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In this article you will learn what separates the top UK bookmakers from the rest, what criteria to consider before signing up, and discover key features available at each of the best betting sites in the UK.

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Best UK sports betting sites: Our expert picks

Betting Site 📱Best For 🏆Why? 🤔
bet365Overall experienceHighest user rating of all bookmakers
William HillAdditional promotionsDaily price boosts, 25% winnings boosts, and “bet and get” free bet offers
888Betting featuresInnovative bet builder and best value cashout
BetfairWelcome bonus value£50 in free sports bets with £10 deposit (compared to £30 average)
BetVictorBetting optionsOver 40 sports to bet on with hundreds of markets across the board
BetwayWelcome bonus choiceSeven welcome offers to choose from based on your preferences
ParimatchOdds valueLower than 4% margin on most popular sports and markets

A comprehensive review of the best UK betting sites

In addition to ranking the best online betting sites in the UK, I have compiled an overview of the findings from my research, and summarised my betting experiences with each of the top brands.

This article will not only reveal why I have rated them high enough to be featured in this list of the best UK bookmakers, but also highlight unbiased opinions from other real customers who regularly place bets.

You’ll learn what novice and expert bettors have to say about each of the top UK betting sites.

bet365

  • Bet $10 & Get $30 in Free Bets
    Claim bonus

    New customers only. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

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bet365 - Best overall experience

My experience with bet365

This top-tier betting product is wrapped up in what many bettors believe to be the best designed betting site and app. The navigation is hard to fault, and the additional content in the form of images, stats, and animations only adds more to the already first-class experience.

Pros ✅Cons ❌
Some of the best odds value in the UK marketNot many free bet opportunities despite a lot of promos
Very strong app offering that is incredibly reliable 
More choice across sports and markets than anyone else 

Expert opinion

Many people in the sports betting community list bet365 as No. 1 among the best UK sports betting sites, and it’s hard to disagree with them. It either excels or is very competitive in every single category of Oddspedia’s comprehensive rating system.

If I had to push for an improvement from bet365, it would be to offer more value in their promotions. The Early Payout, Sub On Play On, and Acca Boost promos are great, but a lot of other bookmakers give you ways to earn free bets as an existing customer.

What’s bet365 best for?

The overall experience at bet365 stands out above its competitors. It has a 5.9% average margin (as low as 4% on the Premier League), which is far below the 7% industry standard in terms of odds value.

It offers more sports than any other bookmaker (47 at my last count), with niche competition coverage within those sports, and thousands of individual markets for popular events, such as Premier League and Champions League games. It also has the most comprehensive livestreaming offering in the UK.

This top-tier betting product is wrapped up in what many bettors believe to be the best designed betting site and app. The navigation is hard to fault, and the additional content in the form of images, statistics, and animations only adds more to the already first-class experience.

bet365 Oddspedia rating: 4.9/5

Bonuses and promotions3.0/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals4.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality4.5/5.0
Customer support5.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds3.5/5.0

Customer reviews

“Bet365 is the best betting site due to its wide variety of sports, numerous markets, the best bet builder, high odds, a smooth live betting experience, and hassle-free withdrawals.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — TSTB, Oddspedia customer reviews

“I have to give credit where it’s due. Bet365 and their team have created the best, unique, fastest and aesthetically pleasing sports betting application. The ball tracking and pitch animations are excellent. The goal animation is also so much better than every other app out there. Things like this make a difference when you’re tracking a game and the team you need scores a goal. It’s exciting and immersive. As betting should be.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — MacaulayRose7, App Store

“My experience with Bet365 has been incredibly positive. From the wide range of sports betting options to the user-friendly interface and real-time updates, the platform keeps me engaged and informed. Furthermore, the variety of markets, detailed statistics and frequent promotions have made for an exciting and profitable experience. The agile support team is also worth highlighting, always ready to help. Overall, my journey at Bet365 has been rewarding and reliable.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Paullorichardo, Oddspedia customer reviews

"Easy to use app, great promos. Needs to have a better update timeframe showing race results.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Ian Cook, Google Play Store

“Personally, I only use this platform. It has never given me any failures, it is safe and easy to use. It broadcasts many matches live and despite the large number of users it has, it maintains good quotas.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Menganitoplus14, Oddspedia customer reviews

bet365 summary

💰 Welcome bonusBet £10 & get £30 in Free Bets
🎫 Promo codeODDSPEDIA
🏆 Best forOverall experience
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.9/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

William Hill

  • Bet $10, Get $30 in Free Bets
    Claim bonus

    18+ T&Cs apply.

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William Hill - Best additional promotions

My experience with William Hill

If you’re looking to get the most out of your money, William Hill has to be the top choice in terms of the best UK betting sites … many of William Hill’s promotions are based around free bets and added extras rather than basic bet insurance.

Pros ✅Cons ❌
Plenty of opportunities for weekly free betsWould expect better value odds on more niche markets
Daily free games to earn cash prizes 
Very intelligent design with easy navigation 

Expert opinion

As a well-established bookmaker, William Hill carries a strong reputation. The product and experience it offers certainly deliver on that reputation. The company has undergone a slight rebranding in recent years and everything about the betting site feels modern. The home page, in particular, is so well designed that I rarely need to use any other part of the site for navigation.

William Hill is one of the oldest and most popular bookmakers in the UK. It was founded in 1934 and currently has millions of active customers. Yet, the company continues to invest in improving its odds, adding more markets, and allocating funds to a vast number of offers and promotions for its customers.

What’s William Hill best for?

If you’re looking to get the most out of your money, William Hill has to be the top choice in terms of the best UK betting sites. By the numbers, bet365 has more active promotions (20 vs. 15), but many of William Hill’s are based around free bets and added extras rather than bet insurance like bet365.

You can get a free bet on all major horse racing meetings (the free bet value will depend on how much you bet), as well as a free bet for a bet builder on the biggest Premier League matches most weekends if you wager on a pre-match market. This is in addition to the free Bonus Drop and Stat Attack games, and the daily Free Spins you can get in the casino.

