Blackbet Review
Please note: This bookmaker does not have an active licence in the UK. Please choose an alternative from our best sports betting sites.
Part of the FSB stable, Blackbet went live in 2017 and currently offers a mixture of casino, sports and virtual sports betting options. Overseen by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and affiliated to various industry bodies, this platform ticks all the boxes in terms of safety and quality.
🥇 Blackbet | Blackbet |
⭐Rating | 3.5 / 5.0 |
🎲 Total number of games | 335 |
💻 Software provider | Microgaming, SG Interactive, NextGen, Realistic Games |
🎁 Welcome Bonus | – |
⚖️Regulation | UK Gambling Commission |
🏆 Blackbet | Play Here! |
Of course, for a platform to make its mark in a crowded marketplace, it has to go beyond its regulatory duties. Fortunately, the sportsbook does that in a variety of ways. To show you what we mean, here’s our review of the Blackbet sports betting site.
Overview of Our Experiences
Modern online betting and gaming sites have to be all things to all people and that’s a goal this operator has tried to achieve. As you’ll see when you read through the rest of this Blackbet review, the site isn’t perfect. However, there’s no doubt the developers have done a lot of things right. In terms of fundamentals, all the main bases have been covered. What’s more, the interface is easy to navigate and there’s nothing to suggest the site is anything other than trustworthy.
Company: | FSB Technology (UK) Limited |
Address: | 57-63 Scrutton Street LONDON EC2A 4PF |
Registration number: | 000-022201-R-305119-015 |
Regulation/license: | UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) |
Phone: | 0800 0608327 |
E-mail: | support@blackbet.co.uk |
Live Chat: | Yes |
Beyond the basics, Blackbet has done a nice job of providing some alternative entertainment. The game lobby boasts exotic offerings that stand out from the norm, while the virtual sports section is an impressive addition to the site. Again, we’re not saying this site is perfect. However, it has all the ingredients to become a leading player in the industry, as you’ll see.
Blackbet Check: Scam or Not?
Whenever we review an online gaming site or sportsbook, age and its associates are the first things we assess. If a platform has been around for a decade or longer and is linked to other credible brands, there’s a strong chance it’s not a scam. However, when a site is fairly young and doesn’t come from one of the larger betting groups, we have to dig a little deeper. Blackbet falls into this category, so bear with us.
Firstly, it’s only been around since 2017, so there’s isn’t much to go on in terms of experience. However, what we’ve found is that this site is owned by FSB Technology (UK) Limited. Also, the owner and operator of GoWager.co.uk, FSB is based in the UK and, therefore, licensed by the UKGC. Being regulated by the UKGC means a Blackbet scam is unlikely as the sportsbook has to abide by certain regulatory rules and standards. For you as a player, that means your funds and personal details are safe. What’s more, every casino game and sports betting market has been certified as fair by third-party agencies such as eCOGRA.
What is also nice about the bookmaker being based in the UK is that you have a point of contact. In other words, you can see where the head office is and that offers a sense of legitimacy and credibility. Beyond that, Blackbet uses IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Services) as its alternative dispute resolution service. Put simply, this means IBAS is there to offer an independent point of contact when anything goes wrong. From payout disputes to security concerns, IBAS can help address any issues between you and online bookies or, alternatively, raise your concerns with the UKGC.
Based on the evidence, it’s hard to see how this sportsbook could be a scam. As well as being licensed and regulated, the company is registered and based in the UK. Therefore, we know who’s behind it, how it operates and the standards it has to meet. Because of this, we’re confident you can bet on casino games and sports with confidence at Blackbet.
Overview of the Offers from Blackbet
Blackbet can be described as a multi-faceted platform. Practically, this means you’ll have the ability to bet on a variety of games and sporting events. From a general perspective, Blackbet is an online sportsbook at its core. However, in a bid to keep pace with the industry leaders, it also offers a casino suite.
Casino
Despite focusing the majority of its time and resources on sports betting, Blackbet’s developers have put together a neat little gambling package. Is it the biggest and best online casino ever created? Possibly not. However, all the main bases are covered. As you’d expect, slots top the bill in terms of quantity, with big-name titles from the likes of Microgaming, SG Digital and NextGen. Although NetEnt’s leading slots aren’t present, you have got instant access to 312 video slots from a host of leading developers.
