We have rated and ranked the best betting sites in the UK for 2025. All bookies we recommend are 100% safe, secure, and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. If you're looking for the best odds, bonuses, and betting markets, these are the top sites to consider.
Adam is a sports writer and casino gaming enthusiast with over 10 years of experience. Boxing, football, and rugby are Adam's favorite sports to cover when he's not playing poker and baccarat. You can find his in-depth bookie reviews, betting tutorials, and more of his industry knowledge at BettingSitesReviewed.
Michael has worked in the sports betting industry for many years. Following football, horse racing and track and field athletics, he has covered the last three Olympic Games, World Cups and other major sporting events.
Ranking betting results can be a complex task that depends on the specific context and goals you have in mind. There are various ways to rank betting results, and the choice of method often depends on what you want to achieve. Here are some common approaches to ranking betting results
Ranking betting results can be a complex task that depends on the specific context and goals you have in mind. There are various ways to rank betting results, and the choice of method often depends on what you want to achieve. Here are some common approaches to ranking betting results
We independently review betting sites. Sign-ups through our links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you, this never influences our listings’ order.
18+ begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. Place a qualifying £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. Free bet stakes not included in any winnings from the free fixed odds bets. Free bets expire in 28 days if unused.
Tote
Bet £10, Get £40 in Bonuses (£30 Free Bets + 50 Free Spins)
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
18+ New Customers in UK/IE only. Sign up using the promo code BS10 and make a minimum deposit of £10. Place a minimum £10 cash bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and receive a £10 Free Bet. Cashed Out or void bets will not qualify for a welcome bonus. Free Bet credits will be subject to an expiry period of 7 days from date of issue. Free bet stakes not included in return. GambleAware.org, T&Cs apply.
Great range of horse racing odds from former track bookie
Top mobile sports app available on iOS and Android
Impressive number of live and inplay betting markets
Casino
Live Stream
Cashout
Bet Builder
Betting App
Deposit Methods [ View Fees ][ Close Fees ]
Debit cards
Bank transfer
Min. Deposit
Fees
Debit cards
£10
None
Bank transfer
£10
None
18+ Applies to New UK/IE customers who sign up via approved partner sites with promo code AKACCA100. Place your first qualifying bet as a Treble or Up on Any Sport (minimum three selections on combined odds of Evens) and AK Bets will boost the profit gained on that initial bet by 25% in the form of a Free Bet up to a value of £100. GambleAware.org, T&Cs apply.
Enthusiastic brand with a solid sports betting app
Casino
Live Stream
Cashout
Betting App
Deposit Methods [ View Fees ][ Close Fees ]
Debit cards
Bank transfer
Min. Deposit
Fees
Debit cards
£10
None
Bank transfer
£10
None
18+ New UK customers only. Sign Up using the Promo Code B20G10 and make a minimum deposit of £20. Then place a minimum £20 bet with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £10 free bet upon bet settlement. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Greyhound and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.
This offer is for new customers only and is available once per household. Max. FreeBet amount: £10 Minimum Deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Free Bet is: £10 Void/cancelled or cashed out bets do not count towards wagering to activate the free bet. Offer valid only to customers making a first deposit of £10 or more.
One of the biggest names in the UK betting industry
Fantastic for live betting and streaming
More Extra Place Races for horse racing
Casino
Live Stream
Cashout
Bet Builder
Betting App
BOG
Loyalty Club
ACCA Insurance
Cash Out
Extra Places
2nd to Favourite
Odds Boosts
Deposit Methods [ View Fees ][ Close Fees ]
Debit Cards
Skrill
Neteller
Paysafecard
+1 more
Min. Deposit
Fees
Debit Cards
N/A
N/A
Skrill
N/A
N/A
Neteller
N/A
N/A
Paysafecard
N/A
N/A
New 18+ UK customers only. Register with SUMMER50 between 31/05/24 – 14/07/24. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Relaunched in 2024 with top sports odds and markets
Great for existing customer offers and rewards
Wide selection of payment options
Casino
Cashout
Rewards Store
Cashback
Deposit Methods
Debit cards
Skrill
Paysafecard
Trustly
Neteller
+2 more
New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.
Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £20 | No max cash out | Wagering is 35x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded | Cashback applies to deposits where no bonus is included | T&C's apply 18+
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BOOKMAKER FINDER
Which bookmaker is the best for you?
Easily find your perfect bookmaker in under a minute, no sign up necessary.
Indeed, some online bookies perform better than others in certain categories. With that in mind, here are some of our award-winning betting sites to look at.
Betting Site
Awarded
BetMGM
Best Overall Betting Site & Top for Football
Spreadex
Best for Cash Out and Spread Betting
Tote
Best for Horse Racing in the UK & Ireland
LeoVegas
Best for Esports and Mobile Betting
Betfred
Best for Live Betting in 2025
Bet365
Best for Bet Builders
Planet Sport Bet
Best Betting App in the UK
Betfair
Best Betting Exchange Site
Best Betting Site for January – Betfred
Our top bookie for January 2025 is Betfred. You claim £50 in free bets when you bet £10 at Betfred, which is a fantastic incentive for joining the site. This quality British bookmaker has tons of excellent odds and markets for football, horse racing, and other sports and events to keep punters happy.
If you’re keen on live betting markets, Betfred offers an unrivalled platform. We’re particularly fond of their in-play football and tennis markets, but there’s loads to choose from. Furthermore, we class their #PickYourPunt as one of the leading Bet Builders in the game!
Get £50 in Free Bets When You Bet £10
Betfred has today’s early horse racing prices, extra places on selected races, live commentary + the custom racecard builder.
Apply your code at Betfred and enjoy your new bonus
New 18+ UK customers only. Register with SUMMER50 between 31/05/24 – 14/07/24. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
The Best Betting Sites of 2025 Reviewed
We only recommend online bookies with top odds and markets, great features, and a wide range of promotions. Read our short reviews of the best UK betting sites to learn more.
1
Spreadex
Leading Spread Betting & Fixed Odds UK Bookie
1/6
It’s no secret that Spreadex has been one of our favourite UK online sports betting sites for some time. Granted, the dual proposition of betting on fixed odds and spread betting markets is novel. But for the most part, the big selling point of Spreadex is their wide range of odds for horse racing, tennis, golf, football, and cricket.
You’ll always discover something new when you dig around on the Spreadex site. For example, odds and markets for niche sports like table tennis or their excellent Football Acca Price Boosts. We like how the site operates on a minimalistic template, helping to make everything perfectly signposted and ordered.
Spreadex has all the mod cons a bookie should have today, with cashout, live streaming, live betting, and fast payouts available. Better yet, there are specials and promos you can claim on popular events like the Premier League, pub sports like snooker and darts, American sports, and even politics and TV.
What we like
New Customers Get £40 in Free Bets
The Best Fixed Odds & Spread Betting Combo Site in the UK
Top Price Boosts and Existing Customer Promos
Partial Cashout and Live Streaming on Selected Events
18+ begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. Place a qualifying £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. Free bet stakes not included in any winnings from the free fixed odds bets. Free bets expire in 28 days if unused.
