Still, you can make online gambling safe if you are moving ahead with the genuine procedure & steps that help you in avoiding risk and makes you sure about safety. Let’s check with us about some of the major steps that take you to the safest betting online: Always choose a trusted online. Online Casino Legislation is Becoming Even Tighter. As we mentioned earlier, checking that your chosen online casino has been verified by the UK Gambling Commission is the best way to guarantee that the site is safe. What’s more, the Commission is also introducing a new range of laws that will further improve the safety of gambling online.

The big game is approaching and you think you’ve got the winner picked. Your friends are placing their bets and you want in on the action, but is it safe to bet online? The short answer is yes.

However, not all online sports betting sites are created equal and you can definitely find yourself losing more than just a few bucks. Safety and security checks should be your number one priority before placing any bets online.

Looking for more information on safely making bets online? You’ve come to the right place to learn everything you need to know about safe online betting and how you can cash in big on the next big match.

Safest Online Betting: How to Choose an Online Sportsbook

Wagering sports online is not only fun, but it can be rewarding if you play your cards right. You’ve already made a great decision by doing your research on the safety of online betting.

Bettors who take the time to get to know the landscape of online betting can enter into bets with the confidence of knowing they won’t get caught up in a scam. The last thing anyone wants is to have their team win in overtime just to find out their money has been sucked up in a scam and the payout never happens.

So, what should you look for when choosing an online sportsbook? Here are a few tips to guide you in the right direction.

Online Sportsbooks: Site Transparency

Before you start entering your information into a betting app or site, take your time to read the fine print — and there should be fine print. Their website should provide you with:

• Current licensing information
• Key highlights of their sportsbook
• Deposit and payout details
• Clearly laid-out bookmaker fees
• Frequently Asked Questions section
• Contact info such as phone, email, or live chat

We also recommend you read the reviews or only use apps and sites that have been referred to you by a trusted contact. The experiences of others can be very telling in the betting world.

Online Sportsbooks: Beware of Scams

It’s happened to many bettors looking to place a quick bet. They sign on to the first app or site offering big returns and never end up seeing a penny. Here are a few scams to be aware of:

Prediction Software: Any site offering to sell you betting software promising to accurately predict the outcome of a sporting event is a huge red flag. Promises of high returns can be tempting, but don’t do it.

Betting Syndicates: These often come with a compulsory fee which can be thousands of dollars to join the syndicate. They place bets on your behalf and you are promised a percentage of the profits.

Sports Investments: Often sold as an opportunity or investment, the promoter will use glossy diagrams and fancy-sounding terms, like “sports arbitrage” and promise you a huge return with little to no effort.

Protecting Yourself: How to Spot Red Flags

As with most scams, there are warning signs to watch out for.

Signs you might be under threat of a scam include:

• Over-the-top sales pitches with glossy pamphlets and massive returns promised
• You are told that you must act now or you will miss out on the opportunity
• Frequent sales calls or pushy/desperate salespeople
• The salesperson is using technical or financial jargon

If you suspect you may be caught up in a betting scam there are a few things you can do, such as:

• Hang up on any sales call that seems pressured
• Do your research into the company before signing anything
• Get independent financial and legal advice
• Look for ongoing costs and know how to cancel before you subscribe
• Do not provide any personal identification or banking information

The truth of the matter is scams exist. But the good news is that when you know what you’re looking for they are easy to spot. Take the time to conduct an independent check on any company you plan to place bets with before signing or buying.

Live Betting vs Online Sports Betting: Which is Safer?

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been to a live betting site and are now considering moving your betting online. There are risks associated with both live betting and online betting, but knowing what the possibilities are will help protect you from an unfortunate incident.

Between the two, the risks that come with live betting come at a much higher cost, but it’s important to be aware of any issues you may be faced with when betting online.

The Safety of Live Sports Betting

First things first, let’s all agree that no one should ever be placing bets with an illegal bookie. Place your bets at a legal brick and mortar sportsbook. That being said, just because it’s legal it doesn’t mean it won’t attract some unsavory characters and criminals.

Common crimes that take place at casinos and sportsbooks include:

• Robbery – There are many stories of winners being held up by gunpoint, or beaten in a bathroom stall, or even followed home.
• Pickpockets – On the less violent side, pickpockets are sly and can easily go undetected as they steal everything you’ve got.
• Losing your winnings – And we aren’t talking about betting. It’s happened to even the most careful of people. You’ve won big and that wad of cash is sitting in your pocket or wallet and it falls out.
• Losing track of your bets – It’s pretty easy to lose track in the heat of the moment. You start winning and then wagering even more. Add in a little alcohol and you totally lose track of what you started with.

