Searching for the top football sportsbooks in the UK for 2023? You’re in the right place – here are some of the Best Football Betting Sites, BetUK, Unibet, Stake, Ladbrokes and Bet365. Out of these BetUK with its exclusive features and offers is in the top 1 position in our list.
The best football betting sites in the UK
Football is so much more than just a game in the United Kingdom, it's embedded in the nation's history and culture, becoming one of the favourite pastimes of UK folk. With this, it's only fair that the most prestigious football league in the world is located there, in the Premier League. Eyes all around the world fixate on the league competition every single week, as well as the famous FA Cup when the Premier League isn't in action.
Even the second-tier league, the Championship, is one of the most entertaining leagues in the world. The unpredictability and the fight for promotion to the promised land, the Premier League, is a must-watch. Especially when it's playoff time. 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.
Detailed features of the top 10 Football Betting Sites
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 football betting sites the UK.
- William Hill
- Unibet
- Stake.com
- Ladbrokes
- Bet365
- Coral
- Paddy Power
- Betfred
- BetVictor
- Grosvenor
This is our list of the best sites for football betting and sports betting in general in the UK. William Hill, Unibet, and Bet365 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.
Contents
- 1 The best football betting sites in the UK
- 2 Detailed features of the top 10 Football Betting Sites
- 3 Out of our top 10 but still worth a look
- 4 What are the main characteristics of the best football betting sites?
- 5 How to actually select a football betting site and get going?
- 6 Free Bet, Welcome Offer, Deposit Bonus, … The Bonus Jungle explained
- 7 What are the most popular football leagues to bet on?
- 8 What are the most exciting football betting markets?
- 9 Final conclusion on the best UK football betting sites
William Hill – A Symbol of Quality
A well-established football betting site in the UK bookmaker scene, William Hill offers customers attractive bonuses and a diverse selection of markets. They cover popular sports like football, horse and greyhound racing, cricket, tennis, and basketball. With a unique #YourOdds feature, customers can request odds on any event. William Hill provides an excellent user experience. Also, simple site navigation and a strong focus on live-streaming top-tier European football leagues.
Use the William Hill promo code or link below to start betting on football.
Unibet – For the Modern Football Bettor
Unibet, a notable bookmaker in Europe, provides a vast array of sports markets. They have a particular emphasis on popular sports like football, rugby, and ice hockey. Unibet offers the Match Multi Bet Builder feature and a new Virtual Sports section. They are also generous with bonuses and often have in-play and cash-out events. Their football coverage is vast. Including leagues worldwide, and they provide highly competitive odds. A modern bettor would appreciate the range of bets, with major Premier League games offering over 350 different betting markets. With all of these markets, you can use their Unibet promo code.
Ladbrokes – Outstanding Football Betting Platform
Ladbrokes is a highly-regarded football betting site in the UK and abroad, including a thriving operation in Australia. Their platform is user-friendly with a unique, appealing design. Features include a Bet Builder, top-quality live streaming, wide-ranging in-play events, and the ability to place bets via Twitter with #YourCall. While they might not cover niche sports comprehensively, they excel in popular sports like football. Despite a reputation for less competitive odds, Ladbrokes offers excellent football betting options and numerous promotions for existing players. They've also introduced a betting exchange for peer-to-peer betting. You can also take advantage of their very special Ladbrokes sign up offer for first time customers.
Bet365 – One of UK's Premier Sites
Bet365 is a famous bookmaker not only in the UK but also in Europe and the USA too. Notably, the bookmaker offers their very own bet365 bonus code. Their Sportsbook is one of the most comprehensive worldwide, offering a vast range of sports and markets. Among their many features are live streaming, cash-out/auto cash-out, in-play betting, and bet builders for various sports. They also provide a page for sports news and results. Their standout factors include an advanced mobile app. Also, coverage of thousands of events annually, particularly football.
Coral – Highly Rewarding for Regular Punters
Coral is an established brand with many customers. They have a Coral sign up offer that you could take advantage of today, as well as offering a user-friendly platform with everything you would need to enjoy sports betting. It may have one of the broadest Sportsbooks in the UK. Although, the choice of markets is greater for popular sports like Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, and Greyhounds. Coral offers multiple features, including cash-out and in-play options. “Build Your Bet” for football events and a request-a-bet service via Twitter using #YourCall. They also provide five virtual sports, including Darts.
Paddy Power – An Irish Favorite with Engaging Offers
This bookie also offers a new customers only Paddy Power sign up offer. Paddy Power, an Irish football betting site, has made a name for itself amongst UK punters with its engaging platform and a broad selection of sports, including less popular ones like Netball and Table Tennis. They provide a solid range of betting markets and frequently offer power prices for many events across various sports. Their platform offers access to the latest betting news, a free bet calculator, live sports, Football Same Game Multi bets, and more. New customers can take advantage of the Paddy Power sign-up offer: bet £20 and get it back if it loses.
Betfred – One of the best Football Betting Site
This bookmaker, just like most of them hlisted here, offers their very own Betfred promo code. Betfred stands out as a football betting site loved by many. It may lack a vast sports selection, yet it compensates with premium features. These include live streaming and in-play betting. Other features are cash-out, #PickYourPunt, and Daily Price Boosts. New clients enjoy a generous welcome bonus. Bet just £10 to get £30 in free bets and 60 free spins. Their mobile app is top-tier in the sports betting industry. It's accessible on various operating systems.
BetVictor – Best online betting bonuses
BetVictor has a unique website platform with an astonishing design, on which you can use their Betvictor sign up offer. BetVictor's website has a sleek design, a user-friendly interface, and a wide variety of sports to choose from. They offer competitive odds and a bustling in-play section. With features like cash-out, live streaming, and bet builder fixtures, BetVictor caters to all punters. Their customer support is excellent, and their Help Center is comprehensive. BetVictor also provides regular bet coupons for various sports and events.
Grosvenor Sport – Best football live betting site
Grosvenor is an established brand in the United Kingdom, and they have many advantages like their Grosvenor sign up offer among other things. While their market selection is smaller, they provide competitive odds. Features include cash-out, in-play, and an outstanding mobile app. They uniquely offer to double odds on any sport, bet, or odds.
Out of our top 10 but still worth a look
UK bettors have always been spoiled for choice when it comes to bookmakers, new and old. Betfair, SkyBet, BoyleSports, and SBK are a few of the extremely popular options that punters regularly go for. Below, we have collected the best offers from those bookmakers mentioned, as well as a mixture of other bookmakers that you can review and potentially take interest in.
Betfair – £30 in free bets
Betfair, one of the world's largest online betting platforms, allows users to bet on a broad range of sports and offers a unique exchange betting option for improved odds. They also host casino games, online poker, and virtual sports betting.
- Sports betting: Betfair allows users to place bets on a wide range of sports events, including football, horse racing, tennis, cricket, and more.
- Their very own Betfair sign up offer.
- 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.
SkyBet – Bet £5 on Football, Get £30
SkyBet, under the famous “Sky” brand, offers a vast collection of sports and virtual betting options. Their platform is intuitive and mobile-friendly. While the in-play section has limited markets, its pre-game section is extensive. SkyBet excels in features, boasting one of the UK's best streaming services and unique Group Bets. They provide numerous promotions, particularly for football events. Also, the Skybet promo code offer is quite attractive for the UK market.
Betway – Win a £30 Matched Free Bet
Betway, notable in the UK gambling scene, presents a vast sportsbook, unique betting options like e-sports, and an extensive in-play section. By using our very own Betway sign up code you are privy to their best offer. Key features include Bet Builder and Cash-out/Partial Cash-out. They also offer horse racing live streaming and an efficient mobile app.
SBK – Get £10 in Free Bets
This operator also offers an SBK promo code which you can take advantage any second now! SBK, a unique, mobile-only bookmaker, delivers an extensive app-based betting platform featuring over 25+ sports markets for pre-match and live betting. It also offers varied features such as cash-out, bet builder, and a live betting section. Its appeal lies in a broad range of payment methods.
Virgin Bet – Win two £10 free bets
Available to new customers, residents of Great Britain only and can be redeemed using the Virgin bet bonus code. 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.
