Sports betting is one of the oldest pastime in the world. As long as sports have been around, people have been wagering on them. Whether that be the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, the gladiatorial combat of Ancient Rome, or the earliest cricket games in the 13th century, history is riddled with instances of people wagering.
That practice endures today. However, it is much different now than it ever has been. For one, the digital age has made it possible to place bets online. Online sportsbooks are still a relatively new phenomenon, and many people might need help figuring out how to place a bet. That is why we are here. In this article, we share a few ways to determine whether your bookie is safe and legit.
A Look at the Odds
Your first clue will always be the odds. For the uninitiated, odds are numerical representations of each team’s chance of winning the match. Odds makers spend painstaking hours analyzing a team’s history, performance data, and relationships to determine which one is more likely to win an upcoming game.
There are several different types of odds, for which you can find in-depth explanations. However, the one thing that they all have in common is that they are fair. Which means, if the odds seem too good to be true, it is likely because they are.
Compare and contrast the odds at numerous bookies to determine whether they seem right. That will be the first step in determining whether your bookie is legit. If the odds are similar at other sportsbooks or odds makers, then you are on the right track.
Different Payment Methods
Once upon a time, credit cards were the only option at sportsbooks. However, that is no longer the case. In fact, if a bookie only focuses on one payment method, like credit cards for example, you should question why that is.
It is worth noting here that, there is nothing wrong with using a credit card for online sports betting. In fact, it is quite safe, as credit card companies usually do a good job of providing security for their customers. It also needs to be mentioned that a bookie offering only one payment method doesn’t mean it is illegitimate.
The only thing we are saying is that you should take note of a bookie relying solely on credit cards. Look into their history, check to see if anyone’s had problems with the brand, and ask around on forums about said bookie. Anything to ensure your safety.
Look for a License
Finally, the simplest way to determine a bookie’s safety is to look for a license. The best licenses are usually issued by European countries. However, Curacao and other nations in the Caribbean also provide excellent and trustworthy licenses.
For those who don’t know, a license is a stamp of approval, issued by an organization in charge of gambling. It is the purpose of these orgs to determine whether a casino, online or land-based, is safe, legitimate, and reliable. They also work with sports betting to ensure a safe and productive industry.
