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The week commencing Monday, 22 July sees the Summer Olympics kick off in Paris. Although the official Opening Ceremony isn’t until Friday, the Olympic men’s football tournament starts on Wednesday.
England have already wrapped up a home series victory over the West Indies, but can complete a whitewash with the Third Test at Edgbaston. This five-day cricket international begins on Friday, 26 July. There is Group 1 horse racing at Ascot with the King George on Saturday too.
In combat sports over the weekend, meanwhile, two British heavyweights collide at the O2 Arena as Joe Joyce battles Derek Chisora. UFC 304 takes place in Manchester with Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title. Here is a full list of the biggest sports events from this week:
With so many betting sites online these days, finding the right one for you can be a chore. Our experts have rated and reviewed the best betting sites in the UK, making it easier than ever to find a bookmaker that does the job.
From free bets and other bonuses to the best odds and markets, you can select your new bookmaker on what matters most. Our reviews of the leading bookies in 2024 will aid with this.
Best Betting Site for Free Bets and Promotions
New sports betting sites come and go. But judging by the growing popularity of BetMGM, they’re here to stay. Our experts rank BetMGM as the best UK bookie in the game today – a case even more convincing when you see their free bets and bonuses.
One thing we really love about BetMGM is their commitment to going that extra mile. This is evident in how they reward new customers for signing up with a stellar Bet £10 Get £60 welcome deal. They also offer promotions – including price boosts, profit boosts, and a free “Golden Goals” contest – that reward existing customers who stick around.
Bonuses and promotions aside, this is still our favourite bookie today. Their odds and markets for sports including football and horse racing are great. Add that to their Bet Builder, prompt payouts, and slick user interface and you get an impressive place to wager.
New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 6x Free Bets: 3 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
Top UK Bookie for Fixed Odds & Spread Betting
If you’re a spread betting enthusiast looking to make an easy switch to fixed odds wagering, or vice versa, Spreadex is the place to be. We came to love this site for their 1st scorer football insurance feature. But the more time you spend on the site, the more interesting stuff you find.
Aside from being the foremost spread betting site online, Spreadex is also among the best football bookies for fixed odds. You could probably say that they are, at very least, up there with the top snooker and golf sites, too. Their odds and markets for all sports – that includes horse racing, boxing and rugby – are consistently good.
You’ll find all the mod cons of modern sites at Spreadex. We’re talking strong bonuses, live betting, cash out, Bet Builder, and swift transactions. Their customer support is also worthy of mention, with live chat, telephone, and email options available.
18+ begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. Place a qualifying £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. Free bet stakes not included in any winnings from the free fixed odds bets. Free bets expire in 28 days if unused.
Leading Football Betting Site in the UK
If you’re not betting on football with bet365, you might be doing it wrong. This is, without question, the best football betting site in the world. In addition to having some of the top football odds, markets, and offers for fans of the sport, they are also the home of Bet Builder.
By all means, bet365 is our top pick for football but it’s also up there with the best gambling sites, in general. We’re particularly fond of their prices for boxing, MMA, and golf. We’ve also enjoyed picking apart their prices for cricket, snooker, and rugby union, which they also cover well.
Among the other things we can rave all day about are their excellent partial cashout function, top-class free bets, and frequent live streaming events. One of the best betting sites in the UK, bet365’s bet boosts, Each-Way Extra, and early payout when a team goes 2-0 up make them a tremendous choice.
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.
Best Choice for Mobile Sports Betting
There aren’t many online betting sites in the UK as strong as LeoVegas. While the latter part may suggest casino games like poker and roulette – which they do offer in abundance – it’s their sports betting odds we like most.
We enjoyed scrolling through the betting markets available, finding very good prices for tennis and obscure sports like volleyball and handball. But we also uncovered a wide range of odds for baseball, football, horse racing, rugby, and golf. If variety is what you want in a betting site, LeoVegas is one of the best gambling sites in this respect.
Bonuses start with a great welcome offer and extend to other free bets when you meet certain requirements. Although there is a little lacking in their existing customer promotions, the site design, live betting function, and mobile functionality make it a top choice overall.
18+ begambleaware.org. New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via “My Offers” page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. Full T&C’s apply.
