Sportsbook First Impression
SportBet.com takes a long time to adjust to and understand. Although SportBet.com's home page is nicely laid out with prominent links, the sitemap is extremely cluttered and one is never sure how to return to a previously seen page without pressing the browser's "Back" key several times. Several dead links are another frustrating aspect marring the site's functionality, although this can be attributed to maintenance.
The designers of SportBet.com don't seem to have taken the creation and marketability of the website very seriously. Content is presented in generic and inconsistent fonts and organizational features such as tables and borders are sometimes forgotten entirely. Overall, this is not the most user-friendly website amongst online sportsbooks.
Registering for an account on SportBet.com is straightforward and doesn't require a minimum deposit in order to place bets. Both standard and web-based banking options are offered. Conveniently, personal checks are accepted along with credit cards, Western Union and several eCash options such as NETeller and CentralCoin.
Payouts are administered through many of the same methods, although SportBet.com makes little effort to make the fees associated with withdrawals affordable. This is a major aspect that the other top online sportsbooks take into account seriously in terms of satisfying their members.
Wagering
While the content on SportBet.com is consistent with its competitors, the design and layout of SportBet.com gets in the way of making this information convenient and accessible. A "Help" section provides comprehensive information on wager types and betting principles, and offers details on SportBet.com's supported banking options.
SportBet.com offers the four major American sports as the main attraction. Wagers for Basketball and Football can be made on both professional and collegiate games. Popular sports such as Tennis, Golf, Boxing and NASCAR are also featured prominently. Convenient links to mainstream sports websites are available for the latest news and analysis to help handicappers choose their wager.
Promotions
Promotions, contests and industry links are also offered, albeit scattered around the site so that navigation becomes a problem. Small effects such as a Payout Calculator add to the SportBet.com's otherwise limited appeal.
Online Sportbook Research
SportBet.com's made it to the "BAD" list of another popular review site, which means they have at least three of these infractions on their record:
- not licensed to operate an online casino,
- have had payout problems,
- have had company problems,
- are hosted in the U.S. (which is illegal),
- do not provide adequate customer support or
- are not active members of the Interactive Gaming Council.
There are no details provided as to the specific problems associated with SportBet.com. Also, keep in mind that some ratings are not always the most up to date, so SportBet.com could have remedied any problems they may have had in the past. Deposit at your own risk.
Sportsbook Customer Service
Customer service response for SportBet.com is inconsistent. There is an option for email feedback, as most online sportsbooks have. There is also a live chat option, for which I had to try twice in order to get someone to respond. The successful chat session was helpful and the representative was knowledgeable in their response, if a bit slow. The toll-free number provided also had to be tried twice in order to get through to a representative, who was not very fluent in answering my question but nevertheless was patient and cooperative.
Bottom Line
SportBet.com needs to overhaul the website fast. Problems with Login and sub-par web design mar any attempt to be legit. SportBet.com has strong potential, but with the "Bad" list rating and unprofessional website, SportBet.com is enticing only as far as the free casino room one can visit via the Home Page.
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