How We Rate UK Betting Sites
If you are a keen gambler, you will know that us Brits are spoilt for choice when looking for websites to place online bets on. It is estimated that there are over 200 licensed betting sites accepting players from the UK, along with thousands of non-compliant, illegal gambling websites. Because of this, knowing which betting sites are the best to use is critical. After all, who wants a below-par bookie when you can bet with a top-tier, safe bookmaker?
At betting.bet, we make profiling the best betting sites our business, giving our users advice and recommendations to help them enjoy betting sites to the utmost. Here are just a few of the criteria we focus on when rating betting sites, including every betting site featured on this page!
Legal Status: Before a betting site can be considered, it is important to ensure it is licensed and regulated. Betting sites listed in the UK are monitored by the UKGC. This means that to legally offer betting services, a bookmaker must hold a UKGC licence. This is why, when rating betting sites, our first port of call is the UKGC website, which shows a betting business' licensing status.
Offers: We value betting sites that reward their players and incentivise them to enjoy betting on the sports they love. This is why when rating betting sites in the UK, we will look at the betting offers and promotions pages in great detail. In our opinion, the more offers, the merrier! Free bets, acca boosts, extra places and cashback offers are all great examples of rewarding promotions found on top betting sites.
Odds and Markets: The best betting sites will offer a great mix of markets and bet types, giving players a range of betting options to choose from. Betting sites with a diverse range of betting options are also looked upon favourably by us at betting.bet. In recent times, our team has been eager to shine the spotlight on betting sites that cover both popular and niche markets. So, whether you want to bet on Premier League football, NFL, horse racing or the next big eSports events, you've got every betting option at your disposal.
Innovation: If you have experience betting on multiple websites, you'll know that many online bookmakers are similar, having similar designs, offers and features. This is why we like to see innovative betting sites that break the mould and can offer players something unique. Whether it be inventive free-to-play prediction games, regular competitions or enhanced customer support options, the more distinct a betting site is, the more enjoyable the online betting experience will be.
Tools and Features: Top betting sites will have a range of tools and enhance the betting experience for users. These types of bookmakers always go down well with the betting.bet review team. Tools can include options like Live Betting, Cash Out and Bet Builder, as well as technical features such as Live Streaming and Push Notifications. In recent times, we have seen many of the better betting sites feature advice and analytics tools such as free betting tips, guides and stats. A well-rounded betting site will have all of these!
Help and Customer Support: Whether you are brand new to using betting sites or think of yourself as a bit of a pro, being registered with a bookmaker that can offer help and support when needed is a must. When reviewing online betting sites, we like to see options for live chat, telephone and email communication. On-site FAQs are also useful for players who do not want to bother getting in touch with a bookmaker's customer support team but have a query that needs answering.
How to Register With Betting Sites
Creating an account with UK betting sites could not be easier. Although each bookmaker will have its own sign-up process, they're generally very similar, with bookmakers requiring the same details to onboard new players. Here are the general steps to follow to become a betting site customer:
- Step 1: Choose the bookmaker you want to register with on betting.bet.
- Step 2: Hit the "Claim Now" option on the bookmaker's review page. This will direct you to the betting site's official registration page.
- Step 3: Hit the "Sign Up", "Claim" or "Join Now" option on the page. Input your details, including your name, gender, contact details, address and any other information requested.
- Step 4: Read and agree to the site's terms and privacy policy.
- Step 5: Choose a deposit method, add funds to your account and get betting!
New Betting Sites
If you are searching for a new betting site to register with, you will quickly notice the sheer volume of new brands on the market, many of which you will not have heard of. But you may be sceptical about registering with a betting site that is unknown to you. It is, however, important that you do not switch your mind off from new betting sites. This is because new brands will be offering sizable free bets and betting promotions in an attempt to stand out and make a name for themselves. Aside from competitive promotions, new betting sites also work with the latest online gambling technologies, meaning they can offer superior betting features and a wider range of markets than most established betting sites so why not check our our Top 20 Betting Sites in the UK?
If you are considering betting with a new brand, just ensure that the betting site holds a valid gambling licence and takes the subject of responsible gambling seriously.
Betting Sites and Customer Service
The way a betting site treats its players will have a significant bearing on the overall betting experience punters will receive. For instance, if a player has a query or a complaint, knowing that their enquiry will be taken seriously will be vital to them. The cost conventional channels betting sites offer customer support through are:
- Live Chat: Live chat is the preferred contact method for most bettors looking to get in touch with their betting site's customer support team. Available on all devices, including desktop and mobile, live chat is convenient and puts you in contact with a customer support representative immediately. Famous betting sites such as William Hill, Betway, Betfred and Coral all offer this service for their players to tap into.
- Telephone: Many bettors wish to speak to customer support directly, preferring to talk to someone over the phone and have a real conversation to get their query heard and resolved. This is why more betting sites than most offer a telephone customer support feature.
- Email: Email support is convenient for most as it's available 24 hours a day. Email customer support is suited to those who do not have time to stay on hold on the phone or wait for a response on live chat. It remains one of the most commonly used contact method for betting site customers.
- On-site FAQs: Betting sites of all varieties feature FAQs on their site, aiming to give players answers to commonly asked questions quickly. The objective of FAQs is to give players the answers they need without having to take the time out of their betting sessions to contact the customer support team.
Payment Methods on Betting Sites
The options available when it comes to depositing and withdrawing money are hugely important when comparing betting sites. When reviewing a betting site's payment methods, the more options available to you, the better.
The most commonly found payment methods on UK betting sites include Debit Cards, Paypal, Neteller, Skrill, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PaySafeCard and Bitcoin. These are all regarded as safe and secure payment providers.
Live Betting Sites
Live betting has become increasingly popular in the UK, allowing players to place bets at specific points or intervals throughout an event while it is still in play. Although a large proportion of bettors now enjoy in-play betting, it is a fairly recent betting phenomenon. As a result, not all betting sites offer it. According to Statista, as of June 2024, approximately 6.18 million active online bettors were in the UK, with an average of 1.85 million placing in-play bets over the course of an average week. This shows just how sought after this feature is, and any betting site worth its salt simply needs to have it! Some of the best betting sites for live betting, in our opinion, are William Hill, Coral, Nags Bet, BetMGM and The Pools Sportsbook. Be sure to check these out if you are looking to join a live betting site!
Cash Out Betting Sites
The cash-out feature is now a staple among leading UK bookmakers, with many platforms offering full, partial, and automatic cash-out options to boost user engagement. Known for giving bettors more control over their bets, securing profits and reducing risk, cash-out betting sites are understandably in demand. Popular betting site championing the cash out feature include BetVictor, Unibet, Interbet and Betfred.
The Rise of UK Betting Sites
Betting is a pastime that has been enjoyed by Britons since the Middle Ages. Betting was first associated with the rich and elite who could afford to splurge money on the outcome of chess games, cockfighting matches and horse races. Today, more than 20 million people in the UK are categorised as 'active' bettors, with the list of betting options available forevergrowing. Now, more than 80% of UK bettors choose to place their bets via betting sites, with millions of bets placed with online bookmakers every week.
Betting sites provide an environment where players can place bets online, meaning bettors no longer need to venture to the local betting shop to bet on their favourite sports in person. Online betting rose to prominence in the UK in the 1990s/early Millennium, with web-based betting products launched by some of the most reputable gambling brands during those years. These included Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Betfred and William Hill. Since then, online betting has snowballed, with thousands of betting sites now promoting a wide variety of sports betting markets and promotions for players to enjoy
Betting Site Quickfire Reviews: Top 5
Coral
Established in 1926, Coral is one of the oldest betting brands in the UK. Offering a long list of gambling products, Coral has made a great name for itself amongst UK sports fans, offering odds on an impressive selection of markets. The majority of punters head to Coral to place football bets, with hundreds of football markets utilised on the site. As one of the most popular betting sites in the UK, Coral's user numbers are always climbing. This is because Coral is renowned for offering great odds for Europe's top five leagues. This is only bolstered by the site's strong promotional offering, with betting promos offered throughout the sporting calendar. These range from free bets and acca insurance deals to bonus reloads and free-to-play predictor games.
- Cash Out ✔
- Free Bets ✔
- Live Betting ✔
- Mobile App ✔
- Free to Play Prediction Games (Football Super Series) ✔
William Hill
William Hill is an international bookmaker with a reputation for offering competitive odds on top and niche betting markets. With roots dating back to 1934, William Hill is one of the UK gambling industry's veterans. Although an older brand, the William Hill betting site is constantly evolving, with new and exciting features introduced on a regular basis.
- Cash Out ✔
- Free Bets ✔
- Live Betting ✔
- Mobile App ✔
- Free to Play Prediction Games (Free Or 4 )✔
BetVictor
Founded in 1946, BetVictor is one of the most experienced names in sports betting. Featuring all the sports and tools you would expect from a modern betting site, BetVictor can easily serve all bettors with types of betting interests.
What's more, Betvictor is easy to navigate on all types of devices, desktop and mobile. Players also have the option to download the BetVictor betting app, betting as and when they please whilst on the go. The BetVictor app is free to download from both the App Store and Google Play.
- Cash Out ✔
- Free Bets ✔
- Live Betting ✔
- Mobile App ✔
- Free to Play Prediction Games (Pick 6) ✔
Virgin Bet
Virgin Bet came online in 2001, bringing its community of players exclusive promotions and features in abundance. From in-play betting and live streaming to cash out and bet builder, members of Virgin Bet are spoilt for choice. When reviewing the Virgin Bet betting site, we found football, horse racing, tennis, cricket and American football to be the focal markets where the majority of deals and promotions can be found.
- Cash Out ✔
- Free Bets ✔
- Live Betting ✔
- Mobile App ✔
- Free to Play Prediction Games (FIVES) ✔
32Red
When signing up to 32Red, you will quickly notice how advanced the betting site is, with its sleek design and sensible layout making it a true pleasure to navigate. Boasting more than 20 years in the betting industry, 32Red understands what bettors desire, giving them a full inventory of special offers, features, markets and tools to utilise. It's for this reason that32Red has become a multiple award-winning betting site.
- Cash Out ✔
- Free Bets ✔
- Live Betting ✔
- Mobile App ✔