Best Bookmakers UK & Betting Sites
If you are in search of the best bookmakers and betting sites in the UK then allow us to guide you through the UK’s best online bookmakers and best new betting sites that you can sign up to today!
The Best Online Betting Sites For Sports Betting
The UK sports betting industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world. It is home to a lot of the online sports betting giants, which is great for UK customers as it means you can be sure to have a safe, reliable and entertaining betting online experience.
Finding the best betting sites UK is by no means easy. With the market being so saturated, it’s important that you have an online betting site guide like this one to assist you with the decision making process, so that you make the right call and choose online bookmakers that are best for your betting style.
Betting Sites UK & Bookmakers Bonuses
It’s really no secret that a betting bonus is the most common technique used for bookmakers to bring in new customers. If you take a look at all of the online betting sites that we have listed, every single one has a promotion of some kind to offer new customers and also existing customers.
The most enticing offer is of course the welcome bonus. This will be to attract new UK customers to the bookie and turn them into a returning player.
The most commonly offered welcome bonus is the matched deposit bonus. The matched bonus, or deposit matched offer, however you want to phrase it, is one of the customer promotions that see the Sports betting sites matching the deposit of the customer, typically their first deposit, or first 3 deposits. For example, you could claim a “100% matched bonus up to £100”. This welcome bonus would mean that if you made a £100 first deposit, you would then get £100 in free bets.
Another favourite in the online sports betting industry is the “bet and get” promotion. This means that you place wagers of certain values and from that you receive some free bet credits to use on any betting selection odds you want.
Let’s look at some examples of bet and get bonus offers that are currently running and you can claim now before the bonus expires!
- Bet £10 Get £10
- Bet £10 Get £20
- Bet £10 Get £30
- Bet £10 Get £40
- Bet £10 Get £50
Bet365 and Paddy Power are two of the most popular sports betting websites that are running these promotions. Bet365 currently have a bet £10 get £50 in free bets offer, whilst over at Paddy Power, they have a range of £10 free bets but also a free spins welcome bonus!
Although no deposit bonuses are not impossible to find at online bookies, they are few and far between. In honesty, the ones that are available, despite being worth claiming as it is essentially free funds, are not the best for turning into withdrawable winnings.
We have listed the best UK licensed bookmakers promotions that you can claim in the table above.
Claiming the promotions that you find a bookmaker offering is simple. The process is the same for any bookmakers that you decide to register with. You have to deposit funds into your account and make sure it abides by the min deposit mentioned in the terms. Then you need to make any qualifying bet if there was not already a qualifying deposit.
Once the qualifying bets have been made, you will then be granted the free bets that you can then use as you please.
Online Bookmakers UK
There are so many bookmakers in the UK and all we really hear about are the biggest bookmakers that are advertised during football matches or horse racing or simply just a TV ad. We want to show you that there is way more out there to choose from and you don’t necessarily have to go for the biggest betting brands. In order to make your decision easier for you, we have decided to give some insight into the top betting sites and list the pros and cons of each.
If you are happy with what you see then all you need to do is click through and visit their site to open your new betting account and take advantage of their free bet bonuses or other bonus offers that they have.
Bet365
Most people will have come across Bet365 as they are a leading UK betting site that were first established back in 2000. They are licensed under the UK gambling commission and appeal not only to UK customers, with over 80 million existing customers across the world. They pride themselves not only on their great promotions, but also their betting markets, such as: sports, casino, live casino, poker, bingo and lots more!
Pros
- Low minimum deposit
- Excellent online casino
- Huge selection of payment methods
- Various bonus offers
Cons
- existing customer limitations
888Sport
888Sport are part of an empire that is the 888 Group. Home to some of the biggest casino and poker brands, they also have a fully fledged online sports betting site for customers to endure. Like all top betting sites, 888 Sport do not disappoint with their wide range of betting markets and bet types that customers can make. To complement this, they also offer competitive odds on a range of sports and a free bet bonus for you to use on your sports bets.
