Best UK Bookmakers Online
- Reputation
- A site’s reputation reflects the relationship it has with its players. That’s why we speak with gamblers and industry experts to uncover every detail in our reviews.
- Safety and Security
- It takes trust to deposit your real money online and we want you to know, if we trust a partner, so can you. This is why all sites must be legitimately licensed and regulated, as well as keeping your data safe with the best encryption technology.
- Banking and Payments
- A necessity of all online gambling sites is a range of secure banking options. From there, it’s imperative all sites provide high payout percentages with fast withdrawals and a fair RTP.
- Bonuses & Promotions
- All our sites are expected to provide new players with a welcome bonus, as well as rewarding loyal players with bankroll boosting promotions. We also check for any unfair T&Cs, meaning you can bet with confidence.
- Customer Support
- Top sites will offer extensive customer support, which is why we review this rigorously. While we always encourage our users to get in touch, we understand the importance of having your questions answered efficiently and by a real person.
- Compatibility
- Whether you're playing online from your computer or mobile device or tablet, our top recommendations can match your lifestyle. A top online casino needs to be compatible with multiple devices, so you have the freedom to play wherever and however you want.
- Online Experience
- Whether through the range of games or sports to bet on, the option to play for free or even choosing between software providers, players must be provided with options when gambling online. Aside from this, we require all partners to meet a high standard with the graphics of their games and localization to accommodate for players from around the world.
Disclaimer: Ohio bettors must be 21+ and physically located within OH to place wagers in the state. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER to speak confidentially with a trained specialist 24/7.
- Licensed in many states
- Abundant markets for top sports and leagues
- Easy and safe banking with fast withdrawals
- Engaging online sportsbook layout
- Unique bonuses and promotions for different states
- Limited cash out options
- No shared wallet
- Licensed in over a dozen states
- Hundreds of betting options
- Frequent promos, odds boosts, and deals
- Trusted brand
- More live betting features needed
- Falls short on betting options
- Live streaming on the site and in the apps
- Great range of sports with plenty of betting options
- Free bets offered every week
- Access to the casino and poker sections
- Trusted bookmaker with low margins
- Withdrawals take at least two banking days
- Not that many promotions for sports bettors
- Customer support is not available by phone
Depositing at UK Bookmakers
The top online bookmakers in the UK have streamlined the sign-up process, while still providing perfect online security and meeting regulations. As a new customer, you may find the extra steps a bit frustrating but they are there to keep you and your funds safe.
The first step is to select an online sports betting site to join. You can simply select one of our featured sportsbooks and join knowing that you benefit from the best services, betting odds, and promotions. The customer verification process requires all new players to verify their accounts by submitting some documents, such as:
Photographic ID
Proof of address
Scan of a debit card
Once the account is verified, you will be able to access the cashier and make a deposit. The available payment methods can depend on the operator. However, all of the best online sportsbooks accept a wide range of deposit options. Due to recent regulations, bettors can no longer use credit cards for gambling in the UK.
Popular deposit methods include:
When depositing at an online sportsbook, you should also consider the available limits. These depend on the betting site and on the selected payment method. The standard minimum limit is of £10, while the max can even exceed £25,000.
How We Rate UK Sports Betting Sites
With a huge choice of online sportsbooks to choose from, our mission is to make your choice easy. Our research and review process hold all online sports betting sites accountable, and we only recommend the top ones. These are the main aspects we cover when reviewing online sportsbooks:
Security
We put security above all else because it's the most important element when betting real money online. All of the sites we recommend use state-of-the-art SSL encryption for safe and private gambling and the operators must be fully licensed in the UK by the Gambling Commission. Additional certifications from the likes of Thawte and eCOGRA are also a sign of a secure site.
Bonuses and Promotions
The best sites in the UK will often give bettors various bonuses and promotions. These may include a welcome bonus on the first deposit, free bets on selected markets, boosted odds for accas, betting insurance, and more. We also check the bonus terms and conditions to make sure that the offers are actually beneficial and easy to clear.
Mobile Experience
More than half of online sports betting in the UK is from mobile devices. As a result, we pay extra attention to the mobile experience offered by any sportsbooks. We test both mobile site and sports betting apps on iPhone and on Android smartphones. The best sites have stable platforms with user-friendly layouts and easy access from any mobile device.
