So you've been following your favorite sport for a while as well as have thought about using an online sportsbook to bet on some of the games. You probably went online and did some searches and found a whole lot of sportsbooks, each claiming to be the top, and then become confused and overwhelmed at the sheer number of choices out there. You looked at the advantages and disadvantages of each one, and then you probably started getting second thoughts because you have heard that there are actually some companies online that will be less than reputable. And you will be right. The final thing you want is to bet money with some company that won't pay you if you win.

So what steps can one take to choose a legitimate online sportsbook?

The first thing is to make sure the company covers the sport(s) you want to bet on. Not everyone offers every sport. This probably sounds obvious, but it is worth mentioning.

The second thing you want to do is ensure the site you are considering is financially stable. Think about it like this; with all the money that is being transferred into and out of this type of organization, you want to make certain they have enough assets to stay in business. It's similar to like a bank. Will you get an account at a bank that was running out of cash? Should the company is public you may check their books. Should they are not public, you may still attempt to see how long they happen to be in business and talk to people and find out if they are honest and prompt with their payouts.

Number three: check their reputation online. For anybody who is reading this article then you are probably already comfortable going online. Find some active sports betting forums and find out what people there have to say. Pay attention to who the reviews are from and attempt to screen for fake reviews (some companies put up fake positive reviews in an attempt to make themselves look great).

Lastly, start small. You might be used to making big bets, but when you're working with a brand new sportsbook for trusted quality soccer the first time, it's better to use a small total amount just in case something goes wrong. When you feel comfortable dealing with them you may start betting more if you want.

Do not forget that betting on sports should only be done with money you can afford to lose, and if you feel like you may have a problem, you will find organizations that can help.