If you’re looking for a new betting site to use in conjunction with your favorite sports, you may have come across BetRivers.
At a glance, this platform looks to be a great choice for any sports bettor in the US.
But, is this platform worth your time and money, or does the US market have more attractive sportsbooks?
In this review, I will answer this question by scrutinizing every minute detail of the BetRivers platform, so you can get a feeling for what it’s like to use on an everyday basis.
We use a points-based system, to calculate an objective, overall star-based rating. For more information on how we rate view here.
Overall rating – 4 stars
Overall, I give BetRivers a rating of four stars based on an average of 78.7% and an overall score of 70.8.
BetRivers is a very strong betting site with a wide range of markets, a great live-streaming service, and solid customer support.
However, the website is poor, the app is worse than competitors and the welcome incentive is uninspiring. These flaws massively take away from the overall user experience.
Here’s a breakdown of how BetRivers performed:
Category | Points | Star rating |
---|---|---|
Safety | 9.4 | 5 stars |
Mobile Betting Site | 7.5 | 4 stars |
Web Betting Site | 5.2 | 3 stars |
Deposits and Withdrawals | 7.7 | 4 stars |
Markets | 9.4 | 5 stars |
Pre-Match Betting | 9.4 | 5 stars |
In-Play Betting | 9.5 | 5 stars |
Welcome Incentive | 3.8 | 2.5 stars |
Customer Support | 8.9 | 4.5 stars |
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of BetRivers:
Pros
Great selection of markets
Innovative pre-match betting options
Great live betting and streaming service
Cons
Poor website
Mobile app could also use work
Welcome incentive is much worse than competitors
Safety – 5 stars
BetRivers is an extremely safe and trusted platform, with the legal right to operate in several US states.
The company also has a clean track record and makes use of high-quality security technology to protect your account and sensitive information from hackers.
Licenses
BetRivers holds a gambling license in the following states:
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia
If you live in one of these states, then you can legally use BetRivers to your heart’s content. If you live in a state that’s not listed, however, you won’t be able to use the platform.
As BetRivers continues to grow, it will inevitably gain licenses in new states and jurisdictions. You can keep up to date on which states BetRivers is legally entitled to operate in by visiting its website.
Security
BetRivers also makes use of an abundance of security measures to protect your financial information and data. The website, for instance, uses an SSL certificate to encrypt your data from outside threats.
The company also makes use of two-factor authentication to improve the safety of each user’s account.
Track record
Perhaps the best way to check a company’s de facto safety is by looking at its history. Luckily, BetRivers’ is squeaky clean.
The company was first founded back in 2012, by a group with years of experience in the gambling space. Over the following twelve years, BetRivers has only ever shown perfect behavior and its security measures have never been breached.
Therefore, you can rest assured that BetRivers is a safe betting site to use.
Pros
Holds a gambling license in multiple states
High-quality security tech in place
Great track record
Cons
None
Mobile betting app – 4 stars
BetRivers’ mobile app is very reliable and easy to use.
The company also capitalizes on geolocation software for an even smoother experience.
However, the design is a little dated, and not quite as sleek as competitors.
Look and feel
BetRivers makes use of a pretty standard app layout, with a navigation bar for markets at the top of the screen, and a second bar at the bottom for miscellaneous tabs like customer support.
While this layout is familiar and easy to navigate, the surrounding design doesn’t feel amazing. The app uses a white background, with light blue boxes for each wager type.
Because of the use of two light colors, nothing pops out, making the design look pretty bland and mundane overall. The black and white navigation icons don’t help the boring look either.
Making a bet
To make a bet through BetRivers, follow these steps:
Create an account and log in through the BetRivers mobile app
Navigate through the markets section until you find the event you’d like to place a bet on
Scroll through the different wager types on offer until you find the one you’d like to use
Click on the odds fraction to add the wager to your bet slip
Select the amount you’d like to wager, and when you’re finished, hit ‘Place Bet’
User experience
Overall, I had a pretty enjoyable experience with BetRivers’ mobile app.
The mobile app’s strengths lie in its functionality. Navigating through the plethora of markets is a breeze thanks to the navigational menu and high-quality search function.
Making a bet also couldn’t be easier, and the bet slip makes it easy to see exactly how much you’re spending before you place a bet.
Overall smoothness is also enhanced thanks to BetRivers’ use of geolocation software, which slightly optimizes the app depending on the state you live in.
This doesn’t make a major difference to performance but is still a great touch nonetheless.
My biggest gripe with the mobile app is its bland design. In my view, the light color scheme doesn’t look nearly as professional as a competitor like DraftKings, and some of the menus just feel incomplete as a result of the color palette.
However, my complaints don’t go beyond the superficial, and from a functional viewpoint, it’s hard to fault BetRivers’ mobile app.
Check out our roundup of the best sports betting apps in the US to see how BetRivers compares.
