Best Betting Sites in the UK for 2023

There are many different betting sites at British punters’ disposal, which can make it tricky to find the best fit. That’s where this page comes in. Here at BettingOdds.com, we’ve rounded up the best online betting companies, checked out their top features, weighed up their pros and cons, and produced reviews for each one. 

But that’s not all. On this page, you can also discover handy information about how we find the best betting sites in the UK, how to sign up for your new online betting account, the best mobile betting apps, and so much more besides. 

So, stick with us as we introduce you to some of the best bookies in the business. When you spot your perfect place to bet, just click the orange ' Visit Site' or ‘Get Offer’ button to head straight there.

Our Top Betting Site Recommendations - September 2023

How We Compare Betting Sites 

We take a number of things into account when comparing betting sites, so you can rest assured that any site we recommend has been thoroughly reviewed. Here are some of the factors that take precedence in our rankings:

Best Betting Sites Reviewed

Bet365

Bet365 offers new players £50 in Free Bets when they make their first qualifying deposit of £10. If, however, you want to deposit only £5, Bet365 will still give you £25 worth of free bets. There aren’t many betting sites out there that offer welcome bonuses worth just £5, and Bet365’s willingness to cater to all sorts of players and budgets is one of the things we love about them. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll find plenty more to like about Bet365, from their huge variety of markets, sports and payment options to their generous ongoing promotions and impressive mobile app.

William Hill

Founded in 1934, William Hill is one of the biggest and oldest sportsbooks in the world. William Hill boasts one of the largest selections of sports and markets, and frequently offers enhanced odds and other ongoing promotions. No matter what sport you’re interested in – be it football, horse racing or even water polo – William Hill will have you covered. They also provide one of the best mobile apps in the online gambling market, so you can access and even stream a number of these sports while on the go. 

William Hill's current new customer promotion offers £30 in Free Bets after you place your first £10 bet.

888sport

888sport may be the best sports betting site in terms of bonuses and promotions. Placing a qualifying bet of £10 as a new customer will get you £30 in free bets, as well as an extra £10 casino bonus in case you fancy switching things up, and the promotions don’t stop there. As an active 888casino customer, you are also entitled to a £5 free bet every week with their Acca Club promotion, as well as when you make any 1/4 bet and win. 888sport also offers a free £5 in-play bet on Champions League nights, providing you have made a pre-match bet. If you prefer to bet on the horses, 888sport also offers best odds guaranteed. All of this, plus the countless other promotions on offer, can be accessed on the 888sport app, which also supports their live streaming service that’s ripe for in-play betting.

Betfred

Established in 1967, Betfred is a staple of sports betting. Like a number of its competitors, Betfred offers new customers £40 in bonuses when they stake £10, but there’s plenty on offer for existing customers too, especially for those who like to bet on the football. Their Acca Insurance bonus, for example, gives back £10 if one of your five football bets doesn’t come in, and there are countless other promotions and price boosts available for both pre-match and in-play betting. Betfred also provides excellent offers on horse racing – such as extra place races and best odds guaranteed – but there are certainly few better options for football fans.

BetVictor 

If you’re looking for a bookie with exciting sign-up deals for new customers, you’ll want to check out BetVictor. This UK bookmaker has a trio of offers to tempt you, including a Bet £5 Get £10 offer available on any sport, a Bet £20 Get £40 football deal, and a Bet £10 Get £40 horse racing offer, which even comes with a £10 slots bonus. We love how these deals cater for different budgets and tastes, but there’s more to come. Once you've settled in, you can unlock a mystery free bet worth up to £25 weekly when you place five £5 bets on any sport.

Betway

Betway gets off to a great start with new punters. Sign up and you’ll receive a £30 matched free bet if your first football or horse racing acca loses, and 50 bonus spins to boot! When the fun of the welcome bonus is over, there are plenty of reasons to stick around. This popular online bookie hits the spot with a weekly free bet club, some seriously juicy betting odds courtesy of Betway boosts, and a choice of over 30 different sports to bet on, all easily accessible from the home page. Oh, and there's a great mobile app. 

SpreadEx

As UK bookmakers go, SpreadEx has something pretty unique to offer sports bettors. Unlike traditional betting sites, this online bookie allows you to place both fixed odds bets and spread bets. Spread betting is a fresh and exciting way to bet on sports, where the payout or loss is determined by the accuracy of your prediction. SpreadEx is currently offering new punters a £50 bonus comprising £25 of free fixed odds bets, £20 of spread bets and 50 free spins on Starburst. Place a £25 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of ½ to get yours. 

