bet365 Review

After testing the waters with Betway and Bet-at-Home, Bet365 has become an even bigger player. Denise Coates founded Bet365 in 2000 and laid the foundations for its success. Bet365 established itself first in local betting shops and then online with strong odds, a simple website and excellent customer support. The Coates family still owns over 50.1% of the company and is one of the UK's largest taxpayers. In the mid-2000s Bet365 began to make a name for itself outside the UK through various sponsorship deals. For example, the stadium of English Premier League team Stoke City was named after Bet365.

Bet365 now focuses on different markets and offers its services worldwide. In Germany, too, Bet365 is one of the biggest betting operators in the market and has become an integral part of the market.

In addition to its headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, Bet365 also operates from Manchester, Sofia (Bulgaria), Malta, Bogota, Gibraltar and Sydney. Bet365 currently employs around 2300 people worldwide, making it one of the largest sportsbook operators in the world.

Bet365 was also one of the first companies to receive a German licence, so betting with Bet365 is 100% legal and monitored. So it is high time for me to investigate Bet365. Is Bet365 as good as its reputation? How does the bonus work? And how attractive are the odds at Bet365? These and other questions are answered in this article.

I carried out the test between May and June 2023, choosing to bet on the final day of the 2023 Bundesliga season as well as individual finals. I also placed one or two bets on football in South America and on less popular fringe sports.

In order to replicate Bet365's big test as authentically as possible, I placed deposits and bets from a variety of devices. First, I registered on my MacBook. Then I went to the AppStore and downloaded the Bet365 app for iPhone and iPad.

If you like a straightforward betting experience you will love Bet365! Few comparable bookmakers have modernised their website as little as Bet365 in recent years, and players thank them for it! There is no mascot and no slogan. In my opinion, this is just right for Bet365.

Just like other bookmakers, the Bet365 logo is in the top left hand corner, next to which you can choose between sports betting and live sports betting. On the right you will find the familiar magnifying glass and the login button. Scrolling down a little further will bring you to the various sliders. There are six sliders in total, which you can move as you wish. For example, the aforementioned sliders will take you to various options such as a bet boost, a combination bet calculator or new bonus offers.

On the left hand side you can filter by different sports. In the "Sports Betting Offer" section I go into more detail about the different types of sports. On the right hand side you will find the most attractive matches of the weekend and live events. There is also a tab called "Odds under 2.00".

All your bets are displayed on the right hand side of the site. It also shows you what your potential winnings could be. You can also see how much your winnings could change if you add or remove new bets from your current betting slip.

The mobile Bet365 App

As mentioned in the introduction, the folks at Bet365 have developed their own app that is available for both Apple IOS and Android phones. The download only takes a few seconds. Like the main site, the app is kept fairly simple. Betting is simplified, which is what most punters want. With more than half of all bets being placed on mobile devices these days, it is important that the app works well.

I particularly like the live betting feature, as all games are clearly displayed.

The colour scheme of the app is similar to the main page, green and black with various grey elements. The live odds and extensive betting options are also positive. The three small lines at the top left help with navigation.

In conclusion, the developers have done a really good job here and, in my opinion, leave nothing to be desired. The app is identical on the iPhone and iPad and works in the same way.

Registration at Bet365

To get started with Bet365, you must first register / sign up. In this section you can take the first steps towards a successful registration. At Bet365 you can register via the classic website, the app or the mobile version of the bookmaker. I chose to register using my MacBook. To do this, I first clicked on the yellow "Register" button located in the top right hand corner of the website.
Once you have clicked on the button, you will be taken to the relevant screen. The following information is required:

• Country of residence
• Salutation
• First name
• Surname
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Place of birth
• Name at birth
• E-mail address
• House number
• Street
• Postcode
• Username
• Password

At the bottom of the screen you will have the option to sign up for our newsletter. If you choose to do so, you will be notified of future bonus promotions. At the bottom of the registration page you will find a field where you can enter a discount code. Shortly after confirming your details, you will be asked to confirm again. Click on the green 'My details are correct' button and you will receive a code sent to your mobile phone number. Enter the code in the appropriate field and your Bet365 account will be validated. We recommend that you check your account immediately after you have finished betting to avoid unnecessary delays.

Things to consider

If you are new to sports betting, the sign up area can be a little confusing. That's why I'm happy to give you a few tips along the way. If you violate the terms and conditions, your account can be blocked immediately, so I recommend that you take extra care when registering.

