SportingBet Review
Sportingbet were founded by businessman Mark Blandford back in 1997. The UK-based firm was one of the pioneers of online gambling and now services customers in more than 200 countries across the world taking in excess of one million wagers every day. As well as sports betting, they have provided gaming services under the Paradise Poker and Paradise Casino brand names following the acquisition of these business in 2004.
In 2012, the company was subject to a multi-million pound takeover by William Hill and Isle of Man-based GVC Holdings (who also own Bwin, Foxy Bingo and PartyPoker).
Betting Choice
Sportingbet offer a decent range of sports events with around 30 regularly featured in the sportsbook. The most common markets can be instantly accessed from the home page, while more niche events are never more than a click away. As with many modern bookies, they also offer a range of special bets and cover non-sporting markets with political and show business bets.
They do go deep on the popular sports such as football where you will find markets in around 800 leagues with close to a 1000 matches offered on a live in-play basis each week. This kind of depth is attractive to regular punters who like to hunt for value in lesser known areas.
Sportingbet are less competitive on pricing than some of the other major players. So punters looking to maximise their yield at every opportunity might look elsewhere. Having said that, they do rank highly on value on certain markets such as baseball and other major American sports.
The company seem to favour keeping things fairly simple so beginners should not take too long to get their heads around the site layout. The website is bright and clearly laid out although it does look slightly dated when compared to some of its rivals.
This theme also runs through their social media accounts (YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter) which can all be accessed right from the homepage. They also offer a mobile app which is packed full of features to make gambling on the go a breeze. There is a TouchID log-in system, an in-play tab and a quick bet feature. As mobile betting apps go, it actually one of the best out there and is perhaps reason enough to open an account.
Withdrawals and deposits
Sportingbet customers can deposit or withdraw money using the following methods: • PayPal • Skrill • Visa • Maestro • MasterCard • Paysafecard • Neteller • Laser • Switch • Delta
Processing times for all transactions will depend on your method of payment and you should consult your preferred provider for full details.
Bonuses and offers
Sportingbet offer plenty of bonuses and incentives to get you on board and then keep you as a customer. The sign-up bonus offers up to £50 in free bets although it is slightly more complicated to claim than some other bonuses from leading rivals.
New customers must opt in to claim the offer and place an initial bet of £10 or more at odds of 1.5 or greater. The nest part of the bonus is triggered when you have placed your next five bets and is equal to the average amount wagered across all five bets up to £15. The final part is triggered when you have placed a total 10 bets with the same terms applied. As long as this is completed within 40 days, you will receive a bonus up to a maximum of £50.
This is actually easier than it sound but it may be a little complicated for novices to get their heads around. There is a weekly free bet club for mobile customers and regular money back offers on horse racing. The punter that place the most bets via the mobile app can also win a free bet of £250.
Customer Service
Telephone customer service hours are 10:00 AM – 20:30 PM GMT which is rather restrictive when compared to the 24/7 service offered by most big players. This also applies to live chat an email, so you will have to wait to resolve any issues outside of these hours.
Phone line are available to customers in the following countries: • UK • Canada • Finland • Sweden • Norway • Singapore
There is a help centre which attempts to answer the most frequently asked questions without the need to contact a member of the support team.
Conclusion
As a pioneer of online gambling, you would expect Sportingbet to be leading the way in this field. Unfortunately this is not the case and there is plenty of room for improvement here. Maybe they rested on their laurels for too long but right now Sportingbet are playing catch up to their rivals.
That is not to say that there are not good things from the UK firm. The mobile experience is great and their in-play service is one of the best if you love tennis or football. The recent takeover means they are backed by one of the biggest names in the business and that also brings the kind of security that the major players can offer. New users will love the interface - however, the sign-up bonus could be streamlined a little to make it more attractive.
What’s more, those looking to wager on American sports should find the odds very competitive and for fans of other sports, the sheer choice of events should also appeal. Overall, Sportingbet offers a solid, no-frills betting portal that is worth adding to your list if you want to expand your betting opportunities.