Pros
Functions excellently
User-friendly layout
Cons
Design is uninspired
Website – 3 stars
The BetRivers website doubles down on all of the mobile app’s weaknesses and unfortunately doesn’t have many redeeming features aside from easy navigation.
Look and feel
If you thought the mobile app looked bland, then you haven’t seen anything.
The website takes this boring, monotone design to a whole new level, making for a website that looks like it took fifteen minutes to design.
Aside from its boring design, the website’s home page is also cluttered with useless tabs like a news section which isn’t personalized, and a ‘Real Winners’ tab which just shows pointless examples of people making winning bets.
On the plus side, navigation is excellent thanks to the implementation of the same menus and search feature used in the mobile app.
User experience
As you might imagine, my experience with the BetRivers website was mixed, to say the least.
Starting with the positives, BetRivers has at least carried over its great menus and search bar to the website, which makes finding a specific market incredibly easy. Making a bet is also a simple process.
However, this is where my compliments end, because virtually every other feature was sub-par. For one, the design, like the mobile app, is mundane and uninspired.
The pointless right-hand news menu is also incredibly annoying, and makes for a flashy distraction that’s not even useful! It also covers up your bet slip between bets which makes placing several bets more of a headache than it needs to be.
Therefore, I would highly recommend only using BetRivers’ mobile app, if you can get away with it.
Pros
Navigation is simple
Placing a bet couldn’t be easier
Cons
Same, bland design
Annoying news tab on the right-hand side
Deposits and withdrawals – 4 stars
BetRivers has a great selection of deposit methods, which are free to make and instant.
The selection of withdrawal methods, on the other hand, is disappointingly low.
Deposits
If you’re looking to deposit money to your BetRivers account, you can do so in the following ways:
Visa
Maestro
Mastercard
PayPal
Discover
PayNearMe
eCheck
All of these payment methods are completely free to make, and process instantly, meaning you’ll be able to fund your account within a matter of seconds!
Whenever you decide to make a deposit, you’ll need to be willing to part with at least $10.
Crypto payments are, however, not accepted at this time. However, virtually no US betting site accepts this payment type at the time of writing.
Making a deposit
To deposit BetRivers, follow these steps:
Log in to your account and head to the account menu. You can do this by clicking on your profile picture in the bottom menu
When in your account menu, you should see a ‘Deposit’ option. Click on this
You should be taken to a screen where you can choose the amount you’d like to deposit, as well as your preferred payment method
Fill out the required details, and when you’re ready, hit confirm. The money should land in your account instantly
Withdrawals
While the methods for depositing money into your BetRivers account are plentiful, the ways to withdraw are somewhat lacking.
There are only four methods to withdraw money, these being:
Bank payment
Check
PayPal
BetRivers Play+ Card
On the plus side, all of these withdrawal methods are completely free and come with a low withdrawal amount of just $10.
The withdrawal times are also pretty good, and if you withdraw money through PayPal, you’ll likely receive your funds on the same day.
Making a withdrawal
To make a withdrawal through BetRivers, follow these steps:
Head to your account menu
Click on the ‘withdrawals’ icon
Choose the amount you’d like to withdraw and confirm your payment details
Hit confirm and wait for the money to roll in
Pros
Plenty of deposit options available
Free to make deposits and withdrawals
Low minimum deposit and withdrawal amount
Cons
Withdrawal methods are sparse
Markets – 5 stars
BetRivers does a perfect job of covering a wide range of markets in great depth, and whether you’re looking to bet on the NFL or a smaller cricket league, BetRivers will be able to provide.
Popular markets
At heart, BetRivers is an all-US company, and as such, it covers the major four US leagues extensively. The NFL is particularly well covered, and BetRivers does an excellent job of releasing up-to-date player props at the start of each game.
College football and basketball fans will also be pleased to hear that BetRivers does a great job of covering the main college sports market.
This market is enjoyed by both casual and experienced bettors alike, due to its immense volatility, and is a great market to try out if you’re looking for some higher risk, higher reward options.
Niche markets
If you’re not into these major US sports, then don’t worry, as BetRivers does a stellar job of covering less popular, more niche options.
Every sport across the alphabet is available through BetRivers, and within each market, plenty of different leagues, teams, and athletes are available to bet on.
What impressed me the most about the selection of niche sports was how well they were covered. If you’re betting on a cricket game, for instance, you won’t be limited to simply picking a match winner.
Instead, you’ll be able to place more specific bets on outcomes like the top bowler for the match and the total runs for each game.
This versatility massively enhances the overall usability of BetRivers for these markets, and you can tell that the company isn’t just covering them for the sake of it.
Pros
Dozens of sports available
Plenty of different bets to make
Cons
None
Pre-match betting – 5 stars
BetRivers puts its range of markets to good use with an excellent pre-match betting service.
Thanks to the range of bets available, and user-friendly interface, making a bet before a big game couldn’t be easier.
