There isn’t a perfect formula to determine whether the sportsbook is untrustworthy, but there are a few different things to look for. Here are the top three traits of an unsafe sportsbook:
1. Bad reviews and ratings.
This is an obvious one. If bettors are having bad experiences, the sportsbook’s user reviews will reflect that.
2. No publicly available history, backstory, or independent reviews.
When you can’t find any concrete information about a sportsbook, the site may not be legitimate. Always do your research to make sure there is public information about the company history to ensure the betting site is established.
3. No customer support or representatives who are not helpful.
Reputable sportsbooks all have solid customer support. It’s in their best interest to be helpful since users are generally looking for assistance on how to make bets, which in turn makes the sportsbook money.
It is a major red flag if a sportsbook doesn’t have a customer support system in place. Similarly, if the customer representatives cannot answer basic questions, the sportsbook is not likely to be trustworthy.