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Best Betting Sites UK | Top Online Bookmakers in September 2024
Explore the top betting sites with our expert views and the latest exclusive free bets. We bring you the best bookmakers in the industry to enhance your betting experience. You can start with our trusted recommendations. Then go on to read our tips on how to find your preferred sports betting sites.
The Top 10 Betting Sites UK
If you are looking for the very best betting sites, then consider these top names.
Betfred is a well-established name in the betting industry, known for its reliability and excellent customer service. This week, we’ve selected Betfred as our best betting site.
We currently bring you the best Betfred sign up offer available, where you get £50 in free bets when you bet £10. Use promo code BETFRED50 to benefit from this great welcome offer. You will get 3 £10 free bets to use on any Sportsbook Markets and another 2 to use on Accumulators (4+ selections).
We head into the international break in football, while this week sees a busy week of horse racing end with the Sprint Cup at Haydock.
Elsewhere, we have cricket T20 Blast quarter finals, the US Open tennis finals, and the start of the NFL season, so a busy week with plenty going off.
When looking out for a new bookie to bet with, everyone has their list of wants and nice-to-haves. We select our favourite bookmakers by reviewing them against the following benchmarks:
Licensing: We ensure the betting site is licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling authority, such as the UK Gambling Commission.
Security: Online security is essential, so we look for betting sites with SSL encryption to protect your personal and financial information.
Payment Methods: We ensure the betting site offers payment methods that are convenient for you, such as debit cards and e-wallets.
Betting Odds: We want to provide value for our followers, so we only recommend betting sites that provide competitive betting odds.
Betting Markets: Any betting site we recommend provides a wide range of markets, including the sports and events in which punters are interested.
Features: Useful extras such as live-streaming, in-play betting & bet builders can help separatethe best from the rest.
Bonuses & Promotions: Here at Freebets, we work with some of the biggest names in the betting industry to bring you unique betting bonuses and promotions.
Customer Support: We look for betting sites that provide good customer support, ideally via 24/7 Live Chat, to answer your queries and resolve any issues.
We work with many brands on the site, but not all, and this is because we look at the brands and make sure they pass our test, before reviewing them and putting them onto our site.
This is an important step for us, because we want to be known as a brand that won’t just work with everyone, we only work with brands that we are happy to recommend, and satisfied that they are going to offer a good service to players. Of course, some are better than others, but minimum requirements need to be met.
Firstly, we look at the safety of our players, the most important part, and ensure that all brands we work with are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. By having a license, they’ve demonstrated their ability to keep you and your funds safe to the organisation in charge of gambling in the UK.
Next up we take a look at the service they offer. Bare minimum requirements we look out for include the number of sports and markets on offer, competitive odds, in play betting, types of bet accepted and more, as we try to showcase only brands that offer enough for customers, regardless of the sports they love.
Of course, a big part of our work is done around offers and free bets. We want brands to have free bets available to new customers as a minimum requirement, while others such as existing customer offers and money back deals are all seen as added extras on top, which separates the very best brands from the rest.
By putting all of this together, we build up a picture of what we need to see from a brand, in order for them to be placed on our website. When that is confirmed, and we are happy, then we will begin to work with the brand, and showcase what they have available to our readers.
Top UK Betting Sites
Best Betting Site for In-Play Betting
bet365
Best Betting Site for Offers
CopyBet
Best Betting Site for Enhanced Odds
Betfair
Best Betting Site for Frequent Promotions
Betfred
Best Betting Site for Odds
Paddy Power
The Best Online Bookmakers for:
Football
Bet365 holds top spot for football betting, offering numerous betting markets, competitive odds, and live betting on leagues and competitions worldwide.
They also have their popular 2 Goals Ahead promotion - if the team you back to win goes two goals ahead at any stage during the match, bet365 will settle your single bet as a winner regardless of whether the opposition comes back to draw or win the game.
We are in the international break now, so there’s plenty going off, but very limited club football. England play their first game of the break on Saturday, when they go away from home to take on Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
Horse Racing
William Hill are a trusted name in horse racing betting, offering a wide range of markets and competitive odds on races worldwide.
Known for their in-depth race analysis and live-streaming options, it caters to both novice and experienced punters, attracted by their enhanced place terms and daily racing price boosts.
The action this week is busy, and all builds up to what should be an excellent Saturday of racing. Headlining is the Sprint Cup at Haydock, a Group 1 contest over six furlongs.
