Fans of the NCAA who are also inclined to wager know all too well that there are few places where you can safely and legally place a bet on your favorite team, game, or player. Usually, this means that you have to keep your bets between friends (i.e., small-time and with the usual other drawbacks and complications when friends and money are concerned!) or resort to the shady dealings of ‘unauthorized’ bookies (never a good idea, for legal and safety reasons!).

However, online sportsbooks offer a much better situation. The bettor benefits in many ways; the size and type of bet is virtually unlimited, meaning that you can wager as little as you like (or as much as you like) on a wide range of available lines. Many of them offer additional services and amusements, from online slots to swimsuit calendars! The businesses themselves are established, trustworthy, and adhere to very specific legal regulations (as long as you choose a reputable one, that is!), and are supported by security software as airtight as the best online banking or merchant websites.

As I’ve said, the burden is on you to make a smart choice. There are indeed many online sportsbooks that you do NOT want to trust with your money and information — either because they’re not reputable companies, or simply because they are set up to serve a different jurisdiction. The United States is a major exception to many rules, for sportsbooks as well as online casino USA; some of the best sportsbooks in the world are off-limits due to the current draconian legislation known as the UIGEA (as well as varying interpretations of a half-century-old Wire Act that was written to regulate placing bets by telephone).

On these pages, I will clearly indicate when I mention an online sportsbook that is prohibited for US customers, and offer alternatives to make sure that the many American bettors are provided for. And it goes without saying that I won’t even bother to mention any online sportsbooks which aren’t well-regarded among the online betting community.