How to Choose a Good Bookmaker
The market for sports betting is very competitive, and the majority of the best bookmakers offer comparable services and features. Thus, it could be tough to identify what bookmaker would be best suited for your preferences and requirements.
There is no simple answer or single bookmaker who can be determined the best, but there are key factors that you can examine when making a decision. These are the quality and diversity of products that they offer, the ease of use of the site, the support of the customer, and the odds value. When examining these factors, you will find out which top-rated bookmakers is most suitable for you and your gaming requirements.
Following are the 10 most critical factors that we use to assess bookmakers on Punter2Pro:
1. Products
Bookmakers offer various gambling products to players, from sportsbook, casino, poker, to bingo. These products provide players with a variety of ways of gambling. Learn more about popular gambling products.
The availability of a number of gambling products on a bookmaker's site makes it appealing to the majority of consumers. Gamblers are able to try their luck with different games, to break the routine. Or switch over to another product after their sporting event is completed for the season. But the variety of gambling products offered by bookmakers can be quite variant from site to site.
For convenience, customers ought to look for bookmakers who offer a list of core products they will most probably bet on.
2. Sports & Markets
Bookmakers offer a variety of sports and markets on which customers can place their bets. Right from traditional sports like football, basketball, and tennis to specialized sports like darts, snooker, and esports, there are options to suit all.
In all sports, there are a number of markets in which users can bet. In football, for example, users can bet on the game's outcome, goals, first scorer, or corners. In horse racing as well, users can bet on which horse will win, place, or the odds on the horse.
The range of sports and markets offered by bookmakers is also different. Some bookmakers may have a much larger range of sports and markets than others. Customers should look for bookmakers that offer a good range of quality sports and markets and where they can customize their betting experience based on their interests and preferences.
3. Bonuses
Bookmakers offer several bonuses to attract new clients and retain existing ones. Some of the bonuses are welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, free bets, and loyalty bonuses. The bonuses make the value of the site higher by offering customers more value and opportunities to win. The bonuses allow customers to try new betting options and explore various markets without spending their money.
But the worth of bonuses by bookmakers can also vary. There are bookmakers with strict conditions or timelines for redeeming wagers for bonuses, limiting their value. Others offer slightly more flexible terms and conditions, which increases the value of their bonuses. See the latest sports betting sign-up bonuses.
In general, the standard of bonuses provided by bookmakers has considerable influence over the user experience and site appeal.
4. Odds
The odds are the likelihood an event occurring, and bookmakers impose them based on a variety of factors such as team morale, player injury, previous performances, and including their margin. The bookmaker's odds vary widely, and users must compare them across various bookmakers to get the best value.
- Some bookmakers always offer better odds compared to other bookmakers, so this increases winnings from successful bets considerably.
- Other bookmakers offer better odds for certain events but worse odds for certain events.
- Others also offer more attractive odds for well-supported events and other bookmakers offer better odds on less popular markets.
When selecting a bookmaker, users should look for bookmakers that offer competitive odds on the kind of events they want to bet on, in a bid to maximize their possible winnings.
5. Payment Methods
Bookmakers also offer various payment methods for users to deposit and withdraw money from their betting accounts. Payment methods include credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. Discover the best gambling payment methods.
Payment option availability varies between bookmakers, with some bookmakers offering more different options than others. Some bookmakers also charge fees for some payment options, whereas others offer free transfers.
Customers must look for bookmakers offering multiple secure and convenient payment options with little in the way of fees and speedy transfer times.
6. Withdrawal Speed
Withdrawal speed is an aspect which should be considered when choosing a bookmaker. After all, if you do win a bet, you would prefer to be able to withdraw your winnings quickly and easily. Some bookmakers are quicker than others to withdraw, some virtually instantly, while others take days or even weeks.
The time it takes to withdraw money may vary based on several factors, including the deposit method utilized and policies of the bookmaker. Online wallets such as PayPal or Skrill will typically provide the quickest withdrawal times, with the money credited in your account within 24hrs of initiating the withdrawal. Credit cards and debit cards take longer, frequently taking business days to be credited into your account.
7. Features
Bookmakers attempt to incorporate features for the purpose of improving the betting experience on their websites. Such features can be anything from live streaming of events to cashout options, request-a-bet, bet builder, rewards clubs, and customer service levels.
The quality and range of features offered can have an important part to play in the overall popularity of the site, and customers will favor bookmakers that offer a greater range of features. As such, the best bookmakers will be constantly looking to expand their features in order to provide bettors with the most advanced innovations.
8. User Interface
A well-designed bookmaker interface can make a big difference to the user experience and enable customers to navigate the site more easily and place a bet quicker.
A intuitive interface must display navigation in a clear and logical format so that customers can easily locate the markets they would like to bet on. The site menus and buttons should be positioned logically and consistently, so that customers are able to navigate swiftly and easily between sections.
The design of the mobile app and website should also be eye-catching and interesting to use, with good graphics and images to help the client understand the information presented. An unclear or cluttered design will repel customers and impact the general attractiveness of the bookmaker.
9. Fund Protection
Safety of your money is a highly significant aspect to consider in a bookmaker, as it relates to the security and safety of your deposited cash. Reputable bookmakers contain various measures that ensure the monies of the users are safe even in the event the company encounters financial issues.
Bookmakers tend to categorize fund protection into different levels, which could be anywhere from low to high. Low protection means having funds in accounts separate from those for the business but could still be at risk in case the business is in financial difficulties. High protection, on the other hand, means having funds in protected accounts by law, where they are completely safe and accessible to users whenever needed.
10. Industry Reputation
In selecting a bookmaker, considering their reputation in the market is a crucial consideration.
Reputable bookmakers are known to be trustworthy and dependable, and this instills confidence in users to place bets. Such bookmakers have consistently paid out winning amounts on schedule and possess an open and honest approach to working.
Bonus: Uniqueness
While many betting sites offer similar core features, some bookmakers stand out by offering unique aspects that cater to specific audiences or provide an enhanced betting experience.
For instance, some bookmakers may specialise in certain sports, while others might offer exclusive promotions, unique betting options, or innovative user interface features. These distinctive elements can make a particular bookmaker more appealing, depending on what you’re looking for.