Please note: 888 Sport is not currently accepting customers from the United Kingdom. This situation is expected to be temporary — but If it persists, this review will be rewritten or removed. Meanwhile, I recommend exploring William Hill, another excellent site affiliated with 888.
Please note that this review features affiliate links. This means that we may receive a commission if you proceed to open an account at this bookmaker. However, we are dedicated to endorsing only carefully selected betting sites. Additionally, we also evaluate sites with which we have no affiliation, providing bettors with the opportunity to explore all available options.
- Many payment options available
- Extensive sports & markets coverage
- Range of popular betting features
- Associated with the successful casino brand
#ad. 18+, GambleAware.org, T&Cs Apply
New online 888sport customers in the UK and Ireland, excluding re-registered customers. Valid from 15/01/2024. Min Deposit £/€10 with code 30FXS. Qualifying bet: ‘real money’ stake of £/€10+, odds 1/2 (1.5)+. Free bet, consists of 3x £/€10 tokens: 1x £/€10 horseracing, 1x £/€10 football, 1x £/€10 in-play, which will be credited upon qualifying bet settlement and must be used entirely before expiration in 7 days. No cashing out, each way bets, permutations, or combining with ‘real money’ stakes. Payment restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Please note that this review features affiliate links. This means that we may receive a commission if you proceed to open an account at this bookmaker. However, we are dedicated to endorsing only carefully selected betting sites. Additionally, we also evaluate sites with which we have no affiliation, providing bettors with the opportunity to explore all available options.
- Many payment options available
- Extensive sports & markets coverage
- Range of popular betting features
- Associated with the successful casino brand
#ad. 18+, GambleAware.org, T&Cs Apply
Once a signup promotion becomes available, it will be featured here. Alternatively, check out our review of 888’s superior sister site, William Hill.
Good
No Affiliate Links
Please note that there are no affiliate links featured in this review. This means that we will not receive a commission if you proceed to open an account at this bookmaker. Unlike many other gambling referral sites, we remain committed to reviewing bookmakers that we do not actively endorse. This approach ensures that bettors have the opportunity to explore all available options, rather than solely focusing on those that might be advantageous for us.
- Many payment options available
- Extensive sports & markets coverage
- Range of popular betting features
- Associated with the successful casino brand
- Mediocre mobile app
- Withdrawals could be faster
888 Sport Review Summary
888 Sport, a well-known name in the casino industry, offers a bookmaker with a solid reputation and a good range of features. Although its interface and market depth could be better, it excels with a wide variety of sports, a ton of payment options, and decent promotions. Explore the categories below to see how 888 Sport performed in our detailed review.
How were these ratings created?
In this review of 888 Sport, I’ve examined a set of standard criteria to establish an impartial and data-driven rating for the bookmaker. Each of the above criterion is assigned a weight corresponding to its importance, with factors such as Odds and Features carrying more influence than others.
This methodical approach eliminates subjectivity and guarantees that only significant factors influence the overall rating. This results in a fair and objective assessment of the betting site, shedding light on both its strengths and weaknesses.
Unlike many other sites, Punter2Pro adheres to an identical process for all betting site reviews, ensuring that no brand receives an unjust advantage over another — regardless if we are affiliated with them or not.
About 888 Sport
Established in March 2008 by ‘888 Holdings Plc (parent company),’ the 888 Sport bookmaker operates as an exclusively online platform, devoid of any physical presence.
Holding a total of 11 licenses, the platform prioritises security and integrity through various protective measures. These include SSL data encryption technology, ensuring the complete encryption of all transactions, and two-factor authentication to thwart unauthorised access to user accounts. Employing ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) processes, the platform verifies customer identities to deter identity fraud.
Furthermore, secure payment processing is implemented to handle financial transactions safely. Geo-Fencing is utilised to confirm users’ location within legal betting areas, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
As a regulated entity, the site incorporates essential ‘safer gambling’ tools such as Deposit Limits, Reality Checks, Time-Outs, and Self-Exclusions. To add an extra layer of protection, the platform is eCOGRA certified, signifying approval for its systems as both ‘Safe and Fair.’
