SBK Review 2024 in the UK

Founded in 2019, SBK has quickly become one of the best mobile-only sportsbooks in the UK.

SBK UK Review – Does SBK Deserve More Recognition?

SBK probably isn’t the first name you think of when looking for a betting site. After all, they are still newbies in the British gambling landscape, and are yet to rival the biggest names in the industry. So, is it time to take SBK more seriously? How good an option are they for experienced and novice bettors?

After building a widely acclaimed exchange, Smarkets have turned their hand to fixed-odds sports betting with SBK. Even in a competitive marketplace, SBK has earned plenty of plaudits.

I have analysed everything about SBK, from promotions to customer support, to give my verdict on their offering. 

What I analysed on SBK

At Betting.com, our research and analysis of a bookmaker is always thorough. Putting together this SBK review was no exception. We went in-depth, looking at every factor that matters to punters from security systems through to promotions and payment methods.

As a mobile-only bookmaker, full focus was on the quality of their mobile offering. There’s lots to try out with the SBK app(s) in an effort to find out if it can really compete with the big boys of British sports betting.

rough this process, we browsed their odds, compared prices and checked to see which sports and leagues they cover. Here are the main categories we covered with our SBK review: 

1. Licensing 
2. Sports and leagues covered
3. Value of odds
4. Options for bettors
5. Promotions and bonuses
6. Overall user experience
7. Registration and verification process
8. Depositing money
9. Withdrawing your winnings
10. Customer support and help centre

SBK licensing, safety and trustworthiness

SBK is a safe and fully licensed bookmaker. Smarkets, which owns SBK, has gambling licences in the UK, Malta and the Republic of Ireland. Further information about SBK licences can be found on the Smarkets website.

SBK complete list of licences

UK: Gambling Commission

Malta: Malta Gaming Authority

Ireland: Revenue Commissioners 

What makes SBK safe

Safety is paramount for all bookmakers. They handle a huge amount of personal information, and have a duty to keep your money protected. Responsible gambling must also be emphasised. Policies need to be in place to help bettors control their betting.

What makes a betting site safe

1. Security of your funds
2. Keeping personal data protected
3. Current and applicable licences
4. Responsible Gambling
5. Easily accessible terms and conditions
6. Additional information on staying safe

With licences in the UK, Malta and Ireland, bettors can feel very comfortable using SBK’s app. Further details are available on the Smarkets website, and in the SBK terms and conditions. 

Their commitment to Responsible Gambling is clear, with dedicated sections for Self-assessment and Responsible Gambling at the bottom of their webpages. These are also viewable on the app. Once you have created an account, you are able to create limits for net deposit, gross deposit, and losses. 

Welcome offers and promos – Grab a bonus at SBK

The number of promotions available at SBK tends to fluctuate. They will publicise their offers on social media, and will communicate via email and push notification if you have those turned on.

Promotions can be found on the account page of their app. Sections are dedicated to new and past promotions, and you can also view other promos that you have opted-in for. 

SBK promo codes

There are no promo codes available for SBK at the time of writing. You do not need a promo code to unlock their welcome offer. 

SBK new player bonus: Bet £10, Get £30 Free Bets

New players at SBK receive £30 in free bets if they place a £10 qualifying bet on any market. The £30 is split across three separate £10 free wagers, which are received over a three-week period.

To qualify for this welcome offer, your £10 or greater bet must be placed on a wager with odds of 1.50 or longer. 

SBK VIP program/loyalty program

SBK does not have a VIP program or a loyalty program at the time of writing. As a relatively new sportsbook, this perhaps isn’t surprising, even if it is still a little disappointing considering the rewards some bookmakers offer through VIP and loyalty schemes.

Sports and leagues you can bet on at SBK

SBK meets the needs of the vast majority of sports bettors. Their coverage of the biggest events is excellent, with an array of markets available. Fans of US sports also have plenty of choice on the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.

Being able to bet on politics and entertainment might appeal to some punters. Darts, snooker and other lesser-followed sports feature on the SBK apps, although the depth of odds isn’t always there. 

SBK has sufficient options for most bettors, but some will want a bit more to choose from both in the number of markets and events/competitions covered. 

SBK odds offers

SBK’s odds are perhaps their biggest strength. Margins are low, with prices often coming out favourably when compared with their bigger-name peers. Odds comparison sites frequently show SBK to have the best prices on Premier League fixtures and numerous other major events.

For one round of Premier League fixtures they had the best prices among UK bookies for half of the games. This level of value for SBK’s customers is not unusual, three Premier League games saw their average payout rate at 97.2%. For four first leg quarter final matches in the Champions League their average payout rate was 96.8%.

While they don’t prioritise boosting odds like some bookies, SBK’s Price Plus helps you to see when they are offering the top odds on a specific market. A scroll through their app illustrates they are reliably providing great value whether looking at the day’s racing or weighing up your football accumulator.

SBK betting options & features

Whatever your interests, SBK is bound to have some betting options that work for you. Across a massive range of sports, SBK has various features for punters to try out.

In-play betting

SBK offers in-play betting on a lot of different sports. The ‘in-play’ tab can be found at the top of odds pages, and the lightning bolt is found at the top left of the home screen, taking you to all current in-play markets. Their statistics and graphics could be better, but it isn’t a major issue at this stage of the app’s development.

Bet Builder

The SBK Bet Builder is easy to use, with markets set out clearly under the ‘Bet Builder’ tab on any match page. You also have the option to use their ‘Quick Builder’, which is located at the top of each match page. This feature provides you with a readymade Bet Builder that you can then edit.

Live streaming

Live streaming is available on horse racing across the UK and Ireland at SBK. Their overall streaming package lags behind some of their competitors, but how much that matters will be down to the individual. 

Tips section

SBK promotes the community element of sports betting with its tips section. Tips can be found via the button at the top-right of the app’s home screen. Once you have created your account, you can post your tips for others to follow and you can see what your fellow bettors are backing. 

Outright betting

The main outright betting markets are available on the SBK app. They are sometimes harder to find than you might like, however, with the section often located at the bottom of a sport-specific menu.

How easy do I find it to use SBK’s site?

To start with, I created an account and deposited funds through the SBK app, which can be found through the app store on your phone or via links on their website. With no desktop version, SBK’s app has to be functional, reliable and versatile, which it proved to be through a variety of tests.

Once I had browsed their numerous features, I placed a few wagers, checked out their live streaming and contacted customer service. 

• Desktop: SBK is not accessible via desktop. 
• Mobile on the web: SBK’s mobile website provides links directly to their page in the various app stores. 
• Mobile apps: It is hard to fault the SBK mobile apps. Menus are clear and easy to navigate even on a smaller screen and loading times are minimal even on older devices. Their reviews are exceptional. 

How to register a new account with SBK?

Registering for an account with SBK is an easy process. Upon opening the app for the first time, you are prompted to ‘join SBK now’, which begins the pain-free registration process.

Here are the steps to register for your account:

1. Click on ‘Join SBK Now’. 
2. Enter your phone number. SBK will then send you a verification code.
3. Fill in the verification code. 
4. The next tab will open. Enter your details, including your address, email, password and date of birth.
5. Choose the odds format you want. 
6. Decide if you want to receive marketing emails.
7. Click ‘continue’ to progress and complete the registration.

Documents and information you need to share with SBK to open an account

It is necessary to provide SBK with documentation to verify your identity before you can place wagers and claim winnings. This is standard practice for UK bookmakers.

SBK will ask for at least one of the following:

• Photo identification cards
• Bank statements
• References
• Last utility bill 
• A photocopy of a credit card

SBK, at times, might also ask for evidence of funds. In this case, you would need to provide one of the following:

• Evidence of betting winnings
• Payslips
• Bank statements

How reliable are SBK’s payment methods?

SBK has all the usual payment methods available, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and Neteller. Their minimum deposits are a shade higher than some other bookmakers, but deposits are processed instantly. Their withdrawal times can be on the slow side, however.

Cryptocurrency available at SBK

SBK does not enable bettors to deposit or withdraw funds using cryptocurrency. 

Time to collect your winnings? Here’s how to withdraw your winnings from SBK

It doesn’t take long to process withdrawals at SBK. You have several options when it comes to taking out your winnings due to their number of payment methods. 

Here are the steps to withdraw your winnings:

Step by step guide on how to withdraw from SBK

1. Open the SBK app.
2. Click on ‘funds’ in the middle of the bottom menu.
3. Select ‘withdraw’.
4. Enter the amount of money you wish to take out of the account.
5. Confirm the withdrawal of funds.
6. Check your account to make sure the transaction has been processed and wait for the cash to arrive.

Other information to know when withdrawing

SBK/Smarkets will process withdrawals using the same method the funds were deposited with when possible. Withdrawals can only be processed once you are verified through providing the correct documentation.

Is SBK’s customer service actually helpful?

Bettors have several options when contacting SBK’s customer service. They are active on X (formerly known as Twitter) at the @SBK handle. 

Their feedback tab has proved popular with users in the past, allowing punters to offer suggestions to improve the service. The FAQ section is packed with useful information, too. 

Responsible gambling

SBK has an array of tools to aid Responsible Gambling. Bettors can find these in the ‘my limits’ section on the account page. You are able to set net deposit, gross deposit and loss limits, plus you have the option to time out for one, seven or 31 days. Self-exclusion is available for periods of six months, one year or five years. Links at the bottom of the app take you directly to GamStop and BeGambleAware’s websites.

Conclusion – How is SBK better than others?

SBK’s high odds are what makes it stand out from the pack. Their prices are very competitive, particularly if you bet on a lot of European football. The app is also one of the best around, even if it could do with a few additional features.

The addition of horse racing live streams is a nice bonus. Perhaps most importantly, it’s clear Smarkets are constantly working to improve the SBK app, with the addition of new features and promotions. Bettors can be optimistic that there’s more to come from this app.

In the meantime, SBK is still a very good option if mobile betting is your thing. The odds themselves are enough to make it worth considering, and you will not be disappointed by the overall user experience from registering through to contacting customer service. 

Other betting sites to consider

If SBK looks like your kind of bookmaker, you could also consider these platforms:

LeoVegas

(3.9/5)

Unibet

(4.8/5)

BetVictor

(4.5/5)

10bet

(4.5/5)

Check out the best betting sites in the UK with Betting.com.