Betting Sites & New Betting Sites UK 2025

We have compiled a list of the UK’s top bookmakers to help you find the best betting site to suit your preferences. Each bookmaker listed on this page has been thoroughly tried and tested by our team of experienced betting experts, who review each site against a strict ranking criteria that incorporates competitive odds, key features, bonus offers, user experience, and customer support.

With that in mind, join us as we compare each of the best bookies the UK has to offer, and click through to sign up to your brand new betting site, claim your sign up offer and start betting. 

Comparing Offers From The Top 20 Betting Sites

We curated the following list based on feedback from our betting experts, who tested many online sports betting sites.

The research included registering, making deposits, and placing real bets. However, we also consider other factors, such as design, mobile play, customer service, and real feedback from customer reviews. 

Here are 20 of the best UK betting sites:

1. Sky Bet – Best for football betting stats and results
2. Paddy Power – Best for horse racing & best odds guaranteed
3. Betfair – Best betting exchange platform
4. bet365 – Best overall betting site
5. Betfred – Highly rated football betting promotions
6. CopyBet – Leading platform for cricket betting tips
7. Betway – Best mobile betting experience
8. Betano – Best for rugby live betting options
9. BetMGM – Best betting site sign-up offer
10. EasyBet – Best new betting exchange site
11. Star Sports – Best for high-stakes betting
12. NetBet – Best betting site for free-to-play games
13. SBK – Outstanding mobile betting app
14. BoyleSports – A leader in horse racing promotions
15. Parimatch – Best for diverse international sports betting
16. William Hill – Best for live in-play betting
17. AK Bets – Best for cricket variety
18. Matchbook – Best for low-commission betting exchange
19. Midnite – Best esports betting site
20. PricedUp Bet – Best for regular odds boosts

Leading Events to Bet on This Week at Top Bookmakers

The sporting calendar is never-ending, and we’ve checked out three popular events you’ll find covered by the top betting sites.

Golf

This week sees the US Open take place in the golf world, and it’s set to be a thrilling one. Bryson DeChambeau is the reigning champion, winning last year’s tournament. But he’ll have a hard task trying to retain his crown. The likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Colin Morikawa are all involved, as well as some legendary names like Phil Mickelson.

Darts

After battling each other in the Premier League, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler team up for the World Cup of Darts. England are the favourites to win the tournament given their duo, who look unstoppable even when they’re not at their best. England are the defending champions after the team of Humphries and Michael Smith beat Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriquez of Austria in last year’s final. Wales will also fancy their chances with the team of Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, while Gary Anderson and Peter Wright represent Scotland.

Tennis

After a thrilling French Open at Roland Garros, the grass season really gets underway this week. In the WTA there’s the Queen’s Club Championship, the start of the road to Wimbledon. It’s the first time the women’s event has been held at Queen’s Club since 1973. Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina and Zheng Qinwen are among the big names involved. The Stuttgart Open is only 250 tournament in the ATP Tour but there will still be the likes of Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton involved.

Comparison Top 20 Betting Sites

If you want to learn more about how we made our picks for the UK’s best betting sites, here are more detailed reviews for our top 10 UK bookies.

1. Sky Bet – Rating: 10/10

Sky Bet was founded in 2001 and has become a highly renowned online betting site. It has one of the best sign-up promotions – any bet from 5p and up will return £30 in free bets. There are good overround margins on match outrights, and it is very competitive against other major industry leaders.

Sky Bet has an acca freeze feature, where an acca’s winning leg can be locked in at any point. The sportsbook is excellent, with 35+ sports listed, and the in-play betting section is extensive, including Build A Bet options, Intervals, and RequestABet.

The site offers live streaming, including horse racing and racecards with statistics and forms integrated from Sporting Life. All this can be enjoyed through the SkyBet mobile app. The SkyBet Club VIP program rewards a weekly free bet, and there are also free-to-play prediction games. 

Customer Rating and Reputation

Head to any football ground in England, and many fans will have the Sky Bet app downloaded to their phone. This speaks volumes about how synonymous the firm has become with casual football punters over the last ten years. With promotional Super Boosts, an incredibly easy-to-use app, and an interface that even first-time gamblers can get their head around, they provide an engaging experience. 

It is rare to hear any negative reviews of Sky Bet’s sign-up process, which allows customers to claim £30 in Free Bets when they bet just 5p. With even bigger enhanced sign-up offers for key events, such as 50/1 for Jude Bellingham to make a pass in the Euro 2024 final, they can draw in a varied audience for the biggest sporting spectacles. 

Pros

• Excellent choice for beginners to betting
• Great welcome bonus
• Excellent mobile app
• Fantastic range of markets

Cons

• Odds are not the most competitive 
• Heavy focus on football

Sky Bet at a glance: 

• Quality of Odds Rating: 7.0
• Android / IOS App Rating: 10.0
• Customer Service: Rating: 8.0
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.5
• Payout Speed: Within 24 Hours
• Welcome Offer: £40 in Free Bets When You Place Any Bet

2. Paddy Power – Rating: 10/10

Paddy Power, another famous Irish bookmaker, was established in 1988 and merged with betting exchange Betfair in 2016 as part of the Flutter Entertainment group. Through its sign-up offer, new customers can get £50 in Bet Builder Bets when they stake £10 on football.

Paddy Power were among the first bookmakers to adopt cash-out and bet-builder functionalities and they also offer live streaming plus the #WhatPricePaddy feature, where you can request a bet to be priced up. 

They also run quick offers like Beat The Drop and Wonder Wheel for bonuses, and coupled with more than 30 sports, it is a very engaging platform. The huge array of markets available to add to a bet-builder is what helps make Paddy a bookmaker you’ll return to again and again.

Their Esports range is extensive, and their Best Odds Guaranteed feature is available on all UK and Irish racing. Paddy Power has a dedicated mobile betting app, which is fantastic for live betting on football, cricket, and many other sports.

Customer Rating and Reputation

Paddy Power are a popular bookmaker among punters – and not just for their tongue-in-cheek humour on social media! They have an extensive list of markets, particularly on football, and a huge depth of sports available to bet on – as well as a live streaming product that keeps customers coming back on a regular basis.

The ability to withdraw instantly with a Paddy Power plus card is another benefit that many punters are happy with but as with other bookmakers featured on this page, one drawback is the focus on customers from UK & Ireland.

Pros

• 30+ sports listed
• Live streaming
• Best Odds Guaranteed on horse racing

Cons

• Smaller-sized welcome bonus offer max amount
• Lack of locations for international punters

Paddy Power at a glance: 

• Quality of Odds Rating: 8.9 (Sportsbook) 
• Android / IOS App Rating: 9.4
• Customer Service: Rating: 9.1
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.2
• Payout Speed: 2-5 Working Days
• Welcome Offer: Bet £10, get £50 in free bets

3. Betfair – Rating: 10/10

Betfair is the biggest betting exchange around. It was launched in 2000 and is a prominent alternative to traditional sports betting. The strength of the betting exchange comes through their odds and punters being able to lay and back options.

Betfair also has a fixed-odds sportsbook, which boasts around 30 sports and extensive betting depth. Their live in-play betting is excellent, with markets that refresh quickly and good horse racing coverage, including ante-post and tote betting.

