The best betting sites in the UK, reviewed and rated by our betting experts. This list highlights licensed online bookmakers that consistently receive positive user feedback.
Choosing between betting sites can be challenging, with 175 licensed online bookmakers currently active in the UK according to UK Gambling Commission data.
That's why our team of professional betting experts is on hand to help you sort the best betting sites from the rest.
At Gambling.com, we’ve been testing, reviewing, and comparing bookmakers since 2006, helping bettors find trusted, safe options that are fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. We blacklist and filter out untrustworthy betting sites, so you don’t have to.
Our experts conduct regular, in-depth tests to ensure every site featured on this page meets our strict standards for quality, security and user experience.
When you see that our current favourite, Betfred, gets a 98/100 rating from us, you can trust it's a score we stand over, backed by years of experience and a stringent review process.
On this page you’ll find:
Use the quick summary below to compare the top betting site options at a glance:
Betting Site | Best For | UKGC Licence Number |
---|---|---|
Betfred | Overall Betting Service | 39544 |
Bet442 | Best New Betting Site | 39483 |
bet365 | Live Betting | 61011 |
BetMGM | Football Betting | 39198 |
Coral | Betting on Horse Racing | 2927 |
BoyleSports | Betting Offers | 39469 |
BetVictor | High-Value Odds | 39576 |
Tote | Pool Betting | 54779 |
Betway | Esports Betting | 39576 |
talkSPORT BET | Mobile Betting | 8835 |
Our betting site reviews provide reliable, unbiased comparisons and insights. Independent of operator influence, they combine expert opinions with feedback from our registered members.
Our testing and review process provides us with all the information we need to categorise the best betting sites for specific sports or features.
We also call on our experience to highlight each site’s pros and cons, so you know exactly what to expect from a bookmaker.
We don’t hold back when it comes to honest feedback and every review includes detailed, unbiased analysis, to ensure complete transparency.
Read on to discover why the following sites made the cut and find out which ones are best suited to your betting style.
Our research consistently shows that the best new bookmakers drive competition by introducing new types of markets and offers to the online betting world.
With this in mind, these are the best new betting sites in 2024, as chosen by our experts and Gambling.com users.
Bookmaker | Best Feature |
---|---|
Bet442 | Excellent Bet Builder |
7bet | Accumulator Profit Boosts |
PricedUp | Lots of Daily Odds Boosts |
Gentleman Jim | Greyhound & Horse Racing Streams |
Neptune Play | Loyalty Benefits |
When testing Bet442, we found that this new site is home to promotions features that we usually associate with the best established bookmakers.
For example, we were able to watch live streams of all the big horse and greyhound races from the UK and Ireland, with no buffering issues during our mobile and desktop testing.
After signing up and claiming the welcome offer, we're taken to the homepage, where our attention is drawn to the number of odds boosts available. These enhancements are mainly for football markets and the latest boosts appear in the top left of the home screen.
Bet442's best feature, however, is the bet builder. This same-game accumulator allows us to combine up to 30 markets in one bet, which is more than most sites offer.
The same-game acca is available across 10 sports, including cricket, which most sites don't have a bet builder option for.
Bet442 is something of an all-rounder but if you like to bet on football, horse racing or cricket, the odds and betting options here are first-rate.
The site also caters to a wide range of payment methods. If you prefer using alternative options like AstroPay or ecoPayz, Bet442 is an ideal choice.
Of all new betting sites we've tested, PricedUp has the most appealing layout and user interface.
While the best price boosts at Bet442 are reserved for football, we were able to claim enhanced odds on boxing, darts and UFC with PricedUp.
If you want a new bookmaker and you're a fan of virtual betting, Gentleman Jim is probably your best option to go with.
There are over 20 different virtual markets to choose from at any time, including golf, football, basketball, horse racing and darts.
Promotions are a deciding factor for a lot of punters when choosing a site to sign up with. This is the case for many of our own expert team members and for Gambling.com users.
We've taken user feedback into account and combined it with our own findings in order to recommend these five bookies as the best betting sites for offers and free bets in 2024.
Bookmaker | Best Feature |
---|---|
BoyleSports | Early Payouts |
Betfred | Welcome Offer |
Kwiff | Money-Back Offers |
LiveScore Bet | Weekly Free Bets |
Unibet | Odds Boosts |
BoyleSports tops our list in this category for its early payout deals across multiple sports.
During our testing process, we took advantage of early payouts for 11 sports in total. For example, football bets paid out if our team led by two goals and golf bets settled if our player led after the third round - valuable given only 35% of third-round leaders actually go on to win tournaments.