Cricket
Paddy Power offers a comprehensive cricket betting experience with various markets, including match outcomes, player performances, and live in-play options on all formats of the game.
Known for their competitive odds and unique promotions, Paddy Power is a popular choice for cricket punters, and it also provides detailed match analysis and updates.
We’ve got the T20 Blast quarter finals taking place this week, every night until Friday, and there’s also the England v Sri Lanka 3rd Test on the horizon in the next few days, so it’s a busy time for cricket fans.
Darts
Betfred is a popular choice for darts betting, offering a variety of markets on major tournaments like the PDC World Championship and Premier League.
Known for their competitive darts odds and in-play betting options, Betfred enhances the experience with special promotions and expert tips - it’s the go-to platform for novice and serious darts punters.
Players are heading back up to Europe and we’ve a quiet few weeks in darts now, with the next big event being the World Series of Darts Finals in the middle of September.
Biggest Events to Bet On with Betting Sites This Weekend
Many football fans will see this as a quiet week, as we have the first international break of the season.
For those interested in international football, all home nations are in action, and that includes an intriguing game for England, they travel away to play the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
Horse racing offers a busy week of action, and it all builds up to the Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, a Group 1 race where the best sprinters in the UK and Ireland will all come together to battle it out.
Elsewhere, we’ve got the T20 Blast quarter finals this week, one each evening from Tuesday until Friday, while in golf we have the European Masters to enjoy.
Finally, Thursday sees the start of the NFL season, with plenty of televised games over the weekend.
What Makes the Best Betting Sites?
There are many areas where betting sites go head to head in a bid to show they are one of the best online bookmakers, and a site you should be using.
Not all of the different elements will be important to you, and some will have far more importance than others, which is when choosing between UK betting sites becomes a little more personal, and we will help you with that below.
But before, it’s best to take a general look at online betting sites, what they offer, and where they try to stand out from the crowd.
Best Odds
If we’re looking at this realistically, you won’t get the best odds guaranteed every single time you place a bet, unless you have a betting account with almost every operator.
So when we talk about best odds from a realistic point of view, we’re talking about claiming the best odds sometimes, and at other times, getting good, above average odds.
Every time you land a winning bet and you don’t have the best odds, you will be leaving profit behind, you should try and make sure you don’t do this often.
The best betting sites will offer competitive odds, better than the market average, because they know how important they are.
These will allow them to stand out from other online betting sites, because comparing the best odds has never been so easy. With many options such as comparison sites, people no longer have to do manual, time consuming work, to find the best odds, they can get them in just a few clicks.
This means if betting sites are not offering good odds, and at least being competitive, they those who are taking part in online betting, will find out.
Choice of Markets
This really depends on the sports you are wagering on. For example, with horse racing betting, choice is limited anyway, where as with football betting, there’s potentially huge choice for you out there.
Other sports events, such as tennis betting, are somewhere in the middle, where you can find a little extra choice, if you look around.
But you should always look at the sports markets on offer and see how many are available for you to use with the most popular bookmakers.
It’s always worth looking at the best new betting sites for this too. They often hit the market with a point to prove, and a plan to stand out from the crowd, creating new markets and ways to bet could be their choice, which is great news for punters.
This also extends to in play betting, for those who take part in that, a growing area of online betting, and one set to get bigger.
Many popular sports have a wide range of betting options for players, some more than others and while you may never use some of the markets on offer, choice is always a good thing when it comes to betting.
Betting Offers
When you sign up with a new betting site, you should receive a welcome bonus for new customers. These are a great way to get started, allowing new customers to explore the website, and claim free bets along the way.
We don’t just look at the size of that offer though, as the best betting sites will also offer free bets and bonuses to their existing customers from time to time.
This could be free bets, a deposit bonus, money back offer, enhanced terms or something else, but all are capable of giving you a better deal with your sports betting, when they come around.
If you want the best betting deal, then finding UK betting sites that offer free bets and promotions on a regular basis is key.
You don’t want them to stop after claiming the welcome offer, these should continue, other betting sites will offer them, make sure yours does too.
Betting Apps
The best betting sites will offer you the convenience of betting via their website, or using betting apps to place your bets.
This means your betting site is just a few clicks and swipes away, after you’ve downloaded the app to your device.
Perfect for in play betting, where markets and odds change within seconds, using betting apps is the most convenient way to place a wager.
