SBK Review 2024 & Expert Rating

SBK has become one of the most popular online sports betting platforms in recent times.

With an appealing interface and competitive odds offerings, SBK has attracted many bettors looking for a modern, mobile-optimised betting experience.

In this detailed SBK sportsbook review, we’ll provide an inside look at our personal user experience with the SBK platform.

We’ll highlight the standout features and usability of the platform, as well as discuss the major pros and cons.

The goal is to provide you with all the necessary information to determine if SBK is the ideal choice for your betting needs.

Throughout this SBK review, we will evaluate the platform’s primary features using a qualitative, points-based scale. These points will be converted into star ratings.

For more information on how we test view here.

Overall Rating – 3.8 stars

Overall, we give SBK a rating of 3.8 stars, based on an overall score of 69 and an average of 76%.

SBK hits the key marks across safety, mobile experience, competitive odds, and customer support.

Stringent regulation, encrypted transactions, biometric login, smooth app navigation and a solid range of payment options reinforce the platform’s appeal.

While light on some niche competitions and lacking a desktop site, SBK gets the essentials right.

The intuitive bet builder and integrated live streaming demonstrate thoughtful functionality for key areas like football wagering.

We would recommend SBK to anyone seeking a reliable and mobile-optimised betting experience.

As a newer brand, SBK may have some room to grow. But initial indications point towards a modern sportsbook focused on usability and added value for mobile-first users.

Here’s a breakdown of how SBK performed:

Here’s a rundown of the overall pros and cons of SBK:

Pros

• Licensed by UKGC and MGA for safety and security

• Robust mobile app with an intuitive interface

• Competitive odds and betting markets

• Variety of deposit/withdrawal options

• Generous welcome bonus

Cons

• Limited live streaming capabilities

• Less extensive niche markets

• Occasional login issues on mobile

• No desktop site access

• Support wait times can be long

Safety – 5 stars

SBK takes safety and security very seriously.

From licences to data encryption, the sportsbook operator has implemented robust measures to protect users.

Licences

SBK holds licences from both the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority.

These strict regulators ensure SBK follows best practices around safety, fairness, and responsible gambling.

The UKGC in particular is known for its stringent requirements, including identity verification, audits, and player fund segregation.

Security

User data security is a top priority. All transactions on SBK are secured with SSL encryption to safeguard personal and financial information from hackers and malware.

Additionally, the app allows using Touch ID for convenient and secure login. By supporting biometric authentication, SBK decreases reliance on passwords which can be stolen or leaked.

Track Record

With oversight from the UKGC and MGA, SBK has maintained a clean track record when it comes to safety.

Both regulators conduct ongoing audits and investigations to ensure compliance from licence holders.

The fact that SBK continues holding these licences indicates they have avoided major security incidents, complaints, or violations.

Pros

• Stringent UKGC and MGA regulation

• SSL encryption of all transactions

• Touch ID login for security and convenience

• Commitment to promoting safer gambling

Cons

• None

Mobile Betting App – 4 stars

As a mobile-only platform, the SBK betting app delivers an intuitive user experience optimised for Android and iOS devices.

With its uncluttered design and logical layout, punters can swiftly access markets, place wagers, and monitor bets with ease.

Look and Feel

The SBK app impresses at first glance with its professional aesthetics centred around usability. The focused layout wastes no space yet still surfaces the features you need.

Animated transitions between screens feel polished while black and green colours reinforce the premium vibe.

Simplicity and functionality have guided the minimalist design.

Navigating the app is seamless, with menus and filters that respond instantly.

Whether tweaking an accumulator bet or topping up your account balance, key tasks take just a tap or two thanks to the pared-back yet highly functional interface.

Making a Bet

Placing wagers is smooth and efficient. The app makes light work of searching leagues or building multiples with handy filters and one-touch bet selection.

The stripped-back bet slip activates with a tap, neatly presenting options to set stakes, system bets, and submit wagers in seconds.

User Experience

With its mobile-centric focus, the SBK app offers an accessible experience for all users.

Seasoned punters can dive into niche markets and betting variants while casual fans can easily flutter on this weekend’s matches.

Our only critique would be the lack of accompanying stats beyond basic form and tables.

But overall, usability stands out as a hallmark. With features logically placed and transitions streamlined for smaller screens, even first-time users should feel at home within minutes.

Check out our roundup of the best UK betting apps to see how SKB compares.

Pros

• Intuitive mobile interface

• Stripped back, functional design

• Swift navigation and betting

• Generous opening promotions

Cons

• Occasional login issues

• No desktop or browser version

Website – 3 stars

The SBK website offers a slick modern design but lacks key features for desktop users.

