An In Depth Look at Bovada

If you are not interested in reading through this entire review - you can refer to our TL;DR at the very bottom of the page.

• Website – bovada.lv
• Online since – 2011
• Licensed by – Costa Rica
• Contact Email – service@bovada.lv
• Contact Phone – 888.263.0000
• Live Chat – not available

Who can and can't register with Bovada?

Bovada is strictly an online betting service for residents of the United States except for:

• Delaware
• Maryland
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York

An Introduction to Bovada

The Bovada name may not be as well known in the gambling community as Bodog, but Bovada was established as a direct replacement for Bodog after its exit from the United States.

We'll explain…

Bodog has been a large established bookmaker and gambling services provider since the turn of 21st century. In 2006, bodog.com agreed to a short-term sale of five years to the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group of Kahnawake, Canada, also Bovada's previous licensing and regulating authority.

For those five years Bodog, under MMGG's ownership, operated in the United States but in 2011, the original MMGG deal expired, and Bodog discontinued any betting services to Americans. MMGG, however, opted to fill that void so launched a near-identical website under the new name Bovada.

Bovada is solely for US punters except for residents of Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York where registrations aren't accepted. It provides a sportsbook that caters to recreational bettors that also includes a racebook as well as a Las Vegas style casino that has increased from 100 slot games in 2011 to over 200 just five years later.

Originally, Bovada also hosted its own poker room, but poker was recently acquired by Ignition Casino and moved to their website.

In 2015, Bovada moved from MMGG to ownership by Salmon River Technologies Limited and, in 2016, licensing was changed from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission to Costa Rica regulation as Kahnawake discontinued licensing for US gambling sites and operators.

In the past five years, Bovada has accepted over 280 million bets in its sportsbook and dealt a billion rounds of blackjack in its casino.

The Sportsbook

Bovada, being an American sportsbook, is heavy in American sports. Whereas the majority of books offer football (soccer) as the number one sport, Bovada has great options for American football as well as basketball, baseball, and hockey.

Football, basketball, and baseball markets are plentiful for both professional and collegiate game

The complete sports lineup:

• Basketball
• Baseball
• Hockey
• Soccer
• Tennis
• UFC/MMA
• Golf
• Football
• Cricket
• Boxing
• Politics
• Horse Racing Futures and Props
• Motor Sports
• E-Sports
• Rugby League
• Rugby Union
• Darts
• Cycling
• Volleyball
• Aussie Rules
• Handball
• Futsal
• Winter Sports

How about live, in-play action?

Although live video streaming is not available, Bovada does offer live, in-play betting on many of its sports. Live betting is located right at the top of the sports menu and games also have a "live" designation if available for in-play action.

What stands out about the Bovada Sportsbook?

There are a few bet types that stand out on Bovada. The proposition bet is widely available, and hundreds of prop odds are released on a weekly basis. Additionally, Bovada is a bit better for the underdogs and is an excellent choice for futures bets as it's been known to offer some of the best odds across the board for these markets.

Bovada went through a full website update just two years ago, and the mobile site was also modified. It's a "mini me" of the main site and easy to use as it has the same set-up and navigational menu.

We previously mentioned that Bovada is a book for recreational bettors. It provides an extensive sports list, but betting limits are relatively small, and experienced or winning players have been known to have their bets reduced or even be outright banned if deemed to be more of a professional.

Along those lines, Bovada is known to have dual pricing which means that odds are slightly better for their recreational players than for those they have designated for their sharp bettors or consistent winners.

What are the betting and payout limits?

We'll start on the low end as Bovada implements a minimum $1.00 bet. Maximum wagers are determined by the payout limits for each sport and will vary depending on the match and the designated ceiling.

The following are some maximum betting limits set by Bovada, noted in US Dollars:

• NFL Football – Spreads - $2,000
• NFL Football – Moneylines - $1,000
• NCAA Football – Spreads (Thursday – Game Day) - $2,000
• NCAA Football – Moneylines - $500
• NBA Basketball – Spreads - $1,000
• NBA Basketball – Moneylines - $500
• NCAA Basketball – Spreads - $500
• NCAA Basketball – Moneylines - $500
• MLB Baseball – Spreads - $1,000
• MLB Baseball – Moneylines - $2,000
• NHL Hockey – Moneylines - $1,000
• NHL Hockey – Totals - $500
• Soccer – Moneylines $500
• Boxing – Moneylines - $1,000
• UFC-MMA – Moneylines - $1,000
• NASCAR – Odds to Win - $500
• Tennis – Futures or Head to Head - $500
• Golf – Futures or Head to Head - $500

Is there a Racebook available?