Sports Coverage
We want bettors to have easy access the sports they want when gambling at any of our recommended sportsbooks. This is why we verify each site's sports coverage down to the smallest league available. Football usually has the most coverage, but online bookmakers must also cover plenty of other sports, such as basketball, horse racing, hockey, and tennis.
Range of Markets
In addition to the sports available, the range of markets is just as important. Bettors will be happy to find a very impressive selection of betting options at the top sportsbooks online. Some football matches can have over 200 markets, covering match results, handicap options, accumulators and even the opportunity to request your own market.
In-Play Betting
Live betting is hugely popular in the UK and as a result, all of the sportsbooks we review have to meet our high standards. This means a rich schedule of live events every day across multiple sports, detailed stats of the action for better in-play betting and quickly updated odds.
Live Streaming
One of the best features available at the top sports betting sites is live streaming of sporting events. Bettors can follow the action live and easily place their bets from the same page within seconds. The live streaming service should be free, accessible, and at a good quality, preferably HD. Some bookmakers even provide live commentary.
Competitive Odds
Every top bookmaker in the UK has to have competitive odds to attract bettors. During our reviews, we compare the odds among the top UK betting sites across different sports and events, including the English Premier League. We grant high ratings for the sites that consistently provide the best value odds.
Banking Options
A variety of banking options is a great indicator of a reliable operator. Having more options for deposits and withdrawals makes it easier for customers to manage their funds. PayPal, debit cards, and Paysafecard are among the most popular banking options. In this category we also check the available options for depositing funds, the requirements for cashing out, and the withdrawal speed.
Most Popular Sports in the UK
Online sports betting sites in the UK can cover more than 30 sports with countless markets to consider. The following sports stand out as the most popular among Brits and are great options for both beginner and experienced bettors. Learn more about the top sports to be on in the UK below:
Cricket
Cricket has a good following in the UK and this makes it a great choice for betting online. Fans can follow the top leagues from around the world and easily make their selections.
Best for Cricket - Betway Casino
Rugby
Rugby gets good coverage at online bookmakers, focusing on the main leagues from around the world. Brits also enjoy betting on the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.
Best for Rugby - 888 Casino
Boxing
The big boxing matches of the year always get a lot of attention when it comes to online betting in the UK. Major fights between British heavyweights are highly anticipated and perfect for placing a few bets.
Best for Boxing - William Hill
Darts
Although darts isn't the most popular sport, it does have a decent following and is often featured on the best online sportsbooks. The PDC World Darts Championship is the biggest tournament of the year and can get heated with a prize pool of £2,500,000.
Best for Darts - Mansion
How Betting Odds Work
Betting odds are established by bookmakers based on previous statistics and results. We provide a detailed sports odds guide and a very useful odds calculator that you can check out to help you understand odds better.
Sports Betting Bonuses
Online sportsbook bonuses and promotions can make a real impact on how you bet on sport. Using these bonuses can allow you to essentially bet for free before risking your own money. There are different types of offers available on the top betting sites, for both new and existing customers, see them all below:
A welcome bonus is a special offer available at almost all online sportsbooks. It consists of a small bonus amount, or a free bet, released after registering an account and making your first deposit. The free bet no deposit deal is only available for new players and provides a small sample of the sportsbook.
A deposit match bonus is based on the size of your deposit. It's most commonly used on the first deposit but can also apply for reload deposits. For sportsbooks, the standard is of 100% up to £100, allowing bettors to double their bankrolls from the start. Bonus wagering requirements apply for the winnings.
All of the top online sportsbooks in the UK have free bets for their customers. The offers can be available on the first bet, on selected sports, and as extra rewards for being active. For example, 888 Sport gives new users £30 in free bets after placing a first bet of £10 or more.
Reload bonuses are available on deposits after claiming the initial welcome bonus. They are meant to encourage players to continue betting by offering extra rewards for free. Sportsbook reload bonuses can consist of additional funds, free bets, and other rewards.
UK online sportsbooks can offer special loyalty bonuses to active players. While not many sports betting sites have complex loyalty programs for earning comp points, the top ones can have rewarding Free Bet Clubs. This is the case with Betway Sports, where users can earn two £5 free bets every week by betting.
Best Betting Apps UK
Mobile betting has become a huge part of the online sports betting industry in the UK in recent years. Most bettors nowadays prefer making their selections from their smartphones because it's fast, easy, and essential for in-play betting.
