Best Betting Sites UK: List of best bookmakers in Mar 2023

Searching for the top football sportsbooks in the UK for 2023? You’re in the right place – just read on for full details.

The best football betting sites in the UK

If you are a new punter and are looking for the best sites to start your journey, we would love to help you choose between the best names in the UK gambling industry. In the rest of the article, we would describe what makes these bookmakers great and why you should choose them. The same goes if you are a seasoned punter and would like a change of scenery.

The game of football is more than just a sport in the UK, watching it is one of the nation's favourite pastimes of all. Of course, the UK is also home to the most prestigious football leagues in the world, in the form of the Premier League. With such popularity among UK sports bettors, it is only natural that you deserve to know about the best football betting sites accessible in 2023.

We have delivered this exact information for you in the list below, and we have explained why these bookmakers have made the top 10 list of the best betting sites the UK. 

1. William Hill – 9.4/10
2. Unibet – 9/10
3. Stake.com – 9/10
4. Ladbrokes – 8.8/10
5. Bet365 – 8.8/10
6. Coral – 8.5/10
7. 888sport – 8.5/10
8. Paddy Power – 8/10
9. Betfred – 8/10
10. BetVictor – 8/10

This is our list of the best sites for football betting and sports betting in general in the UK. William Hill, Unibet and Stake.com have taken the first 3 spots with quality betting platforms while operators like Ladbrokes, bet365, Coral etc follow them. All of them are licensed and secure, which means you will be 100% safe if you choose any of them. The list isn't in order because it's not a ranking. All of these bookies deserve to be here for their reasons.

1. William Hill – quality at every turn

William Hill is a bookmaker that has a true sense of tradition along with a classic feel to it. It is a great betting brand for horse racing, yet it is also one of the UK's go-to sportsbooks for betting on football as well. William Hill has fantastic odds on the whole, and it covers all domestic football in the UK every single season.

In addition to this, William Hill supports live streaming for games, and it covers top tier European football leagues as well, including La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga. 

Use the William Hill promo code or link below to start betting on football.

SIGN UP AT WILLIAM HILL

William Hill User Experience

In addition to the excellent market depth and strong promotional offers that we've already touched on in our brief review, William Hill also brings an elite level user experience to the table. The way you navigate around a bookmakers website is critical to how good a site is with sports betting markets fast moving. On William Hill, you'll find nicely laid out menus meaning you can quickly toggle through different sports and, then at the next layer down, specific events. This makes locating certain events easy whilst it's also simple to use if you're just looking to browse different fixtures or race meets you might want to wager on. This all combines to deliver a truly excellent customer experience.

2. Unibet – one for the modern-day football bettor

Unibet is one of the best bookmakers in Europe. They offer a wide array of sports and a plethora of markets on individual popular sports like Football, Rugby, Ice Hockey, and more. Their Bet Builder feature is called Match Multi, and it's relatively new. Their newest addition to their Sportsbook is the Virtual Sports section, which many customers enjoy already. The bookie has regular in-play and cash-out events available, and they offer many bonuses to their customers.

In terms of the overall range of events, you will be struggling to find a bookmaker that scores higher than Unibet. You can see just by looking at the homepage of the sportsbook that Unibet offers thousands of football events on a weekly basis. Unibet covers leagues from all over the world, and the odds are quite competitive, even if they are not yet the best on the market.

If you enjoy a variety of bets for your football wagers, Unibet is undoubtedly one of the top sites out there. Major Premier League games can draw in more than 350 different betting markets, which is something that the modern-day sports bettor holds in very high regard. 

Sign up at Unibet

Unibet User Experience

From a pure betting market perspective, Unibet scores well in our review. How though do they measure up where the usability of their site is concerned? Spoiler alert, it's pretty damn good. The first thing we really like about Unibet is the colour scheme; it's a really small detail in the grand scheme of things but when you're spending quite a bit of time on a site and/or app it's nice that it's palatable. It's not just about being to our taste either; the xxx and xxx contrast well making everything easy to read. With strong signposting towards gambling safety services such as begambleware.org, it's clear Unibet has customer interest at its core.

3. Stake.com – Betting on football and the English Premier league

Sign up with Stake >

4. Ladbrokes – fantastic football betting site

Ladbrokes has a bit of a reputation for offering somewhat less competitive odds within its sportsbook. This could not be further from the truth when it comes to football betting however, as Ladbrokes is one of the best in the UK right now. This isn't the most impressive part of the Ladbrokes brand either, as it offers many reload promotions for existing players such as early payouts, enhanced odds, and accumulator profit boosts. 

Ladbrokes has recently developed its very own betting exchange as well, so you can go and bet amongst other players rather than with the brand – if you prefer. 

SiIGN UP AT LADBROKES

Ladbrokes User Experience

We've already explained what a strong football betting operator Ladbrokes and now we turn our attention to their customer experience. As you'd expect from a global brand, there are very few things about the structure that frustrate you. Menus are sharp, images carry meaning and navigation from place to place on the site is genuinely as easy as 1, 2, 3. If, however, we were being uber critical then we'd highlight the lack of a ‘search' functionality; this means finding games in leagues outside of the ‘big five' and English leagues can be a little bit more painful. They do make up for that annoyance with some of the most varied payment methods out there though!

