When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn The best UK betting sites provide a range of exciting ways to place wagers on numerous sports, such as football. This guide to betting sites in the UK will provide you with detailed information on bonuses, betting markets, payment methods, in-play betting, and more.
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Best Betting Sites UK Bonuses & Promotions
The best UK betting sites offer you a range of ways to get extra value for your wagers, from when you first sign-up as a new customer all the way through your experience as a returning player. Bonuses and promotions can come in several forms, including:
Welcome Bonus
In return for signing up as a customer at one of the best online betting sites in the UK, you can expect a welcome bonus. This is usually a boost to your initial deposit, such as doubling the funds at your disposal.
For example, a UK betting site may be proposing a 100% matched deposit bonus up to £250, meaning you can start with £500 worth of funds in your betting account despite only committing £250 of your own cash.
However, be aware of wagering requirements. This is a multiplier that represents the number of times you have to play through a bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings from using those bonus funds.
Free Bets
Once you become a regular customer at one of the best sports betting sites in the UK, there is likely to be further opportunities to enjoy free bets to use on sporting wagers of your choice.
These may be handed out promotionally on special events such as England football matches, or used as an incentive to get you to bet a certain amount and receive that same amount in free bets.
Be aware that free bets usually have an expiry date, so make sure you don’t miss out on using them.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses act in the same way as deposit match bonuses for new customers. When you top up your account balance, a reload bonus may add a certain percentage – ideally, 100% – so that your new investment is effectively doubled.
However, reload bonuses are increasingly rare to come by even at top sports betting sites in the UK, so do not hold it against one if you do not receive any.
Odds Boosts
Odds boosts are one of the most common promotional offers at the best UK sports betting sites. UK bet sites regularly enhance the odds of a particular market, which means your potential payout is bigger than you might have expected.
You should check the initial odds – and potentially compare with other top UK sports betting sites – so that you can work out how generous the boost actually is. In most cases, it is likely you are receiving strong value, but be careful not to be lured in by a marketing tool.
Accumulator Bonuses
Some UK sports betting sites apply bonuses to accumulators, which is when you combine multiple selections into one bet. This will increase your profits if you can land a winner.
In most cases, the bonus percentage will increase for every selection you make. For example, you may receive a 10% bonus on a four-fold, or a 20% bonus on an eight-fold. This may not sound much, but if you are going for large odds with even modest stakes, it can make a massive difference.
Bet Builder Boosts
In a similar vein to accumulator bonuses, some of the best betting sites in the UK offer boosts on Bet Builders, which we will explain more on in the next section. This boost can increase your profits when betting on single events, with every goal, point or run mattering.
Accumulator Insurance
Some UK best betting sites offer insurance on accumulators, such as returning your stake in cash or as a free bet if only one leg lets you down.
Usually, there are qualifying conditions to meet this promotion, such as minimum odds on each selection (e.g. decimal odds of 1.50 or greater), or a minimum amount of selections (e.g. five or more). This can help soften the blow on any near misses you may encounter, and provide funds to go again on the next accumulator.
Popular Sports at UK Sports Betting Sites
The UK is a nation that absolutely loves its sport, and the popularity of UK betting sites proves that we love to place a wager on our favourite action.
Now that we know the types of markets you can bet on, here are some of the sports you can expect to find at the best betting sites in the UK:
Football ⚽
For some years, football has attracted more bets than any other sport at UK betting sites. The beautiful game lends itself easily to a wide range of wagers, including accumulators and prop bets, and you can enjoy placing in-play bets as the action ebbs and flows.
The English Premier League dominates attention in the UK, but football betting sites in the UK all cover various leagues across the globe, such as La Liga in Spain and the Bundesliga in Germany.
Horse Racing 🏇
Horse Racing traditionally saw the biggest turnover at UK betting sites, until it was overtaken by football. Many online bookies still give great prominence to the Sport of Kings, with many horse racing betting sites not on Gamstop operating a separate racebook.