The BoyleSports welcome offer is also a strong deal. After signing up, we claimed £30 in free bets and a £10 casino bonus.
All this took was a £10 deposit and a £10 bet at odds of even money. We found the process to be quick and our analysis of the T&Cs revealed no nasty surprises.
Additional offers like money-back specials, extra each-way places, best odds guaranteed and odds boosts further enhanced our experience with BoyleSports.
BoyleSports is ideal for multi-sport bettors as the offers are never restricted to just one or two sports.
If you're into football accumulators, the early payout deal applies to accas as well as singles. Some competitors, like Paddy Power, only apply early payouts to single bets, greatly reducing the value of the offer.
For American sports enthusiasts, BoyleSports has early payout offers on basketball and NFL games.
Our latest research of UK betting sites shows that Betfred's bet £10 get £50 deal is the best welcome offer available.
While this is higher in value than the BoyleSports bonus, you don't get as many early payouts with Betfred.
For money-back offers, Kwiff is an ideal site to use, refunding bets if your horse finishes second to the favourite in selected races.
For odds boosts, Unibet's 'Uniboosts' consistently deliver the best value when compared to enhanced price offers from other bookmakers.
Every betting site in the UK offers football betting markets, but some sites stand out to our experts with exclusive offers, value odds and extra features like live streaming of matches.
Here's a detailed look of some of the best football betting sites in the UK and what they offer punters.
Bookmaker | Best Feature |
---|---|
BetMGM | £1million Prediction Game |
LeoVegas | Profit Boosts For Sponsored Clubs |
William Hill | Football Free Bets |
Fitzdares | Refunds on 0-0 Draws |
Ladbrokes | Football Live Streams |
BetMGM came to the UK in 2023 with a big reputation in the United States, so we were unsure when first testing this site if the UK's favourite sports would get enough attention.
Those fears proved to be unfounded and BetMGM is actually now the best football betting site online, according to our latest reviews.
The free 'Golden Goals' prediction game is the standout promotion here, with a £1million jackpot for correctly predicting six football scores. If you get a minimum of two predictions right, there are other prizes on offer, ranging from free bets to a share of £5k.
For example, we received a £20 free bet for getting three scores correct on a Premier League matchday when testing BetMGM.
We’re also impressed by the 'In-Play Boosts', offering 50% extra profit on live bets for selected Premier League games. With an average of 180 live betting markets per match, there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this feature.
BetMGM is ideal for betting on the Premier League in particular.
The bookmaker is an official partner of Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, offering 10% profit boosts for winning bets placed on these teams.
On an average Premier League matchday, there are more than 40 odds boosts available across all games combined.
BetMGM also has extensive options for PL bet builders, with dozens of markets. For example, when testing the site we noticed a recent game between Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace had 62 bet builder markets available.
William Hill is home to some football promotions that BetMGM doesn't have, like early payouts and free bets for correctly predicting match statistics.
Like BetMGM, LeoVegas has profit boosts on sponsored clubs, except instead this offer applies to games involving Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Ladbrokes is our go-to site for football live streams. Once signed up, games from leagues like Spain's La Liga and the Dutch Eredivisie can be watched live while you bet.
Our latest user surveys show that over 52% of bettors in the UK have placed a bet on a horse race in the past year. The popularity of racing means that betting sites compete fiercely for business from racing punters, especially when major festivals like Cheltenham come around.
Here's a look at our picks for the best horse racing betting sites in 2024, including their standout features.
Bookmaker | Best Feature |
---|---|
Coral | Racing Club With Exclusive Prizes |
Tote | Placepot Prediction Game |
BetGoodwin | Money-Back Offers |
Fitzdares | Bonuses on Racing Multiples |
Bet UK | Live Streams of Races |
Coral is a household name in UK horse racing, with roots as a racecourse bookmaker dating back to 1926. The bookie also sponsors major races like the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, which tells us a lot about its commitment to the sport.
After thorough testing, we found the 'Coral Racing Club' to be the standout feature here, with exclusive prizes on offer at no extra cost. After signing up, we had access to competitions with prizes including raceday tickets and visits to trainers' yards.
We enjoy the 'Racing Super Series' game as well, which challenges us to predict a horse to place in seven races, for a share of a £25k prize pool.
Though we haven't yet won during testing, recent payouts (e.g. 42 winners sharing £543.48 each) show this game's potential.
Other perks that caught our attention were live streams, best odds guaranteed, odds boosts and extra each-way places.
We also took advantage of the option to bet on winning distances in selected races. We recommend this as a useful feature if you have a strong fancy and want to increase the odds by predicting the margin of victory.
