Having more options to pick from is a positive thing. However, having a crowded betting market can definitely cause a lot of confusion. Since we are currently at the pinnacle of online sports betting, more and more brands are joining in the fun.
This leaves users unsure of how and which operator to pick. Luckily, there is an answer for everything, and we are here to help you find new sports betting sites and explain the best way to pick one.
What to Look For in a New Betting Site
Each sports betting site, whether new or old, tries to attract its users in innovative ways. They are packed with all types of amenities that make online betting for players a joy. But to really know which one to choose, you have to follow your own principles. Making a choice based on your own personal preferences is the best way to go. That way, you will be sure that you are getting exactly what you want.
Key Features
On the other hand, if you are not sure how to start and which features to look for, checking a bunch of top betting sites is the way to start. But you still need to be aware of the features each one brings.
Available Betting Markets
New sports betting websites come with their own selection of sports to bet on. The very best sites aim to cover as many of the most popular sports as possible. On the other hand, others tend to offer only the most popular events and sports.
Whatever the situation is, your choice should be based on your own desires. If you like betting on basketball, then be sure to look for an operator that has NBA and EuroLeague markets. If you prefer football betting, make sure that the football odds are competitive enough. And if virtual betting is one of your favorites, you’ll need to check for that option.
And if you are a beginner, feel free to check out our useful guides:
- Learn the basics about how to bet on basketball.
- Start reading football odds and make bets with higher confidence.
- Use this betting odds calculator to predict your potential profits.
Desktop Platform and Mobile Apps
The site you are using should be user-friendly. Cluttered desktops and confusing apps are the worst. So, your pick needs to be based on making everything easier for you to use.
Things work seamlessly when the site design is intuitive. This means that all of the main features are placed in their usual positions, specifically the best slip system. The same thing goes for mobile apps. Nobody wants an app that loads slowly and does not provide us with the speed that we need.
Your choice should fall on the type of site that works fast, is understandable to use, and can get you anywhere you want to go in a maximum of three clicks.
Live Betting
Live betting is an important factor for bettors. Luckily, all new sport betting sites probably have it available from the start. You rarely see a sportsbook without one these days, as the dynamic way to make live bets is an important one to have.
If you like having more diversity when placing bets, and sometimes want to make things a bit more interesting, looking for a site with a decent live betting section is what you should do.
Bonuses and Promotions
To break out of the fold, new betting sites need to make sure they pique the interest of both veteran and beginner players alike. This is usually done by offering bonus offers and promotions. This model is nothing new and it is highly effective, but you still need to be able to make an informed decision by yourself.
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses come in various forms. Users can usually acquire them after registering an account and fulfilling various types of steps after their initial sign up. Based on those steps, the rewards can be bigger or smaller.
Whatever the case may be, users usually join new gambling sites specifically based on the offered promo. It allows them to get some starting capital that will allow them to place the starting bets they want.
Other Promotions and Boosts
A good operator knows how to retain their user base and not just keep adding new ones. No matter how many new users you add, you still have to keep them there for a while and big brands usually do this with promos aimed at current players.
You will find a variety of boosts specifically available for already registered players. If that is something that you are looking for and are picking a site that you want to stay long-term with, be sure to study their promotional page.
VIP Programs and Loyalty Schemes
New sports betting sites should also have a section that helps the most loyal bettors. Loyalty and VIP programs are not really new when it comes to sports betting circles, but are getting popular with each new operator added.
If you like having a sense of belonging, then you need to look for sites with VIP programs. That way, you can get even better special promotions and have an even better time with the brand.
How to Choose the Right Betting Site for You
We like to check every corner and make sure that everything is covered. So there are still some additional things that you need to think about before joining a new betting site.
State Availability
One of the main, and perhaps an obvious part is making sure that you pick a brand that is available in your state. Unfortunately, not all brands are legal to use all across the US. Some states still do not allow any form of sports betting or gambling, so your pick needs to be made on the availability of the brand within the state that you are located in.
Reputation and User Reviews
You don’t want to end up with a brand that is infamous for bad behavior towards its users. Unfortunately, there are many who still don’t really understand the importance of respecting your clients and hiring good customer service. For that reason, it is best to read a bunch of user reviews first to get some first-hand experience. You never know what hides beneath the outer shell of a company.
Deposits and Withdrawal Methods
The safest online betting sites should provide their users with the most secure banking methods. Also, they need to adapt to the market and make sure that they offer only the ones that are suitable for the local people. From a user’s perspective, the choice is usually made based on availability and convenience. You should be doing the same. Assess a site based on its deposit and withdrawal methods and only pick it if it offers what you need.
