[Tommy]

By Linesmaker.com

The number of online casinos and sportsbooks is now in the hundreds. With so many choices, the big question is: "How do I know which sportsbook to choose?"

When evaluating an online sportsbook, we suggest making judgments based on the following five criteria:

1. Reputation

Do they have a reputation for honesty and fair play? Are they regulated and endorsed by an independent gaming organization? Have you read legitimate bad reviews about them online? Do you have any friends who use them?

Hint: Be careful of so called sportsbook review sites and associations. More often than not they owned by the sportsbooks they endorse or are ranked by how much money the sportsbook is willing to pay.

2. Financial Stability

The bottom line is 'will they pay?' How can you tell? Do they disclose their finances? If so, are they profitable? Do they maintain a separate accounts equal to the total of players accounts on deposit?

Hint: What are their bonuses like? Most sites offer bonuses for new players but do the bonuses seem too good? A site offering 100 or 200% of your deposit in cash bonuses (especially to get large deposits) - is a potential sign the company is in financial trouble. Often, they need a cash influx to payoff outstanding obligations.

3. Location

Are they legal and licensed by the government under which they operate? Does location affect their accessibility and server uptime? Does the country they operate in have 'real' regulations?

4. Customer Service

Is email AND telephone contact information prominently displayed on their web site? Do they offer wagering help and registration assistance 24 hours, 7 days a week? Do they have a good track record for dispute resolution?

5. Security

Do they employ the latest state-of-the-art security technology to ensure the safety of your online transactions? What is their policy with respect to the security and privacy of your personal information?

6. Trust

Based on the first 5 criteria, do you feel that the sportsbook is honest and trustworthy?