Review: WagerWeb.com
Overall Rating : 9/10
Opening an account : 9/10
Software & Navigation : 8.5/10/10
Betting Limits : 8/10
Sports Offered : 9/10
Odds Offered : 8.5/10
Signup Bonus : 10/10
Promotions & Bonuses : 10/10
Customer Support : 9/10
Financial Security : 9/10
Deposits/Withdrawals : 8.5/10
Company Background
First established in San Jose, Costa Rica in 1994, WagerWeb has nearly two decades’ worth of experience in the online gambling industry. More than 100,000,000 wagers have been accepted during that time. The company takes pride in offering a single source for sports betting, casino gambling and horse racing, backed by 24/7 customer service.
Opening an Account
Opening a new account with WagerWeb starts with a click on the web site’s “Join Now” button. A Sign-Up form will appear in the browser window, requiring the following personal information: name, address, email address, phone number, country of residence and a password for use with the new account. Registrants must be 21 years of age or older. Once confirmation has been received, the new customer can make a deposit and receive any bonuses as indicated at sign up.
Software & Navigation
The WagerWeb Sportsbook & Racebook is powered by software developed by Action Sportsbook International (ASI) and its sportsbook management and accounting system. The web site is best viewed using IE 5.x, Netscape 6.0, Opera 7 and Mozilla 1.0 or higher. One convenient feature of the Sportsbook betting page is the navigation column on the left not only lists all of the sports available but also groups them into two section, Active and Inactive, so that it is easy to see at a glace what kinds of markets are currently available.
Betting Limits
A complete list of Betting Limits and Post Times by sport and type of wager is available on the web site through the “Betting Guide” tab. For example, the maximum wager permitted on NFL Money Lines is $3,000, while the cap on NBA Point Spreads and Money Lines is $2,000. For almost all markets, including futures and most props, betting of up to $500 is accepted. The one exception is “Exotic Props,” which are limited to bets of $200 or less.
Sports Offered
The WagerWeb Sportsbook currently accepts bets on the following sports: Auto Racing, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Golf, Hockey, Rugby, Soccer and Tennis. Seasonal markets are provided for the Olympics, Political Props, Celebrity Activities, Weather & Nature and other Exotic Props. Additionally, there is a separate tab for the WagerWeb Racebook, where wagering is possible on runnings at 67 different U.S. tracks plus the Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Derby, Preakness and all Breeders Cup events. Bets can also be placed on Greyhound races at some two dozen U.S. tracks as part of the Racebook operations.
Odds Offered
WagerWeb uses American money lines as the default. A pull-down menu at the top of each page can be used to display fractional and decimal odds, if preferred. Point spreads, money lines and totals are available for most in-season sporting events, as are props and futures. The Betting Odds section of the Sportsbook gives specifics for each sport, including information on betting trends and line moves. Unless otherwise noted, odds quoted at the time a bet is made and confirmed are the odds that are used to settle the bet, regardless of any line changes after that time.
Signup Bonus
Those who are new to WagerWeb Sportsbook are treated to a 100% Sign-Up Bonus up to $1,000—one of the most lucrative offers on the Internet among bookmakers. But that just the start, because ALL deposits at WagerWeb, for both new and existing customers, are eligible for matching bonuses at the following rates: a bonus of up to 50% for every deposit of $25-$250, 70% for $251-$499 and 100% for $500-1000. Net winnings caps and minimum rollover requirement apply prior to withdrawal.
Promotions & Bonuses
As noted above, all deposits are eligible for matching cash bonuses of 50% to 100%. The web site also offers an opportunity to claim a portion of $3,000 with no rollover requirements as part of its monthly Refer-a-Friend Promotion. And the centerpiece of all promotions at WagerWeb is the Rewards program, which awards points for all wagering activity and gives cash back based on volume of activity. For example, upon reaching the Gold Level of play, customers receive 10% cash back on weekly horse racing wagers, $2 for every $200 wagered daily on sports and $1 for every $250 played in the casino each day. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise and prizes, such as iPods, ESPN GamePlan subscriptions, Camcorders, and more.
Customer Support
The WagerWeb Sportsbook offers “Live Help” via a one-click chat function, with English-speaking support staff standing by 24/7. A number of toll-free phone numbers are listed for North American customers to reach New Accounts, Deposits/Payouts, Bookmaking or Horse Racing representatives. For U.K.-based customers, a separate freephone number is provided, and there is an International line for toll-paid dial in. Fax and email inquiries are also accepted 24/7.
Financial Security
WagerWeb is committed to protecting personal information relating to clients, affiliates and employees by way of practical security measures, which are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information provided. Customer account information and transactions are confidential between the customer and WagerWeb. The company, as a foreign entity, is neither required to nor does it report winnings of individuals to any government agencies. It is the sole responsibility of customers, if applicable, to report any winnings to their respective government Customs or Taxation departments.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Six payment methods are available: Visa Credit, Western Union, MoneyGram, Moneybookers, InstaDebit and NETeller. Minimum deposits range from $25 to $51, with the maximum transfer limit set at $1,000. No fees apply, except for those charged by MoneyGram and Western Union. Withdrawals can be made by MoneyGram, Moneybookers, Western Union and Cashier’s Check (Fedex/UPS). Fees apply in all cases, with the amounts withdrawn subject to a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $550 to $3,000, depending on the method selected.
Additional Information
WagerWeb has a Lounge area that is strictly for Adults Only. Apart from posting up-to-date celebrity and sports news, it features pictorials of “Hot Girls” wearing little more than a pair of socks and a section called “WTF” for human interest articles ranging from chainsaw attacks to new uses for cat poop. The “Political News” tends to be of the tabloid variety, too. It’s all a bit strange for an otherwise serious gambling web site, but nonetheless amusing to browse through between games, matches or races.
Conclusion
WagerWeb compares surprisingly well versus competitors, owing at least partly due to its generous deposit bonuses and points program, but also because it does not try to be all things to all people. Its focus, without any apologies, is obviously the American betting market.