Coral is a good fit for experienced horse racing bettors who want a range of features and promotions at their disposal.
The mobile app is highly-rated by our review team and Gambling.com users alike, so if you place most of your bets via mobile, Coral will suit you.
If you're looking for a stripped-back site without too many bells and whistles, Coral might not be for you.
The Tote is a strong alternative if you like pool betting - where the money placed on a race is shared between winning punters. This can mean greater returns if you like to back outside shots.
BetGoodwin has four money-back specials (more than Coral and other leading sites) where you get your stake back if your horse loses in certain scenarios.
If you like to back Lucky 15s or Lucky 31s, Fitzdares has profit boosts on both.
Bet UK is handy for watching races while you bet. We've watched races from the UK, Ireland, France, the USA and Chile using the site and app.
One of the big advantages of online betting is the opportunity to place in-play bets while watching sport live.
Our research shows that the best live betting sites have a wide selection of in-play markets, outstanding live odds and extra features like cash out and live streaming. If you bet in-play regularly, these are some bookmakers to consider.
Bookmaker | Best Feature |
---|---|
bet365 | 600,000+ Live Streams Annually |
Kwiff | Boosted Cash Outs |
Virgin Bet | Best Live Event Centre |
Bwin | Range of In-Play Markets |
BetVictor | High-Value Live Odds |
bet365 was one of the the pioneers of in-play betting around the turn of the century and our latest tests show that it remains an industry leader in this area.
The live streaming service is comprehensive, with over 600,000 sporting events annually. During our testing, we watched streams of horse racing, golf, football, tennis, NBA, NFL, and cricket.
The streams are consistently high-quality and there are very few buffering issues, something which other sites struggle with.
To access streams, your account needs to have a positive balance, or you need to have placed a bet in the previous 24 hours.
The range of in-play markets also really impressed us. For example, a WTA tennis match had over 70 live betting options, along with a live bet builder - something not many other sites offer.
Another in-play feature worth mentioning is partial cash out. This allows us to cash out a portion of our bet, leaving the remainder to play out at the original odds.
While we've highlighted bet365 for in-play betting, this bookmaker really is an all-rounder, as evidenced by the fact it has over 90 million customers worldwide.
No matter what sport you're betting on, bet365 will have competitive odds and a range of markets that can compete with any of the best online bookmakers.
Kwiff is an interesting alternative for in-play betting, with some unique offers like 'supercharged cash out', where cash out values are randomly boosted.
If you like to use statistics to your advantage, Virgin Bet has a live event centre which makes it easy to track in-play stats.
Bwin gives you lots of options with your live bets. For instance, we noticed over 120 live betting markets available for a Premier League football match during our testing.
BetVictor is another strong live betting site - where the in-play odds are rarely beaten by competitors.
Esports betting has surged in popularity in recent years, with market projections now suggesting the industry will be worth £19million by 2031. When we try out any online bookmaker, we expect to see a range of markets for betting on competitive video gaming.
The following are the best Esports betting sites in 2024 according to our latest reviews, with the most markets and best Esports odds you can find.
Bookmaker | Best Feature |
---|---|
Betway | Esports Free Bet Club |
Pub Sports | Live Esports Streams |
Parimatch | Standout Odds For Popular Games |
QuinnBet | Specific Esports Promotions |
Grosvenor Sport | Impressive Depth of Markets |
We've been really impressed by Betway for betting on Esports. The site now has a dedicated section which is prominent on the homepage - indicating how seriously this bookmaker takes Esports.
Betway is the only site we've tested that has a specific free bet club for Esports. We placed £25 on Esports accumulators within the space of a week and received a £10 free bet as a reward.
The key thing to note here is that the accumulators must be placed between Monday and Sunday, with the free bets credited to your account the following Monday. Also be aware that the total minimum odds of the accumulator must add up to 2/1 to trigger the offer.
There's no limit to how many times this promotion can be claimed, if you regularly place Esports bets, it's a nice promotion to take advantage of.
There are plenty of live streams as well, with games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 available to watch while you bet.
During our testing, we found that the streams work best on mobile and are generally more reliable when watched on the Betway app, rather than the browser version of the website.
If you're a keen Esports bettor and plan to place most of your bets on competitive video games, Betway is an ideal betting site to go with.
The free bet club promo is tailored for accumulator backers. If you plan to back Esports multiples regularly, this bookmaker is highly recommended.
For fans of other sports, Betway also offers a variety of odds boosts, including 'Super Boosts' which significantly enhance the value of selected markets.
