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SI Sportsbook Pros and Cons
What Users Say About Their Overall Experience
SI Sportsbook Quick Facts
| Founded | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Secaucus, NJ |
| Welcome Offer | N/A |
| Min. Deposit | $10 |
| Betting App | iOS & Android |
| Desktop | Yes |
| Withdrawal Time | ~1-5 days |
| Payment Methods | Credit Card, Debit Card, ACH, Play+. PayPal, Bank Transfers, PayNearMe |
| Support | Email, FAQs |
| Leagues | 20+ MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, etc. |
| Availability | CO, MI |
SI Sportsbook Review - Overview
Although the Sports Illustrated brand has been known to fans for decades due to the magazine and website, the sportsbook is a relatively new venture.
In 2021 SI partnered with English company 888 Holdings to launch an online betting platform that was first active in Colorado, then spread to Virginia and Michigan.
There has been some turmoil with SI Sportbook recently as 888 sold assets that included the online sportsbook to Hard Rock Digital in March. It remains to be seen whether the Sports Illustrated brand will remain attached to this product in the long term.
Welcome Bonus
SI Sportsbook does not currently offer a welcome bonus. The online sportsbook has had such offers in the past, but the fact it may soon retreat from Colorado and Michigan like it did from Virginia could be a factor here.
Sign-up bonuses are designed to incentivize users to stick around with a sportsbook over the long haul and if SI Sportsbook won't be around for too much longer it might not see the value in handing out bonus bets.
For many sports bettors, a strong initial bonus is an enormous part of the appeal of joining a new sportsbook and it's worth noting that SI falls short in this area.
Other Ongoing Promotions for Sports Betting
SI Sportsbook's lack of a welcome offer doesn't mean it has no promotions. It offers daily odds boosts, and allows users to participate in a free contest known as Perfect 10 every week of the NFL season where they could win up to $10K.
This contest asks customers to guess the outcome of 10 NFL games and they win prizes based on how successful they are. The prize breakdown is as follows:
- 0/10 - 5/10 — no prize
- 6/10 - $1 SI sportsbook bonus bet
- 7/10 - $3 SI sportsbook bonus bet
- 8/10 - $5 SI sportsbook bonus bet
- 9/10 - $10 SI sportsbook bonus bet
- 10/10 - A share of $10K prize depending on how many players were successful.
Availability and Legal States
SI Sportsbook is available in two states: Colorado and Michigan
The sportsbook was once a sports betting option in Virginia, but pulled out of that market on June 3.
User Experience: Desktop
While how a sportsbook or app feels to use is a bit subjective, our impression of the SI Sportsbook is that it's a bit ugly and clunky. The red-and-black color scheme is nothing new, but it looks worse than usual here against a grey background.
Nothing is notably hard to find, but the search function is easy to miss as a small icon in the top left of the screen on desktop, meaning some users may have trouble discovering sports that don't find their way onto the main landing page. It takes a surprisingly long time to load different pages, which can be an issue in live betting situations.
Between the uninspired look and lethargic navigation, there's plenty to nitpick here, but those things may not be the top priority for sports betting fans.
How to sign up at SI Sportsbook
Signing up for a sportsbook account with SI Sportsbook is a relatively straightforward process.
After you hit the ‘Sign Up’ button on the website or app, you’ll be directed to a page entitled ‘Tell us about yourself’ that will ask for the following information.
- Your name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- The last four digits of your social security number
The next page you’ll be directed is called ‘Let’s set up your account’ and it ask for:
- An account email and password
- A security question
- Your phone number
After getting through those two pages, you’ll be ready to make your first deposit and begin betting.
SI Sportsbook Apps Review
The SI Sportsbook mobile apps present similarly to the desktop, but with one notable added feature — access to Sports Illustrated articles.
At the top of the apps, users will find a section entitled 'Made for You' with popular bets on upcoming events, then a 'Popular Events' section where they can browse all of the markets for the biggest games or fights on a given day.