5. Bet365 – some of the very best sites in the UK

Bet365 is a famous bookmaker not only in the UK but also in Europe and the USA too. They provide customers with one of the most extensive Sportsbooks in the world, not only a large number of sports to bet on but also a wide range of markets people can enjoy. Their collection of features includes live streaming with a massive schedule each day, cash-out/auto cash-out, in-play betting page, soccer, basketball, and tennis bet builders, edit bet, and several specific features for Horse Racing. They offer pages featuring the latest sports news and a results page, which helps you get the latest results if you missed them.

Features such as live streaming, cashouts, bet builder, bet editing, and a sophisticated mobile app are all factors of the bet365 brand. There really isn't another brand in the market today that displays so many key factors under one roof, and this is a true credit to the investment that has been made with bet365.

Apart from the wide range of desirable features, bet365 also covers an enormous number of events each and every year. Much like the other brands on this list, bet365 has markets for thousands of football games throughout the season. 

SIGN UP AT BET365

Bet365 User Experience

Where customer experience is concerned, they don't come much better than Bet365. The market depth on offer both in terms of the sports available and the layers of bet types within each sport is extensive whilst there are loads of smart little perks for punters too. The BetBuilder tool, which allows you to pool selections from the same event into one betslip to max out your potential returns, is one of our favourites; it's super easy to use too. Another smart feature is the ‘live streaming' the bookie offers on a number of events; providing you've deposited a payment and have a funded account (min amount of 1p) you can watch loads of events live. Keep an eye out for the ‘play' symbol.

6. Coral – very rewarding for existing players

When we use the term rewarding, we are specifically referring to the odds that Coral provides along with the regularity of football-specific promotions. Coral is well known for creating existing player offers such as early payouts, betting insurance, free bets, and some of the more creative betting markets in the UK.

Coral might not hold the same prestige as other sites that we've mentioned on this list, but it is undeniable that the quality of this brand is well up there with some of the best. 

SIGN UP AT CORAL

Coral User Experience

Does a sign up bonus count as part of the user experience? Probably not but given the fact Coral has one of the strongest sign up bonuses out there with their ‘make a £5 payment and play with £20' welcome offer we feel it's worth mentioning in a bit more detail; it's only available if you're a new customer and requires you to place a bet (£5 min) to unlock £20 in freebies. Your £20 of free bets is valid for seven days and that brings us on to the fact that Coral is more than just a bookmaker made of fancy promos. Their site structure is really slick with toggling between menu options highly intuitive; it makes finding what you want super straightforward.

7. 888 Sport – Wager £10 and Get £30 in Free Bets and £10 on the Casino 

888 Sport is another established and popular bookmaker in the UK. They have the coolest looking website platform of all bookmakers that makes you feel like you are in the future. Their welcome offer is superb, and they offer live betting and streaming to their customers. You can benefit from their enhanced specials each day, and if you have any problem contacting the customer support is straightforward.

SIGN UP AT 888

888 User Experience

Conducting a review of 888 was a nice and simple task; everything about this bookmakers site and apps just feel like it's been well thought out. You've got two core ways of navigating the site, which is the left hand menu, which can be operated on a toggle, and a horizontal ribbon that runs across the top; the two combine to ensure the bettor can very quickly delve into the required markets. The other standout component of 888 is its focus on ‘safe gambling'; the site is flooded with references to companies like GamStop, begambleware.org and CamCare. Self control steps are also offered; these include specific rules around payment depositing – such as max deposits and max losses in a certain time frame – and can range through to full account suspension. It's good that brands like 888 don't hide away from the issues of problem gambling.

8. Paddy Power – Bet £20 and Get it Back if it Loses

Paddy Power is the Irish bookie, which made a home for itself into the UK punters' hearts and hasn't left for many years. They offer an attractive online platform that is easy-to-navigate and an impressive amount of sports to choose from, including not-so-popular ones like Netball and Table Tennis. They provide a moderate amount of betting markets on their platform, and regularly offer power prices for many of the events available across multiple sports. On their platform, you can get access to the latest betting news, request odds with #WhatOddsPaddy, use the bet calculator for free, watch live sports, place a Football Same Game Multi bet, and more.

SIGN UP AT PADDY POWER

Paddy Power User Experience

Paddy Power set themselves apart from most of the other bookmakers on this review list courtesy of their welcome offer, which sees them refund valid first time bets as cash should they lose. How though do they measure up where usability is concerned? You will find moving around the site stress free (we can't mention some of the most modern yet understandable icons in the gambling games that they use to aid their menus), market depth is more than reasonable and, on top of that, you'll find regular promoted odds and offers.

