theScore Bet – Our Verdict
theScore made its transition from a sports media platform to a licensed sportsbook pretty seamless, particularly in Ontario. At the core of the sportsbook’s selling points is a strong mobile experience that rivals that of other well-established betting operators.
Hosting a wide range of markets to bet on, competitive odds, and strong responsible gambling tools, theScore Bet Sportsbook checks a good number of boxes for bettors of any level. If you are on the lookout for a sports betting platform with a strong reputation and access to both local and international sports markets, theScore Bet is worth a try.
About theScore Bet
Esteemed for its innovative betting features and insightful industry news, Canadian media company theScore now offers its record-breaking sportsbook to Ontario bettors. Headquartered in Toronto, theScore began as a cable TV network in 1997.
The company launched its first app, a sports media outlet called theScore, in 2007. It later made history by combining this flagship app with a top-of-the-range sports betting platform to create North America’s first media-owned mobile sportsbook, theScore Bet.
The historic platform has been live in the US since September 2019, having quickly taken advantage of the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and the legalization of sports betting in 2018. Riding on the back of its US success, theScore was one of the first out of the gates when the legal Ontario gambling market launched in April 2022 and has remained a popular sports betting provider ever since.
theScore Bet Mobile Experience
theScore Bet was primarily designed for mobile betting, so it’s no surprise the mobile app is sleek and impressive. Available for download on both iOS and Android devices, theScore Bet Sportsbook app has scored a solid 4.8/5 on the Apple App Store and 4.2 on the Google Play Store. The interface is sleek and modern, and the mobile sportsbook boasts features like quick bets and enhanced bet tracking.
Integrated with the brand’s flagship brand, the app lets you switch between its betting platform and media outlet, where you can access real-time news, updates, stats, and scores. Alongside the numerous live streaming markets offered in the sportsbook, the media updates help provide a more immersive betting experience. There are minimal lags, the navigation is excellent thanks to mobile-optimized features like banners and jump buttons, and you’ve got access to all the same markets and odds.
theScore Bet Desktop Experience
On desktop, theScore Bet offers a straightforward and intuitive betting experience. Unlike some sportsbooks that feel like they’re just a mobile site stretched onto a bigger screen, theScore Bet’s desktop version feels purpose-built for the platform.
Navigation is simple, with clearly marked tabs for sports, live betting, and account management. There’s also a search function, which makes it easy to jump to the sports or markets you’re looking for without too much scrolling.
Overall, theScore Bet’s desktop sportsbook is functional and user-friendly, though it lacks some of the visual polish of its mobile app. If you’re planning to bet mostly from your desktop, it’s still a solid experience.
theScore Bet Mobile Registration Process
Creating a new theScore Bet account is simple and straightforward. Just follow the steps below to sign up via the dedicated theScore Bet app.
- Search for theScore Bet app in the Apple App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android) and download it to your mobile device.
- Open the app and hit the blue “Sign Up” button. Make sure you’ve got your photo ID on hand, as you’ll need it to complete the registration process.
- Enter your email address, phone number, username and password, then tick the box to opt into two-step authentication.
- Complete the remaining registration steps, including verifying your email address, filling in your personal information, setting your account limits, and initiating the identity check.
- Once the identity check is complete, head to the Cashier section and click “Deposit”. Select a payment method, input your desired deposit amount, and complete the transaction.
- You’re now ready to start wagering on your favourite sports markets.
theScore Bet Account Verification
Every player must verify their account with the proper documentation as part of iGaming Ontario’s strict player safety and anti-money laundering requirements. These documents are used to ensure that there is no unauthorized access to both your online sportsbook account and your payment details, as well as to prevent underage bettors and those outside of Ontario from accessing the sportsbook.
To verify your account, you’ll need to upload scanned copies or photos of your photo ID, proof of address, and proof of payment. For your photo ID, you can use a passport, driver’s licence, or another form of government-issued ID. A recent utility bill can be used for your proof of address, and you can upload a copy of your bank statement or a photo of your credit card for your proof of payment.
theScore Bet Payment Methods
At theScore Bet, you can make deposits using debit/credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), Interac online banking, Interac e-Transfer, Trustly online banking, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Deposit times are instant, and the maximum limit imposed by the sportsbook is $10,000 (though your bank may impose different limits). The selection covers most bases, though there are no eCheck or prepaid card options, and the selection of e-wallets is somewhat lacking.
Withdrawals are available via Visa debit, Interac online banking, Interac e-Transfer, Trustly online banking, and PaySafe bank transfer. Mastercard is unavailable, but this is the norm at all online gambling institutions. theScore Bet imposes a limit of $50,000 for online banking, but notes that all other withdrawal limits are imposed by the bank. The sportsbook claims its payout speed is instant, but during my theScore Bet review, I found that it took an average of 1-3 days to pay out a withdrawal request.
theScore Bet Betting Features
theScore Bet has all the typical betting features you’d expect from a leading online sportsbook. Daily odds boosts, player props, and single-game parlays are all available to liven up your betting options. Live betting is a big part of theScore Bet’s appeal. You can place bets as the game unfolds, with real-time updates on odds and betting lines. The cash-out feature is another standout, letting you settle your bets before a match is over, either locking in a profit or cutting your losses.
The ‘Parlay Lounge’ provides you with dozens of pre-built parlays across plenty of trending markets. Additionally, the sportsbook boasts some truly innovative and unique features that make it stand out from the crowd.
‘In The News’ is a feature that I particularly enjoyed. It highlights the rivalries, rumours and predictions currently making headlines and creates markets out of them. You’re also given the option to ‘Move the Line’ on certain events, allowing you to adjust the spread in any direction. What’s more, you can build and track your bets in theScore (not to be confused with theScore Bet), combining media and betting for up-to-the-minute updates.
theScore Bet Sports and Markets
theScore Bet offers a fantastic selection of betting markets, covering major events and sports leagues, TV & culture, politics, eSports and more. From the NFL, MLB and NCAA to League of Legends, the Guadalajara Open, and the Herreligaen Handball League, theScore Bet features a broad range of markets on which you can wager.
Football
theScore Bet’s football coverage is a little more limited than some I’ve seen at other Ontario betting sites, with only the NFL and NCAA on offer. However, what it lacks in variety, the sportsbook more than makes up for with its bet types.
On the NFL, theScore Bet provides almost two dozen predetermined parlays, individual conference futures, season wins, player futures, season specials, and fantasy specials. For the NCAAF, you’ve got half a dozen parlays, numerous lines, detailed futures, and outright championship winners.
Basketball
Basketball is one of the in-depth markets available at theScore Bet. All major US leagues (NBA, WNBA, NCAAB and WNCAAB) are covered. The European market selection is extensive, featuring the EuroCup, EuroLeague, Champions League and Adriatic League. In addition, the sportsbook covers individual events in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Turkey, Uruguay – the list goes on.
I felt like a kid in a candy shop looking at all the basketball bets. For the NBA alone, you’ve got 30+ featured parlays, futures and player futures, player stats, playoffs, season wins, division specials, team seeding, group winners, and specials. The WNBA, NCAAB/WNCAAB and all other European and international markets are much simpler in comparison to the crazy NBA coverage.
Baseball
For baseball betting, you’ve got the MLB and LMB. Moneylines are your only option for the Mexican League, but you can opt for parlays, spreads, totals, futures and player futures, playoff predictions, and season wins on the MLB. There is also a nice selection of other baseball leagues, including Nippon, KBO and others. However, theScore Bet users won’t find college baseball betting.
Hockey
Given that the company behind theScore Bet is based in Canada, it’s hardly surprising that hockey betting is one of the sportsbook’s strong points. The NHL and the Canadian Hockey League are front and center, with a full range of set markets for every game. You can bet on who will win, how many goals will be scored by each side, or even individual player performances for assists or shots on goal.
theScore Bet Customer Support
Customer support at theScore Bet Sportsbook is top-notch, with a myriad of methods for contact available for Ontario sports bettors, including live chat, email, and phone. The sportsbook explains that all offered options are available 24/7, although email queries may need some extra time to be answered. The customer support phone number is 1-855-550-1238. Response times are generally prompt, but I’ve seen several reports of slow support during busy hours.
Alternatively, you can find advice and support on theScore Bet’s handy FAQ page, which has helpful articles on how to bet, account queries, payments, responsible gambling, and more. While perusing this page can be beneficial for general concerns, your best bet for more personal support would likely be to use live chat. In my experience, theScore Bet’s live chat team were professional and friendly.
theScore Bet Responsible Gambling
It’s nice to know theScore Bet takes responsible gambling seriously. There’s an entire page dedicated to it that you can visit and read up on resources to keep your betting in check. You are also walked through setting up a deposit limit as you sign up, and you have access to features such as time limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion options.
In that light, the sportsbook has partnered with organizations such as ConnexOntario and the Responsible Gambling Council, which offer further support and resources for those who wish to control their betting habits. No matter your reasons, be it for needing a break or wanting financial limits, theScore Bet makes it pretty simple to remain in control.
Is theScore Bet Legal in Ontario?
Yes, theScore Bet is legal in Ontario. The province legalized online sports betting in April 2022, and theScore Bet was among the first sportsbooks to secure a license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and its subsidiary iGaming Ontario (iGO). This means that theScore Bet operates fully within Ontario’s legal framework.