The most important aspect of a good football betting site is that it appeals to the user’s personal preferences. Bonuses play a big part in ranking the top betting sites in the UK, but its the added features that keep punters happy in the long term. When assessing any betting site, check out these aspects in greater below:
1. Wide range of sports and betting options
An online sportsbook that offers a variety 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 can cover a variety of sports and events can be more appealing to users.
- + Appealing to users and caters to all interests
- – May not have in-depth coverage of niche sports
2. Enhanced markets
Some of the best football 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 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 bet 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 let you dictate the market, which is preferable.
- + Higher potential winnings, customer can dictate market
- – May not offer this feature on all markets
3. 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.
- + Extra excitement, ability to bet on various outcomes in real-time
- – May not have live betting available for all sports or events
Our picks for the best live betting sites in the UK:
- Boylesports
- Copybet
- BetVictor
4. Live streaming
Everybody loves watching live sports, it’s a fact. There are so many television providers that give access to live streaming with expensive packages. Believe it or not, betting providers are capable of doing the same.
These days, most bookmakers offer live streaming services, giving punters the option to watch the games/events that they’re placing bets on. A broad range of sports are usually offered and can be streamed in HD.
Bookmakers that possess live streaming also allow punters to make live bets based on what they are watching at a certain point in the game/event. The best part though, is that the livestreaming option features prominently on bookmakers’ mobile apps. Meaning that live sports can be viewed on the go and can be viewed with ease.
- + Ability to watch live sport without extra cost, make live bets while watching
- – May not have streaming available for all sports or events; the quality of streaming may vary
5. Cashouts
The cash-out tool was revolutionary when it first hit major bookmakers several years ago. This tool is only accessible through online platforms, and as you may already know, the cash-out tool lets you end your bet prematurely if 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.
In our experience, it’s 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?
- + Opportunity for profit, ability to lock in winnings
- – May not offer cashouts for all bets, may not be desirable for some users
6. 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 tool 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 high odds depending on what you pick.
- + Opportunity for fantastic odds, flexibility in creating unique bets
- – Each part of the bet must pull through for the bet to win, and may not have bet builders available for all sports or events
7. 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.
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 your 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.
- + Opportunity for profit while still leaving a portion of the bet in play
- – May not have partial cashouts available for all bets, which might be a difficult decision for some users
Our picks for the best cash out betting sites:
- Kwiff
- William Hill
- NetBet
8. Mobile compatibility
With more and more people accessing the internet on their mobile devices, an online sportsbook needs to be mobile-friendly. This means that the website should user user-friendly and easy to 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.
- + Convenience, accessibility from anywhere at any time
- – May not have all features available on mobile, and may have a less engaging user experience
9. Customer service
Customer service can make or break your betting experience with any given bookmaker. Look for a bookie with a responsive and helpful customer support programme. This means one that can resolve account-related issues, disputes, and other betting inquiries.
Typically you can look for reviews online to gauge how they address technical glitches or payment concerns. A bookmaker’s reputation can be shaped by its customer service quality, influencing whether bettors choose to continue using the platform and recommending it to others.
10. Deposit and withdrawal options
If you have a preferred way of making financial transactions, make sure that the bookmaker you’re about to sign up with covers it. The availability of withdrawal and deposit methods can depend on the bookmaker’s location, legal status, and more. Opt for a bookie with plenty of options, including PayPal, to ensure maximum flexibility and convenience when transferring funds.
Although we have broken down a list of the top UK football betting sites, it is normal if they don’t fit all your desired criteria.
After you’ve picked your favourite site, you must register an account. Providing that you have an address in the UK and that you are over the age of 18, you are eligible to sign up.
After running through the first two steps and opening your account, you must deposit some real funds.
Now you’re ready to make use of the football betting markets!