Please provide accurate information: It is very important for the bookmakers to know who is playing for them. You also confirm in the terms and conditions that the information you provide is correct. Incorrect information will be discovered at the latest during verification and the account will be blocked immediately. If you have unknowingly made a mistake during the registration process, or if there is an error in your name or address, we recommend that you contact customer support directly and explain the misunderstanding.

Sports betting is for adults: Sports betting is gambling and gambling is for adults. Therefore, please only register with Bet365 if you are over the age of 18. Your age will be displayed when you verify your account. Any winnings cannot be paid out.

Only one account per player: The terms and conditions also state that only one account can be used per player. The reasons for this are both varied and obvious. Bookmakers often complain that players create more than one account, for example, to take advantage of bonus offers twice. This is strongly discouraged. If you are unsure whether you have created an account in the past, I recommend that you contact customer support.

The sports betting offer is one of the points where bookmakers differ from each other. When the new State Treaty on Gambling came into force, bookmakers had to change their offer. Not necessarily to the delight of punters. But Bet365, Betway and Co. are making the best of the situation and have, in my opinion, put together a competitive betting offer. You can place your bets on the following sports:

• Formula 1
• Football
• American Football
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Biathlon
• Boxing
• Darts
• Ice hockey
• Golf
• Motor sports (NASCAR, motorbike racing)
• Cycling
• Alpine skiing
• Ski jumping
• Snooker
• Tennis
• Cricket
• Rugby
• Boosts, football betting and more

As well as fast payouts, simple verification procedures and a good range of payment methods, the success of a bookmaker is determined by the odds and, above all, the range of football bets on offer.

I am going to talk about football betting because most bets are placed on our favourite sport. Bet365 also offer a range of football betting during the summer break, including South American clashes, European pre-season games and other football events that take place before the start of the European leagues.

The following bets are available on a standard football match:

• Final result (win, draw or defeat)
• Double chance
• Both teams score
• Exact result
• Both teams score at least one goal
• Half-time / final result
• Total goals

Depending on the attention paid to a match, the number of football bets will increase or decrease.

As well as football bets, odds boosts are very popular. Bet365 odds boosts are offered on various events and are referred to here as bet boosts. The type of bet on which an odds boost is given varies greatly. With a Bet Boost, you can usually be sure that Bet365's odds on that event will be higher than those offered by other bookmakers.

My bets placed

After a few minutes, I was able to book the €100 deposit. I did not need to read the bonus terms and conditions as the Bet365 bonus offer cannot be claimed on PayPal deposits. With the last day of the Bundesliga just around the corner, I decided to start with a combination bet. I took a close look at the different starting positions of the clubs to assess the situation. For some clubs, the stakes were high, while for others it was simply a matter of the much-vaunted 'golden pineapple'.

First betting slip: stake €30, total odds 8.89 - possible profit: €266.98

RB Leipzig vs. FC Schalke 04 - betting tips RB Leipzig to win: odds 1.65

The writing was on the wall for both sides going into the final round. RB Leipzig had already qualified for the Champions League, while Schalke 04 needed a win to realistically stay in the Bundesliga. Despite showing signs of improvement in recent weeks, the Königsblauen had failed to register a single win against the Bundesliga's top eight. Can they do the same against a strong Leipzig side? Rather unlikely. Besides, the odds of 1.65 for Red Bull to win have convinced me.

VFL Bochum vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Bet win Bochum: odds 3.35

For Bochum, it was all about staying in the league. Bayer Leverkusen were still in contention for a place in the European Cup, but had recently looked flat and listless after being knocked out of the Europa League by AS Roma in a gruelling semi-final.

A famous Bundesliga manager once said "form beats class", and he was often right. I was also attracted by the high odds of 3.35. This match should offer the highest odds on my Bet365 betting slip.

Borussia Dortmund vs. FSV Mainz 05 - Under 4.5 goals: odds 1.61

Borussia Dortmund leapfrogged FC Bayern on Matchday 33 and had the chance to become German champions for the first time since 2012. All they needed was a home win over FSV Mainz 05. But beware, Mainz 05 were free to play as they pleased and coach Bo Svensson was adamant that his side would not give anything away. Mainz have also regularly produced strong performances away from home. They have beaten the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig this season. I liked the betting odds of under 4.5 goals, as I couldn't imagine an extreme goal feast. Dortmund were under pressure, and the pressure was growing by the minute, while Borussia were without their midfield engine Jude Bellingham.

