HomeBetting TipsSportsbook Review: Bookmaker vs TopBet

Sportsbook Review: Bookmaker vs TopBet

No doubt Bookmaker and TopBet are two of the best online sports betting sites out there, but which comes out on top in a head to head comparison?

After all, choosing the wrong online sports betting site can cost you big: in money and headaches. You need an easy-to-use interface, posted odds on plenty of games, digital currency acceptance – and a great welcome bonus wouldn’t hurt either.

So we here at BigOnSports have broken down everything you need to know about all the best betting sites so you can find your ultimate place to bet on sports online.

Here, we break down Bookmaker vs TopBet  to find out which will to work for you.

Which Sports Betting Websites Can You Trust?

This is probably the main question you have you ask yourself when choosing a sports betting site. All of the perks in the world are great, but if a site is shut down or can’t make a money transfer back to you, it doesn’t mean very much.

The good news is that when you’re comparing TopBet and Bookmaker, you’re looking at two of the oldest names in the world of online sports betting. Bookmaker was actually the very first betting website ever made and has been online since 1997 (though the company is even older, having been founded in 1985).

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Considering how long it’s been around, Bookmaker has stayed online and still welcomes players from the USA and Canada. Frankly, with that taken into account, it’s probably the most trusted name in the world of online sports betting.

TopBet has also been around for a while, having been founded in 2001. However, the site did go through a rough patch and was shut down for several years in the 2000s, due to a problem connected to the company’s partner in payment processing.

Today, though, TopBet has been back under new management since 2012 and is going strong. The site really seems to have learned from the mistakes of its previous managers and is now considered one of the top 5 sports betting websites.

In general, these are two sites you can absolutely trust now, so what else sets them apart?

A Personal Favorite: The Welcome Bonus

I’m happy to tell you that both Bookmaker and TopBet offer a 50% welcome bonus on your first deposit. For Bookmaker, that’s valid up to $300 (meaning a free $150 bonus), while for TopBet you can go as high as $500 (yes, that means $250 for free). These are both great offers but TopBet can’t really be beat here.

But TopBet’s generosity doesn’t end there. It also has a special offer on your primary wager. If you lose it, the site will offer you free play for the same amount (up to $100). Not bad at all.

Of course, all the offers in the world don’t mean much if you don’t have a simple and effective user interface.

A Killer User Interface: Who’s Got One?

A Killer User Interface: Who’s Got One

In this arena, TopBet is pretty middle-of-the-road. There’s nothing truly wrong here and no problems that will slow you down when using the site, but they could do better. It’s just a reality today: Website design looks a bit dated after only a few years. Frankly, as long as the site does a redesign in the next year or two, I’ll be happy.

Bookmaker’s site is good but also nothing to write home about. Where the interface really shines is in customer support. Including live chat here is a game changer for online sports betting.

Instead of having to write an email, or even worse, make an international phone call, you can quickly chat someone at Bookmaker and get a response back almost right away. That means any issues are generally resolved quickly and painlessly – a huge plus in my book.

Sadly, TopBet doesn’t support live chat, which likely means that any problems you have will have to go through email. Not the end of the world, but hopefully it’ll bring in live chat support sooner rather than later.

A Top Betting Site? Not Without Mobile Support

This is the flip side of all that talk about interfaces: The best online betting sites today have to be mobile friendly. Period.

A Top Betting Site? Not Without Mobile Support

I’m happy to say that both Bookmaker and TopBet chose to go with a mobile version of their sites instead of a dedicated app. Why does that matter? Because apps take a long time to upgrade and fix, and you have to actually download them. With a mobile site, any problems can be taken care of right away and you can easily log in from whatever mobile device you’re using.

That said, who does it better? I would say Bookmaker, but only because its regular site’s user interface is superior. With both sites, the mobile experience closely reflects the regular site’s experience, so you should know what you’re getting. In any case, we can all be glad that these mobile versions let you do everything from live betting to play casino games on the go.

Bookmaker vs TopBet: Who’s More International?

This is absolutely critical. All the great offers and features don’t mean much if you can’t access the site in your country. So let’s look first at languages supported: Bookmaker offers English, Spanish and even Chinese (way to go, guys). TopBet sticks to English, but frankly, that works for most players.

Even more important is country support. TopBet sadly doesn’t support digital currencies, meaning that while you can use the site if you’re in, say, the US, it’s going to be a bit trickier. Why? Because when you want to get paid, you’ve got Visa, Mastercard, Western Union, or, wait for it, the site can mail you a check.

Fabian Figueredo / Flickr / CC BY-SA

But this is an area where Bookmaker really shines. The options it offers for payouts are amazing: you’ve got debit cards, Bitcoin, Western Union, Bank Wire, Neteller (or a check, if you really want). Once-a-month withdrawals, whichever payment method you want to use, are free, but Bitcoin lets you get your money after just a day anytime without charge. That’s a deal I can get excited about.

Overall, both sites are definitely usable for Americans, Canadians, and most other nationalities, but there’s no doubt Bookmaker is going to be easier to use.

You Can’t Forget the Features

Besides all this, let’s get into the nuts and bolts, what kind of online sports betting features do Bookmaker and TopBet offer? Let’s start with TopBet. Here you’re going to find all the basics you expect: betting on all major sports and some non-sports events. They also have a nice casino where you can bet using your favorite casino games.

But when it comes to top online betting websites, Bookmaker has a set of features that’s really second to none. Besides games like casino and poker, which you’ve come to expect, it’s got a huge range of more interesting online betting options like:

  • Betting lines for the quarters and half times of  NFL & NCAAF games
  • Betting on which team scores first
  • Bets on individual players
  • Adjusted spreads and totals
  • Future bets
  • Live betting on every single nationally televised sports game
  • And many more

Honestly, all of these options really take Bookmaker to another level. There’s a reason we’ve listed it as our #1 online sports betting website. Nobody can really touch Bookmaker when it comes to features. My only serious complaint is the lack of a bet slip interface (a problem with both Bookmaker and TopBet).

Want to Bet on Sports Online? You’ve Got Options

That’s really my conclusion here. Both have a solid set of features. TopBet’s welcome bonus is a standout, but Bookmaker ultimately comes out as my favorite with the interesting betting options, easy payouts and being one of the few sites well-suited to big bettors.

TOPBET ADVANTAGES

topbet

  • Excellent welcome bonus
  • Usable interface
  • Mobile friendly

TOPBET DISADVANTAGES

  • No digital currency support
  • History of payment system issues
  • No live chat

BOOKMAKER ADVANTAGES

Bookmaker

  • Huge list of unique betting options
  • Accepts large bets
  • Easy payouts with digital currency support
  • Chinese, English and Spanish language options
  • Long and reputable history

BOOKMAKER DISADVANTAGES

  • No bet slip interface

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from shopping around, trying out a few sites to see which works for you. After all, there are plenty of other sites out there for you to consider.

Want More Top Sports Betting Site Comparisons?

We’ve got you covered. For more in-depth reviews you can check out our comparisons of:

There, you’ll find essentially everything you need to know to start into the world of online sports betting like a pro.

All of these and many more individual online sportsbook reviews and other helpful information are waiting for you at BigOnSports. What are you waiting for?

BigOnSports
BigOnSports
Our staff are seasoned sports betting experts with over 20 years of knowledge and experience. Take advantage of our sportsbook reviews - the best odds, fastest payouts, and best bonuses to find the sportsbook that's right for you.
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