• Bookies
  • Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook Review Mar 2024

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook Review

Sports Illustrated is an exciting new legal online sportsbook that offers a lucrative sign-up bonus, a great mobile app and competitive odds on lots of sports. It was formed as a 20-year joint venture between online gambling giant 888sport Holdings and Authentic Brands, which publishes Sports Illustrated. It offers native sports betting apps for iOS and Android users, along with a user-friendly website. This SI Sportsbook review delves into the bonuses and promotions available, the registration process, the sports covered, the site experience, the quality of the mobile app, deposits and withdrawals, betting limits, state restrictions, customer service and much more.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Polished mobile app and website
Very broad sporting coverage
Exciting promotions
Cons
Limited customer service options
A little slow to process payout requests

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook Best Features

🥇 Sports Illustrated Best known for Sign-up Bonuses
🖊️ Welcome Offer CO, MI, VA Bet $20, Get $200 in Free Bets
🖊️ Promo Code Sports Illustrated BOOKIES200
💳 Minimum Deposit $20
📲 Sports Illustrated Sportsbook App iOS & Android
⌚️ Withdrawal Time 2-5 Business Days
🌎 Sports Illustrated Launched States MI, CO, VA

Sports Illustrated ​Review Summary

SI Sportsbook offers a fun, sophisticated sports wagering experience and offers one of the best mobile betting apps and websites. You will benefit from a reasonably large welcome bonus and lots of interesting promotions that provide added value. Its odds are competitive, and it covers a broad array of sports in impeccable depth. The sportsbook offers many exciting modern features, including stats, cash out, live streaming and a same game parlay builder. It is a little slow to process payout requests, and withdrawals are reliable. Overall, we highly recommend signing up for an SI Sportsbook account.

Sports Illustrated Online Sportsbook

888 Holdings was founded by four Israeli entrepreneurs in 1997. It started out by focusing on online casino games, but it launched 888 Sport in 2008. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It launched 888 Sport in New Jersey in 2018 after the Supreme Court overturned a federal sports wagering ban. However, it struggled to compete with high-profile operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings, so 888 Holdings decided to strike a deal with Authentic Brands.

It is now converting the 888 Sport betting site to Sports Illustrated Sportsbook. 888 Holdings owns 95% of the venture and Authentic Brands owns the remaining 5%. Authentic Brands, which bought the Sports Illustrated brand for $110 million in 2019, can purchase an extra 10% in future, but 888 Holdings is calling the shots. The Sports Illustrated website receives more than 30 million users each month, and the plan is to build up a large, vibrant community of sports bettors under the SI Sportsbook brand.

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook Promo Code

New sports Illustrated customers in Virginia, Colorado and Michigan can claim the $200 in Free Bets if their first $20 wager wins. All they have to do is to place a bet on odds of +120 or better after joining and making the first deposit. All three states has the same welcome offer, just make sure to use the promo code BOOKIES200.

Registering at Sports Illustrated

It is very straightforward to sign up for a SI Sportsbook account. Click the link provided on this page to visit the site and then click “Sign Up” at the top right of the homepage. You will be presented with a registration form, which requires you to select your title and type in your name, date of birth and email address. The second step asks new customers to choose a username and password, set up a security question and answer, and enter a phone number.

Finally, provide your address and the last four digits of your SSN to complete the registration process. Accept the terms of use, confirm your age and click “Register.” To verify your account, you will need to provide proof of ID and address. You can then opt into your welcome bonus and start betting on sports.

Sports Illustrated Sports Betting

Sports Illustrated covers football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf and UFC/MMA in exceptional depth. Soccer is afforded the broadest coverage, with more than 60,000 wagering options available at any given time, but you will also find thousands of football, basketball and baseball markets. It provides a wealth of prop bets bets, alternative spreads and totals, futures betting markets and live betting options.

