Highlights of the Best Super Bowl Betting Sites for 2021. MyBookie – Extensive selection of Super Bowl LV prop bets. BetNow – Some of the best Super Bowl 55 odds you’ll find online. Bovada – Most trusted name in the online betting. If you are looking for the safest betting sites in 2021, you’ve found what you need. Our experienced team of sports betting experts are constantly analyzing online sportsbooks to determine which are the most trusted options for your real money bets. As of right now, these are the safest sports betting sites for wagering online in 2021.

Most of you must have heard of the leading betting site, Ladbrokes, but not all will be aware that the bookie is Coral’s partner site, the two having merged in 2016 before the joint venture was bought by GVC Holdings in 2018. Ownership details aside, more or less anything that can be said about the reliability and security of Coral also applies to Ladbrokes (and vice versa).

It’s crucially important to stay safe when betting online. In fact, it should be priority number one when assessing a site to bet on.

We’ve done most of the hard work for you by searching the web, reviewing hundreds of potential betting sites, and separating the worthy sites from those you should avoid.

Check out the sites listed in the table above. All of these passed our security checks with flying colors.

Of course, we don’t just expect you to take our word on it. That’s why we’ve outlined how we made the decision to include these below if you’re interested.

Safe Online Gambling

The safest gambling sites are inevitably found in the countries where it is legal and regulated. These sites have to pass quality checks and comply with strict regulations to get a license from the authorities in these countries. This is one of the factors we consider when assessing a site.

How We Decide if a Betting Site is Safe

There are literally tens of thousands of potential betting sites to choose from. We’ve visited, bet on, and reviewed thousands of them. Over time, we have developed criteria for assessing betting sites.

Each site listed in the table above passed the following tests:

It Must Have a Valid Gaming License

If a site doesn’t have a license issued by a credible authority, that’s a warning sign that it might not be safe. It’s even worse if it once had one but lost it. That means it violated the issuing authority’s rules.

There are lots of gaming authorities in the world, but the following are the ones we rate highest.

This is widely considered the gold standard of casino gaming licenses. The UK is a highly regulated market and there’s a zero tolerance policy towards cheating and scheming. If a betting site has a UK license, it’s almost guaranteed to be safe.

Malta is a Mediterranean island nation and an iGaming mecca. Lots of online casinos and software firms operate out of Malta. The Gaming Authority, therefore, takes licensing issues incredibly seriously and is quick to clamp down on anything considered unfair.

Geographically, Gibraltar lies off the tip of Spain. It’s actually a British overseas territory, though. While it governs its own affairs, gambling regulations stem from the UK Gambling Act (2005), making a Gibraltar license just as worthy as a UK one.

This small island nation in the Caribbean is home to thousands of remote eGaming operations. A Curacao license is generally held in high regard, and although the regulations are a little more flexible than the UKGC’s, for example, a betting site with a Curacao license is still considered pretty safe.

So, that’s a quick look at some of the top gambling regulators. Our recommended sites always have a valid license. You can double check these directly on the websites listed above.

It Must Offer Fast, Reliable Payouts

There’s more than one way for a site to be unsafe, but without a doubt, the most common sort of betting site scam is when you deposit and don’t get your money back.

Some sites also put up major obstacles to allowing you to withdraw, such as by asking for unreasonable verification documents or by putting in minimum withdrawal clauses which far exceed the deposits you have made.

We check the terms and conditions of each site we recommend and avoid recommending those with anything we think is ‘funny business.’

Ideally, we want to see same day payout for e-wallet withdrawals, and we want to see a maximum 3-5 business day wait for credit and debit card withdrawals.

Despite how some players feel, we actually like it when a casino asks you to verify your identity. As long as the process isn’t too complex or time-consuming, this means the site cares about fraud prevention and identity theft. When it comes to looking for safe betting sites, that’s a big plus.

It Must Run on a Secure, Encrypted Connection

Does the idea of advanced encryption make your head spin? Don’t worry, we feel you on that.

There’s no need to have a deep understanding of this issue to make use of it. That’s why they pay IT professionals the big bucks. All you need to know, as an online bettor, is that you want to bet at sites with https:// at the beginning of the web address.

That means the site runs on an SSL encrypted connection. Without getting into boring details, this makes it virtually impossible for hackers and criminals to steal financial and/or personal data on the connection.

If you take a look at any of the sites listed above, you’ll see that they run on secure connections. We don’t take risks with your data safety, and you should avoid any sites which aren’t encrypted.

On most browsers, a little notification will appear beside the address bar telling you if a site is not secure. Pay attention when this happens. It could be a costly mistake to ignore this.

