Shangri La Review

Stepping onto the scene in 2016, Shangri La has been a solid bookmaker for nearly a decade. Featuring ongoing promotions, a solid welcome bonus and all the betting markets one could wish for, this site is easily a top pick among bettors.

In this review, we're going to investigate the finer details of Shangri La and what makes them tick as a bookmaker. We'll look at their betting license, their customer support options, mobile experience (and more) as we leave no stone unturned for this bookmaker.

Let's dive right into it and break down everything involving Shangri La!

When reviewing bookmakers, we want to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the site. For Shangri La, they have great strengths and minor weaknesses to watch out for.

Shangri La Strengths 👍

• Shangri La's Sportsbook and Markets: If there is one thing I love about this online betting site, it's the dedication to its sportsbook. Users will have thousands of options between the sports offered and the betting markets. Shangri La hits the nail on the head with their sportsbook.
• Shangri La Webpage User Interface: This is an underrated portion of an online betting site. If the interface for the website is garbage, no one will want to use the site. Thankfully, users signing up with Shangri La will love the interface. It is responsive and clean, which is great. I wouldn't change anything about it.
• Shangri La Bonuses and Promotions: Betting sites that are (relatively) new to the game tend to offer the best bonuses and promotions. I am in love with their promotions. They have specific promos for events like the World Cup as well as general promotions that everyone can enjoy. It is the best of both worlds with Shangri La.

Shangri La Weaknesses 👎

• No Mobile App Support for Apple Products - While I think it's great that Shangri La live offers a mobile app for Android users, it makes Apple users feel left out. The good news is that Apple users can still access the site through their mobile version. But I think it would be beneficial to create an app for Apple users as well.
• Website Hard to Access - Shangri La has a great online betting site. However, it isn't (easily accessible). Googling the site does not yield any results. You need to specifically add bookmaker to your search to access Shangri La. The website isn't well known, so this could be troubling for the player base. The website is great but users need to have easier access to it.
• No Phone Support: I love the customer service options Shangri La provides but I think they are missing a key piece. Phone support is a basic customer service option that should be provided. Speaking with a representative is beneficial for users. Even if the support line was open for a limited time throughout the week, I think that would be a well-received addition to the site.

Although there are weaknesses Shanri La need to address, we can’t say that they outweigh the strengths of the website. My biggest gripe with the site is how challenging it was to find it. With no social media presence and a name that doesn’t stream bookmaker, Shangri La could improve in that department.

Overall, you won’t leave a bookmaker because of the weaknesses listed above, which is important. Their strengths heavily outweigh their weaknesses.

Shangri La may be Canada's best-kept secret. The online betting site features a massive number of betting options, great promotions and benefits to joining the bookmaker. However, there are improvements Shangri La needs to address if they want to be considered legitimate.

First, they need to make their website more accessible. Simply typing 'Shangri La' in Google does not yield any top results for their bookmaker. How are Canadians supposed to be on your site if they are unable to (easily) access it? Another necessary addition is a social media presence. It's great to have promotions and welcome bonuses but if the public doesn't know, then what's the point?

Shangri La can also improve its customer service options. Don't get me wrong, their Live Chat and E-Mail help was perfect. But I think a dedicated FAQ section would benefit the site. 

Those were my biggest gripes with Shangri La. Overall, the site is well run, and I had an enjoyable betting experience with the site. Their mobile betting site worked well, the odds matched other top bookies in the business and the site interface was pleasant.

But I don't think they receive the recognition they deserve because they fail to promote the site. Still, for those looking for a solid betting experience, Shangri La should be on your shortlist for the next bookie you register with!

Bonuses & Offers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you are looking for a betting site with continuous promotions, this will be the one for you. The welcome bonus is generous and Shangri La offers promotions all year round. They even offer different promotions for big sporting events, like the World Cup. This is awesome because you know that for every big event, Shangri La will have a promotion that bettors can take advantage of!

Betting Variety ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shangri La has you covered in many ways. The variety of bets includes the number of sports leagues and wager types. They come equipped with all of the biggest markets and we are impressed with the comprehensive list of betting options. They may be a relatively new bookmaker, but they have a sportsbook that could rival the biggest names in the industry.

