How We Choose The Best UK Bookmakers
When deciding who the best online bookmaker in the uk are, we carry out an in-depth analysis of the sites that include security and licensing, the user experience, the range of sports and betting markets, the live betting and streaming, their bonuses and promotions, the mobile platform, payment options and the quality of customer support.
We combine these factors together as we believe they matter the most to players. The steps we took are as followed:
- Registered, funded the account, and claimed a bonus if there was any;
- Checked the range of sports, markets, and odds;
- Placed wagers on different devices;
- Monitored the deposit and withdrawal times, limits, terms, and conditions;
- Contacted the customer support representatives for each site;
- Checked the history of each site, their track of records, whether there have been any complaints about them, and the quality of security
Key Characteristics to Identify a UK Bookmaker
Betting companies should be easily recognisable in the UK when you walk through a local town, as they’ll normally have promotions in their store regarding an upcoming event. Their branding will be loud to get your attention and the same can be said for their online advertising, as TV and web ads will do their best to make a lasting impression.
The Top List of UK Online Bookmakers
The UK have a fantastic range of online betting sites for punters to chance their luck with. Like most organisations, each company have their pros and cons and we've put together a few that should be instantly recognisable to the UK public. Like being instantly recognizable, they’re also some of the best online bookies. Find our bookmaker reviews below.m
Bet365 Bookmaker
Bet365 are one of the best sports betting sites in the game. They've ensured they're available on desktop and mobile, their customer service is very good and their website is incredibly user friendly. They also give their customers the chance to watch selected sport that they've placed a bet on and have a wide selection of in-play betting.
SkyBet Bookmaker
Sky Bet is a common name in UK entertainment space. Its fame amongst the sports community is with the iconic brand – Sky Sports. Not only does it shine in reporting and covering live sports events, but its sportsbook is something worth considering if you are into betting. The Sky Bet come in a user friendly interface coupled a native mobile app for its customers. The welcome offer at Sky Bet is simple, allowing players to see thousands of sports markets that are on offer, with horseracing and football particularly being impressive at Sky Bet.
Sky Bet has a wide range of markets, including a great in-play offering for those who like to place live bets. Live-streaming is also available on a massive number of sports, mainly United Kingdom horseracing and major football events.
William Hill Bookmaker
William Hill is one of the most popular and well-established sportsbooks in the United Kingdom. They offer their customers some of the most attractive bonuses (no wonder they are often referred to as “The Bonus King”). This bookmaker mostly provide best markets, features, and bonuses, especially for popular markets such as football, greyhound racing, horseracing, tennis, cricket, basketball.
As their customer, you can even go ahead and request your odds on any sports betting event by using the #YourOdds feature. William Hill two different welcome bonuses – one for desktop users, and the other one for mobile phone users, so you need to check them both out.
William Hill is one of those top bookmakers in the UK that has a true sense a tradition in addition to a classic feel to it. While they offer plenty of sports to bet on, without a doubt, they are one of UK’s go-to bookmakers for wagering on football too. Overall, they have fantastic odds, and they cover all domestic soccer action in the United Kingdom every single season.
Ladbrokes Bookmaker
Ladbrokes is another top bookmaker in the United Kingdom, and successful platform loved by hundreds of thousands of players in the United Kingdom. They offer their customers and excellent and user-friendly, and their website design is by itself attractive and unique. When it comes to different features that you can use, they have plenty of them in place, a Bet Builder, high-quality live streaming, and the availability of cash-out.
Ladbrokes Sportsbook has a good reputation for offering many reload promotions for existing bettors such as early payouts, accumulator profit boosts, as well as enhanced odds. If you prefer betting amongst your peers instead of the sportsbook, you might want to try Ladbrokes betting exchange. Ladbrokes is a bookie that can take your betting expeditions to the next level since they are among the best online sports betting sites in the United Kingdom.
With an appealing site design, plenty of sports, and some of the best odds around, you may want to try Ladbrokes, and we can tell you that you won’t regret your decision.
Paddy Power Bookmaker
Paddy Power is a self-proclaimed money-back-special king in the market, and one of those bookmakers in the UK that offers so much more for its customers. Their welcome bonus is very simple and easy to claim, with players bound to enjoy free bets credited to players’ accounts from time to time.
Paddy Power’s rewards scheme for its customers is by far one of the best on the market. For new customers that register with Paddy Power and bet on any market, this bookmaker will refund their stakes on their initial bet. They have several other enticing promotions for customers who deposit using certain methods.
If you are looking for a long-term bookmaker in the United Kingdom, you may want to join Paddy Power. They are one of the best in the market.
Where else do get to wager with £5 and automatically receive a £30 bonus? BetVictor comes with a unique website platform that consists of a unique web design. It’s highly user-friendly and offers players enough sports to choose from, including an impressive range of betting options related to a majority of these sports.
BetVictor’s in-play section is mostly full, and offers competitive live odds. Here, you can find the entire usual features on their platform, including live –streaming, cash-out, quick bets, bet builder, and a bet calculator. They also have an exciting blog that works for new and seasoned bettors alike.
