Yes, it is present in only three states (Michigan, Colorado, and Virginia) for now, but plenty of gamers know that this may well be good for it! But the big question on everyone’s mind is: does it fulfill all our expectations and even compete with the bigger guns in the sportsbook arena? Let’s take a closer, more in-depth look at SI Sportsbook – and where it stands in the sports betting landscape.
About SI Sportsbook
SI Sportsbook legally operates in the states of Colorado, Michigan, and Viginia. It's an online sports betting operation that began on the 7th of September, 2021 in Colorado, and its launch came at the same time as the partnership between Authentic Brands (Sport Illustrated Sportsbook’s parent company) and 888 Holdings was announced. SI Sportsbook then launched in May of 2022 in the state of Virginia and in September of 2022 in the 3rd state, Michigan.
We could honestly say that Sports Illustrated started it because the magazine could see the potential of sports betting and wanted to get in on the fun, and although it may not have enough experience in online gaming and sports betting per se, it is learning quickly and earning more of its chops each and every day. SI Sportsbook doesn’t offer casino games (or not yet), but its partnership with 888 Holdings holds a lot of promise indeed, and we could see great things in its future.
Unique Selling Points and Offerings
As mentioned, SI Sportsbook only operates within three states – but it plans to expand its operations in the near future and launch in New Jersey, Indiana, and Arizona, as well as Canada. While it offers standard betting options for events and sports leagues in North America, just like other sports betting platforms, one unique selling point is that SI Sportsbook also offers betting on niche markets for events such as rugby, snooker, darts, table tennis, and many other select games and events that are hard to find in the usual sportsbooks. For instance, there seem to be an array of international soccer events and matches to bet on, including Bundesliga and the Premier League, and even popular world events like the FIFA World Cup. Aside from this, SI Sportsbook also offers secondary league matches such as Chile Segunda Division and Asian Handicaps.
SI Sportsbook also has a fantastic live betting selection, including a Live Feed as well as a Schedule so gamers can see what’s next on the lineup and jump in on the action right away. Furthermore, it has an exclusive sportsbook feature called BetFeed, where you can gain insight on the most popular bets made by other SI Sportsbook users. You can choose from the top 20 on the list, and it will give you an idea of what's on trend.
Pros and Cons
Available on mobile betting for Google Play and the App Store as well as on desktops/laptops
It has enhanced its customer service and offers a live chat feature 24/7 as well as two email services
It is backed by one of the most respected publications and a well-known gaming provider (Sports Illustrated and 888 Holdings, respectively)
It has a BetFeed feature where you can see a list of the most popular bets users have made
The design and layout of the app and website is dated and underwhelming; it could use a makeover
It has slow withdrawals (between 1 to 3 days), but it isn't much different from other sportsbooks
Although it is relatively new, it is continuously updating and works hard to deliver
There are no current options for other casino games like poker, slots, horse racing, etc. but it might change soon enough, especially with its 888 Holdings partnership