LeoVegas

Sign up for a new online betting account at LeoVegas and you’ll get a 100% profit boost on your first bet up to £10 if it wins. It’s a great way to get started at this popular online sportsbook, but it’s just the beginning. As a customer of LeoVegas, you’ll get access to thousands of sports betting markets across more than 35 top sports, not to mention a mobile app for betting on the go. And if you're a fan of Man City or Milan, you'll get a profit boost on every one of their games in the 2022-2023 season.

Betting Bonuses at Betting Sites

One major benefit to signing up at a new online betting site is you’ll get to take advantage of a welcome bonus. Bookies run these promotions to get new customers through their doors, and they’re a great way to test out a site and its offering — or take a punt on some longer odds without putting your own money on the line!

A welcome bonus is usually unlocked when you make a qualifying deposit or bet. There may be various terms and conditions attached, and it’s essential you give these a read before claiming. Wagering requirements are an important one to watch out for, and prevent you withdrawing your bonus and related winnings until you’ve bet a certain amount at the site. Other important T&Cs often surround your qualifying deposit or bet — such as minimum deposit, minimum odds, or payment method exclusions.

Below, we’ve explained some of the different betting bonuses you might come across at the best betting sites.

Free Bets

The simplest type of bonus is a free bet. These are offered to new and existing customers alike, usually in return for a qualifying stake. One current example is bet365’s welcome bonus, which offers £30 in free bets when you stake £10 at minimum odds of 1/5.

Free bet credit is generally pretty flexible, but may have certain restrictions. You can usually only use it on markets that meet min odds requirements. While you’ll get to keep the profit if your free bet wins, the stake usually isn’t returned.

Matched Deposit

While it’s more commonly found at online casinos, you could receive a matched deposit offer at the best online betting sites. How do they work? Essentially, you make a deposit and the bookie ‘matches’ it by a certain percentage and up to a certain amount.

A 100% matched deposit is the most common amount, usually up to around £30 or £40 max. Say you deposit £30 at a site with a 100% match — you’ll get an additional £30 in bonus betting credit. This credit can’t be withdrawn but you can use it to make bets without staking your own money.

Money Back

Money back offers, sometimes called bet refunds, are where you’ll get your stake returned if your qualifying bet loses.

Not all sites pay money back offers as cash, however. Often, you’ll receive your bet refund in the form of a free bet which can’t be withdrawn and will be subject to all the usual T&Cs.

Bookmaker Specific Promotion

Bookies run all sorts of unique promotions on their sites. It’s their way of standing out from the crowd and offering more value to players. Many of these offers are available for existing players, and can take a variety of forms:

• Odds boosts give you a better price on selected markets, or sometimes you can pick a bet to receive an increased price.
• Best Odds Guaranteed means winning bets are paid out at the best odds available, regardless of the price you took.
• Acca insurance refunds your accumulator stake if just one leg fails.
• Extra place payouts give you some extra leeway with your place or each-way bets, and are often available on horse racing and golf.
• Free bet clubs reward punters who regularly stake a certain amount with free bet credits, usually on a weekly basis.

That’s not a comprehensive list by any means — the best online betting sites are always dreaming up new ways to entice customers to get involved. 

Casino Bonus

Many of the best betting sites run online casinos alongside their sportsbooks. Sometimes these sites offer a casino bonus as part of their welcome packages. Unibet is one example, including a £10 casino bonus alongside a money back sports bet for new customers. 

This casino credit can be used to play a range of games at the site without putting your own cash on the line. It’s worth keeping in mind these casino bonuses often come with more restrictive T&Cs, such as steep wagering requirements that make withdrawing resulting winnings unlikely.

Common Features at the Best Betting Sites

Besides being able to make a straight up bet – the minimum requirement of any bookie – the best betting sites offer a variety of features that significantly enhance the betting experience. If you’re signed up to a betting site that isn’t offering the following in terms of betting variations, then you’re missing out on what separates the best from the rest.

We consider a variety of betting markets imperative to a complete gambling experience, and if your desired bet or accumulator isn’t immediately available, you should be able to build your own bet. Of course, not every betting site can offer a bet builder service, but we highly recommend those that do, like Bet365, and 888sport, among others.

