Bwin Review

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Even through a number of name changes over the years, Bwin remains a stalwart in the online gambling industry. The website has been in operation since 1999, making it one of the real survivors in an online gambling industry that has gone through massive changes over the last 20 years. The website is owned and operated by GVC holdings and operates under licensing provided by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner and the UK Gambling Commission.

Since its inception, Bwin has set its focus on being a comprehensive online gambling destination. The website offers everything from sports betting to casino gambling with poker and virtual gambling thrown in for good measure. With that said, its popularity comes mostly as a sport betting site.

Website/Software/Mobile Apps

What’s really nice about this website is its use of space. Too many online bookmakers are out there trying to stuff its landing pages with massive amounts of information. It leaves these sites looking cluttered and confusing. Bwin has taken another approach, preferring to provide a website that looks a bit more traditional and to the point.

The information section at the bottom of each page is invaluable. It discusses licensing, fair gaming certification and pertinent rules and regulations. In the body of each landing page, the customer will find a minimum of advertising and a maximum of relative gambling information. The motif features a traditional black background with drop-down menus that make the site easy to use and navigate.

The betting markets and upcoming game sections are well-organized and easy to comprehend. All of this comes from a proprietary software platform that integrates a reasonable number of casino games from some of the better casino game software developers in the world. The mobile app is available for customers who use devices with the Android or iPhone operating systems. The mobile app is efficient and offers most if not all the same betting options as the website.

Bonuses

One of the issues people will run into with these “old guard” gambling sites is a reluctance to offer bonuses and promotions. Bwin is guilty as charged. Other than personalized offers sent through email, Bwin offers nothing in the way of bonuses. It’s a clear indication that the website is willing to stand on its reputation and a well-established customer base without having to offer extra spiffs to incoming or existing customers. It’s a strategy that works for the “big boys” in the online gaming industry.

Available Betting Markets/Wagering Options

Bwin is a favorite among UK gamblers because it offers a comprehensive menu of betting markets from all over the world. As one would expect, a lot of space is given for European football (soccer) betting markets. Essentially every major soccer league in the world is available for soccer betting enthusiasts. That’s not to say that every other possible market is ignored. In fact, Bwin is likely to offer as many as 50-60 betting markets at any given time, depending on which sports are “in-season.”

Players can always count on getting access to the major sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB, NBA) from the US as well as popular sports like golf, boxing and tennis. Minor sports markets will include regional sports like Aussie Rule Football, cricket, motor sports and special sports events like the Super Bowl and World Cup soccer.

The actual betting options menu is equally comprehensive. The players get access to straight bets, accumulators (parlays), teasers and special odds betting on money lines and point spreads. A number of daily events feature prop bets wagers, which are also available for major sports events like the Super Bowl. For players who like to invest in the futures, there are plenty of future odds options on major sports events and leagues from around the world.

If there is any knock against Bwin’s sports book, it’s the lack of competitive odds. They actually have a reputation for offering some of the lowest odds in the industry. Perhaps, it’s another spiff that comes from having longevity and a strong reputation.

The online casino features as many as 100 video slots, a limited number of table games and a few live casino options. As indicated above, the games are being provided by some of the top software developers in the world.

Banking

With more than a dozen banking options on the banking menu, players should have no problem finding a deposit and withdrawal method that meets their needs. As should be expected, all of the traditional options are available, including credit cards (VISA, MasterCard), bank wires, banking drafts, Neteller, Skrill and a number of popular ewallet options. For the more sophisticated gamblers, Bitcoin is a viable option for both deposits and withdrawals.

The other withdrawal options are somewhat limited as are the daily/weekly/monthly limits. Based on recent reports, there aren’t may payment issues, but the website does have a reputation for slow paying, which can be a little annoying to players who get nervous when money is not readily available. All players are required to provide proof of identification for withdrawals with the only exception being with Bitcoin.

Customer Service

The old guard always tend to stay with traditional methods. While the website contains plenty of modern features, the customer service department remains standard by most measures. Customer service representatives are available via email and phone during limited business hours. There currently is no access to a live chat function. They representatives seem courteous, responsive and capable.

Conclusion

There’s much to like and dislike about Bwin. For established players, there’s great comfort is knowing what they are going to get. The website is easy to use and there’s plenty of betting markets in the offering. One the other side of the coin, the lack of competitive bonus promotions is a real problem for any new customer who is looking to get a little extra value from their wagering dollars. The customer also seems to lose a little value by accepting lower odds than could be had with other sites. If someone is looking for an established, reliable bookmaker, Bwin certainly fits the bill.