A Betfair mobile app is available on both iOS and Android, and registering for their sportsbook comes with a Bet £10 Get £50 welcome bonus offer. Live streaming, including horse racing, is available at Betfair.

The depth of markets, particularly around the bet-builders with the player stats that are available, makes Betfair a very popular option among punters. 

Customer Rating and Reputation

One of the main things that people mention about Betfair is the new customer offer. The current offer allows punters to get £50 in free bets when they join and place £10 – but there are a range of offers that are available at different times although these aren’t necessarily backed up by the most regular free bet offers available after sign up.

The option to use the exchange or the sportsbook is valued by some punters but using the exchange can prove to be a more complicated task for more casual gamblers. The depth of markets, particularly those that are added to bet-builders, is another reason to play with Betfair that’s mentioned frequently online.

Pros

• Sportsbook and exchange options
• Mobile betting app
• Good welcome bonus

Cons

• A steep learning curve on exchange betting
• The variety of promotions is not great

Betfair at a glance: 

• Quality of Odds Rating: 8.2
• Android / IOS App Rating: 7.9
• Customer Service: Rating: 8.3
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.1
• Payout Speed: Within 2 working days
• Welcome Offer: Bet £10, get £50 in free bets

4. Bet365 – Rating: 10/10

Bet365 was established in 2000 and quickly built a fantastic reputation. They offer a generous Bet £10 get £50 welcome offer for new customers and an excellent variety of payment options, from debit cards to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. 

Bet365 has always had excellent market coverage on more than 25 listed sports, including Esports and a huge range of racing. They have a live streaming service that includes racing, and Bet365 runs 20,000 bet boosts per month, mostly across football and racing. They offer early payout markets throughout the sportsbook too. For example you can get paid out if your team goes two goals ahead if you’re backed them in the Win-Draw-Win football markets and likewise if you bet on an NBA team to win you’ll be paid out when they go 20 points ahead in a game.

There’s an app for both iOS and Android, and Bet365 excels with its long-standing promotions, such as 2 Goals Ahead early payout, 0-0 Bore Draw, and Acca Boosts. Their Bet Builder+ feature allows bet builders from multiple games to be combined.

Although they offer extensive casino and bingo options on site, Bet365 is as popular as it is across the globe for its commitment to creating the best possible sports betting platform. It also leads the way in terms of innovation, having been among the first bookmakers to adopt cash-out and in-play betting functionalities.

And fitting those new functionalities and features into what must be one of the best user experiences you will find in any online sportsbook or betting apps . It’s incredibly easy to navigate to the sport and event you, with bet boosts and the likes equally easy to find within the app – even if the green, grey and black colour scheme isn’t always the most attractive.

Customer Rating & Reputation

Customers are generally happy in playing at bet365 as their sportsbook, hence why it is the most popular with users from across the globe. In reading reviews you can find that customers name the varied withdrawal and deposit methods, the large range of daily specials and the user-friendly platform to be among the most appreciated features. Bet365 were winners of Operator of the Year at the 2017 EGR awards.

In terms of the odds, while not necessarily the consistently best-priced bookmaker on the market they are competitive at least and their reputation gives them a reliability. However, some customers have complained that bet365 are quick to assume foul play and as a result restrict and even on some occasions shut down accounts.

Pros

• Fantastic offers for existing customers
• Great market depth
• Excellent racing coverage

Cons

• The site design isn’t very appealing
• The app can be slow to load

Bet365 at a glance:

• Quality of Odds Rating: 9.5
• Android / IOS App Rating: 9.8
• Customer Service: Rating: 9.1
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.5
• Payout Speed: Within 24 hours
• Welcome Offer: Bet £10, get £30 in free bets

5. Betfred – Rating: 9.3/10

Betfred is a well-known High Street bookmaker established in Salford, Greater Manchester in 1967 by Fred Done. They offer new customers an excellent Bet £10, Get £50 welcome bonus when they get started and they also offer many horse racing and football promotions, including the long-running Double Delight Hat Trick Heaven promo which allows punters to get double the odds and treble the odds if their first goalscorer pick manages to score two or even three goals – plus Acca Flex, Racing Extra Places, and Free Bets if your horse finishes 2nd. 

That’s one big area where they stand out, but Betfred is also highly competitive with their odds. Their sportsbook isn’t quite as extensive as others, but there’s excellent market depth on what is there, plus live streaming. That can all be enjoyed on the Betfred mobile app as well. Betfred is one of the few bookmakers who still provides a phone helpdesk and live chat.

We like the old-school nature that permeates through Betfred’s online offering, with coupons for selected markets and a back to basics approach in terms of some of the markets available and if you prefer a more traditional betting experience then you may enjoy the lack of live updates and the likes that come when betting with this long established high-street bookmaker.

Where others focus solely on sport, Betfred certainly offer far more than others in the way of Casino, Online Slots and Bingo games and it’s no surprise that they call themselves the Bonus Kings when you take a more extensive look through this area of the site, with a range of promotions available not only with the aforementioned sports offers but also plenty of casino and bingo bonuses to utilise.

Customer Rating & Reputation

Betfred are one of the bookmakers that seem to be valued highly by those that use them. While other bookmakers may be more ‘flashy’ with what they can offer, punters who play with Betfred appreciate their quick payouts and the fact that you can use the telephone for customer support, plus the huge array of casino offerings.

In reality it depends what you’re looking for in a bookmaker. Those who are looking for a more extensive offering can be left disappointed by a smaller range of markets and a rather poor user experience, but Betfred are still seen as a very trustworthy sporstbook with most punters, aided by it’s longevity and high street presence no doubt.

Pros

• Telephone customer support
• Brilliant racing and football promos
• Fast mobile app

Cons

• Sportsbook could be more extensive
• Promotions don’t include a great variety of sports

Betfred at a glance:

• Quality of Odds Rating: 9.1
• Android / IOS App Rating: 8.7
• Customer Service: Rating: 9.7
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.7
• Payout Speed: Within 24 hours
• Welcome Offer: Bet £10, get £50 in free bets

6. CopyBet – Rating 9.2/10

CopyBet delivers a unique feature for punters, as the platform is primarily tip-based. Real users are listed on the site along with their tip performance for all to see. Other customers can copy a tipster’s strategy for their betting at the quick click of a button.

There is a bet £20, get £60 sign-up bonus at CopyBet, and they have profit boosts and an accumulator bonus for existing customers. For one of the new betting sites, this is comfortably one of the best value offers on the market right now for new customers and that’s part of the reason why this company is attracting so many punters at the moment.

There is a weekly free bet club, plus CopyBet’s full sportsbook still lets you go your own way with your bet selections if you don’t want to follow tipsters.

The site lists 25+ sports, including racing and coverage through live betting. This bookmaker, launched in 2016, is a licenced, well-established platform that offers a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Customer Rating and Reputation

The unique nature of the CopyBet site means that with a certain style of punter who looks to combine tips with placing their bets. There’s also a lot of praise for the new customer offer which, by offering new customers the opportunity to get £50 in free bets for just a £10 qualifying stake, is one of the best around.

Unfortunately, there are some issues with both the site and mobile app being glitchy which has put some customers off but on the whole the unique platform, new customer offer and recurring free bet bonuses are real positives that people mention within online reviews of this relatively new bookmaker.