William Hill Oddspedia rating: 4.3/5

Bonuses and promotions5.0/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals4.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality4.0/5.0
Customer support5.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds3.0/5.0

Customer reviews

“I really like the William Hill experience, especially for all the markets available. First of all, betting with gold coin is a great opportunity to win more money and they give you an idea of where to bet.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Edusails, Oddspedia customer reviews

“Can’t fault presentation: attractive schematics and colours with clear text fonts. Easy to place a bet when I have a WiFi connection. In depth analysis a great feature and price “boosts” an attractive option. Only problem I’ve experienced relates to online connection to your site when on 4G.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Drawerboy44, App Store

“All is well, but the app does not always work correctly, sometimes it does not synchronize when logging in from another device.” ⭐⭐⭐ — Danwe, Oddspedia customer reviews

“They give you loads of freebies and brilliant odds and specials highly recommended great app easy to navigate customer service excellent.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — David Galloway, Google Play Store

“Old but gold: Well established and known bookmaker.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Kaloyan Velkov, Oddspedia customer reviews

William Hill summary

💰 Welcome bonusBet £10 & get £30 in Free Bets
🎫 Promo codeNo code required
🏆 Best forAdditional promotions
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.3/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

888

  • Bet $10, Get $30 in Free Bets
    Claim bonus

    Incl. $10 Casino Bonus to wager x40 times within 14 days.. 18+ T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

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888 - Best betting features

My experience with 888

Bet Builders are one of the biggest advancements in UK sports betting in recent years… I think it’s fair to say that 888 has been one of, if not the bookmaker leading the charge with innovation for this type of bet.

Pros ✅Cons ❌
Innovative bet builder feature compared to othersDesign feels clunky compared to competitors
£30 welcome bonus and 12 other active promotionsOdds value is a bit behind the industry leaders

Expert opinion

I have to put 888 in the bracket of a bookmaker that you should have an account with to use as an option, but it’s probably not going to be your go-to choice. Unless you really get on with the design of the product and struggle with others.

It ticks all the boxes you would expect from such a big name. The 888 promo code unlocks a Bet £10 to Get £30 in Free Bets offer, and you can get a weekly bet-and-get deal on most major sports.

888 has the sports and markets that 99% of bettors will want. It’s fair to say that if you’re betting £10-50 a week, you won’t notice much difference in terms of odds value.

What’s 888 best for?

I think 888 deserves credit for its innovation with betting features. The bet builder feature feels more intuitive than many others, and it offers a greater selection of markets than most of its competitors. Additionally, the 888 cashout runs longer into games than many others and tends to provide better value. Although a partial cashout option is available at many other betting sites, this is not an option at 888.

Cash out and bet builders are two of the most significant advancements in UK sports betting in recent years. These features have significantly enhanced my experience and that of many other sports bettors. I think it’s fair to say that 888 has been one of, if not the bookmaker leading the charge with these innovations.

888 Oddspedia rating: 4.8/5

Bonuses and promotions4.5/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals4.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality4.5/5.0
Customer support4.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds2.0/5.0

Customer reviews

“The experience is good! I was able to claim different bonuses and free bets, the odds are great too. App is fast and responsive, and was able to withrdaw some winning bets without issues. Would rate top 5 in my bookies list. Keep up the good work 888!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — The Answer, Oddspedia customer reviews

“I have been trying to find a online bookmaker that hade an easy to use app. one where you could navigate round the app. with ease and no confusion. The customer service where very helpful, I sorted my query out via email, but I noticed that they have a uk based helpline number. I don’t know if you have tried the “live” chat help, i found them very frustrating. The withdrawal I made back to my PayPal took about 2hrs. No problems ( up too now )!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Tyldesleybusway, App Store

"888sport is one of the most trusted and well-known online bookmakers and one of the best mobile betting apps - it's easy to get your head around here. I am a long time customer and have never had any problems.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — alanjoo, Oddspedia customer reviews

“The thing I like about this app is that the content is focussed. It doesn’t cover a lot of meaningless events and games and doesn’t offer a load of speculative bets at nonsense odds to tempt Gunther the Punter. Also, it’s not always trying to offer you casino and poker offers which ultimately distract, slow apps down and reduce functionality.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Curiew2, App Store

“888 is a trustworthy provider for me, but one that is not able to constantly improve. I am a real fan of the poker engine, but I have never really warmed to the 888 sportsbook. I can't really say why that is, because the promotions for German customers and the rest of the betting offer are fine.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Hinni, Oddspedia customer reviews

888 summary

💰 Welcome bonusBet £10 to Get £30 in Free Bets
🎫 Promo codeNo code required
🏆 Best forAdditional promotions
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.8/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

Betfair

  • Get $20 in Free Bets
    Claim bonus

    18+ T&Cs apply.

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Betfair - Best welcome bonus value

My experience with Betfair

Betfair is almost double that industry standard with the 500% return on investment you get through the sign-up bonus (£50 in free bets + your original £10 deposit).

Pros ✅Cons ❌
The highest sports welcome bonus value in the UKApp will sometimes freeze on bet placement
Consistently the earliest with odds and marketsNot as many niche sports as some competitors
A better extra each way offering than anyone else 

Expert opinion

Those who aren’t so new to betting will probably know that Betfair is more well-known for its “exchange” product (a peer-to-peer betting platform), but it also delivers a top-quality traditional sportsbook experience.

Betfair is one of the few brands that can really cater to everyone across the betting experience spectrum. I’m probably considered “old school”, but I can still navigate my way around the more modern design of the market listings and bet types.

You also know you’re always going to get good value with Betfair, whether it’s the very competitive odds across all the sports and markets they offer, the new customer welcome offer, or the extra free bets, refer-a-friend scheme, and value payouts with extra each way places on horse racing and golf.

What’s Betfair best for?

Bookmakers will sometimes change their welcome offer, but at the moment, Betfair has the best of all the top online betting sites. You don’t need a Betfair promo code to qualify, and you get £50 in free bets to use on bet builders and multiples on any sport.

The Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bet deals you can find elsewhere are still great. It’s a 300% return on your initial investment, after all. But Betfair is almost double that industry standard with the 500% return on investment you get through the sign-up bonus (£50 in free bets plus your original £10 deposit).

Betfair Oddspedia rating: 4.7/5

Bonuses and promotions5.0/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals4.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality4.5/5.0
Customer support4.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds4.5/5.0

Customer reviews

“Betfair is an excellent choice for professional bettors and casual players alike. Pros appreciate Bookmaker’s sharp lines and high limits, while casual bettors should enjoy the friendly user interface, low minimum wagering limits, and flexible bonuses.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — LeoBet, Oddspedia customer reviews

“Great betting app, very easy to use and there's is literally thousands of sports markets to bet on 24 hours a day!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Sean Papazian, Google Play Store

“There are very interesting combined bets for those who want to find valuable odds.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Xedao, Oddspedia customer reviews

“Generous and frequent promotions which means you’re gambling with slightly less risk - FAR fairer than the promotions William Hill/Sky Bet offer. Also, no nonsense quick withdrawals and very good customer support. I had an issue with the welcome bonus and a team member sorted it straight away.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — UKGAMBLER98, App Store

“Good casino. I like it! Withdrawals are relatively quick, becouse itself has definitely a rock solid reputation. They accept all forms of payment. They offer huge range of games from slots to table games, both for Casino and for sports betting are excellent.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — glenwild, Oddspedia customer reviews

Betfair summary

💰 Welcome bonusBet £10, Get £50 in Free Bets
🎫 Promo codeNo code required
🏆 Best forWelcome bonus value
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.7/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

BetVictor

  • Get up to $100 Matched Bet
    No code required Claim bonus

    Matched Bonus paid in Free Bets. Geo Restrictions apply. New 18+ customers only. T&Cs apply.