We’re not trying to scare you away from making live bets, this can be a lot of fun, but you should always be aware of your surroundings, even after you’ve left the establishment.

The Safety of Online Sports Betting

Since we’ve already covered the possible online betting scams, here we’ll focus on the risks of making bets on a safe site or app. Using an established online betting site is by far a safer way to wager on sports, but there are potential threats that you should be aware of, such as:

• Hackers – while this is becoming harder with some online sites, you never want anyone to gain access to your online betting accounts and information.
• One-click betting – sometimes the convenience of online betting can be the downfall of a bettors bank account. If you have a history of discipline problems when it comes to placing bets, then you should just walk away from online betting.

The risks of online betting are minimal and easily avoided with a little leg work on your part. Do your research, understand the safety and security measures of your online betting app, and don’t store or save your passwords on your devices.

ZenSports Uses Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: Keeping Your Information Safe

ZenSports is an online betting marketplace that allows its users to place bets without a centralized bookmaker. Using ZenSports’ unique cryptocurrency called SPORTS tokens you can safely deposit, withdraw, and place bets. With the help of blockchain technology, online bettors can see and verify that transfers have been made, and credited to your ZenSports account.

Maybe you’re unfamiliar with cryptocurrencies and blockchain and you’re wondering how this is better than cash. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We want you to have all the information you need so that you can feel secure in trusting ZenSports for all your online betting needs.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a digital payment system that doesn’t need banks to verify transfers. This allows anyone, anywhere to send and receive payments. Cryptocurrency transfers are recorded in a public ledger and your funds are stored in a “digital wallet.” The word cryptocurrency comes from the term “encryption”, which is used to verify every transaction, thus providing safety and security.

It may all sound a little strange if it’s something new to you, we get it. But cryptocurrency involves super-advanced coding to guarantee that your funds are kept safe, and are recorded publicly. So they can’t just “disappear.”

What is Blockchain?

What’s a blockchain, and how does it fit into all of this? Blockchain is the complex technology that’s used to build cryptocurrencies. It’s called Blockchain to describe the way transactions are time-stamped and recorded in “blocks.”

Blocks store information, such as:

• The date, time, and an amount of your recent transaction
• Who is participating in the transaction, but without using your name you will be assigned a “digital signature” instead (like a username)
• Information that distinguished the block from other blocks called a “hash”, which is a unique code assigned to each transaction

A blockchain is a series of blocks all strung together like a chain.

A block cannot be added to the blockchain unless these four things happen:

• A transaction must take place
• The transaction must be verified
• The transaction is then stored to a block
• That block must be given a hash

It may seem complicated, but that’s the idea. It’s very difficult for hackers to tamper with. Transactions require a more detailed authentication process than your bank would typically offer.

We know that trust is a huge issue in the online betting world. So now you know why we go to such lengths to develop our own cryptocurrency using blockchain technology. With ZenSports, you can rest assured knowing your bets are in safe hands.

Peer to Peer Betting: The Future of Sports Betting

In a traditional wagering setting, a bookmaker sets the odds and stacks them in their favor as part of a profit-making strategy. The ZenSports platform operates on a peer-to-peer betting system, meaning that anyone can become the “bet-maker” and anyone can be the “bet-taker.” Without a bookmaker, your odds go up.

So how does ZenSports make money? Simple, we take a small percentage of every bet made on our platform. Aside from better odds, the great thing about peer-to-peer betting is that you can make or take bets anonymously from anyone around the world, and invite your friends to join in.

Peer-to-peer allows users to create their own bets as a maker, with their own odds and terms, putting you in full control of your betting destiny. If you prefer to be the taker of bets, simply set up your ZenSports account and find the bets you’re interested in betting on.

ZenSports is a decentralized sports betting system where everyone within our ecosystem has a role to play so that everything runs smoothly and fairly. We have created a system that operates on:

• Rules
• Deadlines
• A penalty/reward system

This ensures that everyone within the marketplace is acting in good faith. Peer-to-peer is the future of online betting. Give us a try today.

For residents in many states, the days when the only online betting options involved shady offshore operators have come to an end. With more states at various stages of regulating online gambling, safe online sportsbooks will soon be widely available via mobile and desktop devices.

A significant advantage to legal, state-licensed online sportsbooks is that they are under the jurisdiction of state governments, usually via the local gaming commission.

Terms of licensing involve protection for problem gamblers and a demonstration of fair, safe and tested platforms. If there is an issue or dispute, you, therefore, have an avenue for complaints.

We cover all you need to know to bet at online sportsbooks in the US safely.

List of the safest sports betting sites in the US

First, we examine states that are already live along with the appropriate laws. Then, we discuss how to securely deposit and withdraw your winnings, along with responsible gambling.

