The Look

The Tradesports.com website is very to the point, almost like a business site. There are handy links to the top traded items of the day, as well as the trading screen and user forums. The forums in particular are vital, considering the complexities of betting exchange.

Deposits/Withdrawals

Deposits can be made with credit cards, bank transfers, NETeller, Prepaid ATM and checks. Withdrawals are through NETeller, check, Prepaid ATM and bank transfers. All require fee payments. And you wondered how Tradesports.com makes their money. Withdrawals and trading fees, that's how. Which begs the question, when all is said and done, is it worth it?

Wagering

Trading fees are 4 cents for both trades and expired contracts per share. You can buy shares on various sports as well as the actual Dow Jones. Purchases are a lot like trade tickets on stock sites. You find a particular price you like, see the available shares, then merely enter a quantity and limit price. Hear that? That's the sound of my brain exploding.

Bonuses and Extras

Tradesports.com offers referral bonuses of $25 per user, 50 free trades for registering and various bonuses depending on how you deposit.

Customer Service

For a site as crazy as a betting exchange, you have to have top of the line customer service. Which they do, unless you factor in the crazy wait times. Then you also realize they aren't open after 5pm EST, but are open at 3am EST. Good thing, because you know how often it's 3 in the morning and you need help with your gambling account.

Player Reviews/Forums

There are mixed feelings on the action on Tradesports.com . Some players feel the site doesn't have enough people selling contracts, others feel it's great for hedging bets and selling off lines after games start.

Verdict

Using Tradesports.com as a betting tool really depends on whether you understand the process and can take advantage of the fluctuating prices. You also have to have a feel of which way the public will go. The very concept is intriguing enough; however, that warrants giving Tradesports.com the rank of Janis Joplin, for being original and an innovator. Janis Joplin isn't a hot chick, you say? Well, the jury's out on the betting exchange too.