Every year there are a plethora of new betting sites to pay attention to. On this page, we’ll discuss some of the new betting sites on the scene, as well as how to protect yourself and how to work out what a good betting offer looks like.
If you’re more interested in established bookmakers, check out our homepage for a full list of information about some of the better-known bookmakers found on the internet.
Protecting yourself when opening an account with a new bookmaker
New bookmakers appear on a regular basis, so it is important to know which ones you can trust. When you see a new bookmaker being discussed on OddsFactory, however, you’ll know that the bookmaker is one of the many trusted online bookies working in the sector.
If you don’t see a bookmaker you’re interested in on our site, however, it’s important to know how or whether you can trust them. Here are a few things that you should check before signing up with a bookmaker that you’re unfamiliar with.
Check the bookmaker’s license
Every betting site requires a license, and this is no different for new bookmakers. In the UK it is a legal requirement for a bookmaker to have a license. If you’re unsure, however, check out this licensing tool made by the UK Gambling Commission.
Does the site have a street address?
Legitimate websites generally advertise their physical addresses, so ensure to look out for an address that you can associate with the site.
Although most bookmakers are based within the UK, some can be found in both Malta and Gibraltar, so don’t be put off if they aren’t on the mainland or even in the UK itself.
How does the site ask for a deposit?
Always read up on how the site asks for deposits. As a rule of thumb, traditional deposit methods are the most trusted.
You might find some sites that require a deposit via Bitcoin, but it’s important to be sceptical of sites like these, as they could operate outside of regulations.
Some sites offer PayPal as a deposit method, and these are becoming more popular, so it is one that we generally recommend.
Does the site have bad reviews?
You can get a good understanding of how bookmakers have treated previous customers by reading reviews. Although there is likely to be some that are particularly bad, it is important to bear in mind that these are sometimes left by people that have lost money.
In fact, it is even common for some of the larger and most well-known bookmakers to have low Trustpilot scores — so ensure to read the reviews to get a good feel.
Is the site offering something that just looks too good?
Newer betting sites are known to offer great deals to enhance their reputations, but sometimes, a deal might just be too good to be true.
Sometimes a site might say that you have won a special prize, or that it is offering a big bonus without a deposit. If you see a site make these claims, it is better to be sceptical than sorry.
How do you know what a good offer looks like?
Before moving forward with any offer, it is important to check the qualifying criteria alongside the terms and conditions to ensure that you know what the deal involves.
Generally, there are two types of offers for new customers. The first revolves around spending a set amount of money to receive a free bet in return. The second involves receiving a free bonus that is equal to the amount of your first deposit.
The first type of offer generally has conditions based on minimum odds, which usually stands at around 2.00 (evens). This offer tends to produce a smaller reward compared to the second.
Generally, this is because the second offer is slightly more complex and higher risk, which means that the reward could be better. Let’s take a look at what you should look at and evaluate when judging bonuses.
Check the percentage matched
In this case, a bookmaker will match the deposit or your first bet. Check the percentage, however, as although many will match 100%, some might offer less at around 50%.
Are there any wagering requirements?
Sometimes it is required that you bet your initial deposit before the bonus is unlocked or its winnings becoming available for withdrawal.
What are the qualifying odds?
Once that you have assessed the wagering requirements, it is important to know if there are any minimum odds before qualifying bets.
Check before making any bet, as minimum odds are stated at the beginning of the terms and conditions for any offer.
Does the offer only apply to certain sports?
Sometimes you will find that an offer is only applicable to a certain sport. This is fine if it happens to be a sport that you are interested in or know about. Sometimes, however, this might not be the case so it is always best to check the betting restrictions for the offer.
Will the offer change?
This is a devil’s advocate kind of question, as it is quite rare that a bookmaker will change their offers. Most of the time you will find that they remain static throughout the year, so it might not be worth holding out for a better offer.
Ensure to research all the best offers across many bookmakers to find the best one for you.
What about offers for existing customers?
Even some of the newer bookmakers will have special offers for returning customers.
For instance:
SportNation operates on a points system, which you can build and redeem.
MansionBet has daily horse racing specials alongside money back on select bets in the Premier League.
10Bet is one of the newer sports betting sites and has been known in the past to create special bets around certain football clubs, which is great if it happens to be your club.
If you want to know more about new betting sites and what offers you can enjoy, always check with OddsFactory for the latest offers.