Pros
- Better odds than a lot of bookies
- All favourite sports covered
- matched free bet with easy deposit method
Cons
- Slightly difficult user interface
Betfred
Betfred are one of the most established UK betting companies and have over 1000 high street betting shops. They state that their core values are “being a good company, providing real value and delivering an exceptional and exciting experience”. I think it is fair to say that they keep the majority of their existing customers happy with the range of bonuses they offer, which include: in play betting promos, £30 in free bets, place bets promos and also promotions tailored to their casino games.
Pros
- One of the best online gambling sites
- Lots of ongoing promotions
- Live streaming available
- Include virtual markets
Cons
- Parts of desktop site is dated
William Hill
William Hill really needs no introduction, but we will give them one anyway! They were first founded back in 1934, one of the oldest UK bookies that we have. Of course, back then there were no online bookies, everything was conducted in high street betting shops. It has also become an authoritative sports betting site in America. If you are in search of an online betting site with the best football and horse racing betting markets, then really William Hill is going to be the best betting site for that. They also offer live streaming, excellent customer support and little payment restrictions.
Pros
- Range of markets
- Regular price boosts and odds boosts
- Lots of deposit methods
- Free bet stakes available
Cons
- Country restrictions
Ladbrokes
If you thought William Hill was well established, then take a look at Ladbrokes who were first founded back in 1886. They also had thousands of bookie shops across the UK and have not become a fully optimised, great sportsbook that are always looking for new international markets to enter. In 2016, Ladbrokes and Coral merged together to dominate the UK sports betting industry. It was then later sold to Entain.
Pros
- Huge array of bonuses tailored to racing bets and football bets
- The biggest online bookmaker in the UK.
- Best odds guaranteed
Cons
- Issues with support outside of the UK.
Betfair
If you are looking for a betting exchange then really you don’t need to look any further than Betfair. They are the largest, with some of the most desirable betting sites bonuses you can find. If you love a free bet then you will enjoy Betfair, they have a whole host of them. Being founded in 1999, they are very much established and hold great authority in this industry. There isn’t a betting market that they don’t cover. With betting exchange sites, you make more profit as it is a punter versus punter scenario as opposed to punter versus bookie.
Pros
- Range of markets
- One of the best betting sites
- Have the option of a sportsbook or betting exchange.
- Fixed odds betting available
Cons
- VIP scheme on for horse racing
Coral
Coral joined forces with Ladbrokes back in 2016 and have continued to be one of the dominant platforms where you can bet online. Founded in 1926, Coral have built themselves a solid reputation for football horse racing and various other betting markets. Many considered Coral to be the best online betting site for competitive odds and enhanced odds. We highly admire their easy to use mobile app, where you can make deposits using apple pay and other simple deposit methods.
Pros
- Free bet promotions for horse racing
- Best odds on a lot of markets
- Great customer support
Cons
- Website can be hard to navigate
SkyBet
Sky Bet is part of the Sky Sports brand and was launched back in 2001. It is often advertised by the popular pundits that we see featured on Sky Sports News and Soccer Saturday. It is now owned by Flutter Entertainment who are known for operating a range of the best sports betting sites in the UK and globally.
Pros
- Range of free bet promotions
- Great user interface
- Easy to use sports betting app
Cons
- Below average customer service
- Low max payouts
- Payment restrictions apply
Paddy Power
Paddy Power is a very reputable UK and Irish bookmaker. They were founded in 1988 and are one of the best betting sites for promotions and bonuses. Not only that but they are also one of the only bookies that have a sense of humour when it comes to advertising and marketing. If you take a look at their social pages, they aren’t scared of making jokes about sporting icons and teams. They are another great example of a bookmaker that love to spoil their customers with enhanced odds.