Pros

• Unique tipster-copying platform
• Mobile betting app
• Weekly free bet club

Cons

• The menu is a little cumbersome to navigate
• No live streaming

CopyBet at a glance: 

• Quality of Odds Rating: 8.7
• Android / IOS App Rating: 9.4
• Customer Service: Rating: 9.2
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.2
• Payout Speed: Within 2 working days
• Welcome Offer: Bet £20, get £60 in free bets

7. Betway – Rating: 9/10

Betway has been a key player in the UK betting market since its launch in 2006, offering a well-rounded sportsbook with a strong reputation for football, horse racing, and esports betting. The platform features an intuitive website and a sleek mobile app for iOS and Android users, ensuring a smooth betting experience on the go.

New customers can take advantage of Betway’s sign-up promotion, which offers a £30 Matched Free Bet if their first accumulator (acca) bet loses, plus 100 Free Spins. The sportsbook provides a vast selection of markets across football, tennis, basketball, cricket, and horse racing, with competitive odds and regular price boosts.

One of Betway’s standout features is its commitment to in-play betting, delivering a dynamic and immersive experience for users. The platform also offers a Bet Builder function, allowing punters to customise their bets with ease.

Beyond sports betting, Betway provides a solid online casino and live casino experience, catering to a wide range of gaming preferences. The site’s clean layout and efficient navigation make it a great choice for both new and experienced bettors.

Customer Rating & Reputation

Betway has built a strong reputation for reliability and competitive odds. While some users have raised concerns about withdrawal speed and verification processes, the platform is generally well-received for its promotions, market variety, and user-friendly design. It also has a history of major sponsorships, including partnerships with West Ham United and other high-profile sports teams.

Customers frequently highlight the in-play betting experience and mobile usability as key strengths. The bookmaker’s football and esports markets, in particular, receive positive feedback for their depth and competitive pricing.

Pros:

• Excellent in-play betting options
• Strong esports and football markets
• Generous welcome offer
• Well-designed mobile app

Cons:

• Withdrawal processing times can vary
• Loyalty programme could be more rewarding

Betway at a glance:

• Quality of Odds Rating: 9.2
• Android / iOS App Rating: 9.4
• Customer Service Rating: 8.8
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.0
• Payout Speed: 2-5 working days
• Welcome Offer: £30 Matched Free Bet + 100 Free Spins

8. Betano – Rating: 9/10

Betano is one of the newest bookmakers in the UK, entering the market in 2024. Their name has quickly become one of the lips of many though with high profile collaborations and some eye catching offers, including their current offering of Bet £10, Get £30 in free bets.

Their website follows a similar pattern to many other bookmakers out there, without a real defined and unique look which can be unappealing to some.

When it comes to odds and margins they match their competitors and this is reassuring in that you know you won’t be losing out by signing up with a new brand.

The site offers a range of sports to wager on, and a full range of in-play markets. It also provides some live streaming on events.

Customer Rating and Reputation

As the new kids on the block, Betano might have struggled to make an impact in a hugely populated market but their affiliation with Aston Villa, as well as their good welcome offers throughout Euro 2024 and the start of the Premier League season have allowed them to make their mark.

Betano have big ideas when it comes to staking their claim on the UK gambling scene and they will be looking to continue with the huge strides they’ve already made in becoming a market leader.

Pros

• Exchange and Sportsbook
• Unique and clean look
• Great offers around big events

Cons

• Generic looking website
• Promotions don’t include a great variety of sports

Betano at a glance: 

• Quality of Odds Rating: 8.0
• Android / IOS App Rating: 9.0
• Customer Service: Rating: 8.0
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 8.0
• Payout Speed: Within 48 hours
• Welcome Offer: Bet £10, get £30 in Free Bets

9. BetMGM – Rating: 9/10

A relatively new online bookmaker to this country having launched in the UK in 2023, BetMGM offers a user-friendly website and a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, perfect for UK punters. The platform provides a generous welcome offer for new players that sees you receive £40 in free bets when placing a £10 qualifying bet.

The BetMGM sportsbook features diverse betting markets, covering over 20 sports, including favourites like football, rugby, and cricket. BetMGM provides a comprehensive racing section for horse racing fans with competitive odds on races from the UK, Ireland, and beyond.

However, BetMGM’s standout feature is the in-play betting experience, which offers a range of betting options for punters to enjoy – even lower-league football matches can have well over 100 in-play betting markets.

There are further casino and bingo options available on an app that’s among the better designed on the market right now. While it’s not the quickest app, it’s easy to navigate and with a black white and gold colour scheme it’s certainly easier on the eye than some of the other bookmakers featured on this list as well.

It’s that new customer offer that really draws you in though with a huge range of free bets on offer for an initial £10 outlay and after that you will continue to find a good range of competitive odds as well as a handful of boosted prices on the football every day with this bookmaker.

Customer Rating & Reputation

While there are some negative reviews for BetMGM on the market, these mostly originated during Cheltenham 2024 when the site was slow to load and to offer new customers the free bets they had signed up for – however it seems that these issues are a thing of the past as this bookmaker has now started to carve out the much more positive reputation that it deserves since then. They have since partnered with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League.

Customers are unsurprisingly quick to mention the In Play betting options as a serious positive but above all, the new customer offer is what really attracts the customers to BetMGM. This new customer offer is among the best on the market right now and it also offers punters the opportunity to bet on a range of different markets, allowing them the opportunity to really get to grips with the site and the mobile app once they’ve joined.

Pros:

• Extensive in-play betting options
• Generous welcome offer
• Wide variety of betting markets
• User-friendly mobile app and website

Cons:

• Loyalty rewards programme could be more comprehensive
• Customer support response times could be quicker

BetMGM at a glance:

• Quality of Odds Rating: 9.7
• Android / IOS App Rating: 9.5
• Customer Service: Rating: 9.0
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 9.8
• Payout Speed: Within 24 hours
• Welcome Offer: Bet £10, get £40 in free bets

10. easyBet – Rating: 8/10

EasyBet is a fresh entrant into the UK betting market, operating under the well-known easyGroup brand, which includes easyJet and easyHotel. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, EasyBet focuses exclusively on spread betting, offering a unique wagering experience for bettors looking to move beyond fixed-odds markets.

New customers can take advantage of EasyBet’s sign-up promotion: Bet £20 and receive £30 in free bets. To qualify, users must place and settle £20 on EasyBet markets across at least two different events, with minimum odds of 2.0. Free bets are then allocated across football, horse racing, multiples, and a special Gold Cup free bet, catering to a variety of betting preferences.

One of EasyBet’s key strengths is its streamlined platform, making spread betting more accessible to newcomers. The site is designed for ease of use, and its promotions are tailored around major sporting events. While it doesn’t offer traditional fixed-odds betting, EasyBet provides an alternative for those looking to explore a more dynamic style of wagering.

Customer Rating & Reputation

As a relatively new player in the market, EasyBet is steadily growing its reputation. Users appreciate the clean interface and the brand’s backing by easyGroup, which lends credibility. The generous welcome offer is well-received, but some bettors may find the lack of fixed-odds markets limiting. The platform is best suited for those interested in spread betting and looking for an innovative alternative to traditional sportsbooks.

