This Asian sportsbook and online casino is available to players around the world, with the Asian Handicap and a massive selection of Slots being two big standouts. But one of their most impressive qualities is their commitment to security, employing one of the most renowned names in privacy to keep your personal information and finances safe. This is an all-encompassing betting outlet that Asia market enthusiasts will love – read our full review to find out all the reasons why.
188Bet Casino and Sportsbook Review
From its worldwide reputation for quality, dedication to customer service, and delivering everything you love about gambling in Asia, this was an easy recommendation. Just be sure they are available in your region, as one of their biggest downsides is their lack of availability in several major countries. But if you’re lucky enough to have access, try your luck here – there’s sure to be a game you’ll want to bet on.
Security and Regulation
The security at 188Bet is operated by Thawte SSL encryption, which is used by some of the biggest financial organizations on the planet. This means that your transactions and private information will stay protected, and the money in your 188Bet account remains secure. It’s one thing for a brand to boast SSL encryption, but it’s above and beyond when it’s a company this respected and well known. As for regulation, the Isle of Man authority provides strict oversight, one of the most prominent names in online gaming licensing. But the best indicator of strong security and regulation is their online reputation, and from player forums to expert review sites, 188Bet is hailed as a top choice. With so many options out there, they probably wouldn’t have lasted for the past decade if they didn’t shine in this category.
Mobile Apps
Playing 188Bet using your mobile device will give you access to their entire sportsbook and the same fluidity and navigability of their website. However, the number of casino games that are available to mobile users is more limited than those available from a computer. This may be a good thing, though, because other online casinos will put games on their mobile platform that aren’t optimized for mobile devices. This can mean part of the game is cut off from the screen, and you could lose some bets that way. 188Bet only puts the games that work right on your phone, meaning you can expect the same level of quality and winning potential no matter what device, as long as you have a connection to the internet.
Sports Betting
With the Asian Handicap feature, joining this online casino might be essential for any player who likes to disperse their bets to several different sportsbooks. And since the odds can vary and the promotions can be game changers (literally!), it’s a smart move. With the Asian Handicap, a bet is made between two teams with an odd adjustment that does away with the tie payout, giving it a simplified and potentially more lucrative spin. Make no mistake, 188Bet is an Asian market focused site, so you’ll find a lot of the more obscure sporting events that many Western sportsbooks won’t offer. But the choices when it comes to esports truly span the globe, and there’s always a near-countless number of matches to bet on every second of the day.
Casino: Range of Games and Other Features
We think that 188Bet is best known for its sportsbook, but their selection of online casino games is nothing to overlook. With almost a thousand to choose from, you’ll have tons of options, though the vast majority are Slots. Every type of theme you can imagine too, from three-reel classic Slots with fruit symbols and the paytable right up at the top, to the hugely in-depth options that nearly pop out of the screen. If you like bonus games and huge jackpots, look no further. You’ll also find plenty of table and card game variations, including all the standards, as well as an impressive number of Video Poker machines. Much of the themes are also Asia specific, with the imagery and variations you’d expect from the region. With Playson, Microgaming, and several other exceptional gaming providers, everything is of the highest quality as well.
Opening an Account
Opening an account at 188Bet is intuitive and as simple as registering at any ecommerce website. If the casino isn’t available in your country, it should be blocked as well, so no need to double check on that. All you need to do is provide your basic billing information, you don’t even need to make a deposit. In fact, if they’re offering a no deposit bonus that you want to take advantage of, there’d be no reason to add money to your account. Just be sure that the information you provide in the beginning is the same as the information that applies to what you’ll be using for your withdrawal. Otherwise, you might extend the withdrawal process, which is always a pain. Besides that, everything is straightforward and protected by Thawte SSL.
Deposits and Withdrawals
The Asian market might be 188Bet’s signature, but this is a worldwide brand through and through. As such, their currencies options include GBP, EUR, USD, BRL, MYR, RMB, THB, IDR, VND, and KRW. If none of these apply to your currency of choice, we recommend looking into the exchange rates and going with the lowest one, as well as using a gambling-friendly e-wallet with great exchange rates, like Skrill or Neteller. As for deposit methods, you can expect the standard, from credit and debit and e-wallets to cheque and bank transfers. When you go to register, you can see all the options in a dropdown, and if you don’t see yours, you can reach out to their customer service and see if they can accommodate you. For withdrawals, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, credit cards, and a few others are available.
Customer Support
A good indication of an online casino you should avoid? Bad customer service. With 188Bet, all players have access to a large pool of customer service agents, all of who are knowledgeable, friendly, and rarely make you wait more than a few minutes. You can get in touch with them via email, fax, or online chat, as well as by phone if you’re in Europe or Asia. You can also get in touch with them by way of a few different social media platforms. You won’t find a bad word spoken about their customer service, with five-star ratings from all who have reached out. While it’s never ideal to have to get in touch with a company representative, it’s always essential that the issue is solved or the question is answered. And while you probably will never have to get in touch with them, it’s good to know that they’ll deliver if you do.
Promotions and Bonuses
The promotions and bonuses offered by 188Bet aren’t that impressive in our opinion, though their terms and conditions are clearly stipulated and definitely reasonable. The welcome bonus is 100% up to £50, which is decent for getting you started by tiny in comparison to some of our other reviewed brands. With that being said, they always have something new and exciting in store for new players and loyal regulars, which will be sent to your email whenever they are available. If you love online casinos strictly for the bonus offers, 188Bet might not be for you, but if you like depositing, betting, and withdrawing without worrying about rollover requirements…well, you probably skipped over this section anyway!
Conclusion
188Bet is designed for those who love the Asian betting market but also enjoy delving into other areas of gambling. They also boast exceptional customer service and the best security online, which are essential qualities in an online casino/bookmaker. While their promotions aren’t great, the rest of the benefits outweigh that shortcoming. All in all, 188Bet has our full endorsement, providing endless hours of entertainment to those who seek out both quantity and quality.