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The UK has plenty of excellent bookmakers, but punters seeking the best betting sites require more than just the standard set of bets. This page looks at the top bookies in the country, providing information regarding their coverage, the promotions they offer and why they stand out as our best UK betting sites.
Best Betting Sites in the UK
- 10bet - Our best overall
- BritainBet - Our best for pre-match and live betting
- Betway - Our best mobile betting features
- Unibet - Our best for football and racing punters
- William Hill - Our best odds guaranteed
- Betfred - Most specialised betting markets
- Casumo - Award-winning software
- Grosvenor - Our best for weekly free bets
- 32Red - Our best for horse racing price boosts
10bet – Our Best Betting Site in the UK Overall
- Up to £5,000 cash bonus on accumulators
- Great limited offer free bets
- Broad sports coverage
Punters seeking great offers and a grand selection of sports bets can find everything they need at 10bet. The sportsbook ranks among our best betting sites UK and covers over 25 different sports, including racing, esports and a number of fighting sports. Widely followed sports such as football, tennis, basketball and horseracing have the largest coverage, with betting markets for events all over the world.
The interface is remarkable, with quick toggle options that allow punters to switch between today’s events, live bets, upcoming events and highlights. The bet slip, whilst simple in appearance, allows punters to make all sorts of combination bets, including round-robin wagers. What will excite punters the most is 10bet’s great offer on all accumulators. Bets with over 3 selections receive an odds boost, and the larger the bet, the bigger the boost. 10bet offers up to 100% boosts on bets, up to a maximum of £5,000. In addition to this, there are countless free bet offers for selected competitions and races.
Join 10bet today to claim huge boosts on your accumulators
BritainBet – Our Best Betting Site for Covering the UK’s Most Popular Sports
- Hundreds of betting markets
- A variety of sports and leagues
- Generous welcome bonus and regular promotions
As the name suggests, Britain Bet is an online sportsbook aimed at British punters. It offers a variety of betting markets on the most popular sports in the UK, including football, tennis, golf, cricket, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, rugby, e-sports and many more sports. The bookmaker does not only cover events in Britain, meaning you could bet on anything from the English Premier League to the Indian Super League.
BritainBet was launched in 2020, and it is operated by ProgressPlay Limited. It is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that it is a safe and legal site to place bets. It offers a welcome bonus of 100% up to £10 for all new players. Additionally, after enrolling at the online bookie, BritainBet offers several regular promotions for existing players. It is a top site for placing pre-match events or live betting on games that are already in-play.
Explore the dynamic live betting markets available at BritainBet and claim a 100% welcome bonus
Betway – Our Best Betting Site UK with Fantastic Daily Offers
- Daily boosts
- Extensive coverage
- Free bets and various promotions
Betway is a highly attractive bookie with a fantastic design and tonnes of awesome content for punters. The betting markets are diverse, covering a large range of sports and exploring all sorts of interesting possibilities. For instance, you can bet on tennis, football, horseracing, golf, rugby, boxing, F1, and far more. The website has an optimised design, delivering all the latest information regarding promotions and bonuses whilst not distracting members from the betting markets. There are highlight events, and switching between pregame and live betting markets is remarkably simple. The same is true for mobile users, and excellent apps are available for Android and iOS.
Punters who bet daily can check out the odds boosts, as there are always brilliant deals offered, and all regular bettors can take advantage of the weekly free bets offered throughout the football season. Those who want to place a mixture of single bets, multiple bets, accumulators, and so on will find that it is made very easy with the cleverly designed betting slip.
Visit Betway today to start building your own mobile bets
Unibet – Our Best UK Betting Site with Masses of Excellent Promotions
- Great choice for racing bettors
- Lots of promotions
- Clear-cut and informative interface
Unibet ranks highly amongst the best UK betting sites for its gigantic selection of betting markets and competitive odds. The book covers over 35 sports, including esports, virtual sports and horse and greyhound racing. There is a separate lobby dedicated to racing bets, in which bettors can check the odds for all the top racing events worldwide. Punters seeking the most competitive prices can head to the Odds Boosts section, with amazing offers on big matches or fixtures.
In addition, Unibet provides several promotions such as daily Uniboosts, Free Bets, Money Back Specials, and Free-to-Play Bet Builder games. These promotions are easy to find as they are displayed all over the site. When bettors want to place their wagers, then all they have to do is open the bet slip, pick whether they want to make singles, accumulators, or use an advanced combination, and then add a stake.
Sign up to Unibet today to take advantage of its daily boosts and bountiful promotion
William Hill – Best UK Betting Experience for Nearly a Century
- Up to £200 in free bets
- Custom-made bets with #YourOdds function
- Tonnes of enhanced odds
William Hill is one of the most renowned bookmakers in the UK and has one of the best betting sites in the country. It has a well-organised book in which punters can freely browse through all the sports and will never miss out on any of the latest bonuses or promotions. The sports coverage is phenomenal, especially for horse and greyhound racing, football, tennis and basketball.
William Hill also allows punters to form their own bets using the #YourOdds tool. Then, there are tonnes of boosted odds offers, and William Hill can offer up to £200 in free bets for all the top sporting events. The interface is intuitive, and punters will have no problems picking out bets, adding them to their slip and then placing singles, multiples or any combination bets.
Join William Hill today for premium deals and to bet your way
Betfred – Best Custom Bets at a UK Betting Site
- #PickYourPunt requested bets
- Double Delight Hattrick Heaven and other promotions
- Esports and virtual sports included
Betfred offers a substantial number of betting markets, covering a vast selection of sporting events. Extensive betting markets are offered on football, tennis, basketball, horseracing, American football, ice hockey, rugby union, cricket and countless other excellent markets. Esports are also covered, and a separate lobby is dedicated to all types of virtual events. Betfred is a highly reputable sportsbook and is widely recognisable from high streets across the UK. It is also the sponsor of the British Masters, World Matchplay, Super League, and Manchester United.
One of the reasons why Betfred is so popular amongst punters is that bettors can request custom bets. The #PickYourPunt category is full of specially requested bets, and there are tonnes of additional promotions to take advantage of, such as Double Delight, Hattrick Heaven, Accumulators Insurance, Free Bets, Extra Places for Horse Races, and far more.
Visit Betfred today to pick your punt
Casumo – Our Best User-Friendly Betting Site in the UK
- Enhanced odds
- Broad sports coverage
- Award-winning software
Casumo is home to a great selection of sports bets, covering a plethora of sporting events from all over the world. Whether bettors want to bet on lesser-known domestic fixtures or massive international events, they can find it all at Casumo. The sportsbook covers all the most popular sports, including football, horse racing, tennis, rugby, cricket, snooker, golf, and many more.
The bookie has award-winning software, which runs effortlessly and brings up-to-date live odds, as well as a cashout function for bettors who want to pull the plug on their open bets. Casumo provides a number of odds boosts on popular events. These can usually be found in the days before the events take place, so punters have enough time to find them and take advantage of the great prices. The bet slip is a great piece of software in itself, as it allows punters to form singles, multiples or any combination bets.
Visit Casumo today for a truly simple betting experience
Grosvenor – Our Best Sportsbook for Covering UK & Irish Horseracing
- Weekly free bets
- UK and Irish horse racing watch & bet
- Special promotions for big events
Grosvenor is a famous UK casino that also has a fantastic sportsbook. The bookie is well-rounded, providing a good selection of bets on over 25 sports, including football, basketball, tennis, horseracing, and more. It provides particularly excellent coverage of horseracing events taking place across the UK and Ireland. It also offers lots of different promotions, which all punters can enjoy.
At the Grosvenor Sport Club, members can enjoy a weekly free bet, and in addition to that, all punters get a daily scratch card that has surprise gifts inside. Then, there are all sorts of promotions that are dedicated to games in the NBA, Premier League, Champions League, Tennis Opens, and all the major horse races and meetings. Fans of UK and Irish horse racing can view any race as Grosvenor has a Watch & Bet feature in which they stream all the races, including the likes of Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival or the Grand National. Members can look forward to weekly and daily bonuses, extensive betting markets and the chance to watch some of the biggest horse races in the UK and Ireland.
Join Grosvenor today for a front-row seat to UK and Irish horseracing
32Red – Our Best Live Streams of Multiple Events for a First-Class Betting Experience
- Daily horse racing price boosts
- Broad sports coverage
- Live streaming
At 32Red, members can bet on more than 30 types of sports, including football, tennis, basketball, rugby, and many more. While the website may not have the most glamorous appearance, it is very easy to use. There are loads of betting markets to explore across all the most popular sports, and even the lesser-followed sports offer a wide range of bet types. Horse racing fans will be thrilled with the daily horse racing price boosts, which can be applied to any event. The most widely followed sports can have hundreds of betting markets offered on single fixtures.
