So you have decided to start betting online – or possibly you just want to locate a new dependable sportsbook – what do you need to be aware of?

Well I am in a position to speak from some experience – I did at one time hold accounts with about sixty bookmakers in Europe, UK, Australia and offshore – the second catering mainly to the united states market. I have had at least three online sportsbooks go broke on me – luckily my losses were kept to a number of thousand dollars – that could sound a whole lot but it could are already a great deal worse.

It’s not that easy finding a reputable sportsbook – partly because the web is populated by website owners who shall sing the praises of a sportsbook or casino simply because they earn revenue from signing up customers via an affiliate program. Often these website owners know nothing about betting, do not hold accounts with the sportsbooks they are advertising and have not researched the companies they may be involved with.

You are keeping your hard earned money in an account online. Therefore you should think of the sportsbook you are considering as a bank – an area that you intend to keep funds long term.

Read press articles rather than reviews – reviews are often written by the sportsbook’s marketing team.

Test run the software by joining and playing online gambling for free – most sportsbooks offer this facility.

Find out if your funds are insured or separated in ESCROW accounts so that if the sportsbook company goes under – your funds are nevertheless safe.

Find out if the sportsbook is independently audited.

How long has the operation been online – three to 4 years may be a great marker as a minimum.

Test out the customer services to find out whenever they meet your standards or perhaps the standards they promise you.

If you know about betting already, then check several of their odds and lines – are they in keeping with what you will expect? Some less scrupulous sportsbooks offer very attractive prices to lure unsuspecting bettors.

Find out in the event the sportsbook is part of a larger group of companies. Sometimes what this means is added solidity.

What are the deposit and withdrawal options and also the associated charges. These vary quite a bit from book to book. Options should be available that will be ‘free’ or where the sportsbook absorbs the charges. But ask yourself ; “how easy is it to get access to my money and just how much does it cost?”

Not all the above are critical – but help towards finding a safe and secure book.

Should you have already have an account with a sportsbook watch out for lapses in customer support and slowness of payment – these can be signs that the company might be in trouble.