PointsBet Review

PointsBet began in Australia and has successfully managed to extend its reach into the US, where it’s now available in 14 states. Its popularity stems from its unique betting format — sensibly named PointsBetting — and I couldn’t wait to try it out for this review. This is an innovative way to bet and is just one of many aspects of PointsBet that make it a top destination for sportsbook fans. 

What makes PointsBetting so thrilling compared to the more traditional fixed-odds betting is that the payout continues to change right until the very end. It’s a high-risk form of betting but there’s also a chance to land higher rewards. 

How does it work? Bettors are rewarded or docked points depending on how accurate their selection is. Every point of difference from the total or spread is a multiplier of the stake. This means you can win more based on the outcome — you can lose more too, of course. With PointsBetting, every point, run, yard, goal, and play matters, building excitement as the game plays out.

If you like the sound of this unique system, continue reading my in-depth review of PointsBet to find out more, or click through to sign up and try it for yourself.  

Sports and Markets

PointsBet rivals the competition when it comes to market coverage. Bettors will be pleased by the offering of America’s four major sports — basketball, football, hockey, and baseball. The NBA, for example, has almost 1,000 different markets per game, which is impressive to say the least. 

PointsBet has done a great job of streamlining the betting process on its site. Everything is neatly organized into categories by event, league, and sport. The sports A–Z is also a quick way to find what you’re looking for. Unlike some sites, this isn’t just a list of sports; it also shows live events and streamed events for easy access, so you can see what’s coming up next.

When I was exploring the A–Z section, there were 56 live events happening and 17 events being live streamed. Scrolling down the list, you’ll also see the ‘live’ label next to the appropriate sports. As I’m someone who often logs into the sportsbook to make bets on in-play events, I was a big fan of this feature.

In total, PointsBets features 17 sports to bet on. While this isn’t exhaustive and there are some areas missing, it will suit most people’s betting styles. I’d like to see TV, entertainment, and political events added as well as Esports to better meet the offerings of major sportsbooks like Fanduel. I can imagine the PointsBetting system working well with these markets too. 

There are lots of different wagers available, including spread betting, moneyline betting, over/under markets, and futures betting. Spread betting is available in both its traditional format as well as the unique PointsBetting style. When using PointsBetting for any bet, punters need to understand that it’s actually possible to lose more than the wager itself — proceed with caution!

Design and Usability

I was bowled over by PointsBet’s interface, both on desktop and the app. Seeing as PointsBetting will be a new concept for some, I’m glad to see the brand has made everything easy to help you find your feet. This means that even novice bettors will find PointsBets a breeze to use. There’s no huge learning curve here, so don’t be put off by the new way of betting offered.

In terms of its design, I’m a big fan. It’s clear that PointsBet has thought long and hard about the different elements and sections placed on the site. With its dark theme, the white font and red accents really stand out, and everything looks modern and slick. 

My only real gripe about the desktop site is that in order to search, you need to click on the menu. I feel it wouldn’t spoil the design to have a small search icon on the main page so finding what you’re looking for is just that little bit quicker.

Payment Methods and Withdrawal Times

PointsBet offers a range of payment methods to suit most punters. You have the pick of debit cards, credit cards, e-check, online bank transfers, PayNearMe, PayPal, and even cash in some states — although you’ll need to head to specific racetracks or casinos for this. All major card issuers are supported, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. 

The great news is that the minimum deposit required is just $5, which is one of the lowest around. This makes PointsBet suitable for all, including low-stakes bettors. 

The withdrawal methods are the same, and you’ll usually have to withdraw via the same method used for your deposit. For those who still prefer to work in cash, you can even head to PointsBet-affiliated brick-and-mortar casinos and receive your withdrawal as paper money. This is currently only available in Iowa, Illinois, and New Jersey. 

One thing I did notice about the PointsBet withdrawal process is that it’s a little slower than the top US competitors. Processing times can be up to five days for e-checks and bank transfers, and that’s just the time that PointsBet itself takes. 

The minimum withdrawal amount is $10. I would have liked to see other e-wallets available, but most bases are covered so I expect the majority of players will be content.

Live Betting Options

PointsBet’s in-play betting options provide plenty of opportunities for live wagers. One market I particularly enjoyed here was the Lightning Bets option. With this, you can bet on what you think will happen in the next drive or minute. It’s no surprise this thrilling, fast-paced feature is popular with in-play bettors!

Besides all the live options, the in-play betting section itself is well-designed. It’s easy to navigate and can be quickly accessed from different areas of the website. 

For those who enjoy having the option to cash out, you’ll be pleased to know that this is made available for most fixed odds bets in pre-match singles. You’ll see this marked on the available markets for easy reference. When you place a bet that has the cash out option, you can settle it at any time and cut your losses if things aren’t going your way, or collect any winnings if they are. 

The live streaming option is quite new on PointsBet but it’s already shown itself to be very popular. I found there to be fewer options than some of the top sportsbooks, but I imagine this is in part down to its novelty and you’ll still find plenty of mainstream events being streamed live. During my own use of the site, there were 17 events currently being streamed, including soccer, tennis, table tennis, and volleyball.

Bet Builder

PointsBets offers two parlay options: traditional parlays and same-game parlays. It’s also possible to create live same-game parlays in NBA and NFL games when there are breaks or timeouts. 

The process of creating a regular same-game parlay is easy. You just need to find the game you want, choose the tab that says ‘same game parlay’ and select your markets, and create your parlay. When you’re done, you simply add it to your betslip. Currently, PointsBets has this option available for NRL, AFL, NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAAB. I’d love to see more options added in the future.

PointsBet Betting App

PointsBet offers a mobile sportsbook for both iOS and Android. You’ll find these available for download in their respective stores. The apps utilize geolocation to ensure that you can only play in states where sports betting is allowed. There are links to both apps from the PointsBet website itself too. 

Both apps have the same great features as the main desktop site, like live betting and cash out, access to deposits and withdrawals, and a range of promotions. This full-featured approach means bettors won’t ever have to visit the desktop site if they don’t want to. 

In terms of ratings, the apps generally have good user reviews. The Android version is rated 4.2 out of 5 while the iOS version scores an impressive 4.8 out of 5. It’s easy to see why though — I found both versions to be faultless during my testing. 

Customer Support

Another positive experience for me was trying out customer support. It’s clear to see that PointsBets looks after its players. There are a range of ways to get support. Firstly, the help center has a range of FAQs with detailed answers to help customers with routine inquiries. 

More personalized support is available 24/7 via live chat, or you can get in touch via phone on 833-338-7238. Both channels are quick to reply and the staff are helpful and friendly. 

If your query is less urgent, you can email service@pointsbet.com and will get a response in 3–5 business days, though it’s usually much quicker than this.

Finally, PointsBet is also on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @PointsBetHelp. It’s reassuring to see that the company allows users to seek help in the public domain, and is a gesture of honesty and transparency in my book — bravo to PointsBet here.

Summary

Though PointsBet is relatively new in the American sports betting sphere, it has certainly made a positive impression. US bettors can enjoy a fantastic variety of betting options with competitive odds, all wrapped up in a secure platform. 

With up to $1,000 of second-chance bets for new players, this sportsbook is certainly an attractive option for new sign-ups, and the unique PointsBetting features deliver an intriguing new experience even for seasoned bettors. A word of warning once more, though — there’s increased risk with this type of wager, so make sure you stay within your means at all times. 

All in all, I found the PointsBet platform to deliver a professional, user-friendly interface, a great app, and plenty of sports betting action. If this sounds like it’s up your street, head on over and sign up by clicking our link.

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