BetVictor also has in place a fantastic customer support department in addition to an extensive FAQ section. They have a site whose design and layout is easy-to-navigate, in addition to offering regular coupons across many events and sports. BetVictor promotes responsible gambling and always tell their customers please gamble responsibly. If you are not of the legal age to gamble, you won’t be able to play here, since this bookmaker promotes responsible gambling.
Coral is one of those bookmakers popularly known for rewarding its loyal customers. Coral is an established brand and boasts of many customers. They have a user-friendly platform aimed at ensuring that its customers have an unforgettable sports betting experience. Another ideal thing about this sportsbook is that they have an enormous amount of competitions that players in the UK can wager on.
When it comes to its markets, this bookies boasts a wide range of markets including exotic markets such as politics and movies. Of course, there is plenty to choose from for the popular events such as football, tennis and basketball. At Coral, you can benefit from several cash-outs and live game options, and even go ahead and try their new “Build Your Bet” feature, especially on soccer events.
At Coral, you can also request odds in case you don’t find anything that you like. You can do so by using #YourCall via Twitter. If you are a fan of virtual sports, you can benefit by choosing to play at Coral. As mentioned earlier, Coral is one of those bookmakers that have an excellent reward scheme, especially for existing players. They are known for coming up with offers such as betting insurance, early payouts, and free bets.
While Coral may not hold the same prestige compared to other sites that we mention in our list, without a doubt, the quality of this brand is up there with some of the best names in the industry. You may want to try them today, and see for yourself what you stand to gain.
Unibet Bookmaker
Unibet is one the best sportsbooks in the United Kingdom. They offer a massive range of sports in addition to a plethora of markets on individual popular sports such as Rugby, Football, Ice Hockey, among others. They have a Bet Builder feature known as Match Multi, with another new addition being their Virtual Sports section. Unibet also has in-play, cash-out features, and several attractive bonuses that they offer their customers.
Based on the overall range of events, you’ll be struggling to find a bookie that scores quite higher than Unibet. Just by looking at their homepage, you’ll notice that Unibet offers thousands of football and other sporting events on a weekly basis. They cover leagues from all over the globe, and their odds are quite competitive, even if they aren’t the best in the market. They don’t expire after days of activation.
If you enjoy a variety of wagers for your football bets, without a doubt, Unibet is one of the top sites out there. Major Premier League games draws more than 350 betting markets, something that modern-day sports bettor’s hold in very high regard.
That’s not all. Unibet also has plenty of markets, ideal in-play events, and the ability for its customers to place bets via Twitter, and more. Even though they may not have an extensive array of markets for niche sporting events, but you can be sure to find more than you may want for and more when it comes to popular sports.
888Sport Bookmaker
888sport comes packed in one of the most appealing website interfaces. It is user friendly, and comes as no surprise as our pick among the 10 best betting sites. But it isn’t looks that matter to us, there is a little bit more. Even though it is mostly known for its casino offering, 888sport also has a sportsbook that comes in as one of the fastest improving online from the perspective of players, with an impressive amount to offer in terms of markets and sports. This includes the best odds on some of the biggest and even niche events such as snooker, bandy, and darts.
The welcome bonus at 888sport is one of the strongest in the market with this bookmaker making it easy for users to claim it. Additionally, their website is also easy to navigate, not forgetting great offerings of promotions for existing players. They have a cool website making bettors feel as if they are in the future.
Besides a superb welcome offer, they also live betting and live streaming services. As a player with an account at 888sport, you can benefit from their enhanced specials every day, and there’s no problem contacting their support reps for assistance should you need some help. Of importance to note is that the first qualifying bet must be placed within 30 days upon registration.
Betway Bookmaker
Some of the most experienced players must have heard at least of bet365 as one of those bookmakers with hundreds of thousands of customers, not only in the United Kingdom, but also in plenty of other countries across the globe. This bookie has one of the best sign-up offers on the market (up to £100 in bet credits) which is simple to claim. To qualify for the bonus, you need to deposit at least £5.
The sports market available to customers at bet365 are second to none, and a bookmaker known for offering its customers a chance to wager on many sports and leagues that plenty of other bookies don’t have. Bet365 is also one of the best bookies when it comes to withdrawals with its times varying from as little as a day for e-wallet options such as Skrill and Neteller. As such, it’s one of the best sportsbooks at gaining the trust, especially of new customers.
Compare Bookies to Find Your Perfect UK Online Bookmaker
The Biggest UK Bookmakers vs New UK Bookies
The biggest bookmakers in the UK are the biggest for a reason. They find the right balance of advertising to prospective customers while sponsoring well-known organisations that will give them a broader visibility as opposed to more recently founded bookies who are trying to make a name for themselves. We take a look at the new online bookmakers who will be trying to make their mark on the betting industry.
