SPORTING INDEX is one of the world's leading sports spread betting firms. Sporting Index is recognised as the world leader in its field, having captured approximately 70% of the UK’s sports spread betting market. Sporting Index was founded in 1992, and now has well over 40,000 spread bettors with an expanded team of over 100 staff, half of which are based on the trading desk. In February 2004 Sporting Index placed sports spread betting at the heart of Sky's interactive service, aligning itself with the growing coverage of live sport on television. This service enables clients to watch live sport and place bets (whilst watching the game) as the action evolves. Sporting Index has a very high rating for integrity and security with its operating licence issued by the Financial Services Authority who are the single statutory regulator responsible for regulating deposit taking, insurance and investment business. The Financial Services Authority is the British equivalent of the American CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) rolled into one.

Sporting Index offer coverage on North American Football and Basketball. However, its primary focus is on UK-based sports where it excels. Sporting Index offer more markets, more specials and more choice than any other spread betting company of the UK sports. They offer continuous 24 hour betting. They offer spread betting via Sky TV and mobile betting on the widest range of handsets.

One of the few spread betting firms that offer an initial sign-up bonus and it is an attractive proposition at that. New clients can earn £100 or claim a £150 football supremacy bet after 5 bets. Open an account and they will give you a £150 supremacy bet on any live Premiership, Championship or League match after you've placed 5 bets (each bet must have a potential win and a potential loss of £20 or more and the minimum stake is £2 per bet.). Sporting Index will even refund your losses if your first bet is a loser (maximum refund is £50).

Alternatively, choose £100 cash after placing 5 settled bets or one of the following free bets after placing 10 settled bets. Each qualifying bet must have a potential win and a potential loss of £20 or more.

When you have qualified, call Customer Services on 08000-96 96 35 between 10am and 8pm, Monday to Sunday to claim your refund, cash and/or free bet. The first bet refund, £100 cash or free bet winnings will be credited to your account by 2pm the next working day.

SPORTING INDEX covers a few of the main US sports but its coverage is primarily on the UK market. Some of the markets covered are:

Its coverage of UK soccer is amongst the best of all online gambling sites. The range of bets on a UK soccer match is incredible. For example, the game between Everton and Millwall as shown in the image below offer over 30 different kind of spread bets!

And it couldn't be simpler to bet. Just choose the stake and then whether you want to SELL or BUY the wager. If you sell, then you want the result to fall short of the price range, and conversely, if you buy, you want the result to be above the price range. Anything within the price range means that all bets lose. However, the good thing with spread betting is that wagering can be done up till the last minute of a game so you can hedge a losing initial bet, settle the bet before the end of the game, or take a new position during the game. The flexibility offered by spread betting is one of the major selling points of spread betting over traditional bets with a bookmaker!

1. No Stop Loss Account
If you open an account without a Stop Loss facility you will be able to place larger bets with greater potential winnings (and losses). More experienced spread bettors tend to choose this type of account.

2. Stop Loss Account
A Stop Loss Account offers you all the thrills of an ordinary spread bet with the added security of limiting risk. A Stop Loss Account offers you the chance to spread bet with a safety net:

Every bet placed through a Stop Loss Account is subject to a maximum stop loss. This means you will know the most you can win or lose every time you place a bet. Small minimum stakes allow you to enjoy spread betting without the risk. For sheer convenience, Stop Loss Account holders can arrange for their accounts to be card-managed, meaning balances can be settled automatically on a fortnightly basis through your debit account.

Bet on the Move

You can register for Bet on the Move and you’ll be able to view the Sporting Index prices from your mobile when you want and bet! Which means that even if you are not logged on via your computer, you can hedge your bets whilst a game is running wherever you are.

Prices can be viewed via a number of ways

If you don't feel like logging onto your computer but still would like to know what the prices are, you can do that in a number of ways:

• Channel 4 Page 604, 644 (football only)
• Channel 4 In Vision Page 201
• Sky Sports Page 361
• Sky Digital Pages 681, 682 and 683
• Sky In Vision Page 381
• Channel 5 Page 604
• Reuters - if you have access to Reuters our main index page can be viewed on SPIN.
• Sky TV - press the red button on your remote control and select Sports Spread Betting on your menu.

SPORTING INDEX does not run many special promotions.

SPORTING INDEX has no loyalty programme currently running apart from its player referral scheme. The Ambassador Club is an exclusive scheme that rewards you for introducing new clients to Sporting Index. The more friends you introduce, the greater the size of the reward. The free bets available to you are:

• a £150 per goal football supremacy bet on any live Premiership game for the 1st client they introduce.
• a £200 per goal football supremacy bet on any live Premiership game for the 2nd client they introduce.
• a £250 per goal football supremacy bet on any live Premiership game for the 3rd client they introduce.

Simply submit your friend's information and they will be sent details of how to open a Sporting Index account (credit and suitability checks may apply). When you speak to them next, make sure they include your name as the person that introduced them and then after they have placed just 10 settled bets (each bet must have a potential win and a potential loss of £20 or more) you will receive your Free Bet!

All action (unless you use their mobile service!) is carried out via their excellent website. The website is clean, uncluttered and easy to navigate. Fast upload time with minimal lag. Betting couldn't be easier - just put in your stake and whether you wish to sell or buy. And that's all you have to do.

DEPOSIT OPTIONS:
VISA, Mastercard, Switch, Maestro, Solo, Delta, NETeller, Cheque, Bank Transfer

There is a 1.5% charge for deposits made by credit card and a £25 charge for a CHAPS bank transfer.

CASH OUT OPTIONS:
Switch, Maestro, Solo, Delta, Cheque

Sporting Index will settle credit accounts weekly (or fortnightly in the case of Stop Loss accounts) and payment will be made by either cheque and/or debit card. Deposit account holders can request for money to be paid by either method.

SPORTING INDEX has an excellent customer service. Only negative is that it is not 24/7. SPORTING INDEX Helpdesk can be reached on their freephone helpline 08000-96 96 07. Please note that their Customer Services Department is open from 9am to 8pm (UK time) every day. Customers calling from overseas should telephone +44-20-7840 4050 (charged at international rates).

Their email support at enquiries@sportingindex.com is excellent and most queries are answered within 1 hour as long as the email is sent during their office hours from 9am - 8pm (UK Time) every day.