It Must Offer Games from Reputable Software Providers

Whether it’s a sports betting site, a casino site, a poker site, or a combination of things, we want to see software from established, reliable firms.

When it comes to online casino betting sites, for example, we really like to see games from NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, and Playtech. These companies have a long history and are guaranteed fair.

If we see betting software we don’t recognize, that’s not an automatic write-off. We know this industry is highly innovative and are always willing to give upstarts a chance. However, we need to dig deeper and find out if these companies are reputable, and ideally want to see third-party verification of payouts.

Safe betting sites will have no problem publishing payout rates and explaining how the software works. If they aren’t willing to be transparent, we aren’t willing to recommend them.

It Must Have an Established History & Solid Base of Players/Bettors

The longer a betting site has been around the better, in our view. If a site has been servicing thousands of players since 1998, it’s highly unlikely to be unsafe. If it has survived for decades, it’s a safe bet (pun fully intended).

We’re also aware, of course, that there are lots of new betting sites coming online on a daily basis, and plenty of them are safe. In those cases, we look at the management team and company running them. If they are experienced and run multiple safe betting sites, we are happy to recommend them.

If a site is totally new, run by a startup with no industry reputation or experience, it’s highly unlikely you’ll find that site on our recommended list. They will only make it if they’ve done something exceptional to win our trust.

There are some new betting sites which make the cut, but it’s rare, and as you’ll see from the table above, most of our preferred betting sites have been around for a while.

Some of the Risks Associated with Online Betting

Part of the key to staying safe when betting online is education. We don’t mean to be patronizing, but if you’re new to this, you’re more likely to fall into the hands of predatory sites and scammers.

We want to prevent that, if possible. Other than sticking to the sites which have already been reviewed in-depth by our team of experts, it helps to know what some of the common safety concerns are.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the risks associated with betting sites:

• Outright Theft – This is simply a site stealing your money or making it impossible to get it back. It happens all too often but can easily be avoided. Stick to sites with a reputation for fair, fast payouts. Also, take some time to at least skim the terms and conditions, especially the ‘withdrawals’ section.
• Identity Theft – This is the one that really seems to freak people out these days. It’s always slightly unnerving when a betting site asks you to send a copy of your ID and a recent utility bill to verify your account. Again, it won’t be such a worry if you stick to the best-known operators who have licenses requiring them to take data protection seriously.
• Fee Gouging – Those terms and conditions are a treasure trove of information, as we’ve said before. Still, virtually nobody takes the time to read them. This is where dishonest operators can confiscate your winnings for no reason or take back a hefty slice in the form of fees.
• Viruses & Malware – Lots of mobile bettors, in particular, like to download an app from their favorite betting site. However, too many less scrupulous operators install malware, adware, and spyware along with the app. Get a good antivirus program which detects malware, adware, and spyware, and you should be safe.
• Rigged Games & Odds – The crooked bookie or casino run in a smoke-filled room parlor by the mob is long gone. These days, they’ve migrated online. Some unsafe betting sites create their own odds software or casino games, which are designed to rip you off, plain and simple.

Summary

It’s always worth it to take the time to research before deciding on a betting site. You can start by reading some of our in-depth reviews.

We cover each of the points listed above in detail and leave no stone unturned. We’re not saying every site we review will turn out to be right for you, but we are saying you’ll be in a much better position to make a decision after reading one.

You can find our safest betting sites and their full reviews on the table at the top of this page. We wish you the best of luck!

For residents in many states, the days when the only online betting options involved shady offshore operators have come to an end. With more states at various stages of regulating online gambling, safe online sportsbooks will soon be widely available via mobile and desktop devices.

A significant advantage to legal, state-licensed online sportsbooks is that they are under the jurisdiction of state governments, usually via the local gaming commission.

Terms of licensing involve protection for problem gamblers and a demonstration of fair, safe and tested platforms. If there is an issue or dispute, you, therefore, have an avenue for complaints.

We cover all you need to know to bet at online sportsbooks in the US safely.

List of the safest sports betting sites in the US

First, we examine states that are already live along with the appropriate laws. Then, we discuss how to securely deposit and withdraw your winnings, along with responsible gambling.

What makes an online sportsbook safe and trusted?

Online betting, at least in regulated states and markets around the world, is extremely safe.

Two key drivers are the requirements and oversight of licensing bodies and the reputation of the big gambling brands.

