At BetRight, we are dedicated to bringing you the most comprehensive reviews of the top bookmakers in the industry. Today, we turn our attention to William Hill, an esteemed betting institution that has been at the forefront of the industry since 1934. In this review, we will delve deep into every facet of William Hill’s offerings to determine whether its well-earned reputation as one of the best bookmakers in the business holds true in the modern age.
How We Rated William Hill
To assess William Hill’s standing in the betting world, we embarked on a comprehensive evaluation, taking into account key criteria that define a top-tier bookmaker. Our aim was to provide a well-rounded assessment that goes beyond the surface, ensuring you have all the information necessary to make an informed choice when choosing a betting platform.
Security
Licensed and Secure
William Hill stands as a titan in the betting industry, and its commitment to security is unwavering. With licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Government of Gibraltar, players can rest assured that their interests are protected. The platform further solidifies its security measures with robust 128-bit SSL encryption, safeguarding all data transfers, including sensitive personal information.
Responsible Gambling at Its Core
One distinctive aspect of William Hill is its emphasis on responsible gambling. Right from the outset, during the registration process, you are prompted to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits, ensuring that your gambling remains within your control. The “Safer Gambling Hub” provides valuable resources and guidance, particularly regarding the protection of minors. The platform allows users to set various account limits, including Deposit Limits, Stake Limits, and a Reality Check. For those in need of a more significant intervention, options like Time-Outs, Self-Exclusions, and even a full Account Closure are readily available.
Registration Process
Streamlined and User-Friendly
Creating an account with William Hill is a straightforward process, and we found it to be user-friendly. The steps are clear, and the registration process is split into two stages, ensuring minimal hassle for new users. The key steps involve providing basic personal information, setting login credentials, and confirming deposit limits and contact preferences. If you’re aiming to take advantage of William Hill’s new customer offers, this is where you can input the necessary promo codes.
Welcome Offer
Solid Value for New Customers
William Hill offers a welcoming gesture in the form of a bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets promotion. While it may not break new ground, it does offer substantial value. To qualify for this offer, you need to place a £10 bet on any sports market with odds of at least 1/2. If you’re using the mobile app, don’t forget to enter the code ‘R30’ to activate the offer. Your Free Bets, credited as three £10 bets, become available immediately after your first qualifying bet settles. This approach allows you to diversify your betting and explore various markets and events.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Multiple Options, Swift Processing
William Hill offers a plethora of deposit options, including debit cards, Apple Pay, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and more. The minimum deposit for most methods is £10, with the exception of debit cards and Apple Pay, which start at £5. The maximum deposit limits vary by method, with debit cards being the most generous at £99,000. For withdrawals, the options are slightly more limited, but you can still choose from methods like debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Withdrawal processing times are generally swift, with most transactions completed within 24 hours. It’s worth noting that all deposits and withdrawals are fee-free.
Pre-Match Betting
A Comprehensive Sportsbook
William Hill boasts a sportsbook that covers an impressive 37 sports, ranging from the most popular to niche offerings. Their football coverage, in particular, stands out with daily enhanced odds and a “YourOdds” feature that lets you create custom combo bets. The platform excels in offering an extensive selection of markets, especially for popular games, with over 700 options available. Even for less popular divisions, you can find outright markets, such as forecasts, relegation, Top Four, and Top Scorer. William Hill’s odds are highly competitive, with an overround consistently below the industry standard of 110%.
Esports and Specials
William Hill’s esports coverage, while sufficient, doesn’t set any records. However, they do provide markets for popular titles like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and VALORANT, including map betting, Correct Score, and handicap markets. What sets them apart is the inclusion of award markets, such as Streamer of the Year and Personality of the Year. The platform also offers a diverse selection of novelty and political markets, ensuring there’s always something interesting to bet on.
Cash Out & Bet Builder
William Hill offers a robust Cash Out feature, allowing you to take control of your bets by cashing in at any time during an event. They also provide a Bet Builder option known as “YourOdds,” letting you create custom bets tailored to your preferences.
In-Play Betting
Live Action at Your Fingertips
In-play betting at William Hill is easily accessible via the ‘In-play’ tab on the homepage. They provide coverage for a wide range of sports, with live events typically numbering in the dozens. Their football coverage, both pre-match and in-play, is especially commendable. In-play markets may appear basic for low-profile fixtures but still provide valuable options like goals, teams, and handicap sub-markets. While live streaming of football matches isn’t available, you can watch UK and Irish horse racing events through William Hill TV. It’s important to note that you must be logged in to access these streams.
Service & Customer Support
Accessible Support, But Room for Improvement
William Hill offers customer support through Live Chat, available 24/7, and via Twitter, operational from 08:00 to 23:00 BST daily. While Live Chat provides a quick point of contact, our experience revealed that more complex issues may take longer to resolve. In some cases, it may take a few hours to receive a response via Twitter.
The platform also boasts an extensive FAQ section, covering a wide array of queries, reducing the need for direct contact with the support team. Our interaction with William Hill’s support staff, while efficient, took longer than expected to address the issue, though the complexity of the problem played a significant role in the delay.
Design & Usability
A Chaotic Interface
While William Hill’s brand is instantly recognisable, its website design may not win awards for its elegance. The platform’s interface can appear cluttered, with advertisements dominating the space. However, it does offer the unique feature of William Hill Radio, providing an additional layer of entertainment for users.
In conclusion, William Hill remains a benchmark for excellence in the betting industry, upholding its reputation earned over nearly a century of operation. With robust security measures, a user-friendly registration process, a competitive welcome offer, a vast array of sports and markets, and an impressive in-play betting platform, it certainly stands as a top-tier choice for punters. While there is room for improvement in customer support and website design, the platform’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a solid pick for both novice and experienced bettors.
