Betway bookmaker review

Simon Head

Long-standing Irish bookmaker BoyleSports has more than 320 betting shops across the UK and Ireland, but they also have a superb online platform that, paired with some outstanding offers and promotions, makes BoyleSports a great option for sports bettors in the UK.

Key information

What is BoyleSports all about?

Bonuses

Based on our reviews for FIRST, BoyleSports is one of the best betting sites for offers, promotions and bonuses, with a plethora of different promotions running during the time of our review. These included a healthy - bet £10, get £30 in sports bets (+ £10 casino bonus) free offer for new mobile customers and a bunch of long-running, easy-to-access promotions that are sure to be popular with football and racing punters.

Also, this bookmaker pays out early if your team goes two goals clear in a match while racing bettors can get their money back as a free bet if their selection is beaten into second place by the SP favourite. There’s a similar early payout offer on golf tournaments, too; throw in extra places in select races, paying up to 12 places in selected golf tournaments and acca boosts and it’s easy to see why BoyleSports is one of the best online bookies for promotions – and promotions you can actually use, too.

Available sports

BoyleSports’ range of sports and markets is right up there with the best you’ll find. All of the major sports are there, as you’d expect and while you often find a niche sport or two on the A-Z list at each bookie, BoyleSports seems to have almost all of them. That includes: pool, speedway (imagine greyhound racing on motorcycles!), water polo, floorball (think ice hockey, but without the ice, or the violence) and more.

User experience and interface

The BoyleSports website is functional and clear but a touch cluttered. The right hand column is designed to add some featured bets and markets to get you to your bet faster, but in truth, it can be a little confusing. But, in terms of usability, BoyleSports keeps pace with its competitors, with the traditional layout of sports down the left hand side and in-market options in the middle block of the page - making the overall format of the site very familiar to longtime sports bettors.

Mobile and app compatibility

During my review of the BoyleSports app (on iOS/iPhone) I found the app to be smooth, slick and easy to use. Depositing money was straightforward, as was finding and placing a bet. It’s appropriate to note that the rating of BoyleSports on Apple’s App Store was significantly down compared to many of the other bookies we’ve reviewed here at FIRST. 

However, it seems most of the low ratings that were accompanied by reviews seemed to be regarding individual issues reviewers had with customer service, rather than any major shortcomings with the app itself. On Google Play, the app has a solid 4.0 rating, which is much more in line with my experience of using the app. It’s cleaner and less cluttered than the desktop site, too.

• App Store: 2.8/5 stars (288 ratings)
• Google Play: 4/5 stars (2.24k reviews)

VIP programmes and loyalty rewards

BoyleSports’ loyalty programme is a little different to most we’ve seen, with their BoyleXtra programme running across online and in-shop betting. Points are awarded for every £5 staked per individual bet with BoyleSports, either online or in-store, with the number of points earned dependent on: the type of bet, the size of the stake and the odds backed. 

200 points gets you a ticket into their monthly prize draw, but there are plenty of other benefits, too. They include exclusive free bet offers each day on football and racing, with the option of cashing out bets in store or online, regardless of where you placed the bet; as well as free online accas for playing acca bets in-store and a BoyleXtra card that allows you to tap and bet in shop using funds from your online account. It’s a smart system and we like it a lot.

Pros & Cons of BoyleSports

Diving deeper into BoyleSports

Licensing

BoyleSports is licensed in the UK, under Boylesports Enterprises, by the UK Gambling Commission.

Payment methods

BoyleSports’ range of payment methods stacks up against its competitors, with debit cards, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal and Paysafecard all supported.

Security and fairness

BoyleSports’ website uses TLS (transport layer security) and data encryption to keep your data safe. BoyleSports is also affiliated to the International Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) which offers an outsourced online dispute resolution platform.

Responsible gambling measures

BoyleSports offers deposit limits, loss limits, reality checks and a take a break function to help put limits on your betting activity. There’s also a self-assessment tool, a budget calculator and self-exclusion options. Additionally, they are also partnered with BeGambleAware, GamCare, GamblingCare and GamStop.

FIRST rating

4.4/5 stars

Payment methods available at BoyleSports

BoyleSports FAQs

Is BoyleSports legit?

Yes. BoyleSports is the largest independent bookmaker in Ireland and has more than 320 betting shops across the UK and Ireland. They’ve been in business since the 1980s and have a strong reputation as well as being regulated by the UK Gambling Commission so you can be assured that you’re in safe hands!

How can I contact customer support at BoyleSports?

BoyleSports customer support can be accessed via the site’s ‘help’ links. On the mobile site and app, you can find that in the footer. On the desktop site, click the ‘help’ link on the top right of the screen.

How do I reset my password at BoyleSports?

Click or tap the person icon at the top right of the site/app, then select ‘settings’. Scroll down the menu and you’ll find a ‘change password’ button. Tap/click that and follow the prompts to reset your password.

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