In-play betting

In-play betting is, as the name suggests, when you bet on a match or race as it's happening, and is a must at all the best betting sites. It is perhaps the most fun you can have at a bookies, as it raises the stakes of any fixture you’re watching, whether you’re a fan or not. In-play betting, which is also referred to as live betting, is the best option for sports experts, as it is all about intuition, responding to the action as it happens. If you’re a sports betting fan and haven’t tried in-play betting yet, we highly recommend you give it a go.

Cash out

Cash out and in-play betting go hand in hand. If you’ve placed a bet on a fixture or race but you’re unsure of whether it will come through, most of the best betting sites will offer you the chance to ‘cash out’ before the final whistle. For example, if you have Arsenal to beat Tottenham, and Arsenal are 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go but you don’t think they’re going to hold on, you can cash out your bet and receive a portion of your potential winnings, depending on how probable the bookies consider a Spurs equaliser. Again, it makes for very entertaining viewing, and is a feature you should expect to find at the best betting sites. 

Live streaming

Many of the best betting sites – like Bet365, 888sports and William Hill – offer a live streaming service that facilitates in-play betting. To access this service you must be signed up to the relevant betting site, and in some cases must also have either a funded account, or have made a bet in the 24 hours leading up to the event in question. The sport most commonly covered by UK betting sites is horse racing, but you can also watch top-flight European football, Grand Slam tennis, and many other tournaments and sports.

Bet Builder

Bet builder is a feature that allows punters to build their own accumulators within a single match, race or event, and from a variety of markets. As such, bet builders allow you to craft your own unique bets. They are usually associated with football, due to their being so many established betting markets within the sport, but can increasingly be used with others as well. 

Each Way

An each-way bet is made up of two parts of equal stake and is extremely popular in sports where there are numerous competitors, most pertinently horse racing and golf. The first part of your bet requires your selection to win and the second bet is on your selection to place; the number of places on offer is dependent on the bookmaker. So, while your selection may not always come out on top, opting for an each-way bet means you do still have the opportunity to receive a pay-out if your choice places in the event (place terms can vary but are usually in the region of 1/4 or 1/5 odds).

Live Odds

Live odds are what a bookmaker offers to bettors during in-play betting, and they’re not available for wagers placed pre-match. They are as they sound: live and therefore liable for fluctuation as the game progresses. Live odds are calculated using complex computer systems, or quite often traders working as odds compilers who calculate the price of a bet depending on the current situation in the game. Typically associated with football, punters might want to take advantage of live odds if something dramatic occurs mid-match. Perhaps a player has had a few near misses and you can sense he’s going to score – this is when live odds come into play, and you can check the odds value and place your bet while the game is in play. 

Request a Bet

Also known as a bet builder, request a bet is a system that allows punters to request a certain, unique bet via a hashtag on Twitter. The best betting sites all have unique hashtags that will alert them to the request, where they will then calculate and offer odds to that individual. Naturally, with a one off bet, you may be more likely to encounter higher prices than if you pick an already advertised selection of odds, however if you really have your heart set on backing a certain outcome, then requesting a bet may be your only option. Starting out as a phenomenon unique to SkyBet with #RequestABet, other bookmakers have tagged onto the idea. Ladbrokes goes with #GetAPrice.

Bet Editing

Bet editing is the ability to amend a bet once it’s already been placed. Perhaps you want to add to your acca, or remove something that suddenly doesn’t seem so likely to pay off – this is where bet editing comes into play. Usually available as both a pre-match and in-play option, this feature is technically the cancelling of one bet, cashing out, and immediate placing of another. So be mindful that you may negate or invalidate any associated bonus offer by cashing out midway. Plus, of course, there are variations from site to site, with some offering just the chance to decrease a current bet, whereas others will allow for additions to be made to your betslip.

Virtual Sports 

Another betting option is that of virtual sports. Virtual sports are fixed odds events and matches that use a random number generator (RNG) to decide the outcome. Bookies can neither know the result in advance, nor influence the outcome of a match. Despite being virtual, punters see the same result no matter where they are in the world, and equally the outcome is always the same for everyone. Games are typically a lot shorter than in real life – for example, football matches last a matter of minutes, which means you find out the results a lot quicker. In addition, there is no seasonal play like in real life games, so virtual sports are available all year round. 

