The team at CasinoJournal values the importance of safety and reliability in online betting. Being a team of sports betting enthusiasts ourselves, we want to make sure fellow gamblers get the most out of their betting experiences. That is why we research all the top US betting sites and thoroughly inspect every aspect of the site, from UX and bet bonuses to payment methods and betting markets.
In this guide, you will discover the rating process behind every betting site review. We will guide you through how we assess a site’s reliability and safety, betting options, mobile experience, and more. We will also take a look at what other players have to say about various sportsbooks. Most importantly, we will explain how we decide on a verdict for each sports betting site.
The rating criteria at CasinoJournal.com
While US bookmakers may vary, our strict review process always remains the same. We make sure to look at a number of different factors when rating betting sites, which include;
- Sign-Up Process
- Bonuses, Welcome Offers & Free Bets
- Site Design
- Odds
- Range of Betting markets
- Apps
- Mobile Experience
- Deposit and Withdrawal methods and times
- Customer Service
However, you may wonder how are we able to research a betting site so vigorously.
It’s simple, we put ourselves in the player’s shoes. We do this by following a process;
Sign Up and Deposit: We start by creating an account and putting real money into it. This helps us experience the site just like you would.
Testing Everything: We go through every product the betting site offers. This means we explore transactions and check out bonus offers and promotions. Our goal is to make sure it’s a top-notch experience right from the beginning.
Identifying Strengths: Each online bookmaker has its own strengths. Some are great with transactions, while others shine with awesome bonuses. We aim to find those betting sites in the US that have it all – seamless transactions, fantastic bonuses, excellent security, top-notch customer service, and more!
What do other bettors have to say?
As well as our own comprehensive review of each betting site, we take a look at user ratings and feedback on top sportsbooks. We value and listen to the online betting community and, as such, every opinion matters to us. This helps us realize what works and what doesn’t. Listening to real gamblers goes a long way in helping us recommend only the very best sports betting sites.
Reliability and Security
To ensure players have the best betting experience possible, we only recommend betting sites that ensure your personal information is safe and secure. We make sure all the sportsbooks that appear on our lists have strict data protection policies in place, the latest encryption technology, and are fully licensed and regulated.
Betting Options and Markets
The range of betting options and markets is what separates average sites from top online sportsbooks. We only recommend sports betting sites that offer betting markets for all different types of bettors. The sites that appear on our lists provide odds on a huge array of sports, from soccer, NFL, and basketball to NHL, golf, and eSports.
Bonuses and Promotions
We understand the significance of welcome offers to players. As such, we make certain that the betting sites we recommend provide generous welcome bonuses and free bets for a massive range of sporting events. The best sportsbooks in the US present outstanding deals in terms of bonuses and promotions. Registering with one of these platforms will guarantee you an immediate welcome bonus, and your ongoing loyalty will be rewarded with occasional promotions to enhance your betting experience.
Terms and Conditions
If certain odds or a huge free bet bonus sounds too good to be true, it’s because more often than not it is. We read over all the terms and conditions so you don’t have to. Should some terms lack transparency or conditions seem unfair, such as unrealistic wager requirements, we’ll be the first to let you know. Having said that, if the terms and conditions are more than above board, the site will be getting a thumbs up from us.
CasinoJournal’s Verdict
Similar to how we rate casinos, we give betting sites a verdict based on a points system. Points are earned if we find the following criteria:
- Generous sign-up bonuses, free bets, and ongoing loyalty promotions with realistic wager requirements.
- Simple and fast sign-up processes, with quick KYC verification.
- A huge selection of sports to bet on
- Transparent terms and conditions, which are fair and above board.
- The site is licensed and regulated. Player information is safe and secure.
The points scoring means the following:
9-10: Outstanding – The site is trusted and reliable, offers fantastic bonuses, has fair terms and conditions, and provides a massive range of betting markets.
7-9: Good – Overall, the site is good. However, it does not tick every box.
5-6: Average – The site could improve in a lot of areas. You may want to try it for yourself.
0-4: Terrible – There is a lot wrong with the site. You should gamble elsewhere.
Payment methods
Most sports betting sites in the US offer secure and reliable payment methods. This ensures players can enjoy seamless transactions, letting them concentrate on the betting. The very best sites also provide a diverse range of banking methods, which cater to all types of gamblers. At these sportsbooks, players can make deposits and withdrawals using debit and credit cards, cryptocurrency, e-wallets, and more. We only recommend sports betting sites that tick these boxes.
