PointsBet Sportsbook Review (CLOSED)
PointsBet Sportsbook is no longer active in the US market. Fanatics Sportsbook acquired PointsBet in 2023 and migrated PointsBet customers’ login information and account balances to Fanatics Sportsbook.
Former PointsBet customers in all states except Maryland and Ohio can download the Fanatics Sportsbook app and log in with their existing credentials to use the new betting platform or withdraw their account balances. Maryland and Ohio customers received their account balances directly from PointsBet and must sign up for new accounts if they wish to join Fanatics Sportsbook.
BettingUSA will no longer update the following PointsBet review.
Which States Is PointsBet Legal In?
Fanatics Sportsbook has shuttered the PointsBet brand in every state. PointsBet no longer operates in the USA.
PointsBet Promo Code
Title | Details |
---|---|
PointsBet Sportsbook Promo Code | Not Required |
New Customer Bonus | 10x$100 second-chance bets |
Eligible States | NJ |
Wagering Requirements | Bonus bet winnings are immediately withdrawable |
Other Terms | Bonus bets expire 7 days after receipt |
PointsBet Sportsbook Bonus Details
PointsBet Sportsbook welcomes new customers with the best second chance bet offer on the market today: ten second chance bets worth up to $100 each.
That means new users can place their first ten wagers at PointsBet to get back up to $100 in bonus bets on any losing wagers.
Note: You do not need a PointsBet promo code to claim this offer. All new users receive the same welcome bonus, no promo code necessary.
New users can claim this offer in three steps:
- Visit pointsbet.com to sign up for an account
- Visit the cashier to deposit funds
- Place a first wager on any sport
Many online sportsbooks welcome new customers with similar offers, but the PointsBet second chance bonus far exceeds those in utility because it provides more flexibility. Other sports betting sites offer second chance bets in the $1,000 range but only as singular, one-time-use guarantees.
The difference is significant. First, the PointsBet 10x$100 second chance bets offer is vastly more likely to pay off for customers than a singular $1,000 second chance bet.
For example, if a new user at a different sportsbook places a first bet of $100 and wins, they’ll keep their winnings, but the promotion ends there. They receive no refund, and the remaining $900 of potential value evaporates.
In contrast, a new PointsBet customer who places a first wager of $100 and wins will also keep their winnings, but the promotion does not end there. They will still have nine second chance bets remaining.
Additionally, the PointsBet bonus gives bettors more control over how they use their bonus. Instead of selecting just one wager to backstop with a refund guarantee, bettors can choose ten different bets. They can play it safe with some of their wagers, make some riskier plays with others, and so on.
The only instance in which competing second chance bonuses compare to the PointsBet promotion is when bettors sign up with the intention of placing a large wager. For example, someone wanting to place a $1,000 wager will be better served by a singular second chance bet since PointsBet issues one second chance bet per day for ten days.
Other PointsBet Promotions
PointsBet.com has come out with a long-running list of promotions since its big debut in the U.S. Customers can log in to their accounts or visit the PointsBet website often to see the latest promotions.
The promotional offerings change regularly, but the following examples should serve as a guide for what to expect.
- No Juice NFL Lines: In past NFL seasons, PointsBet offered a very tempting promotion by eliminating the juice on all NFL point spreads. For example, someone could have bet on the Patriots in a game at +3 +100 rather than at +3 -110. In other words, winning bettors netted more money on average by placing their NFL spreads at PointsBet than with any other sportsbook.
- Various Super Bowl Promos: Every year, PointsBet launches multiple Super Bowl promotions that provide significant value to fans betting on the Big Game
- Live Bonus Bets: PointsBet is prone to awarding small bonus bets ($10 – $20) to bettors. Typically these must be used on specific markets, like NFL in-play markets.
- Daily Parlay Profit Boosts: Bettors receive one traditional and one same game parlay boost per day. The parlays must consist of at least 3 legs. There is no minimum or maximum stake, but unfortunately, the boost is only 10%, which may not be enough to offset the house edge.
- Random Booster Odds: PointsBet offers daily odds boosts on random wagers. If a particular bet was paying +220 the day before, PointsBet might offer +300 during the promotion. Most boosts revolve around props or parlays. Check out the promotions tab in your account every day for a list of boosted bets.