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BetVictor - Best betting options

My experience with BetVictor

Whether it’s more goals markets for National League games or game-by-game options for ATP250 events in tennis, BetVictor is up there with the best in the industry. It doesn’t matter if you want to bet on squash, hurling, esports, or TV shows, BetVictor has it all.

Pros ✅Cons ❌
One of the biggest selection of niche sports and secondary marketsPoor value odds outside of most popular sports/leagues
Plenty of free games and money-back promotions 
Great selection of featured bets for easy access 

Expert opinion

BetVictor is another established brand and household name in UK sports betting, and for good reason. In almost a decade of betting with BetVictor, I have struggled to find many faults. That said, I also haven’t exactly been blown away by what the bookmaker has to offer.

The Bet £10, Get £30 in Football Rewards welcome bonus you get with the BetVictor promo code is industry standard. You get to spin the “Guaranteed Prize Wheel” every day (although the prizes are usually boosts and not free bets) and play the BetVictor Predictor for a chance to win £50k, which is enough to keep me checking back into my account.

However, I don’t bet that regularly with BetVictor as the odds tend to be quite poor. Often hitting a double-digit margin on games in the Championship and below. One thing I am grateful for is the Run For Your Money promotion, where if your horse refuses to start the race, you automatically receive your money back (some bookmakers don’t offer this as standard).

What’s BetVictor best for?

One area where BetVictor excels is its extensive coverage of sports and markets. The company has invested in its trading department over the years, leveraging its expertise to provide customers with as much choice as possible.

You have a list of over 40 sports to choose from at BetVictor and, crucially, loads of options within those sports. Whether it’s more goals markets for National League games or game-by-game options for ATP250 events in tennis, BetVictor is up there with the best in the industry.

Whether you want to wager on squash, hurling, esports, or TV shows, BetVictor has it all.

BetVictor Oddspedia rating: 4.9/5

Bonuses and promotions4.5/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals4.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality4.5/5.0
Customer support4.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds3.0/5.0

Customer reviews

“Good app and I like how you get refunded for voided bets.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — just do it plz epic, App Store

“Best app for withdrawals and deposits! Just a little update to original post, I 💯 % stand by my original post about being best online Casino app as far as deposits and withdrawals. I challenge Anyone who thinks that they use an app that pays out faster or a higher percentage back to it's players.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Joseph Sarazin, Google Play Store

“Not been using Bet Victor for long but so far so good. App is really smooth unlike a few others I’ve used in the past.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — markotik, App Store

“So far so good when you win withdraw money is pretty quick once you figure out their system.Great place to enjoy sports betting or casino games.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Darryl Johnson, Google Play Store

“As a seasoned gambler who has held accounts with all the major bookies, I have honestly found a favourite in BetVictor. They are extremely rewarding to loyal customers, all without wagering requirements and all that rubbish. The app is fairly straight forward and easy to use with minimal performance issues. Customer service for the most part is also fantastic.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Jf9019jf, App Store

BetVictor summary

💰 Welcome bonusBet £10, Get £30 in Football Rewards
🎫 Promo codeNo code required
🏆 Best forBetting options
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.9/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

Betway

  • Up to $30 in Free Bets + Free Spins
    No code required Claim bonus

    Customers are required to deposit a minimum of $10 to qualify for Free Spins, that expire 48 hours after crediting and the Free Spins will be credited as Cash.18+ T&Cs apply.

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Betway - Best welcome bonus choice

My experience with Betway

I find quite a lot of value in betting on esports, where Betway has one of the best offerings in the UK. I also get a lot of use out of Betway’s livestreaming options across football, horse racing, tennis, and US sports.

Pros ✅Cons ❌
A wide choice of welcome bonuses (7)Not many active promotions for existing customers (although the Free Bet Club is great)
An industry-leading esports betting product 
More livestreaming options than a lot of competitors 

Expert opinion

My personal experience with Betway has been somewhat inconsistent. When I first joined, I felt like it could be a real challenger to surpass bet365 as the industry leader. However, it hasn’t quite happened, and the company hasn’t made significant investments in recent years. 

I still regularly use Betway to take advantage of the Free Bet Club, and I find a lot of value in betting on esports, where Betway offers one of the best options in the UK. I also get a lot of use out of Betway’s livestreaming options across football, horse racing, tennis, and US sports. 

While there are plenty of positives, I think Betway is lacking in some of the basics, such as odds value on major events, including the Premier League, Champions League, and golf majors. Features like the bet builder and quality of cashout are also somewhat behind its competitors.

What’s Betway best for?

While Betway doesn’t feature the best value welcome offer, it does provide a wider range of choices than other top UK betting sites. There are currently seven different welcome offers to choose from, allowing you to select the one that best suits your needs.

If you don’t want to bet as much as £30 to max out the headline Up to £30 Matched Free Bet + £30 Uber Eats Voucher offer, you can choose the smaller Get £10 in Free Bets offer. You can also move away from traditional sports and claim the £50 welcome bonus from Betway Casino or £10 in Free Bets on esports.

You don’t need to use a Betway promo code to claim any of these offers, so the process of adding the offer to your account is also very simple and straightforward.

