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Pinnacle Review
- 30+ Sports
- A+ Mobile App
- Fast Payouts
- Easy to Use
Editors Summary
Based on a ‘high volume, low margin’ approach, Pinnacle does sports betting without the frills. It goes completely against the flow by deliberately attracting minority gamblers, rather than anyone and everyone. Everything about Pinnacle is minimalist from its exclusive web design and selection of sports, right through to payment methods.
Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
Introduction
If Pinnacle Sports had a motto, it would be ‘Dare to be Different’. Since its online launch as far back as 1998, it has consolidated its reputation with professional gamblers by consistently offering better odds than any other sportsbook and for not penalising winners. In 2016, after an update of its website and some minor rebranding, it became known just as ‘Pinnacle’
Since 2016, Pinnacle has concentrated on refining its minimalist approach to betting. Intent on providing the best odds available online, it has worked hard at reducing overheads and operating at a very low margin. These ploys seem to be paying off for Pinnacle; since taking its very first bet in 1998, it has grown to a size where it now has participants from 100 countries and communicates with them in 19 different languages.
Pinnacle’s headquarters are on the island of Curacao and it is currently licensed and regulated under two separate authorities, the Government of the Netherland Antilles and more recently, the Maltese Gaming Authority. Pinnacle is considered a safe sportsbook, but it is targeting semi- and professional gamblers, so we would suggest that it is much more suited to those than to the average recreational punter.
Gaming Experience
In line with its minimal approach, Pinnacle has a smaller range of between thirteen and fifteen staple sports on its list. This careful selection of the most favoured ones allows it to have more control over giving higher odds than if it were offering three or four times that number, as most sportsbooks tend to do.
American Football (NFL)
American football is one of the sports that Pinnacle focuses on quite substantially. Aside from the apparent fact that Pinnacle’s odds are the best found anywhere, bettors have full access to expert knowledge which covers subjects like NFL handicapping, futures and spread betting.
Also, Pinnacle’s blog-style articles include some of the fundamental factors which can be overlooked when betting, such as how the weather may affect a match.
Tennis
Tennis is one of those sports that can be a little neglected or overshadowed by more mainstream events when you take a look at what is on offer on the majority of sportsbooks.
Here Pinnacle is different because it focuses on a lesser number of sports; each one treated equally. This sportsbook contains more betting options for tennis, with the usual high odds than any current rival, as well as providing unique insights into some top-player facts, such as who prefers grass or hard courts.
Virtual Sports
Unseen on any other sportsbook, Pinnacle has dedicated a complete section to virtual sport. At the time of writing, there are 29 different opportunities in the virtual world, with six various horse-related events (including chariot racing), football, speedway, archery and some unique all-out fantasy events.
This section is a real dive into the world of unreality, undoubtedly worthy of a look should you happen to fancy a break from reality.
Prop Bets And Novelties
Pinnacle offers odds on political events, plus a daily selection of quickfire entertainment wagers, usually with a straightforward yes/no style bet option. Also, there is a fascinating selection of prop and novelty bets, completely balancing out the seriousness of the rest of its site.
For example, you could wager on Drone racing, select the winner of the Reebok Crossfit Championship, bet on who will be champion of ‘Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest’, or even decide if you think the earth will be flat by the year 2025!.
Bonuses And Promotions
Pinnacle does not offer bonuses or promotions, which is a fully-informed choice on the part of this operator. We hope to explain the reasoning behind this unusual decision by detailing what else it has on offer and why it believes its methodology has more value to gamblers in the long term.
Popular Bonuses
At one point in its history, Pinnacle Sports did try using a welcome bonus to attract more customers and by all accounts, it was a very generous one. However, it now concentrates its energy on providing what it describes as ‘bonuses for life’ instead.
In a nutshell, Pinnacle believes that its ongoing ability to provide gamblers with the best odds and to allow wagers generally outlawed far exceeds the value of bonuses offered by other sportsbooks.
VIP Account
All customers are equal here. As far as Pinnacle is concerned, it feels no need to offer any level of separate VIP account or exclusive membership privileges. All bettors on this sportsbook are treated as equals and receive the same service whether they are wagering $10 at a time or $1 million.
Loyalty Program
Pinnacle firmly believes that customer loyalty is achieved with consistent high odds and less restrictive wagering, not by offering points and tiers. After using this philosophy for the best part of twenty years, the ‘no-gimmick’ approach seems to work; the sportsbook now boasts more than 2 million active account holders in over 100 countries and an annual turnover amounting to billions of dollars.
Extra Value
Pinnacle’s advertising slogan says a lot about its attitude and its unique way of operating: “The best odds – get a bonus for life”. Pinnacle’s concept is to provide odds which are not only better than any other sportsbook but which are comparable to the odds available from a betting exchange.
It achieves this by its policy of deliberately attracting high rollers and professional gamblers, by allowing arbitrage bettors and keeping its own operating margins extremely low.
Software And Security
Software and security are two areas where Pinnacle has not cut costs. The software powering Pinnacle’s bespoke customer interface and the betting platform were designed by a software engineer who has opted to remain anonymous and was certainly not on a budget. With every part of the website protected by https:// and financial transactions secured with SSL 128-Bit encryption, security is tight.
