Best Betting Sites UK: Top Online Bookmakers – Updated for September 2026
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Our comprehensive assessment of the best betting sites has highlighted the following UK bookies as being among the cream of the crop.
Top UK Betting Sites Ranked for September 2026
Spreadex
Betgoodwin
Betfred
bet365
Fafabet
Luckster Sport
Sporting Index
Betfair
The bookmaker reviews on this page will provide you with an overview of each betting site’s offerings. You can then sign up with the bookmaker that best suits your individual needs and interests. Whatever betting sites you visit, always remember to bet responsibly.
All of the online bookmakers featured on this page are fully licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you can be confident that they are as safe and secure as you’d want them to be. They are also fully featured and offer plenty of betting markets for a wide range of domestic and international sporting events.
Safest Betting Sites is your guide to the best and safest UKGC-regulated betting sites. Our betting experts strive to give you regularly-updated information about the best bonuses, promotions and odds while keeping you safe from non-licensed online bookmakers.
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission - at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
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Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. T&Cs apply. New customers only.
Betgoodwin
50% of First Day Losses Back As a Free Bet Up To £25
New customer offer only. 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 settled stakes less all returns. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. If this promotion is withdrawn it will not impact any qualifying bet you have placed during promotional period
New customers only. Register with SUMMER50 between 31/05/24 – 14/07/24. 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. Full T&Cs apply.
Over 30 sports to bet on with impressive market depth
Great offers for new and existing customers
Best Odds Guaranteed from 08:30
Casino
Cashout
Bet Builder
ACCA Insurance
Cash Out
Odds Boosts
Deposit Methods [ View Fees ][ Close Fees ]
Debit cards
Min. Deposit
Fees
Debit cards
£10
Free
18+ New Customer only. Register with Fafabet and get 50% back as a free bet up to £50+20 casino bonus. Deposit and bet on Sportsbook markets of your choice at odds of evens 1/1 (2.00) or greater is required to qualify for the max free bet, which is based on first day losses. T&Cs apply.
This offer is for new customers only and is available once per household. Max. FreeBet amount: £10 Minimum Deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Free Bet is: £10 Void/cancelled or cashed out bets do not count towards wagering to activate the free bet. Offer valid only to customers making a first deposit of £10 or more.
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. A first free £10 fixed odds bet will be credited upon settlement of the qualifying bet. The second free £10 fixed odds bets will be added to your account on the following day. Free bets must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet stake not included in any winnings. Ts&Cs Apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
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 €/£20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply
We’ve enhanced our UK Sportsbook Welcome Offer. Get 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £35 (normally £25) plus 10 Free Spins! A minimum of 3 bets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater is required to qualify for the max free bet, which is based on 50% back of first day losses. Even if your account is up, a single £10 Bet at the minimum odds, secures a £5 Free Bet & 10 Free Spins. UK 18+T&C’s
#ad. 18+. Play Safe. 3x £10 free bets. Free bets expire after 30 days. New customers signing up through mobile or tablet device only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. begambleaware.org
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Best online bookmakers in 2026
These are currently the highest rated online bookies in the UK:
bet365 - Best for football betting
BetGoodwin - Best for betting on horse racing
Fafabet - Best for betting on tennis
Spreadex - Best for betting on cricket
Sporting Index - Best for in-play betting
Paddy Power - Best for betting offers
William Hill - Best Bet Builder
Betfair - Best for exchange betting
Why Trust Safest Betting Sites?
When you participate in online sports betting, you’re trusting companies with both your money and your personal details. Unfortunately, not all betting sites are as trustworthy as we’d like them to be. Safest Betting Sites was set up in 2024 to provide you with a carefully curated selection of the best betting companies, all of which are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). We also highlight the best welcome offers that are available and provide any promo codes needed to take advantage of them. By betting at the sites we feature, you can be completely confident that your money and your data will be in safe hands.
Bet safely and securely with UKGC-regulated sites
Know what to expect before you sign up
Take advantage of the latest bonuses and promotions
In this section of our guide, we look at each of the listed sites in turn. We describe the online betting companies, the sports and markets they cover, the features they include and any bonuses they advertise, along with the conditions attached.
