Although BetAmerica is a relatively new online sportsbook, its parent company is no stranger to the world of betting. In fact, you might be familiar with Churchill Downs, Inc., the same group that oversees a renowned racetrack in Kentucky.
Remarkably, it was precisely there, in 1875, where the business took its first steps, coinciding with the inaugural running of the Kentucky Derby. Throughout a span of over 100 years, the company not only retained the original track but also acquired and sold several others. In the 1990s, they ventured into simulcasting and subsequently expanded their operations to include casinos. Then, in 2017, they made a strategic move by acquiring the fledgling BetAmerica.com, which at the time focused exclusively on horse racing as an ADW site (advanced deposit wagering).
Looking ahead to the present, BetAmerica has evolved into a comprehensive sportsbook, complete with a dedicated horse racing site, and an online casino operating in states where iGaming is allowed. For the purpose of this review, our focus will be on the sportsbook aspect.
Being a newcomer in the field, there may be a few bumps along the way – for example, we experienced some issues with geolocation when trying to access the site. However, when considering the overall BetAmerica experience, it can be described as swift, sleek, and organized.
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Differences between states for BetAmerica
BetAmerica has recently announced its plans to enter the online sportsbook market over in the sta Michigan in the “near future,” as stated in a company press release. Additionally, they have set their sights on expanding their presence in Colorado. It is widely anticipated that BetAmerica will continue to pursue entry into other states, both in the near and distant future.
The experience for BetAmerica customers remains largely consistent across the three states where it currently operates. However, the notable disparity arises on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania sites, which feature numerous enticing promotions for the online casino. It is worth noting that the availability of the online casino is not offered in Indiana due to legal restrictions.
The main distinction lies in the range of sports available for betting, which is influenced by individual state regulations. While all three sites offer wagers on popular sports, there are variations between the Pennsylvania and New Jersey platforms when it comes to less common options. For instance, Pennsylvanian bettors can place bets on handball, volleyball, bandy, and snooker, whereas New Jersey residents can engage in darts and table tennis betting.
The design of the individual sites is largely similar, with the main distinction being the presence of numerous casino links on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania sites. However, an intriguing aspect in New Jersey is that betting on the Houston Rockets is prohibited. The reason behind this restriction is that the team’s owner, Tilman Fertitta, also happens to own the Golden Nugget, which serves as the casino partner for BetAmerica.
While BetAmerica is a recently established online sportsbook, its parent company has a rich history in the world of betting. You might already be acquainted with Churchill Downs, Inc., the very same group that oversees a prestigious racetrack in Kentucky.
In a remarkable turn of events, it was exactly in 1875 that the business took its initial steps, coinciding with the inaugural running of the Kentucky Derby. Over the course of more than 100 years, the company not only maintained the original track, but also acquired and sold several others. In the 1990s, they ventured into simulcasting and expanded their operations to include casinos. Then, in 2017, they made a strategic move by acquiring the budding BetAmerica.com, which, at that time, focused solely on horse racing as an ADW site (advanced deposit wagering).
As we look to the present, BetAmerica has transformed into a fully-fledged sportsbook, encompassing a dedicated horse racing site and an online casino available in states where iGaming is permitted. For the purpose of this review, our primary focus will be on the sportsbook aspect.
As a newcomer in the field, we may encounter a few hurdles along the way. For instance, we faced some challenges with geolocation while accessing the site. However, when evaluating the overall BetAmerica experience, it can be characterized as fast, elegant, and well-structured.
New BetAmerica accounts are eligible for a modest yet respectable bonus offer in the sportsbook game: Bet $50 and receive a $50 bonus bet. While it may not be a mind-blowing deal, it certainly adds value to your wagering experience.
We anticipate that BetAmerica will enhance the rewards, and when they do, we look forward to sharing with you an exclusive bonus offer. Stay tuned for updates and exciting news!
Sportsbook basics
Similar to other online sportsbooks, BetAmerica ensures that users are at least 21 years old before they can register an account. This is verified using their birthdate and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
To place a bet with BetAmerica, you must be physically present in a state where the platform is licensed to operate. However, it is possible to create an account from any location. In simpler terms, anyone over the age of 21 can wager, but you need to be physically present in one of the legal states to actually place a bet.
When it comes to the variety of bets, BetAmerica provides the industry-standard options, including straight bets, parlays, and teasers.
BetAmerica also provides the increasingly popular feature of live betting, which has become the industry standard. Depending on your location, players can enjoy a wide range of live betting options that are diverse and exciting. As an example, during this review in New Jersey on an early Friday morning, the live action included basketball bets from China, baseball bets from South Korea, and soccer bets from Croatia. Let’s cheer for NK Sesvete!
Furthermore, the design of BetAmerica, whether on mobile or desktop, is exceptionally sleek and organized. It exudes a sharp, intuitive, and highly responsive interface, making it incredibly user-friendly.
BetAmerica mobile app
The BetAmerica mobile site boasts a sleek design. As mentioned earlier, the app is free from unnecessary clutter, making navigation a breeze. Now, let’s take a sneak peek into the app and discover what you can expect as a user.
- The BetAmerica app is accessible on both Android and iOS devices. However, Android users need to visit BetAmerica.com and download the app directly from the website, while iOS users can easily find and download it from the App Store. Please note that this process is similar to other gambling-related apps for Android.
- The app’s speed is lightning fast, with no lag when navigating through its features. When you click on a bet, it seamlessly takes you to the betslip where the bet is already waiting. The response time is on par.