Financially, the site is equally safe; regulations imposed on Pinnacle to obtain licensing under the auspices of the Maltese Gaming Authority and the Government of the Netherland Antilles include the provision of a bank account separate from its business account, with sufficient balance maintained to pay out all potential winnings to customers at any given time.
Mobile Gambling
While Pinnacle always aims to keep its overheads low, there was no expense spared in terms of its mobile app, which is available in both iOS and Android versions. The app has been created with a grid-style layout and is divided into two sections to keep the view as uncluttered as possible.
The working part includes the extensive search, which will enable you to find a sport, event, team or player. There are many other useful functions too, including creating a betting slip without logging in and Pinnacle’s unique ‘Odds Tracker’. The second part of the app concerns administrative functionality and from here you can view your account information, make deposits, request withdrawals and access all help resources.
Pinnacle’s ethos revolves around high traffic and big bets, hence its ‘Winners Welcome’ approach.
Deposits And Withdrawals
Pinnacle offers numerous options for depositing to and withdrawing from your account. All of the usual credit/debit card and bank options are there, plus multiple country-specific methods and Bitcoin. Pinnacle does not charge any fees when you add funds to your account, but certain payment providers may levy a small percentage per transaction, so make sure you check this out.
Pinnacle is known for its speedy payouts, regardless of the method and will allow one withdrawal per calendar month free of charge, with each additional withdrawal charged at $13.50. You also need to be aware that your first withdrawal request will require you to verify account ownership. Verification may also be requested again if you request a large withdrawal at any point.
Special Features
Pinnacle’s ethos revolves around high traffic and big bets, hence its ‘Winners Welcome’ approach. It actively encourages forms of gambling that are shunned by rival sportsbooks including re-betting on the same market multiple times, even at high stakes, with no odds penalty.
Pinnacle never caps odds for consistent winners neither does it exclude any players for big wins and the unusual thing of all is its full acceptance of arbitrage players. Pinnacle can accept this type of gambler because it does not need to conform to the standard pricing model used by most online sportsbooks. Instead, it determines its odds by offering betting lines early and observing the subsequent betting activity.
Customer Support
Pinnacle’s customer support is only contactable by e-mail; there is no telephone or live chat available. While that may initially seem like a negative to you, it does not mean that support is anyway lacking. Pinnacle guarantees to answer all e-mails within one hour, but in reality, the response time is closer to averaging just 15 minutes, day and night.
Another plus point for Pinnacle is the sheer level of self-help available via the website, which includes in-depth guides on subjects like the intricacies of American football and associated betting strategies. You can view all of these (without an account) under the ‘Betting Resources’ tab.
We want to help our readers in any way we can, but sometimes it's better to talk directly with your investing site to get the answers you need. For example if you have a specific query about your account you'll need to contact them in person due to security.
Alternatively, if you find that contacting your investing partner isn't working, you can contact us and we will be more than happy to try on your behalf. We have excellent working relationships with many of the sites we list and recommend.
Pinnacle
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Email:
[email protected]
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Phone:
+599 9433 8725
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Address:
Impyrial Holdings Ltd, 8A Pitmans Alley Main Street, GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
Conclusion
Based on a ‘high volume, low margin’ approach, Pinnacle does sports betting without the frills. It goes completely against the flow by deliberately attracting minority gamblers, rather than anyone and everyone. Everything about Pinnacle is minimalist from its exclusive web design and selection of sports, right through to payment methods.
All of the essential things such as licensing and security are firmly in place though so it is deemed a safe site. Although Pinnacle has a nominal minimum bet requirement and extensive help resources available, we do feel that it is a sportsbook much more suited to professional, or at least very experienced bettors rather than being ideal for newcomers.
Our Review Rating System
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Pinnacle legit? Will they scam me?
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Pinnacle has been around for a long time. It is a fully licensed, secure sportsbook, which also offers a level of support to its customers that is above and beyond expectation. There are also no hidden agendas or unreasonable T&Cs to comply with.
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Do they have a decent mobile or tablet app?
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Yes, Pinnacle has apps for both Android and iOS users. The layout features a very straightforward and uncluttered specifically designed to allow quick and easy betting without needing to trawl through multiple menu options.
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What bonus do they offer for new players?
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There are no bonuses or promotions of any type available at Pinnacle. This operator focuses purely on providing more significant and better gambling options than its rivals, rather than indulging in what it describes as a ‘bonus battle’. The missing bonus is easily outweighed by the excellent betting odds offered.
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How hard is it to deposit and withdraw?
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Depositing and withdrawing from your Pinnacle account is very straightforward, with multiple options available, including Bitcoin. ID and account verification will be required when you first open an account and when requesting a large withdrawal.
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Is the Pinnacle verification process easy?
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Yes, Pinnacle requires personal ID (passport is favourite) when registering for an account and may request further proof of account ownership when you request your first payout, or for any subsequent large amounts.
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Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
Adam has been an author for us since our launch in 2012. When it comes to all thing’s sports and betting, Adam knows his stuff. Having worked in the industry for most of his adult life in a variety of positions he’s definitely experienced.
