In essence, Asia bookies have similar content to their Western counterparts but you can look for it when you want to avoid Gamstop or simply use non Gamstop bookies. Competitive odds, bonuses, and fast payment options are all available on these sites. That said, the user experience isn’t identical. Cultural and/or regional trends do impact marketing decisions and what type of content is put at the forefront.
So, if you want to learn more about Asian sportsbooks and what sets them apart stick around. We’ll take a closer look at top Asian bookies and discuss some differences in regulatory frameworks in those geographies.
List of the Best Sportsbooks
Below, you can find a list of the best bookmakers.
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Asian Bookies Compared to Western Platforms
There are several unique features of these bookmakers that distinguish them from European ones. For starters, each country has its own stance on what type of gambling entertainment is legal. Even if sportsbooks are legal they can still be limited when it comes to the types of bets they offer. It’s these seemingly subtle details that can strongly impact how the bookie operates and how they advertise their services. To that end, let’s briefly discuss the regulatory framework, wagering options, and mention some brands that thrive in the current market.
Regulatory Framework
In truth, only Singapore and the Philippines have embraced this part of the entertainment industry. The rest of the countries aren’t too keen on introducing big changes to their current legal system. Here’s a table summarizing the legal status of gambling in some countries:
| Country | Gambling Status |
|---|---|
| China | Illegal (Except Macau) |
| Japan | Mostly illegal (Some exceptions like Pachinko) |
| India | Varies by state (Legal in Goa, Daman, Sikkim) |
| Philippines | Legal and regulated |
| Thailand | Illegal |
| South Korea | Illegal for locals |
| Singapore | Regulated |
The Number of Betting Options
As stated, you’ll easily spot some differences when using online Asian bookies. For starters, the withdrawal limits are lower, mainly due to tiger financial regulations for this type of business. In other words, there aren’t as many high-roller players, but there are plenty of casual bettors, who wager on sports regularly.
In terms of markets or betting options, there are some that are available virtually everywhere. Three-way betting, handicap betting, and total goal betting are a must on these sites. But you’ll also come across unique markets depending on the Asian sportsbook you pick.
- Asian Handicap: A type of wager that resembles spread but with an improvement. Here, you don’t have to worry if the match ends in a draw, because neither you nor the bookie wins in that case. All that happens is that you get your money back, which makes this wager a safe choice.
- Specialized Markets: As with western bookies prop bets will always vary depending on the brand. So, it’s always interesting to go over these unique props just to see what you are missing.
- High-Volume Focus: Accumulator bets and bet builders attract a lot of attention. So, you might not have as many props or future wagers, but you can really squeeze significant value out of a single match.
Popular Odds in Top Asian Bookies
It’s also worth noting that Asian bookmakers use different odds formats, depending on the region. Here are a few examples:
- Indo (Indonesian) Odds. Like in the US, you’ll see positive or negative numbers with two decimal points. It works exactly like the system in the US. so if you see -$2.50 you’ll need to bet at least $2.50 to win $1.00
- Hong Kong Odds. Presented in decimal form, normally to two decimal places. They are used to express the net of a given bet, often disregarding the bet placed by the player. So to calculate the payout you need to multiply your stake with odds+1. So if the odds on Team A are 1 and you bet $200 the payout is calculated with this formula – 200 x (1+1)= $400
- Malay (Malaysian) Odds. Stated as positive or negative numbers between 0 and 1. The payout for positive numbers is simply stake x the odds, whereas for negative numbers it goes like this – (wager amount x (-1 /odds)) + wagered amount. So if you wager 100 on an option with odds of -0.50 the payout is $150.
The User-Interface
Another thing you’ll notice is that the user interface of the best Asian bookmakers focuses on other sports and casino games. Asian platforms mostly offer and promote games that are popular in their respective region. A good example would be dice games and Baccarat (or Dragon/Tiger a very similar card game).
