In our best sites guide, William Hill score high for the major events taking place this week
- Super Quick Sign-Up Process
- Low £5 Minimum Deposit
- Excellent Bet Club For In Play Betting
The Best Betting Sites In The UK - Our Top Picks Explained
Our top picks for the best betting sites in the UK are explained here. According to our team of expert reviewers, these are the top betting sites overall.
Below is a summary as to why each of these best betting sites have been rated highly. Visit the individual bookmaker review pages for each bookies full review and to read the thoughts of the OLBG members.
1.bet365
bet365 is the biggest online bookmaker in the World with a reported 35million + customers. bet365 has consistently been rated as the best online betting site by OLBG users for years. In our guides we review betting sites based on many different criteria.
The most diversified bookmaker, covering all sports and events worldwide, wide variety of available markets, cash out option, clean design, intuitive, easy to use, among other benefits...
OLBG user Richerfrantz
Pros
Rated number 1 in our analysis of best football betting sites
Rated number 1 in our analysis of best bet builder sites
Rated number 1 in our analysis of best cash out bookmakers
Cons
Not as good an offering as BetVictor, PariMatch, Betfair or Paddy Power when it comes to Tennis betting
Mobile app not rated as highly BetVictor when it comes to mobile betting
Much better offerings for casino players
2. BetVictor
BetVictor rates highly in many of our betting sites research guides, consistently providing good odds for both horse racing and football. Mobile bettors seem particularly pleased with BetVictor which is backed up from our analysis of the best betting apps where they come out on top.
BetVictor is an excellent sports betting site it has a clear and concise layout and allows a multitude of sports and betting angles. Refreshing that they allow very low stakes and deposits which makes them accessible to even the most cautious punters
OLBG user touchofoscar
Pros
Top rated site for Tennis betting
Consistently offers good horse racing odds
Rated best mobile experience in our deep analysis
Cons
Not one of the top bet builder products, according to our research
Not one of the best cash-out offerings
No weekly free bet club
3.Kwiff
Kwiff online betting site has been making great strides in the UK online betting space with a modern and innovative approach. As a Kwiff user you can be surprised with extra payouts, supercharged bets up to 2000x the odds, promotions and loyalty rewards. If you want to experience a slightly different way of betting, try Kwiff.
I'm using kwiff more than a month.. this bookies for me is the number overall to all bookies . easy to use and reliable for the people who wants to have an easy apps. nice and easy to deposit and withdraw and great offer and a lot of bonuses
OLBG user iambenicto
Pros
Unique offerings, promotions and rewards
Great for Casino games
Very easy to use site
Cons
Not rated highly for horse racing betting
Limited choice of sports and markets compared to some
Might not suit more serious punters used to traditional offerings
4. Unibet
Unibet bookmaker shines in football odds & market selection. Known for a top-tier sports betting app & broad market choice for many sports as part of the Kindred Group.
Unibet are offering a lot of promos especially on horse racing. Every big festival meeting they come up with something and I am spending more time betting with them ever before. I like the free bet club and extra place specials. If they carry on in this vein I expect I will drop another bookie and use Unibet for other sports.
OLBG user nors
Pros
One of the best bet builder products
Good best odds guaranteed offering for horse racing.
Great free bets club
Cons
It wasn't rated in our top six for in-play bookmakers
Wasn't rated highly as a cash-out bookmaker
The mobile experience could be better.
5. Parimatch
Pari Match is a lesser known betting company, although one of our reviewers pointed out that they have been around for over 17 years. The OLBG user ratings are very strong which is little surprise when you understand that behind the different branding you essential have the same site as BetVictor. Great esport coverage, great in play offering and very highly rated customer service.
If you like betting on the many different sports or playing casino type games then i would recommend Parimatch UK. They offer markets on the majority of sports with good odds. The website and app layout is very clear and easy enough to use.
OLBG user CJMST380
Pros
Excellent esports coverage
Great boxing offering
Good in play offering
Cons
Withdrawal process could be faster
Not one of the best racing products
Could be better for bet builders
6. Fitzdares
Fitzdares bookmaker is bringing something different to online betting, styled as the Worlds finest bookmaker and has built its brand offline appealing to higher end punters. However the online offering is designed for all stake levels and aims to give you a bit more than other online bookmakers do. It certainly feels like a different experience betting with Fitzdares.
Fitzdares are a breath of fresh air. The app/site works like a charm, never any weird downtime. They pay out in full in a timely manner and even give a free loyalty bet every week. Not quite sure what more you need. Solid bookie, keep up the good work.
OLBG User Monkey321
Pros
Unique new offering
You'll feel more important betting with Fitzdares
Great horse racing offering
Cons
Not yet got as comprehensive coverage as other bookmakers
Best odds guaranteed not until after 9am
Not in our top 6 football betting sites
7. Star Sports
Star Sports, UK's top luxury bookmaker, provides unique betting services and is renowned for quality service, large bets, and professional integrity. Particularly strong for horse racing, where the companies roots are based they have extended to offer all sports and political betting too. They join Fitzdares in the only private, luxury bookmakers in this section.
Pros
Horse Racing specialists
Will lay good bets
One of the best bookies for Cricket
Cons
Some limitations on niche sporting events
Lesser known brand
Slower than average withdrawal times
8. TalkSPORTBet
Talksportbet online betting site is a football-focused, in-play betting expert with superb bet builder. Praised for the range of bets & user-friendly site under the BetVictor platform. Talksport is plainly in the BetVictor Parimatch vein, but does offer unique, football focussed, promotions.