- Early Payouts: PointsBet sometimes comes out with early payout offers that pay pregame wagers instantly if the bettor’s team gets ahead by a certain point margin. For example, PointsBet recently offered an early cash out option on pregame NHL and soccer moneylines the instant the bettor’s selection got ahead by two goals.
- Name Your Bet: Name Your Bet is more of a feature than a promotion, but customers can tweet with an idea for a wager they would like, and PointsBet may price it up and offer it to all customers. For example, someone could send a tweet asking for odds on the Cowboys to win by a field goal in overtime, and PointsBet will try its best to turn that idea into a wagering option.
- Personal Good Karma Refund: Since its launch, PointsBet has operated what it calls the “Good Karma Kommittee” to refund all customers in cases of extreme bad beats. The idea started after a blown pass interference call during a Rams-Saints game, which prompted PointsBet to refund all customers who lost because of the call. Later, PointsBet took it one step further by introducing . At the end of every month, customers who placed ten or more bets throughout the month can pick the one lost bet that hurt the most to receive a refund worth up to $100.
PointsBet Refer A Friend Program
PointsBet supports one of the best referral programs of any online sportsbook.
To get started gravitate to the “Give $100. Get $100” icon in the promotions tab, or go to “My Account” -> “Refer-A-Friend”. From there, grab your unique link and share it with friends.
If the friend uses the link and deposits a minimum of $50 and places a $20+ cash bet the referral bonus is yours. Not only that, but the friend receives the bonus as well.
Referral bonuses are paid out as $100 bonus bets. While cash would be better, it’s hard to argue with the high monetary cap.
PointsBet allows bettors to refer up to 25 players per year, for a total upside of $2,500 in bet credits. There are a few qualifying criteria before one can become a referrer, however:
- They must be a PointBet member for at least 14 days
- They have to make a deposit
- They need to turnover a minimum of $1,000 in wagers
PointsBet Game Day Guarantee: Smart Money Welcome
Sports bettors who have ever been limited or collared by online sportsbooks already understand how frustrating it can be to have their maximum wagers drastically reduced. Being limited by a sportsbook is a compliment of sorts, but it can crush a great season when sportsbooks begin limiting users to $5 or even $1 wagers just for betting intelligently.
It’s legal and quite common, but no less frustrating. It doesn’t have to be that way.
PointsBet’s “Game Day Guarantee” was launched specifically for the types of customers other betting sites don’t want. The idea behind Game Day Guarantee is simple: PointsBet will accept wagers as high as $10,000 on game day for all wagers on NBA, NHL, and NFL games, no matter the customer’s skill.
PointsBet Rewards Program
PointsBet USA features a straightforward rewards program in which customers’ wagering activity earns points they can redeem later for site credit. First, users earn points for every wager they place as follows:
- Fixed-odds wagering: 1 Reward Point for every $5 wagered
- Parlay wagers: 1 Reward Point for every $1 wagered
- PointsBetting wagers: 1 Reward Point for every $1 won or lost
After players have accumulated PointsBet Rewards Points, they can log in and visit the “Rewards” tab to redeem them for bet credits at a rate of $1.00 per 100 Reward Points. PointsBet allows redemptions at the following intervals:
Rewards Points Redeemed | Bonus Bet Issued |
---|---|
250 Points | $2.50 |
500 Points | $5.00 |
2,500 Points | $25.00 |
5,000 Points | $50.00 |
10,000 Points | $100.00 |
50,000 Points | $500.00 |
100,000 Points | $1,000.00 |
PointsBet VIP Tiers: Platinum Club and Diamond Club
The PointsBet loyalty program includes special VIP tiers. Both the Platinum Club and Diamond Club are invite-only, but the baseline appears to be somewhere around $10,000 (Platinum) to $30,000 (Diamond) in handle per month.
Platinum members receive a multitude of appealing amenities including bonus bets (based on play), augmented referral bonuses, dedicated support, and 5% deposit top-ups.
The benefits only become more extravagant once a bettor reaches Diamond. The deposit top-up increases to 10%, and members receive a dedicated on-call host. They’ll also receive birthday gifts and tickets to special events.
Diamond members who refer other high rollers are entitled to a whopping $3,000 referral bonus, which also includes a secretive exclusive PointsBet experience, which may include meeting PointsBet brand ambassadors in person.
How Points Betting Works
The PointsBet.com approach to sports betting is hinted at in the company name. While PointsBet does offer traditional bets such as who will win games, its key point of differentiation among its many competitors is its PointsBetting markets. With Points Betting wagers, payouts grow based on the margin of victory.