Pros
- Paddy Power offers innovative promotions
- Simple registration
- Bookmaker with a sense of humour
- Lots of free bets valid
Cons
- Lacks full streaming service
- Not the best odds
Unibet
Unibet was founded back in 1990 and has become a global success in the sports betting niche. It is a betting site filled with great promotions, odds and the platform is very easy to navigate. They pride themselves on their live betting and live casino markets. They also have a range of payment methods that customers online can use, for example PayPal, Skill and other e-wallets. The min deposit for Unibet is £5, which is lower than most UK bookmakers.
Pros
- Great esports market
- Live betting and streaming available
- Statistics page for punters
Cons
- Lengthy sign-up process
Betway
Founded in 2006, Betway has not been around as long as a lot of the other UK betting sites. Nonetheless, they have still managed to make their way into the top ranks as one of the best betting sites, offering a complete online betting experience. Horse racing is a betting market in particular that they have a strong focus on. They have a simple registration process so you can open a betting account with ease.
Pros
- Excellent user interface
- Informative blogs for punters to read for betting tips
- Awesome online casino
Cons
- Weak bonus offers in comparison to other bookmakers
Best New Bookmakers
New betting sites are always arising in this industry. This is great for new UK customers that want to be able to take advantage of a new bookie and the betting bonus that they offer. There are so many new UK betting sites with unmissable promotions, therefore you really shouldn’t tie yourself down to the same betting site.
New betting sites struggle to bring in new customers due to them not being well established or well reviewed. To combat this, they look for generous bonuses that they can offer punters in order to attract them. This is why you can find a lot of easy to redeem betting offers at a new betting site.
Here are some of the new betting sites that we recommend to new online customers.
Virgin Bet
Virgin Bet was founded in 2019 and has become a strong competitor for other betting sites to worry about. They are an award winning betting site that are part of the infamous Virgin Group, founded by none other than Richard Branson. They are another example of a betting site that offer a free bet bonus – “Bet £10 Get £20”. As well as this, there are other free bets that you can claim, both sports bonuses and a casino bonus.
Pros
- Great betting markets
- Excellent promotions for your racing bets
- Competitive odds
- Nice betting app
Cons
- Not the best payment method options
Fansbet
Fansbet were founded in 2017, making them not one of the newest betting sites by any stretch of the imagination. However, it is still classed as new in comparison to others. They are registered under the Malta Gaming Authority and their motto is: “By fans, for fans”. Their platform is so simple to navigate and they cover all the top sporting events, as you would expect an online bookmaker to do so. In total as it stands, there are 28 different sports markets that they cover. They also provide 24/7 customer support, what more can you ask for?
Pros
- Nice user interface
- Sportsbook & online casino
- Bet builder and cash out available
Cons
- No live streaming options
Football Betting Sites
It probably comes as no surprise that football betting is a common interest amongst punters. Majority of bookmakers have at least one promotion tailored towards football betting. This makes it increasingly difficult to determine what the best football betting sites are.
In order to determine our favourites, we’ve had to look through the different football betting markets, football odds, cash outs, live stream, in play betting on football bets and more. Note that we are talking about football/ soccer, not American football.
Football has some of the most popular betting markets that you will find at online bookmakers. For example the Premier League, Champions League and the World Cup. Football is renowned for accumulator bets as well, being able to add multiple teams to your bet slip and predict a range of outcomes.
Our Top 5 football betting sites
- Paddy Power
- BoyleSports
- Bet365
- BetVictor
- 888Sport
Horse Racing Betting Sites
Along with football, horse racing is also one of the most popular selected sportsbook markets. This is not just a UK market either, it attracts punters on a global scale. Many UK betting sites pride themselves off their horse racing market and showcase a range of promotions tailored to horse racing for their customers to claim.
Horse races that are actually worth taking a punt on (common ones that horse racing bettors will bet on) are a lot more frequent than football matches, which adds to the excitement and popularity. There are many races each day that bookmakers have offers for. Whether it be UK races, or US, Australia, Irish horse racing, etc.
Common horse racing promotions include free bets, cashback offers, place bets bonuses, best odds guaranteed and more. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in then why not get your racing pool bet added to your bet slip and place your first racing pool bet today!