Betway Oddspedia rating: 4.5/5

Bonuses and promotions3.0/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals4.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality3.5/5.0
Customer support5.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds3.0/5.0

Customer reviews

"Betway certainly offers its customers a good deal, but the site does not suit my personal taste 100%. Betway places particular emphasis on mainstream sports, where there are certainly some interesting promotions. Fans of American sports will definitely feel at home here. I still feel a little lacking in connection with the site, which is mainly due to the poor communication with support. But I realize that not everyone will share this experience.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A matter of taste, Oddspedia customer reviews

“Brilliant bookies but not as many extra bonus as other providers.” ⭐⭐⭐  — Sean Mclellan, Google Play Store

“Playing at Betway allows me to do so in several countries without any problem. The truth is that it is a pleasure to be able to play with these juicy odds.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A Montes, Oddspedia customer reviews

“Started betting last year mainly on UK football and have tried out a few other betting companies apps and services. Yes, its UK law to provide ID for all betting sites now, I’ve had no problems with Betway, I’ve found their customer service to be excellent with regard to ID queries and free bets and the free bet club. This app is one if the best.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — jjcogan, App Store

“Quite good odds and with good coverage of a variety of sports. The cons are that there is a delay in withdrawals at times and finding a certain market is sometimes more difficult.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — I Need Money, Oddspedia customer reviews

Betway summary

💰 Welcome bonusUp to £30 Matched Free Bet + £30 Uber Eats Voucher
🎫 Promo codeNo code required
🏆 Best forBetting options
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.5/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

Parimatch

  • 100% Welcome Bonus up to $25
    No code required Claim bonus

    18+ T&Cs apply.

apps image
Parimatch - Best odds value

My experience with Parimatch

I need to be really price sensitive on some of my betting activity, and when I have done my odds comparisons, Parimatch regularly comes out as the top option for events when I want to get a big bet down.

Pros ✅Cons ❌
Great value odds on the biggest football gamesPoor value odds outside of the biggest football games
Enjoyable “lucky dip” betting option for casual bettorsCustomer service is sometimes slow to respond
A wide choice of sports and betting markets 

Expert opinion

Parimatch is certainly less established than the other bookmakers featured in this list; it only launched in the UK in late 2020. However, the company has extensive industry experience and excels in all of the basics. Competitive odds for major sports, plenty of choice for markets, a solid live betting product, and a few options for livestreaming.

Although it's a great bookmaker to have an account with and an option to use, I would put it a tier below the likes of bet365 and William Hill. Once I claimed the Parimatch promo code to get my welcome bonus (currently Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets), I’ve only really used my account when I’m looking for value on a big bet or some fun betting on the side.

What’s Parimatch best for?

If you look at the total sports betting offering, Parimatch doesn’t have the best odds on average — bet365 and Betfair come out on top there. However, if you’re serious about your betting and looking for the best odds on high-liquidity markets, including the Premier League, La Liga, the Champions League, and tennis majors like Wimbledon, then Parimatch is a great option.

I need to be particularly price-sensitive with some of my betting activity, and when I've done my odds comparisons, Parimatch regularly comes out as the top option for events when I want to place a big bet. If you’re on the hunt for value, some of Parimatch’s price boosts are actually much higher than others, sometimes over 100% of the original odds.

Parimatch Oddspedia rating: 4.6/5

Bonuses and promotions4.5/5.0
Deposits and fast withdrawals3.0/5.0
Features, tools, and functionality3.5/5.0
Customer support4.0/5.0
Mobile App5.0/5.0
Odds3.0/5.0

Customer reviews

“A good company, the bonus program is very cool - there are always new offers for different sports. The odds are average, but payments are made without delays or hassle.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Uliana, Oddspedia customer reviews

“I won £550 from my free spins so not bad. Good selection of games and they have offered me some good little freebies since joining. I had to wait 24hrs for the payout though but it did come. I put the odd sports bet on and it’s easy to use….my luck on sports isn’t the best though 😆 over all a good easy to use app. Defo one of the best.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Atoc106, App Store

“Listen, this app is effiecent to navigate and really responsive. Also like any bookie has a variety (of choices) to chose from, but the best part if you are lucky to win, withdrawal will take up to 10 (minutes), best thing!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Ancillary, Google Play Store

“I really like using Parimatch. It’s easy to navigate even though it doesn’t update your bank balance right away. The biggest disappointment is best odds guaranteed on Horse Racing has been taken away so I use it far less, but overall a good app to use.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Only Joe King, App Store

“Great offers and a very fair site. All parts of gaming and gambling experience excellent. Easy to use and loads of different games. 9 out 10. I use lots of sites and this one is way up there. Keep up the great work guys.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Mike Lott, Google Play Store

Parimatch summary

💰 Welcome bonusBet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets
🎫 Promo codeNo code required
🏆 Best forOdds value
💵 Minimum deposit£5
💸 Minimum bet£5
🕒 Payment speedUnder 24 hours
📱 AppsYes, iOS & Android
⭐ Oddspedia rating4.6/5.0
✅ Last verified22 June 2025

Best UK bookmakers: A comparison of key features

As you can see from the comparison table below, all of the betting sites featured in this analysis tick almost every box of the main features that bettors are looking for. However, there are some important details beyond simply a yes or no on these.

Betting siteApp (Yes/No)Live bettingLivestreamingBet builderCash outLive chat
bet365
William Hill
888
Betfair
BetVictor
Betway
Parimatch

📱 While all the bookmakers have apps available for download on Apple and Android, the bet365 and William Hill apps are certainly superior to BetVictor and Parimatch in terms of speed, reliability, and available features.

💬 Betfair stands out for having a much faster response rate on live chat (less than five minutes) compared to the likes of 888, where I have waited over an hour before receiving a response.

🏦 The bet365 cashout is available for much longer on your bets than every other bookmaker, and I have found that it also offers better value (the partial return on your total payout) than its competitors.

🛠️ Similarly, bet365 has many more options and flexibility with its bet builder tool. The same can be said for 888. These bookmakers give more freedom to combine markets across different sports than others available in the UK.

📺 I regularly use the livestreaming feature while I'm betting. Again, Betway and bet365 come out on top for this feature. Betway TV offers hundreds of events across various sports, including football, tennis, horse racing, table tennis, and cricket. bet365 appears to offer streaming for virtually everything, including US sports.

Availability of markets and promos

Betting siteNo. of sportsOdds Fairness*Welcome bonusNo. of active promotions
bet36540+94.16%Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets with code ODDSPEDIA20
William Hill35+93.29%Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets15
88830+92.29%Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets with code 30FXS12
Betfair30+94.00%Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets with code ZSKAOG7
BetVictor40+92.44%Bet £10 Get £30 in Football Rewards8
Betway30+93.50%Up to £30 Matched Free Bet + £30 Uber Eats Voucher2
Parimatch40+92.36%Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets4

*The closer to 100%, the better for the odds fairness rating. Read more at Oddspedia on Odds Fairness.

Best new UK betting sites: What are the top-rated options?

If you don’t already have an account with the betting sites listed in this article, I would definitely recommend starting there. That said, there are likely many people who already have accounts with these and are looking for more opportunities to earn a new welcome bonus.

The list of best new betting sites in the UK isn’t quite as long as other countries. It’s harder and more expensive for bookmakers to operate in the UK, so you don’t see as many new brands compared to places like India or Brazil.

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Betano - The best new betting site

Betano tops the list of the best new betting sites for many bettors out there. This bookmaker has been live in the UK for just over 12 months, after launching on 10 May, 2024. Although new to UK customers, Betano is a well-established brand in the world of sports betting, having been online since 2017 with a presence across Europe, South America, and Canada.

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Betano Experience

It’s clear that Betano has leveraged experience from other markets as it has come to the UK and immediately competes with the best in the industry. Sports like tennis, cricket, and horse racing align perfectly with my high expectations. It was the football offering where I was quite surprised about the level of offering.

In addition to the great value odds and a huge selection of markets, even for second and third-tier European leagues, I have found myself using Betano’s bet builder a lot. You can combine multiple bet builders — across different leagues and sports — into one bet, and I appreciate this feature.

While these are difficult to win, especially when betting at high odds, I enjoy placing them when I’m watching a couple of games over the weekend.

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Betano welcome bonus

New customers can receive a Bet £10, Get £30 welcome bonus without needing a Betano promo code. This gets you two £10 Free Bets, a £5 Free Bet on selected markets, and a £5 Slots Bonus on Big Bass Splash.

While there are plenty of great options for UK sports bettors featured within this article, Oddspedia picks a different betting site every month to help provide even more analysis and an in-depth review of a popular option. This month’s chosen UK betting site is 10Bet.

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10Bet - Featured betting site

I already had a 10Bet account before carrying out this research (there aren’t many bookmakers in the UK that I haven’t signed up with to date). That meant I couldn’t claim the current 100% matched bonus of up to £50 for new customers. This is disappointing as I think it’s a great offer, especially when most other bookmakers offer £30.

In addition to the sign-up bonus, 10Bet offers a comprehensive selection of promotions. They include 100% boosts on accumulators with 3+ legs on any sport, a 100% boost on horse racing bets, a Bet £75, get £10 offer on all major sports, and a football special where you can get a £1 free bet on every shot target if you bet £75 on big games like cup finals.

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10Bet Experience

The quality and quantity of promotions at 10Bet is certainly a positive, and the bookmaker is on par with all the best online betting sites in the UK in many other areas. You can choose from over 35 sports to bet on, with hundreds of markets. The odds are competitive, although rarely number one in terms of value, and there are plenty of options (eight) in terms of payment methods.

I must say, however, that one thing that has put me off 10Bet is the design and experience. I personally find the design difficult to work with, as it is predominantly grey. As someone who uses fractional odds, I also find the direct conversion from decimal odds confusing, as the odds displayed are very unusual. This could simply be a matter of my personal preference, though.

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10Bet Features

There are some great features, like the stats and insights available within the listed markets, but there also seem to be some struggles with performance across the 10Bet website and app. Particularly when adding selections to the bet slip and creating a bet builder.

In summary, if you don’t already have an account, it’s worth claiming the 10Bet welcome bonus to start with. You can then use your bonus funds to find out if the betting site is for you. You might struggle with the user experience, like myself, but you may also find it easier to use than others.

This week’s action for UK bettors at online sports betting sites

June is packed with top-tier sporting events for UK bettors. Wimbledon looms on the horizon for tennis lovers, the ICC T20 World Cup delivers daily cricket excitement, and Formula 1 continues with key races in Canada and Spain.

Below is a list of upcoming sporting events and predictions powered by Oddspedia to help shape your betting strategy.

EventDateStart TimePredictionOddsSource
England vs. India Test Series20/06/202511:00Top Home Bowler - Brydon Carse3/1Dustin Saracini (Senior Betting Analyst)
F1 British Grand Prix06/07/202515:00Lando Norris5/2Ben Cronin (Head of Content)
Women’s Wimbledon final12/07/202516:00Aryna Sabalenka5/2Tennis Channels (Betting Analyst)
Men’s Wimbledon final13/07/202516:00Novak Djokovic6/1Tennis Channels (Betting Analyst)

Best football betting sites in UK

All of the UK bookmaker featured in this list invest heavily in their football betting offering. It is by far the most popular sport to bet on in the country, and no bookmaker would last if they didn’t have coverage from the Premier League to the National League, across to third-tier European and South American leagues, as well as any official international fixtures.

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bet365 - Best football betting site

My personal favourite for betting on football is a close call between bet365 and William Hill. I’d give the edge to bet365 based on the quality of its live betting product. The match data instantly updates and helps inform my bets, and the betting only seems to suspend for a few seconds when there’s an actual goal (others will constantly take odds down for 30+ seconds even if nothing happens).

Both bet365 and William deliver consistently competitive odds across all competitions. They’ve got a huge selection of markets, even across lower leagues, and while William Hill has more to offer in terms of promotions, bet365 makes it easier to navigate the markets and find what you’re looking for.

Best horse racing betting sites in UK

Horse racing is probably next on the list in terms of popularity for betting behind football. It’s been part of UK betting culture from the very beginning. It’s struggled to keep pace with the modern betting audience, but betting sites still work hard to deliver quality horse racing betting options.

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William Hill - Best horse racing betting site

William Hill is in the mix here again for the title of the best horse racing betting site, along with Betfair. I like how quickly Betfair gets markets up, and the live streaming and tips offering really enhances the experience. However, the price boosts, bet-and-get deals, and special bets that you can get from William Hill on any given race day put it at the top of my list.

Best esports betting sites in UK

All of the best UK betting sites will offer some level of esports betting. That might not have been the case 10 years ago, but a surge in popularity means providing odds on the likes of EA FC, Dota 2, CS:GO, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Valorant is pretty standard practice for bookmakers.

One betting site that is more immersed in esports than any other is Betway. The company has invested heavily in the industry by sponsoring some of the biggest teams and events, and its passion for esports is displayed in the quality of what it delivers to customers.

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betway - Best esports betting site

The best value odds on average, more esports titles and markets than anyone else, a live betting product that is in a class of its own, and esports-specific betting offers for its customers. Betway really has gone all in on esports betting, and it shows.

Best UK sports betting sites with cash out features

Cash out is a pretty divisive feature amongst the sports betting community. Many of my friends will demand you “never cash!” a bet, while social media is laden with both sides of the coin: the magnificent cash out that netted a huge profit from a bet that lost, and the cash out that recovered a fraction of the stake from a bet that would have gone onto to win.

If you’re a fan of cashing out, then I think you’ll do well to find a better option than Sky Bet. This is mostly because of the AccaFreeze feature, which allows you to freeze one of the games in your accumulator to save it as a winning selection. It’s easy to game the system by adding huge odds selections into a safe accumulator in the hope that the team takes a surprise lead, and you can then freeze the selection. But Sky Bet is aware of this and will block you from using it if you employ this strategy.

If you’re looking for pure value, 888 gets an honourable mention here. Just by comparing the cash out figures offered against a hedge of a bet (covering other outcomes to guarantee profit), you can see if you’re getting a good deal on a cash out. Based on my research, 888 is the closest built-in cash out you can get to a “true hedge” (doing it yourself with more bets).

How we rate and verify UK bookmakers

Oddspedia relies on a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, including hundreds of data points across various criteria, expert research and analysis, and feedback from real customers, to determine the ratings assigned to bookmakers.

Below is a breakdown of the criteria covered in Oddspedia’s comprehensive rating system, along with what qualifies for the lowest and highest scores for each.

App and website reliability 🛡️

It is essential that you can trust a bookmaker with your money and personal data.

⭐ - Unknown bookmaker with a poor reputation, bad customer reviews, and lower than 2.0 user rating on Oddspedia. The bookmaker does not use any encryption technology.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A bookmaker with millions of customers, resoundingly positive customer feedback, and higher than 4.5 user rating on Oddspedia. The bookmaker has TSL implemented in all necessary areas.

Odds value 🔢

If you consistently bet with better odds, you will make more profit when you win. The closer a bookmaker’s “Odds Fairness” is to 100%, the better.

⭐ - Lower than an average of 90% Odds Fairness

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Greater than an average of 97% Odds Fairness

Sports and market coverage ⚽

Our research suggests that bettors seek a balance between quality and quantity. A bookmaker should offer odds and markets for niche sports as well as the most popular options.

⭐ - Fewer than 20 sports available for betting, with odds only posted on the day of the event and removed before the official start times. Betting limits lower than £10 per bet on main markets.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Over 40 sports are consistently offered, with odds regularly available and listed at least 24 hours before events start. Betting limits above £50 per bet on main markets for all sports.

Licensing, regulation and security 🧑‍⚖️

Licences, privacy policies, and security information are a great way to assess the security of a bookmaker. This demonstrates that the bookmaker is committed to meeting regulations designed to protect customers.

⭐ - A history of licence issues and/or fines for lack of compliance with UKGC regulations. Failures to follow KYC procedure, and known instances of data breaches.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - The bookmaker holds a UKGC licence as well as additional global licences. KYC procedures followed completely and no history of data breaches.

Payment methods 🏦

Customers want a choice of banking options, quick processing times, and no fees.

⭐ - Two or less payment methods. A £10 minimum deposit and a maximum of less than £500. Transaction fees are applied. Deposits and withdrawals take longer than 24 hours to process.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - More than seven payment methods (including debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, eWallets and bank transfer. A £5 minimum deposit and a maximum deposit of at least £5,000. No transaction fees. Deposits and withdrawals are processed instantly or in minutes.

Betting features 🧰

A bookmaker isn’t just about odds. You should have bet builders, good cash out functionality, livestreaming, and other innovative features.

⭐ - No additional features are available beyond the main odds and markets.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - More than five additional features are available, including live betting, live streaming, cash out, bet builder, stats and insights, and odds requests.

Bonuses and promotions 💰

Lucrative welcome bonuses, cashback offers, VIP benefits, and existing customer promotions are a key part of a bookmaker’s offering.

⭐ - A welcome bonus of £10 or less and very limited promotions for existing customers.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A £50+ welcome bonus with daily odds boosts, weekly free bet offers, and free games for cash prizes.

Mobile app design and usability 📱

Customers should be able to bet with a bookmaker from their mobile device on a fast and reliable app that replicates the full desktop experience.

⭐ - No app is available for the bookmaker.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - An app that is accessible to all users with instant speeds and zero performance issues. The app should also reflect the full product offering available on the desktop site.

Customer service 🆘

Customers should be able to choose from various methods to contact customer support and receive prompt responses from polite and knowledgeable agents.

⭐ - A basic contact form or difficulty in finding out how to contact the bookmaker.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - The bookmaker offers live chat, email, and telephone support. The response rate is under five minutes, and the customer service agents are polite and knowledgeable.

User experience 🧑

A bookmaker should deliver on the promises it makes and provide a hassle-free experience from its design and usability to its betting product.

⭐ - It is a consistent challenge to find what you’re looking for, and the product's design makes it difficult to use. The bookmaker consistently fails to deliver against expectations.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Intuitively designed betting product that is accessible to all. Navigation through all areas of the bookmaker’s offering is completely seamless, and all areas of the experience are delivered to an exceptional standard.

My favourite features from the best UK bookmakers

There are many reasons to love each of the highest-rated bookmakers in the United Kingdom. From competitive odds to big welcome bonuses and user-friendly rewards programs, there’s something for everyone.

Here is a breakdown of the key features I enjoy most at each betting site.

bet365 - Player markets

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bet365 - Best player markets

I’m a big fan of player-specific bets, and I haven’t found any bookmaker that offers the depth of markets and quality of odds like bet365. There are up to 40 available bets for key players in most football across Europe’s big leagues and the Championship, with the option to request others from the trading team. I also think the design of the betting options is fantastic.

William Hill - Price Boosts

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William Hill - Best price boosts

William Hill really excels when it comes to the number of price boosts it makes available to customers, the amount the odds are boosted, and how early you’re able to bet on price boosts before an event. You can get at least three price boosts on a football match a week before it kicks off, and up to 10 on the day of a Premier League game.

I also appreciate the fact that you regularly receive price boosts of 50-100% above the original odds. This is significantly higher than those offered by other bookmakers, and you also receive decent price boosts on pre-selected accas. William Hill even offers price boosts on games across League One and League Two.

888 - Bet builder

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888 - Best Bet builder

I’d be surprised to see a bookmaker operating in the UK without a bet builder nowadays, but the quality of these features can differ greatly depending on who you use. I think 888 is one of the best I’ve used in terms of both the overall design and the number of options.

The process of creating a bet builder with 888 is very intuitive, and you can choose from more than 250 betting options, including all main markets and individual team stats, such as the number of passes expected to be made in the game.

Betfair - #OddsOnThat

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Betfair - #OddsOnThat

I recall when Sky Bet first introduced Request A Bet, and the betting community was amazed by the innovation. It then became the norm and got pretty stale. Betfair has revived the concept with its #OddsOnThat market.