2
Tote
Top Horse Racing Betting Site in the UK
1/6
There are many reasons why Tote consistently outscores most good betting sites in the UK. First, this company has been a staple of horse racing pool betting since being set up in 1928. Second, its previous owners were the UK government and that level of trust is still there with the current operators, the UK Tote Group.
But beyond everything else, we consider Tote to be the best horse racing site in the UK. If pool betting is your thing, you’ll be happy to learn that Tote leads the pack by some distance. Furthermore, their fixed odds sports betting section allows you to bet on football, cricket, rugby, pub sports, tennis and plenty more.
Tote provides live streaming on selected events without having to place a bet. Their mobile app is quality, allowing you to access their tons of great offers and features including Ten to Follow, Colossus, Fantasy, Virtuals, and Games. Customer support is top-notch, with the same said for their quick payouts, Bet Builder, and cash out tool.
What we like
Best Horse Racing Bookie in the UK
Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses
Tote Placepot & Other Pool Betting Options
Stayers Club and Daily Treasure Hunt for Existing Customers
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G50 on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€20 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
3
Planet Sport Bet
Best Mobile Sports Betting App in the UK
1/6
A recent addition to our list of the top bookmakers in the UK, Planet Sport Bet comes in at 5th on our rankings list. Despite only being in business since 2021, the bookie – who has links to the more established Planet Sport brand – is doing a great all-round job. You can find top odds and markets for 25+ sports and more than a nice few extras.
Best Odds Guaranteed is available here from 10 am on race day, which is not bad at all. You can find and bet on odds for a range of UK and Irish races, with prices also available for meetings in France, the US, South Africa, and more. While it’s clear that horse racing and football are the site’s main attractions, the 50% bonus on multi-sports accas shows there’s more to ‘em.
We tried out the Planet Sport Bet app and were impressed with how it good it was. We could place bets and watch live horse racing but were also treated to free tips, virtuals, as well as bingo and games. Most positive user reviews of Planet Sport Bet praise the site and app design, and we can easily see why.
What we like
£10 New Customer Free Bet
Leading Native Sports Betting App
50% Bonus on Accas
Attractive Live Sports Betting Interface
Can Bet on a Diverse Range of Sports
What we don't like
Unimaginative Selection of Sports Betting Promotions
18+ New Customers in UK/IE only. Sign up using the promo code BS10 and make a minimum deposit of £10. Place a minimum £10 cash bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and receive a £10 Free Bet. Cashed Out or void bets will not qualify for a welcome bonus. Free Bet credits will be subject to an expiry period of 7 days from date of issue. Free bet stakes not included in return. GambleAware.org, T&Cs apply.
How We Review and Rank UK Betting Sites
We rank the best betting sites to bring you the top choices for placing bets in the UK. Our expert team thoroughly reviews and rates both established and emerging bookies, focusing on the areas that matter most.
From safety and competitive odds to diverse markets, generous free bets, and fast payouts, it all gets factored in to produce an overall rating. The best online bookmakers UK punters can choose are easily discernible by their superior scores and higher rankings.
Licensing and Security
We only recommend safe betting sites that are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). All bookmakers in our rankings have the latest responsible gambling tools, TLS encryption protocols, firewall software, and are audited regularly to ensure they remain 100% compliant and above board.
Range of Sports Betting Markets
Our experts prefer to see bookies with a wide range of sports to bet on. Ideally, we want to see popular options like football, horse racing, and tennis co-exist alongside Esports, US Sports, and niche betting markets.
Variety of Bet Types on Offer
Sites with a more diverse selection of betting markets score higher points. As such, you can expect to find bookies with everything including outrights, winner odds, accumulators, doubles, live bets, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), handicaps, and other interesting markets.
Quality of Betting Odds
If a bookie doesn't have competitive odds (at the very least), we don't want to know. The best betting sites in the UK provide punters with nice prices as well as promos including Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG), price boots, enhanced odds, and more. These are the only bookies we're interested in.
Range of Payment Methods
Our experts prefer betting sites that offer a range of payment options. From debit cards and bank transfers to e-Wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, it's good to have options. The easier it is to deposit and withdraw, the better our ratings will be.
Free Bets and Bonus Offers
Sites that provide new customers with strong and valuable welcome bonuses score extra points with our experts. Additionally, we rate UK betting sites with solid ongoing promotions that existing customers can claim to bolster their bankroll.
Mobile Betting Experience
We like to see excellent native sports betting apps for iPhone and Android. But these days, you can also access sites optimised for smartphones and other mobile devices. Our experts only recommend the very best of both worlds.
Payout Times and Withdrawal Speed
Sports betting sites that process withdrawals in 24 hours or under score well with our experts. Whether you're withdrawing using debit card or another payment method, we believe you should have your money in as little time as possible.
Why Top UK Betting Sites Achieve a High Rating from BettingSitesReviewed
The best betting sites for UK punters should stand head and shoulders above their competitors. Of course, our page on how we rate bookies explains the methodologies we follow. But here’s a simple explanation of how top-ranked sites get maximum points from us.
Safety and Security Come First
The golden rule of gambling is to avoid sketchy online betting sites. Your safety is of paramount importance, which is partially why we recommend the sites above. Only safe bookies with valid Gambling Commission licences appear in our rankings for this reason.
SSL encryption technology protects your personal and financial data during transactions.
Licensed by the UKGC, ensuring the site follows strict security regulations.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of account protection.
Data privacy policies guarantee your information won’t be shared without consent.
Independent audits ensure fairness in games and bets, promoting trustworthiness.
You Get More Extra Betting Features
Quite often, it’s the little add-ons and extras that separate our highest ranked sites from the rest. As such, we want to see features like Bet Builders, live streaming, in-play betting, cashout, and more available. Combined, these can all go a long way to improving your betting game.
Customise bets and gain greater control over system bets and accas.
Watch or follow your bets in real-time with in-play access.
Use full or partial cashout to manage exposure and limit risk.
Utilise in-built stats, data, and blogs to make smarter wagers.
Change odds formats and other personal preferences within your account.
They Don’t Restrict Winning Accounts
Our top-rated UK betting sites uphold fairness and transparency at all times. Whether they are traditional bookies or sports spread betting sites, we don’t want to see anyone gubbing punters by limiting bets or unnecessarily restricting winning accounts. Ideally, all punters should be treated fairly and provided with this kind of service.
Transparent minimum and maximum betting limits from the get-go.
Terms and conditions are clear and make sense for all punters.
Freedom to withdraw winnings without being subject to long waits.
Committed to fair play and rigid rules that strike a balance across the board.
Clear communication regarding any alleged breaking of rules or terms.
We Like Their Betting Odds and Markets
It’s simple – the best betting sites have attractive odds and diverse markets. As such, our rankings reflect bookies that go the extra mile to provide them across a wide range of popular and niche events. We only recommend sites that can help aid a better betting experience.
Industry-leading or highly competitive odds for popular sports in the UK.
A wide variety of diverse betting markets and wager types for marginal sports.
A nice range of pre-match and live betting odds for major sports events.
More attractive prices for sports that a bookie specialises in.
