Best Betting Sites – UK  (Updated June 2018)

Online sports betting is one of the most popular pastimes in the UK. Each week, millions of players visit bookmakers to wager on their favourite sports and teams. However, with an ever-increasing number of online betting operators, deciding where to play can be challenging. That is why our team offers in-depth and unbiased betting sites reviews so that you, the players, can find the best platform for your needs without having to spend money and test it yourself.

Latest data strongly suggests that the most glorious chapter of the centuries-long history of sports betting is yet to be written.

Almost £10 billion was generated in wagers in 2016 alone, with nearly a third coming from online bets.

These statistics aren’t surprising. Ever since betting was legalised in the early 1960s, the UK betting scene has been expanding. Sometimes at a slower rate, at others with rapid temps, the relationship between bookmakers and pundits has been growing in strength at all times.

Betting is such an integral part of the UK culture that it didn’t need much help to remain one of the most popular recreational activities.

Nevertheless, it got it. As the age of internet technologies became an integral part of the homes and pockets of many, bookmakers and casinos alike were quick to embrace the change.

With the advent of modern technologies, the betting world entered a new phase. Placing wagers from the comfort of your home or on the go is becoming more common each year. Mobile-friendly apps, live bets, and numerous bonuses for betting online are just too useful to miss.

The best betting sites offer so many games and possibilities to gamble that having an app to filter things becomes a necessity. It is a handy extension, which enables you to place wagers at the right time, with the right odds.

After all, a mobile device can provide tons of outside information about the game at hand, helping you decide the right course of action.

Main Differences Between Online and Offline Betting

Using betting sites, on desktop or mobile devices, has some advantages over offline betting.

It is safe and quick. You can enjoy all the comforts of your home while increasing the thrill of the game.

HD TV? Surround sound? Friends? Comfy couch plus internet connection and you are there, enjoying quality time with quality people, in a quality atmosphere.

The highest-rated betting websites cover a staggering variety of games. With the power of digital technologies, they can be accessed instantly.

What, you don’t quite fancy the odds? Check online for comparison at a glance, find odds that suit you and merely browse to another of the betting sites UK has to offer.

If this isn’t enough, consider the no-deposit free bet possibilities, the welcome bonus, the deposit bonus and other dealmakers out there.

In fact, probably the most negative aspect of online betting hides in its awesomeness. If you are not a responsible gambler, all the advantages and the ease of access could be quite tricky.

This is the dark side of all the lucrative offers. They can suck you in too quickly, submerging you in a dispiriting sea of wasted time, squandered resources, and shattered inner peace.

New betting sites appear all the time, offering amazing free bets in an attempt to compete with the best online bookies, making it even harder to stop.

In case you think that sports betting might be having a negative influence on your life, consult the right people at GamCare and BigDeal. They have helped thousands of people and hundreds of online betting websites and casinos to clear up their act.

Another difficulty with the sports betting websites is to find the best and most reliable one. There are too many of them, and not many are exemplary in their dealings.

Best Betting Sites 2018

Based on the criteria listed below, we created a list of the top UK betting sites, where you can place wagers against favourable odds, garnished with some sweet bonuses.

Make sure to check our list frequently, as we are updating it regularly, as new UK sports betting websites earn their spot among the best.

1. Bet365

One of the most popular betting sites on the Web, Bet365 offers a wide range of different sports they can bet on, with an unmatched number of various in-play odds. Players can choose from a vast array of casino games, as well, from roulette and blackjack to arcade games. All these features and the user-friendly interface make Bet365 extremely popular with online players.

Pros:

• Unlimited withdrawal range
• 24/7 live chat support
• User-friendly mobile optimisation

Cons:

• Not available in some countries

2. SkyBet

Provided by the TV mastodon Sky, Sky Bet is a fast-growing online betting platform. Since such a large company supports it, SkyBet covers more sports than any other betting site in the UK. Also, their live betting games are based on comprehensive statistical data that’s provided in real time making SkyBet one of the best betting sites worldwide.

Pros:

• A large number of various in-play games in dozens of sports
• Continuous input of statistical data for live bets
• Bonuses for new users

Cons:

• GBP is the only accepted currency on the website
• Potential betting limits for some players

3. Paddy Power

When it comes to betting, UK players often rely on Paddy Power’s services. This betting website offers betting on as many sports as it gets, from football to horse racing. The broad scope of offers ensures a smooth betting experience for various betting enthusiasts. Players can follow the most popular games via the live stream section. However, this website lacks live statistical data, which is a significant drawback for live players. Still, new players are given bonuses for risk-free bets.

