Bet365 Review

Bet365 Overview

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Full Review

Founded in 2000 by Denise Coates in a Portakabin in Stoke-on-Trent, the Bet365 Group Limited has always remained native to its point of birth in spite of its competitors being shunted offshore in the search for lower tax. With its headquarters still based in the heartlands of the Potteries, the Group provides employment to over 2,000 staff and a service to over 14 million customers in 200 countries. The company balances its status as a tax-friendly bookmaker, local Member of Parliament Tristram Hunt (MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central) describing the business as being ‘a great British success story’ that ‘unlike other gambling businesses pays its taxes in the UK’, with its responsibilities as a recognisable global brand. Its current world-wide advertising campaigns feature stars such as Ray Winston and Samuel L. Jackson. Betting Markets

Coates’ secret formula for success has been keeping many aspects of the sportsbook reassuringly familiar since going live in 2001. As the conceit of the website was to provide visitors with opportunities to bet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with customer satisfaction at its heart, Bet365 has always presented a huge variety of choice. From the off, the company complimented its more traditional betting markets (horse racing, greyhounds, European football, US sport) with an expanse of less commonly found books, despite many more of their established rivals treating the internet more cautiously. Now in 2014, bets can be place on over 35 different sports at Bet365.com, all obtainable from a ever-present list up the left hand side of the sportsbook in trusty, if not uninspiring, grey.

Within these sporting markets are a plethora of variables upon which money can be placed. For example, moving from the sportsbook homepage, upon which is a series of events currently in-play or to be held in the near future, to a relevant football match will see the punter taken to an area dedicated to their preferred ‘soccer’ event. On this new page, there is a selection of eighteen markets that are currently the most popular with visitors.

Whilst, upon first look, the layout can seem decidedly over-facing, a glance at the prominent toolbar beneath the turf green header can cut through the hassle of scrolling through this information by taking the visitor to a key space of interest. So continuing with the football example, categories such as ‘Main’, ‘Asian Lines’, ‘Cards’, ‘Corners’, ‘Goals’, ‘Half’, ‘Player’, ‘Specials’ and ’10 Minutes’ atop the page. By utilising these, the punter narrows down their search area. Whilst such categories are much more specific in their appeal, the number of markets available to the interested are vast. There were 16 betting markets relating to ‘corners’ in the particular football match I clicked on out of the 119 total markets.

Whilst there is a similarly generous range of markets in golf, horse racing and tennis, other less well-backed sports such as cycling, Gaelic football and hockey are noticeably deficient in betting options. It seems that whilst Bet365 may have been the first to support these sports online, the demand for them has not seen the bookmaker expand their assortment of corresponding bets.

If the left hand column is concerned with available sporting markets, the right hand side displays all of the current in-play events at one’s disposal. Again, it’s a similar set up, clicking on the event of choice takes the customer to a page dedicated to a list of what can be bet on at the present moment. Thanks to large icons, it is easy to navigate around with bets easily placed before play is suspended. Customer Service

As well the expanse of betting opportunities, the bookmaker’s commitment to customer service also comes in the shape of their immense selection of promotions and latest offers. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Channel 4/1 free bet offer that allows punters to back a winner on a Channel 4 televised race at odds of 4/1 or greater in exchange for a free bet of the same stake on the next Channel 4 race. This continues in perpetuity until a losing bet is recorded. This promotion was featured on the first version of the site back in 2001 and is still afforded today, frequently advertised during the channel’s live broadcasts of their racing coverage. Still prominently placed at the top right of the ‘Show all’ page as accessible from the ‘Promotions View our latest offers’ drop-down menu on Bet365 Extra, it is obvious that their trademark Channel 4/1 promotion is a vital part of the bookmaker’s appeal. This promotion is also replicated in the guise of the ‘Feature Race 4/1 Offer’ that exists on days when Channel 4 aren’t covering horse races, and has also bred the sister promotion of Sky Dogs 2/1, an identical promotion for greyhound racing that’s available to watch on Sky television.

All offers can be found on the drop-down menu of the aforementioned ‘Promotions View our latest offers’ tab and are applicable on sports such as horse racing, greyhound racing, football, Australian horse racing and other sports. There are nine promotions accessible for horse racing and six for greyhound racing, ‘soccer’ and other sports.

Other horse racing promotions include the ‘bet365 Price Promise’ that sees the company match the best prices provided by six of its rival bookmakers (Boylesports, Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Totesport, William Hill); a ‘Best Odds Guaranteed’ service reassuring punters that they will still receive the starting price of their selected horse, should this price be bigger than that originally picked up; and an all-round commitment to bet value (‘Early Prices on Every Race’, ‘Showcasts Exclusive’, ‘Enhanced Place Terms’, ‘Pay out on Disqualified Horses’ and ‘No More 5p Rule 4 Deductions’).

The company’s final four horseracing offers include a 100% bonus on a first bet placed from a mobile phone or tablet; the ability to watch At The Races and Racing UK through Bet365 for 50p (followers of dog racing can watch Racing Post Greyhound TV for free); the ‘Cash Out’ feature that allows the savvy to make a return before an event has finished (open to a variety of sports); and access to the ‘Racing Archive’, a store of replays from all horse races in the UK and Ireland.

Fans of football receive such services as live streaming (also available for other sports); a potential 100% European accumulator bonus; and a 0-0 money back offer on certain games as standard. All these complimentary products feature easy to understand service descriptions, whilst longer terms and conditions are highlighted for the avoidance of doubt. Bet365 also use such devices as example bets and tables to ensure that punters are positive of the possible outcomes at the point of placing their bets.

Bonus Offers

The current bonus offer for new customers sees a 100% deposit bonus on those made between £10 and £200. Before money is even deposited, Bet365 talk one through what will happen in their thorough, though simple, summary of how to receive the bonus on their Bet365 Extra ‘Open Account Offer’ page. This description also informs the punter of what they should do should they not find their offer code in their initial email. Rather than have the terms and conditions hidden away on another page, they are transparently beneath the description with the title emboldened.

Another bonus that can be redeemed is the receipt of a £25 free sports bet for both a recommend-ee and friend upon the friend signing up and depositing money in their new Bet365 account.

In Summary

Thanks to an emphasis on service and generous markets in key sports, those that would consider themselves as being mainstream punters would probably be willing to pass on a recommendation to friends and family. The company’s transparent policy in dealing with customers and the easy to read descriptions of their offers give a sense of openness and friendliness though fails to counteract the boring carpet of macho grey colouring that, rather than providing visitors with a warm welcome, makes their visit that little bit more arduous. Even the turf green of the logo that stretches atop every page, and the repeated motif of the orange-yellow lettering is overwhelmed by the cold backdrop, though should you get over this frosty reception, the site is well worth a look.