Choosing the right betting site can be a challenge since a simple search for a betting site will generate a huge list of sites offering extremely generous bonuses that often entice individuals to register for an account straight away. Many regret their haste in signing up to a site when they understand that restrictions apply to the bonuses and that the reputation of a particular betting operator may not be as good as they would like in terms of security of funds and safety of personal information.
The security of the site is perhaps the most important issue to ensure your personal information does not get hacked. The best betting sites will be licensed, regularly audited by a regulatory authority and have a raft of online security features you would expect from online operators dealing with financial transactions. Then you can decide what features you want on the betting site before you sign up.
The sport you want to watch
If you plan to bet on a particular sport, look for operators who focus on this sport more than others. Soccer and horse racing are popular with sports bettors in the UK whilst baseball and the NFL are the most popular sports being bet on in the US. Some sports are country-specific, which means choosing the right betting site means narrowing the search to that geographic location for better odds, coverage and more. Geographic betting sites in Ireland would be best for those interested in hurling and Gaelic football.
Live betting
To add to the thrill of the game, look for sites that allow a bet to be placed after a match or race has begun. The odds for live betting will be shorter or longer based on what the operator is seeing unfold. Choosing the right betting site for live betting means looking for a site that offers a range of live betting games that offer good odds in play.
Live streaming
Some of the best betting sites have introduced live streaming. This allows punters to view the sport without needing to sign up to premium subscription sports channels. Live streaming has been around for some years in sports including tennis, golf, rugby and more. A cash-out feature is particularly important in live streaming betting. This is the facility by which a punter can settle a bet to either win or cut their losses, before the end of the fixture.
Bonuses and promotions
Nearly all betting websites will offer bonuses as a welcome to new punters. This is usually in the form of a deposit bonus, paid when money has been deposited into a new account. This bonus can match the first deposits made or be the offer of free bets. Be sure to read the terms and conditions around bonuses and promotions as these will nearly all have wagering requirements and it may be a better financial move to not accept the bonus.
Mobile users
Most online betting sites can now be accessed from mobile devices. Before signing up, use the free demo site to see how easy and intuitive you find it to use. If your experience using the site is one of frustration, find another site that is easy to navigate and use.