Best Betting Sites in the UK 2023 – Compare the Best Today

Sports betting has a lengthy history in the UK, and – right now – it’s more popular than it ever has been before. Unsurprisingly, a huge industry has sprung up around this pastime. For bettors in the UK, this has resulted in an unseen quality and quantity of betting sites. 

In this article, we’re going to tell you absolutely everything you need to know about betting sites in the UK. We’ll list your best options, tell you the sports you can bet on, cover the special offers you can claim, and a whole lot more besides. 

Offers on the Top New Betting Sites for Wednesday

All major betting sites in the UK will have at least one welcome offer. While ongoing promotions are certainly useful, it’s these deals which provide the biggest rewards of all. Below, you can see how our 10 best betting sites stack up in their offers for new customers. 

How We Rate and Rank UK Betting Sites and Online Bookmakers 

As noted in our introduction, the range of betting sites in the UK right now is simply enormous. We’ve combed through all of these options to bring you our definitive list of recommended brands, with these being some of the key criteria we used to do so.

• Betting Options

For our purposes, this was a pretty clear case of ‘the more, the better’. After all, the more sports a bookie covers, the more likely they are to appeal to the widest possible range of bettors. Not only that, but – when a punter does sign up – the chances of them being entertained for the long haul are much higher. Betfred does a particularly admirable job here, with a market selection which is second to none. 

• Player Safety

Unsurprisingly, this is one of our biggest concerns when evaluating any betting sites. After all, when punters’ personal information and money are both on the line, they want to feel reassured that both are being protected. To that end, we look at both the security measures which each brand puts in place, and the licenses they possess with regulatory bodies like the UKGC. Virgin Bet, despite being a relatively young brand, has clearly made player safety a major priority. 

• Usability

We’re firm believers that the best betting sites should be intuitive and easy to use from the very first time you log on. That should be true for both betting rookies and veterans alike. Key to this is a skilfully-arranged user interface, but we also value loading speeds and overall stability extremely highly. SpreadEx ranked extremely highly in each of these areas. 

• Mobile Features

For many modern-day punters, ‘on-the-go’ has become their preferred way in which to bet. As such, we’ve also made the quality of mobile features a major priority in our evaluation of old and new betting sites. Specifically, we’ve given boosts to those with downloadable, high quality mobile apps, although an excellent mobile site can be an able substitute. If you are indeed looking for a mobile app though, 888sport has one of the best around.   

• Brand Reputation

Our opinions in these rankings of the best betting sites have been heavily based on our own experiences. That said, we’ve also taken the time to research each brand’s wider reputation, among both critics and users. This has helped alert us to any issues we might have missed, and discover any benefits we might have overlooked. BoyleSports not only boasts a lengthy track record, but also enjoys a sky-high reputation online. 

Best Betting Sites in the UK Reviewed

At the top of this page, you can already see the 15 betting sites which have distinguished themselves from the crowd. Even in this exalted company though, 10 brands managed to separate themselves, and you can learn the reasons why below. 

1. Betfred – #1 Among Current Betting Sites in the UK (Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets)

Betfred is easily one of the most prestigious betting sites in the UK, and is an unsurprising pick as our number one option. Between its wealth of experience, reputation, and the sheer quality of its platforms, Betfred simply ticks every box imaginable. 

Technically, Betfred’s range of betting markets isn’t the widest, but – in reality – all the major bases are covered. These are housed within a faultlessly user-friendly interface, and – if you do encounter any problems – the customer service is top notch. There are plenty of ongoing promotions to deliver additional value, particularly for horse racing and football, and the mobile apps are also fantastic.

2. 888sport – Fantastic Live Streaming Selection (Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets)

Betfred might be comfortably lodged as the top dog in our betting sites in the UK ranking, but 888sport isn’t actually too far behind. This brand also possesses a lengthy track record, an excellent reputation, and plenty of exciting special features. 

