If you’re looking for a comparison between Bovada vs Fanduel, I’ve got you covered. The gambling industry changes quickly. And what you might have preferred today can easily be phased out the next day.
That means you need to pay close attention to these changes and use a platform that keeps up with the trends. Bovada and FanDuel stand out as some of the leading betting sites.
These platforms are well-known for their unique gambling features and ongoing improvements to keep players happy. However, one of them has been operating for a much longer period of time. Sort of give it an edge or head start, if you will.
I don’t want to give anything away. Keep reading to discover who they are, their distinct histories, the games offered, and other vital factors.
Bovada – Who Are They?
Bovada is a sports book and casino based in Costa Rica. The platform provides players with an opportunity to bet on some of the best games in horse racing and U.S. sports leagues.
Besides that, it also lists a variety of casino games and poker games. As the laws around poker and online sports betting continue to evolve quickly, they appear to have done a commendable job of keeping up.
The platform operates legally and aligns its operations so as not to violate the most crucial gambling laws. It’s worth noting that Bovada is not bound by the U.S. laws on sports betting and gambling owing to its location in Costa Rica.
They also have an excellent track record of dealing fairly and maintaining timely payouts to players. It is also run by a legit operator who has diverse experience in the industry. These are crucial things that you should never overlook when evaluating an online casino.
Detailed History of Bovada
The history of this betting site is closely intertwined with Bodog, which powers its operations. The sports book is owned by Mohawk Morris Gaming Group (MMGG), which licenses Bodog software along with all its branding details.
NMGG has been doing this since 2007. As Bodog continued to penetrate other legal markets, it became necessary to also adjust the legal entity. Hence, the brand name Bovada was adopted in 2011 for all U.S. players.
Anyone playing outside the United States still uses the Bodog-branded websites. This might be a little confusing, but there are basically different skins for each other. Just for different targeted areas.
When you ignore all the name changes that happened about ten years ago, it’s history is much older than that. The company first came into existence in 1997 underthe name Cyberoad.
It is credited with introducing some of the Internet’s pioneer sports books: granprixsports.com, thebigbook.com, and mayansports.com.
However, these sportsbooks did not have a solid software support background. Thus, Bodog was born in 2004 with the mandate of functioning as a software provider and handling branding. This would, later on, grow into Bovada in 2011 to cater for the expanding role across different sectors.
Sports Betting Games Offered
If you’re into sports betting, there is a lot that will peak your interest here. Lots of players join up so that they can leverage the parlay options.
They offer some of the biggest parlors you will ever see. I’ve gotten some over $100,000 plus without ever being limited. It’s crazy!
Obviously, these types of bets rarely hit, but it’s cool to know they allow you to try. So overall, they give them the option to try their luck at parlays, prop bets, live betting, and even special bets on certain games.
The various games that you can play on the platform, which include those from major U.S. leagues, include:
- NHL
- NBA
- NFL
- PGA
- MLB
- Tennis
- Golf
- MMA
You can also wager on e-sports, cricket, boxing, Olympic events, cycling, boxing, and any major competition.
Casino Games Offered
Bovada is also heavily invested in the casino segment, listing up to 250 games. Some of the popular ones include:
- Virtual slot machines
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Bingo
- Keno
- Roulette
You may also find it valuable to look at the available live dealer games, where you can virtually connect with a human dealer. The chat feature lets you talk to the dealer and other players during your gaming session.
With over 200 plus slot games available and a wide variety of specialty casino games, there is a lot to like about playing here. Some of my favorites are three-card poker and the Hot Drop Jackpot slot games. Those offer some big prizes that are released every 24 hours.
They also add new games frequently to keep things fresh for regular players. Just be sure to go for a cashout every so often to reward yourself for good play.
Poker Games Offered
The site also has a decent listing of online poker game variations, such as:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha Hi-Lo
- Omaha
Players can also explore no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit tournaments. The limits for playing go as low as $1 and all the way up to $2000 per table.
This includes both cash games and tournaments. You can play anonymous matches if you would like to keep your name concealed. They also host well over $2.5 million in weekly tournament prizes. Bottom line, the poker software on here is top-notch.
Cash Outs
Bovada has a perfect “A” rating for paying players. Cryptocurrency is the main payout method now, but they also offer bank wire. Cash out times are extremely fast for cryptocurrency, and they usually payout within hours of opting for a withdrawal.
Bovada vs Fanduel Bonus’s
- Bovada $3k Bonus – Claim Here
- Fanduel $1k Bonus – Claim Here
FanDuel – Who Are They?
Those who have been in the online gaming industry for a long time might have gotten used to FanDuel as a fantasy sports site. That is true, but the platform also has sportsbook functionality.
When you access the New York-based FanDuel website, you have the option of going the DFS way or the sports book and casino direction. Each of these functions is unique and runs as though they are from two separate companies.
For instance, you cannot use your DFS account on the site to log in to the sports book module. Whether you choose the e-sports or sports book side, FanDuel does not disappoint in terms of user experience and overall gaming rewards.
Detailed History of FanDuel
FanDuel was launched in 2009 and has since expanded to various states, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New Jersey. The company’s founders are Chris Stafford, Tom Griffiths, Lesley Eccles, Nigel Eccles, and Rob Jones.
Although it started as a DFS platform, it soon listed other games that cut across horse race betting, sports book, and casino games.
The company merged with Paddy Power Betfair (an Irish bookmaker) in 2018 but retained the brand name FanDuel. The main reason for the merger was to expand operations into the sports betting sector.
They have received some significant funding since 2013, when they first raised $11 million in Series C. It again got $70 million in Series D funding in 2014, before the remarkable $275 million raised in 2015 through Series E funding. These funds have played a pivotal role in helping FanDuel run its diverse lines of business.
Sports Betting Games Offered
You can bet on a variety of sports games, including:
- Golf
- MMA
- Tennis
- Football
- Boxing
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Auto Racing
- Soccer
The platform not only lists sports popular in the U.S. but also has international sports.
Casino Games Offered
You can play online casino games for real money on FanDuel. First-time players have an opportunity to explore these games in the first 24 hours risk-free, with the option of getting up to $1,000 back on net losses.
The only issue I can come up with here is that they have no live dealer offerings, and the slot selection is weak. In total, they have under 150 slot games now. Some of these games include:
- Blackjack
- Video poker
- American roulette
- Slot games
Cashouts
FanDuel has a cash-out feature with which you can settle your bet for the given value before the game comes to an end. The player has total control over the option and immediately receives “Cash Out Value” on the eligible bet.
If you end up with bank transfers, you won’t have to pay any fees. However, you might incur fees for some of the other options.
Final Thoughts
It can be a tough decision to get started on Bovada or Fanduel. But I can tell you that it might be a good idea to play both. That way, you will get the best of both worlds.
For example, you can claim different bonus offerings to max out your betting experience. It’s not uncommon to see random offers pop up in your account for nothing after you’ve been playing on either site for a while.
However, if you would rather just go with one option, I would lean more into Bovada. They tend to have better options for sports bettors and offer a poker room. You can do some pretty high-limit parlays, as I mentioned earlier in the article.
No matter where you decide to play, just remember that this is supposed to be fun and good entertainment. Don’t overdo it or play out of your means. Stick to bankroll management, and hopefully you can grow your account over time into the tens of thousands. Good luck!
