SkyBook.ag
Year established: 1998
Mobile compatible: Yes
Jurisdiction: Costa Rica
Overall rating: B-
Recommended: For recreational players
SkyBook Sportsbook Review
In the 1990s Skybook was a reputable North America sportsbook, indeed it was one of the first online sportsbooks. However, in by 2010 Skybook was riddled with financial difficulties, resulting in insolvency with players and partners both unable to be paid. A complete sale became Skybook’s only option to remain afloat and in stepped the Costa Rican BetPhoenix Entertainment Group, based offshore in San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. This group runs several sportsbook and bookmakers including: BetMania, BetLatina, and BetPhoenix. This offshore conglomerate has a varied ethical trading background, perhaps telling of the Costa Rican government-with whom they are licensed - not employing any official body regulator dealing with gambler protection.
As with most of the BetPhoenix group companies, Skybook has had a questionable trading past. However, the main difference here with other BetPhoenix offshoots is that since their purchase of Skybook, its general rating and customer satisfaction levels have increased as they guaranteed sponsors and the payment of customers. This is in part demonstrated by their B- rating.
Betting Markets
Skybook’s primary focus is clearly the North American Market as they primarily focus on the main sports in this market, with NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL giving the wealth of betting options with Skybook. However, that is not to say other gaming options are ignored as Skybook also covers a plethora of Soccer leagues, both in North America and Europe, as well as: Tennis, Golf, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Auto Racing and others. Its betting limits on the main North America four sports are $2,000 a game.
Once bored or out of options in their sportsbook, they also offer a Racebook, and a Casino and Live Casino. However, with their casino games remaining blacklisted on some review sites, with BetPhoenix being linked to use of the Amigotechs software, which is believed to create non-random results.
Live Betting
As a sportbooks Skybook offers a very limited array of live or in-play betting options to bettors. This is restricted to simply NFL football live televised games on a Sunday or Monday evening. That said it does offer a deep set of game-to-game betting options for players for major four American sports.
Mobile Betting
Skybook does not offer its own betting app, keeping in line with the rest of BetPhoenix’s companies. However, they do offer a smart mobile version of their website with a quick and easy log in method and fairly stylish and quick website. As in most mobile version websites they simply descale and remove various options from their main desktop site, this is not the case with Skybook who only descale and fit everything into their mobile site easily and smoothly. This differs to other BetPhoenix group websites, such as BetMania that has a far poorer mobile site that Skybook.
Customer Service
Skybook offers all the usual customer service options including: live chat, email addresses, and two free of charge phone numbers, one that deals with customer service and the other for over the phone wagering.
Conclusion
Skybook has a pretty average selection of betting markets, although it does offer some interesting NFL football options. One major flaw with Skybook is that doesn’t offer a live streaming service and its in-play betting options are very restrictive, particularly when compared to other sportsbooks and bookmakers. Furthermore, like the rest of the BetPhoenix group, withdrawals can take time with a slow payment system in operation, although at least customers can be safe in the knowledge they will receive payment, after the previous owners of Skybook filed for insolvency.
Advantages:
- Steady, secure sportsbook with fast payouts;
- Accepts players from the United States;
- Sports betting on all major sports;
- Freehalf-point on all football and basketball spreads;
- There are rarely any issues with payouts and your money being secure;
- Good initial deposit bonus;
- Good user interface.
Disadvantages:
- Limited live betting;
- Limited selection of European sports;
- Limited cashout methods;
- Not available in certain countries;
- Plain website.
Payments:
Visa, UPayCard, Bank Wires, Person to Person, Checks, Bitcoin
*Keep in mind to double check information. Be prepared for changes to restricted countries, bonuses, currencies, deposit and payment options, languages, contact info.
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