If that is not enough, 32Red has live streaming, which allows punters to watch any game they want. Paired with the extensive selection of live betting options, complete with live updates from the events, and an excellent mobile interface, 32Red is one of the most thrilling bookies available to sports fans in the UK.
Join 32Red today to start watching live streams of all your favourite sports
The Selection of the Best Betting Sites UK
Punters will always seek the best odds and most generous promotions relating to their favourite sports. A solid, reliable bookmaker is crucial for punters who want to bet regularly. However, good offers and coverage are not the only factors that should be considered. The best betting sites UK possess respectable licenses and offer top-rate customer support, flexible payment methods and responsible gambling tools. Then, punters can enjoy placing bets without having to worry about their privacy, technical issues or payments. Here each of these factors is explored in more detail.
Best UK Betting Sites Provide Proper Licensing to Ensure Fairness
All the best betting sites in the UK are licensed either by the UK Gambling Commission or by one of the white-listed gambling jurisdictions. This guarantees that the bookmaker runs a legitimate operation and that there is a regulatory body that punters can turn to if they have a complaint about the operator. The licence is usually displayed at the footer of the betting site, and it is also possible to verify the license on the relevant gambling authority’s website.
Advanced Security Measures
A great deal of money passes through bookmakers, and so they must use the latest technologies to protect customers’ financial information. The best betting sites use SSL encryption technology and state-of-the-art firewalls, similar to the technology used by banks. Bookmakers require each customer to verify their identity to prevent fraudulent activity and the site from being used for illegal activity. This way, punters can be sure that their money and privacy are safe at all times.
A User-Friendly Experience
A key part of delivering the optimal sportsbook is presentation. Punters will open the site regularly, so it needs to not only look presentable but also clearly deliver all the information that the punter requires. The betting categories and bets must be easy to find, and the best betting sites go even further by offering tools with which punters can add favourites and quick links to certain sports. Furthermore, this should be true whether betting via a computer or with a mobile device.
The Best UK Betting Site Has Generous and Frequent Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are only really useful when they relate to sports that the punter will bet on. If all the promotions relate to football and a punter wants to bet on horseracing, then they hold no use. This is why it is better to seek bookmakers that have generic offers, such as free bets or odds boosts for a variety of sports, or to seek bookmakers that specialise in a punter’s preferred sport.
Generous Odds and Plentiful Markets
Most bookies offer the standard set of bets, such as handicaps and totals, but the best betting sites will make more of an effort with their betting markets. Punters should carefully check what markets are offered for their preferred sports and shop around for the best odds. Most operators offer similar odds, but the best betting sites have competitive prices, which is why they attract more customers.
Variety of Payment Methods
The last thing a punter wants to think about is how to get money in and out of their accounts. A good bookie has flexible payment options and does not charge punters for making withdrawals. The best betting sites UK go even further by delivering fast payments without absurdly high minimum withdrawal amounts. This affords their customers more time to spend betting and less worrying about how or when to withdraw their winnings.
Best Betting Sites UK Have Excellent Customer Support
Customer support is paramount to a bookie’s business. The best UK betting sites have various customer support options, such as email, telephone and live chat, and they are available 24/7. This gives punters the freedom to reach out whenever they encounter any technical issues or want to enquire about certain promotions or events.
How to Register an Online Bookmaker Account
Registering an account at one of the top betting sites is extremely simple and can be done in a matter of minutes. First, the operator will require a full name, date of birth, telephone number and physical address. Once the account has been accepted, it can be topped up, and the punter can start placing their bets. However, often before a punter can deposit or withdraw funds, they much first verify their account.
For the account to be fully verified, punters must supply documentation proving their identity and physical address, such as a driving license and utility bill. It may take a day for the operator to assess the registration and all the details, but once they have approved the request, the account can be used with no restrictions.
How to Place Your First Bet
To place a bet, a punter must first find their selections and then add them to the bet slip. This is quite easy as the best betting sites in the UK use pop-up bet slips, which can be opened and minimised on any page. This also makes reviewing any bets very straightforward. At the bottom of the slip, there will be a Set Stake option, where punters enter how much they wish to bet and then confirm their stake. At the top, there will often be the option to switch between Singles and Multiples.
