The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that in 2019, American sportsbooks took in $14.2 billion from wagers on sports and racing games. That’s a 16% increase from the $11.3 billion sportsbooks took in in 2018.
The growth is a direct result of increased competition in the sports betting market and more people turning to online platforms to place their bets. But just because more sportsbooks are opening up doesn’t mean that all of them are providing the best possible experience for their customers. If you’re seeking to place a sports bet, whether online or via a mobile app, there are several factors you need to consider in order to get the best possible outcome from your wager.
Best Overall Betting Experience
According to the American Gaming Association, the three main ingredients to a winning experience in a sportsbook are:
- Properly licensed and regulated sportsbook.
- Fair and objective lines for betting on sporting events.
- User-friendly platforms.
If you’re seeking a new place to wager or just want to know more about the overall experience of betting at a particular sportsbook, you can check out their webpage, browse through their social media platforms, or contact their customer service directly.
Best Odds
The first and most important thing to consider when placing a bet is the odds. Essentially, the odds are the amount you’ll win or lose, depending on if you bet on a win, place, or show, respectively. You’ll often see odds given for both win and place, with the former being slightly higher than the latter. Naturally, this varies from game to game. For instance, a home dog advantage in college football is typically given as 7.0-1. So, if you bet on a dog, you’ll win 7.0 points, while if you bet on the other team, you’ll lose 1.0 point.
Another important factor to consider when choosing odds is the spread. The spread is the amount of points or money that will be wagered on a particular team or event. For instance, if you bet $100 on Oklahoma City in the 2020 NBA Finals and the spread is 3.0 points, your total wager will be $300 (i.e., $100 x 3.0 points).
Best Available Lines
When choosing which sportsbook to bet on, make sure you consider their line of credit and how much they’ll let you wager. Many online sportsbooks have a minimum limit, which you’ll need to consider before placing a wager. Typically, the bigger the line, the more you’ll be able to wager. So, if you want to increase the chances of winning, you should look for a book with a large line of credit. Additionally, make sure you review the terms and conditions of the book before placing a wager. This way, you know exactly what you’re getting into and can have realistic expectations regarding your earnings or losses.
Best Mobile App
Last but not least, we have the app. There are numerous reasons why you might want to download and use a mobile app to place a bet, but here are the most significant ones:
- Easier to use than a desktop sportsbook interface.
- Available on all platforms, so you can use it anywhere, at any time.
- Mobile apps can provide additional features, such as news, live scores, and more.
- Apps are usually more convenient as they can be used whenever and wherever you want.
- Most apps provide a more streamlined experience, which is why they’re usually preferred over the plain old website.
Now that you have a better understanding of what determines the overall quality of a sportsbook, let’s take a look at how to find the best one to place your bets with.