The soaring popularity of online betting gave rise to a market saturated with gambling sites, and for many punters, choosing the right one is a daunting task. Our list of the best betting sites in the UK helps you decipher the confusing range of bets and bonuses. We also analysed key features in order to identify the top betting agencies that are worth your time and money.
The 10 Best Betting Sites in the UK
Operator
Rating
Key Features
Welcome Bonus
Website
1
Dozens of sports to bet on
Respected company
24/7 customer support
To claim this Sports Promotion, you must register a new account and the first bet on your account must be a Qualifying Bet/s. If you don’t follow these steps the free bets will not be applied to your account. The Qualifying bet/s will be made of a real money sports bet of at least £/€5 win or cumulative stakes of up to £/€5 , at fractional odds totalling 1/2 or greater. The same Maximum Pay Out restrictions set out in our General Website Terms & Conditions will equally apply to this Sports Promotion.
2
UKGC-licensed
Generous welcome offer
Superb mobile app
18+ New Online UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets.
3
Numerous promotions
In-play betting
Great variety of horse racing bets
New online customers only, min £10 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 X£15, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply.
4
Impressive sportsbook
Personalised bets tool
Constant promotions
New UK & NI customers only. promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet of £10+ in one bet transaction, at odds of Evens (2.0) +. settled within 60 days. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets credited within 48 hours of bet settlement, 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS validation may be required. Max 60 Free Spins on Justice League Comics. 7-day expiry. Full T&Cs apply.
5
Licensed by the UKGC
Rare sports categories offered
Fantastic odds
GET UP TO £100
IN FREE BETS
Visit site
New customers only. Available to residents of UK or Republic of Ireland using promo code ZBBC01. Place 5 x £10 (or more) single bets on the Sportsbook each at min odds 1/2 (1.5). Only deposits made using Credit/Debit Cards or ApplePay will qualify. Free bets are valid for 30 days. Betfair Sportsbook promotional terms apply.
6
Impressive sportsbook
Great new player welcome bonus
24/7 customer support
Available Currencies: INR, CAD, USD, EUR, GBP, HRK, SEK, NOK, PLN, HUF and many more. 18+ Play Responsibly - Further T&Cs apply
7
Safe and regulated sportsbook
World-class mobile app
Highly competitive odds
GET A FREE BET
UP TO £10
& A POWER UP
Visit site
You can qualify for rewards when you a place min 1 qualifying bet of £5 or more on Sports, Lotteries or Virtuals. Max free bet is £10 per week when you wager 5 x £10+ in a week, min odds 1/2 (1.5) per qualifying bet. Free bet valid for 7 days. Max Power Up is 1 per week, valid for 7 days & max stake is £50. Rewards credited by 12pm on Monday following the qualifying week. Cashed out bets & bets placed with free bets will not count. T&Cs apply.
8
Award-winning platform
Great variety of bet types
Fast withdrawals
Deposit £5 or more
and get a 100% matched amount in Bet Credits
up to a maximum of £100
Visit site
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5* or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for a 100% matched amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £100*. Once claimed, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable.
Affiliate Disclosure
We believe that every online player deserves a safe and secure sports betting environment, and that is exactly what we aim to provide here at ahoygaming.com. We create unbiased and honest reviews of UK’s best betting sites so that you can easily find the top names in the industry. With no external interference, our ratings and reviews are made independently by our team of expert reviewers and gamblers. Additionally, all of the operators on our site are licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission so they can be trusted that they offer a fair and safe platform. We accept compensation from the operators that advertise on our pages which may affect their positioning. Also, we regularly update this list in order to bring you the newest and best betting sites, however, we cannot review every operator on the market.
Our Methodology
To identify the best UK online betting sites, we examined a long list of features in order to assess the level of security and the overall quality of each platform.
We evaluated the companies behind the sites as well as the sportsbook offers and live betting options. Furthermore, we analysed welcome bonuses and features that ensure fair game play. We also paid close attention to the design, navigational efficiency, the overall user experience and the number of banking options.
Company Overview
The growing popularity of online betting led to concerns about the level of risk associated with gambling in the digital world. That’s why we evaluated the legal status of the operators, especially for the new betting sites, and made sure that all the providers are legit.
Each company has a different backstory: some good betting sites have offline operations, while others only work online. The more experienced betting companies often rely on sports sponsorships to build credibility and advertise their services.
Our list of the best UK sports betting sites includes platforms that clearly display their licences as opposed to having them buried deep in the Terms and Conditions section. Third party audits and licences are a prerequisite for operating in the industry. As such, the validity of the licence is essential.
User reviews are another important factor to consider when trying to establish whether a bookie is reliable.
Customer Support
It’s also important to look at the quality of customer support when evaluating the best UK betting sites. Even if you are using the top rated sites, you are bound to face mishaps.
This is when you need a reliable and knowledgeable customer support agent to help you resolve any issues. The best betting agencies provide this service around the clock through multiple channels.
Moreover, legitimate gambling sites are required to take the necessary steps to help players avoid addiction. All of the names on our top UK betting sites list offer tools for responsible gambling, including the time-out and self-exclusion features.
User Experience
Many betting sites have a cluttered interface that lacks any visual order. If an online gambling venue wishes to establish a long-term relationship with its players, it needs to have an engaging and effective web design.
Legitimate UK sports betting websites should have the funds to build and maintain a solid platform. Our top bookies list includes sites that have intuitive designs, clearly outlined categories, and a high degree of functionality.
We checked to see whether websites are responsive and mobile optimised because an increasing number of players use their mobile devices for gaming. Sites that offered mobile applications ranked higher.
Welcome Bonus
The best online bookmakers in the UK always strive to offer favorable odds. This is done in part through the sign-up bonus. The welcome offers allow players to place their first bets without any real risk.
It gives players a chance to test several casino games before choosing a favourite and allows them to perfect their skills without having to worry about losing a lot of money.
But the best betting companies go beyond the sign-up bonus and the new customer offers. These sites continue to offer free bets to create a loyal user base. Luckily, the competition in the world of online gambling is fierce, which translates into a constant stream of new promotions and attractive offers for different casino games and sports bets.
Sportsbook
The sportsbook is one of the most essential aspects to consider when choosing the best online sports betting sites in the UK. Sites should strive to provide a wide array of sports, leagues and tournaments in order to accommodate all users.
Our list includes websites where the betting directory contains the most popular sports in the UK and beyond.
In order to identify the best UK sports betting sites and choose a sportsbook that meets your requirements, you should consider the following:
- The range of promotions offered daily/weekly/monthly
- Odds for games
- The speed at which the odds are posted
- Available prop bets
- Sign-up bonuses and promotions
- Deposit/withdrawal methods
- Mobile betting options
- Customer service availability
This list will also help you evaluate the online betting company behind the sportsbook. It’s a simple equation: the longer the list of benefits, the more dependable the bookie in question.
Live Betting
Those using UK sports betting websites want to have the option to place live bets. Live betting allows you to bet after a game has already started. This gives you a chance to test your intuition and change your tactics as the game progresses.
If you play your cards right, you can increase your odds of winning by evaluating the current game conditions and taking into account every move the players make on the field.
In addition to live betting, bookies also create a live casino space on their website. The reasoning behind this strategy is simple. Although a growing number of people are choosing to play in virtual casinos from the comfort of their own home, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking for a dose of excitement.
Banking Options
We also reviewed the range of banking options. Most gambling sites allow players to use debit and credit cards, bank transfers as well as eWallets like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and Paysafe.
But in order to make the list of the top ten gambling sites, the companies need to implement the necessary security measures that keep the players and their funds safe.
Before you decide to create an account on a particular site, check out the list of banking options, the minimum deposit/withdrawal amounts, as well as the time it takes to complete transactions. These vary depending on the site, but the general rule is that withdrawals shouldn’t take longer than a week.
Top 10 UK Betting Sites:
- Ladbrokes (Best for football betting)
- Coral Casino (Easy deposit/withdrawal options)
- William Hill (Accompanied with a practical mobile app)
- Betfred (Features a diverse sportsbook)
- Betfair (Features a Live Casino)
Short Reviews
Ladbrokes is one of the best sports betting sites in the UK because it allows punters to bet on more than 30 different sports with a special focus on the Premier League. Aside from football, the sportsbook covers horse and greyhound racing, volleyball, table tennis as well as eSports and virtual sports.
The company was established in 1902 and went online in 1999. It has a seal of approval from both the UK Gambling Commission and the Licensing Authority of Gibraltar.
In addition to being known as one of the leading UK sports betting websites, Ladbrokes also offers an assortment of online casino games, including blackjack, roulette, poker, and slots. The site covers the thousands of online betting markets on both desktop and mobile.
It’s simple to navigate, with games segmented into several categories that allow users to quickly find their favourite ones. All newcomers are greeted with the welcome offer. Casino players get a £50 sign-up bonus when they deposit and bet £10, while all new customers who bet £/€ 5 get £/€ 20 in free bets.
The online betting platform provides customer support around the clock. And as one of the best online bookmakers in the UK, the site also guarantees a safe betting experience.
Moreover, Ladbrokes recognises that some players need help in managing their betting habits. It aids players in determining whether they developed a gambling problem and directs them to a country-specific hotline they can contact for help.
The site also offers a range of banking options. Players can make deposits using Visa, Mastercard and Maestro cards as well as bank transfers. Withdrawal can also be made through bank transfers or by using PayPal and Worldpay.
Due to its diverse list of games and sports, Coral Casino is praised for having one of the best betting company offers in the UK. You can bet on horse and greyhound racing, tennis, or virtual sports, while fans of casino games can indulge in poker, slots and even bingo.
The company was established almost a century ago and gradually evolved into one of the biggest bookmakers in the country. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Licensing Authority of Gibraltar, Coral Casino is part of the reputable GVC Holdings.
It’s dedicated to ensuring a fair, fun and safe betting environment. The site employs advanced algorithms and the random number generator system to ensure fairness.
Widely regarded as one of the best UK betting sites, this venue delivers an authentic casino experience through its diverse range of live casino games such as roulette, blackjack and slots.
There are also exclusive VIP tables for the high rollers and the more experienced players. Moreover, the site protects your anonymity. Poker player aliases and hand history are hidden from other users so that people cannot track each others’ unique playing styles and gain an unfair advantage.
By getting the Coral Connect card, you can bet across all Coral platforms. You can also use the card to make deposits and withdrawals and get access to exclusive online and in-shop bonuses.
As one of the best odds betting sites, Coral provides newcomers with a generous welcome offer. By signing up and betting £5 at odds of ½ or greater, you’ll earn £20-worth of free bets.
The site is mobile-friendly and comes with one of the best betting apps in the UK. It allows you to track in-shop bets and get real-time results as well as the latest updates on your favourite teams.
The story of William Hill dates back to 1934. Today, the bookmaker covers the most popular sports and online casino games. You can bet on anything from football to basketball, baseball to handball, ice hockey to darts, cycling and boxing to cricket.
Dedicated to delivering a true Vegas experience, William Hill also allows players to enjoy blackjack, roulette and other live casino games, with some of the best betting account offers.
William Hill is available via a mobile app that you can download on your phone or tablet and place bets on the go. You’ll never have to worry about missing a live tournament as the app comes with a live streaming option.
The website is also popular thanks to its extensive list of betting promos. All newcomers that bet £10 get £30 in free bets. But the promotions page features a multitude of other offers, including Scratch of the Day, boosts on horse and greyhound racing, options to double your odds or receive 10% of your losses.
In addition, William Hill is regarded as one of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK because it takes good care of its players by helping them identify favourable odds. William Hill’s dedication to its players is also evident through the support it provides to those who are struggling with gambling addiction. The bookmaker collaborates with regulators and gambling charities to help players recover.
It also provides gambling control options that allow players to set limits on deposits and session times.
You can make payments with credit and debit cards and cash vouchers. And to prove that it deserves its place among the best betting sites in the UK, William Hill enables online banking and use of eWallets, including PayPal and Apple Pay.
Betfred is one of the most respected gambling establishments on the market. Focused on continual expansion and development, Betfred now offers one of the most impressive selections of sports and casino games in the online betting world.