1. BetGoodwin: Horse Racing Coverage
People who follow horse racing betting online may already be familiar with ‘Goodwin Racing’. In the days before the internet, if you couldn’t visit a real-world bookie in the UK, one option was a telephone betting bookmaker. You called them up, opened an account, made a deposit by debit or credit card and placed your bets. Any winnings would then be credited to your account if your horse racing bet came in.
Goodwin Racing were one of the larger telephone betting bookmakers, and indeed the largest by some measures. They still operate. Goodwin Racing moved online in 2022 and opened the BetGoodwin sports betting site. The site reflects the company’s horse racing background, as the main focus remains on racing. A wide range of other betting options is also available, and there are a great many of them. BetGoodwin is registered with the UKGC, licence number 2927.
The BetGoodwin welcome offer is not limited to horse racing and can also be applied to other sports. The structure is straightforward. New customers who register and place bets receive 50% back on any first-day losses, up to a maximum of £25. So, a £40 loss would return £20, and a £60 loss would return £25. If a customer’s first day shows no net loss, the cashback does not apply.
To qualify, a minimum of three bets of £10 or more each must be placed on the first day, each at odds of 1/1 (2.00) or higher. Once the first day is over, any free bets due are credited within 24 hours. Free bet stakes are not returned with any winnings. That covers the main terms, but the full and current conditions are listed on the BetGoodwin site.
Ian Bruce
Why We Recommend BetGoodwin for Horse Racing Bettors
With BetGoodwin’s background from Goodwin Racing it’s no surprise horse racing is very good here. We particularly like the live streaming from places as far-flung as Argentina and Brazil.
Points in Favour:
Site is geared towards horse racing markets
Offer returns half of first-day losses, subject to terms
Tennis is a popular pastime in the UK. There are tennis clubs in most cities and towns, and Wimbledon dominates UK sporting attention for two weeks every summer. You may wonder why a site with a non-UK sounding name features in a tennis section. Despite the name, Fafabet is a UK site, run by a Reading-based company called TaiChi Tech.
Despite the potentially confusing branding, Fafabet is notable among UK betting sites for tennis. Coverage widens considerably around Wimbledon, and the site covers all four tennis majors and the main WTP and LTA tours throughout the year. Occasional promotions include enhanced odds and cashout options (the free strawberries and cream are our invention, not theirs). Fafabet has operated in the UK since 2021 under licence number 57385 from the UKGC.
The welcome offer at Fafabet is advertised as being worth up to £50, subject to conditions. A £10 qualifying bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.00) generates a £5 free bet and a £5 casino bonus. Both figures double with a £20 or greater qualifying bet, and a £100 bet returns a £20 free bet and a £10 casino bonus. Alternatively, customers can opt to have half of their first-day losses returned, up to £50, plus a £20 casino bonus.
A number of T&Cs apply, including free bets expiring seven days after receipt and free bet stakes not being returned as part of a winning bet. The full terms and conditions are set out on the Fafabet site.
Spread betting returns depend on how accurate a prediction turns out to be, and losses grow as accuracy falls. Among the spread betting sites in the UK, SpreadEx is one of the better-known operators. Spread betting is often applied to sports with high scores, which makes cricket a common choice. SpreadEx features here among cricket betting sites because cricket produces numerous measurable statistics. Markets include total fours or sixes, players scoring 50+ runs, centuries, or individual player scores in an innings. It is important to understand that spread betting losses can exceed the initial stake if predictions are significantly off.
Note that SpreadEx offers traditional fixed odds betting too. The site runs under UKGC licence 8835, active since 2009.
