Let's take a look at how JustBet aims to dupe new customers with a typically deceptive welcome bonus. The JustBet registration bonus currently stands at
15% free-play bonus of up to USD 600, which has terrible 5x wagering requirement on both base and bonus balance before one can request a withdrawal. This has seen players objecting as the bonus is not optional and can mean you have to lock funds with the operator for some time but now stands as standard practice for offshore bookies. Not a good sign.
JustBet also offers a casino bonus of
50% up to USD 1,000, which comes optional but with a daunting 40x wagering requirement. The bonuses should be avoided completely. Not giving players the option of accessing a bonus and then enforcing a wagering requirement on their betting is certainly not ethical in our eyes. We strongly recommend avoiding this site and its bonuses altogether.
User Interface / Usability: A Very Limited Site
The JustBet app should be skipped completely. It was fairly simple to use both for desktop and JustBet mobile betting, holding all basic and some advanced features to pick out from, but it does feel seriously
oversimplified. Some players might enjoy it but the website just lacks a robust look which would reassure players of its possibilities as well as the security – even without major ad spaces and banners on top or the sides of the site. AVOID THIS SITE.
Payment Methods: Unreasonable withdrawal fees
The deposit and withdrawal options at JustBet are probably there just to rip you off. These are a bit limited as depositing options include
a well-known but shady digital payment method,
Visa
and
MasterCard
debit cards,
Bank transfers, and
Person to Person
transfers.
Withdrawal methods are the same but include
fees, ranging from USD 25-35 for Person to Person, USD 50 for Bank Draft, and even USD 600-900 for bank wire transfers. The only withdrawal option which does not require a fee is a famously untrustworthy digital payment technology.
These are some of the most ridiculous withdrawal fees we have seen and obviously aimed at attempting to force players to use some shady payment options rather than any more legitimate payment method - this has scam written all over it - want our advice - Yet more reasons to avoid JustBet.
Customer Support: Poor Service
The customer support is allegedly available 24/7 and through a number of channels, including a JustBet
phone number,
e-mail addresses, and a
Live Chat
service on the website. The Live Chat is also reachable from anywhere on the site, but sadly the responsiveness was unremarkable.
It is obvious this might not be the best way to contact the bookie in case of more complicated issues anyway, due to the limited character count for messages. Other than that we found major issues with the way agents at JustBet communicate, they seemed over-burdened with contact from unhappy customers.
Licensing - Is JustBet Legit? No it is not!
As said, JustBet has a tradition of almost 20 years and this makes us have a hard time answering the question is JustBet legit as it clearly is a rip-off. The real question here is whether it is safe for US players to take their bankrolls to JustBet online or bet with offshore operators in general.
Justbet
does not hold a license to operate in the United States
and while it still accepts players, it’s obvious they’ve been doing it by exploring loopholes and enjoying
grey areas
of the
unlicensed offshore online casinos. While this has allowed US players a haven with no other options over the years, changing laws have seen many casinos and bookmakers get state licenses and offer fully legal sports betting service in some states.
State-regulated bookies offer
top-quality service
which comes well-rounded with versatile markets, high safety levels, quality customer support as well as tools to ensure such a promise is fulfilled – namely agencies such as Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Offshore providers promise a lot but hold no real transparency and can thus guarantee nothing of the kind, as they work as the only judge in any given case or complaint. JustBet is no different in that sense and this serves as the main reason
we don’t suggest US players to make accounts
here.
Failing to make fair play instrumental is topped by the fact such circumstances also mean the player funds are not safe, as the site could be closed at any time and without prior warning – which would surely make withdrawing a pain. Indeed, offshore companies create unfair competition to
state-regulated bookies
who abide all the laws, which adds to a feeling measures will have to be done in the near future to help companies acquiring usually very costly licenses.
JustBet has a lame rewards program called BetPoints. This allegedly gives you
cashback
for the amount of real money wagering that you do. You’ll get BetPoints in both the sportsbook and the casino, and it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose your bets.
Unfortunately this reward program simply isn't worthy of your time, as the amount you'll need to wager to achieve the point where the cashback kicks in makes it of very little value to the average player.
Conclusion - The Legal Battles Might Be Looming
You should avoid this betting site. JustBet has been offering US players a gambling resort for years but has been doing so
without a proper license, which has bettors in a grey area when it comes to legislation and on-going changes in gambling laws.
The fact offshore casinos hold no license means there is no regulatory body to control them, which brings on the questions of transparency, fair play, as well as overall security. JustBet offers
no insight
into their licenses and headquarters, which only adds fuel to the fire with many doubts arising.
However, it also means the bookie could face legal battles and possible blacklisting in the near future too, as the US players get a number of
fully legal and regulated bookies
to choose from – especially since 2013 and the passing of more lenient laws in New Jersey. The others could soon follow and this could ultimately bring more strict measures against offshore businesses.
Shutting down access to the United States would hurt the players just as much as it would the operators, as the funds would be in danger as well as the personal data. Indeed, this makes it hard to make any guarantees about the offshore bookies and JustBet is just one of the many. Take a look at our
bet365 rating
and "is Casumo legit?" guide to see where other top providers stand.
JustBet might offer an at best mediocre-quality service in some aspects of their business and this might lure US players into thinking about taking their bankroll there. However, the traits are just not worth the risks and it’s
strongly advised you avoid
playing here.
The changing laws have allowed many legal options and we suggest you first take a look at our in-depth overviews of state-regulated bookies, where high-quality service is topped with great customer care, data security and fund safety as well as the licenses to back it all up. Pursuing licenses can be costly but feels like a must for offshore companies in the coming years.