Sports Illustrated also covers Australian Rules,boxing, cricket, cycling, handball, lacrosse, motorsports, rugby league, rugby union and table tennis. In other markets around the world, parent company 888 offers betting on lots more sports, including darts, horse racing, greyhounds, Gaelic sports, snooker, surfing, volleyball, water polo and esports, so they could easily be added in future.

Site Experience

The SI Sportsbook app and website are essentially re-skinned versions of 888 Sport. That is great news for bettors, as 888 Sport has always offered an exceptional user experience. It previously operated on a white-label platform provided by Kambi, but it switched to proprietary software after purchasing Irish online bookmaker Bet Bright in 2019. 888 maintained the best features of the Kambi sportsbook, such as the stats, the simple navigation and the user-friendly tools, but operating on proprietary software allows it to earn better margins, which should theoretically allow it to provide lucrative bonuses and above average odds.

Betting Interface: Very User-Friendly
Mobile Betting: Yes
Betting App: Apple, Android
Live Sports Betting: Yes
Live Sports Streaming Yes

Mobile App Experience

As mentioned earlier in this SI Sportsbook review, the app is a re-skinned version of 888 Sport, which is one of the most highly rated mobile apps. It has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 on the App Store after gaining more than 10,000 user reviews. We tested it out and we enjoyed using the SI Sportsbook app on various devices. It is fast, reliable, easy to navigate, and full of great features.

Sports Illustrated GeoComply

You will be required to use the SI Sportsbook app in tandem with a GeoComply plugin, which proves you are located in a state in which there are legal and licensed online sportsbooks. This is a standard requirement for all legal sports betting operators in the United States. GeoComply is easy to install.

Quality of the Odds

The odds available at Sports Illustrated are generally competitive. It mainly offers standard juice -110 lines on either side of the spread, but it takes an extra point on totals – generally offering -113 / -108 – and some spreads, which is a little disappointing. On the other hand, the moneyline, prop betting and futures betting odds are above-average.

Notable Features

This legal sports betting site has all the great features you would expect from a market leading online sportsbook. These are some of the key features:

Stats

You can click on the bar chart icon next to a sporting event to fire up a new window that provides you with an abundance of helpful stats provided by Sportradar. The information is specifically aimed at sports bettors and is laid out in a neat, user-friendly format.

Live Betting

You will find in-play betting on hundreds of sporting events each day at Sports Illustrated. It has live streaming on some events and keeps you updated with scores, stats and infographics. The breadth of live betting options is seriously impressive.

Cash Out

Cash out allows you to exit your wager before the sporting event has ended. This is a good idea if you feel the team or player you bet on will struggle as the event wears on. If your bet is winning, you will be offered a guaranteed profit. If the bet is losing, you can often claw back some of the bet amount by cashing out.

Understanding Betting Options

The SI Sportsbook app has you covered with a very large selection of wagering options on lots of games each day. You can create same game parlays, traditional parlays, teasers and round robins with ease on the bet slip. It offers a strong range of futures betting options too.3

Minimum Bet

The minimum wager at Sports Illustrated Sportsbook is just $0.10 on most sports.

Maximum Bet

There is no maximum bet, but your winnings will be capped. You can win up to $250,000 on a soccer bet, $100,000 for basketball and hockey, and $50,000 on football and baseball. We expect to see it increase the upper limits for football and baseball in future.

Reduced Juice

Sports Illustrated does not offer reduced juice betting lines. You will generally find standard juice lines or lines in which you are charged an extra cent on one side, such as -114 / -107.

Deposit & Withdrawal Methods at Sports Illustrated

You will be offered a broad selection of deposit options at SI Sportsbook. It is a little slow to process payout requests, but the banking process is smooth, secure and convenient, and it can be relied upon to pay out in full.

Depositing Money

You can use Visa, MasterCard or Discover to fund your Sports Illustrated account. If you would rather make a direct bank transfer, you can use the Bill Pay function in your bank account or send an ACH transfer. If you would like to pay in cash, you can visit the casino cage or use PayNearMe at your local 7-Eleven. It also accepts PayPal, but Skrill and Neteller are unavailable, or you can sign up for a Play+ card. All deposits are instant, and there are no fees. The minimum deposit is $10, and the maximum is $100,000 if you go to the casino cage.

