UK Betting Sites

Gambling Laws in the UK

Is Betting Legal?

Sports betting is legal in the UK as long as the UK Gambling Commission licenses the bookmaker, and the player must be at least 18 years old to fulfill legal betting age requirements.

UK Gambling Commission Image

Local Bookmakers vs. Online Betting Sites

Punters are not new to local bookmakers or online betting sites.

Local bookmakers do not amount to illegal betting. Local bookies are physical betting shops where bettors can place bets on sports, just like when using an online betting version. There are over 7,000 bet shops across the UK, with most being owned by online betting sites. Local bookmakers have some considerable advantages for punters, with a few highlights listed below

• Local bookies allow bettors to stake with real money, so they are not required to have debit/credit cards for payment.
• The number of sports events and competitive odds is available, just like the betting sites.
• Local bettors need not subscribe to any data plan to place bets.
• Punters are not compelled to open an account or register with a betting site in the UK before wagering, therefore, they can bet using multiple bookmakers.

Online betting sites, without doubt, are the turning point for bettors across the UK, despite brick-and-mortar facilities being the oldest in England. Online sports wagering is easy, convenient, and accessible to bettors anywhere they go. Online betting sites are regulated, and they have laws guiding their operations. Players wagering through online betting sites have endless opportunities and advantages over the physical bookmakers:

• Online bookmakers in the UK are available all around the day and year-long;
• Bettors can place pre-match bets and In-play bets;
• There are promotional offers for online bettors, such as free bets and a welcome bonus to increase your staking prowess, amongst other rewards. These are not available at local bookmakers.
• Some of these UK bookies have Live Streaming features that allow players to watch live sports events from their website for free.
• Using online betting sites gives bettors an advantage to a fantastic feature most UK bookies offer: "Cashout." This feature helps bettors withdraw winning even during an ongoing event. Local bookies do not offer this feature.

How can you find if a UK betting site is legitimate?

Players can determine the legitimacy of a betting site by checking if the UK Gambling Commission granted them a license. Every legal betting site in the UK must operate within the ambit of the commission's law; going against this law is illegitimate and poses a risk to bettors.

Best Bookmakers in UK

Bet365

Established in 2001, Bet365 has proved to be among the most trustworthy and reliable online betting sites. The bookmaker is owned and operated by Hillside Media and operates on licensing from the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.

The sportsbook is your one stop for all major sports markets such as soccer, football, basketball and horse racing.

Bet365 is also top-rated among UK bookmakers because of its generous bonuses and numerous promotions. The site is also easy to access and bettors can get the best online gaming experience on instant play on the desktop and mobile devices and through its dedicated sports app.

Bet365 Mobile App

Bet365 has made it easy for UK bettors to place bets on the go on their mobile smartphones and tablets. You only need a stable internet connection to access the sportsbook on instant play on your Android or iOS mobile device. Alternatively, you can download the dedicated Bet365 sports app and install it on your Android or iOS tablet or smartphone.

The Bet365 Android sports app and Bet365 sports app for IOS are free to download and are designed with the best gaming features. You can create an account, make payments, get bonuses and bet on a large number of sports markets on the sports app. You can also bet live and access live streaming of the major sporting events on your Android or iOS Bet365 sports app.

Bet365 Mobile App

Bet365 Bonuses and Promotions

Bettors who have joined Bet365 UK can take advantage of the handsome bonus offers that are offered to new and regular betting fans at the site. To start you off, you should opt in for the new player’s welcome bonus that is offered as 15% in bet credits up to a maximum of £60. You only need to make a minimum deposit of £10 to qualify for Bet365 new players offer. You can use the bet credits to bet on any sport at Bet365.

In addition to the new players’ bonus, regular players can benefit from the occasional sports promotions that are hosted at the site. For instance, regular players can take part in the soccer and Tennis accumulator bonus promotions where they can get up to 70% bonus.

They can also enjoy the cash out feature where they can get a return on their wagers before an event has been concluded. Other current promotions at Bet365 UK include a 70% Parlay bonus on sports and tennis accumulator bonus among others.

