Welcome to MyBettingSites.com
Lean on the experience of our UK betting site experts Nick & Del to find the online bookmakers that suit your needs best. Get our honest opinion on the top UK bookies (warts and all) as we review, draw comparisons and break down the best options for UK punters. Bet on us to find you the right bookie!
The bookmaker experts, trusted by punters - read more about who we are
UK Betting Sites (October 2024)
Company | Welcome Offer | Established | Best Feature | Payment Methods | Action | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 |
Bet £20 Get a £10 Free Bet |
Established
2024 |
Best Feature
Stylish interface |
Payment Methods
+1 |
Sign Up using the Promo Code b20g10 and make a minimum deposit of £20.Then place a minimum £20 bet with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £10 free bet upon bet settlement. | ||||||
#2 |
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets |
Established
2004 |
Best Feature
Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven football promos |
Payment Methods
+6 |
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply | ||||||
#3 |
Bet £10 Get a £30 in Surprise Bet |
Established
2015 |
Best Feature
Surprise bets & supercharged odds boosts |
Payment Methods
+4 |
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying bet of £10 at min. odds 1.50 within 5 days of registration, E/W excluded. Offer awarded within 48 hours of bet being settled. Additional T&Cs apply. | ||||||
#4 |
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
Established
2001 |
Best Feature
UX design |
Payment Methods
+7 |
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. | ||||||
#5 |
Bet £10 Get £20 + £10 Casino bonus |
Established
1982 |
Best Feature
Range of payment options |
Payment Methods
+6 |
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £35 in FREE Bets (FB) as £20 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply. 18+. Applies to bets placed on 1 Goal Ahead market. Get paid out as a winner if your team takes the lead, even if they draw or lose. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. Account & payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. | ||||||
#6 |
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
Established
2020 |
Best Feature
Huge number of live streaming options |
Payment Methods
+2 |
*New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org 18+ Click here for full T&Cs. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ | ||||||
#7 |
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets |
Established
2023 |
Best Feature
Get up to 200% extra on your acca |
Payment Methods
+5 |
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10+ at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Acca, 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Football, 1 x £10 Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+ | ||||||
#8 |
£30 Matched Free Bet + 100 Free Spins |
Established
2006 |
Best Feature
Betway Free Bet Club |
Payment Methods
+3 |
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply. | ||||||
#9 |
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
Established
2012 |
Best Feature
New horse racing free game - Racing6 |
Payment Methods
+4 |
T&Cs apply. New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 4/5 (1.8) odds or greater to receive 3x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Football Free Bet, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Acca Club: T&Cs Apply. Promo runs Mon 09:00 to Sun 23:59. Opt-in required. 50% profit boost on 7+ Acca selections. Max stake £20. Max winnings £1,000. Up to 5 boosts per customer per week. Exclusions apply.18+ BeGambleAware.org. BeGambleAware.org | ||||||
#10 |
Bet £10 get a £30 free bet |
Established
2022 |
Best Feature
Lots of cashback offers |
Payment Methods
+7 |
New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. T&Cs apply. | ||||||
#11 |
Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets + 50 Free Spins |
Established
2015 |
Best Feature
Excellent UI, Many promotions |
Payment Methods
+4 |
18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | ||||||
#12 |
Bet £50 Get a £20 Free Bet |
Established
2024 |
Best Feature
'PricedUpPushes', Neat & easy to use sportsbook |
Payment Methods
+2 |
New customers only | Customers must be 18+ & residents of the UK/IE | Sign Up using the promo code bet50get20 & make a minimum deposit of £50 |Place a minimum £50 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £20 free bet upon bet settlement. | ||||||
#13 |
Get up to £40 in Free Bets |
Established
2024 |
Best Feature
Seamless, intuitive design |
Payment Methods
+1 |
