Gambling Site Bovada
Do you want to know if Bovada.lv is a safe gambling site? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve built this honest Bovada review to provide you with an independent look at everything this site has to offer. By the time you wrap up this review of Bovada, you’ll have an excellent idea if it’s the right fit for your unique needs. Bovada Poker is a popular spin-off of Bodog Poker, a proven leader in online poker since its inception in 2004. However, options for playing real money poker in the United States have been limited since 2011.
Even if you don’t know much about online gambling in the US, you might be aware that choices of casino or sports betting sites are few and far between.
That’s especially true when compared to a country like the UK, where a national gambling commission regulates both land-based and online betting and gaming.
While options may be limited, they’re not entirely lacking, though. Online casinos such as Wild, High Country, Slots Empire, and Slots.lv provide slots, video poker, and table games. You’ll even find a live dealer casino here and there.
Americans can also take advantage of a few full-service gambling sites, including Bovada, MyBookie, Sportsbetting.ag, and BetOnline that feature sportsbooks, racebooks, casinos, and more.
You don’t have to narrow the field too much. But, if you’re not sure which site is the one for you, then it can be challenging to figure it out based on a quick once-over. So, I’m devoting this blog post to comparing two of the top full-service providers with Bovada vs. MyBookie.
The services on both Bovada and MyBookie are quite similar. But you’ll soon find that there’s a clear winner in certain areas. So, let’s take the comparison round by round and see if either Bovada or MyBookie scores a knockout punch.
I just mentioned that you couldn’t get a good feel for a gambling or any website by just taking a quick look. Some of the most reputable operators could have a less than stellar presentation, while the iffy providers put forward a sleek and stylish first impression.
First, let me dispel any initial concerns about the reputations of Bovada and MyBookie. Over the past few years, there haven’t been any patterns of significant issues. From all accounts, they pay on time, use reputable software providers, and have attentive customer service.
Navigation and Information
Even though online gambling is more about the service than the surface, we always take comfortable navigation and thoughtful design into consideration.
It’s hard to declare a clear winner in this category as it’s close and boils down to personal preference. I like the homepage and navigation of Bovada, but MyBookie has more concise content and explanations.
If you were to force my hand, I’d lean toward MyBookie because it’s easier to locate customer service assistance. MyBookie posts its phone number prominently in the top menu, whereas you have to go on a service hunt with Bovada.
Bovada has an exceptional help center with all kinds of printed materials and relies heavily on it to answer player questions. Because of that, you have to start in that section first and read through the appropriate question and answer. Then, if it’s not satisfactory, you’re provided with customer service options.
- Round One Winner: MyBookie (but only by a slight edge)
I positioned the banking comparison as round two. However, it’s more like a first-round topic, as deposits and payouts are the essential services in Bovada, My Bookie, or any online casino or gambling site.
In this battle of Bovada vs. MyBookie, the contenders are going to go back and forth for a bit. Unless you use Bitcoin, you’re going to run into deposit and withdrawal fees with both of these online sportsbooks and casinos. But that’s where the differences come into play.
Lower Bovada Minimum
Bovada gives you a pass on the deposit fee for your first card deposit into your betting account. From there, though, you’re charged a flat 5.9%. It’s not a hidden fee, as there’s even a deposit calculator that you can use to breakdown the numbers. A low $20 minimum transfer is all you need to get things rolling.
You won’t find a considerable difference with MyBookie. But it has a higher $45 minimum deposit and doesn’t incentivize new players by offering the first deposit for free. However, 5% is deducted for card transfers, instead of the 5.9% imposed by Bovada.
Withdrawals are a different story. Both gambling sites provide free Bitcoin withdrawals as well as deposits, and Bovada and MyBookie don’t payout to debit or credit cards. Bovada uses checks by Courier, and e-checks or bank wires are MyBookie’s backup plan.
One check payout is free every 90 days for Bovada players. From there, though, it’ll cost you $100 to claim a second withdrawal within the quarter. MyBookie, on the other hand, won’t give you a freebie. But if you’re requesting a significant amount, then it’s more affordable. E-checks through MyBookie are $5 for $50 to $200. From $751 to $1,000, it’ll cost you $40, and $15 for anything in between.
Bank wires run between $75 and $160. Yikes!
MyBookie has a slight edge with the turnaround time, though, as it’s 7-10 days, as compared to Bovada’s 10-15.
Bitcoin Benefits
Before I declare a winner, though, I have to mention the Bitcoin benefits. Using Bitcoin with either of these gambling sites get your free and fast transfers, with a broader range of deposit and withdrawal limits.
I’m not a fan of any online casino or gambling site charging for deposits or payouts, so neither one of them gets high marks in this area. But, with proper planning, Bovada comes out ahead in the financial arena. Your first card deposit is free, and one payout is also complimentary every 90 days.
Place Your Bets
We’ve come to the main event, which is the gambling.
