BetRivers Review

BetRivers Review

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BetRivers is one of a handful of second-tier sportsbooks trying to make a name for itself in an ever-growing field of U.S. sports betting sites. And while boasting plenty of ongoing promotions and a standard welcome bonus are certainly benefits, there are still plenty of issues plaguing BetRivers to the extent that some bettors might want to shop around for a top sportsbook.

Keep reading to find out our thoughts on BetRivers and see if it's the right fit for you.

BetRivers Quick Facts

BetRivers Locations

BetRivers is available for online sports betting in the following states:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• West Virginia

BetRivers will be operational in Ohio when the state formally allows legal sports betting on January 1.

Sports Leagues to Bet On

BetRivers features all the prominent sports bettors enjoy wagering on. The most popular sports are prominently featured on the top of the page alongside the streaming and live betting options.

NFL Betting

The NFL is king for US sportsbooks, and BetRivers is no exception. All major moneyline, point spread, over/under and game prop markets are offered in addition to same-game parlays. BetRivers has an abundance of player props that are released closer to the start of the game. 

BetRivers also has a robust NFL futures offering. In addition to covering Super Bowl, conference, division, and individual awards, BetRivers even offers in-season bets on teams to make the playoffs and win totals. I found that every type of future you can think of is on BetRivers.

NBA Betting

Fans of the NBA will not be disappointed with BetRivers. Every game features a trove of betting opportunities, including moneylines, spread, totals, same-game parlays, player props, game props, first quarter, and first-half bets.

BetRivers' futures market is comparable to its NFL offering, with the option to wager on outright, conference division, and in-season markets for teams to reach the playoffs.

College Football

College Football is a popular market for US bettors both experienced and casual, so it is no surprise that BetRivers offers plenty of opportunities to bet on it.

Every Division I FBS game is available to bettors, with BetRivers providing a good combination of standard betting offerings and game props such as first and last team to score, game combos, and same-game parlays.

College Basketball

For some, college basketball betting is a season-long pursuit – and those bettors will enjoy BetRivers. All regular season, conference tournaments, and of course March Madness games have markets available in addition to a futures selection that includes more than just the standard championship winner.

NHL Betting

Those into the NHL are as dedicated as they come, and BetRivers treats the sport with the respect it deserves. Major markets are all covered, with each individual game carrying well over 300+ betting opportunities – including first, second, and third period ML, goalscorers, multi-goalscorers, points, and shots on goal.

MLB Betting

Those long summer days necessitate MLB betting, which can be done easily at BetRivers. Like the other sports listed above, it gives you the ability to bet on the ML, run line, and O/U plus the ML, run line, and total runs for the first inning, first three innings, and first five innings.

Other Sports Leagues

As a US operator, BetRivers’ primary focus is North American sports. While it offers a wide variety of markets, that menu falls short compared to other notable sportsbooks like FanDuel or DraftKings. In addition to the main sports listed above, BetRivers offers tennis, golf, UFC, NASCAR, Formula 1, AFL, cricket, cycling, darts, rugby, snooker, volleyball, and jai alai. 

All five major European soccer leagues have markets that you can wager on, and everything from the European Tour to the outright winner's markets for all four majors is available for golf. Tennis features both the WTA and the ATP tours, and every major UFC card will have all sorts of bets available from straight-up winners to the method and the round of knockout.

Online Betting Experience

Website Experience

The desktop experience for BetRivers could be a whole lot better. To start with, the “Newsfeed” prominently featured on the right-hand side provides no relevant information to bettors and only serves to clutter the page. I just don't see why an average bettor would be interested in a big payout on a slot won by another user.

The product feels cluttered and outdated compared to some of the big players like DraftKings and FanDuel. But the layout is somewhat standard — sports on the left-hand side, available markets in the middle, and bet slip on the right that appears once you click your desired bet. Odds for BetRivers are supplied by Kambi, similar to rival sports betting sites like FanDuel and  FOX Bet – which means there is little to no value in their lines.

Mobile Betting and Betting App

BetRivers has a mobile app, but the version you use will depend on the state you’re in.

The app does an adequate job of replicating the desktop experience. It also offers live streaming of sporting events you have wagered on, which is a big plus. 