Banking Options ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Canadians will certainly have no issue depositing and playing on Shangri La. They offer a TON of payment options that Canadians enjoy. From the usual suspects of Credit Cards and Interac to eWallets and even Cryptocurrency, bettors are covered on a wide spectrum. They even offer Amazon Pay, which is something not usually seen with online betting sites. Seeing that additional method is intriguing.

Payout Speed ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Receiving your funds isn't a difficult process. I just wish it was a tad faster. Shangri La approves your withdrawal request in 1-2 days and then it will take another few days to receive your request. Again, this isn't terrible but as a bettor, you want your funds as soon as possible. If they improved the process, it could easily be 5 stars.

Key Features ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Some of Shangri La's best features include promotions and bonuses, their sportsbook, bet types and esports offerings. When promoted, these features will reign in users to their site. I love that they also offer an exclusive VIP program. This helps existing customers feel valued. Overall, Shangri La has a ton of great features for bettors to take advantage of.

App & Mobile experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had to knock off a star because the site does not offer an app for Apple users. It isn't their intention to alienate their customers but it's unfortunate as an Apple user that I cannot download the app. With that being said, the mobile experience matched the pleasant experience on their desktop site. Those wanting to play on the go will be satisfied with the mobile betting site.

Security and Trust ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Because Shangri La isn't well-known in Canada, it was hard to give them any more than 4 stars. With that being said, they are a mighty bookmaker on the rise. The security measures they offer include SSL encryption to protect user information and data. However, they aren't fully trusted or have the prestige yet of other bookmakers Canadians tend to play with.

Licensing ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had to give Shangri La 4 stars for this category. Although the Curacao license isn't terrible, there are skeptics due to the ease of securing it. Still, a ton of bookmakers use this license, and I wouldn't shy away from a betting brand that uses this license. I just don't consider it the best accessible license.

Software & Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The company uses the latest software for its games, meaning bettors will get the best experience possible playing online. Furthermore, they offer over 500+ games for bettors to play with, so you'll never grow tired of gaming on Shangri La. For those that value online casinos, Shangri La should definitely be on your radar.

User Betting Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the number of betting markets, payment options, sports offered and promotions, it was easy to award Shangri La with 5 stars. They provide everything you could ever want from a bookmaker. I love that they take care of Canadian bettors, with markets such as the Canadian Hockey League. Placing bets and following your sections was easy and the site is responsive. I had zero gripes on Shangri La's betting experience.

Sign-up Process ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shangri La claims that you can sign up in 60 seconds and their statement is true. I love that the sign-up process is under 2 steps and incredibly easy to fill out information. You simply need to type in your info on page one and then add your address, place of residency and agree to the terms. The process was simple and it's true, you can register in 60 seconds.

Customer Support ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Their customer support team responded well to our tests and we were able to come to a resolution thanks to their methods. Offering Live Chat, E-Mail and a (decent) FAQ/Help Centre is fine for a smaller bookmaker. We were disappointed that there was no Phone Number attached to the site and we'd like to see an improvement in their Help Centre. Overall, it's about the standard and nothing more.

Welcome packages are used to encourage users to sign up. They are also considered a gift to the new player. These welcome bonuses usually come in deposit matches or free spins.

How to Claim Shangri La Welcome Bonus?

Claiming the Shangri La welcome bonus is easy! To take advantage of their bonus, follow these steps:

• Create an account with Shangri La.
• Deposit a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $250.
• Follow the Terms and Conditions of the welcome bonus.

Adding the bonus to your account is simple but there are terms and conditions to follow. 

• Shangri La Welcome Bonus Terms and Conditions
• Wagering requirement of 8x on bonus + deposit amount.
• You have 30 days to complete the wagering.
• Only bets with odds -165 or higher contribute to the wagering requirement.
• For multiples, each bet must have odds -165 or higher.
• Only one bet per event is allowed while the bonus is active.

The above T&Cs aren't bad but an 8x rollover rate in 30 days can be challenging. I think that this is the biggest hurdle to overcome with the wagering requirements. Depending on your initial deposit, you will be required to do a ton of betting in a short period. The time crunch is difficult and so are the wagering requirements. There are better welcome bonuses elsewhere, but these terms are far from the worst. 