They Care About Responsible Gambling & Customer Support
One thing all our top-rated betting sites have in common is that they care about responsible gambling practices. Accordingly, you can find tools for deposit and loss limits, self-exclusion, and more. We love sites that offer solid customer support in like manner.
Responsible gambling tools available to prevent excessive spending.
Comprehensive support for anyone at risk of problem gambling patterns.
Multiple customer support channels including live chat, email, or phone.
Quick access to well-trained, knowledgeable, and friendly staff.
On-site literature and links to gambling addiction support groups and organisations.
Their Promotions and Bonuses Hit the Mark
We love top UK betting sites that are generous with new customer betting offers and other promotions. Whether it’s matched deposits, bet and get offers, or cashback, the best promos get our attention. Additionally, we rate sites higher if they offer ongoing or weekly free bets, Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG), and promo codes for horse racing and football specials.
Generous free bets or other bonuses for new customers.
Impressive variety of existing customer offers and specials.
Weekly free bet clubs, acca boosts, and BOG as early as possible.
Acca insurance and cashback offers that provide a safety net.
Clear and easy-to-understand bonus terms with minimal restrictions.
Why Trust BettingSitesReviewed?
About BettingSitesReviewed.co.uk and our Editorial Process
At BettingSitesReviewed, we’re not just industry experts – we’re also keen UK sports bettors. We launched our site in 2022 having grown frustrated with the lack of fair and credible advice available for bettors online. Our vision was (and will always be) to provide unbiased, impartial reviews and valuable betting advice to our readers.
As a team, our combined knowledge spans multiple sports and other key areas of the gambling industry. We have football, horse racing, and combat sports experts working with us. Furthermore, our knowledgable staff has decades of experience reviewing the best online bookmakers UK punters can bet with today.
Ulimtately, you can trust us to help you make informed betting decisions. This starts with finding the right UK betting sites for your needs.
Your specific tastes, wants, and needs may vary from the next person. As such, it is always a good idea to choose a new sports betting site that will satisfy you most. Here are some factors to consider before choosing your next online bookie.
Look for Trustworthy Sites
Good relationships, especially when money is involved, are built on a strong foundation of trust. With this in mind, we only review and recommend sites that are regulated by the highly reputable UK Gambling Commission. This means you can choose sites from our rankings safe in the knowledge that they are 100% trustworthy.
Take a Low-Risk Betting Approach
Choosing safe sites with modern data encryption and other safety measures to manage risk. Bookies with good reputations and positive user reviews for looking after players are more favourable than picking one out at random. Selecting betting sites with responsible gambling tools and strong customer support can also lower risk.
Bet at Sites with a Positive Reputation
You can get a good sense of the reputation of a site by reading our ratings and other user reviews. Among other things, we value sites that put care and thought into their processes for payments, ID verification, and offers. While you can’t always rely on every review, it’s easy to build a picture of how a site may treat you with a large sample size of testimonials.
Choose Bookies with Player-Friendly Terms and Conditions
We like sites that provide clear and easily understood bonus terms and conditions regarding bonuses, promotions, and withdrawal processes. Be wary of sites with complex or restrictive terms, such as high wagering requirements or excessive withdrawal fees. A player-friendly site will have transparent policies that are easy to understand.
Demand More Betting Options
The variety of betting options available on a site can boost your betting experience. As such, it’s always a good idea to opt for sites that offer live betting and streaming, Bet Builders, cash out, mobile betting apps, and diverse promotional offers. Many of the aforementioned options are betting industry standard now, so look for the best of them!
Our Team of Experts
The team at BettingSitesReviewed is comprised of several industry experts who deliver valuable and accurate content to our readers. From horse racing experts and football journalists to bookmaker reviewers and accredited betting insiders, we are very proud of the quality of our staff. Here are some of the contributors you'll come across at our site!
Get to know our Betting Experts
David Petersen
Betting Expert
7 Articles
David is an experienced iGaming wordsmith who has been working in the industry since 2013. He has written more words on all aspects of iGaming than he cares to remember, and has provided content for many big industry names. When not writing David can be found out running or gaming on his Xbox.
Michael Lee has worked in the sports betting and related industries for many years. A horse racing expert, he also has a passion for track and field athletics. Jamie has covered all major sporting events with a focus on gambling from World Cups to Ashes Series, Grand Slams and even the Olympics.
Scott Adler is a sports betting and strategy specialist with experience writing for a number of publications during a 20-year career. An expert in football and golf, Scott also has a passion for American sport, particularly the NBA and NFL.
Ryan is a freelance writer who specialises in the world of sports and iGaming, producing engaging and accurate content for online publications, including news articles, reviews, press releases and social media marketing.
Liam is head of PR & a content contributor for Betting Sites Reviewed. Liam has 10+ years of experience writing articles on trending topics; including sports and finance. Liam has a passion for analysing trending insights and has had his data shared in publications including New York Times, BBC and 1000's more.
We understand that you might not have the time to read through our reviews in full. Instead, use the following table to compare the top betting sites UK punters can sign up with today!
Bookie
Cash Out
Live Betting
Live Streaming
Number of Sports
Payment Methods
31
Debit Cards, PayPal, Apple Pay
25
Debit Cards & Bank Transfer
29
Debit Cards
38
Debit Cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer
25
Debit Cards, PayPal, Bank Transfer
26
Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Bank Transfer
28
Debit Cards, Bank Transfer
20
Debit Cards, Bank Transfer
31
Debit Cards, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer
29
Debit Cards, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, Paysafecard
Discover comprehensive educational guides from our Betting School™ Library.
What’s On & Popular on Sports Betting Sites This Week (20-26 January, 2025)
This week features the first-ever UEFA Champions League games played in January and the conclusion of the Australian Open tennis. On the cricket front, England continue their Tour of India with T20 International action.
There’s a big weekend of Premiership and United Championship rugby throughout the British Isles ahead of the upcoming Six Nations tournament. Japanese boxing superstar Nayoa Inoue defends his Undisputed Super-Bantamweight title too.
As well as Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham in horse racing, you can enjoy a packed programme of Premier League action over the weekend.
