The Best and Worst Thing Every Online Sportsbook Does
We don’t have to tell you that since the legalization of online gambling in the United States a few years ago, the number of online sportsbooks has exploded as various companies all try to get their slice of the huge American gambling industry.
And while some ‘books might be better than others, there are good and bad sides to almost all of them.
The Promoguy has taken a deep dive to provide Dimers, home of free sports picks, the best (and worst) thing each sportsbook does.
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The Best (and worst) Thing Every Sportsbook Does
DraftKings Sportsbook
Best thing: DraftKings Sportsbook's promos in general are great. DK was our most profitable sportsbook on the Promoguy Twitter in October making $552. No Sweat Bet tokens every day - even at a $5 max stake - is fantastic, and I hope that never ends.
Worst thing: When you opt in to a promo you have to re-put in the legs into your betslip. Other books allow you to apply the boost as long as the requirements are met. For me it is particularly annoying because I input the legs before logging in and then have to take one away and re-put it back in after opting in (and the opt in takes me back to the home screen rather than to the specific market I was on).
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DraftKings also provides a competitive signup offer for new users who might not have an account yet, rewarding them with $200 in bonus bet credit when they sign up and place a $5 moneyline bet on any football or basketball game this weekend.
The bet does not need to win in order to receive the credits. You can sign up to DraftKings Sportsbook below.
FanDuel Sportsbook
Best thing: Although we’re out of MLB season, the best thing FanDuel Sportsbook does is Dinger Tuesday. Even though they imposed some limits in terms of the return, it was still very fun and profitable.
The other best thing is that they don’t make me do replacements by changing odds all the time. They really stand out in being willing to stick to their odds and not move them on action.
Worst thing: The Vig on SGPs is way too high. Much higher in a lot of ways than the other sportsbooks (who already are high). For example, here is the total vig when I paired the Bears/Panthers quarterbacks passing yards for their Week 10 matchup on Thursday Night Football: (+213 for double overs, +213 for double unders, +240 for over/under, +240 for under/over so the total vig is = (100/313+100/313+100/340+100/340 = 22.7%). If I do the same thing on Caesars Sportsbook, I get +250 for double overs, +255 for over/under, +255 for under/over, and +250 for under/under for a total vig of 13.5% (over 40% less vig!). They need to cut it down (DraftKings comes in at 18.9% which is still too high and MGM is down at 11.8%).
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While most of the gambling world has a FanDuel Sportsbook account, their signuup offer this season for new users is quite impressive. New customers can sign up and claim $150 in bonus bets after they place a $5 moneyline wager that wins. On the off chance that you’re not with FanDuel, now is definitely the time to make the most of this promo. You can sign up to FanDuel here, or below.
Caesars Sportsbook
Best thing: $50/$25 promo limits and willingness to take bets/slow to limit. Since their re-brand from William Hill to Caesars back a couple of years ago, they’ve tried to differentiate themselves as a sportsbook that aren’t afraid to take on big-time bettors, and that philosophy has stayed true throughout.
Worst thing: The Caesars app is incredibly glitchy, creating a frustrating experience for bettors who primarily bet via their smartphones (i.e: most of us). This is definitely something that they need to improve on if they’re looking to compete long-term for the dollars of casual bettors.
Barstool Sportsbook
Best thing: Barstool - soon to be ESPN Bet on November 14 - has so many two way markets.
Worst thing: is not ordering free bets. Generally placing free bets is done in order.
Bet365
Best thing: In a word; everything. But if you’re twisting my arm and I had to choose one thing, it’s their instant payouts to bettors.
Worst thing: They are not in more states. Although earlier this year they were optimistic that they would be operational in 14 states by the end of 2023, you can currently only bet with bet365 in NJ, KY, VA, CO and IA. Hopefully we see more states launch with the global sports betting brand before the end of the year.
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If you're looking to sign up with bet365, now is the time. Get $150 in Bonus Bets when you sign up and bet just $5, or a First Bet Safety Net up to $1000. Sign up here.
BetMGM
Best thing: BetMGM has a ton of markets and a ton of promos for bettors. Their sign up offer of a $1500 first bet paid back if it loses is also one of the more intriguing sign up bonuses for big-time bettors, something I outlined a few weeks ago.
Worst thing: Other than the security issues that they have faced recently, I would say the worst thing about MGM is how they limit people from promotions. While competitors such as FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars allow all customers access to their promotions (and even give exclusive/ targeted ones on top of it), MGM has been known to promo limit customers and not allow them access to any of their promotions.
Betrivers/Unibet
Best thing: Grouping these two sportsbooks together as I appreciate their willingness to have their own odds (powered by Kambi) which tend to differ from the market. It feels like many of the other ‘books copy each other and copy sharper books while Kambi is more willing to be left on an island. Valuable books to have for regular line shopping purposes.
Worst thing: Their limits. Kambi books are known for limiting the bet size of customers they deem to be potential winners. Most sportsbooks limit if you are betting glitches or clearly arbing but these books go overboard with it and will limit you for anything that looks like semi intelligent betting.
The PromoGuy covers all the latest in the top signup offers, promos and boosts for Dimers. You can follow him on X at @ThePromoguy123
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