Pros:

• Specialised spread betting platform
• Attractive welcome bonus
• Backed by the trusted easyGroup brand

Cons:

• Limited to spread betting; no fixed-odds markets
• Still building its reputation in the market

EasyBet at a glance:

• Quality of Odds Rating: 8.0
• Android / iOS App Rating: N/A (Web-based platform)
• Customer Service Rating: 7.8
• Bonus and Promotions Rating: 8.5
• Payout Speed: Within 2-5 working days
• Welcome Offer: Bet £20, Get £30 in Free Bets

Best Mobile Betting Sites in the UK for 2025

In 2025, mobile betting has become a cornerstone of the UK’s gambling landscape, transforming how bettors engage with their favourite sports and casino games. With the growing reliance on smartphones and advancements in mobile technology, betting apps offer unparalleled convenience, allowing users to place wagers from virtually anywhere. This shift toward mobile-first platforms has made betting more accessible, immediate, and personalised, catering to the preferences of a tech-savvy audience. Whether it’s live sports betting or real-time casino experiences, mobile platforms provide instant access and seamless transactions, driving the popularity of gambling among a diverse demographic.

The evolution of mobile betting is also reshaping the user experience through innovations like in-play betting, cash-out options, and advanced analytics. Real-time data and AI-driven recommendations enhance the overall betting journey, making it more interactive and tailored to individual preferences. The ease of depositing and withdrawing funds and enhanced security measures have contributed to mobile betting’s rapid growth. As the industry continues to evolve, mobile betting is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of gambling in the UK, offering a more dynamic and user-centric experience than ever before.

Below are our top-3 mobile betting sites for 2025.

1. Sky Bet – Rating: 10/10

2. Paddy Power – Rating: 10/10

3. Betfair – Rating: 10/10

Comparing the Top New Betting Sites in UK

Bookmaker	Year Established	Betting Markets	UKGC License	Live Stream	Price Boosts	Bet-Builder	Mobile App
BetMGM	2023	300+ per match	39198	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
CopyBet	2021	300+ per match	53774	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
AK Bets	2023	200+ per match	9177	No	Yes	No	Yes
PlanetSport bet	2021	30+ sports	50122	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Gentleman Jim	2023	20+ sports	39483	No	Yes	No	No
Dragon Bet	2022	20+ sports	41125	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Midnite	2020	200+ per match	42647	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bet Goodwin	2021	30+ sports	2927	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
TalkSport Bet	2022	30+ sports	39576	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Fafabet	2021	30+ sports	57385	No	Yes	No	Yes
Rhino	2021	50+ sports	50122	No	Yes	No	Yes
JeffBet	2022	30+ sports	39335	Yes	Yes	No	No
BetZone	2021	50+ sports	61997	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Highbet	2021	48+ sports	1014834	No	Yes	No	No
Britain Bet	2020	30+ sports	39335	No	Yes	No	Yes
PricedUp	2024	23+ sports	001776	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Luckster	2022	30+ sports	39483	No	Yes	No	Yes
Neptune Play	2020	30+ sports	39483	No	Yes	No	Yes
Magic Red	2023	30+ sports	39483	No	Yes	No	Yes
Bresbet	2023	30+ sports	50122	No	Yes	No	Yes
Lottoland Sportsbook	2021	30+ sports	38991	No	Yes	No	Yes

Best New Betting Sites for 2025: Our Picks

1. BetMGM

The number one new bookmaker that we recommend to you right now is BetMGM, not least for their incredible new customer sign-up offer that allows punters to get £40 in free bets when they join and bet £10. With a long-running history in the United States, BetMGM is looking to bring its unique style to the UK market and with a deep sportsbook, In-Play betting, and plenty of casinos offers, it isn’t hard to see why we’re expecting them to flourish in doing so.

What we like about BetMGM

• Fantastic new customer offer
• Trusted brand name after several years of operating in the US
• In depth sportsbook and array of markets
• Unique opportunities to win on Golden Goals
• Excellent casino and live casino options

What we would like to see improve on BetMGM

• Better customer support options
• Improved experience on Mobile App

2. CopyBet

One of our favourite new betting sites in 2025 is CopyBet. With a deep array of football markets on events from all around the world and an incredible new sign-up offer, this is one of the best new bookmakers on the scene at the moment. The unique thing about CopyBet is that customers can copy the top betting strategies of the site’s tipsters and the most successful tipsters can earn further fees by sharing their success in the Tipsters section of the site

What we like about CopyBet

• Incredible value new customer offer
• Unique tipster tool allowing you to copy successful punter’s bets
• Good array of football bets
• Easy to use mobile app
• Several free bet offers and price boosts for existing customers

What we would like to see improve on CopyBet

• More sports – no horse racing available at the moment
• Casino and poker games
• 24/7 Customer Support

3. Rhino Bet

Rhino Bet is a UK-licensed bookmaker that has streamlined the betting experience for its users and is one of the newest betting sites available. Although it’s still early days for this bookmaker, its user-friendly interface and competitive markets have proven popular with its users so far. They also have a unique new customer offer where punters can get a £20 Uber Eats voucher when they join and bet £20.

What we like about Rhino Bet

• Unique sign-up offer that allows you to ‘Bet Twenty & Eat Plenty!’
• Streamlined experience designed to make things easy
• Mobile betting website alongside user-friendly app
• Best odds guaranteed on horse racing
• Very competitive odds for a new bookmaker

What we would like to see improve on Rhino Bet

• Customer support only available via email
• More variety of casino games
• 24/7 Customer Support

4. Midnite

Although originally known for its E-sports betting offerings, Midnite now has an improving sportsbook with innovative features, including Acca Assist, Free Bet Fridays, and VIP draws. They also offer a terrific new customer offer of Bet £10, get £20 in free bets, for which you can read the full T&Cs above.

What we like about Midnite

• Excellent value new customer offer
• Easy to use sportsbook layout including Acca Assist
• Well-designed mobile app
• Free Bet Fridays with a chance to win Free Bets on social media
• Depth of Esports markets
• Live Streaming on Esports markets

What we would like to see improve on Midnite

• More stats markets on football bets
• Lack of casino games to be addressed

5. JeffBet

One of the newest bookmakers on this page, JeffBet, was founded as recently as 2022 and is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority. Impressively, for a bookmaker that’s only been around for such a limited period of time, they do offer some excellent promotions and rewards programmes, particularly for the casino section of the site. With a familiar and user-friendly layout, they’re likely to become very popular with punters before too long.

What we like about JeffBet

• Bet £10, get £30 in free bets new customer offer
• Excellent Casino focus
• Huge amount of promotions and reward programmes
• User-friendly sportsbook
• 24/7 live chat support option

What we would like to see improve on JeffBet

• Lack of racing markets
• Below-par live betting options
• Several location restrictions

6. Britain Bet

With a strong focus on in-play betting and cash-out functions, Britain Bet is another brand to consider when looking for a new sports betting website. They’re offering a terrific new customer bonus right now, too, where new players can get a £50 free bet when they join and place a £25 qualifying bet using deposit code BB50.

What we like about Britain Bet

• Reliable live betting and cash-out functions
• Strong depth of markets on specific sports
• Stand-out esports coverage
• Good commitment to promoting responsible gambling
• Cryptocurrency deposits accepted

What we would like to see improve on Britain Bet

• Quicker withdrawal times
• More sports to bet on
• More price boosts and recurring offers

7. Gentleman Jim

Launched in 2023, Gentleman Jim is now starting to make its presence felt in the crowded local betting market and they have a very competitive sportsbook offering and a wide range of markets.