Here are this week’s top sports events:
Tennis – Australian Open: Grand Slam Tournament (ongoing, concludes Sunday, 26 January)
Football – Premier League: Chelsea vs Wolves (Monday, 20 January)
Football – Champions League: Monaco vs Aston Villa, Benfica vs Barcelona, Liverpool vs Lille (Tuesday, 21 January)
Cricket – Men’s T20 International: India vs England (Wednesday, 22 January)
Football – Champions League: Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic vs Young Boys Bern, Feyenoord vs Bayern Munich, PSG vs Manchester City (Wednesday)
Football – Europa League: Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur & Manchester United vs Rangers (Thursday, 23 January)
Rugby Union – United Rugby Championship: Glasgow Warriors vs Connacht (Friday, 24 January)
Rugby Union – English Premiership: Harlequins vs Northampton Saints (Friday)
Boxing – Naoya Inoue (c) vs Ye Joon Kim for the Undisputed World Super-Bantamweight Title (Friday)
Cricket – Men’s International Test March: Pakistan vs West Indies (starts Saturday, 25 January)
Horse Racing – Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham, Great Yorkshire Chase Day at Doncaster (Saturday)
Cricket – Men’s T20 International: India vs England (Saturday)
Football – Premier League: AFC Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest, Liverpool vs Ipswich Town, Southampton vs Newcastle United, Wolves vs Arsenal & Manchester City vs Chelsea (Saturday)
Rugby Union – English Premiership: Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers & Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens (Saturday)
Rugby Union – United Rugby Championship: Scarlets vs Edinburgh, Leinster vs Stormers, Cardiff vs Sharks & Dragons vs Munster (Saturday)
Football – Serie A: Napoli vs Juventus (Saturday)
Boxing – Dalton Smith vs Walid Ouizza for the European Light-Welterweight Title (Saturday)
Football – Premier League: Crystal Palace vs Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City, Aston Villa vs West Ham United & Fulham vs Manchester United (Sunday, 26 January 2025)
Football – La Liga: Barcelona vs Valencia (Sunday)
Rugby Union –English Premiership: Bristol vs Newcastle Falcons & Sale vs Bath (Sunday)
Finding the perfect betting site for your needs is easier when know what you want. From the best football and horse racing sites to leading live betting and cashout bookies, use our top sites per category for inspiration.
Best Football Betting Sites
As the most popular sport in the UK, bookies must go above and beyond to attract those looking to bet on football online. Many user reviews cite a variety of markets, competitive odds, and live betting and streaming as important to them. Thankfully, you’ll find all that and then some at the best betting sites for UK football bettors.
What’s more, these licenced bookmakers have ongoing special offers and free bet clubs. Perhaps most importantly, they cover a mix of Premier League odds and prices for almost every single football match you can bet on!
BetMGM – Claim 200% Extra on Accas and a Weekly Free Football Bet at the home of Golden Goals.
Spreadex – Top-quality football Bet Builder bookie with great odds on a regular basis for cards, corners, and Both teams to Score (BTTS).
bet365 – The world’s most famous football betting site is packed full of quality features for football including Bet Builder + and partial cash out.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Horse racing is another of the nation’s major sports to bet on and is inextricably linked to the industry. Unsurprisingly, this means there’s a long list of UK bookmakers offering horse racing odds and prices. Our horse racing experts know quality when they see it, however, and put together their top 3 bookies to look at.
With horse racing betting apps and sites, you can claim a mix of racing promotions and offers. These range from price boosts and Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) to money-back specials and extra place races on selected UK and Irish events.
Tote – Bet on Placepot and Scoop6 at one of the best gambling sites for horse racing fans in the United Kingdom.
Fitzdares – Claim top-quality odds and promos and place your bets over the phone at “The World’s Finest Bookmaker”.
BoyleSports – Claim BOG from 8 am on race day and plenty of quality specials at this powerful racing betting site.
Top Esports Betting Sites
With League of Legends and Dota 2 to Rocket League and CS:GO, Esports betting is huge. Many of the sites on our best UK betting sites list deserve a shout for their coverage of Esports wagering options. But the simple fact is that some sites are just better than others.
To help you choose the top sites in this category, we’ve done hours of research and reading through user reviews. These are the three best Esports sites online today, according to our experts. All come with a great mix of odds, in-play betting, and live streaming for events.
LeoVegas – Our #1 choice and one of the top live Dota 2 and CSGO betting sites for UK punters.
10Bet – Industry-leading prices for Fortnite, ESL Pro League Europe, and League of Legends matches.
BetUK – Excellent offers that can be used when betting on Starcraft 2, Call of Duty, and Counter-Strike markets.
Best Online Betting Sites with Cash Out
Cash out is one of the most in-demand features available at top online betting sites. You can choose to lock in profits or minimise losses with the use of full or partial cashout, but it’s not available everywhere. Some sites may offer only full cashout, so always check before signing up.
We consider the cashout tool as close to a betting necessity as anything else. Above all, it should be easy to use, available for plenty of different sports and markets, and offer value when triggered. Ultimately, these are the cash out bookies we rate as the best in the game right now.
Spreadex – The most diverse and efficient cash out betting site in the United Kingdom today.
Paddy Power – Colorful Irish bookie revered for its quality full and partial cash out tool.
Betfair – Leading UK bookie with seamless full and partial cash out on a wide range of sports, including football and horse racing.
Top Live Betting Sites
You’ll discover a myriad of live betting opportunities at the best gambling sites. We always like to see a steady range of betting markets for popular and niche sports, with easy access to updated odds. Some of the biggest bookmakers also include live Esports and virtual sports, too.
We have some simple demands from live betting sites online. All in all, live betting interfaces must be simple, sleek, and compatible with mobile devices. As time is often of the essence with live betting, consider these fast live betting bookies first!
Betfred – Top-rated UK bookie with excellent live football and tennis odds and markets.
BetMGM – Our #1 choice for betting live on cricket, snooker, and US sports like baseball and basketball.
QuinnBet – Quality live betting bookie with one of the best mobile in-play interfaces.
Top UK Bookmakers for Bet Builders
To say Bet Builders have changed the game would be an understatement. With this feature, you can combine multiple selections from the same event into one large wager. This could include the team to win, the number of cards and corners, first goalscorer, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), and more.
In short, some UK betting sites offer better Bet Builder products than others. Our experts recommend looking for bookies that provide you with as many markets as possible when using this feature, and, of course, the best odds you can get. Choose from any of these bookies for a quality Bet Builder experience.
bet365 – One of the most innovative UK betting companies has changed the game with its Bet Builder + product.
Betfair – Among the smoothest and most valuable Bet Builder tools available today.
Luckster – Opt for partial or full cash out with the sleek and easy-to-use Luckster Bet Builder tool.
Best Betting Apps in the UK
Although very few new betting apps bowl us over these days, we’re always keen to find the best ones on the market. With immersive live betting and live streaming still very much in demand, a native app that provides both can be very useful indeed. Our experts also like to see cash out and Bet Builder accessible from any app we rate.
It’s true that top apps almost always come from the best online betting sites in the UK. Here are our top three choices for the best mobile betting apps in 2025.
Planet Sport Bet – One of the best bookies for live betting and streaming via an excellent native mobile app.
BoyleSports – All-round betting app with great in-play wagering, cash out, horse racing form data, and other promotional facilities.
DAZN Bet – Ranked among our favourite new betting websites, the DAZN betting app is also worth checking out.
Top Betting Exchange Sites
Betting exchanges allow you to back and lay bets against other punters without relying on a traditional bookie. While the vast majority of bettors will never use one, many of us enjoy them.
Although betting exchange sites are not always the best places to claim a wide range of promotions, but these three have offers. Betfair is the world’s largest betting exchange and the most revered on the planet. But we also recommend Smarkets and Matchbook.
Betfair – The leading sports betting exchange site on the planet and still our #1 choice for punters.
Smarkets – Slick and easy exchange for bettors looking to test their savoir faire against other punters.
Matchbook – Top exchange betting site with live streaming options and a top app.
