1. Aesthetics & Navigation
Bet Victor has operated under quite a few different names throughout its more than fifty years’ history. Some refer to this bookie even as a gentleman, but apparently one who changes his wardrobe quite a bit. In January 2012, he decided it was time to say goodbye to ‘ole Victor Chandler and rebrand as Bet Victor. The website also got a makeover and it’s reflected in its simple, sleek and ‘no- fuss’ design and layout. I suspect that Mr Chandler’s web designers have a great affection for turquoise and all shades of blue.
OK, enough about the fashion statement, what do they have in store? The top centre is dedicated to a slide show of five actual and scheduled events with some nice pictures, below a simple list of live events and the highlights of the day. On the top right the betting slip, below the actual promotional offers and ads for the other services, such as casino etc. The betting slip is kept simple, but quite efficient regarding the options for multiples. On the left the different markets are accessible; one click and the selected sports and all related games appear on the centre screen, again no fancy and disturbing pop-ups or a ‘click on all the drop-down options’ fest. Good. The websites is available in my native tongue (Hurrah!), English, Greek and, quite unusually, even Hebrew!
Aesthetics Score out of 10 – 8.
2. Services
Sports – Bet Victor offers not only all kinds of sports but on a range of non-sports related stuff, too. Fancy placing some bets on the outcome of elections or who’s getting kicked out of the cabinet? Well, there you go. I personally would prefer to bet on a dodgy horse or an old mare at a race in Epsom rather than on shady politicians…
OK, Uncle Victor caters for the needs of the Irish and the Anglos, so you are bound to find horse and greyhound racing en masse. They do however offer every European’s favourite, football of course! Additional sports that are on offer are – , Boxing, Snooker, Tennis, Cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cycling, Athletics, Darts, Formula 1, Golf, Ice Hockey, and for our friends and distant cousins across the pond the NFL, NBA Basketball and MLB Baseball.
Live Betting – Now here the designers changed the magenta and turquoise colours to shades of green. In the centre you find the latest game, match etc. that is in progress. On the left hand site you can of course select the sports of your choice where a match is already in progress. Funnily enough, the virtual games, such as F1, Football etc. are listed, too. The layout on the right is the same as the main page: Bet slip, ads and so on.
Casino, Poker, Games, Slots, Live Casino, Financials – I am not a great gambler and certainly won’t dress up in an evening gown to feel like squandering my money on gaming tables. If you are the sort of player who has an excess amount of dosh, feel free to try your luck at the services I have listed. Stick to Lucy’s advices and put a tenner aside for some four legged animals.
Mobile – Mobile betting is growing more and more popular and ‘ole Vic caters for the needs of all types of Smartphone users. The nerd can install the iPhone, iPod and iPad app, the businessman and wannabe investment banker on his/her Blackberry or Playbook (!!!), the majority on their Android phones, and the rest on their old and dusty Nokia and Sony Ericsson phones. However, I haven’t installed any of them yet.
Services Score out of 10 – 9.
3. Payment Methods
A range of deposit and withdrawal options are on offer. To hand Victor some cash and let him place it onto your account, you can use various Debit and Credit cards, Skrill, NETeller, PayPal, Ukash, Western Union, MB Diners, PaySafeCard, BACS, Wire Transfers and EntroPay. To get your winnings paid out they accept Credit and Debit Cards, Skrill, NETeller, PayPal, BACS, Wire Transfers and EntroPay. Most bookies would just use the bank transfer and/or a cheque; so a big plus for the withdrawal options.
Payment Methods Score out of 10 – 10.
4. Offers
At the moment you can secure a free bet worth £25, which will be transferred onto your account when you deposit £25, so it’s a 100% welcome bonus up to £25 really. Free dosh is free dosh and the T&Cs seem to be reasonable, i.e. one bet must have odds of 2.00 or higher in a multiple.
Offers Score out of 8 – 10.
5. Summary
Victor Chandler, the gentleman who started the business, is actually still alive and perhaps can be contacted via Live Chat as well?
What would I tell ‘ole Vic? Well, the site is simple and easy to navigate, the ads are kept to a minimum and don’t flash up all the time to disturb you. The services on offer are more than OK. The Live betting section is a bit slow, similar to the Bwin one, but straightforward and easy to navigate. The £25 free bet offer matches the average of the industry. All in all, a solid bookie for regular punters and Highrollers who enjoy placing bets with a range of options.
Overall Score out of 10 – 8.
NatLou xx
Thanks again Nathalie, another thorough review.
I love the whimsical idea of having a chat with old Victor via the live chat screens! Do you think he is also available on the telephone lines, awaiting calls with his headset on?
I hope the Cypriot sun isn’t burning you…. It was certainly a bit much for me this time. But then I got complaints from readers of the Seven Pillars series when I came up with a whole series of weather related passwords!
Looking forward to seeing you again real soon.
Kind regards, Lucy xx
Lucy,
the last two weeks were unbearable; not only the weather but a lot of your compatriots arrived with their kids! Swimming and relaxing at the pool has to be done by 10′ish and THEY are throwing towels on the sunbeds, not me
In about two weeks time I am visiting my parents at home.
NatLou
Glad to hear the stereotypes are reversed! But can you do like me, and find a sunbed on Larnaca beach within wifi range? Betfair, sun cream and mojitos… a wicked combination!
Lx