Bookmaker Profile
Company
888 Holdings Plc (parent company)
Established
March 2008
Website
888sport.com
Target Markets
UK, Spain, Italy, Nigeria, Germany
Languages
English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Norwegian, Russian
Licences
Denmark, Gibraltar, Italy, Malta, Romania, Schleswig-Holstein, Spain, Sweden, UK, Germany, Ireland
Regulators
1. Product Range
The 888 Sport website features seven primary products: Sportsbook, Casino, Live Casino, Poker, Bingo, Virtual Betting, and Financials. This diverse array of services reflects the site’s commitment to offering a comprehensive platform catering to various player preferences.
It’s important to highlight that 888 Sport operates its well-known Casino, Poker, and Bingo products independently. Each product functions as a distinct entity, necessitating separate logins for access. I’ve discussed this lack of integration in the User Interface section of this review.
Standard
Popular products offered by many betting sites. These count more towards the score for this section than 'Specialist' products.
Specialist
Specialised "niche" products offered by some betting sites. These count less towards the score for this section than 'Standard' products.
2. Sports & Markets
Slightly below the average, the sportsbook section at 888 Sport boasts an impressive lineup of 31 sports, constituting 53% of the sports considered in my bookmaker reviews.
Recognisable sports, commonly found on online bookmakers, are marked with an asterisk in the list below. The platform covers popular options like football, tennis, and horse racing, as well as more niche choices like badminton, sumo, and Australian rules, ensuring extensive coverage with odds available for matches worldwide, even in less frequented corners of the globe.
Going beyond traditional markets, 888 Sport provides decent market depth with over 380 options for a premier football match. These submarkets encompass options such as draw no bet, half time/full time, and total team goals.
Catering to diverse interests, 888 Sport offers special bets, allowing users to wager on political events, TV happenings, and novelty categories. This includes predicting outcomes like the next US general election, Love Island eliminations, or Oscar winners.
For enthusiasts of in-play betting, 888 Sport stands out by offering a superb experience with thousands of in-play events daily. Live matches span a broad array of sports, presenting numerous in-play markets for users to choose from. The platform further enhances the experience with detailed live match updates and statistics presented through animated graphics.
Horse racing aficionados also benefit from live streaming at 888 Sport, covering the main race tracks in Britain and Ireland.
All Available Sports (A-Z)
- American Football*
- Athletics
- Australian Rules
- Badminton
- Baseball*
- Basketball*
- Beach Volleyball
- Bowls
- Boxing*
- Chess
- Cricket*
- Current Affairs
- Cycling
- Darts*
- Entertainment / TV
- eSports
- Field Hockey
- Fishing
- Football*
- Formula 1*
- Futsal
- Gaelic Games
- Golf*
- Greyhound Racing
- Handball
- Horse Racing*
- Hurling
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Lotto Specials
- MMA / UFC*
- Motor Racing
- Motorbikes
- Netball
- Novelty
- Politics
- Pool
- Rowing
- Rugby League*
- Rugby Union*
How are sports & markets graded?
To assess this section, every sport has been classified based on its betting popularity, assigning greater importance to widely sought-after sports like Football, Horse Racing, and Tennis, in contrast to those with a more limited audience appeal.
Furthermore, the inclusion of market depth (betting options) also contributes to the overall score, emphasising the importance of “quality over quantity”.
This approach ensures that not only the sports but also the richness and diversity of betting options within each sport are taken into account in the evaluation process.
3. Odds
In a randomly selected sample of 20 selections, the odds offered by 888 Sport were found to be 6.31% below the betting exchange Back odds available at that particular time.
The average decimal price for the bookmaker odds in this sample was 2.98, compared to the betting exchange’s 3.18. This indicates that the odds provided by 888 Sport are within the standard range for a bookmaker, though slightly on the lower side based on this specific sample.
While this sample doesn’t offer a definitive estimate for the overall price value of 888 Sport, it does provide an insight into the potential difference between their odds and the leading price on the betting exchange. Consequently, this comparison plays a significant role in determining the overall rating of this bookmaker.
888 Sport vs Exchange Odds
Note: Please be aware that this sample only includes odds from top-flight European football leagues. To ensure uniformity across all bookmaker reviews, odds were capped at 10.0. We are committed to enhancing the depth and precision of this data regularly.
Why are the exchange odds higher?
The betting exchange provides industry-leading odds generated by the public, traded peer-to-peer rather than against the betting company. These odds are widely considered the most accurate in the market. The betting exchange earns its revenue through a commission, usually applied to winnings.
