UK betting Guide – Find the Best bookmakers (and Offers) in 2023
UK betting is now rich with opportunity, whether you want to find a solid online casino, sportsbook, or racebook. But you need to know where to look to find the best of the best sites on the market.
Top 5 UK Betting sites
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A new and exciting bookmaker for UK players with horse racing and sports betting.
We’ll even touch upon the new betting sites UK offers from BetZone, StarSports, and BetZone and what they offer players.
Keep reading as we delve into all of the gambling and sports betting UK sites have to offer their customers.
We’ll explain the best bonus and promotional offers in the UK, the banking methods you can use, and even answer some frequently asked questions about UK gambling at the end.
Read more about our featured UK betting sites
UK betting Guide
Some of the best UK betting sites include extensive security measures, competitive odds, and a good variety of player opportunities.
The following five sportsbook-casino duos are the top sports betting options you should consider based on their varieties of sports, games, bonuses, and banking choices.
Check them out and learn about their highlighted benefits and features below.
Bet365
Bet365 has professional and college sports markets, esports betting, casino games, and more. Live wagering, cash out, multi-sport parlays, free bets, and early payouts are some of the unique features and benefits players can avail of at Bet365.
It’s an overall trustworthy platform with several secure payment methods, including card, cash, PayPal, online banking, Skrill, and PayNearMe. With 24/7 customer support and a well-designed website, this is one of the top UK betting sites to join.
William Hill
William Hill is a world-renowned sportsbook and casino site featuring all your favorite major leagues, slots, table games, live wagering, and more. It’s home to special promos like odds boosts, sign-up bonuses, and free bets.
With competitive odds and a commitment to responsible gaming, William Hill is a good choice. You can even contact their support team on the weekends, and when it comes to the cashier, you can use various methods, including card, e-check, PayPal, prepaid card, and more.
Betfred
Betfred is a UK original site with ownership of various nationwide betting shops. The sportsbook features in-play wagers, a sizeable free bet offer for new sign-ups, and competitive markets on major sports like football, baseball, soccer, and more.
Its exciting features can also be accessed from one of the UK's new mobile betting apps compatible with iOS and Android systems.
Betfred's top perks include personalized customer support, unique bets, and mobile deposits.
Betfair
Betfair is another British platform that features casino games and sports betting. On top of that, you can also participate in poker, bingo, and other opportunities at Betfair.
The online betting platform features free exchange bets, horse racing, in-play wagering, mobile betting, cash-out features, safe gambling features, and other perks that make a platform top-of-the-line.
It’s an 18+ site licensed and secure, so players get the best experience possible.
Best UK New betting sites to hit the market in 2023
Aside from the online betting UK sites listed above, some other bookmakers are newer to the market.
Although these are newly listed, they are still some of the best you’ll come by regarding overall features and offerings.
Take a look.
StarSports
StarSports is big on football wagering, greyhound race betting, horse race betting, and other UK-popular sports like handball and rugby.
StarSports also has a casino and live casino if you prefer games to wagers.
With live wagering, political betting, and Star exclusive events, it’s an exciting new platform to join. Players can benefit from one of the best mobile bookies apps (Android and iOS), making gambling online even more convenient.
BetGoodwin
BetGoodwin Sportsbook is home to some of the best new horse racing promotions, such as free bet offers and the guaranteed best odds. The site also features major live wagering markets, price boosts, and exciting betting opportunities.
Regarding support, you can rely on the site’s live chat feature. And you can rest assured that the site is secure and trusted with responsible gaming measures.
BetZone
BetZone UK is relatively similar to its counterparts, but you still get a unique selection of sports and markets. Aside from sports betting, there is a casino, virtual sports betting, and a live dealer center.
BetZone even has an exciting new customer-free sports bet offer, and when you join, you can take advantage of the mobile betting app for Android and iOS devices.
Sports Betting And Banking Methods For The UK Market
It’s important to note that at many UK betting sites, credit cards are NOT allowed. This setback aside, there are plenty of banking methods to choose from at suitable sites, including debit, e-wallets, online banking, and even crypto on some platforms.
Look at the most common banking methods you’ll find at online gambling sites and their pros and cons.
Debit Cards
Debit cards are among online gambling platform cashiers' most commonly featured payment methods.
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but sometimes AMEX will also be listed.
There are upsides and drawbacks to using a debit card for deposits and withdrawals.
The pros include convenience, broad acceptance, quick deposits, low fees, and knowing that you won’t spend more money than you physically have in your bank account.
You can also rest assured that with a debit card, you aren’t going to accrue interest on your gambling transactions.
However, there are some cons as well, including:
- Less anonymity when it comes to your bankroll
- The possibility that your bank could decline the gambling transaction
- Withdrawal transactions could be delayed
- Visa and MasterCard are typically the only debit cards accepted
PayPal
More and more betting sites are adding PayPal to their acceptable deposit/withdrawal methods lists.
PayPal is a seamless way to make digital transactions requiring a PayPal personal account and the ability to transfer funds into that account.