Brand New Betting Sites
There are plenty of top new online bookmakers for UK players to look at. These sites provide a range of key benefits and additional features like Bet Builders, live streaming, and partial cashout. Better yet, new sites tend to dole out some great free bets and bonuses to attract punters just like you.
Brand
Launch Year
UKGC License Number
NRG Bet
2024
63635
AK Bets
2023
9177
talkSPORT Bet
2022
39576
DAZN Bet
2022
48756
BetMGM
2022
39198
HeySpin Sport
2022
39483
21LuckyBet
2022
39335
We love exploring the betting options available at new sports betting sites. One thing we have noticed is that they often focus on niche sports, Esports, US events as well as political betting and entertainment markets. There may also be a larger emphasis on virtual sports at new UK bookies, which is great if you like them.
What’s more, brand new bookies tend to be a little more perceptive to what punters want in modern times. This means they can focus on streamlining their betting platforms to accommodate more deposit methods and customer service options.
UK Online Betting Sites Offers
You can claim a wide range of free bets and other promotions at top online bookmakers. Together with new customer sign-up offers, there are some excellent existing customer promos you should know about.
Best Betting Sites with Welcome Bonus Deals
Almost all top sports betting sites in the UK offer a sign-up bonus of some shape or form. However, these common types make up the bulk of welcome deals online today.
Bet & Get – The most popular type of new customer betting offers, bet and get works just as it sounds. You place a qualifying bet stake of £10, for example, to get £40 in free bet credits.
Cashback – Although not as widely available as bet and get deals, cashback deals can be valuable. These promos usually kick back a percentage of your first day’s losses – for instance, 15% up to £100.
Risk-Free Bet – These deals offer a safety net to anyone looking to bet with a site for the first time. If your qualifying bet loses, the bookie may provide a refund of your stake as a free bet or cash.
Enhanced Prices – We’re fans of enhanced odds betting sites offers, once they offer value. Instead of a free bet, the best football or horse racing betting sites may provide boosted odds on specific events that can ultimately bump up your returns.
Free Bets & Promotions for Existing Customers
When you have used your welcome offer, it’s time to explore other bonus bets and offers you can claim at top UK betting sites. Here are some of our favourite existing customer promos to look for.
Acca Insurance – This promotion pays your stake back if one leg of your football accumulator bet loses. Furthermore, some bookies with acca insurance return your stake in other scenarios, like if two legs let you down.
Accumulator Bonuses – You can get extra winnings on successful accumulator bets, paid as either cash or as free bets. These betting offers are available at many of the best sports betting sites in the UK.
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) – One for the horse racing betting enthusiasts. With BOG, winning bets are paid out at the higher starting price (SP) if it is better than the odds taken.
Free Bet Clubs – Claim ongoing and regular free bets once you meet specific betting criteria. For instance, if you wager over £50 on football over the course of a week.
Price Boosts – These deals provide enhanced odds on selected markets, which can add a bit of meat to your returns. For example, you might be offered 3/1 instead of 7/4 for Manchester City to win and Erling Haaland to score at any time.
The Most Popular Sports People Bet on with UK Online Bookmakers
We love rating and reviewing the best sports betting sites in the UK. Primarily because these sites almost always cater to British punters. Here are the sports you are likely to see most of at these bookies.
Football
UK punters bet on Premier League markets more than any other event in sport. But there’s also huge interest in other competitions such as the Champions League, La Liga, The Championship, and other top leagues and tournaments. Today, the best football betting sites in the UK cover odds and markets for all of the above and more.
Here are some of our favourite leagues and bets to place on them.
Double Chance, First Half Result, Over/Under Goals
Football is simply the biggest draw for many UK punters, given the wide range of football betting options available. For example, you can find odds for Manchester City to win the league outright, or Liverpool to beat Man Utd. With accas and Bet Builders, you can combine multiple selections into one bet and utilise cashout for even more control of your wagers.
Horse Racing
It’s no surprise to learn that betting on horse racing goes back hundreds of years in the UK, given how embedded it is into the fabric of the nation. Since the 18th Century, British punters have enjoyed flutters on English classics like the St. Leger, the Oaks, and the Derby.
You’ll find a wide array of horse racing odds and markets like these at new betting sites and the more established ones.
Event
Nation
Favourite Wagers to Place
Cheltenham Gold Cup
United Kingdom
Single, Accumulator with Other Races, Exacta
The Grand National
United Kingdom
Each-Way, Place Betting, Forecast
The Epsom Derby
United Kingdom
Straight Win, Tote Placepot, Accumulator
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
France
Win, Place, Tricast
Royal Ascot Gold Cup
United Kingdom
Each-Way, Quinella, Tote Betting
St Leger Stakes
United Kingdom
Straight Win, Place, Tricast
Irish Derby
Ireland
Win, Place, Lucky 15 with Other Races
2000 Guineas Stakes
United Kingdom
Each-Way, Forecast, Canadian with Other Races
The Oaks
United Kingdom
Straight Win, Multiples & System Bets with Other Races
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
United Kingdom
Forecast, Each-Way, Place
Key events like the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, and the Grand National always capture widespread betting attention. But the best horse racing betting sites can now provide punters with all kinds of odds markets for key events. This includes simple singles and each-way wagers to Lucky 15s, Yankees, and other system and multiple bets.
Boxing
Much like horse racing, humans have bet on boxing for centuries. So long as there are bouts to wager on, this practice will continue. After all, few things beat the pulsating thrills of a huge title fight or a key event involving a British fighter.
Whether it’s backing that fighter to win, score a knockout, or slick a fight out on points, you have options.
Bet Type
What It Means
Outright Fight Winner
A simple bet on a fighter to win or draw.
Method of Victory
This wager is on how the fight ends – for example, by decision, knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO.
Win and Method of Victory
Bet on which fighter wins and how.
Single Round Betting
Choose the round when the fight ends.
Over/Under Rounds
Wager on whether the total rounds of the fight go over or under the number set by the bookie.
Winning Margin
Bet on the margin of victory, such as a KO/TKO within a set number of rounds.
Draw No Bet
This bet allows you to back a fighter to win and get your stake refunded if the fight ends in a draw.
Fight to Go the Distance
Wager on whether the fight will last the full scheduled number of rounds or end before then.
First Knockdown
Put your money down on who scores the first knockdown or in which round/s it happens.
Round Group Betting
You can also bet on rounds when the fight ends, such as in 1 to 3 or 10 to 12.
Specials
Gone in 60 seconds, number of punches thrown, or special in-fight markets for the match up.
Some punters may place their first bet at new online betting sites in the UK on a boxing match. Although a fun sport to bet on – especially with so many prematch and extensive markets for live boxing betting – anything can happen between two evenly matched specialists.
While many bettors prefer wagering on rounds or method of victory markets, it’s all up to you. Finally, we always recommend looking over specials like enhanced odds and price boosts to get what you’re after.
Cricket
Another wildly popular sport to bet on in the UK, cricket is also fully embedded into the British culture. You’ll find all kinds of cricket odds and markets at hassle-free betting sites catering to events like The Ashes and The Cricket World Cup. The same applies to T2Os, One Day Internationals, The Hundred, and County Championships.
