A guide to safe and smart betting in the U.S

The world of sport is truly exhilarating, crack-shot captains fight fierce defenders, tenuous ties break, 3 pointers come straight out of the blue, old titans defend titles and of course there’s always a horse that just can’t be caught. 

In recent years, Americans have remembered that they can get in on this world of action too. That’s because the ban on online gambling has been lifted in many states, and now the rush to get playing is palpable. This hype is not limited to sports books though – the world of online casinos is also exploding. Nowadays, anyone who fancies a shot or two at some winnings has the opportunity to take it.

Though exciting, this new era of unseasoned bettors has attracted all kinds of dodginess and crookery. So, is it safe to get involved? Absolutely, you just need to keep your head switched on. Yep, a little know-how goes a long way when it comes to gambling, so here are some essential tips to keep you safe and betting well.

When it comes to online casinos you need to take the time to find the right site – one that will feel familiar and offer long term satisfaction. When it comes to sports, you want to have more than one book open – keeping an eye on where the best odds are. Both situations call for a reliable comparison site, a hub from which you can be signposted.  

Time2Play is the best option I’ve found so far because it holds safety, bonus value and quantity of games in high regard when it ranks casinos. When it ranks sports books, quantity of sports (and their respective markets) alongside quality of odds are the leading criteria. 

A reliable comparison site notwithstanding, staying switched on is essential. This means being vigilant for red flags that you are about to be scammed. Explore the site and make sure it’s not a phishing (copycat) site and is complete with regulatory seals, the https padlock, multiple payment options, support channels and details about the company (a site that lacks transparency is not one to start typing digits into).   

It’s also generally sound advice to stick to onshore casinos. Offshore ones exist to exploit a loophole in the now lifted ban by operating outside of U.S jurisdiction and regulation. They’re not inherently bad, but now that regulated casinos are an option there’s just no point in adding a potentially huge layer of risk. I’m not just talking about accidentally putting your bank details in the wager either: there are more insidious pitfalls such as rigged games that are almost impossible to win. These are only weeded out by regulatory bodies who test for quality, such as AGA. 

It’s not all about crookery though, the fact is that some companies just treat their customers better. Gamble somewhere that has your back and can be contacted via live chats, email or phone. If the site’s support features are limited (or god-forbid non-existent) then make an exit. 

When choosing your bet, it’s time to test your sports wisdom and indulge your inner fan. If you’re not well-versed then get to know your sport and its contenders so you can calculate risks effectively. 

Don’t forget that the house will always have a tiny advantage: for companies with tons of customers this slim edge translates to huge profits overall. We call this ‘the juice’  though it’s not exactly sweet for bettors! However, zooming in to the micro of the individual customer, the odds can still be good. That’s why it’s advisable to go for more established books as they have enough customers to keep the juice to a minimum (As for casinos you should also go for a low house edge, or at least avoid high ones). Of course, if there appears to be no juice at all, then it’s a scam you’re dealing with. As always, if it seems too good to be true then it is.

As mentioned previously you want to keep an eye on multiple books so you can optimise your odds. The golden rule is to only bet what you can afford to lose – if nothing else that’s just peace of mind while you play. A good strategy for this would be flat betting (betting the same amount every time) but if you are still concerned then there are Responsible Gambling tools. Companies geared for long term betting try to take care of their customers by giving them the ability to set limits and block payments if needs be.  

Problems with gambling can be easily avoided though by taking breaks and not chasing losses (it’s a cliché to say but it’s so true). Keeping your head switched on means switching your screen off once in a while.

Lastly, try to get to know your betting self. If your judgement calls keep paying out on NBA games, but not NFL ones then it’s time to get nerdy about basketball – that’s your game! When it comes to online casinos there are so many games to choose from that it’s unlikely you’ll stick with just one. Nonetheless make sure your favourites are the ones paying out – maybe you and your gut are blackjack players. It’s up to you to figure your strengths and weaknesses out.

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