The things I like most about this are the sheer value of the market options and the fact that you can bet on all major sports, including horse racing meetings such as York, Chester, and Cheltenham. The rate at which Betfair responds to requests is much higher than that of other bookmakers I’ve requested markets from as well.

Another useful feature is that you can filter the choices for #OddsOnThat markets by the odds. So, if you’re looking for some crazy prices and a bit of fun, you can jump straight to the 80/1+ option in the navigation.

BetVictor - Featured markets

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BetVictor - Best featured markets

Personalisation wasn’t really a thing when I started betting over 20 years ago, but now it’s prominent in every aspect of life, including sports betting. This can sometimes feel intrusive and over the top, but BetVictor has found a really nice balance with it.

I think the quality of its curated bets, in terms of value, and the fact that it always seems to align with the events that I’m looking to bet on, is what helps BetVictor stand out. It doesn’t just pick the biggest Premier League games, for example, but the football matches that seem to be the most interesting from a betting perspective.

Betway - Free Bet Club

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Betway - Free Bet Club

There are a few areas where I prefer other UK betting sites over Betway. But one thing that keeps me going back and betting regularly is the Free Bet Club. If you spend £25 on an accumulator bet (three selections or more) each week, you will be rewarded with two £5 free bets the following week.

I regularly bet £25 on a weekend accumulator across Premier League matches, so I tend to do this at Betway to make sure I earn £10 back in free bets.

Parimatch - Lucky Dip

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Parimatch - Lucky Dip

Let me be clear on this; this is not a feature for someone looking at pure value betting. If you’re betting for a bit of fun and the chance to win big, I think the Lucky Dip option at Parimatch is great. It’s innovative, engaging, and it takes away the stress of placing the right bet, while giving you the chance to boost your potential profit.

An overview of payment methods on UK betting apps

Getting money in and out of your betting account is much easier than it has been in the past, especially with the best UK betting sites. They all tend to offer the most popular payment methods, including debit cards (online banking), Apple Pay, PayPal, and other e-wallets. There are some exceptions, like Betfair and 888, which don’t offer Google Pay.

I think it’s important to know that whichever method you choose to deposit with UK betting sites, you will usually have to use that same method to withdraw funds. This doesn’t apply to the wire transfer option. Wire transfer is listed as a deposit method at all of the top bookmakers, but it cannot be used to withdraw funds.

Some people may also like to know that you can’t use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the UK, even with the best online bookmakers.

I have provided a brief breakdown of the payment options available below, but Oddspedia also offers some useful information on betting payment methods if you’re looking for more details.

Deposits

Betting siteNo. of methodsProcessing timeMinimum depositMaximum deposit in 24 hoursFees
bet3657Instant£5£100,000None
William Hill10Instant£5£99,000None
8887Instant£10£100,000None
Betfair9Instant£5£99,999None
BetVictor7Instant£5£50,000None
Betway7Instant£5£100,000None
Parimatch7Instant£5£50,000None

Withdrawals

Betting siteNo. of methodsProcessing timeMinimum withdrawalMaximum withdrawal in 24 hoursFees
bet36561-4 hours£5£100,000None
William Hill91-4 hours£5£300,000None
88861-24 hours£10£50,000None
Betfair84-24 hours£5£500,000None
BetVictor61-24 hours£5£50,000None
Betway64-24 hours£1£50,000£1 for withdrawals under £5
Parimatch61-24 hours£5£50,000None

It is important to note that I have taken a mix of data here to provide an overview.

So, if you want to withdraw £300,000 from William Hill, for example, you will need to use ecoPayz, which takes up to 24 hours to process, compared to the typical 1-4 hours with other options.

Similarly, if you want to deposit £100,000 at bet365, it must be done via bank transfer and takes 2-5 banking days.

More information about the top UK bookmakers

Betting siteFoundedLicenceNo. of EmployeesHQ location
bet3652000551494,000+Stoke-on-Trent, England
William Hill1934275212,000+London, England
88819973902811,000+Gibraltar
Betfair200020621,800+London, England
BetVictor194639576700Gibraltar
Betway200639372800Gżira, Malta
Parimatch199439576 (under BetVictor)500Limassol, Cyprus

Responsible online gambling in the UK

As part of Oddspedia’s commitment to the community, a significant amount of time is spent educating users on responsible gambling and ensuring they know how to stay in control of their betting activity. Bookmakers must adhere to strict regulations to protect their customers and implement the following procedures.

  • ID verification - When opening an account or betting large amounts, you may need to provide documentation to prove your identity.
  • Affordability checks - Bookmakers may ask to verify that you can afford to bet certain amounts of money by requesting pay slips or proof of funds.
  • Deposit limits - Bookmakers in the UK are legally obliged to provide you with the option to limit the amount you can deposit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
  • Loss limits - You can also set a limit on how much you lose on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
  • Session reminders - Bookmakers will often send you a message or display a pop-up on your screen to remind you how long you have been actively on their site or app.
  • Time out - Another requirement of holding a UKGC licence is that bookmakers give you the option to take a break from using their product for a defined period.
  • Self-exclusion - You can also completely block yourself from using the bookmaker’s services altogether by self-excluding.
  • GamStop - Most bookmakers are also signed up to GamStop, which is a tool that allows you to block yourself from multiple gambling sites or apps at once.

Additional support with responsible gambling

Oddspedia fully endorses the UKGC slogan, “when the fun stops, stop.” If you aren’t enjoying gambling, you should stop. Oddspedia offers comprehensive information on responsible gambling and how to assess your betting activity.

You can also use some of the following resources for support.

How is our list of the best UK betting sites created?

Oddspedia follows a stringent process to ensure that all information provided to the community is as accurate and honest as possible. Below is a breakdown of the steps taken to produce this article.

Research and writing

Our Senior Sports Betting Expert, Stuart Brown, was paid a fee to carry out research and use their industry expertise to write this article. They were provided with specific guidance on areas to analyse based on Oddspedia’s rating system. Feedback from the betting community on what information they wanted to be included in this article was also considered.

Editing and fact-checking

After Stuart Brown makes their submission, our Senior Commercial Editor, Carson Mundy, then spends time reviewing the article. Initially, this will be to fact-check the information provided to ensure 100% accuracy. He may have also made minor edits to the article to enhance its structure and readability.

Review and publication

Once Carson confirmed satisfaction with the article, it was reviewed by our Head of Content, Ben Cronin. He carried out the final checks to ensure everything is in line with Oddspedia’s Editorial Policy. He then approved the article for publication on Oddspedia.

Betting shops in the UK: Offline betting options

Online betting in the UK has been around for almost 30 years, launching in 1996 with a company called Intertops. William Hill launched its online betting service two years later and the popularity of online betting has soared ever since.

