What to Expect From an Online Sportsbook
Online sportsbooks have come a long way since the first one appeared on the Internet in 1996. Today, they often form part of larger online casino operations which offer not just betting on real sports but also virtual sports-related games like Golden Derby horse racing.
There is definitely more variety available to sport lovers when it comes to betting action. With this in mind, if you are looking to place a bet at an online sportsbook, what can you expect?
Sportsbooks that are joined to an online casino
Many sportsbooks are not stand alone. They are attached to online casinos. They often offer different new player bonuses but players can use them with one account.
The main benefit of this is that you can get all the betting and casino action you want in one place. Depending on the website, you may have to move money between two accounts but it’s still easier than using two different brands.
Niche sports betting online
There is more variety, when it comes to the sports you can bet on, than there has ever been. Obviously, hugely popular sports like football and horse racing still take centre stage. However, they have been joined by more niche sports which often provide better value from a betting point of view.
These more niche markets include motorsports, ice hockey and MMA. It often pays to develop a good knowledge of these sports as bookmakers have less knowledge of them than the more popular markets. This means that you may be able to gain an advantage.
Many sportsbooks have also started to include eSports in their betting markets. This is not surprising given that there is expected to be more than 500 million eSports viewers across the world by 2021.
In-play betting
Many sports fans in the UK now prefer to live stream sporting action rather than watch traditional broadcasting. Much of this is due to increased availability of content online and the convenience of being able to watch wherever and whenever you choose.
Many sportsbooks now live stream some content as part of their in-play betting functionality. This type of betting gives people the opportunity to place a bet while the action is taking place. It’s a popular feature although you do have to put some effort in if you stand any chance of being successful.
It’s important to do prior research so that you know what is likely to happen during a particular sporting event. For instance, does a particular football team often come back from being down by a couple of goals in the first half? You should never just bet in-play on impulse but it can be a good market if you have the knowledge.
You also get the advantage of being able to watch some sports live on the sportsbook so that you can keep up with the action and place a bet at the same time.
These are all different aspects that you can expect if you decide to place a bet at an online sportsbook.