Pros
One of the newer betting brands
Football focussed and as such a good option
Good promotions
Cons
Not as established as bigger brands
Differing views regarding branding the radio station with a bookmaker
The only difference to BV is the promotions
9. Betway
Betway online bookmaker offers a good range across the key UK sports. Cricket, F1 and Rugby betting are particularly good, and all sports are more than adequately covered. With one of the best free bet club options for regular players, Betway excels at keeping customers happy and feeling important to the brand with communication and rewards.
The best bookmaker i ever found. My experience with betway is excellent. Easy deposit and withdrawal.
OLBG member faizi
Pros
One of the best Free bet clubs for regular players
Great Cricket betting options
Top 10 F1 and Rugby betting sites
Cons
Not yet got as comprehensive coverage as other bookmakers
Not in the top 10 football betting sites
No stand-out odds
10. 888Sport
888sport online bookmaker, founded in 2008, excels in NFL betting among a complete range of sports events betting options online. Great with promotions too. 888Sport, of course, offer the full range of sports betting, but particularly come to the fore with feature promotions such as Bet Builder and a Free bet Club, for both of which they feature in our top ten lists
Their offers are really good, the stats on upcoming football matches are excellent and help a lot.
OLBG member maionessy
Pros
Top 10 Bet Builder Option
Top 10 Free Bet Club Options
Excellent NFL Betting Options
Cons
No standout odds for any particular sport outside NFL
Limited Live Streaming
Not in the top 10 for horse racing
Top rated bookmakers by OLBG Users
You can see the best rated betting sites in the UK from ratings collected at OLBG by sorting the table above by rating. Members of OLBG have been reviewing the best online betting sites since 2002. Who better to ask which the best online bookmakers are, than those who use them day in day out?
Our members have tried and tested many uk bookmakers over the years and here they share with you their honest thoughts. Each time we add a new bookie to OLBG we ask our users to try it out and review it. This personal experience of using betting sites is valuable. We have highlighted some of these real user reviews in the content on this page as we feel that their feedback is really useful in helping you to choose your new betting account.
🆕 Betting Sites Weekly Update - Friday, 26th July
By Steve Madgwick - Editor-In-Chief 
Each week, we highlight the top sporting events and the betting sites that offer the best options for fans of each sport.
Our seasoned sports betting experts tirelessly work on new brand reviews, update existing brands, and realign our analysis of our betting guides. This ensures you have the most accurate and up-to-date information when making betting site decisions.
We have a couple of very interesting new announcements this week, with the Tote getting involved in more racing sponsorships. How about Unibet offering the best price for every runner in a race daily?
🏇 Tote becomes the official sponsor of Racing League 2024 - £ 2 million in prize money across 42 races at six fixtures
🏇 Unibet unveil Best Industry Price Daily Offer
Want a guaranteed best price on every single runner, every single day? Then Unibet is the place to be! On one selected race every day, we will be the best industry price on every runner in the race.
Simply navigate to the selected race card, and we will be best price on all horses from 9am on the day of the race.
Unibet place 6th in our top 10 horse racing bettng sites. These are the five above them.
Daily Best Odds on Every Runner
Unibet have an offer whereby daily they will provide the best odds on every runner in a selected race from 9am
This Week's Main Sporting Events and Which Bookmakers to Consider.
It is a very quiet week on the sports betting calendar. Only selected events, nothing major, make the list this week.
| Date - June | Sport | Event/Tips | Best Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Week | 🎾 Tennis | ATP World Tour | bet365 |
| All Week | 🏏 Cricket | The Hundred | Betway |
| Thu-Sun | Rugby League | Super League | Betfair |
| Saturday | 🏇Racing on ITV | Ascot/York | Betfred |
We have a range of betting guides on the best betting sites by sport, which you can access by clicking the links in the events table above.
The Best Betting Sites By Sport
If you place the majority of your bets on one particular sport then rather than the overall best bookie, you may be looking for the best bookie for that particular sport.
Here is a summary showing the best betting sites for some of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom, please explore the guides for more detail.
⚽️ Football Betting Sites
Based on our expert analysis, Bet365 is ranked as the best football betting site due to its unparalleled in-play betting options, extensive global market reach, and superior cash-out and bet-builder facilities. These facilities cater specifically to the needs of football betting enthusiasts. This comprehensive site provides top odds and a wide range of betting markets, making it the go-to platform for many bettors.
Best for Football
Bet365 is rated the top football betting site for its in-play options, extensive markets, superior cash-out, and bet-builder features.
- Best In-play Football Betting
- Best Cash out on Accas
- Best Bet Builder
While bet365 leads the pack, other betting sites offer solid alternatives. William Hill stands out with its vast league coverage and Premier League market depth, while Paddy Power impresses with its innovative specials, football promotions, and intuitive betting app. Betway, known for its strong football sponsorship ties, offers a robust and reliable betting platform. Lastly, Betfair provides unique sportsbook and exchange betting options, daily odds boosts, and specials for significant games, ensuring a diverse betting experience. To dive deeper into these options, read the full analysis of the best football betting sites.
ALSO READ
The Best Football Betting Sites
🏇 Horse Racing Betting Sites
For the best horse racing betting site, bet365 stands out with top odds, frequent promotions, best odds guaranteed, and extra places in major races. OLBG users praise its ease of navigation, making it a friendly choice for bettors seeking great odds and options.
#2 for Horse Racing
Fitzdares, ranked no. 2 for horse racing, is a former private bookmaker now offering online betting with promotions like bonuses on Lucky bets and selected Best Odds Guaranteed.
- Premium Online Bookmaker
- Lucky 15 Bonuses
- Not Afraid of Laying a Bet
Other noteworthy picks include Fitzdares, known for its on-course betting background and comprehensive online platform, and Star Sports, which brings its on-course bookmaking expertise to mobile devices. BetGoodwin excels in offering a dedicated horse racing betting site, and Betfred, with the Done family legacy, is noted for its generous bonuses. Meanwhile, Betway offers an attractive free bets club and a range of tote options, adding to a solid overall betting experience.
