomes of previous ones. It is a common bankroll management method.

Matched Betting

A strategy that has you take advantage of free bets and promotions. All you have to do is place two opposite bets, one on a win and one on a loss. These bets are usually placed on different betting platforms.

Arbitrage Betting

Sometimes affectionately referred to as “arbing”, it involves placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event. It is a clever way to guarantee a profit regardless of where the wind blows.

Spread Betting

A form of sports betting that has you wager on the accuracy of an outcome instead of the outcome itself. You can usually simply bet whether the actual result will be above or below the bookmaker's prediction.

FAQ

Yes, you definitely can! There are plenty of free or demo sports games that do not land you real money winnings. However, you will not be able to partake in live betting and other core sports betting activities.

Yes, you definitely can! Online sportsbooks have focused heavily on providing mobile-optimized websites and dedicated mobile applications. This has made the gambling genre accessible to Android and iOS gamblers.

Yes, there are! You can expect a plethora of high-roller or high-stakes sports betting options. Some of these are exclusive to loyal patrons and invite only.

Yes, there are! You can expect plenty of amazing low-limit online sports games. However, smaller wagers come with smaller rewards, which you should keep in mind when gambling.

Yes, you can! eSports or Esports, depending on the venue’s spelling, can be found alongside online sports betting. Punters can wager on professional video game competitions spanning several games and genres.

Yes, you sure can! There are plenty of fantasy sports platforms or DFS that let members create virtual teams of actual players and compete in virtual sporting events.

Yes, you can! In-play or live betting is incredibly popular. Some sportsbooks even host dedicated streams with professional hosts that keep you entertained while you wager on real-time events.

Discover More

Fast Payouts Casinos

Join the best online casinos based on the speed of payouts. Guarantee that your winnings reach your account in record time by playing at gaming venues with the fastest payment processing times. Learn how payouts work, how you can impact their processing time, and which deposit and withdrawal methods modern punters adore.

Read More

Real Money Casinos

Discover the ins and outs of the best real-money online casinos in the business. Learn what a casino has to feature in terms of security, safety, games, promotions, banking options, customer support, and more. Become an expert at distinguishing the best from the rest, and join one of the leading online real money gaming venues of today. All this and more in this in-depth guide to the top online real money casinos around.

Read More

Mobile Casinos

Dive into the exciting world of mobile real-money casinos and gamble your way. Pick up your favorite Android, Windows, or iOS device and play whenever and wherever you please. Discover mobile payment options, mobile casino games, mobile bonuses, and more in this detailed guide to the top online smartphone casinos around.

Read More

Important Notice

By visiting this site, you certify that you are over 18 years old, and you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. Read More