The Premier League is moving towards its final deciding weeks, the Six Nations is well under way and the horse racing season is about to really heat up. Spring has truly sprung for sports bettors. This is the perfect time of year to look for a new sportsbook and get started on exploring the betting options that are out there for bettors in the UK.
In recent years, betting has moved from a retail-based business to a primarily digital business. Online sportsbooks provide bettors with access to more markets and odds on more sports than ever before. Even more recently, online sportsbooks have made in-game betting a possibility for some sports.
The best betting apps UK punters have access to are among the best in the world, which is only fair since the UK has such a long and healthy tradition of sports betting. In today’s article, we’re going to discuss seven things to look out for when making your choice for a new sportsbook and betting app.
Licensing
Licensing isn’t exciting but it is essential. All sportsbooks – both online and retail – operating in the UK need to be fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The license protects both the bettor and the bookmaker because it shows that regulations have been met and that the government is able to oversee the business.
Sports Coverage
Being able to bet on the sports you want to is the most important part of a sportsbook for every bettor. The leading sportsbooks in the UK all cover a huge range of sports, both popular and those catering to niche interests.
One other thing to keep in mind is that beyond a sport being available to bet on, you should verify what events are covered. Some sportsbooks will only offer odds on the most prominent leagues and international events. For example, while every online sportsbook based in the UK will have odds on cricket, they might not all have odds on all of the international leagues and matches that a devoted international cricket fan is interested in.
Bet Types
New bettors are often unaware that they can bet on more than just the outcome of a match. While these simple bets are the most popular, there are many other types of bets. Accumulator bets combine several single outcome bets into one and have become very popular in recent years, because even though they’re risky, they pay out well when they do win.
Other popular bets that you should look for before creating an account with a sportsbook are futures, over/under bets and prop bets. Futures are bets placed well in advance of a major event, like who will win the Six Nations. Over/under bets are placed on a game statistic instead of the outcome. The most common over/under bet is on the overall score of a match – the bookmaker sets the expected score and the bettor then bets on whether the final score will be higher (over) or lower (under) than that number. Prop bets are bets placed on events that happen during a match. Prop bets can range from serious (how many corner kicks, who will score first) to a bit silly, such as what color boots a player will wear.
Even if you’re new to betting and are unsure if you’ll ever place one of these more complicated bets, keep an eye out for them. It’s always nice to have the option.
Payment Methods
Digital payment methods are the norm nowadays and we all have our favorite methods that we’re most comfortable with. The leading online sportsbooks will all accept a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods. The most common are bank or wire transfers, e-wallets and digital payment apps. Skrill and Neteller have become two of the top payment methods.
Always double check that the payment method you prefer is available for both deposits and withdrawals. Most online sportsbooks allow fewer withdrawal methods than deposit methods.
User Interface
Having an easy to navigate user interface is an important aspect of a sportsbook. It makes the experience more engaging and streamlined. If a sportsbook has a website that’s annoying or frustrating to use, it can make the entire betting process feel like a hassle and a waste of time. Don’t let a bad interface ruin it for you.
Security
Security is a big issue online these days, with cybercriminals continuously upping the ante and finding new ways to access and steal private data. In order to combat that, online sportsbooks need to have top of the line security measures in place. Always look for the lock icon next to the URL – this indicates that the site is encrypted and your personal data is safe.
Bonuses
Bonuses are a great way to elevate your betting experience. Most online sportsbooks will offer welcome bonuses to attract new players. It’s more unusual to find a sportsbook with a loyalty program but hopefully this will change over time. The best bonuses to look for are deposit matching, accumulator insurance, free bets and risk-free bet options.