
Best Betting Sites in the UK for 2025
Choosing the right betting site can be tricky, but we’re here to help. At BettingOdds.com, we’ve reviewed the best online betting companies, highlighting their features, pros, and cons to make your decision easier. You’ll also find tips on signing up, exploring mobile betting apps, and much more.
- Payout Speed
- Payment Options
- Bet Builder
- Free Bet Club
- Streaming
February 2025 Top Betting Options at the Best Betting Sites
Here we run you through some of the month's major sporting events that offer punters the chance to explore the best betting options available to them using our recommended list of best betting sites.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
In what is one of the strangest yet most highly anticipated fights of the year, Youtube star turned boxer Jake Paul takes on one of the greatest boxers of all time, Mike Tyson. Although Mike is now 58, many feel he still has the power and experience to defeat Jake Paul, while others believe Tyson is simply too old to beat the young and explosive Jake Paul. This is one of the most anticipated fights of 2024 and you can find good betting markets available for this fight on just about any betting site.
Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones, who many believe to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time, makes his return to the octagon against the legendary Stipe Miocic, who many believe to be the greatest heavyweight fighter in UFC history. This is only Jones’ second-ever fight in the heavyweight division and with the belt on the line, we should be in for a thrilling encounter. All betting sites will have betting markets available for this fight, which is without question the most anticipated MMA fight of 2024
Our Top Betting Site Picks Explained
When picking our top betting sites, we spend time getting to know each and every betting site and finding out their pros and cons. We also look in depth to see what is unique about each betting site and where they excel more than other. Here’s a quick list of some of our favourite betting sites and what we love about them. We go into more detail on each site further down the page.
- Bet365 - Best Betting Site for Building Bet Builders
- William Hill - Best Betting Site With a Top Mobile App
- 888sport - Best Betting Site for Weekly Deals
- BetFred - Best Betting Site for Football Betting
- BetVictor - Best Betting Site for Multiple Welcome Offers
- Betway - Best Betting Site for Enhanced Odds
- SpreadEx - Best Betting Site for Spread Betting
- LeoVegas - Best Betting Site for Market Coverage
- BetMGM- Best Overall Betting Site
- Paddy Power - Best Betting Site for Existing Customer Offers
- Sky Bet - Best Low Deposit Welcome Bonus
- Gentleman Jim - Best Rugby Betting Site
- Betfair - Best Boxing Betting Site
- Virgin Bet - Best Horse Racing Site
- Betano- Best Customer Support
- Midnite - Best Rewards Program
- Copybet - Best Betting Site for Betting Tips
Bet365 - Best Betting Site for Bet Builders
The Bet365 welcome bonus is one of the best going, offering £30 in free bets when you deposit and stake £10. You can also wager just £5 and receive £15 worth of free bets instead. There aren’t many betting sites out there that offer welcome bonuses for such a low qualifying bet, 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. My favourite promotion is the Bet Builder Bet Boost, as it not only gives me inspiration for my next bet, but also offers some of the best odds around on top football markets. The number of betting options available within the bet builder and the ability to stack bet builders across multiple games into one acca makes Bet365 stand out.

Pros & Cons of using bet365
Positives
- Generous welcome offer
- Excellent bonuses for existing players, such as their accumulator bonus
- Great range of markets and sports, including esports
- Live streaming available to account holders
- Up to 12 selections in their unique soccer bet builder
Negatives
- Rather uninspiring site design
William Hill - Best Betting Site for a Top Mobile App
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.
The current William Hill new customer offer is a fantastic Bet £10 Get £30 bonus which'll get you off to a great start.
Pros & Cons of using William Hill
Positives
- Huge selection of sports and markets
- Fantastic ongoing offers and promotions
- Live streaming available for a variety of sports
- Excellent mobile app that supports live streaming
Negatives
- Their current welcome offer is not available to new accounts which funds are paid into by PayPal
888sport - Best Betting Site for Weekly Deals
888sport may be the best sports betting site in terms of bonuses and promotions that are refreshed on a weekly basis. Placing a qualifying bet of £10 unlocks the 888sport welcome offer — £30 in free bets plus 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.
