It’s no exaggeration to say the online betting industry has gone through orbit and created hundreds of the best sites for betting that a couple of decades ago never would have existed.
The best betting sites promise to give punters the best experience possible when betting online, including some of the best betting site offers around. We have listed the UK’s best betting sites below, along with the bonuses that can be claimed when you sign up today.
Best Betting Sites UK
List of the Best Betting Sites in the UK
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William Hill
William Hill is an old-school betting platform that has been around for decades. Their brand is probably one of the most recognisable in the UK, if not globally. Not only does William Hill have one of the best betting sites for football, but it also boasts one of the best welcome offers within the industry. New customers that sign up and create an account with William Hill can get £30 in free bets when they place a £10 qualifying bet. When it comes to the best sports betting sites, William Hill is always in the conversation. T&Cs Apply.
bet365
bet365, for many reasons, is at the forefront of betting online in the UK. The brand is very similar to William Hill because it’s recognised globally as one of the leading operators within the industry. bet365 has a great selection of odds, markets and ways to play, meaning there’s something for everyone. Complimented by their football markets and innovative speciality markets, bet365 is, without doubt, one of the best betting sites around. Bet £10 on bet365 to get £30 in free bets as a new customer. T&Cs Apply.
BetVictor
BetVictor is an online betting site that has surprised many people with its superb betting offers and promos. BetVictor’s betting site includes many payment methods such as debit cards, PayPal, bank transfer and e-Wallets. The variety of sports to choose from is vast and exciting. From football to horse racing, ice hockey to basketball. New customers can also benefit from £40 in bonuses when they sign up and place a £10 qualifying bet. T&Cs Apply.
Betfred
Betfred is another one of the best online betting sites in the UK, making it to our list thanks to their fantastic sports betting offering. A well-established UK betting site, Betfred has plenty of experience in knowing exactly what sports customers want. Without a doubt, one of the best horse racing betting sites, Betfred is particularly well-known for its array of racing promotions. Like BetVictor, Betfred is offering new customers the chance to claim £40 in free bets when they place a £10 qualifying bet. T&Cs Apply.
BetUK
BetUK is one of the online best betting sites, despite being one of the more recently established in the UK. Founded in 2018, their growth has been impressive considering the added years other sites within the list have on them. BetUK has many sports markets to select from, along with an impressive array of existing customer promotions. They also promise to give new customers that sign up and place a £10 qualifying bet £30 in free bets. T&Cs Apply.
Virgin Bet
Virgin Bet is another one of the strongest new betting sites in the industry. With all online betting sites, there is the need to make an early impression on customers and they have delivered with a strong selection of betting markets for their users to access. That has helped with making them one of the UK best betting sites. There is also a new customer offer available at Virgin Bet, which offers £20 in free bets in exchange for a £10 qualifying bet. T&Cs Apply.
LiveScore Bet
Another one of the fresh faces on our list of the best sites for betting is LiveScore Bet, which is the latest string in the bow of the LiveScore brand. The betting site is extremely impressive given it’s one of the newest betting sites in the industry, coming with a clean user interface that makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. There is also the opportunity for new customers to claim £20 in free bets by placing a £10 qualifying bet after registering an account with LiveScore Bet. T&Cs Apply.
Betway
A global company with full licenses in the UK, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Ireland and South Africa, there are few more trustworthy online betting sites than Betway. That reputation has helped Betway earn its place in the list of the best sports betting sites in the UK, with its fantastically in-depth sportsbook covering an enormous number of betting markets from various sports. Their new customer offer is slightly unique in that new players are able to claim a £30 matched free bet if their first accumulator bet loses. T&Cs Apply.
Mr.Play
Mr.Play rounds off our list of the best betting sites in the UK with a strong sportsbook offering of their own. Although known by many for their casino services, Mr.Play also operates a thriving sports betting site that is welcoming new players today. All new customers can get a £10 free bet when they place a £10 bet of their own on a sports betting market. T&Cs Apply.
How we choose the UK Best Betting Sites
We know that online gambling sites invest a lot to keep their platforms ahead of the game with the latest technology, easy-to-use interfaces and security elements. Only the ones that go the extra mile will make it onto this list.
In this section, we’ve comprised several criteria of what to look out for and what makes a solid, safe and secure site to play on. Continue on to see the signs of what makes the best sports betting sites in the UK.
Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses have become the industry standard for new customers at online betting sites in this day and age. They are given in exchange for a new customer registering at a new online bookmaker and tend to be amongst the most generous bonuses that you will find from a betting site. There is, more often than not, a ‘bet and get’ style to these types of promotions, where customers must first sign up, make a deposit and place a bet using their own cash to be rewarded with bonuses from the bookmakers. Some of the best betting site new customer bonuses can be found above.