ALSO READ
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
🎾 Tennis Betting Sites
When it comes to the best tennis betting sites for UK users, bet365 stands tall as the top choice. Known for its extensive event coverage and vast market variety, bet365 offers features like live streaming of matches, in-play betting, and an array of tennis-related promotions. Additional perks include bet builder options and the availability of cash out. What sets bet365 apart is their retirement guarantee: if you back a player who retires mid-match, you’ll get your stake back, making it a particularly user-friendly option.
A Great Alternative to bet365
Paddy Power is notable for its superior in-play betting options, live streaming, and cash-out features in tennis betting.
- Best In-Play Tennis Betting
- Live Streaming
- Tennis Cash Out
Other notable tennis betting sites include Paddy Power, which excels in unrivalled in-play betting options, live streaming, and cash-out features. Pub Sports is also a strong contender, offering live streaming, excellent bet builder options, and comprehensive event coverage, even if their market variety is slightly less broad. Yeti Bet stands out with a fantastic bet builder feature and precise statistics, although it's often underrated. Lastly, Betfair is known for its outstanding odds, flexibility to switch to their exchange, and the convenience of live streaming with in-play statistics.
ALSO READ
The Best Tennis Betting Sites: A comprehensive comparison for online tennis betting fans
⛳️ Golf Betting Sites
Star Sports is the premier bookmaker for golf betting, offering unparalleled features that make it the top choice. They provide exceptional promotions for various events, from smaller PGA tournaments to major championships. The sheer number of markets per event and the extensive in-play betting options are impressive. However, what truly sets Star Sports apart is the comprehensive statistics available for golf events, making it the definitive leader in the field.
Best for Golf
Star Sports excels in golf betting with extensive markets, in-play options, and comprehensive statistics, making it a top choice for bettors.
- Extensive markets offered
- Comprehensive statistics available
- Exceptional event promotions
While not quite matching Star Sports, Betfred still delivers a high-quality golf betting experience with some competitive advantages. They may lack the extensive event coverage and detailed statistics offered by Star Sports, but they compensate with better odds, making it a strong choice for those seeking value. Additionally, BetFred's golf promotions are noteworthy, with the bookmaker often paying out for up to 10 places in various events.
Betfair comes in strong with broad competition coverage and solid market depth, though it falls short on in-play information compared to the top two. They do, however, offer competitive odds. Lastly, Coral, despite generally lower odds for golf, excels with excellent event coverage and market depth, notably offering generous each-way terms that cover up to 10 places even outside major events.
ALSO READ
Best Bookmakers for Golf Betting
🏎️ F1 & Motor Racing
For the ultimate F1 betting experience, 32Red is the best choice. It excels in providing top-notch odds, various markets, and robust live betting options. Beyond Formula 1, 32Red also offers betting on Superbikes, NASCAR, Supercars, and more, making it the premier destination for motorsport enthusiasts.
Best for Formula 1 Betting
32Red offers top odds, diverse markets, and live betting for F1, Superbikes, NASCAR, and Supercars.
- Top F1 odds
- Various motorsport markets
- Robust live betting
Other notable options include William Hill, known for its diverse markets, extensive event coverage, and solid in-play betting. Bet365 also shines with its wide array of qualifying round markets and commendable live event cash-out options. Betway excels through general promotions that enhance the betting experience, even without specific motorsport promotions. GrosvenorSport impresses with its user-friendly design, excellent odds, and efficient search functionality, offering an all-around pleasing betting environment.
ALSO READ
The Top Motorsport Betting Sites 2024
Other Sports
For detailed analysis into the best betting sites for other sports please visit the guides following these links
Best Betting Site by Bet Features
In addition to sports, there are a multitude of betting features you might want to consider. Whether it be the new bet builder functions, then the options to cash out whilst your bet is still running, or if you are looking for best odds guaranteed in horse racing or greyhounds. Here are some of the more popular fetaures and the best bookmakers providing them.
Casino Games
If you like to play casino games alongside placing bets on sports, you may be looking for a strong betting site that offers a solid casino option too. The betting sites appearing highest in our best casino sites listing are 32Red, Quinnbet and Kwiff. You can separately look at our list of best casino sites.
The best sites for casino games are - Kwiff - 32Red - Quinnbet - Fitzdares - talkSPORTBet - BetVictor
🤝 Betting Exchanges
Betting exchanges will always feature high up on our overall list of best betting sites as they offer good odds and don't restrict customer bets. Comparing them often comes down to the range of markets, degree of liquidity and rates of commission. If you are looking to start betting on an exchange site or are thinking of swopping sites, take a look at our detailed guide to UK betting exchanges.
The best betting exchanges are:
1. Betfair
🤝 Founded in 2000, Betfair operates the world's largest online betting exchange, offering sports betting and online casino, as well as a fixed odds sportsbook.
2. Betdaq
🤝 Betdaq, an Irish gambling company founded in 2000, operates the world's second-largest online betting exchange and offers sports betting and online casino.
3. Smarkets
🤝 markets, a London-based, award-winning sports betting firm with modern approach to exchange betting offering huge market coverage.
4. Matchbook
🤝 Matchbook is a sports betting exchange prioritizing high-value returns and affordable commission rates, unique for offering exchange accumulators.
ALSO READ
Betting Exchanges UK - The best sites in the UK 2024
📊 Spread Betting Sites
Sports spread betting sites are few and far between, perhaps because spread betting is a rather complicated and potentially risky way of betting online. If you are an experienced bettor and would like to try it then take a look at our guide to help you to choose the best sports spread betting site.