Pros & Cons of using 888sport
Positives
- Excellent welcome bonus
- A wide range of generous offers and promotions for existing players
- Dedicated app with sleek interfaces and navigation
- Best odds guaranteed
- Bet Builder
- Live streaming
Negatives
- PayPal, Muchbetter, Paysafecard, Neteller and Skrill payments are excluded from bonuses
Betfred - Best Betting Site for Football Betting
Established in 1967, Betfred is a staple of sports betting. Like a number of its competitors, the Betfred new customer offer is £50 in bonuses when you stake £10. But there’s plenty on offer for existing customers too, especially for those who like to bet on football. Betfred's 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.
Pros & Cons of using Betfred
Positives
- Wide range of offers and promotions on both football and horse racing
- Acca insurance
- Lots of price boosts
- Responsive bet builder function on Twitter at #PickYourPunt
Negatives
- Fewer markets than some of the other big names
- Mastercard and e-wallets don’t qualify for their welcome offer
BetVictor - Best Betting Site for Welcome Offers
If you’re looking for a bookie with exciting sign-up deals for new customers, you’ll want to check out this UK bookmaker. The BetVictor sign up offer is quite flexible, tempting new customers with a trio of promotions: a matched £60 bet, up to £300 in free bets or a £50 + 100 free spins casino 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.
Pros & Cons of using BetVictor
Positives
- Choice of welcome offer
- Bet Builder feature
- Bet on more than 30 different sports
- Unbox a free bet every week
- Mobile app available
Negatives
- Free bet can be as little as £1
Betway - Best Betting Site for Enhanced Odds
Betway gets off to a great start with new punters. Sign up and you’ll receive the Betway welcome offer — a £30 matched free bet if your first football or horse racing acca loses, and 100 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 enhanced odds courtesy of Betway boosts, covering sports like football, tennis, darts, the NFL, and UFC events to name a few. There are over 30 different sports to bet on, all easily accessible from the home page. Oh, and there's a great mobile app too.
Pros & Cons of using Betway
Positives
- £30 free bet and 50 free spins for new customers
- Great selection of sports to bet on
- Top-rated mobile app for Android and iOS
- Weekly bet club
- Enhanced odds via Betway Boosts
Negatives
- 50x wagering on free spins winnings
- Only debit cards qualify for bonus
SpreadEx - Best Betting Site for Spread Betting
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. Register a new account and you can claim the SpreadEx sign up offer — currently, a juicy bet £10 get £40 in free bets offer.
Pros & Cons of using SpreadEx
Positives
- £50 in bonuses for new punters
- Enjoy fixed odds and spread betting
- Offers live streaming and cash out
- Bet Builder available
Negatives
- Smaller selection of sports than other sites
- Spread betting losses can exceed stake
LeoVegas - Best Betting Site for Market Coverage
With the LeoVegas sign up offer you’ll get a 100% profit boost on your first bet up to £100 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 2024-25 season.
Pros & Cons of using LeoVegas
Positives
- Wide range of sports to bet on
- 100% profit boost on your first bet up to £100
- Profit boost on every Man City and Milan game
- Mobile app available for Android and iOS
Negatives
- Skrill and Neteller excluded from welcome offer
- Larger welcome bonuses available from rival sites
- Sports home page could be better organised
BetMGM- Best Overall Betting Site
BetMGM is our pick for the best overall betting site available in the UK for many reasons. To start, they have a fantastic and competitive welcome offer of £40 in free bets when you bet £10. They also have a fantastic and easy-to-use betting app and desktop site. BetMGM offer a huge range of betting markets with a whopping 37 sports available along with other markets such as politics and TV specials. They also have fantastic odds with some great existing customer promotions.
Pros and Cons of Using BetMGM
Positives
- Generous Welcome Offer
- Fantastic Existing Customer Promos
- Easy to Use App
- Wide range of sports
Negatives
- Withdrawal times could be quicker
- Could have more payment methods available
Paddy Power - Best Existing Customer Promotions
Paddy Power are one of the leading betting sites in the UK, and with the number of existing customer offers and promotions, it is easy to see why. Paddy Power offers not one but two free games per day for existing customers. In Paddy Power’s Wonder Wheel, users get a daily free spin with prizes ranging from cash to scratchcards. In their “Beat the Drop” game, players are given £1000, which can be one by answering 15 yes or no questions correctly. Players can also split their money by placing some cash on yes and some on no. Paddy Power also have a fantastic rewards program where players can win a £5 free bet when they place 5 or more £5 bets over the course of a week. Lastly, Paddy Power are constantly giving away free bets for major sporting events such as a big boxing fight or a top Premier League clash.
