Asian bookies are popular with international punters, thanks to their great welcome bonuses, sharp odds, and high wagering and deposit limits. Read on to find out what the 5 best Asian betting sites are!
- Best Sites We Recommend for Betting in Asia
- Best Asian Bookies – Our Favourites Reviewed
- Why Choose Asian Betting Sites?
- Legal Betting in Asia
- Hong Kong Odds (HK Odds)
- Payment Methods at Asian Bookies
- Asian Handicap Betting
- Asian Goal Line Betting
- Live Betting in Asia
- Asian Bookies FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
Best Sites We Recommend for Betting in Asia
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Currently no welcome offer 18+ Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10 Get £30 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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£30 Matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses + 50 Bonus Spins 18+ Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 50 Bonus Spins credited on placement of qualifying Acca bet.50x bonus wagering applies as do weighting requirements, bonus Spins only available on selected games and expires 7 days after being awarded. Debit card deposits only (exclusions apply). Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Best Asian Bookies – Our Favourites Reviewed
Whether you are looking to bet on your favourite sports or claim a valuable promotion to boost your bankroll, there's something for every punter in Asia across the top three sites we've listed below!
1. Melbet
Melbet is a superb Asian betting site that has a lot to offer, starting with an amazing 51 sporting markets to choose from. From cricket and football to kabaddi and bare knuckle boxing, this bookie has it all. You can even bet on the weather!
Other products include casino games such as slots and bingo, as well as quite a decent covering of various esports (such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends). Melbet also offers regular promotions, with their welcome bonus a 100% first deposit bonus.
2. Dafabet
Dafabet is another excellent betting and casino site, licensed in the Philippines as well as the Isle of Man. The site offers odds on most Asian and international sports, and caters to Indian, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Malaysian players. For each market, they accept a range of locally available payment options. There's also an excellent mobile app, and you can a claim a 150% up to RM 450 deposit bonus when signing up.
3. BETWINNER
Another brilliant site, BETWINNER, has some amazing features that make them one of the best Asian bookmakers around. To start off, you'll find an incredible 54 betting markets, an equally extensive casino, bingo, and even a selection of virtuals.
What sets BETWINNER apart from its Asian counterparts, however, is the esports section, which provides 50 different markets to choose from. From FIFA and League of Legends to Crash Bandicoot and Sonic, the coverage here is indeed impressive.
Why Choose Asian Betting Sites?
The best Asian bookmakers are popular for a number of reasons, though whether they are the right choice for you depends on a number of factors. They do have some general advantages over traditional European or UK betting sites, the most significant of which we have listed below.
Better Odds
- Asian betting sites often have better odds than the odds at European bookies, though this is not always the case. This is because they are large international betting sites that need to compete with others from around the globe, and offering slightly better odds is one of the best ways of doing so.
Higher Limits
- Asians are often the high rollers of the betting world. Thus, betting sites that cater to Asian players often have larger limits, making them excellent for players with a large bankroll.
Odds on Asian Sports and Leagues
- While most UK or European bookies have an excellent and diverse selection of odds and betting markets, they can be lacking when it comes to smaller Asian sports or leagues. This means that you will probably not find odds on Filipino Cockfighting, Muay Thai, or Indonesian Badminton at your regular UK bookie.
Can Anyone Use Asian Betting Sites?
- As these Asian betting sites cater primarily to the Asian market, not all will accept UK or European players. In fact, most even block users from the UK or other location, though you can always safeguard your privacy by using a VPN.
Legal Betting in Asia
Asia is the largest continent and home to dozens of countries, each with its own legislation on betting. Nations such as the Philippines have legalised betting and gambling, with the government (PAGCOR) issuing licences for offshore gambling, similar to how the Malta Gaming Authority operates.
Meanwhile, in India, online betting is neither legal nor illegal, as it is not regulated by the government. In Malaysia, Muslims are forbidden to gamble, while members of other faiths are free to bet online. Finally, in some other Asian countries, online gambling is completely illegal.
