Top sports betting sites

Sports betting is an activity where punters place bets on the odds for major sporting events. The sportsbook prepares the odds for football, netball, tennis, basketball, and other legal sporting events worldwide.

A bettor just has to choose a win, draw, or loss as the match outcome. Besides these markets, they can also predict the number of goals scored, number of cards, duration of a political debate, and so on.

World sports betting

When did sports betting begin, and what was the motivation behind it? Also, who invented it? Sports gambling has been a widespread pastime for as long as civilization has been around.

However, the earliest records point that it all started in Greece more than 2,000 years ago after the introduction of the Olympics. Then, the event spread to Rome, where it was legalized and later came to England. The English settlers then spread the activity to the Americas and other parts of the world.

Although the risk of losing money is apparent, betting on sports has become so popular these days. In fact, as of 2019, the sports betting market was valued at a staggering US$85 billion. Also, the industry was expected to grow at 7% per annum from 2018 to 2022. But as things stand, those are only projections, thanks to the COVID-hit 2020.

Assuming you're now ready to bet on sports, what next? First, find the best bookie and create an account. The bookie may require vital information like real names, residence address, phone number, ID number, and more before the account becomes active. Then, proceed to claim the welcome bonus. In some bookmakers, a promo code may be necessary to trigger the reward.

But before diving into sports betting waters, it's critical to learn the different types of odds and how to calculate them. The odds are what determine the amount bettors can win on a particular wager. Typically, the odds come in Decimal, Fractional, or American formats. So, learn how these odds work.

Moreover, learn the varying types of wagers and get a grip of them. For example, know the difference between point spread bets and moneyline bets. Also, learn something about totals and parlays as well as teasers and pleasers. Just note that some wagers might be a bit complex to understand.

It's important to bet at a licensed sportsbook, whether betting in a regulated or unregulated environment. But how does one know that a sportsbook is reliable? Below are some checkmarks:

• Licensing information: This is undoubtedly the most straightforward route to landing a reliable bookie. A legit local or international body approves the best gambling sites. For an offshore bookie, it should be licensed by the UKGC, MGA, Swedish Gambling Authority, and so on. The information should be available at the bottom of the homepage.
• Security protocol: Online safety entails more than just playing at a licensed bookmaker. That's because online fraudsters are always working round the clock to mine personal and financial data. Therefore, the best bookies must be SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encrypted. To confirm this, see if the bookie's URL link has a padlock sign.
• Payment methods: There's no point settling for a bookie with a handful of banking methods. Today, there are tens of internet banking options and even cryptocurrencies that a bookie can offer. But not all banking methods are the same. Only play on a site that provides reliable options like PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Visa, MasterCard, etc.
• Customer support: Legal sportsbooks usually have little to hide. As such, their support team are always available 24/7 and in multiple channels. They offer support via live chat, social media, email, and phone. If possible, the support should be available in most international languages to cater for offshore players.
• User reviews: A sport bookmaker can tick all the boxes above but fail in one; player reputation. That's why it's important to get first-hand information from people who have used the bookmaker before. It's then that you'll know essential features like the available odds, markets, transaction duration, service quality, and more.

To sum it up, it's vital to learn something about responsible gaming. As said, creating a gaming bankroll will go a long way towards shielding bettors from a financial mess. It's always a bad idea to gamble with money meant for house rent, school fees, house bills, and other essentials. So, only bet with money you're okay losing.

Besides, learn to time your play and walk out when the time is right. Betting can be entertaining at times, with bettors finding themselves spending hours at the bookie. Also, chasing losses is pretty common, especially for players with high expectations. Therefore, set a timer and walk out as soon as you win a decent amount or experience a losing run to avoid these scenarios.

Lastly, quickly seek help in case of any signs of betting addiction. Betting can be so addictive to an extent some players fail to spend time with their families. Others even quit their jobs altogether. Fortunately, bettors can still enjoy betting and other aspects of their lives by treating gambling as a pastime activity. Remember, wins can be far between. Thus, bet for fun.