In terms of betting you will notice that sports that are most popular in this region are usually displayed at the top of the page. This means you’ll see football, cricket, table tennis, and then eSports as frequently picked sports.
Also, should you head over to the cashier section of best Asian bookies it will be evident that the number of supported banking options is significantly lower. It’s usually mobile payment via a provider who has a partnership with a big bank in that region. That said there are other operators that accept Asian players and that also offer crypto transfer and support for vouchers and e-wallets.
Bonuses and Promotions Available in Best Asian Bookmakers
In terms of bonuses, Asian bookies provide fewer bonuses than European sites. Not only that but these promos are designed with smaller deposits in mind. As stated, the amount of money people spend on this hobby is lower compared to western standards. As a result, the bonuses are devised to accommodate that user preferance.
Popular Betting Platforms in Asian Sportsbooks
Instead of creating their odds feeds from scratch, a lot of betting sites with an Asian focus prefer to use ones that are provided by third-party bookies. Additionally, it allows them to focus on other aspects of their business while offering a wide variety of markets and competitive odds.
SBO
Among the best Asian bookmakers is SBOBET, also referred to as SBO. Thanks to its high values, particularly in Asian Handicap lines, sharp punters practically flock to this brand. They are known for extremely high limits—up to €100,000—on specific results. On top of that they receive market trend data, enabling users to track the movements of the lines they want. Once again, a great feature for those looking for additional insight.
IBC
Probably the best Asian bookmaker, IBC stands out for having the lowest margin, which really matters to users in this region. It has been named a Super Master Agent and excels at parlay betting on Asian handicaps. It also allows users to transfer funds between the accounts, a great way to incentivize players to try other forms of gambling content.
AFB
AFB is known for its great market coverage for football, Muay Thai, and cockfighting. That siad it does have a less varied selection of sports compared to some other brands. By offering local currency options and support for several languages, it puts a local customer’s needs first. Moreover, this platform is extremely well-liked among people living in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
WBet
WBet has emerged as one of the more prominent Asian sportsbooks. It is the first-ever provider of e-fighting games. Moreover, it covers 90+ sports and thousands of daily live events. Players have more flexibility in terms of payments as they accept CNY, HKD, and KRW currencies.
BTI
BTI, or BTi Sportsbook, has been partnering with some of the best bookmakers in order to complement its services in the region. One of the key partnerships is with Ekbet, through which BTI is able to offer an all-inclusive betting service. Through the use of this platform, BTI has been able to provide numerous betting markets, high odds and customers’ oriented features. This focuses on security, safe betting, and customers’ needs, offering services on sports, virtual games, and live casinos.
FAQ
Is it legal to bet online in Asia?
The legal status of betting in Asia depends on the country. For example, gambling in Bangladesh and Vietnam is illegal, while the Philippines has a regulated gambling environment.
What is the biggest gambling company in Asia?
The biggest gambling leaders in the Asian market are Sands China, Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, Melco and Galaxy Entertainment.
What are the best bookmakers?
In the guide above, we listed the best Asian bookmakers currently in the market. In essence, you cannot go wrong with picking Ninewin, Mystake and/or Goldenbet. They have great market coverage, including prop bets, and there are multiple promos up for grabs.
Do Asian bookmakers offer bonuses and promotions?
Yes. Although they don’t offer as many promotions as their Western counterparts they do have welcome packages for newly registered players. Also, reputable websites will often provide loyalty programs and VIP deals to high-rolling punters.
How can I choose an Asian bookmaker?
It’s important to choose a reputable Asian sportsbook. You should start by reading reviews from other users about the operator’s payout rate, betting limits and banking options. Moreover, you should check the bookie’s odds and other features like casino, live betting and customer service.
What is Asian betting?
Asian handicap aims to level the playing field between the two teams of different skill levels. It gives the virtual advantage or a disadvantage to one team. Also, in this type of betting, there is no possibility of a draw.
What are the most popular sports at Asian betting sites?
The most popular sports on these platforms include football, cricket, esports and tennis.