Whether you are new to online betting or you’re an old hand, you’ll want to be sure that you’re using the best platform to place your bets. Some bookies may be a better fit for you than others. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one to choose? We’re here to help.
Here we compare two of the major players in online sports gambling, BookMaker.eu and MyBookie.ag. We’ll give you all the information you need to make the right choice to make the most from your bets.
Top Sportsbooks Explained
The whole motivation for betting is to make money, right? This is true for you, the bettor, and for the online bookmaker. So, which sportsbook can you trust? The more you know, the more secure and confident you will feel when placing your bet.
BookMaker and MyBookie both feature in Big On Sport’s Top 5 Sports Betting Sites, so you can rest assured that they’re tried, tested and trusted.
BookMaker.eu
If you have any knowledge of online sports betting, then you will undoubtedly have heard of BookMaker.eu. It’s one of the granddaddies of sportsbooks and is one of the best online sports gambling sites around.
With an impressive history spanning over 30 years in the game, BookMaker was also a pioneer into the online betting world, opening its first site back in 1997. Since then, it’s become the top destination for online sports bettors.
BookMaker boasts the slogan “Where the Line Originates”, which is a pretty accurate statement– they are the first to publish odds for American sports, and many other sportsbooks take their lines from them.
MyBookie.ag
MyBookie, on the other hand, is the relative new kid on the block, being established in 2014. But in this short time, it’s hit the ground running and planted itself firmly in the arena as one of the leading online betting websites.
In fact, it is already number 3 in our Top Five, which you have to admit is pretty impressive for a two-year-old site. It may be young, but the management team has been in the industry for about 20 years. For a full look at what this newbie has to offer, check out our MyBookie review here.
BookMaker may have the upper hand by just being around since the beginning of the Internet. But you can’t deny that does provide you with a certain sense of security. However, both providers are at the top of the game for online sports.
Sign Up Offers and Bonuses
The first thing you’re going to have to consider in your search for the right sportsbook is what they offer to you as a new customer. Competition is fierce and every website is vying for your attention and your money.
No matter where you look, they will all claim to have the biggest and best welcome bonus around. But a little scratching beneath the surface always pays off – be sure to read the fine print to make sure the deal is worth it and there are no hidden costs, or trappings.
BookMaker offers new players a choice of bonuses when they open an account. You have the options of a 15% sports bonus of up to $2500 (4-time rollover), or a 50% sports bonus up to $300 (10-time rollover). You can find more details of the deposit bonuses in our full BookMaker review.
MyBookie, on the other hand, offers first-timers a 100% bonus up to $1000 – the highest in the industry, which means a nice bankroll for you from the outset.
Loyalty Rewards
Once you’ve signed up, what are they going to do to keep you as a loyal customer, and your bets (and your money) coming in? BookMaker offers a variety of deposit bonuses and reward systems.
For example, the site provides a BetPoints scheme – the more you bet or the bigger your deposits, the more points you earn. These points can then be redeemed in the form of cash, Amazon gift cards, frequent flyer points and more!
MyBookie’s loyalty program only stretches to 25% on reloads for established members, which is still fairly decent, and in all other bonuses it’s pretty much on par with BookMaker. Both betting websites offer 10% on re-loads (although BookMaker increases that to 20% on Tuesday and Wednesdays), and both have a 10% Refer-A-Friend bonus.
Which Wagers Are Available?
Both sites offer a variety of wagers, from straights to parlays, and if bets to futures. The major difference here is what you can wager on. BookMaker has every major sporting event known to man, woman and child, as well as offering a variety of more exotic wagers.
MyBookie, on the other hand, has a much smaller selection of international sports on offer, focusing more on the US sports market. Perhaps this is partly to do with its infancy, and this may expand in time.
What About Sharp Betting?
MyBookie is a platform for the more recreational gambler, and has a strict policy of no sharp bettors. It won’t accept wagers from professional players. If you’re on a winning streak, you run the risk of being refused future play or payouts.
If you are looking to increase and improve your sharp game, then BookMaker may be the better choice here, as it embraces both the recreational and the professional player. The site also prides itself on having never kicked out a winning player.
How Payouts Work
So, you’ve made some successful bets and are ready to cash in and withdraw your winnings from the site. Should be easy, right? Not always. As with every sportsbook, there are fees for withdrawing your funds, limits to how much you can take at any one time, and there may also be restrictions as to when you can make your first withdrawal. It’s worth paying attention to that fine print once again.
BookMaker offers the usual ways of money transfer, including check by courier, bank transfer, debit card and bitcoin. The fees for each depend on how much you withdraw, with the exception of bitcoin.
Bitcoin Simplifies Withdrawals
Bitcoin withdrawals are a free service and an easy way to move funds online; there’s a $50 minimum withdrawal and a very respectable $50,000 maximum. It is also the fastest system to withdraw funds, as players can receive their cash within hours of making the request.
At the moment MyBookie offers bitcoin only for accepting deposits and not for withdrawals – meaning you have to use the more expensive methods of bank wire or transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram in order to receive your cash, which is a real blow for users of MyBookie.
Are the Platforms User-Friendly?
The last point to consider here is how user-friendly and accessible the actual interface is. Both BookMaker and MyBookie have fully functioning mobile platforms, meaning that you can access your account anytime, anywhere. Neither requires downloaded apps. The ease of accessibility also means that you can experience live betting, and receive updates on odds and offers right when they appear.
For more information, check out our in-depth look at BookMaker’s mobile site here.
Customer Care
What about customer service? This can be a make-or-break for any business. You might have the best product on the market, but if your customer service is lacking, customers will go elsewhere.
You’ll be glad to hear that both of these top betting sites offer extensive and responsive customer service platforms. As a customer, you can contact them in a variety of ways, including phone lines that operate 24/7, 365 days a year, live chat, email, and Facebook and Twitter.
So, as you would hope and expect of the best sports gambling sites, the customer is at the heart of the business with both BookMaker and MyBookie. You’ll be in safe hands with either of these two.
Quick Recap
BookMaker offers a wealth of experience, longevity and every sporting game you could ever wish to bet on and with any type of wager you’d care to use. BookMaker has attractive bonuses and a rewarding loyalty program. It has an accessible interface, and an easy to use mobile site all of which is fully supported by top notch customer service.
MyBookie is one of the industry’s leading sportsbooks focusing mainly on the US sport scene. It has one of the most attractive sign-up offers on the market and offers a variety of wagering types. It operates a slick interface and mobile betting function, complete with a dedicated and professional customer care team.
Which One is for You?
If you are looking to bet on sports online and wondering which sportsbook to go for, you really can’t go wrong with either of these two. As with anything in life it comes down to personal preference to which one will work best for you.
MyBookie could be more attractive to the part-time, recreational, betting-for-fun kind of player, while if you’re looking for something with more options and allowing you to reach the top of your betting game, then BookMaker may be the way to go.
If you’re still considering your options, check out our other online bookmaker reviews:
