Features
Sky Bet is not technically a multi-category online gambling website. However, its layout is similar to that of Betway, in that unobtrusive links to non-sports betting options are displayed in the header. Through these, you can check out Sky’s other offerings–the typical bingo, casino, poker and Vegas games–which all operate under different names and have separate portals. The result of this design is a clean and intuitive interface, with elements that don’t compete for the user’s attention.
The sportsbook is traditional fare–football, basketball, baseball and more–mixed with modern and sometimes bizarre additions. For example, you can bet on politics, current events and even TV shows; from reality-based bets, like who will win The Voice, to purely fictional outcomes, like who will end up ruling Westeros in Game of Thrones. There’s also a great support structure for live betting, especially with races: horses, greyhounds, motor sports and the like. And of course, there’s the relatively recent addition of eSports, which Sky Bet dove into head first in 2015.
Not Ranked7.5 out of 10Signing up and Depositing to Your Account
Before even signing up, it’s important to note that Sky Bet is very strict about users’ locations. You can only register if you are a resident of the UK, Ireland, Finland or Gibraltar. If this is not an issue, you can join easily–just provide your full name, birth date and address to start. Although signup is completely free, and depositing money to your account is optional, you will eventually need to make transactions–even if it’s only to access your winnings. To that end, the next step of registration is to choose your preferred banking method; most common options are available except for direct bank transfers, and there’s a lack of online wallet services, with only PayPal being supported. You can also set a deposit limit for yourself and then start playing at this point.
What happens next is the most time-consuming: account verification. Sky Bet checks every account created to make sure that users are all of legal age and in allowed locations–this is a requirement of the UK Gambling Commission. Sometimes, verification from Sky Bet’s side using your signup details is definitive and needs no other action; but if it’s inconclusive, you will need to provide them with additional documentation. During this process, Sky Bet may restrict your activities; so that you may start playing, but be unable to withdraw from your account.
eSports Bets and Cash Out Options
Though Sky Bet’s eSports selection is not comprehensive by any means, all popular game titles are supported. eSports information is presented in a very informative and easily understood manner, too. All matches are listed by schedule, with the odds shown in red and the number of available bets enumerated. You can click directly on a listing and place a wager immediately, without leaving the page–this way, you can go over the list of matches and bet on different ones without any difficulty.
Underneath the schedule is a tournament list. Far from being redundant, this feature is actually very useful. Different events and their important details are summarized, so you can find out the essentials at a glance. Tournament matches and bet types are enumerated; and each match listing is a clickable link that takes you to a portion of the page where you can then place your wagers.
When you’re logged in, you’ll find all your upcoming and currently in play bets in the My Bets section of the website. It also notes bets from the last 48 hours, and–most importantly–all bets you’ve placed that you can cash out; that is, to take your early winnings or cut your losses before the match or event is over. This feature is not guaranteed to be available for all wagers, so for you to be able to check this quickly is a huge convenience.
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
There are many components to Sky Bet’s genuinely great sportsbook service. Though there is no ongoing referral program, there are small but useful promotions–the best one being the weekly free bets, which allows users to keep on playing even when funds are running low. Mobile support is top of the line, with both an app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets and a mobile-optimized version of the website available. The eSports selection is not the best, but it’s not bad for a traditional sportsbook.
However, it’s hard to focus on these positive aspects when there are so many points needing improvement. In the first place, you can only register for an account if you’re a resident of a very short list of countries–less than five. And for all of Sky Bet’s portability and accessibility, you can’t use it if you’re not currently in one of the allowed countries. If you’re on vacation or on a business trip in a foreign country, chances are that you won’t be able to place or track bets. All other flaws–just two currencies allowed, limited banking methods, and no foreign language support–stem from this territorial limitation. One can only hope that Sky Bet makes itself available to more countries soon.
Customer Support
Sky Bet’s FAQ and help section contains a wealth of information that you can easily go through using a built-in search function. Commonly encountered issues are grouped in categories, and searches turn up relevant results, as well as links to related concerns. There are whole sections on responsible gaming, registration and verification, and even a detailed article on eSports betting rules–including explanations of game-specific special bets. Should you need more assistance, you can contact Sky Bet’s support team directly through email, live chat or telephone.
What's the Verdict on Sky Bet?
Sky Bet Review 2020 – Conclusion
Overall, Sky Bet is a great service–for those who can use it. The downfall of this website is that it’s not available for most regulated and typically included online gambling markets. It concentrates on the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar and Finland; no Australia, Canada or even just other countries in Europe. If you happen to be in a country supported by Sky Bet’s infrastructure, you’re in luck. Enjoy the stellar features and all-around support; just remember that you won’t be able to access any of it when you’re on vacations overseas.
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