Range of Sports
Online betting has gone galactic in the last ten years and sportsbooks have no choice but to expand and have a great range of different sports to choose from. Football, horse racing, golf, tennis and basketball are just a few of the most popular sports punters like to bet on. However, most sportsbooks now boast up to thirty sports on their platform, giving their customers a complete experience that
Existing Customer Promotions
Abandoning existing customers for first-time customers is a fatal mistake that will ultimately lead those players elsewhere. As such, we will only recommend UK betting sites that reward their existing players long after they have played through the aforementioned welcome bonus. Frequent existing customer deals that we have come across include best odds guaranteed within horse racing and two-goal early payout on football matches. These ensure that customers are still getting good value for using the betting site and keep them one step ahead of the competition.
Payment Methods
Payment methods are always a crucial element of any UK betting site. One of the main criteria to look for when selecting a betting site is it must be robust and secure in its process methods, ensuring there are plenty of payment methods to use. This makes it as simple for as many players as possible to complete their deposits and withdrawals from their accounts. A strong selection of payment options is a sign of betting sites that go above and beyond to try and create the best possible customer experience for their user. Our online betting sites listed above have a strong selection of payment options to choose from.
Mobile App
There has been a great rise in the popularity of betting apps in recent times, with there being a large migration of players from desktop to mobile. The best betting apps will generally come from the best betting sites that have been able to translate their services onto handheld devices. We look for betting apps that are fast, easy to use and have a strong range of betting markets. The top sites for betting will now come with a mobile app ready for download, giving you more ways to bet than the traditional online method. The sports betting sites listed above all come with a free-to-download betting app.
Odds
In any form of wagering, be it online or in the local high street sportsbook, it is crucial that you understand the odds. In the UK, more often than not fractional odds, though occasionally, you will see decimal odds appear. Although many of the events listed with UK betting sites will be the same, the odds on each selected market may not always be. There are different odds available on markets at different betting sites.
Naturally, we all want to get the best value possible when betting online and the betting sites with the best odds will give you just that. If one betting site is offering odds of 10/1 on a selection and another is offering 12/1, there is only one destination where punters will look to put their money. We have ensured that each of the listed best betting sites above has competitive odds by industry standards.
Live Streaming
Live streaming has become a popular addition to online betting sites in recent times. There are many sports betting sites that now come with a live streaming service that allows you to watch the events that you’ve placed a bet on live on their platform. Sports such as football, horse racing, tennis, basketball, greyhounds and esports, amongst others, can be live streamed at UK betting sites. Having the option to bet on and watch sports events at the same platform is a huge benefit to customers that can utilise it.
In-Play Betting
In-play betting, or live betting, is extremely popular in the betting fraternity. It is an excellent form of entertainment if you enjoy having a wager on the outcome of a live in-play event. One of the most popular sporting events to bet on is football and in-play betting is a perfect complement to the various football betting markets that are available with betting sites in the UK.
Security
We have mentioned that several criteria have to be ticked off when looking for a safe and secure online gambling site or casino. Security of the site is one aspect that comes into play. The first question to ask yourself as the site has been checked and authorised by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). Knowing that the UKGC has licensed a site will allow players to play knowing they are doing so in a safe, fair environment with provisions in place to protect them if ever needed.
How to join the Best Sites For Betting UK
Once you’ve found the UK betting sites that you are interested in joining, you must then begin the process of registering for an account with them. This is a straightforward process that is extremely similar at each betting site that you choose to join. Below, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to join the best sites for betting.
- Click the link above to the bookmaker you’re interested in
- Complete the registration form that appears
- Choose a username and password
- Deposit funds
- Place your first bet to receive your welcome bonus
With the last step, be sure to read the terms and conditions of the offer you are interested in claiming first. This is vital in ensuring you know exactly what steps are involved and the finer details of factors such as minimum first deposit and qualifying bet, as well as how the bonuses will be distributed.
Best Betting Sites Offers
New Customer Offers
As has been mentioned above, new customers at the vast majority of betting sites in the UK will have the chance to claim a welcome bonus. These are used to incentivise new customers to create an account through the exchange of bonuses that can be used to place bets on sporting events. More often than not, new customer offers will be some of the most rewarding that a punter receives during their lifespan with the bookmaker. Each new customer offer may only be claimed once per account, but there is no limit to how many new customer offers can be claimed per player.
Free Bets
The most sought-after betting site bonuses are free bets. The best betting sites will regularly give their players the opportunity to claim free bets in some way or another. However, don’t expect them to always be ‘free’. There will be occasions where a pre-determined level of wagering using your own real money will first be required before the free bets are triggered. Alternatively, there will also be occasions where free bets are made available for special events or select markets where there is significant betting interest.
Deposit Match Bonus
Deposit match bonuses are used by plenty of betting sites in the UK. These do what they say on the tin — bookmakers reward players with a bonus on a set percentage of the size of their deposit. For example, if one of the betting sites above is advertising a 50% match deposit bonus and a player makes a deposit worth £100, they’ll be given an additional £50 in bonus funds to play with, taking their total pot to £150. The majority of the bonuses seen with UK betting sites will be deposit bonuses.
