6 Tips for Finding Safe and Reliable Bookmakers

Sports betting has always been incredibly popular. With the upcoming World Cup, it is almost certain that more people will flood bookies. For many, a sport match becomes even more exciting when they have a stake in it. Another reason for sports betting’s popularity is that there are quite a few excellent prizes that you can win.

Of course, when money is at stake, important to ensure that you remain safe. When you are looking for the best bookmakers online, it is a necessity to look over their guidelines, in order to ensure that they are secure and reliable. When doing so, pay close attention to customer service, the diversity of payment methods, the bonuses that the site offers, and of course, a license. So, in this article, we are going to look over some tips that can help any bettor find the best bookies.

Customer Service

Certainly, when using a sports betting website, you will have some questions, especially if you are new to betting online. Questions regarding deposits, withdrawals, and bonuses among other things will very likely come up. So, naturally, you will want to find a website with excellent customer support, that is open 24/7 and offers solid advice to anyone looking to know more.

When looking at websites that offer the best customer support, you should be looking for a few different things. First of all, you will want an active live chat, for a quick answer. Other than that, the website needs to provide different forms of contact, including an e-mail or hotline, and certainly an FAQ. What is most important is to have 24/7 support, which of course comes at no additional costs.

Payment Methods

Another important aspect of sports betting is the different methods for payment that websites might accept. When betting, money is on the forefront of one’s mind. So, of course, what every bettor is interested in is how quickly a deposit can be placed, and how quickly money is paid out on a win. For this reason, it is incredibly important that there is a variety of payment methods on the website of your choosing.

By and large, a bookmaker’s quality is proportional to how many different options they have for payment. The most conventional and popular method is a typical bank transfer. However, bank transfers often take a very long time to process. It is precisely for this reason that many people prefer credit card-based payments. Both deposits and withdrawals tend to take a shorter time to process, sometimes being almost instantaneous.

Two other options which have recently grown in popularity are vouchers and e-wallets. Using vouchers is incredibly easy. You can simply purchase these cards and then use them in place of bank transfers. The most popular one today is the Paysafecard, but there are many other similar services. E-wallets are also growing in popularity. Today, PayPal is the best-known e-wallet, as well as one of the most popular payment methods.

There is also the option of using Skrill and Neteller. These options are excellent, as the money goes directly into the player’s account upon deposit. So, there is no middleman that delays the payment. Usually, when using Skrill or Neteller, you don’t need to wait more than a day for the deposit.

However, when making deposits and receiving withdrawals, what you really need to do is ensure that the website offers a secure SSL transmission. You don’t want your SSL to circulate cyberspace, as cybercrime is on the rise in 2022.

The Different Kinds of Bets Available

Every sports betting website should allow you to place live bets at this point, as they’ve become the new standard. Live bets are especially popular because you can place a bet while following the action, allowing for a more informed decision. Live bets should apply to the Champions League, as well as events in lower divisions.

While nowadays most online bookies provide you the option for live betting, there are notable differences between their offers. Some bookmakers restrict the number of live bets that can be placed per match. Others restrict the markets on which you can place live bets on. In other words, look for websites that don’t put too many restrictions on your betting.

The Website’s Design and Structure

What you need to pay attention to is the page layout of these bookies, as it plays a very important role. The website should be clear and easy to navigate. However, this is easier said than done. So, when you are looking for an online bookie makes sure to find one that is well-structured and easy to navigate and understand.

The reputation of the Bookie

Let’s be honest. Bookies don’t exactly have a stellar reputation. For one, betting was illegal for a long time. However, in today’s day and age, betting has been embraced by the mainstream, and many governments are beginning to legalize online wagering with increasing frequency. The best way to ensure that your bookie’s reputation is stellar is to look for a license. The best licenses are issued by EU-based countries, the most notable of which are Malta (issued by the MGA) or Gibraltar. Other trustworthy licenses are issued by Carribean states, like Curaçao, Antigua and Barbuda. These countries have incredibly strict regulations, so permits issued from them are particularly safe.

The Bonus Offers

The popularity of online bookmakers largely comes from the bonuses that they offer to customers. From welcome bonuses to existing customer bonuses, nobody gets left behind online. What is most important when looking at bonuses though, is to understand the terms and conditions you have to follow in order to use them. A common assumption is that the bonus is better if the payout is higher. While this can be the case, it often is not necessarily true. The criteria you have to follow are the following:

·        What markets the bonuses can be used on?

·        Are there minimum odds and deposits that the bonus demands?

·        How fast will the bonus expire?

Before you apply for the bonus, you should make sure that the bonus will not expire. Usually, a 3-month period is an appropriate time to use your bonus. Anything less might be a bit unrealistic. Also, the minimum bets should be reasonable. If the requirements are too loose, there is certainly something wrong, as it is the bookies goal to make a profit.

Finally, limits placed on the bonus are something to pay attention to. Most reputable sportsbooks have certain limits on their bonuses. So, if a bonus is way too available, you might want to do a little research into the website you are using.

Conclusion

If you take our tips to heart, you will have no trouble finding an excellent bookie. Of course, you should always read the terms and conditions that a bookmaker lists on their website. While it is understandably tedious, doing so will ensure your safety and security.