The US Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that states could decide for themselves whether they wish to legalise sports betting was a major development in the US laws around gambling. Although some states, such as Utah, are very unlikely to even consider legalising sports betting, others such as Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas and New York, to name but a few, have wasted no time in allowing punters to start placing bets on sport when the laws have allowed it.
Below is a look at how it’s possible to gamble online in New Jersey, plus a consideration of how to place a bet safely and how online betting operators protect their customers.
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Online betting in New Jersey
Although betting in states like New Jersey is possible, New Jersey has a reputation for being one of the most liberal states when it comes to the practice. A week after the sports betting bill had been passed, Governor Bill Murphy signed it and was the first in line to place a bet. New Jersey has made it legal to bet in person and on mobile devices.
Note that even New Jersey has its boundaries, however, and prohibits betting on games that involve state college teams. The laws of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, however, permit it, displaying perhaps an even more tolerant attitude than New Jersey. In-person betting and mobile betting is also perfectly legal there.
Placing a bet
Of course, operators make it very straightforward to place a bet, but you should always have some sort of strategy when betting. Here are some tips for placing your bet safely and staying informed about betting:
Do some research
Always research before placing a bet. Online betting sites and other resources can help you with this. Past match results, player form guides, team form guides, injury news, tournament performances, match predictions, pundit insights… consulting these can enable you to make more informed bets.
Make small bets
You might want to win big but start small and regular before betting large amounts. Get to understand how different betting markets work. Find out what strategies work for you. Then you can increase your bets if you wish to.
Assess playing styles
Some teams or individuals have a more defensive style of play. Others have a more attacking one. Determining how they may play out a match can help you decide how it will end and how you wish to bet.
Protecting yourself when betting online
There are several ways you can protect yourself when betting online. Here are some tips when deciding where to register for an account:
Research
Search engines order information, but they don’t necessarily vet it, so don’t just sign up with the first site that comes up in your search results. Before signing up for an account with any service provider, check some reviews and see what people are saying about the site.
Look for balanced reviews
Online gambling operators may pay referral fees to webmasters whose website drives traffic to the operator’s site. These webmasters are likely to post glowing reviews. This isn’t necessarily a scam, but it’s important to be aware of it. Look for balanced reviews that discuss the pros and cons of playing on a certain site.
Review the site itself
The websites of legitimate operators will display certain features that show they’re responsible operators. They’ll have age restrictions, proof of licensing and advice for gambling safely on their site. You can also contact the customer service and see how they address your concerns. Avoid playing on the site if this service is bad.
How operators protect you and your money
Online betting operators understand that protecting their customers is paramount when offering their services. As well as licensing to show that they’re regulated, they’ll adopt a range of measures to keep the customers’ details and the money they deposit into their accounts safe.
Encryption
Operators use sophisticated data encryption technology to protect cybercriminals from gaining knowledge of transactions between you and the operator. Only you and the operator can witness the transactions.
Historical account activity
Operators will give you access to historical activity on your account. You’ll be able to see when you’ve played, how much you’ve spent and on what services. This information can help you determine whether you need to spend less time and money on the site.
Responsible gambling measures
Trustworthy operators will also offer measures to help you control how much you spend. These include deposit limits, time outs, self-exclusion and limited access.
Betting online is entertaining and, now for a lot more people in the US, legal. When starting out, always take a more prudent approach until you understand better how online betting works. Follow the advice above to identify legitimate sites and game safely.