PokerStars – £50 Free Play
Not just a poker site, PokerStars offers betting on around 30 sports, in-play betting, and a solid e-sports selection. While there's no specific welcome offer for sports bettors, a £50 Free Play poker bonus awaits new customers depositing at least £10 with thePokerstars sign up offer.
BoyleSports – Various Bonuses on Slots, Live Casino, and Poker
BoyleSports is the largest independent bookmaker in Ireland, which means that they obviously have a Boylesports sign up offer. Ireland's largest independent bookmaker, BoyleSports, boasts a prominent online presence and extensive sports betting options alongside its casino, live casino, poker, and bingo games. Despite its strengths, it currently lacks a welcome bonus for punters.
Tote – Receive £20 in Free Bets
This offer is valid for new customers when they sign up using the Tote welcome offer. Tote is a renowned bookmaker specializing in horse racing, offering markets for thousands of annual races. Its user-friendly website and attractive promotions make it a top choice for horse racing enthusiasts. The welcome offer lets new customers place a £5 bet to receive £20 in free bets, split between racing and placepot bets. These expire after seven days.
PariMatch – Get £20 in Free Bets
Here we have another relatively new gambling operator with an offer that's worth mentioning, especially using their Parimatch sign up offer. PariMatch has 25+ sports betting markets and hundreds of popular competitions. Football is the main focus because the football section is extensive.
There are hundreds of betting options and what really impressed us is how competitive the odds are. On top of that, customers can enjoy enhanced accas, betting boosts, and trending bets. The website has e-sports betting and other specials like UK/US politics, a full entertainment section, and more.
Features-wise, PariMatch is right there with the best names in the industry. It has a cash-out feature, a bet builder, live betting, and live streaming on certain events.
BritainBet – £10 Free Bet
BritainBet, a 2020 sportsbook startup, offers focused betting on football, ice hockey, rugby, basketball, and cricket. Despite their limitations, they offer a £10 free bet as a welcome bonus for staking at least £10. Unlike the competition, BritainBet focuses only on several sports by offering a lot of markets for those sports. At the moment, their customers can bet on football, ice hockey, rugby, basketball, and cricket. There is no live streaming or a bet builder on the website.
LiveScoreBet – £20 Free Bets
Redeem £20 in free bets using the Livescore bet bonus code! ELiveScoreBet, a new sportsbook owned by Virgin Bet's team, offers more than 30 sports betting categories, including e-sports and politics. New customers can stake a minimum of £10 to win £20 in free bets.
Fitzdares – £30 Free bet + 20 free spins
Founded in 2006, Fitzdares is a fantastic UK bookmaker that often goes under the radar and right now they are offering this amazing Fitzdares sign up offer. Fitzdares, established in 2006, has won the SBC Racing Sportsbook of the Year award, emphasizing their focus on horse racing. The platform also offers over 25 other sports betting options and runs a private club in London. New customers can earn a £30 free bet and 20 free spins with a minimum deposit of £10.
Bet UK – £30 in free bets
Bet UK is a new bookmaker that's part of the Leo Vegas brand and you can take advantage of their exceptionnal BetUK sign up offer right now. Bet UK, a part of the Leo Vegas brand, offers more than 30 sports betting options with competitive odds and a bet builder. However, they lack live streaming and a VIP program. New customers can earn up to £30 in free bets with a minimum deposit of £10. Qualifying bets need to be placed within 7 days of account creation and at odds no lower than 1/2.
10Bet – 50% Up to £50
With almost 20 years in the industry, 10Bet is one of the best gambling operators that offers its services in the UK. This opportunity is valid only using the 10bet sign up offer. Their offering also includes over 60,000 pre-match and 25,000 live betting events monthly. Unfortunately, live streaming is not a feature currently offered. To benefit from a generous promotion, new customers can enter the promo code PLAY10 during registration, which activates a 50% bonus of up to £50. It requires a minimum deposit of £15 to qualify for the bonus.
Kwiff – £20 Surprise Bet
Kwiff, established in 2015, has gained significant traction in the UK market, especially with their ‘super boosted' bets. They focus on popular UK sports like horse racing and football. New customers can avail of a £20 surprise bet by depositing and wagering at least £10 on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or higher. There are no wagering requirements on the bonus.
