Online betting: what to consider when choosing a bookmaker

Anyone who decides to start betting online and is not familiar with the world of distance betting faces a very wide range of operators indexed by the main search engines. Targeting this wide variety is not easy, especially because advertising in the sector is very dense, and also because, in terms of graphics and design, betting sites have quite similar characteristics to each other, at least in appearance.

The risk for the untrained eye is that of encountering some illegal or unlicensed bookmaker in Africa. Choosing a legal bookmaker is the essential first step to be able to bet with confidence and security, without unpleasant surprises and respecting the law.

However, there are also many other variables to take into account to find the best bookmakers : taking a look at the reviews of the specialized portals can be a very useful preliminary operation, to be able to browse the offer comparing the different bookmakers.

A legal and safe bookmaker

Choosing a bookmaker with a DGOJ license is essential for betting legally. But how to recognize a bookmaker with this license from one that does not have it? Simple: the portal must display on the homepage, usually in the footer, the DGOJ brand that is displayed next to the official logo.

However, if you still have doubts, it is advisable to consult the official website of the Agency, which contains a list of all dealers, with updated information on the granting or renewal of licenses. Indeed, new operators on the market are numerous and, apart from the historical bookmakers, known to everyone and with a good brand reputation, distinguishing the legal ones from the illegal ones can be difficult: the site official website of DGOJ it's the litmus test.

Other criteria to recognize a legal site are the presence of an advanced data protection encryption system (SSL), the promotion of responsible gambling, the exclusion of children under 18 from betting and the possession of some certification from prestigious organizations, such as Norton, EGBA and Gaming Labs.

Variety of programming and probabilities

The most popular sports, such as football, Formula 1, horse racing, basketball, tennis, etc., are practically present in the offers of all the big bookmakers, divided by competitions and by leagues, scheduled and updated in real time. However, if you want to bet on other less conventional sports, such as rugby, winter sports, paddle tennis, tennis, cricket, etc., it is always advisable to take a good look at the calendar, before registering and providing your personal data.

In addition to the choice of sport, it is also necessary to evaluate the different markets and betting options offered by the different bookmakers, since in addition to the classic "final results" there may also be the so-called "combos", in which the markets are, as the word itself says, in combination with each other (for example, 1X2 chance combo or goal/no goal).

Also in this case, the tables of the main comparison portals can be useful, for a quick and clear comparison between bookmakers, including the odds on multiple entries.

Welcome bonuses and promotions

The main distance bookmakers make available to users promotional bonuses of various types and content, whether they are already registered or if they are doing it for the first time. The presence of bonuses and promotions is an added value of the bookmakers, since they reserve advantages for the clients of the platform, depending on whether they are regular bettors or newcomers to the game.

The classic welcome bonuses are usually when making the first deposits, but there may also be refunds of losses. Less frequent are no-deposit bonuses, i.e. those that the operator pays in the form of free credit only upon registration and, therefore, without opening an account, but only upon presentation of a valid identity document. These bonuses are very coveted because they are quite rare. Their presence is a plus to choose the right dealership.

When accessing a bonus, or rather, before signing up for the service, it is always important to carefully read the terms and conditions of the offer, that is, the indications for unlocking the amounts and collecting the winnings. In addition, it is always good to check the wagering requirements, i.e. the total number of times the bonus must be repeated before it can be withdrawn in full.

Deposit, withdrawal and payment methods accepted

The main remote betting operators usually allow the use of all known payment systems. The variety of deposit and withdrawal methods available on the platform is an important requirement for a safe and reliable bookmaker. The best methods are PayPal, for the speed and security of the wallet transaction, but also Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, and the credit and debit cards belonging to the Visa and Mastercard circuits.

Therefore, before choosing a broker, it is advisable to check which deposit and withdrawal methods are accepted, as well as the commission costs, withdrawal times and the maximum deposit limit, which varies from one bookmaker to another.

Customer service, support and chat

The presence of an effective and prompt customer service is a prerequisite for evaluating the platform and the operator. A good, fast, useful and complete assistance is of great help especially for first-time bettors, but also for the more experienced ones, to solve any doubts or technical failures.

An optimal customer service is one that has a 24-hour phone number, a live chat and an email address with a maximum contact time of one day after the request.

The Moderna bookmakers also have a customer service through social networks, through Facebook or Twitter, or through WhatsApp messages. In this case, users especially appreciate the speed of responses, since time is of the essence in the field of betting.

Mobile access and application optimization

Navigability, intuitiveness and the smooth functioning of the platform are essential selection criteria in the field of distance betting.

In Africa, more and more players are deciding to bet from the mobile: an experience that goes well with the entertainment and leisure function of legal betting, and that guarantees a certain flexibility of play, perhaps even while following a match or a game and not being at home in front of the PC.

Therefore, the platform must be optimized for browsing from smartphones, both in terms of the graphical interface and access to the sections of the user's personal profile.

The best bookmakers have also invested resources in the development of their own native apps, which allow the use of all the functions of the platform, on par with the desktop version.

The applications in question are also equipped with the main security systems, including fingerprints for recognized mobile access.