How to Bet on Sports Online – Complete Guide

How to Bet Online: Core Knowledge

Learning how to do sports betting comes with no free play money to test the waters. That’s why it’s crucial to learn the basics and get familiar with the way things work on a gambling site.

Online Sports Betting Explained

Online sports betting means wagering real money on actual sporting events, unlike casino games that rely on random outcomes run by the house. You’re betting on real-life results in football, basketball, hockey, esports, and plenty of other competitions happening around the world. Each matchup offers different betting options, you can wager money to:

• Pick the winner
• Predict the total points of a game
• Call special moments like the first goal or touchdown

If your prediction is right, you’ll win a payout based on the odds you locked in at the time of your bet.

Why Bet on Sports Online

Betting on sports online easily outweighs doing it in person because the range of options and tools available puts you in full control. For instance: 

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook: Your First Decision

To start placing online sports bets, you’ve got to pick a sportsbook. Before diving in, make sure it ticks all the right boxes on the following checklist:

• Security: Look for TLS encryption and two-factor login options if available. Always prioritize reputable licensing bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority and Curacao. 
• Variety of Sports: The best sites for online betting cover everything from football to basketball, tennis, and even niche events like NASCAR and cycling. 
• Bonuses: Focus on offers with high match percentages and low rollover terms. Make sure that the validity period is long enough to give you a chance to come ahead.
• Payment Options: A good sportsbook supports quick deposits and withdrawals via credit cards, e-wallets, and crypto.
• Customer Support: Test customer support channels like email and live chat and see the quality of their responses, plus how quickly they get back during busy periods. 

For the best options available to US players, take a look at our list of online sportsbook reviews. Every site has been rated based on first-hand testing and backed by ratings pulled through our Jackpot Meter. The latter blends expert opinions with real player feedback into a clear percentage score. You’ll see straight away who’s Jackpot Certified — and who’s a Bust.

Online Betting Guide: Getting Started and Creating Your Account

Signing up at an online sportsbook typically follows the same procedure across the board. Start by finding the ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Register’ button. You’ll usually spot it near the ‘Log In’ option, either in the top menu or tucked in the sidebar. From there:

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1

Fill Out Your Personal Details

A pop-up will appear asking for your personal details. You’ll usually need to enter your full name, surname, email, and mobile number. Everything needs to match your legal documents. The site will also ask for your home address. Make sure you use the same one that shows up on your bills or bank statements.

Finally, create a password that’s hard to guess but easy for you to remember. We recommend a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

2

Complete the Identity Check (KYC)

After submitting your details, check your email inbox. Most sportsbooks send a confirmation link. Click on it to activate your account. Some may also text your phone with a code to verify your number.

Next, be ready for the KYC process (Know Your Customer). This is where the site checks your identity to keep everything secure and legal. Have these documents ready:

 

• Photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID card)
• Proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement)

3

Check for Bonuses and Promo Codes

Before depositing, visit the sportsbook’s ‘Promotions’ page. Look through the available welcome offers and check if you need to enter a specific promo code in order to claim.

Always read the terms carefully. Pay attention to wagering requirements, minimum odds, or limits on how much you can win with bonus money. If anything’s unclear, ask customer support through live chat or email. It’s better to double-check than miss out on a bonus.

4

Deposit Money

Head to the ‘Cashier’ or ‘Deposit’ section once your account is set up and choose your preferred payment method. Most sportsbooks accept:

• Bank cards like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express
• E-wallets, including PayPal and Skrill
• Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, USDT, and Ether
• Prepaid cards like Paysafecard.

Enter how much you want to deposit. If there’s a bonus code, type it in during this step. Then, confirm the payment and wait for your balance to update. This usually happens instantly, but with some methods like cryptocurrencies, it might take a few minutes.
Once your funds arrive, you can start placing bets.

