TopBet sportsbook is relatively new on the scene, but I had been hearing a lot about it and decided to give it a try. While it doesn’t yet have all the side-products that other major sportsbooks offer, TopBet is a solid option for those who just want to bet on sports.

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WagerWeb Sportsbook has been taking bets for over a decade – a long time in the world of online betting. It has never been the most popular Sportsbook out there, but with a reliable history and a very generous rewards and bonus program, it’s one of our go-tos.

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BetOnline sportsbook has been around since 2004 but its early years were a little rocky. They’ve been making a steady climb since then since then– you might remember when they attempted to become the “first bookmaker to take bets from Mount Everest”.

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You may not have heard the name UcaBet before, let alone know how to pronounce it (it’s “yooka”, according to the site). You’re not alone, as the brand was just launched in 2012. Behind the scenes, however, their management team has been in business for over a decade – that shows so far in our experience with Ucabet, despite a few minor hiccups. (more…)

BetGuardian has been around since 1994, which is pretty much the beginning of the online betting revolution. Throughout this time, they have never been the flashiest or most popular book in the pack, but they have made a name for themselves among bettors thanks to their solid customer service and easy depositing and payouts.

Before I continue, I should mention that if you’ve already read our UcaBet review, you may find parts of BetGurdian familiar. That’s because they are run by the same company and use the same software, and offer pretty much the same lines.

Where BG differs is their tiered deposit bonus structure, which is as follows:

Platinum ($1,300+):             50% Free Play Bonus

Gold ($700-$1,299):             40% Free Play Bonus

Silver ($250 – $699):             30% Free Play Bonus

Bronze ($100 – $249):             15% Free Play Bonus

All of the above tiers also throw in a 10% casino chip bonus, and 20% tell-a-friend bonus, plus a 10% “wager warranty” bonus twice every year.  Of course, each tier also has it’s own rollover requirements, with 3x for the bronze depositors, all the way up to 9x for platinum. 9x rollover is higher than most casual bettors are likely to achieve, so If you’re a big depositor but 3x rollover is more your speed, I’m sure they’d be more than willing to set you up with the bronze bonus. Your personal account manager is there just to help set you up with things like this. Shortly after you first sign up, you can expect to get a call from your rep. I would suggest waiting until then to make your first deposit.

While you’re waiting (or not) you’ll be able to check out the sportsbook and the odds it offers. If you’re checking this out before signing up, you might be a bit underwhelmed. However, once you become a member, extra lines and props become available to you.  You’ll also have access to the mobile betting site, which allows easier betting from your smartphone. This would be much more fun if they offered in-game betting, but it’s a handy way to check out the lines while you’re at lunch or work. From the mobile site, you can also play casino games including a basic version blackjack on the go, but I found that it didn’t feel like the full online blackjack experience.

Their regular casino is more my cup of tea. I didn’t try any of the slots but the table games were more like their Vegas counterparts and ran smoothly without any downloads or having to transfer balance from the sportsbook.  I do wish, however, that instead of offering the gimmicky live-dealer table games that they invested in a poker room.  Not every book has one, but one that’s been around this long probably should – especially one like BetGuardian that seems to focus on their casino offerings more than competing mid-sized sportsbooks tend to.

BetGuardian can pay you your winnings by person-to-person, money orders, NetTeller, or Money Bookers. My money order was shipped by a courier and arrived in about a week. You are allowed to make one free money order withdrawal per month.

All in all, BetGuardian is a reliable book that’s backed by excellent customer service, a strong history and solid reputation.  When comparing BetGuardian to its sister site UcaBet, the main thing that takes BetGuardian down a notch is that its deposit bonus and rollover requirements are not as enticing as the other site which offers similar service and lines. However, if you’re more swayed by reputation than bonus offers, BetGuardian has your back.