What You Need to Know:
Minimum Deposit
No minimum
Maximum Withdrawal
No maximum
Bet Builder
9.8/10
Cash Out
9.6/10
Betting App
9.6/10 (iOS and Android)
Betting Markets
9.6/10
Odds
9.6/10
Bonuses & Promotions
9.5/10
Support
FAQs, Live chat, email, phone
Payment Methods
Debit cards, credit cards (spread betting only), bank transfer, cheque
Note: Spread betting is treated as a form of trading and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, not the United Kingdom Gambling Association. This is why a spread betting account can be funded with a credit card. As at other UK-licensed sites, credit card funds cannot be used at SpreadEx for fixed odds betting
SpreadEx’s New Customer Offer
There is a welcome bonus at SpreadEx, but it applies only to the fixed odds side. The steps are to open an account, deposit at least £10, then place a fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50). Once that qualifying bet has settled, the account receives two £10 fixed odds free bets, four £5 free spread bets and a £1 race index spread bet.
Free bets expire in 28 days if unused and, as is usual with these types of betting promotions, the free bet stake is not returned in any winnings. Other T&Cs apply and the current versions are published on the SpreadEx site.
Points in Favour:
One of the UK’s established spread betting sites
Spread betting suits those familiar with cricket statistics
Fixed odds betting available too
Points Against:
Spread betting is complex for newcomers and losses can exceed the stake
In-play or live betting covers events already in progress. Markets include the next goalscorer in football, the next player to hit a six in cricket, or the next server to make a double fault or ace in tennis. Live betting often includes a cash-out option, which allows a bet to be settled before the event ends, usually at reduced odds.
Sporting Index is included here for its in-play provision. Like SpreadEx, it is a spread betting site and uses the same sports spread betting software. Alongside spread betting, fixed odds prices are available. The ‘In Play’ menu lists current sporting events. All major sports are covered, with a particular emphasis on football, and there is also an in-play section for eSports. Sporting Index operates in the UK under UKGC licence 27343.
What You Need to Know:
Minimum Deposit
£10
Maximum Withdrawal
No maximum
Bet Builder
9.6/10
Cash Out
9.8/10
Betting App
9.6/10 (iOS & Android)
Betting Markets
9.6/10
Odds
9.5/10
Bonuses & Promotions
9.4/10
Support
FAQs, email, live chat, phone
Payment Methods
Debit cards, credit cards (spread betting only), bank transfer, cheque
Full Review
Coming Soon
Credit cards can only be used for spread betting deposits at Sporting Index, as spread betting is regulated by the FSA and not the UKGC.
Sporting Index’s New Customer Offer
The Sporting Index offer is £20 in free bets for new accounts. The steps are a minimum £10 deposit, followed by a minimum £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.50) or greater. Once that bet has settled, the account receives two £10 free fixed odds bets. The qualifying bet cannot be placed on in-play markets, and cashing out a pre-event bet removes its qualifying status, which is a common condition across UK bookmakers. The free fixed odds bets must be requested within 28 days of opening an account.
Free bets can be used on in-play events, but cannot be cashed out early. Beyond that, the T&Cs attached to this offer are relatively short compared with many welcome bonus terms.
Paddy Power is a widely recognised name among sports bettors in the UK. It is one of the larger bookmakers in the country, and while its more controversial advertising has been toned down in recent years, past campaigns included the fake launch of Huddersfield Town’s Paddy Power-branded home kit and the truck taken to Calais carrying the slogan ‘Immigrants, Jump in the Back! (But Only If You’re Good at Sport)’. Paddy Power has a long record of innovation, and its range of betting offers is one of the features it is known for.
Alongside the welcome deal (details below) and offers for existing customers, the Paddy Power site features ‘Power Prices’, which are enhanced odds on specific bets. Some of these prices are doubled. Unlike some price boost offers elsewhere, returns at the enhanced price are paid as cash rather than bonus funds. Paddy Power has held a UKGC licence since 2015, number 38939.
What You Need to Know:
Minimum Deposit
£5
Maximum Withdrawal
£10,000
Bet Builder
9.9/10
Cash Out
9.4/10
Betting App
9.6/10 (iOS and Android)
Betting Markets
9.6/10
Odds
9.6/10
Bonuses & Promotions
9.9/10
Support
FAQs, email, live chat
Payment Methods
Debit cards, ApplePay, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Rapid Transfer, Much Better, Bank Transfer
The details of Paddy Power’s current new customer offer are as follows. The offer provides £20 in free bets once registration is complete, using the promo code ‘YSKARZ’. The qualifying deposit must be made using a debit card within 30 days of registering, and a £5 minimum bet must be placed at odds of at least Evens (2.00). Once that bet has settled, a £20 sports betting bonus is credited.
