Best Live Betting Sites & In-Play Bookmakers

While most bookmakers offer some form of in-play betting, only the best UK betting sites make it a priority. Finding these bookmakers can often be a time-consuming and challenging process, but don’t worry! Our experts at Gambling.com are here to help with a comprehensive list of top live betting sites.

Top 5 Live Betting Sites December 2024

In-play betting is incredibly exciting. Odds and markets react live to the action as it unfolds and the betting style is a huge hit with punters who value the very different dimension it brings to the sports betting experience.

In-play betting is often referred to as live betting or in-running betting on some online sports betting sites. Don’t worry about the title, as they all mean the same thing. As long as you are betting on live sporting events, you’re in the right place.

Below you'll find some of the best live betting bookmakers as selected, tested and compared by Gambling.com's betting experts. Every site we recommend is fully licensed and regulated. So check out our favourite in-play betting bookmakers below to receive the best live betting odds and free bet bonuses.

What Makes A Top In-Play Live Betting Site?

So what exactly separates the best in-play betting sites from the rest? Our experts look for a few crucial elements when reviewing an online betting site. One such factor is the variety of markets. The more markets, the more appealing an in-play sports betting site is to punters.

We also look out for new betting sites that offer live streams. Having the option to watch sports through live streams can really elevate an in-play offering to an elite level. The same goes for a cash-out feature. We take these features into account when reviewing betting sites.

There is also the issue of reputation. A bookmaker that offers the best features and odds but doesn’t have the correct licensing won’t appear on our page. We’re only interested in legitimate and regulated sportsbooks that will keep customers safe when betting in-play.

Must-Have Features For In-Play Betting Sites

Let’s take a closer look at the features our dedicated experts consider when reviewing the best in-play betting sites.

Availability Of In-Play Betting On Mobile Site/App

In-play betting is perhaps best experienced through one of the top betting apps available to download from trusted bookmakers. 

Betting on mobile is a convenient way to bet in-play with many apps giving you the option to receive notifications and reminders on your favourite live events. Combining these features with in-play betting means you get the best odds first.

Mobile betting also means you're not tied down to a computer when a sports event is live. If a bookmaker doesn’t offer user-friendly in-play betting on its mobile platform, it’s a severe negative in the eyes of our experts.

Live Streaming

In-play betting combines the thrill of gambling online with the excitement that only live sports entertainment can bring. Live streaming betting sites allow you to place bets on a game while you watch the action live.

You'll often find football, cricket, and tennis live streams at the best in-play betting sites. You typically need funds in your betting account to access these live streams. 

Match Stats

Having as much information as possible is the best way to make intelligent betting decisions. That’s why up-to-date match stats are crucial for in-play betting. 

These stats can be incredibly detailed at the best in-play betting sites. Take football for example. You may find valuable information about individual players' shots, shots on target, fouls, corners, cards, and more at top football betting sites. Any tools like these that help you place better bets are positive signs of a top bookie.

Live Betting Odds

Odds will shift and change throughout a game or event based on how things play out. In-play bettors typically want to capitalise on odds they wouldn’t expect to see before a game starts. 

In order to find an edge, punters want to see competitive while betting in-play at the best live betting sites. 

Enhanced Odds

You’ll often find enhanced odds and other promotions for upcoming events at the best live betting sites.

Enhanced odds provide extra value with boosted prices and some bookmakers make these boosts available during live events. In-play betting can sometimes feel like an afterthought with some bookmakers, so this attention to detail is great to see.

One-Click Betting

Some bookie offer a feature called one-click betting. As the name suggests, one-click betting allows you to place a bet with just one click or tap. For in-play betting, this is a huge bonus.

One-click betting enables you to quickly capitalise on the best live betting odds as they change. Our experts highly rate bookmakers that support this feature.

Live Betting Accumulators

Accas offer you the chance to lengthen the odds by adding more legs to your bet and in-play betting accumulators can result in some great payouts. 

You can even combine markets from one single event when betting in-play at live betting bookmakers - with this type of bet known as a live bet builder or same-game multi.

Quick Cash Out Option

In-play betting is based on constantly shifting odds and circumstances. These changes mean punters can lose confidence in bets and may wish to draw out what funds they can. 

We rate bookmakers that offer a cash out option on in-play bets as they give punters much more control. This is especially true when cash outs can be processed quickly.

Crucially, we don't rate in-play betting sites that low-ball their customers with bad cash out offers.

How we Rank UK Live Betting Sites

While our team of experts at Gambling.com is always on the lookout for the key factors above when finding the best in-play betting sites, we also ensure to strictly assess the rest of a bookie's offering. 

Our betting experts have years of industry experience behind them and know just what to look out for when reviewing and comparing bookmakers. Here are a few of the major factors we consider when testing a live betting site.

