Betway Sport

Introduction

Betway has operated a sportsbook since 2006 so is one of the most established global brands in the online sports betting industry. The New Zealand Gambling Act of 2003 allows residents of New Zealand to register with this offshore site. Betway only recently accepted players from New Zealand but is now a trusted sportsbook in the country.

The company is the shirt and stadium sponsors of West Ham United Football Club who play in the Premier League in England. The club now play their home fixtures in the former Olympic Stadium in London which increases their profile. The Betway branding in seen all around the world as a result of this partnership and that includes New Zealand.

The sportsbook is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority and both bodies have many years of experience in the online gaming industry. The operation has the potential to win awards and the industry should recognise the quality of the service at some time in the near future.

Betway Key Features

Pros

Welcome bonus for residents of New Zealand.
Weekly Free Bet Club.
Pre-match betting in about 30 categories.
In-play betting interface with events in the main betting sports.
Cash out option across many games.
Downloadable mobile app.

Cons

No live steaming of major sports and leagues which contracts do not allow.
Few ongoing sports-specific promotions to enhance Free Bet Club.

Residents of New Zealand who register with Betway can claim the welcome bonus up to $60 in the form of a free bet. This offer is complemented by the Free Bet Club which credits existing customers with a $10 free bet on a weekly basis when staking requirements of $50 in multiples are met. The package of free bets NZ and bonuses sits alongside pre-match, in-play and ante post betting in about 30 categories. In-play bettors can cash out bets across most sports and leagues. Mobile users can download an app to iOS and Android devices. The core product is sports betting but Betway’s customers in New Zealand have access to a casino, live casino and Vegas-style games.

Welcome Bonus and Payment Options

New Betway account holders who register from New Zealand qualify for the welcome bonus that offers up to $150 in the form of a free bet. This sign up offer is subject to the following Terms & Conditions:

New customers located in New Zealand and current players in New Zealand are not eligible.
First deposit for $10 or more within 7 days of opening the account.
Debit and credit payment method only.
100% match deposit bonus.
Maximum bonus of $150.
Wagering requirements of one times the bonus.
Odds restrictions of 1.75 or bigger.
The free bet expires after 7 days.
Any winnings from the free bet do not include the stake.
Offer subject to Betway’s general Terms & Conditions.

The Betway sign up offer for residents of New Zealand is for a decent amount and is achievable but the window of opportunity in days is relatively small. However, the offer is transparent and there are no hidden rules. This welcome bonus is part of a package of promotions that also includes the Free Bet Club. All players can claim a $10 free bet each week after wagering $50 on multiples with three selections or more. Betway’s complete range of offers for customers in New Zealand provides a good incentive, to create an account, deposit betting funds and place bets.

Payment Options

One of the positives for New Zealand residents who deposit funds in a Betway account is the range of payment methods. Deposits are free of charge and the most common payment options include- Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Bank transfer, Paysafecard and Apple Pay. All deposits can be made instantly and the minimum deposit is $10. Withdrawal times vary but range from 2-6 days.

Betway has a reputation for making prompt payouts. Withdrawal requests are processed immediately and any delays are due to the transaction times with payment providers. Some may impose a charge for carrying out the transfer which varies by provider.

Betway Betting Markets

The importance of sports betting to Betway is indicated by ‘sports’ being the first menu option on the Homepage. The main sports page has rolling banner links to the welcome bonus, Free Bet Club and Betway Boosts which provide enhanced odds for multiples in selected games. Quick Links take bettors to the main matches of the day in football, tennis and other sports and the most bet on domestic football leagues. All Sports displays the full range of categories of which there are about 30. This list is initially by popularity in New Zealand- Football, Tennis, Cricket, Horse Racing, Basketball and Rugby League.

Residents of New Zealand who register with Betway can place bets on these sports in pre-match, in-play and outright winner markets.

Football Betting

Football is by some way the most popular betting sport in New Zealand despite the prominence of rugby league, rugby union and cricket on the sporting calendar. The site features betting on over 200 leagues from all around the world. The most bet on competition is the English Premier League (EPL). Matches are shown live on television in New Zealand and Betway are a prominent brand when West Ham United’s home fixtures are covered.

Betway displays the 1X2 market for each EPL fixture with a link to about 200 related betting options. These markets appear in the categories of Match, Goals, Half and Other. The Bet Builder facility allows customers to create personalised multiple bets from match outcomes. These events can be related in which case Betway adjusts the odds accordingly. The winner of the Premier League is one of the most bet on ante post markets but the top scorer and teams to be relegated are also popular.

Other Categories

Bettors with Betway in New Zealand place bets on cricket, rugby league and rugby union. They also bet on the four main North American professional leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. The site offers odds on global sports like golf, boxing and motor racing. Darts, snooker and bowls attract betting turnover in the UK while handball and volleyball are popular in mainland Europe. These are niche sports in New Zealand but customers with Betway have these options. In addition to the regular sports, New Zealand-based players can bet on Politics, Esports, Virtual Sports and TV Specials.

In-Play Betting

‘In-Play’ is the first option on the main menu on the sports page. A LIVE icon against a sport indicates current live betting events. Live events are displayed by sport and Now and Upcoming. The most popular sports for in-play betting with account holders with Betway in New Zealand are football, tennis and cricket. The most bet on in-play competitions are the Premier League (football), ATP (tennis) and Indian Premier League (cricket). Cricket matches involving New Zealand playing in Test, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 formats generate massive betting interest in the country.

App and Site Experience

Customer Support

A major global brand like Betway that has a high-profile partnership with an EPL club is expected to provide a good level of customer service. Bettors in New Zealand and other jurisdictions have to feel confident that support staff deal with issues in a timely manner. The process to find contact details is quite complicated but the best option is the Live Chat facility. The Help section features guidelines for all the account management and sports betting functions. The objective is to eliminate the need for email and telephone support and Betway covers the majority of scenarios. Responsible Gaming is one of the options on the footer of each page. Betway adopts a policy to promote safe gambling for residents of New Zealand. Account holders with potential problems can benefit from the following measures:

Self-Assessment
Deposit Limits
Exclusion
Activity Statement

Betway has relationships with bodies in New Zealand that offer support to individuals that have gambling problems and addictive gambling symptoms. Overall, the operator is a good promoter of responsible gambling.

App & Site Experience

Betway has developed a downloadable mobile app for iOS and Android devices and there is also a browser version of the site than can be installed on smartphones and tablets. The app is fully functional in terms of betting markets and the in-play interface. The menu structure means a preferred market can be reached with the minimum of taps.

Mobile customers in New Zealand cannot claim a mobile specific welcome bonus or any ongoing promotions with Betway. However, the app does feature the standard sign up offer and the Free Bet Club that can be activated on desktop computers. The app mirrors the PC version of the service but the screens display less information without scrolling down using the mobile device keypad.

The Betway website is well-designed and easy to navigate. The menus, links and banners make movement to specific areas seamless with little delay. Live bettors can reach the in-play interface through a menu option or specific sport links. The main sports menu displays the most popular betting sports and key functions on the site.

Betway Final Verdict

Betway is a trusted and established global brand that has 15 years experience (as at 2021) in the online gaming sector. Sports betting is the core product but the site and mobile app also feature casino table games. The partnership with West Ham United Football Club is another indicator of a reputable betting brand that provides an excellent sports betting service for customers residing in New Zealand. The website and mobile app have few missing features and flaws. The brand is a recommended resource for sports bettors who register from New Zealand.

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