The free bet must be used in full within 30 days of registration and cannot be used on system bets such as Canadian, Trixie, and Yankee bets. Those are the main current T&Cs, though the Paddy Power site carries the full and up-to-date conditions.
Points in Favour:
Varied range of customer offers, all with conditions
A bet builder is a tool that has been introduced across many UK betting sites over the past few years. It allows several single bets on the same event to be combined into a multiple bet, where every selection must be correct for the bet to pay out. Customers of William Hill will be familiar with bet builders, as this bookmaker’s version is among the more developed in the sector.
The bet builder at William Hill is called ‘#YourOdds’. Selecting a football match and then the ‘#YourOdds’ menu item displays the available options. An extensive list of pre-set ‘#YourOdds’ selections is shown, and customers can also assemble their own via ‘Build #YourOdds’, which lists the full range of options to combine.
William Hill needs little introduction. This UK bookmaker has been operating since 1934, and has held UKGC licence number 39225 since 2014.
What You Need to Know:
Minimum Deposit
£5
Maximum Withdrawal
£99,000
Bet Builder
9.9/10
Cash Out
9.5/10
Betting App
9.5/10 (iOS and Android)
Betting Markets
9.7/10
Odds
9.6/10
Bonuses & Promotions
9.6/10
Support
FAQs, email, live chat.
Payment Methods
Debit cards, PaysafeCard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Payz, ApplePay, Fast Bank Transfer.
The William Hill welcome deal is not built around the bet builder. It follows a fairly standard sports betting format: bet £10 and receive £30 in free bets. The conditions are a minimum £10 deposit by debit card, then a single £10 wager on any event at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50). Once that bet has settled, three £10 free bets are credited.
The William Hill free bets remain in the account for seven days. Aside from the usual condition that the free bet stake is not returned with any winnings, there appear to be no further restrictions on their use. The site lists the latest details in full.
Points in Favour:
Build #YourOdds bet builder with extensive options
Long-established betting name
Wide range of markets
Points Against:
A lot of on-site information that may not be relevant to every user
Betting exchanges differ from fixed odds betting sites in the following way. With a fixed odds betting site, the bet is placed against the bookmaker, and the bookmaker pays out on a winning bet. With a betting exchange, the bet is matched against other site users, and those users cover a winning bet. The exchange takes a commission on every winning bet.
Betfair is by some considerable distance the largest exchange betting site in the UK. The site matches a bet against a bettor or bettors backing a different outcome. Customers can also set their own price. If nobody accepts that price, the bet is not matched and no payout follows even if the selection wins, although the stake is returned. Betfair also operates fixed odds betting for those who find the exchange model unclear. Betfair is now merged with Paddy Power, and holds a UKGC licence (39439) first issued in 2014.
The current sports betting welcome offer at Betfair applies only to the fixed odds side of the site. After an account is created (exchange or fixed odds accounts are the same) using the code ‘ZSKANH’, the conditions are a minimum £10 deposit by debit card and a minimum qualifying bet of £10 on a single market outcome at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50). Once that bet has settled, £30 in free bets is credited for use on the site’s Bet Builder.
All free bets are valid for 30 days, after which any unused free bets are removed from the account. A few other T&Cs apply to this offer, and the latest details are published on the Betfair site.
Spreadex is one of the established sports spread betting sites in the UK. The brand has been around since 1999, and sports spread betting was introduced in 2006. More than two dozen sports are available, and alongside the cricket coverage noted above, markets include football, tennis, basketball and horse racing. Certain markets also carry the option of a spread-free bet.