Coverage
BetRivers’ pre-match betting service is extensive. Of course, you’ll find standard betting options for every market, but beyond this, most markets come with the potential to make speculative futures bets.
This variety helps to keep wagers interesting, and of course, opens you up to some higher-payout options.
Prop hub
One of BetRivers’ most unique features is its ‘Prop Hub’ page, which puts dozens of player prop betting options on one page before a game, to make navigation much easier.
This is a great touch, especially for bigger NHL games which can be a nightmare to navigate through, due to the sheer number of wagers available.
Parlays
BetRivers also does a great job with its parlay service, offering users the ability to create same-game parlays by clicking the ‘New’ tab.
Same-game parlays are limited to NFL and NCAAF markets at the time of writing.
However, this coverage is still better than the vast majority of BetRivers’ competitors, who offer no such service.
Pros
Extensive pre-match coverage of all markets
Prop hub is a great idea
Cons
Same-game parlay service could use expansion
In-play betting – 5 stars
BetRivers’ in-play betting is even better than its pre-match options, due to the variety of bets available, user-friendly interface, and great live streaming options.
Markets
Like its pre-match options, BetRivers offers users an extensive array of live betting options, in all of the sports that it covers.
The odds are virtually always on par, or even better than the markets too, meaning you’ll always be getting the most bang for your buck in a live situation.
BetRivers’ live betting interface is also excellent. Throughout the game, you’ll be updated through a real-time animation of the game, which feels almost as good as watching the real thing.
It can also help you to decide on which live bets you’ll make during a match.
Live streaming
Perhaps even better than the actual live betting is BetRivers’ live streaming service. The company offers a complimentary streaming service to dozens of sports, provided you’ve made a wager within the last 24 hours.
Some of the most popular sports streamed by BetRivers right now include the NFL, tennis, soccer, and smaller baseball leagues.
Cash out
A final feature worth mentioning is the live ‘Cash Out’ option. This allows you to effectively cancel your bet before a match ends (subject to some restrictions), helping you to minimize losses if a game isn’t going your way.
Pros
Great selection of live markets
Sizeable live-streaming catalog
The out feature is great
Cons
None
Welcome incentive – 2.5 stars
BetRivers’ welcome incentive isn’t just unattractive; it’s flat-out worse than competitors.
On the bright side, the company does offer a nice referral scheme.
2024 incentive
As of 2024, BetRivers is offering users a risk-free bet of up to $500.
Essentially, if you make a qualifying bet and lose your money, BetRivers will reimburse your account with the amount you lost, up to the sum of $500.
How to redeem
To redeem this offer, follow these steps:
Create an account with BetRivers and wait for it to be verified
Once your account has been verified, deposit at least $10
Make a qualifying wager of at least $5
If you lose, BetRivers will reimburse your account
Comparative offers
This offer does look pretty good until you start comparing it to other betting sites’ bonuses. FanDuel, for instance, is offering users $150 in free bets should they win their first wager.
bet365, on the other hand, is offering new users a risk-free bet of up to $1,000 – double the coverage of BetRivers!
Therefore, if you’re looking for the best referral bonus from a US betting site, steer clear of BetRivers.
Other promotions
Admittedly, BetRivers does bolster its attractiveness to new clients through various other promotions, the best of which is a referral program.
This lets you claim up to $100 should the person you’re referring deposit the same amount into their account.
Pros
Good referral scheme
Incentive is good for new bettors
Cons
Referral bonus is measurably worse than competitors
Customer service – 4.5 stars
BetRivers has very strong customer service thanks to a variety of contact methods and a knowledgeable team.
However, wait times can be quite long during peak hours.
Live chat
BetRivers has a Live Chat service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It may take a few minutes to connect to an agent, but when you do, they will be happy to help, and will generally resolve even a complex issue in a matter of minutes.
Telephone
BetRivers also offers telephone support. Availability varies from state to state, but as long as you call in the daytime, you should be able to get through.
Wait times, like the live chat, can start to add up during peak times. However, once you connect to an agent they will be happy to help, not to mention extremely friendly.
It’s important to note that so few US betting sites even offer phone support, so the fact that BetRivers even offers the service is a massive point in its favor.
Finally, BetRivers offers a high-quality email service for any query you may have. Emails will normally be replied to within 24 hours, and contain detailed responses full of relevant links to the company’s FAQ section.
If you prefer, you can also reach out to BetRivers in the same format through X/Twitter or Facebook. This enhances the overall usability of BetRivers’ customer support that little bit further.
Pros
24/7 live chat
Phone support is available
Strong email support system
Cons
Support isn’t available 24/7
Final thoughts
BetRivers is a betting site with so much potential but is fundamentally let down by its website, withdrawal methods, and welcome bonus.
If these features were improved, BetRivers could compete with the likes of DraftKings and Caesars, because its actual offering of markets and the overall betting experience is some of the best on the market.
However, it’s the little details that make a platform, and BetRivers hasn’t quite got these details right yet.