From online betting on the next horse racing event to putting together your football betting acca, it’s all made easy thanks to betting apps.
Most UK betting sites now offer one, make sure you’re not without one while other online bookmakers are giving their players the convenience of using one.
In Play Betting
In play betting, also known as live betting, is becoming more and more popular with players, and the best betting sites are responding to what their players want.
We are seeing in play betting grow with sports betting sites, the online betting hub is the best place for it to shine.
Check out the in play betting service, looking out for the best odds and what markets are available to you across the sports that you bet on.
Not really relevant for horse racing, but if you are looking for tennis betting sites, or you are a regular when it comes to football betting, then in play betting is highly likely to be part of your overall strategy.
UK customers have many live betting options, if you take part in this type of betting, then make sure you’re searching through bookmakers that offer it to players.
Betting Features
Thanks to a highly competitive market, you should find plenty of interesting features across UK betting sites.
We’ve already mentioned in play betting and betting apps, they deserve their own section, but something else that is big, and continuing to grow, is having a live streaming service.
If you are taking part in live betting, then this is perfect, allowing you to watch the action while looking at the sports markets, so you can decide whether to bet or not.
Elsewhere, if you’re looking for a new betting site then check out any regular offers, such as money back or boosts. These are more popular with football betting than any other sport, but can be found on others.
Often quite small, but given the fact they’re regular, you can take advantage every week, which all adds up over many sporting events, enhancing your sports betting deal.
Security
It goes without saying that security should be right at the top of your priority list. From keeping accounts secure to using a trusted payment method, you can do your bit.
But online betting sites need to do their bit too. This begins with betting sites that are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, where they are given a license after proving they operate correctly.
This means they will have demonstrated how they keep your payment method safe, how they look after funds, and what other measures they have in place to help new UK customers.
Make sure your online betting takes place on a site that is safe for UK customers, on a betting site that you trust, which will go a long way to helping your enjoyment.
Get this right, and sports betting can be something you enjoy without worry, using betting apps or online betting sites to place wagers on the sporting events you are excited about.
How to Choose the Right Betting Site for You
There are many betting sites to choose from, and there are some punters that decide to have multiple accounts open at the same time.
But if you get the right betting site for you, then there shouldn’t be any need for that.
Picking between the best UK betting sites is not easy, and it’s not a decision you should take lightly. Get this decision right, you’ve got one betting account that fulfils your needs, allowing you to enjoy your betting for years to come.
Get it wrong though, and you’ll be left wanting to find new betting sites to use, and worse, you could be left missing out, either on the best deals, odds, or even betting markets, if your online betting site isn’t the right one for you.
The phrase ‘for you’ has already been mentioned quite a bit, and that’s incredibly important. Betting is personal, the sports betting site that works for you, may not work for your friends and family.
This is why we give a large choice to players when it comes to UK betting sites, so you can take our information, and choose the best bookmaker for you.
Below, there are three areas we believe are key. These are not the only areas to think about, but if your sports betting service gives you positives in these areas, then it is certainly a good starting point.
This isn’t to do with why odds they give, the markets on offer, or any bonuses to new customers, this is about being happy while betting, having a connection to your online betting site, and being able to enjoy your gambling, without worry or fear.
Trust & Confidence in the Site
Firstly, when you look at the many online bookmakers you can choose from, you should always think about how you view the site.
Having trust in your betting company, and confidence that they are one of the best betting sites for you, is absolutely vital.
Without this, you’re unlikely to ever fully relax, and be able to enjoy your online sports betting, and it doesn’t matter what kind of betting features the site offers.
Confidence is also key. When you open up betting websites, you are usually making a money transaction, it could be placing a bet online, or it could be using a payment method to add funds.
Even if this is a minimum deposit, you still want to be assured that your money, and the details of your payment method, are safe, so you can start betting straight after.
If a betting site doesn’t demonstrate that they have customers online safety as number one priority, then you won’t have the confidence you need.
UK customers are protected with this, by the UK Gambling Commission, but of course, you want to see and feel it yourself, especially if using a new UK betting site.
Whether you are using betting sites or betting apps, trusting your provider and being confident that your UK betting site has you protected, is vital to your long term enjoyment of online betting.
Reliability & Place in the Market
A similar point to the one above, but looking at things from a slightly different angle, is playing with UK betting sites that are reliable, and have a place in the market.
When you choose your online betting site, it should be one that you are going to play with for many years.
