Battle of the Sportsbooks — Bet365 vs. BetMGM
Bet365 and BetMGM are two of the most recognized names in the sports betting industry. They’re absolute powerhouses when it comes to making bets on various sporting events. Both platforms offer a huge range of features to attract bettors, but each has its own strengths and areas for improvement.
With that, we’ve set out to set the record straight. Which is better — Bet365 or BetMGM?
Welcome Offers
One of the first things bettors look for in a sportsbook is the welcome bonus. It’s easy to see why since we all love getting kickbacks just for signing up. It’s a way for the sportsbooks to fight over our business, and it’s a great way to start betting with a bit of extra cash or bonus bets.
- Current Bet365 Bonus Offer: Choose your Offer: Bet $5 Get $150 or Get a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
- Current BetMGM Bonus Offer: First Bet Offer $1500
Bet365 comes out ahead in this department. Sure, the $1,500 offered by BetMGM sounds nice, but that means you have to dig deep into your pockets to lay down a first bet. They’re only going to give you a safety net based on how much you bet. So, if you bet $200 on the Tigers to beat the Twins tonight and the Tigers lose, they’ll refund you $200 in bonus bets.
Bet365, on the other hand, gives you a couple of options. You get a $1,000 safety net, which works just like BetMGM’s bonus offer, but they also give you the option to bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets regardless of whether your bet wins or loses.
Having options is always welcome, and these two types of offers cater to different sports bettors.
Betting Markets
When it comes to the variety of betting markets, Bet365 shines just a bit brighter than BetMGM.
Bet365 is known for offering a massive range of options, from mainstream sports like NFL and NBA to niche markets such as darts and table tennis. This broad selection caters to a wide audience, allowing bettors to find the sports they love and try out new ones. It’s almost like an endless stream of betting options.
BetMGM also offers a diverse range of sports, but they lack a bit in the niche markets. They have all of the major players like NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and others, but they typically don’t have some of the lesser-known markets that Bet365 has. So, with that, we’re giving Bet365 the edge when it comes to betting markets.
Availability
- States BetMGM is Available In: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, PR
- States Bet365 is Available In: AZ, CO, IN, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, VA
Availability is an important factor, especially for bettors in the United States.
BetMGM has a broader reach, being legal and licensed in more states than Bet365. This wider availability means more bettors can access BetMGM’s services without legal restrictions.
While Bet365 is making strides in expanding its US presence, it currently lags behind BetMGM in this regard. They’re constantly looking to expand their footprint in the US, but until they do, we have to give it to BetMGM for their reach.
For bettors residing in states where both options are available, this might not be a big concern, but for others, it could be a deal-breaker.
Mobile App
In today’s fast-paced world, a user-friendly mobile app is a no-brainer for any top-tier sportsbook.
Both Bet365 and BetMGM have highly rated apps, boasting 4.8/5 on the App Store and 4.6/5 on Google Play. Of course, this is totally subjective, but most of the reviews speak for themselves.
However, Bet365’s app often receives higher praise for its intuitive design and smooth performance. This wasn’t always the case, but they recently revamped their apps and now it’s one of the best sports betting apps you can find. Users find it easy to navigate, place bets, and manage their accounts.
BetMGM’s app is also robust and user-friendly, but Bet365’s slight edge in user experience with its new app gives it a slight edge over BetMGM.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs can give a fun boost to the betting experience by offering rewards and incentives for regular players. It’s a lot like a welcome bonus, but for returning customers.
BetMGM stands out with its robust M Life Rewards program, which allows bettors to earn points that can be redeemed for various perks, including hotel stays and dining at MGM properties. It’s almost unbeatable and one of the big reasons sports bettors keep coming back to the platform.
Bet365 doesn’t have a loyalty program; however, it does offer regular odds boosts and bonus bets for returning players. It’s not necessarily how much you play, but if you catch the bonus offers at the right time.
While we love the bonus offers that Bet365 offers their returning customers, it simply can’t compete with the M Life Rewards program, so we’re going to give this category to BetMGM.
Odds Pricing
Odds pricing is often underrated, but it shouldn’t be. This is for serious bettors who want the best possible return on their bets.
Both Bet365 and BetMGM offer competitive odds across their betting markets compared to most online sportsbooks. While there might be slight differences in odds for specific markets or events, these two sportsbooks are generally comparable in this regard.
Bettors can expect fairly decent pricing from both platforms, making this category a draw. Check out our odds pricing tool to compare the odds from numerous sportsbooks, and you’ll see that, more often than not, both Bet365 and BetMGM come up pretty often.
Other Features
Both Bet365 and BetMGM offer a variety of additional features that give the sports bettors a next-level betting experience. They know they’re fighting for their customers, so they have to deliver only the best features that will keep them coming back for more.
These include live betting, which allows users to place bets on ongoing games; live streaming, which lets bettors watch events in real time; and odds boosts, which offer enhanced payouts on selected bets.
There are plenty more, but these are the big ones, and both BetMGM and Bet365 offer all of these. Like the odds-pricing, we’re going to call this a draw. You can get all of these features on both platforms, and it really boils down to which format you like.
Final Verdict — Bet365 Takes the Crown!
While we love both Bet365 and BetMGM, Bet365 comes out on top in several key areas. Its insane welcome bonus, a bigger range of betting markets, and highly-rated mobile app make it the best choice for many bettors. Those are the things most bettors look for, so we favor Bet365 for this comparison.
BetMGM, with its wider availability in the US and unmatched loyalty program, is also a solid sportsbook. However, Bet365’s strengths in core areas, particularly for those who value a wide variety of betting options and a smooth and clean mobile experience, make it the preferred choice.
The decision between Bet365 and BetMGM really comes down to your specific betting needs and preferences. We always recommend that sports bettors try out the sportsbooks themselves to see what they like. You can take advantage of both welcome offers so don’t leave money on the table. Sign up with both and see what you like more!
Matt Brown
Head of Sports Betting and DFS
Matt’s love for sports betting and daily fantasy sports, coupled with a deep understanding of football, hockey, and baseball, shapes his innovative thoughts on Hello Rookie. He has a B.S. in Aeronautical Computer Science and a M.S. in Project Management.