Pros and Cons of Using Paddy Power
Positives
- Daily free games
- Live streaming available
- Lots of free bets during big events
Negatives
- Need to use a debit card or Apple Pay to claim the welcome offer;
Sky Bet - Best Low Deposit Welcome Offer
Sky Bet stands out with one of the best low-deposit welcome offers, providing a high reward for very little risk. To take advantage of this deal, all you need to do is deposit £5—which is lower than the £10 minimum required by many other betting sites—and place a small 5p bet on any sports market of your choice. Once you do this, you’ll receive an impressive £30 in free bets to use on the platform. This makes it an excellent option, especially for those who are new to betting or want a low-cost way to explore the site. The combination of a small deposit, minimal wagering, and a generous reward makes this offer one of the most appealing in the market.
Pros and Cons of Using Sky Bet
Positives
- Welcome offer is extremely generous
- No Promo Code
- Fantastic website and betting app
Negatives
- Does not allow e-wallets such as PayPal
Gentleman Jim- Best Rugby Betting Site
We believe Gentleman Jim is the top choice for betting on rugby, which they proudly refer to as the "Gladiators Game" on their website. The platform impressed us with its extensive range of betting options, catering to rugby fans of all kinds. For example, we found markets already open for next year’s Six Nations tournament, which begins in January—a great chance to plan ahead. Additionally, they provide exciting options for this month’s Autumn Internationals fixtures, including matches like England vs. South Africa. We found that Gentleman Jim has something to offer for every rugby enthusiast.
Pros and Cons of Using Gentleman Jim
Positives
- Good in-play betting options
- A great app
Negatives
- There us no sign up or existing customer offers available
Betfair - Best Boxing Betting Site
If you’re a boxing fan, Betfair is an excellent choice for all your betting needs. While exploring the site, we were impressed by the wide variety of betting options available for boxing events. For example, we checked out the biggest fight of November, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, and found several unique markets that stood out. One of the most interesting options was the “Fighter to Win in the First 60 Seconds” bet, which we hadn’t seen elsewhere. With its unique features and great selection, Betfair is a top pick for boxing enthusiasts.
Pros and Cons of Using Betfair
Positives
- Good live streaming options
- Often offers free bets
- Unique betting markets
Negatives
- No longer offers the best odds guaranteed on horse racing
- Sometimes, do not offer a cash-out on bet builders
Virgin Bet - Best Betting Site for Horse Racing
Virgin Bet is a great option for horse racing fans, thanks to the fantastic offers they have available. One standout feature is their Best Odds Guaranteed promotion, which ensures that if your horse runs at a higher price than the one you originally backed, you’ll be paid out at the better odds. They also offer a money-back deal as a free bet if your horse finishes second in selected races, adding an extra layer of value. With these generous promotions, Virgin Bet is a solid choice for anyone passionate about horse racing.
Pros and Cons of Using Virgin Bet
Positives
- Best Odds Guaranteed on Horse Racing
- Money back offer on selected horse races
Negatives
- Poor deposit options
Betano- Best Customer Support
Good customer support is essential when choosing a betting site and Betano has a support system to be proud of. They have multiple customer support options and are quick and efficient in each one. For those who like to use social media for customer support Betano have a Facebook and X account that you can reach out to. They also have an email and SMS service that you can get in contact with. However, where they are most efficient is on their live chat option. Betano customers can talk to a customer support representative 24/7.