Spreadex New Customer Offer
New spread betting customers are offered two free £5 spread bets, plus up to £300 cashback on certain spread bets. To qualify for the free bets, a fixed odds bet of £10 or more must be placed on an outcome priced at 1/2 or bigger. The cashback offer requires a stake of £300 or more on qualifying spread betting markets within 28 days of registering, which returns £300 to the account or, alternatively, an iPad. The promotions page at Spreadex sets out the full terms.
Betfred is a familiar name on UK high streets, having been around since 1967. It has been operating online since 2004 and covers a broad range of betting markets across the more popular sports. Its cash-out feature is available in most markets, and it supports partial cash-outs up to ten times for single bets or up to five times for multiple bets. An automatic cash-out option is also available.
Betfred’s New Customer Offer
New customers at Betfred who place a first bet of £10 or more receive £30 in free bets. The first bet must be placed within seven days of registering, and the odds of the selection must be 1/1 or bigger. Free bets are credited within ten hours of the first bet being settled.
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is a feature offered by some bookmakers. Where it applies, if the starting price is bigger than the price taken earlier in the day, the bet is settled at the larger price. Many bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed, and BetVictor is one of them. At BetVictor, the BOG offer applies from 9 am on all UK and Irish horse and greyhound races.
BetVictor’s New Customer Offer
BetVictor has a welcome offer for new accounts, with conditions attached. The steps are to opt in to the promotion, make a deposit via Debit Card or Apple Pay, and place a qualifying bet, which means a horse racing bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/1 or bigger within seven days of registering. Four free £5 bets are then credited for use on a range of horse racing and virtual horse racing markets.
Most of the sites listed here offer mobile apps, and CopyBet features in this section because of its social elements. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and provides the same functionality as the desktop website. That includes the ability to follow and copy bets suggested by tipsters on the platform, and to act as a CopyBet tipster.
CopyBet’s New Customer Offer
CopyBet currently advertises a Bet £10 Get £50 offer for new customers. The conditions are to register an account, make a deposit and place a first bet (either a single or an acca of two or more selections) at odds of 1.90 or higher. The bet must be placed and settled within seven days of registering. Five free bets worth £10 each are then credited for football, horse racing and accumulators.
The UK online betting market is highly competitive, yet new sports betting sites continue to appear regularly. Around half of these sites disappear just as quickly as they arrive, while others come through that initial difficult phase and go on to feature among the online bookmakers covered on this site.
Newer online bookmakers are worth being aware of when comparing operators. Some take a different approach that may suit particular betting preferences, such as concentrating on a specific sport or betting discipline. Others differ mainly in site or app design. Newer bookmakers also tend to run welcome offers, which come with their own terms and conditions and should be read carefully before any account is opened.
For context, here are four new betting sites that have appeared on the UK scene over the last couple of years.
CopyBet – Allows you to place your own bets, follow another punter’s selections, or act as a tipster
Fitzdares – The online version of a private Mayfair betting club
BetGoodwin – A long-established telephone betting service now available online
Luckster – An online betting site operated by Marketplay Limited
UK Bookmakers and Industry Awards
At Safest Betting Sites, we carry out detailed reviews of online betting sites. Alongside our own bookmaker reviews, another point of comparison is industry recognition, as some betting sites have received awards for their products and services.
Paddy Power – Retail Operator of the Year (2024 Global Gaming Awards) William Hill – Football Betting Operator of the Year (EGR Operator Awards 2023)
How We Test UK Online Bookmakers
Our general approach to assessing betting sites is set out in How We Rate Bookmakers. Our team of reviewers has decades of real-world experience in sports betting, and aims to be as objective and unbiased as possible. That means we apply the same approach to all online bookmakers regardless of affiliation. In addition, all of the information provided by Safest Betting Sites is regularly fact-checked and updated so that it remains as reliable as possible. These are some of the areas we look at:
Market Coverage
Betting on football and horse racing is widely available, but coverage of more ‘niche’ sports such as UFC/MMA, eSports, or Pesapallo (Finnish baseball, in case you are wondering) varies considerably between operators. We look at how many sports a bookmaker covers, and also at the variety of markets available for those sports.