Pub Sports is a good alternative to Betway for streaming Esports while betting. Most of the streams come directly from Twitch, but it's handy to have them all organised in the one place alongside their betting markets.
In our odds comparison tests, Parimatch consistently beat competitors with the best Esports prices.
QuinnBet offers a unique promotion for Esports and online casino fans. Place £10 or more on Esports bets to unlock five free spins for slot games.
Meanwhile, Grosvenor Sport stands out with its extensive market coverage. For instance, when betting on Counter-Strike, we found dozens of markets across 11 different leagues, including the CCT European Finals and ESL Challenger leagues.
Experience teaches us that betting apps often provide a better user experience than desktop or mobile browser versions of bookmakers. When you download an app, you can get perks like exclusive mobile bonuses and push notifications that tell you about the latest odds boosts.
Apps often come with reduced loading times and a better overall design. Here are some of the best apps for betting in 2024, as selected by users and Gambling.com experts.
App | Combined Average User Rating (App/Play Stores) |
---|---|
Betano | 9.1/10 |
talkSPORT BET | 8.9/10 |
LiveScore Bet | 8.9/10 |
BetVictor | 7.8/10 |
Unibet | 6.5/10 |
Betano ranked highest in our latest round of app testing and its popularity is reflected in user reviews: 4.5/5 stars from over 43,000 Google Play users and 4.6/5 stars from 12,467 App Store users.
The app loads quickly and isn't prone to crashing. In our recent tests on Android and iOS, it didn’t crash once - outperforming apps from other bookmakers that are known for frequent glitches.
When betting on the Betano app you can generally get your bet on without any delay. This is particularly handy for live bettors who want to exploit in-play odds before something happens that affects the price.
Live streaming is another highlight, with smooth video coverage of horse races from the UK, Ireland and eight other countries. Greyhound races are streamed as well, but we’d like to see more sports added to the streaming lineup.
As part of the BetVictor portfolio, Betano comes from a trusted British gambling company, so you know the app is licensed and safe to download.
Betano is also the main shirt sponsor of Aston Villa and offers exclusive odds boosts for Villa’s Premier League and Champions League matches. The site sponsors the UEFA Europa League and Conference League competitions as well, lending further credibility to the brand.
If you prefer placing bets on your mobile device and value competitive odds, the Betano app is an excellent choice.
Like its sister site BetVictor, Betano consistently offers high-value odds, particularly for horse racing, where its prices are rarely beaten by competitors.
If free bets and odds boosts are key factors for you, Betano delivers on both fronts, making it a standout option for bettors seeking promotions.
A jam-packed weekend of sport awaits punters with football, darts, racing and boxing to bet on.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk's rematch will dominate a lot of the weekend's sporting headlines, but punters can also look forward to a full slate of Premier League action and the PDC World Darts Championship.
bet365 is our recommended betting site for this weekend's sport.
The bookie offers several pre-built enhanced bet builders for Usyk v Fury 2, with some of the best odds we've seen from any boxing betting site.
There are also boosted bet builders for the PDC World Darts Championship and a two-goal ahead early payout deal, which can be used for all of the weekend's Premier League games.
Horse racing punters can use bet365 to wager on this weekend's racing, which comes from the likes of Hereford, Ascot and Lingfield Park.
bet365 offers best odds guaranteed, money-back specials and odds boosts for racing. All major races from the UK and Ireland can also be watched live on the site and app.
We rank betting sites using an in-depth process, which we constantly strive to improve and perfect. Here's a step-by-step insight into how our process works:
In order to evaluate whether it is worth signing up, we need to have plenty of first-hand experience.
The first step in our process is for one of our betting experts to sign up with an online bookmaker and put it under the microscope over a period of weeks, trying out all the key features before reporting their findings.
A fact-checker then reads through their report, conducts their own research, cross-references their findings and applies any edits that are needed. This ensures every review is 100% accurate and up-to-date.
As well as leaning on our own experience, we take into account the opinions of Gambling.com users.
If users consistently post negative reviews about a particular betting site, it’s usually a big red flag for us.
For example, if we notice negative reviews about payment speeds, we’ll look to confirm whether this is a problem by attempting to deposit and withdraw funds ourselves with a range of banking methods.
Experience teaches us that the bettor often knows best. However, we advise against taking every review at face-value when evaluating betting sites, because occasionally someone will post a negative review which has no real substance behind it.
The comprehensive data we gather is essential to our process, because it allows us to compare betting sites.
For example, when we review new betting sites or make updates to an existing review, we always take note of the number of sports that have in-play betting markets.
Having this sort of data to hand means that we can easily compare dozens of sites for a range of different factors.