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet £10 on Horse Racing (odds 2/1+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get your first stake credited in Free Bets, up to £40, for set horse racing markets. Free Bets expire in 5 days.. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly. | ||||||
#14 |
Bet £5 Get £25 in Free Bets |
Established
2000 |
Best Feature
Best free-to-play games |
Payment Methods
+5 |
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply | ||||||
#15 |
Bet £5 Get a £20 Free Bet |
Established
1926 |
Best Feature
Cracking bet builder |
Payment Methods
+5 |
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 1x £20 free bet. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. | ||||||
#16 |
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
Established
2000 |
Best Feature
Beginner friendly |
Payment Methods
+4 |
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. | ||||||
#17 |
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets |
Established
2016 |
Best Feature
Copy the bets of top tipsters |
Payment Methods
+1 |
Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a single or multiple bet, start at £10, and have 1.9 or greater odds. 5 Free bets include: 1 x £10 Free bet on horse racing, 1 x £10 Free bet on football, 2 x 10 Free bet in-play, 1 x £10 Free bet Acca. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. 18+ only. BeGambleAware.org. | ||||||
#18 |
100% up to £50 |
Established
2020 |
Best Feature
Terrific range of payment methods |
Payment Methods
+7 |
1st deposit only | £10 min deposit | £2 max bet | £50 max bonus | 40x wagering | 30 day bonus expiry | Bonuses playable on Caisno Slots & Crash Games | User agreement & bonus T&Cs apply | ||||||
#19 |
Get £30 in Free Bets when you place any bet |
Established
2000 |
Best Feature
Superb odds boosts |
Payment Methods
+1 |
NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. 5P MINIMUM STAKE. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG | ||||||
#20 |
Bet £10 Get a £15 Free Bet |
Established
2021 |
Best Feature
Solid offer, plenty of football markets |
Payment Methods
+7 |
This offer is for new customers only and is available once per household. Max. Free Bet Token amount: £15. Minimum Deposit: £10. Minimum wagering on Sport to activate the Free Bet Token: £10. Eligible players will receive 1 x £15 Free Bet Token. Void/cancelled or Cashed Out bets do not count towards wagering to activate the Free Bet Token. Customers who deposit using PayPal, Neteller, Paysafe, Skrill or Skrill 1-Tap will not be eligible for any Free Bet. |
Who Are We?
MyBettingSites.com is an award-winning bookmaker comparison service available in eleven countries, across five continents.
Be it in the UK, Australia, India, South Africa or the US, our local betting site specialists are on hand to help identify the most suitable sportsbooks for the specific needs of every punter.
MyBettingSites.com UK
Nick (left) & Del (right) are our UK experts
Despite supporting football clubs on different sides of London, Nick and Del share some common interests including Yorkshire Tea (other tea brands are available), Football Manager and sports betting.
Both bring huge expertise and experience to MyBettingSites.com having previously worked in the betting industry, making them well placed to help find the bookmakers most suited to your needs.
Why Trust Us?
- Honest opinion - We’re not here to pull the wool over your eyes. If we feel there’s a certain part of a bookmaker that isn’t quite up to standard, we make sure you know about it.
- Daily updates - We work every day to ensure our site is up-to-date to give you the most accurate information available.
- Tailored lists for current events & trends - We regularly adjust our lists to show the best options for major sports events and tournaments, as well as the offers & features popular with punters.
- We’re serious about what we do - We follow a clear methodology to produce high-quality reviews and comparisons for our visitors.
- We’re known worldwide - We’re not just a big deal in the UK. Our story may have started here but we've grown internationally since 2019, launching in several English-speaking territories including Australia, South Africa and the US.
- Relationships with sports teams - Our partnerships with professional clubs within football & cricket demonstrate our passion for sport and show we’re here for the long haul.
We're proud to sponsor Worthing & Eastbourne Borough of the Conference South and County Championship Division 1 sides, Kent CCC & Durham CCC.
The questions our visitors are asking right now
Bet365, BoyleSports, Betfred etc. are all top bookmakers but there are many options to choose from that offer something different to the UK punter.
The question comes back to you and what you’re looking for in a betting site. Do you want the best bookie for football? The best option for live streaming? Do you need a bookmaker that accepts PayPal?
