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With more and more states legalizing sports betting online and even more popping up around the world in parts where the laws are more gray, it can be hard to find an honest one. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to determine whether a sportsbook is trustworthy or a front just to steal your information and hard-earned money. This quick guide should help you find the best online sportsbook to play at and make wagers.
It's Too Good to Be True
There's a reason this age-old adage keeps making the rounds. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Some sportsbooks will have great promos, but when you read the fine print, you learn that the wagering requirements and applicable bets are not at all what you would've thought.
Wagering requirements will force you to have to bet the bonus and any applicable winnings a certain number of times before they're eligible for withdrawal. This can turn a deposit bonus of 200% into a pit that you'll never be able to get out of. Sure, you can use the bonus funds to place smart bets, but until you hit that magic number, which can be 10x, 20x, or even 30x, you'll be unable to withdraw them.
Sites that offer amazing odds and the best sportsbook promos aren't unheard of, but not all of them are being completely honest. While you shouldn't immediately discount a site just because it looks appealing, it should set off an alarm bell in your head that makes you think, “Is this legit?”
How to Check if a Sportsbook is Legit
Checking if a sportsbook is legitimate or not can be tough, as scammers are getting smarter these days. Legal and honest sportsbooks often have licenses from regulatory authorities. These regulatory agencies have verified that the site offers exactly what they're advertising and that they're not in it to scam players. There's also a line of recourse for you to take should the sportsbook treat you unfairly or keep your winnings from you.
That said, you can't take the sportsbook's word for it that they're licensed. Sportsbooks will often post their license on their site or a link to a certificate. You can view this yourself, but anyone can simply create a fake license or a similar looking domain as the regulatory authority to host a fake certificate.
Take it a step further and visit the regulatory agency from which the sportsbook claims to have a license. Here, you'll find a registry that lists every sportsbook or online casino they have licensed. If that sportsbook isn't on their registry, it's a scam. Likewise, some scammers will imitate sportsbooks in an attempt to dupe unsuspecting players. Always use the links listed in the registry to visit the sportsbook, as other URLs may not be the real one.
Take to Social Media
Social media can be a wealth of information. Sites like Reddit or Facebook can offer an inside look. Just look up the name of the online sportsbook you're considering and any social media site to find posts or forums discussing it. You'll often find reviews, both good and bad.
Bad reviews don't inherently mean the site is a scam, as some bettors are just sore losers who think everyone but themselves is to blame for their acca that needed a miracle and a half. But you should pay attention to what they're saying. Complaints that a site is holding their winnings or that customer service is non-existent should be heeded, and heeded well. You don't want to end up like them in four months after you win big and suddenly no one is around to help you when the bet doesn't go through.
Good reviews should highlight the number of markets, competitive odds, and excellent customer service. It'll be nearly impossible to find a site that has no bad reviews, so it'll take a bit of sleuthing to figure out who's being honest.
You'll also have to try and figure out if the good reviews are from actual players or the sportsbook itself. Look at the post history of accounts praising the sportsbook. Look for accounts that look natural, like an actual human. If all they do is post about how great 123 Sportsbook is, you're likely walking into a scam—or at the very least, a dishonest site.
Wrap-Up
It can be hard to trust an online sportsbook with your money. It can be even harder to find one that you trust and that has competitive odds and great promos. Still, it's not impossible. Just remember to avoid anything that sets off your spidey senses, look for licenses that you can verify, and use social media to get first-hand accounts. In no time, you'll be betting on your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home or while on the go with your mobile device.
