Best Asian Bookies: The Odds Shark Evaluation
There are so many Asian bookies online that finding one that suits your exact betting needs can take up too much of your valuable time. To help you out, we have done the research for you, so you simply have to choose a site from our above list and create an account. When we evaluate a sportsbook, we start by looking at the following four pillars: mobile compatibility, reputation, customer care and money.
- User Interface: Mobile betting is an important aspect of wagering on sports. A sportsbook must be compatible with Apple and Android products and work the same way on your phone as it would on your laptop or desktop. Sites cluttered with annoying graphics that slow down usability create a less than stellar online gambling experience and do not make the cut.
- Trustworthiness: The industry’s biggest and best brands earned their good reputations through a commitment to hard work over many years. Betting brands engaging in unethical practices typically do not stay in business for long.
- Customer Service: Should something go wrong with your account, you want to be able to contact the site’s customer service department via phone, chat or email. Most sportsbooks provide client services 24-7, allowing you to have your issues resolved ASAP or at the very least within a few business days.
- Currencies and Languages: The majority of online sportsbooks allow you to bet with United States dollars. However, as a player from an Asian country, you may want to use a different currency of choice. Some sites offer Indian rupees and Hong Kong dollars, but you may not be able to use yen, dinars, rubles or riyals or Vietnamese dong.
How to Fund your Account at an Asian Sportsbook
Multiple deposit methods are available at reputable Asian Sportsbooks. Most players use a service that facilitates money transfers from a credit card or bank account. Checks are also popular, along with bankwire and paysafecard.
E-wallet services like Skrill (Moneybookers) and Asiapay88 enable secure and reliable transfer of funds from bank accounts and credit cards, respectively. Moreover, most sportsbooks also accept deposits directly from your Visa and MasterCard (especially their Maestro debit card).
Bitcoin
As we move further into a completely digitized world, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash and Ethereum are becoming the funding method of choice for many players. With cryptos, you can easily add money to your account in seconds and you don’t have to worry about converting your currency.
Withdrawing your Winnings
If you’re fortunate enough to have a run of good luck and smart bets, there are multiple methods for making withdrawals depending on the site you’re using. Generally, Asian bookies let you take out your money using the same method you used to fund your account. You can also keep the money in your account to gamble with in the future.
Bonuses and Promotions
Any reputable Asian Sportsbook will offer deposit bonuses and promotions like free bets to encourage bettors to keep playing at their site. Welcome bonuses are common and will match your initial deposit up to a certain amount like 50 percent up to $100. So, if you were to add $100 to your account, you’d get $50 worth of free money to play with.
What Sports Can You Bet On at the Top Asian Sportsbook Sites?
Online Asian bookies’ sites focus on a variety of different sports. While international and European soccer is universally well-liked, betting sites that service national Asian markets also focus on national and international leagues with comprehensive coverage of local events.
In Japan and Korea, for example, baseball is enormously popular with bettors (MLB and homegrown leagues), while in India, cricket is a national obsession. Sports like golf and tennis are also covered while North American sports leagues like the NFL, NBA and NHL can also be found at an Asian sportsbook.
Racing
Coverage of horse racing at Asian bookies consists of the top British and American events like the Kentucky Derby. Most Asian-facing betting sites will have their own racebook devoted to local equestrian events as well. Plus, some sites give you greyhound racing and cockfighting (Sabong), which is extremely popular among Asian players.
What Betting Options are Available?
A selection of wagering types are available for all major sports including three-way betting, handicap betting and total goal betting for soccer. Futures, moneylines, props, point spreads, OVER/UNDERs, parlays and live in-play betting are also found at the top Asian betting sites.
Odds
Asian bookies will have the option to display odds in different ways. You should be able to switch between fractional, decimal and American odds when placing your bets.
Asian Sportsbook and Casino
Online casinos go hand in hand with betting sites. A large number of gambling websites have their own casino where you can play slots and table games like baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, keno and more.
Poker
Besides their own casino, some betting sites will provide a poker section. This part of the site will have everything from No-Limit Texas Hold’em and traditional versions of the game to Pai Gow and live-dealer poker rooms.
The Legalities of Online Gambling in Asia
A number of Asian countries are in the process of developing policies on online betting for the first time, laying the foundation for improved regulation of internet gambling sites across the continent. For example, India has left legalization up to the individual provinces whereas China has outlawed online betting altogether no matter where in the country you live. In addition, some countries are governed by Islamic law that bans all forms of gambling whether it’s at an online betting site or a land-based casino.
Many reputable international brands service the Asian market while operating offshore. These sites are licensed and regulated by the authorities of the country in which they are based. Additionally, the Philippines has emerged in recent years as one of Asia’s most preferred jurisdictions for the licensing and regulation of online betting sites. A growing number of trustworthy international brands have established operations in the country. However, a betting site does not need to be licensed in order to operate. As long as they are in good standing with their customers and foster trust, they are as good as a site that is licensed.
Signing up at an Asian Sportsbook
Armed with the knowledge you’ve accrued on this page, you’re now ready to sign up at one of the top Asian online sports bookies we recommend. Simply choose one you like from our list, create an account and make your first deposit.