How To Bet Online

A guide for anyone wanting to learn how to bet online. If you are new to the game you will find the basic concepts to help you get started. Or if you are a seasoned veteran you can add to your knowledge and learn more about the less common wagering options.

Background information, a detailed breakdown of the types of wagers allowed, a rundown of the payment options you can use and a reference guide for the most common types of bonuses available.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal?

Yes, in 2018 the US Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting allowing individual states to legalize and regulate the industry.

How Do I Get Started?

Each state has a different selection of legal sportsbooks to choose from. You can sign up for a new account on your chosen sportsbook’s website or via their app. The apps are available for both iPhone and Android users.

How Do I Choose a Sportsbook?

It basically comes down to personal preference. There are no bad choices as each legal sportsbook will have gone through a stringent process before being granted a license to operate.

It’s worth trying out several apps before deciding which one is your favorite and having multiple accounts also gives you the advantage of picking the best odds/lines on a given event between the competing sportsbooks.

What Are These Bonuses All About?

Legal sports betting is a relatively new industry in the U.S. and the sportsbooks are competing to attract new players. As a result, they offer a variety of bonuses for new account registrations. 

How Do I Get Money On and Off the Apps/Sites?

This varies by sportsbook and state but there are a wide variety of options available. The most common deposit method is credit/debit card although not all banks allow transactions with sportsbooks yet.

Other methods include eWallets such as PayPal or Skrill, direct Bank Transfer, Prepaid Cards, Cash at the Cage, PayNearMe, eChecks and traditional paper checks, which are still one of the most popular choices for cashing out.

Is It Safe?

Yes, every sportsbook must go through a comprehensive (and costly) vetting process to get a license to operate in each state. Only the most established and trusted companies are being allowed to operate in this relatively new industry and that’s why you see the big names like MGM, Caesars, Bally’s, DraftKings, FanDuel, William Hill, 888sport, PointsBet, PlaySugarHouse, Bet365 etc. behind the apps.

On top of this, each state has a regulatory body (a Gaming Board or Division of Gaming) that oversees the industry and ensures the absolute safety of customers’ money and data on the sites.

What Sports Can I Bet On?

It’s pretty much a case of, you name it – you can bet on it. The biggest sport by wagering volume is NFL and the two biggest events in the sports betting calendar are the SuperBowl and the NCAA Basketball Tournament aka March Madness. Then there is NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college hoops, soccer, tennis, MMA, boxing, Nascar and other motorsports, rugby, cricket, Australian Rules football… the list goes on.

There can be minor differences between sportsbooks in the sports they offer but the major American sports and biggest international events will almost definitely be covered. There are some minor restrictions on college sports depending on the state you are in; you can check your individual sportsbook for details.

What are the Different Types of Bets?

Moneyline, Point Spread, Totals, Parlays, Teasers/Pleasers, Props, Futures, Round Robins, In-Play Betting and PointsBetting are among the most popular forms of sports bet.

Deposit/Match Bonus:

Matched Bonuses are usually on your first deposit only. You make a deposit and then the sportsbook will match your deposit amount or a % of your deposit. There are typically playthrough requirements to release these bonuses. On some sites they might be only 1x playthrough but others make them up 50x. This makes the initial offer not as lucrative as it seems because you will have to make a lot of bets before your bonus money is available to withdraw.

Reload Bonus:

Reload bonus are bonuses that the gaming companies offer from time to time. You re-deposit money into an already set-up account and subsequently receive some form of site credit. It is usually in the form of a matched bonus.

Refer A Friend:

This is a bonus you get for referring a friend to register a new account with one of the sportsbooks. When they complete their account registration, make a deposit or place their first bet you get credit to your account depending on the specific sportsbook’s offer.

Loyalty/Bonus Programs:

Bonuses and VIP Awards are given when you play through a certain amount of money and are usually released in small increments. Some sportsbooks may offer these VIP rewards in the form of tickets to sporting events for high volume, high wagering bettors. However, not all sportsbooks offer VIP Rewards.

Deposit/Match Bonus:

Matched Bonuses are usually on your first deposit only. You make a deposit and then the sportsbook will match your deposit amount or a % of your deposit. There are typically playthrough requirements to release these bonuses. On some sites they might be only 1x playthrough but others make them up 50x. This makes the initial offer not as lucrative as it seems because you will have to make a lot of bets before your bonus money is available to withdraw.

Reload Bonus:

Reload bonus are bonuses that the gaming companies offer from time to time. You re-deposit money into an already set-up account and subsequently receive some form of site credit. It is usually in the form of a matched bonus.

Refer A Friend:

This is a bonus you get for referring a friend to register a new account with one of the sportsbooks. When they complete their account registration, make a deposit or place their first bet you get credit to your account depending on the specific sportsbook’s offer.

Loyalty/Bonus Programs:

Bonuses and VIP Awards are given when you play through a certain amount of money and are usually released in small increments. Some sportsbooks may offer these VIP rewards in the form of tickets to sporting events for high volume, high wagering bettors. However, not all sportsbooks offer VIP Rewards.

Deposit/Match Bonus:

Matched Bonuses are usually on your first deposit only. You make a deposit and then the sportsbook will match your deposit amount or a % of your deposit. There are typically playthrough requirements to release these bonuses. On some sites they might be only 1x playthrough but others make them up 50x. This makes the initial offer not as lucrative as it seems because you will have to make a lot of bets before your bonus money is available to withdraw.

Reload Bonus:

Reload bonus are bonuses that the gaming companies offer from time to time. You re-deposit money into an already set-up account and subsequently receive some form of site credit. It is usually in the form of a matched bonus.

Refer A Friend:

This is a bonus you get for referring a friend to register a new account with one of the sportsbooks. When they complete their account registration, make a deposit or place their first bet you get credit to your account depending on the specific sportsbook’s offer.

Loyalty/Bonus Programs:

Bonuses and VIP Awards are given when you play through a certain amount of money and are usually released in small increments. Some sportsbooks may offer these VIP rewards in the form of tickets to sporting events for high volume, high wagering bettors. However, not all sportsbooks offer VIP Rewards.