- Stability – The app underwent extensive testing and showed no signs of crashing, although there were occasional hiccups with the geolocation service, especially on Android devices. At times, a message stating “we can’t locate you” would appear when accessing the site. While this has been observed with other sportsbooks as well, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. The reasoning behind these occasional issues remains unclear. Interestingly, access was restricted in one room of a house, but moving to another room resolved the problem. It’s important to note that this doesn’t appear to be a widespread problem, but it did occur twice during testing. Additionally, clearing the cache seemed to resolve any geolocation-related issues.
- Appearance – Let’s talk about how clean and neat this app is. It’s simplicity at its finest, and that’s exactly what we love about it. Once you log in, you’re greeted with the home page. At the top, there’s a scroll bar showcasing the main sports, and right in the center, there’s an option to explore “all sports.” Just below that, you’ll find the day’s promotions and bonuses, followed by the featured contests of the day. Scroll down to the bottom, and you’ll see links to all sports, and live action. You will find open bets, and the betslip too. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there’s even a link to the “casino.” And don’t forget, there’s a convenient menu option in the top left and an account option in the top right corner.
- One downside? When you select a specific league for the games lineup, you’re presented with a maximum of three games at a time. Similarly, when you click on an individual game, you’ll again only see a few markets at once. In short, there’s a lot of scrolling involved.
- Responsiveness – Undoubtedly, the app’s response time is top-notch. There was absolutely no waiting time when navigating, seamlessly transitioning from the bet slip to the account, personal information, live betting, or anywhere else.
- Cash out option – At BetAmerica, you can take advantage of our cash out feature, which is accessible through the “live bet” tab. This convenient option is available on most markets, allowing you to optimize your betting experience.
Pricing and betting options at BetAmerica
While BetAmerica doesn’t offer as extensive a range of betting options as some other sites, it does cover all the essentials. For example, when it comes to baseball games, you can expect to find money lines, points spreads, run lines, and over/unders. On the game prop front, there are options like first to score, five-inning bets, and a wide variety of player props. Football also offers similar choices, including first touchdown scorer, basic player props, and action for each quarter and half.
A few downsides
(1)Browsing through the mobile site feels like a never-ending scroll. To access all the markets, you have to continuously swipe through them. It’s not that they are hard to find or navigate; they are simply stacked on top of each other, making it challenging to view multiple markets at once. For example, when looking at NFL player props, gamblers can only see three separate props on the screen as you swipe through.
(2) The pricing structure is quite peculiar. For instance, during a regular season NFL week, instead of having -110 on both sides or -115 and -105, you often encounter some outliers such as Seahawks -3 (+112) and Bills +3 (-132). While alternate lines are usually available for betting, it is disappointing that the SB Tech-powered sportsbook does not maintain simplicity in straight bets.
(3) Moreover, the pricing on player props is not ideal at BetAmerica. While their moneylines, over/unders, and spread bets mostly hover around -110 (with some variations like -105, -115, or +100 and -120), the player prop bets tend to fall more consistently on the -115 spectrum. This puts BetAmerica at a disadvantage compared to some other sportsbooks. For instance, elsewhere like FanDuel, you can often find player props priced at -112 on both sides. This highlights an area where BetAmerica could improve to compete with their counterparts.
There appears to be a noticeable absence of futures markets at BetAmerica, which could potentially be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, although the exact reasons remain unclear. It is imperative for BetAmerica to address this issue if they wish to be regarded seriously by professional bettors, as a robust futures market is indispensable.
In terms of promotions, BetAmerica offers innovative ways to put money back in your pocket. Some of these enticing promotions include earning $5 for every touchdown in an NFL game when you place a spread bet of $50 or more, a $10 live bet bonus for Monday Night Football, and a dollar for every run scored when you bet on an MLB moneyline. Additionally, they provide daily “super odds” or boosts on various outcomes.
Deposits and withdrawals
BetAmerica simplifies the process of depositing and withdrawing funds. When it comes to deposits, BetAmerica gladly accepts:
- Â Â Â BetAmerica provides access to a wide range of banks across the nation, in addition to major national banks. Simply log in using your online banking credentials. With an extensive list available, you should have no trouble finding your bank for making a deposit, unless your bank happens to be a guy named Paulie.
- Â Â Â Chances are, you already have a PayPal account.
-    ACH/echeck: One of the simplest methods to deposit funds, almost as convenient as PayPal. Once your bank account is linked, it’s readily available whenever you wish to make a deposit.
- Â Â Â If you have a Play+ account, you can conveniently make deposits from your credit card or checking account.
-   Looking for an alternative to PayPal? Consider Skrill, a competitor that supports almost two dozen additional currencies. Whether you’re preparing for a trip overseas or simply seeking more flexibility, Skrill could be worth exploring.
-    PayNearMe: Choose this option, receive a code, and bring both the code and cash to participating stores in your area. For instance 7-Eleven, Family Dollar, or CVS. Voilà ! You’re all set.
- Debit/Credit Cards: Debit cards are almost always accepted, but credit card companies frequently decline charges to gambling sites.
- Cash at casino cage: This option is dependent on the partner casino in your home state, if applicable. Prior to visiting, it is advisable to call and confirm whether they currently accept cash deposits and withdrawals. Due to COVID-19, it is important to ensure that the casino is both open and accepting cash transactions at the cage.
- For withdrawals, BetAmerica supports all methods except PayNear Me.
- At just $1, the minimum deposit at BetAmerica is the lowest we’ve encountered. Deposits are processed instantly, and there’s a daily limit of $3,000.
Summary
BetAmerica is a relatively new sportsbook in the U.S. What sets it apart is its user-friendly interface and efficient performance. However, there are some drawbacks. The betting options and pricing, while not significantly lacking, could be improved. That being said, BetAmerica is still worth considering, especially for novice bettors who will appreciate its intuitive navigation. However, more experienced gamblers might not be completely satisfied with the overall package as it currently stands.
