Sports betting used to be a bit simpler before the Internet took over. Today, gamblers have to deal with welcome bonuses, payment platforms, website security, account management, and what not. All of this might seem confusing to some, and may result in mistakes or poor choices. This is never acceptable, especially when it comes to betting real money. To help you avoid that, I decided to create a short FAQ that answers the most common online betting questions I’ve heard. I hope you find it useful.

Are All Online Bookies Fair & Honest?

Well … no. Unfortunately, there are many operators that are online only for the sake of tricking people and ripping you off. If you plan to do online sports betting with real money, you must make sure you choose a reputable bookmaker. The biggest and most popular online bookies, like Ladbrokes, Bet365, or Betway, are guaranteed to be safe to play at – after all, they are considered the best because they take care of their customers. I will create a separate article focused on how to pick the best online betting site further down the road.

What Do I Do If a Bookmaker Refuses to Pay Out?

If you are betting at a reputable website, the chances of such a thing occurring are close to nothing. However, if there is a disagreement, the authority you should contact is the Independent Betting Adjudication Service, also known as IBAS. They have been the mediators for gambling-related disputes between bookies and players for more than 15 years now. However, it is always advisable to try your best to solve the problem with the bookmaker first, before contacting IBAS. The whole process can be a bit unnerving, but if you are right, you will be done justice in the end.

What About Those Welcome Bonuses? Is There a Catch to Them?

Nope – there is no catch at all. Bookmakers make all their decisions based on careful calculations, so all potential losses are considered. After all, online betting sites are selling a service – they need a way to attract more customers, and what better way to do that than to offer exciting bonuses? Of course, those bonus offers have a failsafe, making sure no players just claim them and never place a real bet on the website. Operators usually create wagering requirements that players have to complete before being able to cash out their bonus. Some operators offer free bets – make sure you only use them on for odds not lower than 1/2 or 1/5. Don’t forget to always bet smart, even when you are not wagering your own money.

With this, I conclude the first part of my online sports betting FAQ. Hopefully, you are now a bit more knowledgeable about the exciting world of online bookmakers. Check back soon for more on the topic!