Tournament
Region
Suggested Wagers
ICC Cricket World Cup
Global
Outright Winner, Leading Batsman, Wickets Over/Unders
The Ashes
England/Australia
Compton–Miller Medal, Series Winner, Top Bowler
County Championship
United Kingdom
Highest Innings Runs, Top Bowler, Toss Combination
The Hundred
United Kingdom
Highest Scorer, Total Sixes, Most Run Outs
T20 World Cup
Global
Total Runs, Highest Individual Score, Player of the Tournament
Indian Premier League (IPL)
India
Most Valuable Player, Match Winning Bets, Top Run Scorer
Big Bash League (BBL)
Australia
Player of the Match, Top Wicket-Taker, Live Bets
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan
Handicap Betting, Over/Under Runs, Most Wickets
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
West Indies (Multiple Nations)
Outright Winner, Total Fours, Team Performance Bets
Asia Cup
Asia (Multiple Nations)
Cup Winner, Highest Team Total, Most Sixes
We love the variety of cricket betting markets available today. Match betting prices and over/unders are particularly popular with us, although win toss, top bowler, outrights, and most sixes certainly get the pulse going. As with most team sports, there are a wide variety of live betting markets also available for cricket.
Golf
There is no shortage of golf betting options, given the hundreds of events that take place every year. UK punters have a particular fondness for The Open Championship – also known as the British Open or simply “The Open” – which is the oldest golf tournament in the world. Then again, The PGA Championship, The Masters, and the U.S. Open aren’t exactly unpopular with UK bettors!
Event
Nation
Recommended Bets
The Open Championship (British Open)
United Kingdom
Winner, Each-Way, Hole-in-One
U.S. Open
United States
Group Matchups, Top 5 Finish, Miss the Cut
PGA Championship
United States
Player Matchups, 3-Ball Wagers, Top 15 Finish
The Masters
United States
Outright Winner, Top 10 Finish, First Round Bets
Ryder Cup
Europe/United States
Most Points, Tournament Winner, Correct Score
The Players Championship
United States
Winning Margin, First Round Leader, Player Specials
BMW PGA Championship
United Kingdom
Championship Winner, Place Wagers, Best European Player
Dubai Desert Classic
United Arab Emirates
Each Way, Top 5 Finish, Special Player Bets
Scottish Open
United Kingdom
Top 10 Finish, Outright Tournament Bets, Live Bets
Arnold Palmer Invitational
United States
Player Matchups, Round Leader, Top 20 Finishes
For every tournament covered, the best sport betting sites for golf offer a huge range of markets. These include outrights, head-to-head/player matchups, top 5/10/20 finishes, round leader, and more. If you love wagering on golf live, you’ll also be delighted to learn that there are tons of odds and bets you can place in-play.
Rugby
There are two different codes in rugby – these are rugby union and rugby league. Both come with their distinctive charms but are also very popular with UK betting fans. Rugby union’s Six Nations is perhaps the biggest draw, and you can bet on everything from match winners, first-try scorers, handicaps, and more.
Here are some potential bets you can place on the biggest rugby competitions.
Competition
Region
Top Wagers
Six Nations
Europe
Outright Winner, In-Play Match Winner, Top Try Scorer
Gallagher Premiership
England
Match Winner, Total Points Scored, Anytime Try Scorer
Heineken Champions Cup
Europe
Half-Time/Full-Time, Player of the Match, Outrights
Rugby Championship
Argentina, Australia, New Zealand
Tournament Winner, Top Try Scorer, Handicap Betting
United Rugby Championship (URC)
Europe
Total Points, Anytime Tryscorer, Winning Margin
Super League
England & France (Catalans Dragons)
Steve Prescott Man of Steel, Match Winner, Cards
NRL (National Rugby League)
Australia & New Zealand
2-Way Handicaps, First Try Scorer, Top Points Scorer
State of Origin
Australia
Walley Lewis Medal, Series Winner, Margin of Victory,
Elite 1
France
Match Winner, Total Points, Top Point Scorer
Rugby League World Cup
Europe
Team to Win, Top Try Scorer, Live Betting
You’ll also find plenty of rugby league betting odds doing the rounds. Both older and new sports betting sites in the UK cover the Super League, which is always good for action. Like union, the best bets to place at leading betting sites include handicaps, match winners, try bets, and over/unders.
Tennis
Every British punter on UK online sports betting sites will be familiar with Wimbledon. There are always plenty of offers, odds boosts, and other deals when the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament comes around. But there’s more to betting on tennis than “SW19”, as it’s sometimes known.
Tournament
Region
Suggested Bets to Place
Wimbledon
United Kingdom
Match Winner, Total Games Over/Under, Player Specials
US Open
United States
Outrights, First Set Winner, Handicap Betting
French Open (Roland Garros)
France
Sets Betting, Total Points, Aces Betting
Davis Cup
Global
Set 2 Game Bets, Match Winner, Correct Set Score
ATP Finals
Global
Finals Winner, Tie Breaks O/U, Correct Score
Australian Open
Australia
Outright Winner, Over/Under Games, Live Betting
WTA Finals
Global
Player Performances, Total Games, Set Handicap
Indian Wells
United States
Serve Bets, Match Result, Total Sets
Miami Open
United States
Exact Set Score, Total Games, Both Players to Win a Set
Queen’s Club Championships
United Kingdom
Match Winner, First Set Score, Match and Set
Top-ranked players have busy rosters all year around. As such, you’ll find odds and markets at tennis betting sites for the US, Australian, and French Opens as well as the Davis Cup and Roland Garros. Markets include points, match plays, outrights, handicap betting, and more.
Pub Sports
Snooker and darts have enjoyed uplifts in popularity over the past couple of decades. While they have always resonated with punters, a greater range of odds and markets at snooker and darts betting sites has certainly helped. Additionally, we’re seeing more televised events drive interest in live betting.
Snooker fans can place outrights and in-game wagers on the World Snooker Championship, the UK Championship, the Masters, and more. Meanwhile, darts has a wide range of top tournaments to bet on, including the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts, and the World Matchplay.
Payment Methods on the Best UK Sports Betting Sites
It’s always a good idea to check out the betting payment methods available at both older and new UK bookies. Without doubt, you’ll find at least one of these popular payment methods at our top-rated sites.
Debit Cards – These are the most popular banking option available at bookies. Convenient and widely used, they offer a simple and safe way to pay.
Bank Transfer – Traditional bank transfer transactions may take longer to process. But modern tech like banking apps has sped things up exponentially.
Apple Pay – One of the most widely-used mobile payment options, Apple Pay is available to use at sites like Paddy Power.
Google Pay – This works almost exactly as Apple Pay but for Android users. Google Pay is, however, not as widely available as its counterpart.
PayPal – Available at PayPal betting sites, this popular eWallet allows for instant deposits and quick withdrawals.
Paysafecard – One of the best prepaid cards in the gambling industry, Paysafecard is perfect for those who don’t want to share bank details online.
Other eWallets – Alternative options available at UK bookies include Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz.