Some of these factors are worth taking note of in case you're trying a site out for the first time yourself. We've explained the most important comparative factors below:
Any betting site we recommend must be licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. This is the ultimate benchmark in gambling regulation and means a bookmaker is regulated and operates legally in the United Kingdom.
Always examine welcome offers as a priority when choosing a new online bookmaker to bet with. The free bet bonus value should be high and the terms and conditions shouldn't be restrictive.
Bonuses and free bets should be available on a regular basis after you sign up. Regular promotions come in the form of loyalty bonuses, free bets and money-back offers like acca insurance.
The best betting sites need to deliver a smooth mobile betting experience. Many bookmakers have user-friendly betting apps for Android and iOS devices, complete with quick loading times, push notifications and superior user experience.
There needs to be a wide range of markets to choose from. This has long been one of the first things we look for when reviewing sports betting options at Gambling.com.
We expect the best bookies to provide bettors with value for money. When trying out new sites, we compare odds from dozens of options. This process allows us to separate the sites with the best prices from the rest.
Licensed UK bookmakers must accommodate a range of payment options. We expect to see debit cards from Visa and Mastercard supported, along with popular e-wallets. Instant deposits are a must and withdrawals should reach your account within 48 hours.
The more available customer support channels, the better. Live chat is the handiest way to get a question answered and all betting sites should have this facility available. Email and a toll-free customer service phone number should also be available.
You shouldn't have to jump through too many hoops to sign up to a new betting site. It should be a simple, secure process that doesn't take too much effort.
Betting companies need to have a solid reputation in the gambling industry in order for their sites to make our list. We believe these companies should pay the price if they stop doing the right things, so you won't see any disreputable names featured in our rankings.
These days, the best online bookies offer 24/7 live betting. In-play betting is the perfect tool for strategic punters who want to take advantage of changes in odds while an event is live. It also helps if a bookmaker has live streams, so you can watch sport while betting.
A well-designed betting site with an intuitive user interface is crucial. It should be easy to navigate, aesthetically pleasing, and responsive, to ensure a good all-round user experience.
All licensed betting sites must have responsible gambling tools to help bettors stay in control. We check each site to ensure they take responsible gambling seriously and provide support to anyone who needs it.
You'll find that our reviews are regularly updated, along with our ratings.
We then update the rankings on this page to ensure those updates are reflected and that the best betting sites are highlighted above the rest.
For this reason, we encourage readers to bookmark this page and check back at any time to see which sites top the list.
Our award-winning expert betting review team is made up of experienced gambling industry professionals, helping to make Gambling.com the go-to source for online betting information.
Our experts have amassed decades of experience in online betting between them, across a variety of roles. The majority are also active bettors, so they know what punters want from a modern betting site.
Their dedication to delivering the most objective and comprehensive sports betting reviews was honoured with the prestigious 'Sports Betting Affiliate of the Year' award at the eGaming Review Awards in London.
Here's some more information on the professionals who test betting sites, review licensed bookmakers and update the rankings on this page with their latest findings.
Specialties: Horse Racing Betting, Site Evaluation, Football Betting
Dean Ryan is Gambling.com's Content Director and brings 20 years of experience in the gambling industry to the team.
During his career to date, Dean has held roles with leading betting companies such as 888, Tote, BetBright, BoyleSports, BetVictor and Stan James.
Dean has also been a keen punter throughout his adult life and has a huge passion for horse racing. He is an analyst, tipster and co-founder of the #Racehour Podcast, which has a loyal listenership of racing enthusiasts.
Our Content Director uses his considerable experience to evaluate sites from a bettor's perspective, adding significant value to our in-depth review process.Specialties: Betting Site Offers, Customer Experience, Responsible Gambling, Licensing
Before joining the team, James Molloy spent five years working with one of the world's leading betting companies, Flutter Entertainment.
James's role with Paddy Power and Betfair - two of Flutter's flagship betting sites - involved working directly with customers. This gave him an insight into what customers want and expect from the best online bookies, which he now brings to Gambling.com.
As our Commercial Account Manager, James evaluates bookmakers, attends industry events and negotiates exclusive deals, bringing unmatched offers to our readers while ensuring transparency in promotions.
Specialties: Horse Racing Betting, User Experience, Safe Betting, Odds Evaluation
Diarmuid Nolan has worked in the betting industry for over 10 years and is passionate about discovering sites that deliver for their customers.
Prior to joining the team, Diarmuid held roles at Sport Caller, RacingFM and BetBright, giving him diverse experience in the online betting world.
Along with Dean Ryan, Diarmuid co-founded the #Racehour podcast, where he explores his passion for beating the bookies on horse racing.