In regulated states such as Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the local gaming commissions work on behalf of the government to license and oversee sports betting sites. More states are coming online. Here’s a partial list of the states with online sports betting:

The books are licensed to local brick-and-mortar casinos. As part of this license, the local gaming commission tests the platforms, and responsible gambling and protection for minors are in place. Also, secure banking methods need to be available.

State sportsbooks are partnerships with some of the biggest gambling brands. These apps and websites are often the results of years of development.

Keep in mind that these operators have long-standing reputations to protect. The competition between them ensures that the betting odds and promotions offered also need to be fair.

Bonus offers and customer service are the final areas to consider.

These include fair terms and conditions for welcome bonusesand any ongoing offers. A sportsbook that treats players unfairly by voiding bonuses for spurious reasons will not last for long.

While the gaming control boards oversee the safest (state-regulated) books, their service should be at a level where any disputes can be resolved quickly and easily.

Safest Online Betting Sites - Video Results

Once you select the trusted legal sportsbook of your choice, check our full guide to sports betting basics.

Trusted New Jersey online sportsbooks

The Garden State was the first to offer online sports betting.

New Jersey drove the legal challenges to PASPA, a federal bill that prevented states from deciding on their sports betting laws. The US Supreme Court then overturned PASPA in 2018, thus paving the way for both live and online sportsbooks.

New Jersey already had the legislation in place via bill A2578. PASPA being overturned subsequently triggered a clause allowing sports betting. Many operators already had casinos and poker rooms online; therefore, the transition to NJ online sports betting was smooth.

Licensing for New Jersey online sportsbooks is handled by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

An existing brick-and-mortar casino holds each license. These casinos then are partners with some of the biggest and best-known sports betting brands. These include DraftKings, FoxBet, 888 and WilliamHill.

Early online gambling sites in New Jersey did have some geolocation issues; however, they were false-negatives.

Access to real money games and deposits were denied close to state lines because the software was unable to confirm the user as being inside the state. Issues were quickly ironed out, though, with the experience ensuring that other states avoided these problems.

List of the top sportsbooks in New Jersey

Trusted Pennsylvania online sportsbooks

The authorities in Pennsylvania explicitly stated that they would make a move from retail to online sports betting slowly to ensure that everything ran smoothly before going live.

True to their word, there was a long gap between the legislation being passed (H 271, in October 2017) and the first PA online sportsbooks going live in the summer of 2019.

These were made possible by the Supreme Court decision to overturn PASPA in 2018. Like in New Jersey, Pennsylvania has licensing for casino and poker online in addition to sports betting.

Big brand names have once again partnered with the local (license-holding) casinos. They have global reputations to protect, built up over many years and, in some cases, decades.

With proven platforms and innovations like live and cash-out betting, these new online sportsbooks have made a smooth debut in the Keystone State.

List of the top Pennsylvania sportsbooks

More online betting sites will likely join these as the market matures.

Trusted Indiana sportsbooks

Unlike NJ and PA, Indiana passed legislation for online sports betting, though not for casinos or poker rooms.

The Hoosier State saw its first retail sportsbooks go live just before NFL season kickoff this year. Indiana online sportsbooks are expected to follow soon, with the first ones going live by the end of the year. Bill H 1015 became law on May 8.

Indiana has 14 land-based, riverboat and tribalcasinos, which can apply for sports betting licenses. These are under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Gaming Commission. Restrictions to ensure the safety of IN bettors include a ban on esports betting and betting on any non-pro event where the participants are younger than 18.

Other states: DFS and horse racing sites

In the meantime, there are ways to enjoy betting online safely from non-regulated states.

The first is to enter daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests.

Operators, including FanDuel and DraftKings, are active in the majority of states. They run real-money contests where you pick lineups of players for gamedays. You can challenge others, or enter bigger tournaments, where your lineups compete with others from around the country.

Second, you can bet safely online on horse races. There are national sites which allow bets via the pari-mutuel pools, such as TwinSpires, BetAmerica and TVG. These sites also welcome credit card payments. You’ll be betting under advance deposit wagering rules.

Avoid unsafe operators

Just how safe the new state-regulated sportsbooks are becoming clear when you compare these to the alternative: the offshore and illegal sportsbooks.

For many years, gambling sites have operated from sovereign states in the Caribbean and CentralAmerica. These sites are “licensed” by Curacao, Panama or Antigua (and others). This licensing is light touch, with no oversight on the finances, fairness or safety of the sportsbook operations.

Most importantly, if you have a dispute, for example, a refusal to pay out winnings, then there is nobody to contact. Some sites have closed, simply disappearing along with player’s bankrolls. Others have delayed payouts for spurious reasons, citing “bonus abuse,” though never specifying what is meant by it.

