If you love to bet on your favourite sports, then you need a reliable bookie to be able to place your bets with confidence. While some of the older generation will remember the days of walking into a bookies to bet, those that have grown up with technology will be more familiar with online sportsbooks. The benefits which as available from accessing a sportsbook on the move are endless.
Now it is easier than it has ever been to pick up your phone as a match or game is starting and place a bet on your predicted outcome. You can place single bets, accumulator bets and all manner of different types of bets on several sports only by reaching for your mobile phone wherever you are, whenever.
Given the competitive nature of the sports betting industry, there is now more than ever to choose from when it comes to great sportsbooks and choosing which to use can be a big decision. That is where we can help you. We offer a selection of the very best rated and reviewed sportsbooks available and the features that they provide to help you to make that all-important choice.
In this article, you will learn:
- What makes a good bookie and how to choose
- Why they attract new customers using deals
- How our expert team review and rate sites
Top Rated Betting Sites
#1 - SportsBetting.ag: Best Overall
Editors Summary
There is already plenty available on the SportsBetting.ag site to interest and entertain the majority of sports bettors, but there are also a few things that might tempt some more serious gamblers to. Being an operator who is not just content with continuing with what has worked so far; Sports Betting.ag is consistently and visibly improving all the time.
#2 - BetOnline.ag: Best Free Games
Editors Summary
It is usually the case that a sportsbook is a separate entity run alongside a casino website, or vice-versa. However, in the case of BetOnline.ag, all parts of the operation are run concurrently without any conflict of interest at all. The lack of conflict is primarily due to innovative planning by the site’s management, who have very neatly segmented different aspects of gambling within the same space.
#3 - Bovada: Best Mobile App
Editors Summary
It is not our usual practice to review any sportsbook that does not operate under a license. However, in the case of Bovada, its unique connection with the long-standing and very credible Bodog sportsbook makes this an exception. Although Bovada currently remains unlicensed at present, customer loyalty has not been affected, and there has not been an upsurge in complaints or issues involving this operator.
Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
Bonus And Welcome Deals
To attract new customers, in an increasingly competitive environment, sportsbooks need to use everything at their disposal to make them stand out amongst their rivals. This includes offering a welcome bonus or other incentives to entice you to open an account and start betting with them.
There are a few different types of welcome bonuses and deals, but fundamentally, they are broken down into two categories:
Deposit bonus
The deposit bonus can either be a percentage of your initial deposit or a matched deposit bonus when they give you the equivalent of the amount that you deposit as additional funds.
The money can then be used to enhance your betting experience and give you more chances to score a win. It should be noted that with some bonuses, you can only withdraw the bonus funds once you have bet with them several times.
No Deposit bonus
In the majority of cases, the no deposit bonus requires no card or payment details. You sign up with your email address and you are rewarded with some bonus funds to bet with.
A site must be confident in their offering to offer this sort of bonus as the risk is that you use the bonus then go off to the next website. The only downside is though that if you win any money, you will need to make a deposit and keep betting to be able to withdraw it.
Hi! I'm Expert Gambler.
I'll find you an awesome Betting site in seconds. Ready to go?
Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
What Makes a Great Bookie
We don't want you just to choose a good bookie, we want you to choose a great bookie. Whether you are a lover of sports and want to enhance your enjoyment of your favourite game, or whether you like to bet on the outcomes, there is something for everyone.
The best bookies are all competing to get your business and therefore, they have to ensure that they offer the best features and the best user experience. First and foremost, you must be confident that your money is safe. Choose a sportsbook that is licensed and regulated and that has good online reviews. It is also wise to choose one that specialises in the sports that you know the most about.
In addition to the apparent safety and reliability factors, there are many other things to consider. Do they offer a website that is easy to use on any device of your choice and is there a variety of sports and types of bets that you can place?.
It's great that they can offer you an all-singing, all-dancing website with lots of attractive benefits but do they put their money where their mouth is (pardon the expression)? Once you have placed your bets and enjoyed a big win are you going to be able to access your money quickly and without any issues and do they offer excellent customer support?
Popular Sportsbook Features
There are so many different features that you should be looking for when choosing a sportsbook, not only bonuses and welcome deals but so much more than that. The features are what give the sites the edge, and while most bookies will offer all of them, some will do better than others. When choosing your sportsbook, you need to look for the following:
- An extensive selection of sports betting both in terms of the sports available to bet on and the types of bets that you can place
- A good mobile user experience is crucial whether you decide to use a mobile website or indeed download an app. You want the best experience whatever device you are using
- Welcome bonuses – as discussed above, most bookies offer a welcome bonus of some description, but this should be just one consideration and not your primary concern
- Fast payouts are essential as if you win, and you want to ensure that you have quick access to your money. The turnaround time for payouts can vary significantly from a few hours to a few weeks
- It is worth shopping around for the best odds. Some sites will offer shorter odds than others. Take a look for yourself. Be wary of the ones that look too good to be accurate as this is often a warning sign of a "not so good" bookie
- Excellent customer service is a vital feature of any online service and being able to raise a query, complaint or issue is essential. Check out the customer service and perhaps test them with a question before you sign up
We don't want you just to choose a good bookie, we want you to choose a great bookie.
We Find The Best Betting Sites
Our job is to find the best betting sites for you to choose from. It can take hours of your time just researching and assessing each one, time which you probably don't have. If you are new to sports betting, it can be challenging to know precisely what you are looking for and how to avoid the pitfalls of choosing the wrong bookie.
Our team of experts have extensive experience and knowledge of the world of online betting and spend their time testing the various websites, analysing each of the features and rating the multiple bookies based on the listed features above and more. From the sign-up process to cashing out your winnings at the end, we test every aspect.
Once we are satisfied that each of the recommended sportsbooks offers a great user experience and all of the benefits that you are looking for, we rate each of the critical features using a star system. We also put together detailed reviews of each of the recommended sportsbooks and share them right here on our website for you to use to help you make your decision.
We believe that by spending our time presenting you with the information you need to choose your bookie, you will get a much better sports betting experience. All that remains for you to do is select your favourites and then decide which one is for you.
Top Rated Betting Site
#1 - SportsBetting.ag: Best Overall
Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is sports betting regulated and safe?
-
As long as you choose a sportsbook that is regulated and licensed and abides by the gambling/betting rules of their country, then you should be able to enjoy your betting safe in the knowledge that your money is safe.
-
Can I bet without downloading software?
-
Some sites rely on you to download the software but often it is as simple as logging in and placing your bets. The only thing that you should have to download is an app in the majority of cases.
-
Do I need to start gambling with real money?
-
No, if you choose a sportsbook that offers a welcome bonus, then you don't need to gamble real funds until the bonus has run out often though you will have to deposit money to access the bonus to bet with.
-
How do I make deposits and withdrawals?
-
You can make a deposit using one of many globally accepted payment types. The obvious ones are Visa/Mastercard credit cards or debit cards. Many forms of electronic wallet such as Paypal, Skrill and Neteller are also accepted.
-
What is a bookie sign-up welcome bonus?
-
A bookie sign-up welcome bonus is a free amount of cash put into your betting account to allow you to place free bets. Sometimes it is a percentage of what you deposit, other times it can be a no deposit welcome bonus.
Jeff is a professional gambler. His forte is spending all his time looking for winning odds and games. He specialises in racing and football betting on everything from race winners to corners awarded and believes in the systems he’s developed over the years.