Naturally all the major sports are available to bet on here, and 888sport provides specific special offers for the likes of football, horse racing, and tennis. Pleasingly, you can also watch live streaming from all these sports and more. As with Betfred, the mobile apps also deserve a special mention here, being faultlessly user-friendly, reliable, and fast. 

3. BoyleSports – One of the Most Highly-Respected Betting Sites Around (Bet £10, Get £10)

Paddy Power might be more famous among British betting sites, but BoyleSports is actually the longest-running sportsbook in Ireland, and remains its biggest independent bookie. Despite this lengthy track record though, BoyleSports has done a great job of moving with the times. 

Nowadays, this manifests itself in a pair of highly modern and usable mobile apps, and a desktop interface which – while it doesn’t look the most attractive – is extremely intuitive. In addition to an excellent range of betting markets, BoyleSports also boasts several horse racing-specific promotions, plus an ‘Acca Loyalty’ offer which dishes out free bets each week.

4. Virgin Bet – Get Free Bets Each and Every Week (Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets)

Virgin Bet was actually only launched in 2019, making it one of the youngest new betting sites on this list. Being a part of the famous Virgin brand, however, automatically gives it plenty of credence, as does the fact that it was created by industry veterans Gamesys. 

Virgin Bet provides you with plenty of sports and bet types, all housed within a sleek, clean interface, with its eSports subsection being particularly strong. Like BoyleSports, Virgin Bet gives you a chance to get a free bet each week thanks to its Weekly Acca promotion, and the free-to-play Fives game has proved popular for a long time now. 

5. QuinnBet – Arguably the Best Horse Racing Betting Site Around (50% Back Welcome Offer)

To call QuinnBet a one-sport bookie would be unfair. Like all the best betting sites in the UK on this list, it provides a nice mixture of big-time and lesser-known markets. With that being said, QuinnBet’s focus is clear from the first time you log on – horse racing. 

While not the most famous brand we’ve recommended, QuinnBet might be the best when it comes to the ‘sport of kings’. Its coverage is exceptional, including not just courses in the UK and Ireland, but in France, Japan, and elsewhere around the world too. There’s also a whole range of special horse racing-related offers, including Extra Places, and several which give you free bets. 

6. Fitzdares – The Classiest Betting Site on Our List (Bet £30, Get £30 Free Bet)

When a brand markets itself as ‘The world’s finest bookmaker’ on its home page, you can guess that they’re pretty confident in their product. Even on the busy sportsbook scene, Fitzdares truly does manage to offer something very different to all the other new betting sites out there. 

Across the entire platform here, you can see a clear emphasis on quality. Visually, both the site and mobile apps look classy, and high quality customer service is a major priority. Fitzdares has linked with upper-market brands for some of its welcome offers, and even provides users with the ‘Fitzdares Times’, which is an extremely impressive newsletter. Horse racing is a clear priority here, with tennis close behind, and live streaming is available for both. 

7. The Pools – Excellent Pool Betting Specialist (Bet £10, Get a £5 Free Bet)

One of the main things we’ve tried to do, in putting together this list of the best betting sites in the UK, is give you a broad range of options. And, when we come to The Pools, we once again find an extremely unusual proposition. 

The Pools – as its name suggests – is heavily focused on pool betting, in which you put your stakes together with other bettors, and share any rewards. There are plenty of pools available here, covering different sports and stake amounts, with buy-ins starting as low as £1. If you ever want to switch things up, there’s also a regular sportsbook section complete with around 20 different sports, odds boosts, and more.

8. 10Bet – Incredibly Well-Rounded Sportsbook (50% First Deposit Match, Up to £50)

10Bet might be lesser-known than a few of the other online bookmakers on this list, but you certainly shouldn’t let this put you off. This is actually a highly-successful sportsbook, with a reported one millions-plus users on the books, and certainly has an established track record, having been around since 2003. 

