What Do the Best US Betting Sites Have in Common?
After the Supreme Court abolished PASPA in 2018, some states legalized sports betting almost immediately. Delaware permitted the industry albeit with prohibitive tax laws. By comparison, New Jersey took progressive measures. Within two years, the Garden State had overtaken Nevada to be the number one market for sports betting in the country.
Some states took a bit longer to deliberate on legalizing sports betting. But many of them have since legalized the sector. Some states that had doubts about permitting betting early last year have since supported the industry for economic reasons.
The coronavirus pandemic wiped out billions of dollars in state budgets. To help earn revenue in these tough times, more states have legalized sports gambling. With that in mind, new sportsbooks in the US aren’t created equal.
Look for the best online sports betting sites. They have these seven great features in common.
Licenses from U.S.-based Jurisdictions
During PASPA’s active years (1992-2018), it was difficult for states to legalize sports betting. Only Nevada and a few more jurisdictions had the powers to sanction sports betting. If you wanted to bet online, your best option was to use offshore bookmakers.
Post PASPA, the best sportsbooks have licenses in local jurisdictions. New Jersey-based betting sites have licenses from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). Pennsylvanian bookmakers have licenses from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Licenses are essential for several reasons. For starters, they show a sportsbook has the right to provide betting services in a particular state. That means you can use its services without breaking the law. A valid license also provides proof of safety and trustworthiness.
In other words, you want to bet through locally and not offshore sportsbooks. Not only are they safe and trustworthy, but they also accept players in the US. You can find a list of the best betting sites USA from here. Check which bookies operate in your state and sign up for an account.
Support for American and International Sports
The best sportsbooks in the US support all major and minor sports, leagues and franchises in North America and elsewhere in the world. They use Vegas odds although some of them also let you switch between fractional and decimal odds.
For the uninitiated, Vegas odds are based on a $100 bet. Underdogs have odds preceded by a plus sign, say +200 for the Lions to beat the Cowboys. Favorites have odds preceded by a negative sign, say -130 for the Packers to beat the 49ers in an NFL game.
With that in mind, the specific number of betting markets offered varies from one betting site to another. Some bookies focus on the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS but not college games. Others feature both the Major Leagues and college games.
Elite bookmakers also feature in-play betting. These bet types involve betting on live matches. The games could be in Australia or the UK. But you’re allowed to bet after the game starts. The benefit is that odds change quickly, and this could help you get favorable odds. The disadvantage is you must focus on a single game or athlete for the best results.
Efficient Banking
After you create an account at many betting sites, the next step is usually to deposit money. You can deposit from $10 to as much as $10,000 at most sportsbooks. But the process isn’t always smooth. Some bookies only support credit cards, leaving out a large portion of people that prefer e-wallets. Others have high fees or take too long before they let you bet.
Fortunately, top-rated sportsbooks are different. They provide an extensive list of deposit and withdrawal payment methods. You can use Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and American Express for card banking. Or you could opt for e-wallets like PayPal, digital coins like Bitcoin or direct bank transfer.
Truth be told, many bookmakers offer a decent variety of payment methods. However, they don’t always provide fast payouts, huge limits for high rollers and low fees. As such, you don’t want to select a bookie just because it offers your favorite e-wallets. Also, check its fees, payout speeds and other policies.
Regular Free Bets and Bonuses
Another common feature of top-rated sportsbooks in the US is their bonuses. You can’t find a top-rated online sportsbook without a betting promotion. Usually, bookmakers reserve their best bonuses for new customers or VIP high rollers.
As a new customer, bookies give you a generous bonus so that you can create an account and also make your first deposit. You can receive a free bet on your favorite sport. Or they could match your first deposit 100% for a maximum of $100, $500 or $1000.
The best bookies don’t abandon you after your first bonus. Instead, they run regular promotions like reload bonuses, loyalty programs, cashback offers and birthday gifts. The bonuses have terms and conditions, though. Read these terms to find out whether a bonus gives you value or not.
Mobile Apps and Websites
Mobile gaming is all the rage. This means every forward-thinking sportsbook has a website or app for mobile device users. The best betting companies provide both native apps and mobile websites. Mobile websites are increasingly getting popular for several reasons.
First, not many people like the idea of installing countless apps on their iPhones anymore. If a company’s services can work through a mobile website, then a site is preferred. Mobile betting sites and apps feature hundreds of betting markets, quality odds and everything else punters love. As such, you don’t get low-quality services for using a mobile site.
Quality Customer Service
Quality customer service is an underrated service in the betting sector. Most people look for casinos with competitive odds, bonuses and quick payouts. However, all the features mean little if the bookmaker has poor customer service.
The best betting websites provide customer service through live chatbots, emails and phone calls. You can also contact them via social media or refer to their FAQ pages. Look for a sportsbook with great customer service and there’s a chance it excels in all other crucial areas.
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