The aim of our review policy is to perform fair and unbiased reviews on internationally oriented online bookmakers. Our primary goal is to be independent and reader-oriented. We do not accept or receive payments to review sites. We participate in the Affiliate marketing programs offered by several bookmakers. So, our income is made of commissions paid by the bookmakers. But because of the great number of sites, we can operate independently. We will not compromise our integrity by receiving “special bonuses”.
The following criteria’s are the requirements a bookmaker should meet. These criteria’s are also the criteria’s evaluated in our reviews.
Some of the criteria’s are more critical than others. We take account of that in our reviews and recommendations.
Company Profile
Financials
The financial background of an online bookmaker is definitely a major issue that a client should know and understand. A solid capital base is an important requirement for the success of any company.
So the bookmaker has to maintain an adequate working capital for funding ongoing operations and to insure the ablility to settle all financial obligations. Especcialy important for the client is the fact that the bookmaker must be able to pay all players' balances on demand.
Bookmakers can vary greatly in the transparency of their financial records. Publicly traded bookmakers have to report their financial records every 3 months. This is of course a major plus because you can verify their financials through analysis of statements and balance sheets. It is encouraged to join a bookmaker that is publicly traded on a major stock exchange, especially if you are wagering in larger amounts of money.
Private companies do not disclose their financials. So it is crucial to consider other factors of these privately held companies which can be an indication of their strength and trustfulness: integrity and reputation of the ownership and management, size of the company, number of years of operation.
Ownership and management
Integrity and reputation are real assets held in professional firms, especially in service based company. So the owners (especially for private companies) and management must have a good reputation and a successful track record. The management team team must have the experience and expertise to manage the company.
Size of the company
Everybody Knows that company size is an important investment consideration: The smaller the company, the more volatile and risky the investment. And this scheme does also apply for putting your money at risk by making a deposit into your bookmaker account.
Of course, bigger does not always mean better, but the size of the company is of major importance. But the best solution - no matter the size - is a separate escrow account for all players’ funds: All customer deposits are held in an insured escrow account so that if the company goes under, your funds are still safe.
Number of years of operation
Bookmakers should have a well earned reputation built and proven over the last years in which they have been operating.
License
A Bookmaker has to be authorized, i.e., granted a sports betting license, by the Government of the jurisdiction from which he operates.
The bookmaker has to operate under the authority of the appropriate commission and within the scope of the license. All gambling activities has to be subject to regulation by law and the government authorities.The bookmaker must provide evidence of that license upon request.
A Bookmaker can choose in which country he applies for a license. This is important to know because the bookmaker will be governed strictly by the country that holds its gaming license. And moreover, every country has its own rules in reviewing companies that request a bookmaking license.
Some companies are located in jurisdictions that do not have well developed laws governing bookmakers.
Website Quality
An important criteria of a top online bookmaker is of course its website. Important aspects of a good website are:
Security
The bookmaker should process all transactions using secure servers and the latest encryption technology to keep all personal information safe, or if the bookmaker uses a third party to process the transactions, he must ensure that the third party maintain a similar level of security.
The players' information should be protected from unauthorized disclosure and is not to be sold, or traded to anyone.
The bookmaker should also take measures to detect and eliminate fraud.
Usability
An online bookmaker webpage layout has to meet the highest standards in page design. The website should be easy to navigate, use and read and quick to load. Locating the necessary information has to be quick and easy.
Stability
Bookmakers must use the latest state of the art technology to provide a stable environment and an efficient website which has to be up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Extra Content
Many of the top online bookmakers supply members with extra features that are unique. Examples of what a bookmaker may provide are free picks, radio shows, live odds and statistics. These extra features increase the appeal of the bookmaker.
Positive is the added indepth content that assists a client in making sound betting decisions.
Websites should not contain any material in breach of intellectual property rights.
Financial transactions
Deposit / Withdraw methods
When opening an account with an online bookmaker it is important to consider the ways you will be transacting money to your account.
There are many options to fund and withdraw money from your account, and online bookmakers can vary greatly in the methods they offer. Identifies which method you would like to use and make sure this methode is offered by the bookmaker. You can find all the possible payment options for every bookmaker reviewed in our ‘Bookmaker Reviews’ section. And you can learn more about the transaction methods in our section ‘Payment Options’.
Fees
Bookmakers charge different fees for different transaction methods to clients.
You can compare fees and charges for different bookmakers before deciding which one to join.
Payout Timelines
Customers' funds must be available 24 hours 7 days a week. Account balances and winnings must be paid promptly on demand without any type of negotiation. Bookmakers should inform players immediately of any delay. Given the different payments methods, we consider acceptable any payout received by the customer in a week.
Sports and bets offered
When choosing an online bookmaker you should make sure the bookmaker offers the sports and bet types you want to bet on. You may not assume they all offer the same range of sports and bet types. Don’t jump to fast to conclusions from just a quick glance of the bookmaker's homepage.
All the information about which bookmaker offers which bets and sports is available in the reviews in our ‘Bookmaker Reviews’ section. There you can find all the possibilities for every bookmaker.
Bonuses and Promotions
Solid promotions and a bonus structure is a very attractive aspect of an online bookmaker. It is very easy to say that the more generous the bonus the better. But is this truth? Maybe some times, but not always, I guess.
This is a rather complicated matter. Bookmakers, as any other business, need to make a profit. So, giving generous bonuses is all right as long as the bookmaker keeps the score. We believe bookmakers offering more than 25% bonuses will not be in business for long.
Here are a few different types of incentives an online bookmaker can offer its members:
Customer service
Accessibility
Established bookmakers should offer customer assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They should provide accessible and effective service via e-mail, toll-free telephone or online live chat.
Bookmakers should not share players' sensitive information online, via e-mail or chat.
Willingness to assist
If there is a problem, and the customer complains about it, the bookmaker should quickly answer the complaint and should make every effort to resolve all disputes by negotiation. If unable to reach a resolution by negotiation, they should be willing to accept independent arbitration or mediation.
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