UK Betting Sites: List of the Best Bookies & Reviews
Published on 24 Jul 2020
Sports betting is one of the fastest developing sectors in the United Kingdom. Annually, the number of new online betting operators on the UK territory keeps growing non-stop. Modern technologies have marked a new betting era, as gamblers can now enjoy all sporting events without the need to leave their homes. They can bet on their favorites leagues and matches and get real money winnings with no effort.
TOP-3 UK Betting Sites
- High limits
- Video broadcasts of matches
- Match Center
- Mobile applications
- Large selection of sports betting markets.
- Acceptable margin;
- ESports betting;
- Online casino;
- Betting hotline
- A large number of video broadcasts;
- Match center;
- Esports betting;
- Awesome in-play features;
- Good line for the races.
Online betting gives unlimited possibilities to UK players. Nowadays, a chance to hit the jackpot on bets doesn’t seem like a pipe dream.
Still, it is essential to know where to bet. It might be confusing to find a good sportsbook. Don’t worry, though! We are here to help.
We reviewed hundreds of UK online bookmakers and came up with a list of the most reputable and trustworthy ones. Besides, we will mention hidden pitfalls and cons of overall good sportsbooks and share essential information about bonuses, odds, bet types, and payment options. Our goal is to help you have a safe and enjoyable real-money betting experience.
Before we start, let’s decide once and forever: are sports betting legalized in the UK?
The UK gambling laws
Unlike sports fans from other countries, UK punters can breathe a sigh of relief because YES – sports betting is legal in the United Kingdom. In 2005, UK authorities introduced the Gambling Act that regulates the online betting industry in the country. According to this act, domestic and international bookmakers and online casinos can lead their activities legally. For this, operators need to obtain a license from the UK Gambling Commission, which sets standards for gambling development in the region.
According to the UK Gambling Commission, the established laws and restrictions for online betting sites differ from casual players. The main difference is that, unlike betting shops, players do not need to pay taxes on bets, while bookies’ profit is a subject of a 5% tax rate. However, if a person is verified as a professional player, they need to pay taxes from their winnings.
The other requirements relate to the age restrictions for players (18+) and money laundering.
However, UK taxes are not sky-high compared to other European countries, for instance, Greece.
Legal online gambling activities in the UK include sports betting, lotteries, casinos, slots, and arcades. So, let’s take it to the point of our article: getting acquainted with the best online betting sites in the UK.
What are the best UK Bookies?
If you are seeking the best site for betting in the UK, we urge you to check our latest ranking based on each site’s pros & cons, betting offers, payment methods, bonuses, and fair reviews from real players.
William Hill
Main features:
- Generous welcome bonus;
- Well-designed mobile app;
- A diverse selection of sports.
The William Hill name is often regarded as synonymous with UK gambling, as the website is a recognized pioneer in the niche. It is literally impossible to find a UK punter who has never heard of this outstanding betting site. William Hill is so popular among new players and skilled bettors as it offers a lush bonus system, free bets, live and in-play betting options on nearly 40 popular sports. Bettors can choose between 30+ payment methods with fair bets credited upon qualifying deposit. New customers may count on £30 in free bets after a qualifying first deposit of £10 with a P30 bonus code.
The operator offers engaging promotions to its loyal customers, too. For example, frequent users can receive a 10% money-back bonus on lost bets or a free bet credit on specific sports.
William Hill provides top-notch live streaming and live betting services to its audience. Esports fans will also get thrilled by a mind-blowing assortment that the bookie has in its collection. The overall offer includes Soccer, Baseball, Boxing, Horse Racing, and many other international sports available to gamblers round the clock. Other strong points of the top betting bookie include fast payouts, fair terms and conditions, and wagering requirements, various betting markets, and professional customer support.
Latest Bonuses
Bet365
Main features:
- Generous welcome bonus for new customers;
- An excellent sports betting offer;
- Speedy payouts;
- 24/7 customer service.
Bet365 is another well-known online gambling and betting platform for UK players. The website users get round-the-clock access to the most beloved UK sports, including auto and Horse Racing, Cricket, Soccer, Volleyball, etc. In addition, punters can bet on eSports, which has become the latest trend recently. Most sports are also available for live betting.
Besides sports betting, Bet365 offers a wide selection of casino games.
You can deposit your Bet365 account via desktop and mobile versions of the site, using popular payment systems: credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and checks.
In short, the site has a convenient layout, user-friendly navigation, and an awesome customer support team available 24/7 via live chat.
Paddy Power
Main features:
- Excellent welcome bonus;
- Diverse banking options;
- An impressive sports coverage;
- Generous loyalty program.
Paddy Power deserves its place in the table of the best UK betting sites for numerous reasons. Registered punters get access to top sporting events (Soccer, Polo, Cricket, Horse Racing, etc.) with many pre-match and in-play betting markets. Besides, there is a marvelous selection of online casinos with captivating games.
