Bally Bet

Overview

Bally Bet is the online sports betting arm of Bally's Corporation, a company with a long and storied history in the American gambling landscape. While the Bally's name is iconic, the sportsbook itself is a relative newcomer, and it shows. The platform is a work in progress, with some promising features but also some significant drawbacks. Bally's has made some big moves to bolster its online presence, including the acquisition of Gamesys Group and a partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group, but the sportsbook has yet to truly challenge the top players in the industry.

Sign-Up Bonus

Bally Bet offers a straightforward and accessible sign-up bonus for new users: Bet $10, Get $50 in Bonus Bets. To claim this offer, you need to create a new account, deposit at least $10, and place a wager of $10 or more on any market with odds of -250 or longer. Win or lose, you'll receive two $25 bonus bets. The bonus bets expire after seven days and cannot be withdrawn as cash. No promo code is required to claim this offer.

Odds Quality

Bally Bet uses its own in-house odds, which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can lead to unique and sometimes mispriced lines that savvy bettors can take advantage of. On the other hand, the odds are not always competitive, and the vig (the sportsbook's commission) can be on the high side. For example, it's not uncommon to see 40 cents of vig on two-way markets, which is significantly higher than the industry standard.

User Experience

The user experience at Bally Bet is a mixed bag. The desktop interface is clean and simple, which makes it easy for new bettors to navigate. However, the font size for the odds is inexplicably small, making it difficult to read. The mobile app is a significant improvement, with a much more user-friendly design and layout. The app is responsive and easy to navigate, with no major lag issues.

Mobile App

The Bally Bet mobile app is one of the sportsbook's biggest strengths. It has high ratings in both the Apple App Store (4.7 stars) and the Google Play Store (4.4 stars). The app integrates social features that allow you to connect with friends, share bets, and create custom leagues. It also has a unique "Trophies" system that rewards you for completing certain betting achievements.

Deposit/Withdrawal Methods

Bally Bet offers a decent selection of deposit and withdrawal methods. For deposits, you can use major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards, PayPal, bank transfer, and the Bally Bet Play+ card. The minimum deposit is $10, and the maximum is $2,000 per transaction. For withdrawals, you can use Instant Bank Transfer and the Bally Bet Play+ card. Withdrawals typically take 1-5 days to process.

Market Depth

Market depth is one of Bally Bet's biggest weaknesses. The sportsbook covers all the major American sports leagues, but the number of betting markets available for each game is limited compared to competitors. This is especially true for college sports, the NHL, and MLB. Bally Bet also lacks some of the more advanced features that are becoming standard at other sportsbooks, such as live streaming.

Promotions

In addition to the sign-up bonus, Bally Bet offers a few ongoing promotions for existing users. These include:

• Game of the Week: Bet $50 on a selected game and get a $25 bonus bet.
• Happy Hours: Get reduced juice on select markets during specific times of the week.
• Trophies: Earn rewards, such as bonus bets, for completing betting achievements.

Bally Bet also has a loyalty program called Bally Rewards, but the redemption rate is quite poor. You need to earn 2,000 points to get just $1 in free play.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• User-friendly mobile app with unique social features
• Trusted and well-known brand
• Simple and clean interface
• In-house odds can offer value at times

Cons

• Limited market depth
• High vig on some markets
• Poorly designed desktop site
• Uninspiring loyalty program

Final Verdict

Bally Bet is a decent but unspectacular online sportsbook. It's a good option for casual bettors who are looking for a simple and easy-to-use platform with some fun social features. However, more serious bettors will likely be disappointed by the limited market depth, high vig, and lackluster promotions. Bally Bet has the potential to be a major player in the industry, but it still has a long way to go to catch up to the competition.