Sports bettors in the UK are spoiled for choice among the best betting sites: If you want in-depth football betting markets, there is a bookmaker for you; if you want to bet on esports or TV events, there is another.
My favourite UK betting offer for September
Whatever you need, there is a UK betting site out there. However, knowing how to find the best betting site is a different beast altogether: That’s why you need my insight.
I have trawled the online betting sphere to make this detailed guide highlighting the best bookies in the UK, exploring their sports markets, welcome bonuses, odds value, and much more.
By the end, you’ll know which sportsbook is the most trustworthy, which one is reliable with payments, which has the lowest wager requirements and, of course, which one is worth your account registration.
Best betting sites for UK punters 2024
How I rate UK betting sites
I include a lot of factors in my betting site analysis. You can always return to this handy guide if you need a refresher, since I’ll keep the selection on offer updated, but here are the most impactful aspects of a betting site:
Betting markets
When looking through the best UK betting sites, one of the first things I check is how many betting markets are at my disposal. Most top UK bookmakers will cover the main sports and leagues, but they won’t all offer the same depth. That’s why I make sure to go through the markets of individual sports to find if they suit my needs.
Welcome offer and free bets
Bookmakers are always looking for ways to attract new customers, and one of the most effective methods is to offer a generous welcome bonus. Of course, there are other things I factor in outside of the size of the bonus – a generous free bet package is easily offset by tricky terms and conditions and wagering requirements.
If a bonus has a short expiry date, a ridiculously high initial bet stake, too many payment exclusions, or overly complicated eligibility requirements, I’ll tend to avoid signing up.
Ongoing promotions
It’s not just new customers that need nice treatment. I also look for betting sites that have ongoing promotions for their existing customers as well. I’ll be further impressed if a bookie’s loyalty programs and VIP schemes are on par with its newcomer generosity.
For example, acca insurance or an odds boost are the type of promotion I tend to expect from all established bookmakers now, but an occasional promo code and exclusive specials for the punter who remains will set a sportsbook apart even further.
Best odds
Of course, I’ll check out the odds at each bookmaker and let my readers know the best ones after a thorough comparison. If the odds come with price boosts and other odds-related bonuses, even better!
Payment methods
There is no point in me recommending a bookmaker if you can’t get your money in and out easily. All the operators I recommend have an array of banking methods and offer flexible deposit and withdrawal limits. I’ll also be sure to let you know if I had to wait an age to cash out my winnings after bet settlement, or if the payout speed was negligible.
Security and licensing
Security is paramount to me personally, and the whole team at talkSPORT. I would never recommend an operator that isn’t fully licensed and regulated by the UKGC. What’s more, most of the bookies you’ll find on this page are continuously audited by third parties for fairness and security.
Responsible gambling
The bookmakers I’ve reviewed here all offer responsible gambling support for players. This includes access to useful resources, as well as tools like self-exclusion and time limits. Of course, you can look into the available resources yourself on sites like GamCare and GambleAware.org.
Full reviews of the best UK betting sites
Narrowing the list of the best UK betting sites down to 11 was an extremely difficult task. Still, I’ve done my best to create a set that can create the most value for you as the reader and future bettor. The following are detailed reviews of each of the bookmakers I chose as the best that the UK market has to offer.
1. talkSPORT BET
Founding date: 2022
No. of sports to bet on: 30
Casino: Yes
Customer support: 24/7 chat, request a call
talkSPORT BET burst onto the betting scene in 2022 and has quickly established itself as a market leader. It is part of a partnership between talkSPORT and BetVictor, leveraging the latter’s sports betting platform and combining it with talkSPORT’s brand and reputation. I can say this is a winning combination, as it allows talkSPORT BET to offer an impressive 30+ sports to bet on and a huge selection of markets for each.
If user experience is as important to you as it is to me, talkSPORT BET’s clean, modern design will be a big selling point. The site is very well-designed and was extremely easy to navigate.
On signup, it served me a generous welcome bonus, allowing me to claim £30 when I bet £10. When I checked the rest of the bonus section, I found excellent promotions for existing customers, as well. I have to say, however, that the casino selection is not quite as strong compared to some bookmakers, but if you only want top-quality sports betting, talkSPORT BET has you covered.
2. PlanetSport Bet
Founding date: 2021
No. of sports to bet on: 27
Casino: Yes
Customer support: FAQ, email
PlanetSport Bet is one of the smaller bookmakers on this list, but I rated it highly despite its modest first impression. For example, if you are a fan of horse racing, then you will find a plethora of excellent markets and competitive odds at PlanetSport Bet. I was pleased to see the operator puts a real emphasis on trending sports and is one of the best in the UK in this regard.
However, I had trouble getting in touch with customer support through multiple avenues, as there was no live chat option available. I also wasn’t thrilled about the lack of a generous welcome offer, as the only thing available to new players was to claim a £10 free bet when they bet £10.
3. Spreadex
Founding date: 2006
No. of sports to bet on: 25
Casino: Yes
Customer support: 24/7 chat, live chat, phone support
Spreadex is one of the oldest bookmakers in the UK; in my opinion, it has endured because it knows how to deliver an excellent experience. If you want an alternative to standard betting, then the spread betting options at Spreadex will satisfy that need. Of course, I could still use standard betting options, with excellent odds for both.
It also offers one of the most comprehensive customer support systems I’ve seen, with live chat, phone, and email all provided. One area where it does fall short is with its promotions for existing customers. However, as a new customer, I could claim £40 when I bet £10.
4. BoyleSports
Founding date: 1982
No. of sports to bet on: 42
Casino: Yes
Customer support: Live chat, email
BoyleSports opened its physical doors way back in 1982 and has since moved onto the virtual plane and become a popular choice among UK bettors.
When I first signed up, I was happy to see it offers sports betting and online casino options, with both being equally strong. I could claim £20 when I deposited £10, which I didn’t think was a particularly grandiose welcome, but there is always a rewards programme for existing players. Unfortunately, other promotions for existing players are limited. On the plus side, the site offers 24/7 live support through live chat and email, which I’ve confirmed.
As far as presentation goes, the site felt a little basic to me. That said, the navigation was easy, and I had no problems finding what I was looking for, with the most important sports events and betting opportunities displayed prominently on the betting homepage.
5. BetVictor
Founding date: 1946
No. of sports to bet on: 34
Casino: Yes
Customer support: 24/7 chat, email
BetVictor is one of the UK’s best bookies with a pedigree. When I want a big range of markets to bet on, I know the sports selection here is strong, with 34 sports covering 1,500+ markets. The site’s Premier League selection is one of its biggest selling points, alongside its brilliant offers, such as the BetVictor Predictor feature for football games, which I’ve made use of more than once.
If you enjoy betting live and on your mobile, then BetVictor has you covered in both respects, as it has some of the most excellent live-betting options I’ve seen and a very respectable mobile app.
I’ve also had no problems reaching support agents, and can confirm the customer service at BetVictor is also excellent. My biggest issue with the site was that payment methods are limited compared to other operators, but this is truly a blip when a site excels so much elsewhere.
6. CopyBet
Founding date: 2016
No. of sports to bet on: 28
Casino: Yes
Customer support: Live chat, email
CopyBet is one of the most unique UK betting sites I’ve had the pleasure of exploring. The operator provided me the chance to copy the sports bets of popular tipsters, putting a social spin on the traditional betting experience. I got a pretty warm welcome, too, getting £50 in free bets for various sports when I bet my first £10.
I had nothing to complain about on the usability front – the website is nicely designed, and the live-betting options are great. On the other hand, while there are plenty of football-based bonuses, the site is slightly limited elsewhere. There is no casino section, either, which may frustrate some bettors. Overall, though, CopyBet stands out to me as an interesting option due to its unique betting features and stylish design.
7. Luckster Sport
Founding date: 2022
No. of sports to bet on: 30
Casino: Yes
Customer support: Live chat, email, phone
Luckster Sport is a relatively new sports betting site, having launched in 2022. I didn’t let this fool me, though: The operator turned out to pack a punch, offering over 30 sports, with particularly niche and detailed football betting options.
In my opinion, Luckster made a smart choice by electing to keep things simple, and I found the sign-up process to be very streamlined; my enthusiasm was dampened somewhat by the fact that the welcome bonus I received was worth only £10 when I bet £10. While its mobile site was excellent, Luckster also disappointed me by not investing in a mobile app.
8. 10bet
Founding date: 2003
No. of sports to bet on: 31
Casino: Yes
Customer support: Live chat, email, phone
10bet is one of the most well-respected online bookmakers in the UK. The site, which was founded in 2003, attracts millions of sports bettors, and it was easy for me to understand why. For example, if you, like me, want a massive selection of sports to bet on, you will find 31 different options at 10bet, a number that dwarfs most of its competitors. It also felt like I bookie I could stick with, since it offers generous bonuses for existing customers, as well as a £50 bonus for new customers.
10bet is also renowned for its betting features, such as the 100% boost on your winning acca payout, and its event-specific promos, some of which I made use of during my time on the site. On top of all this, it also boasts an impressive casino section.
9. Betway
Founding date: 2006
No. of sports to bet on: 30
Casino: Yes
Customer support: 24/7 chat, email
Betway is one of the most recognised gambling brands in the world, and I had my expectations set very high when I tested it. Not for nothing, the popular brand has been making waves among British bettors for almost 20 years now. I’m happy to report the site has 30 sports for players to bet on, though some of the live betting options feel a bit limited compared to other bookies available on the UK market.
Unsurprisingly, a site like Betway knows how to keep customers happy. If you enjoy promotions, then this is the site for you. For starters, as a new player, I could claim up to £30 if my first bet had lost – it hadn’t, but the option was still there. I got some free spins out of it, too, which is always a nice boost. There is also a generous loyalty program, if you stick around, which I will be sure to to do.
Still, I could’ve used a slightly richer live betting offering, as I could find much greener pastures with other top operators.
10. bet365
Founding date: 2000
No. of sports to bet on: 40
Casino: Yes
Customer support: Live chat, email, phone
You don’t need me to tell you that bet365 is one of the most well-respected online bookmakers in the UK. The site, which was founded at the start of the millenium, attracts millions of sports bettors, and it’s easy to see why.
I was first greeted with a massive selection of sports to bet on, a grand total of 40, which dwarfs most of its competitors. It also offers generous bonuses for existing customers, after I claimed the £30 bonus for new customers who bet £10.
bet365 is also renowned for its special betting features, such as the 2-goal early acca payout, and its bet builder options, and the latter boosted my winnings quite a bit. Live streaming is also an option here, which is perfect for live betting on a football game, for example. On top of all this, it also boasts an impressive casino section if you ever get bored of betting.
11. Betzone
Founding date: 2020
No. of sports to bet on: 24
Casino: Yes
Customer support: Email
Betzone is nearly half a decade old, which may not seem like much, but I can certainly say it’s an online UK bookmaker on the rise. If you enjoy in-play betting, then Betzone’s live coverage is going to be as hugely attractive to you as it was to me.
I also enjoyed watching the live streams this site offers for plenty of UK and Ireland events, with an emphasis on horse racing. It also offers in-play betting for NFL, football, and more. I was also a big fan of the Betzone casino offering.
Where the site does fall short is its lack of a live-chat section, which means I had to reach out via e-mail, a dated approach if there ever was one. As far as promotions go, I was pleased to find a good selection for existing customers, with special event betting being popular, and there is a welcome bonus that allows customers to claim 50% back as free bets on losing bets up to £60.
Top payment methods and processing times at UK betting sites
There are many popular banking methods available at UK betting sites. Visa/Mastercard debit card payments remain the most popular deposit methods among players. If you want a quicker withdrawal, e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are often popular choices. Mobile-based methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also becoming increasingly popular.
The withdrawal time for methods will depend on the betting platform, so the following are averages. In some instances, for example, bookies may offer instant withdrawal, regardless of the method. This is something I always look for, but it’s a rare gift.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that players won’t be able to use credit cards to make deposits or withdrawals in the UK as per UKGC guidelines.
Q&A session about betting sites for UK players
The following are some of the most regular questions that readers have about betting at the UK’s top betting sites.
1. Who regulates UK betting sites?
All legitimate UK betting sites, and certainly all sites I recommend, are regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. The UKGC is one of the most stringent regulators in the industry, ensuring all British casinos are compliant with the industry’s highest standards.
2. Do UK bookmakers follow KYC procedures?
Yes. All UK bookmakers will have extensive Know Your Customer policies. Players will need to have their identity and address verified before they can withdraw cash, and in many cases, before they can even place a bet.
3. Can I use PayPal at UK bookies?
Yes, most UK bookies will allow customers to bet with PayPal. If you want to use PayPal, I recommend checking directly with your chosen bookmaker first if that’s an option, but my experience shows most of them have elected to support it.
4. Which UK betting site offers the best odds?
10bet is my pick as the site with the best odds, no question. This is because the site regularly runs cash boosts and promotions that offer enhanced odds. It also offers one of the most comprehensive sports betting selections, with 40 sports available to bet on.
Following this, I would have to give the runner-up spot to BetUK, which offers some of the best football odds. Finally, Spreadex is an excellent option for both sports betting and exchange odds. Whichever site you choose, you can use our handy bet calculator to see what you can expect from your winnings!
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Most read in Betting
