Best Online Bookmakers in 2021

Betting at UK bookmakers online is one of the favourite pastimes in the UK. It has a long standing tradition and combined with liberal legislation it is not surprising that millions of people wager millions of pounds, both online and throughout the thousands betting shops all over the country.

While in the past you were required to go to a racetrack in order to be able to place a wager, and later you had to at least walk to the high street or wherever the nearest betting shop was located, nowadays you can freely place wagers online, on your computer, smartphone or tablet.

Popularity of Online Betting

When the advancements in the computer industry and the widespread use of the internet enabled the emergence of a phenomenon called ‘online betting’, betting operators were quick to realise that online betting is the future.

In fact, many who weren’t previously in the betting industry saw the potential.

Online betting allows the bookmakers online to operate with lower costs and enables punters to have a hassle free betting experience, without having to run to the betting shop to place a bet before kick-off.

And speaking of ‘kick-off’ the introduction of live betting (betting on events that have already started) made betting even more exciting and it encourage people to wager even more.

Then the cash out option was introduced by online bookmakers, which allowed punters to settle bets and get paid even before all selections have concluded.

UK bookmakers online nowadays often offer punters to watch events live via streaming without any extra fees, as long as they have a positive account balance.

More Choices, More Headaches

While it is clear that technology made things a lot easier for punters, it is also true that sometimes punters find the scope of choices that are at their disposal a bit overwhelming.

Let’s start with the one that is most obvious. Every punter who wants to bet at the online bookmakers has to choose a betting site.

There is another reason why online betting is better and more convenient than traditional betting.

Namely, you can register and open an account at more than one of the bookmakers online and then when you’re about to place a bet, you can check which of the operators offers better odds and better conditions (whether they offer features like the Betfred cash out, or perhaps whether the bet counts towards a specific promotion.

But, even if you decide to register with more than one betting site, you still can’t register with all of them and you’ll need to make a selection of few or several gambling sites.

That might be more difficult than it seems, as every one of the online bookmakers claims to be the best, and sometimes punters are slightly confused and unsure which sites can be trusted.

Licencing and Regulation Is Vital

First things first, every site has to be licensed and regulated and without that you shouldn’t even consider it.

Most high-profile websites have that covered, but often punters are drawn to unlicensed sites that might offer better odds, faster payments, lucrative bonuses, etc.

It is all well while you’re losing or winning small amounts of money, but usually the problems start when you’re about to make your first withdrawal, especially if the amount in question is not a small one.

It is usually then when punters realise that the terms and conditions, which nobody usually reads, are either too vague or even blatantly unfair.

Unfortunately by that point it is too late.

If the site is not licensed, it means that there’s no authority, no UK Gambling Commission to protect your rights as a customer and you may never receive your hard earned, or receive just a fraction, or have to wait for months until you get what’s rightfully yours.

Safety First

Always be wise and cautious when it comes to choosing from online bookmakers.

So even if the betting site doesn’t want to scam you. Operates in a fair manner, with full respect for its customers and it abides by ethical standards, the fact that it is not licensed or certified means that you can’t be certain that it offers the necessary level of protection and safety.

Betting via the online bookmakers is a sensitive matter. Firstly, betting online requires making payments which means that at one point you will be required to submit financial and personal data which can then be abused.

Even if the website is treating your information with the required degree of caution and doesn’t allow access to sensitive information by third parties, it doesn’t mean that your information will be protected.

If a betting operator doesn’t apply the necessary security standards which ensure the protection of your personal and financial data, third parties might ‘hack’ the website obtain and misuse your information.

If the bookmakers online are verified and reliable, that is a guarantee that they employ the required security standards and that the customers can rest assured they won’t be victims of an online fraud.

Online Bookmakers Sign Up Offers

However, it is not just the licencing and certification that matters.

Many websites are licenced, but the online bookmakers sign up offers may not be at a level which a punter should expect.

Some sites offer only few sports, few competitions, or just a limited range of markets.

Other sites offer odds that are too low and not at all favourable for punters, whereas some UK bookmakers online may have restrictive banking policies, like charging fees on deposits and/or withdrawals, long waiting periods, deposit and withdrawal limits which aren’t flexible and so on.

If you are a punter who is primarily focused on football, then it will be of great importance to you whether the operator has a good football betting offer, does it cover the leagues and competitions that you’d like to bet on and so on.

Similarly, if you’re more into horse race betting, then you’d prefer a website that offers more than most of its competitiors when it comes to horse racing.

If you plan on betting on a range of different sports then you will be looking for a online sports betting site that has a good overall betting offer.

Online Bookmakers with Free Bets and Why They Matter

There is another important aspect when it comes to choosing from the online bookmakers – the bonuses and promotions that it offers.

Most online betting sites choose to offer bonuses.

• The bookmaker free bets are the most successful tool for attracting new customers.
• Most bonus offers are particularly aimed at new customers.
• Bonuses aren’t just a marketing trick, punters can really benefit from bonus offers.

In order to protect themselves, since there are punters who try to abuse the bonus offers, online sports betting sites set terms and conditions under which the bonus offers are awarded.

These terms and conditions include:

• whether the bonus is only available to new customers.
• Or if punters with existing online bookmakers accounts can still claim bookmaker free bets.
• The time frame when the bonus can be claimed and used.
• Whether there are any wagering/rollover requirements and the specific conditions under which they should be met and other details regarding the offer.

Compare the Online Bookmakers Free Bets

One of the key criteria when it comes to comparing two bonus offers and deciding which one is more favourable is the online bookmakers bonus amount.

The bonus amount isn’t the only thing that should be considered, but it is definitely one of the most important elements of a bonus offer.

The more generous the bookmakers online are with the bonus amount, the more money you will have as a punter to wager and that means more bets, which equals increased chances of winning.

Even if the bonus in question requires you to deposit and wager your own money before you can claim it, it is still quite neat to know that you will have the chance to win money without actually risking any of your own money.

We Did Our Homework and Made it Easier for You

We understand that choosing one or even few betting sites when there are so many available can be a bit tricky and time-consuming.

And why waste time analysing betting sites, when you can analyse teams, leagues, jockeys and other betting relevant statistics which can help you improve your chances and make smart bets?.

That is exactly why we decided to help you and compiled a list of the best betting sites.

All of the online bookmakers on the list offer solid odds, cover a lot of sports and betting markets, allow mobile through mobile devices and live betting and on top of that offer nice bonuses for new customers.

All of the betting sites featured on this page offer at least £10 or up to £100 as new customer bonus.

Sometimes the bookmaker sites will roll out even more than a £100 as an incentive welcome bonus.

How do online betting sites verify your age?

The online bookmakers will verify your age by asking for proof of id showing your birth date – for example a photocopy or scan of your driving license or passport which both show your birth date.

Email the evidence above to the customer contact email displayed on the online bookmakers website. This will be found at the Contact Page normally displayed at the footer of the website..

The bookmakers online need to verify your age for the following reasons:

1. To make sure you are 18 or aged over.
2. To check whether you have self-excluded yourself from online gambling.
3. Confirm your identity is correct.

How do online betting sites Payout?

When you open a new betting account at an online bookmaker you will have to make a first deposit of real money in order to place a real bet.

The method of funding your account for the first time will determine how you receive your winnings. When it's time for you to request a payout choose wisely if you don't want to incur any long waiting time.

The following payment methods are the Fastest for payouts from bookmakers online.

• Bitcoin: Instant
• Prepaid Debit Card: Instant

E-Wallets:

• PayPal, Neteller, Moneybookers Skril: Instant to 3 – 4 days
• Money Transfers: 1 – 3 days
• Bank Wires: 1 – 10 days
• Credit/Debit Cards: 2 – 5 days
• Paper Checks: 2 weeks

Finally, we rate the online bookmakers by how reputable they are.

Extensive research online and knowledge personally of using and betting with the bookmakers listed means we know they can offer solid competitive odds for football betting and horse racing.

The free bets offered by the online bookmakers provides punters with a chance to try the betting sites out and find out which website suits your game play.

Enjoy your betting experience with the bookmakers listed and profit wisely with your bets.