Understanding Betting Types and Odds

There are a few main ways to bet on sports, with each type covering different outcomes or game scenarios. The most common are:

• Moneyline: This is a straight-up bet on which team or player you think takes the win. In sports like soccer, the draw comes into play as well. All you have to do is pick the outcome, and if your call lands, you get paid.
• Point Spread: The sportsbook gives one side a head start or sets a margin that the favorite must cover. You back the team to either win by enough or keep the score close, depending on the odds shown. For example, if the spread is -3.5, the favorite must win by four points or more for that bet to cash. If you take the underdog at +3.5, they can lose by three or win outright, and your wager still pays.
• Over/Under (Totals): You bet whether the combined total for a specific stat in the game goes higher or lower than the threshold the sportsbook sets. It can cover points, goals, runs, corners, fouls, or player performance numbers based on the sport you’re gambling on.
• Parlay: This combines two or more picks into one bigger wager. Every selection must land for the whole ticket to pay, but the reward climbs with each leg added.
• Prop Bets (Proposition Bets): These bets are made on specific events within a game or competition that are not directly tied to the outcome, like betting on which player will score first or how many strikeouts a pitcher will throw.

Reading Sports Betting Odds

Sports betting sites often feature options to switch between fractional, decimal, and American odds.

American odds show how much money you can win based on your bet. They use a plus or minus sign to tell you two things: how big the payout is, or how much you need to stake to win a set amount.

With decimal odds, the number shows how much you get in total for every $1 placed. That includes both your winnings and your stake.

Fractional odds use two numbers with a line between them. The one on top is your profit, while the other is how much you need to bet.

What is Vigorish?

Sportsbooks build vigorish—more commonly referred to as “vig” or “juice”—into the odds to ensure a profit regardless of the outcome. 

In a perfectly balanced scenario, like a coin toss, the true odds should be even at +100 for both sides, meaning a $100 bet wins $100. However, online betting sites might offer odds at -110 on both outcomes, indicating bettors need to risk $110 to win $100; the extra $10 is the vigorish. 

To calculate the vig, convert each set of odds to implied probability using the following formulas:

• Implied Probability = 100 / (Odds +100)​ … for negative odds.
• Implied Probability = Odds / (Odds +100)​ … for positive odds.

Sum these probabilities for all outcomes; the vig is the amount by which this sum exceeds 100%. 

For example, with odds of -110 on both sides, each has an implied probability of about 52.38%; adding these gives 104.76%, indicating a vig of 4.76%. Wagers with a lower vig provide less profit for the sportsbook, and are better opportunities for bettors.

Placing Your First Bet

With funds in your account, you can browse the markets and place a bet when you’ve found the right spot. Here’s how to do that:

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1

Pick a Sport

Look through the list of sports on the homepage or menu. Football, basketball, tennis, and soccer are always popular. Click the one you want to bet on.

Expert Tip: Familiar sports help you make better decisions. Don’t rush into something you’ve never watched.

2

Choose the Event or Game

After picking a sport, you’ll see upcoming games, matches, or tournaments. Find the one you’re interested in. Click it to open the betting options for that event.

3

Select Your Market

Once you’ve opened the event, you’ll see a long list of markets. Some games show hundreds of options covering all kinds of outcomes. Take your time scrolling through. You’ll notice bets on the winner, total points, player performances, and more.

Expert Tip: Start with the Moneyline or Over/Under. They’re clear, easy to understand, and perfect for learning how to bet on sports.

4

Click the Odds to Add Your Bet

Next to each option, you’ll see numbers — those are the odds. Click on them to add that pick to the bet slip, which usually appears on the side or bottom of the screen.

If you want to combine bets into a parlay, keep clicking other odds. The slip will update automatically to show the combined wager and odds.

Expert Tip: Always double-check your selections before submitting. Once placed, bets can’t be changed.

5

Enter Your Stake in the Bet Slip

Decide how much money you want to risk. Type that amount into the box next to your selection in the bet slip. When you’re happy, hit the ‘Place Bet’ button.

Expert Tip: Start with small amounts while learning how to do sports betting.

6

Watch the Game and Follow Your Bet

Keep an eye on the event, either live on TV, through apps, or with live streams and updates on the sportsbook site.

If your bet wins, the money gets added to your account balance automatically.

Expert Tip: Some sites offer live betting, but we recommend that beginners focus on learning pre-game bets first to build confidence.

Bet Slip Explained 

The bet slip works like a shopping cart for your wagers. You’ll usually find it pinned to the side or bottom of the page. In some cases, it stays fixed as you scroll, while other sites make it pop up automatically when you click on the odds.