Casino, Poker, & Other Gaming Options

Despite all the promotion and resources BetRivers puts into its online casino, only bettors in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia will be able to access it. It features approximately 199 different slots to choose from, seven live dealer games, 24 live dealer games, three blackjack games, eight video poker options, plus the ability to sort by developers like Konami, Red Tiger, and DGC.

Not to be outdone, there’s also a generous welcome bonus plus ongoing promotions for its casino. Users will get a $200 free play with their first $50 deposit, plus Happy Hour Slots from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on select days and daily slot tournaments.

While there are a lot of various game options, this offering is considerably smaller than competitors such as DraftKings. That’s surprising given the attention the casino side receives.

BetRivers History

BetRivers launched in June 2020 and is owned by Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: $RSI), founded in 2012 and based in Chicago.

RSI owns sportsbooks and casinos all over the country. Rush Street also owns SugarHouse Sportsbook, which is a sister company to BetRivers. RSI was the fourth-largest U.S. operator across online casinos and sports betting as of July 2021. RSI is also active internationally, offering its online casino and sportsbook in the regulated gaming market of Colombia on RushBet.co.

RSI was named the 2020 Global Gaming Awards Digital Operator of the Year and the 2021 EGR North America Awards Casino Operator of the Year, Customer Services Operator of the Year, and Social Gaming Operator of the Year. They were also named Sportsbook of the Year at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2021.

In August 2021, Rush Street Interactive was selected as the official partner of the Connecticut Lottery. This means RSI will operate the third and final online sportsbook in the state and several retail locations.

In October 2021, RSI announced that the BetRivers brand would be expanding to the new Canadian sports betting market. They launched a sportsbook and free-to-play casino games at BetRivers.net.

Customer Ratings & Reputation

Reviews are mixed for BetRivers, illustrated by its less than four-star reviews on its mobile apps. Specific praise goes towards their customer service, their online casino, and the numerous ongoing promotions for their sportsbook.

Complaints include clunky UI on the mobile app, long withdrawal times of up to a week, and credit card/bank info authorization.

Customer Service

BetRivers is a fully regulated sportsbook, and bettors can be assured that they will be treated with integrity and respect. They have 24/7 live chat and a help center that is full of useful articles related to sports betting, bonuses, registration, your account, deposits, withdrawals, mobile, geolocations, responsible gambling, and technical concerns. They even have a search function should you need to narrow down an answer to a specific question.

It took a few minutes to get a hold of a live agent in their live chat, but once they arrived I found them quite helpful.

BetRivers Contact

• Live Chat
• Email Support
• Twitter: @PlayBetRivers

BetRivers Legal Betting

BetRivers is regulated by the appropriate state gaming regulators where it is legal to operate.

Responsible Gambling

BetRivers is dedicated to responsible gambling and provides many resources on its site. Please play responsibly. BetRivers complies with the rules laid down by the regulating bodies in the states in which it operates.

Here are a few resources to help ensure you are gambling responsibly.

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): The NCPG has over 50 years of experience assisting people and families affected by problem gambling. You can call or text them (1-800-522-4700) or join their 24/7 Live Chat.
• Center for Problem Gambling: The Center has been funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) since 1996. They are committed to serving anyone affected by a gambling addiction. Treatment is confidential and provided regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Their gambling counselors have significant experience working with problem gambling and include therapists who are Nationally Certified Gambling Counselors.
• BeGambleAware.org: Offers free, confidential help and support to anyone worried about gambling for themselves or others.
• Gambling Therapy: A global service provided by Gordon Moody offering free emotional support and advice to anyone affected by gambling.

Why Choose BetRivers?

BetRivers has a long way to go to be ranked among the other top operators in the US. The odds offered are a big problem — you’ll consistently win less on both favorites and underdogs on the ML playing on BetRivers. The same goes for player props in major sports plus the limited same-game parlays. And while they offer numerous promotions that seem great at first glance, pop open the hood and you’ll see that they’re actually quite restrictive.

The sportsbook at BetRivers doesn’t seem like the top priority to the ownership, with more of a focus on the iGaming side of the gambling world. This book is a pass until it pushes more of that focus onto improving their sportsbook, including the quality of its odds, promos, and overall user interface.