Look and Feel

The website has an attractive black, white and green colour scheme. Pages load quickly with clean, uncluttered layouts.

Visuals are eye-catching with prominent banners showcasing live in-play betting.

However, the UK betting site mostly serves as a gateway to push users towards SBK’s mobile apps. There is no option to register or place bets through the desktop site.

User Experience

While visually appealing, the SBK website itself has limited functionality. Users cannot sign up, deposit funds, or access betting markets without using the iOS or Android apps.

The website is essentially a vehicle to direct traffic to SBK’s mobile platforms. Without the ability to bet on a desktop, the site does not offer a complete experience.

Pros

• Modern visual design

• Quick page loads

• Promotes mobile apps

Cons

• No desktop registration/betting

• Limited features beyond visuals

Deposits and Withdrawals – 4 stars

SBK stands out with its impressive array of payment options, offering a level of variety that surpasses many competitors.

The platform’s deposit limits are notably generous, accommodating a wide range of user preferences.

Deposits

When it comes to depositing funds, SBK users have access to:

• Visa and Mastercard debit cards

• E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller

• Bank transfers

The minimum deposit for most methods is an accessible £10, with no specified maximum for debit cards and e-wallets, except for PayPal, which is capped at £5,500.

It’s important to note that while SBK doesn’t impose maximum deposit limits on debit cards and certain e-wallets, individual providers may have restrictions.

Making a Deposit

To deposit funds into your SBK account, simply:

• Navigate to the cashier section after logging in

• Choose your preferred method of payment

• Input the amount you wish to deposit along with any necessary payment details

• Confirm the transaction to complete the deposit

Deposits are typically processed promptly, allowing you to start betting without delay.

Withdrawals

SBK’s withdrawal process mirrors the convenience of its deposits. The minimum withdrawal amount is set at £10 for most methods.

Bank transfers, however, may take 3-5 business days to process.

Withdrawals are typically returned to the source of funds used for depositing. SBK processes withdrawal requests daily, aiming to ensure that funds reach your account swiftly.

Making a Withdrawal

To withdraw your winnings from SBK:

• Head to the cashier and select the withdrawal option

• Pick the method you prefer for the withdrawal

• Specify the withdrawal amount

• Confirm the details and submit your request

While SBK does not charge fees for withdrawals, it’s wise to check if there may be any fees from your payment provider.

Pros

• A broad selection of payment methods

• Low minimum deposit requirements

• High deposit limits for most methods

• No fees for deposits or withdrawals from SBK

Cons

• Cryptocurrency options not available

• Bank transfers have longer processing times

• PayPal has a higher minimum deposit and a maximum limit

Markets – 3.5 stars

SBK offers betting on a wide variety of sports, spanning both mainstream and niche competitions.

There is decent market depth for high-profile events and leagues. However, niche market coverage falls slightly short of some competitors.

Sports

SBK allows wagering on 25 sports including popular options like football, tennis, and basketball along with more obscure selections such as cycling and handball.

The football betting markets are quite extensive. For a typical Premier League game, there are well over 100 sub-markets to choose from.

These cover match outcomes, goalscorers, Asian handicaps, both teams to score, and more.

Even less popular leagues have a good amount of betting varieties. The market depth here can match up well with leading UK bookmakers.

Odds

We compared SBK’s odds for upcoming events across football, NBA, and other sports with major bookies.

The prices are highly competitive, especially for high-profile matches and well-known leagues.

However, SBK’s odds tend to be lower than some rivals when it comes to niche competitions or proposition bets.

But for mainstream markets, the odds stack up nicely against the top UK brands.

Pros

• 25+ sports covered with good depth on major markets

• Over 100 sub-markets for top football leagues

• Competitive odds on mainstream betting

Cons

• Less extensive niche competition coverage

• Lower pricing on some prop and obscure bets

Pre-Match Betting – 4 stars

SBK provides a robust pre-match betting experience for UK punters.

With highly competitive odds and a slick mobile interface, it stacks up well against top online bookmakers.

There is room for added depth in some areas, but SBK hits the key marks for modern sports wagering.

Coverage

Football coverage is excellent, with extensive Premier League markets and sharp prices on Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and more top competitions.

SBK also offers a strong variety of tennis, cricket, golf, boxing, MMA and US sports. Market depth lags slightly behind some rivals, but most bettors will find what they need.