Reliability and Regulations
Never bet on an unlicensed brand. This is not a rule, it is just common sense. You want reliability and security when you are gambling online, and operators that are not transparent with their terms of service should be avoided at all costs.
Responsive Customer Service
Having responsive customer service may sound as something insignificant compared to everything else. However, it is actually much more important as it improves the reputation of a brand. If the customer agents are not of any help or are even rude to begin with, you are probably not going to want to deal with them at all. Skipping these ones and going with operators who treat their customers well should be your choice.
Tips and Pitfalls
To be able to make the right decision, we provide you with a few additional tips that are surely going to help you no matter the situation.
Join Multiple Sites
You may kick things off by joining multiple sites. It may sound like a hassle, but it is actually a good tactic to determine the best one for you. Ultimately, your opinion matters the most, so whatever you read or hear won’t matter until you see it for yourself.
By creating a bunch of accounts on different sites you will be able to use the welcome promos as well. This means that it may not end up costing you so much, while you are still able to study the site yourself and view its features and the way it works from your point of view.
Compare Odds and Promos
Most sites claim that they offer better odds than the competition. But you can’t know that until checking things out. Sure, there are a bunch of sites that really provide their users with competitive odds. But you can’t know that until you really check things out.
Be sure to study their sports betting section thoroughly. Make sure that the odds don’t change so much and that they don’t drastically drop down before the start of an event. You might need to spend more time on this than you hope you would, but it pays off to have this information as soon as possible.
Check for Security Risks
You never want to get stranded and run unnecessary risks. Before signing up with any bookmaker, be sure to check everything about them, especially when it comes to security. We already mentioned avoiding unlicensed brands, but you should also check to get informed about the security of the legal ones as well.
Those that have high-end encryption protecting your data are the ones to watch. Some brands offer better security than others and if you really want to enjoy care-free betting, you should pick them instead of others.
Read Hidden Terms in Bonuses
Avoid getting burned by the fine print embedded into sportsbook promotions. You need to understand that each brand will try to protect themselves first. This means that they are not simply going to give you the money. Therefore, being a hundred percent careful and prepared is what you need to do.
Always read the entire terms and conditions of the promotion carefully. Don’t just skim it, but read the entire thing till the end. Once you start it may be too late, and missing a single step might disqualify you from getting a bonus.
New Sports Betting States
When looking for legal sports betting sites, you need to determine if the state allows online gambling first. Thanks to the bill 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, some sorts of sports betting are allowed in 38 states across the US, 30 of them allowing online betting.
North Carolina was the latest inductee in the online sports betting circles in the US, allowing it in early 2024 and becoming the 30th state to do so. Missouri is also on the cusp of doing so, with a sports betting ballot initiative approved recently by the Missouri secretary of state’s office.
Upcoming Online Sports Betting States
Sports betting remains illegal in states like Alaska, Alabama, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. California and Texas are actually massive markets for the industry with 21% of the country residing there. Opening those markets is key for the industry, but there is still no confirmation that they will open any time soon.
However, active legislation or ballot initiatives remain open in Oklahoma, making it the state with the highest potential to legalize some sort of sports gambling next.
Sports Betting FAQs
For more information about the new betting sites in the US, check these FAQs below.
Yes. It has been over three years since the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting in the US. Since then, several states legalized online sports betting. Indeed, every state has its own rules and regulations for online betting.
There are multiple active betting operators available in the US, depending on the state. You can find some good ones on our website and determine which one to sign up with.
Yes. With almost all sportsbooks being licensed and regulated, there is nothing to worry about. Also, for further information about the risks you can avoid when joining a new online sportsbook, read our article above.
Setting up your betting account is not complicated. As long as you follow all the necessary instructions on the brand’s website, you’ll create your account in a few minutes.
Let’s provide you with the essential steps to follow when opening a betting account.
1. Firstly, go to the brand’s official website.
2. Second, to start the process, click on the Registration button.
3. Then, you’ll need to add your personal information and contact details.
4. After that, you will add the promo code in the designated field if available.
5. Last but not least, you will need to confirm that you are of legal age and that you agree to all the terms and conditions.
6. To finish the process, hit the Register button.
While it is possible to make successful bets and get returns, it’s important to view sports betting primarily as a form of entertainment rather than a reliable source of income. “The house always wins” also applies to sports betting. Only bet with money that you are comfortable risking and avoid trying to recoup past losses through further betting.
In general, the U.S. Federal Government taxes any income other than your ordinary income. Therefore, your state will tax your betting winnings unless you are located in a state that doesn’t force an income tax.
Your state’s government website will have more information about the necessary papers you need to fill out.
