Best sports betting sites in Azerbaijan for May 2024

If you are looking for a reliable and trustworthy bookmaker in Azerbaijan, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available. There are many online betting sites that accept players from Azerbaijan, but not all of them offer the same quality of service, odds, bonuses, and security. In this article, we will help you find the best betting sites in Azerbaijan by reviewing some of the most popular and reputable ones. We will also explain the legal situation of online gambling in Azerbaijan and how to choose a bookmaker that suits your needs and preferences.

Popular Sports and Leagues for Betting in Azerbaijan

The most popular sports for betting in Azerbaijan are football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and horse racing. Football is especially popular, as many Azeris follow the national team, the Premier League, and the European competitions. Some of the most popular football teams in Azerbaijan are Qarabag, Neftchi Baku, Gabala, and Sumgayit.

Basketball is another sport that attracts many bettors in Azerbaijan, as the country has a strong national team that competes in the FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers. The local basketball league, the Super League, also features some competitive teams, such as Azad University Tehran, Khimik Yuzhny, PBC Lokomotiv Kuban, and BC Astana.

Volleyball is another sport that has a large fan base in Azerbaijan, especially among women. The national women's volleyball team is one of the best in Europe, having won several medals at the European Championships and the World Grand Prix. The local women's volleyball league, the Super League, also showcases some talented teams, such as Rabita Baku, Azerrail Baku, Lokomotiv Baku, and Igtisadchi Baku.

Tennis is another sport that has gained popularity among Azeri bettors in recent years, thanks to some successful players who have represented the country at the international level. Some of the most notable Azeri tennis players are Elmar Ejupovic, Kamran Aliyev, Ayla Aksu, and Nazrin Jafarova.

Horse racing is another sport that has a long tradition and a loyal following in Azerbaijan. The country has several horse racing tracks, such as Bina Hippodrome and Surakhani Hippodrome, where bettors can enjoy watching and wagering on various races. Horse racing is also regulated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which makes it one of the few legal forms of gambling in Azerbaijan.

Popular Types of Welcome Bonuses and Other Bonuses in Azerbaijan

One of the main attractions of online betting is the opportunity to claim various bonuses and promotions that can boost your bankroll and enhance your betting experience. There are different types of bonuses that you can find at online betting sites in Azerbaijan, such as:

1. Welcome bonus: This is the most common type of bonus that is offered to new customers who register and make their first deposit at a betting site. Usually, this bonus matches a percentage of your deposit amount, up to a certain limit. For example, a 100% welcome bonus up to 100 AZN means that if you deposit 100 AZN, you will get another 100 AZN as bonus money. Some welcome bonuses also include free bets or free spins on casino games.
2. Reload bonus: This is a type of bonus that is offered to existing customers who make subsequent deposits at a betting site. It works similarly to a welcome bonus, but usually with a lower percentage and limit. For example, a 50% reload bonus up to 50 AZN means that if you deposit 50 AZN, you will get another 25 AZN as bonus money.
3. Cashback bonus: This is a type of bonus that refunds a percentage of your losses over a certain period of time or on specific events. For example, a 10% cashback bonus up to 20 AZN means that if you lose 200 AZN in a week, you will get back 20 AZN as bonus money.
4. Loyalty bonus: This is a type of bonus that rewards loyal customers who bet regularly at a betting site. It can take various forms, such as points, free bets, cash prizes, or VIP benefits. For example, a loyalty program might award you one point for every 10 AZN wagered, and then you can redeem your points for free bets or other rewards.

The most common odds

Odds are the numerical expression of the probability of an outcome occurring in a sporting event. They also indicate how much money you can win if you bet on that outcome. There are different ways of displaying odds, such as decimal, fractional, or American. The most common odds format in Azerbaijan is decimal, which shows how much money you will get back for every one unit wagered. For example, if the odds for Team A to win are 1.50, it means that if you bet 10 AZN on Team A, you will get back 15 AZN (10 x 1.50) if they win.

Decimal odds are easy to compare and calculate, as you just need to multiply your stake by the odds to get your potential return. However, some betting sites also offer other odds formats, such as fractional or American, which might appeal to some bettors who are used to them or who want to try something different. You can usually switch between different odds formats on the betting site's settings or preferences.

Deposit and withdrawal methods available in Azerbaijan

One of the main challenges for Azerbaijani bettors is to find reliable and convenient payment methods to fund their accounts and withdraw their winnings. eTopaz accepts only bank transfers and credit cards as deposit options, which may take some time to process and may incur fees. Withdrawals are also done via bank transfers and may take up to 10 days to complete.

International bookmakers offer more diverse and flexible payment options, such as e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz), prepaid cards (Paysafecard), cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin), and others. These methods are usually faster, cheaper, and more secure than traditional ones. However, some of them may not be available in Azerbaijan or may be subject to restrictions by the government or the banks.