Pros:

• Secure and reliable betting service
• Dozens of sports and hundreds of in-play games
• Additional bonuses for new users

Cons:

• Poor graphical layout of the live stream section
• No live statistical data
• Potential betting restrictions for winning players

4. Betvictor

With the diversity of sports and markets they cover, Betvictor qualifies as one of the most resourceful betting sites out there. As for stats, they provide specials about teams, managers, players, and other detailed information. Also, in their “In Running Diary,” you can make live bets. This section is organised in a visually attractive and player-friendly way. For every market you choose, you’ll see a live scoreboard with the most important statistical data for the selected event.

Pros:

• A secure betting provider that will keep your money safe
• You can withdraw your winnings at any given moment
• A well-organised live section with a user-friendly interface

Cons:

• Customer support is somewhat difficult to locate

5. 888Sport

Supported by the renowned 888 brand, the 888Sport site is a relatively new star on the betting sky. Still, the variety of sports and markets they offer has already placed them high on the list of online betting sites. The live betting part is extremely well-organised, with a simply arranged score box, in which players are provided with the latest information from the event they’re betting on. The odds are being changed as events are progressing, which ensures enough options for various players.

Pros:

• A reliable bookmaker that keeps your money safe
• Numerous in-play options and continuously updated odds on live events
• Ample statistical data

Cons:

• No live streaming service

6. Betfred

A reliable betting service, Betfred provides dozens of sports you can bet on. Still, their additional options for each aren’t as broad as they are with larger bookies. However, their website offers a pleasant and comfortable betting experience, with in-depth promotions in football, dog races and horse racing. Due to their promo offers, Betfred is considered to be one of the best betting sites for football. As for the live betting section, Betfred should make an effort to improve this part if they want to join their larger betting rivals. Apart from the event, nothing else is displayed in this part. While the odds are being updated throughout the game, you’ll have to use another betting platform for live data.

Pros:

• A fully licensed, reliable online book
• Attractive promotions for football, as well as horse and dog racing
• £30 bonus on a £10 bet for new players

Cons:

• Lack of live betting statistical data and live streaming

7. Ladbrokes

A household name of betting in the UK, Ladbrokes cover all the major and minor sports you can think of. Also, they offer markets for elections, TV-shows, and any other betting market that might cross your mind. For all the events available on Ladbrokes players can bet on any details they want. So, when you open the live betting section and choose an event, you’ll immediately get all the critical data about the match, plus live streaming. Also, the odds are changing at a fast pace, so players have to decide and bet quickly.

Pros:

• High reputation and tradition that guarantee safe betting
• Distinguished live betting section and live streaming
• Hundreds of markets in dozens of sports and other events

Cons:

• Relatively poor regular promotions

8. William Hill

One of the most famous betting brands both in the UK and globally, William Hill gives its players a chance to bet on a wide diversity of sporting events. The website is organised simply which means navigating it is more than smooth. This is a crucial feature for players who like to make live bets on a variety of games. What’s more, the live betting section is continuously being enriched with live data stats. To top it all off, you can watch live streams without making a bet. The only exception is racing, where you need to place a minimum £1 bet to watch races live.

Pros:

• Fast and straightforward withdrawals from numerous platforms
• Secure website with a long tradition
• An all-inclusive webpage with live stats, streaming, and real-time odds
• Omnipresent in betting sites reviews

Cons:

• Conservative promotions and odds

9. Stan James

Stan James makes it possible for its players to bet on dozens of different sports and other events, such as politics or TV-contests. Since Stan James doesn’t belong to the group of most prominent companies in the betting industry, they are obliged to offer a great variety of different events. As for live betting, they fall behind larger bookies, mostly because they don’t provide live data stats about sporting events. What you get on your screen are the score and odds. Still, Stan James is one of those online betting sites which provide live streaming for their players, which partly makes up for the lack of more detailed stats and graphical data.

