Is Bookmaker legit? Why you should not play here
As said, Bookmaker.eu has a tradition of over two decades and has been attracting players for a number of reasons too. However, the prime source of its players from the United States has been the lack of choices for legal online gambling, with rather strict laws and few opportunities to take up.
However, the laws have changed over the past years and this has seen a number of states allow renowned casinos and bookies to request licenses, offering their services online. This has effectively challenged the offshore businesses and changed the game quite a bit.
The regulated bookies offer a
standardized service, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Division of Gaming Enforcement and certainly promises more tools to players to ensure their rights are respected. This adds to the overall trust we put into our deposits and withdrawals but also the general gameplay fairness.
Offshore bookies can give
no such guarantee
and while they promise a high standard of service, the inability to confirm it actually means trouble. This is felt the most in cases of
player complaints, where there is no regulation but users solely depend on Bookmaker arbitrage. Failure to discourage such claims and apply for licenses at all
make it impossible
for us to suggest Bookmaker for US players.
This is mainly because
money is thus not completely safe
with the bookie, as we could see Bookmaker closed at all times. We don’t really see any details on
user
data protection
either and in case of government blacklisting the site and banning players from accessing it with no prior notice, it could prove hard to ensure either one. This only adds to our belief there is no guarantee of
fair play
and all the luring bonuses or traits quickly disperse in a cloud of uncertainty, which is more than obvious with all offshore providers lately.
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Bookmaker scam or not: Salient features in check
Offshore casinos should obviously be
avoided by US bettors at all cost
for all the reasons above but we now take on a brief Bookmaker review, going through some of the most important features the company has to offer as well as the dangers entailing for players trying to take advantage of such circumstances.
Betting Offer: Top US Leagues Fully Available
The betting offer at Bookmaker betting consists of major US sports and leagues, with great focus on football, baseball, basketball, golf, boxing. Soccer, handball, tennis, and e-sports are also added to the bunch among others but many players still object International sports and competitions are either missing or feature scarce coverage.
Betting Odds: Average Odds at Best
While the betting limits are very big with the bookie, there is no increased juice feature and most of the Bookmaker odds roll around the standard -110. This is decent but doesn’t really set them apart from the offshore competition, which should be one of its main selling features with high risks it serves players with aside from the act of betting itself.
Bonuses: Questionable Rollover Requirements
Bookmaker deposit bonus is no peak to climb either, with 15% free money offered for first deposits of up to USD 600 and a 5x rollover on sportsbook. The company also offers a 50% casino bonus up to USD 1,000 with a huge wagering requirement of 80x.
Bookmaker also offers a 25% bonus for deposits made with certain currencies. It goes up to USD 1,000 and holds an 8x wagering requirement to release the bonus funds. What are Bookmaker BetPoints? Players earn them for gameplay regardless of the bet sizes and can exchange them for additional cash back, with an instant gold status to build on.
Payment Methods: Difficult Cashouts for Americans
Bookmaker allows deposits with VISA, MasterCard, and American Express after filling out an authorization form, together with bank transfers and Neteller’s dedicated card.
There are withdrawal fees with most methods and this piece of information is easily accessible when making deposits and/or withdrawals. Other Bookmaker withdrawal options include Western Union, Checks, Bank Wire transfers, and a prepaid debit card. Bank wire take a huge USD 900 fee while checks cost players USD 50 each.
Bookmaker app is powered by
Digital Gaming Systems
and feels a bit outdated with its design and functionality, where it feels they’ve just been slacking when bringing the site up-to-date. While the homepage is modern, this is felt more when making picks, searching your favorites, and actually placing live bets. Still, the interface has retained speed and responsiveness, which probably serves as an excuse.
Customer Support: Multiple Support Channels
The customer support is available through Bookmaker email, Live chat, or phone lines and offer a rather professional approach to communication with the players, often pointing players towards a detailed FAQ. However, many still object the lack of a friendly approach with cold appearances, which must have been instructed and held as a standard by the bookie management.
Still, there are no major remarks for the customer care available throughout the day, seven days a week and this will surely have many players forget about the conversation as soon as the problems have been solved. They have been coping with the industry giants in that sense but have a lot more to prove if they’re to get confirmation.
Bookmaker legal issues: The USA and its changing laws
The fact Bookmaker works in the grey for years does not really add to their reliability, especially with the licenses to offer such service legally now available. The company has headquarters in Costa Rica and has been using loopholes to get to the American players but this could soon be coming to an end.
Many Bookmaker.eu reviews will suggest just that, as its practically impossible to claim one’s trustworthiness without regulation and government agencies overseeing their work processes. The lenient laws have seen them poaching customers who have had no other options, as the US government doesn’t prosecute single players.
However, with the new legislation on the opening of the market, it feels like the offshore companies affect the industry in more than a way – which could mean stricter rules implemented in order to save potential losses for companies paying millions in taxes and fees just to enjoy licenses.
Offshore bookies could thus see a tough future and we advise US players not to take part in it, as a shutdown or even limited services could mean losing bankrolls for the end-users accessing from the US soil. Changing laws could make all the difference, as more and more players turn their attention to such bookies.
Is Bookmaker legal: Top 5 FAQ asked by players
Is Bookmaker legal in the United States?
Bookmaker works under a license in Costa Rica but holds no licenses to operate in the United States, which makes their policy to accept American players working in a grey area in a developing industry.
What are banking options with Bookmaker?
The deposit and withdrawal methods include VISA, MasterCard, and American Express cards, wire transfers, bank wire transfers and more.
Are the odds with offshore operators better than with legal operators?
Offshore companies don’t have the same sort of expenses and this does allow them to add to the players’ winning potential. However, Bookmaker doesn’t impress in that sense and all of these can be easily checked on the website.
Do I have to pay taxes in case of winnings?
Yes, players have to pay taxes on gambling winnings regardless of the country the operator is based in and if the company plays its own set of fees and taxes.
Does the minimum age of 21 apply to offshore betting operators?
Yes. While the age of majority at Bookmaker stands at 18 years of age, it’s obvious the customers also have to respect the local laws and regulation if they’re to enjoy the date itself.
Verdict: Better Safe Than Sorry
Bookmaker offers longstanding service to players across the world and while the customer market has been quite low over the last decade, the reasoning for recent hits offshore bookies could be taking surely presents many players with the actual potential vs real value – which is a sharp learning curve.
Indeed, the casinos and bookmakers regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement offer a genuine service with a higher standard provided and retained by government-based agencies. Offshore bookies cannot offer such certainty and this serves as the prime objection for the players. It’s thus better to avoid Bookmaker and similar companies, in an attempt to stay safe rather than being sorry down the line.