Pros and Cons of Using Betano
Positives
- Great customer support options including social media, email and live chat
- Good bet builder options
Negatives
- No Best Odds Guaranteed for horse racing
- No live streaming
Midnite - Best Rewards Program
A good rewards program is essential to a good betting site and we feel like Midnite’s is the best in the game. We believe Midnite have the best rewards program because of how many there are. Midnite’s program is split into three clubs, the “bet builder club”, the “acca club” and the “bet” club. With the bet builder club, players earn a £5 free bet when they place a £10 bet builder with minimum odds of 3/1. With the acca club users earn a £10 free acca bet when they place two £10 bets on accas with at least 4 selections and odds of 4/1. Lastly, with the bet club, customers can get a free £5 bet when they place 5 £5 bets with minimum odds of £5. That is up to £20 in free bets that can be earned with Midnite.
Pros and Cons of Using Midnite
Positives
- Amazing Rewards Club
- Competitive Odds
- Fast Withdrawals
Negatives
- Needs more outright betting markets
- Verification process is long
Copybet- Best Betting Site for Betting Tips
Copybet offers customers some fantastic betting tips from experienced bettors, journalists and ex-professionals of the sport. For example, former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given offers weekly predictions of the weekend’s Premier League games, while experienced journalists also cover other football leagues, such as the EFL Championship. There are also great horse racing tips from experienced racing experts. As well as this, Copybet have a unique tipster platform where users can copy the bets of some of the sites biggest winners. With such a wide range of expert insights across football and horse racing, Copybet stands out as an excellent resource for bettors seeking informed predictions.
Pros and Cons of Using Copybet
Positives
- Unique tipster platform
- Competitive Odds
- Unique tipster platform
Negatives
- Withdrawal times are slower than other sites
- The website often freezes on desktop
Top Bookmakers Compared
If you still haven’t decided on a betting site, take a look at the below table where we compare the top bookmakers available in the UK.
Bookmaker | Welcome Offer | App | Live Streaming | Sports |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
William Hill | Bet £10 Get £30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
888sport | Bet £10 Get £30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BetFred | Bet £10 Get £50 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BetVictor | Bet £10 Get £60 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Betway | £30 Matched Free Bet if Your First Acca Loses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Spreadex | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | Yes | Yes | Yes |
LeoVegas | 100% Profit Boost up to £100 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BetMGM | Bet £10 Get £40 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Paddy Power | Bet £10 Get £50 in Bet Builders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sky Bet | Bet 5p Get £30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Gentleman Jim | No Offer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Betfair | Bet £10 Get £50 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virgin Bet | Bet £10 Get £20 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Midnite | Bet £10 Get £20 + 50 Free Spins | Yes | No | Yes |
Copybet | Bet £10 Get £50 | Yes | No | Yes |
The Best Bookmakers for Each Sport
The best online bookmakers have excellent market coverage on everything from horse racing to handball. That said, it's natural for some sites to specialise in certain areas. So, whether you live and breathe football or prefer the serenity of the golf course, there's a betting site for you. Let's run through our top picks for all the top sports.
Football
The beautiful game is the most popular sport to bet on in the UK, and the best football betting sites offer an extensive range of markets on domestic and international competitions for punters to bet on. Users can bet on match outcomes, goalscorers, assisters, total goals, both teams to score, corners, cards, fouls, player passes, and much more.
Our Top Pick: BetFred
We have chosen BetFred as our top pick for betting on football for a number of reasons. Firstly, we are a big fan of their football promotions. With BetFred, users can boost their football acca’s by a huge 100%. As well as this, if you back the first goalscorer in a match and he goes on to score a second and third BetFred will double or triple your odds. They also have fantastic bet boosts on football and their bet builder options are second to none.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has long been a favourite among UK punters and there's no shortage of races from the UK, Ireland and the rest of the world to have a flutter on. Horse racing betting sites feature a range of unique and exciting options such as forecasts, tricasts and each-way bets, along with lots of great promotions like best odds guaranteed and extra places on selected races.
Our Top Pick: Virgin Bet
We believe Virgin Bet is the top choice for horse racing enthusiasts, and here’s why. They offer best odds guaranteed on all horse races, ensuring you always get the most value for your bets. On top of that, they provide extra places on select races daily, giving you even more chances to win. But that’s not all—if your horse finishes second in selected races, Virgin Bet will refund your stake as a free bet, making it a fantastic option for anyone who loves betting on the races.
Tennis
All the top tennis betting sites cover major tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open and the French Open, alongside events from the ATP and WTA tours. Betting options include match winner and outright tournament winner, as well as exciting in-play options like game winner and set winner.
Our Top Pick: Sky Bet
We have selected Sky Bet as the top choice for tennis betting, and it’s easy to see why. Sky Bet offers live streaming for most tennis matches available on their site, allowing you to follow the action as you place your bets. They also provide a wide range of in-play betting options and their betting markets are impressive, offering plenty of choices for tennis fans. To top it off, Sky Bet features excellent bet boosts on select tennis matches, making it a fantastic option for anyone passionate about tennis betting.
Cricket
There's a wide array of cricket betting sites available for UK customers, covering International Tests, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 games. Users can bet on final match outcomes, top run-scorers, wicket-takers, and more specific things like method of dismissal or number of fours and sixes in a match.
Our Top Pick: SBK
SBK's player-friendly approach ensures UK customers have access to some of the most competitive odds on the market — and cricket is no exception. Their cricket odds are better than most other betting sites and we were also very impressed with the number of betting markets they had available on cricket. Its sportsbook is exclusively available via mobile app, available for Apple and Android devices.
Boxing
Touting plenty of high-profile fights throughout the year, boxing is an immensely popular sport to bet on. At the best boxing betting sites, you'll find options like fight winner and method of victory, round-by-round betting, and over/unders on various bout statistics.
Our Top Pick: BetFair
We have chosen BetFair as the top betting site for boxing. This is due to their unique betting markets, such as “Will a fighter win in the first 60 seconds?” which is a market we could not find at any other betting site. Their odds boosts are also very impressive. We noticed they have boosted the odds of Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk between rounds 5-8 from 8-1 to 10-1. They also offer good bet builders on boxing fights making BetFair the best betting site for boxing on the market.
Golf
The most popular golf betting events are the four major championships — the Masters, the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship. Available markets include outright winners, top 5/10/20 finishers, first and second-round leaders, and hole-in-one markets.
Our Top Pick: Bet365
Bet365 returns as our favourite site for golf betting thanks to its wide range of markets and regular Bet Boosts. I've found these enhanced odds deals not only provide great value for money, but also offer inspiration for my next bet, whether it be a treble of top 10 finishers or the outright winner of the DP World Tour Championship.
Niche Sports and Specials
Many online bookmakers in the UK offer odds on a variety of niche sports and even non-sporting events. Some of the less common sports markets available to punters include handball, hurling, darts, snooker, rugby, and MMA, all of which offer a host of different options including in-play betting. You can even opt in to promotions specific to these sports too, such as Parimatch’s Bet £10 Get £40 free bet offer on combat sports.
Outside of sport, you can bet on TV shows like Strictly as well as political events. Bet365 currently offers markets on the general election, such as the party to win the most seats and whether there’ll be an overall majority. 10bet is the site for Love Island fans, with daily odds on Top Man and Top Woman plus odds on who will next take on the role of James Bond. For the latest betting odds and information on TV shows to bet on, take a look at our specials page.
Betting Bonuses at Betting Sites
One of the best things about UK betting sites is the wide range of bonuses up for grabs. New customers can claim a welcome bonus when they sign up, either by depositing a certain amount or by making a qualifying real money bet. Online 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!
The best betting sites also offer great deals to existing punters to keep them coming back. I'm always pleased to see odds boosts, acca insurance, best odds guaranteed, and lots more offered across all the top sports and markets.
It's important to give the relevant terms and conditions a read before opting into a bonus. Wagering requirements are an important one to watch out for, as they prevent punters from withdrawing any bonus winnings until they'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, and payment method exclusions.
Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common betting bonuses you'll come across at all the best sports betting sites.
Best Betting Sites for Free Bets
You can think of a free bet as a kind of token, set to a particular value. If you have a punt using a £5 free bet and the bet wins, you'll keep the profit.
Our Top Picks
Best Betting Sites for Matched Deposits
With a matched deposit offer, the betting site will 'match' your deposit by a certain percentage and up to a certain amount. Let's say you opt into a 100% deposit match and add £20 to your account — you'd receive an additional £20 in bonus credit from the bookmaker.