In contrast, bookmakers operate under a different model, incorporating a margin or “edge” into their odds. Consequently, the prices offered by bookmakers tend to be lower than those found on the betting exchange.
This crucial information is often overlooked by many gambling affiliate sites, but for the sake of transparency, it should be common knowledge. Despite this, bookmakers give many advantages over betting exchanges.
4. Bonuses
As a member of 888 Sport, you can frequently take advantage of various promotions, including price boosts, small free bets, and accumulator bonuses. As of the current review, several promotions are available, such as:
- Get a £5 free football bet when you place a £10+ Bet Builder
- Receive money back as a free bet if your horse finishes 2nd
- Score a £5 free bet every week with the Acca Club
- Get money back as a free bet if your NFL Bet Builder loses
- Enjoy a £5 free bet when you win at 4/1 or bigger
- Back a horse in a race with Each Way+ and get enhanced place terms or an extra place
- Experience double results on all UK & Irish racing.
The current signup bonus at 888 Sport, ‘Bet £10 Get £30,’ is considered above average and serves as an excellent introduction to the site. At the time of writing, this bonus is 38.2% higher than the average value of free bets featured on this site.
Ongoing promotions, or ‘reloads,’ are often worthwhile for regular bettors, providing added value.
Overall, the site delivers good value through its bonus offerings. If you haven’t opened an account yet, you can claim the signup promotion by following the link below.
#ad. 18+, GambleAware.org, T&Cs Apply
#ad. 18+, GambleAware.org, T&Cs Apply
Is The Signup Bonus Worth It?
According to our calculations, the average customer can expect to gain approximately £18.90 in value by participating in this promotion. This indicates that the promotion is advantageous for the player, which is highly positive.
It’s important to note, though, that this value is a general estimate. While the promotion presents potential value, there is still a risk of losing the initial qualifying bet. Therefore, it doesn’t guarantee a profit, and caution should be exercised.
How was this bonus valued?
This bonus was mathematically valued using an “average case” scenario. This makes few important assumptions:
- Odds gathered in the previous section are assumed to be representative of the overall value offered by the betting site.
- Qualifying bets are assumed to be placed at the minimum required odds for the promotion (1.5) to reduce risk.
- Free bets are assumed to be placed at decimal odds of 3.5, representing “medium risk” outcomes.
The same assumptions apply in all betting site reviews featured on Punter2Pro. This ensures that free bets & promotions can be compared consistently and fairly.
This approach helps to highlight valuable promotions, as well as cases where a typical bettor does not stand to benefit.
5. Payment Options
888 Sport offers a diverse range of 21 payment options for depositing and withdrawing funds on their betting platform, covering 54% of the total recognised methods assessed in my reviews.
Among these, 9 are considered ‘core’ payment methods, typically found at any reputable betting site. The remaining 12, while less commonly used, are still available for customers who may prefer them.
It’s important to note that the inclusion of ‘core’ payment methods (e.g. bank transfer) contributes more significantly to the bookmaker’s overall score in this category.
Additionally, players should note that not all payment methods are applicable for withdrawals; currently, only Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, ApplePay, Skrill, MuchBetter, Neteller, ecoPayz, Trustly, Interac, Pay4Fun, Rapid, iDebit, and Wire Transfer support both depositing and withdrawing funds. UK customers should also be aware that credit card deposits are not an available option.
Popular Methods Supported
All Available Methods (A-Z)
- Apple Pay
- Astropay
- Bank Transfer
- Boku
- Boleto
- Cash
- Citizen
- CashToCode
- Diners Club
- eCheck
- ecoPayz
- Entropay
- EPS
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- iDebit
- InstaDebit
- Interac
- MasterCard
- MuchBetter
- Neosurf
- Neteller
- Nordea
- Pay4Fun
- PayPal
- Paysafecard
- QIWI
- Rapid Transfer
- Skrill
- Sofort
6. Withdrawal Speed
Withdrawal times at 888 Sport vary based on the chosen method, and are generally processed at a moderte average speed of up to 4 working days across all payment methods. According to the gathered data, this is approximately 75.29% slower than the overall average of all bookmakers assessed on this site.
The promptness of withdrawals significantly influences the bookmaker’s overall rating, as every sports bettor deserves timely access to their funds.
