The number of online gaming sites has more than quadrupled in the last decade. This tidal wave of new competition flooding the net can be extremely beneficial to the millions of consumers which choose to partake in online gambling, but one should always do his/her homework first.

Many of your modern-day site operators are college graduates with degrees in Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing, or Computer Science, and they operate from ultra-modern facilities that can be located in foreign countries. A number of them may employee as many as 400 highly qualified personnel that utilize state of the art training, technology, and software. By applying the same sound business tactics that would be used in opening a new restaurant, as an example, these gaming gurus not simply know-how to attract new business but they will also be experts in customer retention.

Today’s levels of competition are fierce as well as the marketing tactics used are very well thought out and organized. Online sites will usually entice newcomers with a bonus on their initial and subsequent deposits. This encourages the consumer to not just join, but in addition to remain a loyal customer with them. A normal bonus for many respected sports books is within the 20% to 25% range. It’s normally given in the form of “free play” or “match play” credits that will be used strictly to wager with, but can never be withdrawn as cash.

In contrast, whatever is won with one of these token credits is deposited in to the player’s account as cash. When selecting an online or offshore site, you should never make a greater bonus percentage your main priority. Any time a sports book or casino is prepared to give a ridiculously high bonus, it should put up red flags to you that something is not right.

Look into the fine print and make sure that you are not agreeing to unreasonable restrictions, for example a 10-time rollover or maybe 60-day hold of your deposit and all winnings just before a withdrawal. In today’s tough economy, a relatively new site that is offering a colossal bonus, could possibly be trying to overcome the fact that they can be short on operating capital and need your deposits to even survive.

Ahead of deciding on an online or offshore site, do your homework. Listed in order of priority, here are the best criteria to follow when choosing your gaming site, albeit an online casino, sports book, or both:

Longevity – Experience and financial responsibility are normally linked to longevity. If a worldwide gaming site has been in existence for at least five years, odds are well within your favor that they’re credible. This will be your very first and utmost concern.

Deposit/Withdrawal Methods – Choose a site that offers several favorable options for money transfers, both going in and coming back to you. Hassle-free cash transactions will avoid many inconveniences and frustrations down the line.

Customer support – Nothing may be anymore irritating than managing a Customer support representative that does not understand your preferences, questions or problems. More times than not, you will be managing a foreign country whose first given language may not be the exact same as your language. On the flip side, that person you are working with on another end of the telephone has to be bilingual, knowledgeable, professional, and courteous regularly.

General Rules – Wagering menus vary from site to site. Check the “RULES” section, either online, or additional reading with a Customer support representative by phone or Live Chat, and ensure that the site offers all or most of your preferences.

Technology – Although last on the list, this is very important. Many sites give a “guest” section which will permit you to navigate through the betting software before you make a deposit and playing for real. On the contrary, should you have followed steps one to four above and also are comfortable so far, odds are that the technology will follow suit in a positive way.