At MyBettingSites.com, we use our expert knowledge to make recommendations for different categories, including:
Many punters in the UK have accounts with multiple online bookmakers to compare odds, markets and claim several new customer offers. Besides this, being signed up to more than one betting site gives you peace of mind. For example, if your sportsbook experiences technical issues, you have another option to use straight away.
Joining more than one - or even a handful of betting sites - is recommended. Bear in mind, though, that certain betting companies operate several betting sites and sometimes limit new customers to one welcome bonus for their network of sites (not one per site).
A gambling company may ask you to verify your ID to check if you are legally old enough to gamble and/or check whether you have self-excluded from gambling.
Further information may be required in some cases if the bookmaker decides to run an anti-money laundering check.
Ultimately, the process is there to keep you safe and ensure the market is fair and free of crime.
No rule says you need to be a resident. However, most UK-based betting sites require you to provide a UK address during sign-up and it’s assumed you have a UK bank account.
The bookmaker may then request both pieces of information to verify your identity.
Online bookies have cottoned on to the fact that punters want deposits and withdrawals to be convenient and quick. Payment methods commonly offered by UK online bookies include:
- Visa/Mastercard
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Neteller
- paysafecard
- Bank Wire
- Cheque
None. The UK Gambling Commission banned the use of credit cards in 2021 to make sure people didn’t gamble with money they didn’t have and reduce the risk of harm from gambling.
You may see MasterCard listed as a deposit/withdrawal option but it can only be used as a debit card.
Bookmakers not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) should be avoided, for the simple reason your safety is not guaranteed.
Before issuing a license, the UKGC will vet a betting site to ensure the brand belongs to a legitimate company and has the responsible gambling tools available to make sure customers stay safe when gambling.
If you decide to play with betting sites not licensed by the UKGC you risk losing your stake or not being paid winnings, among other things.
According to the UK Gambling Commission, there are 175 active online bookmakers in the UK.
10 things to know about UK betting sites
Instead of boring you with the basics, we’ve laid out the top ten things we think are worth knowing about UK betting sites right now.
We chew over new bookies, independent companies, welcome bonuses, games, features, safe gambling tools and a lot more besides. Just click on a topic you like the sound of!
- Choosing a bookie depends on your needs & taste
- Joining a betting site doesn’t have to break the bank...
- ...and some you can even play with for free!
- New betting companies and brands launch all the time
- The newest names for 2024
- The new brands making a splash
- One betting company can control several brands...
- How this can affect you when claiming welcome bonuses
- ...while some are completely independent
- The established bookies offer the most complete experience...
- ...and they often payout the fastest!
- There are always tools to help with responsible gambling
- Safer Gambling tools
- You’re kept safe by the UKGC
Choosing a bookie depends on your needs & taste
We’ve been recommending bookmakers long enough to know that declaring one bookie as 'the best' is a bit of an own goal!
There are not only different tastes to consider but we’re also mindful that the motivation of each bettor is completely different to the next.
Rather than adopt a 'one bookie suits all' approach, our process is about helping you with your specific needs and preferences.
Joining a betting site doesn’t have to break the bank...
Maybe you don't want to spend a tenner or twenty quid on joining a betting site.
Bookmakers are becoming more aware that customers want greater flexibility, particularly regarding the stake required to claim a welcome bonus.
The variation of UK betting offers available means every UK punter is catered to
In addition to the different versions of the 'bet 10 get' offer you'll come across, there are bookmakers that let you sign up with just a fiver too, which is perfect if you're a beginner or don't want to go 'all in' to start with.
...and some you can even play with for free!
Betting sites aren’t all about taking your money!
Almost every top betting brand has a free football game for existing customers to play (and if they haven’t, they’ll no doubt have one soon).
Most football games usually involve either predicting the correct scores of several matches, the players to score across a set of fixtures, or, the events to happen within one game.
There are some huge cash prizes available if you do win and some sizeable consolation prizes if you get close.
With punters loving this type of promotion, we're seeing more and more betting companies try free-to-play games for horse racing too with BetUK’s Racing 6 one of the newest we've played.