Paddy Power

Paddy Power towers above other bookies when it comes to offering UK bettors a stable and trusted online betting site for all their sports betting needs. The site which has been operational since 1988 is part of flutter Entertainment PLC and is ideal for serious players who love to bet on sports, casinos, poker, and bingo. Betting fans joining the site can look forward to the best bonus offers such as free bets and other promotions when betting on their PCs and through the Paddy Power Sports app.

Paddy Power Mobile App

Fans of Paddy Power Sports UK can easily bet on the move on the Paddy Power sports app that can be installed on iOS and Android mobile devices. The Paddy Power sports app is fast loading and has the best features such as Bet Builder and exclusive mobile app betting bonuses.

Paddy Power Mobile App

Paddy Power Bonuses and Promotions

Joining Paddy Power is your first step to enjoying generous bonus offers and promotions that you can use to bet on sports. For instance, as a new player, you can start your online betting adventure with a £10 free bet when you place a single first bet on its sportsbook and lose the wager.

You can also enjoy more bonus offers when you participate in other Paddy Power Sports promotions such as money-back offers on horse racing, exclusive tournaments at its Paddy’s Rewards Club, and through the refer a friend promotion among others.

William Hill

William Hill is a veteran bookmaker with many years of experience in land-based betting shops and online sports betting. The sportsbook offers players a stable betting site that is secure as it is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

Bettors at William Hill are treated to competitive odds in its wide range of sports and the best bonuses and promotions. Its sports app is also among the popular options for online bettors in the UK.

William Hill Mobile App

You can bet while on the move thanks to the innovative William Hill sports app that can be downloaded and installed on Android and iOS devices. The William Hill sports apps are free and can be downloaded from the iOS App Store and Android’s Google Play or from the official William Hill online sports website.

Among the special features, you can access the William Hill sports app include exclusive bonuses on the sports app, live streaming on the go, and real-time betting results wherever you are.

William Hill Mobile App

William Hill UK Bonuses and Promotions

William Hill is among the best UK betting sites where new and regular players can all benefit from great bonus offers and promotions. New betting fans at the site can start their betting adventure with a £30 bonus upon betting £10 when they join the site. Players can also enjoy free bets on in-play tennis, free or 4 promotions, and the Bonus Drop promotion among others.

Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes are among the giant betting sites with the best betting options and markets for gamers from the UK. The company, whose origins date back to as early as 1886 not only operates hundreds of betting shops around the UK, Belgium, and Ireland but also operates a successful online sportsbook. Bettors can also access the site on instant play and through the Ladbrokes sports app on their mobile smartphones and tablets.

Ladbrokes is a secure betting site that is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Among its many endearing features are its many promotions on sports and bonus offers for both new and regular bettors at its site.

Ladbrokes Mobile App

Get to enjoy the best gaming experience on the go when you download the Ladbrokes sports app on your Android and iOS mobile devices. The Ladbrokes sports app is secure and easy to use and is designed with special features. This includes hundreds of betting options, access to the best sports bonuses, and convenient payment options on the go.

Ladbrokes Mobile App

Ladbrokes Bonuses and Promotions

You have a chance to enjoy generous bonuses when you become a member of Ladbrokes sports UK. You can explore the sports lobby with the new players’ free bets bonus of £20 when you bet £5 at the site. They offer you awards: 4 free bets of each £5 which you can utilize on your first 7 days at the site.

After exhausting your sign-up bonus, you can also claim more bonuses when you take part in other ongoing promotions such as odds boosts on your favorite sports. Others include price boosts on selected markets at Ladbrokes and the 1-2 free cash promotion.

Unibet

Unibet is a multiple award-winning betting site that has been operating since 1997. A member of the renowned Kindred Group and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Unibet sports is among the most popular betting sites with ideal sports markets for UK bettors.

The site hosts hundreds of sports events and betting options that players can bet on the go on the Unibet Sports app on their smartphones and tablets. Players can also access the site on instant play on mobile devices and on the desktop.

New and regular betting fans at Unibet can look forward to the best services and tons of rewards in the form of generous bonus offers. This includes free bets, daily live profit boosts, and other promotions.

Unibet Mobile App

Gaming on the go is easy when you utilize the Unibet sports app. The sports app accords you the best betting experience on the go as you can bet in-play and pre-match on the intuitive mobile platform while also accessing the most up-to-date live results.

The mobile sports app is operational on iOS and Android devices and comes with special features and functionalities such as live streaming of major sports events and access to virtual sports.