In our experience with these apps, we found them to be on the slow side with a lengthy location check and significant loading times for the deposit and withdrawal pages. It was more inconvenient than totally disqualifying, but it's notable for those who enjoy in-play betting where even slight lag can be detrimental.
Below you'll find a summary of what real users had to say about their experiences with the SI Sportsbook apps.
What Real Users Say About the Betting App Experience
The sports betting app has garnered mixed reviews from users, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses. While many users appreciate the quick payout times and user-friendly interface, significant concerns regarding functionality and customer support have emerged.
Pros
- Quick payout times, with many users receiving winnings in minutes.
- Enjoyable layout and engaging promotions that enhance user experience.
- The app is generally considered easy to navigate.
Cons
- Frequent issues with the location verification feature and ID verification process.
- Criticism surrounding the withdrawal process, which some users find slow or ineffective.
- Reports of the app being slow, choppy, and buggy, affecting overall performance.
Areas for Improvement
- Enhance the functionality of location and ID verification features.
- Streamline the withdrawal process to ensure quicker and more reliable payouts.
- Improve customer support responsiveness and effectiveness to better assist users.
Sports & Leagues at SI Sportsbook
SI Sportsbook Betting Markets
SI Sportsbook attempts to meet the needs of North American users interested in online sports betting with all of the betting types they've come to expect. Like many other online sportsbooks, SI Sportsbook allows customers to wager on individual games, prop bets, and live events for several popular sports.
Below summary of the betting options you can find at SI Sportsbook:
| Bet Type | SI Sportsbook Offers |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | ✔ |
| Point Spread | ✔ |
| Over/Under (Totals) | ✔ |
| Props (team/player/score) | ✔ |
| Futures | X |
| Parlays | ✔ |
| Teasers | ✔ |
| Live In-Play Betting | ✔ |
| Asian Handicap | ✔ |
| Half-time/Full-time | ✔ |
| Outrights | ✔ |
| Accumulators | ✔ |
| Period Betting | ✔ |
Futures Markets
While SI Sportsbook's interface shows tabs for futures bets, it seems that they have taken down some markets that would be available at other sportsbooks.
That's likely due to the uncertainty surrounding SI sportsbook, whether it leaves either of its existing markets or gets folded in under the Hard Rock Digital brand in the months ahead. For bettors who prefer futures betting over other wagering types, SI Sportsbook is not a good option right now.
In-Play Betting
Like most of its competitors, SI Sportsbook has live betting functionality with a prominent 'Live Now' tab that includes a variety of sports currently taking place around the world.
These offerings are fairly comprehensive as during test during non-peak hours we found markets on basketball games in three countries, soccer in six different leagues from Uruguay to New Zealand, 12 tennis matches, and both men's and women's volleyball.
For bettors who prioritize live betting, there is no shortage of options with SI Sportbook.
Popular Bets
One notable feature of SI Sportsbook is that it tracks the most popular bets made by users on what it calls a 'Betfeed'. Whether bettors are willing to trust in the wisdom of crowds or not is their prerogative, but this feed may present options for users they might not have considered otherwise.
When we examined this 'Betfeed' feature we found that it generated a variety of suggested bets ranging from fairly standard over/under plays on individual MLB games, to three-leg WNBA parlays, to longshot prop combos that paid out at +11900.
These bets can be sorted by most recent, most popular, and start time or divided up by sports or bet type. That allows customers to create a heavily customized Betfeed if they find the feature to be useful.
Parlays
Like most sportsbooks, Sports Illustrated's betting platform offers plenty of parlay options from cross-sport plays, to intra-sport multi-leg bets, to same-game parlays.
Building a same-game parlay with the sportsbook is fairly intuitive, but the 'Single Game Parlay' tool does not apply to every sport. For instance during a test we were able to used it with a WNBA game, but not an AHL hockey matchup.