Legal and tax issues related to betting in Azerbaijan

As mentioned earlier, online sports betting is legal in Azerbaijan since 2011, but only through eTopaz. Online casinos and other forms of gambling are still prohibited by law and may result in fines or imprisonment for both operators and players. The legal minimum gambling age in Azerbaijan is 18.

Betting with international bookmakers is not explicitly illegal, but it is not regulated either. This means that there is no guarantee of safety or fairness for the customers, and no protection from possible fraud or abuse. Moreover, there is no legal recourse in case of disputes or complaints with these bookies.

The tax situation for Azerbaijani bettors is also unclear. eTopaz deducts a 10% tax from the winnings of its customers before paying them out. However, there is no official information on whether this tax covers all the income from betting or whether there are any additional taxes or fees that apply. International bookmakers do not withhold any taxes from their customers' winnings, but they may report them to the authorities if required by law. Therefore, it is advisable for Azerbaijani bettors to consult a tax professional before engaging in online betting activities.

How to choose the most suitable bookmaker in Azerbaijan

If you are a sports fan and you want to bet on your favorite teams or events, you might be wondering how to find the best bookmaker in Azerbaijan. There are many factors that you should consider before choosing a betting site, such as:

• The legality and safety of the bookmaker. You should avoid illegal or unlicensed bookmakers that might not pay out your winnings or protect your personal data. You should also check if the bookmaker has a valid license from a reputable jurisdiction, such as the UK, Malta, Curacao, etc.
• The availability of the local currency and language. You should look for bookmakers that accept Azerbaijani manat (AZN) as a payment option, so you don't have to pay extra fees for currency conversion. You should also prefer bookmakers that offer their website and customer support in Azerbaijani, so you can easily navigate and communicate with them.
• The variety and quality of the betting markets and odds. You should compare the betting options and the odds that different bookmakers offer for the sports and events that you are interested in. You should look for bookmakers that have a wide range of markets, such as pre-match, live, outrights, etc., and competitive odds that give you more value for your bets.
• The bonuses and promotions that the bookmaker offers. You should take advantage of the welcome bonuses and other promotions that bookmakers offer to new and existing customers. These can boost your bankroll and enhance your betting experience. However, you should always read the terms and conditions of the bonuses carefully and make sure you can meet the wagering requirements.
• The customer service and support that the bookmaker provides. You should choose a bookmaker that has a reliable and friendly customer service team that can help you with any issues or questions that you might have. You should also check if the bookmaker has multiple contact methods, such as live chat, email, phone, etc., and if they are available 24/7.

FAQ

Is online betting legal in Azerbaijan?

Online betting is legal in Azerbaijan since 2011, but only through the state-owned monopoly eTopaz. However, many bettors from Azerbaijan prefer to use international bookmakers that operate under offshore licenses, as they offer more betting options and better odds. There is no legal action taken against players who use foreign bookmakers, but they might face some payment restrictions.

How can I deposit and withdraw money from online bookmakers in Azerbaijan?

The most common payment methods that online bookmakers accept from Azerbaijani players are credit/debit cards, e-wallets (such as Skrill, Neteller, etc.), prepaid cards (such as Paysafecard), bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). However, some of these methods might be blocked by the local authorities or banks, so you should always check the availability and fees of each method before using it.

What are the best sports to bet on in Azerbaijan?

The most popular sports to bet on in Azerbaijan are football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, chess, and Formula 1. However, you can also find many other sports and events to bet on at online bookmakers, such as tennis, cricket, rugby, MMA, esports, politics, entertainment, etc.

What are the best online bookmakers for Azerbaijani players?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different players might have different preferences and needs. But the best bookmakers offer AZN as a currency option, Azerbaijani as a language option, a wide range of betting markets and odds, generous bonuses and promotions, and excellent customer service.

How can I improve my betting skills and strategies?

Betting is not just about luck; it also requires some skills and strategies to increase your chances of winning. Some of the tips that can help you improve your betting skills and strategies are:

• Do your research before placing your bets. You should analyze the statistics, form, injuries, motivation, head-to-head records, etc., of the teams or players that you want to bet on.
• Manage your money wisely. You should set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. You should also avoid chasing your losses or betting more than you can afford to lose.
• Compare the odds from different bookmakers. You should always look for the best odds that give you more value for your bets. You can use odds comparison websites or apps to find the best odds for the events that you want to bet on.
• Use the bonuses and promotions that bookmakers offer. You should take advantage of the free bets, cashback, enhanced odds, etc., that bookmakers offer to their customers. However, you should always read the terms and conditions of the bonuses and make sure you can meet the wagering requirements.
• Learn from your mistakes and successes. You should keep track of your betting history and analyze your results. You should identify your strengths and weaknesses and try to improve your betting decisions accordingly.