It wasn’t so long ago that anyone wanting to have a punt on the big football match or to have a bet on a spin of the roulette wheel would have had to make the trek to their local bricks and mortar bookie or casino.
However, with the gambling industry having been one of the major beneficiaries of the growth in internet and mobile technology over the past couple of decades or so, it’s now commonplace to bet from the comfort of one’s own home or on the go using a smartphone or tablet.
Increasing Technology & Competition
Technological advances have also ensured that the playing of casino games through a mobile app is now a seamless process and watching a match via live streaming is similarly straightforward. Another increasingly popular option is betting on eSports.
With increased cybersecurity and data protection featuring end-to-end encryption increasingly in place among the best online bookmakers and casinos, most punters now feel confident with the security with regards to their personal details and making online payments to their accounts.
There is also far greater competition in the betting industry now that the vast majority of gambling takes place online, which has in turn led to the bookmaker and casino sites desperately fighting among themselves to attract new customers and retain existing ones.
Free Bet Incentives
While some bettors will base their decisions on factors such as market coverage, betting margins and the overall quality and security of the platform they use, the reality is that many gamblers are more likely to register for a new account if they are offered an incentive by way of a free bet of some kind.
The majority of the reputable online bookmakers offer a ‘Welcome Bonus’ as free bet for new customers. These can vary markedly in terms of what’s on offer and are becoming increasingly innovative. It wasn’t always the way, but almost all online betting promotions are available to customers using mobile sites these days.
Check the Terms
For example, at bet365 there is up to £100 In Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to the value of the qualifying deposit.
At Ladbrokes, when you bet £5, you get £20 in free bets, while at 888sport, new customers who bet £10 get £30 in free bets + a £10 free bet on any football.
It’s imperative with any betting offers to know that you need to read the full terms of the promotion prior to signing up. There’s a greater variety of welcome bonuses when it comes to casinos. For example, with Betfair Casino they have a 30 free spins no deposit bonus, while bet365 has a new player bonus of up to £100. At Paddy Power, when you deposit £10, you play with £60.