While SI Sportsbook has enough parlay functionality to suit most bettors, if prospective users are interested in more niche sports they would be well served to take a look at its offers in that sport.
What Users Say About SI Sportsbook's Markets
The overall user experience with the sports betting app is generally positive, but there are notable issues that some users face.
Many appreciate the variety of promotions and player props available, enhancing their betting experience. However, concerns about location services and slow money transfers have been highlighted.
Pros
- Wide range of promotions and player props that many users appreciate.
- Positive overall experience reported by a significant number of users.
- Enjoyable betting features that enhance user engagement.
Cons
- Issues with the app's location services can be frustrating for users.
- Slow money transfer process when withdrawing funds.
- Some games are not functioning properly and remain unfixed.
Areas for Improvement
- Enhance the reliability of location services for better accessibility.
- Improve the speed of money transfer and withdrawal processes.
- Address and resolve ongoing issues with malfunctioning games.
SI Sportsbook Odds Overview
SI Sportsbook's odds can be easily found on the landing page of the SI sportsbook or on the mobile betting app.
It's wise to compare the available odds to other sportsbooks. The current industry standard for vig — or the house's edge — ranges between 3.66% and 4.61% depending on the bet type.
We found SI Sportsbook to feature lines with more vig than average. It was typical to see live odds with a vig above 5% and as high as 6%. Using odds boosts could help bettors mitigate some of that house edge, but this sportsbook's strength does not appear to be its lines.
Here are some examples of SI Sportsbook's lines compared to some other players in the online sports betting space:
| Event/Match | SI Odds | DraftKings Odds | FanDuel Odds | Bet365 Odds |
| Reds vs. Rockies Moneyline | -118 -110 | -112 -108 | -112 -104 | -110 -110 |
| Oilers vs. Panthers Moneyline | +115 -145 | +120 -135 | +116 -140 | +115 -135 |
| Mavericks vs. Celtics Moneyline | +200 -275 | +190 -230 | +200 -245 | +210 -260 |
What Users Say About SI Sportsbooks's Odds
Banking and Payment Methods
SI Sportsbook provides several different methods for users to fund their accounts.
Some online sportsbooks are relatively opaque about how financial transactions with them. Unlike those other sportsbooks, SI has a dedicated page with a comprehensive list of withdrawal and deposit options.
SI Sportsbook Deposit Methods and Withdrawal Options
Sports bettors have a variety of different needs when it comes to funding their accounts. Some prefer credit cards and cash apps while others use direct online banking methods.
Below is a summary of what methods work with SI Sportsbook.
Deposit methods that can also receive withdrawals
- VISA and Mastercard debit cards
- ACH Bank Transfer
- Play+
- PayPal
Deposit-only methods
- VISA, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards
- Instant Bank Transfer
- PayNearMe
What Users Say About SI Sportsbook's Banking Options
After analyzing the reviews, it is clear that the majority of users have had a negative experience with the cashiering process on this sports betting app.
The most frequent complaints center around difficulties and delays in withdrawing winnings, with some users alleging that their winnings were unfairly taken away.
Pros
- A small number of users reported having a generally positive experience with the app despite some issues.
- Some users found the app user-friendly and enjoyed its features.
- A few users appreciated the variety of betting options available.
Cons
- Users consistently complain about the slow and complicated withdrawal process.
- The deposit match bonus has unclear wagering requirements, leading to confusion and disappointment.
- Frequent location verifications are seen as unnecessary and time-consuming by several users.
Areas for Improvement
- Streamline the withdrawal process to enhance efficiency and user satisfaction.
- Clearly communicate the terms and conditions for bonuses to avoid confusion.
- Reduce the frequency of location verification checks to improve the overall user experience.
Customer Support and Service
SI Sportsbook has limited customer support options compared to many of its competitors. It doesn’t provide any options for live chat or calls, meaning that users must email in their issues and wait for a response.
While that response may be helpful, it might not come in time to resolve a customer’s problem. In our experience with this system, we quickly received an email letting us know that our inquiry had been received, but things didn't go well from there.