In fact, Blackbet’s selling point is that it tries to go beyond the norm. Yes, popular games such as Jurassic World and Break Da Bank are available in free play and real money modes. However, what you’ll also find are niche titles that aren’t as readily available online. By offering the likes of Mad Hatters and Cosmic Cat, Blackbet is allowing you to try something different and, in turn, separating itself from the pack. This mentality is also present inside the blackjack, roulette and video poker lobbies. As well as traditional variants, you’ll find interesting alternatives such as Realistic Gaming’s lifelike Realistic Roulette and Multi Wheel Roulette Gold from Microgaming software.
By providing a combination of familiar titles and less popular ones, this site is catering to both ends of the market. For newbies that want the best there is, all the big names are present. For seasoned players that want a break from the norm, there are plenty of exotic options to keep you busy. Yes, it would be great to see more than three jackpot slots and, yes, a few live dealer games would be nice. However, the overall package is still impressive and well worth a look.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is Blackbet’s bread and butter, which means you’ll get all the features you’d expect from a modern online bookmaker. In practice, the cashout feature allows you to end a bet early, price boosts give you enhanced odds and 1X2 bets let you back or lay a home win, draw or away win. In terms of the available markets, the site has a particular focus on football, horse racing, cricket and tennis. However, you’ll be able to place in-play and pre-event wagers on 24 different sports, including golf, volleyball, GAA hurling and more.
In comparative terms, Blackbet is on par with the likes of Unibet and Betfred in terms of the quantity and quality of its odds. However, this site gets the upper-hand on its peers by offering virtual sports. By clicking on the “virtuals” tab, you’ll be able to speculate on digital football matches as well as greyhound, horse and motor racing events. As well as impressive graphics, these virtual showdowns are completely random and controlled by the same technology that ensures a fair result when you play online games.
The benefit of virtual sports is that the action never stops. Even though Blackbet covers sporting events from around the world, there will be times when there’s a lull in the action. That isn’t the case with virtual sports. Therefore, if you’re looking for a true 24/7 online betting experience, Blackbet has the answer.
Blackbet Bonus: Check Out the Offer
Depending on your preferences, Blackbet has welcome offers and loyalty bonuses for sports bettors. Naturally, because everything has been integrated into a single platform, you don’t have to choose between the two. However, it’s often helpful to focus on one offer in order to extract maximum value from each deal.
As a player, you can claim a 100% first deposit bonus worth up to £100. Available when you opt-in and deposit at least £10, this promotion sits towards the lower end of the spectrum in terms of overall value. Indeed, when you look at some of the other online casino bonuses, you’ll notice you can receive upwards of £500 as a newbie. Additionally, the playthrough requirements are a little high. Before you can withdraw your free credits and any associated winnings, you’ll have to wager 35X the bonus plus deposit amount. If you look at Karamba, you’ll see that the playthrough is 35X the bonus amount. Although that might not seem like a huge difference, it’s actually a lot lower than Blackbet’s limit.
Fortunately, the one saving grace here is that Blackbet’s welcome bonus is capped at £100. Therefore, even at the top end, the amount you’ll have to stake in real-terms won’t be that high.
Deposit Bonus: | 100% up to £100 |
Bonus Condition: | 35X bonus + deposit |
Validity: | 14 days |
Other Promotions: | Acca insurance, free bets, bore draw bonus |
In addition to its casino welcome offer, sports bettors can receive a £5 free bet each week when they place 10 wagers of £5 or more between Monday and Sunday. Additionally, there are ongoing deals that allow you to receive money back if a team in a 5+ accumulator bet loses or if certain football matches end in a draw. Finally, if you’re a fan of blackjack, there’s a £5 bonus up for grabs each week when you spend £50 chasing the hallowed total of 21.
Blackbet Bonus Terms
Because each Blackbet bonus is different, you’ll need to look at the specific terms and conditions for each offer. However, the main one you’ll need to contend with the is the 35X playthrough. Whenever you collect free credits, you’ll have 14 days to meet the wagering requirement. So, if you want something extra, you’ll need to be active to get it.
Deposit and Payout at the Bookie
When you compare Blackbet to a site like Ladbrokes, the payment page is slightly weaker. Now, we’re not saying it’s weak. However, we are saying it’s not as comprehensive as some. Indeed, during our Blackbet review, we found that PayPal wasn’t a deposit option. Despite that, you can still use Neteller and Skrill if you prefer eWallets. For those that want to use the credit/debit card, Visa, MasterCard and Maestro are all valid payment options.
