UK Betting Sites – Best Online Bookmakers in UK 2024
There are over 500 betting sites today in the UK which operate with a licence issued by the UKGC. With a plethora of online sportsbooks, betting in the UK is at an all-time high, with an estimated revenue valued at £14.3bn.
We understand how tricky it can be to select the best sportsbooks due to the numerous bookies out there. Therefore, our experts at BetYep have carefully reviewed the best UK betting sites and ranked them. Let’s get started!
Best UK Betting Sites 2024
We Review the Best Betting Sites in the UK
At BetYep, our team of experts have years of experience in a myriad of gambling regions, including the UK amongst others. Transparency is one of our key pillars; as such, all our betting reviews are honest and impartial. We also believe that our readers expect nothing less from us. This is why we take the time to test every sportsbook we recommend on our site. If we have a negative experience with any bookmaker, we do not shy away from airing it out.
For our UK readers, we have compiled a list of the best UK betting sites, and we’ll definitely keep updating it. On this page, you will find our ranking criteria for each bookmaker and our current top UK gambling sites. Moreover, we’ll walk you through all the most popular sports markets to wager on for UK punters. We’ve also listed the safest payment method to use and the available bonuses.
How We Rate UK Betting Sites
We have strict criteria that our reviewers use to rank every UK betting site recommended in this guide. These include recognized licensing, diverse betting markets, and the availability of helpful betting features, to name a few. You can count on us if you are looking for a trustworthy lead to the best UK betting sites.
Top UK Betting Sites Compared
Our Top 3 UK Betting Sites
We have provided you with a list of the best betting sites UK which meet all the discussed criteria. However, since we are constantly updating the list based on the bookies’ performances, we would like to highlight our top three betting sites. These are renowned UK brands that have been in the industry for decades and have a trustworthy reputation.
William Hill
William Hill is a renowned brand in the UK whose betting shops offered betting opportunities before the launch of the online betting platforms. With over two decades of experience, William Hill offers unmatched services ranging from competitive odds to wide betting markets. As a new user, you’re welcomed with a free bet bundle when you make your first deposit.
Ladbrokes
This bookmaker is known for having the most retail outlets in the UK. Nonetheless, there are plenty of solid reasons why Ladbrokes is a favourite among online punters. The diverse betting markets are a real strong point for the site, primarily for football and horse racing punters.
Coral
Coral is a well-established UK betting site with a significant presence on the high street betting shops and horse racing tracks. The site holds a licence from the UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Regulatory Authority. This London-based bookie also provides a comprehensive set of markets on top UK sports, including football, basketball, and horse racing.
How to Sign Up at UK Betting Sites
In an era where everything is instant, rest assured that no betting UK site will have you filling tons of registration documents. Registration at the best bookies is made in a few simple steps and takes only a few minutes.
Online UK Bookmakers Payment Methods
The best UK betting sites support a wide range of payment methods. This allows you to choose the most reliable option while factoring in transaction costs, timing, and limitations. Card payment methods are the most preferred. Although the use of credit cards is banned in the UK, you can still use debit card options such as Visa and Mastercard. Debit cards are known for their steadfast security and often have higher transaction limits than digital wallets.
E-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, and MuchBetter are also a favourite amongst UK punters. This is because e-wallets support fast and secure deposits and withdrawals. Moreover, you don’t have to share your banking details with the sportsbook.
New betting sites UK are now offering local banking options, including mobile payments such as Boku. Moreover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Bitcoin payments are amongst the fast-growing payment methods available at top UK sportsbooks. But before any UK bookies can accept crypto payments, they must first seek approval by the UKGC. Proving compliance according to Anti-money Laundering Checks (AML). Nonetheless, the bank transfer is also a variable option for preserved punters.
Note: The above deposit and withdrawal limits may vary depending on the bookmaker.
How to Deposit and Withdraw at a UK Bookmaker
Depending on the chosen payment option, the deposit and withdrawal process will often vary. Let’s have a look at the basic steps when depositing or withdrawing from an online betting site UK.
How to Deposit at a UK Bookmaker
How to Withdraw at a UK Bookmaker
Latest News
The Best UK Betting Offers and Promotions to Claim
The UK gambling market is highly competitive, and the best betting sites use bonuses and promotional offers to attract punters. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to take advantage of, and with the additional funds, you can explore more betting opportunities.
The offers come in various forms ranging from match bonuses, free bets, money back specials, to enhanced odds. Most of the UK sportsbooks you find on our site have ongoing promotions. Some offer weekly cashback on losses, whilst others offer reload bonuses and boosted odds.