What we like about Gentleman Jim

• Good value new customer offer for relatively new bookmaker
• Comfortable sportsbook layout
• Good commitment to safe gambling
• Boosted winnings with Acca Club

What we would like to see improve on Gentleman Jim

• Improved app usability
• More variety of casino games
• 24/7 Customer Support

8. PlanetSport Bet

One of the brand new betting sites with a brilliant new customer offer is PlanetSport Bet. Their sign-up bonus allows you to claim a £10 free bet when you place your first bet of £20. With a huge array of live tables and games, Planet Sport Bet’s sportsbook offering has been improving recently, and it’s becoming a more viable option for punters in the UK and beyond.

What we like about PlanetSport Bet

• Huge array of casino games from several software providers
• Safe and secure
• A large amount of payment options and fast payouts
• Live chat customer service

What we would like to see improve on PlanetSport Bet

• More in-depth football markets on specific games
• Lower playthrough requirement on deposit bonus
• An easier to navigate sportsbook

9. Bresbet

Brestbet is one of the newer bookmakers around and there’s plenty to like, with competitive odds, a wide range of markets and a nice looking sportsbook. They’ve shown improvement since their arrival on the scene and have emerged as one of the better new sportsbooks around. 

What we like about BresBet

• Secure website
• Fast payouts and multiple deposit methods
• Good customer service

What we would like to see improve on BresBet

• Improved experience on Mobile App
• Below-par live betting options

10. MagicRed

MagicRed is one of the newbies on the scene, and we’ve really enjoyed their offerings since their arrival. Their website has a different look, something welcome in a saturated market, and, with their casino origins, there’s a really good amount of games away from the sportsbook.

What we like about MagicRed

• Innovative new website with good features
• Good casino offering
• Good customer service options

What we would like to see improve on MagicRed

• Deeper markets available on key sports
• Improved payment methods

11. NeptunePlay

NeptunePlay is another new bookmaker that has transitioned from casino to sports in recent months. Their transition has gone really smoothly, and they’ve made a decent impact in a relatively short time. With an excellent base in casino to fall back on, the future looks bright for NeptunePlay. 

What we like about NeptunePlay

• Unique website with good features
• Impressive casino offering
• Responsive customer service 

What we would like to see improve on NeptunePlay

• More options available on key sports
• Differing payment methods

11. DragonBet

DragonBet launched into the betting scene in 2022, finding a niche in their Welsh roots. Their sportsbook offering is deep and has some really interesting features giving them a nice introduction to the market. The future looks bright for DragonBet if they can continue to find their feet in a busy market. 

What we like about DragonBet

• Niche markets
• Excellent sportsbook offering

What we would like to see improve on DragonBet

• Improved customer service options
• Differing payment methods

12. HeySpin

HeySpin is another bookmaker that has entered the sports betting world, and it’s been a success so far. There are plenty of markets on offer and a reasonable welcome offer for new customers. Things are looking good for HeySpin, especially if they can continue to build their inplay offering to complement their pre-match markets.

What we like about HeySpin

• Plenty of markets on offer
• Good welcome offer

What we would like to see improve on HeySpin

• Improved sportsbook interface
• Increased number of payment methods

13. TalkSportBET

TalkSportBET is our final bookmaker to make the list following their arrival in the sportsbook world in 2022. They’ve made a good impression with a easy to use website, nice price boosts and some nice offers for both new, and existing, customers. TalkSportBET is definitely one to watch when it comes to new bookmakers.

What we like about TalkSportBET

• Good welcome offer for new customers
• Existing customers are given nice perks
• Easy to navigate interface

What we would like to see improve on TalkSportBET

• Improved pre-match markets
• Increase in in-play offering

Best Betting Sites By Sport

Bet Goodwin – Best For Football Betting

Bet Goodwin is one of the newer bookmakers with really competitive prices. We feature them heavily on our daily tips as they often offer the best prices, including those offered by more established bookmakers. The prices offered for more niche competitions are what really sets them apart, with competitions like AFCON really benefiting from the odds they offer.

BetZone – Bets For Odds Boosts

There are plenty of offers available on BetZone, but their Odds Boosts are the real focus, with most sports receiving boosts across the week. This is helped by a really clear online interface, making it clear where you are receiving the boosts and how much extra you could get in your pocket with a winning selection.

Fafabet – Best For Horse Racing Betting

Fafabet focuses on horse racing, with its best sportsbook offers around the GGs. It also operates with Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG), meaning you’ll get the best prices when placing your bets on the nags. 

AK Bets – Best For Bespoke Betting

AK Bets is fairly new to the online betting scene, but it’s been around the racetracks for a long time, building a reputation as one of the best trackside bookies around. It offers a more bespoke betting experience, especially in horse racing, and it is well worth checking out if you are looking for a new bookmaker. 

Copy Bet – Best for New Customer Offers

Copy Bet have one of the most desirable welcome offers for new customers at the moment, giving you £50 in free bets when you make your first qualifying bet of £10 or more. Other bookmakers come close but this is definitely the best offer available on the market and sets Copy Bet apart as the best new bookmaker for new customer offers. 

BetMGM – Best for Existing Customer Offers

Keeping your existing customers happy is also hugely important, and BetMGM does this well. They’ve got a variety of existing customer deals, offering regularly boosts on accumulators on an array of sports. Not only this, but they offer some great free-to-play options, with the daily spin and Golden Goals promotions giving you a great chance to pick up some free bets and cash.

Rhino – Best for Other Sport Betting

Rhino has quickly garnered a reputation for offering a wide array of other sports betting, with rugby, cricket, and tennis especially in focus. Whilst they aren’t the biggest new bookmaker around, they have a familiar feel about them and are worth a look.

How To Open a New Sports Betting Account

When it comes to signing up, bookmakers usually follow a similar pattern. Here, we’ll run through the most common way to sign up and claim your Free Bets. 

1. Head to the bookmaker landing page by using one of our links above. These links will take you straight to the right page to sign up and claim any offers.
2. Press the join button to begin the account creation process.
3. Enter your personal details. It’s important to make sure these are correct as you’ll likely need to verify them. Incorrect details could stop you from being able to claim any bonuses. 
4. Create a username and password. You’ll need these each time you log in with your bookmaker, so make sure you can remember them and that the password is secure. 
5. At this point, some bookmakers will ask you to verify your identity. This might involve uploading a copy of your ID, utility bills or proof of income. 
6. Make your first deposit. Most bookmakers offer various payment methods, including debit cards, online wallets (such as Paypal), and mobile payment methods (such as Apple Pay). Please note that bookmakers cannot accept deposits via credit cards.
7. You may have to place your first bet to qualify for any Free Bet so check the terms and conditions to make sure your first bet meets the criteria.

Are New Betting Sites in 2025 Better Than Established Names?

Comparing new and existing betting sites does get a little tricky when generalising both service types.

However, the bottom line is that although both new and established betting sites may offer similar products, each has pros and cons.

For example, new betting sites are much more likely to focus on innovation with a fresh approach to the UK betting industry. Similarly, these betting sites are popular due to their often attractive welcome and sign-up bonuses.  Another thing to remember is that every punter can only claim the welcome bonus once. And most experienced punters already have accounts with established betting sites. So new betting sites get business from experienced punters looking for new customer offers.