9. Betfred – Bet £10 and Receive £30 in Free Bets + 60 Free Spins

Betfred is a popular and unique platform which has the very best for their customers. We can't say they have the most extensive selection of sports or markets on the website or app, but they do have the best features, such as live streaming, cash-out, in-play, #PickYourPunt, and Daily Price Boosts. You can benefit from many promotions and bonuses, including their attractive welcome offer. Their mobile app is high-end, and it's one of the best in the mobile sports betting market. It's 100% free, and you can get it on multiple operating systems.

 New UK & NI customers only. 18+. Deposit & place first sports bet at a minimum of £10 in one bet transaction at evens (2.0) +. £40 paid in free bets within 10 hours of bet settlement, expires 7-days after issue. Doesn’t apply to customers who place their first bet on the Virtual Grand National. E-Wallet & Prepaid Card restrictions apply. Your first bet must be settled within 60 days of bet placement. SMS validation may be required. Full T&C's apply. 

SIGN UP AT BETFRED

Betfred User Experience

Betfred ticks many of the boxes that the other bookies do with regards to market depth, sports coverage, site navigation and offers. An area where they are one of the best is in their customer service offering. It's a strange thing to say about a bookmaker but if you've ever encountered issues when betting then doing so with someone that offers poor service is a real mood spoiler. That isn't the case with Betfred; you've got live chat, phone contact for both UK and overseas, email and the option to go via social media. To cap it all off, they have a strong focus on safer gambling too; alongside signposting key sites like begambleware.org, they also offer lots of support both through long term help and short term fixes such as ‘take a break' systems.

10. BetVictor – Wager £5 and Receive £30 Bonus

BetVictor has a unique website platform with an astonishing design. It's user-friendly and offers people enough sports they can choose from, including a wide range of betting options related to most of those sports. Their in-play section is always full, and the odds they offer are competitive. You can find all the usual features on their platform, including cash-out, live streaming, bet builder fixtures, quick bets, bet boosts, a bet calculator, and an exciting BetVictor blog that gets read by new and seasoned punters alike. BetVictor has fantastic customer support and an extensive Help Center full of FAQs. Their site layout is easy-to-navigate, and they offer regular bet coupons across many sports and events.

SIGN UP AT BETVICTOR

BetVictor User Experience

Last but not least in our user experience review list is BetVictor. Alongside their colourings, which work extremely well together, the standout feature of this bookmaker is their sign up bonus. You can claim up to £40 in free bets (£30 + a £10 casino claim) when depositing £10. How do you get your hands on this? Well, the sign up process takes literally two minutes; then, when done, it's all about placing a valid qualifying bet, which means it must meet min odds of 1/1 (2.00). From there, you're good to go. Placing the relevant bets is an easy task too with even the most technology-phobic person capable of installing all of this data.

More top rated betting sites in the UK 

The betting market in the UK is flooded with new and upcoming bookmakers. Few like Betfair, Skybet, Boylesports and SBK have become very popular with their audiences. And we bring a lot more such bookmakers to your notice below. 

1. Grosvenor Sport – Double the odds on any sport, any bet, any odds 

Grosvenor is an established brand in the United Kingdom, and they have many advantages. Some of them include the easy-to-use online platform and appealing site design. They also have plenty of sports you can get immersed in while exploring the wagering possibilities. When it comes to market availability, they don't offer nearly enough markets as the other bookmakers on our list, but their odds are competitive. When it comes to Sportsbook features, you can get cash-out, in-play, a great mobile app, double odds on any sport, bet or odds. You can change the odds between decimal and fractional pretty fast, and the screen isn't filled with unnecessary information or links to the bookie's other pages, which can't be said about other bookies.

Sign up with Grosvenor

2. Betfair – £30 as free bets

Betfair is an online betting platform that allows users to place bets on various sports, events, and other markets. It is one of the largest online betting platforms in the world. The operator offers a range of betting features, including:

• Sports betting: Betfair allows users to place bets on a wide range of sports events, including football, horse racing, tennis, cricket, and more.
• Exchange betting: It allows users to place bets against each other rather than against the bookmaker. This can result in better odds for the bettor.
• Casino: Betfair offers a variety of casino games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
• Poker: The operator has a platform for playing online poker, with various tournaments and cash games available.
• Virtual sports: Betfair offers virtual sports betting, where users can place bets on simulated sporting events.

Betfair is offering a welcome bonus for new customers who sign up with a new account using the promo code ZBGC01. They also need to verify their phone number by SMS, and deposit a minimum of £10 using a Debit card or Apple Pay. To qualify for the £30 Sportsbook free bet, the customer must place a minimum £10 bet on the Betfair Sportsbook with minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) within 30 days of account opening. The free bet is valid for 30 days after it has been awarded and will not be returned with winnings. There are various terms and conditions to be aware of. For instance, certain bet types, bets placed using free bets as the stake, and the use of duplicate accounts. The free bet can be viewed in the ‘My Bonuses’ tab on the website.

3. SkyBet – Receive £30 if You Bet £5 on football

The brand “Sky” is famous because of its Sky TV service, one of the world's most prominent sports news channels. Their sports collection is massive, and in addition to regular sports, you can bet on virtual sports as well. SkyBet’s website platform is easy-to-use and straightforward, which makes us love it even more. The in-play section doesn't have many available markets, but the pre-game section has plenty of them. Placing a wager on SkyBet couldn’t be easier on both a mobile and online platform because of the mobile-friendly website. When it comes to features, SkyBet has one of the best streaming services in the UK and other unique features like Group Bets. The bookmaker also provides many promotions to existing customers, especially for Football events.

4. Betway – Win a £30 matched free bet

New UK customers only, minimum deposit is £5. If your first bet on a football or horse racing is a loss, you can get a 100% matched free bet of up to £30. The best has to be a multiple with 3+ selections, minimum overall odds 2/1 (3.0). Only deposits via debit card are eligible. Offer is valid for 7 days after you register. T&Cs apply.

Betway has been a popular name in the UK gambling scene over the last couple of years. Their sportsbook has over 30 sports with a vast coverage of popular competitions from all over the world. Punters can enjoy over 200 betting options for almost every event. Classics like 1×2, double chance, over/under, handicap, etc. are present but the website offers a huge range of props markets as well. Besides sports, punters can place bets on e-sports and specials like TV show betting, WWE betting, politics, and more.

Looking at features, punters can take advantage of the Bet Builder and the Cash out/Partial Cash Out features. They also have a large selection of in-play betting markets where the Bet Builder is available too. There is a live streaming service available for punters that love horse racing. To make things even better, Betway is offering a state-of-the-art sportsbook mobile app. All the features we mentioned here are available on this app. Customers can trigger promotions, place live bets, watch horse racing events, and more.

5. SBK – Get £10 in free bets

Available to new UK, Ireland, and Malta customers only. Deposit and stake at least £10 on 1/2 (1.5) odds or greater to receive £10 in free bets. Free bets can be placed on all sports. Bets can be used in denominations of £2, £5, or £10. If you win by staking the free bets, you can withdraw the winnings but the stake won't be part of them. Unused free bets will expire after 90 days. Deposits made via PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, and virtual/prepaid cards don't qualify for the promotion.

SBK is one of the most unique bookmakers that ever existed. It's a mobile-only bookmaker so you have to download their app to be able to create an account and start betting. They have one of the best mobile apps in the world and it offers all the features punters usually find on a betting website. There are more than 25+ sports markets for both pre-match and live betting. Customers can enjoy over 100 sub-markets in almost every sports competition. Additionally, they can bet on e-sports and specials like TV bets, betting on current affairs, and more. When it comes to features, SBK offers cash out, a bet builder, and a live betting section. What's best about this bookmaker is the wide variety of payment methods it offers.

6. Virgin Bet – Win two £10 free bets

Available to new customers residents of Great Britain only. Deposit and stake £10 as one bet to receive 2x £10 free bet tokens. Qualifying bets can be on any sport as long as the odds are at least 1/2 (1.5). Customers have 14 days to activate this offer after their Virgin Bet account registration. Once awarded, customers have 7 days to use the free bet tokens. They have no wagering requirements but if you win with a free bet as a stake, you get only the winnings and not the stake. Check T&Cs for a full list of which bets and what types of bets don't qualify for this promotion.

Virgin Bet is one of the newest bookmakers on the UK gambling market as they first appeared in 2019. However, with Virgin being such a huge brand in television, travel, communications, etc. we expect a lot from their sports betting venture. So far they are doing an excellent job. The Virgin Bet sportsbook has 30+ sports to bet on with the most popular bet types available. Customers can place over/under bets, next goal, correct score, next goalscorer, 1×2, handicap bets, and much more. When it comes to features, the website has in-play betting as well as live streaming for a lot of sporting events.

7. PokerStars – £50 Free Play

Looking at the name, a lot of people think that PokerStars is a website that only offers Poker games. However, even though it started as a poker venture, the operator quickly added an online casino and a sportsbook. Customers can bet on around 30 sports markets and hundreds of popular competitions. All the most important football competitions are there as well as horse racing, NBA, MLB, Tennis grand slams, NFL, and much more. Features-wise, customers can enjoy in-play betting, a VIP program, and great e-sports coverage. The operator also has a high-quality mobile app. Sadly, there are no welcome offers for punters at the moment. However, PokerStars makes up for that by offering a poker welcome offer.

Deposit a minimum of £10 with the bonus code MPCPOKER and win £50 in free play tickets. This offer is available to new customers who haven't yet made a deposit on PokerStars. With a deposit of at least £10, players get £35 in Spin & Go tickets and £15 in cash. Once your account is verified, you will receive the bonus in six installments over the following six days. Check the full T&Cs for a list of what kind of tickets you get each day. These tickets come in the form of “chests” that you need to open. All tickets from a chest expire 24 hours after the chest is opened.

8. BoyleSports – Bonuses on slots, live casino, and poker

28. Betiton – £15 free bet

Events to keep an eye on when betting on football

This event had to be listed as number one if you live in the UK, this is a league that you simply have to pay attention to. The Premier League is home to some of the best players in the world, and it is one of the more competitive leagues in the world too. With that in mind, it is also one of the top leagues to actually bet on, as bookmakers tend to provide favourable odds and plenty of promotions given the popularity of the league. If this wasn't enticing enough, when the Premier League is in season, you can bet on a selection of games every single week.

 

World Cup

As far as football tournaments go, they do not come any bigger than the World Cup. Of course, this event takes place once every four years, which means that you can't exactly bet on the World Cup with any sort of regularity. However, when the tournament does roll around, you can expect to find some of the most enticing markets and bonuses from all of the top bookmakers. Apart from the bonuses and the betting markets, you will also be treated to some of the best football the world has to offer by watching this tournament.

If you choose a betting site that actually supports live streaming, you may be able to watch the World Cup games from your betting account too. 

Champions League

While the World Cup mentioned above is specifically for international teams, the Champions League is reserved for domestic teams. This is where Europe's top clubs come together and battle it out for the Prestigious Champions League trophy. Over the years we have seen the games great's like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo try to carry their team to the title, and in the process, we get to sit back and watch the quality of football on offer.

The Champions League takes place every single year, with a round-robin to start with, and an eventual knockout stage until we are left with a winner. Just like some of the other major events on this list, you can find betting bonuses galore when the Champions League is on. 

Euro Championships

Arguably, the Euro Championships is just one tier beneath the World Cup in terms of the prestige of the title. The Euro Championships are also held once every 4 years, and as the name of the trophy indicates, this is where the top international teams in Europe come to battle it out. The next Euro Championships are due to take place in 2024, and would you believe it, the very best bookmakers are already taking odds on who will win the title.

You can find these odds within the future's markets of any online sportsbook, and now is a really great time to make a bet. 

Copa America

The Copa America is pretty much the Champions League of South America. This is an enormous tournament in that part of the world, which is why the best betting sites tend to cover it. This tournament is played every year, just like the Champions League. And you can often expect to find great bonuses, exciting markets, and some pretty intriguing futures for this event.

Premier League

Of course, with the Premier League being the top-flight league in English football, this one receives plenty of attention. Games are played on a weekly basis, as you likely know already. And not only can you bet on hundreds of markets for most individual games, but you can also take advantage of plenty of ongoing bonuses at the top sites.

FA Cup

Finally, the FA Cup is not one to be missed either! This is a huge football competition in the UK, and surprise results do seem to occur quite frequently here. This means that you’ve got a shot at some pretty exciting bets coming through. And since the tournament has so many matches, you won’t struggle with a lack of betting options.

How to actually select a football betting site and get going

There are plenty of factors that determine if a betting platform is a good choice or not. We could list many factors, but the main thing we should consider is the punter's wishes. A good bookmaker provides everything a punter would need and even try to give them new things to do.

• All great UK bookmakers have a plethora of sports and markets to choose from. Many customers like to have their options open if anytime in the future, they change their preferences and try out something new.
• The bookmaker needs to have a secure online platform, so your data isn't in danger, and also make sure the bookie has a license from the UK Gambling Commission.
• Quality of odds on both pre-game and in-play markets, after all, the better the odds, the higher the payout.
• Quality of the website platform and how easy or hard it is to navigate.
• Live streaming is on high-demand, especially for punters who like placing in-play bets, and having it is an advantage.
• Cash-out is one of the most popular features in sports betting, and we will look at how many markets the feature is available on in the Sportsbook.
• Request a bet or bet builder features are relatively new and more people use them every day, having them as an option is a definite plus.
• Other unique features that may help punters are the bookie betting news sites, football coupons (since it’s the most popular sport on the plant), accumulators, mobile applications, and more.
• The promotions offered are one of the first things people notice about a bookie, and they are essential because they could reward you with a free bet, refund, or a deposit bonus.

Choose a football betting site

Although we have broken down a list of the top 5 football betting sites in the UK on this page, it is normal that they won't all fit your desired criteria. However, there is quite a high chance that one of them will tick most of your boxes, which is why you should browse the features of each of these sites when you get the chance. Make sure you look for factors such as a welcome bonus, live streaming opportunities, and the competitiveness of the odds. 

 

Register a new account

After matching up a site according to your desired features, it is then time to register an account. Providing that you have a registered address in the UK and that you are over the age of 18, you are eligible to sign up with any of these sites. In order to do so, you must simply run through a quick registration process, and you'll be asked to give details such as your date of birth, contact, address, and your full name. Most of the time, a registration process can take around 5-minutes to complete from start to finish. 

 

 

Make your first deposit

After running through the first two steps and opening your account, you must actually deposit some real funds. You may use many different methods to do this at the very best football betting sites, and this can often include debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and even prepaid cards. The standard deposit minimum is usually between £5 and £10 at a sports betting site, so you do not need to deposit a whole lot of money to get things started either. 

 

Scope out a market and place a bet

Now you are all set and ready to actually make use of the football betting markets! To check them out, simply select football from the list of sports with your chosen provider, and this should open up what games are currently available as well as what games are upcoming. If you do not want to wait in order to place a bet, you can always navigate to the live betting section to find a desirable market. 

 

 

Explanation of common bonuses at the best betting sites

Now that we have established the sites that have some of the best bonuses around, we’d like to spend a short bit of time explaining how each of the different bonuses work. It is important that you fully understand them if you are to take full advantage of them. So without further ado, let us explain some of the more common bonuses right now:

Welcome bonus

A welcome bonus is a type of sports betting bonus offered to new customers as an incentive to sign up for an account. It is typically given when a customer makes their first deposit into their sports betting account. The bonus can come in various forms such as free bets, match deposit bonuses, or no deposit bonuses. The amount of the bonus and the terms and conditions that apply to it vary depending on the sportsbook.

For example, a sportsbook might offer a 100% match deposit bonus of up to $100. It means that if a customer deposits $100, they will receive an additional $100 in bonus funds to use for betting. Some welcome bonuses might have restrictions on how they can be used. For instance, minimum odds requirements or time limits.

Reload bonus

A reload bonus is a type of sports betting bonus offered to existing customers as an incentive to make another deposit. It is similar to a welcome bonus, but it is not given to new customers but to existing customers to encourage them to continue playing and betting on the sportsbook. Reload bonuses are usually given out regularly. For instance, on a weekly or monthly basis. The amount and terms of the bonus can vary depending on the sportsbook.

For example, a sportsbook might offer a 50% match deposit bonus on all reloads made on a specific day of the week. Alternatively, the offer can be a 10% bonus on all reloads made during a specific month. Like welcome bonuses, reload bonuses may come with terms and conditions such as minimum deposit amounts and wagering requirements.

Free bet

There are various sites that hand out something referred to as a free bet for new customers. You can find these offers at bookmakers such as Paddy Power and Unibet. Now, the reason that such bonuses are referred to as ‘free’ is because you actually cannot lose money on the initial bet. This may seem like an unrealistic claim, but stick with us and we will explain why. Such bonuses are always capped at a certain point. 

The beauty of these bonuses is that you cannot lose money, first and foremost. But in addition to this, you still get to redeem the profits if your bet results in a win. Many people prefer the free bet  options compared to bonuses such as ‘bet x receive y’, as there is the insurance incentive here. However, this all comes down to personal preference.

Bet x receive y

To be perfectly honest, this is the most common type of bonus at the best betting sites in the UK. As you have seen through many of the bookmakers mentioned already, these offers are widely accessible. And as the name indicates, here you must bet a certain amount of money in order to receive a certain number of free bets. As an example, with Ladbrokes, you can bet £5 to receive £20 in free bets. But like all bonuses, these do tend to come with a few common restrictions. In many cases, there will be a minimum odd requirement for the initial wager.

And then once you get your free bets, these may also be tied in with specific markets and they can have minimum odd requirements as well. Of course, the fact that these are free bets means that you aren't actually taking on any risk when applying them. So with these bonuses, the only risk that you have really relates to the qualifying wager.

Deposit boost

Deposit bonuses aren't quite as common for sports betting as they might be for casino gaming. But they do indeed exist, and they mainly come in one form only. As you have already seen with several bookmakers, some of them will credit your account with bonus funds that are relevant to the amount you have deposited for your first transaction. As an example, if you deposited £20 and there was a 100% deposit match bonus, you would receive £20 in bonus funds. Obviously, the actual value of the deposit bonus can change from bookmaker to bookmaker.

But a good thing about these bonuses compared with others is that you then don't have the risk of the qualifying wager. That's because the bonus is credited once you have made the deposit. However, as we said previously, these bonuses aren't quite as common as some of the others mentioned here.

Boosted odds on the initial wager

In recent times, bookmakers have started to get rather creative with the sign-up bonuses. This is apparent through the many types of promotions available at the best betting sites. Specifically for this one, some platforms will drastically increase the odds for your initial bet only. Let us run through a quick example to show exactly how this works. Say that you wanted to bet on Chelsea to beat Newcastle in the Premier League. If the standard odds for this market were 2.00, some bookies might double the odds to 4.00 for new customers making their first wager.

Note that this is just an example, and the exact market or size of the odds boost can be quite different. But this is the general way in which these promotions work. When you claim such bonuses, however, the amount that you can actually bet will be limited. The maximum that you can potentially win will also be capped.

No deposit free bet

The final bonus we’d like to quickly talk about is arguably the least risky of them all. There are certain bookmakers out there that will give you a free bet by simply signing up. These are not super common when it comes to sports betting, but they are floating around. Generally speaking, the size of the free bets obtained with a no deposit bonus will be quite low. And in addition to this, you may need to meet a few wagering requirements before you can withdraw any winnings resulting from that token.

So while you don't need to risk any money upfront when accessing these bonuses, there is a degree of risk when trying to meet the wagering terms.

Insurance bets

Risk-free bets, also known as “insurance bets” or “money-back bets,” are a type of betting bonus offered by many online sportsbooks and bookmakers. They are typically offered as a way to entice new customers to sign up for an account, or as a reward for loyal customers.