When rating the bonus offers, we always evaluate the terms and conditions. The best betting bonuses feature considerable wagering requirements, reasonable minimum deposit limits, and enough time to wager your bonus. While it’s hard to mention all the online UK betting promotions, below are some of the best deals you can explore.
UK Betting Deposit Offers
Deposit bonuses are probably the most common and rewarding betting offers. These can be part of the welcome bonus or an ongoing promotional offer. To qualify, you first must make the required minimum deposit or more. For a UK deposit bonus, you will receive a bonus amount equivalent to a certain percentage. An example is, if you get 50% and deposit £100, you get an additionall £50 to wager added to your bankroll.
UK No Deposit Bonus
Although not the most prevalent, some UK sportsbooks have the option to claim a bonus with no obligation to make a deposit. With a no-deposit bonus, you are only required to register an account to qualify. Since the bookie is handing out free money, it is no surprise that the offer amount is quite small. Usually, the bonus can range from £5-£20.
Free Bets
Free bets offer allows you to place a wager without risking your real money. Even though you will be required to make a certain deposit to qualify for the offer, it is not included in the bet. Furthermore, if your wager wins, you get to keep the profit earned. Another great aspect of this offer is that it does not have stringent wagering requirements. Nonetheless, you will still need to consider the minimum odds, eligible markets, and expiry date.
Bet 10 Get 30
You have probably come across this offer, which has become common in the best online gambling sites in the UK. To qualify, you must make a £10 deposit and wager it, after which you are awarded £30 in free bets. Like most free bet offers, the Bet £10 Get £30 offer does not have wagering requirements. However, you should always read the T&Cs since some sportsbooks may require you to wager your bonus amount a certain number of times.
Cashback Offers
Also known as money back, the cashback offer provides an element of consolation if you get unlucky and lose your bet. This offer can apply in different situations –both for single bets and accumulators. Whichever the case, you are guaranteed a refund of a portion of your losses which you can use to place more wagers.
Enhanced Odds
This offer gives punters a chance to wager on an event with highly inflated odds. In most cases, these promotions usually have the markets set by the bookmaker. However, some of the best bookies allow you to select the odds you wish to boost, giving you the best value possible. It’s essential to remember that price boosts don’t change your odds of winning the bet.
Promotions for Existing Customers
While most bonuses often seem tailored for new users, there are a lot of offers that existing punters can explore. Free bets are the most common, where you are allowed to place several wagers without risking your money. VIP and Loyalty Program offers are also aimed at rewarding consistent bettors. The rewards under such programs range from deposit offers to a personal account manager.
UK Betting Markets
As the UK is the home to some of the world’s most captivating sports, it’s no surprise that sports betting ranks as the main form of online gambling in the country. Football is the number one and is a hub for professional-level competitions. Hence, it keeps developing at an incredible rate every year. Our team has put together some of the biggest sports on the UK betting scene, which include the following;
Football
Football is the national sport in the UK, so it’s not a surprise that the best betting sites offer an extensive selection of markets and odds that punters can wager on. These include the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the UEFA Champions League, to name a few. In addition, you are able to place live bets, use cashout on selected matches, and bet on many different markets with enhanced odds to give you the most out of your betting experience.
Horse racing
Horse racing comes in second place amongst the popular sports in the UK, and accounts for around 28% of the total sports bets in the country. The best betting sites offer impressive horse betting odds on events like Royal Ascot, The Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival. Also a great selection of betting markets is important. The race winner is the most common. But you should also be able to wager on forecast bets, each-way bets, reverse forecast, tricasts and double bets.
Tennis
Betting sites we promote offer a plethora of markets on all 9 major tennis tournaments. Tennis betting is a staple at the best UK betting sites, and the selection of odds is above and beyond. There are odds on match winner, set winner, set correct score and of course over/under odds. In addition to a great selection of markets and odds, you can expect other fruity offerings. You’re likely to find boosted odds, cashbacks and free bets in tournaments such as the Wimbledon, French Open and the WTP and ATP finals.
Cricket
The first known cricket game was played in 1709. Ever since, cricket has established itself as one of the most popular sports in the UK, and is a great nation in the cricket world. Thus, the best cricket betting sites are available to UK punters. Online cricket betting is increasingly popular, offering many exciting cricket markets to bet on. Tournaments and test competitions like the T20 World Cup, the Hundred and World Test Championship are primary dominant. But you will also find markets for the Indian IPL and The ECB Premier League.