Other Bonuses for New Users

Get up to $1500 of Welcome Bonuses

Promotions and bonuses are fantastic ways to retain players. Once the initial charm of joining a website was worn off, promotions and bonuses will keep players around. If a website doesn't offer great promos/bonuses, customers will join other sports betting sites. On Shangri La, you can take advantage of the following sports bonuses:

Extra Winnings with Parlay Boost - Starting from 4 selections, your parlays can become more profitable!  

10% Weekly Sports Bonus - Up to $500, 2x turnover on deposit plus bonus amounts combined.

Shangri La Casino Bonuses

• 10% Weekly Cashback - Receive a 10% weekly cashback on any net losses on all Casino games.
• 10% Weekly Casino Bonus - Once every week you can get a 10% Casino Bonus of up to $300 on one of your deposits.
• 75% Crazy Monday Casino Bonus - Every Monday players may get a 75% Casino Bonus of up to $100.

Features are ones that not only encourage bettors to sign up but also make them want to stay. With Shangri La, there are a ton of sports features that bettors will love (and can take advantage of).

Shangri La Best Features

• Shangri La In-Play Betting - This is one of the biggest betting markets available on Shangri La. It is popular with every market and I love the ability to hit this market on this site. Bettors love in-play (live) betting because it gives them a chance to assess the game before placing a bet. Live betting is popular and Shangri La delivers with its In-Play betting.
• Shangri La Early Cash Out - The option of early cash out is a huge plus for Shangri La. Bettors love this feature because they can cash in on potential winnings before the game is finished. We've heard of bad beats before, so this helps the bettor have a bit of protection before the final whistle or horn.
• Shangri La Bet Builder - The ability to build bets within a single game is a feature everyone loves. This is another market that fans love and this specific wager is popular among Canadians. Sometimes, you see lopsided matchups and the ability to build a parlay for a specific game is huge. On top of that, their Bet Builders are available for early cash out as well!
• Shangri La Virtual Sports - I believe that virtual sports are an underrated market in sports betting. Not to be confused with eSports, virtual sports allow fans to bet on an algorithm of their favourite sports. You can bet on different sports 24/7 with this feature. Shangri La features a ton of virtual sports that will keep bettors entertained for hours.

Sportsbooks thrive off bonuses and welcome packages, but the sports coverage is what keeps customers sticking around. If you have a subpar sport selection, bettors will spend their money elsewhere. Thankfully, Shangri La has its customers covered.

Popular sports such as American Football, Soccer, Ice Hockey, eSports and Basketball will keep you busy for days. The depth in which Shangri La covers these sports is unreal! Not finished there, you can hit smaller markets like the Australian Football League, Harness Racing, Rugby and Water Polo! 

Shangri La has something for everyone and those wanting a ginormous sportsbook, they have you covered!

• American Football: The marquee betting market, every series online bookmaker will offer American Football in some capacity. Shangri La offers a ton of action, including NFL and NCAA football.
  
  Right now, we're unable to see any CFL odds but with how in-depth Shangri La is with their sportsbook, it wouldn't surprise me to see odds closer to the season in July. With that being said, their NFL and NCAA coverage is insane. From the Moneyline to futures and individual awards, Shangri La is a solid betting choice for American Football.
  
  
• Soccer: The beautiful game is well represented on Shangri La. Of course, World Cup action is HOT but throughout the year, you can find odds for the best leagues, such as the EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and more.
  
  Domestic leagues are prevalent throughout the sportsbook, with over 70 countries to choose leagues from! There are over 1400 betting options for Soccer on Shangri La. Anytime you can find odds for leagues like the Botswana Premier League and North Macedonia First League proves how strong this bookmaker is.
  
  
• Ice Hockey: One of the biggest markets in Canada, it's no surprise to see NHL action lead the charge. However, there doesn't seem to be NCAA or AHL action listed under the United States.
  
  With that being said, Shangri La has one of the deepest Ice Hockey markets in the game. They cover the entire CHL (QMJHL, OHL, WHL), as well as European leagues. Furthermore, you can also wager on leagues from Asia, which normally doesn’t get offered.
  
