Sportsbet is an Australian sports betting website and app that allows users to place wagers on a variety of things. It offers a wide range of bet types, including moneylines, spreads, and parlays. In addition, the site offers a number of different ways to pay and is very user-friendly.
The history of sportsbet is a long one, with the company dating back to 1993. It started as a small operation in Darwin, and became the nation’s first licensed bookmaker. The company quickly grew, shaping an entire industry along the way. Matthew Tripp took the helm in 2005, and led the company to tremendous growth. Ultimately, Tripp sold his stake in the business for a reported AU$151 million.
Sportsbet offers a wide range of markets for both major and minor sports, with esports getting plenty of attention. For most events, there are over 100 pre-game markets available. This is a great amount of coverage for even the most obscure competitions. This is especially impressive considering the sheer size of some esports competitions, which are often more massive than traditional sports like football or tennis.
If you’re a newcomer to the world of online sports betting, it’s important to understand how odds work before placing your first bet. The most basic form of a sports bet is a moneyline. This is a bet on the winner of a particular event, with the winning team paying out more than the loser. Sportsbooks stack the deck in favor of their customers, and this is reflected in the odds.
Another popular bet type is the totals line. This bet is based on the over/under number of points scored in a game, and is typically set by the sportsbook. The sportsbook has a built-in advantage, and the plus and minus figures represent that. In this case, the Patriots are 2.5-point favorites, which means they must win by more than three points in order to cover the spread.
When placing a bet, make sure you shop around for the best odds. You may be surprised at how much a difference there can be between different online sportsbooks. It’s also a good idea to read independent reviews from reputable sources. Remember, though, that online reviews are subjective and what someone else considers a good or bad experience, could be completely different for you. Finally, make sure to check the sportsbook’s house rules. These are a key part of making sure that you’re treated fairly and that the sportsbook expeditiously pays out winning bets. This will save you a lot of grief in the long run.