What makes an online sportsbook safe and trusted?

Online betting, at least in regulated states and markets around the world, is extremely safe.

Two key drivers are the requirements and oversight of licensing bodies and the reputation of the big gambling brands.

In regulated states such as Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the local gaming commissions work on behalf of the government to license and oversee sports betting sites. More states are coming online. Here’s a partial list of the states with online sports betting:

The books are licensed to local brick-and-mortar casinos. As part of this license, the local gaming commission tests the platforms, and responsible gambling and protection for minors are in place. Also, secure banking methods need to be available.

State sportsbooks are partnerships with some of the biggest gambling brands. These apps and websites are often the results of years of development.

Keep in mind that these operators have long-standing reputations to protect. The competition between them ensures that the betting odds and promotions offered also need to be fair.

Bonus offers and customer service are the final areas to consider.

These include fair terms and conditions for welcome bonusesand any ongoing offers. A sportsbook that treats players unfairly by voiding bonuses for spurious reasons will not last for long.

While the gaming control boards oversee the safest (state-regulated) books, their service should be at a level where any disputes can be resolved quickly and easily.

Once you select the trusted legal sportsbook of your choice, check our full guide to sports betting basics.

Trusted New Jersey online sportsbooks

The Garden State was the first to offer online sports betting.

New Jersey drove the legal challenges to PASPA, a federal bill that prevented states from deciding on their sports betting laws. The US Supreme Court then overturned PASPA in 2018, thus paving the way for both live and online sportsbooks.

New Jersey already had the legislation in place via bill A2578. PASPA being overturned subsequently triggered a clause allowing sports betting. Many operators already had casinos and poker rooms online; therefore, the transition to NJ online sports betting was smooth.

Licensing for New Jersey online sportsbooks is handled by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

An existing brick-and-mortar casino holds each license. These casinos then are partners with some of the biggest and best-known sports betting brands. These include DraftKings, FoxBet, 888 and WilliamHill.

Early online gambling sites in New Jersey did have some geolocation issues; however, they were false-negatives.

Access to real money games and deposits were denied close to state lines because the software was unable to confirm the user as being inside the state. Issues were quickly ironed out, though, with the experience ensuring that other states avoided these problems.

List of the top sportsbooks in New Jersey

Trusted Pennsylvania online sportsbooks

The authorities in Pennsylvania explicitly stated that they would make a move from retail to online sports betting slowly to ensure that everything ran smoothly before going live.

True to their word, there was a long gap between the legislation being passed (H 271, in October 2017) and the first PA online sportsbooks going live in the summer of 2019.

These were made possible by the Supreme Court decision to overturn PASPA in 2018. Like in New Jersey, Pennsylvania sports betting has licensing for casino and poker online in addition to sports betting.

Big brand names have once again partnered with the local (license-holding) casinos. They have global reputations to protect, built up over many years and, in some cases, decades.

With proven platforms and innovations like live and cash-out betting, these new online sportsbooks have made a smooth debut in the Keystone State.

List of the top Pennsylvania sportsbooks

More online betting sites will likely join these as the market matures.

Trusted Indiana sportsbooks

Unlike NJ and PA, Indiana passed legislation for online sports betting, though not for casinos or poker rooms.

The Hoosier State saw its first retail sportsbooks go live just before NFL season kickoff this year. Indiana online sportsbooks are expected to follow soon, with the first ones going live by the end of the year. Bill H 1015 became law on May 8.

Indiana has 14 land-based, riverboat and tribalcasinos, which can apply for sports betting licenses. These are under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Gaming Commission. Restrictions to ensure the safety of IN bettors include a ban on esports betting and betting on any non-pro event where the participants are younger than 18.

Other states: DFS and horse racing sites

In the meantime, there are ways to enjoy betting online safely from non-regulated states.

The first is to enter daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests.

Operators, including FanDuel and DraftKings, are active in the majority of states. They run real-money contests where you pick lineups of players for gamedays. You can challenge others, or enter bigger tournaments, where your lineups compete with others from around the country.

Second, you can bet safely online on horse races. There are national sites which allow bets via the pari-mutuel pools, such as TwinSpires, BetAmerica and TVG. These sites also welcome credit card payments. You’ll be betting under advance deposit wagering rules.

Avoid unsafe operators

Just how safe the new state-regulated sportsbooks are becoming clear when you compare these to the alternative: the offshore and illegal sportsbooks.

For many years, gambling sites have operated from sovereign states in the Caribbean and CentralAmerica. These sites are “licensed” by Curacao, Panama or Antigua (and others). This licensing is light touch, with no oversight on the finances, fairness or safety of the sportsbook operations.