Whether it’s horse racing betting, football betting or something else, whatever you plan to do on the betting site, should be a long term plan.
But you will only get this, if you go with online bookmakers that are reliable, and have a place in the market so you know they are going to stick around.
Not knowing if your UK betting site is going to stay in the market, is going to give you something else to worry about, as we’ve just mentioned above.
Instead, the best betting sites, will offer you reliability, they are going to be by your side, offering you online betting for as long as you need them.
Whether new betting sites or old ones, they’ve got a place in the market, a way to attract new customers online, and are building their UK betting platform up, for the long haul.
Does the Sports Betting Site Serve Your Needs?
The best betting sites will always be those that deliver the needs of their customers. But those needs are always slightly different, so for you, it needs to be the best betting site for your own personal needs.
You should never find yourself looking at other betting sites and seeing something available there, which isn’t available on your current betting account.
The best way to approach this is to work out what it is that you want from your betting site. Think of the sports betting markets you need, any in play betting requirements, specific payment method, betting apps as well as one that offers sports betting on a website, and anything else you have.
This list is going to be personal to you, and your own needs, and this is why we give many options when it comes to the best betting sites, because you need to do your own tests.
The sporting events you want to bet on, should always be there, whether it’s football betting, tennis betting, golf betting or something completely different.
These will be different to what other people want, someone who only takes part in horse racing betting will not care about tennis betting, or golf betting too much. On top of that, in play betting is very rare in horse racing, so they won’t be interested in that either.
However, flip that round to a football betting fan who also likes tennis betting and makes a lot of their bets using in play betting markets, and you’ve all of a sudden got a very different set of needs and requirements, to find the best betting site for this person.
It goes without saying, but the list you create has to be detailed and correct, to ensure you get the best betting site from it.
The Top 10 Betting Sites in the UK Reviewed
Check out our mini reviews of the top 10 betting sites below, where we give a brief overview of the top sites in the UK.
Betfred: Excellence with Horse Racing
Betfred are widely recognised as the best bookmaker for promotions, with Betfred founder Fred Done quoted as saying he “knows exactly what punters want”.
Betfred have a great reputation as being one of the best sports betting sites when it comes to promotions.
What’s great, and really makes their service stand out, is the further offers for existing customers that you can use after you’ve signed up and taken the welcome promotion.
Paddy Power: Football Specials and Bet Builders
Paddy Power is synonymous with making betting fun, with humorous ad campaigns, alongside being recognised as one of the best bookies for Horse Racing.
When the big events come around, Paddy Power offer regular enhanced odds offers for players, so you can get even more value with these events.
From football to horse racing and many other sports, these enhanced odds will be available ahead of the big action.
Betfair: Promotions and Free Bets
Betfair is one of the biggest names in the business, with it’s hugely popular Exchange and Sportsbook.
Of all the websites for sports betting, Betfair have one of the very biggest services on offer. Their choice is excellent, with a huge range of betting markets available for all sports.
So if it’s size and variation you want from your betting, Betfair could make a great partner for you.
bet365: Biggest Betting Platform
bet365 is well known for it’s diverse betting markets, impressive in-play betting, user-friendly platform, famous bet builders, alongside generous Free Bets.
Known for being one of the best online betting sites, Bet365 places a huge element of their service on the in play section of their site. Here they offer everything a punter needs, from a wide choice of sports, excellent betting markets, quick updates, and great streaming coverage, so you can watch the game unfold.
One of the biggest names in the industry, built on offering quality, bet365 tick all boxes for a lot of punters.
BetMGM: Existing Customer Offers
Big in the US, and over here to now crack the UK market, BetMGM have put together a list of sponsorship deals and ambassadors to get their name out.
With a very strong welcome offer, and further existing customer offers, they are great for those looking to source the biggest deal.
After success in the USA, BetMGM are already making big strides in the UK, and plenty of players are joining them on the ride.
Unibet: Mobile Betting Platform
Always seen as a strong name in the industry, and one offering an excellent mobile platform, which is of course where more and more people are now heading to bet.
With simple and easy to use menus, clearly labelled markets and betting options, this is the perfect mobile app to get started.
They’ve spent a long time in the industry, a long time in the UK market, and have a service that showcases that to players.
Betway: Competitive Odds
Betway are another long standing company in the UK market, and have a reputation for offering a complete gambling platform, as they also offer high quality casino gaming.
