Online betting is a popular activity for those who prefer to wager on their favorite sports from the comfort of their own homes. With more states than ever making the switch to legalized online gambling, this option is becoming increasingly convenient and accessible. But there are a few things you need to know before placing your first bet.
The first step to betting online is to find a trusted, legal site. There are many options to choose from, but you want to be sure the website is licensed in your state and that they follow all regulations regarding responsible betting.
Most sites will have a link in the navigation bar that takes you to a separate page where you can fill out some basic information and set your responsible betting limits. You will also be asked to choose a username and password, which you should keep safe and secure. These credentials will allow you to access your account any time you want to place a bet.
After registering, you can begin to view the betting odds for the sports that you’re interested in. Most of the major US sites offer NFL, NBA, and MLB betting lines, along with college football and basketball. Some even offer a variety of specialty markets, including player and team props, alternate spreads and totals, and same game parlays.
New Jersey was among the first states to roll out legal sports betting after the Supreme Court ruling, with retail shops at its commercial and tribal casinos going live in June 2018. New York followed in Jan. 2022, with DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetRivers offering apps and websites.