Pros:

• Reliable betting service that supports a fair range of withdrawals
• A large number of different sports and events
• Live streaming

Cons:

• No live statistical data and graphical display

10. Totesport

A bookie with a long tradition in the UK, Totesport offers only the basic sports. While this can meet up with the expectations of an average player, more demanding bettors will find these offers sparse. As far as sports are concerned, some basic promotions are included in the offer, which will satisfy betting beginners. Also, you can play a fair number of card and arcade games on the Totesport website. The in-play part provides the players only with essential data, such as the score and odds. There’s no live statistical feed, nor live streaming services.

Pros:

• A licensed, secure bookie
• Basic betting offers of sports and markets
• A fair number of cards games and arcades

Cons:

• No live statistical data feed
• Lack of live streaming
• A small number of betting promotions

11. 188Bet

The next website is one of the less prominent names in the online betting environment, but its place on our top UK betting sites list shouldn’t be disputed. 188Bet provides betting options for most mainstream sports, as well as for some more obscure ones, like darts or pools. The great thing about this bookie is that they offer in-depth options for their sports. The in-play section gives a significant amount of live statistical data and displays them in a well-organised way. Also, the odds are regularly updated for live betting, which puts 188Bet next to the ‘big guns’ in the betting industry.

Pros:

• Thorough betting coverage of the most popular sports
• Simple money withdrawals
• Well-organized and regularly updated live section

Cons:

• Live streaming isn’t provided on the site

12. Boylesports

This bookmaker offers betting on a variety of sports and includes a significant number of markets for these options. The visual display of events is a bit modest so you can only see the score and odds. While you can bet on some details, like which team is going to get a yellow card next, the entire in-play experience on Boylesports doesn’t live up to the expectations of demanding players. Also, live streaming is provided only for horse racing. Still, the overall gambling experience allows us to place Boylesports on our top UK betting sites list.

Pros:

• A fully licensed bookie that keeps your money safe
• Fair betting options for mainstream sports
• Special offers for political events and award contests

Cons:

• Live streaming isn’t provided
• Basic visual display for in-play options

13. Betfair

Betfair has arguably the most comprehensive range of betting options on the market. This website is one of the most popular bettings sites – free bets (no deposit required) being one of the main reasons for their unmatched popularity. On top of that, they offer more than 20 sports, with many detailed options for each of them. Their in-play section contains hundreds of different markets for every betting taste. It’s regularly populated with newest data and odds about live events so that players can make a vast array of different bets. Betfair also offers one of the most extensive live streaming services. All registered members have free access to these streams. The only exception is horse racing, where you need to make at least a £2 bet on the race you’d like to watch.

Pros:

• A secure and licensed bookie that ensures smooth money withdrawals
• An ample number of sports and markets
• Great live betting and streaming options

Cons:

• Charging the 1.5% processing fee

14. Coral

Players who decide to try their luck with Coral can count on a plethora of different options for numerous sports. Also, you can make bets on entertainment contests, political events, etc.

The graphical solution of the in-play section has recently been redone, so now players get a substantial amount of data about live matches. The odds are continuously being changed as the game unfolds. As for live streaming, Coral has a limited number of live events for now. Ultimately, when it comes to betting sites, best offers and deals are often found at Coral.

Pros:

• A trustworthy betting service that ensures smooth money withdrawals
• Numerous sporting events and detailed betting options
• Recently redesigned, modern live section

Cons:

• A bit confusing navigation on the website

15. Unibet

A mid-sized online bookmaker, Unibet offers their players mainstream sporting events. Also, they provide them with some atypical betting options, such as making bets on martial arts events, winter sports and even water polo. They make special deals for specific events, like World Cups and the Olympics. The in-play part of the Unibet website provides a substantial amount of statistical information. Also, players are fed continuously with updated odds. Unibet allows all their registered players to watch events live via their live streaming service. When you examine their live betting section, you can’t avoid placing them on the list of betting sites with best odds.

Pros:

• A reliable bookie that ensures a secure betting environment
• Dozens of mainstream and less known sports
• Live streaming and detailed stats about live events

Cons:

• Limiting some winning players and closing their accounts

16. Betway

A well-known name in the world of betting, Betway covers all of the most popular sports. Apart from that, there’s a wide range of casino and card games. Their live betting offer includes a large variety of different markets, with regularly altered odds. Still, Betway is far from the betting sites with best odds, and there’s no live streaming on their website. As for the money transfer, this online bookie supports instant withdrawals to and from any common payment solution, but there can be some delays in case of direct bank transfers.

