Review of the Best Online Betting Sites in the UK

Finding a trustworthy bookmaker can often leave you at your wits’ end. Fortunately, our experts are here to help and have reviewed and ranked the best online betting sites in the UK. Below is a list of hand-picked sportsbooks offering a wide range of betting markets headed by our #1 choice, Betfred.

The above list only features the top 5 recommended betting sites, and with good reason. Given the colossal selection of sportsbooks in the UK, this guide aims to help you narrow down your search by focusing on the topmost sportsbooks. Below are the best online betting sites by category:

Continue reading to explore various topics relating to sports betting sites. We will explore everything you need to enjoy safe online betting, from the best sports betting bonuses to the most competitive odds and everything in between – starting with the top-performing bookmaker:

Best Bookmaker at a Glance: The Betting Sites UK Test Winner 2024

Each year, we pit the best bookmakers in the UK against each other to crown a winner. Our experts evaluate each sportsbook by looking at various factors – we cover these in the next few sections. One thing is for sure the best sports betting sites must be reliable and completely scam-free. Below is a summary of the top betting site:

In the next section, we explore how to select a top sportsbook and look at everything from betting variety to welcome bonuses for the best sports betting sites in the UK.

How to Choose the Top Sports Websites

The fast-paced world of sports betting has grown exponentially over the past decade. Interestingly, there are over 500 online betting sites in the UK alone. So how do you know which one is right for you? The truth is no two bookmakers are the same. To help you identify the best online betting sites, we explore the following categories on this page:

• Reliability
• Betting Variety
• Odds
• Bonus
• In-play Betting & Streaming
• Mobile App
• Platform
• Payment Methods
• Reputation
• Betting Exchange & Cash Out
• Customer Support

The above are common factors to consider when choosing an online bookmaker. In addition, we will never recommend UK betting sites that do not excel in each of these categories. Besides, when betting real money, choosing a reliable and safe sportsbook is essential.

Trustworthy Bookmakers Protect Users from Scams

The reality is that online betting scams come from unlicensed sportsbooks. These websites will often promote overly attractive betting odds but, at the same time, deliberately delay or avoid paying their customers. You don’t have any legal means of recourse when betting at unlicensed sportsbooks and should avoid them.

Our recommended top 5 betting sites in the UK are licensed and regulated and consistently receive positive reviews. At the same time, these brands are some of the safest online betting sites in the UK and use digital encryption technology to ensure customer safety and security – meaning your personal and financial details are always protected.

Choosing the best online betting sites means you can safely place a bet online and will receive your winnings on time. Independent assessors regularly audit licensed sportsbooks to make sure customers receive a fair and safe betting experience.

Betting Variety: More Is More

When it comes to betting on sports in the UK, the sheer variety is quite astonishing. While competitions such as the Champions League, Wimbledon, and the Grand National receive the most action on UK betting sites, there are hundreds more sporting events to choose from with competitive odds.

Providing a wide range of betting opportunities is one of the main characteristics of the best online betting sites in the UK. Popular options include online basketball betting and online tennis betting, online snooker betting and online greyhounds betting, and other major sports such as golf tournaments and rugby.

Meanwhile, different sportsbooks specialise in different sports. It all boils down to what type of sports you enjoy betting on and choosing the sportsbook where you will find the best odds and payouts.

Odds: A Determining Factor for Big Wins

Betting odds represent the likelihood of an event happening, so choosing an online sportsbook with competitive odds could yield impressive results. The best sports betting sites in the UK consider several factors, such as home team advantage and previous results, to calculate odds. They adjust those odds in real time, along with the amount of money staked by bettors on each potential outcome.

In the below table, we have listed the average betting odds you will find at the best sports betting sites in the UK, together with the average betting odds for the most popular sports:

The average payouts and odds at the best betting sites UK are quite similar. We always recommend checking multiple sports betting sites to compare the odds and choose the most favourable payouts. Even though the difference in percentages might seem small, it can make an enormous difference in the long run.

Bonus: A Welcome Gift for New Customers

These days, the competition between the top betting sites is enormous. So, to attract new customers, sportsbooks offer enticing promotions – starting with a welcome bonus on your first deposit. In some instances, you may qualify for free bets or odds boosters depending on the sportsbook of your choice. Claiming your welcome bonus is a straightforward exercise. Generally speaking, your welcome bonus will be credited automatically upon making your first deposit.