Unibet Mobile App

Unibet Bonuses and Promotions

Players who love to bet on sports at Unibet can start gaming at the site with a large sports bonus of up to £40 plus a £10 casino bonus. You get up to a £40 money-back bonus if your first bet loses at Unibet sports UK. You however need to wager the sports bonus 3 times before you can withdraw the bonus amount.

Unibet also hosts other sports promotions such as price boosts and super boosts on selected sports such as horse racing. You can also benefit from the £150 refer a friend promotion and the Uniboost promotions.

Betfred

Betfred sports can be traced back to its first betting shop in 1967 and has since grown to become a renowned brand in the online sports betting industry. The bookmaker is currently the proud operator of hundreds of betting shops and its online sportsbook is among the top-rated and recommended sites for UK bettors.

Bettors who join the Betfred sportsbook are welcomed with a generous bonus and they can also take advantage of the numerous promotions that are held at the site. The easy-to-navigate betting site can be accessed on instant play on the desktop and through the Betfred sports app that is available for iOS and Android devices.

Betfred Mobile App

You can enjoy smooth gaming on the go on the Betfred sports app that is available on IOS and Android mobile devices. The Betfred sports app hosts a large number of sports markets and betting options. You can also access all the major promotions including cash-out on some selected sports markets. The app also contains valuable statistics on various sports such as Football and other markets.

Betfred Mobile App

Betfred Bonuses and Promotions

Betfred rewards you for signing up at its site with a handsome bonus of £30 in free bets when you bet £10 on your favorite sports at the site. BetFred is also home to other generous bonuses and promotions such as the Greyhounds free bet club and Pick your Punt promotions among others.

Coral

Coral Sports UK is among the best sportsbooks for UK gamers as they can access more than 20 sports markets that include the best odds in UK horse racing. The veteran betting site has been operational since 1926 and is currently part of the successful Entain Group, a global giant in the world of online and land-based sports betting.

Bettors who have joined Coral Sports can enjoy numerous bonuses and promotions that are offered at the UK betting site. They can also bet smoothly on the go on its mobile sports app on android, iOS, and other major operating systems.

Coral Mobile App

Coral is among the best mobile sportsbooks where players from the UK can enjoy convenient betting on the go services. The sports app is available for download on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets as well as on Windows devices.

The coral sports app hosts dozens of sports markets and hundreds of betting options. The Coral sports app is also fully functional where you can access all the important functions such as making payments, access to bonuses, and a smooth mobile betting experience.

Coral Mobile App

Coral Bonuses and Promotions

Coral has managed to remain a popular betting site for UK players due to its generous rewards for its new and regular bettors. The rewards start with a £20 free bet bonus when you spend £5 on sports at the site. Players at the site can also take part in the many promotions such as the Football Super Series, Racing Superseries, and boosted odds on a wide range of sports bets.

SkyBet

The SkyBet sports was established in 2020 and are part of the iconic igaming operator, Flutter Entertainment. The modern site, however, comes from a long history that can be traced back to its original owner, the Sky betting and Gaming Company which has been operational since 1999. The operator is the power behind top online gaming sites such as Sky Vegas Casino and Sky Poker and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

The SkyBet Sportsbook is among the best UK online bookmakers where bettors can access unique sports betting options and generous bonuses. The site is accessible on instant play on the desktop and mobile devices as well as through its dedicated sports app for iOS and Android devices.

Skybet Mobile App

The Sky Sports app is available for Android and iOS devices where you can access all the current updates on sporting activities and also the exciting live streaming services of popular sporting events. The Sky Sports app for Android and iOS devices also comes with extra features such as the Live TV feature on all Sky sports channels.

The Sky Sports app also accords you up to date live scores and fixtures as well as special sports sections for major sports such as football, Tennis, NBA, and Racing among other sports.

Skybet Bonuses and Promotions

SkyBet ensures that its sports betting fans can have the best gambling experience when they join its site. New players are welcomed into the site with a generous offer of £20 in free bets when they stake £5 on any sports at the site.

Regular players are invited to participate in many promotions such as the Choose your reward promotion when you bet £25 in a week. Other promotions include the 10% cashback on in-play tennis net losses each week and the Super Extra 6 promotion among others.