Pros:

• A reliable betting service with top-notch customer support
• Simple and fast money withdrawals
• A fair amount of sports for live betting, and substantial promotions

Cons:

• No live streaming on the website
• Somewhat conservative betting odds

17. NetBet

A large number of sports and player-friendly navigation are two most significant advantages of the NetBet website. It’s designed in a visually attractive way that helps players find information and place their bets. They cover a wide range of sports, as well as in-play options, which are also optimised for gadgets. So, you can use their website equally successfully on your computer and tablet. This bookie supports all the primary payment options, which makes the deposit and withdrawal process fast and smooth.

Pros:

• Simple and user-friendly navigation with attractive design
• Simple payment procedures
• A large number of sports and live betting options

Cons:

• Less known for wider audience

18. Blacktype.bet

A growing name of the UK betting industry, Blacktype.bet provides betting on dozens of different sports, as well as a large number of options and markets for each of them. Their website is neat, well-organised, and intuitive so that players can easily find what they’re looking for and make their bets. The live betting section on Blacktype.net offers various in-play solutions for multiple sorts of players, from amateurs to high-stake daredevils. Also, there’s fair statistical coverage of the live markets.

Pros:

• A meticulously organised betting site with many options for different players
• A fair number of in-play markets
• Fast and secure money deposits and withdrawals

Cons:

• Customer support not on the level of best betting sites

19. SportNation

With more than 20 sports that you can bet on, SportNation is an excellent choice for every versatile online bettor. They will give each new player a 50% bonus of the initial sum they deposit to their account. The minimum amount for this deposit is £20. So, if you pay that sum to your account, SportNation will give you a £10 bonus. Main statistical data is provided in the in-play section, but live streaming isn’t available. This bookie accepts all mainstream payment methods.

Pros:

• A smoothly organised website optimised for various devices
• A fair welcome bonus
• Many sports and markets you can bet on, together with live stats

Cons:

• There’s no live streaming service

20. Mansion Bet

A betting name that’s doing great in their effort to join top-level UK bookies. On their path to get there, they cover a substantial number of sports. Also, they offer some unique features, like Your Bet, which allows mobile users to add particular markets to football bets. The in-play area of Mansion Bet is well-organised, with tempting odds and attractive offers. Moreover, their great offer makes them one of the best football betting sites. As for payments, Mansion Bet goes by the book, and they pride themselves in their security measures. However, they might be too cautious, since they accept only MasterCard and Visa.

Pros:

• A functional website that ensures a smooth betting experience
• A large number of sports and events
• Top-notch security features that make players feel safe here

Cons:

• The live betting section does not contain live streaming

21. BetBright

A fast-growing betting company, BetBright is making an effort to reach the top betting sites by offering ample bonuses and excellent customer support. For each £10 deposit, you’ll get another £20 for the sportsbook betting section on this website. Also, they have a mobile app that makes it easier to bet on live events. Still, the app needs some updates, to be even more practical for live betting. You can count on live streaming and statistical data about the events in progress on this website.

Pros:

• Many sports offered in the sportsbook, with various promotions
• Live streaming and real-time stats for events
• A practical mobile app

Cons:

• A restricted number of payment solutions

22. Bwin

A renowned betting name for over a century, Bwin stands the test of time successfully and offers a variety of sports – more than 30, to be more precise. However, their football offer is so great that they can be found on an occasional football betting sites list. For each sport, you can choose from hundreds of different odds and markets. All these features qualify Bwin as one of the most impressive online bookies. Also, their in-play section is continuously populated with live statistical data, plus they provide live streaming, as well. Finally, they accept all mainstream payment options.

Pros:

• A long tradition that guarantees fair betting and timely payments
• Comprehensive coverage of numerous sports events and markets
• An original and user-friendly mobile app

Cons:

• Promotions could be a bit more generous

23. 10Bet

10Bet stands close to the biggest names of the trade and can’t be neglected when talking about top UK betting sites. Their website is intuitive, so you can easily find something for your betting preferences. More than 30 sports and markets are available for all players, as well as a registration bonus – 50% of the deposit paid upon registration. As for live betting on 10Bet, you can count on a pleasant interface, both on the site and mobile app. They provide live streaming, as well, which requires a £1 wager. A variety of payment options also puts 10Bet high on the list of best betting services.