Loyalty Club
Loyalty should always be rewarded and appreciated wherever; this is also the case with the best betting sites. Many of them will have loyalty clubs designed for their most active players — many of which are invitation-only. The invite is triggered after a certain level of activity is deemed worthy by the betting sites themselves. These are perfect for players who enjoy a regular flutter on sports and come with exclusive rewards that regular players will not have access to.
Best Betting Sites For Football
As one of the two biggest sports for betting in the UK, football should always be at the forefront of any sports betting site worth your time. There is a huge selection of football markets to bet on from across the world with the best online betting sites listed above. The best betting sites for football will have a range of promotions attached to them and some of the most competitive odds on a wide range of football markets.
One of the best betting sites for football in the UK is bet365, which ticks all the boxes that you would want from a bookmaker. The range of football offers and promotions at bet365 is amongst the best that we’ve seen, with new customers also given £30 in free bets as soon as they register an account and bet £10. bet365 regularly gives punters the chance to earn 25% extra winnings on their football bet builders on selected matches, as well as paying bets out as a winner if a team goes two goals ahead in a match. In addition, punters can get up to a 70% bonus on their football accumulator bets and their bore draw money back promotion sees customers refunded if select matches finish as a 0-0 draw. bet365 also boasts one of the best football betting apps in the UK.
Another one of our favourite football betting sites is William Hill. One of the biggest names in the UK sports betting scene, William Hill is renowned for offering some of the best odds on football markets in the industry, along with having one of the most in-depth selections of betting markets around. The site also boasts a range of football offers, such as their acca freedom promo that gives punters the option to either boost the odds of their accumulator bet or add acca insurance against one result. Most days there will also be enhanced odds giving epic value to customers in selected markets. Be sure to keep an eye on these each day to see what special offers William Hill is promoting.
Best Betting Sites Horse Racing
The other one of the ‘big two’ sports in the UK is horse racing. There is huge interest in the sport, which is one of the most popular to bet on in the country. There are race meetings nearly every day of the year in the UK and Ireland, ensuring there is always plenty of exciting racing action to bet on. As such, there is a clamour to find the best horse racing betting sites around.
Betfred is one of our favourite horse racing betting sites for a number of reasons. One is the sheer range of offers and promotions that are listed on their site, giving punters plenty of choice as to how they wish to bet. For example, they have the best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse racing and offer punters a free bet if their horse finishes second in a selected race. There are extra place races selected on Betfred every day too and, occasionally, there are super extra place races as well.
Another one of the best betting sites for horse racing is BetVictor. BetVictor lists horse racing as the top sport on its menu bar and also has a number of promotions relating to the sport. Their run for your money promo is an example of their generosity, which gives customers a real cash refund if their horses loses all chance at the start of a race in UK and Irish races. Bet boosts are another common feature of BetVictor’s horse racing selection, while there is also a section exclusively for daily racing specials. Their handy BetFinder tool also enables indecisive punters the chance to find their perfect horse.
New Betting Sites
The boom of the gambling industry means there are always new betting sites emerging. In such a competitive market there is the need to stand out from the crowd immediately, meaning punters can benefit from the increased competition. However, not all new betting sites will stand the test of time, meaning it is important to do your research before signing up. Most importantly, any new sports betting sites that you register with should be licensed by the UKGC to guarantee fairness and security.
There are a number of new sites for betting listed above, such as BetUK, LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet. These are some of the best new betting sites in the UK and have made a good early impression against some tough competition. There are valuable welcome bonuses that are available to be claimed at each of these operators. New betting sites new customer offers tend to be lucrative as an attempt to stand out from the crowd and we also felt each of these sites were easy to use and came with a great depth of betting markets.
FAQs
What are the Best Betting Sites UK?
Though there are hundreds of betting sites around, only a select few have made the list of the best betting sites. Listed below are our opinions of the best betting sites around.
How old must you be to use the UK Best Betting Sites?
18 years old is the minimum age for gambling in the UK. To stop anyone under the age of 18 signing up to betting or casino websites, there will be a registration process that will require identification to confirm players ages before a deposit can be taken or bets can be placed. if you’re signing up to an online betting site make sure to have your identification ready to start.
Are Betting Sites trusted in the UK?
A betting site is regarded as reliable if it holds a licence from the UKGC, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Online gambling sites must get the necessary licence before they can be considered operating.
How can you get Free Bets from the Online Best Betting Sites?
Online bettors may find that receiving free bets is one of the most enjoyable experiences. Although bookmakers give free bets in other ways, the welcome offer is the main way that online gamblers can get them. As an alternative, you can sign up for ongoing customer benefits like free bet clubs.
