Ladbrookes

Introduction

If you have ever even thought about placing a bet, odds are pretty good that you will have heard of Ladbrookes. The largest betting in the company has an inescapable presence on the high streets, and has been around for over a century. Can Ladbrookes bring those years of experience to the Information Age? We logged on to find out!

History

Well, one thing that that long history does ensure is an above board operation, and you can be sure that the online extension of the Ladbrookes empire is as safe a bet as is out there. As if the backing of the brand itself wasn’t enough, the Ladbrookes sports book is licensed in the United Kingdom by the UK Gambling Commission.

Set Up

As with other online competitors such as Bet365, the Ladbrookes online site is divided up between its sports book, a poker room, a casino, and a Bingo hall. It’s easy enough to get to the book page by clicking on the picture with the football, or any number of text links referring to the sports book section of the online Ladbrookes operation.

Once you get to the book, navigation is about as straightforward as a site with this many options can get. Ladbrookes separates the more popular betting sports from the rest in its “Favourites” category (that’s where you will find football and horse racing wagers).

One thing we did notice about the set up is that there is a lack of sports information when compared to other books operating online. You’d think that the dual purposes of search engine optimization and handicapping would be worth the investment on the part of the site, but aside from the first landing page you won’t find a lot of text.

Betting

Don’t count on Ladbrookes for the absolute best lines out there whether in play or prior to any event. The company has been in the business long enough to know how to hedge things quite close, and it tells in the lines, which perhaps aren’t quite as juicy as some of the giant’s competitors.

What the site lacks in terms of bet value, however, it more than makes up for in terms of betting options. You will find punting opportunities here that simply can’t be found anywhere else. It’s not just the big European sports that are represented (although you will find every single football league from the eastern shores of the Atlantic to the western shores of the Pacific has lines on the site). The big American sports – American football and Major League Basketball – are also represented. There are even lines given on politics, major pop television shows (those taking Susan Boyle two months ago are in the money today!) and even angling tournaments. No complaint on the lack of action from this reviewer!

Not only will those interested in betting on any sport find lines on Ladbrookes, they will also find a plethora of betting options. These are often broken down by separate pull down menus once you have selected the sport and the tournament or game, a nice and user friendly touch.

Promotions

The usual promotional fare of online bookmakers is absent from Ladbrookes. Again, we can only assume that the brand name of the company allows them to eschew carrots such as the first deposit bonus. On the other hand, there is the world famous Odds On! Card, a Ladbrookes original that allows punters to collect points on every wager. These points can be used for vouchers and free bets.

Customer Support

Ladbrookes is certainly near the top of the heap when it comes to customer options that appear on the sports book. You will find help by telephone, email, live chat, and snail mail. There are also sections for feedback and a very useful betting calculator, another tidbit unique to the Ladbrookes’ site.

When one considers the lack of deposit bonuses and extras such as live feed, it becomes obvious that the Ladbrookes book is one that is relying on brand to make its sales. However, we think that approach works well, since it is experience that has allowed Ladbrookes to put up a no nonsense, easy to navigate, customer oriented sports book which is perfect for beginners and career bettors alike.

Your Name:

Your Email:

Commment: