So you’ve got decided to start betting online – or possibly you just want to locate a new dependable sportsbook – what do you will need to watch out for?

Well I am in a position to speak from some experience – I did at one time hold accounts with about sixty bookmakers in Europe, UK, Australia and offshore – the second catering mainly to the us market. I have had at least three online sportsbooks go broke on me – luckily my losses were kept to a few thousand dollars – which will sound a great deal but it could happen to be a great deal worse.

It’s not that easy finding a reputable sportsbook – partly since the web is populated by website owners who shall sing the praises of a sportsbook or casino simply because they earn revenue from signing up customers via an affiliate program. Often these website owners know nothing about betting, do not hold accounts with the sportsbooks they are advertising and also have not researched the businesses they can be involved with.

You are keeping your money in an account trusted online soccer (mouse click on Gmtti). Therefore you should think of the sportsbook you are considering as a bank – an area that you intend to keep funds long-term.

Read press articles instead of reviews – reviews are usually written by the sportsbook’s marketing team.

Test run the software by joining and playing for free – most sportsbooks offer this facility.

Find out if your funds are insured or separated in ESCROW accounts so that if the sportsbook company goes under – your funds are still safe.

Find out should the sportsbook is independently audited.

How long has the operation been online – three to 4 years will be an excellent marker as the very least.

Test out the customer services to determine should they meet your standards or even the standards they promise you.

If you know about betting already, then check some of their odds and lines – are they in keeping with what you would expect? Some less scrupulous sportsbooks offer very attractive prices to lure unsuspecting bettors.

Find out should the sportsbook is part of a bigger group of companies. Sometimes what this means is added solidity.

What will be the deposit and withdrawal options as well as the associated charges. These vary a great deal from book to book. Options should be available which are ‘free’ or where the sportsbook absorbs the charges. But ask yourself ; “how easy is it to get access to my money and the way much does it cost?”

Not all the above are critical – but help towards finding a secure book.

If you have already have an account with a sportsbook watch out for lapses in customer support and slowness of payment – these may be signs that the company may be in trouble.