Reviewed by The Best Sports Bet editorial team · Last updated June 2026 · Our editorial & review policy
Quick take: If you came looking for a 188BET review, here’s the honest update first: 188BET no longer operates under that name. It rebranded to Taptap in 2025, and its closure has since been reported in the trade press. You can’t open a new 188BET account, and the “188BET” offers still floating around other sites are out of date. And for Singapore readers there’s a bigger point underneath all of it: offshore online betting is illegal here under the Remote Gambling Act — Singapore Pools is the only licensed operator. Below: what actually happened, what to do if you held an account, and what to prioritise instead. (21+ for online betting in Singapore. Gamble responsibly.)
What happened to 188BET?
188BET launched in 2006 and was, for years, licensed by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. In 2025 it rebranded to Taptap (under the operator CyberArena) and shifted operations toward the Philippines. Since then, 188BET’s closure has been reported by industry outlet Gambling Insider. In short: the brand you remember is gone, and it is winding down rather than taking on new customers.
Is it legal in Singapore anyway?
Worth saying plainly, because it shapes the whole decision: even when 188BET was running, it was an offshore operator with no Singapore licence. Under the Remote Gambling Act (now part of the Gambling Control Act 2022, enforced by the Gambling Regulatory Authority), Singapore Pools is the only licensed operator for online sports betting, Toto and 4D, and for legal betting on overseas horse racing after the Singapore Turf Club’s final Kranji race. The GRA blocks offshore sites, blocks their payments and bans their advertising; reaching one via VPN doesn’t make it legal. So “what’s the best 188BET replacement” has two honest answers: for legal certainty in Singapore, it is Singapore Pools; for understanding what 188BET was prized for, read on.
I have a 188BET / Taptap account — what should I do?
If you still hold a balance, take it seriously, but get your information from the right place:
- Verify directly with the operator (Taptap / CyberArena) and with your own bank or e-wallet provider about pending balances and timelines.
- Be sceptical of third-party “deadline” pages. Several sites are publishing specific shutdown dates and “your funds are 100% safe” reassurances while funnelling you to one particular replacement bookmaker. Those are affiliate marketing pages, not official notices — don’t make decisions based on them.
- Withdraw to a verified method you control, and keep records of any transactions and support tickets.
We don’t publish an unverified closure date here on purpose — the specific dates circulating online trace back to a promotional source, and we won’t repeat a claim we can’t stand behind.
Why bettors rated 188BET (and what to look for)
188BET’s reputation came from one thing above all: sharp Asian handicap pricing, with margins reported below 1.5% on top-league football, plus fast withdrawals for Asian customers. Bonuses were always its weak point. So if you’re sizing up what 188BET did well, prioritise the things that actually mattered: low Asian-handicap margins, deep football markets, and reliable withdrawals — not the size of any welcome bonus. For Singapore fans, that strength sits in contrast to the local picture: Singapore Pools prices football mainly as 1X2 with limited handicap lines and a higher built-in margin, which is precisely the gap 188BET’s tight handicaps used to fill.
The legal option in Singapore, and what bettors compare
For a legal bet in Singapore on football — including the EPL and the 2026 World Cup — the only licensed route is Singapore Pools, which also integrates local rails like PayNow and NETS and settles in SGD (S$). If you are researching the offshore brands people line up against the old 188BET, the two most-discussed below are reviewed honestly on this site — with the same legality caveat applied throughout:
- Dafabet — the brand most often cited as the natural successor for Asian-handicap bettors: operating since 2004, multi-jurisdiction licensed (UK GC, Curaçao, PAGCOR, Isle of Man), genuinely strong Asian handicap across football and tennis. Read our full Dafabet review →
- 22Bet — broad markets and a huge payment menu (30+ cryptos), good for variety and fast crypto payouts; margins are wider than 188BET’s were. Read our full 22Bet review →
How to size up any 188BET alternative (quick checklist)
- Legality where you are — in Singapore, only Singapore Pools is licensed; offshore sites are blocked and unlawful to use.
- Licence quality — if you’re looking offshore from a market that permits it, favour a serious regulator (UKGC, Isle of Man, PAGCOR, Curaçao at minimum).
- Asian handicap margins — the lower the better; 188BET set the bar near 1.5% on top football.
- Withdrawal reliability — check real user reports for your region and payment method.
188BET — frequently asked questions
Is 188BET still operating in 2026?
No — 188BET rebranded to Taptap in 2025, and its closure has since been reported. You cannot open a new 188BET account.
Is Taptap the same as 188BET?
Taptap is the rebrand of the former 188BET operation (under CyberArena). It is not the 188BET you may remember, and reports indicate it is winding down.
What was legal in Singapore — 188BET or Singapore Pools?
Singapore Pools. 188BET was an offshore operator with no Singapore licence; under the Remote Gambling Act, only Singapore Pools is licensed for online sports betting here.
Can I still withdraw from my 188BET account?
If you hold a balance, contact the operator (Taptap/CyberArena) and your payment provider directly. Be cautious of third-party sites stating specific deadlines while promoting a replacement bookmaker.
Gamble responsibly — 21+ for online betting in Singapore. Responsible gambling. Need to talk to someone? National Problem Gambling Helpline 1800-6-668-668 (daily 8am–11pm) · ncpg.org.sg.