- The Pools
- The site offers 25 different sports that punters can take advantage of, as well as virtuals, politics and special markets. The Pools offer a variety of deals and games that could persuade customers to use them, including a free game, ‘Footie5’, that can see the winner win £25k.
- Kwiff
- Kwiff are unique in the way that when a customer places a bet, their bet could get ‘kwiffed’, meaning their odds on their bet could improve substantially. Using this site would certainly be attractive to a customer as they could receive improved odds, which adds an element of fun to the bet.
- Bet UK
- BetUK has a massive range of casino games and exclusive live roulette, blackjack and more to bet on. They cover the biggest sports events and competitions in football, horse racing, tennis and more!
- 21.co.uk
- While 21.co.uk do have the option for their customers to place bets on sports, their primary focus are casino games. They give extensive guides on games such as roulette and slot machines with informative blogs with an added option of live casino shows on Channel 5.
- Bettarget
- Bettarget offer a variety of bets including sportsbetting and casino, including live casino. Customers will find this an easy website to use as it’s catered for beginners and experienced punters.
A Quick Look at Gambling Laws in the United Kingdom
There are many laws to gambling within the United Kingdom that bookmakers need to be aware of and follow, such as the Gambling Act 2005. It’s worth noting that high-level sportspeople may be banned on betting, depending on their sports’ rules on gambling. Regular punters have to follow some very basic rules such as:
- You must be at least 18 years old to gamble legally – I.D verification will be required
- You cannot influence a sporting event that you can place a bet on
- You shouldn’t be under the influence of alcohol or drugs when placing a bet
How to Sign Up and Place a Sports Wager at UK Online Bookies
Once you’ve decided what bookie to sign up with, enter their website and a register/sign up button should be visible (normally in the top right-hand corner). You’ll then need to fill in your personal details to verify your age while also supplying evidence, normally two forms of identity such as a driving license and passport. Once verified, you’ll be asked to submit your card details which will enable you to deposit and place a bet.
What Are the Most Popular Payment Methods for UK Punters?
The majority of punters will use a Debit Card to deposit their money into their betting accounts however, with the emergence of Google and Apple pay, that option is gaining in popularity as it requires the card being registered to the phone rather than the bookmaker. One other alternative is PayPal.
Bonuses & Promotions at UK Sports Gambling Sites
There are a number of bonuses and promotions offered by different bookmakers over the course of the year. They can be dependent on the sport, what time of year it is or if a bookmaker is trying to gain more customers over a slow period. Bookmakers will use these elements to gain new customers, retain current customers that they already have or use their visibility to persuade customers to return.
Types of Sports Wagers Offered in UK Sportsbooks
There are a number of different betting types that can be placed dependent on the sport. Below is a list of sports with their most popular bets to place.
Football
- Full-Time Result
- Football Accumulator
- Normal Time Definition
- Total Goals, (Under/Over)
- Correct Score (CS)
- Half time/Full Time (HT/FT)
- First Goal Scorer (FGS)
- Last Goal Scorer (LGS)
- Half Time Result (HTR)
- Draw No Bet (DNB)
- Asian Handicap Betting (AH)
Horse Racing
- Standard wagers
- Single-race
- Exacta Bet
- Quinella Bet
- Trifecta Bet
Tennis
- Outright Betting
- Match Betting
- Handicap Betting
- Over/Under Betting
- Correct Score
- In-Play Betting
Golf
- Bet to win
- Bet to win without X player:
- Each way bet
- Multiple players to win
- Make/miss cut
Greyhound Racing
- Win bets
- Place bets (each way bets)
- Show bets
- Win/Place bets
- Win, Place and Show bets
- Exacta bets
- Trifecta bets
Boxing
- Bout betting / outright winner
- Will the fight go the distance
- Method of victory
- Round betting
- Grouped round betting
- Over / under rounds
Cricket
- Tournament Outright Winner
- Tournament Best Bowler
- Series Winner
- Series Score
- Match Winner
- Completed Match
- Tied Match
- Innings Run
Snooker
- Win Bets and Moneyline Bets
- Totals and Over/Under Bets
- Point Spread and Handicap Betting
- Futures and Outright Bets
- Proposition Bets and Specials
- Parlays and Accumulators
- Teasers and Pleasers
- If Bets and Reverse Bets
What Sports Leagues and Teams Can I Bet On?
It’s rare that you find a sports league or team that at least one bookmaker will offer you the chance to bet on, which gives punters fantastic accessibility to a range of different bets that they can place. Many of the biggest corporations will cover the biggest range of sports and teams to give them the best chance of attracting new customers. These can include ice hockey to badminton, gaelic games to handball including a massive range of teams and players.
Mobile Sports Betting Apps Available for UK Players
In this day and age, it’s part and parcel to have a betting app to compliment a company’s website as the access to mobile phones has never been higher. SkyBet, PaddyPower and even Kwiff are available for all UK players and are available on either the Apple store, the Google store or via the internet.
Champions League 
UEFA Europa Conference League 
IIHF World Championship 
