Open main menu

Bovada is an online betting site available to customers in the United States (excluding Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York). It was created on December 11th, 2014 as a division of the Bodog brand with the goal of uniquely serving the US market. The brand was created in 2000 by Calvin Ayre, who had previously worked as a consultant for betting software company Cyberoad.

Bovada
Bovada
Years Active 2011 - Present
Status Online
Headquarters Quebec, Canada
Countries USA.svg United States (excluding Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York)
Bonus $250 Welcome Bonus
$3000 Casino Bonus
100% Poker Bonus
Claim Bonus March 2024 Bonus
Deposit VISA.svg VISA
MasterCard.svg MasterCard
AMEX.svg American Express
Bitcoin.png Bitcoin
BitcoinCash.png Bitcoin Cash
Zelle.png Zelle
Withdrawal Check.svg Check
Bitcoin.png Bitcoin
BitcoinCash.png Bitcoin Cash
Homepage bovada.lv

As of March 2024, Bovada has become one of the most frequently used online betting sites in the US market. Part of their popularity is attributed to the site's ease of use as well as numerous advertising campaigns. Bovada offers sportsbetting, casino games, live dealers, poker, and horse racing.

Contents

Signup Bonus

Bovada offer new customers a signup bonus upon account registration. Users can claim their bonus by registering through the Bovada March 2024 promo link. This includes a 50% first deposit match up to $250 USD. Users may also apply a valid promo code upon making a deposit to claim additional casino, poker, and Bitcoin bonuses.

Detailed list of Bovada promotions as of March 29, 2024:

Bovada Signup Bonuses - March 2024
Bonus Promo Code Link
  $250 First Deposit Bonus Not required Claim
  $3000 Casino Bonus NEWWELCOME Claim
  $500 Poker Bonus Not required Claim
  $500 Bitcoin Sports Bonus BVSBITCOIN50 Claim
  $4500 Bitcoin Casino Bonus BVCBITCOIN150 Claim

History

1997-2000: Cyberoad

 
Early Cyberoad logo.

Established in 1997, Cyberoad was a software company specializing in providing online betting systems. In 1998 their technology was used to launch numerous early internet sportsbooks including Mayan Sports, The Big Book, and Grand Prix Sports. These betting sites were unique in offering credit card deposits and e-check withdrawals through the eBanx payment processor. On November 29, 1999 Cyberoad completed the purchase of eBanx.[1] After raising money to go public Cyberoad shut down in 2000.

2000-2001: El Moro and eSportz

El Moro Finances acquired Cyberoad's assets on July 20, 2000.[2] These were allocated to eSportz, a subsidiary of El Moro Finances. The Big Book purchased Grand Prix Sports and reached an agreement to continue using the same betting software (now being distributed by eSportz). Mayan Sports were left offline after failing to reach a similar deal. During this time eSportz created their own betting site Bodog, which was set to operate out of the same offices as The Big Book. Customers of Mayan Sports received e-mails stating that their account information had been transferred over to Bodog.

 
Bodog founder Calvin Ayre.

2001-2003: Kazootek

Bodog and The Big Book used Kazootek Technologies as an accounting firm. They were the same firm managing the eBanx payment system. On June 15th, 2001 two employees of Kazootek (Viktoria Zazoulina and Tatiana Kostiouk) allegedly began embezzling money from company clients. The duo recruited a new employee Greg Tanner to assist them in starting a rival company using technology and funds stolen from Kazootek. The Big Book was rumored to have agreed to become a client, and allegedly began planning to steal source code from eSportz. Following an investigation, Viktoria Zazoulina resigned from Kazootek in the summer of 2003. Bodog announced the termination of it's partnership with The Big Book, and elected to become the sole betting site using eSportz software.

2004-2007: Bodog

In October of 2006 Bodog purchased WorldWide TeleSports for $9 million dollars. At the time WWTS was considered one of the most reputable betting sites serving the US market. Following the purchase Bodog moved their offices from Costa Rica to Antigua, absorbing the existing staff members of WorldWide TeleSports into their company.