As of 2022, over 78% of betting activity in the UK is carried out online according to the TGM Gambling and Sports Betting Report. That figure has probably only risen in the last few years, but I’m still surprised that almost 20% of people are betting in physical betting shops (either on high streets or at live events like horse racing).

I do place the odd bet in a betting shop, but this is a rare occasion nowadays for a few reasons:

  • The odds in betting shops are often worse than online
  • You don’t have the benefit of being able to compare odds and choose the best option
  • You don’t get much in the way of free bets and promos for betting in a shop
  • Betting shops are less accessible, requiring travel and betting at certain times
  • You get an actual ticket that you could lose when you bet at a physical bookmaker (rather than a bet logged on your account)
  • You have to return to the betting shop to cash in your ticket, and then get the funds back into your bank
  • Transactions in a betting shop, either cash or card, can be less secure than those online

If you did want to bet at a physical location, you have around 5,931 betting shops to choose from in the UK (according to 2024 data from the UKGC Industry Statistics Report). However, the market is dominated by a few of the established brands, so there is certainly less choice than betting online.

BookmakerEstimated No. of UK betting shops
William Hill1,500+
Ladbrokes1,250+
Coral1,000+
Betfred1,000+

UK betting sites FAQ

What UK betting site is best?

The best UK betting site depends what you’re looking for. bet365 is widely regarded as a top choice due to its extensive sports coverage, competitive odds, live streaming, and user-friendly platform. Moreover, it has the highest user rating of all bookmakers. However, horse racing fans might prefer William Hill because of the additional promotions they can claim. Other strong betting sites include BetVictor, Betway and 888.

What is the most trusted betting site in the UK?

The most trusted betting site in the UK is bet365. It is fully licensed by the UKGC, has a long-standing reputation, strong security measures, excellent customer service, and consistently high user ratings. 

Is online gambling legal in the UK?

Yes, online gambling is legal in the UK for those 18+. The UK has one of the most well-regulated gambling markets in the world, and in order to operate legally, companies must be licensed by the UKGC. Licensed sites must follow strict rules to ensure fairness, security, and responsible gambling practices.

Which betting site has the best welcome bonus in the UK?

Betfair has the best welcome bonus in the UK right now, with a bet £10 and get £50 in free bets offer. For comparison, most other sites only offer £30. Betway’s welcome bonus is also worth looking at. While they only offer a 100% match free bet of up to £30, they also throw in a £30 Uber Eats Voucher.  

What deposit options are available at UK bookmakers?

UK betting sites offer a wide range of deposit options, including debit cards (Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets (PayPal), direct bank transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Note that you can’t use a credit card for gambling in the United Kingdom, so sites won’t accept them.

Can you use Bitcoin at UK betting sites?

Reputable and licensed UK betting sites don’t accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This is because the UKGC requires licensees to use payment methods which meet strict anti-money laundering standards, and can be verified and traced.

Which crypto can you use with UK betting sites?

Unfortunately betting sites licensed by the UKGC do not accept cryptocurrencies. Doing so would put their licenses in jeopardy as the Commission requires that gambling payments can be verified and traced under strict anti-money laundering laws. Since crypto payments are so heavily encrypted, they do not meet these requirements.

What is the best UK bookmaker for football betting?

For me, bet365 is the best football betting site in the UK because of the live betting options. Unlike other sites which have significant suspension time when something happens, the bet365 live odds tend to only be down for a few seconds. The constantly updating match data helps keep me in-the-know, and they consistently have 40+ player-specific bets for matches within Europe’s biggest leagues. Most UK bookmakers invest heavily in their football section, but I think bet365 comes out on top.

Best new online bookmakers

We pay close attention to the sports betting industry. This includes keeping track of all new online bookmakers. We maintain a list of the best new online bookmakers and are constantly writing betting site reviews so you know which new online bookmakers are worth giving a shot. Our experts pay special attention to the strengths and weaknesses of new betting sites. We also do our best to determine which new online bookmakers are legit. Some bookmakers are very clearly out just to make a quick buck. With our expertise, we can tell which new sites are going to last and which ones are worth playing with.

Bookmaker Rating User rating Avg. Payout Payout speed Apps support Cashout Live stream Bet builder Bonus T&C More information
#1 Rated bookmaker
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Oddspedia Bookmakers blacklist

Blacklisted bookmakers are the ones we recommend to avoid, due to fraudulent activity or licensing issues.

Right now there are no black listed bookmakers for the selected criteria

Having problem with a bookmaker? Spread the word, let the community know in order to not have your problems!

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Oddspedia blacklist

Following up on the previous point, however, Oddspedia has compiled a positive list of bookmakers for you and will also inform you about unreliable bookmakers known to cause issues with players. This makes it very easy to skip these bookmakers to avoid any risks before you have even placed a bet. Not being paid is one of a player's bookmaker's worst experiences, but there are many other risks associated with shady bookmakers.

Why we put a bookmaker on the blacklist

As mentioned in the previous section, we attach great importance to the fact that a betting provider feels bound by its general terms and conditions, terms of use and bonus conditions. However, violating his terms and conditions is only one possible reason for us to blacklist a bookmaker. Another possibility is that the general terms and conditions, terms of use and bonus conditions are so unrealistic that our editorial team considers them an attempt at fraud. In this case, betting providers are also classified by Oddspedia as dubious bookmakers and, to protect our users, are not only not included in the positive list of betting providers but are also clearly identified as fraudulent betting providers.

Is it safe to use a blacklisted sportsbook?

Ultimately, you can ignore our warning and still register with a blacklisted bookmaker. However, as you can imagine, not only do we advise you not to do so, but we do not take moral responsibility for any negative experience with such bookmakers as we would if a bookmaker we have evaluated positively were to commit a proven fraud attempt, which has never happened and most likely never will. In all modesty, we advise you to trust our expert opinions, which are 100% independent and objective and based on our editorial team's many years of experience.

Stuart Brown
Sports Betting Expert
Stuart initially planned a career in the corporate world, but while studying Accounting and Finance at university, he quickly realised he could use his understanding of numbers and powers with Microsoft Excel to make money from betting. What started as a side project of claiming all the sports betting bonuses he could developed into a lucrative career where Stuart earned his living from betting on sports. He then started sharing his expertise with others, joining syndicates to help develop models and get an edge over the bookmaker. Stuart started working for Oddspedia so he could share some of this knowledge with the community. He now uses his extensive experience of betting across different sites and maximising the value of bonuses and promotions to help other bettors looking to do the same.
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