Big races like the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival have numerous markets available at the best betting sites in the UK, meaning you can enjoy placing singles and accumulators on your favourite events.
Tennis 🎾
Tennis has grown to be one of the most popular sports at the best UK betting sites. It suits many types of wagers, from pre-game bets to inplay wagers, which can be placed during the frequent breaks in-play.
You can bet on the outright males or ladies’ singles winner of Wimbledon, or on a range of markets on an individual match at the French Open, such as match result, total sets, total breaks of serves, and much more.
Cricket 🏏
Many visitors to UK betting sites enjoy a bet on cricket. As well as wagering on the result, you can bet on the total amount of runs scored by each side or individual players.
Due to the frequent breaks in action, Cricket is another sport that suits in-play betting, both on Test matches and one-day action, such as the T20 World Cup.
Boxing 🥊
Boxing is one of the most exciting sports to watch, and therefore one of the most exhilarating to bet on, too. Alongside betting on the fight winner, you can wager on round betting, punches landed, and much more.
British boxers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two of the finest heavyweight fighters in the world, with fights regularly being held at the O2 Arena in London, although Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly prominent host in the boxing world.
Golf ⛳
Betting on golf tournament winners is hugely popular as, with such a huge field of players, you can receive some very big odds. It can also increase interest across the four rounds of action, although there are several other markets you can place wagers on.
The “Home of Golf” is widely considered to be St Andrews in Scotland, with The Open always contested at a links course in Britain. However, at top betting sites in the UK, you can bet on any of the other majors or minor tournaments on the PGA Tour.
Darts 🎯
Darts is a sport that has grown hugely in popularity in recent years, with England playing host to the World Championship at the raucous Alexandra Palace every year.
Not only can you wager on a match result, but also on stats such as the number of 180s thrown and the highest checkout. This can make the entirety of the darts match exciting to watch, as the margins are so fine.
Other Sports 🏈
The above sports are just leading examples of popular sports to bet on in the UK. The likes of Rugby Union, Rugby League, Formula 1, Basketball, American Football, and much more also receive plenty of attention. With top UK betting sites, you can usually bet on a variety of markets across more than 30 sports in total.
Types of Markets at Top UK Betting Sites
On top of bonuses and promotions, one of the main advantages of using the best betting websites in the UK is the incredible amount of markets you can bet on.
Gone are the days when you were limited to betting on the match result, although this remains the most popular market for most people. Here are some of the types of bets you can explore at UK sports betting sites:
- 1-X-2: The simplest bet on the coupon: a straight wager on the result of a game. All you have to do is predict whether one side or the other will win (or if it will be a draw in sports such as football or cricket), and place your money accordingly.
- Handicaps: If you think you know how much one team will win – or lose – by, then handicap betting could be the market for you. Online betting sites in the UK give the underdogs a head-start – and the favourites a deficit – to level up the odds. You may also find alternate lines that push the handicap and change the odds accordingly.
- Totals: How many points, goals, or runs will one team score, or both teams score combined? Will this figure be under or over a specified amount? Totals and over/under betting is hugely popular at UK betting sites.
- Prop Bets: There are a host of wagering possibilities that do not directly impact the result. Top betting sites in the UK allow you to bet on shots, corners, cards, and much more in football; or runs scored, wickets taken, and number of catches in cricket. The world is your oyster at UK best betting sites.
- Accumulators: Most sports bettors enjoy an acca. The big appeal lies in the fact that you can cover several selections with a single stake, stretching your interest across a prolonged period of time while providing the prospect of a serious payout. Of course, they all have to win for that to happen.
- Bet Builders: Bet Builders work similarly to an accumulator, in that you can combine several selections into one single bet. However, the key difference is that you are betting on the same event, rather than multiple ones. For example, you could bet on Arsenal to win, both teams to score, Bukayo Saka to have a shot on target, and both teams to receive a card. Each selection would multiply for potentially huge returns.