The best sports spread betting sites are:
1. Sporting Index
📊 Sporting Index is a global leader in live sports betting. Founded in 1992 they offer exhilarating sports spread betting experience to a worldwide customer base.
2. Spreadex
📊 UK-based Spreadex offers sports and financial spread betting, sports fixed odds betting, and casino betting services in one platform.
ALSO READ
Best Sports Spread Betting Sites
💸 Cash Out Betting Sites
Bet365 dominates the cash out betting scene, offering bettors flexibility with full or partial cash out options before settlement. Features include Auto Cash Out when values hit specified thresholds and the "Edit My Bet" feature, enhancing user control.
Bet365 offers premium cash-out options, including full, partial, Auto Cash Out, and
- Full and partial cash out
- Auto Cash Out
- Edit My Bet
Other notable alternatives include Spreadex, known for its early bet settlement and partial cash out for fixed odds; Ladbrokes, offering cash out for various sports under specific conditions; BetVictor prioritizing early settlement; and Coral, focusing on pre-match and in-play cash outs, with certain exclusions.
ALSO READ
Best Cash-Out Betting Sites for Football and More
🔨⚽️ 🪜 The Best Bet Builder Bookmakers
Bet365 stands out as a premier bet builder site, offering a vast selection and pricing for sports like tennis, rugby, and basketball. It supports in-play betting and combines multiples for accumulator fans, with an option for cashing out on all selections.
BetVictor's bet builder allows custom bets across multiple sports, including boxing and NFL, with options to tweet requests using a hashtag.
- Custom bets
- Multiple sports
- Tweet requests
Other top alternatives include BetVictor, which covers varied sports and allows customization; Unibet, known for competitive odds and up to 12 selections; Betfair, offering a wide market range and flexible options; and Paddy Power, featuring the #whatodds function and a refund policy on certain bets.
ALSO READ
Discovering the Best Bet Builder Sites: A Comprehensive Comparison of 64 Online Bookmakers
🔄 🏃 Best Bookmakers for In Play Betting
Bet365 stands out as the premier choice for in-play betting, offering a user-friendly platform with extensive sports markets including football, basketball, and tennis. Bet365 prioritizes clear odds and a seamless experience, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned bettors.
VirginBet focuses on competitive odds, diverse markets, and easy access to live streaming, prioritizing functionality over graphics.
- Competitive odds
- Diverse markets
- Live streaming
Other top options include VirginBet for its straightforward interface and competitive odds, Parimatch for niche sports and in-play boosts, BoyleSports for its quick settlements and extensive markets, and Coral for broad sports coverage and comprehensive live betting features.
ALSO READ
Top In-Play Betting Sites in the UK for 2024: A Guide to the Best Live-Betting Bookmakers
🔝🏇 Best Odds Guaranteed Bookies
If you bet regularly on horse racing then you will know how important best odds guaranteed is. What is available, the terms and conditions attached and when you can and can't get access to it vary greatly by bookmaker. If you use best odds guaranteed then you should read our full guide here.
VBet tops the list of best odds guaranteed bookies in the UK, offering unmatched rates on horse racing in the UK and Ireland. Their service begins at midnight, with no cap on additional winnings, and can be used in multiples.
VBet offers the stand out best odds guaranteed options on UK and Ireland horse racing, starting at midnight with no cap on winnings and usable in multiples.
- Early Prices
- BOG in Multiples
- No Winning Cap
Bet365, BetVictor, Parimatch, and TalkSportBet are notable alternatives. Bet365 also covers greyhound racing without capped benefits but lacks multiples. BetVictor and TalkSportBet offer services from 9 am with a cap of £25,000, including multiples. Parimatch offers similar terms starting at 9 am.
ALSO READ
Best Odds Guaranteed: Unveiling 27 UK Bookmakers availability, times, restrictions and max winnings
Other Categories
For detailed analysis of the best bookies by other categories please follow the links to check out these guides on the best betting sites for
Best New Online Bookmakers
Some of these betting sites may not consider themselves as new bookies as they have all been established a reasonable length of time either in the UK or elsewhere. Still, users may see them as a new bookie compared to some bookmakers who have been around for decades.
The best new online bookmakers are
- Betarno
- Fitzdares
- Star Sports
- BetGoodwin
- Bet MGM
- PlanetSportBet
- AK Bets
How OLBG Reviews and Rates Online Bookmakers
The editorial process for each review is detailed and thorough. The full review process takes a minimum of a month from start to finish and involves more than 10 experienced reviewers along with dozens of regular sports bettors. This is a breakdown of our review and rating policy.
STEP 1 - Full Review By An Experienced Content Writer
One of our experienced in house writers will spend a minimum of two weeks reviewing a betting site, placing a minimum of 10 bets (often more) and trying out different sports, markets and features. All of our reviewers have bet online for over 10 years and at numerous betting sites, allowing them to compare and contrast with their own personal experiences.
These are some of the factors which our in house team review for each betting site we list at OLBG
- Customer Support
- Banking & Payment Options
- Site usability
- Mobile site & mobile app usability
- Range of sports covered
- Range of markets covered
- Types of bets accepted
- Odds offered
- Promotions & Offers for existing customers
- Initial bonus or free bet terms
- User experience
- Ease of registration & Account Verification
- In play offering & live streaming
- Maximum pay outs
STEP 2 - Our Review Panel Rates Each Bookmaker
During weeks three and four, the members of our 10 strong review panel will test out the site and along with our main reviewer, provide a rating out of 5 stars. These form the base rating for the betting site. The panel will also review what was written by the initial reviewer and add their own feedback to improve the content, spot anything the reviewer may have missed or just highlight areas they are particularly impressed with (or not!). This is extremely valuable as each member of the panel will have a different way of betting, different sports, bet types, markets they like to bet on. During this stage we conduct fact checking and editing too.
