What to Look For in an Online Sportsbook

When looking for an online sportsbook, bettors want to find one that offers the widest range of betting options. The menu of available bets should be easy to navigate, and the odds should be competitive. The best sites also have a strong reputation for customer support. They normally answer queries quickly and accurately, and they offer a variety of payment methods.

Legal sportsbooks offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. Some also accept e-wallets, such as Skrill and PayPal. They may even accept cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Some sportsbooks have their own branded Play+ cards that can be used to fund an account. Others accept prepaid cards, such as PayNearMe, which are linked to participating grocery stores and gas stations. They may also accept wire transfers and ACH payments.

Online sportsbooks are available in many states, including New Jersey, which was the first state to offer regulated wagering after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2021. However, some unlicensed and offshore sportsbooks still operate in the US. These sites aren’t subject to regulations and can be subject to identity theft and other scams.

West Virginia jumped into action after the Supreme Court ruling, launching its first sportsbooks in September 2018. BetLucky, a mobile-only site, was briefly available, but it closed down the following year due to a technology dispute. DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM all went live the following year.

Pennsylvania was another quick adopter of sports betting after the Supreme Court decision. SugarHouse’s iGaming offering went live in November 2018, followed by the launch of its retail sportsbooks and an online operation in May 2019. It’s joined by sister properties BetRivers and DraftKings, as well as MGM Resorts International-owned FanDuel.

A good sportsbook will have an intuitive interface that’s simple to use, and it should be optimized for mobile devices. It should also load quickly and reliably, and be easy to navigate. It should also have extra features, such as same-game parlay builders and detailed pre-game statistics. The sportsbook should offer a variety of betting options, and be able to cater to all types of bettors.

Customers should look for a sportsbook that’s secure and trustworthy, and offers competitive bonus programs and loyalty rewards. A reputable site will offer a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, with deposits processed instantly. A reputable sportsbook should also have a high customer service rating. They should be available via phone, email and live chat, and should respond to inquiries quickly and accurately. In addition, they should have a comprehensive FAQ section to help bettors with common problems. Customers should also check out the site’s security measures and encryption protocols. These measures protect personal information and prevent hackers from accessing player accounts. Lastly, a sportsbook should be backed by a trusted third-party verification service. This is especially important for large bets.