How to choose a safe sportsbook, poker room or racebook

In land-based business, the key is location, location, location.

In online business, the key is reputation, reputation, reputation.

But be careful whose endorsements you are reading when choosing a sportsbook, poker room or racebook. Some watchdog group attest to an operator’s reputation and encourage you to sign up there, but they also accept advertising money from those companies. Needless to say, this potentially colors their objectivity.

Research several companies such as those who advertise and provide live odds feeds to PointSpread.com. We make all possible efforts to make sure businesses advertising here are fair and reputable.

Location is important because different gaming jurisdictions insist on different levels of licensing scrutiny. You want to play with a company that has been in business for several years and which is solidly recommended by a gaming jurisdiction such as Antigua, Isle of Man, Kahnawake or the UK.

Security is another key consideration. Read about the security technology in place to safeguard your online transactions and bankroll. Funding your account has become a chore as different laws aimed at preventing people from playing online are passed. Check out what deposit and withdrawal options are available and functional.

Like any company worth their salt, solid customer service should be one of their hallmarks. Try their email and telephone contacts to see if they respond promptly, politely and intelligently.

Check out the bonuses and incentives as companies are hungry to earn your business. But obey the old rule of “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Expect a 10 to 15% bonus of your sign-up amount. Most bonuses also have “rollover” requirements to prevent customer from scamming these companies. You must bet your deposit amount once, twice, five times before you can withdraw any bonus money to ensure you don’t deposit $1,000, get a $150 bonus, then immediately withdraw it and go elsewhere.

Some bonuses are “matchplay” where you earn $50 bonus, but if you bet $50 and win, you only keep your winnings – the original $50 matchplay bonus disappears. In this case, you have the $50 that you won, not $50 + $50.

After you have done your due diligence and are comfortable that the company is solid and that they offer the betting options that you need, click one of the sportsbook links in our sportsbook review area and learn the membership and deposit rules.

Most boast simple-to-follow details on setting up your account. When this important step is completed, it’s time to start wagering or better yet, get back to PointSpread.com and brush up on some money-management and other handicapping tips to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and hopefully profitable experience.

Good luck and please contact us if you have any trouble along the way info@pointspread.com

* You should always make sure to know if betting online is legal in your jurisdiction, especially in the USA where some states have passed legislation specific to it. We have included an exhaustive research piece by the folks at MajorWager.com that state-by-state details the rules (as of Sept. 2007).