To make things as simple as possible, the following table shows what is legal across the continent. Since Asia is so vast, we recommend that you read up on each country's betting laws to make sure you can bet the way you want to.
Note: A ‘yes' means the market is legal, while a ‘no' means the market is illegal in that country.
| Country | Legal Age | In-person Gambling | Lotteries | Online Gambling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | None | No | No | Yes |
| Armenia | 21 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Azerbaijan | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bahrain | – | No | No | No |
| Bangladesh | None | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cambodia | None | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| China | 18 | No | Yes | No |
| Hong Kong | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Iran | – | No | No | No |
| India | 21 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Indonesia | – | No | No | No |
| Israel | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Japan | 20 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kyrgyzstan | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laos | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lebanon | 21 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Malasia | 21 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maldives | – | No | No | No |
| Myanmar | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pakistan | – | No | No | No |
| Philippines | 21/18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Qatar | – | No | No | No |
| Russia | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia | – | No | No | No |
| Singapore | 21/18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| South Korea | 19 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Syria | – | No | No | No |
| Taiwan | 20 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tajikistan | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thailand | 20 | No | Yes | No |
| Turkey | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UAE | – | No | No | No |
| Vietnam | 21 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It’s important to know that in countries where Islam is the main religion, special laws may apply to Muslim residents. Betting is considered haram (forbidden), with countries like Malaysia having different, faith-based gambling laws to follow.
Hong Kong Odds (HK Odds)
Similar to decimal odds in the way they are displayed, Hong Kong odds are popular in Asia. However, one important difference between these two formats is that decimal odds always include the initial stake in your potential payout, while Hong Kong odds only express the potential profit.
In addition, HK odds often use different terminology, such as “odds against” instead of “odds on” to express the possibility of an event occurring.
Let's take a closer look at how these odds work.
Formula
HK odds reveal the potential profit of a bet for every HK$1 wagered. That said, you can simply use the below formula to make your calculations:
Hong Kong odds = (Decimal odds) – 1
For example:
- Hong Kong odds 0.4 = Decimal odds 1.4
- A winning bet of £/€/$ 100 at 0.4 HK odds will pay out £/€/$ 140, or a return of .4 per bet unit.
If all this seems a bit much for you, rest assured that most Asian betting sites will let you choose between various odds formats.
Payment Methods at Asian Bookies
As Asia is a vast market, betting sites in the region accept an extremely wide range of payment methods. Credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies are commonly used, though there are plenty of country-specific smaller payment options available too.
Credit Cards
- The most commonly accepted credit cards are Mastercard and Visa, though several betting sites available in Asia also accept UnionPay.
E-Wallets
- Skrill, NETELLER, and Payz (formerly ecoPayz) are the most widely accepted e-wallets in Asia available in various currencies, including USD, and are handy for fast withdrawals and easy deposits. You can top up your e-wallet account with a range of locally available payment methods.
Cryptocurrencies
- Cryptocurrencies are some of the best options for online betting in Asia, particularly in countries where other options are limited. Sites like Melbet or Dafabet accept 30+ different cryptos, from common currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum to more niche coins like Dash or Qtum.
Other Payment Options
- Depending in which Asian country you reside, you may find a wealth of other payment options. In some countries, local bank transfers are available, along with many types of e-wallets or prepaid cards – many of which you can top up from self-service terminals at local convenience stores.
Asian Handicap Betting
While on the subject of Asian betting sites, we might as well mention the Asian Handicap.
The Asian Handicap is a form of betting popularised in Asia, but it is now available at most online bookies in the UK, Europe, US and the rest of the world. Consequently, you will not have to join an Asian betting site just to place this type of bet.
Like conventional handicap markets, Asian handicaps are there to level the playing field between two teams by giving an advantage to the underdog and a disadvantage to the favourite.
