How to Sign Up at Online Sportsbooks

Updated February 9, 2023By Chris Boline

You may already know most of how to sign up at online sportsbooks. Nonetheless we recommend checking out this guide of how to create your sportsbook account to make sure you do it well and won’t regret any mistakes later. 

How to Sign Up at Online Sportsbooks

Here we will tell you the steps for the sportsbook sign up process, and some important things to remember during this process. 

  1. Screenshots of a standard sign-up process 
  2. Important identity security details
  3. How, when, and where to sign up at an online sportsbook

How to create a sportsbook account

Creating a sportsbook account is an important part of online gambling. It is something to do correctly, as these details will be with you for time to come. 

Going through this process correctly is vital as it will be the foundation of your sports betting experience. 

So, we have some things that we recommend that you keep in mind during the signup process. 

Username

Not all online sports betting sites will ask you to create a username. Some will, and make sure to choose it wisely. This is the name that will represent you in poker rooms or community forums.

  • Many sportsbooks will just let you sign in with your email address, and assign you a number as your account ID. If you have a preference, this is something you can investigate before you sign up. 
  • If you choose your username, try not to make it easy to identify you. It’s probably a good idea to use a unique username that does not resemble your usual usernames. 

Bonuses

During the sportsbook sign up process, some betting sites will let you choose your welcome bonus.

  • Make sure to do this right, as the difference between welcome bonuses can have huge monetary consequences. 
  • This will require looking at their bonus options before you sign up. Even if it is not during the actual sign up process, it will happen in the steps immediately thereafter. 

Identity

Many payment and deposit methods will require KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.

  • This means that you will likely need to send in documents confirming your address, and/or verify your phone number.
  • It is important that you know this as you sign up, so you use information that you can later verify. Otherwise, you may end up locked out of being able to withdraw your winnings.  

Identifying your sportsbook 

A step that comes even before signing up is figuring out where to sign up. This is an evident yet all-important part of signing up at a sportsbook. 

To start you can check out our guide on how to find the best sportsbook for you. There you will get an idea of what to look for in each section of the sportsbooks you are considering. 

Our list of recommended sports betting sites can help you narrow down your search. These are great sites that have gone through our strict review process and analysis. 

Identify Sportsbook for betting online

Between these two resources, you will have plenty of information to help you find the right sportsbook for you! 

Of course, it is not a bad idea to sign up at more than one sportsbook either. This strategy will allow you to take advantage of different promotions and cover a wider range of odds.

Plus, sometimes odds are proceed differently across sportsbooks, and having this comparison can help you be a smarter bettor. 

When to sign up at a sportsbook? 

How do you know when is the right moment to create an account at a sportsbook. This will ultimately be a personal decision. This moment is one that can come to you naturally or one that you can work towards.

It will be time to think about making an account when it sounds like fun!  If you are here reading this, you probably have successfully completed this first step. 

The next part is the one you can work towards. This involves making sure you do your research about which sportsbook will be best for you. Also, take a look at your entertainment budget and see how much room you have for gambling. 

Then the last bit before you is your time to sign up is to check out deposit methods. Are you familiar with Bitcoin? Make sure you know the pros and cons of each payment method and that you are set up to use the one that best suits you. 

The sportsbook sign up process 

The sportsbook sign up process will be different in each sportsbook. Each sportsbook is free to choose the flow that best suits their needs, and those of their players. 

Even geography can have an effect on this process. Canadian bookies are more likely to ask bettors if they want to set their own personal responsible gambling limits. This is not as common in other countries.

Sometimes this is because of legal regulations, and sometimes it is because of norms and customs. 

Expect the signup process at online sports betting sites to take just a few minutes. Some are as fast as 2 minutes, while others take up to 20 minutes, depending on how many security and identity verifications are included. 

Here’s how I did it:

Sign up flow

Bovada Mobile HomeMobile placeholer

Click ‘Bet Now’ anywhere on this page

Bovada Sign-up Screen Step TwoMobile placeholer

Fill in your personal details.

Bovada Sign-up Screen Step ThreeMobile placeholer

Create a security code – required for withdrawals.

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How to Sign Up at Online SportsbooksMobile placeholer

Potential snags in the sign up process 

Creating a sportsbook account is mostly straightforward, but snags do occur. And the consequences can be big, if you can’t verify your account, for example.

Let’s look at some of the potential obstacles and how to sidestep them. 

One thing to keep an eye on are typographical errors, typos. Almost all of us make small mistakes when we type. This is normally no big deal with auto-correct. 

But when you are making a password, or putting in a phone number that you will later have to verify, this can be a problem. All of this is especially fraught on betting sites, as this information will later have to match your identity documents.

Another potential problem is not receiving the email confirmation. You can often solve this by waiting a few more minutes or by checking your spam folder. 

If you run into issues during the process, you can always contact their customer service department. Reputable sportsbooks will all have phone numbers or emails for you to get some help. 

The importance of security and verification

While signing up, you will provide your personal information to the sportsbook. This information likely includes an address, a phone number, your name, and date of birth. 

The Importance Of Security And Verification

You will later have to verify this information, so make sure it is correct.

Sportsbooks generally require a scan for the front and back of a government-issued ID, a picture of your credit card, and a utility bill addressed to you. 

This is an extra-step that prevents fraud and makes sure that you and only you will be able to get a hold of your winnings. It may seem like a hassle, but, after all, you earned this money, and you deserve to have it safe. 

About the Author

Chris Boline
Chris Boline

As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.

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