Odds Comparison
No single betting site consistently offers the highest odds, but it is relevant whether the odds on offer are broadly comparable with those available elsewhere. We look at the general odds being made available and also take into account odds-related offers such as price boosts and Best Odds Guaranteed deals, each of which is subject to its own terms.
Payment Methods and Payout Speed
All UK online bookmakers accept debit cards, but preferences differ, and not everyone wants to enter card details online. Someone who prefers PayPal, for example, would need an account with a site that accepts PayPal payments. Our reviewers record all the options available, and also provide information on how long withdrawal requests take to be processed.
Betting App
Much betting activity now takes place on mobile devices rather than a PC or laptop. We look at whether a betting site has dedicated apps available for Android and iOS, and how they perform in practice. Where no app can be downloaded, we check how the regular betting company website performs in mobile browsers.
Live Play and Streaming
In-play provision varies from one bookmaker to another. We assess how much live betting is available, whether events can be watched via live streaming, and whether bets can be cashed out before an event has reached its natural conclusion.
Customer Support
There may be occasions when a customer needs help or assistance, or simply an answer to a query. We examine the support options each site provides, including the contact channels and their availability, so that it is clear what to expect.
Signup Bonuses and Existing Customer Offers
Most online betting sites run promotions aimed at new and existing customers, so we record what is available. That includes any sign-up offer for those who open a new account and any ongoing deals for existing customers, along with the wagering requirements, time limits and other conditions attached to them.
Licensing and Security
Licensing and security are central to how a betting site operates. The bookmakers we cover here are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, one of the stricter gambling regulators internationally; sites without a UKGC licence fall outside those rules, and GamStop self-exclusion does not apply to them. Our team also checks that sensitive personal and financial data is transmitted and stored securely so that it cannot be accessed by unauthorised parties.
Industry Reputation
The gambling industry is a close-knit community, and word travels quickly about sites that fall short in some way. For that reason, we also consider the reputation a betting site has among its peers. A site that is well regarded will receive a higher rating than one with a poorer reputation.
Ian Bruce
How to Choose the Best Betting Site
When you come to choose the best betting site for you, it makes sense to consider all the areas that we’ve just discussed. For the best possible experience, make sure that you only bet with a site that is properly licensed and regulated and has a reputation for being trustworthy. You’ll also want the site to be accessible and easy to use. In addition, don’t be afraid of digging into their terms and conditions to see how player-friendly they are.
Betting Welcome Offers
Both established and newer UK bookmakers tend to advertise some form of welcome offer for new accounts. There are several different kinds, so here we first outline the main types, and then the key terms and conditions that are usually attached to them.
Types of Welcome Offer at UK Online Bookmakers
Free Bet – A bet token credited after a qualifying bet has been placed with your own money, e.g. ‘Bet £10, Get £30’, subject to conditions.
Deposit Bonus – Your initial deposit at a site is matched by the same (or half, or double) amount in bonus funds, subject to conditions.
Cashback – A percentage of your losses over a set period of time is returned as bonus funds.
Enhanced Odds – Odds priced above the standard odds for a specified event. Sometimes the amount won in excess of the normal odds is paid as bonus funds.
Key T&Cs Attached to UK Online Bookmaker Welcome Offers
Expiry Date – Set time periods within which any offer must be taken up and used, and within which any playthrough requirements must be met.
Minimum Stakes, Maximum Returns – The minimum deposit and stake needed to qualify for an offer, and the maximum return cap applied to it.
Payment Methods – Some payment methods, such as eWallets, are excluded from qualifying deposits for offers.
Minimum Odds – The lowest prices permitted on qualifying bets, and when using free bets or bonus funds.
Markets – A small number of offers restrict the markets they can be used on.
Stake not Returned – Free bet and bonus funds cannot be withdrawn, only any winnings they generate.
Playthrough – In some cases you may need to place bets with your own money to a multiple of the free bet or bonus amount before a withdrawal is possible.
Restrictions – System bets and cashed-out bets frequently do not count as qualifying bets.
Deposits and Withdrawals on Betting Sites
Betting is a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money, and if it stops being entertaining it makes sense to stop. Outcomes are always uncertain, whether a stake is placed on a horse race or on any other competitor, and losing the stake is the usual result. Anyone who wants to talk about their gambling can contact GamCare.