Most importantly, if you have a dispute, for example, a refusal to pay out winnings, then there is nobody to contact. Some sites have closed, simply disappearing along with player’s bankrolls. Others have delayed payouts for spurious reasons, citing “bonus abuse,” though never specifying what is meant by it.

Using them is risky, and where there is a legal and reputable alternative, this makes little sense.

Is my data secure if I use my bank or credit cards?

An area of concern for many is whether it is safe to use your bank cards to make deposits at an online betting site.

With the new state-regulated betting sites, the answer is yes; however, plenty of alternative deposit options are available.

If you are comfortable using debit or credit cards to deposit, then this is fast and easy. Making the deposit follows the same process you would use for any online purchase. As long as you are within the state lines where the online sportsbook is licensed, your balance will be available to bet with almost instantly.

If you are not comfortable with this process or do not want to see gambling deposits on your bank statement, then there are many safealternatives.

You can deposit with cash in many states.

First, you can make a trip to the casinocage of the license holding casino or sportsbook.

Some sites welcome PayNearMe deposits. With this, you take cash to your local 7-Eleven store, along with a barcode from the sportsbook.

Third-party wallet systems are another way to feel secure while making an online sportsbook deposit.

These services include PayPal (Skrill and Neteller are alternatives). Here, you use an online wallet account as a secure bridge between your bank and the sports betting sites.

More prominent online sportsbooks will offer branded debit cards. You will need to apply for these separately from your main account registration. You can fund your card using your regular credit or debit cards, then use the branded debit card for deposits and withdrawals.

There are also bank transfer options, including billpay, ACH (e-checks) or even wires available.

As long as the sports betting site is licensed and legal in your state, then deposits and withdrawals will be safe.

Compare bonus offers at safe online sportsbooks

Even among the reputable, safe online sports betting sites, there are significant differences in the quality of their bonus offers and promotions.

You’ll find deposit bonuses look similar at first. When you dig into the terms, though, these can look different. Checking those terms, and finding the best bonus deals, only takes a few minutes.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Matched Deposit Bonuses: Compare the number of times you need to bet (playthrough) the bonus before it can release into your cash balance. The best books offer 1x, while between 5x and 20x is common.
• Risk-Free First Bets: Some sportsbooks return losing first bets in cash, while more common is having this returned in betting credits. If you need to wager again to clear this bonus, then it is not 100% risk-free.
• Restrictions on Bonus Bets: Bonuses often specify minimum odds (for example, -200 or better) and have time limits, which mean futures bets are not possible.

With so much competition in regulated states, most bonus offers are easy to clear. It always pays to familiarize yourself with the fine print before you sign up.

Stay secure at online sportsbooks: Responsible gambling

A significant difference between secure, regulated sports betting sites and offshore ones is a real commitment to responsiblegambling.

This process involves protectingminors and those bettors who may have gambling problems.

The usual format for state-regulated books is to have a badge or link at the top (and usually in the footer, too) of the site. The link takes you to an informationpage, which contains advice, information and tools.

You will need to be 21 years or older to bet in the state-regulated sportsbooks. Sportsbooks verify this by requiring the last four digits of your Social Security number as part of the registration process. Additional security or verification may be needed later on.

Here are the key elements of an excellent responsible gambling policy:

• Self-Assessment: This is for anyone that thinks they or someone they know may have a gambling problem. It involves a series of questions about gambling behavior and thinking.
• Links and Phone Numbers: National and local charities can assist with advice or counseling for anyone with gambling issues. Trusted online betting sites make sure they list contact details.
• Betting Limit Tools: You can set up betting limits, deposit limits and even limit the time on reputable sportsbooks.
• Timeout: Short term timeouts are useful if someone feels they need a break, for example, from chasing losses.
• Self-Exclusion: This capability is for bettors who need a more extended break. You’ll be able to exclude yourself for one to five years. In some cases, you need to opt back in after the self-exclusion period is up.

While most people can bet responsibly, these measures should be welcomed by everyone. By protecting those people that may develop gambling problems, the sports betting sites can stay safe and legal for all.

Always pick a safe betting site

With regulated, legal online sportsbooks rolling out in multiple states, the need to stray to the offshore, gray market is gone. This is good news for sports betting fans for many reasons.

First, the risk of non-payment of your winnings (or a site disappearing completely) has gone.

Second, you’ll be able to use a range of mainstream banking options for deposits and withdrawals.

Third, if you do have an issue with a safe online sportsbook, you have the opportunity to complain to your local gaming commission office.

Is Online Sports Betting Safe Games

Add to this that the biggest and best gambling software powers the state books, and you’ll see that choosing a legit betting site is a win-win situation.