Sportingbet is one of the most well-known online sports betting sites currently operating.
If you’re on the fence about where to lay down your next wager, Sportingbet could very well be the place that grabs your attention.
In this Sportingbet review, we will provide an in-depth look at our personal experiences using their platform.
We will highlight the biggest pros and cons we encountered, discuss any unique features they offer, and evaluate the overall ease-of-use and user-friendliness.
Our goal is to give you the information you need to determine if Sportingbet is a good fit for your sports betting interests.
Throughout this 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 – 4.2 stars
Overall, we give Sportingbet a rating of 4.2 stars, based on an overall score of 77 and an average of 85%.
Sportingbet is an excellent platform that excels in key areas like safety, competitive odds, banking options, and customer service.
Their dedication to innovation and providing a smooth user experience cement them as a top-tier UK bookmaker.
While not perfect, Sportingbet has very few weaknesses. Their live streaming capabilities and welcome offer value have some room for improvement compared to select rivals.
However, these are minor drawbacks given their strengths across critical categories like security, markets, and support.
We would readily recommend Sportingbet to any punter seeking a full-featured, trusted site to place their sports wagers.
Both recreational and serious bettors are well served by Sportingbet’s decades of regulated betting expertise and the comprehensive, user-friendly experience they offer.
Here’s a breakdown of how Sportingbet performed:
Category | Points | Star rating |
|---|---|---|
Safety | 10 | 5 stars |
Mobile betting site | 10 | 5 stars |
Website | 9 | 4.5 stars |
Deposits & withdrawals | 9 | 4.5 stars |
Markets | 8 | 4 stars |
Pre-match betting | 8 | 4 stars |
In-play betting | 7 | 3.5 stars |
Welcome incentive | 8 | 4 stars |
Customer support | 8 | 4 stars |
Here’s a rundown of the overall pros and cons of Sportingbet:
Pros
Very secure and licensed by the UKGC
Excellent mobile app for iOS and Android
Easy to use and navigate website
Wide range of deposit/withdrawal options
Competitive odds across major sports
Innovative welcome offer with challenges
Helpful customer service channels
Cons
Design of the website/app could be more innovative
Limited customisation options
Less live streaming compared to some sites
Welcome offer value lower than some competitors
Safety – 5 stars
Sportingbet offers UK players an extremely secure and safe betting experience.
Licences
Sportingbet holds a remote gambling licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
This ensures adherence to strict standards around player safety, responsible gambling, and fair games. The UKGC is widely regarded as the gold standard for betting regulation.
Sportingbet meeting its requirements provides assurance it takes safety and compliance seriously.
In addition, parent company Entain holds numerous licences for their brands across Europe. With decades of experience, they have proven trustworthiness in regulated markets.
Security
Sportingbet utilises 256-bit SSL encryption and has a 5-level security system with multiple firewalls.
This ensures player data and financial information is fully protected and inaccessible to unauthorised parties.
Players can also enable two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of account security. Sportingbet’s security standards meet or exceed industry norms.
As part of the Entain group, Sportingbet also benefits from the technical expertise and resources of a betting industry giant when it comes to cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
Track Record
With over 20 years in the business, Sportingbet has a long track record of reliable and safe operations.
They have avoided any major public controversies related to player funds or data being compromised.
Additionally, the Entain group has over 25 reputable betting brands operating globally.
Their proven success managing licences, security protocols, and compliance across different markets is reassuring.
Players can bet with high confidence knowing Sportingbet and its parent companies have decades of experience providing safe, regulated online betting.
Pros
UKGC licence proves adherence to strict safety standards
Utilises 256-bit SSL encryption
Part of a large, experienced gambling group in Entain
20+ year track record without safety controversies
Cons
None
Mobile Betting App – 5 stars
Available on both Android and iOS devices, the Sportingbet app brings the same brilliant design and smooth performance as the desktop site to your mobile.
This versatile accessibility makes it easy for any bettor to wager on the go.
Look and Feel
The app mirrors the visually striking web interface with colourful graphics and a clean layout. Pages load instantly and menus respond swiftly to taps and swipes.
Finding your way around takes no time at all thanks to the intuitive navigation. Whether you’re an Android or iPhone user, the app offers a top-notch experience.
Making a Bet
Wagering through the app proves just as simple as on a desktop. Upon opening, you can browse upcoming event odds or dive right into a specific sport.
The betting slip functionality makes building bets a breeze. Features like cash out and live streaming give you control over your wagers.
With fast page loading and transitions, placing bets feels seamless.
User Experience
In terms of features, the app gives up nothing to the desktop. The stellar in-play betting with live streams creates an immersive wagering environment.
The ability to customise notifications and colour schemes to your liking also demonstrates the app’s commitment to user experience.
Check out our roundup of UK betting apps to see how Sportingbet compares.
Pros
Stunning and responsive design
Hundreds of weekly live streams
Numerous deposit/withdrawal methods
Helpful features like cash out and bet builder
Fully customisable notifications
Cons
None
Website – 4 stars
Sportingbet offers a structurally brilliant website with a simple yet effective design.