Withdrawing Money

You will have just four Sports Illustrated payout options: bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, Play+ or cash at the casino cage. The minimum Sports Illustrated payout via ACH is $10, and it is $20 for PayPal or Play+.

How Does Sports Illustrated Payout?

Withdrawal times depend upon which of the Sports Illustrated payout options you select. If you go for ACH, it takes up to six days, while PayPal and Play+ take 4-5 days. The team is slow to approve payout requests, which holds the process up.

Sports Illustrated State Restrictions

888 Holdings has a long history in the U.S. It offered casino games until 2006, when Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. It came back to Nevada in 2015 and launched operations in Delaware too. 888 Sport launched in New Jersey in 2018 after PASPA, the federal sports betting ban, was overturned. It gained market access to Colorado, Indiana and Iowa, and the plan was to roll out the 888 Sport brand.

However, it has now created Sports Illustrated Sports, and the plan is to launch that brand Colorado, Indiana and Iowa, while converting to SI Sportsbook in New Jersey and then expanding.

Sports Illustrated Colorado

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook made its debut for Colorado bettors in September 2021, just in time for the start of the new NFL betting season. SI Sportsbook Colorado operates on the license of the Grande Casino in Cripple Creek. BOOKIES200 is the promo code available for new players.

Sports Illustrated New Jersey

Sports Illustrated's owner has already launched the 888 Sport brand in New Jersey. That should soon be converted to SI Sportsbook now that Sports Illustrated Sportsbook Colorado has been launched.

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook in Arizona

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook may seek to launch in Arizona after choosing to make its debut in nearby Colorado. In Arizona, operators must tie up market access deals with tribes or professional sports teams in order to launch legal sports betting in Arizona. There are 20 licenses available in total, and most have already been issued to brands such as BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings, so SI Sportsbook will need to move quickly if it is to join the party. If it does launch in Arizona, you can expect a high-quality app and a website, along with a deposit match bonus or a large risk-free bet for new customers.

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook in Canada

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook declared its intention to launch in Canada after the deal between 888sport Canada and Authentic Brands was announced. 888 has operated one of the best Canadian sportsbooks for many years, so it knows the market well, and it is likely to provide Canadian bettors with a great user experience, convenient deposits and withdrawals via methods such as Interac and iDebit, and tailored promos.

Sports Illustrated Casino

888 Holdings started out as an 888sport online casino operator before expanding into sports betting, poker and bingo, so it has a wealth of expertise in this sector. It offers one of the world's best online casinos, replete with thousands of games from the leading software providers. There are also lots of great exclusive games, because 888 has an in-house casino game production company called Dragonfish.

Loyalty Program

SI Sportsbook does not currently have a loyalty program, but we will let you know if that changes in future. You can benefit from odds boosts known as SI Superboosts and lots of ongoing promos, such as parlay boosts and free sportsbook contests.

Sports Illustrated Customer Support

Customer service is limited at SI Sportsbook. You have to fill out a web form and wait for someone to email you back if you need support. Competitors offer 24/7 support via phone and live chat, so it would be great to see SI Sportsbook follow suit.

Safety and Security

SI Sportsbook is protected by robust SSL encryption software. Your funds are perfectly safe in your account balance, and your personal and financial details will be protected at all times. Parent company 888 Holdings has run online gambling sites since 1997 and it has a spotless security record in that time.

Responsible Gambling

We should point out that parent company 888 does not have a spotless record in terms of responsible gambling. In the UK, it was fined a record $11 million after more than 7,000 customers were allowed to keep betting after they decided to self-exclude. Since then, it has had no issues with responsible gambling, and it provides a comprehensive guide to avoiding problem gambling and imposing limits on your account.

