As the world turns online, social distancing and physical restrictions loom large. There are now more possibilities than ever for people to stay connected and follow their favorite sports teams and tournaments wherever they may be. Amidst the change, however, there are some significant restrictions that you need to know about if you decide to dip your toe into the online betting world.
The Downsides
While it’s true that betting online offers some significant benefits—like having your football pick’le any time you want it—there are also some drawbacks that you need to be aware of before taking the plunge.
- You have to be physically located in an area where there’s a sportsbook. (Minus the luxury of being able to stroll to your favorite coffee shop after a hard day of betting.)
- The lines are generally much thicker than they are in person. Which means if you’re not careful you could find yourself in a pickle.
- It’s much easier to lose your financial freedom if you don’t know how to avoid it. And when you do lose it, it’s usually to a scammer who claims to have ‘fixed’ the bet for you.
The Upsides
Despite the dire warnings about the downsides, it’s important to keep in mind that there are also some significant advantages to betting online.
- No matter where you are, you can always log on and place a bet. You don’t have to rely on anyone else to join a live sportsbook meeting. (No more missed games due to unavailable wifi or unresponsive online sportsbooks.)
- You can take a peek at the scores and follow the action wherever you may be. Just make sure that you’re not violating any restrictions by doing so. (No more worrying about being outside the 50 U.S. states where sports betting is legal.)
- It’s much more convenient to place bets on your phone. Whether you’re at home or in your car. (No more worrying about missing a game due to a lack of wifi or dead battery.)
Familiarizing Yourself With NCAA & Professional Football Rules
If you’re new to online betting and decide to dive in, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of both NCAA (more commonly known as ‘American College’) and professional football. This way you’ll be ready to make the right wagers and avoid any embarrassing mistakes.
Most online sportsbooks provide a glossary of terms which you can use to better familiarize yourself with the rules of the games that you’re interested in. This is a great tool to have because it can help you avoid any misunderstandings when making a wager. Also, make sure that you read the rules thoroughly so that you don’t get yourself into any kind of trouble. Remember, the last thing you want is to get banned from the site.
How To Determine The Best Sportsbook For Your Needs
Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of online betting, it’s time to figure out which type of online sportsbook is best suited for your needs. Just like in any other area of life, there are a wide variety of options available when it comes to sports betting. From traditional to crypto-currency based, there’s a bookie for everyone. For instance, if you’re looking for an online bookmaker that accepts wagers in cryptocurrency, then you need to keep in mind that there are a few major differences between the various types of virtual coins. For example, if you’re planning on making lots of wagers using Monero (XMR), be sure to research the liquidity pools available for that coin.
The Biggest Obstacle To Online Betting
The biggest obstacle to online betting is simply being able to find a place that allows it. Since sports betting is essentially illegal on most parts of the planet, the only places left that offer a safe and secure environment for online wagering are the ones located inside the U.S.A. If you live in one of these states and decide to give it a try, here’s a quick primer on how the legal system works when it comes to online gambling.
In most circumstances, Internet gambling is considered a game of chance and is usually treated as such by the law. However, some states have specifically considered sports betting to be a game of skill and have established laws to protect the sports fan who bets on their team. Most states allow for some form of legalized gambling; however, due to the complexity of the subject, not all states have implemented this form of gambling yet.
What Are The Legal Implications Of Online Betting?
The legal ramifications of online betting are minimal. As long as you’re not violating any anti-gaming laws, then there should be no problem. The worst that can happen is that you lose your deposit or are required to pay out some of your winnings in taxes, which is the same as losing any other type of bet. As long as you’re not operating a Ponzi scheme or a scam, then you most likely won’t get in trouble. Just be mindful of the fact that the odds are always in favor of the house, so expect to lose a bit of money, especially if you’re new to betting and don’t know how to avoid getting taken advantage of.
The Verdict
Overall, online betting is a relatively safe and trustworthy way to wager. While there may be some restrictions and limitations that you need to keep in mind, the benefits greatly outweigh any risks. If you’re looking for a way to bet with the least amount of liability possible, then online betting is the perfect option since none of the books we recommend require an account or have citizenship restrictions. And last but not least, thanks to advanced technology, it’s now much easier to keep in touch with friends and family while enjoying your sports. Good luck out there.