What Is Points Betting?
To use PointsBet’s own words, the more you’re right, the more you win. Likewise, the more you’re wrong, the more you lose. However, PointsBet users can set limits ahead of time to control their maximum risk and reward before placing a bet.
Points betting, traditionally known as spread betting, provides the added benefit of keeping every game interesting from start to finish. For example, watching your team run away with the lead is much more exciting when you know your payout grows by every additional point by which your team increases its margin of victory.
An example best explains the concept of PointsBet points betting:
Imagine the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks will square off tonight, and PointsBet has set the total at 230 points. A PointsBet customer decides to take the over for $10 per point.
Using the handy betting slip at the PointsBet website, the user in this example can quickly see how much they stand to win or lose based on the game’s outcome.
Below are a few of the many outcomes that could occur with this PointsBetting wager:
- If the game finishes with a total of 231 points, the bettor wins $10 ($10 per point x 1 point over the total).
- If the game finishes with a total of 250 points, the bettor wins $200 ($10 per point x 20 points over the total)
- If the game finishes with a total of 260 points, the bettor only wins $270 because the max win level was set at 27x.
- If the game finishes with a total of 229 points, the bettor loses $10
- If the game finishes with a total of 210 points, the bettor loses $200
- If the game finishes with a total of 190 points, the bettor loses $300 because the max loss level was set at 30x.
Here’s a short preview video from PointsBet showing a different example using a quarterback’s total passing yards in an NFL game:
Points Betting is not limited just to totals, though. PointsBet also offers spread bets with payouts determined by the amount the selected team covers the spread.
For instance, imagine an NFL game between the Cowboys and Redskins with the Cowboys priced as -8.5 favorites. If one were to bet $10 per point on the Cowboys to win, they stand to win $10 per point above the spread if the Cowboys win by 8.5 or more.
In this example, imagine the Cowboys go on to win the game by two touchdowns, covering the spread by 5.5 points. The bettor would receive a $55 payout on their original $10 wager.
On the other hand, if the Cowboys fail to cover the spread or lose outright, the bettor would lose $10 x the number of points by which the Cowboys missed the spread.
PointsBet applies its points betting format to other, less traditional, formats as well, including a variety of props. Here’s a look at some of the wagers bettors might find, depending on the season:
- Total passing yards for a specific quarterback
- Running yards for a running back
- How many seconds it will be before the first scoring play
- The winning margin
- Largest lead acquired by either team at any point during the game
- Individual NBA player’s 3-point field goal percentage
There are two ways to manage risk when spread betting with PointsBet.
Setting Points Betting Stop Losses
One option is for the user to adjust how much they wager per point. For example, betting $10 per point means every point for or against the bettor is worth $10 – and that can add up quickly. However, wagering $1 or less per point helps keep spending under control.
Additionally, the PointsBet platform provides a stop-loss feature for some markets. Customers can use the stop-loss tool to put a cap on the most they can lose – at the cost of also putting a cap on the amount they can win. The image of a betting slip published above shows a stop-loss slider in action.
PointsBet Sportsbook Screenshots
Types of Bets Offered by PointsBet
Beyond points betting, PointsBet provides a full wagering menu covering a wide range of traditional betting markets, such as:
- Money lines
- Point spreads
- Player props
- Team props
- Game props
- Point totals
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
- Same game parlay combos (SGPs from two or more games combined into one super parlay)
When launching, PointsBet claimed it would provide more markets than “any other sports bookmaker in the world” for the major US leagues. It appears to have lived up to that promise, as PointsBet features up to 300 individual betting options per game.
However, for college markets and other niche markets, the betting menu is sparse. The average number of bets range from 30-50 and does not include alternative spreads and totals.
PointsBet Betting Markets
PointsBet Sportsbook offers traditional sports betting for all major sports leagues, as well as, other less popular markets:
Sports You Can Bet On At PointsBet
- Arena football
- Aussie Rules
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Darts
- Football
- Golf
- Handball
- Hockey
- Mixed martial arts
- Motor sports
- Novelty
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Snooker
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Other sports depending on demand
PointsBet Lightning Bets
Lightning Bets are PointsBet’s take on ultra-short-term live betting markets, otherwise known as micro bets. PointsBet’s Lightning Bets let fans wager on the shortest of in-play events while watching games live.