Betting Site Free to Play Games: Our Top Picks
- BetMGM: Golden Goals
- Sky Bet: Super 6
- Bet365: 6 Scores Challenge
- BetUK: Select 6
- Betway: 4 To Score
- Ladbrokes: 1-2-Free
- Coral: Football Super Series
Best Bookie Free Games | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackpot | £1M | £1M | £250k | £100k | £50k | £50 | £50 |
Runners-up prizes | Up to £5k | £5k | up to £20k | up to £1k | None | Free bets | Free bets |
Our favourite predictor game
BetMGM Golden Goals
BetMGM's Golden Goals game equals the most lucrative jackpot available among UK bookies with a cool £1 million up for grabs for getting six correct scores on selected football matches.
The jackpot came close to being won during Euro 2024. After correctly calling the scores of five matches, the punter needed Portugal to beat the 2 Czech Republic 3-1, only to miss out by the finest of margins as Cristiano and Co registered a 2-1 victory instead.
But they were still £5,000 better off for getting five right - not bad for a game that cost nothing to play!
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10+ at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Acca, 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Football, 1 x £10 Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+
Correctly predict the scores of six games and £1 million could be yours! Read on for how to play.
New betting companies and brands launch all the time
Not every new name that pops up is good - we know many new brands are bloody terrible in fact (but don't worry we keep you away from those!)
However, new betting sites are essential in keeping the more established UK bookmakers on their toes and ensuring the market remains competitive.
Let’s be honest, it would be quite boring if you only had a choice of 20 betting sites.
Not only would you eventually get fed up, but you'd also see a decline in the quality of sportsbooks as a lack of competition tends to do.
New brands often launch with new features or promotions that you may not find on older sites, allowing you to try something fresh and original, whilst also pushing the established brands to improve their product.
The newest names for 2024
Betano - The UK's Best New Bookmaker
Betano, the official sponsor of Aston Villa, is widely acknowledged as one of the best football bookmakers, and we have to agree. Customers are guaranteed competitive odds, comprehensive in-play betting and a top-notch bet builder packed with markets.
The 'Lucky Dip' promotion is a fascinating new addition to all BV-operated sites with punters able to make random selections on different markets for various events.
We’re also big fans of the stylish, unique layout on Betano.co.uk, adopted from BetVictor and also used on talkSPORT BET and Parimatch.
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet £10 on Horse Racing (odds 2/1+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get your first stake credited in Free Bets, up to £40, for set horse racing markets. Free Bets expire in 5 days.. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.
- The lowdown on the other newbies
As the name suggests, Bet442's main focus is on football. As with other Aspire Global betting sites, Bzeebet and Luckster, there are hundreds of markets and specials for football nuts.
Bet442 will also suit those looking for NFL odds and who enjoy betting on esports. Acca boosts, cash out and a bet builder make this a solid offering.
NRG.bet differs from traditional bookies by offering a streamlined list of sports events instead of several hundred, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
What may be lost by covering fewer sports is made up for with the huge number of markets available within individual matches; we found 90+ for a Champions League knockout match including multiple handicaps and goals markets.
Gentleman Jim is a great new option for the betting purists after a no-frills sportsbook. Live streaming is offered on racing, and odds are good across the board, while those looking to wager substantial amounts can do so easily than on other bookies.
The new brands making a splash
Company | Bonus | Action | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets |
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10+ at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Acca, 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Football, 1 x £10 Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+ | ||||
Bet £15 Get a £10 free bet |
New customers only. 18+. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 171 (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus token with 4/5 (1.80) odds. Skrill, Neteller, & PayPal not eligible. T&Cs apply. | ||||
Bet £10 On Football Get £30 In Free Bets |
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly | ||||
50% back as a free bet up to £25 |
Register a new online account with Betgoodwin. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all losing stakes less all returns. The day finishes at 23.59. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets non withdrawable. Betgoodwin Terms and Conditions apply. |
BetMGM, BetGrouse, talkSPORT Bet and BetGoodwin continue to be popular among UK punters since going live in the past couple of years.
