When choosing between online bookmakers there are several factors that you must consider before you start betting. If you are new to the game then the first thing you should do is to look for the best offers. Starting offers are what online betting companies define themselves by, and there are plenty to sift through before you get to the most attractive. Bet365 do a very appealing offer for those starting out, where they give those who deposit at least £10 a 100% bonus. Other main companies to watch out for are Paddy Power, who offer a £50 free bet, and Ladbrokes who offer a £150 free bet. Of course, terms and conditions apply.

Once you’ve done this, it is perhaps a good idea to compare prices. Look at their prices for different races, for football matches and for whatever other sport you may be interested in betting on. Which betting companies offer better prices? Which offer money back specials? Which is the most generous in offering refunds for void bets? This is a good way of gauging which company offers the most value. Most are very similar, so try to delve deep to find out which are best. There are various odds comparison websites around the net to help you get started.

One of the most important factors, especially when it comes to horse racing (though often equally important in other sports), is the quality of the tipping. These days, most online bookmakers have tipping services, largely provided by quality publications like the Racing Post, but there are still some who lag behind. Among those that offer good tipping are Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and Betfair.

Another variant that you should watch out for is the amount of different bets different online bookmakers offer. For example, Betfair does not provide a great variety of bets in certain markets because it is an exchange, whereas, with Totesport, you can bet using almost any method – be it lucky 16, super Heinz, Goliath or just the standard accumulator.

Another important part of a website is the way it presents its in-play betting service. Often punters look to place bets on events that have already started, seeing as it can be favourable for the backer to make a bet when an event is under way. In-play betting on websites such as 888 will normally offer odds that are significantly shorter or longer, depending on how a race or match is unfolding.

Finally, make sure you look out for how aesthetically pleasing the bookmakers that you’re going to use is. If you’re going to spend a lot of time on it, it is vital that you enjoy the layout. Although you may think this is a very small part of what to look for in a gambling website, presentation is a huge factor – one that is never ignored by any of the major bookmakers.