How To Check If an Online Sports Gambling Site Is Legit In 2022

How do you tell whether an online sports betting site is legit? What attributes make up a reputable and trustworthy betting site? 

Well, there are several factors that determine the genuineness of an online sportsbook. Again, different players consider different attributes. A particular element might be of great importance to one player, and not mean much to another. 

Other attributes are vital for some types of sports betting sites, but not so crucial for others. This article will attempt to answer the questions posed above as best as we can. We have outlined several elements that we feel are important when looking for the bettingnews in 2022. 

Safety and Security 

When registering with an online bookmaker, you will have to entrust them with your funds and personal information. Therefore, most online players want to be assured that the site prioritizes the safety and security of their data. 

This is why it is important that you only register with a betting site that’s safe and secure. The attributes discussed below will help you determine whether a site is safe and secure:

Licensing and Regulation 

There lacks a worldwide organization or authority tasked with governing online sports betting. However, there are numerous regional gaming and gambling commissions that govern different jurisdictions across the world. 

Some regions have more than one gambling regulatory organization. These authorities are tasked with issuing gaming and betting licenses and regulating licensed retail and iGaming operations. They are also responsible for setting standards that betting sites and operators must adhere to. 

One of the conditions that an operator must meet before setting up an iGaming site is to acquire and maintain an operating license. Operators are also required to comply with a wide range of rules relating to things that they can and can’t do. 

Some licensing authorities are extremely strict, while others tend to be a bit relaxed. This essentially means that although all gambling sites have to be licensed and regulated, they do not have to adhere to the same standard rules. For good measure, you should only sign up with sites subject to strict regulation.

History and Reputation 

Occasionally, new betting sites will launch and turn out to be reliable and trustworthy. For this reason, you cannot ignore new sites. However, sports betting sites that have been around long enough and built a track record are easier to trust. 

There is a greater sense of security knowing that the site has proven itself to be reliable and trustworthy over the years. There is concrete evidence. 

Segregation of Funds 

Every punter wants assurances that their funds are safe with the betting site, even in situations where the site, unfortunately, goes out of business. This is why registering with sites that segregate customer deposits is important. 

Customer funds segregation is an added layer of protection. As a matter of fact, most licensing authorities set it as one of the requirements for license eligibility. 

Software and Technology 

Technology plays a vital role in ensuring that sports betting sites are safe and secure. The best betting sites have invested in state-of-the-art security software and technology to ensure that customer data is fully protected.

The goal is to prevent hackers from gaining access to data related to your financial transactions and personal information. Data encryption technology plays a significant role in making this possible. 

Banking Options and Efficiency 

Online betting entails depositing and withdrawing money into and from your betting site account. As such, you want to sign up with a site that handles these financial transactions in the most efficient and secure manner. 

Below are the things to look out for when assessing a site’s payment options:

Deposit Options

You should have multiple options on how to fund your online sports betting site account. The most reputable sites will give you a choice to pick the payment method that is most convenient for you. 

At the very minimum, you should be able to make deposits using credit cards, checks, debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets. Other sites will even accept crypto deposits. 

Withdrawal Options

Many punters would prefer being able to withdraw their earnings using any of the available deposit methods, but this isn’t always possible with some betting sites. 

The disparity between available options for deposits and withdrawals is often tied to jurisdictional laws and restrictions. That notwithstanding, you should still have multiple withdrawal options at the best sites. 

Transaction Fees 

Fees are typically inevitable when making online transactions using fiat currencies. The same is true when it comes to online bookmakers. The best sites will not charge fees to make deposits but you will be charged a small fee for withdrawals. 

Withdrawal Speeds

Withdrawals often involve some form of transaction processing, and you can expect some delays, especially with traditional options such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and checks. 

However, you should not have to wait too long to receive your money. Two to three business days is a reasonable timeline, but anything beyond that is a potential red flag. Some options such as e-wallets and crypto promise somewhat instantaneous withdrawals. 

User Experience

Online betting ought to be a convenient and pleasant experience, and the best iGaming sites will do anything to render it so. A site’s user experience will be determined by the following factors:

Ease of Navigation 

Reliable sites will make it easy for you to find your way around their websites. Simple-to-use and intuitive navigation is not hard to implement, and it will go a long way to boost the overall user experience. 

The site’s architecture needs to be designed in a manner that makes it possible for you to find information you need and get to where you want to go with just a few clicks. This could be live betting, live streaming options, banking or customer service.

Customer Support 

Most people tend to overlook this attribute, but customer support is equally important if you want to enjoy a great iGaming experience. How the site handles your complaints and challenges will determine whether you will keep using that site. 

If you do not want to set yourself up for frustration, register with a site that ranks well for customer support.