Funding an account is part of how betting sites work. Most UK online bookmakers offer several payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, though regulation limits certain financial functions. Here we look at which payment methods can be used at UK online bookmakers, and which cannot.
Can Be Used
Debit cards – All online bookmakers in the UK accept debit card payments, Visa and MasterCard. Card details are encrypted when they are submitted on a deposit page. If your card details appear ‘pre-filled’ when making a deposit, that is because they have been saved by your browser. The betting site does not save information about your cards.
Ewallets – The three major eWallets for sports betting in the UK are PayPal (NOT PayPal credit), Skrill and Neteller. A balance held in an eWallet account can be used to make deposits, meaning card and bank account details are not shared with the site. Other eWallets accepted for betting in the UK include Payz (formerly ecoPayz), AstroPay and MuchBetter.
PaysafeCard – This ‘virtual card’ allows real world cash to be loaded and then used online. A PaysafeCard account can also now be maintained online. Note that PaysafeCards cannot usually be withdrawn to.
ApplePay – Not strictly an eWallet, as ApplePay connects a card or bank account to a merchant. Some sports betting sites accept ApplePay, but only a small number.
Bank Transfer – Some betting sites allow funds to be transferred into a betting account straight from a bank account. This is also a one-way process, as bank transfers for withdrawals are not commonly available.
Can’t Be Used
Credit cards – All credit cards were banned from online sports betting sites in the UK by the UKGC in April 2020. Credit ‘by stealth’ (i.e. PayPal Credit) is banned too. Credit cards can, however, be used to fund spread betting accounts, as spread betting is regulated by the FSA.
Cryptocurrencies – Although cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Doge and Ethereum are not officially banned by the UKGC, no UKGC-licensed online casinos in the UK accept them. The common view is that crypto makes money laundering at online gambling venues easier, and failing to prevent money laundering can see UK online bookmakers heavily fined. This is why Bitcoin and similar currencies are not accepted.
Pay-by-Phone – Again, not outright banned by the UKGC, this once-common payment method has largely been dropped by online bookmakers in the UK. Such payments are made via a phone bill and are a type of credit payment, as the bill is paid later on. Despite the £30 daily limit, a bill of around £900 per month can still build up.
Google Wallet – A credit card can easily be linked as the main card in Google Wallet, which amounts to gambling on credit, so UK betting firms tend not to accept Google Wallet. ApplePay has tighter restrictions on identifying whether a credit card is linked to its services. A very small number of betting sites do accept Google Pay payments.
Revolut – this payment system allows several debit cards, credit cards and bank accounts to be linked via a single application. Because of the ability to link credit cards, Revolut themselves announced Revolut accounts would not be available at online gambling sites following the UKGC ban in 2020.
How Bookmakers Calculate Odds
The odds that betting sites offer about a player or team in a betting market reflect their perceived chances of winning. This is explained in detail in our guide to betting odds, but a simple example is set out below.
Imagine that there’s a tennis match between two players, and the bookmakers consider that they both have an equal chance of winning. The total of all probabilities in an event must be 100%, so in this case, each player has a 50% chance of success.
The bookmaker would then set odds that reflect that chance, which would be 1/1 for each player. Those odds would then be trimmed a little to build in a margin for the bookmaker. The final odds offered to customers might therefore be 10/11 for Player 1 and 10/11 for Player 2.
How an Online Bookmaker Account Is Opened: Step-by-Step Overview
An account is required before any bets can be placed with a betting site. The registration process is usually short, often taking only a couple of minutes. The typical steps are described below.
1. The Betting Site’s Website
The first step is opening the website of the betting site in question. Links to each of the sites listed on this page are provided. Tapping a link opens the site in a separate browser tab, so these notes remain available for reference.
2. The Registration Button
Every betting site has a Join or Sign Up button for those opening a new account. This button is normally located at the top of the screen on the right-hand side and is usually brightly coloured so that it is easy to spot. Tapping the button opens a registration form.