Every time you pick an outcome, it drops into the bet slip. You’ll see the list of your selections there, along with the odds for each one. There’s also a space where you type the amount of money you want to risk. 

Once everything’s set, the bet slip shows how much you could win. You then only need to hit the confirm or place bet button to lock it in.

Cashing Out: How to Withdraw Your Winnings

Cashing out your winnings is just as straightforward as making a deposit. Follow these simple steps

Step 1: Choose Your Withdrawal Method

Head to the cashier or banking section of your account. You’ll see the available payment methods, which usually include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ether, and sometimes credit cards, checks, and wire transfers.

• Crypto: You’ll need to paste your crypto wallet address during the request. Double-check it as if it’s wrong, the funds will be lost.
• Debit/Credit Cards: Money usually gets sent back to the same card you used to deposit. Alternatively, the site will ask for your card details.
• Bank Wire: You’ll need to type your bank account number, bank name, and sometimes a SWIFT or routing code.
• Paper Check: The site will need your full home address, exactly as it appears on your account.

Step 2: Request the Payout

Type the amount you want to withdraw. Most sportsbooks will have a minimum limit you need to meet. 

Step 3: Wait for the Money

• Crypto: Fast, often hits your wallet within a few hours once processed
• Debit/Credit Cards: Takes around 3 to 5 working days to show in your account
• Bank Wire: This needs 5 to 7 working days, depending on your bank
• Paper Check: The slowest option. You’ll often have to wait over two weeks to arrive by post

Online Betting Tips

Luck might tip the scales now and then, but a sharp betting strategy is what makes you a winner in the long term. Here are five essential tips to keep in mind:

Bet With Your Head

We know what it means to be a die-hard fan, the irresistible pull to back your team through thick and thin. However, this loyalty can often cloud judgment, mask critical statistics, and lead to overly optimistic bets that deplete your bankroll. Try detaching personal bias from betting strategies; if you must wager, dedicate only a small portion of your budget to avoid overspending.

Analyze Match Conditions

Beyond the odds, delve into recent updates regarding team dynamics, player injuries, and performance in home and away venues. Account for external elements such as weather and past encounters. Keep in mind that players, despite their professional status, are susceptible to a range of physical and psychological factors that can sway their effectiveness on the field.

Use In-Game Stats to Your Advantage

Say you just logged in and immediately joined a soccer match in the 30th minute; don’t rush to place a bet based on team reputation or the odds available. Assess comprehensive statistics such as possession rates, shots directed or missed, corner kicks, fouls, and card counts. Positive metrics for one team indicate strong performance and can be a solid indicator for betting on them to score next or win the half.

Shop for Best Odds

Unlike slots, where RTPs and volatility remain relatively uniform across online casinos, sports betting odds can vary across bookmakers due to differing algorithms, the timing of the odds being set, the vig, and variations in how much money is wagered on each side of a bet.

So, how do you know you’re getting the best prices out there? For starters, you can scout the odds of different sportsbooks by simply browsing their sites for the game you’re interested in—no need to create an account. You might also consider setting up a spreadsheet to track shifts; over time, you’ll notice patterns and see which sites tend to offer better odds more consistently, saving you from having to redo all the legwork each time.

Don’t stick to one sportsbook

Create accounts with a few trusted online sportsbooks so you can shop around for better odds, bigger promotions, and more betting options. Having multiple accounts gives you more flexibility and helps stretch your bankroll further over time.

Online Sports Betting FAQs

Start Betting Online with Confidence

Confident you’ve got a solid grip on how to bet online?

Remember, preparation is half the battle; start by understanding the sports you’ll focus on and familiarize yourself with the primary bet types. 

Establish a budget in advance—one that won’t impact your financial health if it’s fully depleted. Additionally, choose a gambling site that aligns with your goals, considering the promotions, variety of sports, bet types, in-play options, as well as additional features available.

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Charlon

Muscat

Content Specialist

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All the way from the renowned iGaming hub of Malta, Charlon has been contributing to the gambling industry since 2019. He began his career at Paddy Power™, but the onset of the pandemic led him to swap his nine-to-five for a life of full-time travel.Throughout his journey, Charlon developed a successful freelance career, leveraging his prior industry knowledge and focusing on analyzing online casinos, sportsbooks, slots, payment methods, and current trends and strategies through the lens of an actual player.

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