The following represent the "Best" in sportsbook wagering, casino gambling, and offshore poker sites which maintain the highest financial stability for the player while provide the highest level of customer service with ease of deposits.  These endorsed sportsbooks and poker sites provide jurisdictions, software compatibility, up-to-date technological methods, regulation and enforcement, and customer service that provide the recreational or professional gambler with the highest level of confidence well above the industry average.  All sites have recently been evaluated by "Watchdog" groups and have received a minimum A rating.

When choosing a sportsbook, consider the following:

Jurisdiction:

The first category represents the most stringent jurisdictions, with honest gaming commissions, tough regulations and aggressive enforcement. The second category represents regions that have regulations, but much of the enforcement is self-regulated with little or control being undertaken by the countries government. The third category falls short of any real control of fraudulent operations or scams and must be avoided at all costs.

The following countries currently fall in the "first" category and should be considered when making a decision based upon jurisdiction:

Antigua/Barbuda/Curacao/British Channel Islands/Canada/Gibraltar/Isle of Man/United Kingdom

Length of Time in Operation:

Look for a place of operation that has been in business a minimum of (2) years and check their registry (Gaming Commission) for licensing and banking requirements.  Click here for Gaming Commission locations.

Business Model:

Choosing a sportsbook and gambling site is much like investing in the stock market; the security of your investment is dependent on the financial stability of the business / sportsbook. In this day and age, most large conglomerates are owned by major corporations and in a lot of cases, are Publicly Traded.  The bar is always raised with Publicly Traded organizations due to governmental controls and stringent licensing. Players, who only take into account signup bonuses when selecting a book are taking an unnecessary risk. You need to be concerned about the financial stability of your sportsbook first and foremost when sending your hard earned money offshore.   Again, look for length of operation, complaints (see Blacklisted Sportsbooks), realistic bonuses, and timely payouts.

Software:

Two variables necessary to a "great" gaming experience are proper gambling software and the technical support to back this up.  The gaming experience online need to be hassle free, convenient, lightning quick, entertaining, always operational and most of all, fun!  If you are having repeated problems with the software provided through the sportsbook or other gaming site or you are having trouble making timely bets due to technical glitches, contact the organization and point out your problem.  Reputable companies will have an explanation for the "problem" and will provide adequate answers as to when and why the trouble exists and when it will be corrected.  Remember, these "books" are located offshore and sometime satellite communications or other weather conditions can contribute to dropped calls, slow internet connections and more.

Customer Service:

Customer service may be the most important criteria in making that "final" decision of which place to trust your money with with when making the final sportsbook decision.  Remember, the ONLY way for problem resolution is through customer service and no matter what issues may arise, the sportbook should try to remedy the situation immediately.  You should always receive a professional responses with email backup, online chat or direct phone support.

Here is a list of customer service criteria that you should always look for when trying to resolve an issue:

Bonus/Promotions:

Verify all bonuses, promotions or contests and make sure you fully understand ALL rules as they apply to each.  If you find a sportsbook, online casino or even poker site advertising an unusually "high" bonus for industry standards, beware!  Often, these bonuses are used to separate your money from your wallet.  Visit gaming forums and look for others who may or may not have had problems at the sportsbook.  There are several places to file a grievance on the internet or with the corresponding Gaming Commission.  Inquire on the "rollover" on all cash bonuses and make sure you know when it's time for the sportsbook to add the bonus to your account.

Awards:

Always an added bonus, "Awards" given to sportsbooks and other gaming sites can be of help when choosing to make a final decision between sportsbooks.  Verify the "Awards" when possible but do not rely solely on this method of choosing a place to wager as some sportsbook are more proactive than others when adding these accolades to their sites.  Many sportsbooks spend the majority of time on other aspects such as customer service and ignore the "Bling". 

Sportsbook History: