The chances are you will be familiar with the astronomical rise of the online gambling industry over the last few years that has seen millions move from wagering at land-based betting offices and casinos to making predictions using their smartphones. The leading football betting sites allow registered members to gamble from the comfort of their home or when on the move using a modern, user-friendly and secure app on Android and iOS.
There’s more to gambling than simply choosing your favourite team or athlete, adding funds to your account and placing a bet. That approach may see you land a winner occasionally, but if you are serious about making a long-term and reliable return from sports betting, it’s time to raise your game.
Below we list ten things you should do when betting on sport.
Register
You are free to browse the available online bookmakers, looking at the sports and markets offered and comparing the odds, but if you want to strike a bet, you must register an account. All online betting apps require you to sign-up to place bets on sports and withdraw your winnings. Thankfully, this takes just a few seconds to complete and must be done only once. Visit the bookmaker’s homepage you wish to join, then click the Register or Sign Up button at the head of the page. Fill in the registration form, providing all the necessary information, including your name, date of birth and address. Decide a memorable but secure username and password, then confirm your account.
Get a bonus
The best bookies ensure a steady stream of new players and repeat business to their app by offering a range of promotions, bonuses and specials. The most popular and generous of these deals is the welcome bonus, which rewards new players for signing up and placing bets on professional sports.
The welcome bonus comes in several shapes and sizes, but the most popular is the deposit-matched free bet. This is an offer that gives you free bet tokens that are equal in value to your first deposit and wager. Other deals include free bets, enhanced odds, cashback and extra places each way.
Add funds
You have options available to you when adding funds to your betting account. You can deposit using a debit card, e-wallet, in cash or using a cryptocurrency account. The better the bookmaker, the more payment options available. Each is covered by the latest security measures aimed at protecting your cash. Deposits are instant, and withdrawals are fast, with all funds transfers completely free of charge.
Study
Before parting with your cash to cover stakes, you should do as much research as possible. When betting on a soccer match, for example, you should know the recent form of both teams involved, the head-to-head stats, any injury news, the latest interviews and even the past officials’ performances. The more you know, the greater your chances of getting one over on the bookies and making a profit.
Seek advice
This should never be done before you research and decide on the team or player to bet on. But it’s worthwhile seeking the advice of professionals. Read the previews of sportsbook gambling apps and tipsters, take note of the pundits and even keep an eye on who the traders pick as their favourite in the betting markets.
Place bets
Click the sport you wish to wager on, then the competition and fixture. Locate the selection and click the odds attached to add it to your bet slip. Input a stake and confirm. Your bet will be live.
Watch live
You can watch the fixture you have bet on free of charge through your bookie’s live streaming tab. The coverage is HD quality with expert commentary and in-play betting.
Cash-out
When you gamble on sports, you often see a cash-out value added to your bet slip. This will be equal in value to your stake but will rise and fall depending on how well your selection is doing. Consider cashing out when a profit is available.
In-Play
In-play betting allows you to wager on sports fixtures that have already begun. Most pre-match betting markets remain live with the odds updated to reflect the score.
Withdraw
Withdraw winnings back to your e-wallet, debit card or payment method in the member’s area. This can be done in seconds with the funds instantly transferred.
