Why is it important to bet with licensed bookies?

Whenever you’re online, no matter whether you’re gaming, shopping, or speaking to a friend, you’re always going to want to be cautious. The reason for this is that the internet has become that crowded of a place now with so many websites and traffic running through it; it has likewise become a haven for cybercriminals doing their utmost to try and scam you out of your hard-earned money. And so when it comes to when you’re betting on sports online, you’re going to want to be especially cautious, of course, because money is involved. And part of being cautious involves being vigilant and checking that you’re playing on a reliable site. And what we mean by this is playing at an online betting site that is licensed and regulated.

How do you know they’re licensed?

And so how do you know if a bookmaker is licensed? Well, typically they will have somewhere in their header or footer about this; if you’re looking for a list of the best betting sites in the UK, WhichBookie is a brilliant resource to do so. Here in the UK, there is one central body responsible for issuing licenses and regulating both casinos and bookmakers alike, whether this is in person or online, and that of course is the UK Gambling Commission. 

If a bookmaker is provided a license, they will be given proof that they display on their online betting website. The two main areas where this proof will be displayed will either be on the homepage (typically towards the footer at the bottom of the page) or you will find it in their terms and conditions.

What’s the importance of them being licensed?

What’s the importance of choosing a bookmaker that’s licensed? Well, it’s all around safety and security. Part of the UKGC’s remit is to ensure that there is no data manipulation when it comes to odds or results. Likewise, they will regularly audit the casino side of online websites to ensure that they are all using a third-party RNG. This is short for random number generatOR, and ensures that the game is fair and that you’re not at a disadvantage. It gives you the reassurance also that they have encryption and other security protocols in place on their website to ensure that your personal and financial information is safe and away from prying eyes. 

In Summary

If you’re looking for an online bookmaker to place a sports bet at, it should present an immediate huge red flag if you’re struggling to establish whether they’re licensed or regulated. And it is our best advice to stay well away from them. Any reputable bookmaker will make it extremely easy for you to be able to locate and decide whether they are licensed. And you are in safe hands when you’re betting at a licensed bookmaker, and you’ve got that reassurance that you need, especially when you are betting online and your data and information could be at stake.