In a couple of cases, we received responses on the day our question was sent in, but on multiple other occasions it took 3-4 days for SI Sportsbook to try to answer our question — and those answers weren't necessarily satisfactory. Customer service is a massive weakness for this sportsbook right now.
SI Sportsbook also has a limited social media presence, as the main Sports Illustrated accounts use their large reach to post about them instead of dedicated accounts existing. There is an SI Betting account on X, but it promotes betting content rather than performing any kind of support function.
Contact SI Sportsbook's Customer Support
SI Sportsbook Responsible Gambling Measures
SI Sportsbook has a page on its website with responsible gambling content, outlining various tools such as self-imposed deposit and wagering limits that can be set for daily, weekly, or monthly periods.
Customers can also set playing time limits or take a break and suspend their sportsbook account for any specified duration — or indefinitely.
SI Sportsbook directs customers to resources such as the National Council on Problem Gambling's website.
Below is a summary of SI Sportsbook's responsible gambling tools:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Set Deposit Limits | Users can set limits on how much they can deposit to control spending. |
| Set Time Limits | Customers can set limits on how much time they spend logged into their account. |
| Timeout Feature | Allows for temporary self-exclusion, ranging from one year to a lifetime exclusion. |
| Adjusting Limits | Users can modify their limits, with a cooldown period for any increases to encourage thoughtful changes. |
| Educational Resources | Offers information on responsible gambling practices. |
| Addiction Help Centers | Provides contact details and links to gambling addiction support services. |
Is SI Sportsbook Legit?
It is understandable for sports bettors to have a level of caution when they engage with any online sportsbook, but there isn't any reason to doubt the legitimacy of the SI Sportsbook.
While the Sports Illustrated name may not mean as much as it once did to sports fans, this is a sportsbook that was initially started with the help of an established operator in 888 Holdings, that is passing into the hands of another credible player in the sports betting landscape with Hard Rock Digital.
SI Sportsbook License and Security
SI Sportsbook is a fully licensed, legal online sports betting operation in multiple states that has the safety features that sports betting enthusiasts have come to expect.
| Security Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Firewalls | Prevents unauthorized access and secures the network. |
| SSL Encryption | Secures data transmission, ensuring data privacy and integrity. |
| Regular Security Audits | Assesses and enhances the security posture periodically. |
| Two-Factor Authentication | Adds an extra layer of security for user accounts. |
| Continuous Monitoring | Actively monitors for suspicious activities and potential threats. |
| User Education and Resources | Provides users with information on safe practices and security awareness. |
Education
SI Sportsbook provides some information for new bettors who might be unfamiliar with some of the mechanics of sports betting, but it doesn't stand out in this area.
Instead of providing a comprehensive 'Sports Betting 101' section, basic information about betting terms and types of wagers can be found in the 'SI Sportsbook Support Center' section of the website under the heading 'Games'.
Once there, users can see information on SI Sportsbook's rules and learn more about basic concepts like live betting, parlays, and cashing out.
There isn't anything wrong with the information itself, but it may be difficult for some users to find, particularly those who are new to navigating sportsbooks — a type of customer that might benefit from this material the most.
SI Sportsbook Review FAQs
Other Colorado Sportsbooks
Meet our Experts
Paruyr Shahbazyan
Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.
In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content.
Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.
| Experience | Year |
| Engaged in private entrepreneurship | 2000-2013 |
| Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting | 2013-2020 |
| Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol | 2022 |
"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports."
- Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG
Principles and Ethics
Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.
Strategic Vision
Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.
Future Perspectives
Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG.org, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG.org prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG.org as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.
Experience:
- Over 20 years in writing and editing across multiple industries
- Former head of regional innovation at BMO Finanacial Group
- Senior Writer, Online Casino Reports
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project
“Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.
Nick Ashbourne
Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.
Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022.
Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.
Sergey Demidov
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
Anna Kravtcova
Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
