Very few forms of entertainment come close to the joy of an ice hockey goal. Even fewer can compete with the excitement when a fistfight breaks out. For those who crave the unpredictable action of hockey, this article will show you how to choose the perfect ice hockey betting site not on Gamstop.
Finding the right non-Gamstop sportsbook can be difficult, but if it has a Curacao license, you’re already halfway there. It ensures a high standard of security, so you can focus on the fun. There are hundreds of sites boasting this license and most players find it difficult to commit to the right one.
We’ve listed some of the top recommended bookies for a wide range of games from the NHL to the Euro Hockey Tour. Included in this list are several key points in selecting a site that’s right for you.
Basically all of these betting sites also offers casinos not connected to Gamstop but far from all online casinos are offering betting opportunities.
Choosing the Right Ice Hockey Non-Gamstop Betting Site
Ice hockey isn’t a complex game, so the bookie shouldn’t have any complicated features. You’re looking for solid betting options, such as over/under, periods, overtime, etc. Beginners are advised to avoid high level wagerings like penalties and double chances.
- Odds. One of the most important factors of sports betting is how much potential winnings you have on each game. You want this number to be as high as possible.
- Variety. Look for the site that covers at least two or three major leagues (NHL, Euro Tour, Swiss Cup, etc.).
- Bonuses. A good bookie knows how to keep you around. It’ll sweeten your wagers with Cashback or free bets. These are usually the must-haves. Avoid the ones with complex mechanics like accumulators.
Fairway Bet – Not on Gamstop
Fairway Bet is a brand of the property giant Greenhill Enterprise Ltd, so you know it’s backed by a lot of money. The site is rather aesthetically unpleasant, but don’t let that fool you. It’s got excellent variety and a solid European player base. Ice hockey is available in pre-match and non-Gamstop live betting.
Variety
Fairway covers more than twenty championships in over thirteen countries. Each league has its featured games with a unique set of odds. You’ll find a lot of exciting games in the International category, especially the Euro Hockey Tour.
There are many betting options here for players of all levels. A lot of games start out with over/under and moneyline, then end up with crazy stuff like overtime and penalties. Live betting becomes intense when the bookie throws these in to spice things up. If you’re a long-term player, the NHL has an option where you bet on who’s going to win the entire league.
Odds
The odds are consistently high across all leagues at Fairway Bet. Each region has something to bargain for, with some games going as high as 6.00. Ice hockey, in general, has a narrow odds range in major league matches, like the NHL.
At this site, it extends to other betting mechanics as well. For example, a match could have 3.50 – 4.25 odds for either team, but the Draw option would be almost as high.
Bonuses
Fairway offers some mid-range bonuses for new players, such as the no-deposit $10 free bet. You can use it to bet on any game, then make a deposit to cash out winnings. There’s also a 25% deposit bonus that applies every time you cash in.
Payment
Fairway Bet offers two mainstream methods using PayPal and Interac e-transfer on top of Visa and MasterCard. Deposits usually take up to one hour via e-wallets and 1 day for credit cards. Unfortunately, withdrawal time is a lot longer – up to five business days for bank cards, and 2-4 days for PayPal.
Lucky Bird – On Gamstop
Lucky Bird is a newer site. It’s got a sizable sportsbook, but is trying to expand on the casino front as well. One of the upsides about this site is there’s a mobile app for you to keep track of all your bets. The ice hockey section focuses on European leagues, so there are a lot more games you might not have seen in other places.
Variety
Though the interface makes it super difficult to see anything, there are actually tons of pre-match and in-play games in over ten countries. You’ll find even more games under the World Championship section, which features mostly Swiss leagues and Gagarin Cup.
Odds
Lucky Bird carries some good odds for a new bookie, but it’s kind of all over the place. The games don’t offer consistent odds, but the range is narrow, which is good. For outright players, that’s what you should focus on, especially in the Finland championship.
Overall, if you’re an experienced punter, the profits lie in Odd/Even total points – the odds are much better than match winners.
Bonuses
The best bonus at Lucky Bird has to be the welcome offer. You get a 100% deposit match for up to €500, and you use those credits on any game. There’s also a Leaderboard that accumulates all your bets and converts them into points. You can exchange these points for physical prizes, like an iPhone or a PlayStation.
Payment
Deposit or withdraw your money at Lucky Bird through the following services:
- MasterCard
- Visa
- EcoPayz
- Paysafe
- Skrill
- Perfect Money
There are no fees for either deposits or withdrawals. All e-wallet cash-ins are instant. When cashing out, it should take no longer than 24 hours. For bank cards, you might wait a couple days, depending on the service you use.
BetGold – Not on Gamstop
BetGold operates as a brand of LG Trading Limited. It specialises in sports betting, but also has an extensive collection of casino games from Fugaso and Booming Games among other. One thing you’ll love is the clean interface that allows for smooth navigation. All the matches are easy to find, and your bet slip loads quickly.
Variety
BetGold is known mostly for its sports coverage. The ice hockey section features both the NHL and major leagues in Europe. There are about 18 leagues across various regions, including Sweden, Finland, and America. Popular championships like the Russia KHL and Swedish Hockey League are also available here.
Odds
BetGold has some amazing odds – better than most places. The Russia KHL has lots of juicy action with matches having up to 7.00 total odds. These numbers will continue to change, possibly increase, every season. There’s also puck line betting here, so the odds range tends to widen up a bit. Sticking to Outright as a beginner strategy is still good.
Bonuses
Sports players have a lot of options when choosing benefits at BetGold, from deposit matches to free bets. The best one for new players would be the welcome bonus, which gives up to $150 on your first deposit. The free bet bonus applies for mobile users, but you can always download the app and earn that reward.
Payment
BetGold has the following payment options for both deposits and withdrawals:
- AstroPay
- Caixa
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Much Better
- INOVA Pay
- Visa
- MasterCard
Deposits via e-wallets are instant, whereas bank cards can take up to 24 hours, depending on your financial services.