Yes, you need a reputable site and accommodating banking, but the betting is the real reason why you’re accessing the casino or sportsbook, so what’s in it for you?
Once again, comparing Bovada vs. MyBookie isn’t like apples and oranges. They’re full-service gambling sites that include sports betting, racebooks, casino games, and live dealer casinos. But Bovada has an edge right out of the gate, as it also has a dedicated poker room, absent in MyBookie.
Above all else, both Bovada and MyBookie are sportsbooks. Sports and racing are front and center, even though casino and live casino links appear in the main menu.
Betting Limits
You’ll find live betting on each US-facing site, as well as all of the top American sports. There are also tennis, soccer, MMA, golf, and other similar opportunities, whether you’re on Bovada or MyBookie. The two sites veer away from each other with betting limits, though.
MyBookie accepts 2.00 to 1,000 online slips, while Bovada starts at 0.50. Limits at Bovada vary per sport, with NFL spreads in the number one spot at $5,000.
The Bovada vs. MyBookie casino comparison showcases more of a difference. Bovada’s 300+ slots, video poker, and table games are by Realtime Gaming (RTG) and Concept Gaming.
So, you’ll have access to some fan favorites like A Night with Cleo, As the Reels Turn, and Zombies vs. Cheerleaders. Some exciting jackpots are in the mix and prominently displayed in the slots menu.
Bovada Free Casino Games
Twenty table games in the Bovada casino include Andar Bahar and Teen Patti, two Indian favorites that are starting to show up in more and more gambling sites these days. Video poker doesn’t have a wow factor with anything unusual, although you can play some multi-hand titles.
Different MyBookie Casino
MyBookie chose to use Betsoft casino software, so slot titles are entirely different. Top Betsoft games include new releases, Monster Pop, Quest to the West, and The Hive. There’s also the Tipsy Tourist and The Slotfather, as well as Birds! (my personal favorite).
While MyBookie doesn’t have Andar Bahar or Teen Patti, it covers the rest of the casino standards in its similar 20-game virtual pit. Once again, video poker is secondary. You won’t find anything really out of the ordinary, although there is a Split Way Royale game and Deuces and Joker Poker that you won’t find everywhere.
Another similarity arises in the live casinos, as both Bovada and MyBookie use Visionary iGaming (ViG). However, Bovada has a few more live dealer tables than MyBookie.
You can see Bovada vs. MyBookie in the gambling arena is another close call. But I have to give Bovada an ever so slight edge. It has more jackpot casino games, a few table game twists, a couple of extra live dealer tables, and a poker room. Sports betting is a toss-up unless you’re looking to stake as much as possible, and then, once again, it’s a win for Bovada.
- Round Three Winner: Bovada
I know that online bonuses and promotions can be “make or break” for some players. I’m not a fan of them because they’re so different than land-based incentives. You have to make a significant commitment to rollover requirements, more so in the casino, but also with sports perks.
Two Ways to Welcome
I’ll get into specifics in just a minute, but the one thing that stood out to me the most when I compared Bovada vs. MyBookie bonuses pertains to MyBookie’s welcome offer.
For higher rollers, it won’t be a problem, as it’s a generous award. But recreational players won’t want to deposit $500 to take advantage of a 150% first casino deposit match.
A plus that I found was that the X40 rollover doesn’t apply to the deposit and bonus combination. To reap the benefit, you still have to play your deposit through one time, and then the bonus amount requires 40.
The Bovada welcome bonus doesn’t have the hefty minimum deposit, but the X25 rollover applies to both the deposit and matching funds combined. It’s a three-part new player reward that adds up to $3,000 in value.
Gambling Site Bovada Play
In a head-to-head comparison, Bovada comes out ahead except that MyBookie has an alternative for new players. There’s also a cash incentive. You can deposit up to $200 and take 10% back in cash with just a one-time rollover.
MyBookie also has a 100% match up to $1,000 in the sportsbook with an X10 rollover. Bovada’s sports incentive is 50% up to $250 with an X5 playthrough.
I have to give this round to MyBookie for one reason, and that’s the welcome bonus option of 10% back in cash.
- Round Four Winner: MyBookie
The Bovada vs. MyBookie competition was a tight race. They have similar services regarding banking, sports betting, casino, live casino, and bonuses. Only one comes out on top for poker players, as Bovada is the only one with a dedicated poker room.
Best Gambling Site
If you kept score along the way, you’d come up with a 2-2 tie, but my first MyBookie award wasn’t an overwhelming win. So, even though they’re close, I have to give the advantage to Bovada.
Gambling Site Bovada Poker
Bovada allows you to claim one free deposit and a free payout every three months. It’s got a poker room and a few additional tables in the live casino. Sports betting limits are slightly higher, and bank deposits impose lower minimums.
Both full-service gambling sites accommodate US players and have built up good reputations over the years. So, you can’t go wrong with either one. You get better bonus options and customer service front and center with MyBookie. But, Bovada takes the top spot with betting options and banking.