Our Top Picks
- LivescoreBet
- Virgin Bet
- Betway
Best Betting Sites for Money Back
Money back offers, sometimes called bet refunds, see your stake returned if your qualifying bet loses. Some online bookmakers pay money back in cash, but often you'll receive your refund in the form of a free bet instead.
Our Top Picks
Best Betting Sites for Bookmaker Specific Promotions
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. While many betting sites offer odds boosts, best odds guaranteed, and acca insurance, some go one step further and offer unique deals.
SkyBet's AccaFreeze is a great example and one of my personal favourites — with an acca of 5+ legs, punters have the option to freeze one of the scores to win the leg early.
Our Top Pick
Best Betting Sites for Casino Bonuses
Many online bookmakers run online casinos alongside their sportsbooks. Sometimes these sites offer a casino bonus as part of their welcome packages. The Unibet sign up offer is one example, including a £10 casino bonus alongside a money back sports bet for new customers. If you're looking for some bigger casino bonuses, I'd recommend 32Red — it offers a 150% welcome bonus, plus monthly prizes with Drops and Wins, loyalty points, and lots more.
Our Top Pick
Common Features at the Best Betting Sites
Besides being able to make a straight up bet – the minimum requirement of any bookie – the best online bookmakers 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
Betting sites with cash out pair perfectly with in-play betting. If you’ve placed a bet on a fixture or race but you’re unsure of whether it will come through, many top UK 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 online uk 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.
Bet Types at the Best UK 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.
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 online 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
There are lots of benefits to downloading mobile betting apps, so I'd always recommend it if there's one available for your chosen bookmaker. It's great to be able to jump into the sportsbook with one tap, rather than having to load up the site via a browser. Plus, apps tend to have more intuitive interfaces than mobile sites, along with faster loading times thanks to app data being stored on your device. Push notifications are also super handy, as they'll pop up to let you know about the latest bonuses and promotions. Most of the best bookmakers in the UK offer mobile apps, such as Boylesports, BetMGM and William Hill.
Our Top Pick
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Bet365 – For me, Bet365 is the cream of the crop when it comes to a high quality and user-friendly mobile experience. I've been using its sports app for years and it has always combined great usability with a wide range of markets and promotions. It's easy to create bet builders, browse a huge array of sports and competitions, and live-stream games from around the world, all from the comfort of the app.
Banking Methods at Betting Sites
The best betting sites in the UK support a wide range of different banking options for customers. Below, we'll run through a selection of the most popular payment methods you can use to make quick and easy deposits and withdrawals.
Debit Cards
Debit cards are a popular banking option for online betting due to their convenience, ease of use, and security. They offer a straightforward and fast way to open an account and place your bets and will qualify for most betting offers too. However, a potential drawback can arise with withdrawal times: where bookies aren’t set up for services such as Visa Direct, you can expect payouts to take anything up to five or six days to land.
Our Top Pick
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Bet365 – Debit card withdrawals are processed in 1–3 banking days at Bet365, which is faster than most online UK online bookmakers. You can also use a debit card to claim the welcome bonus at Bet365.
e-Wallets
e-Wallets often show up on the cashier pages of online bookies, with some of the most common options including PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. When you use an e-wallet, you’ll enjoy a host of perks, not least instant deposits, strong fraud protection, and rapid payouts. Just watch out for e-wallet deposits being excluded from bonus offers. PayPal fares a bit better where this is concerned but Neteller and Skrill are frequently ruled out.
Our Top Picks
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BetUK – One of the top betting sites with PayPal, withdrawals land within 48 hours at BetUK and there are no payment exclusions when it comes to the welcome offer.
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LeoVegas – This Skrill betting site is an excellent choice, offering thousands of betting options across 35 sports.
Trustly
Trustly betting sites allow you to make direct payments to and from your account with the power of Open Banking. Simply log into Trustly's secure payments portal using your online banking credentials and you're ready to go. The service often proves eligible for bonuses and supports fast payouts too. Trustly is rapidly gaining traction in the online betting world, although it’s not yet quite as widely available as debit cards and e-wallets.
