Sports betting is the general activity of predicting sports results by making a wager on the result of a sporting event. Unlike gambling, the legality and general acceptance of sports betting varies from nation to nation. In the United States, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1994 makes it illegal to operate a “betting, gambling or wagering scheme”, except for in the states of Delaware, Nevada, and Oregon. Nevada, , is the only state currently allowing sports gambling, while in many European nations bookmaking (the profession of accepting sports wagers) is a highly regulated industry that is legal. Supporters of legalized sports betting generally consider it as a hobby for sports fans that increases their interest in particular sporting events, thus benefiting the leagues, teams and players they bet on through higher attendances and television audiences.
Opponents of sports betting fear that, over and above the general ramifications of gambling, it threatens the integrity of amateur and professional sport, which includes a history of notorious attempts to fix major events. Although proponents counter that legitimate bookmakers will persistently fight corruption just as fiercely as governing bodies and law enforcement do. Most sports bettors are overall losers as the bookmakers odds are fairly efficient. However, there are professional sports bettors who make a decent income betting sports.
In recent years, sports betting online has become a large business and features masses of websites offering betting options. In the gambling world, online sports books are simply companies that accept sports bets over the internet. In areas where sports betting is legal, making bets is as easy as walking down the street and making the deal. For others who don’t have such an option, that’s where online sports books come in. When searching for an online sportsbook there are some basic primary details a prospective customer should look for: financial status, wagering ease, ease of making deposits and withdraws, betting options, and bonus programs.
A sportsbooks’ ability, and willingness, to pay off winners is by far the most important aspect a prospective customer should look for. While it can be difficult to find out the bottom line of a sportsbooks’ financial status, there are certain signs to look for.
The number of years business operation is a good point to start. A sportsbook that doesn’t pay off its losses will soon become known in the sports betting world and will have trouble attracting customers. Potential customers can also look at various independent sportsbook rating sites, such as Gamblingwithbitcoins.com, to get additional input on a particular sportsbook, and don’t hesitate to check out of some of the posting by sports gamblers on the bitcointalk forums. Many sports bettors have common tales of good sportsbooks and poor sportsbooks. Also, don’t be scared to ask other sports bettors where they play and if they are satisfied with their bitcoin sportsbook.
The number of years business operation is a good point to start. A sportsbook that doesn’t pay off its losses will soon become known in the sports betting world and will have trouble attracting customers. Potential customers can also look at various independent sportsbook rating sites, such as Gamblingwithbitcoins.com, to get additional input on a particular sportsbook, and don’t hesitate to check out of some of the posting by sports gamblers on the bitcointalk forums. Many sports bettors have common tales of good sportsbooks and poor sportsbooks. Also, don’t be scared to ask other sports bettors where they play and if they are satisfied with their bitcoin sportsbook.
Wagering ease doesn’t have the importance it did years ago, when it was very difficult for some to use web sites out there. The majority of sportsbooks have simple, easy to use software for you to make your wagers. Most sportsbooks will let you take a trial of their site before you sign up for an account, so it’s important to play around with the site before getting into the real action.
Financial option is important when betting at sportsbooks site: moving money in and out of a book is decreased to one step. Deposits simply require the player to send bitcoins to a crypto-address. To withdraw winnings, the player simply require to provide his Bitcoin address and most are processed instantly or within a few hours.
Betting options is probably the second most important criteria for choosing a bitcoin sportsbook, behind financial option. Having an account with a sportsbook that doesn’t offer lines on what you would like to bet is simply a waste of time and money. Again, most sportsbooks will let you see odds on the games they are accepting wagers on, so explore the web site before depositing your bitcoins. If you want to wager on European hockey games and the sportsbook you think of joining doesn’t accept wagers on European hockey, it is easy to find another that will.