Easy deposit processes
When betting on live sports, it’s important to be able to deposit money into your account instantly. Fortunately, Americans have plenty of choices when it comes to funding their accounts on their preferred sports betting platforms. Some reliable options include credit/debit cards, e-wallets (PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, etc.), and bank transfers (Trustly, ACH, etc.). The betting sites that appear on our lists will have quick and easy deposit processes, which are thoroughly tested by our team. Keep in mind that most betting platforms in the US require you to go through verification processes, including KYC (Know Your Customer) checks, before completing a first deposit.
Fast Withdrawals
Should you get lucky and win big, quick access to your winnings is paramount. When betting at top crypto betting sites, withdrawals are almost instantaneous as transactions are made using cryptocurrencies. However, when betting at real money sites, withdrawals can take longer as sportsbooks need time to process documents and verify winnings. We do our best to only recommend bookmakers with the quickest withdrawal times.
CasinoJournal’s Verdict
CasinoJournal’s points system when assessing payment methods at top US sportsbooks is as follows:
9-10: Outstanding –The betting site has a full range of payment methods, quick and simple deposit methods, and the fastest withdrawal times.
7-8: Good – Overall very good but does not tick every box.
5-6: Average – Not really up to standard. Popular banking methods missing and long delays when trying to withdraw funds. Caution is advised if you want to try for yourself.
0-4: Terrible – Take your betting needs elsewhere.
Mobile Experience
It has become essential for sports betting sites to provide a dedicated app, or have their site optimized for mobile devices. This is so players do not miss any of the action when on the go. For this reason, we test each betting site for mobile compatibility to ensure the best experience possible for bettors who prefer to bet on their phone or tablet. We’re particularly looking for an app with a well-designed UX interface and for players to be able to place a bet at the touch of a button wherever they are.
CasinoJournal’s Verdict
CasinoJournal’s points system when assessing the mobile capability of betting sites is as follows:
9-10: Outstanding – The sportsbook has an app that offers a great user experience.
7-8: Good – Overall very good but lacks an app and does not tick every box.
5-6: Average – Not really up to standard. The site is not properly optimized for mobile browsing Try for yourself.
0-4: Terrible – There is no app and the web browser version is slow and unreliable.
Customer Service
When betting with real money at a sports betting site, it is imperative to be able to get in touch with the customer support team. The top US sportsbooks should be highly responsive when dealing with customer complaints and problems. Ideally, players should be able to reach a member of the support team within a matter of minutes via phone, email, or chat.
Any sportsbook that CasinoJournal recommends will have an efficient and friendly customer support team on hand 24/7 to deal with any matter that should arise when betting.
Responsible Gambling & Self-Exclusion
Like casinos, sportsbooks must meet certain obligations if they are to obtain a license in a regulated market. Safe sportsbooks are obliged to look out for problematic gambling and also report instances of fraud or money laundering. At CasinoJournal, we check to see if there are certain measures in place that support responsible gambling. These include;
- Information and Awareness
- Self Exclusion tools
- Resources for help with gambling addiction
- Responsible marketing
CasinoJournal’s Verdict
Our recommended sportsbooks also receive a verdict on their customer service and responsible gambling features.
9-10: Outstanding – The betting site has fantastic customer support, with its own responsible gambling team, and has a range of tools to support responsible gambling, such as time-out breaks and set limits.
7-9: Good – Overall very good but does not tick every box. Customer support could be improved upon or some responsible gambling tools may be lacking.
5-6: Average – Not really up to standard. No responsible gambling section and long delays for customer service response.
0-4: Terrible – Customer Service is unreachable most of the time, or unhelpful when contacted.
Conclusion
The team at Casinojournal has many years of experience in playing and reviewing online betting sites. As a result, we think it is only fair that we share our experience with the rest of the betting community.
Our goal is to ensure our readers get the best experience possible while betting. That is why we go that extra mile and review all the different features of each and every online sportsbook available. From bonuses and payment methods to customer service and security, we leave no stone unturned. We are confident that our recommendations will help you choose a reputable online bookmaker.
How We Rate Betting Sites – FAQ
What are the most important criteria for rating betting sites?
There are a number of different criteria you should consider when choosing a sportsbook. We believe the most important criteria include bonuses and promotions, sign-up processes, security and customer service, banking methods, and mobile compatibility.
How can I find user reviews for online bookmakers?
You can find hundreds of user reviews for online bookmakers through various review sites. However, it should be emphasized that the team at CasinoJournal takes user reviews into account when compiling our review of each and every sports betting site. This is to save you time wading through hundreds of different online reviews when choosing a sportsbook.
Do all experts use the same criteria for rating betting sites?
All experts have different methods for reviewing betting sites. Having said that, most reviewers do look at the same types of features when rating a sportsbook, such as bonuses, deposit methods, the range of betting markets, etc.