Five tips that will turn you from a casual bettor to a punting pro

Sports betting has enjoyed a sharp increase in popularity over the last few years with millions of more gamblers joining the party. There are a few reasons behind this recent spike, with the most obvious being the growth of online betting. No longer are you required to travel to visit a registered casino or betting office. You can now gamble from the comfort of your own home using a desktop computer or on the go through a mobile app.

Online sports betting can be a source of fun and excitement for many, especially if you have a successful betting strategy. It allows you to ramp up your interest in a fixture by having a financial interest in the outcome. The most popular sports to wager on include horse racing, soccer, greyhounds, tennis and American Football. Others are forcing their way into the picture, including esports, which has moved from a niche market to one of the most used tabs at the biggest bookies.

If you love sport and have been thinking about getting involved in online betting, it's important you know exactly what you're doing before signing up with a bookie and using your hard-earned cash to gamble. Below, you'll find five expert betting tips that could transform you from a casual gambler into one making a regular profit on your favourite sports.

Licenses Owned.

Join the right bookie

A worker is only as good as their tools, and that is also true of the bettor. You must ensure you are gambling with the right bookie, one that gives you the best odds, the most generous welcome bonus, an extensive list of sports and markets to bet on and a wide range of promotions. The bookie should have as much passion for your favourite sport as you do.

You should insist on the highest level of customer service and the best possible betting experience. If your current sportsbook isn't giving you the VIP treatment, then plenty of others will.

Create a staking plan

Creating a staking plan and monitoring your spend is crucial to staying on top of how much you wager. The most popular staking plan is 1-5 points, with a one-point bet being an interest on an outsider and a five-point bet being a selection you are confident will win. Each point has a different value for different bettors.

Decide on the amount of cash you want to set aside for gambling every day, week or month and never exceed that. All professional bettors go through difficult times and barren spells, but they stick hard to their staking plan, whether they are winning or losing. An excellent way to decide how much you want to bet is to see it as how much you can afford to lose to gambling every month, and then any profits are seen as a bonus.

Research all bets

You can never do too much research on your bets, which applies to every wager you make. Before parting with your stake money, you should have all the necessary information at your disposal. Check up on the head-to-head scores between two teams, the recent form, injury or illness news, recent interviews, transfers, gossip. The more you know, the more likely you are to beat the bookies.

Research the markets offered by your bookie on a match. Don't simply jump to the market you have always bet on, such as the match winner, simply because you know it well. Look through the specials and see what's on offer. There may be a better way to bet and an easier way to make a profit.

Licenses Owned.

Monitor the cash-out

When placing a bet, you'll notice a cash-out value added to your bet slip. This will be equal to your stake but will rise and fall depending on how well your selection is doing. Monitor the cash-out value and consider taking any offer that gives you a decent profit.

Seek out in-play value

In-play betting is a feature that allows you to gamble on a match that has already begun, such as football or tennis. Watch the action closely on TV and keep your eyes peeled for any value. If you spot a pattern, such as an underdog performing better than expected, seize the value available on the in-play betting list.