A real gem of the online gaming industry is its sports betting sector, whose innovative games, exciting markets, riveting wagers, and unique gameplay never fail to excite. These reviews, insights, tips, tricks, and breakdowns will lead you to the safest and most fun online sports betting sites. Dive into the world of online sportsbooks and learn everything you need to know for an unforgettable gaming adventure.
Sports betting has been around for millennia. The punters of antiquity wagered on the outcome of physical matches between two individuals, the racing of chariots, and the racing of horsemen. The allure of gambling was not overshadowed even by enormous events such as the Olympic games or occasions at the Colosseum. However, placing wagers and picking up winnings was not always smooth sailing. Punters often got into physical altercations regarding payouts and the results of sporting events. Bookmakers often disappeared with the bets and left punters high and dry. Street gangs and other hooligans often extorted money or outright stole wagers.
Things became far more civilized over the centuries, with dedicated organizations, occasionally tied to the local mafia or criminal organizations, enforcing stability and fair gambling practices. As the entire sphere went digital in the early 1990s, sports betting reached new heights of elegance, accessibility, and comfort.
1996 saw the emergence of Intertops, the first online sportsbook. These humble beginnings with very simple technology blossomed in the 2000s when more sportsbooks covering a more comprehensive range of sports and betting options appeared. The 2010s brought sports betting to the small screen with dedicated mobile solutions and mobile-friendly platforms. This rise in popularity was accompanied by the emergence of esports, VR, AR, and even computer-generated sporting events. We believe that it is time that you add your piece to this story, and we are here to help you do just that.
Punters used to be very limited when it came to bookmakers. The sportsbooks that were around were those at race tracks or sporting events, often hidden in dimly lit alleys or small rooms. Modern sports punters have the luxury of having access to countless online bookmakers, which paradoxically makes finding a bookmaker difficult due to the magnitude of choice. We believe that you should value the following characteristics when considering your next sportsbook:
We will explore these and other key characteristics further in the upcoming sections. If you at any point encounter a segment that leaves you scratching your head, please check out our FAQ section or continue to the next section, as the answers to your questions might be present there.
While there are countless online sites offering amazing live streams of sporting events, such as Twitch, YouTube, and your local streaming service, we expect the best sportsbooks to offer in-house streams. These can be as simple as displaying a third-party stream as long as the said stream is up to par. The commentators have to be knowledgeable, fun, and unbiased.
Watching a stream while relaxing on your couch is the perfect time to place live bets or in-play bets. These allow you to partake in action in real-time, which is perfect for exploiting openings in the market and gameplay. Typical bets in this category include next goal, point, or play bets.
A niche feature is the cash-out option, which allows you to settle your bet before an event concludes. If you want to take your live bets even further, you can access your online sportsbook via your chosen iOS or Android device.
You should never pick a bonus simply because it offers a lot of funds or quick access to a game that you want to play. You should pick a bonus because it adds a nice boost to your bankroll while also having achievable wagering requirements. Online sportsbooks often have bonuses and promotions that are identical to those of online casinos, with the most popular ones being:
These amazing bonuses are always accompanied by terms and conditions, which impose wagering requirements, minimum odds, time limits, bet restrictions, geographical restrictions, and more. Note that we have an entire guide exploring these key terms and conditions, so feel free to check it out and learn more.
The best online sportsbooks do not shy away from offering a rich assortment of sports to bet on. Each sport has its own unique gambling options that make betting on it a treat. What is more, each category comes with its unique events that spice up the action. The most common sports and their most popular events include:
The numbers surrounding sports betting are truly incredible. This enormous industry has immense potential, with unforgettable titles and events appearing on a monthly basis. The sports betting industry of the last few years, in numbers, looks like this:
Each sport has slightly different betting options and markets, especially when offered by different gaming venues. We recommend that you explore the following betting options so that nothing surprises you on your sports betting journey:
This is the simplest bet that is placed on a single selection within an event. It is also the most common bet, which you will encounter in various games, including football, basketball, soccer, and even tennis. A prime example would be betting on a specific team to win a football match or betting on the NHL, MLB, NBA, or NFL events.
These are slightly more complex, with a combination of multiple bets being placed on various selections within a single bet slip. This system allows you to walk away with a prize despite not winning every section of your wagering journey. A great example is betting on football matches within the same bet slip and winning two bets.
Occasionally referred to as the “Accumulator”, this bet combines several selections into a single wager. It is far more draconian than a system bet, as each selection must win for a payout to occur. A perfect example is betting on the outcomes of several basketball games within the same slip.
Some punters refer to them as live bets because they are placed whilst a sporting event is taking place. You can use them during virtually any event, from soccer to basketball. Note that they require extensive game knowledge.
These bets put their stake on the outright winner of a game or event without concerning themselves about the point spread. They can be found in various sports, such as baseball, soccer, hockey, and even MMA. A prime example is betting that team A beats team B in basketball.
This bet is based on the point spread that oddsmakers offer. It allows for a lot of customization, as you can bet that a team will win with a certain margin (cover the spread). You will often encounter it in games such as football, basketball, and hockey, especially the NFL and NBA events.