Our Top Pick
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BoyleSports – Trustly withdrawals are processed within three banking days and you can also use this method to claim the welcome bonus.
Google Pay and Apple Pay
Google Pay and Apple Pay are popular mobile payment options for online sports bettors. To use these services, you add your card details to the mobile wallet on your Android or iOS device, which then removes the need for you to share those details with the bookie. Both Google Pay and Apple Pay offer strong security features, such as biometric authentication. However, they don’t always qualify for bonuses and aren’t usually suitable for withdrawals.
Our Top Pick
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BetMGM – Google Pay and Apple Pay can't be used for withdrawals, but you can use one of these services to deposit funds before making a qualifying bet.
AstroPay
AstroPay doubles up as an e-wallet and a virtual prepaid card, giving you several options for sending and receiving money. You can create prepaid cards on demand through the AstroPay app and manage your wallet balance in the same place. AstroPay isn’t yet accepted everywhere, but since users also have access to a physical prepaid Visa debit card, this isn’t a big issue.
Our Top Pick
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Parimatch – AstroPay can be used to claim a welcome offer at Parimatch, and withdrawals are processed within three days.
Paysafecard
Available to purchase in set values from high street stores or online, Paysafecard vouchers are a common option on the deposit page of UK bookmakers. This payment option offers plenty of perks, and not just that it’s as easy to use as cash. Paysafecard can be a good pick for bonus qualification and can really help out with bankroll management. The main drawback? You'll have to use a different method to withdraw your cash from Paysafecard betting sites, such as a debit card or e-wallet.
Our Top Pick
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Betfred – Paysafecard deposits are instant at Betfred, but you can't use this method to withdraw funds.
Pay by Phone Bill
Pay by Phone Bill services allow deposits to be charged directly to your mobile phone bill. Bonus eligibility for services like Boku and Suri varies, and you’ll need to deposit in line with fairly strict transaction limits, but they can be a handy banking option nonetheless. If you get lucky, you’ll need to withdraw your winnings another way, as this method doesn’t support payouts.
Our Top Pick
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10Bet – Pay by phone services are deposit-only, but can be used to claim the welcome offer at 10Bet, as only Skrill and Neteller are excluded.
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:
Licensing
The first thing we look for when reviewing a UK betting site is whether it is licensed by the UKGC – the UK Gambling Commission. Without a UKGC licence, we cannot guarantee player protection and security at the betting site in question, and so if an operator fails this initial test, we simply won’t mention them.
Welcome Offers
Welcome offers are, for many, the most significant factor in choosing a new online betting site, and we take this into consideration within our reviews. To do so, we scrutinise the bonus terms and conditions to make sure players are getting the best out of their bonuses, and alert them to any restrictions they might come with.
Promotions
On top of welcome offers, it’s important that a betting site frequently rewards its returning players. Welcome bonuses are a good way of attracting new customers, but without recurrent rewards like free bets, boosted odds and acca insurances, there is little reason to keep betting at a particular site.
Mobile Experience
We prefer it when a betting site offers a dedicated mobile app, but it is possible to have a smooth and enjoyable gambling experience on a mobile-optimised site. The most important thing is that a mobile site or app is able to provide sleek interfaces, fast loading times, efficient navigation, in-play betting, and all the other aspects of the best betting sites that desktop players are able to enjoy.
Competitive Odds
It’s vital that players feel assured that they are getting the best odds available, which is why competitive odds are crucial to our selection criteria. It is for this reason that we recommend online betting sites, who offer a betting exchange platform that can provide improved odds. We also look out for best odds guaranteed (BOG) on the horses, which you will find at our top-rated betting sites.
Payout Speed
Fast payout speed is a must at the best online bookmakers. We understand that there are few things more frustrating in the world of online betting than having to wait a week for your cash to appear in your account after a win. We categorise bookies that feature quicker payment methods — e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller, Paysafecard, and Skrill — and quick processing times as fast withdrawal betting sites, where you'll often get your money in 24 hours.
Reputation
Our top-ranked betting sites have established reputations in the betting industry. A good reputation should mean trust, quality and expert customer service, which are some of the things we value most in any betting site. That said, even if we are recommending an esteemed operator that has been in the business for many years, we will still provide an honest and thorough assessment of all its qualities and deficiencies.