However, some UK sports betting sites require you to opt-in before heading to the cashier. Welcome bonuses almost always come with wagering requirements before you can cash out your winnings. Therefore, you always need to read the full terms and conditions. Often, welcome bonuses are limited to specific payment methods and are valid for a limited time only. Check out our guide to the best betting bonuses for more information.

How Are the In-Play Features?

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, has become the most popular way to bet on sports in the past decade. Many experienced UK punters will recommend in-play betting due to the advantage of being able to make more accurate predictions based on the starting performances of the teams and players. As with the best in-play betting sites, the top betting sites in the UK offer top-notch live betting odds and payouts.

Timing is key when placing in-play bets. The odds update in real-time, so picking the right moment to place your wager can make all the difference. The top 5 betting sites in the UK also provide live streams for many sporting events. This way, you can watch a game directly on the betting platform while having the entire list of in-play betting markets in front of you.

Live Streaming at the Best Online Bookies

The best online betting sites provide live-streaming services for some of the top sports events around the world. In most instances, you can enjoy live streaming directly on the betting platform for free, as long as you have a positive balance in your account.

Multiple events are streamed each day. While you cannot watch games from the Premier League due to licensing rights, there are plenty of live broadcasts of games from La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and other football championships at the best football betting sites. Other sports with live streams include horse racing, volleyball, winter sports, online darts betting, online cricket betting, online rugby betting, and many more.

Mobile: An App to Bet on Anywhere You Are

Mobile sports betting is responsible for more than 70% of all wagers in the UK. Nowadays, an online sports betting site needs to be mobile-compatible if it wants to be competitive. Each of our recommended best online betting sites UK has been optimised for mobile play, meaning you can place wagers and enjoy online betting to the fullest, even on the go.

The Best Mobile Betting Site for 2024

Betfred

200+ DAILY LIVE BETS

Visit Site!

Part of our analysis is evaluating the mobile apps offered by the top sportsbooks. We typically look at the layout and functionality as well as the variety of sports and markets. The best betting apps are free to download at each of our suggested best online betting sites UK.

The Quality of the Platform

Functionality is a crucial factor that our experts consider when selecting the best bookmakers in the UK. You should be able to navigate any sportsbook without hassle. The top sports betting markets need to be visible on every page, along with quick links to the live betting section and the current bonuses and promotions. Luckily, each of our recommended best online betting sites is user-friendly and makes it easy to place bets and cash out your winnings.

Which Payment Methods Are Available in the UK?

When you decide to wager at online betting sites UK, the safety of your financial information should always be a top priority. That is why choosing safe betting sites with trusted payment methods is essential. Our recommended UK betting sites have a wide selection of payment methods, including popular options such as Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Neteller, to name but a few. See the below table for a closer look at the best online betting payments methods:

The type of payment methods, processing times, and fees may differ depending on your preferred UK betting site. Apart from Neteller and Skrill, there are no fees when making a deposit or withdrawal. However, we recommend checking with your payment provider before transferring funds to your betting account. Top payment methods, such as debit cards at Visa Electron casino sites, are free to use.

All in all, the best online bookmakers UK offer a plethora of top banking methods. For those of you who are keen on making the fastest possible deposits and withdrawals, we recommend you use the services of the most famous e-wallet in the world, PayPal, and check out our selection of the best PayPal betting sites.

How Secure Are Sports Gambling Websites?

Playing at licensed and regulated online betting sites guarantees your safety and security. As mentioned, we recommend that UK customers choose accredited sportsbooks, preferably with a valid license from the UK Gambling Commission. However, there are other authorities worth mentioning. These include the Malta Gaming Authority and the Government of Gibraltar Gambling Commission.

Besides holding a valid license from a recognised authority, safe online betting sites use SSL digital encryption technology to protect your personal information. Partnerships with organisations such as GambleAware also demonstrate commitment to responsible betting, while third-party assessors such as eCOGRA regularly inspect sportsbooks to ensure the fairness of their software and services.

Industry Reputation

Our recommended sports betting sites in the UK are internationally renowned and share a rich history as leaders in online betting. For example, Betfred launched in 1967, making it a veteran with decades of experience at the forefront of the sports betting world. Generally speaking, established online betting sites are often far more trustworthy than their less experienced competitors.

Customer feedback is another crucial factor when trying to determine which online sportsbook is truly the top choice. The online betting sites UK listed on this page regularly receive positive customer feedback. At the same time, industry insiders often rank them among the best UK betting sites with fair and safe betting services.