• Easy Sign-Up Process: No one likes an overcomplicated and confusing sign-up process. That’s why we appreciate a site that makes registration as simple as possible. Our top-rated online bookmakers will have you registered and betting in no time.
• Variety Of Betting Markets: Being able to bet on the most popular sports is no longer enough. The best bookmakers also offer markets for niche sports. This variety keeps sites interesting and provides new and exciting betting opportunities.
• Odds Offered: At the end of the day, while betting is an exciting form of entertainment, we all want to win some money while we're at it. That’s part of the thrill. Therefore, the more generous the odds, the better the bookmaker.
• Betting Offers: The best bookmakers understand a great way to engage customers is with betting promotions. The best in-play betting sites will offer regular bonuses, including free bets, bet boosts, acca boosts, and more.
• Popular Payment Methods: Bookmakers need to cater to all customers - especially when it comes to payments. Bettors want to choose payment methods they trust. The more payment methods a bookmaker offers, the more people it will please.
• Fast Payouts: Punters want control of their finances, and accessing winnings quickly is a huge advantage. You shouldn't have to wait long when withdrawing funds from the best live betting sites. You should also have a degree of flexibility with the payment methods on offer. For example, betting sites that accept PayPal are hugely popular with punters.
• Gambling Licence: Online bookmakers must hold a licence to operate in the UK. The UK Gambling Commission is one of the most respected gambling regulatory bodies in the world. The best live betting sites are legal and licensed to use in the UK.
• Privacy & Security: Customers trust their personal and financial information with bookmakers, as well as their money. Knowing this is safe is very important. Top live betting sites use the latest encryption technology and other security services to keep your data safe.
• Customer Support: When things go wrong at a betting site, you want to receive help as quickly as possible. That’s why we assess the quality of customer support and only recommend bookmakers that provide outstanding customer service.

Top Live Betting Sites - Recommended for UK Punters

Ready to discover more about the UK’s best in-play betting sites? Take a look at some of our recommendations below.

888sport - Best For Mobile In-Play Betting

888sport is one of the best mobile platforms you can find for live betting in the UK. The native mobile app and mobile browser site both make placing live in-play bets easy. With 888Sport, you’ll have complete control of your in-play betting on the move.

bet365 - Best For Live Streaming

One of the most familiar brands to punters in the UK and beyond, bet365 is one of the world’s most biggest online bookmakers. So, it should come as no surprise that this is a top bookmaker for in-play betting.

The platform has an expansive range of live streaming options that you won’t find at other bookmaker. For the most immersive live betting experience, bet365 is probably your best choice.

BetVictor - Best In-Play Odds

BetVictor offers the best and most competitive live in-game betting odds around. You’ll find prices are consistently better at BetVictor when compared to other sites.

If you like the traditional feel of one of the UK’s longest-established bookmakers coupled with the latest in-play betting technology, BetVictor should be your choice.

Ladbrokes - Best Range Of Live Markets

In recent years, giant retail bookmaker Ladbrokes has also risen to fame in online betting. Ladbrokes offers an extensive range of sports betting markets, including live betting odds. 

If you’re looking to bet in-play on the broadest range of sports, Ladbrokes is one of the best live betting sites you can choose.

How to Bet In-Play

The simplicity of in-play betting is part of its appeal. Here is precisely what you’ll need to do to place your own in-play bets.

1. Visit one of the top live betting sites recommended on this page. You can do this via a desktop website or mobile site/app.
2. Click on the 'Sign Up' or 'Register' button, and follow the easy steps to create your account.
3. Once registered, visit the betting site’s cashier, go to the deposit section, and select your payment method and deposit amount. Then, follow the instructions to complete your transaction and fund your account.
4. Usually, bookmakers will have popular live events displayed on the main page. If not, there will be a tab specifically for these events. Click on this to see live sporting events.
5. Choose the live sport you want to bet on. You'll see every market available for in-play betting.
6. Choose the market you want and add it to your bet slip. On the bet slip, you will be able to choose your stake.
7. Now place your bets! Sometimes this will take a few seconds because the bookmaker will check your odds are up-to-date. If the odds change, the bookmaker will give you the option not to place the bet or to wager at the updated price.
8. If you are lucky and your bet comes through, head to the cashier’s 'Withdraw' section and follow the simple steps to cash in your winnings.

Note that due to UKGC regulations, a bookmaker will require you to verify your account before withdrawing funds. The process requires sending a copy of your photo ID, proof of address (e.g. utility bill), and payment method (e.g. bank statement or photo of your card). You will only need to verify your account once.

Best Sports For Live Betting

The UK’s most popular sports have some of the most active in-play betting markets in the world. Here is how to make the most of these sports’ live in-game betting odds.

In-Play Football Betting

Football betting is one of the biggest betting markets globally. When you open your desired in-play football betting site, it’s likely to display any live football markets front and center. 

However, if you’re looking for a more specific event, you can always click on the football tab and find all the leagues and competitions a bookmaker offers. 

This can range from the most prominent competitions, like the Champions League or Premier League, to more niche local leagues. Just remember to employ a solid in-play football betting strategy before placing your live football bets.

In-Running Horse Racing Betting

If you want to bet on horse racing in-running, you’ll have to be quick. Races are over in a matter of minutes, meaning your time to take advantage of live betting odds is minimal. 

As recommended on this page, the best horse racing betting sites offer plenty of live markets on a daily basis. 

They also include broad in-play coverage for the big annual events - so betting on Cheltenham, Royal Ascot or the Grand National comes with loads of in-play options.

Live Cricket Betting

Cricket is one of the most popular in-play betting sports globally. There are so many game formats, each offering a unique experience when betting in-play. 

Ensure you know all about which form of cricket you are wagering on, as this can change the nature of live cricket betting odds massively. The best cricket betting sites will organise each format into a different section.

Live Tennis Betting

When a tournament is running, many tennis matches run simultaneously. You'll often find all of these matches organised together on a recommended live tennis betting bookmaker.

The best tennis betting sites provide the perfect place to build in-play accas, which you can do simply by selecting all the markets you want in your wager.