Bovada has a relatively good sized racebook with 94 international tracks from which to select. A few of their tracks include:

• Australia – A, B, and C
• Chelmsford – UK
• Fort Erie
• Hamilton - UK
• Happy Valley – HK
• Louisiana Downs
• Northfield Park
• Presque Isle Downs
• Wexford – Ire
• Yonkers Raceway

The racebook has daily action with $1.00 minimum betting limits and $0.10 superfecta minimums. To be a superfecta winner, the bettor must accurately pick the top four race finishers in the exact order. It's not an easy feat, but since Bovada's launch, it has paid out over 132,000 winning superfecta tickets, a great illustration of the popularity of the racebook.

The racebook is also available in mobile format for wagering on the go.

What bonuses or offers are available?

The 50% Welcome Bonus

Bovada offers its sports bettors a 50% Welcome Bonus that's good for up to $250. The award needs to be redeemed while making the very first deposit to Bovada and does come with a five-time sportsbook or racebook rollover requirement. The play through applies to both the deposit and bonus amount combined so, if a $100 deposit is made and a $50 bonus is issued, the total of $150 is subject to the rollover.

The Bitcoin Welcome Bonus

Players making their first Bitcoin deposit can accept a special Bitcoin-only bonus that's four-tiered. Most of the bonus is designated for casino play, so we'll get into that in a bit, but sports bettors can receive a 50% Bitcoin match bonus good for up to $500 with the same five-time rollover as we outlined for the welcome bonus.

The Casino

As we've mentioned, Bovada did launch its services with a much smaller casino as well as a dedicated poker room five years ago. Since then, the poker room was acquired and moved to Ignition Casino, and the Bovada Casino has been expanded to suit the needs of its dedicated players better.

The Casino divides up into:

• Slots
• Video Poker
• Table Games
• Blackjack Games
• Specialty Games

New games as well as progressive jackpot options are available as well as casino-only promotions that are more plentiful than the lonely two welcome bonuses offered to dedicated sports bettors.

An excellent addition to the slots games presentation is the designation of three-reel, five-reel, real series, or progressive. It helps players narrow down choices to meet their preferences.

Real series slots have more enhancements than the other versions. They feature free spins, big wild wins, bonus rounds and multiple jackpots in addition to the innovative style of the games themselves. They take graphics and animation to the next level.

I-slots are provided by Rival Gaming and require a player's intelligence as well as his or her luck. They have different themes and an ongoing storyline that engages the player and, hopefully, makes them a bit richer at the end of their play.

Slots – 202 games

Some of the real-series options:

• Aztec's Treasure – also a jackpot game
• Derby Dollars – also a jackpot game
• Fruit Frenzy – also a jackpot game
• Mister Money – also a jackpot game
• Tiger Treasures – also a jackpot game

Some of the five-reel options:

• Watch the Birdie
• Aussie Rules
• Caesar's Triumph - also a new game
• CodeName: Jackpot
• Doo-Wop Daddy-O
• Frogged

Some of the three-reel options:

• Chicken Little
• Global Cup Soccer
• Firestorm 7
• Tahiti Time

Some of the I-Slots:

• A Switch in Time
• As the Reels Turn 1 (2 and 3)
• Baby Boomers: Cash Cruise
• Cosmic Quest II: Mystery Planets
• Japan-O-Rama

Some of those big progressives up for grabs:

(The amount noted was posted when we last checked in, but actual jackpot amounts regularly change. We've seen A Night with Cleo and Major Moolah increase to as high as a seven-figure payout amount.)

• A Night With Cleo - $44,000
• 5 Times Wins Progressive - $14,000
• Cash Money Mermaids - $5,000
• El Luchador - $3,000
• Food Fight - $630,000
• Strike Gold - $6,000
• Zombies vs. Cheerleaders - $3,000
• One Million Reels BC - $63,000
• Major Moolah - $8,000
• Lion's Lair - $3,000
• Video Poker – 17 games

Video Poker is probably the least impressive of all areas of the casino as it only offers the absolute most basic of games. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, all of the standards can be found, but none of the more advanced and slot-like variations are hosted in this area.

Table Games – 18 total games and 14 without the Blackjack variations

The table games section has a very appealing variety of the most popular games that players would be seeking. A few progressive games thrown into the mix add to the excitement level as well.