Finest Horse Racing Bookie in the Game
We can always rely on Paddy Power to do things better than most. Whether it’s golf, football, or boxing odds, the quirky Irish bookie has set their stall out among the best online betting sites out there. Their horse racing BOG, specials, live streaming are pretty special, too.
There’s a reason why many new gambling sites try to emulate the company. For one, Paddy has created the blueprint for a complete 360-degree betting experience with its live streaming, in-play betting, cash out, and Bet Builder functions. They are also a major player in providing new and existing customer offers that hit the mark.
Perhaps the main reason why Paddy Power continues to smash it as a bookie is its brand reputation. Like all sites on this list, they are 100% safe and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. But their smart advertising reach gives them an air of comfort and familiarity you simply don’t get at their competitors.
Place your FIRST bet on any Sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £10. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.
So that we can give you the details of the best betting companies in the UK, we have reviewed a large range of sportsbooks. And now we want to provide you with some comparisons of what they incorporate, such as their sports and payment methods available, which can give you a better look at what to expect from each one.
Bookie | Number of Sports | Payment Methods | Cash Out | Live Betting | Live Streaming |
BetMGM | 31 | Debit Cards, PayPal, Bank Transfer | |||
Spreadex | 26 | Debit Cards, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer | |||
bet365 | 35 | Debit Cards, PayPal, Paysafecard, Bank Transfer, ApplePay, GooglePay | |||
Leo Vegas | 25 | Debit Cards, PayPal, Apple Pay | |||
Paddy Power | 44 | Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Bank Transfer, ApplePay |
The best online betting sites provide players with special betting offers and bonuses that can enhance your gambling experience. Here are the most popular of them.
Many of our best sports betting sites offer free bets as a way of welcoming players to the site. The most common type of this offer is the “bet and get” – this essentially means you place a bet at a certain amount and get something extra in return.
Most deposit offers free bets require you to make a deposit and place a wager at set odds. For instance, bet £10 at evens or greater to get £30 in free bets. Stakes are not usually returned in winnings.
Some online betting sites in the UK provide bettors with cashback on their losses as a free bet. For instance, some of the best bookies give you 50% of your first day’s losses as a free bet up to £50, or similar.
Also known as “money back as free bet” deals, these offers rarely come with wagering requirements. But even the best bookies may insist on you placing the value of the bet rather than withdrawing it.
Many online betting sites offer enhanced odds deals to attract punters. For instance, you may get odds of 100/1 on Rory McIlroy to win The Masters when his standard price is 5/1. Or Tyson Fury at 50/1 to beat Anthony Joshua, with the usual price at 6/4 or similar.
Enhanced odds offers essentially work like any other welcome deal. The “catch” with them, however, is that stakes are usually limited to £1. If you win, you will be paid out either as cash or as a free bet which can then be used to wager on another event.
It pays to know which promotions work for you. Here are some more popular types you’ll find at UK bookies.
There are more offers and promotions out there. The best way to find them is by comparing what bookies are offering new customers in 2024 and what deals are available for existing players.
Most UK sports betting sites cover a wide range of odds and markets for different events. But some are particularly strong in certain sports, or for their app or spread betting capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the best bookies in each category.
New bookmakers tend to have a lot more to prove to players and usually account for this by offering top bonuses and deals. However, we still judge sites – whether they are new or not – on the same criteria. These are our top choices.
Bookmaker | Established | Welcome Offer |
2023 | Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets | |
2023 | Up to £100 Winnings Boost (Acca) | |
2024 | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
All UK online betting sites provide odds for football bettors. This can make it extremely tough to pick out the best of them. However, our experts know “The Beautiful Game” inside out. This is what makes it easier for us to bring you the best football bookies online today.
Bookmaker | Football Features | Welcome Offer |
Bet Builder, Partial Cash Out, Live Streaming, Odds Boosts | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | |
Spread Betting, Odds Boosts, Cash Out, Live Streaming | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | |
Bet Builder Boost, Live Streaming, Cash Out, Early Payout | Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets |
We could put together a huge list of betting sites for horse racing, such is the quality on offer nowadays. Instead, we have decided to whittle down our top choices to just three of the best bookmakers, giving you a handful of elite options to consider for Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, and more.
Bookmaker | Horse Racing Features | Welcome Offer |
BOG (8 am on Race Day), Daily Extra Places, Live Streaming, Price Boosts | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets | |
Telephone Racing Over the phone, Live Streaming, Extra Places, Odds Boosts | Up to £100 Winnings Boost on first Acca | |
Live Streaming, Cash Out, Early Payout, Price Boosts | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
We’ve hand-picked the top eSports betting sites for fans to consider. Many of our leading bookies provide odds and markets for the biggest showdowns in the game, with everything from League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Valorant covered.
Bookmaker | Best eSports Markets | Welcome Offer |
CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant Champions Tour | 50% Bonus up to £50 | |
League of Legends, Starcraft 2, Dota 2, Call of Duty | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | |
Counter-Strike, Valorant, League of Legends, Dota 2 | Bet £5 Get a £10 Free Bet |
Many bettors prefer to wager via their smartphone or alternative mobile devices. For this reason, we recommend checking out some of the top mobile betting apps that have been developed by the best bookmakers out there.
Bookmaker | Mobile Features | Welcome Offer |
Live Betting, Live Streaming, Cash Out, Quick Withdrawals | Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets | |
Live Streaming, Cash Out, In-Play Betting, Sports and Casino | £50 in Free Bets When You Bet £10 | |
Easy Promo Access, Live Betting & Streaming, Smart Navigability | Bet £5 Get £5 + 10 Free Spins |
The emergence of some of the best new online bookmakers has really improved in-play betting functionality across the board. Although that may be the case, it’s the more established brands that still lead the charge in this respect.
Bookmaker | In-Play Sports Markets | Welcome Offer |
Premier League, Champions League, PDC World Championship, Cricket World Cup | Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets | |
Autumn Internationals, Six Nations, EPCR, Challenge Cup | £30 Matched Free Bet if Your First Acca Loses + 100 Free Spins | |
UFC, Bellator, The Masters, Snooker World Championship | Bet £25 Get £10 Free Bet + 25 Free Spins |
A betting exchange works differently to fixed odds betting sites, offering both back (bet in favour of) and lay betting (bet against) opportunities. You can do this with fellow bettors, setting your own odds for better margins. These are the best betting firms in the UK for exchange wagers.
Betting Exchange | Commission Rate | Welcome Offer |
From 2% | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Football Bet Builders | |
Flat 2% | 0% Commission For 60 Days | |
2% to 4% | £30 Money Back If Your 1st Bet Loses |
Bet Builder is a feature that allows you to combine several markets from the same event into one bet. Although similar to a football accumulator, Bet Builders arguably provide a better sense of freedom when wagering on football. However, you can also use this feature when betting on other sports at these sites.
Bookmaker | Top Bet Builder Sports Covered | Welcome Offer |
Football, Boxing, MMA, Rugby, Tennis | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | |
Snooker, Darts, Football, F1, Cricket | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | |
Boxing, Cricket, MMA, Tennis, Football | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets |
Cash Out, sometimes known as early settlement, is a tool you can use to settle for a profit or loss before an event ends. Most of our leading sports betting sites provide this function, with some even offering partial cash out so you can keep the rest on the initial bet. Here are our top three bookies with cash out.
Bookmaker | Partial Cashout? | Welcome Offer |
Yes | Up to £50 Free Bet + £20 Casino Bonus | |
Yes | Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets | |
No | Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet |
We love Bet Builder sites that give you the chance to conjure up a large wager from different markets in the same event. Here are some of the top choices right now.
Bookmaker | Top Bet Builder Sports Covered | Welcome Offer |
Football, Boxing, MMA, Rugby, Tennis | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | |
Snooker, Darts, Football, F1, Cricket | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | |
Boxing, Cricket, MMA, Tennis, Football | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets |
If you have opened an account with one or more new sports betting sites, here are some tips for getting the most bang for your buck.
The golden rule of gambling is that you should never bet more than you can afford to lose. Setting a bankroll is the first and most important aspect of money management and something that can help you control your spending.