At the end of the last matchday, I couldn't help but smile as my €30 bet turned into €266.98 in 90 minutes. Yeah! What a dream start with Bet365. Afterwards, I opened a delicious beer and enjoyed the early summer sunshine.Anschließend entschied ich mich dazu, das Guthaben erst einmal ruhen zu lassen und nach weiteren interessanten Partien in der Zukunft Ausschau zu halten. Da ich generell sehr an Sport, speziell an Fußball interessiert bin, wusste ich ungefähr, welche Events in den kommenden Tagen und Wochen folgten.

For example, I had individual live bets on the European Cup final, the Conference League and the Champions League. For example, my €50 bet won me around €20 on Manchester City to win the CL final or around €60 on West Ham to win the Conference League. Unfortunately, betting on smaller football leagues was not successful.

I continued with betting on Formula 1, tennis and South American football. I won one or two euros on Max Verstappen's Formula 1 wins and Novak Djokovic's triumph in Paris at Roland Garros. It just goes to show that backing favourites can be quite profitable when the odds seem reasonably attractive.

I was a little too far out on South America, where it seems anyone can beat anyone at the moment. It doesn't matter if it's in the domestic leagues or the Copa Libertadores. I recommend watching the game live and placing live bets. The advantage of this is that you can get a first-hand impression of the game.

At the end of June, after placing a total of 22 bets and only making the €100 PayPal deposit, I had a cash balance of over €210. In order to give Bet365 the benefit of the doubt, I decided to make a withdrawal. Within two working days I had €210 in my PayPal account. I was very happy with that!

Bonuses at an online casino or online bookmaker are as sure as the Amen in church. As well as a welcome bonus, Bet365 players also get a few other perks. I have taken a close look at all the bonuses on offer and rated them.

Welcome Betting Credits

Betting credits may sound like something new, but betting credits are not really new at all. You have the opportunity to receive betting credits with a deposit of more than 5 euros. The maximum number of betting credits is equivalent to a deposit of 100 euros.

It is important to note that this offer is only available to new customers. After your first deposit, you can use your betting credits to place bets without having your own money deducted. Bets can be placed on a variety of sports. Another option is to combine betting credits with real money bets.

To place a bet with betting credits, simply select "Use betting credits" on the betting slip.

If you did not take advantage of this offer when you made your first deposit, you can do so within the first 30 days of registration. To do this, simply log into your account, go to "My offers" and click on "Claim now". If you decide to make more than one deposit, you will receive your betting credits with the highest deposit (up to €100).

Bonus terms and conditions

Betting credits are also tied to bonus conditions. I would like to summarise the main conditions for claiming the bonus.

The offer can be claimed from a deposit of €5 and must be activated within 30 days of account registration.

Once you have claimed the bonus, it will remain in your account balance and cannot be withdrawn.

In order to release your betting credits, you must place a bet worth the amount of your betting credits, which can be between €5 and €100.

Some deposit methods will not allow you to activate or withdraw your credits. These include Neteller, PayPal and Skrill 1-Tap.

Betting odds must always be greater than 1.20 for winnings from betting credits to be activated and cashed out.

If the wager has a payout option, only the remaining active part of the wager will be taken into account.

Betting credits are generally not withdrawable and betting credit wagers are not included in winnings. Winnings on credits placed are automatically added to the withdrawable balance.

Betting credits will expire if your account is inactive for 90 consecutive days.

The offer expires on 28 September 2023. It's also worth noting that betting credits are usually made available within an hour of the condition being met. You should also be aware that Bet365 will only count one bet if you are betting on multiple outcomes in a match. If you are still unclear about this part, Bet365 explain it very well in the bonus terms and conditions under point 9.

Other bonuses at Bet365

As well as offering free betting credits, Bet365 also offers other bonus promotions. The following bonus promotions are available to both new and returning players:

Wett-Boost

The betting boost can be found regularly and is available on a wide range of sports. Events with a betting boost are marked with a green arrow. The original odds will be crossed out and replaced with the new odds.

Multiple bets with a boost cannot be combined with other selections.

