Sports Then and Now

Understandably, betting on sports online has become increasingly popular for a whole host of different reasons. One of the main reasons why people decide to bet online, rather than going to a physical bookmakers, is the convenience of the whole process and the option to place bets on the go, rather than making time in their day to go out and put a bet on. Using a laptop, tablet or mobile device, punters can easily access their odds, deposit money into their account, place bets both before and during games when allowed, and withdraw cash into their bank accounts without having to move! But, when it comes to online betting, it’s important to be careful since you are sharing a lot of sensitive personal data about yourself such as your name, date of birth, address, and financial details. We’ve put together some top tips for staying safe when betting online.

Shop Around

One of the best parts of betting online is the sheer amount of bookmakers available for you to choose from. Whilst in your town there may only be one or two bookie shops, when you bet online you can literally search through thousands of different sportsbooks in your quest to find the best odds. However, when shopping around, it’s also vital to be vigilant and check out each bookmaker site before you decide to sign up or part with any of your money. One great way to do this is to check out a review site such as Bookmaker Ratings, where you can find plenty of information to help you ensure that you make the right choice of online bookmakers for placing sports bets safely.

Payment Methods

When it comes to online betting, you can expect to be offered a wide range of different payment methods when it comes to placing your bets or depositing money into your account. Choosing the right payment method can be crucial, as this is the part where your financial details will be at their most vulnerable. If you are planning to pay with a regular debit or credit card, always be sure to check that the website is secure before you proceed, which you can do by looking out for the padlock symbol in the browser bar. On the other hand, paying via a widely recognised, secure payment method such as PayPal will improve the safety and security of your information when placing bets. You may also like to look into paying via Bitcoin, a new service which is being rolled out at a number of online casinos and bookmakers and allows you to pay completely anonymously and securely.

Be Vigilant

Online bettors are often a prime target for social engineering, which is a tactic used by hackers and cybercriminals to trick ordinary people into giving away their financial details, money, or even their identity online. When placing bets online, one of the most important things is that you are vigilant, for example double-checking any emails that you get from the bookmakers that you are signed up to, and promptly reporting any which may seem suspicious. If you receive an email from a bookmaker asking you to send your debit card or bank account details, for example, it’s always a good idea to double check that the message you’ve received is actually from the sender that you think it is from.

When it comes to betting online, the whole process is usually quite secure and much fun. However, with cybercrime on the rise, it’s important to ensure that you are extra vigilant when placing bets online, especially when it comes to making payments.