I'm willing to try just about any sportsbook so I can form my own opinion based on firsthand experience. Unfortunately, my experience with offshore sportsbooks over the past several years has been overwhelmingly negative. Since 2020, I've played with the following books, and here's my assessment.
Bookmaker.eu
My biggest issue with Bookmaker was its customer service. Since the pandemic, they've eliminated phone support, which I believe was more about cutting costs than improving service.
Over a two-year period, I deposited more than $500,000 with them. A few years ago, I encountered a problem withdrawing $25,000 in Bitcoin. My withdrawal request was rejected twice. When I contacted customer support, I was incorrectly told that I couldn't use the same Bitcoin wallet as a previous withdrawal.
At the time, I was still relatively new to Bitcoin, so the representative walked me through the withdrawal process via chat. Ironically, they instructed me to use the exact wallet address from my previous successful withdrawal. After following their instructions, I mistakenly sent the funds back to that same wallet.
When I explained what happened, Bookmaker took no responsibility despite their representative having guided me through the process. I wasn't expecting them to reimburse the entire amount, but after depositing over $500,000 with them, I was disappointed they offered nothing—not even a goodwill gesture such as free play or account credit.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Bookmaker.
BetNow.eu
Unfortunately, I can't say much positive about my experience with BetNow either.
After opening an account, I discovered my live betting limits were capped at just $200, which I found unusually restrictive. I contacted customer service and spoke with a manager named Ozkar. In my experience, the interaction was unhelpful and unprofessional, and none of my concerns were resolved.
Because of the low limits and poor customer service, I formally requested a lifetime self-exclusion from the sportsbook.
About a month later, while traveling for business, I was still receiving promotional emails from BetNow despite my self-exclusion request. Out of curiosity, I attempted to open a new account using the exact same personal information. Surprisingly, the account was approved, even though I had previously requested a lifetime self-exclusion.
I deposited approximately $3,000 but almost immediately requested that my funds be returned. BetNow refused, stating that because I had placed a wager and accepted a deposit bonus, I was required to complete the rollover requirements before withdrawing. I offered to forfeit the bonus entirely and simply withdraw my original deposit, but that request was also denied.
For me, the issue isn't the $3,000—it's the principle. A sportsbook that has accepted a lifetime self-exclusion request should not allow the same customer to create another account using identical personal information. Based on my experience, I found this practice concerning and inconsistent with what I would expect from a responsible gaming policy.
My Email to MGMT:
Dear Management,
I am writing regarding my continued receipt of marketing and promotional communications from your company despite multiple requests for removal and my prior self-exclusions.
In previous correspondence, I was informed that I would no longer be contacted. I also received confirmation from your manager, Ozkar, on April 15, 2026, that I would be removed from all future communications. Nevertheless, I received another marketing email from your company yesterday (attached).
Further, I received a contradictory email from your manager, Peter, stating:
This correspondence constitutes my eighth request to be removed from all marketing communications, promotional materials, solicitation lists, and affiliate marketing distributions.
I have previously completed self-exclusion requests on two separate occasions because my initial self-exclusion was not properly honored. Despite these actions, I continue to receive marketing communications from your company.
In addition, I had a lifetime self-exclusion in effect as of April 15, 2026. Despite that exclusion, I was able to create a new account using my existing personal information, including my email address and other identifying information on June 1, 2026. Your company then accepted deposits totaling approximately $3,000 on that account.
I am requesting a full explanation as to:
Sincerely,
Bookmaker.eu
My biggest issue with Bookmaker was its customer service. Since the pandemic, they've eliminated phone support, which I believe was more about cutting costs than improving service.
Over a two-year period, I deposited more than $500,000 with them. A few years ago, I encountered a problem withdrawing $25,000 in Bitcoin. My withdrawal request was rejected twice. When I contacted customer support, I was incorrectly told that I couldn't use the same Bitcoin wallet as a previous withdrawal.
At the time, I was still relatively new to Bitcoin, so the representative walked me through the withdrawal process via chat. Ironically, they instructed me to use the exact wallet address from my previous successful withdrawal. After following their instructions, I mistakenly sent the funds back to that same wallet.
When I explained what happened, Bookmaker took no responsibility despite their representative having guided me through the process. I wasn't expecting them to reimburse the entire amount, but after depositing over $500,000 with them, I was disappointed they offered nothing—not even a goodwill gesture such as free play or account credit.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Bookmaker.
BetNow.eu
Unfortunately, I can't say much positive about my experience with BetNow either.
After opening an account, I discovered my live betting limits were capped at just $200, which I found unusually restrictive. I contacted customer service and spoke with a manager named Ozkar. In my experience, the interaction was unhelpful and unprofessional, and none of my concerns were resolved.
Because of the low limits and poor customer service, I formally requested a lifetime self-exclusion from the sportsbook.
About a month later, while traveling for business, I was still receiving promotional emails from BetNow despite my self-exclusion request. Out of curiosity, I attempted to open a new account using the exact same personal information. Surprisingly, the account was approved, even though I had previously requested a lifetime self-exclusion.
I deposited approximately $3,000 but almost immediately requested that my funds be returned. BetNow refused, stating that because I had placed a wager and accepted a deposit bonus, I was required to complete the rollover requirements before withdrawing. I offered to forfeit the bonus entirely and simply withdraw my original deposit, but that request was also denied.
For me, the issue isn't the $3,000—it's the principle. A sportsbook that has accepted a lifetime self-exclusion request should not allow the same customer to create another account using identical personal information. Based on my experience, I found this practice concerning and inconsistent with what I would expect from a responsible gaming policy.
My Email to MGMT:
Dear Management,
I am writing regarding my continued receipt of marketing and promotional communications from your company despite multiple requests for removal and my prior self-exclusions.
In previous correspondence, I was informed that I would no longer be contacted. I also received confirmation from your manager, Ozkar, on April 15, 2026, that I would be removed from all future communications. Nevertheless, I received another marketing email from your company yesterday (attached).
Further, I received a contradictory email from your manager, Peter, stating:
"Sorry but you are not one of our active customers. no record of any account. thank you."
(See attached)This correspondence constitutes my eighth request to be removed from all marketing communications, promotional materials, solicitation lists, and affiliate marketing distributions.
I have previously completed self-exclusion requests on two separate occasions because my initial self-exclusion was not properly honored. Despite these actions, I continue to receive marketing communications from your company.
In addition, I had a lifetime self-exclusion in effect as of April 15, 2026. Despite that exclusion, I was able to create a new account using my existing personal information, including my email address and other identifying information on June 1, 2026. Your company then accepted deposits totaling approximately $3,000 on that account.
I am requesting a full explanation as to:
- Why I continued to receive marketing communications after multiple removal requests and self-exclusions;
- How a new account was permitted to be created despite my lifetime self-exclusion;
- What verification and responsible gaming controls failed in this instance; and
- Why deposits were accepted after my lifetime self-exclusion was already in effect.
- Immediately remove my information from all marketing, promotional, solicitation, and affiliate marketing lists;
- Cease all future marketing communications to me through any channel;
- Confirm in writing that my information has been removed from all applicable databases and communication systems;
- Conduct a review of the account created after my lifetime self-exclusion and the deposits accepted on that account; and
- Provide a written explanation of the circumstances that allowed these events to occur.
Sincerely,