To get the best possible return on your investment you’ll want to make sure you’re investing in a reliable, licensed sportsbook. The key factors to consider are: registration verification, customer support, payout methods, wagering requirements, and security.
We’ll discuss each of these areas in detail, as well as offer some suggestions on how to find the best betting site for your needs.
Verification
Verification is the process of confirming your identity before allowing you to make a deposit or place an order. There are two critical elements to verification; first, you need to make sure that the website you’re visiting is secure, and second, that the person you’re speaking to on the phone or via email is, in fact, who they claim to be. For more information on how to verify your identity online, please check out our detailed blog post on How to Verify Your Identity Online. If you don’t feel like diving into that blog post now, there’s plenty more information on verification across the entire website.
Deposit & Withdrawal
You’ll need to make a deposit in order to use the betting site. Deposits are considered ‘good funds’ and can be used for betting or withdrawn at any time. Withdrawals are where you’ll lose your money if you haven’t verified your identity correctly or if the bookmaker has frozen your account for some reason. The minimum deposit at some of the larger and more established bookmakers is only $20.
You’ll also need to make sure that the method you’re using to fund your account is verifiable. Some people prefer to use credit cards while others may want to use PayPal or Skrill. Each of these methods has its perks but also its drawbacks. For example, if you run an online shop. You might not want to use a credit card to make a purchase as that could ruin your credit score.
Interface
The interface is how the website presents itself to you as a user. Is it easy to navigate? Is there a lot of information available for me to browse through? These are all important questions when selecting a betting site, as you’ll be spending a good deal of time there. Remember: your time is valuable, so make sure that the website you visit is designed to be as user-friendly as possible.
Security
Security is important because you don’t want your personal financial information getting into the wrong hands. There are plenty of examples of websites getting hacked, resulting in people losing a lot of money. To keep your account secure, you’ll want to ensure that your username and password are safe and that no one is intentionally trying to steal your funds. To do this, the website owner/operator will usually use some sort of security code (usually a four-digit number) in addition to your password. So if you’re using the same password at another website, you’ll obviously have to change it there as well.
Support
How can I get help if I’m having trouble? This is important because you don’t want to be left stranded with an account that you can’t close or verify due to an unknown issue. If there’s a way that you can get in touch with the website’s support team, please do so as soon as possible. They’ll be able to help you diagnose the root of the problem and get you back up and running as soon as possible. Sometimes it can take a little bit of time to get a response from a support agent, so don’t give up hope if you don’t get a reply immediately.
Fantasy Sports
Fantasy sports are where you create a team of real-life athletes and compete against other users for cash and prizes. Typically you’ll need to create a profile for the sport you’re participating in (e.g. football, baseball, or basketball), and then will be presented with a variety of players to choose from. Once you make your selection it’s up to you whether or not to join an existing league or form your own. In the latter case, you’ll have to decide on the number of spots you have available for your fictional team.
A lot of the fantasy sports websites out there don’t require a lot of information to get started, however, you do need to make sure that you’re paying for something that is both legitimate and licensed. Make sure to compare the various offers to find the best one for your needs.
Gambling
Gambling is the activity of wagering money on uncertain events, with the expectation of winning money. These events can be anything from the outcome of a horse race to the roll of a dice. When placing a wager you’re essentially placing a bet on whether or not the event you’re watching will occur or if your guess was correct. If you’re right, you win money; if you’re wrong, you lose money. Gambling is another form of gaming and can be a lot of fun when done right. Just make sure to keep your eyes open for the potential dangers as well.
It’s pretty easy to find a good-quality gambling website. You’ll just need to set up a free account and make sure to verify your email address. Most sites will have you fill out a brief sports questionnaire so they can better match you with the games you’re most likely to bet on. From there it’s up to you whether or not to join an existing group of gamblers, create your own private group, or just dive in and start playing!
Differences Between Sports Betting, Gambling, And Fantasy Sports
The key differences between sports betting, gambling, and fantasy sports are as follows:
- Sports betting involves taking a side in a sporting event, while gambling revolves around a wager on the outcome of a game (real or imagined)
- With gambling you’re essentially betting on the outcome of a given event, while sports betting occurs prior to the event
- Fantasy sports are where you create your own team of real-life athletes and compete against other users for cash and prizes
- The focus of sports betting is on the outcome of a particular sporting event, while the emphasis of gambling is on the process of placing a wager
- The minimum deposit for a sportsbook is typically lower than that of a gambling website.
As you can see, sports betting and gambling are quite different animals. The former is often seen as a means of recreation whereas the latter is a form of gaming. While there is no specific regulation of online gambling in Canada, it’s important to keep in mind that Internet gambling is still illegal in many countries, including Canada. This being said, there are plenty of licensed betting websites that can be used legally anywhere in the world.