Grosvenor Casinos

A member of the prestigious Rank Group, Grosvenor Casinos have been around for decades and are among the most trusted UK betting sites. Players who join the site can bet on a variety of sports when using free bets and special bonuses when they join the exclusive Grosvenor Sports club. The site is accessible on the go on your smartphone and tablets and on instant play on your desktop.

Grosvenor Casinos Mobile App

Betting on the go on the Grosvenor casinos is now possible thanks to the innovative Grosvenor Sports app that is available for iOS and Android devices. The Grosvenor sports app provides you with live betting services and the cash-out option on most of its sports markets.

Other special features that you can enjoy at the Grosvenor sports app include the Bet and watch feature and the Grosvenor Goals feature where you can win up to £1 million when you make the correct predictions.

Grosvenor Casinos Bonuses and Promotions

You have a chance to claim exclusive bonus offers when you join the Grosvenor casinos. The rewards start with special offers when you join the invite-only Grosvenor sports club. The bonus offers can award you prizes such as ACCA Boosts, Million Pound Picks, and weekly free bets giveaways.

Sports Betting in UK

Soccer

Soccer is the most popular sport in the UK, punters bet on. The EPL being one of the most-watched leagues in the world, and it is played in the UK, thus increasing the popularity of the sports market. Soccer has great options bettors can wager on such as goals, HF/FT, match-winner, cards, substitution, corners, players, shots, and other valuable markets.

Tennis

Tennis came surprisingly as one of the favorite sport bettors have wagered on in recent times. The sport became popular because UK bookmakers have made it available via their online sites. Bettors can make pre-match and In-play bets. Some betting options for tennis include set winner, breakpoint, over/under set, serve winners, and lots more.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is an aged sport in the UK that started far back, some centuries ago. Most UK bookmakers offer horse racing bets on their sites. Bettors can place bets on the horse to finish first, top finish, and so on. Horse racing has become so popular that many sportsbooks offer live-streaming on their platforms.

Hockey

Hockey is a high-intensity and physical sport. Thousands of bettors stake on it daily. Hockey is one of the sports punters place bets on because it has high odds. You can bet on outright win, period winner, both teams to score, handicap, over/under goals, and many more.

Baseball

Baseball is a methodical sport and a longer playing time makes it apt for bettors to get involved, especially in Live betting. Online bookmakers in the UK have several baseball competitions worldwide for their customers to bet on. There are markets with great odds prices like run-line total run, home/away total run, and others.

Golf

Golf is a fast-rising sport, and punters have wagered on it over the last few years. The sport presents bettors with over 70 players at a particular moment on the golf course with a wide range of betting options. Considering the number of players participating in a competition over a few days, it is glaring that so many odds and opportunities will surface for bettors.

Rugby

Rugby is a popular recreational and professional sport in the UK. One thing that interests punters is that rugby is divided into two categories namely, rugby league and rugby union. These two rugby events have different rules applicable to each of them, giving bettors preferences to pick their type of interest. Despite their discrepancies, UK sportsbooks have this sport on their online sites available to wager on. 

Basketball

Basketball remains a top sport in the UK with significant popularity among bettors. The NBA is still regarded as one of the best sports that punters can enjoy making live bets because the sport is lightning-fast, key actions happen within a few minutes. The sport has competitive odds and several options punters can stake on, such as over/under players assists, rebounds, quarter winner, match winner, etc.

Banking Options in the UK

Deposit Options

Fortunately, UK bookies have provided almost every known method of payment on their sites that punters can use to make deposits. Early forms of deposit were limited to credit and debit cards and bank transfers, but there are numerous options available for payments without hassle. Some deposit options will be highlighted below:

• Mastercard and Visa: These card methods remain the primary payment methods, despite being around for many years. Deposits using cards are almost instantaneous in many cases. Minimum deposit amounts vary.
• Bank Transfers: Bank transfers are used by punters who want to deposit high amounts on their online betting accounts. This might take between 1-5 days to be processed.

The table below shows some deposit methods, although bookmakers deposit amount varies:

Withdraw Options

Withdrawal options on UK betting sites are supplied with numerous methods punters can use to withdraw funds. Sportsbooks payouts vary, but some withdrawal options will be mentioned below: