Online Sports Betting for Beginners: Casual or Full-Time?

Online sports betting means placing bets on sports results through a bookmaker’s website or app, and beginners usually start as casual bettors. This guide helps you decide whether sports betting suits you, what casual and full-time betting mean, and what to check before you open an account. For the basics, read our sports betting guide.

Is Online Sports Betting Right for You?

A simple way to find out is to answer these questions as honestly as possible.

1. Do you like watching sports?
2. Do you think you are knowledgeable on certain sports?
3. Are you good at predicting game winners and results?
4. Can you afford to lose the money you would stake?

If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, the next question is what kind of sports bettor you want to be: casual or full-time.

Casual Betting

Casual sports bettors enjoy watching sports, set aside money for betting and follow what is happening in the sports world. They are unlikely to place extremely large bets on any one game or event, and they bet mainly for fun.

Questions to see if you fit casual betting

1. Do you bet on your favorite team or sport most of the time?
2. Do you plan to bet less than 5 times a week?
3. Do you plan to keep each bet below $1,000?
4. Do you want to start with a small budget?

If you answered yes to these questions, casual betting is likely the right fit for you.

Full-Time Betting

Full-time sports betting is a big responsibility and carries a high level of risk. A few people try to make a living from it, but most bettors lose money over time, because bookmakers build a margin into their odds.

1. Do you plan to do thorough research before every betting decision?
2. Are you willing to wager large sums of money at one time?
3. Do you have a large amount of money you can afford to lose?

If you answered yes to these questions, full-time betting may be what you have in mind. If so, research the risks carefully before you start and never stake money you need for daily life.

Online Sports Betting Today

Sports betting is popular, and betting online gives you a wide choice of sports and markets. It is easy to start, but there are a few things every player should know first.

How to Get Started

The first step is choosing a sportsbook. There are many bookmakers, so look for one that covers the sport you want to bet on.

Compare bonus terms and betting lines, not only the size of a bonus. Our sports betting page is a good place to start. Then open an account. Deposit methods differ from site to site, so check which ones the sportsbook accepts.

You may need to verify your identity before you can withdraw, and how long this takes depends on the sportsbook.

When you start betting, look closely at each bet to make sure you understand the odds offered. Sportsbooks change their posted lines as new information comes in, so the odds you see now may not be the odds you see later.

Summary: Casual or Full-Time Betting?

Choosing between casual and full-time betting means understanding the level of commitment and risk involved. Casual betting is usually done for recreation, with small bets placed from time to time and no long-term plan. Full-time betting involves a higher level of commitment and risk, because it means placing larger bets regularly with the aim of making consistent profits.

This takes more time and effort for researching, analyzing and monitoring betting odds and markets. Anyone considering it should manage their bankroll carefully. In the end, the choice depends on your preferences, financial situation and tolerance for risk. Sports betting should always be done responsibly and within your means, and our responsible gaming page lists where to find help.