• American Roulette
• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Caribbean Hold ‘em (current jackpot $101,000)
• Caribbean Stud Poker (current jackpot $101,000)
• Classic American Roulette
• Classic Blackjack
• Classic Craps
• Classic European Roulette
• Classic Single Deck Blackjack
• Craps
• European Roulette
• Let ‘em Ride – a new game – (current jackpot $17,000)
• Let ‘em Ride Classic – (current jackpot $17,000)
• Pai Gow Poker
• Tri Card Poker
• Vegas Three Card Rummy
• Zappit Blackjack

Blackjack Games – 8 games

Bovada players have regarded Blackjack as one of their favorite games, so it rates its own area of the casino. Even though there are only eight different varieties, they provide some fun options for players who enjoy playing for 21.

In Bovada's first five years of operation, over a billion rounds of Blackjack were played.

Blackjack tables include:

• Blackjack (basic)
• Classic
• Classic Single Deck
• Double Deck
• European
• Zappit
• Single Deck
• Perfect Pairs

Specialty Games – 21 games

We're not sure if the total of 21 is on purpose, but this is an entertaining area for all around game players. The selections are varied, and skill level in this section is minimal. It's just downright fun.

• 30-Ball Bingo - bingo
• 80-Ball Bingo - bingo
• Amazonia Bingo - bingo
• American Bingo - bingo
• Beach Bums – scratch cards
• Bingo Cataratas - bingo
• Bingo Goal – (current jackpot $2,000) - bingo
• Bingo Ribeirinhos – (current jackpot $2,000) - specialty
• Cast for Cash – scratch cards
• Cavalier Cash – scratch cards
• European Bingo - bingo
• Go-Go Bingo - bingo
• Gunslinger's Gold – scratch cards
• Itchin' 2 Win – scratch cards
• Keno - specialty
• Penguin Payday – scratch cards
• Pesca Bingo - bingo
• Pirates Pillage - specialty
• Sudoku Box Game - specialty
• Tiki Treasure – scratch cards
• Tribo Bingo - bingo

Are there separate casino bonuses?

Yes. The casino boasts its own welcome bonus as well as a few other promotions that may entice new players to give slots, poker, or other casino games a whirl.

The $3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus

The Casino Welcome offer breaks down into a three-part welcome bonus that's good for up to $1,000 each time. It's a 100% deposit match that can be redeemed with three different deposits. The rollover requirement is quite hefty though. There is a 25 times play through requirement that applies to both the deposit and the bonus. To fully take advantage of the $1,000 maximum amount, a player would have to deposit $1,000 and then the combined $2,000 needs to be rolled over 25 times for a total of $50,000!

The Bitcoin Welcome Bonus

We touched on the sports betting portion of the Bitcoin bonus as being a 50% match bonus up to $500, but the casino end of this offer is a bit more substantial. Be warned, though, the rollover mandate is much more than substantial. This Bitcoin-deposit only award, in addition to the sportsbook deposit, allows for a 150% match bonus of up to $1,500. And, this 150% bonus can be redeemed up to three times. But, if you thought the 25 times play through requirement for the regular welcome bonus was excessive, the casino rollover for this award is 30 times. Using our example of a $1,000 deposit, a player would receive $1,500 in play cash for a total of $2,500. With a 30 times play through, that's an incredible $75,000 that needs to be wagered or all bets are off and nothing can be withdrawn.

Casino Benefits – rewards program

Win or lose, Bovada converts your play to a point system that can be redeemed for actual cash. Players will earn a specified number of points for every $10 bet. The points vary per game. 100 points equate to $1 and, as soon as 500 points are awarded, they can be cashed out for real money with no play through requirement. You can breathe a sigh of relief. There are no 25 times, 30 times, or even five times rollover needed.

• Slot games – earn three points for every $10 bet
• Table games – earn two points for every $10 bet
• Blackjack – earn one point for every $10 bet
• Video poker – earn one point for every $10 bet

The Blackjack Weekend Promotion

We've got a fun promotion to introduce to you but, sorry to say, that nasty rollover is back. For this promotion, Blackjack players get rewarded for playing at any time from Friday through Sunday. There are eight eligible games and up to $100 in casino bonuses can be claimed. A $10 bonus is given out for every 200 casino points earned playing any of the designated Blackjack games on the weekend. Up to ten $10 bonuses can be awarded per player, but... They must be redeemed within 30 days and are subject to a (drum roll please…) 20 times rollover. This promotion takes place every weekend so bonus lovers, hop on those Blackjack tables.

Table Mania Tuesdays

This game offers the same type of incentive and structure as the Blackjack Weekend Promotion but with an expanded game selection and a maximum $10 bonus award available each Tuesday. Players can get in the game by playing Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, War, or other table games and will receive a $10 casino bonus for $250 in wagers. The 20-time rollover also applies to Table Mania Tuesdays as well. We're sorry to have to add that last part.