Best In-Play Betting Sites

One popular feature available at the best online bookmakers is in-play betting. While many punters like to get their wagers in before kick-off, live betting lets you get involved once a match is underway. 

That means you can wait to assess the competitors’ form before placing your bets, or make new selections in response to the twists and turns. The bookie’s odds will update as things progress, so there’s an element of timing involved if you want to get the best value. 

bet365

Top bookie bet365 has a fantastic in-play betting selection. All markets that are currently in play can be accessed via a handy ‘in-play’ page and sorted by sport — as timing is often important when live betting, it’s helpful to be able to quickly find what you’re looking for.

The range of sports on offer here is diverse. Esports, snooker, and volleyball are a few of the more niche markets available for in-play betting. bet365 also supports live streaming straight from the sportsbook, so it’s easy to follow along as you place your bets. 

William Hill

William Hill’s tried and trusted betting platform is another great option for in-plays. Most sports are covered, with built-in live streaming for a number of markets. Where live streaming isn’t available, handy stats and diagrams are provided to indicate the latest developments, helping you pick your next bet.

BoyleSports

Although the BoyleSports site may not look as slick as other sportsbooks, it supports a huge range of in-play betting markets nonetheless. Punters can sort by sport, bet type, and contest, so it’s easy to make a selection. A live streaming icon indicates which events can be watched on the site as well, and a range of recent stats and results aids those who like to do some research before they bet. 

Bet Types at the Best Betting Sites

Some types of bets are specific to certain sports, but you’ll find that the best UK betting sites generally offer similar bets across the board. Let’s take a look at some of the most common.

• Outright Winner – If you have a feeling you know who’ll win the whole tournament, you can place an outright winner bet on your predicted victor.
• Place and Each-Way – Betting on a horse each way means you are betting on two outcomes: that they’ll win and that they’ll place within the top few positions. Usually they need to be a top five finisher to place, however some races make it as few as the top two or three.
• Over/Under – Based on a number set by the sportsbook, an over/under bet allows you to predict whether a match statistic will go over or under this number. For example, it can be a total number of goals, corners, or tries.
• Prop Bets – A props bet is one that doesn’t rely on the outcome of a match. For example, you could bet on how many yellow cards a player will get, or how many aces a tennis player will hit. 
• Head-to-Head – A head to head bet sees the bettor wager on a particular player or team to come out as winner over another. An example could be picking a winner of a tennis tournament out of two potentials. Or a sportsbook may pit two golfers against each other and allow bettors to decide who will progress further in a competition.
• Accumulators – An accumulator, or acca, allows punters to combine multiple selections into one bet. These bets can be risky, as to win, each selection needs to be successful — but as you can imagine, the winnings are often much higher than a single wager.

Types of Betting Markets Available

There’s a plethora of betting markets available when it comes to online betting. This ranges from popular sports like football and horse racing, or niche markets like esports and darts - betting sites in the UK have you covered. We’ll delve into the most common betting markets available in the UK and provide a quick summary of each so you can fully understand all of the options at your disposal.

New Betting Sites

While it’s a good rule of thumb to stick to what we know when it comes to betting, it can be fun to try something new — whether that be a new sport, promotion, or bookmaker. There’s a lot of choice out there for punters, so even the most established sites, like Bet365, have to regularly up their game.

A benefit of betting via a new site can be the unique promotions and generous odds they provide. Being new to the industry, it’s important to stand out from the rest, so you may find the most creative offers and player-friendly terms at new sites. 

Another positive can be the provision of convenient features such as downloadable apps. In fact, some newer sportsbooks such as SBK by Smarkets operate entirely via an app. Benefits of this include speedier registrations and seamless access to mobile-friendly payment methods like PayPal and Skrill.

So while you might have your favourite betting sites on hand, there are benefits to trying something new. Take a look through our list of new betting sites and see which takes your fancy. 

Best Mobile Betting Apps

Looking for the most seamless betting experience on your phone or tablet? A mobile betting app holds the key. Once downloaded, these apps offer benefits like biometric login and push notifications for the latest offers. They’re also often faster to load than mobile sites, as the app is stored locally on your device. You’ll find a quick look at some of the UK’s best mobile betting apps below. 

bet365

The bet365 mobile app offers a huge selection of pre-match and in-play markets to bet on. With a personalised display, you’ll get lightning-fast access to your favourite sports, and users can enable tailored alerts and updates for the latest events. iOS users can log in using Touch ID or Face ID, and deposits are made quick and easy via Apple Pay. The bet365 app is also available for Android devices. 