Betting Exchange and Cash Out

The betting exchange and cash out option are two important offerings that UK punters should consider when picking a sports betting site. Many people consider the cash out option a must-have that gives you the freedom to cash out early while betting exchanges are growing in popularity. We explore both offerings in detail below.

The Betting Exchange Feature

The betting exchange is a marketplace, much like the stock exchange, where you bet against other bettors instead of the bookmaker. You can create odds for various outcomes and then buy and sell these on the betting exchange. Also known as matched betting, this is the foundation of every betting exchange in the UK.

Simply put, betting exchange sites allow you to play the role of the bookmaker. Normally, the odds at the top betting exchange sites are better than the traditional fixed odds and provide you with more choice. With a betting exchange, all you need is another bettor to pay you the requested price, or in other words to lay your bet.

One reason some bettors prefer UK online bookmakers to betting exchanges is liquidity, meaning there must be enough people on the betting exchange for it to work. As a result, finding matches for your bets is not guaranteed since the whole idea is for customers to bet against each other.

The Cash Out Option

The cash out option was introduced around a decade ago and has revolutionised the way you can bet at online sports betting sites UK. You can ‘close’ or ‘sell’ your active wagers and make a profit before a particular sports event has ended. It is widely popular and available at most online sportsbooks.

Keep in mind the cash out feature is a two-way street. While you can make early profits and take the money when it looks like you will not be a winner, you will also reduce your potential earnings. In case your predictions come true, and you have already taken the cash out amount, you will likely be disappointed that you didn’t let the bet slip roll until the end.

Customer Service: The Importance of a Support

Customer support can often be the make or break of an online betting site. The truth is no one enjoys contacting the support team whenever there is a bump in the road, but it certainly helps when your preferred bookmaker is known for their friendly and professional service. At the end of the day, you want to join an online bookmaker with around-the-clock support and quick response times.

All the bookmakers listed on this page have surpassed our expectations by offering quality customer support. The agents are available daily, and the top contact methods to look for are telephone, email, and 24-hour live chat. The latter makes it possible to resolve issues in real-time, while many UK bookmakers offer access to detailed FAQ sections that cover a variety of topics.

Extra Markets: Other Bets with Bookmakers

The best online betting sites in the UK cover much more than traditional sports. Non-sporting events have entered the mix to include everything from presidential elections to betting on live award shows such as the Brits and Oscars. We recommend shopping around for sportsbooks with the best value odds.

The advent of competitive gaming means online sportsbooks cover various eSports betting opportunities. As with traditional sports, eSports have various tournaments and competitions, such as CS:GO and the Dota 2 World Championships. The betting types available during these events will depend on your preferred bookmaker and may include in-play betting.

The Most Popular Sport: Top Football Betting Sites

Now that we have covered what to look for in the best online betting sites, the following section will take a closer look at the most popular sports to bet on in the UK.

Football betting remains #1 in the UK and abroad. That is because you can almost always find a game with competitive odds, even if your team is not playing. Top divisions, such as the Champions League, typically receive the bulk of bets during any season.

If you reside in the UK, you can bet on nearly every single professional football match from around the globe, including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup. Our selected best betting sites UK offer a wide selection of football markets. The most popular options are Final Result, Over/Under, Both Teams to Score, and First Goal Scored.

The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

Horse racing is the second largest spectator sport in the UK. Interestingly, over six million people attend horse races each year. With more than 60 licensed racecourses in the country, there is usually a wide selection of races to bet on every week at the best online betting sites.

During the most anticipated horse racing festivals, such as Cheltenham Festival and Grand National, the best horse racing betting sites run various promotions with competitive payouts.

Horse races are among the most popular live streaming events at the best online bookies. You need to place your bets before the start of each event and can choose straight wagers on single horses or select exotic wagers on multiple horses. The latter is often more difficult to win, but they could yield significantly higher payouts.

Some of the greatest jockeys in history, like Peter Scudamore, have even inspired the biggest software developers to dedicate special casino games to them. Such an example is the Scudamore’s Super Stake Slot by NetEnt, which can be found at some of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.

The Top Golf Betting Sites

Following on the heels of football and horse racing is the UK’s third most popular sport, golf. Even though tournaments are slow-paced, watching the players overcome the odds creates spectacular television – and betting opportunities. The top golf tournaments you can bet on include all four majors: The Masters Tournament, US Open Championship, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship.