In its current iteration, 10Bet provides you with almost everything you could ask for from a modern-day sportsbook. The interface is highly streamlined and incredibly easy to use, and looks fantastic. 24/7 support is available, via live chat and phone, and there’s an excellent virtual sports section too. Add in free bet and money back offers, and there’s a whole lot to like here. 

9. SpreadEx – Best Option for Fans of Spread Betting (Bet £25, Get £35 in Free Bets)

In SpreadEx, we find yet another brand which distinguishes itself completely from the other best betting sites in the UK on this list. While it does provide an entire fixed odds sportsbook, similarly to what you’d typically find, it’s the spread betting features which truly separate this bookie. 

For the uninitiated, spread betting offers a fascinating alternative to fixed odds gambling. It allows you to bet on a range of outcomes, with your returns varying depending on the extent to which you’re correct. SpreadEx provides these markets for a wide range of spots, including football and cricket, and you can place spread bets pre-match or in-play. Live streaming is also available for horse racing, tennis, and more. 

10. FansBet – Fantastic Range of Free Bet Offers (200% Bonus, Up to £200)

FansBet was launched in 2017, making it one of the younger brands on this list. It’s achieved impressive things in a relatively short amount of time, however, and has done so – as its name suggests – by putting fans at the forefront of its focus. 

FansBet does a great job of covering all the major bases which a modern sportsbook should. The odds are highly competitive, and you can wager on a great mix of larger and smaller markets. Regular odds boosts are available, as are a solid range of payment methods, and the customer service is responsive, friendly, and helpful. Best of all, FansBet provides you with one of the widest selections of free bet offers around.

How to Choose the Right Sportsbook

One of the biggest challenges, when you’re looking to create a new betting account, is actually narrowing down your options. There are so many great old and new betting sites out there, after all, that it can almost be intimidating. 

We’ve already identified your best choices, courtesy of our top 15 list. In order to narrow these down further, and find the perfect bookie for your needs, here are five key criteria to consider. 

Market Selection

Our evaluations of the market selections on the best betting sites in the UK favour sheer volume. In your case though, you’ll want to be more specific. Begin by identifying not only the sports you want to bet on, but the specific competitions you’re interested in. Then, check that the bookie you’re considering stacks up well in each of these areas. 

Bet Types

If you only stick to the most basic bet types, like Match Result, then you’re limiting your options massively. Mixing in other wagers not only helps to keep things fresh, but also gives you a more balanced risk/reward ratio. Go back into those sports you’re interested in, and check that the bookie provides a nice, varied range of bet types to choose from. These will preferably be available both in-play and pre-match. 

Betting Odds

The sheer quality of betting odds is one factor which is often overlooked. This is a mistake which bettors make at their peril, and we’d advise you not to follow suit, since unfair odds will always limit your potential returns. Instead, take the time to take a few odds on the sports you’re interested in, compare them to the prices being offered by other betting sites, and check for yourself that they’re competitive. 

Payment Methods

For your specific needs, it doesn’t really matter how many payment methods online bookmakers offer. The most important thing is that they provide at least one or two options which you’re actually interested in using, and this is something which must be checked in advance. Also be sure to research the withdrawal times typical of that brand, and whether or not they impose any transaction fees. 

Special Features

Special features aren’t just there to tempt in new punters – they can genuinely enrich your betting experience. As such, you should absolutely identify any tools which you think could boost either your profits or enjoyment, and check they’re in place on the online bookmakers you’re considering. Live streaming, for example, can allow you to identify in-play opportunities, while a responsive cash out tool can help you lock in early profits, or bail on a bet going badly. 

Best Betting Sites Compared

We’ve already brought you our list of the 15 best betting sites in the UK right now, and explained some of our reasoning behind these choices. Now though, it’s high time to see how all of these betting sites stack up in several of the most important areas. 

Top 10 Betting Sites by Category

To a large extent, all of our recommended betting sites qualify as all-rounders. That said, each of them still manages to excel in its own specific ways. Below, we’ve listed your top choices for 10 of the most important areas of all. 