Payment Options of Blackbet | |
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Deposit options: | Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Skrill Neteller |
Minimum deposit: | £10 |
Fees: | £0 |
Accepted currency: | GBP |
Payout options: | Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Skrill Neteller |
As you’d expect, all deposits are processed instantly and are fee-free. Withdrawals are also fee-free, with eWallet transactions typically being processed within six hours. Although credit/debit card payments can take up to three days, they are highly secure and a solid option for anyone that doesn’t have an online wallet.
Finally, the minimum deposit/withdrawal limit at Blackbet is £10. With newer online betting sites, it’s often the case that withdrawal limits are set above the industry norm. However, Blackbet has kept its limits in line with bigger brands such as like Betfair. At the upper end of the spectrum, it’s possible to withdraw as much as £10,000 per week. In comparative terms, that’s way above the amount you can extract from a site of a similar age. Therefore, if you’re a high roller, it’s worth spending some time at Blackbet.
Security and Regulation
Being regulated by the UKGC is enough for us to say that Blackbet isn’t a scam and, moreover, is safe. Often recognised as the toughest and most respected regulatory authority in the world, the UKGC is more than capable of ensuring your experience is as safe and entertaining as possible. We also know that Blackbet’s parent company is registered in the UK and has its head office in London. Beyond that, IBAS has been enlisted to help resolve any issues you may have.
To add a final layer of quality and protection to the mix, Blackbet provides links to GamStop and GamCare via its homepage. Doing this not only gives you instant access to help and support, it demonstrates that Blackbet is a responsible operator. Although these organisations don’t have the power to sanction an operator for failing customers, they do offer guidance and advice. Therefore, by acknowledging the services these agencies offer, Blackbet is basically saying “we understand your needs and are active in helping you bet safely and responsibly”.
Customer Support
If you need help at any point, you can contact the Blackbet support team via email or phone. between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm UK time. Although it would have been nice to see an FAQ section, there’s an automated assistant that will answer basic questions as you browse the site and, if required, connect you to a live support agent. For us, the biggest strength of the customer support service was its speed. From independent tests, we found that the average response time for email enquires was just over one hour.
Usability of the Online Sportsbook
Blackbet is easy on the eye thanks to its black, white and dark green colour scheme. In fact, of all the online operators and betting sites we’ve reviewed, this was one of the easiest to focus on for long periods of time due to its subdued styling. Beyond its colouring, the interface is designed to fit the size of your browser window, meaning you can login and bet via any device. What’s more, the boxouts and action buttons are all bold enough that you aren’t forced to squint to see them. The other feature we liked was the virtual sports. Although it would be nice to see live video feeds from selected events, the look of each digital showdowns is extremely impressive and brings an extra element of dynamism to the platform.
Blackbet App: Many Different Slots
The Blackbet mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. This means you can download the mobile-optimised software and get access to a range of games and betting odds directly from your home screen. The other advantage of using the mobile app is that you can receive push notifications whenever you’re not logged into the site. In practice, this allows you to keep abreast of the latest odds, offers and more. If there’s one minor criticism of the Blackbet app it’s that the games lobby is fairly limited. Although this is common across all the leading mobile casinos, Blackbet’s is slightly smaller than most. Therefore, it’s our view that this product will be more suited to those that like to bet on sports when they’re on the move.
Conclusion: Perfect Betting Site with its Own Software
For a relative newbie in the online betting and online casino world, Blackbet can hold its head high. Although it doesn’t have the same level of experience or financial backing as some of the major brands, the team has done a fantastic job of catering to all tastes, and has thus received a decent overall score for this Blackbet review. Naturally, there are some gaps that need filling. For us, the bonus conditions could be more suited to low stakes players and it would be nice to see some live dealer games added to the mix. However, these are minor gripes with what’s an otherwise impressive platform. While it’s too early to say Blackbet is one of the top sites in the business, it’s certainly fair to call it a rising star.
Enjoy gambling responsibly. Set limits on time and money spent, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is for entertainment, not a way to solve financial problems. If you feel your gambling habits are becoming a concern, seek help from organisations like BeGambleAware or GamCare.
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BeGambleAware
Free and Confidential Advice
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GamCare
Free Support Helpline
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GAMSTOP
Free Self-Exclusion Service