Sometimes referred to as over/under bets, these have you predict whether the total will be above or below a certain number. You will counter them in practically every game, thanks to their simplicity.
Teasers focus on adjusting the point spread or total in your favor for multiple games, while pleasers work against you, with both requiring all selections to win. Another way of understanding this concept is that the point spread moves in your favor with teasers, which produces less favorable odds. While the point spread moves against your favor with pleasers, whose odds are far better. You will often encounter them in NBA and NFL events.
This simple wager bets on the outcome of a match or event, with three possible outcomes. You can bet on your chosen team winning, losing, or tying. You will most often find this bet associated with team-based sports, the likes of soccer, basketball, and hockey.
These bets have a point advantage or disadvantage that is applied to a team or participant, thus leveling the playing field. If a team has a -1.5 handicap, they need to win by at least two goals for their bet to win. Note that underdogs have positive handicaps, while the predicted winners have a negative handicap.
These bets focus on a player’s performance or the development of a game event, such as a quarterback passing a certain number of yards within a football game. While these do not necessarily impact the final outcome, they can still be bet on.
These are predictions of outright winners of tournaments or events. You will often find them featured during the Super Bowl, World Cup, and championships. The less likely a team is to win, the higher your potential payout is.
This is another niche bet that focuses on which player will score the first goal or point during a match. Being familiar with the participating players and their aggressiveness can be incredibly helpful with this type of bet.
The great thing about sports betting is that you are not exposed to the whims of Lady Luck or the brutal nature of an RNG. The outcome of your wagers depends on the performance of real-life athletes and their years of dedicated training. However, their likelihood of winning can still be quantified, especially by industry experts.
Modern online bookmakers employ several factors in their calculations of odds. These factors cause odds to fluctuate before and during sporting events. The most important factors are:
Professional odd setters then split odds into several categories, each bearing its quirks and riveting potential. The following section explores said odds variants and their examples.
Sometimes referred to as European odds, these represent the total amount that you will receive if your bet wins. They are usually displayed in decimal format, with the decimal point being replaced by a comma based on the local grammatical rules.
Example: If you wager $100 with odds set a 2.00, you will receive $200 if your bet wins. Note that these $200 include your initial $100 stake.
These are most common in the UK, where they show you the potential profit relative to your stake. The first number in the fraction is your potential profit, while the second one is the amount that you need to stake.
Example: If you decide to wager $100 with fractional odds set at 5/2, you can win $250 on top of your $100 stake, totaling $350. Another great example are 4/1 odds, where a bet of $50 can land $200 in winnings, with the initial $50 being returned to you, totaling $250.
Sometimes referred o as American odds because of their prevalence in the United States, they indicate how much you have to wager in order to win $100. A minus before the sum indicates who the favorite is, while the underdog is highlighted by a plus. A team likely to win is, therefore, marked as a -100 wager, while the underdog is marked as +100, for example.
Example: If you pick a wager with +200 odds, you will win $200 on a $100 bet. However, if you want to in $100 with -150 odds, you have to wager $150. Both require you to win, of course.
The world of sports betting is very easy to partake in, especially if you have the right guidebook. We, therefore, recommend that you follow these steps during your next sports gambling journey.
Choosing an online gaming venue can be far more difficult than you expect. You need to pay attention to its licensing, audits, game library, customer support, banking options, accessibility, software, and more. We recommend that you take a gander at our expert recommendations and pick a verified and reputable site with minimal effort.
Most punters are shocked by how useful bonuses are, especially when they are used solely to prolong your playtime. However, you need to read the terms and conditions as these hide wagering requirements and time limitations.
Do not wager on every sport that comes up; stick to the ones you know. Ideally, you pick one sport that you love watching, such as football, and dedicate your gaming to it. All you have to do is bet on your favorite team and watch the football match take place.
Each sportsbook offers slightly different odds, which can greatly impact your chances of winning. We, therefore, recommend that you shop around for the perfect offer.
Each sport boasts multiple betting markets, with the most common ones covering match winners, point spreads, totals, play statistics, and the like. Make your bets diverse for the best possible safety net.
Do you prefer short-term events or long-burning gems such as tournaments? Do you want to watch weekend matches or random weekly ones? Decide these timeframes in advance and pivot your sports betting around them.
Forget about your potential winnings or how much you have wagered. Enjoy the match that is unfolding before your eyes. The magic of sports should be enough entertainment as is. The potential of winning big is just an added plus.
Regardless of if you win big or if you lose most of your deposit, always withdraw your funds. Withdrawing prevents you from making instinctive wagers and wasting your funds. Moreover, redepositing can help you claim reload, deposit, and other amazing bonuses.
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Sports betting is more than just choosing a sport and placing a few wagers. There are nuances and oddities that you have to take into account before and whilst committing to a game. Check out the following tips and guarantee yourself the perfect sports gaming experience:
You have to have the highest possible standards when looking for an online sportsbook. Never give in to community pressure, a nice ad, or a generous bonus. Moreover, put your personal preferences above everything else. Take a look at the following core attributes of sportsbooks to learn more.
Sports Selection Good sportsbooks provide punters with a wide range of amazing sports. The latter should include at least the most popular leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and UFC. You should even expect esports events, as these offer an exciting new way to gamble on sports.
Markets Each sport that a sportsbook offers should have multiple markets associated with it. Said markets boast options such as match winner, point spread, totals (over/under), player performance, and more. Study these markets and find those that align the most with your character.
Bet Variants Each market should have multiple types of bets available. A point spread market, for example, offers bets on the favorite or underdog. In total betting, you can predict if bets spill over or stay underneath a specific number, and so on.
Bonuses and Promotions You should expect the full range of sportsbook bonuses and promotions, including welcome bonuses, free bets, cashback bonuses, and special event promotions. These bonuses and promotions should have first-class terms and wagering requirements.
Banking and Payouts Modern online sportsbooks should boast multiple traditional and modern payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and crypto. Moreover, the payouts should be swift and incur minimal fees.
Security and Reputation Always pick a sportsbook that is renowned for fair play, fast payouts, and the best security solutions around. Keep an eye out for logos of major regulators and reliable third-party auditing agencies. Moreover, never use a site that lacks the HTTPS prefix in its URL or SSL encryption.
Customer Support Customer support should not be limited just to a few pleasant emails; it should be available 24/7, in multiple languages, and via multiple channels. Expect to find email, live chat, phone, and even AI-powered chatbots.
Compatibility Expect your online sportsbook to be compatible with all of your devices. Dedicated mobile applications and mobile-optimized sites are now part and parcel of the iGaming space, so their unavailability is immediately a red flag.
It is impossible for us to cover every single sport that online sportsbooks offer. The following are the most popular ones that you will definitely encounter during your online sports betting journey:
Soccer Betting Soccer betting encompasses a wide range of leagues and tournaments, which allows you to bet on match winners, goal totals, handicaps, and player-specific markets. Prime examples of major events include MLS (Major League Soccer), La Liga, the English Premier League, the Canadian Premier League, and the World Cup.
Basketball Betting There is a wide range of national and international basketball events that you can bet on, such as the NBA, NCAA, EuroLeague, FIBA World Cup, and Olympic Basketball. The most common bets are moneyline, point spread, total, prop, parlay, and futures wagers. Punters are also keen on placing live, player performance, game event, and championship winner bets.
Hockey Betting The backbone of hockey betting are popular leagues, the likes of the NHL (National Hockey League). These allow you to bet on match outcomes, goal totals, and player or team props. Another great mechanic are live bets that spice up fast-paced hockey games.
UFC Betting Just as the UFC focuses on multiple sports, UFC betting focuses on multiple betting options. The latter include match winners, methods of victory, round outcomes, and fighter-specific bets. We recommend that you dive into the history and styles of fighters to maximize your wagers.
Horse Race Betting Betting on horse races is one of the oldest forms of sports gambling around. You can place bets on individual races or partake in multi-race bets such as accumulators or placepots. Note that major events such as the Grand National and the Dubai World Cup come with unforgettable wagering options.
College Football Betting This exciting football betting variant is focused on games within NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). The most common betting options are point spreads, moneylines, and totals. These games are also great for spotting rising stars and picking future winners.
Football Betting We cannot imagine the NFL (National Football League) without a bit of betting on the side. The most popular betting options include point spreads, moneylines, and props. The fun reaches pitch fever when the Super Bowl rolls around.
Cricket Betting The bedrock of cricket betting are test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches. You can bet on the outcome, run totals, and player performance. Study the different formats and pitch conditions for optimal bets.
The legality of online sports betting and the minimum required age to partake vary from country to country. Moreover, it sometimes varies between jurisdictions within the same country, so conduct thorough research before playing.
That depends on which ones you are looking at. If a sportsbook boasts licenses and audits from respectable regulatory bodies, then it is legitimate. Moreover, if a site passes our thorough review process and is recommended, you can rest assured that it is legitimate.
Licenses and audits check whether an online gambling site is legitimate. Moreover, they pull regulatory bodies and their mediators into disputes. Think of these as an additional line of defense and an enforcement of your rights.
Yes, you definitely can. All you have to do is play with real money at legitimate venues. Note that the payouts, processing times, and payment methods depend on your chosen venue.
Yes, you definitely can. Real-time bets are often referred to as in-play or live bets. You can place them whilst an event or game is unfolding. Note that their odds shift in real-time, so picking the right moment is vital.
You can bet on practically any sport that you want to. We recommend that you stick to sports that are familiar to you. If you are not familiar with a sport but still want to bet on it, research it thoroughly.
The answer depends entirely on your skill level, familiarity with the sport at hand, and the betting markets that are available in your chosen sportsbook. However, we recommend that you start with basic bets, such as straight bets, and transition to in-play bets once you gather more experience.
You can find the best sports betting sites on this very site. Our in-house experts have reviewed and ranked the best sportsbooks around, so you need not worry about researching them on your own.
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