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time | Minimum | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bank Transfer | 5 - 8 days | £5 | Free |
 Visa | 2 - 6 days | £5 | Free |
 Mastercard | 3 - 4 days | £5 | Free |
 ApplePay | 2 - 6 days | £5 | Free |
 Trustly | 2 - 3 days | £5 | Free |
 PayPal | 2 - 3 days | £5 | Free |
How is withdrawal speed graded?
The rating for this section is derived from a combination of data, incorporating:
- The bookmaker’s officially stated withdrawal times, dependent upon the successful completion of Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
- Average withdrawal times as reported by actual customers with real-world experiences.
I aim to gather enough data to provide accurate estimates of the withdrawal times for various payment methods. If insufficient data exists for a particular method, it is not included in the above list, and therefore does not impact the rating.
7. Features
What features does 888 Sport offer to enhance its service quality? 888 Sport provides seven primary sports betting features, which is considered an average offering for top bookmakers.
To enrich the betting experience, the platform includes a Cash Out option, enabling players to secure winnings or minimise losses by opting for an early cash-out.
Additionally, 888 Sport offers a Bet Builder feature, allowing users to craft custom bets by selecting popular markets from both pre-match and in-play games. And for even more customisation, it’s worth noting that 888 Sport has its own Request a Bet (RAB) feature which can be accessed using the hashtag #Marketmaker.
888 Sport incorporates three key Customer Support features, facilitating general inquiries, checking bonus eligibility or terms, and requesting self-exclusions or time-outs. However, it’s essential to note that live support is unavailable after 6pm — a factor to consider for those who may require assistance during evening hours.
If these features align with your needs, 888 Sport may be a suitable choice for your betting preferences.
Sports Betting
Features that enhance the sports betting experience. These count more towards the score for this section than 'Customer Support' features.
Customer Support
Features that enable customers to seek assistance quickly and effectively. These count less towards the score for this section than 'Sports Betting' features.
- Live Chat
- Phone Support
- Email Support
- 24/7 Support
- Phone Support
8. User Interface
Because user interface quality is subjective and varies among bettors, I have evaluated it based on a set of predetermined criteria. This evaluation has led to two gradings:
- Mobile: Great, slightly exceeds expectations
- Desktop: Decent, meets expectations
The mobile version carries slightly more weight in the overall user interface rating, reflecting the growing popularity of apps over traditional desktop sites.
-
Mobile
-
Desktop
The 888 Sport betting app functions smoothly with intuitive navigation and simple bet placement. However, there are aesthetic aspects that could be improved.
One positive feature is the ability to access a dropdown list of different markets for the selected options, allowing for convenient adjustment of odds without the need to leave the page or scroll down.
In terms of drawbacks, similar to its desktop counterpart, the app displays large banners that occupy too much space on the page, posing a more significant issue on smaller screens.
Furthermore, the app lacks the sharp and polished look found in several other betting apps. This deficiency is accentuated by the use of casual fonts, slightly oversized items, and outdated 'round edge' buttons.
Despite its functional strengths, enhancing the app's visual appeal could contribute to an overall improved user experience.
| Mobile Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
The emphasis of the 888 Sport site is clearly on mobile use, resulting in a desktop version lacking the polish seen on other well-established bookmaker sites.
Notably, users need separate logins to access all of 888's products, contributing to a specialised feel rather than a seamless one-stop-shop for gamblers.
While the colors, fonts, and sizing of elements on 888 Sport create an informal aesthetic, I would have preferred a more 'serious' appearance for a sharper overall look. The website's color scheme is visually striking; however, personally, I find the contrasting orange/black layout and occasionally challenging-to-read grey font on a black background less enjoyable for extended use. Fortunately, there is an option to lighten the theme, which helps alleviate this issue to some extent.
The site's navigation is user-friendly, featuring an A-Z list of sports and prominent icons displayed horizontally for popular sports and markets. Additionally, a straightforward search tool is available, although its functionality is somewhat limited.
On a positive note, 888 Sport's desktop site includes a fairly active blog featuring previews of upcoming events.
| Desktop Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
9. Fund Protection
Another crucial consideration is fund protection. How secure is your money with 888 Sport?
The website holds a ‘Medium’ fund protection rating, as evaluated by the Gambling Commission. This rating indicates that certain measures are in place to keep customer funds separate from the business’ accounts, ensuring the distribution of assets to customers in the event of insolvency. It’s important to emphasise, however, that fund protection is not guaranteed at 888 Sport.