Our Verdict of SI Sportsbook

This is a really stylish online sportsbook. The red and black color scheme is a lot more attractive than 888 Sport's glaring orange design, but it has retained the user-friendly interface and the great features from the 888 platform. It has launched with a fantastic 500% welcome bonus but then offered an amazing, $50 back in free bets offer, which makes it a really compelling prospect. Currently the welcome offer they have is Bet $20 Get $200 in Free Bets using the promo code BOOKIES200. Withdrawals could be quicker, and we would like to see 24/7 customer support offered, but they are minor complaints. Overall, this is one of the best sport betting apps and websites with vast potential for success.

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook FAQs

When is 888sport expected to rebrand to Sports Illustrated?

888 Holdings has not yet provided an exact date for the rebranding from 888Sport to Sports Illustrated Sportsbook, but it will happen before the end of 2021. The deal was announced in June, and 888 has already launched SI Sportsbook in Colorado.

Is Sports Illustrated legit and legal?

Sports Illustrated is a legitimate, legal online sportsbook. It is owned by 888 Holdings, which is one of the world’s leading online gambling companies. SI Sportsbook legal wagering has already gone live in Colorado, and several other states are expected to follow soon.

What states can use Sports Illustrated?

The SI Sportsbook app launched in Colorado in time for the new NFL season in 2021 before expanding into other states. Parent company 888 Holdings already operates 888Sport in New Jersey, and it is likely to rebrand that site as Sports Illustrated Sportsbook. It also has market access agreements in place for Indiana and Iowa, while 888 has historically operated in Nevada and Delaware too.

Can I bet for real money at Sports Illustrated online sportsbook?

You can absolutely bet for real money at SI Sportsbook. Legal sports wagering customers can deposit via Visa, MasterCard, Discover, ACH, online banking transfer, PayPal, Play+ or PayNearMe at SI Sportsbook. Sports fans will then receive a prompt and reliable payout on successful wagers.

Does Sports Illustrated match deposits for new customers?

Sports Illustrated offers new customers $200 in free bets after your first wager settles. You can unlock this offer by betting with odds of +120 or better.

How do I deposit money into my Sports Illustrated account?

Log into your SI Sportsbook account, click on the cashier button and then select “Deposit.” You will be presented with a selection of payment methods, including credit card, debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Play+ or PayNearMe. Enter the amount you would like to deposit and confirm the transaction.

How long do withdrawals take at Sports Illustrated?

It generally takes 4-6 days to receive a payout from Sports Illustrated Sportsbook. You can make a withdrawal via ACH, PayPal or Play+. You might be able to get a quicker payout if you visit the casino cage of a partner property, but you should warn the customer service team in advance.

How does Sports Illustrated payout?

This legal sports betting operator provides customers with three payout options: bank transfer (ACH), PayPal or Play+. You may also be able to receive a cash payout at the casino cage if you visit a property that the Sports Illustrated brand has teamed up with.

What sports are available to bet at Sports Illustrated?

The Sports Illustrated app offers wagering on a broad selection of sports. Football, basketball, baseball and hockey are covered in extensive detail, and it also features soccer, tennis, Australian Rules, boxing, cricket, cycling, golf, handball, lacrosse, motor sports, rugby league, rugby union, table tennis and UFC/MMA.

Does Sports Illustrated have an app?

You can download the Sports Illustrated Sportsbook app via Google Play or the App Store, or directly from the website. Read our SI Sportsbook review to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of this sports betting app.

How can I contact the Sports Illustrated support team?

You must fill out a form and wait for someone in the Sports Illustrated customer service team to email you back if you need support. Rival legal sports betting operators offer 24/7 customer service via phone and live chat, so this was one of the weak spots we noticed when conducting our SI Sportsbook review.

About the Author

Martin Green for Bookies.com
Martin Green
Martin Green spent five years working at William Hill before becoming a journalist in 2009. He began working as a sports writer and professional tipster in 2014.