Calvin Ayre continued to build Bodog's brand name through numerous advertising campaigns and sponsored events. Poker's popularity was on the rise following the 2003 WSOP. Bodog reached agreements with David Williams and Josh Arieh (the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the 2004 WSOP) to don the brand's logo in upcoming televised events. To work around United States' restrictions on gambling advertisements, Bodog aired commercials promoting free-to-play poker on their alternative domain (bodog.net). Customers searching for the site would inevitably stumble upon the pay-to-play version on the main site.

 
David Williams interviewed during the 2008 WSOP at the Palms Hollywood Suite.

Ayre expanded the brand with non-gambling related projects. This included a music label (Bodog Music), sports blog (BodogBEAT), MMA event (Bodog Fight), and music reality show (Bodog Battle of the Bands).

2007-2009: Domain Seizure

On August 28, 2007 Bodog's primary domain (Bodog.com) stopped working. Ayre e-mailed customers informing them that the site would be back online as soon as possible. The domain was seized by 1st Technology, LLC whom held a patent on the transmission of information over a network with reduced bandwidth. 1st Technology, LLC had first contacted Bodog offices in July 2005. Having received no reply, they filed a lawsuit in September 2006. Bodog representatives failed to appear in court, resulting in a default judgement citing patent infringement in March 2007. Bodog was ordered to pay $48,937,456 to retain their domain.

Following the loss of their primary domain, Bodog released a statement that Morris Mohawk Gaming Group were now controlling the company's business in the US market. In an effort to regain Bodog.com, they appealed the initial court decision on the grounds that the domain was no longer owned by Calvin Ayre or Bodog. The appeal escalated to Washington but failed.

 
Bodog began sponsorship of English Premier League squad West Bromwich Albion on June 27th, 2011.[3]

The loss of Bodog.com lead to a decrease in site traffic built on years of prior advertising campaigns. The company switched to BodogLife.com but suffered financial difficulties with the loss of new customers. On April 23, 2009 Morris Mohawk Gaming Group settled the lawsuit with 1st Technology LLC and regained control of Bodog.com. Site traffic increased, and the company decided to expand into international markets. Sportsbooks launched in Canada (Bodog.ca), United Kingdom (Bodog.co.uk), and Asia (Bodog88.com). The brand continued to grow, including sponsoring English Premier League teams Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion.

2011-present: Bovada

After a successful international expansion Bodog decided to distance their brand name from the liability of involvement in the US gambling market. On December 14th, 2011 Morris Mohawk Gaming Group renamed their US sportsbook to Bovada. Existing players were notified of the change and assured their account information was transferred.

On December 14th, 2011 Morris Mohawk Gaming Group announced that it had ceased their involvement in all Bodog branded websites.

Available States

As of March 2024, Bovada is only available to residents of the United States with exception of those living in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Nevada. Visit those respective pages for a list of available betting sites.

Deposit Methods

The most common deposit methods are VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. Credit card deposits have no fees and must be between $20 and $1,000 USD. Users may also fund their accounts through cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are accepted and have no limits.

Customers may also transfer their balance to their friends instantly through the voucher system.

Bovada Deposit Methods (USD)
Method Min Max Fee
  VISA $20 $1,000 None
  MasterCard $20 $1,000 None
  AMEX $20 $1,000 None
  Bitcoin No limit No limit None
  Bitcoin Cash No limit No limit None
  Zelle No limit No limit None
  Voucher $10 $3,000 None

Withdrawal Methods

Cryptocurrency withdrawals are processed within 15 minutes allowing customers to receive their funds in under 24 hours. Users may also request a payout through check by courier. Customers will receive a discrete check mailed to their house within 1-2 weeks. One free check withdrawal is provided per 90 day period.

Bovada Withdrawal Methods (USD)
Method Min Max Fee Process Time
  Bitcoin $10 $9,500 None 15 minutes
  Bitcoin Cash $10 $9,500 None 15 minutes
  Check $100 $3,000 $100 1-2 weeks
  Voucher $10 $3,000 None 15 minutes

Sportsbook

 
Bovada's sportsbook livebetting interface.

