Winline Bookmaker Review: Trust Rating and Honesty Check

Winline — a popular Russian betting company that has been operating through land-based betting shops across the country since 2009. In 2016, retail conquered online by launching the official website winline.ru. This step allowed the company to actively develop its digital presence and significantly increase brand recognition among the new generation of Zoomers and late Millennials. Additionally, the company offers specialized applications for mobile devices on iOS and Android platforms. The app simplifies the process of placing sports bets, making them more accessible to users anytime and anywhere with an internet connection.

The bookmaker positions itself as a leader in the entertainment sector and as the most reliable service provider in the gambling market of the Russian Federation. This is reflected in their advertising slogan: «Winline will pay. No options», although reviews about the bookmaker are not always flattering. Promises can be many, but our review will show how things really are.

We will check the line and odds of the resource, comparing them with the offers of competitors. We will pay attention to the depth of the line, the bookmaker's margin, as well as the availability of exclusive bets and advantageous bonuses. We will not overlook the simplicity of registration and the speed of verification. We will evaluate the website interface, the convenience of the mobile application, available payment methods, and test the support service. After reviewing such extensive data, everyone will be able to draw the necessary conclusions independently.

License and Reliability

In Russia, the Winline betting company operates legally, complying with all regulatory requirements regarding the organization and conduct of gambling. The company's activities are regulated by an indefinite license from the Federal Tax Service No. Л027-00108-77/0039548. The permit was issued on July 9, 2009, and re-accredited on August 13, 2016, when the operator opened the acceptance of interactive bets, i.e., online betting.

Winnings obtained on the legal website of the Winline bookmaker in Russia (domain zone .ru) are subject to legal protection and can be claimed in court in case of unlawful refusal to pay. Their reimbursement is guaranteed by the compensation fund of the Unified Regulator of Gambling (ERAI), which replaced the self-regulatory organization of bookmakers. Meanwhile, all bettor transactions go through the Unified TSUPIS, so the reliability of payment transaction control is beyond doubt.

According to ranking reports, since 2020, the Winline bookmaker has been in the top 3 licensed operators in Russia by net revenue. In 2022, it joined the list of industry leaders by the share of players, surpassing even industry giants that founded firms back in the turbulent 90s when mobile phones the size of bricks were a luxury, and bets were made exclusively with paper tickets. Not least, the rapid rise to fame is due to high-profile sponsorship contracts.

Thus, Winline:

● Is the general partner of the RPL, FC «Spartak», «Zenit», «Krasnodar», and others;

● Has strategic agreements with the MFL, Women's Super League in football, the Russian Basketball Federation, and hockey clubs «Barys», «Siberia», «Ak Bars», «Traktor», «Dynamo-Minsk», and «Avtomobilist»;

● Signed brand ambassador contracts with star football commentators and journalists Konstantin Genich and Nobel Arustamyan, who, thanks to their authority, have already strengthened the image of the betting company, attracting tens of thousands of sports fans to its initiatives and products;

● Officially supports major multi-gaming esports organizations like Virtus.pro, Gaimin Gladiators, and Tundra Esports;

● Acts as a sponsor for broadcasts of ESL tournament matches, Russian esports player in Dota 2 — Dyrachyo, as well as a successful blogger and streamer known as Booster.

Despite such an impressive background, Winline does not have perfect customer service.

Checks have shown that reviews sometimes complain about limit reductions, problematic bonus wagering, and requests for additional video verification when trying to cash out a substantial win. Such «unexpected fouls» do not paint the bookmaker in a good light and leave customers with a bitter aftertaste. Understanding this, the representatives of the resource do not ignore negative reviews. They strive to resolve them by investigating the situation and finding a solution that satisfies both parties. This is commendable, but it is better when bettors do not have such reasons for dissatisfaction.

Official Website

From the first click, it becomes clear that the official Winline website will not disappoint either seasoned players or novice predictors. The portal design is executed in modern trends. There are dark and light themes available, and scaling can be adjusted. In terms of customization options, it falls short of some competitors, but on the other hand, it is not burdened with unnecessary elements and often unnecessary settings that only a few use. Navigation is simple, and the interface is intuitive. Just a couple of clicks — and you are already in the thick of events, placing a bet on your favorite team or athlete, anticipating the thrill and taste of victory.

The homepage of the bookmaker's website displays the line, top events, and matches of all major tournaments currently taking place. It also features a traditional slider with announcements of promotions, bonuses, and other activities of the bookmaker, informing guests about potential benefits that will become available to them immediately after registration and depositing money into their account. Overall, it’s the same as with everyone else.