- In-Play Betting: The best UK betting sites now update odds during an event, meaning you can wager in-play. This has become an incredibly popular option with bettors in recent years, as you can react to what is happening in front of you. However, the downside is that odds can be radically slashed, and some markets may not be available. We will expand more on in-play betting in a later section.
Using Best Online Betting Sites in the UK vs Retail Betting
While there are many similarities between sports betting in the UK online and at a local retail outlet, there are also some crucial differences to consider. Below are some pros and cons of using UK betting sites:
Pros 
- Greater Choice
- Better Odds
- Bigger Bonuses
- Superior Promotions
- Bet from Anywhere
Cons 
- Less Control
- Less Social
- Less Security
As you can see, we believe the positives outweigh the negatives. When it comes to local retail betting shops in the UK, you may be limited to only one or two brands, whereas the world is your oyster when online betting in the UK.
This means you can benefit from better odds – even comparing odds on a particular market between multiple bookmakers – and bigger bonuses, while enjoying excellent ongoing promotions as a returning customer. You can also bet from anywhere in the world on a mobile device, especially if you have access to a VPN, rather than being restricted to one location. Convenience is King.
However, some people may feel less in control when spending digitally rather than physically. This is why it is important to set deposit limits and take regular breaks when gambling. There is also a greater risk of suffering a data breach, but this is very slim providing that you are betting at a licensed bookmaker and have up-to-date security on your chosen device.
Payment Methods at Best Betting Sites in the UK
Popular betting sites in the UK offer a variety of ways in which you can deposit money into – and withdraw money from – your account. This reflects the growing diversity of financial methods now available to people in the UK. The ways of funding your UK betting account include:
- Traditional Payment Methods: You can easily use a debit card to move money in and out of your accounts with UK betting sites. Deposits are usually instant, wile withdrawals using traditional fiat currencies are usually fast, too, ranging from a few hours to a few days depending on the UK betting site you are using. Credit cards are usually prohibited at any UK betting site licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, but alternative betting sites may allow you to use this method. However, there may be a small transaction fee applied if you are looking to use this method.
- Cryptocurrencies: We understand that an increasing amount of you want to use crypto for UK sports betting. In our experience, only the best betting sites in the UK are happy to oblige them. If you like to wager using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or another form of cryptocurrency, you may need to look beyond the established UK betting sites and explore one of our suggested alternative brands. Deposits and withdrawals using crypto will usually be faster than traditional methods, often only taking a few hours to reach your account. There are also no fees attached, which may be the case with credit cards and even debit cards at some UK bet sites.
- e-Wallets: Many of you may increasingly rely on eWallet payment methods such as PayPal, Revolut, Skrill, Neteller, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The good news is that the best UK betting sites usually allow you to fund your account using at least one of these methods. eWallets are a quick, efficient method of funding your UK betting account. Again, payouts should be faster than using traditional methods, but deposit limits may be stricter and there could be a small fee attached.
Our table below outlines some of the options that may be available at betting sites in the UK. However, please be aware that withdrawal times will vary depending on several factors, such as the bookmaker and your choice of bank. Any fees will also depend on the UK betting site and payment method.
| Payment Method | Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time |
| Visa/Mastercard | Instant | Up to 5 days |
| Cryptocurrency | Instant | 2-3 hours |
| PayPal | Instant | Up to 24 hours |
| Neteller | Instant | Up to 24 hours |
| Skrill | Instant | Up to 24 hours |
| Apple Pay | Instant | Up to 5 days |
| Google Pay | Instant | Up to 5 days |
How to Sign Up to Best UK Betting Sites
UK betting sites make it as easy as possible for you to sign up. Use the following steps to register as a customer, make the most of your welcome bonus, and place your first bet.
