It is a well-known fact that online sports betting is among the most popular forms of entertainment today. Actually, more and more people are joining this bandwagon, with Statista estimating that the number of users in the US might reach 54.7 million in 2029. Well, Indiana is one state that has made it legal for all kinds of sports betting, whether physical or online. Actually, the betting volumes in the state have been going up, with 2024 reporting a 12.7% increase from 2023.
Now, since many people are joining this thrilling venture, there is a looming danger: scammers. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are always moving around preying on the unsuspecting players. You, therefore, need to be very careful before you can settle for one online betting site. This article explains some of the things that a good player in Indiana should do before they can settle for a betting platform.
Licensing
The first and most probably the most important thing you need to do is confirm whether the betting site you want to work with is licensed by a reputable authority. In Indiana, you should confirm that the online betting platform is regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. The site should hold a valid gambling license.
You see, a regulated platform is subjected to rules and regulations that protect the needs and interests of players. It also ensures fair play. You do not want to be playing on a site that you are always losing because they do not follow the proper rules of engagement. You see, if a platform is being licensed, the licensing party goes through the games and ensures that they are offering fair chances to all players.
But you might be wondering how to check for this licensing information. Well, it is simple. Just go to the footer of the website you are planning to join, and you will see the licensing information. If the site is an offshore one, it must have the licensing information of well-known regulators like the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, or other reputable authorities.
Payment options and security
Since your financial information is on the line, the online betting platform you are working with should have a wide range of secure payment options for deposits and withdrawals. Actually, the bank should have included bank transfers, digital wallets, debit/credit cards, and, if possible, crypto payments to their list.
Some of the safe digital wallets a platform should be offering include Skrill, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, among others. The good thing about these payment methods is that they have been tested and proven to be secure for financial transactions. Actually, statistics by Chargeflow state that around 60% of consumers trust PayPal more than their bank to store payment credentials.
Also, ensure that the betting platform uses encryption technology to safeguard your personal and financial information. Well, it is not a secret that cybersecurity is constantly becoming a menace for online users. You see, in May 2023, a popular betting site suffered a credential-stuffing attack that impacted around 60,000 player accounts. Looking at such, if the site you are using does not have good security protocols like SSL encryption and 2-step verification, then just keep off.
Customer support
Have you ever had difficulty placing your bets and at the same time cannot be able to access anyone to help you out? This can be the most frustrating thing to any online bettor. That’s why, when looking for a betting platform, check whether they offer proper customer service. Actually, a study by Zendesk shows that 73% of customers switch to competitors because of bad customer service. Another report shows that three out of four consumers can have a bad day because of poor customer service.
The site you are working with should offer 24/7 customer support as well as different channels, including email, chat box and telephone. For those questions that can be handled easily, then the platform should have an FAQ section as well as a chatbot. Do not sacrifice good customer service for anything.
Bonuses and promotions
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could be able to bet on games without having to risk your own money? Before you can settle for an online betting site, ensure that you have done some good assessment of their bonus and promotion structure. Ensure you check for welcome bonuses, free bets, enhanced odds, loyalty programs, and any other promotions that may be available.
But the big question might be, how do you make the correct assessment? Well, you need to read through reviews from reputable review sites in order to understand how the betting platforms run their promos. A good review site will also highlight a good number of customer reviews, whether positive or negative. By reading through these, you can correctly assess the platform you want to play at.
Additionally, do not ignore the terms and conditions. Well, not everyone likes going through a whole multitude of writings, but that’s where you miss out. The T&Cs explain the wagering requirements, time restrictions and eligible markets for the bonuses offered. Without understanding these terms and conditions, you might end up being frustrated when the bonus you have been given does not work as you had anticipated.
By doing proper research and not being too rash about settling with an online betting platform you just saw online, you can be sure that you will have a good experience in your betting endeavors. If not so, then you might end up regretting your choices.