Speaking of specific advantages, the official Winline website has several aces up its sleeve:

1. 1. A clear section of the event feed, where each type of sport is clearly visible, with quick search, favorites, results, and a time filter.
   2. A solid Live tracker with detailed statistics and comprehensive visualizations of the power dynamics on the field in real-time, including text, audio, and video broadcasts. You can also view the standings of opponents in the tournament table and compare their past encounters.
   3. A truly large number of sports TV broadcasts — not only showing major championships of international cups and national championships but also less popular leagues. This is a significant plus for those who like to follow underdogs or exotic sports.

As for the project's drawbacks, like any self-respecting online bookmaker, there are a few, but they exist. For example, match cards are not arranged in the most convenient way, and the electronic coupon occasionally lags. There are also no sections for news, a help center, and free predictions.

Winline App and Mobile Version

Winline is arguably the only bookmaker from the ranking that, for unknown reasons, decided to abandon support for a mobile version of the website. This happened in 2020 without prior notice. Since then, if you go to the official web portal of the bookmaker at m.winline.ru, a page will load offering to download the Winline app for free.

As noted at the beginning of the review, the downloadable client is developed in two versions — separately for Android and iPhone/iPad devices:

● You can download Winline on Android from the official website of the operator or from the Samsung Galaxy Store and Huawei AppGallery online content stores. Installation files come with instructions, so there will be no difficulties with installation. The app is not available in the Play Market, as Google's policy prohibits the promotion of real money betting;

● It's even easier to download Winline on iPhone, as installation is done directly from the App Store. The main thing is to check that the device has iOS 11 or a later version of the operating system;

● Programs for Windows have not been released and are not planned.

In general, the Winline mobile application works equally well on Android and iOS smartphones, although it lacks special innovations and unique features. The client functionally mirrors the desktop site, does not glitch, and performs well in Live.

Registration and Account Verification

The registration process at the Winline bookmaker is standard and does not take much time. However, to successfully create an account and start playing, it is important to familiarize yourself with the nuances of the procedure, as well as the verification requirements.

It all starts with filling out the registration form. Only individuals who are at least 18 years old can open an account on the platform, providing:

1. 1. Mobile phone number.
   2. A secure password.
   3. Confirmation code from SMS.
   4. Full name.
   5. Date of birth.

Once the account is created, logging into the Winline profile will occur automatically. Next, to unlock all the functionality of the bookmaker, you need to go through identity verification.

The good news is that the Winline bookmaker collaborates with the payment service TSUPIS (Center for Accounting Transfers of Interactive Bets). If you are a client of another bookmaker connected to this state structure, you have already undergone verification and do not need to do it again.

New clients who have not previously been authorized in the TSUPIS database will have to initiate identity verification after registering with the bookmaker. For this case, bettors have a choice of 5 options:

● Simplified verification — involves creating an account with the bookmaker followed by uploading photos of your passport and a selfie with the document, as well as information about your registered place of residence. With this status, limits are imposed on withdrawals: up to 60,000 rubles in one transfer to a card or TSUPIS wallet, up to 15,000 rubles through the fast payment system (SBP). For electronic wallets QIWI and YuMoney, there is a general limit on monthly transaction amounts capped at 40,000 rubles;

● Video identification via WhatsApp, Viber, or Skype — not the most pleasant option, as you will have to personally communicate with the bookmaker's security service;

● In physical service points of «Contact» or «Svyaznoy», paying for the identification service with a mobile card 150 or 300 rubles respectively;

● Through the personal account on the «Gosuslugi» portal, where both full and simplified verification is possible if you have a verified account;

● By means of Tinkoff or Sber ID.

Typically, authentication lasts no longer than half an hour, rarely taking up to 3 working days. The Winline bookmaker reserves the right to re-verify the player before paying out winnings.

Betting Options and Odds of the Bookmaker

Winline accepts online bets on 25 types of sports, which is below the average of 30 for the industry in Russia. Surprisingly, the line on esports is well represented, covering tournaments in Dota 2, Counter-Strike, Rainbow Six, LoL, Valorant, King of Glory, and other disciplines. As a bonus, there are esports for FIFA, NBA, and NHL. Bets can be placed on match winners, totals by maps/rounds, handicaps, exact scores, first kills, hero/map picks, etc.

Regarding classic sports, the bookmaker does not impress. Football, for instance, is not as widely covered as with competitors. The line lacks exotic championships, lower divisions, and junior leagues. The catalog of markets for top matches is decent but does not reach the best bookmakers. Events at the level of the EPL, CL, and RPL are somewhat saturated with betting options, but the line for second-tier teams leaves much to be desired. Particularly lacking is statistics, which are hardly provided for prediction.