STEP 3 - OLBG Members & Regular Sports Bettors Carry Out Their Reviews
Once we have a full written review and a base rating from the panel, the OLBG members are then encouraged to try out a new betting side and provide their rating and feedback.
At OLBG we gather reviews and ratings for all uk licensed bookies from regular sports bettors so that you can compare and understand which betting sites may be best for you. You can read through the hundreds of bookmaker reviews and see what real users say about the bookies which they use. Reading real life experiences is the best way to learn about which online betting sites may be best for you.
Our members are asked to rate each of the bookmakers out of 5. You will see that we have listed 100s of reviews for UK Sportsbooks and we add new betting sites all the time. The most popular bookmaker reviewed has over 1000 ratings and at the time of writing a score of 4.4/5. This is the average rating for this betting site from all the user reviews.
If you go to the specific bookmaker page, for example bet 365 bookmaker review you will be able to read each of the individual reviews which make up this rating. You will see for this bookmaker that most of the reviews are 5 star.
We publish all betting site reviews unedited as long as they do not contain any swearing, potentially libellous content or individual specific dispute content. Where users have individual and specific disputes with online bookmakers we feel that they should discuss these direct with the bookie, rather than creating a review. OLBG has always been happy to offer help and advice in dealing with such disputes
There are many discussions on our forums where fellow members also offer their help and advice. We do however always encourage intital dialogue with the bookmaker concerned. IBAS can help with disputes with online bookmakers , they are the independent betting adjudication service to go to when users dont feel that their complaint has been resolved by talking directly with the bookmaker.
We recommend only signing up with UK licensed betting sites if you are from the UK, so you will always have a method of resolving a dispute.
STEP 4 - Regular Updates and Improvements
We update every review every month. We read every single new member review and this helps us to understand if a site has improved or changed. We can use this recent feedback to update the core review content.
We will also regularly ask the operator if they have made any significant changes or improvements and update the review accordingly. If any of these changes are significantly large such as a site redesign or a major new sport being added, then that will trigger a full new review process and we will re assess the bookmaker, going back to step 1.
You can be confident that his rigorous process is carried out with all bookmaker reviews.
STEP 5 - Detailed Comparison
We contrast and compare the top bookmakers in detailed comparison guides covering the best sites for different sports and bet types. This is where we can highlight findings from our detailed reviews and the review team can work together to discuss which operators come out on top and which ones don't make the grade.
So altogether this ads up to 100s of hours of work by dozens of experts, all to help you to find your next betting site.
Why a bookmaker may achieve a high rating at OLBG
We have reviewed all the bookmaker reviews submitted to OLBG to try to understand why our members may rate a UK betting site highly. These are some of the key reasons.
- Great odds
- Easy to use site/app/mobile site
- Good bonuses and offers
- Good live streaming
- Great coverage of events and markets.
- Excellent customer service
- Good provision of in play markets and betting opportunities
- Pricing markets up early.
- Dont restrict winning accounts
Why online bookmakers are rated poorly by OLBG
These are some of the key reasons given by OLBG members for giving low bookmaker review ratings.
- Confusing opening account offers
- Hard to use, navigate the site
- No or poor ongoing offers and bonuses for existing users
- Poor odds
- Poor coverage - no odds on events/markets that a user wants to bet on
- Poor customer service - slow, unhelpful, no chat facility.
- Limit bets. Especially when they limit very soon after opening an account.
- Charges - on deposits for example or your account balance!
OLBG has an industry leading Trustpilot rating of 4.6 from over 800 reviews. You can read our OLBG reviews on Trustpilot here.
Who Created, Edited & Fact Checked The Content On This Page?
At OLBG, our sports betting section is powered by a team of dedicated experts who bring years of industry experience and specialized knowledge. Their collective efforts ensure we provide you with top-notch, informative, and user-friendly content. Let's dive into the various roles and discover each team member's invaluable contributions to our sports betting sites section.
The Experts Behind OLBG Sports Betting Content:
Our team’s dedication and expertise ensure that OLBG remains a trusted source for sports betting information. Each member's meticulous work supports the overall quality and reliability that our users expect and appreciate. Explore our sports betting section and gain insights from the best in the industry.
Content Strategists:
These professionals are the architects behind our content strategy. They meticulously plan and structure our sports betting content to ensure it addresses the interests and needs of our audience. They stay ahead of industry trends and ensure our content remains fresh and relevant.
Writers:
Our skilled writers translate complex sports betting concepts into clear, informative articles, predictions, and guides. Their expertise allows them to present detailed analysis and insights in a way that both novice and experienced bettors can appreciate and understand.
Analysts:
Our analysts dive deep into sports statistics and betting data. They provide the foundational research and data-driven insights that our writers and strategists use to craft accurate and actionable content, helping users make informed betting decisions.
Editors:
The editors play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of our content. They review articles for clarity, accuracy, and coherence, ensuring that each piece is polished and provides valuable information. Their keen eye for detail ensures that our content is reliable and engaging.
In addition to their long experience working within the sports betting industry, all our contributors are keen sports bettors themselves, so they each have many years of experience betting with multiple online betting sites.
How To Choose The Right Betting Site For You
We recommend that if you are looking for a new betting site to open you consider the following factors. How do you determine if your next new online bookie is
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
- Low Risk
- Reputable
- Player Friendly With Their Terms and Conditions
- Everything Else You Want!
With each new online bookmaker we review, we go through each of these areas in detail as we form our review.