- BetMGM hit the ground running in August 2023 and continues to impress punters with a superb line-up of promotions and, arguably, the best-looking sportsbook in the business. The most eye-catching offer is their free football predictor game, Golden Goals, while there’s an abundance of daily football specials and a weekly free bet to be claimed too.
- BetGrouse is a solid sportsbook for those betting on football, tennis and eSports. You won’t find quite the number of promotions elsewhere but for the sheer number of sports covered and markets offered, the Aspire Global operated sportsbook is worth a punt!
- talkSPORT BET provide punters with plenty of promotions for racing, football and golf including daily price boosts and free bets. On top of that, odds are competitive and there are many original features including ‘Lucky Dip’.
- If you’re after a new racing bookie, BetGoodwin has to be on your radar. There’s an incredible number of promos, particularly racing free bet refunds with the site keeping to its roots as one of the UK’s leading racing telephone bookmakers for some two decades.
One betting company can control several brands...
It probably won’t have gone unnoticed to you that many UK betting sites look the same in terms of layout, design, features and even the promotions offered.
That’s because it’s common for several brands to be operating under the same licence issued by the UKGC. For example, BetVictor, Parimatch, talkSPORT BET and, most recently, Betano all come under the BV Gaming Limited umbrella, so to speak.
Some sites (known as white label brands) tend to use the software platform of one sportsbook provider and customise the site to suit their brand, rather than start from scratch, saving time and money in the process.
How this can affect you when claiming welcome bonuses
...while some are completely independent
Fortune favours the bold, as they say.
Many UK betting companies can point to this old mantra, opting to go against the grain and offer UK bettors something completely different from what’s already out there instead.
Those that instantly spring to mind are Kwiff, Midnite and CopyBet. The USP taken by each company has helped them stand out in a crowded market and appeal to different audiences.
- Kwiff - Surprise Bets, ‘Getting Kwiffed’ (randomly applied boosts to player’s bets)
- Midnite - eSports betting focus
- CopyBet - Copy the bets of professional tipsters
The benefits of independent bookmakers are felt across the entire UK betting landscape with many companies bringing innovations that make the competition sit up, take note and, in turn, become better.
Surprise bets and random odds boosts weren’t on the scene before Kwiff. But now you see BetVictor, along with BV-operated sites, talkSPORT BET and Betano, put their spin on the concept by offering punters random bets via their ‘Lucky Dip’ feature.
Besides offering unique offerings that specialise on certain markets, features, or types of wagering, independent bookies often have the time and resources to provide customers with a level of service far superior to brands within a portfolio, for example.
The established bookies offer the most complete experience...
With experience comes knowledge and wisdom, so says Del anyway!
In the case of UK bookies, the most established betting sites, those that have stood the test of time, offer the best overall experience for UK gamblers.
Renowned high street names, Ladbrokes, Betfred and William Hill, along with online titans Bet365, Betway and Sky Bet, have honed their products over many years and built near faultless betting sites.
The brands mentioned possess both the expertise of the market and the understanding of users - the winning formula you could say.
Commonly, established brands have nailed it when it comes to:
- Navigation: The site layout is well thought out and easy to use
Fast payment methods: Able to deposit & withdraw money swiftly
Betting features: Finely tuned live streaming, cash out & bet builder features
Good value existing customer promotions: Offer rewards, loyalty bonuses & free bets
Free games: Have at least one free-to-play option
Market variety: Users can find niche markets not found everywhere
Safer gambling tools: Users have the resources to stay in control of their gambling
...and they often payout the fastest!
Whether it’s queuing, potholes, or, the weather, us Brits love to moan. But there’s arguably no greater frustration than waiting on a bookie to pay your winnings!
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait around too long when you’re a customer of one of the more established betting companies, some of which offer instant payouts.
We’ve sung the praises of new sites a fair bit in this article but they do lack one of the things punters most desire - quick payouts.
Many newer brands offer several options but don’t have the means to get your money paid out straight away - one less established site we come across even states that all weekend withdrawal requests are processed the following Monday!