Diarmuid is Gambling.com's Commercial Lead, a role which involves vetting betting companies to ensure we only feature sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, that are safe to bet with.
Specialties: Golf Betting, NBA Betting, Betting Reports
Kevin Taylor joined the team in 2021 with a background in sports journalism and now works as a Content Strategist with Gambling.com.
His previous role involved covering sports betting news for major publications, such as The Mirror and The Sun. Among the stories Kevin reported on was an investigation into unusual betting patterns and alleged match-fixing involving an Irish football club.
Kevin’s investigative reporting on irregular betting activities underscores his and our team's commitment to protecting punters from unfair practices.
Specialties: Football Betting, Betting Blogs, Betting News
As Managing Editor, Jamie Casey takes a lead role publishing betting news, bookmaker reviews, betting strategy tips and reviews of the latest promotions.
Jamie combines extensive experience in the sports betting industry with a background in journalism.
He spent five years combined working with two well-known betting sites in Sky Bet and Unibet. Jamie's work has also featured on prominent media sites such as FourFourTwo, Sky Sports and RTE.
His writing experience ensures that our betting guides are both informative and engaging, helping bettors of all experience levels.
Specialties: Betting Site Reviews, Football Betting, F1 Betting, NFL Betting, Rugby Betting
Chris Rivers is a sports betting writer and editor who previously worked with a number of well-known UK bookmakers, including bet365, Betfred, LiveScore Bet and Bet UK, before joining our team.
Chris has also worked for sports media and betting publications such as the Racing Post and ITN, as well as commentating on football for Hull City AFC's official channels.
In his role as our Sports Betting Editor, Chris writes in-depth reviews of individual bookmakers, where he objectively analyses their offerings. He meticulously evaluates features such as odds, promotions and usability, leaving no stone unturned.
Chris also produces sports betting news and tipping content for Gambling.com.
Specialties: Darts Betting, Horse Racing Betting, Reviewing Promotions
Betting Writer Kevin Walsh analyses promotions and writes expert reviews on the best bonuses from UK betting sites.
Drawing on his experience working for bookmakers like BetBright, Kevin breaks down and simplifies terms and conditions, helping readers understand which bonuses offer real value.
Kevin has also demonstrated his writing expertise with leading media outlets, including Independent Newspapers in his native Ireland.
Specialties: Cricket Betting, NFL Betting, Gambling Strategy, Football Betting
Simon Sinclair is a Sports Betting Writer for Gambling.com with nearly 15 years of professional experience writing sports and betting content.
Before joining our team, Simon covered a variety of sports from a betting angle for major online bookmakers, including bet365, Paddy Power and Coral.
Simon has also written for sports media sites like Goal.com and has reported on cricket for the England & Wales Cricket Board's official channels.
Simon brings his expert knowledge to the table when we rank the best bookies for the sports he specialises in, including cricket and American football.
Specialties: News Reporting, Football Betting, Novelty Betting Markets
Shaun Cronin has a wealth of experience in both the journalism and sports betting industries. Shaun joined the team in 2022, having spent the majority of the previous six years working as a Digital Content Executive for the Paddy Power and Betfair sites.
As Content Manager, Shaun leads a team of betting news reporters covering the biggest stories in online sports betting as they happen.
This means our readers are kept up-to-date with all the latest odds, tips and betting promotions on the news section of our site.
Specialties: News Reporting, Data Analysis, NFL Betting, Football Betting, Rugby Betting
Gambling.com Content Editor Charlie Mullan has reported on sport in a professional capacity for over two decades. Charlie wrote for the Hull Daily Mail for 11 years, before moving on to the Press Association.
At PA, he helped a world-renowned news agency to set up a new betting channel. Charlie's statistical insights were commissioned by online bookmakers, where they were presented alongside betting odds for key sporting events.
Charlie now brings his data analysis skills to Gambling.com, where he reports on sports betting news and ensures punters have all the tools they need to place smart bets.
When choosing a new betting site, personal preference will play a huge part in your decision.
However, there are still some standard questions you should ask yourself before registering with a new bookmaker, to avoid disappointment after you’ve signed up:
The nightmare scenario for any bettor is signing up to a site, entering payment details and then realising the site isn’t safe to use.
There are a lot of disreputable, unregulated betting sites online and you want to completely avoid these types of bookmakers.
As mentioned earlier in this guide, the sites listed here are all licensed and regulated in the UK. This page is designed to simplify the task of choosing a safe bookmaker, so use it to your advantage.