However, while normal handicap markets use whole or half numbers with the favourite team starting with a deficit and the underdog team with a head start, Asian handicap betting offers more options with quarter or half number handicaps, and eliminates the possibility of a draw or tie outcome.
This type of betting is especially popular on football betting sites and on bookie websites for other team sports. For more information, check out our detailed guide to Asian handicap betting.
Asian Goal Line Betting
Another popular Asian betting market, goal line betting is an interesting betting choice which tends to favour the punter. While it seems complicated at first glance, it's just a matter of time and experience until you get the hang of things.
This market allows punters to bet on the total number of goals scored in a match, regardless of which team wins or loses. The bookmaker sets a hypothetical or virtual goal line for the event in question, leaving it up to you to decide whether the total number of goals scored in the match will be over or under this margin.
The addition of ‘0.25′ and ‘0.75' lines can seem confusing to some new punters – but don't worry, you'll understand it in no time. Simply put, the 0.25 option gives players the chance to get half their stake back if a bet is lost.
For example, if you bet £10 on 2.25 total goals in a match and two goals are scored, you'll get £5 back from your stake. If three goals are scored, you'll win everything. On the other hand, if you bet £10 on over 2.75 and three goals are scored, you'll win half of your bet.
Eager to learn more? Then check out our Asian Goal Line betting article where we explain all of this in more detail.
Live Betting in Asia
Just as it is in the UK and Europe, live betting is also very popular in Asia, with punters drawn to the prospect of betting on an event as it unfolds in real time. In doing so, you can even adjust your wagers based on the fluctuating odds, which in turn shift depending on the changing conditions of the match or tournament you are betting on.
The good news here is that most Asian bookmakers offering highly extensive and updated live markets for a variety of sports. And, with so many countries in so many different time zones, there are literally hundreds of events going off at any time of the day. As a result, there's plenty to sink your teeth into!
Livestreaming
Livestreaming is available in Asia, and for a wide range of sports too.
Offering several advantages to punters, livestreaming is a highly convenient and useful tool for the strategic punter, enhancing the overall experience as well as providing entertainment value. By this we mean that you'll be able to actually watch the event you've wagered on while placing your bets, allowing you to form more accurate predictions in the short term and even celebrate your wins as they happen!
Having said all this, the most important aspect to keep in mind is that streaming rights can vary greatly from country to country and even from site to site. It's best to find out beforehand which betting sites offer sports broadcasts for which particular countries or tournament to avoid disappointment later on.
Asian Bookies FAQs
Asian bookies cater to the Asian market, accept players from Asia, and have payment options suitable for players in Asia. They also tend to have higher odds and higher limits, but are not as regulated.
Asia is a large continent, and each country has its own rules. In some countries, betting is legal and regulated, while in others it is either a grey area or deemed illegal.
Most Asian bookies do not accept UK players. We recommend UKGC regulated sites such as bet365 and Betway for players residing in the United Kingdom.
Asian betting sites will accept RM, USD, Euro, GBP, as well as Vietnamese Dong, Thai Baht, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Hong Kong Dollar, New Taiwan Dollar, and the Indian Rupee. Each currency has its own selection of available payment methods, though not all of these are available for each currency.
Asian betting sites usually let you choose your odds format, though they will often offer Hong Kong odds (which are similar to the decimal format).
You can calculate Hong Kong odds like so: Hong Kong odds = (Decimal odds) – 1 So, 1.50 decimal odds = 0.50 HK odds
ThePuntersPage Final Say
While the legality of online betting varies from moderately liberal to outright illegal across the continent, we've made it easier for you to find a safe licensed Asian betting site with our list of recommendations above. Many of these support a wealth of available payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptos. Local bank transfers are even available in certain regions too.
With a wide range of sports and betting markets available, as well as the convenience of mobile betting and livestreaming, bettors in Asia have access to some of the best betting options in the industry overall.
Enjoyed reading this article? Check out our guide to betting around the world to see what your options are all over the globe!