With a risk-free bet, a customer can place an initial wager on a sporting event, and if that bet loses, the customer will receive a refund of the original bet amount. This refund is usually in the form of a free bet or a credit to the customer's account. The free bet can then be used to place another wager on a different event, giving the customer a second chance to win.

Loyalty bonuses

Loyalty bonuses are a type of promotion offered by sportsbooks to reward customers for their continued patronage. These bonuses are typically awarded to customers who have been active with a particular sportsbook for a certain period of time, such as a few months or a year. The specifics of a loyalty bonus will vary depending on the sportsbook. They can include things like free bets, cashback offers, or other perks.

The idea behind loyalty bonuses is to encourage customers to stick with a particular sportsbook and continue placing bets, rather than switching to a competitor. They are a way for the sportsbook to reward their loyal customers and keep them engaged with their platform.

Key features that the best betting sites tend to have

Although bonuses play a big part in ranking the top betting sites in the UK, it is the features that they each have which keep punters happy. With that said, there are a few features that you should investigate when assessing any betting site. These are discussed in greater detail below:

Wide range of sports and betting options

An online sportsbook that offers a wide range of sports and betting options can be more appealing to users, as it gives them more options to choose from. This can include popular sports like football, basketball, and baseball, as well as niche sports like cycling and e-sports. A sportsbook that is able to cover a variety of sports and events can be more appealing to users.

Enhanced markets

It goes without saying that some of the best betting sites will have competitive odds for most sports markets. What we mean by this is that the odds will be higher than what you'd find at other betting sites. This makes quite a difference in the long run, and it basically means that you stand to win more cash if your bet comes through. However, there is another feature that is quite common at the top sites. This feature is known as enhanced markets, and this is where the odds have been given a boost.

Since the odds directly relate to the amount of money you could potentially win, this is always a positive thing. The only thing we will say is that some bookmakers will pick these markets for you. But other bookmakers actually let you dictate the market, which is preferable.

Live betting

Live betting is a feature that allows users to place bets on sporting events as they are happening. This can add an extra level of excitement to the sports betting experience, as users can place bets and see the results in real-time. Live betting is typically available on a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and more. Users can place bets on a variety of outcomes, such as the winner of the game, the final score, and individual player or team performance.

Live betting odds are typically updated in real-time, and the sportsbook will usually display the current score and other relevant information to help users make informed betting decisions.

Live streaming

Who doesn't love watching live sport? We can comfortably say that any sporting or betting fan would prefer to have access to streaming services vs being unable to view the event. In previous times, those who wanted to watch live sport would usually need to pay for some expensive TV package. But these days, bookmakers are actually a great place to view live sport without going down that avenue. That's because they offer HD streaming for many events covering a broad range of sports.

This is also beneficial because you can then make live bets based on what you are seeing on your screen. And the best part about this is that you can often watch live sport on your mobile. This means that you can simply open up the app or mobile site from your chosen platform and then enjoy live sport immediately.

Cashouts

The cash-out tool was revolutionary when it first hit major bookmakers several years ago. Obviously, this tool is only accessible through online platforms. And as you may already know, the cash-out tool lets you end your bet prematurely. But why would you want to do this? Well, you may want to do this because your bet is performing well and the bookmaker is offering some nice returns – packaged up through the cashout offer. You don't have to take the cash out offer if you don't want to. But in our experience, it is always nice to have the option anyway.

After all, how many times have you been in a position where your bet was winning but it then ended up losing when the final whistle was blown? We all know the feeling!

Bet builders

Some of the best bookmakers in the UK will always create a diverse range of markets. This is true for most sporting events. The more markets available, the more options you have when it comes to deciding what to bet on. But sometimes, no matter how many markets are offered, you may decide that none of them looks particularly appealing. This is where the bet builder tool comes in handy. This clever little tool actually lets you combine various markets for an individual game and then bet on them as one.

This is somewhat similar to an accumulator, in the respect that each part of the bet must pull through for the bet to win. The odds also get multiplied together when doing this, which can lead to fantastic odds depending on what you pick.

Partial cashouts

There is one downside to being able to cash out your sports bet. If you do cash out the wager, you are leaving some potential profit on the table. Needless to say, this can be a tough decision to make for any sports punter. Here's the good news – many sites now let you perform a partial cashout instead of a full cashout. This lets you take out a profit that you are happy with, while still leaving part of the stake in play. The benefits of doing this are that you can still let the bet ride until the very end.

This keeps things exciting, and it also means that there is the potential to claim higher winnings if the bet does pull through.

Mobile compatibility

With more and more people accessing the internet on their mobile devices, it is important for an online sportsbook to be mobile-friendly. This means that the website should be easy to use and navigate on a smartphone or tablet. This can be more convenient for users, as they can access the sportsbook from anywhere and at any time.

Exciting football betting markets you can explore at the best betting sites 

One of the common traits at the best betting sites involves a huge number of markets for football betting. Of course, these markets relate to different elements of the game, and they each have different levels of risk. But to point you in the direction of the more exciting markets, we’d like to describe some options you may not have considered yet:

Accumulators

An accumulator bet isn't strictly an individual market. That's because an accumulator involves the combination of different markets into one single bet slip. These can contain just a handful of markets or many more. However, the fundamentals always remain the same. The markets and subsequent odds multiplied together to generate huge potential returns. The catch, however, is that all legs must win for the bet to be a winner.

