Bodog Casino Review

 

Bodog's roots trace back to 1994, making it one of the pioneers in online gambling and establishing a significant international presence. Founded by Calvin Ayre, a figure both successful and controversial in the gambling world, Bodog has become a prominent name in the industry. Today, Bodog primarily operates in the Ukrainian online betting markets. The Bodog gambling platform offers a comprehensive range of betting options, including sports betting, an online poker room, and a casino, all under the regulation of the Antigua Gaming Authority.

Current Operations

Currently, Bodog operates in numerous countries worldwide but does not accept residents from the United Kingdom or the United States. It is particularly active in Asian markets, where it operates under the Bodog Asia brand. Bodog is also highly popular in Ukrainian online betting markets.

Bodog is licensed and regulated by the government of Antigua under the supervision of the Offshore Gaming Authority. They have offices in Antigua and a presence in the Philippines. In addition to sports betting, they offer an online poker room and a casino.

Deposit and Withdrawal Overview

The Bodog cashier does not offer many options, but since they primarily cater to Ukrainians, their options make more sense in that context. Both Skrill and Neteller have left the Ukrainian market, so offering e-wallets would not make much sense for them.

Cashier Parameters

Bodog accepts deposits through Bitcoin, debit and credit cards, and electronic checks. All methods can be deposited for free. Credit or debit cards may charge players a fee for international transactions, but this depends on the card company, not Bodog.

Withdrawals via Checks and Bitcoin

Currently, their only withdrawal options are Bitcoin and checks. Both are free for players. Bitcoin withdrawals are processed in approximately 48 hours. This is slower than some Bitcoin-only betting sites but still reasonable for a site that operates in both fiat and cryptocurrency. Bodog is also a new adopter, so their speed will likely improve over time.

Checks have consistently been processed within two weeks at Bodog. Sometimes their speed is less than a week, and sometimes just a few days. As far as operating in grey markets, Bodog and Bovada have been among the fastest and most consistent sites for over a decade.

Bodog Sportsbook Bonuses

The Bodog bonus is one of their best attributes. Freeplay bonuses are becoming rarer, especially those exceeding $100. Bodog offers all new players a 100% bonus on their first deposit up to $200.

The bonus is available only on your first deposit, no exceptions. The sports bonus can be used in the sportsbook, casino, or poker room. There is a separate bonus for the Bodog online poker offer. There is no code or special instructions; just make a deposit, and your bonus will be credited within 30 minutes.

The bonus includes a 5x rollover that includes the deposit amount and the freeplay amount. The 5x rollover is not ideal but is still competitive with other bonus offers. It also helps that the maximum bonus is $200. The offer is slightly different from Bovada. An American would get a 50% bonus up to $250 on their first deposit. The rollover is the same.

Highlights of Bodog Sportsbook

Alternative Lines

Bodog's lines are the same as Bovada's. There is no difference between the two sites when it comes to markets and odds. They use the same software, and the markets and lines move in tandem on both sites. Bodog using dual lines is not something they advertise, but it is an aspect that is at least somewhat known on betting forums. They have two sets of lines, one for squares and one for sharps.

It is fairly easy to determine whether you have been given square or sharp lines. The default odds, if you are not logged in, are the square lines. If your odds remain the same once you log in, you are still on the default square lines. If your odds are different, you are on the sharper line.

No one is sure how quickly players are moved to the sharper lines, but it seems it can be quite fast. Some players have reported being moved in just a few hours. If you bet a lot of underdogs and attack their inefficient markets, you will soon reach sharpness.

As mentioned above, moving to the sharper lines is not a death sentence. There are still plenty of +EV markets to be had on the sharper Bodog lines. As far as using two sets of odds from an ethical standpoint, we do not find too much wrong with it. They could be more upfront with customers about it, but it is probably written somewhere in fine print. Bodog is just trying to protect their business. There are still plenty of betting opportunities if your account is moved to the "sharp" lines.

New Betting Software

Bodog changed their betting software in July 2013. This was a drastic change that altered the entire layout of the site. Player reviews were mixed at best. Here at SBS, we preferred the old design, but it is not as if Bodog ruined their sportsbook by updating the software.

It is a minor downgrade. The new betting software just seems significantly slower to load. Overall, it is just a bit clunkier. There are no issues with errors or anything of that nature, and certainly there is much worse betting software than Bodog's.

Betting Markets

Bodog will not compete with sites like Betway or 5Dimes for American bettors when it comes to betting markets, but they have plenty of options for a medium-sized recreational sportsbook.

North American markets remain the focus, with most of Bodog's clients coming from Ukraine. All the major sports, football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, have a large number of markets, including props and live betting options.

Live betting at Bodog is one of their best features. Their live betting menu and interface are the best part of their update. Their markets have expanded and go far beyond adjusted spreads, totals, and moneylines. Each sport has a large list of props for players and teams that update during stoppages.

Since clients have refocused on Asian markets, Bodog really offers a lot in this area, including Japanese baseball, football, and other sports. They also have odds on nearly every football match when it comes to pre-match and live betting.

Bodog's focus on recreation provides players with excellent underdog prices across the board, especially when it comes to major sports like the NFL. Regardless of which line set you are using, there should be plenty of +EV spots available.

Low Betting Limits

Bodog and Bovada have the same betting limits. This is definitely not a sportsbook for high rollers. Their low betting limits will not satisfy those who want to bet thousands of dollars on any major sport, but as we explained above, that does not mean they do not have value.

In fact, despite having some of the lowest betting limits on the internet, they are still one of the most appealing shops for beginner and intermediate sports bettors.

As far as sides go, the maximum bet on NFL and NCAA football is $2,000. The NBA is second with $1,000. NCAA Basketball has $500 on all markets. NHL and MLB moneyline odds are capped at $1,000.

Despite having lower limits than most, props across the board have a maximum bet of $500. This is quite substantial, especially considering how soft their prop markets are compared to other sites.

Additionally, Bodog may allow you to make larger bets depending on your player status. The limits listed in the image are for online limits. Players can make larger bets over the phone. As mentioned above, they are among the quickest to limit players. If you start winning consistently, they will cut your limits down to around $25 per market. This happens often, and if you have any skills in sports betting, it is almost inevitable at Bodog.

Bodog Sportsbook – Elite Recreational Option

We highly recommend Bodog to Ukrainians, especially those starting out in sports betting. They can serve as a stepping stone before moving on to sharper books. The best part is that they always pay. It is a reliable betting company with soft odds and reliable payouts. Ultimately, that is all we need.