As we've covered, the key thing to check for is a UK Gambling Commission licence. If you come across a new site and you're not sure if it's trustworthy, search the UKGC business register to see if it has a UK licence.
An online bookmaker is useless if it doesn’t offer markets for the sports you want to bet on.
All UK betting sites have a decent range of football and horse racing markets, but if you want to bet on niche markets like politics, or indeed less popular sports, you need to ensure the right markets are available.
Most betting sites list all available sports and markets on the left-hand side of their homepages, so you can take a quick glance this way. We also cover the numbers of sports and markets available to bet on in our expert reviews.
If a bookmaker consistently low-balls its customers with its prices, you’ll pay for it in the long run and any potential profits from successful bets will be diminished.
Some betting sites offer market-leading odds for one sport, but don’t excel as much with their prices for other sports. Others might have strong in-play value but poor outright odds.
Before signing up, compare the odds across a few different sites for the sports and markets you plan to bet on.
Personal preference will play a big role here - so make sure the site has the types of promotions you want to claim.
For example, some members of our review team value money-back offers above all else, while others are more keen to take advantage of odds boosts. Free bets are often the main attraction for many bettors.
Consider which types of offers you value most and factor this into your choice of betting site.
Signing up, depositing and placing bets should be straightforward.
If you can’t find your favourite betting markets easily, then you are best-off looking elsewhere, as this is usually a sign that the bookmaker isn’t user-friendly.
You also want a site that loads quickly and doesn’t crash - especially if you’re betting in-play and want to take live odds before they change.
Decide which payment method you want to use to deposit and withdraw funds and check if the site caters to your preference.
In the list of online bookmakers at the top of this page, beside each site, you’ll see which payment methods are available.
If you visit a site’s homepage and scroll to the bottom, the payment options will usually be listed there as well.
Even the best betting sites might throw up an issue from time-to-time. In these instances, you want to be able to get in touch with customer support to raise a query.
We cover all customer support methods and rate the overall quality of customer service in our betting site reviews.
If you’re checking out a site before signing up, you’ll usually be able to see which contact methods are available within the customer support section. Sites with 24/7 live chat are usually the best for customer service.
User reviews will tell you a lot about the quality of a betting site. Regular users can give a deep insight into a site’s pros and cons that newcomers don’t have.
Experience has taught us that the customer is usually right. If f reviews are overwhelmingly negative, it should be a big red flag.
Industry experts can offer a balanced perspective, with reviews that cover all of a bookmaker's features in-depth.
The average user can’t be expected to put every single aspect of a site to the test. At Gambling.com, this is our job - to assess the pros and cons and provide an unbiased picture.
We encourage you to read our comprehensive reviews if you need more information about any betting site you’re considering signing up with.
The best betting sites in the UK offer a variety of secure and flexible payment methods.
Below are some of the best options we recommend for depositing and withdrawing money at online bookmakers.
Debit cards are the most widely accepted payment method and can be used at all licensed betting sites. They offer a straightforward way to deposit funds by simply entering your card details.
Keep in mind that online bookmakers in the UK are legally prohibited from accepting credit cards as a payment method, according to UKGC regulations.
PayPal is a globally recognised e-wallet and a convenient choice for online betting transactions.
It’s quick and easy to set up a PayPal account and there are lots of PayPal betting sites to choose from.
However, keep in mind that deposits made through PayPal may not always qualify for certain promotions or free bet offers.
Trustly is a secure e-wallet that facilitates seamless payments.
A key advantage to using Trustly betting sites is that you don’t need to create an account for this payment method.
Instead, you simply enter your regular card details and select Trustly to deposit or withdraw - it works as a bridge between your bank account and the site you're using.
Boku is a unique payment method that allows you to deposit funds without needing to provide card details. Instead, the amount is charged directly to your phone, so transactions from Boku betting sites won't appear on your bank statement.
Boku is easy-to-use and secure and your deposit statements will appear on your next phone bill.
Boku withdrawals aren't possible as you can't withdraw funds to your phone bill.
Neteller is one of the most popular e-wallets in the UK and is frequently used for betting site transactions.
Like other e-wallets, however, deposits made through Neteller may not qualify for welcome bonuses or promotional offers. Always check the terms and conditions before depositing.
Paysafecard offers a prepaid card option that adds an extra layer of security to your transactions.
Since it doesn’t link directly to your bank account, Paysafecard is a great choice for bettors seeking additional privacy and security.
You can use it for both deposits and withdrawals when betting.
Skrill, formerly known as Moneybookers, is another e-wallet option worth considering. Some of the betting sites that accept Skrill are among the best in the UK in 2024.