Match odds

Match Odds markets allow bettors to predict the overall outcome of a game – home win, away win, or draw. With three different outcomes to choose from, the odds for this market are considered to be fair. It's a great option for those looking to make a slow and steady profit with low risk. 

Draw no bet

Another related market is the Draw No Bet, which only has two outcomes – home win or away win. If the game ends in a draw, the bettor gets their money back. It's a less risky option compared to the traditional Match Odds market. This market is similar to the Double Chance market in that it allows the bettor to insure their bet against a draw.

Correct score

The Correct Score market is different from the overall outcome market and focuses on the individual goals scored. This market consists of several results that relate to the final score of the game. It offers higher odds, making it a relatively risky option but with the potential for higher profits. It also works well as a way to insure oneself against specific outcomes.

Over/Under

Over/Under Bets is another option that is less specific in terms of goals and usually exists in values one apart, starting from 0.5. In this market, bettors can predict whether the number of goals scored will be Over or Under a specified number. This market can be exciting with numerous odds available. However, the Over 0.5 outcome is considered a safe bet with a high probability of being correct but low profits.

Both teams to score

In some instances, punters prefer not to predict how the game will end. After all, football can be a bit of an unpredictable sport. So instead, you can go down this avenue where you can predict whether both teams will score or not. The odds can often be rather appealing for this market, but whether you choose yes or no depends on what teams are playing. Of course, a positive of this market is that if you select yes, you won't really mind which team is scoring the goals – as long as they both manage to hit the back of the net.

Anytime scorer

You can often get some fantastic odds by choosing an individual player to score during the game. With that said, the odds are generally quite low if you go for a prolific striker such as Mo Salah or Cristiano Ronaldo. But if you shoot for some guys that aren’t regular scorers, you can lock in some pretty awesome value. Key examples to go for here involve attacking midfielders or defenders that have a shot at scoring from corners.

Red card / yellow card

Think that the game you are betting on will be a feisty affair? If so, you may want to consider betting on the number of cards in a game or who might be booked. If you pick a red card to be given during a game, the odds are always pretty high! But you can also bet on the number of yellow cards in total, or for each individual team.

FAQs – all you should know about the best football betting sites in the UK

How can I check the quality of the odds?

When you do find a market you would like to bet on, you can then see what the price is at other football betting sites. If the price that you see with your provider is higher than with the competitor, then you can be sure that you are getting value from the odds. 

Is it quite easy to deposit funds into my account?

Absolutely, the top betting providers these days have many different payment methods that you may use to deposit funds, and you can see them by clicking the banking section on your sportsbooks’ site. 

Where do I see the legal status of a football betting site?

With football betting sites in the UK, you will usually be able to see a UK Gambling Commission licence at the bottom of the website. You can then enter this number on the UKGC site to double-check that it is valid. 

Is football betting on mobile possible?

Of course! If you make an account with the top sites, it is quite likely that you will be able to access football markets from a mobile app. If your chosen site does not have a mobile app to download, you will usually be able to make a bet from a mobile site. 

How can I see if a site has live streaming?

Easy, if you can see a play button next to your chosen market, this shows that you can actually watch the event live. Some sites even have an entire section dedicated to events that are available to stream, and you can always look for this too. 

What are some common football bet types?

There are a whole bunch of bets that you can make on a football game. Some of the more common forms of these bets, however, include 1×2, spread, handicap, over/under, live bets, both teams to score, and accumulator bets. 

Do sites also give cash out options for football bets?

Yes, they do, and you can typically see if one of your bets is eligible for cash-out by simply heading to your in-play bets. Here you will see how your bet is actually performing, and if it is performing well, you might just have a cash-out option. 

Is it possible to bet live on football?

Yes, when a game is currently being played, you should be able to find live markets at all of the top football betting sites. 

How much does live streaming generally cost?

Generally, live streaming doesn't cost anything at all, although most sites require that you at least have some money in your account to use this service. 

What is the minimum accepted bet at most sportsbooks?

In the pre-match markets, it is fairly common that you must bet at least £1 for the bet to be accepted, although this decreases for live markets. 

Final Conclusion on the Best UK Betting Sites 

The UK is full of online bookmakers trying to either perform a service to the punters or scam them. How would a new player know if a bookmaker is trustworthy and if they offer a good platform? We tried explaining what makes a betting site good and what anyone should look for when trying to find the best betting site.

In our article, we listed many bookmakers and explained what exactly they are good at providing the customers. Every one of them is different, and you should visit a couple of sites before you make your final decision on where to start online betting. If you end up choosing to create an account with any of these bookies, you won't be disappointed.

Disclaimer: Bet365 Terms and Conditions apply / New Customers Only. This review is based on personal experience of the Bet365 offers. The above information is subject to change, please refer to Bet365 online platforms for the latest updates. 

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