While fund protection is a key aspect, it’s equally important to assess the company’s financial performance, as this is a more indicative factor regarding the likelihood of insolvency.
The parent company of 888 Sport is a prominent force in the gambling industry, generating profits from various sources beyond their sports betting site. This fact should provide customers with reassurance about the operator’s stability. In the most recent accounts, the company reported an annual profit of £282,800,000 before tax, notably surpassing the average annual profit of all sites reviewed, which stands at £51,900,000. While these figures do not tell the entire story behind all of 888’s ventures, it provides insight into how the betting company operates in a business sense compared to its competitors.
Lastly, I have investigated account dormant fees, which are charged on the balance inside inactive betting accounts. A positive point for 888 Sport is that it does not impose dormant account fees, distinguishing it from many other bookmakers.
By considering these potential risk factors, I have derived a fair score for this section.
How accurate are these profit figures?
I’ve made every effort to research the pre-tax profits of the featured gambling sites in my reviews, but I cannot guarantee absolute accuracy.
Due to the complex setups of gambling companies, which are often divided into different parts around the world, complications arise in determining their true profitability. Moreover, the landscape is constantly evolving with frequent mergers and investments occurring, adding yet another layer of complexity to unravel.
While I strive to offer a helpful insights, it is advisable for you to conduct further research if you have any concerns.
10. reputation
Lastly, I have examined 888 Sport’s reputation, placing emphasis on customer satisfaction levels and the overall brand image.
To accurately gauge public perception, I have consolidated opinions from various sources, including customer feedback platforms and reputable gambling communities. This resulted in average user rating of 7.03 out of 10, indicating that the bookmaker is generally perceived as reliable, with only occasional complaints, which is not uncommon in the realm of sports betting sites.
As an additional assessment, I have verified that, as of the current writing, 888 Sport has one regulatory action on record with the Gambling Commission, signifying instances where potential breaches of their license have occurred. While regulatory actions are not uncommon and may not necessarily be a red flag for customers, it is important to note that the company does not have a flawless record. However, the most recent action did not transpire within the last year, and as such, it does not impact the rating for this section.
Do any sites have an immaculate reputation?
It’s highly unlikely that any betting site will score maximum points in this section, for a good reason — none of them are perfect.
Even the most prominent and reputable sites in the online gambling business have weathered their fair share of bad publicity, and I won’t shy away from that.
Nevertheless, the landscape of the gambling sector is undergoing positive transformations. Faced with heightened regulatory scrutiny and societal expectations, companies are being forced to improve their standards. Many are rising to the occasion, creating a significant gap between the commendable platforms and those falling way short of the mark.
I hope that the industry continues to push for a more responsible, enjoyable experience for all customers and that, eventually, this section will produce higher ratings in my reviews.
Learn more: Problems In The Gambling Industry
Verdict on 888 Sport
In summary, the Punter2Pro bookmaker rating system assigns 888 Sport a score of 7.2, positioning it as a sportsbook with a diverse range of robust features, putting it in competition with the top sports betting sites in the market.
My Opinion
888, a recognised heavyweight in the casino industry, has delivered a bookmaker that stands out with a decent reputation and an impressive set of features.
While the platform might fall short in terms of its interface, and could do a little more market depth to compete with the very best, it compensates with an extensive range of sports and decent promotions.
If you’re comfortable managing separate accounts for various gambling products or your primary focus is on sports only, 888 Sport emerges as a strong contender.
- Many payment options available
- Extensive sports & markets coverage
- Range of popular betting features
- Associated with the successful casino brand
- Mediocre mobile app
- Withdrawals could be faster
Good
888 Sport FAQ
No, each site is treated as a separate entity, requiring a separate login for access.
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, ApplePay, Skrill, MuchBetter, Neteller, ecoPayz, Trustly, Interac, Pay4Fun, Rapid, iDebit, and Wire Transfer can be used for both deposits and withdrawals.
888 Sport offers several main features, including Cash Out, Bet Builder, Request a Bet, and Customer Support features for general inquiries, bonus checks, and self-exclusions.
888 Sport covers a total of 30+ sports, offering a diverse range of markets, including popular and niche options.
This ranks around average, when compared to the other major bookmakers reviewed on this site.
8.3 / 10
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7.0 / 10
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