It requires a separate account where you link your bank details before transferring funds to your betting account.
As with other e-wallets, always verify whether Skrill deposits are eligible for bonuses or promotional offers on your chosen site.
At Gambling.com, we believe that responsible gambling is essential to ensure betting remains an enjoyable pastime.
The best betting sites take this responsibility seriously by offering tools and support to help bettors stay in control.
For most people, betting is entertainment, not a source of reliable income. To help you gamble safely and responsibly, here are some practical tips and resources to consider:
Always set a betting budget that aligns with your financial situation and stick to it.
Decide how much you can afford to spend on betting weekly or monthly and avoid exceeding this limit, even during winning streaks.
Gambling responsibly means making decisions with your head, not your heart.
Chasing losses can lead to poor decisions and increased financial risk. Accept losses as part of betting and don't try to win them back, particularly by betting on markets you don't have any knowledge of.
Licensed UK betting sites offer a variety of tools to help you stay in control, including:
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, there are organisations ready to help. We recommend reaching out to these trusted resources:
Provides information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling. Offers a directory of support services and practical tools to promote safer gambling.
Operates the National Gambling Helpline, offering free, confidential advice and support 24/7. Provides live chat, group chat rooms and face-to-face counselling.
A free service that allows individuals to self-exclude from all online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain.
Operated by GamCare, this helpline provides free, confidential advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Offers information and resources to promote safer gambling practices. Provides advice, helplines, and tools to help individuals stay in control.
Betting should be enjoyable and should not be a cause of stress or financial difficulty.
That’s why the bookmakers featured at Gambling.com are all licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and prioritise protection.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and enjoy the best of online betting. For more information, check out our dedicated responsible gambling hub.
As we've mentioned throughout this guide, the UK Gambling Commission seal of approval is a must for reputable betting companies.
The UKGC is one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the world of online betting and there are a number of reasons why it has gained such a reputation:
This guide was created to help you find licensed betting sites that suit your preferences.
Whether you’re looking for competitive odds, a range of markets, valuable betting offers, or standout odds, our reviews were designed to provide detailed insights, helping you to make an informed choice.
We update this UK betting sites list with new bookmakers when they meet our high standards for recommendation, so you’ll always have fresh options to explore.
Above all, remember that betting should enhance your enjoyment of whatever you're gambling on, not detract from it. Keep the experience fun, set limits, and always gamble responsibly.
To verify that a site is legal, look for its UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence number, usually displayed in the site’s footer. You can cross-check this on the UKGC Public Register to confirm compliance with UK law. Rest assured that the rankings on this page, curated by our experts, only include the best legal bookmakers.
Only bet with licensed platforms that have strong security, fair terms, competitive odds and a variety of sports markets. They should offer responsible gambling tools, trusted payment methods and reliable customer support. Use the reviews and ratings on this page to help you find a trusted option.
Responsible gambling tools help people to maintain control over their betting habits. Features like deposit limits, self-exclusion, time-outs and reality-checks promote safer gambling. These tools can help to ensure that betting remains an enjoyable and responsible activity.
This page includes all of the best online bookmakers that you can bet with in the United Kingdom. Check the list for our latest rankings, which are updated every day, based on what we find during our in-depth review process. The best new betting sites are also included here, as we test and rate new sites as soon as they launch.
A trustworthy betting site is licensed by the UKGC, offers robust security measures like encryption and provides clear terms and conditions. At Gambling.com, we only feature sites that have positive user reviews, comprehensive responsible gambling tools and transparent payment options.
The UK Gambling Commission banned credit card use for betting to prevent debt-related harms. Any site accepting credit cards is breaking the law. Instead, licensed UK betting sites provide alternatives like debit cards, PayPal, or other secure payment options.
Deposits are secure when made on licensed platforms using encrypted payment systems. Reputable sites support trusted methods like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Paysafecard, ensuring your funds and personal data are protected.
In the UK, the legal gambling age is 18. Bookmakers require identity verification (e.g. passport or driver’s licence) to confirm your age and comply with anti-fraud regulations. This step ensures only eligible users access gambling services. If a site doesn’t have these verification procedures in place, it should not be trusted.
Experience has taught us to set a clear budget and stick to it no matter what. Make use of responsible gambling tools like deposit and loss limits to help with this. Avoid chasing losses and regularly review your betting activity to ensure you’re gambling responsibly.
Many online bookies allow users to live stream sporting events. Some of the best options we’ve found for live streaming are bet365 (over 600,000 events streamed live per year) and the Tote (great for watching horse races). Ladbrokes, BoyleSports and Betfred also have good streaming services.