We must also mention the bookmaker’s top-notch customer support service. You can contact help center consultants via Live Chat within a couple of minutes and get helpful and professional support.
BetVictor
Main features:
- Lucrative welcome bonus for new customers;
- Eye-candy design and intuitive navigation;
- Award-winning customer support.
BetVictor is one of the groundbreakers in the online gambling industry, with a great reputation among local bettors due to its excellent odds. The bookmaker is registered by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and allows sports fans to bet on both largest and minor (Basketball, Tennis, Horse Racing, Soccer) and constantly releases new promotions, adds exotic betting markets, and improves the website performance.
Betvictor offers a welcome bonus of £30 in free bets for the first deposit of at least £5. The other bonuses include cashback on losses, free bets for selected markets and sports, and seasonal promotions.
TonyBet
Main features:
- Awesome site for Soccer fans;
- High-quality in-play betting;
- No limits for a minimum deposit amount.
If you are passionate about Soccer, TonyBet may become your next favorite bookie. It can surprise even the most demanding UK punters with a vast variety of Soccer markets, profitable live betting options, convenient layout, and competitive odds. TonyBet offers a 100% welcome bonus on the first deposit if you apply a TONY200 promo code and a vast number of promotions for Horse Racing betting.
Unibet
Main features:
- Great sports markets selection;
- Top-notch live-streaming features;
- Wide range of payment options.
Unibet is one of the widely recognized and trusted UK sports betting platforms. The fantastic choice of payment methods and a wide assortment of bet types, as well as a rich betting content collection, make Unibet one of the undeniable leaders among the UK’s best online betting sites. Its current audience counts more than 5 million customers and keeps growing.
Unibet won several awards in the “Bookmaker of the year” nomination at the prestigious annual iGaming Review ceremony in London in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2014. Besides diverse sporting events, Unibet offers online casinos, live games, poker rooms, and bingo. Still, its main perk is a caring approach to every customer.
Ladbrokes
Main features:
- Multiple betting options;
- Smooth in-play betting;
- Diversity of bonuses.
The paramount advantage that Ladbrokes can be proud of is the company’s untainted reputation during more than 3-decade history of its existence. Once you visit the website, Ladbrokes will suggest you bet on sports or play casino games: it is easy to switch between sections thanks to the user-friendly layout.
Ladbrokes is a member of the IBAS, the association that resolves all controversial issues related to betting which is another proof of the bookie’s reliability.
Customers will be thrilled by the fantastic in-play features available on the bookie’s platform. The operator allows users to adjust their bets during ongoing events (it is especially vital for horse racing competitions when the results are changeable all the time) and use Cash Out feature for selected live markets.
What is even more important, Ladbrokes guarantees quick payouts and top-notch customer support.
Expert tips to win big on the UK betting sites
Of course, it is rather convenient to have a full ranking of the eminent online bookmakers with a profound analysis of their weak and strong points.
Still, if you are a rookie and got confused by piles of information, use our list of expert tips
Set up a goal
If you are a beginner on the UK sports betting sites, it is vital to determine your goal before you start your real-money betting experience. What do experts mean by this? There are three types of bettors on the bookmakers’ sites: beginners, casual gamers, and punters or high rollers. Depending on the players’ activity and the number of funds they make on sports bets monthly, users belong to one of these three categories. Representatives of each particular category have a certain goal when they register on the online betting website, i.e. beginners want to get a general understanding of sports betting, so it will be better for them to start with smaller bets and reasonable wagering requirements. Casual gamers adore sports and know what match or league they should bet on next time, though they prefer average bets with good odds because their aim is not to hit the jackpot but to enjoy their favorite sports and get some profit from their hobby. Finally, high rollers are real gurus on the gambling sites. They know everything about the upcoming sporting events, are not afraid to go all-in, and learn how to make the bank in a couple of clicks. Of course, it doesn’t mean that beginners cannot master their skills to become gambling pros, but it requires a certain time and effort (and a bit of luck).
Determine the betting markets
User experience on the new betting sites directly depends on the diversity of the sports market. When you search for an online betting site in the UK, make sure to check its range of available sports. For instance, you are a basketball admirer, pick up a website with comprehensive offerings to bet on your beloved basketball teams, clubs, and tournaments.
Check a bookie’s reputation
Awesome bonuses and high odds play a great role when picking an online betting site in the UK. However, the website’s reputation is more important. If you ask us, we think that a bookie’s ‘good face’ is one of the primary things that evaluate its trustworthiness. The efficient way to test whether a bookie can be trusted is to check its license and customers’ reviews.
Come up with a betting strategy
A betting strategy is essential when you make your first steps in online gambling. It is often said: don’t bet with your heart, bet with your head, which means your personal preferences do not matter and you must rely on facts and statistics. It might be hard to create your betting strategy at first, so you can select from the most popular ones.
Shop the lines
Don’t rush to make a bet: compare the odds at different bookmakers’ sites first and hunt for boosted odds or similar promotions.