SBK

Newer bookmaker SBK — operated by the same team behind the Smarkets betting exchange — is mobile-only, so we wouldn’t blame you if you had high expectations for this betting app. Thankfully, the platform delivers. The social features of this sportsbook are a key differentiator, letting users share tips and compare bets on the leaderboards. Other handy features include 2-factor authentication, in-play betting, live scores updated in real time, and seamless management of your betting wallet.

Parimatch

We’re big fans of Parimatch’s dark theme punctuated by neon yellow — and it looks absolutely fantastic on mobile. This app gives bettors access to all their favourite markets, alongside bet builders, live and in-play betting, and exclusive content from brand ambassador Olekandr Usyk. This is one of the best-reviewed mobile betting apps available too, with both the Android and iOS apps rated over 4.5/5 by users.

Unibet

Available for both Android and iOS, the Unibet mobile app is a great way to place bets while you’re away from your desktop. Within its clean, intuitive interface, you’ll find the betting odds and enhanced specials for all upcoming events. The app also supports bet builders and early cash-out. We’re pleased to see customer service is a priority at Unibet, with 24/7 support available via the app alongside a host of responsible gambling advice and guides.

Banking Methods at Betting Sites 

Each individual online betting site offers a range of different banking options for their customers. Below, we run through a selection of the most popular payment methods you can use to make deposits and withdrawals.

Compare Betting Odds at the Best Betting Sites UK

BettingOdds.com is the ideal place to browse markets, compare odds, and discover the best prices on a multitude of sports, events, and specials from the best UK betting sites. Our user-friendly odds comparison tables make it easy to browse and compare betting odds, so whether you’re seeking the odds on the first goal scorer in the Manchester derby or the most attractive each-way prices for the Grand National, we've got you covered. 

Not only do we provide the latest betting odds for all the most popular sports, but we also offer expert recommendations on the best betting sites for the job. Below, you’ll find just a few examples of the different types of betting sites you can find at BettingOdds.

Euro 2024 Betting Sites

The Three Lions were runners up to Italy at Euro 2020, so there’s little doubt that fans will be hoping Southgate’s boys can step things up in 2024. The 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship is set to take place in Germany between 14 June and 14 July, and you can count on BettingOdds to keep you up to speed with the best betting sites for the occasion. From the best Euro betting odds to the best free bets, we’ll have all the details you need. 

Royal Ascot Betting Sites

With a history spanning more than 300 years, Royal Ascot is one of the UK’s most prestigious horse racing events. The Berkshire meet is held across five days every June and brings with it an array of betting opportunities on races such as the Coronation Stakes and the Gold Cup, including win, place, and each-way bets, as well as various specials and promos. Find the best deals and the best Royal Ascot betting sites right here at BettingOdds. 

Wimbledon Betting Sites

The world’s oldest tennis tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July and features some of the best tennis players in the world. BettingOdds offers all the crucial information you need to make betting on Wimbledon great fun. From the latest sign-up deals to the best odds, we’ve got what you need, so be sure to pay us a visit when this Grand Slam rolls around. Don’t forget the strawberries and cream!

US Open Betting Sites 

Established in 1895, The US Open is one of golf’s four Majors. The tournament takes place in mid-June every year and features the top golfers from around the world. At BettingOdds, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of betting on the US Open 2023 and beyond. Make us your online betting partner to find the best value for your bets, as well as the latest welcome bonuses and the most competitive odds.

Rugby World Cup Betting Sites

October 2023 sees the start of the France Rugby World Cup. It’s set to be an exciting event with the group stage offering some potentially fiery match ups. The hosts are in Pool A, alongside  New Zealand who are ranked third in the world and are one of the favourites. South Africa are the current World Cup holders, following their 2019 win over England in the final. Check out our rugby union page to keep up to date with all the latest information and odds in the run up to the event.

Responsible Gambling at UK Betting Sites

With so many markets and features on offer at the best UK betting sites, it’s easy to get carried away. With that in mind, make sure you’re keeping on top of your gambling habits, as they can quickly get out of hand, and will suck all the enjoyment out of betting. Here are some of our tips for responsible gambling that you should always bear in mind:

Frequently Asked Questions