Over the years, the company sponsored many UK sports teams and events, including the Haydock Sprint Cup, the 2016 National Hunt, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Rugby’s Super League and the World Snooker Championships.
Betfred secured its place on our list of the best UK sports betting sites thanks to its sportsbook that covers everything, including football, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, darts, cricket, and even the Olympics. The selection of casino games is equally impressive, offering blackjack, roulette, slots, poker and bingo.
Betfred has one of the best betting apps in the UK that enables players to bet on the go from any device. The app has an intuitive interface, which provides information on the most recent scores, statistics and offers predictions.
Their unique PickYourPunt tool allows you to construct personalised bets and request a price on anything that you can think of. You can also create custom racecards and keep track of all the races in one place.
Betfred is also one of the top gambling websites in the UK because it includes a live casino option, allowing you to place real-time bets and feel like you’re at the heart of the action.
After signing up, you’ll get £30 in free bets if you stake £10. You must place £10 on Betfred’s sportsbook on evens or higher, and you’ll receive your free bets 48 hours after the bet is settled.
But the fun doesn’t end there. This is one of the best odds betting sites, and there are many more promotions to look forward to.
The website accepts debit and credit cards, Paypal, bank transfers, Skrill, Neteller and Paysafe.
Betfair
Licensed by the UKGC
Rare sports categories offered
Fantastic odds
Visit site
Since its founding in 2000, Betfair pioneered what is known as the betting exchange platform. It’s also one of the first betting companies to sponsor Premier League clubs. In 2016, Betfair merged with Paddy Power to become one of the UK’s best online betting sites. All its operations are safe and regulated, and the site holds licenses from the UK Gambling Commission as well as the Maltese Gaming Authority.
Betfair has its own radio station that it uses to broadcast horse races and provide valuable commentary, but it’s the sportsbook that earns it a place on the top bookies list. Punters can bet on football, baseball, basketball, cricket, golf, handball, rugby and even American football. The sportsbook covers other categories, including horse and greyhound racing, darts, chess, cycling, motorsports and even lesser known sports like the Gaelic games.
The site has a unique welcome offer that requires you to place a bet of up to £20 at the exchange after signing up. The bet must be placed at minimum 1.5 odds and needs to settle within seven days. If you lose, Betfair will credit your account for the amount you lost (up to £20), making this an entirely risk-free bet.
In addition, there is a long list of casino games, such as roulette, blackjack, sic-bo and baccarat, that include some of the best betting site offers. The site has a live casino section that can accommodate both veterans and newcomers and hosts slot tournaments for expert bettors who aren’t afraid to take big risks.
Betfair offers around 20% better odds than an average bookmaker, which is why it has millions of customers and can compete with the best online bookie offers.
It’s important to note that Betfair allows you to restrict your deposit amounts, place limits on your transactions or activate the self-exclusion feature. These controls are in place to stop players from developing any harmful habits.
Players can use a number of payment methods including credit and debit cards as well as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard and WebMoney.
Founded in 1997, Unibet is widely regarded as one of the top UK bookies because it provides competitive fixed odds on more than 30 sports. But that’s not all. The site also provides the necessary guidance to enhance your chances of winning. It’s licensed by both the UK Gambling Commission and the Government of Gibraltar.
Just like many of the other best UK sports betting sites, Unibet has an impressive sportsbook that covers everything from football and horse racing to the PGA Championship.
The site is highly popular among new bettors, as it provides detailed instructions on rules and regulations for sports like horse racing. This helps players familiarise themselves with the betting process and terminology.
In addition to sports, Unibet can compete with some of the best odds betting sites thanks to its selection of bingo, poker and other casino games. There is also a live casino section, and you can play on both desktop and mobile.
Moreover, the site offers generous betting promos. The welcome offer allows newcomers to wager between £1 to £40 at odds of ⅖ or higher after signing up. If you win, you receive your winnings and your stake. If you lose, Unibet will give you back your stake as a free bet. In addition, there is a £250 referral bonus for players who invite their friends to create a Unibet account.
There are a number of deposit and withdrawal options including Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Paysafecard, PayPal and bank transfers.
Unibet’s commitment to ensuring a healthy betting environment is just one of the many reasons why it ranks among the top ten gambling sites. Players can find guidelines on how to test their gambling habits. Users are encouraged to control their betting through any of the following options: setting a deposit limit, blocking certain products and self-exclusion.
Meanwhile, customer support agents are available 24/7 to assist players with any issues they may face. You can get in touch with customer service via email, telephone or live chat.
Paddy Power
Safe and regulated sportsbook
World-class mobile app
Highly competitive odds
Visit site
Paddy Power is a Dublin-based bookmaker that’s licensed by both the UK Gambling Commission and the Maltese Gaming Authority. It’s considered one of the best online bookmakers in the UK because it’s regulated, safe and offers multiple promotions. Paddy Power offers include a welcome bonus and money back specials that run daily.
The Irish bookie also created a range of apps in collaboration with Betfair to improve the overall player experience. On the App Store and Google Play, you can download their Sportsbook app and the Exchange app to place your bets and track live results whenever you wish to.
Paddy Power is ranked among the best UK football betting sites thanks to its highly competitive odds and generous sign-up bonus. New players are greeted with a risk-free bet bonus of up to £20. After signing up, just place a £20 bet on any market, and if you lose, the site will refund your stake.
The Paddy Power sports section also attracts new players through its Fantasy League. Users get the opportunity to become managers of some of the greatest sports clubs on the planet and create their own teams with their favourite players.
When it comes to casino games, Paddy Power offers slots, poker and bingo, and there is also a live casino section. There are a number of payment options available including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Skrill and Neteller.
Like many of its other counterparts in the good betting sites category, Paddy Power customer support team is standing by to help users with any gambling-related issues. Support agents can be reached by telephone, web form and even Twitter.
The site also provides tools to ensure responsible gaming and to help players manage their betting habits.
Bet365
Award-winning platform
Great variety of bet types
Fast withdrawals
Visit site
Bet365 is among the best betting companies with offices around the globe. It’s headquartered in Britain and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. The company went online in 2001 and has since won numerous awards for the quality of its service.
Bet365 was crowned Operator of the Year in 2010 and continues to be widely regarded as one of the best betting companies worldwide. This popularity can be largely attributed to their diverse sportsbook and broad selection of casino games.
Punters can place bets on everything from football to horse and greyhound racing and even political developments. The site has a user-friendly interface that allows you to track events you are most interested in and place bets with just a few clicks.
But Bet365 is more than just one of the leading UK sports betting websites. It also offers a range of casino games including poker and slots. There is a live casino section for those who wish to interact with the dealer in real-time while fair game play is ensured by a sophisticated random number generator.
The site also has some of the best betting promotions in the UK. In addition, to their welcome bonus which awards newcomers with up to £100 in bet credits, they continue to update their betting deals and promotions to improve the players’ odds.
Unibet365 offers a variety of payment options for individual countries in multiple currencies. Players have to select the country they are accessing the website from and the currency they wish to deposit or withdraw money in. Deposits and withdrawals can be made with debit and credit cards, eWallet systems or prepaid voucher transactions.
FAQ
What’s the best online betting site in the UK?
There are dozens of online bookmakers offering a unique set of benefits to its players. Based on their sportsbook, range of casino games and banking options, the following are the UK’s top betting sites:
- Ladbrokes
- Coral Casino
- William Hill
- Betfred
- Betfair
What is the most popular betting site?
The popularity of a betting site depends on a multitude of factors, including the range of sports betting options, casino games, promotions and sign-up bonuses. Based on our best UK betting site reviews, the following are the most popular options:
- Ladbrokes
- Coral Casino
- William Hill
- Betfred
- Betfair
What is the best UK betting app?
With an increasing number of players choosing to place bets via their mobile devices, some of the biggest betting companies are channeling their resources to create intuitive and practical mobile apps. Currently, the best UK betting apps are:
- Ladbrokes App
- Coral Live Casino App
- Sportsbook by William Hill
- Bingo by William Hill
- Unibet Sports App
What is the biggest betting company?
Based on their market share, the range of betting options and the number of active players, the following are considered both the biggest betting companies and the best betting sites in the UK:
- William Hill
- Bet365
- Ladbrokes
- Paddy Power
- Betfair