Bovada's sportsbook features betting markets for all major leagues. Included sports are football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, golf, and tennis. Accepted wager types are straight bets, parlays, teasers, and round robins.

Live Betting

In-play wagering is enabled for most events. Users have access to multiple live betting markets for matches currently in progress. The sportsbook interface features live play-by-play updates for each match.

Betting Limits

The minimum bet amount is $1. Maximum limits vary by sport and market.

Bovada Wager Limits
Bet Type NFL CFB NBA CBB MLB NHL
Spread $5,000 $2,500 $2,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Moneyline $2,500 $1,000 $1,000 $500 $2,000 $1,000
Totals $2,500 $1,000 $1,000 $500 $1,000 $500
Parlay $2,500 $1,000 $1,000 $500 $1,000 $1,000
Teaser $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $500 N/A N/A
P. Prop $500 $500 $500 $250 $500 $500
G. Prop $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $500 $1,000 $1,000
Futures $1,000 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500
1H Spread $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $500 $500 N/A
1H Total $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $500 $500 N/A
Quarters $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $500 N/A N/A

Odds

Bovada is known as a square sportsbook. Betting lines are adjusted to make the square side worse to bet on relative to a high limit market. Consequently this yields a larger advantage on the opposing side. Observant bettors benefit from this by betting against the adjustments. Square markets are frequently (but not limited to) popular favorites and overs.

Numerous users on internet message boards have reported being dealt dual lines from Bovada. They observed that they no longer have access to the square lines available upon signup and are instead dealt odds resembling the broader market.

Casino

 
Bovada's casino features table games, slots, and video poker.

The casino features over 350 different games. The slot machines, table games, and video poker run on a modified version of Real Time Gaming (RTG) software. Recently Bovada began offering live dealer black jack, roulette, baccarat, and Super 6. Users can watch a video stream of a human dealer running the game while results and betting options appear on screen.

Casino game outcomes are kept fair through the use of a pseudo random number generator. An algorithm produces a sequence of numbers and symbols which are used to determine game results. These sequences are completely random and fair for all users.

Poker

 
Anonymous poker tables at Bovada.

The poker client can be downloaded for both Windows and Mac computers. Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi, and Omaha Hi/Lo are the supported variants. No limit, Pot Limit, and Fixed Limit cash game tables are available as well as Zone Poker, Sit and Go, and regularly scheduled tournaments.

Anonymous Tables

On November 30th, 2011 Bodog poker room director Jonas Ödman announced the removal of screen names from the table interface.[4] This decision came two weeks prior to the rebranding of the US site. Anonymous tables favor casual players as it prevents experienced users from gathering information using tracking software. Many online poker players monitor the play-style of their competition. With this they can profile them (tight, loose, aggressive, passive) and change their betting style accordingly.

Reviews

Bovada has received positive ratings. Reviewers reference the site's ease of use including simple interface, free deposits, and reliable withdrawals. While the sportsbook is good for beginner and intermediate bettors some users have been critical of their use of dual lines. Read more about Bovada with the following reviews:

Reviewer Score Read
  American Betting 98% Link

Contact Info

Support agents can be contacted via live-chat, phone, or e-mail. Bovada contact information for March 29, 2024:

Bovada Contact Information
  Phone 1-888-263-0000
  E-mail service@bovada.lv
  Live Chat On site

References

  1. "Cyberoad Completes Ebanx Acquisition", bnamericas, Costa Rica, November 29, 1999. Retrieved on 2019-09-17
  2. "TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP", Law Insider, June 20th, 2000. Retrieved on 2019-09-17
  3. "West Brom bag record-breaking sponsorship deal with Bodog", DailyMail, June 27th, 2011. Retrieved on 2019-09-22
  4. "Bodog Poker Network Launches All-site Anonymous Tables", CalvinAyre, November 30th, 2011. Retrieved on 2019-09-24