Midnite – £20 welcome bonus
Midnite is a unique bookmaker that focuses on e-sports betting, but that doesn't mean they don't have their very own Midnite promo code. They provide pre-match and in-play betting options for e-sports including CS:GO, Valorant, League of Legends, and King of Glory, along with live streaming for major events. However, their traditional sports betting options are limited, with only 13 sports available and horse racing absent.
NetBet – a £10 free bet
NetBet, a highly experienced bookmaker, offers a £10 free bet to new customers who stake at least £10. They present odds on 45+ categories, with numerous features like Bet Builder, cashout, and live betting, though they lack a live-streaming option.
QuinnBet – 50% cashback
This exceptionnal offer can be taken advantage of through the use of, but not exclusively, the Quinnbet coupon code. Operating since 2010, Mr. Mega added a sportsbook to their platform recently, offering pre-match and in-play betting on over 25 sports. The operator lacks Bet Builder and live streaming but compensates with various betting markets. New users can avail of a £10 free bet token on a £15 deposit and stake.
Fafabet – Various welcome offers
Fafabet is a UK gambling operator known for unique welcome offers and promotions. They provide sports betting on 30 categories, including politics and GAA hurling. Popular options like football, horse racing, greyhounds, and golf are available. No live-streaming or Bet Builder options are offered. One way that they've been able to promote themselves is through their unique Fafabet sign up offer.
Bwin – Cashback on losses
Bwin is an online sportsbook that allows customers to place bets on a wide range of sports and events, notably by using their Bwin sign up offer for new customers. Bwin stands as a licensed online sportsbook renowned for its user-friendly website and mobile app.
The platform presents a diverse array of sports and events available for betting, complemented by an enticing sign-up offer. Bwin caters to both pre-match and in-play betting preferences, providing live streaming services for selected events. Additionally, Bwin offers a range of online casino games, poker options, and virtual sports for added entertainment.
Betiton – £15 free bet
Betiton is a licensed online sports betting and casino platform operated by Aspire Global International Ltd. It offers a wide range of sports events, a user-friendly website, 24/7 customer support, and various promotions and bonuses. A reliable choice for comprehensive betting options and a positive user experience.
The Pools – free bets up to £20
The Pools is a UK-based betting company that offers a range of gambling products, including sports betting and lottery-style games. The Pools sign up offer can be quite attractive as well. They are offering sports betting, lottery-style games, and the popular football pool.
They are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring fair play and responsible gambling. With a strong presence and attractive sign-up offers, The Pools is a reputable choice for sports betting and lottery-style games in the UK.
Star Sports – Free bets on horse racing
Star Sports is a UK-based online sportsbook and casino, which offers, just like most bookmakers in its market, a Starsports bet promo code. They offer diverse sports betting markets, including football and horse racing.
The user-friendly website works seamlessly on desktop and mobile. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Star Sports ensures fair gaming. They provide secure payment options and reliable customer support.
What are the main characteristics of the best football betting sites?
Feature | Description | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Wide range of sports and betting options | Offering a variety of sports and events to choose from | Appealing to users, caters to all interests | May not have in-depth coverage of niche sports |
Enhanced markets | Competitive odds with a boost on certain markets | Higher potential winnings, customer can dictate market | May not offer this feature on all markets |
Live betting | Place bets on sporting events as they are happening | Extra excitement, ability to bet on various outcomes in real-time | May not have live betting available for all sports or events |
Live streaming | Access to HD streaming for many events across a variety of sports | Ability to watch live sport without extra cost, make live bets while watching | May not have streaming available for all sports or events, quality of streaming may vary |
Cashouts | End a bet prematurely and receive cash returns | Opportunity for profit, ability to lock in winnings | May not offer cashouts for all bets, may not be desirable for some users |
Bet builders | Combine various markets into one for higher odds | Opportunity for fantastic odds, flexibility in creating unique bets | Each part of the bet must pull through for the bet to win, may not have bet builders available for all sports or events |
Partial cashouts | Cash out a portion of a bet and leave the rest in play | Opportunity for profit while still leaving a portion of the bet in play | May not have partial cashouts available for all bets, may be a difficult decision for some users |
Mobile compatibility | User-friendly website that is easy to navigate on mobile devices | Convenience, accessibility from anywhere at any time | May not have all features available on mobile, may have a less engaging user experience |
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 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 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
Everybody loves watching live sports, it's a fact. There are so many television providers that give access to live streaming with expensive packages. But 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 actually 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 the mobile applications of bookmakers. Meaning that live sports can be viewed on the go and can be viewed with ease.