Our Top 5 Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Betfair
- Bet365
- Betway
- Ladbrokes
- Paddy Power
Rugby Betting Sites
Rugby league and rugby union are massively popular in the UK. Most online bookmakers offer a solid range of markets within the sport of rugby, making competitions like the six nations and Rugby world cup more exciting.
Not all UK betting sites have the same coverage for rugby, some are better than others. It can also be slightly difficult to find bonuses that are tailored to rugby, instead you can use the generic free bets that are applicable for all betting markets.
Our Top 5 Rugby Betting Sites
- Bet365
- Sky Bet
- Paddy Power
- Unibet
- Betway
Live Streaming Betting Sites
Live streaming has become incredibly popular since the drastic shift from betting in store to online betting. This bespoke feature can be a decider when choosing a sports betting to bet with. Especially if you are on the go and have no means of being able to keep up with the action, you can simply stream fixtures live from the betting sites and app to see how your bet is doing.
Typically, in order to stream a match on a betting site, you will need to have an existing wager on that particular fixture. In some cases, it can require a minimum bet of £1.
Our Top 5 Live Streaming Betting Sites
- William Hill
- Bet365
- Betway
- Unibet
- 888Sport
Bet Types Found in Top Online Bookmakers
There are many different bet types and ways to place wagers. Every UK bookie has what seems like endless amounts of selections to add to your bet slip. When in hindsight, it is realistically around 100 pre-match football bets selections, then a whole array of in play markets. The same goes for all sports betting markets.
It isn’t just about what aspect of a fixture you want to bet on either. You can also customise the way in which you bet on that particular selection. What we mean by this is betting options such as straight bets, sports spread betting, system bets, handicap betting, bet builders, scores, accas, over/ under totals, outrights, racing pools, Yankees, Canadians, in play betting and lots more.
UK Online Bookmaker For Fantasy Sports
Fantasy sport originally seemed like something for US Betting sites. It certainly gathers more popularity there than it does in the UK, however there is still a demand for it here and for good reason.
If you did want to get into betting on fantasy sports, then there are some websites in particular that we can recommend. Online gambling sites such as FanDuel, DraftKings and Paddy Power. They all have a section of their platform specific to fantasy sports.
How We Choose Online Betting Sites UK
Being experienced punters ourselves, we understand what new customers in the UK are demanding from betting sites. Experienced sports bettors can be very particular with certain sports and require certain bonuses, or betting odds, or markets within the major sports and niche sports. It is our responsibility to be able to source the best online bookmakers that provide the utmost quality and meet the needs of the punter.
In order to do this, we have compiled a list of factors and features that we consider to be the most important when choosing the best betting site. We determine what level all the online bookmakers that we review, are at in order to conclude an overall score and rating. This score and rating is reflected on how many stars they have and where they are positioned in the table.
We also understand that not everyone has the same tastes and preferences when it comes to choosing a betting site and what may be important to one punter is not necessarily important to another. This is why you can find a large variety of websites where you can bet online, in a table. It gives you the freedom to choose any from the list, or sign up to multiple online bookmakers if you want to.
Bookmaker Categories That We Review
Bet Offers & Promotions
We admire bookmakers that offer frequent promotions to both new customers and existing customers.
We also expect variety when it comes to bookmaker offers. Examples of bet offers that we expect from most betting sites include: free bets, matched deposit bonuses, cash back offers, price boosts, enhanced odds, extra places, accumulator bonuses, early payouts and perhaps a casino bonus too.
It is all well and good having these types of promotions, but on top of this, we look for low qualifying bet, low min odds, lenient wagering requirements, long expiry, easy to withdraw winnings and more features.
Betting Site Platform
The actual betting site itself needs to be perfect. From the moment you make your online bookmaker account, to placing that first bet, awaiting bet settlement, taking your winnings and seeing your betting account grow! Everything you do should be seamless. A lot of online bookies do provide this sort of service, but not all. As a new punter especially it can get confusing.
Licence
Licensing is often an undervalued factor with bookmakers. We would not recommend a betting site to you if it is not licensed. The best licences include the UK gambling commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. You can always read the further terms of the website to see what licence the bookmaker holds.
Odds & Prices
Undoubtedly we want to have the best betting odds for our betting selections. It’s important that you use a bookie that has competitive odds otherwise with each bet you place, you could be missing out on a significant amount of profit.
The betting sites that do offer enhanced odds tend to be the best betting sites in the business. It’s very reassuring for the punter when a UK bookmaker shows signs of generosity.
Betting Markets
All the bookmakers we list offer hundreds of different betting markets. When we say hundreds, we don’t mean hundreds of sports, but hundreds of markets within each sport. The more betting markets, the better. It gives you more to place a bet on.
When choosing a bookmaker, make sure that you are registering with one that offers an excellent selection of markets within the sports you plan to have a punt on.
Max/ Min Stake
Bookmakers like to put restrictions on the maximum amount you can bet and also the lowest amount you can bet. Typically this is tied in with promotions but we hunt down the lenient bookies that don’t offer tight restrictions like this. In an ideal world, we want there to be a low minimum stake and a high maximum stake.
Maximum Winnings
If you thought that you can win endless amounts at a betting site then you are very much mistaken. All bookmakers enforce maximum winnings amounts which will cap the amount you can withdraw from a bet. Usually the max winnings is incredibly high so it won’t bother you at all.
Live Streaming
Live streaming is an innovative feature that still not all betting sites can provide. There are many that don’t offer it to customers and this puts them at a disadvantage. Live online streaming is convenient as it allows you to watch your bets unfold, anywhere at any time.
Whilst watching a live stream, you can typically indulge in live betting as well. Look out for the live online streaming betting service when you come to register at a new bookie.
Payment Methods
The more payment methods you can use to make deposits and withdrawals, the better. Some companies offer a small amount of payment options which will typically be the more traditional payment methods, whereas others can be more adventurous and allow their customers to make a payment using cryptocurrencies and various e-wallets.
Money Back Offers
No one likes losing a bet, it is the most frustrating part to online gambling. However, to slightly ease the pain, a lot of betting companies can provide money back offers. These promotions will hand the punter back a percentage of their stake if their bet loses, so you don’t end up losing the full amount.
Loyalty Scheme
Loyalty goes a long way and that’s exactly what we look for in a sports betting site. We believe customers should always be rewarded for their loyalty and luckily a lot of UK online bookmakers provide that.
The loyalty scheme may offer you free bets or other promotions that are decided based on the amount that you wager with them within a certain time frame.
All Round Betting Experience
Finally, the overall betting experience is what matters the most. We always recommend to players that they bet responsibly and to enjoy themselves. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
How To Register With The Best Betting Sites
The account reg process of any UK online betting platform is incredibly simple. If you want to know how to register with new bookmakers, then follow our quick and easy step-by-step guide. This process should be applicable for any new online bookmaker.
- Take a look at our full list of online bookmakers and choose one to sign up to.
- Create a new account, entering basic details such as personal information, billing address and default payment details. Ensure that the payment method you are using is applicable to claim the sign up offer.
- You will need to verify your account by submitting some sort of documentation, like a bank statement, drivers licence, passport, etc.
- Add funds to your account, remember to abide by the minimum deposit amount stated in the bonus terms.
- Choose the sports bets you want to wager on and add it to your bet slip. You may need to make a qualifying bet for the bonus. Ensure you are satisfied with the bet amount and potential winnings, then confirm your bet.
What To Consider When Picking A New Betting Site
When on the lookout for new bookies, there are many factors that need to be considered. If you wanted to, you could simply pick any to register with, but is that betting site really going to offer everything you need for the ultimate betting experience? Instead, you can use our expert tips to determine which site is best for you.
We also suggest recommendations for bookmakers based on which ones thrive in certain aspects. For example, You might be someone with a lot of appreciation for free bets, or perhaps you are interested in placing Irish placepot bets, or it could be that you want a telephone betting service. Whatever it may be, we want to be able to source it for you.