Imagine your hometown team trails by a touchdown, but a late-game drive has put them within striking distance. It’s now 4th and 1, and 15 yards separate them from the game-tying touchdown. As the offensive line settles in, you know any chance for a comeback hangs on the outcome of the next play.
Will they get the one yard they need for a new set of downs, will the defense hold strong and send them packing, or will your boys fumble it and lose all hope for a comeback? Or, dare you even hope that they get the touchdown they need right here, right now?
With PointsBet Lightning Bets, you can raise the intensity of the moment even more by putting a little money on any of the above outcomes.
As the name suggests, lightning bets are fast. Most sportsbooks offer in-play betting, but Lightning Bets are uniquely short-term in nature.
As the following screenshot shows, Lightning Bets cover everything from the outcome of the next drive to the result of the current play. The markets update continuously throughout the game, giving fans a constant supply of in-game betting opportunities.
PointsBet Mobile App Review
Customers can download the PointsBet app for iOS and Android devices. Bettors can find it on the App Store or Google Play Store, but the best option is to visit PointsBet.com to download the most up-to-date version.
The interface was sleek, responsive, and intuitive in BettingUSA’s experience testing the PointsBet iOS app.
It appears the people at PointsBet used their international experience to work out all the kinks and have now brought it to the US as a refined mobile sportsbook.
Logging in to the app brings users straight to a list of featured betting markets and other navigation options. Users can quickly switch between various sports, in-play betting, promotions, and account settings from the app’s homepage.
The PointsBet app provides the full range of betting options offered at PointsBet.com, including standard pregame wagers, PointsBetting markets, and in-play betting. In addition, bettors can keep up with the action via real-time game trackers and live streaming video for select events.
Customers will also find that PointsBet was not exaggerating when it initially claimed it would offer more markets than any other sportsbook in the USA. PointsBet mobile often features 250, 300, or more options for individual games.
Despite the vast selection of wagers, the mobile app is intuitive. The front page only shows the most popular games happening soon, but bettors can select the “sports” option from the bottom menu to see the complete list of sports. From there, users can tap the sport they’re interested in to view all the day’s games and betting markets.
PointsBet Sportsbook App Screenshots
PointsBet Horse Racing Betting
PointsBet entered the online horse racing business in mid-2020 through a partnership with BetMakers Technology Group, which Monmouth Park selected to manage its on-course fixed-odds betting product in New Jersey.
In 2021, PointsBet doubled down on horse racing and acquired BetPTC.com.
PointsBet launched a standalone horse racing wagering app called PointsBet Racing in May 2023 for fans in multiple states. However, PointsBet Racing closed less than a year later following Fanatics Betting & Gaming’s acquisition of all PointsBet US assets.
PointsBet Casino
PointsBet includes an integrated online casino in several states, accessible through a shared wallet. The one exception is New Jersey, which requires bettors to download the standalone PointsBet Casino app:
- New Jersey (closed)
- Michigan (closed)
- Pennsylvania (closed)
- West Virginia (closed)
PointsBet Casino offers a standard variety of game types:
- Online slots
- Table games
- Video poker
- Live dealer games
PointsBet Deposit Methods
PointsBet offers up to seven deposit methods, but availability varies by state:
- Online Banking (recommended): Bettors will be taken directly to their secure bank portal, enter their login information, verify their information, and conduct a deposit. $10 minimum, $10,000 maximum deposit
- Credit card: $5 minimum, $50,000 maximum deposit; supports Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
- Debit card: $5 minimum, $50,000 maximum deposit; supports Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
- ACH eCheck via VIP Preferred: Customers can deposit up to $50,000 per transaction by selecting the ACH/eCheck option and inputting their bank account info.
- Venmo: Selecting this deposit method from within the PointsBet app launches the Venmo app and asks users if they wish to grant PointsBet permission to initiate deposits. After approving PointsBet, customers can make instant Venmo deposits to bet online.
- PayPal: Users can sign up for a PayPal account for free at PayPal.com to establish a secure online wallet for their funds. With a PayPal account, customers can make fast deposits and withdrawals.
- PayNearMe: Deposit cash at over 27,000 cash payment locations. Participating vendors include CVS and Family Dollar. $500 maximum deposit per day.
Withdrawing Funds From PointsBet
One area where PointsBet trails behind the pack is payouts. There are only a limited number of withdrawal options, but so long as bettors have a checking account or PayPal, they should be covered.
