Before you sign up with an online sportsbook, make sure that you know what to look for before you begin. Many operators provide moneyline odds for a variety of sports, including football, baseball, and hockey. However, you should be aware that moneyline odds can differ significantly depending on the sportsbook and the operator you choose. Fortunately, legal sportsbooks are generally safe and secure. You should also avoid offshore sites and black markets, as they are not regulated.

The biggest benefit of betting online is the convenience factor. Unlike in-person sports betting, you can place a wager whenever you feel like it. While betting at a horse track or sportsbook may be tempting, you are likely to be distracted by others. By using an online sportsbook, you can place your wagers from any device, including your smartphone or tablet. You can also view live odds of any sport and have a look at the betting odds from different sites, all from the comfort of your own home.

Some research suggests that problematic bettors are more likely to consider themselves professional or semi-professional gamblers. This is surprising, since previous studies have consistently found that a majority of problematic online gamblers also engage in gambling offline. However, the ‘professional’ label may be a misguided rationalization for problem gambling. Alternatively, race betters may suffer from ‘delusions of expertise’ resulting from the inherent difficulties of self-assessing their betting skill based on betting returns.