Israel is one of the most developed countries in the Middle East. The nation sits on the Mediterranean Sea and is known for housing Jerusalem, the most sacred place on the planet. In 1948, Israel gained its independence from Britain, and ever since, it has flourished in all sectors. The surprising bit is that Israel is headquarters to some of the world’s largest casino software providers despite the countrywide ban of all forms of gambling. Moreover, two state-run lotteries are operating in the region.
TOP Betting Sites in Israel
The country, however, has no clear laws on online gambling, something that has seen the rise of offshore sportsbooks in Israel. Throughout this piece, you will learn more about gambling in the country and even come across the list of online gambling sites in Israel. So keep reading to understand more about Israel and its gambling scene.
Pinnacle
The brand Pinnacle is a dedicated online gambling platform whose roots date back to 1998. The bookie is one of the most successful medium-sized betting sites on the planet with multiple licences. For instance, Pinnacle holds a Curacao licence and a valid Ragnarok Corporation N.V. licence. But what is most important to note is that Pinnacle is among the top bookmakers operating in Israel.
The bookie is popular because it offers Israeli punters a wide range of sports betting events. It covers popular sports like football and cross-country. Besides, it is one of the best sites to punt on eSports, such as CS: GO and Dota2 events. Each event on the bookie has a long list of markets with competitive odds. They also feature multiple betting features that are helpful to Israeli gamblers.
- Pros
- Offers cash-out.
- It is multilingual.
- Allows Bitcoin.
- Allow live betting.
- Cons
- Lacks live score.
Stake
Stake.com is one of the top new betting sites operating in Israel. The bookie started functioning in 2017, and since then, it has proven its worth. Medium Rare N.V owns and operates Stake and is one of the reasons why most Israeli punters prefer the sportsbook. The bookie holds a Curacao licence and other licences to operate legally.
At stake.com, you are given access to pre-match and live betting services. That means you can punt on events from top leagues such as EPL, NFL, and NBA. It is also the best option if you are looking to bet in Israel using cryptocurrency. Lastly, Stake.com allows you to gamble on specials such as politics and entertainment making it amazing.
- Pros
- Allows cryptocurrencies.
- Offers eSports.
- Guarantees competitive odds.
- Has live chat.
- Cons
- Lacks competitive live odds.
Why Choose Online Betting in Israel
Placing online bets in Israel is amazing, not just because the sportsbooks have the best bonuses for Israel customers but because the sites are dependable. Each offshore sportsbook in Israel offers punters access to a wide range of events. Additionally, they have the best online casinos where you can punt on various games. But before you begin gambling in Israel, here is what you should know.
Is Online Betting Legal in Israel?
Even though general gambling is illegal in Israel, no rules or laws govern online gambling. In that case, you can punt on different sports, including football and handball, without worries. It is among the main reasons the Israeli gambling markets are flooding with offshore sportsbooks. Your only challenge is picking the right bookie for punting.
Trivia/Did you know that…
- You must be 18 years and over to gamble online in Israel.
- Horse racing betting was legal in Israel until 2018 when it was banned.
- Israel has a few state-run lottery products that accept bets from locals.
- The country does not house any land-based casinos or betting shops.
- Israel government taxes lottery winnings.
Are there restrictions on Israeli players by some bookmakers?
Since most operators understand that gambling is illegal in Israel, they restrict Israeli punters. Therefore, there are online betting sites that you cannot access while in the country. However, that does not mean you don’t have anywhere to place online sports bets. The country has many other offshore bookmakers that accept Israeli punters.
Gambling Facts at a Glance
Here are some of the top gambling facts that you should know before you go ahead and start placing bets in Israel.
- Currency – The country’s main currency is New Shekel or ILS. This currency is used everywhere in Israel, for instance, by state-run lotteries.
- Population – Israel has a population of 9.217 million people. That is according to the 2020 statistics.
- Active players – Despite the stringent laws in Israel, the number of active punters in the country is 1.8 million. This number is expected to rise over time.
- Regulatory authority – The main body regulating the Israel gambling scene is Israel Sports Betting Board, officially initialised as ISBB.
- Licensed gambling products – Israel’s main licensed gambling products include sportsbooks and lotteries.
- Types of operators – Israel accommodates different types of operators, including licensed and unlicensed sportsbook operators, land-based casino operators, licensed and unlicensed online casino operators.
How to Choose the Right Online Betting Site
Choosing the right online betting site in Israel is not an easy task. That is why this piece will provide you with multiple aspects that you need to pay attention to when choosing the ideal online betting site.
All the best bookmakers in Israel offer punters amazing features such as cash-out. The function allows you to halt a bet by withdrawing your stake from an active bet. But note that how much you earn depends on the odds size of the bet during cash-out. You can use the feature to increase your profits or minimise your loss.
Bet builder is one of the most interactive functions to consider if you want to place accumulator bets easily. The betting product helps you pick the likely markets of different events and adds them to your bet slip. Your only work is to indicate how much you wish to bet before submitting the bet slip.
If you are a big fan of live betting, only consider a bookie with a live streaming function. The feature will enable you to watch events live. Also, make sure that live streaming covers different sports if you want to have full coverage.
It is key to consider a bookie that offers live betting services. The bookmaker should allow you to punt on live events from different sports, including basketball and football. Additionally, consider a bookie that allows you to punt on eSports live markets.
Bonuses for Israeli Players
Most bookies offer bonuses to Israeli punters. It is the only way to attract gamblers in the country and eventually dominate the Israeli online gambling industry. Some of the main bonuses offered to online operators include a welcome bonus. The offer is solely for new customers, and it is often in the form of free cash or free bet. Also, most bookmakers have rewards for existing clients. For instance, you will find a bookie with cashback, reload bonus, and, most importantly, enhanced ACCAs.
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Israel
Israeli punters are popular for betting on different sports. But most of them only consider sports they are familiar with. With this in mind, the most popular sports in Israel include:
- Football
- Handball
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Table tennis
- Horse racing
- Golf
- Tennis
Mobile Betting in Israel
Offshore operators understand that most Israelis don’t have time to remain stationary for gambling. That is why they have gambling apps that punters in Israel can download and install on their phones. Additionally, the bookmakers have mobile versions if your phone lacks enough RAM to accommodate gambling apps. You can sign up on a sportsbook with the mobile interfaces and place pre-match and live bets on the move.
Are Online Casinos Popular in Israel?
Online casinos are very popular in Israel. Israelis love playing top tier video slots since they are the easiest online casino games to play. Slots don’t require you to have skill but understand the symbols and pay lines. On the other hand, expert online gamblers in Israel prefer table games. That is because they understand the gaming rules and have gaming skills.
You will also be impressed to learn that online casinos in Israel allow punters to play live dealer games such as live baccarat, poker, blackjack, and live roulette games. However, you must sign up for an account to play any live dealer game. All these gaming solutions have seen online casinos become very popular in Israel.
Supported Payment Methods
Before gambling in Israel, you should know that the government tends to block payments made to gambling sites. So even though offshore bookies provide card payment options in Israel, avoid using MasterCard and VISA.
Instead, consider using e-wallets which are common in sportsbooks. Top digital payment methods include Skrill, ecoPayz, and Neteller. Furthermore, online gambling sites in Israel offer punters PayPal. The payment option is famous since it is fast and secure. Besides, PayPal is easy to use hence accommodating to punters. Lastly, sportsbooks in Israel offer punters access to cryptocurrencies payment methods. Most bookies allow you to use BTC, ETH, LTC, and BCH cryptocurrencies.
The Israeli government taxes winnings achieved by betting on state-run sportsbooks. However, the government does not tax every little penny you earn. Instead, your winnings will only be subject to tax if they are above 61,000 ILS. Any amount below that is credited to your account without any deductions. Remember that the government will not tax your winnings if you gamble on offshore bookies. That is even if you earn more than 61,000 ILS.
FAQs
Is registering on a sportsbook in Israel hard?
Registering on any sportsbook in Israel is not hard. The method is simple and will only take you a few minutes. The process entails providing your information.
Do sportsbooks in Israel offer virtual sports betting services?
Most sportsbooks in Israel provide punters with virtual sports betting services. You can punt on virtual sports like greyhounds and horse racing. But first, you must have an account.
Which are the most popular sports betting markets in Israel?
The most popular sports betting markets in Israel include Match Winner and Double Chance. Israeli punters also love placing Outright bets since the market often has competitive odds.
Must I be from Israel to gamble on the available Israeli sportsbooks?
You don’t need to be from Israel to gamble on the available Israeli sportsbooks. However, you will need your passport when registering for an account. That is the only way to gamble on any Israeli sportsbook.
What happens if I lose the password to my gambling account in Israel?
If you lose your password, you can use the reset password link to change the details. If it does not work, contact customer support agents using the provided contact methods.
Is it safe to gamble on offshore sportsbooks in Israel?
Even though the government does not allow different forms of gambling, it is safe to gamble in Israel. But to be safe, do it on the state-run bookies or licensed offshore sportsbooks. Such betting sites often have security measures in place to guarantee your security.
Do bookies in Israel allow punters to gamble using cryptocurrencies?
Most Israeli bookies allow punters to gamble using cryptocurrency. In that case, you can use Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum. These payment methods are common because they are fast and secure.
Must I be 18 years and above to place bets in Israel?
You must be 18 years and beyond to gamble in Israel. Any bookie you sign up on will require you to state your age. Also, you will have to submit relevant documents to verify the information. These steps ensure only punters with 18 years and above gamble in the country.
Final Comments
Israel is among the most reputable countries inhabited by different religions. It is also one of the few countries where land-based casinos are banned. According to the details above, Israel has a state-owned lottery and bookie. It also has a wide range of offshore sportsbooks. If you have gone through this reading keenly, you should be aware of the top bookies in Israel. Additionally, you should have an in-depth understanding of the features to consider when choosing the best betting sites in Israel.