Payment Options Not Supported by UK Bookies
Most UK sports betting sites provide a variety of payment methods. However, these options are not supported at United Kingdom Gambling Commission-licenced sites.
Credit Cards – Banned for gambling payments by the UKGC in 2020, you won’t be able to use credit cards at any bookie on our best UK betting sites list.
Cheques – Most online bookies in the UK refuse to accept cheques. This is undoubtedly because they are considered an obsolete payment method in the betting industry.
Cryptocurrencies – None of the UK sport betting sites we rate accept Bitcoin or other cryptos due to regulatory concerns.
Pay-by-Phone – Subject to enhanced payment method exclusions at most bookies, this option is no longer available at UKGC sites that we rate.
Revolut – Unlike, say, Trustly betting sites, you’ll struggle to find Gambling Commission-licenced bookmakers that accept Revolut.
How to Sign Up to a Betting Site in the UK
Most betting sites have easy and convenient sign up forms on their sites. It takes about five minutes to complete the process of joining new UK bookmakers. Simply choose one or more you like and follow these steps to get up and running.
Select Your Favourite Bookie from Our List
Choose the site you like best and click on the link to head over to their site.
Click the Sign Up Button and Complete Registration
Doing so opens the online registration form for that bookie. Before you bet on sportsbooks online, you must provide details including your name, date of birth, home address, and email address.
Make Your First Deposit & Claim Your Bonus
Choose your deposit option from the cashier section to add funds to your account. Also, ensure that your 1st deposit meets the minimum required to claim your deposit bonus. Whether it's a matched bet offer, Bet Builder bonus token, or Acca free bet, there will be other terms and conditions you must meet.
Place Your Qualifying Bet
When you have followed all three steps above, you're ready to place your qualifyig bet and claim your welcome offer. Simply head over to the sports betting section of the bookie and place your initial wager. Once your bet is settled with the betting site's T&Cs, you receive your bonus!
Tips for Using the Best Online Bookies Effectively
The best way to enjoy a positive betting experience is to find a bookie that is a good fit for your needs. Correspondingly, you should only look for sites that can provide you with what you want. Here’s how to make the most of any betting site you sign up with.
Compare Bookies to Find the Best Fit
Some bookies have a huge range of sports markets, while others keep it simple. Luckily for some of us, we get the choice between quantity and quality. For that reason, the key to getting what you want is to compare odds and markets to find a compatible place to wager.
In other words, if you like betting on football, horse racing, and darts, bookies with a broader choice might be the best fit. But if you’re more inclined to coverage of niche sports or exotic events, consider new bookies that specialise in these.
Look for Sites with Suitable Bonuses and Promotions
We always look at stuff like free bets and bonuses when reviewing new online bookies. While we don’t have to point out why new customer offers can be attractive, we find many punters overlook other promotions. For instance, odds boosts, Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG), and sport-specific offers.
Most new customer matched deposits, free bets, or cashback deals are suitable for all. But BOG is only going to offer value to racing punters. In like fashion, football odds boosts go well with a good football betting strategy but won’t matter to those who only bet on darts. Instead, choose sites that cater to your needs to get suitable bonuses and promotions.
Find Better Odds and Bet Types
Familiarise yourself with the best odds and wager types at betting sites. Again, this is something that should be built around how you bet and what you bet on. Whether you’re wagering on single match bets, outrights, or Lucky 63s, they should be congruous with your ambitions.
Placing Bet Builders or accumulators can be fun but are unlikely to yield consistent profits if you don’t know how they work. A good betting strategy is built around maximising your chances of making long-term profit, so tailor bets to this approach. If curiosity grips you, keep stakes to a minimum while you experiment with other bets.
Factor in Banking and Payout Times
Many bookies have a wide range of payment options available to use – but do they offer the ones you like? It’s important to play at sites that allow you to deposit and withdraw funds with minimal fuss. Furthermore, it’s also good if the bonuses they offer are claimable with your selected payment options.
Since withdrawal times are set by the bookie, you should also consider how long it takes to get your money. There are plenty of fast withdrawal betting sites that process card payments – or those made with alternative withdrawal methods like eWallets – in 24 hours or under. Also, check for betting sites fees, minimum deposits, maximum cashouts, and other payment-related details.
Which UK Betting Websites You Should Avoid & Why
You should avoid unsafe online betting sites at all costs. The easiest way to do this is to target safe, fully licensed bookies that are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. With this in mind, here are some tips for identifying dodgy sites and unsafe online bookies.
Sites that Fail the Smell Test
We don’t have to explain why common sense is needed when gambling over the internet. While online betting is safe for the most part, some sites are most certainly not. The puzzling part is that many of these sites look shady and downright awful– yet, some still sign up with them.
Some dodgy sites may initially pass the smell test, however. But if you are ever in two minds, it is best to trust your judgment and walk away. At the very least, sites without Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), little online presence, and extremely negative reviews should be avoided.
Unsecured and Unsafe Betting Sites
Your security is paramount when betting online, especially as online bookmakers have access to your personal details and financial information. In the worst-case scenario, you could stand to lose your money and identity simply by wagering on unsafe betting platforms. So why take the risk?
Whether they are older or new online bookies is irrelevant. Instead, make it a habit to only wager with sites that use the latest Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption, security firewall software, and HTTPS protocol in place. These help to encrypt and secure your personal information, which ultimately keeps your personal info safe.
Unlicenced and Unregulated Bookies
The first telltale sign of an untrustworthy site is the clear lack of licencing and regulation. Above all, you should never deposit real money to sites of this kind, regardless of how attractive their initial bonus funds or football markets appear.
In simple terms, unregulated sites without licenses don’t have to answer to anyone and can thus operate with little to no oversight. Unlike licensed and regulated sites, they are not constrained or guided by positive industry standards. Among other things, this can lead to withheld funds, no responsible gambling tools, and even ID theft.
Sports Betting Sites with Poor Odds
Bookies that are higher up in our rankings tend to have top odds and even enhanced prices for popular events. On the opposite end of the spectrum are sports betting sites with poor prices. As the bookmaker margin is factored into the odds provided to punters, it’s bad business to rip customers off.
If you place a simple £10 bet on West Ham pre-match odds of evens when they are 2/1 elsewhere, you’re getting a bad price. This means you’ll be losing 50% of your potential winnings simply betting with this bookie. To avoid this, compare sites with competitive odds throughout your sports betting journey.
Betting Brands that Offer Little to Punters
One reason why bookies like BetMGM, Spreadex, and Paddy Power are so popular is because they give that little bit extra. In short, being generous and catering to players with extra features is going to get you further. But there are brands out there that still want your custom despite dishing out nothing in return.
Avoid bookies with terrible site designs, unimaginative markets, and little in the form of bonuses or extra features. While taking in their site design and loading speed, look up their promotions pages for what they offer existing punters. Then, why not compare their cash out, Bet Builder, live streaming products – if they have them – to top-ranked sites.
Sites that Don’t Pay Out & Restrict Accounts
Winning a large sum of money and failing to receive your winnings is, in reality, something we all want to avoid. Unfortunately, some bookies in the UK are finding ways to withhold money from punters with little to no justification for doing so. This is why it’s important to only play at trusted sites, if only for the purpose of avoiding such scenarios.
