subject: The New Bookmakers On The Block: Who Are They? [print this page] The New Bookmakers On The Block: Who Are They?
I've been working in gambling for over 20 years now, and the last 2 years has seen a number of bookmakers suddenly appear from nowhere. Who are they? What do they want? What are they offering that the traditional high street bookies are not offering? Here's my lowdown on the new bookmakers on the block, and why you should be taking notice.1. 188bet188bet are actually CUBE Limited, and they operate out of the Isle of Man. They call themselves the in-play specialist. In-play betting is extremely popular these days, as it allows gamblers to place bets during an event, and effectively "hedge" their bets. This makes 188bet quite an attractive proposition - they offer live streaming of events. With a slick website, 188bet have been picking up new punters left, right and centre. As a company, they're young and vibrant, and they're shaking up the online sportsbook scene with the 188bet free bet offer, which is extremely generous.2. 12betYou might have seen 12bet sponsoring a variety of football clubs. You'd learn a lot just from their alternative names - asianbookie and 12ying. Yes, they're Asian, and they have come over to Europe with little reputation over here, but a huge reputation over in China. Again, they have connections with the Isle of Man, but it's a brand that is highly familiar with gamblers in Asia Pacific. They're not particularly interested in fly-by-night gamblers, and their free bet offer clearly promotes regular punters. Their website is extremely modern, and even offers an Asian view option.3. BetRedKingsPart of the RedKings group, BetRedKings is the sportsbook arm of a huge brand operating out of Malta. What's so good about BetRedKings is that they're quite happy for you to view reams of statistics that would usually only be the reserve of the bookies themselves. In fact, you don't even have to have an account with them to view it. It's an odd tactic, but one that seems to pay off. When they get punters, they keep them and they make them loyal. Their free bet offer is effectively only a bonus, so if you don't want to have to "turn over" your deposit money a number of times, they're perhaps best avoided.4. Bet770Another bookmaker with numbers in their name, which suggests that they're linked with Asia - after all, the number 7 is considered lucky over there. While they have a European gaming licence, their registered trading name of Mandarin Gaming tells you all you need to know. Their speciality is obviously games, but they've branched out into sportsbooks. It may not have the professional sheen of William Hill or Paddy Power, but their website works - and works well. Again, they're another with a welcome bonus that requires you bet eight times the bonus amount, so this is one for regular gamblers only.So - there's four new bookmakers. They've all come from outside of the UK, and they're all trying to grab a piece of the UK market - but different pieces. While larger bookmakers will take a risk on lower gamblers, these are less willing to do so. Their business model is based around high-paying gamblers, and it's giving them market share.