🔒 Trustworthy
There are over 80 online bookmakers licensed to operate in the UK. We only list UK licensed bookmakers to UK traffic on this site and if you live in the UK we would advise that you don't bet with any bookmakers which aren't licensed here.
Non licensed betting sites may not adhere to the strict regulations laid down by the Gambling Commission and you may have trouble if you ever have a dispute with them. We list the main ones on this page and you can check if betting sites hold a license at the Gambling Commission website.
Table showing top trusted betting sites according to trustpilot ratings
| Online Betting Site | Trustpilot TrustScore | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Matchbook Betting Exchange | 4.5 | 1604 |
| BetVictor | 4.4 | 3045 |
| 10bet UK | 4.4 | 965 |
| NetBet UK | 4.3 | 1459 |
| Spreadex Sports | 3.8 | 806 |
| Kwiff | 3.8 | 3012 |
✅ Reliable
We don't list every licensed UK bookmaker on this page. Some we don't consider to be trustworthy and reliable. This could be for a number of reasons including failing to pay what is owed, changing terms and conditions, having a poor record of customer service.
We prefer to list bookmakers along with the poor reviews where there we have seen that customers have had bad experiences. However sometimes the bookmakers are so poor in terms of trust that we don’t list them at all.
🟢 Low Risk
There are many new online bookies, some very small companies investing in growing a business in the UK. There are risks betting with small companies as they could potentialy come into cash flow problems. However if they are registered with the UK Gambling Commission then there will be certain critiera they need to meet to ensure that they can pay out their customers. The risk is lower with larger more established companies.
Whilst some bookmakers on this page may not be well known in the UK, they may be long established global businesses. Our reviews will tell you more.
Whilst we have to mention it as a risk, it is though very rare for bookmakers to close and not honour bets. Recent closures of bookies have typically been where other bookmakers have bought them out. Typically with these betting sites, balances have been returned to customers and bets have been paid out.
Bet Wisely: Understanding Online Bookies
📢 Unlicensed bookies are promising but risky! 💰🎲 Small companies might struggle with cash flow. Make sure they're registered with the UK Gambling Commission! ✅ Larger, more established and legally operating companies = Less risk. Check out our reviews for more info! 📚
However there have been occasions where ante post (long term market) bets have been cancelled and stakes returned. This of course can be extremely bad for punters who have obtained great value prices on events far into the future. We recommend that you are cautious about which betting sites you use to place your ante post bets. Do so with a bookmaker which is larger and less likely to go out of business or be taken over. Or even better, consider splitting your bet around several betting sites.
So rather than say have £20 with one bookmaker, make 4 £5 bets with different bookies. This same advice is often made by our members when users are discussing how to avoid having their stakes limited by bookies.
🌟 Reputable
The best way to see this is from user experience. This is why we have collected over 500 user reviews across the different UK betting sites from the members here at OLBG. Read their experiences and how they rate each of the bookies before deciding if you will open a new account with that online bookmaker. Our users will often talk about their experiences with customer services and how any issues they had were dealt with.
👥 Player Friendly With Their Terms and Conditions
We have spent hundreds of hours trawling through terms and conditions, withdrawal policies, depositing terms and so on for each of the betting sites we list, so that we can provide you with all the details. Some bookmakers do make charges for certain withdrawals.
Some hit you with charges for not using your account (be careful here as some conditions can eventually clean out your funds if left for 6 months +). We dont want to scare you as most the bookmakers we list have fair terms and conditions and dont go too far away from what would be industry standards. However there are a few to watch out for.
The Fine Print: An In-depth Exploration
🧐🔎 Spent 100s of hours to provide you with detailed info about betting sites' T&Cs, withdrawal policies, hidden charges, etc. 📚📖 Check our reviews before opening your next betting account! 🏧💵 Stay informed & bet smart! 🎲💡
Our users may well have highlighted any in their reviews, or our researches will have found some in their hours of painstaking research. As part of our process we also look at other review sites such as trust pilot to identify any areas where customers aren’t happy with their bookmakers. Of course this also helps us to see positives and reasons why you may want to consider betting with the bookie being reviewed.
Check our bookmaker reviews before opening your next betting account to see if there are any terms and conditions, a good range of payment methods, charges or withdrawal policies which you should look out for. If you have found something we haven’t highlighted then please let us know through adding a review. You can join OLBG for free if you aren’t yet a member and review all the bookmakers listed here.
Everything else you want?
Think about what you want from your bookmaker and read the reviews to find users who have found that. Ask yourself, why would I open an account with this bookmaker AND bet with them regularly? That is the key.
This page and the accompanying detailed guides are packed full of information to help you to find the best betting site for your needs. Opening lots of accounts and trying them out is an alternative to reading our guides and we are aware that some people may wish to do this and take advantage of the welcome offers available.
Most betting sites provide a welcome offer when you register an account with them. This is sometimes called a free bet or a bonus. We discuss these in more detail on our free bets page but for your convenience here are some of the best betting sites offers available now.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bets
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Bet £20, Get £40 in Free Bets
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Bet a Tenner, Get £30 in Free Bets
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Get £30 in Free Bets when you bet £10
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Make sure you are familiar with the terms and conditions when you register with an online bookmaker. Here is a selection of questions you should consider when looking through online bookmaker terms and conditions and particularly when assessing the customer offers available.
- Minimum deposit requirements.
- Deposit and withdrawal methods accepted.
- Options for withdrawals from betting account.
- Are fees charged to deposits on betting account?
- Are fees charged to withdrawals from betting account?
- Minimum bet amount taken.
- Maximum winnings allowed.
- Rules for the individual bet you place, especially rules for when bets are voided.
I want a site similar to my existing bookmaker
It may be that you have been quite happy with your existing online betting site but would like a change. Maybe you want to try a similar site to see if you prefer betting elsewhere, maybe you have had issues with your existing bookmaker.
In recent times it has been common that people have been asked for proof of affordability and rather than provide such documents have looked elsewhere to bet. For whatever reasons, we are seeing many people looking for a similar bookmaker to the one they have. So here we try to answer some of those questions.
What sites are similar to William Hill?
William Hill is a popular high street betting shop that has developed a great online offering. If you are looking for a strong UK brand then a similar offering is available with Ladbrokes or Betfred.
What sites are similar to Betfair?
Betfair differs from many other UK betting sites as it also has the betting exchange offering. If you are looking for a similar betting exchange to Betfair then we would recommend Matchbook or SMarkets. They are both good alternatives for the exchange. If you bet on fixed odds and are looking for an online sportsbook offering then a similar site would be bet365 or BetVictor.
What sites are similar to Ladbrokes?
As a well known UK high street bookmaker with a reputation for good customer service, trust and reliability we would suggest that William Hill would be a similar alternative to Ladbrokes.
What sites are similar to bet365?
bet365 is such a popular online bookmaker that many sports bettors are on the look out for a similar site to bet365 or a better site than bet365. If you are looking for a large UK focused online bookmaker which provides good odds, a great range of markets and top in play betting then we would say that BetVictor is a similar site to bet365.
How To Sign Up To an Online Bookmaker
Here we look at each step of the process you will need to go through before opening your new account and help you with any questions you may have.
Deposit Methods
The minimum deposit is often £5 but for some bookies it can be a lot higher. Check out our review pages for information on minimum deposit amounts for online betting sites. As well as varying by bookmaker this can also vary by deposit method used.
Bookmakers will normally return any winnings to the same card or payment method used to deposit unless instructed otherwise. Sometimes you will be asked to provide details to help the online bookmakers comply with money laundering regulations. Please understand that the online bookmakers are not being difficult, they are simply following legal guidelines. This will be even more likely to happen if you choose to withdraw to a different payment method than you used to deposit.
Visa Debit Card
A debit card is the most common deposit method for online betting sites, this is a straight transfer from a UK bank account. Bookmakers or any gambling companies are no longer allowed to accept credit cards as a deposit method.
PayPal
Most UK bookies accept PayPal which is the most popular e-wallet with sports bettors. Some people like to use it to keep betting transactions off their bank statements, others find it a much faster way to deposit in and out of betting sites. Be aware that using PayPal could exclude you from welcome offers with some bookies.
Apple Pay
Many of the larger online betting sites support Apple Pay and it's like to be available on more sites soon. Deposit and withdrawal times will be the same as the bank cards being used through Apple Pay.
Skrill
Skrill is an alternative to PayPal. Used to be known as Mneybookers, this has always been a popular payment method for online gamblers. and is accepted at most sites.
PaySafeCard
These are prepaid cards which can be used to fund online betting accounts. Fees aren't charged for deposits and so these are a popular way to fund online accounts for those who don't use bank cards.
Take a look at the reviews for each bookmaker by clicking on the link in the above list where we will detail all the deposit methods available for each site.
With most online bookmakers listed here you may be able to easily transfer money between the bookies other products such as poker, casino and bingo. Transferring money between accounts is often very simple and if you only want to play the sportsbook you can just ignore this function.
Many people use payment providers such as Skrill (formerly Moneybookers) for depositing into, and withdrawing from online bookmakers, as these can be faster, more convenient than bank or credit cards. However sometimes using these methods may exclude you from bookmakers welcome offers. If so this will be mentioned in the terms and conditions of the welcome offer. For more info on which payment methods are accepted by which bookmakers please read through our bookmaker reviews.
👍 Responsible Gambling, Identification & Affordability Checks
In recent years the regulations for bookmakers have tightened as the Gambling Commission have looked to increase the protection of the user. This is fantastic news for the industry and all who use online betting sites but you need to be aware that you may have some small inconveniences when trying to open a new online betting site or if you are wanting to place large bets with a bookmaker. ID verification is very strict and sometimes you may be asked to send off copies of documents for ID and address verification.
Also if you are placing large bets and or making large deposits then online betting sites have a responsibility to ensure that you can afford to do so. You may be asked affordability checks such as showing your pay slips and or you may be asked for proof of funds for money laundering checks. Don't take such requests personally, all licensed online bookies must follow these regulations or they can face huge fines.
Here are some common tips to help you with gambling responsibily online. For more information take a look at our detailed responsible gambling guide.
✋ When The Fun Stops Stop 🛑
You will have seen this slogan used by online bookmakers frequently over recent years. It is trying to get across the serious point that if you aren't enjoying gambling you should stop immediately. You can use a process of self evaluation to help you to understand if you have a gambling problem. There is a great tool at Gamcare.
If you do believe that you have a problem then there is always someone to talk to at begambleaware. They can offer great advice including helping you to self exclude. There is a valuable service called Gamstop which allows you to self exclude from all betting companies signed up to the program for a period of your choice. All UK licensed bookmakers listed on this site will be part of the GamStop programme. For this reason (and many others) you should never join betting sites not GamStop.
🔚Set Limits and Use Bookmaker Tools
We strongly recommend that you record your gambling and set yourself limits. Only bet what you can afford to lose. Online betting sites have started to offer a number of tools to help you with this including
- Deposit Limits
- Session Limits
- Account History
- Time Outs
Using playing time notifications to remind you how long you have been gambling and when to stop is a useful tool and so is setting a specific loss amount you are happy with in advance.
The Benefits of Online Betting v High Street Bookmakers
Online betting has been growing at a great rate in recent years, at the expense of high street betting shops. The Covid pandemic results in betting shop closures and as sports returned, sports bettors only had one choice if they wanted a bet and that was online.
Many who hadn't already opened online betting accounts did so during this period, experiencing the benefits of betting by mobile phone via sites or apps. Once betting shops re opened, many had already experienced enough to stick with online betting.
📱The Best Mobile Betting Sites & Apps
The best betting sites for betting via mobile or app are
- BetVictor
- Betfair
- Matchbook
- Paddy Power
- bet365
- Betway
The BetVictor mobile betting app provides versatile sports coverage with exclusive betting app features. Betfair is far easier to use via mobile app than site and Matchbook is a great alternative exchange which also has a highly rated mobile offering. Read our full analysis of the best betting apps.
The Best High Street Betting Shops
Most UK high streets have one or more betting shops but they have been in decline as online gambling has grown. As of March 2020 there were 7,683 UK betting shops, down from 8,800 in March 2017 and 9,128 in March 2012 (source Statista).
More and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of betting online but plenty still mix this with visits to the local bookies or even exclusively use the high street shop. These are the biggest high street bookies by the number of shops they run.
- William Hill
- Ladbrokes
- Coral
- Betfred
- Paddy Power
- Boylesports
The latest figures available from Statista are from 2019 and show the declines since 2012. Keep in mind there has been further decline in total shops between 2019 (8,320 shops) and 2020 (7,683 shops)
Table showing top high street bookmakers by number of shops
| High Street Bookmaker | Number of Shops March 2012 | Number of Shops March 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| William Hill | 2320 | 2264 |
| Ladbrokes | 2131 | 1828 |
| Gala Coral Group | 1725 | 1529 |
| Betfred | 1345 | 1620 |
| Other | 1607 | 1079 |
If you are new to online betting, perhaps previously using high street betting shops to place your bets, then we recommend one of these better known brands for your first online betting account.
These betting sites are all easy to use, offer a good range of betting opportunities, a good range of deposit methods, great customer service and an all round easy online betting experience. Make them your first port of call and once you are used to betting online, take a look around at other alternatives based on what sports you like to bet on or types of bet you like to place.
FAQ
FAQs about Online Bookmakers
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Which are the best UK betting sites?
bet365 is the highest rated sports betting site licensed in the UK according to the OLBG user ratings. The betting sites on this page are ordered by their user ratings so you can see the full list from highest rated to lowest rated.
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Which new betting sites are good?
New betting sites are starting up all the time and you can see which are good by looking at the user reviews & ratings at OLBG. Our in house team also review all new bookmakers in detail before we add them to the site. So read their reviews too by clicking on the links on this page.
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Which are the biggest bookmakers?
The biggest online bookmaker in the World is thought to be bet365. The company claims to have the Worlds largest online gambling community with a reported 35million + customers.
Based on global revenue of all betting brands controlled, Entain (includes Ladbrokes, Coral, Bwin) is larger with Flutter (includes Paddy Power, Betfair) next largest.
The big three bookmakers in the UK of Ladbrokes, Coral and William Hill are often referred to being the largest due to having the most retail outlets (high street betting shops). -
Which betting sites give you free bets?
It is rare for an online betting site not to offer a welcome bonus to encourage customers to sign up. You can see a full list of offers on our free bets page.
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How long does it take to open a new betting account?
We actually time this as part of our review of all new bookmakers we add to OLBG. Typically it takes between 2 and 5 minutes to complete the online registration and deposit funds and place our first bet. This can be delayed if the bookmaker needs to verify identification or funds.
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What information do I need to open an online bookmaker account
Typically not much more than your name, address and payment details. This is why it is so quick and easy to open an online betting account. The exception though is if paperwork is required to verify your identity. This is understandable though and should be expected on occasions by customers. Bookmakers have very strict ID verification, money laundering and affordability checks which they must adhere to.
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What deposit methods are available with online bookmakers
For every single bookmaker listed on OLBG we also list all the deposit methods available. Just go to the review page to find out. The vast majority of UK customers deposit funds through debit cards. Many bookmakers do also accept other online payment methods such as PayPal and Skrill. Bookmakers are not allowed to accept credit cards as a deposit method. Make sure you check any welcome offer terms and conditions as the use of some payment methods may mean that you don't qualify for a free bet or bonus.
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Which is the most trusted UK Betting Site?
According to OLBG ratings, bet365 is the most trusted UK betting site. According to trust pilot ratings 10bet has the highest trust rating followed by BetVictor.
Summary & Conclusion
When looking for the best betting site for you, the key areas to consider are
- ✅ OLBG experts analysis of best sites overall and best by the sport and category which you are most interested in
- 💬 OLBG user reviews to see what regular bettors say about their experiences at each site
- 💳 The payment methods which you want to use and which sites support them
- 🔒 How Trustworthy, Reliable and Reputable each site is
The quick summary and conclusion from all our analysis is that these are the best betting sites in each category.
| Category | Betting Site |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | bet365 |
| Best New Betting Site | Fitzdares |
| Best Football Bookmaker | bet365 |
| Best Horse Racing Betting Site | bet365 |
| Best Tennis Betting Site | bet365 |
| Best Golf Betting Site | Star Sports |
| Best for Casino Games | Kwiff |
| Best Betting Exchange | Betfair |
| Best Sports Spread Betting | SportingIndex |
| Best Cash Out Site | bet365 |
| Best Bet Builder Site | bet365 |
| Best in Play Betting Site | bet365 |
| Best Site for Best Odds Guaranteed | bet365 |
| Best Weekly Free Bet Club | VirginBet |