  
• eSports: If you want eSports coverage, Shangri La is your destination. There are several betting options and games to wager on. Most notably, you will find odds on Rocket League, League of Legends, DOTA 2 and CS: GO. They also offer Tennis, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Basketball and more!
  
  
• Basketball: It isn't shocking to see the NBA and NCAA Men be prominently displayed. There are hundreds of betting options for these respective leagues. The women of college basketball are also shown respect, as you can bet on their season as well.
  
  This is something not normally seen on sports betting sites. Additionally, leagues in Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East all offer odds on Shangri La. There is something for everyone with their basketball coverage.

Shangri La Sponsorship Deals

Shangri La does not have any sponsorship deals at the time of this writing.

Of course, you’re joining a sportsbook to bet on sports! But you can’t bet on sports without the proper markets. For those that love betting, Shangri La has options for everyone. They have thousands of leagues, markets and wagers to bet on so you should never grow tired.

Shangri La Betting Markets

• Moneyline - This is the marquee betting market of any sports betting site. To be legitimate, you need to offer Moneyline betting. Shangri La offers this on all sports and it is a favourite among sports bettors.
• Spread - The spread is used to equalize two teams and bettors eat this market up. One of my personal faves, I love that Shangri La gives users the option to wager on this market.
• Totals - Also known as the over/under, totals betting is perfect for those that like to focus on goals or points. Bettors love this market, and it is incredibly popular in leagues like the NFL and NBA.

Types of Bets Available

• Shangri La In-Play - Bettors love In-Play/Live Betting because it gives them a chance to analyze the game before placing wagers. These are popular if there are some early points scored, where you can find value in the losing team to come back and win the game.
• Shangri La Bet Builder/Parlay - Parlay betting is one of the most popular markets, especially on social media. If you love Parlay/Bet Builders, you will also see increased odds with the more legs you add to your slip. This gives you boosted odds, which is a nice touch as not many bookmakers offer this.
• Shangri La Futures - Bettors love this market but it isn't offered on every betting site, which is why I am impressed that you can hit this market here. Betting on futures allows users to get better odds than when the season begins or when teams are eliminated from contention. You can also wager on specific awards, which are popular in leagues like the NFL and NBA.

How to Place a Bet at Shangri La? 

Placing a bet is simple when it comes to Shangri La. To place a bet, follow these steps!

• On the Shangri La homepage, decide which sport you want to wager on. There is a ticker near the top of the page where you can see the sports/leagues and there is also a selection on the left-hand side.
• Once you have narrowed down the sport, decide which league you are betting on.
• From there, you can select a specific matchup.
• After choosing the matchup, determine which wager you want to bet on, like the O/U, Total or Spread.
• With a confirmed market, type in your desired stake for the wager.
• If you are comfortable with the stake, click Place Bet.
• Your bet will appear on the bet slip as complete and then you can wait for the results.

It's no secret that the future will include more technological advances. That statement can be applied to sports betting as well. Shangri La offers a mobile app for Android users but does not offer it for Apple users. Before we dive into the mobile version of the site, we'll quickly touch on the app.

Downloading and installing the mobile app was quite easy. We did not experience any hiccups when registering our account and all of the features outlined in the desktop version were prominent in the mobile app as well.

The same could be said about their mobile betting site. Although Apple users are unable to download the app, simply searching Shangri La in Safari was simple enough to access. Again, I liked the user interface of the mobile site and think it provides a stellar experience for on-the-go betting. Whether you download the app or play through their mobile site, you are sure to have a fine experience with Shangri La.

Our favourite features included the responsiveness of the app and how closely it replicated the desktop version. There were no issues accessing the sports I wanted to bet on or the markets available. I like how you swipe to find the leagues/markets instead of the usual bar on the side of the page. It's different than other mobile betting sites and it was incredibly smooth.

One of the biggest features of Shangri La is the ability to sign up and register in 60 seconds. As someone who hates a lengthy registration process, this was music to my ears.