- Online Banking: This method allows bettors to withdraw funds via a secure banking portal. The only prerequiste is that bettors must have a valid checking account at a listed bank. It typically takes between 1-3 days for withdrawn funds to hit your account. Over 2,000 eligible banks
- ACH/eCheck via VIP Preferred: Receive funds through a linked VIP Preferred ACH/eCheck account. The turnaround time is slightly slower than online banking, roughly 2-4 days.
- PayPal: One of the fastest ways to receive funds, with turnaround times of 30 minutes to two days. Bettors must have a personal PayPal account, and it must share the same email address as their PointsBet account. In order to use PayPal for withdrawals, bettors first have to use it for a deposit.
Bettors can also withdraw cash from several PointsBet retail sportsbook locations:
- Bally’s Atlantic City casino cage (NJ)
- Meadowlands Racetrack cashier (NJ)
- Club Hawthorne Crestwood & Pointsbet Sportsbook (IL)
- Club Hawthorne Prospect Heights & Points Sportsbook (IL)
- Hawthorne Race Course (IL)
PointsBet Customer Service
PointsBet offers a well-organized and detailed Support Center. Unfortunately, the only way to access it is to scroll down to the bottom of the app and click Help.
Finding the Live Chat and Email options is also a chore, as they’re only accessible from the app’s footer.
On a positive note, Live Chat queues are generally short. Customer service agents are extremely friendly and quick to respond.
On top of that, most of them know their stuff, as least when it comes to the basics. Some even go above and beyond, offering supplementary answers that bettors will probably find useful.
However, if an issue needs to get escalated to management, the process slows down dramatically and occasionally goes completely unresolved. As good as the staff is, they’re still obviously a bit wet behind the ears and have difficulty with tough issues.
Emails () are usually responded to within 24 hours and often less. There is no phone support, or at least none that is made apparent.
PointsBet States
Read on to learn more about PointsBet’s operations, partnerships, and other important details in every state where it holds a sports betting license.
PointsBet Partnerships
PointsBet has aggressively forged partnerships with leagues, media companies, and celebrity brand ambassadors.
PointsBet NBC Partnership
PointsBet further entrenched itself in the US market by forming a partnership with NBC Sports in August 2020. The deal made PointsBet the official betting partner of NBC Sports in return for NBC Universal taking a 4.9% stake in PointsBet with the option to increase its stake to 25%.
Under the terms of the PointsBet NBC partnership, PointsBet receives marketing access across NBC Sports’ entire portfolio of sports broadcasting, news, and analysis platforms. The considerable portfolio includes regional NBC networks that broadcast 2,200+ events per year, digital media, the NBC Sports Predictor app, and more.
PointsBet Celebrity Brand Ambassadors
PointsBet has also inked several celebrity partnerships. Its first was signing NBA legend Allen Iverson as its brand ambassador to star in ads and appear prominently on the PointsBet website.
In July 2021, PointsBet came to terms with Drew Brees to become a brand ambassador. Brees is the NFL’s all-time passing leader and the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV. He’s been depicted in PointsBet commercials and promotions.
In January 2021, PointsBet added Paige Spiranac to its roster. Spiranac is a highly influential golf personality with over 3 million Instagram followers. She is featured in a multitude of PointsBet’s social media videos and is the queen of flipping coins to pick winners.
PointsBet League Sponsorships
PointsBet is the official partner of the following major sports leagues:
- NBA
- WNBA (first deal with a woman’s sports league)
- NHL
- MLB
- PGA (extended in 2021)
- La Liga
PointsBet Sportsbook FAQ
While PointsBet’s Support Center covers most of the basics, BettingUSA has hand-picked a few questions that bettors frequently seek more detailed answers to:
Expert Opinion: Is PointsBet Legit?
PointsBet was a reputable online sportsbook, but it is no longer operational following its acquisition by Fanatics Betting & Gaming. As PointsBet wound down its US operations, customers’ account balances remained secure and accessible.
The firm originates from Australia but maintained a US headquarters in Denver and recruited locally to strengthen ties with local fanbases. When PointsBet was live in the United States, customers could expect to find frequent promotions tied to hometown teams, including the occasional refund of wagers lost due to poor refereeing or exceptionally bad luck.
In summary, PointsBet was safe and legitimate. Its unique PointsBetting markets offered a welcome change of pace, but its traditional sports betting options were also surprisingly diverse.