The odds are a standout, frequently besting average market prices across sports. SBK’s margins are lower than traditional UK bookies. This provides a slight boost to long-term payouts.

Bet Builder

SBK provides a smooth bet builder for football and other sports.

You can easily combine selections like goal scorers, cards, corners, etc. in single games or across multiple matches. This is more intuitive than most other bookies.

Pros

• Highly competitive pre-match odds

• Slick mobile experience

• Intuitive bet builder

Cons

• Less extensive markets than some rivals

In-Play Betting – 3.5 stars

SBK provides a smooth in-play betting experience with quick access to varied live markets across popular sports.

Useful match statistics and live streaming bolster the platform, although more in-depth data would be beneficial.

Live Offer

Navigating to the live betting section is extremely easy via a prominent lightning bolt icon.

This provides access to all currently available in-play markets where odds accurately reflect real-time events.

In terms of choice, SBK performs well across its 25+ covered sports.

Top competitions see hundreds of distinct in-play betting opportunities with exotic prop bets complementing traditional wager types. The depth rivals top-tier sportsbooks.

However, the in-play interface on SBK’s mobile app requires some polish to optimise usability. And while useful, the stats and graphics lag behind some competitors in detail and depth.

Bet & Watch

An integrated live streaming service allows customers to watch thousands of live sports events every month directly from SBK’s platforms with no added subscription or payments.

Streaming events simultaneously alongside in-play odds significantly bolsters the live betting experience.

The “bet and watch” functionality enables players to react to real-time action by quickly placing additional wagers.

Live Scores and Match Stats

When live streams are unavailable, SBK still provides live score updates and statistical match data like possession percentage and shot totals for ongoing contests.

While beneficial for informed wagering, the depth of information varies between sports. More in-depth statistics would improve the platform’s utility for in-play betting.

Pros

• Quick access to hundreds of live betting markets

• Integrated live streaming capabilities

• Live odds accurately reflect real-time events

Cons

• Match statistics lack depth compared to some competitors

• Occasional lag during peak traffic

Welcome Incentive – 4 stars

SBK offers a solid welcome incentive for new UK customers to earn extra funds to bet with.

You can claim a £30 free bet to use on your first wager of £10.

Claiming the Offer

The process to claim SBK’s welcome offer takes just a few simple steps:

1. Register a new account

2. Make a first deposit of at least £10 with a debit card

3. Place a £10 qualifying bet at minimum odds of 1.5

4. A £30 free bet will then be credited to your account within 72 hours to use on any market

It’s an extremely easy new customer offer to take advantage of. Just remember to use a debit card when depositing to qualify.

Other methods like PayPal or Skrill do not activate the bonus.

Comparative Offers

While some competitor welcome offers may provide higher bonus amounts, SBK’s incentive is still of strong value. Especially when combined with their user-friendly platform.

Pros

• Easy to claim

Cons

• Only debit cards eligible for bonus

Customer Service – 4 stars

SBK provides good customer service through various channels like social media, in-app live chat, email, phone, and more.

While availability is not 24/7, the service is generally timely, friendly, and informative.

Live Chat

The live chat feature integrated directly into the SBK app allows for convenient real-time assistance.

Though wait times can reach 5-10 minutes during peak times, agents are courteous and patient. They can sufficiently handle common questions about deposits, withdrawals, bets, etc.

More complex technical issues may require escalation.

Email & Social Media

Sending an email to SBK’s customer support team or messaging them on social media typically yields a response within 24 hours.

The responses are personalised and address the specific issue raised.

Though they rely somewhat on templates, agents make an effort to tailor guidance to the user’s situation.

This minimises back and forth.

Phone

SBK’s UK customer service line connects quickly when called during operating hours (9 am – 12 am daily).

Short 1-2 minute hold times give agents time to wrap up earlier calls.

While aimed at beginner questions, agents have improved their technical expertise over time through accumulated experience.

Pros

• Multiple contact channels – social, chat, email, phone

• Generally quick connections

• Friendly and informative service

Cons

• Support not 24/7

• Peak wait times up to 10 minutes

• Complex issues require escalation

Final Thoughts

SBK hits the key marks for a modern, mobile-focused sportsbook.

With an intuitive interface, competitive odds, varied markets, and solid safety credentials, SBK delivers a polished user experience.

While the platform has room to grow by expanding niche competitions and adding desktop access, SBK gets the mobile essentials right.

Features like smooth bet building, integrated streaming, and biometric login demonstrate thoughtful functionality.

For UK punters seeking a contemporary betting provider with appealing odds and a slick app, SBK warrants strong consideration.

FAQs