Shady and unregulated sites have an easier time of taking your money and failing to pay out winnings. In any event, many of these sites are rogue operators that have little pressure exerted on them. To that end, be extra careful in avoiding betting sites that have no intention of honouring bets.
More Types of Bookies to Avoid in the UK
The ultimate aim is to find an online betting site you can join and stay with. If you feel the same way, here are some additional things to avoid when narrowing your search for a new bookie.
Bookies That Charge Excessive Fees – We don’t recommend betting with sites that go overboard with fees. Even a £1 fee on deposits and/or withdrawals can rack up and eat into your profit margin over time. With this in mind, target bookies with no fees where possible.
Those with Poorly-Rated Sister Sites – Some sports betting sites in the UK have sister sites that form a betting brand. It can be a good idea to look into user reviews/the background of these bookies to see how they are received.
Sites with Poor Customer Support – A betting site’s customer service function can say a lot about their intentions. Shirk any site that doesn’t have at least one reliable way of reaching staff if you have a question that needs to be answered.
Slow Payout Bookies – There is no need for any betting site to withhold your money for extended periods of time. Rather than sitting around in the hope that your money will finally be paid out, choose a site that gets it to you in 24 hours or less.
Responsible Gambling
It’s no secret that betting can be addictive – especially when it’s uncontrolled. These days, there is an industry-wide effort to promote responsible gambling to keep punters safe. We only recommend sites that help you gamble responsibly.
Responsible Gambling Tools
You can access a wide range of tools at bookies with licences from the Gambling Commission. While serves a distinctive purpose, they can all help with responsible betting. On account of this, here are the most effective responsible gambling tools available.
Tool
How They Work
Reality Checks
Set alerts that temporarily lock your screen to remind you how long you’ve been betting.
Deposit Limits
You can set limits for your daily, weekly, and monthly deposits to ensure you don’t spend more than you intend to.
Loss Limits
This tool allows you to set a temporary lock on your betting account that triggers when you lose a set sum of money.
Time-Outs
These are great for when you want short breaks from betting, especially as you can determine the timeframe.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion, considered the most impactful safer gambling tool, prevents you from accessing your betting account for anywhere between 6 months and 5 years.
You can use a combination of the tools above but self-exclusion is usually what many consider to be the last step. Furthermore, you can also reach out to customer support for help and advice. Although not a tool in the traditional sense, customer service agents are trained to assist with safer gambling queries.
Identification and Affordability Checks
In some cases, bookies may request you to provide ID to confirm who you say you are. These checks are conducted in line with anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Here are some examples of what you may be asked to produce.
ID Document
Why It’s Needed
Passport/Driving Licence/National ID Card
To confirm your identity and prove you are 18+.
Birth Certificate
Sometimes requested if additional confirmation of age and identity is necessary.
These documents are used to verify your address and ensure are resident at that property.
Bank Statement
Some bookies request bank statements to confirm income and funding sources.
Proof of Debit Card/Ownership of Payment Method
To verify funding sources and ensure transactions are processed within a closed-loop policy.
Many online betting sites in the UK verify your account automatically. But only if their software can find and confirm the details provided by you when signing up. If not, they may request one or more of the documents above.
Safe and reputable bookies will use these to verify your account, often before a sizeable withdrawal is requested. However, other betting sites have used bank statements to look over a customer’s finances and funding sources to find a reason not to pay out. On account of this, it’s always a good idea to bet with bookies who don’t engage in such cheating tactics.
Gambling Support Resources
There are several charities and support groups available to anyone suffering from the effects of problem gambling. If you or someone you know is struggling, please refer to one or more of these resources.
GamCare
Access free and confidential support for gambling problems by contacting GamCare now. We recommend giving them a call on the freephone number below or accessing their website for more information.
The National Gambling Helpline is accessible via the same phone number as GamCare. Founded in 1997, they provide priceless support for anyone affected by gambling problems. More than this, the NGH is vital in promoting gambling awareness movement in the UK.
Get help and support to restrict your access to online gambling services by registering for GamStop. This service, which is 100% free of charge, allows you to block access to multiple online betting operators with one request.
This fellowship of recovering gambling addicts hosts online and offline meetings around the UK. Offering a support network to share your stories and maintain abstinence, they are another valuable place to turn for help and advice.
Spreadex holds the top spot on our list of online bookmakers and is thus our top choice for you. With a generous £40 in free bets when you bet £10, there’s never been a better incentive to join the site. We’re big fans of their football and horse racing odds and promotions, in particular, which help make them the best bookie in the UK right now.
We recommend checking out Spreadex today. Alternatively, compare what they offer against more of the best online bookies in our rankings!
FAQs
What are the best gambling sites?
The best gambling sites have industry-leading odds, plenty of sports and markets, and extra features that offer a better gambling experience. At the time of writing, we consider BetMGM, Spreadex, Tote, LeoVegas, and Planet Sport Bet as our top five online bookies.
Who is the world’s largest bookie?
Many experts consider bet365 as the world’s biggest bookie. The site, founded in Stoke on Trent, beat off other top online sportsbooks in the market, posting revenue of £3.39bn in 2023 alone.
How do I know which bookies are safe betting sites in the UK?
We only rank safe and secure online bookies in the UK. Furthermore, all sites we recommend to you are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. If you are concerned about safety and security, it’s always a good idea to avoid bookies without a UKGC licence.
Which gambling site pays out the most?
It’s tough to find updated, reliable information on exactly how much online bookies for UK punters pay out. However, we did find that bet365 and William Hill have maximum payout values of £2 million. Paddy Power, Betfair, and Betfred’s maximum payout is £1 million.
How many online betting sites are there in the UK?
We estimated that there are around 200 online betting sites in the UK that are currently licenced by the UK Gambling Commission. The UKGC reported that there were 175 licenced online bookies in April 2023, but new bookmakers have entered the market since then. We are currently awaiting an update from the Commission to confirm a revised number.
Which is the most reliable bet site?
All bet sites we recommend are 100% reliable. Our top-rated UK bookmakers are all fully licenced and regulated, with strong reputations for fairness and transparency.
How do online bookmakers calculate their odds and prices?
Online bookmakers calculate odds by assessing factors crucial to how an event may play out. Stats, trends, and other tangibles are balanced against expert analysis and other opinion-based quantitative insights. Ultimately, bookies settle on numbers that allow them to make a profit from the prices they offer.
Which is the most trusted betting site?
All of the sites we rate and rank are 100% trustworthy and reliable places to wager. Our top UK bookmakers list bookies like BetMGM, Tote, bet365, Betfred, and more. These are, without reservation, safe sites that are licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
Adam Creagh
Betting Expert
Adam Creagh
Betting Expert
Adam is a sports writer and casino gaming enthusiast with over 10 years of experience. Boxing, football, and rugby are Adam's favorite sports to cover when he's not playing poker and baccarat. You can find his in-depth bookie reviews, betting tutorials, and more of his industry knowledge at BettingSitesReviewed.
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