All sportsbooks were not created equal. The Internet has given us unprecedented choice when it comes to betting on sports online. I am going to list a few of my must-have items for online sportsbooks. Does your current sportsbook have these features? If not, perhaps it's time to check around for a new sportsbook.

Feature One: Security

It all starts and ends with security. If an online sportsbook is not secure, there's nothing else to talk about. For security, I look at a couple things. Is the online sportsbook licensed and regulated by a government entity? I want to make sure there's some sort of bond backing up the actions of the sportsbook. Another key point is Internet security. Is the sportsbook using the latest and greatest in security methods? I certainly don't want to deposit my money just to find all my personal financial information spread around the Internet a week later.

Feature Two: Depositing Methods

An online sportsbook absolutely must have many depositing options. For me, the critical one is 3rd party options, like NETeller. Using a 3rd party depositing service like NETeller or FirePay should be like second nature for anyone gambling online. Rather that spreading your vital financial information to many parties around the web, use one source to handle your money. Once you have money in NETeller or FirePay, you can simply send money back and forth to many online sportsbooks. As far as I am concerned, you should never do things any differently.

Feature Three: Action

You might be surprised to learn this, but not all sportsbooks have the same events up for betting. Take horse racing for instance. Many sportsbooks fall short in this category. Another area where sportsbooks vary is prop bets. If you love prop bets or future bets, it's best to shop around for multiple sports books. It's very rare to find one sports book that has it all. Usually, you think they have it all until you find another sportsbook with other options. In the old days, Vegas sports bettors would have to drive around town looking for a good deal. Today, you can just click over to multiple online sportsbooks and find the deal you want.

These are three very important features. They are must-have features for me. Online sportsbooks come big and small. The competitive winning sports bettor will want to have accounts at a few or more to get the best deals and the most action. Before jumping into any online sportsbook, do your research, and make sure the online sportsbook is reputable. Research is becoming very easy these days as there are sites setup specifically for this purpose.