This basically means bettors can either place numerous single bets or place an accumulator bet. The best betting sites usually offer a third type of bet - called Combination or System. In this category, there will be bets such as doubles, trebles, fourfolds and so on. There may be system bets in which punters can bet on a certain number of their selections. For example, if they have 5 picks, they may be able to bet on 3 from the 5 or 4 from the 5 if their selections to come through. Some bookmakers will also offer multiple bets, such as Patent, Trixie, Yankee, Lucky 15, and so on.
What Does the Future Hold for Online Sports Betting?
The emergence of mobile betting has rocked the entire industry. Punters do not need to visit betting windows or kiosks to place their bets, nor do they need to have a computer to hand. The area where it has made the most impact is live betting. Live betting was still possible in the days before the internet or before mobile betting, but it required punters to watch the game at a bookmaker.
Nowadays, it has never been easier for punters to find and place live bets - or even cash out their open bets. This led to a massive increase in live betting markets. The best betting sites UK recognise the need to provide mobile access to their books, and most of them provide betting apps. This trend is only likely to increase in the future, especially as live streaming of events becomes more common.
FAQs
Which are the best betting sites?
The sites listed in this article are among the best betting sites in the UK. They have been shortlisted for their excellent interface, great sports coverage and exclusive promotions. Importantly, they all have excellent credentials when it comes to fairness and safety, ensuring that they can be enjoyed with peace of mind. Last but not least, these betting sites have premium customer support, so members can always reach out if they face any technical issues or have any questions regarding bonuses or promotions.
What makes a betting site the best?
The best betting sites always offer the most competitive odds and exhilarating promotions, and they are extremely easy to use. Promotions are meant to be exciting, and there is nothing better than when a sportsbook singles out big events and delivers unmissable offers on them. Convenience is paramount, as punters need to be able to make quick and safe deposits or withdrawals, and customer support should always be at the ready in case technical issues arise. Finally, it goes without saying that a respectable license is an absolute must.
How to find the best betting sites?
This list highlights our best betting sites in the UK; punters can check any of them out for more information. Picking a good betting site is not easy, and it is much better to shop around to see what is being offered at different operators before choosing one. It helps when the odds and promotions are good, but the payment options should rank just as high on the list of priorities. Ultimately, it is a very personal choice, and it is worth spending the time doing some research.
What are the best betting sites in the UK?
Our best betting sites in the UK are the ones that have the best offers and the most traffic. Big companies will attract more punters and can therefore lengthen their odds, beef up their promotions and offers, and throw in all sorts of extra treats to make punters want to bet there. The sites in this list all provide their own types of promotions and bonus offers, making any of them a viable option for sports punters.
Which UK betting sites offer the best odds?
Sites such as William Hill and Betfred have Guaranteed Best Odds certificates, and after looking through their betting markets, they definitely rank amongst the best betting sites. The odds across all sports are fairly similar at all the bookmakers in the list, but there may be some that offer boosted odds on certain events, whilst others do not. Odds can also change every day, so the best way to find the best odds is to look for reputable betting sites that attract the most action.
Are the best UK betting sites legal and safe?
The UK Gambling Commission regulates all the best betting sites in the UK. This guarantees that they are completely legal and safe to play at. The UK Gambling Commission has strict criteria that betting operators must fulfil in order to receive a license. This includes ensuring that the bookmaker has the funds to pay out winning bets, takes proper steps to protect customers’ privacy and money, and does not take advantage of those who may be at risk of gambling problems.
This article was brought to you by Amici IT and does not necessarily represent the views of The Herald
DISCLAIMER: Betting should be regarded solely as a form of entertainment. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling issue, there are a number of organisations, including BeGambleAware, GamStop, and GamCare, that offer a range of resources and support. Don't hesitate to reach out to any of these support groups for practical advice, both for those affected and for their loved ones who may also be impacted.
This article provides the latest information and is offered as an educational resource for those interested in online betting. Please be aware that any actions based on this content are solely at the reader's discretion. We accept no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies or mistakes.
Always bet responsibly. You must be 18+ years to bet on the online platforms mentioned in this article.
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