Pros:

• A visually appealing website and mobile app
• Numerous payment options
• Live streaming

Cons:

• Withdrawals not fully compatible with Bitcoin

24. Sun Bet

With more than 20 sports and a flat-rate £10 bonus, Sun Bet is a reasonable option for betting beginners or low-intensity players. Since there’s no live streaming at this website, Sun Bet makes up for it with the substantial amount of statistical data about live events. There’s a mobile app, but, for now, the website provides a more pleasant user experience. The payment methods accepted by this bookie are only Visa, Visa Electron, and MasterCard. Taking all of its aspects into consideration, Sun Bet made our best betting sites list by a narrow margin.

Pros:

• A large number of sports with regular markets and special offers
• Live statistical coverage of events
• A mobile app

Cons:

• A limited number of payment options
• Non-existing live streaming services

25. Guts

To conclude our UK betting sites list, we want to introduce you to Guts. With 25 sports and dozens of betting options for each of them, Guts is making its name as one of the most positive surprises in the betting niche. They provide their players with a considerable amount of statistical data, which help bettors make the right betting estimates. The list of payment solutions covers all the basic providers, which is another plus for this bookie. There’s a bonus, too, but only as a £10 refund for your first lost bet.

Pros:

• Most popular sports and interesting offers for them
• Live betting odds and statistical data
• Many payment options

Cons:

• Withdrawal fees
• Live streaming services aren’t provided

How We Evaluate The Best Betting Sites UK

With the constant expansion of the UK gambling sites list, one needs some serious research and appropriate guidance to find the best online sportsbooks.

We follow a rigorously detailed evaluation process to find and rank the most reliable betting outlets. We want to become the best punters’ resource to help bettors gain a deeper understanding of the markets and to play with the best odds on any given day.

First, we check the credibility of all new betting sites; UK Gambling Commission licenses them. Their license information and event history are sifted through before we move on to see what betting options they provide.

This check goes hand-in-hand with tests of the ease of use and the odds they provide. We are particularly keen to see how the bet sites behave on mobile devices.

Of course, the bonuses and offers play a vital role in the evaluation process.

After placing a few bets and earning some cash, we submit a withdrawal request. In turn, while processing the payment, we can judge the support team of the betting site.

Lastly, we examine the security procedures before deciding whether the site under scrutiny deserves to be mentioned alongside the best betting sites.

Review criteria:

• Credibility
• Betting options
• Odds
• Ease of use
• Mobile support
• Bonuses and betting offers
• Withdrawals and deposits
• Support
• Security

Credibility

It is easy to bet at established betting websites, but the scene is continually changing, and new sites are emerging all the time.

It is our job to be vigilant enough not to miss the new best online betting sites when they emerge, but we also must warn against sites with bad odds and infamous business practices.

Checking licenses and digging into the site’s history helps us gauge what we are dealing with, before opening an account and proceeding with the other evaluation criteria.

Betting options

Naturally, the number and type of games covered is an essential factor in our evaluation. The more – the better, especially if the coverage is excellent.

We examine thoroughly the types of betting available, because not all UK betting sites cover the full gamma. Singles, doubles, and trebles are quite common; horse racing odds usually can be played with Each Way bets, but Yankee and Super Yankee are not as typical as one might think.

Heinz and Super Heinz are reserved for betting connoisseurs with an unmatched understanding of the odds and strategic betting.

These and many other types of bets are particularly thrilling during live events. Good coverage, maybe a live stream, the number and type of bets offered in-play really add to the quality of any betting site.

Odds and Tips

Who offers the best football betting odds?

Who can calculate fair horse racing odds?

We are checking non-stop which bookmaker gives the best winning margin on any given day. Additionally, we also keep records of the trends so that we can determine stuff like best betting sites for football and which horse racing betting site you should go to.

Data from greyhound odds, cricket betting odds, motorsports, tennis and a plethora of other sports is collected and compared to form a meaningful and reliable picture.

Not only that. Occasionally, we have experts providing tips and analyses for upcoming events. Pundits who suggest the best greyhound betting site or argue who will win the FA Cup, while Lewis Hamilton is battling it out in Monte Carlo.