Conversely, existing betting sites have a wealth of experience, a reputation behind them, and bigger marketing budgets. It all boils down to what bettors want in a betting site. If they want to play it safe, the established betting site is the way to go. However, if they want a fresh and innovative betting site, a new bookmaker is an option.

What Types of Offers Do Bookmakers Provide?

There are several different types of offers available to new customers with a range of sportsbooks and betting websites. These include bet and get offers and matched deposit bonuses, and they all differ in terms of value too.

Take a look at some of the more common types of free bets offers available on the market right now:

Bet and Get offers

The most common style of bookmaker new customer offer is a ‘bet and get’ offer, where you will be rewarded with a specified amount of free bets when you join and place a specific qualifying bet.

These range in value, with some bookmakers offering as big a reward as £50 in free bets for just a £10 qualifying stake (such as CopyBet for example) whereas others will offer fewer free bets for a larger qualifying stake. There are also often limitations around both the qualifying and the free bets – for example you may receive the bonuses as bet tokens in differing nominations that can only be used on certain markets or events.

Always read the terms and conditions for these offers as you may need to place a qualifying bet of a specific amount and at minimum odds – but these are often a great way to get started with a new bookmaker, particularly when the initial outlay is low for a large amount of free bets in return – such as Sky Bet’s bet 5p and get £30 in free bets.

Matched deposit bonus

A matched bet is when your deposit or qualifying bet is matched with a free bet of the same amount up to a certain limitation. One example of this is Betway, who will match your qualifying accumulator bet with free bets worth up to £30 if it turns out to be a loser once you create your account. 

These are similar in many ways to bet and get offers but again there are variations in terms of the amount of free bets you are entitled to and the amount you must stake.

Free Spin bonuses

While these are more common with casino sites than sportsbooks, many bookmakers such as Midnite also offer ‘free spins’ as an added bonus alongside your sportsbook free bets.

Some bookmakers offer their new customers the chance to choose either a sportsbook bonus, which usually comes in the form of the aforementioned ‘bet and get’ style welcome offer, or a free spins casino bonus if they prefer. These are usually limited to one selected game from your chosen site.

Winnings Boosts

Rather than offer free bets, some bookmakers such as AK Bets will offer a boost on your winnings if your first bet proves to be a winner. In the case of AK Bets in particular, you’ll receive up to £100 as a boost on your winnings if your first accumulator proves to be a winner.

While the free bets on offer with some bookmakers can offer new punters the opportunity to place a few bets and get to grips with the site, if you’re looking to land a big bonus then this kind of sign-up offer may be more appealing to you.

Money back on first day losses

Some bookmakers, particularly those with a focus on horse-racing, will offer some punters a percentage of their first-day losses back in the form of free bets rather than offering free bets as a reward for placing an initial stake.

Bet Goodwin are one such bookmaker – they offer new customers 50% of their first-day losses back in the form of free bets up to a limit of £25 – as is the case with BresBet’s new customer offer.

Comparing Features of Top UK Bookmakers

While you find our bigger snapshots of the leading bookmakers above, here is a quick-glance guide:

Bookmaker	Cash-Out Option	Mobile App	Live Streaming	Loyalty Program
Bet365	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
BetMGM	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Betfred	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Betway	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Paddy Power	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Coral	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
CopyBet	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Betfair	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Spreadex	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
BetUK	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
BoyleSports	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sky Bet	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SBK	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Parimatch	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Betano	Yes	No	Yes	No
Ladbrokes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
talkSPORT BET	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Unibet	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
AK Bets	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
10bet	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

UK Bookmakers: UKGC Licences and Owners

eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is the UK’s industry self-regulation system and certification body. We only feature eCOGRA approved and fully licensed operators on Squawka and you can find the license number and owner of each of our featured bookmakers in the table below.

Bookmaker	UKGC License Account Number	Owner
Bet365	55148	Hillside
BetMGM	39198	LeoVegas Gaming PLC
Betfred	49528	Petfre (Gibraltar)
Betway	39372	Betway
Paddy Power	39439	PPB Counterparty Services
Coral	54743	LC International
Copy Bet	53774	CopyBet
Betfair	39439	PPB Counterparty Services
Spreadex	8835	Spreadex Limited
Bet UK	39198	LeoVegas Gaming
Boylesports	39469	Boylesports
Sky Bet	38718	Bonne Terre
SBK	39173	Smarkets
Parimatch	39576	BV Gaming Limited
Betano	39576	BV Gaming Limited
Ladbrokes	54743	LC International
talkSPORT Bet	39576	BV Gaming Limited
Unibet	45322	Platinum Gaming
Ak Bets	9177	Star Racing
10bet	43173	Blue Star Planet

Common Types of Bet

Single

A single bet is when you include just one selection on your bet. As a result, you just need one outcome in order for your bet to be a winner.

Within football, many people will place single bets on outright markets – which is where you select a certain team to win a competition outright or a certain player to win a top scorer award for example.

Double

A double bet is when you combine two selections to create just one bet.

With a double bet, you need both your first and second selections to be winners in order for your bet to come in and your money to be credited. It’s not necessarily the case that this kind of bet is less likely to win though – it all comes down to the odds on each selection.

Accumulator

Accumulators are a combination of four or more markets and these kinds of bets are particularly popular among football supporters on Saturday afternoons in the United Kingdom when the majority of matches are being played at the same time.

Much like a double, you need every one of your selections to come in for your accumulator bet to be a winner but you’ll often get far bigger odds on this kind of bet, hence why they can be popular among punters!

Lucky

Lucky bets are particularly popular amongst horse-racing fans and are similar to accumulators in some ways as you need to make at least four different selections to place a bet, but differ in that you don’t need every selection to win in order to earn a return.

A lucky places every possible outcome of winners from within your selections – so for example if you pick four teams to win you will place a Lucky 15 as that places 15 separate bets – on four singles, six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold accumulator – and any winner at all will mean some returns, although it may be less than your total stake.

How do betting odds work?

The type of bet you place determines how the odds of your bet works. The simplest explanation from the above examples is when placing a single bet. There are fractional, decimal and american odds available on every bet, although the most common in the United Kingdom is fractional, so we will use this in our example.

The way fractional odds are displayed works almost as a ratio for the amount of returns you will receive for your stake. So if you were to place a bet at odds of 5/1, you will receive £5 for every £1 you stake. You will also receive your stake in return, meaning your returns will total £6 altogether in that example.

When you add several selections to your bet slip for a multiple bet, the stake of each bet is added to the last, meaning the cumulative price is the one that you will eventually be placing your stake on. So if you place £1 on three selections and the first one is a winner, then the entire stake of that bet if it was a single is placed on the second selection – and the same process occurs for the third selection.

Other bets such as Yankees and Luckys mean that you are placing several different bets for the same stake and you only need some of your selections to come in for the bet to return some money.

What is the Best Sports Betting Site for Beginners?

We recommend SBK because its app is easy to use and read and offers superb odds. Bet365 is another good beginner option, as it provides great coverage for betting options and offers straightforward, long-standing promotions.

Newcomers to sports betting sites may prefer simple platforms with easy-to-read, clear market listings. Note that the first bookmaker you register for as a beginner may be one you continue to use for a long time, so getting a good fit from the start is essential. 