Start The Registration Process
Look for the ‘Register’, ‘Join’ or ‘Sign Up’ button inviting you to join as a customer. Click on it to begin the process of signing up.Fill in All The Required Details
You will have to provide a few pieces of information – such as name, address, date of birth – on the form that pops up so that you can be registered as a new customer.Claim Your Welcome Bonus
Once your account has been verified, the first thing you should do is make sure you get the full benefit of the promotional offer specifically aimed at new customers. It may be what persuaded you to sign up in the first place!Place Your First Bet
Now you’re up and running, it’s time to place your opening wager. Check out the sports you know best, look at the upcoming fixtures, find the right bet for you and you’re ready to roll.
In-Play Betting & Live Streaming at UK Betting Sites
Although most sports bettors still prefer to place their wagers before the action begins, in-play betting has become increasingly popular in recent years. Whether you like to wait to see which formation a team is deploying, or simply combine watching with betting, we explore this in more detail below.
In-Play Betting
In response to a growing demand for in-play betting, most UK online sports betting apps now offer live markets on most sporting events as standard practice.
The advantage of betting in-play is that you can react to the action unfolding in front of you. Perhaps a player has been picked in a different position to the one you expected before kick-off, or a team appear noticeably tired or unmotivated. This can help you gain an edge at UK betting sites, as they may not have reacted in time or even noticed.
However, one disadvantage is that some markets are only available prior to the event starting, meaning your options may be limited. Another drawback is that odds will regularly change in reaction to key incidents, meaning you may miss out on a good price.
Live Streaming
Whether you are looking to bet in-play or simply watch the action take place, many of the best betting sites in the UK live stream countless sporting events around the world directly on their site.
The extent of this will vary between each UK betting site, depending on their licensing rights. Some may only have the rights to certain tennis matches, for example, while another may have access to live streaming for international cricket matches.
In the absence of live streaming, there will nearly always be a live match centre instead. This is likely to include an animation, helping you track where the ball is in football, for example. This can help you gauge an accurate feel of how the match is playing out at every moment, aided by a range of in-depth statistics.
Cash Out
Cash out is a phrase that goes hand in hand with UK sports betting these days, as nearly every UK betting site will offer the ability to cash out your running bets.
For example, you may have already won four out of five selections on your accumulator, leaving you feeling slightly nervous about the last pick. If you head to ‘My Bets’ or a similarly-named section on site, it is likely that the UK betting site is offering a cash out amount for you to consider on this bet.
The size of the cash out will depend on a range of factors, such as your stake, the odds of the total bet, and the odds of the remaining selection(s). Sometimes a partial cash out will be available, meaning you can lock in some profit and hope for more if the last selection wins. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether to take the money and run, or let it ride.
Although the UK Gambling Commission is the UK’s official gambling regulator, betting sites in the UK are licensed by a range of authorities from numerous jurisdictions. These are equally safe to the UKGC, allowing sports bettors to gain access to more bonuses, markets, communities, and much more.
Here at Techopedia, we always recommend betting at a licensed operator for your own security, such as:
Why Use UK Betting Sites Licensed From Abroad?
Most people will turn to UK betting sites regulated by the UK Gambling Commission for ease and familiarity. However, those looking to bet on sports from Great Britain can access numerous betting sites with established licenses from abroad. Let’s delve deeper into why you should consider using these:
How We Test and Review Sportsbooks
100+ Sports Betting Sites Reviewed
200+ Hours of Research Every Month
150+ Sportsbook Promotions Verified
1,000s Betting Markets & Odds Analyzed
We follow a proven methodology when reviewing sports betting sites that highlights the pros and cons of each platform.
Our process enables us to rate sportsbooks on key features so you can compare sites with ease.
We cover:
- Sports and betting markets
- Competitiveness of odds
- Reputation and licensing
- Bonuses and promotions
- Payment methods
- Customer support
…and more.
Check out our complete guide to learn how to rate sportsbooks featured on Techopedia.
The Best Betting Sites in the UK: Our Verdict
Selecting a good bookmaker is hugely important for your UK sports betting ventures. We’ve listed several elements to consider: licensing, bonuses, odds, bet types, and more.
Whether you’re a wagering rookie or a sports betting veteran, you can use our recommendations to help you find the best betting site in the UK for your own personal requirements.