Customer Support
Round-the-clock customer support should be obligatory at the best betting sites. Almost all of the bookies we endorse will provide a live chat service that instantly puts customers in touch with an advisor if and when any problems should arise during any stage of the betting process. If live chat is not available, there will be a number of other avenues available for those in need of help and support, be it via phone, email or social media.
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:
- Set a budget – The best way to ensure that your gambling habits remain healthy is to impose your own spending limits. This can be done independently, but the best and easiest way to do it is through the gambling site that you’re using, if the feature is available. However you limit your budget, it’s vital that you’re honest with yourself, and that you never bet what you can’t afford to lose.
- Don’t chase losses – Self-discipline is the best quality you can have as a punter. If things aren’t going your way, the best thing for it is to shut your laptop or close your app. Chasing your losses is an extremely dangerous practice that can land you in a lot of trouble, so if you feel yourself falling into that trap, visit Begambleaware.org before things get worse.
- Make use of responsible gambling tools – Responsible gambling tools like GAMSTOP – a self-exclusion service available across all UKGC-licensed betting sites that restricts your access to gambling sites for a set period of time – are an extremely useful way of maintaining healthy gambling habits. Other tools out there include: deposit limits; losses limits; gaming time checks and budget calculators.
- Ask for help – If you feel you or someone close to you are showing signs of problem gambling or addiction, visit Begambleaware.org or Gamcare.org.uk to get in touch with those who can provide help, advice and support.
UK Betting Sites FAQs
How do I choose a betting site?
Here at BettingOdds.com, we’ve listed the best betting sites the UK has to offer. There are a number of factors you should consider, including available sports betting markets, bonuses and promotions, the odds available, the licensing and security of the site, customer support and the available deposit and withdrawal options, such as bank transfer, PayPal and Trustly among others.
Are betting sites legal in the UK?
Yes, betting sites that are licensed by the UKGC are legal in the UK. All of the sites listed here on BettingOdds.com are regulated by the UKGC and safe to use, so you can know your funds are secure and accessible.
Are online betting sites trustworthy?
Yes, all of the betting sites listed here on BettingOdds.com are licensed by the UKGC, meaning your funds are protected and secure. Additionally, all of these are compliant with Gamstop, meaning if you can exclude yourself from these sites if you are having issues with addiction or problem gambling.
Are promotions and bonuses like free bets available at UK betting sites?
Yes, all of the betting sites listed on this page offer bonuses and promotions, for new and existing customers. These include welcome bonuses, free bets, cashback offers and bet boosts, among others. However, be sure to read the terms and conditions and check for any wagering requirements before claiming a bonus to ensure you are eligible.
Can I bet on sports or events taking place outside of the UK?
Yes, as the operator itself is licensed in the UK, it can offer betting on events both within the UK and outside. For example, the Champions League and the NFL are two international competitions that are popular to bet on. However, if you are travelling outside of the UK and want to place a bet with a UK betting site, there will be restrictions on this, as betting may not be legal within the country you are trying to place a bet from, and operators need to adhere to local gambling regulations.
What payment methods do betting sites accept?
Betting sites listed on BettingOdds.com will offer a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, Paysafecard, Neteller and bank transfers. Some of these may include fees for making transactions, so it is important to double check the terms and conditions first before making a deposit or withdrawal at a betting site.
Are there any fees when using a betting site?
You will not be charged a fee for placing a bet outside of the amount you wager, but certain payment methods may charge for deposits or withdrawals. Therefore it’s important to check the terms and conditions first before processing the transaction.
Can I use betting sites on my mobile or tablet?
Yes, many of the betting sites listed on this page will offer mobile apps and mobile-optimised websites. Most of these will offer the same functionality as the main desktop site, but it is crucial to check if there are any differences first before using or wagering.
Can I use a credit card at betting sites UK?
No. The Gambling Commission banned punters from using credit cards to gamble in April 2020. Not to worry. Top online uk bookmakers such as Coral, BetUK and William Hill offer a variety of alternative banking options, such as debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.