Online Sports Betting Apps

The development of mobile technology has revolutionised sports betting, in a way not seen since brick-and-mortar brands started opening their first online sportsbooks. Nowadays, most of the top betting sites feature their own downloadable mobile apps, which allow you to wager whenever and wherever you please. 

The quality of these apps tends to be sky-high, with user-friendly interfaces, and minimal crashes. All of the same special features and betting markets are typically carried over, and some brands even release mobile-specific betting sites offers. 

If on-the-go gambling is a priority for you, check out the five very best mobile betting sites below. 

Top 5 Online Sports Betting Apps:

• Betfred – Best All-Round Betting App

• 888sport – Incredibly User-Friendly App

• BoyleSports – Great Selection of Offers for Mobile Users

• 10Bet – Speedy and Reliable App

• Virgin Bet – App is Packed with Special Features

Betting Bonus Types Available at Online Sportsbooks

Betting sites offers aren’t just put in place to entice new customers. When used smartly, they can provide a whole lot of value for punters. That’s true whether they’re one-off welcome offers, or repeatable ongoing promotions. 

Below, we’ve outlined the three most common types of rewards these deals will give you. 

Free Bets

This is the most common bonus type among British betting sites. The vast majority of online bookies give them out as part of their welcome offers, and many will also provide ongoing promotions – such as Acca Insurance or Free Bet Clubs – which dish out these rewards consistently. 

Functionally, free bets are digital tokens – of a certain value – which are used instead of your account balance. In fact, the only real difference between these and cash is that free bets have an expiry date, and the stakes will not be returned with any winnings. 

Cashback Deals

Arguably the only thing better than getting free bets from betting sites, is getting straight-up cash instead. This won’t come with any stipulations whatsoever, and can simply be invested into your sports betting, or withdrawn from your account balance. 

These deals come in a few different forms, but the most common is probably the ‘Rebate’ offer. This covers your losses over a certain period (usually a week), up to a maximum amount, with that rebate coming in the form of cash. 

Odds Boosts

All of our top betting sites provide odds boost in one form or another. Again, the specifics might change from bookie to bookie. The common theme, however, is that these deals artificially inflate your odds, and – therefore – your potential winnings. 

The main difference in odds boost deals is the amount of agency given to the player. Most sites will boost markets that they’ve chosen, which will usually be multiples bets. Some, though, will give you regular boosts which you can use however you please. 

Top Football Betting Sites for 2022

Football is the dominant betting market in the UK, by a distance. As such, it’s no surprise to see that it’s prioritised by the vast majority of betting sites. 

Football sections nowadays tend to be absolutely enormous. It’s not just the main European competitions which will be covered, but domestic, continental, and international action – of various age groups – from all around the world. 

Not only that, but football offers you an unparalleled range of bet types. A typical Premier League game will provide you with over 100 betting opportunities pre-match, and the in-play options tend to be impressive too. 

Due to its overwhelming popularity, football enjoys universal coverage among modern betting sites. That said, the trio listed below manage to establish themselves among the very best football betting sites around. 

Top 3 Football Betting Sites:

• Betfred – Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
• 10Bet – 200% Bonus, Up to £200
• FansBet – 200% Bonus, Up to £200

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

Football might be the biggest online betting market, but horse racing is a clear number two. Again, therefore, you won’t be surprised to learn that it’s very well-covered, with all 15 of our recommended betting sites having horse racing sections. 

At a minimum, these should cover all races across the UK and Ireland, and many branch out much further afield. You won’t find nearly as many bet types available, with many brands limiting you to Race Winner and Each Ways. That said, horse racing does tend to get more betting sites offers than football, with the likes of Best Odds Guaranteed, 2nd to SP Favourite, and Extra Places all extremely common. 

Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Sites:

• QuinnBet – 50% Back Welcome Offer

• Fitzdares – Bet £30, Get £30 Free Bet

• Betfred – Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets

New E-gaming and Dota 2 Betting Sites

eSports is easily one of the fastest-growing betting markets, and very few online bookies overlook it nowadays. Indeed, we’re pleased to say that none of our 15 recommended betting sites make this mistake. 

eSports sections tend to be dominated by a few massive titles. Dota 2 leads the way, with LoL and CS:GO not far behind, but the likes of Rainbow Six, FIFA, and Rocket League are all well-covered too. Our chosen betting sites also tend to provide you with a nice variety of pre-match and in-play markets, and many will also provide live streaming free of charge, usually via Twitch integration. 

Top 3 eSports Betting Sites:

• VirginBet – Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets

• FansBet – 200% Bonus, Up to £200

• BetStorm – Bet £10, Get a £10 Free Bet

Best Live Betting Sites in the UK

The rise of in-play has been another revolutionary development in online gambling. What started as a ‘special feature’ has now basically become a ‘must-have’, and – once again – all of our recommended betting sites do indeed provide live betting sections. 

In terms of the sports covered, there tends to be little drop-off here compared to pre-match. You will find fewer bet types, simply due to the nature of in-play betting, but this is balanced out by the increased information you have to inform your picks. In general, live betting provides a trickier alternative to pre-match wagering, since it’s much faster. Seize an opportunity when it presents itself though, and you stand to make a very nice profit indeed. 

Top 3 Live Betting Sites:

• 888sport – Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets

• Betfred – Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets

• 10Bet – 50% First Deposit Match, Up to £50

Top Betting Sites with Cash Out in 2022

Of course, the placement of live bets is only one half of the equation. Modern-day betting sites will invariably provide you with a cash out tool too. 

If you simply want to place your wager and leave it to play out, you’re perfectly welcome to do so. It can be both more rewarding and more exciting, however, to monitor it while it’s in-play, and keep your eye on the cash out option. After all, a well-timed cash out can alternately help you to lock in early profit, or bail on a bet that’s going sideways. 

While cash out tools are universally available nowadays, their actual quality can vary significantly. The three brands listed below, though, usually respond swiftly to your cash out requests, and offer you a fair price for your bet. 

Top 3 Cash Out Betting Sites:

• Betfred – Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
• FansBet – 200% Bonus, Up to £200
• SpreadEx – Bet £25, Get £35 in Free Bets

Betting Sites with Live Streaming

Live streaming is undoubtedly one of the most exciting special features which modern-day betting sites present. Watching matchups play out in real-time isn’t just enjoyable, but can also seriously help your betting success. After all, when it comes to spotting in-play opportunities, there’s no substitute for watching a game with your own two eyes. 

Several key factors separate the best live streaming betting sites from the rest, including sport coverage, competition coverage, and stream quality. The three sites below excel in each of these areas, and let you watch the action unfold on either your desktop or mobile device. 

Top 3 Best Betting Sites in the UK for Live Streaming:

• 888sport – Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
• SpreadEx – Bet £25, Get £35 in Free Bets
• Fitzdares – Bet £30, Get £30 Free Bet

Popular Sports You Can Bet on in 2023

Head to any of our best betting sites in the UK, and you’ll find a huge array of betting markets waiting for you. The very lowest total among our 15 brands is 22 different sports, which is still more than enough to keep you entertained. Rather than list every single sport you can bet on with modern-day betting sites, we’ve split your options into four main areas, as you can see below.

British Classics

Among British betting sites, the old classic markets still enjoy fantastic coverage, and garner the interest of punters in their hordes. As noted, both football and horse racing are ever-presents. This also applies, however, to the likes of tennis, cricket, golf, rugby league and union, and many more besides. 

