About Bodog.co.uk
Bodog Entertainment was founded in 1994 by Calvin Ayre and has since grown to become a huge multi-media organisation. Based in the Caribbean nation of Antigua, Bodog offers services including publishing, a record label, television production and, of course, a gambling website. The brand has had some rough times in recent years with the record label being shut down in 2008. The gambling elements of Bodog have also undergone changes with the company ceasing direct operation of some of their services and passing the responsibility on to third party companies. Despite their recent struggles, Bodog has been around for some time and they offer a complete gambling experience including sports betting, a casino and poker.
Promotions:
Bodog has a reasonable list of promotions available, with new poker and sports betting players reaping the best rewards. The main entry promotion is a meagre 10% bonus on top of your initial deposit up to a maximum of £100. This isn't going to thrill many new players and you'll also have to meet certain conditions before the bonus can be withdrawn (in the casino, for example, the deposit bonus must be rolled over 15 times in order to be turned into cash).
A more enticing welcome is available for poker players; a 110% bonus up to a maximum of $1100 is on offer for new players. Unfortunately this loses its charm when you read on to find out that only 10% of your deposit is actually added to your bankroll when you get started. In order to unlock the other 100% you'll have to get playing and earn Bodog Poker Points, as you reach milestones you'll gain access to more of your bonus. These promotions are certainly not the best out there but they still add an incentive to get playing- the use of a points system also keeps the games fun. It's unfortunate that a more sizable welcome isn't on offer.
Poker:
The Bodog site is well presented with a mainly black and red interface. The three main services offered and clearly advertised in tabs along the top and in larger links underneath. Poker is the foremost service in both cases and in order to play it a program must be downloaded. First you'll have to register by clicking the large red button centre stage.
The registration process is handled on one page with a simple form. Subdivided into relevant sections, the form is easy to fill in and won't take more than a couple minutes. Another section handles your choice of currency and then you will be asked to make your first deposit; all very straight forward and well delivered.
As mentioned before you'll have to download Bodog poker in order to take your seat at the table. The download process is facilitated by a clear set of installation instructions and you should be up and running in no time. Once you're in the main lobby you'll find yourself presented with a long list of games and a set of tabs to narrow down your choice. The interface lacks a stylistic twist and instead opts for a straight to business approach; it's easy to navigate, with adverts along the left, the games in the centre and details on the right. The game design itself is also simplistic but effective; if you want a game interface that gets you straight to the action then this one may be for you.
Casino:
Unlike the poker offering the Bodog casino can be played either in your browser or as a downloaded client. The in browser version is relatively limited with the games taking place in a small section of the web page. The interface design is effective and mirrors the simplistic feel of the poker application. Games can be played either for fun or for cash and you need not register if you just want to try the games out first.
The downloadable version also offers the choice between money and fun up front but it does require a login to function. Games are divided into slots, table and video poker and a strong selection is available. The downloaded casino also has a minimalist game interface that manages to be easy to use while still being fun.
Sports Betting:
Bodog also offers a sports betting facility with a good range of betting options alongside a live betting service. Sports available for betting include all of the usual options from football to cricket. Special bets currently feature the BBC sports personality of the year and the Eurovision Song Contest winners, amongst others. There is a well presented list of options and it's simple to place your bets.
Payment Options:
Bodog provides an impressive list of payment options including cards, Moneybookers, Neteller, Click2Pay, Paysafecard, and Bank Wire. Accepted currencies include the UK pound, the US dollar and the euro. Bodog don't disappoint in either regard here and you'll likely have no problem with the choices available.
Conclusion:
The experience behind Bodog comes into play with their gambling service; the site is of high quality and whether it be betting, poker or the casino, you aren't likely to be disappointed with the site. The simplistic design philosophy is likely to draw some and repel others, but if you prefer a straight to the point feel then Bodog has it. Help is also of good quality with an email service alongside a phone line. Altogether Bodog is a well presented and fun to use gambling service.
Tick Box:
Safe: Yes
24/7 Support: Yes
Demos: Yes
Download Required: Yes (for poker)
Live Betting: Yes
Mobile Gambling: Yes
Promotions: Yes
Disclaimer: All deals and promotions listed were correct at the time of this review, and are subject to change. For current promotions, please visit the website as listed above. Please feel free to use the comments section to post details of current promotions including, where applicable, valid dates.