How to Open an Account at a UK Betting Site

Getting set up with an online betting site is straightforward, and an account can be opened in under five minutes. 

Here is an overview of what you must do at any online betting site, although there may be slight variations.

Step 1: Select a Betting Site

The first step is to find a bookmaker who is right for you. This page has suggestions to help you out. 

Step 2: Register

Registration will require specific mandatory details like a full name, address and date of birth. A working email and phone number will also be required, which are essential for the operator’s current communications.

Step 3: Confirm Welcome Bonus

If you plan on taking a welcome bonus, double-check the terms and conditions before proceeding. Also, check to see what deposit methods qualify and the minimum deposit.

Step 4: Deposit

Select a payment method. Debit cards and bank transfers are among the most commonly used. E-wallets like Paypal, Skrill, and Neteller are popular alternatives. When you select an option, it will be linked to your account and used (in most cases) for withdrawals. You can add more than one payment option to an account.

Step 5: Account Verification

An important step is complete account verification. For security reasons, the details entered during registration must be verified before the first account withdrawal. Copies of a driving licence and passport can be used to verify name and date of birth. At the same time, a bank statement or utility bill is an option to confirm the current address (the same document can’t be used for both ID and address verification), and copies can be emailed or uploaded to the operator.

How Squawka Rates & Ranks Betting Sites

We perform an in-depth study of all the online betting sites we visit. Here are some of the key areas that we look at:

• Licencing and privacy
• Market Variety
• Mobile Betting
• In-play Betting
• Odds Quality
• Features
• Deposits and Withdrawals
• Bonuses
• Customer Service
• User-friendliness

For more detailed information about how we rate and rank the best bookies, visit our methodology page.

How To Choose The Right Bookmaker For You

There are many essential elements of a leading betting site, starting with being a licensed platform, but here are some other tips for choosing the right bookmaker:

Odds & Market variety

The quality of odds needs to be strong, particularly in bookmaker margins, to get quality prices on your preferred markets. Some bookmakers such as BetVictor and Bet365 stand out by consistently performing well at the top of odds comparisons. Coupled with the need for solid odds, good market variety ensures you get the bets you want.

Payment Options

The right payment method is also important because if you only want to use PayPal, you need sites accepting secure transactions. It’s good to have a main payment, usually a debit card for bonuses, but also a second source like an e-wallet because of faster withdrawal times.

Sportsbook Features

Features are also important. While all sites have cash-out, the markets on which they are available vary greatly. Look for other features that suit you, including options like a dedicated mobile betting app for players on phones or tablets, Bet Builders, and live streaming.

Promotions & Bonuses

Promotions and bonus incentives should be taken into consideration as well. It’s important to remember that the welcome bonus is just a one-time deal. Finding the correct long-term value through offers is more important, like a bookmaker with good acca insurance if you play accas. Look for long-standing offers that fit your betting style.

Customer Services

Another essential factor of a good betting site is customer service. In case any issue comes up with a bonus or you have a query about a particular bet, you’ll need to reach out. That goes for complaints and aid with Responsible Gambling tools. Good customer service is necessary, and the best is a site with 24/7 live chat, which is much faster than email.

Payout Speed

It’s also worth noting that with some bookmakers you may have to wait a designated period of time to receive your winnings as withdrawals can take up to five business days to process. Other bookmakers, such as Bet365 and BoyleSports offer near-instant withdrawals meaning you won’t have to sit around and wait for your money to hit your bank account. If this is important to you, then definitely check the bookmaker’s payout times before you deposit and play.

Best Betting Sites for Football

Skybet and Bet UK

When it comes to Football, Bet365 is among the best bookmakers around due to its depth of markets, competitive odds and extensive live streaming profile. We’re also a big fan of Paddy Power as they offer some of the best price boosts available on every Premier League and Champions League match among others.

Sky Bet, unsurprisingly given their links to Sky Sports, possess some of the best stats markets available and with their bet-builder feature you can add several selections from the same match in order to place a single bet – while they also have some cool accumulator features and a highly user-friendly interface.

Best Betting Sites for Horse Racing

BetGoodwin and Betfred

BetGoodwin offers Free Bet refunds on nose losers, Free Bet refunds if your horse is beaten by under half a length in a chase, Free Bet refunds if your horse falls at the last fence or hurdle when leaning, and several other money-back offers.

Many bookmakers offer Best Odds guaranteed on Horse Racing and live streaming from big meets. Betfred falls into this category by allowing racing punters to take advantage of both of those features on their site.

Best Betting Sites for Tennis

Bet UK and Unibet

Bet UK is one of our biggest recommendations for betting on Tennis. The reasons are quite simple – they offer a huge array of markets on tennis, some of the most competitive odds on the market for this particular sport, and an excellent new customer offer to boot.

Many bookmakers offer Tennis price boosts during Wimbledon, but all year round, with Unibet, you can get a 5% Live Profit Boost on any tennis tournament between 18:00 and 06:00. They also offer live streaming on some of the biggest tennis tournaments around the world.

Best Betting Sites for Cricket

Rhinobet and Betfair

Rhinobet might not be one of the most recognisable names in online gambling – but perhaps that will change among the cricket betting community in the coming years as they offer a large array of cricket markets and some of the most trustworthy customer services options around.

Betfair also offers early odds for many cricket matches, be that Test Cricket or the IPL, and a strong in-play offering that isn’t always available with other online bookmakers on this particular sport.

Sports to bet on at UK betting sites

Football

Football is the main focus here at Squawka and indeed it’s among the most popular sports to be on with most UK betting sites. With Premier League, La Liga and Serie A fixtures occurring most weekends throughout the year, there’s rarely a lack of football to bet on – especially with continental Champions League and Europa League also taking place in midweek.

Every second summer break from the European Leagues we also have an international competition, with the 2026 World Cup next on the horizon in the USA, Canada and Mexico, before the United Kingdom hosts the European Championships in 2028 with England hoping to win the competition on home soil having lost the last two finals.

Horseracing

Perhaps the most popular sport to be on historically, horse racing remains an obsession to it’s dedicated followers in the United Kingdom, Ireland and beyond, with the USA, France and Australia also playing host to a sport that is almost intertwined with betting. 

In terms of the UK calendar, the week to really look out for in horse racing is the Cheltenham Festival, which takes place in March every year. There’s also the Epsom Derby, the Grand National and Royal Ascot, all of which attract thousands of supporters and many more punters both in the bookmakers and online every single year. 

Tennis

The range of markets available to bet on in tennis matches has increased in recent years and it remains a popular sport to place bets on within the sports betting fraternity. 

Of course from a United Kingdom perspective the main event is Wimbledon, which takes place every summer in London. The other majors are the Australian open, which is played in January, the French Open in May and June and the US Open in August and September and these are the most popular competitions among many that you will see tennis punters placing bets on during the year.

Cricket

Particularly popular among spread bettors for the interesting markets you can back within the sport, cricket has grown generally in popularity as a betting sport in recent years with the dawn of the shorter-format T20 games, particularly with the Indian Premier League and the Blast in the UK.

There’s always further interest when England are in action, be that at the ODI or T20 World Cups or during Test Matches, particularly the Ashes where the Three Lions take on Australia twice every four years.

Other Sports

Obviously there are tonnes of other sports featured on the bookmakers on this page, some more popular with punters than others. 