When signing up for Shangri La, we noticed that their 60-second assessment was accurate. The process was broken down into two stages and was uncomplicated. There were no unexpected questions or hurdles to overcome, which made the process simple.

 How to register your account with Shangri La:

Step One:

• On the home page, click 'Sign Up' in the upper-right-hand corner.
• Enter a username and e-mail address.
• Create a password.
• Submit your title, first and last name.
• Enter your date of birth, country code and mobile number.
• Click 'continue'.

Step Two:

• Submit your address.
• Enter your city and postal code.
• Choose your country of residence and currency.
• Accept the terms and conditions of the site.
• Click 'Register'.

If these steps are followed, you will have successfully registered an account with Shangri La.

Funding your account is a key component for any bookmaker. No matter how good the bookmaker is, if they do not provide adequate banking options, you're going to take your money elsewhere. Canadian bettors signing up and depositing with Shangri La will have several banking options to fund their accounts.

Overall, the bookmaker offers over 10 different betting options for users to deposit and withdraw. It is a comprehensive list that is better than some top bookmakers! 

Accepted Deposit and Withdrawal Methods:

• Visa Debit
• MasterCard Debit
• Visa Credit
• MasterCard Credit
• EcoPayz
• Neteller
• Skrill
• Yandex
• Qiwi
• MuchBetter
• Perfect Money
• AstroPay
• Cash-to-code (deposit only)
• Interac
• Bitcoin
• Ethereum
• Ripple
• Litecoin
• Bank Transfer  

As you can see, Shangri La has a ton of betting options! They also promote Amazon Pay, Apple Pay and Google Pay on their website but we were unable to confirm if Canadian bettors can use this feature.

Shangri La is a grey area when it comes to the legality of playing in Canada. Users from Canada are able to sign up and play, however. You won't have your door kicked down when betting on Shangri La, so there is no issue there. But they are not fully legal in Canada yet.

Canadians don't need to worry when betting on Shangri La thanks to their security features. The company uses SSL encryption to protect personal information. The company is licensed by the governing body of Curacao, which isn't the best regulator in the business due to how simple it is to be regulated by them. Still, there are no signs that Shangri La is NOT legit and overall, the experience seemed pleasant and you should be safe gambling with them.

Is Shangri La Legal in Ontario?

Since Shangri La does not have approval from iGaming Ontario or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, it isn’t considered fully legal in Ontario.

How a company answers questions, complaints and other queries from its customers is a huge testament to the way the business is run. Sports bettors want solid customer service options in case there is an issue. Shangri La offers the three most important methods of customer support: FAQ Section, Live Chat and E-Mail communication.

Starting with their FAQ/Help Centre, I think it needs improvement. There isn't a fully-fledged FAQ section, which is disappointing. I think this is an integral component of a Help Centre because it can answer questions and free up your other methods of support, in this case the live chat and e-mail functions. Also, some users don't want to communicate with another person so the ability to browse and research on their own could be more appealing than other methods.

The Live Chat feature is a nice addition to Shangri La. The agent answered our questions and rectified the situation. Also, the live chat feature is 24/7, 7 days a week which is sweet! It's always disappointing when you need assistance but cannot talk to an agent, so a 24/7 method of communication is nice.

Their E-mail method is also 24/7 but the response time can vary. We asked a general question, and it was answered quickly (within 2 hours) but we cannot comment on more complicated or pressing issues.

Overall, Shangri La provides great customer support although a potential phone number and a more thorough FAQ section would be appreciated.

Although they are a relatively new bookmaker (launched in 2016), Shangri La is mighty with its sportsbook. The company offers plentiful betting options, incredible sports and an overall pleasant experience. They have flaws, like slow payouts, a difficult website to access and no Apple app but overall, users will be happy with their betting experience.

Their biggest flaw is that finding the website is difficult. I don't like the domain name and even Googling the website was difficult. It's no surprise that this bookmaker isn't as popular. They need to market better and social media pages are a great starting point.

Back to the betting, we believe you will enjoy your time with Shangri La. Our favourite aspects were the number of sports offered and the promotions. That will retain customers and hopefully help the company flourish into a bigger brand. For those looking for great eSports coverage and an in-depth betting experience, we recommend betting on Shangri La!