Early payout on a 2 goal lead

This bet is available on bets in over 80 football leagues and competitions. You can settle your bet early if the team you are betting on leads by 2 goals.

Obviously, a payout is only possible if you place a result bet. In combination betting, this bet is marked as a winner and the other matches continue as normal.

Up to 70% on football multi bets

This bonus is also available on over 80 football leagues and competitions. Bet365 will match between 5 and 70 percent of your winnings on a combined bet of 3 or more matches on "Final Score", "Both Teams Score At Least Once" or "Score/Both Teams Score At Least Once". The percentage depends on how many bets you have selected.

Compensation for boring game

The folks at Bet365 have come up with something very special! For every football match that ends 0-0, your stake will be refunded. This promo applies to bets on the exact score, half-time/full-time score or scorecast.

Tennis Betting Bonus, 70% Bonus and Cash Out on Surrender

Similar to the up to 70% bonus on football combos, Bet365 offers the same opportunity on tennis bets. You place a combination of 2 or more tennis bets before the match. You can bet on a variety of outcomes. The percentage depends on the number of bets. Bets with credits are not taken into account.

Another interesting option is the 'Retirement' option, which comes into play if the opponent retires injured.

More bonus offers

In addition to the above bonus promotions, Bet365 also offers early payouts on Ice Hockey and Baseball bets, as well as a 70% multi-sport combo bonus. Bet365 also offer overtime payouts on rugby bets.

Sports betting involves real money, so trust and security are paramount. Both gaming licences and customer support go a long way in ensuring this. At Bet365, support is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. You can reach the friendly and knowledgeable staff via live chat as well as email. If you prefer to contact Bet365 by email, you can do so at the following email address: support-ger@customerservices365.com. Live Chat can be accessed by going to the "Contact Us" tab and then clicking on the "Chat Now" button.

I recommend that you use Live Chat if you need a quick answer, otherwise use email support. There is no telephone support at all, as is the case with almost all online bookmakers these days.

In my extensive Bet365 review, I contacted support via both live chat and email. In both cases I was very happy with the quality and speed of the answers.

Gambling licences

Licensing ensures fair and secure gaming on the internet. Bet365 is licensed by several gaming commissions. In addition to the MGA (Malta Gambling Authority) licence, the UK Gambling Commission and the new German licence ensure fair gaming. The German licence has been issued by the Saxony-Anhalt State Administration Office since 2021.

Changes due to the new licence

A lot has changed since the new German gaming licence came into effect. We have become accustomed to some of them, but not yet to others. The following changes affect us players the most:

• Restrictions on sports betting: Football bets, for example, can no longer be placed on games involving minors. Bets on free kicks, corner kicks and cautions / red cards have also been removed.
• OASIS file: The OASIS file was created in a highly controversial manner. Player data and all bets placed are recorded here, even across bookmakers.
• Deposit limit over 1000 Euros: Since then, players are not allowed to deposit more than €1000 per month with any sportsbook. This limit cannot be increased by high winnings in the past or a high income. The limit also applies to all bookmakers.
• No parallel play: Players are not allowed to play at different bookmakers at the same time. A software system detects simultaneous registrations.

The higher the number of different payment methods, the more flexible players can act. The new German licence has ensured that providers such as PayPal and Trustly are once again working with gaming operators. Thumbs up for that! The following payment methods are available at Bet365:

• PayPal
• Sofort
• Visa
• MasterCard
• Paysafecard
• GiroPay
• Trustly
• PayZ
• Skrill
• Skrill 1-Tap
• Neteller
• Wiretransfer

In order to be able to withdraw your winnings, it is important that your betting account is 100% verified. Payment methods can be verified with a bank statement or a screenshot. Sensitive amounts can of course be made untraceable.
Winnings are usually paid out using the same method that was used to make the deposit.

After about three weeks with Bet365 I can say that my conclusion is almost entirely positive. I am particularly impressed with the various bonus offers and the large number of bets available. Bet365 is also way ahead in terms of odds. I give extra points for the well-designed app, which is the work of real professionals. Betting on the move is also easier than ever thanks to Bet365.

Although I would have liked to have been able to claim the welcome bonus with PayPal, I can only think of my former German teacher's phrase "who can read is clearly at an advantage". Therefore, you should choose another payment method if you want to claim betting credits.

All in all, I can recommend Bet365 with a clear conscience.