Some of the other biggest events for bookmakers during the year include the World Darts Championships in December and January, the major golf events including the Open in July, Rugby Union’s Six Nations in Spring and of course every four years we have the Olympics, with the next one coming in 2028 in Los Angeles.

What are the Safest and Easiest Payment Methods used for Online Betting in the UK?

Most online sportsbooks in the UK offer a wide range of payment methods that bettors can choose from when looking to make a deposit.

Below, bettors can find a comprehensive list of the deposit methods available when placing bets with a UK sportsbook.

The most common online payment type in the UK as of June 2024 for all services was Debit Card, with 69% of all purchasers in the country using that method. 55% of users have used online payment services such as PayPal, Google Pay and Klarna too.

Debit card

The most popular method of making a deposit at a UK betting site is with a debit card with Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit supported by most betting sites. Bettors are able to both deposit with a debit card and, just as importantly, withdraw from a betting site with the same method.

Credit Card

Although once a popular method of deposit in the UK, credit cards are no longer accepted by online betting sites.

Research conducted by the UK Gambling Commission surrounding problem gamblers found that 22% used a credit card to fund online betting. This figure prompted a government review and in April 2020, all UK-licensed betting sites ceased to offer the payment method as a deposit option.

PayPal

The online eWallet PayPal is the payment transfer option used by over 300 million users worldwide and is a popular choice among bettors in the UK. Similar to debit cards, PayPal can be used on betting sites to both deposit and withdraw although bettors using credit cards to fund their eWallet will not be able to use the method.

Click to Pay

Click to pay is an extension of the debit card payment method, allowing bettors to make a deposit with a single click of a button. The idea of the method is to make transactions as efficient as possible, saving the 16-digit card number, expiry date and CVV number to make instant deposits at betting sites.

Boku

One of the lesser-known payment methods popular among a small number of UK-based bettors is Boku, a payment company allowing players to make deposits via carrier billing and mobile wallets. The main idea behind a Boku deposit is that bettors can add their deposit to their mobile phone carrier bill – offering an alternative method that suits some players.

Skrill

Similar to PayPal, Skrill is another example of an eWallet that allows for both deposits and withdrawals with the money transfer method. Skrill can be used both in the UK and in over 120 additional countries globally.

Paysafecard

A Paysafecard gives bettors the opportunity to deposit at a sportsbook in exchange for a voucher that can be purchased in-store with cash. The Paysafecard received contains a 16-digit code that can be entered at a betting site to add funds. A Paysafecard cannot be used to withdraw funds from an account.

Neteller

Neteller is another example of an e-money transfer service that can be used to both deposit and withdraw from an online betting site. The payment method is popular among betting fans and can be used to both withdraw funds to a bank account or directly to a Net+ card.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay allows bettors to make deposits at sportsbooks when using a dedicated sportsbook app when using an Apple iPhone. Apple Pay is quickly becoming one of the favourite ways to pay at any online betting site, although withdrawals are not possible with the service.

Google Pay

Similar to Apple Pay, Google Pay allows users of Android devices to make payments when using their devices to access sportsbooks and online casinos. Again, similar to Apple Pay, bettors are unable to make withdrawals with Google Pay.

Wire transfer

A wire transfer is often offered as both a deposit and withdrawal method with the majority of UK betting sites supporting the banking method. Bettors can use a wire transfer with their bank account by choosing the option in the cashier.

Cryptocurrency

At the time of writing, BTC and other Crypto are now perfectly legal payment options with registered and secure gambling sites. It is only available with specific bookmakers and countries and indeed with specific cryptocurrencies, so be sure to read the full terms and conditions for your chosen website. A handful of UK bookmakers currently allow deposits via crypto but none of the firms featured on this page will allow you to deposit with cryptocurrency methods.

Cash

Cash is offered as both a deposit and a withdrawal option from a number of UK bookmakers that also operate in brick-and-mortar stores. By heading to a supporting betting shop of choice, deposits and withdrawals can be made with cash, although additional cards may be required to complete transactions.

Online Betting Sites Frequently Asked Questions

Is Betting in the UK safe?

Sports betting in the UK is one of the safest forms of wagering globally with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) recognised as one of the strictest in the world.

Formed in 2005, the UKGC focuses on keeping gambling fair and safe for all, requiring operators to meet strict regulations to offer their betting markets in the UK. Unlike many other European counties, the UK requires betting sites to obtain a UK-specific license, issued by the UKGC, to ensure that bettors have access to safe and fair betting.

Bettors are given a large number of responsible gaming tools including deposit limits and self-exclusion at all sportsbooks. This is complemented with the GAMSTOP service offered in the UK, offering full exclusions from all UK licensed gambling companies for the chosen period of 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.

Can I trust this new bookmaker?

Not all new betting sites are created equal, so the level of trust associated with each site will differ depending on its individual credentials.

It is important to first look at whether the new betting site has a license from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). This license is a key requirement for all bookmakers, casinos, and poker sites, to allow gambling online within the United Kingdom.

The UKGC is responsible for the safety and fairness of betting for players within the UK. It ensures that all brands adhere to strict rules and betting regulations. If a new betting site does not hold a UKGC license, players should avoid using it.

All of the new betting sites in our top list are verified as trustworthy and guarantee that each one holds a UKGC license and that the sites use SSL data encryption.

Are there betting sites that offer live streaming of all sports?

Most betting sites, such as Paddy Power and Sky Bet, offer live streaming, which is free for funded account holders.

Are there betting sites that offer virtual sports betting?

Most betting sites, like Sky Bet, have a virtual sports section. Virtual sports are random number-generated games of chance. 

Who is the biggest bookmaker in the UK?

Long-established bookmakers like William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, and Bet365 are major players with considerable trading power.

What is the UK’s number 1 betting app?

SBK has a fantastic app. It’s a very modern design with great odds, and it indicates when they are top odds on prices. Bet365 is highly rated, too.

Which betting site has the fastest payout in the UK?

Bet365 site offers quick withdrawal options, and with Visa Direct, payouts can happen in up to four hours. 

Are winnings from sports betting taxed in the UK?

Generally, this is not the case, as the government sees gambling as entertainment and not a commission. Professional gamblers may be subject to tax, and rates range from 20% to 45%.

How much does the average person gamble in the UK?

According to the Gambling Commission, the average person spends £141 a year, or £2.70 a week, on betting and gaming.

Are there any betting sites that specialise in esports?

Many sites, including Betway, BoyleSports, and talkSPORT BET, are perfect for esports betting. All offer a wide range of games and markets.

What betting site has the most comprehensive coverage of international sports?

Bet365 is an outstanding choice for international sports – their range of competitions within sports is exemplary.

Are there any betting sites that offer exclusive sports markets?

Paddy Power offers a variety through its curated Bet Builders, WhatPricePaddy feature, and in-play markets like intervals.

How do betting sites handle customer data privacy?

Betting companies are allowed to use personal information for KYC (Know Your Customer) purposes and for security reasons when you first open your account. You will always be notified to give your consent before providing that personal data and these sites will use sophisticated encryption technologies such as SSL to guarantee the safety of the data you provide them.

Can I access UK betting sites with a VPN if I’m outside the UK?

The short answer is that it depends on the bookmaker. With some bookmakers being restricted within certain countries, VPN users may be blocked from entering UK bookmaker websites for legal purposes.