Dig a bit deeper
The fastest way to withdraw money from your BetMGM account is via Bank Transfer. E-wallets like PayPal and Apple Pay also offer quick withdrawals. Debit card withdrawals can take ...
The fastest way to withdraw money online from your Betfred account is via Visa Fast Funds (instant) or e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. Withdrawals to debit cards can ...
The fastest way to withdraw money from your BetVictor account is via Visa Fast Funds. With regular debit card transactions, on the other hand, the money can take up to 5 working ...
There are always tools to help with responsible gambling
We know gambling online is, and, can potentially become a problem for some people.
Not only is it so accessible on our devices and laptops but betting is deeply ingrained into UK culture.
It’s hard to escape the idea of ‘having a bet’ such is the close nature between the betting industry and sport; even watching your favourite football team involves gambling endorsements be it on player’s shirts, TV ads, or, on the advertisement hoardings.
Gambling on sport is a leisure activity that should be enjoyed in moderation. Remember when the fun stops, stop!
If you ever feel your gambling habits are getting out of hand, there are tools available on every UK betting site to take control and manage your gambling activity.
Safer Gambling tools
These are some of the responsible gambling measures you will find on UK betting sites:
- Deposit Limit - Set the maximum amount you can deposit per day/week/month
- Loss Limit - Limit the amount of money you can lose daily/weekly/monthly
- Session Limit - Control how long you play for
- Wagering Limit - Control how much you wager daily/weekly/monthly
- Reality Check - Set reminders for the amount of time you’ve been playing
- Time-Out - Take a temporary break from your account (for between 1 day and six weeks)
- Self-Exclusion - Self-exclude yourself for between 6 months and 5 years
You’re kept safe by the UKGC
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) make gambling fairer and safer for all players.
They do this by enforcing several rules and regulations on gambling companies.
For example, each betting site must have a license from the UKGC which is issued once the company has been vetted and approved to operate in the UK.
Licensed betting companies must adhere to the conditions and code of practice too - if it turns out the company has not complied, they could potentially receive a fine.
The UKGC also:
- Enforce the KYC verification procedure
- Raise awareness of problem gambling
- Make sure gambling services are being advertised in a clear and transparent way.
The guys writing the reviews
RECAP: BETTING SITE 'MUST HAVES' ACCORDING TO NICK & DEL
🇬🇧 A UK license: The first thing we do is check if the site is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). If it has a UKGC license (demonstrated by the UKGC logo in the footer of a betting site) we know the site is reputable and safe for UK players.
▶️ All the mod cons: In 2024, UK punters expect there to be plenty of events available to stream live. The very best bookies feature the top leagues and competitions like the FA Cup and Championship, not just games from the Azerbaijan Third Division! A flexible and comprehensive bet builder function and an adjustable cash out function are also things we consider.
💷 A value-for-money sign-up offer: Every site has a new customer offer but not all of them are very good. In fact, some of them are pretty terrible. We break down each sign-up offer and highlight the deposit-to-bonus ratio, minimum odds, validity period, flexibility of the free bets, and qualifying period. We weigh up how friendly, or, restrictive the deal is, essentially.
😎 A variety of existing customer promotions: And we don’t just mean Best Odds Guaranteed for racing and the odd free bet offer. Free bet clubs, money back offers, enhanced prices, acca insurances/boosts, free-to-play games and early payout offers are sought after promos for UK bettors. A mix of promotions, particularly for racing and football, is essential for any top UK bookie looking to get our vote.
💳 Several popular payment methods: Betting sites must cater to punters' needs and there’s no better way to do this than to ensure there's a deep list of payment options to deposit and withdraw money. PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are all popular payment methods in the UK, alongside, the most common method - a debit card. Our reviews highlight the options available.
💬 Responsive & efficient customer support: You may never need to contact the support team but when you do, you must have the means to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently. We test the support options - including 24/ live chat, phone and email - for ourselves and report our experience.
But we don't just stop at these six factors. Read our full methodology for reviewing UK betting sites.