Rugby
To be able to fit our criteria to be the best rugby betting site, sportsbooks must offer both markets for rugby union and rugby league. Also, odds should be available on international and domestic competitions. Furthermore, a large offering on handicap bets, winning margins, points, tries and half time markets are non negotiable. Sportsbooks we review offer all this, and expect odds on the high side in events like the National Rugby League (NRL), Rugby League World Cup, Super League, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby World Cup.
Esports
Esports is a relatively new betting market at UK sportsbooks. But over the years it has grown exponentially and is today one of the main betting markets amongst UK punters. It’s so popular that 8.5% of adults in the UK have placed an esports wager. The best bookies let you place bets on big games like Dota 2, CS:GO, LoL and Rocket League, to name a few. Also FIFA is increasing in popularity. They also let you stake on top events and markets. Moreover, you’re able to find a great range of specific esports promotions and live streaming at the best UK betting sites.
Other Popular Sportsmarkets
Except from the above-mentioned markets you can wager on at UK betting sites, there are a lot more to bet on at the best betting sites in the UK. Ice hockey is one of them, so is Formula 1, MMA , American football and even virtual sports. The selection goes on, so be prepared for an unmatched betting experience whilst betting. You can also find welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions at the best sites, and there is a large selection of odds to pick from. Some even offer live streams of all the action.
Mobile Betting in the UK
Mobile apps have become a vital feature amongst many punters, and UK sportsbooks are no exception. Betting apps provide the convenience of keeping up to date with in-play markets, the latest odds, and offers from your phone.
Recent apps are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems, including Android and iOS. With renowned betting apps such as the Bet365 app, you can explore all the betting features available to desktop users, including bet-builder and cashout options.
Additionally, the best UK betting apps have been optimised to allow seamless functionality of crucial betting features such as live stream and in-play betting. Although betting apps may not be a preference to some punters, the best online gambling sites UK have fully mobile-optimised websites. This allows you to place your wager from your phone without downloading the app.
Top UK Mobile Sportsbooks
UK Betting Features
For the longest time, welcome bonuses and promotional offers have been the primary tool used by online bookies to attract punters. However, the need for an enhanced betting experience has pushed sportsbooks to come up with new ways of meeting users’ expectations. This has been achieved by introducing useful betting features such as bet-builder, cashout, odds-boost, and live streaming options.
A bet-builder allows you to personalise your bet slip, allowing you to add multiple bets from the same match. This option is particularly popular in football, where you can find a wide range of markets. In the unfortunate event of a losing streak, the cashout feature allows you to get some of your money back. The odds-boost is another robust feature that enhances your winnings by increasing the odds of your bet.
UK Gambling Regulations and Licences
Online betting is legal in the UK. However, the law requires sportsbooks to acquire valid licensing. The best betting sites in the world are licensed by globally-recognized regulators. In the UK, there are several regulators who licence and oversee the operation of online gambling in the country. These include the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, and Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
UK Gambling Commission
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was formed under the Gambling Act 2005. Its integrity, transparency, and fairness have made it one of the most respected regulators. It’s the primary gambling licence in the UK. For sportsbooks to acquire it, they have to meet some of the most stringent laws and requirements.
The Commission regularly updates its guidance on fair and transparent terms and practices, in order to prevent exploitation of customers by licence holders. Hence, a UK betting site that holds a UKGC licence is trustworthy.
Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) is closely related to the UKGC, which explains the similarities in the Code of Practice. The GRA was established in 2000 and is authorised to oversee all Gibraltar gambling operations, including issuing licences. It also directs licensees to adhere to fair gaming and responsible gambling policies. Sportsbooks licensed by the GRA are safe, fair, and they follow some of the most stringent gambling laws on the market.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission
Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) was formed in 2000. Although the State of Alderney is not part of the UK, they have some close ties, making the AGCC licence recognizable in the UK. Just like the UKGC and GRA, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission prioritises fair gaming and responsible gambling. So it’s fair to say, all sites operating with an Alderney eGambling licence are secure, and protect their players’ safety.
FAQs
UK betting sites – Our Verdict
That’s everything you need to know about UK betting sites. We are confident that with our ranking criteria, you will find a gambling site that caters to your preferences. Our takeaway is that the competitive UK gambling industry has seen more bookies put more emphasis on the punter’s needs.
In addition to bonuses and promotional offers, the sportsbooks have implemented numerous betting features which give you more control of your bets. UK bettors are also spoilt for choice regarding betting markets for both pre-match and in-play games. What are you waiting for?