Other popular sports in pre-match also do not shine:

1. 1. Basketball — the NBA line is quite detailed, but again, it falls short of market leaders. It is sufficient for comfortable play, but no more than that.
   2. Hockey — lines for the KHL and NHL are well developed, but European competitions and lower leagues are weakly covered.
   3. Tennis — even the largest ATP and WTA tournaments lag behind competitors in the variety of betting options, not to mention less significant challengers and ITF tours.

Things are slightly better in Live, when compared to other bookmakers. The section is not empty, you can't call it sparse, although it is not rich in events either. During the course of matches, the operator offers a wider range of bets, adding markets for statistics, interesting handicaps, and totals. The abundance of live broadcasts is pleasing.

When discussing odds, Winline is a confident middleman, like Dzyuba on the national team: seemingly experienced and seasoned, but on the field, sometimes lacking energy and drive. Quotes fluctuate within reasonable limits, with a margin ranging from 4% to 10%, which is generally comparable to competitors.

Payment Methods

The variety of payment methods at the bookmaker is not just convenience; it is a statement of hospitality and customer orientation of the service. In this regard, Winline offers no more and no less than other legal bookmakers in Russia.

Account Top-Up

To top up your account at Winline, several financial instruments are integrated:

● Visa;

● Mastercard;

● Mir;

● YuMoney;

● Fast Payment System (SBP);

● SberPay;

● TSUPIS wallet;

● Mobile providers MTS, Beeline, Megafon, and Tele2.

For all directions, the minimum deposit amount is 100 rubles. The maximum for e-wallets, bank cards, SBP, and TSUPIS is up to 595,000 rubles; for YuMoney and mobile operators, it is up to 15,000 rubles. Deposits are credited instantly.

The company covers customer expenses, except for money transfers from the phone balance. Mobile billing costs 8.5-11.5% of the payment amount.

Withdrawal of Funds

You can withdraw winnings from your Winline account to bank cards, SBP, and TSUPIS wallet. Requests are usually processed within 30 minutes. The absence of deposits for a longer period is possible, but, according to reviews, it is rarely observed.

The minimum withdrawal amount is 1,000 rubles for SBP and bank cards. The TSUPIS wallet allows withdrawals of no less than 500 rubles.

Taxation of Winnings

Although the Winline bookmaker withdraws money without withholding fees, the income tax of 13% is not covered by the company. This means that for each win over 15,000 rubles, the client is obliged to pay the personal income tax (PIT) independently.

Winline Promotions and Bonuses

What cannot be taken away from Winline is its generosity in bonuses. Among the regular rewards, registered players can expect:

1. 1. A free bet of up to 20,000 ₽ for the first deposit, the wagering of which is counted without considering the odds in single, express, and system bets.
   2. Up to 50,000 rubles every month for leveling up in the loyalty program.
   3. X50 play for 50 million — currently an exclusive for those bettors who have installed the bookmaker's mobile application, but soon the promotion will be launched on the official website.

Moreover, the bookmaker systematically holds short-term bonuses and thematic promotions. Among the latest, for example, was the distribution of free bets in honor of Valentine's Day, as well as a promotional campaign dedicated to the Champions League final, where participants could receive an increased coefficient on express bets without wagering. No less advantageous are the benefits for registration and placing bets with unique promo codes published on social networks and partner resources.

Contacting the Bookmaker's Support Service

The Winline bookmaker offers several communication channels with support specialists. The company's website features a 24/7 online chat where you can quickly get answers to any questions. If a detailed consultation is needed, you can write an email to [email protected]. For those who prefer to communicate by phone, a free hotline is available at 8800-333-60-47.

Reviews about the quality of Winline's tech support vary, but as is known, truth is born in disputes! Most players rated it as satisfactory.

FAQ

● What is the easiest way to download Winline on my phone?

○ The answer is simply to download the application from the official website of the bookmaker. This way, you will surely get the original product and avoid counterfeits and viruses.

● Is there a Winline promo code for no deposit bonuses?

○ Yes, but bonus codes for free bets without depositing are not released very often and are available exclusively to users who are registered on the bookmaker's platform and have previously made deposits. Newcomers are not given no deposit bonuses, as this is prohibited by responsible gaming rules.

● How can I access the official Winline website if I live outside of Russia?

○ If you are outside of the Russian Federation and are experiencing difficulties accessing the official website winline.ru, it may be due to geographical restrictions or blocks from local internet providers. To bypass them, simply use a VPN, find a working mirror, or install the bookmaker's mobile application.

TEXT CHECK FOR UNIQUENESS: 97.53%

Ratings

1. Reliability — 4.
2. Bonuses and Promotions — 5.
3. Payment Convenience — 4.2.
4. Live Line — 4.5.
5. Pre-Match Line — 3.7.
6. Support Service — 4.2.
7. Odds — 4.4.