The number of people placing bets online has increased significantly in recent years, increasing the demand for online betting sites. Because of this, many online betting sites have sprung up quickly to meet the huge demand.
Bettors, however, must remember that not all online bookmakers can be trusted or are legitimate businesses. Some websites have used the rise in popularity of online betting to deceive or rip off gamblers. So, in this post, we’ll give you some important tips to help you tell the difference between legitimate and fake bookmakers.
Tips For Recognizing Legitimate Bookmakers From Fakes
1. Check For A License To Operate
Any reputable online bookmaker will display their “license to operate” as a legal document on their website. While some legal bookmakers strive to make their licenses easily accessible, others will attempt to conceal this information within their terms and conditions.
The acquisition of a bookmaker’s license shows that an independent party has legitimately audited an organization’s financial records and, as a result, complies with the relevant regulations.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that some online bookmakers include licensing agreements that are either fake or no longer valid. Keep in mind that the mere presence of a license does not guarantee that the bookmaker will pay out winnings on time.
However, if a bookmaker’s website lacks licensing information, you should think twice before sending money to them. Stick with a bookmaker that you are familiar with and trust, and make sure its license is displayed. This is unquestionably a requirement for any reputable online bookmaker.
2. Be Wary Of Extremely Generous Offers
Bookmakers frequently offer promotions and bonuses to entice new customers to sign up. However, take a step back, and check to see if the claims made about an offer or bonus are true when they seem too good to be true. A bookmaker, for example, would never offer a 500% sign-up bonus because it is not considered good business practice. Furthermore, most betting bonuses include time limits, odds restrictions, and rollover requirements in their terms and conditions. If no conditions are attached to receiving the bonus, it is likely a scam.
3. Examine The Design Of The Website
A good bookmaker will have a website that is quick, responsive, and looks very professional. In the end, betting is done online, so the website pages should be straightforward.
In comparison, most illegitimate bookmakers have poor-quality user interfaces and user experiences, excessive or disruptive advertisements, and a lack of responsiveness across all devices. Legitimate websites will give you the impression that your money is safe when you use them.
4. Put Their Customer Service To The Test
You can try contacting their customer service by phone or email and see if anyone responds. Bookmakers with a good reputation will have a customer service department that is solely dedicated to addressing their client’s needs and concerns, such as minimum deposit and withdrawal inquiries. One day is the maximum amount of time required for responses. Unresponsive or inconsistent customer service is often a sign that a bookmaker is not legitimate.
5. Consult With Other Bettors
Examine what other gamblers say about various sites in discussion forums or review websites. What was their overall impression of working with the bookmaker? For instance, before signing with Bet365, you can check out some reviews from existing users of the betting sites. This will provide you with the necessary information about Bet365, including the Bet365 withdrawal time, minimum deposit, available games, and more.
It is important to remember, however, that there is a chance that the bookmaker has faked reviews or comments. Given this, it is always in your best interest to consult with someone you know who has prior experience betting with the bookmaker. The best way to determine if a bookmaker is legitimate is to talk to people who have used the betting site.
Conclusion
Overall, before working with a bookmaker, always do your due diligence to ensure that the bookmaker is legitimate. This not only protects your money, but it also protects you from identity theft and other forms of online harassment that the internet can cause.