The most common bet on golf tournaments is to choose your outright winner. This type of bet is made with a futures wager before the start of the tournament. However, other options include in-play betting for each hole. While live streams for golf are rare, some of the best online betting sites in the UK allow you to watch tournaments as the action unfolds.

Best New Betting Sites: The Top Market Newcomers

As the sports betting industry continues to grow, so will the number of new betting sites. Newcomers often introduce new innovative bet types and features, making them attractive options for those seeking something different. The following new sports betting sites are just as safe as the rest of the bookmakers on this page and come highly recommended.

• SportNation » Founded: 2017
• FansBet » Founded: 2016

As mentioned earlier, new betting sites often introduce innovative features to attract new customers. These could include higher odds levels, attractive loyalty programmes, and improved mobile compatibility. We recommend checking out our latest betting site rankings to see how they compare to older bookmakers.

License and Regulation

Online sports betting sites in the UK must hold a valid license from the Gambling Commission to operate legally. Sportsbooks typically need to go through multiple checks and verifications before they are permitted to offer their betting services to customers. To check if your preferred betting site is licensed and regulated, you can visit the UK Gambling Commission and perform a quick search. Alternatively, visit the website of any sportsbook and look for the logo in the footer or responsible gaming page.

Online Bookmakers vs. Betting Shops

Traditionally, you needed to go to a land-based betting shop to wager on sports. However, much has changed since the arrival of the internet. These days, betting online is far more convenient than walking to your nearest betting shop. You can compare odds across multiple platforms within minutes and take advantage of much larger betting markets at online bookmakers. Here are some of the pros and cons of online betting sites versus a brick-and-mortar establishments:

A rising tide lifts all ships, meaning betting shops have also benefited from the advent of online betting. Many of the land-based shops have launched betting websites since the operational cost is much lower, plus online betting sites have a much larger customer base. Betting online also means customers qualify for various promotions and can shop around for the best odds and payouts.

Final Words on Betting Sites

You have reached the end of our online sports betting UK guide. We trust that the information we shared on the top betting companies is helpful in your search for safe betting sites in the UK. Our experts have evaluated each of the sportsbooks recommended on this page. All that’s left is to join the betting site of your choice and start placing wagers.

And while wagering on sports can be a lot of fun, some players are interested in other gambling products as well. You can have a look at our article about the best online gambling sites in the UK, where you’ll find plenty of tips and suggestions for playing at online casinos. Many online casinos also offer sports betting services, which we cover in our review of 32Red and our BetVictor review.

Anyway, whether you’re betting on sports, playing slots or gambling at the best online casinos in the UK, you should always enjoy your gambling and play responsibly. Remember that gambling and sports betting are supposed to be fun activities, so the moment the fun stops, you should stop too.

Scams.info

Nicholas Crouch

Chief Editor at Scams.info

Our Chief Editor brings with him an extensive background that spans decades. Known for crafting captivating casino and sports betting content, Nicholas began his journey into the world of gambling with football pools, and he now enjoys the excitement of high variance slots and curating engaging content for our site.  

I've learned that when creating gambling content, knowledge offers an edge, but ultimately, it's about the enjoyment and sharing my honest expertise with others.

FAQ

This sports betting UK guide includes commonly asked questions about betting companies. We have collected these questions regarding sports betting in the UK to help point you toward safe bookmakers where you can place football bets, racing bets, and everything in between.

🥇 What is the best site for sports betting?

Our experts have evaluated the top sports betting sites UK to bring you a selection of safe and fair sportsbooks. Check our top 5 betting sites list for hand-picked bookmakers with excellent betting markets, value odds, and welcome bonuses.

🥇 What is the best bookmaker for football?

You can bet on football at any of the top betting sites in the UK. However, our selection of the best football sportsbooks is a good place to start. These bookmakers offer regular fixtures and betting odds for all of the top football matches.

🤑 Are there betting sites with free bets?

Yes. Some of the best online betting sites UK offer free bets as part of their welcome bonuses. We recommend checking our top betting sites for the latest free bets promotions. Alternatively, you can read about the different bonus types you will qualify for when joining an online bookmaker.

🤚 ️ Is online sports betting legal?

Yes, online sports betting is completely legal in the UK. The UKGC is the main authority that online bookmakers turn to for regulation and licensing. Online betting sites UK must go through rigorous inspections before they can obtain a betting license.