Looking to try your hand at matched betting in the United States? Wish you could wager on sports events like matches in Europe but don’t want to deal with the regulations? Think you can handle the high stakes and huge payouts that are typical of the sports betting world?
If so, you might want to check out the US sports betting market. While it doesn’t offer the same variety of betting options as other parts of the world, it doesn’t get the same kind of regulatory restrictions, either.
Here’s how you can get started.
Find A Sportsbook
As with most other legal US gambling activities, sportsbooks are a common sight on the streets of the city. You might even know what a sportsbook is, as you probably placed a bet on your favorite team during a game last year.
But did you know that many sportsbooks also offer odds on a variety of other sporting events, like tennis, golf, and even mixed martial arts?
If you Google “US sportsbooks”, you’ll see hundreds of articles and reviews about the different online platforms that specialize in US sports betting. It’s important to note that the information on these sites doesn’t necessarily come from the sportsbooks themselves. Instead, the information is provided by third parties who claim to have validated deals with the bookmakers.
This is important because it means that the odds offered by the bookmaker can change without notice. Therefore, it’s essential that you keep checking the site for the latest odds, as they can fluctuate dramatically from one moment to the next.
Make Sure You’re Actually Getting An Advantage
It’s important to keep in mind that, even though you’re playing against the bookmaker, you’re still benefiting from their volume of bets. Even if you know that the odds are slightly in your favor, you might not want to risk it when there are so many other people backing the other side.
Because the majority of sportsbooks in the United States are unregulated, many of them are fraudulent. Some of them might even be scam websites that simply prey on innocent people’s need for a sport to follow. When choosing a sportsbook to place your bets with, it’s important to look for reviews that can shed some light on the legitimacy of the site.
Watch Out For Scams
Just because a site is advertised as a “legitimate” sportsbook doesn’t mean that it is. There are countless scammers who will offer to sell you fake accounts with different sportsbooks, as well as bribing public officials to get exclusive access to certain events.
If an online sportsbook company wants to get your business, they will likely offer to waive the initialsetup fee, as well as provide generous bonuses for opening an account with them. These are classic signs of a scam. Instead of giving you an advantage, they are trying to cheat you out of your money. Just keep in mind that you are much more likely to be scammed by a sportsbook that is not regulated by the government.
Follow The Rules
Even though sports betting is legal in most states, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to understand and navigate. As you might imagine, there are numerous legal and regulatory loopholes that can help to make it much easier for people to take your money. The key is to avoid falling victim to these scams by familiarizing yourself with the following: