Planet Sport Bet is a UK-licensed online bookmaker operated by Playbook Gaming Ltd, part of the Planet Sport media network. Launched in 2021, it combines sports betting with casino and bingo offerings under UKGC licence number 50122.
Planet Sport Bet entered the UK betting market in 2021 as part of the established Planet Sport media network, known for Football365 and TEAMtalk. Operating under Playbook Gaming Ltd with UKGC licence 50122, the bookmaker aims to combine sports media expertise with a comprehensive betting platform. This review examines the operator's performance across key areas including licensing, customer service, payment processing, and user satisfaction based on verified customer feedback and independent testing.
The UK online betting market features hundreds of licensed operators, making informed choice essential for punters. Planet Sport Bet positions itself as a bookmaker designed for true sports fans, leveraging its parent company's media credentials. However, customer reviews reveal a mixed picture, with a Trustpilot rating of 1.8 from 66 reviews raising significant concerns about account management and withdrawal processing. This comprehensive analysis evaluates whether Planet Sport Bet meets industry standards and provides a safe, reliable betting experience.
Planet Sport Bet operates under two key regulatory frameworks. The primary licence is UKGC number 50122, held by Playbook Gaming Ltd, which permits sports betting, casino games, and bingo operations. Additionally, the company holds licence 65109 under Planet Bet Ltd. UK Gambling Commission licensing requires operators to maintain segregated customer funds, implement anti-money laundering procedures, and provide responsible gambling tools.
The dual licensing structure appears related to different operational aspects of the business. All UK customers are protected under UKGC regulations regardless of which licence entity processes their account. The commission requires regular audits, financial reporting, and compliance with advertising standards. Planet Sport Bet displays licence information on its website footer, meeting transparency requirements.
Independent assessments rate Planet Sport Bet's customer fund segregation as medium level. This means customer deposits are held separately from operational funds, but the operator may not use tier-one banking institutions or additional insurance schemes offered by larger bookmakers. In the event of company insolvency, UKGC regulations provide some protection, though recovery processes can be lengthy.
New customers at Planet Sport Bet receive a sign-up offer structured as: Bet £10 at odds of evens or greater, receive a £5 free bet plus 10 free spins on selected slots. This represents a modest welcome package compared to industry standards, where £20-£30 in bonuses is more typical for a £10 qualifying bet.
The bookmaker offers several regular promotions that provide better value than the welcome offer. The £10 weekly free bet requires placing ten bets of £10 or more at evens or greater between Monday and Sunday, effectively requiring £100 in stakes for a £10 return. Accumulator bonuses reach up to 50% on pre-match accumulators with five or more selections and a minimum £5 stake. Golf betting includes a money-back special offering 50% stake refund as a free bet if your selection leads after any round but fails to win the tournament.
All promotions carry standard terms including expiry periods, minimum odds requirements, and wagering conditions. Free bets typically expire within seven days and cannot be withdrawn as cash. Customers should read full terms on the Planet Sport Bet website before participating.
Planet Sport Bet offers 21 sports, a lower count than major operators like Bet365 or William Hill, which typically feature 30-40 sports. However, the selection covers mainstream betting interests including football, horse racing, tennis, cricket, golf, darts, rugby, and esports. Football receives comprehensive coverage with markets on Premier League, Championship, European competitions, and international fixtures.
Horse racing benefits from enhanced presentation, with race cards displaying trainer and jockey information, form guides, and price movement graphics for each runner. This visual approach helps punters track market movements and make informed decisions. Best Odds Guaranteed applies to UK and Irish racing, ensuring customers receive the higher of the starting price or the price taken if their selection wins.
Live betting is available across major sports with real-time odds updates. Golf betting features particularly strong in-play graphics showing player positions, scores, and hole-by-hole progress. The live betting interface integrates with the main betting slip, allowing quick single and accumulator placement. However, the range of in-play markets is narrower than specialist live betting operators.
The UK Gambling Commission enforces strict regulations on all licensed operators, requiring customer fund segregation, responsible gambling measures, and transparent terms. Planet Sport Bet operates under these standards with licence 50122, ensuring player protection and fair gaming practices.
Modern bookmakers must provide secure payment processing, timely withdrawals, responsive customer service, and clear bonus terms. Verification procedures are mandatory under UK anti-money laundering regulations, requiring identity and address confirmation before processing withdrawals.
Planet Sport Bet accepts debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals. This limited payment selection excludes e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, prepaid cards like Paysafecard, and newer methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay that many competitors now offer. Minimum deposit amounts are typically £5-£10 depending on the method.
Advertised withdrawal times state instant processing in some cases, with PayPal withdrawals potentially completing within minutes for verified accounts. However, customer reviews reveal significant discrepancies between advertised and actual processing times. Multiple Trustpilot reviews report pending withdrawals lasting several days, account suspensions during withdrawal requests, and requests for additional verification documents after initial account approval.
One verified customer reported depositing over £900 without verification requests, but faced document demands when attempting to withdraw winnings. Another customer stated their account was suspended after making two small deposits in one day, with a questionnaire required to unlock the account. These patterns suggest inconsistent application of verification procedures, with stricter checks applied at withdrawal rather than deposit stage.
UK regulations require all bookmakers to verify customer identity and address before processing withdrawals. Planet Sport Bet requests passport or driving licence for identity verification, plus a recent utility bill or bank statement for address confirmation. Documents must be clear, in date, and match the account registration details. Processing verification typically takes 24-72 hours, though some customers report longer delays or repeated document requests.
Planet Sport Bet provides customer support via email, live chat, and social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Support operates 24 hours according to official information, though response quality varies significantly based on customer feedback. Several Trustpilot reviews specifically mention poor customer service, with complaints about ignored emails, selective responses, and rude interactions.
One customer reported that the operator only responds to emails that suit them, while another stated they received no response to multiple emails requesting fund return after deciding not to complete verification. These service failures represent serious concerns, as effective customer support is essential for resolving account issues, payment queries, and technical problems.
Analysis of 66 Trustpilot reviews reveals recurring themes. Account suspensions feature prominently, with customers reporting sudden locks after winning bets or making multiple deposits. Refusal to pay winnings appears in several reviews, with operators closing accounts and refunding only the deposit amount, not the winnings. Email communication failures are frequently mentioned, with customers unable to get responses to legitimate queries. Welcome bonus disputes occur where customers believe they qualified but did not receive the advertised offer.
The Planet Sport Bet website employs a standard three-column layout: sports list on the left, central odds display, and betting slip on the right. This familiar structure aids navigation for experienced bettors. The design receives positive feedback for its clean, modern appearance and intuitive interface. Colour schemes are clear, with good contrast between different market types and odds formats.
The betting slip handles singles, accumulators, and combination bets including Lucky 15s, Patents, and Yankees. Stake entry is straightforward with clear potential returns displayed before bet confirmation. The mobile-responsive design adapts well to smaller screens, maintaining functionality across devices. A dedicated mobile app is available, receiving praise for design quality and ease of use.
Page load speeds are generally good, with minimal lag when navigating between sports or markets. Live betting updates occur in real-time without requiring manual refresh. The platform uses technology provided through a partnership with LeoVegas, leveraging their established betting infrastructure. No significant technical issues or downtime are reported in customer reviews, suggesting stable platform performance.
The 1.8 Trustpilot rating from 66 reviews represents a significant warning sign. With 74% of reviews awarding one star, the negative feedback pattern cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. The most serious allegations involve withholding customer funds, closing accounts after winning bets, and refusing to honour withdrawal requests. While some negative reviews may reflect customer misunderstanding of terms or failed verification, the volume and consistency of complaints suggest systemic issues.
Several customers describe the operator as fraudulent, with reports filed to police and banks. One customer stated nearly £300 was taken when their account was closed. Another reported winning their first bet, having the account closed, receiving only the deposit refund, and getting no response to emails. These experiences, if accurate, represent serious breaches of fair trading and UKGC licence conditions.
Not all feedback is negative. Some customers report smooth experiences with quick withdrawals, particularly smaller amounts. One verified review mentions depositing £10, withdrawing over £400, and receiving payment within 10 minutes. Another customer praised the bingo offering. These positive experiences suggest the operator can function properly, but the inconsistency raises questions about account management practices and which customers face problems.
Established UK bookmakers like Bet365, William Hill, and Ladbrokes maintain Trustpilot ratings between 3.5 and 4.5 stars, with robust customer service infrastructure and transparent withdrawal processes. Mid-tier operators typically achieve 3.0-3.5 ratings. Planet Sport Bet's 1.8 rating places it significantly below market standards, comparable to operators with known compliance issues.
Payment processing at leading bookmakers typically completes within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-5 days for card withdrawals, with clear timelines communicated. Verification occurs at account opening or first withdrawal, not selectively after winning bets. Customer service at reputable operators responds to all legitimate queries within 24-48 hours. Planet Sport Bet falls short on all these benchmarks based on customer testimony.
Planet Sport Bet presents a professionally designed betting platform with UKGC licensing, reasonable sports coverage, and some attractive ongoing promotions. The website interface, mobile app, and horse racing features receive justified praise. However, serious concerns emerge from customer feedback regarding withdrawal processing, account management, and customer service quality. The 1.8 Trustpilot rating with 74% one-star reviews cannot be ignored when assessing operator reliability.
Prospective customers should approach with caution, particularly regarding larger deposits or winnings. The inconsistent application of verification procedures, reports of withheld funds, and poor communication represent significant red flags. While some customers experience smooth service, the risk of account issues appears higher than with established UK bookmakers. Alternative operators with stronger customer satisfaction records and more transparent processes may represent safer choices for UK punters.
If choosing to use Planet Sport Bet, customers should maintain detailed records of all transactions, communications, and account activity. Complete verification immediately upon account opening, keep stakes modest initially, and withdraw small amounts first to test processing. Any issues should be escalated to the UK Gambling Commission if the operator fails to resolve them satisfactorily.
Yes, Planet Sport Bet operates under UK Gambling Commission licence numbers 50122 and 65109, held by Playbook Gaming Ltd and Planet Bet Ltd respectively. This licensing ensures regulatory oversight and customer protection under UK gambling laws.
Advertised withdrawal times state instant processing for some methods, particularly PayPal. However, customer reviews report significant delays ranging from several hours to multiple days, with some withdrawals pending indefinitely pending additional verification.
Multiple customers report account suspensions after winning bets or making multiple deposits in short periods. The operator requests additional verification or questionnaires to unlock accounts, which some customers view as tactics to delay or prevent withdrawals.
New customers who bet £10 at odds of evens or greater receive a £5 free bet plus 10 free spins on selected slots. This represents a modest offer compared to many UK bookmakers offering £20-£30 in bonuses for similar qualifying bets.
While Planet Sport Bet holds valid UK licensing, the 1.8 Trustpilot rating and numerous complaints about withheld funds raise serious concerns. Some customers report positive experiences, but the risk level appears higher than with established UK bookmakers.
Planet Sport Bet accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards plus PayPal. The payment selection is limited compared to competitors, excluding e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, and newer methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Customer support is available via email, live chat, and social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Support operates 24 hours, though customer reviews frequently mention poor response times and ignored communications.
Planet Sport Bet offers 21 sports including football, horse racing, tennis, cricket, golf, darts, rugby, and esports. While covering mainstream betting interests, the selection is smaller than major operators offering 30-40 sports.
Planet Sport Bet works with established payment providers to ensure secure transactions for UK customers.
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