When it comes to sports, they offer highly competitive odds, and are usually either offering the best on the market, or close to it, as they look to give the best value to players in that way.
So if it’s the best odds you want, then Betway may be the brand for you.
10Bet: Diverse Sports to Bet On
If it’s a diverse sportsbook, without a real leading sport and instead, offering strong coverage across a number of different sports and events, then 10Bet offer that to their UK players.
Of course, they cover the main events, but dive deeper, with sports coverage strong elsewhere, really rounding off their service.
If you don’t want to stick with just one sport, then 10Bet can give you multiple options on their platform, all covered in depth.
Copybet: Football Markets
Copybet have come onto the UK market with a diverse sportsbook, but there is no doubt that football betting is the main part of their service, and what they want to pride themselves on.
With plenty of leagues and competitions covered, and many ways to bet, including a range of specials and enhancements to choose from.
If it’s football you’re looking for, then the action packed football part of the Copybet site is going to tick plenty of your boxes.
William Hill: Odds Boosts
A big name high street brand in the UK, William Hill have been associated with the UK betting industry for decades.
They’ve taken their platform forward by offering an excellent online service, and as part of that, regular odds boosts to try and give customers the best possible value.
So whether you want to boost your own selections, or take advantage of special site boosts, they’ve got you covered.
Loyalty Bonuses
Bookies don’t just offer sign-up deals, football betting bonus codes and promotions to new customers – they also keep their existing customers happy with different loyalty bonuses and promotions.
From free-to-play, free bets, and money-back specials, the best gambling sites, including Betfred and Virgin Bet, keep their customers feeling rewarded and coming back for more.
Regulation & Licensing of Bookmakers In The UK
Gambling laws in the UK provide some of the world’s most stringent legislation and protections. Gambling licences are in place to protect not only punters from unlicensed operators but also bookmakers and betting operators.
The UK Gambling Commission licences all UK online bookies and all members of other key organisations, prioritising punter and operator safety.
These organisations include the ‘European Sports Security Association’, GamCare (a leading national provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling) and IBAS (an authoritative, independent third-party with adjudication for customers who have an unresolved dispute with their UK bookmaker).
Fair & Safe Betting Sites
As with any online transaction, finding a fair and secure website is paramount for betting. The betting sites we recommend are fully licensed and regulated to operate in the UK, with many holding a UK Gambling Commission license.
With safe betting sites, you can focus on enjoying your gambling and not worrying about your funds and whether you are being given a fair deal.
Responsible Gambling
UK bookmakers are required to promote responsible gambling. They must offer tools and information to help people gamble safely and avoid addiction - these include:
Setting limits on how much money people can deposit and bet
Offering self-exclusion tools that allow people to take a break from gambling
Providing information about gambling addiction and how to get help
If you are concerned about gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
Here are some additional tips for responsible gambling:
Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose
Set limits on how much time you spend gambling
Take regular breaks from betting
Be aware of the signs of gambling addiction
If you are concerned about your gambling, seek help
FAQs
Are online bookmakers legal in the UK?
Yes, online bookmakers are legal in the UK, provided you are 18 or over.
Can I place a bet at a bookie in person and track it online?
Unfortunately, as far as we know, there aren’t any bookmakers who offer this service as of yet. However, some high street bookmakers allow punters to withdraw their winnings from an online bet in their shop, most often through a membership card style system.
Do online bookies have a mobile app?
All the leading UK online bookmakers have a mobile app for punters to download.
How do online bookmakers calculate odds?
As bookmakers try to determine the probability or the odds of a given outcome, a range of factors in real-time, such as news and injuries, can shift these odds on one particular outcome over time.
Which online bookies offer cash out?
Many leading UK bookmakers offer cash-out, allowing you to bank some profit if your bet is winning or to reduce your potential losses if it is not.
Do any betting sites accept PayPal?
Yes, a limited number of betting sites will accept PayPal - check out the payment methods for each brand to find out where you can bet with PayPal.
What betting sites do Irish lotto?
The Irish lottery has become a staple on many betting sites, all accepting various bets on the twice-weekly draw.
Can betting sites ban you for winning too much?
Bookmakers can place restrictions on accounts as they wish, but this rarely affects regular punters.
What betting site has the best odds?
No one site has the best odds all the time - the best betting value is found by shopping around for each event you are betting on.
Do all betting sites need verification?
The process may vary slightly between brands, but you must prove who you are with various ID checks.
