A sportsbook is a gambling establishment that accepts bets on various sporting events. The sportsbooks can be legal or illegal, depending on the state. However, legal sportsbooks tend to have several advantages over their illegal counterparts. One of these is their high-end security features. Another advantage of a legal sportsbook is the customer service.
Legality of offshore sportsbooks in some states
Legislators in many states are considering legalizing offshore sportsbooks. However, some critics have pointed out several problems associated with them. They say the offshore sportsbooks are not subject to federal and state financial regulations and do not ensure the safety of personal financial information or prevent underage betting.
One of the biggest issues associated with offshore sportsbooks is payment processing. In order to avoid financial institution restrictions, offshore sportsbooks use cryptocurrency, which bypasses the traditional banking system. Bitcoin is the most common form of currency used by offshore sportsbooks, and some are also working to integrate Ethereum and Litecoin.
Customer service at legal sportsbooks
When looking for legal sportsbooks, customers should pay special attention to customer service. While this might seem like an obvious step, it can make a huge difference in how smoothly a transaction goes. Sportsbooks typically offer three methods to contact customer service. One of these ways is through an email address. Another option is to contact customer support via live chat.
One of the biggest complaints about customer service at legal sportsbooks is the process of depositing money. The process is often cumbersome and slow, and customers tend to vent their frustrations online. Some sportsbooks also have lengthy wait times before approving deposits. This can delay a transaction by a week or two.
Liquidity at legal sportsbooks
Although local bookies remain an American institution, legal sportsbooks are eating into their market share. In the second quarter of 2021, American gamblers wagered $889 million through legal sportsbooks. Despite the legal nature of gambling, some people still prefer cash transactions and the black market.
While there are some advantages to shared liquidity, there are also drawbacks. For one, the sportsbooks cannot determine their own lines on multistate action. In addition, the books must offer odds based on local action.
High-end security features at legal sportsbooks
Legitimate online sportsbooks invest heavily in technology. While illegal online sportsbooks may use cheap domain names and display unnatural numbers of ads, the majority of legitimate online sportsbooks invest in top-notch security features to protect their customers. You can easily identify a legitimate online sportsbook by doing a Google search for the name of the operator.