Due to the popularity of mobile betting, it's crucial for all of the best sports betting sites to have functional, responsive, and easy-to-use mobile apps. Compatibility is an important factor too, as the customer base is split by iOS and Android users.
When reviewing sportsbook apps in the UK, we also review the interface and how it looks on different devices. Bettors should be able to quickly load the app and easily find the event they are looking for. In addition, the odds have to be clearly displayed in order to avoid any mistakes while on the go.
Finally, betting apps are held to the same high standards as the full online sportsbooks when it comes to security, banking, bonuses, and even customer support. It's all about the complete package, which is why we only recommend the top mobile sportsbooks – see them below:
1. Betway Sports
Betway Sports leads the charge with a great mobile betting site and outstanding apps for Android and iOS. The sportsbook apps are free and available on their respective online stores. Highlights include a very user-friendly interface that manages to clearly provide all the needed information for betting. It also has all of the same sports, matches, and markets, including for live events.
2. Mansion Bet
The MansionBet apps take the large online sportsbook and make it easily accessible on basically any smartphone or tablet device. The overall layout is more compact but the features remain the same. This even includes the special functions on the platform, such as YourBet, PulseBet, and ActionBet. PulseBet is a great fit for mobile betting because it features live football markets for the next 30 seconds. New customers can even get a 50% welcome bonus with the MB50 bonus code.
3. 888 Sport
888 is one of the most experienced operators when it comes to mobile gambling and this shows in its mobile sportsbook apps. These are very easy to use and can be perfect for beginners. The extra features included in the sports betting apps will also appeal to experienced veterans. 888 Sport apps provide live streaming for horse racing, price boosts, early cash out, detailed in-play statistics, weekly promotions, and more.
4. Unibet
Unibet has fast and secure betting apps for Android and iOS that allow customers to have the sportsbook in their pockets at all times. Special features for the Unibet Sports app include great odds on the major sporting events, a rich in-play betting schedule, streaming for more than 40,000 events every year, and special notifications for big matches. Mobile bettors will still have access to Unibet unique features, such as Uniboost and the Bet Builder.
5. William Hill
As one of the largest bookmakers in the UK, William Hill lives up to our expectations for mobile betting. It has some of the most popular sports betting apps in the country and they are very easy to use. The interface has large buttons, clear writing, and a snappy menu for navigating quickly. One of the great aspects about the apps is that bettors can immediately check out the Flash Odds and make selections with enhanced prices.
Sports Betting Tips
We know that the right sports betting tips are invaluable when betting online. On our event pages you can find exclusive expert betting tips. Soon we'll be offering weekly tips on the EPL, PGA Tour and more. For now though, here are our top five beginner tips for sports betting.
Use welcome bonuses to your advantage when using a new sportsbook.
Get familiar with the rules and terminology for each sport with our guides.
Analyse the statistics and try not to place bets based on personal bias.
Stick to the simpler bet types, like straight bets, when first starting out.
Don't bet money that you can't afford to lose. Gamble responsibly.
FAQs
How to bet on sports?
Betting on sports online is very simple. You just have to select one of our featured online sportsbooks, register, and make a deposit to add funds. After that, you can select the sport and the event you want to view the available markets. Add selections to the bet slip by clicking on the odds and then enter the amount you wish to bet. Approve the wager and you are done.
What is a Betting Exchange?
A betting exchange is like an online marketplace where bettors can place wagers on the outcome of various events. Members place bets against each other, instead of against a bookmaker. The operator takes a small fee for hosting the betting exchange platform.
How does sports betting work?
Bookmakers provide betting odds for the outcome of sporting events and customers can make selections and bet real money. If a prediction is correct, the bookmaker will provide a payout based on the betting odds provided.
What is the best online bookmaker?
Betway Sports is the top-rated online bookmaker in the UK right now. The trustworthy sportsbook offers a massive range of sports and events with competitive odds. Bettors can also get plenty of bonuses and free bets here.
Which UK betting sites offer free bets?
All of our top sports betting sites offer free bets. Betway Sports has a welcome offer of £10 in free bets and weekly free bets for active punters after that. Mansion Bet has a slightly better welcome offer that goes up to £20 after betting £10. However, the best for free bets is probably Unibet with a £40 welcome offer and weekly £10 free bets.