If this is something you find difficult, make use of deposit limit tools and other spend control limits – all good betting sites have them! However, if things are still tough to get a grip on, you can consider taking a break or even self-exclusion.
We only recommend bookies that are 100% safe, secure, and licenced by the UK Gambling Commission. As such, this gives us confidence when we bet at those bookmakers. If you’re not betting with any of our chosen sites, always be careful.
While online gambling is safe, there are some bookies – ones we certainly don’t recommend – that don’t always play by the rules. Always do your due diligence on a site before you join and protect yourself at all times.
It’s vital to conduct thorough research when planning your bets. For instance, you can tell if you are confident about any wager if you can explain why you have placed it, and rationalise why it makes sense.
There is a wealth of data and stats you can use to your advantage when planning a bet. For example, the official Premier League site is full of stats, fixture tables, injury news, and other info.
The best online betting sites have consistently quality odds for darts and other sports. But one bookie may not always offer the best value for a bet or outcome. This means it’s a good idea to shop around a little, from time to time, comparing odds as you do so.
One of the new UK bookmakers might have better odds for tonight’s boxing but another might have far superior prices for the football. At times like this, you may consider signing up with both UK sports betting sites to take advantage of the top price – it’s like having it both ways!
Another advantage of signing up with more than one bookmaker is that you may be able to claim several free bets and bonuses. The top betting sites in the UK provide a welcome offer of some sort; by choosing the best ones, you’re getting a chance to make some extra cash.
While opening multiple accounts at the best betting sites in the UK can lead to gains in the bonus department, you might not always get what you want. Sites that operate on a network, for instance, may limit free bets to one or two per person, despite having a ton of brands.
Our team has been rating and reviewing good betting sites for years. We’re also seasoned sports bettors ourselves, who love to offer insight and expert advice to our readers. However, we’re not the only specialists providing you with free and valuable information.
Whether you are looking to bet on boxing, football, or hockey, there are some great pundits out there who can assist. Listening to the experts can help with making decisions, similar to how we help you find a bookmaker or place a bet!
You can bet on football and horse racing, which are the two most popular sports to gamble on in the United Kingdom. You can find a plethora of odds and markets to bet on in other sports, too!
Horse Racing
Whether you fancy a traditional flutter at old bookies or an accumulator at new betting websites, odds for the biggest races are always available. You can place singles, doubles, accumulators, combination and system bets – as well as much more – on the “Sport of Kings”.
Popular meets go down every year and include The Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, and Punchestown in jumps. You can also bet on horse racing flat races like The Derby, Royal Ascot, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Bookies offer even more domestic and international races to wager on.
Football
The world’s most popular sport to bet on is football. This is why you’ll find odds and markets available almost all year round! Our favourite online betting sites in the UK have more than just the result market – you can bet on cards, corners, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), and create Bet Builders – so, the opportunities are endless.
Popular football leagues and tournaments to bet on include the English Premier League (EPL), Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, the World Cup, and more. We also enjoy live betting on tournaments in South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Putting together an acca may see us delve into more obscure competitions.
As it’s a big deal in the UK and around the world, tennis is another big sport to bet on. Even though we’ve emerged from a golden age, tennis has maintained popularity beyond the era of Roger Federer and Serena Williams. With outrights, set winners, and plenty of other bets, there are more markets to bet on tennis available than ever.
Tournaments like Wimbledon, the Australian Open, US Open, and Roland Garros are big draws. But we’re also fans of the ATP Finals, French Open, and Davis Cup. Some of the more interesting betting markets can be found at bookies that cover tennis.
Wildly popular in the UK and Asia, cricket is another common sport found at bookmakers online. These days, you can bet on everything including win toss, match bets, player bets, leading batsman, double chance, and highest opening partnership. All of the aforementioned are excellent ways to wager on the sport.
Like tennis or football, the number of cricket tournaments has also seen an increase. This means more odds and prices for the likes of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Indian Premier League (IPL), The Ashes, the T20 World Cup, and much more.
Split into two codes, union and league, rugby is another sport where the variety of bets makes it so enjoyable to bet on. Despite being discernible by their respective codes, most of the bets available for the two are similar on any bookie on our list of betting sites. For example, first-try scorer, card betting, conversions kicked, and totals are familiar.