American Leagues

When it comes to glitz and glamour, there’s arguably no competing with the top North American contests. Fortunately, therefore, these are also invariably covered by the best online betting sites. The lengthy NBA and MLB seasons are represented in full, as are the NFL preseason, regular season, and playoffs, and you can also wager on every NHL matchup too. 

eSports

The novelty of not only playing games, but watching the pros play them instead, has long since worn off. eSports are here to stay, and they’re enormously popular not just with viewers, but with punters too. Committed bettors will particularly enjoy the constant nature of the betting opportunities here, with fresh league and cup-based contests kicking off all the time across Dota 2, CS:GO, Valorant, and other titles. 

Less-Heralded Markets

Even in addition to the three major categories above, most betting sites will provide you with plenty more opportunities to turn a profit. The likes of darts, snooker, and athletics all have plenty of committed fans, and more niche markets like Gaelic games, Aussie rules, handball, volleyball, and so on also feature surprisingly impressive coverage. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

How to Sign Up to the Best Online Betting Sites

UK betting sites have done a great job of continually modernising over the years. This shows itself in a whole range of ways, but few areas have improved so much as sign up processes. These can be completed within a mere couple of minutes nowadays, with the few steps you must take listed below. 

Step 1 – Pick a Brand

With so many great UK betting sites to choose from, this is arguably your biggest challenge of all. We’ve narrowed down your multitude of options to a top 15 already though, and – for the purposes of this guide – we’ll assume you’ve simply gone with our top pick, Betfred. 

Step 2 – Create an Account

Head to the home page of your chosen brand, and find the ‘Register’ or ‘Sign Up’ button, which will usually be located towards the top-right of the screen. After that, simply fill out all the fields in turn, alternatively providing personal information (such as your name and address), and setting account details (namely your username and password). 

Step 3 – Make a Deposit

With your account created, it’s high time to get it funded. Log in, then click the ‘Deposit’ or ‘Cashier’ button in the top-right, pick one of the available payment methods, enter a deposit amount, provide the requisite details, and confirm the payment. 

Step 4 – Trigger the Welcome Offer

This is certainly an optional step, but do remember that welcome offers provide the biggest rewards of all, and you only have one chance to claim them. Doing so will involve abiding by payment method eligibilities, minimum deposit amounts, and – usually – placing qualifying wagers. 

Step 5 – Place Bets

Whether you’re triggering the welcome offer or not, you’ll want to get some bets down sooner rather than later. To do so, just head to the main sports section, and pick your chosen market from the list on the left-hand side. Now find your favoured competition and bet type, click the corresponding odds to add a selection to your betslip, set a stake, and confirm the wager. 

Betting Site Payment Methods Available in 2022

There’s a considerable amount of variety in the number of payment options provided by different online betting sites. Some will give you one or two, while others might give you 10 or more. Either way, any options you do find can be broken down into three main categories. 

Traditional Methods

Debit card and bank transfer might be the oldest online payment methods, but they remain the most common on modern-day UK betting sites. This sheer availability is arguably their biggest draw, since – if you have a valid debit card – you’ll be able to make deposits and withdrawals on basically any sportsbook you please. 

eWallets

eWallets provide a significantly faster alternative to debit cards and bank transfers, particularly when it comes to withdrawals. PayPal is probably the most popular, but the likes of Neteller and Skrill are also easy to find. The only drawback here is that you’re usually charged a small fee – by the eWallet provider itself – for using its services. 

Cryptos

Off the bat, we’ll state that there’s a major caveat here. The UKGC remains undecided on whether cryptos are a good idea or not, which means that brands holding their license rarely, if ever accept, cryptos. 

That said, cryptos provide a speedy and anonymous alternative to the other two main types of payment method. If you do want to use them, there are plenty of ‘off-shore’ brands – holding licenses in places like Curacao – which will be happy to accept your custom. 

Final Thoughts

The number of online betting sites has simply exploded in the past decade or so. This has happened so quickly, in fact, that – as a casual punter – it can be hard to keep track of the current state of play. 

That’s exactly why we’ve put this guide together. We’ve summarised everything you need to know about UK betting sites right now in one handy article. Having read it, you now have all the knowledge you need to pick a brand, create an account, and start betting now. 

FAQ