Technically, it performs as close to flawless as an online betting site can get.
Look and Feel
The Sportingbet site keeps its aesthetics relatively simple, and easy on the eyes with a blue and white colour scheme.
The layout and structure are straightforward, avoiding clutter that could potentially cause headaches.
While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel design-wise, the conservative approach has huge benefits when it comes to usability.
With a staggering amount of content and options available, Sportingbet balances it beautifully, making navigation a breeze.
There’s no gimmicks or flashiness here. The focus is clearly on providing the best betting experience possible. By minimising fluff and wasted space, there’s more room for substance.
User Experience
Technically speaking, the Sportingbet site performs brilliantly during use. Everything moves smoothly without slowdowns, jitters, or serious flaws.
With their solid reputation in this area, it’s safe to say the positive technical performance is consistent.
Navigating the wealth of content is simple. Tabs at the top link to main sections like Live, Sports, Casino, Promotions and more.
Odds and matches are presented clearly on the main pages. Helpful videos explain promotional offers too.
Finding your way around is effortless. Unlike cluttered, headache-inducing sites, Sportingbet offers a clean and enjoyable user experience.
Pros
Structurally brilliant site layout
Technically flawless performance
Easy navigation with a straightforward design
Helpful explanatory videos for offers
Smooth user experience
Cons
Design plays it safe rather than innovative
Limited customisation options
Deposits and Withdrawals – 4 stars
Sportingbet stands out for its comprehensive range of deposit and withdrawal options, ensuring that UK users have access to a variety of banking methods tailored to their needs.
Deposits
Sportingbet’s deposit methods are diverse and user-friendly, including:
Debit and credit cards
E-wallets like PayPal and Skrill
Bank transfers
Paysafecard
Deposits at Sportingbet are designed to be instant and free of charge, with a standard minimum deposit of £10.
The platform’s commitment to convenience is evident, as it includes modern payment options like Google Pay and Apple Pay, alongside a selection of e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.
It’s important to note that UK customers cannot use credit cards due to regulatory restrictions, so only debit card options are available.
Making a Deposit
Navigate to your account and select ‘Deposit’
Choose from the available deposit methods
Enter the deposit amount and payment details
Confirm the transaction
Withdrawals
Withdrawals at Sportingbet are just as varied as deposit methods, with most options allowing for fee-free transactions.
The minimum withdrawal amount is slightly higher than some competitors, set at £30.
Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with most e-wallet transactions being completed instantly or within 24 hours, while bank transfers may take up to 5 working days.
Making a Withdrawal
Log into your account and click on ‘Withdrawal’
Select a withdrawal method (must be one previously used for deposits)
Enter the withdrawal amount
Confirm to initiate the withdrawal process
Pros
Extensive range of deposit and withdrawal methods
Instant deposits for most methods
No fees for depositing
Account verification enhances security
Cons
Credit card deposits are not available for UK users
Bank transfers may take longer compared to other methods
Markets – 4 stars
Sportingbet offers a wide selection of betting markets across over 35 different sports.
There are ample opportunities for bettors to find value with competitive odds in many cases.
Sports
You can bet on an extensive range of sports at Sportingbet including American football, Aussie rules, badminton, basketball, cricket, cycling, football, golf, handball, horse racing, and more.
Most major leagues and competitions within each sport are covered.
While they may not match some betting sites for absolute depth and obscure markets, Sportingbet still delivers more than enough choice for most bettors.
All the major sports and markets are covered extensively.
Odds
The odds at Sportingbet remain very competitive, especially for popular sports like football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
They are frequently among the best prices you’ll find from any reputable UK bookmakers across these mainstream sports.
You’ll usually get fair odds even for exotics, props and specials. Their margins are lower than average, which gives bettors better value opportunities to turn a profit long-term.
I’m pleased to say Sportingbet has increased the number of markets across individual fixtures, with some major events now having 50+ betting options.
This added depth is a welcome improvement.
Pros
Competitive odds across most major markets
Extensive range of sports covered
Live betting available
Frequent promotions
Cons
Lacks esports betting
Limited live streaming
Pre-Match Betting – 4 stars
Sportingbet stands out as a premier destination for pre-match betting, offering an astonishing selection of markets paired with quality odds.
This beautifully structured platform ensures a seamless betting experience for UK users.
Coverage
At the heart of Sportingbet’s appeal is its staggering array of sports, covering everything from mainstream favourites like football and tennis to niche interests such as Gaelic sports and biathlon.
The depth of markets available for each sport is truly impressive.
For example, rugby league enthusiasts can find dozens of markets for individual games, not to mention the variety available for other sports.
This extensive coverage ensures that there’s something for every bettor, regardless of their interests.
Moreover, Sportingbet’s odds quality is noteworthy. Their odds consistently rank highly across various sports, indicating a commitment to providing value to bettors.
