Did you know a separate category of bookmakers, independent online sportsbooks, exists? In this post, betting expert Tim Harrison will take you through their operations.
Exploring the Unique Features and Innovations of Independent Online Bookmakers
When bettors look into online betting options, they prefer established franchises. They typically offer a massive portfolio of sports and many markets. They tend to be very secure and well-reviewed by real bettors.
There are plenty of online independent bookmakers out there. So, it makes sense to go for those betting sites instead of unknown ones. And we have Tim Harrison on Digital Edge to expand on the matter and explain the unique features these bookmakers offer.
Tim Harrison to Digital Edge: Understanding Independent Online Bookmakers
The first question that might pop into your mind is, what is an independent bookmaker? Well, every online betting site is independent in a broader sense. But in our context, these are betting sites owned and operated by small companies, with typically no sister sites.
They fundamentally differ from big-name companies like 888 Group, Betway, or Bet365. Independent bookmakers don’t have a massive team managing everything. Rather, a few individuals are extremely passionate about online betting.
The biggest advantage these sites have is the flexibility. They don’t have a legacy to follow, which allows creativity to flourish. When there is free practice of creativity, it leads to a lot of specialized betting opportunities for the bettors. You’ll know more about it as we progress through this post.
Specialized Betting Markets
One of the main focuses of independent online betting sites is market specialization. You’ll find more or less the same markets in a typical bookmaker. These markets usually include but are not limited to:
- Tournament outrights
- Match winner
- Draw no bet
- Handicap
- Points Spread
- Over/Under or Total
- Different types of props
But you can expect to find many unique markets when it comes to independent online betting sites in any country. The amazing thing about betting markets is that bookmakers are not obliged to stick to the same set of markets.
Big operators have profits as their main motivation so they only include markets that sell the most. On the other hand, independent bookmakers have no obligation to pursue profits. It simply comes down to popularity. It’s usually passion that drives the growth of these bookmakers.
If you’re a bettor bored of mainstream betting markets and looking for a fresh perspective on online sports betting, an independent bookmaker may be the answer. For example, if you like to bet on different types of TV reality shows, you can expect a much larger portfolio of events.
The same goes for political events. Mainstream bookmakers also offer politics but are usually limited to high-voltage events like presidential elections. Independent bookmakers go much more in-depth to add markets you usually don’t think about.
Competitive Odds and Promotions
No matter what type of sportsbooks you’re looking into, the concept of odds will remain the same. Odds imply how much you can win from a bet and how likely the event is. The quality of the odds matters a lot because it defines how legit the bookmaker is.
Independent bookmakers are just as careful about the quality of odds as big-name companies. You can expect very competitive odds that balance the field for new bettors and veterans.
We’ve evaluated the odds offered on the betting sites Tim Harrison brought here today. All of them are on par, if not better, than the reputable bookmakers we know. It’s the analysts that determine the odds.
These bookmakers also offer more than enough bonuses because it’s one of the exclusive features of the online gambling industry. In case you’re not aware, sports betting bonuses are designed for new and existing players to reward their deposits.
The bonus new players get is known as the welcome bonus. And the subsequent promotions are usually known as ongoing bonuses. These are a great way to increase the bankroll early on. You can prolong your betting sessions with the added money in your account.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
As independent bookmakers are typically not as strictly regulated as franchises, the regulatory bodies make them employ responsible gambling according to international standards. In case you’re not aware, responsible gambling is managing your expectations, spending, and gambling duration in control.
Typically, responsible gambling tools include deposit limits, wager limits, time limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion. In most cases, you’ll also find a questionnaire to assess your gambling problems.
Lastly, independent online bookmakers share many resources to teach bettors about responsible gambling.
If you think you might be developing gambling problems, or if someone you know is struggling with irresponsible gambling habits, you should reach out for external help. Organizations that are available 24/7 to help gamblers in need are:
- Gamcare
- Gambling Therapy
- GambleAware
- Gambling Addiction
- National Problem Gambling Clinic
- Gambling Addiction Counseling
For the most part, the services offered by these organizations are free, so don’t shy away from reaching out. You’ll find the contact information for a combination of them on any online independent betting site’s responsible gambling page.
Conclusion
Today’s Digital Edge discussion shows how independent online bookmakers differ from traditional betting sites. They’re not as focused on scaling the business. Rather, the creative side of betting tickles their fantasies.
Among all the unique features these betting sites boast, specialized betting markets are our favorite. It helps bettors get a fresh perspective on the sports they have known for years.
They’re working relentlessly to bring variety to the monotonous sports betting industry. Independent online betting sites offer a complete package from unique markets to sports to staggering odds.