When it comes to choosing bookmakers in the UK, here are the main features we admire.
Betting Markets
The more betting options the better. Always look for UK bookmakers that offer markets within all the sports you are interested in. For example you may be a fan of betting on teams such as Manchester United or Manchester City, if that is the case, then you can find bookmakers that have a strong focus on their fixtures, offering the best odds and bonuses tailored to their games.
Or perhaps you like horse racing, well luckily there are certain bookmakers that have a strong focus on this betting market that you should register with.
Betting Odds
Finding great odds is by no means easy. With so many sites to choose from, it is almost impossible to know which specific one is going to provide the best value for money on certain bets. The way we tackle this is by eliminating the bookies that always offer fixed odds on their selections and target the good odds and odds boosts bonuses.
You can see from our list as to which sites offer fixed odds and which ones offer great odds, whether it be in the form of odds boosts or supercharged odds.
Security & Licensing
Security should be the utmost priority for any betting online site. All the sites that we share with you have the latest SSL encryption, meaning that they are very safe to play at and they look after all the customer details shared with them. As well as this, every single one holds a licence.
Payment Methods
Payment methods are just like betting bonuses, the more of them, the better it is for the customer. Not everyone uses the same methods, some prefer e-wallets, some like cryptocurrencies, top-up vouchers, etc. Some are fine with sticking to the generic debit card deposits.
You can head over to our payment method pages and search for unique websites that will allow you to use more niche methods of payment, such as apple pay and also ones where little to no payment method exclusions apply.
Payment Options Process
The process in which it takes money to reach your account should be simple, smooth and quick. The longer you have to wait to be able to deposit funds or withdraw funds, the lower we rank a bookmaker. The best sites that you can see in our list of bookmakers are ones that have quick withdrawals.
Mobile Betting
The mobile betting market is ever-growing. The popularity for it has massively increased over the years and now the majority of punters are wagering on a mobile or tablet device. For this reason, we think it is important that betting companies offer their customers a mobile app so they can place bets with ease. Most bookies these days allow punters to make wagers on their desktop and mobile app.
Existing Customer Offers
Existing customers are not ones to forget about. Before we mentioned rewarding loyalty and that is what we expect. As existing customers, we expect to have the same treatment in terms of offerings as new customers. There are many ways that loyalty can be rewarded and thankfully a lot of sites are sharp to do so.
What Makes The Best Online Bookies?
With there being a lot of online bookmakers listed in the table above, it leaves the question of which UK bookmaker is the best?
In honesty, there is no single UK bookie that we would say is the best, there are a lot of amazing ones that you can play at. Many go above and beyond for customers and you would be proud to place your first bet with them.
If we were to try and determine which one would take the crown as the overall best, that the vast majority of punters would agree with, we would have to look into the following:
- Best odds – minimum odds, odds greater than others, etc.
- Range of markets – niche markets, not excluding virtual markets, etc.
- Welcome offer – free bet offers, other betting offers, casino offering.
- Existing customer offer – more free bets, bonus money, etc.
- Live betting – livescore bet, in play betting.
- User interface – Start betting easily, impressive range, online offering, etc.
Best Betting Sites UK Terms and Conditions
Most, if not all sports betting sites will enforce the following terms and conditions on their bonuses and your betting account:
- Must be 18 or over to gamble.
- Will have to make a min deposit amount
- Will have to place a qualifying bet with min odds
- Free bet stake must be wagered and not withdrawn
- Awarded bonuses after bet settlement
- Free bets cannot be cashed out or partially cashed
- Game restrictions apply
- Certain promotional period
- Further terms
Trusting UK Betting Sites & Bookmakers Reviews
Our team of free bets experts have consolidated a lot of information and research together to come up with unbiased, in-depth bookmaker reviews that you can trust. We review a huge range of trustworthy bookmakers for new customers to register with.
We consider UK punters and their tastes and preferences. Here is an example criteria that we look out when gauging out new sports betting sites.
Trustworthy Sports Betting Sites
Trust is crucial. If you feel a lack of trust between you and your new sports betting company, then it is time to move on. Our reviews have comprehensive coverage on trust, looking at security, terms and conditions, licensing and other factors that answer the ultimate question of whether or not a bookie can be trusted.
Reliable Sports Betting Platforms
Reliability is important. If you have any issue with your new account or your bookmaker seems to not accept bets you are trying to place, then you need someone to resolve this issue. This is where the customer support team comes into play.
Customer support and service should be the forefront for any betting platform. The more ways in which they can be of service, the better. Our preferred customer support methods include: telephone, live chat, email and FAQs.
Reputable Betting Websites
A good trust signal for a betting service is having a strong reputation already. Of course this can come with age and experience within the industry, therefore putting new UK betting sites at a disadvantage, but it is true. We always let our new customers know when a betting platform was founded so you can see how reputable they are.
Best Bookmakers With Betting Apps
It’s clear that the future is mobile betting, in fact, it is now the present. Many have already made the switch from desktop to mobile app. Chances are if you are already an avid punter, you once did the same and now process all your bets through betting apps.
All you need to begin betting on a mobile device is a smartphone and a connection to the internet, whether that be through WiFi or mobile data. All betting apps are free to download. All you need to do is head over to your app store and search for the betting app.
The app itself doesn’t use up much storage space at all which is great. The apps are free as well.
Best Mobile Betting App
Bet365
For us, the best mobile app to place bets on is Bet365. It is extremely easy to navigate. There is a very helpful menu that showcases all the sports markets and other useful pages.
Best Betting Exchanges
There are only a handful of betting exchanges in the UK, it is not extremely common but can be very beneficial for us as players due to the fact that you get better odds than a traditional bookmaker. If you are interested in betting exchange sites, then you should take a look at the following platforms:
- Betfair
- Betdaq
- Smarkets
Best Spread Betting UK Bookies
Spread betting is a more complex form of betting in comparison to other methods but nonetheless it can be highly profitable. Luckily for UK punters, there are some spread betting sites that you can access. We only really recommend this to experienced UK players and not new UK customers.
Here are the best spread betting platforms:
- Sporting Index
- Spreadex
Best UK Betting Site With Online Casino Bonus
If you feel like you are running out of betting options when it comes to sports events, then why not take advantage of the online casino games and casino bonus that are on offer too.
There are numerous companies that offer an online sportsbook as well as a casino. This makes it so simple to switch between the two if one minute you want to bet on live sports and then the next you fancy a game of blackjack. You can keep the same betting account for both, and switch over with the press of a button, making the whole process seamless.
When looking for a casino bonus, use the same strategy as if it were a sportsbook offer. Analyse the following: Payment methods, qualifying bet required, free to play games, live betting, welcome offer, min deposit, other bonus offers, etc.
Most Popular Betting Offers
What are the most popular betting offers? Sometimes we see the highest free bet offer and think that we should grab that based on the value of the free funds. Or we might look at the offer with the lowest wagering requirements. Perhaps we select the offer that doesn’t require us to deposit any of our own money.
Whatever the reasoning, it might not necessarily be the correct approach.
With all offers and promotions, there are terms and conditions that are tied to them. All players must abide by the terms and conditions in order to be able to reap the rewards valid. This must be done before the bonus expires.
The most popular betting offers are not always the ones that are completely free or have low minimum odds on the qualifying bets, there are other factors that make bonuses more desirable.
Here are some of the most popular types of promotions:
No Deposit Bonus – A rarity in the gambling world but nonetheless they still can be sourced. No deposit bonuses are the most desirable as they require no deposit for the initial bonus. It is basically a free shot at winning a bet with no risk involved. The bonus amount will typically be small, for example £10 or £20.
Deposit Bonus – A deposit bonus can be very rewarding, you can get hundreds of pounds worth of free bet stakes. They are one of the most common forms of free bet. In order to be granted with the free funds, you will need to make a qualifying bet and wait for qualifying bet settlement before receiving the funds. In some cases you may be required to make a qualifying deposit as well.
Daily Price Boosts – Price boosts will never be under a welcome offer but will be more of an existing customer promotion. They are great to make a bit more profit on your bets, which will be more significant with the more you stake.
Money Back – Who doesn’t want their money back on a losing bet? Well, you might not be able to claim it all back but some bookies will be generous enough to hand over part of your stake back if your bet loses.
Promo Code – Promo codes are not essential for every bonus. In fact, a promo code is being less and less used by bookmakers. Using the promo code that a betting site requires is simple, enter the promo code into the required field when registering or making a deposit.
Reload Bonus – A reload bonus is there to reward existing players. You may find that the betting company ends up sending you an email or notification letting you know that they have decided to give you some free bet credits to use on their platform.
Bet Credits – Bet credits can be used as a tactic to encourage customers that haven’t placed a bet in a while to come back and play. They will still have wagering requirements attached to them but they can be used on a huge range of markets and a nice gesture from the bookie.
Online Sportsbook VS High Street Betting Shops
Gone are the days where new customers register with a betting company by stepping into a betting shop.
Almost all betting action is done online these days. The main reason for this is the sheer convenience of it. Why would you need to spend more time travelling to a betting service shop to place your first bet when you can simply place a bet online in minutes? By the time you have left your house to head to the shop, you could have already placed your first bet.
It is a lot easier to place multiple bets on a virtual bet slip as opposed to doing it on a piece of paper. Especially when it comes to betting in play. Imagine you are watching a premier league game, you could have your smartphone with you and place a bet on what you think will happen next within minutes. You would be kicking yourself if your bet came in whilst you were trying to register it in a betting shop!
The betting shop may not offer free bets or other popular promotions, therefore heading online you can instantly find sites like this one that list bookmakers to register with that offer free bets.
Responsible Gambling
We can’t stress enough that everyone should be wary when it comes to gambling online.
Never bet more than you can afford to lose and make sure you have a full understanding of everything that betting online entails.
There are many sites that help you bet responsibly and can provide advice to you when you need it. If you feel you do have a gambling problem then please ask for help.
Best Bookmaker & Betting Sites FAQs
How Many Betting Sites Are There In The UK?
There are hundreds of betting sites in the UK all showcasing the main sporting events for you to bet on. Take a look at our list of bookmakers.
Do All Bookmakers Have Minimum Deposit Requirements?
Yes, all sites have min deposit requirements and sometimes minimum odds too. Make sure you are aware of what they are for your betting site.
Can You Get Banned From Betting Sites?
Yes. It is possible to get banned from betting sites. If you go against their code of conduct or in some cases win a considerably large amount of money, they can ban you.
What Are The Best UK Online Bookmakers?
This is really down to your tastes and preferences, whether you are after a betting exchange or somewhere that offers the best toteplace bet and tote credit. We label what each bookmaker specialises in.
Is Sports Betting Legal in the UK?
Online sports betting in the UK is completely legal to those over the age of 18. Qualifying participants will meet this age requirement if 18 or above and should only be placing bets with licensed punter sites.
Can I Bet On Sports in the UK?
In the UK, you can place your special bets in store or online. If you want to do it in store then look for the magic sign of the bookie and head into their shop. If you want to do it online then choose a site to register with from our list.
We recommend choosing one with no deposit limit, great customer service, good payment options, smooth withdrawal process and extensive coverage of sports.
What Payment Options Can I Use To Bet?
Payment method exclusions apply at every site. For example a lot don’t offer google pay. Popular payment options include debit cards, e-wallets, vouchers, crypto and more.
When Did Sports Betting in the UK Start?
Sports betting in the UK started in 1960. There were no way near as many betting options back then. You could only place your first bet on a handful of options and there weren’t any betting tips to help you either. There were just a couple UK and Irish companies to wager with back then.