Using them is risky, and where there is a legal and reputable alternative, this makes little sense.

Is my data secure if I use my bank or credit cards?

An area of concern for many is whether it is safe to use your bank cards to make deposits at an online betting site.

With the new state-regulated betting sites, the answer is yes; however, plenty of alternative deposit options are available.

If you are comfortable using debit or credit cards to deposit, then this is fast and easy. Making the deposit follows the same process you would use for any online purchase. As long as you are within the state lines where the online sportsbook is licensed, your balance will be available to bet with almost instantly.

If you are not comfortable with this process or do not want to see gambling deposits on your bank statement, then there are many safealternatives.

You can deposit with cash in many states.

First, you can make a trip to the casinocage of the license holding casino or sportsbook.

Some sites welcome PayNearMe deposits. With this, you take cash to your local 7-Eleven store, along with a barcode from the sportsbook.

Third-party wallet systems are another way to feel secure while making an online sportsbook deposit.

These services include PayPal (Skrill and Neteller are alternatives). Here, you use an online wallet account as a secure bridge between your bank and the sports betting sites.

More prominent online sportsbooks will offer branded debit cards. You will need to apply for these separately from your main account registration. You can fund your card using your regular credit or debit cards, then use the branded debit card for deposits and withdrawals.

There are also bank transfer options, including billpay, ACH (e-checks) or even wires available.

As long as the sports betting site is licensed and legal in your state, then deposits and withdrawals will be safe.

Compare bonus offers at safe online sportsbooks

Even among the reputable, safe online sports betting sites, there are significant differences in the quality of their bonus offers and promotions.

You’ll find deposit bonuses look similar at first. When you dig into the terms, though, these can look different. Checking those terms, and finding the best bonus deals, only takes a few minutes.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Matched Deposit Bonuses: Compare the number of times you need to bet (playthrough) the bonus before it can release into your cash balance. The best books offer 1x, while between 5x and 20x is common.
• Risk-Free First Bets: Some sportsbooks return losing first bets in cash, while more common is having this returned in betting credits. If you need to wager again to clear this bonus, then it is not 100% risk-free.
• Restrictions on Bonus Bets: Bonuses often specify minimum odds (for example, -200 or better) and have time limits, which mean futures bets are not possible.

With so much competition in regulated states, most bonus offers are easy to clear. It always pays to familiarize yourself with the fine print before you sign up.

Stay secure at online sportsbooks: Responsible gambling

A significant difference between secure, regulated sports betting sites and offshore ones is a real commitment to responsiblegambling.

This process involves protectingminors and those bettors who may have gambling problems.

The usual format for state-regulated books is to have a badge or link at the top (and usually in the footer, too) of the site. The link takes you to an informationpage, which contains advice, information and tools.

You will need to be 21 years or older to bet in the state-regulated sportsbooks. Sportsbooks verify this by requiring the last four digits of your Social Security number as part of the registration process. Additional security or verification may be needed later on.

Here are the key elements of an excellent responsible gambling policy:

• Self-Assessment: This is for anyone that thinks they or someone they know may have a gambling problem. It involves a series of questions about gambling behavior and thinking.
• Links and Phone Numbers: National and local charities can assist with advice or counseling for anyone with gambling issues. Trusted online betting sites make sure they list contact details.
• Betting Limit Tools: You can set up betting limits, deposit limits and even limit the time on reputable sportsbooks.
• Timeout: Short term timeouts are useful if someone feels they need a break, for example, from chasing losses.
• Self-Exclusion: This capability is for bettors who need a more extended break. You’ll be able to exclude yourself for one to five years. In some cases, you need to opt back in after the self-exclusion period is up.

Safest Sports Betting Sites Of 2021 - Finding Safe Sites For ...

While most people can bet responsibly, these measures should be welcomed by everyone. By protecting those people that may develop gambling problems, the sports betting sites can stay safe and legal for all.

Always pick a safe betting site

With regulated, legal online sportsbooks rolling out in multiple states, the need to stray to the offshore, gray market is gone. This is good news for sports betting fans for many reasons.

First, the risk of non-payment of your winnings (or a site disappearing completely) has gone.

Safest Online Sportsbooks

Second, you’ll be able to use a range of mainstream banking options for deposits and withdrawals.

Third, if you do have an issue with a safe online sportsbook, you have the opportunity to complain to your local gaming commission office.

Safest Betting Sites 2021 – Safe Online Sportsbooks For Real ...

Add to this that the biggest and best gambling software powers the state books, and you’ll see that choosing a legit betting site is a win-win situation.