What Makes a Great Sports Betting App & How to Start Gambling Online
Following changes to the laws regarding online sportsbook and casino betting in the United States and the relaxation of rules in Canada, we have seen millions of new bettors register at the world’s leading betting apps.
From the NFL Super Bowl LVI in Inglewood, California, to the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in England, there has been a sharp increase in the number of wagers placed and the value of those bets. The majority of those gambling online prefer to do so using their Android and iOS smartphones, with a recent study proving more bets are placed using apps than websites and land-based bookmakers combined.
Are you ready to join the betting revolution and start gambling on the biggest and best fixtures from your sport of choice? You’ll want to choose a legal and licensed online bookmaker that has your best interests at heart, runs the latest security programme, serves up generous odds and fantastic promotions. In this article, we explain how you can find an app that does all that. Our team of experienced betting writers have researched the industry in great detail, putting the leading bookies to the test and finding out what makes a great sports betting app. If you’re after a quick pick where we select a betting firm we have been paid to advise, you are in the wrong place.
If you’re on the lookout for sportsbettingsites with a range of payment methods and other great features, keep reading.
Not all are equal
Many online sportsbooks may look the same to the untrained eye, but not all are equal. There are many new and online-only bookies that claim to offer you the best service with top odds and reliable customers services, but when put under the microscope, they prove to be little more than hype. There are many good betting apps out there, but we’re after the great betting apps.
Why? Because the better your bookie is, the better your chances of backing a winner and making a profit. The aim of this page is to arm our readers with all the information they need to get the best deal from their bookie and make wise decisions when gambling on sports.
Read on as we detail five features a bookie should have to earn your custom.
Welcome bonus
Many online betting apps offer new customers a reward for signing up – choosing to join them over the competition. These promos are known as welcome bonuses, and it’s important to seek out the one that best suits your style of gambling. There are a few different types of welcome bonuses, including free bets, risk-free bets, enhanced odds, cashback, extra places each way and profit boosts.
The one offered by many reputable firms is the deposit matched free bet. With this promotion, you receive a free bet that is equal in value to your first deposit and wager. For example, if you register an account, deposit $100 and bet on a qualifying sportsbook market, a $100 free bet will be dropped into your account. It’s vital that you read the terms and conditions attached to any bonus you are considering before accepting. This will ensure you have a full understanding of how the offer works.
Follow the below steps to register at a bookie using your desktop computer or smartphone and to grab a free bet.
• Visit the homepage of your chosen sportsbook and click Join
• Fill in the registration form, providing all the necessary information
• Create a memorable but secure username and password
• Add your first deposit and place a bet
• The free bet due will be added to your account balance
Sports and markets
The greatest bookies have you covered when it comes to sports and markets. They offer all the most popular sports and competitions, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, English Premier League, UFC, MLB and more. But there should also be a healthy presence of more niche options, such as esports, volleyball and bandy. The more sports there are to bet on, the better the bookie is.
When you have chosen the sport you wish to wager on, such as soccer, you want to see both outright betting and upcoming fixtures. That may be World Cup outright winner and top goalscorer or all matches due to be played today. Every game should have a list of pre-match and in-play betting markets, and it pays to familiarise yourself with these. Don’t simply stick to the market you always play as there may be an option that increases your chances of making a profit.
Best price
Every bet you place should be at market best odds. That means no bookie should be offering a more generous price than the one you are getting. The easiest way to ensure you are betting with a bookie that gives great odds is to check any respected betting odds comparison site.
Look for the fixture, market and selection you intend to bet on to view a list of the prices offered by all bookies.
The top offer will be in bold, making it easier to find. You want your bookie to be the one offering a bold price on as many bets as possible.
24/7 customer services
If a bookie allows customers to bet around the clock, they should offer 24/7 customer services. On the contact us tab, you want to see live chat, email and telephone. A bookie should also be active on social media sites, including Twitter and Facebook. A frequently asked questions page that is easy to navigate and understand is another plus.
Security
Secure Socket Layer technology is the programme used by all leading betting apps, and it’s the one you should insist on. With this service, you can gamble on sports with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your sensitive information is completely protected. The encryption technology means your information is never seen by another person, and that includes staff of the bookmaker.