1win.com
1win is an international online sportsbook and casino operator established in 2016, owned by MFI Investments and licensed in Curaçao. Even though it is pretty new to the online gambling market, it has already gained popularity among players from all corners of the globe, including Botswana. In fact, 1win welcomes local sports bettors with arms wide open, even though at the moment the bookmaker cannot accept the native currency (BWP). Instead, players need to employ foreign currencies such as USD, EUR, or ZAR, the exchange of which is provided on deposit and withdrawal. Although this might not be a deal-breaker at the moment, it is something that local players need to know about—after all, currency exchange fees can be like a pesky fly buzzing around your barbecue if not contained.
🎁 Starting bonus: |
100% up to $500 |
⭐ Additional bonuses: | Multi Bet Bonus, Casino Deals |
⚽ Number of sports: |
20+ |
🕒 Withdrawal speed: | Instant |
Welcoming Local Punters but Without Home Currency Support
1win’s decision to invite Botswana punters but not quite offer local currency support is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the website provides a level of accessibility and comfort to its clients who, for example, already have multi-currency e-wallets, yet most local punters would prefer to deposit their hard-earned Pula without concern about the exchange rate. For instance, we know of a couple of people who tried to deposit the equivalent of about 100 USD in BWP only to end up paying a little more due to a poor exchange rate. It’s kind of like trying to buy concert treats with foreign currency—doable but not as simple as tapping a card at your local corner store.
Of course, 1win is hardly the first bookmaker to take this approach. Plenty of other gaming brands (take Betway or Hollywoodbets) have localized well in different African markets, but this is not necessarily tantamount to increased coverage for Botswana. We see more as an indicator of where the market is heading—globalization is certainly an advantage, but it can leave the smaller regions waiting in line for specialized service.
Registration & Getting Started1win registration is simple:
- Visit Site
Visit the operator’s official site. - Sign Up
Locate the “Sign Up” or “Register” button. Clicking it displays a sign-up form. - Fill in Basic Details
Be ready to fill in your own information (full name, home country) and choose a username and a secure password. - Verification Steps
Some users might be asked to verify their accounts, especially when dealing with large deposits or withdrawals. - Ready to Play
Logged in, you can use any of the deposited amounts to fund your account and start playing both the casino and the sportsbook.
While the registration process is straightforward, we advise Botswana punters to be mindful of the exchange rate of their preferred deposit method. This precaution can prevent any surprises when you see your account balance in a foreign currency.
The Sportsbook: Broad but Global
1win’s sportsbook tries to appeal to an international audience with major sports such as football, basketball, cricket, tennis, rugby, and even esports. Most punters in Botswana are already waiting anxiously for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and while 1win does not explicitly create special local markets for it, the operator still provides odds for almost every significant international football competition. So, suppose you plan to bet on the Zebras (Botswana national team) in upcoming qualifiers or some emerging regional underdog. In that case, you might need to browse through the default “international football” category to see suitable matches.
Compared to some African specialist bookmakers that focus more on home leagues, 1win’s coverage may seem more international. However, for major tournaments like the English Premier League, La Liga, or UEFA Champions League, there is a wide range of betting options available. You can place bets on match results, handicaps, totals, correct scores, and even player props. Adding to the excitement, the operator also offers live betting options, where odds change in real time, allowing you to bet as the action unfolds.
The Casino: Slots, Live Tables, and Cashback
Though sports betting is the big draw for others, 1win’s casino section offers a different angle to the site. The slot machines range from the old three-reel slots right up to more advanced video slots with many bonus features. You’ll see output from major software providers, which implies fair gameplay and decent return-to-player rates.
If you’re a fan of table games, 1win’s live casino section offers an immersive experience. With games like roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker, you can play against real dealers via a live stream, creating a highly engaging and social gaming experience that’s a far cry from the simple computerized slot machine.
One of the jewels here is the weekly cashback of up to 30% of slot losses, depending on how much you have wagered in a seven-day cycle. Getting some of your losses back might feel like finding a small consolation prize in the base of your breakfast cereal box. Sure, it is not a neat answer for every losing session, but it can help soothe the hurt if Lady Luck is not smiling in your face.
Promotional Highlights
Rather than being buried under a complex bonus system right from the start, 1win structures its promotions so that it can reward new and regular players step by step. The operator’s +500% Deposit Bonus is tiered over your first four deposits, though the percentages vary every time (+200%, +150%, +100%, and +50%). The concept is that you get separate boosts for each deposit, credited to a bonus account. As you place bets on slots, you can cash out some percentage of the bonus in real money.
Additionally, there is a Multiple Bet Bonus for sports accumulators. If you place five or more events on the same bet slip, you receive a percentage bonus on your winnings (so long as the slip is a winner). The more legs in your accumulator, the more rewarding it is. It’s not a novel conception—some bookmakers do it with their promotions—but it can be a useful reward if you’re one of those punters who like to have a high-risk, high-reward approach.
For sure, 1win is not the only bookie to offer sign-up and accumulator bonuses. Its competitors also usually issue tacky offers, some of them even more tawdry. However, we are convinced that the real magnet here is in a less convoluted loyalty strategy—a regular chain of promotions like the weekly slot cashback and the fluctuating deposit bonus arrangement can entice players who would rather avoid messy wagering conditions from the word go.
Payment Methods & Currency Exchange
Having various payment channels is crucial for any operator that wants to conduct business in multiple territories, and 1win tries to be broad-based. Common deposit and withdrawal channels usually include bank cards (Visa/Mastercard), e-wallets, and occasionally cryptocurrency. Botswana bettors can, in theory, use some of these if they are willing to use foreign currencies.
Even though the operator does not, at the time of writing, support BWP, the process of deposit is normally straightforward if you have a USD or EUR account. However, keep track of exchange rates, as these can fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. If, for example, you deposit 100 USD worth of BWP one day, the value might be subtly different the next day, subject to your bank or payment vendor’s fees.
Mobile Experience: APK for Android, Web for iOS
Today, most bettors like to place bets on the go. 1win offers a separate APK for Android phones, which can be downloaded from the website. It is easy to download, provided you have enabled your phone’s “allow from unknown sources” feature. Once downloaded, the app offers access to all important pages—sports, casino, live betting, and account management.
iOS users don’t receive a direct App Store download; they’re provided with a web-based version of the site instead. This is basically a mobile-optimized site that works beautifully on Safari or any of the high-end browsers available for Apple devices. The difference between the Android app and the iOS web version isn’t drastic in everyday use. Both enable you to place bets, claim bonuses, and contact support without resorting to a desktop.
Customer Support & Contact Details
Operators who serve a global audience should be able to provide reasonable support, and 1win is in good standing there by categorizing queries into specialized streams:
- Technical Support:
support@1win.social - Security Service:
security@1win.social - Commercial Offers:
business@1win.social - Affiliate Program:
partners@1w.run
Aside from email, there is a live chat facility on the site or through the mobile app. Based on our experience, live chat is fast, though the speed may vary depending on traffic. If anything goes wrong while betting or if you simply want information about your bonus, it is handy not to wait around for email replies that might look the next day.
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
Generally, 1win provides a competitive betting platform that can accommodate a global player base, including Botswana gamers. The operator’s site is user-friendly, registration is quick, and the combination of sports betting, casino games, and regular promotional incentives ensures that there is something for the gamer to participate in. True, the lack of direct BWP support will be a problem for natives—nobody wants to be left behind swapping currencies as kids trade stickers on break.