When you link your PayPal account to your sportsbook/casino cashier, you get the benefit of keeping your gambling payments separate from your personal bank account.
You also benefit from having many sites accept the method, and you can rely on PayPal as a secure and trusted e-wallet.
Unfortunately, though, PayPal betting has its downsides:
- Potential for account hacking
- There may be some PayPal fees depending on your location
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are another anonymous way to bet and play online.
It’s a form of cash payment where you preload a valid prepaid card method, then use that card to deposit funds into your betting account.
The pros include:
- Anonymity and security
- Enables you to use cash online
- It helps you to stay within your bankroll
- The high acceptance rate at betting sites
The cons include:
- Inconvenient to go in-store to purchase them
- You can’t deposit as much
- Fees
- Certain cards aren’t accepted at specific betting sites
Cryptocurrencies
You’re not as likely to see crypto payment methods listed at the cashiers of the sites listed above.
However, crypto banking at betting sites is growing in popularity and will soon be an option at many sportsbooks and casinos online.
The apparent advantages of crypto include the ability to use digital funds and quickly and securely make your deposits and withdrawals.
Crypto is also advantageous because many sites offer increased bonuses and better rewards for crypto players.
However, it has its cons, including the following:
- Less widely accepted.
- The value of cryptocurrencies can change daily.
- You can’t cash out your winnings directly into your bank account.
- It often requires the use of a crypto wallet.
Online Banking
Online banking is one of the more traditional methods of gambling payments. This encompasses things like e-checks and direct deposits from your checking account.
It’s pretty similar to using a Visa or MasterCard debit card, except you’re using your bank account numbers instead of your card numbers.
While secure, this method is not as widely accepted as debit card payments and can have fees and limitations attached.
E-wallets
E-wallets include the likes of PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. Each is its own company with its money transfer terms and security measures.
But e-wallets make reliable and fast transaction methods for sportsbooks/casinos more anonymous than online banking or debit card transactions.
Skrill and Neteller aren’t as widely accepted at UK betting sites, but they make good choices where available.
Wire
Last but not least, we want to mention wire payments, which are one of the least common options at betting sites.
Wire transfers are for depositing large amounts of money at once.
And while this may seem like a good idea, you must remember that most betting sites impose deposit and withdrawal limitations to keep those transactions somewhat low.
Wire transfer gambling isn’t super popular compared to other methods, but it is an option worth considering.
3 of The Best Online Betting UK Offers
Remember that terms like rollover requirements and deposit minimums may apply for each, specific to the site’s conditions.
Bet365 (£30)
The most exciting offer at Bet365 Sportsbook and Casino is the new customer offer. When you register your account, you can get £30 in free bets when you wager £10.
Terms: Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Betfred (£60)
Betfred’s best bonus offer is the sportsbook bonus, where customers can sign up with the BETFRED60 bonus code, make an initial deposit of at least £10, and get up to £60 in bonus money.
Terms: New UK customers only. Register using the promo code BETFRED60, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £20 in Free Bets to be used on Sports, £10 in Free Bets to be used on Lotto and 50 Free Spins (20p per spin) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Further £20 in Free Bets credited 5 days after settlement. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply.
BetZone (£60)
BetZone’s big bonus is the 100% deposit match welcome offer worth up to £60 and 50 free spins in the casino when you use the promo code WELCOMETOBETZONE.
Terms: 18+ New UK Customers only. Certain bet types excluded. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
Summary
UK betting offers many opportunities for online gamblers to enjoy the most competitive sports betting markets and casino games.
The newest and best sites include BetGoodwin, Bet365, Betfred, and others we’ve suggested today.
Standard banking options include Visa/Mastercard debit, PayPal, prepaid cards, and e-wallets, which you can browse before choosing a betting site.
Please review our suggestions for the next UK betting platform to join!
FAQs
How to understand UK betting odds?
In certain countries, betting odds are displayed in different formats. While the United States relies primarily on American odds, the UK makes use of fraction odds that compare the amount wagered (on the right of the slash) with the potential profit (on the left of the slash).
A larger number on the left and smaller number on the right leads to greater potential winnings.
What is the best UK betting site?
Bet365 Sportsbook, Racebook, and Casino is the best betting site in the UK. It has an impressive interface with nearly every type of game and wager you could imagine.
There are also tons of promos and features to avail of that you don’t get at other UK betting sites.
Which is the most trusted betting site?
Of the options we’ve listed today, Bet365 is again one of the top options, being widely trusted by its customers.
However, other sites like BetZone feature “safe zone” options, exclusion methods, and more to make them trustworthy.
Is online gambling illegal in UK?
No, online gambling isn’t illegal in the United Kingdom, thanks to the Gambling Act of 2005.
In fact, the industry has only grown in popularity and options over the past decade. However, the legal restrictions arise in terms of the age group that can play (18+).
Can you use UK betting sites abroad?
Yes, there are certain countries where you can access UK gambling site accounts.
For example, USA bettors who live in states that don’t have domestic legal betting sites can use UK gambling sites from the States.