The platform’s use of fractional odds and the inclusion of stats for live bets enhance the betting experience, offering bettors the insights they need to make informed decisions.
The odds overround for different sports generally indicate a decent margin, ensuring that bettors are getting competitive odds.
Bet Builder
Sportingbet’s Bet Builder feature allows for a high degree of customisation in pre-match betting, particularly for football matches.
Bettors can combine multiple selections from a single match into one bet, including options like match results, goal scorers, and cards.
This feature adds a layer of strategy to betting, enabling users to tailor their bets to their predictions.
However, it’s important to note that Build-a-Bets are not eligible for cash out, and there’s a maximum winning limit, which is something bettors should consider when using this feature.
Pros
Extensive coverage of over 60 sports with a wide range of markets
Competitive odds that provide value to bettors
The Bet Builder feature allows for customised bets
Beautifully structured platform with fractional odds and stats for live bets
Cons
Some esports and niche sports have fewer markets compared to traditional sports
Bet Builder bets cannot be cashed out
Partial Cash Outs are not available, limiting flexibility in betting strategy
In-Play Betting – 3.5 stars
Sportingbet offers live betting across a wide range of sports.
While they provide useful match stats and animations, the lack of comprehensive live streaming holds back the experience.
Markets
You’ll find in-play lines on all major sports like football, tennis, basketball and more once games get underway.
The variety of betting markets available for each match generally meets expectations.
Football stands out with an extensive selection of spreads, totals, moneylines and other bet types to wager on as the action unfolds.
I’m happy to see they expanded their live-streaming capabilities. While still not as robust as some competitors, more events now offer streams than before.
You can watch and bet simultaneously on sports like baseball, basketball and tennis.
However, free streams remain limited – you need funds in your account or must place a minimum bet to unlock most streams.
Live Scores and Stats
The live betting platform supplies real-time scores, player statistics, timing indicators and other valuable insights.
These details assist punters in making informed in-play decisions.
While handy, the statistical offerings don’t provide the most advanced analytics or visualisations compared to some sites. There’s room for improvement, but you get the essential match data.
Pros
An exciting way to engage with live sporting events
Lines shift as the game situation changes
Chance to capitalise on momentum swings and key moments
Cons
Have to act fast before lines move again
Emotions can influence better judgement
Requires close monitoring to spot opportunities
Welcome Offer – 4 stars
Sportingbet provides a unique welcome offer for new UK customers with multiple bonuses up for grabs.
By completing four separate challenges after signing up, you can earn free bets, spins, and more. While innovative, the total potential value lags some competitors.
Challenges Breakdown
Rather than a standard matched deposit bonus, Sportingbet built their welcome offer around four challenges:
Football Challenge – Bet £10+ on football at 1.5 minimum odds to get 20 free Starburst spins and an odds boost token.
Acca Challenge – Place a 3+ selection accumulator at 1.5+ minimum odds per leg to earn a £10 free bet.
In-Play Challenge – Wager £10+ on any in-play market at 1.5+ odds to get a backup bet.
Casino Challenge – Spend £50+ on any casino game and receive a £10 casino bonus.
Complete all four challenges in any order and you’ll also get a £20 free bet.
Comparative Value
While novel, the total potential haul of bonuses adds up to around £50 in value. That’s decent but trails leading rivals like Bet365 who offer £100+ in free bets alone.
So those focused purely on maximising sports bonuses may want to consider other UK options. But for variety and a unique experience, Sportingbet delivers.
Pros
Innovative 4-part challenges
Good variety of free bets & spins
Complete offers in any order
Cons
Total value less than some sites
Must wager £80+ to get a full offer
Includes casino requirement
Customer Service – 4 stars
Sportingbet provides several customer support options including an on-site help section, Facebook, Twitter, email, and live chat.
We found their service to be generally helpful and responsive across these channels.
On-Site Help
The Sportingbet site has a decent help section that provides answers to many common questions about deposits, withdrawals, technical issues, and more.
This can take care of simple inquiries.
Social Media
Both their Facebook and Twitter accounts are responsive to questions and available 24/7.
In our experience, their social media team has been attentive and resolved issues courteously and efficiently. This is a good option for rapid support.
Email & Live Chat
For more complex questions, customers can get in touch via email or live chat on the site. Live chat has agents available daily 9 am-9 pm.
The email response time is generally within 24 hours. The agents I’ve interacted with have been knowledgeable and provided detailed help.
Pros
Multiple support channels are available
Quick responses on social media
Live chat agents are friendly and helpful
Cons
No phone number for voice support
Live chat has limited hours
Final Thoughts
Sportingbet delivers a well-rounded UK betting experience with few weaknesses.
Their dedication to safety, innovation through challenges, competitive odds and markets, and quality customer service cement them as a top choice.
While areas like live streaming and welcome offer value have room for improvement, Sportingbet excels across all core areas.
We would recommend Sportingbet to both new and experienced punters seeking a trusted brand with decades of experience and a smooth, full-featured platform.