We love betting on rugby’s Six Nations in union and are also fans of the Gallagher Premiership. For league, we recommend checking out the Super League and Challenge Cup. Almost every bookie knows to separate the two codes, saving new and inexperienced bettors any confusion! There is even a modern variant in rugby sevens, one of the sports you can bet on at the Olympics, which creates fast and furious action.
Short for electronic sports, eSports has been one of the newer innovations in the gambling industry. You can bet on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, StarCraft II, Dota 2, Overwatch, League of Legends, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), among others.
Our experts recommend some new bookmakers to check out for eSports, a bit further up this page. These are the best sites for finding odds and prices, both pre-match and live, for the biggest contests of the week. In addition to outright winners, you can also bet handicaps, over/unders, and more.
You’ll find plenty of boxing odds and markets at our favourite UK online betting sites. Whether it’s backyard brawls in Britain or big fights in Saudi or stateside, you’ll be able to back your chosen fighter. Boxing, one of the best sports to bet on, is wildly popular meaning you won’t struggle to find odds to compare.
We enjoy outright betting, but it’s wagering on fight outcomes, rounds, and totals that make it really enjoyable. The bigger fights tend to have more special markets to bet on, but you should find something that piques your interest. Even if the bout isn’t for a title!
Before you can bet, you’ll need to register for a bookie. Compare our top 10 betting sites and choose the one you like best. When you’ve done that, simply follow these steps to get started.
Hit the “Join Now” or similar button to open up the online registration form. Opening an account with new betting websites typically takes around five minutes to complete, requiring information including your name, email address, date of birth, and mobile number.
Select your welcome offer from the bonuses available, ensuring to enter any necessary promo codes. Most bookies automatically your bonus when you sign up through any of the links on our site.
Choose from the banking options available on the site. These may range from Visa and Mastercard debit to PayPal and Apple Pay at fast withdrawal betting sites and apps. Some sites have fewer options than others but generally have two or more to pick from.
When you’ve completed the registration form, it’s time to sample the odds available at the best online bookies. You can streamline your search for markets and events by clicking on a particular sport, or searching for a keyword for the event on the site. When you have found your odds, add your stake and hit the bet button!
Almost all UK bookies accept debit cards and provide a few alternative ways to pay. However, some payment options cannot be used when betting on UK bookmakers online.
These banking options are lawfully provided by online betting sites, although the bookie has the ultimate say on which ones they provide. Here are the most popular supported banking options you’ll find at UK bookies.
The options available at new online bookmakers and other betting sites are not limited to this list. You may find sites that allow you to use Google Pay, Neosurf, and others.
These options are not supported by UK betting sites licenced by the Gambling Commission. As such, you won’t find them available to use at our recommended sites.
These banking options are no longer available at our top-rated UK bookies. Some sites may not support other payment methods but that may simply be a matter of business or preference.
Gambling responsibly helps to foster a safe and enjoyable betting experience. Given its highly addictive nature, taking steps to limit your exposure to distress and financial issues is crucial.
We recommend you set time and deposit limits before you start betting and only ever spend what you can afford to lose. Treat gambling as a pastime and not a means to make a living – in other words, for entertainment and not for financial reasons.
There are several resources available to you or someone you know who may be at risk of gambling problems. Never hesitate to reach out if you need help, advice, or simply want to learn more about responsible gambling and how it works.
A place to turn for support and advice in confidence if you are seeking free and impartial help with gambling problems.
Free and confidential advice and support for anyone looking for help with problem gambling.
Support group comprised of a fellowship of recovering gamblers who share stories and encourage others to quit gambling.
Get help and support to restrict your access to online gambling services by registering for GamStop.
We’ve made it even easier to choose from the best sports betting sites in the UK. From top odds and markets to the best bonuses and payment methods, you can choose safe and secure bookies that give you that little bit more.
Our experts encourage you to compare sites before signing up. Furthermore, we also recommend taking time to appreciate the dangers of problem gambling and what you can do to avoid those pitfalls. If it becomes anything other than fun, reach out to one of the gambling help organisations above for help immediately.