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.
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 any time 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 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.
Free Bet, Welcome Offer, Deposit Bonus, … The Bonus Jungle explained
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
In sports betting, a welcome bonus is used to incentivise new customers to sign up for an account with a brand-new bookmaker that they have never used before. Typically, the bonus is provided to a new customer who makes their first deposit on a sports market. The bonus can come in a variety of forms. Including, but not limited to, free bets, match deposit bonuses, or no deposit bonuses. It is worth noting that the amount of the bonus and the terms and conditions can differ from bookmaker to bookmaker. Also, there can be various restrictions, such as wagering requirements, which a customer needs to be aware of before committing to a new bookmaker.
An example of a welcome bonus can be that a sportsbook offers a 100% match deposit bonus up to £100. What this means is that is a customer deposits £100, they will receive an additional £100 in bonus funds to use for betting.
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.
What are the most popular football leagues to bet on?
When it comes to football betting in the UK, several leagues and tournaments garner significant attention. Here is a list of the top football leagues and tournaments for betting enthusiasts:
Premier League (EPL)
- Country: England
- Total Teams: 20
- Season: August until May
Discover these Premier League Predictions to place your bet today.
FA Cup
- Major football competition in the UK.
- Known for surprise results and exciting betting opportunities.
- Season: August until May.
Discover our page FA Cup betting tips.
La Liga
- Country: Spain
- Total Teams: 20
- Season: August until May
Discover our page La Liga predictions
Champions League
- Features the finest domestic teams in Europe competing for the prestigious trophy.
- Season: August until May.
- Offers numerous betting opportunities and enticing bonuses.
Just like some of the other major events on this list, you can find betting bonuses galore when the Champions League is on.
World Cup
- Occurs once every four years.
- Provides enticing markets and bonuses from top bookmakers.
- Showcases the best football talent from around the globe.
Copa America
- South America's equivalent of the Champions League.
- Held annually, offering exciting markets and bonuses.
- Showcases football talent from the region.
Serie A
- Country: Italy
- Total Teams: 20
- Season: August until May
You can discover more Serie A predictions that get updated every day.
Bundesliga
- Country: Germany.
- Total Teams: 18.
- Season: August until May.
Discover our Bundesliga predictions and betting tips
Ligue 1
- Country: France.
- Total Teams: 20.
- Season: August until May.
Discover our free Ligue 1 betting tips
What are the most exciting football betting markets?
Market | Description | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Accumulators | Combination of different markets into one bet slip | Huge potential returns | All legs must win for the bet to be a winner |
Match Odds | Predict the overall outcome of a game - home win, away win, or draw | Considered to be fair odds, slow and steady profit with low risk | Only three outcomes to choose from |
Draw No Bet | Two outcomes - home win or away win. If the game ends in a draw, the bettor gets their money back | Less risky option compared to the traditional Match Odds market | Limited to two outcomes, similar to Double Chance market |
Correct Score | Focused on individual goals scored. Several results that relate to the final score of the game | Higher odds, potential for higher profits | Risky option, limited to specific outcomes |
Over/Under | Predict whether the number of goals scored will be Over or Under a specified number | Exciting market with numerous odds available | Over 0.5 outcome is considered a safe bet with low profits |
Both teams to score | Predict whether both teams will score or not | Odds can be appealing, do not have to predict the winning team | Depends on the teams playing |
Anytime scorer | Predict an individual player to score during the game | Fantastic odds available, opportunity for value betting on non-prolific scorers | Odds are generally low for prolific strikers |
Red card / yellow card | Bet on the number of cards in a game or who might be booked | High odds for predicting a red card, can also bet on total or individual team yellow cards | Dependent on game being a feisty affair |
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.
Final conclusion on the best UK football 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.