Despite only being founded just before the new millennium, Sportingbet has grown into one of the most recognisable British betting brands. With more than two million customers around the world, this might not be the biggest UK bookmaker around, but it has some of the very best promotions around. The firm also prides itself on its great customer service, although the sportsbook is not as varied as many as the other online bookmakers available on the internet. It is claimed by the bookie that it takes one million bets per day, although this includes everything it offers on the full site, while their odds could be a touch better. Read on for the BettingTop10 review to find out how Sportingbet compares to the other top bookies in the UK.
The mobile platform is one of the most straightforward in the gambling industry and, as such, it can be a very good first bookie for betting beginners. Odds can be found and compared very easily, but in-play betting on the mobile site could do with being streamlined as the process is a touch cluttered compared to some other UK bookmakers. The Sportingbet app can be downloaded on to your smartphone too, from the App Store, which enables you to bet on the move, so the bookie’s mobile options have everything most punters will possibly need, including a calculator. For those who want to make sure their betting account is safe and secure, the Sportingbet mobile service uses the same HTTPS connection as a computer browser, so there are no problems there. You can also make card withdrawals via your mobile, but if you want to use any of the online payment solutions offered by Sportingbet you will have to head to the desktop site instead.
There are a few different deposit options on the list at Sportingbet and it is easy enough to add funds to your account in just a moment or two after you login. Credit and debit cards are accepted and this will be the main way most people use to top up their Spotingbet account, while you will have to withdraw your profits on to the same card as well. In addition to the standard debit cards and credit cards, Sportingbet enables its customers to use some online payment services to keep their accounts in the black. The main three – PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller – are all available for users and these have the benefit of withdrawals being processed a bit faster than they are for cards. However, Sportingbet insists in its terms that the minimum deposit made by either a card or an online payment company is £10 – although deposits can be boosted by using a promo code. The betting website also advises withdrawals will take up to five working days to come out of your betting account and into your bank account.
It is fair to say that the customer support options are a little bit more basic compared to some of the best betting websites out there in the UK. There is no live chat function available on the site – whereas this is now standard with most of the major British bookies, although there is a decent help section with a good FAQ on the website. Furthermore, the only hours that the contact and customer service lines are open at are 10:00 AM – 20:30 PM GMT, so if you have a query outside of those times you have to wait. However, the phone number needed to get in touch with Sportingbet is at least free, with 0800 0280348 the number required to speak to one of the bookmaker’s agents. There is also a contact form available on the website for those who would rather use email to get in touch with Sportingbet about a problem.
Sportingbet is a bit smaller compared to a lot of the best big-name options in the UK bookmaker industry, but this can also be a good thing. A solid sign-up bonus is on offer and there are regular free bet promotions too, so there are plenty of offers to take advantage of and live betting shows up well too. Odds are usually good – particularly for football betting and horse races – although it is fair to say that prices for other sports could sometimes be better. Stats are available on the website for its sportsbook and live markets, which helps you to check whether your bet is likely to be a winner or not. However, it has to be said that a lot of the more advanced gambling options expected by punters in the 21st century – such as cash out and live streaming – are simply not present. BettingTop10 recommends Sportingbet as a good starter online bookie, but for those who want more options and a better mobile offering may need to look elsewhere.