Banking with Bovada

This financial section won't be a very long read as banking options, whether for deposits or payouts, are quite limited through Bovada. It's not surprising, though. Bovada is an American-servicing betting site, and there are so fewer payment options in the US compared to other locations. The one benefit that Bovada does offer is the Bitcoin alternative as it's almost a guaranteed method whereas credit and debit cards are 50/50 at best.

US banks, credit unions, and credit card providers have strict regulations regarding funding for online gambling. The merchant codes assigned to providers sometimes immediately call for the transaction to be declined. Bitcoin, as a virtual currency, is not tied to any location, financial institution, or government authority, so it's a good choice for US residents to use for online betting and gaming.

What are the deposit options?

Visa – credit or debit (also allows for gift cards if they're designed for international or online use)

• Minimum deposit - $20 ($50 if initiated via phone)
• Maximum deposit - $1,000
• Fees – first deposit free then 4.9%
• Processing time – near instant
• Notes – some banks may consider the transaction to be a cash advance and will approve at a higher APR

Mastercard – credit or debit

• Minimum deposit - $20 ($50 if initiated via phone)
• Maximum deposit - $1,000
• Fees – first deposit free then 6.9%
• Processing time – near instant
• Notes – some banks may consider the transaction to be a cash advance and will approve at a higher APR

Bitcoin

• Minimum deposit - $20
• Maximum deposit - $5,000
• Fees – zero
• Processing time – typically within 20 minutes

What are the withdrawal options?

Check by Courier

• Minimum withdrawal - $50
• Maximum withdrawal - $3,000
• Fees – first withdrawal of the month is free; subsequent payouts are assessed a $50 charge
• Turnaround time – 12 to 17 business days
• Notes – one check payout is allowed every seven days

Bitcoin

• Minimum withdrawal - $20
• Maximum withdrawal - $9,500
• Fees – first payout of the month is free then Bovada posts "there may be some additional fees for some premium withdrawal methods."
• Turnaround time – 20 minutes to 24 hours (usually 20 minutes)
• Notes – one Bitcoin payout is allowed every five days

Customer Service

It's a bit unusual for an online gambling provider not to offer a live chat feature, but Bovada does not have that service for its players. Customer service is by email and phone only, and players report that they do receive prompt responses, so that's always a good thing.

Bovada's Customer Service Department

• Contact Email – service@bovada.lv
• Contact Phone – 888.263.0000

Final Thoughts

There aren't very many US-dedicated online sportsbooks and casinos out there because of the views and legislation regarding gambling in the United States. The laws are not entirely clear, but it's evident that they do apply to the operators and not to the players located within US borders. Operators like Bovada must conduct business offshore except for those that service Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada where online gaming is now allowed for residents within those states.

We would like to see more banking options for player convenience, though. Even a simple money transfer option would help to expand the selections as many people have yet to embrace the Bitcoin system. It is a bit tricky at first and, although it's an ideal vehicle for American betting account funding, there's a learning curve and some set-up required.

Bovada does offer a few bonuses that some customers find appealing, but it certainly isn't over the top with special offers. It would be great to see a sportsbook reduced juice offer or some fun tournaments and promotions that don't have a very intimidating and challenging rollover attached.

Overall, it's a neat, straightforward website that's easy to use and isn't overwhelming with offers and advertisements. Bovada does a good job of providing a sportsbook, racebook, and casino with enough options to make it appealing to its players and to entice more customers to come aboard and use its service.

TL;DR

Win

• Accepts Bitcoin
• First withdrawal of the month is fee-free
• Sportsbook has great odds on futures and caters to underdog bettors
• Live, in-play betting available
• Over 200 different slot games
• An impressive variety of table games including eight Blackjack tables
• Part of the very established Bodog organization that has been providing online gambling services for 17 years
• Customer Service department provides quality assistance and a fast turnaround

Loss

• Allows for US players only
• Banking options are limited
• 4.9% Visa and 6.9% Mastercard deposit fees
• No live streaming of games in the sportsbook
• Limited bonuses aside from welcome offers
• Bonuses have significant rollover requirements
• Sportsbook lines are posted later than most of its competitors
• No live chat for customer service
• No live dealer table games
• No prominent posting of licensing and affiliation

Push

• Overall odds on top sports
• Welcome bonuses
• Sports menu
• Number of casino games
• Deposit turnaround times
• In-play betting