Who is a dark horse at the US Open?

Who will win the West Indies?

Stay awhile and listen.

BettingSites.me.uk has all the answers!

Bonuses and Betting Offers

The best betting site offers can be very tempting, indeed. Some provide a fantastic welcome gift with free bets / no initial deposit offer.

Others have come up with the enhanced odds scheme, which usually returns a hefty profit in the form of additional free bets.

While sign-up bonuses rarely change, running offers and promotions are something to look forward to at all times.

We find the best-matched bets, free bets, no deposit bonuses and generally all betting sites offers out there.

When you see betting websites with mesmerising free bets, no deposit bonus offers, you should always check the terms attached to those tempting offers.

Unless you’re a frequent visitor at BettingSites.me.uk, that is, because we check all betting site offers for you.

Ease of Use

Fast, informative, interactive, and easy to navigate – these are the things we value in any website and even more so in sites for online betting.

Creating a good betting page is very difficult due to the sheer amount of information that has to be displayed. There are weekends when hundreds of events are taking place, with hundreds of betting possibilities for each one of them.

Functional betting sites should give you all the means to sort through this jungle of betting possibilities and find the events you want effortlessly.

Besides the site functionality, we also examine the user control panel. How easy it is to find information, change your profile details, insert a new payment method, get in touch with the support team, etc.

Mobile Support

Fully responsive web design is a must for any website, let alone the top betting sites.

Mobile internet usage is growing with exponential temps, and most online bookies in the UK are catching up nicely. Still, some can use additional optimisation.

In any case, sports betting websites with fast and functional mobile pages are rated higher.

Withdrawals and Deposits

Many betting review sites reverse the order, commenting the deposit methods first. The truth is that the deposits, in general, happen with minimum hassle, as without them no betting can take place.

Withdrawals, on the other hand, often are regulated with specific conditions and require some form of identity verification.

Additionally, the methods available for withdrawal usually are much fewer than those for depositing money.

For these reasons, we put a bit extra emphasis on the smooth withdrawal process.

Support

A friendly and helpful support team is a massive plus for any online business and consequently a must for top betting sites. It has even higher value for an establishment, which deals with thousands of people on a daily basis and handles their money and personal information.

The level of customer support contributes significantly to the final verdict.

Security

Plain and simple, security is crucial.

Personal data and payment details are easily the most sensitive type of data exchanged online.

How personal information is stored and handled is of utmost importance for all online businesses dealing with customers. Betting sites, new and old, have to demonstrate the will and ability to keep all personal data safe and used only for betting and everything it entails.

Transactions are another thing that has to be handled with care. After all, betting is all about money changing owners.

We check the terms of service and the examine the security practices of best betting sites in the United Kingdom. We also dig for information to see if there have been security breaches and mishandling of sensitive data.

Conclusion

The search for the best UK sports betting site is ongoing.

Established bookmakers compete fiercely to stay on top, while the proverbial block sees a constant stream of new kids, who are trying to find their spot under the sun.

Here, at BettingSites.me.uk, you can always find reliable information and thorough evaluation of all major and emerging players, competing at the dynamic UK betting scene.

We are present you betting sites with best offers, odds and the most insightful customer support. We do our best to create the most comprehensive overview of everything related to betting and sports in the UK.

FAQ

Q: What are matched bets?

A: Matched betting is a way of making a guaranteed profit, utilising the free bets many bookmakers offer.

Q: What is Profit Accumulator?

A: A matched bets service.

Q: What are the major types of betting?

A: Single is the most basic type of bet: select one event, bet on its outcome, collect the profit if you guess correctly. Accumulator relies on some selections to be victorious. Double and triple accumulators bet on two or three choices, hoping all of them to be successful.

Q: What is tipping?

A: Tipping is providing and receiving inside information (unavailable to the bookies when they prepare the odds) about the outcome of a betting event. There are professional tipping services and many with higher entertainment value. The real value of tipping can be determined only through gambling on online betting sites.

Q: What are odds?

A: Betting odds are the bookmakers’ estimate about the likelihood a particular outcome to occur. Based on the odds, you can calculate your potential earning. With good betting tips, your odds of winning increase.

Q: Why is it essential to bet in UK licensed betting websites?

A: Betting sites licensed to operate within the UK ensure extra protection of the bettor’s rights