Follow sports news
If you aim to raise to a real pro in sports betting, stay up to date with sports events, i.e., read sports news, monitor statistics, check forecasts, etc. In other words, take betting very seriously if you want to make it your longtime hobby, which is not just engaging and thrilling, but also profitable. Remember that being in the trend of the latest sporting events is rather useful when you want to gain funds on the bet sites. This knowledge will safeguard you from spontaneous bets and will minimize the risks of losing.
And finally, the last (but still very important) tip for successful betting: gamble responsibly and control your bankroll.
Best UK sites for mobile betting
The 21st century can be reasonably called a mobile era. Mobile technologies have been deeply rooted in our everyday routine and have affected all areas of our life. Reputable UK bookmakers understand the importance of mobile betting for today’s players. They know that at least half of their regular audience prefer bet-on-the-go options and try to follow gamblers’ needs. The chief difference between betting via the desktop and mobile is the unlimited accessibility of the second.
Most operators have native betting apps adapted for iOS and Android platforms.
The UK gamblers are big fans of betting on the move. Thus, pioneer and new betting operators should consider having a well-crafted mob alternative to the desktop. The expert analysis showed that the best betting sites in the UK in this regard are:
- Betway;
- Ladbrokes;
- DraftKings;
- 888sport;
- Betfred;
- Betiton.
Additional features to enjoy at the best UK bookmaker’s site
Surprisingly most gamblers are unaware of many bounties that they can relish on a betting site. They go to a site to bet on a specific match or tourney and have no clue about tons of awesome features that operators have in their menu for regular and new customers. We decided to correct this mistake and show you extra sports betting opportunities. Here we go!
Live streams
Live streaming allows gamblers to watch sporting events online directly on the betting portals. It is a perfect alternative to a good old TV, as now, fans can watch the events and bet on them at the same portal. Agree that it is super convenient when you don’t have trouble browsing between several platforms to watch a game, monitor statistics, and place bets.
Tournaments
The cool thing about the betting sites is that users place bets there and compete by participating in the tournaments. The duration and type of tourneys may differ on every particular platform. Traditionally, operators held weekly and monthly contests steadily (some sites arrange long-standing competitions that may last for half a year or more). Gamblers adore tournaments because there are commonly several winners.
The bookies present these lucky ones with generous rewards, including free bets, free spins for the slots fans, special bonuses, cash, and real gifts.
We know the cases when the first-place winners received cars, iPhones, and other cool gadgets. Besides, the operators always have consolation prizes for other participants, like T-shirts, cups, hats, etc.
Games with live dealers
Live-dealer games are the brand new trend of the latest years that truly makes gamblers go wild. Most online bookmakers have already integrated games with live dealers to their sites. Unlike sporting events having a precise schedule, live dealer casino games are available 24/7.
Unconventional betting
Do you dream to proceed to make money on bets, but you are not a huge sports fan? Don’t get upset, as the best betting sites have a solution for you. Sport is not the only stuff you can bet on when register on a betting site. A lot of bookies try to diversify their offers, so they include alternative betting options. For instance, you can find odds for elections, global awards, TV shows, and even weather. So if you don’t know a lot about the sports news and have no idea when the next Champions League is about to start, you can try your hand in alternative betting. If you have no doubts about what film will win Oscar at the next Academy Awards, then bet on it and get your prize.
Online casino experience
Most sports betting operators own online casinos integrated on their platforms. It is super comfortable for gamblers who adore bets and, concurrently, can’t resist spinning on slots. Some operators feature their poker rooms that create that thrilling atmosphere of playing in the best Vegas casinos. Besides, casino bonuses come as a fruitful addition to free bets.
Checklist for bettors: a good vs. a lousy betting site
To help you with choosing a bookmaker, we created a handy checklist that you can use to tell a trusted bookmaker from a scam.
A good vs. a lousy betting site
A platform that is convenient to use;
Email verification is required
The customer support operates 24/7 and is available via live chat
Bonuses have adequate wagering requirements and is valid for at least seven days
A bookmaker offers free bets, bet credits, and regular bonuses to customers
High odds
Extra betting options, for instance, Cash Out;
In-play betting and live streams are available
Wide selection of payment methods
Agile and convenient mobile version or a native app for on-the-go betting
A wide variety of sports to bet on and alternative betting options
The site is hard to navigate/registration requires a fee
There are no other methods to reach a help center, except for an email
Bonuses expire less than after seven days
Low betting limits
Low odds
Poor quality of live streams at a site
No in-play betting/cashout
Limited payment options
Poor line and little selection of sports markets
Final verdict
Digital gambling is in high demand among UK punters. To their big luck, the local authorities have legalized gambling in the country, which resulted in the impressive growth of sports betting and casino business in the last decade.
Currently, the gambling market is full of offers for any taste.
To sum up, we remind you to stay aside of the black bookmakers that lack safe background for customers and bet at trustworthy platforms with good odds and qualified customer support.
Last updated on 06 Feb 2023- 15:00
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