Bookmaker user reviews can be an invaluable source of information for bettors looking to make informed decisions about which bookmaker to use, whether you are checking out the latest Australian betting exchange or the best South African betting sites.
Of course, betting reviews by users are likely to be subjective, and very often negative. In fact, the proportion of negative reviews could be as high as 90% across the sports betting sector. But while this means that you should never rely solely on user reviews, it is still worthwhile to gain what information and advice you can from user reviews, as they can help you to make the right betting decision.
Knowing where to start, however, can be daunting. After all, there are thousands of bookmaker user reviews out there, and sifting through them all would take a very long time. In this piece, we will take a closer look at sportsbook user reviews and give you some guidance on how to make the most of them.
Look Out for Reviews by Verified Customers
The first thing to do when looking at bookmaker user reviews is to make sure that the reviews are from verified users. Many bookmakers require users to verify their betting account before they can leave a review of the site. This does help to reduce the number of fake or spam reviews, however, if a bookmaker does not have a verification system in place, that could raise doubts about the quality of the reviews and it may be a good idea to be extra cautious when reading them.
Read a Variety of Reviews
It’s important to read a variety of reviews when looking at bookmaker user reviews. This will help to give you a more balanced and nuanced view of the bookmaker. Don’t just read the most positive or negative reviews, either, as these may represent the most extreme subjective opinions. Instead, try to read a range of reviews from different users with different experiences.
Look for Recurring Themes
When reading bookmaker user reviews, look for common themes that come up again and again. For example, if one user mentions a slow withdrawal process, that may not be significant, but if many users mention it, then it may be worth looking into when deciding whether to use that bookmaker. If a theme comes up consistently, it is likely to be a genuine issue that many users have experienced.
Pay Attention to Review Tone
The tone of the reviews can be just as important as their content. Customers of betting sites will have varying abilities to express their opinions and will write their reviews in varying states of mind, but sometimes a pattern can be discerned. If many reviews come across as angry, frustrated or use extreme language, this may be a warning sign. Paying attention to the tone of the reviews may not provide you with factual pointers, but it can help you to get a sense of the overall user experience.
Consider the Review Source
It’s also important to consider the source of a bookmaker user review. If a bookmaker has many reviews on a reputable third-party review site, this may be a good sign. Multiple positive reviews on the bookmaker’s own site, or a linked site, on the other hand, may not be worth much, as they are likely to be biased, while reviews posted on less reputable review sites may simply be spam or fake. Take a little time to evaluate the site where the reviews are posted before you weigh up the user comments.
Look for Reviews from Customers Similar to You
When reading bookmaker user reviews, try to find reviews from users who have similar betting habits to your own. For example, if you primarily bet on soccer, try to find reviews from users who also bet on soccer. This will help to ensure that the reviews are relevant to your own experience. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you can’t read other reviews, but perhaps focus initially on the relevant reviews, before widening your focus to get a clearer overall picture.
Don’t Depend Entirely on User Reviews
Finally, it’s important not to rely solely on bookmaker user reviews when making a decision about which bookmaker to use. User reviews can be a valuable source of information, but they should be used in conjunction with other sources, such as expert reviews, odds comparison sites, and your own research. In particular, you should do your own research on the following factors:
- Range of betting markets
- Competitiveness of odds
- Banking options
- Bonus and promotion generosity
- Withdrawal times and fees
- Customer support
Conclusion
Bookmaker user reviews can provide valuable insight into the user experience with a particular bookmaker. By following the advice above, you will be in a better position to make informed decisions about which bookmaker to use for your betting needs.