3. Entering Personal Details
The registration form asks for some basic details that are required by law before an account can be opened. Those details include name, email address, date of birth, and so on. Details need to be entered accurately, using a full legal name rather than any nickname, as inconsistencies can cause difficulties with ID verification if it is requested in the future. Once the form is submitted, the account is generally opened immediately.
4. Logging In and Depositing
The account can then be logged into and a first deposit made. The terms and conditions of any welcome offer are worth reading first, since offers carry qualifying criteria that the first deposit and first bet may need to meet.
How Online Betting Sites Differ from High Street Bookmakers
Online betting has grown considerably in recent decades, and the sites operate differently from bookmakers on the local high street in several respects. Some of the main differences are outlined below.
Range of Choice
In land-based shops, the range of sports and markets available is limited to what the nearby bookmakers happen to offer. Online, there are hundreds of legal betting sites, which makes it possible to select one or two that match particular preferences. In short, the online sector presents a wider range of options than is typically found offline. For background reading on one popular sport, these horse racing betting tips explain how markets are approached.
Comparing Odds
With access to a broader range of markets, it is possible to compare the odds offered on the same selection across different sites. Odds vary between bookmakers, and comparison is one way of seeing how those differences work in practice. It also makes it easier to understand the concept of value betting, although outcomes always remain uncertain and losses are the usual result.
Promotions and Offers
Online betting is a competitive industry, so more promotions tend to run at online bookmakers than at high street betting shops. These can include a welcome offer for new customers and further offers for existing customers, such as price boosts and Best Odds Guaranteed. All such offers are subject to terms, conditions and qualifying requirements.
Accessibility
Online accounts can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, at any hour, rather than only during shop opening times and in person. A computer or smartphone can be used instead of a visit to a local betting shop. That constant availability is also why setting time and spending limits matters; support and advice on gambling are available from GamCare.
The Importance of Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be addictive. A winning bet causes the human brain to release endorphins – the body’s ‘feel good’ chemical. The levels of endorphins released vary from person to person, and for some, that release becomes intense, triggering a ‘want’ that becomes a ‘need’ which is how habits are formed. For some, the ‘need’ becomes something that cannot be lived without.
Gambling naturally involves money, yet for some people the winning or losing of money becomes much less important than the act of gambling itself. Before they realise it, such people can find themselves significantly in debt, and may lose friends, family, their livelihood and even their homes along the way.
This is why responsible gambling matters. Three aspects of gambling are worth keeping in mind at all times:
Is gambling bringing genuine enjoyment into your life? If not, it is a reason to stop.
Do you think you might have a gambling problem? If the thought occurs, it is worth taking seriously.
Do those close to you say that you have a gambling problem? Their concern is a strong indicator.
Like many addictions, gambling harm is often accompanied by denial. One way that destructive behaviour is maintained is by denying that it is harmful, or that it is happening at all. This is why acknowledging a problem is widely regarded as the most important step on the road to recovery.
In terms of practical help, a number of organisations exist for anyone who has identified that they may have a gambling problem:
For anyone who feels they need to take a break from gambling, GAMSTOP is one option. It is an independent organisation that oversees access to gambling websites by individuals. Once someone registers with GAMSTOP, their access to all UKGC-registered gambling sites, including new UK sports betting sites, is revoked. This is called self-exclusion. It does not extend to sites that are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which sit outside UKGC regulation.
Self Exclusion
Here is how to self-exclude:
Head to the Site
The GAMSTOP site can be found at gamstop.co.uk (see the link above). On the site, registration is handled through the ‘Register’ item on the menu.
Add Your Details
The more information supplied to GAMSTOP, the more effective the registration. This information includes your current address and postcodes, previous addresses and postcodes, your date of birth, current and past email addresses and current and past mobile numbers.
Choose for How Long
The length of self-exclusion can be selected: six months, one year or five years. GAMSTOP is unable to self-exclude anyone permanently.
Wait for Confirmation
It can take up to 24 hours for a self-exclusion to be applied. GAMSTOP sends an email confirmation once the period has begun. Emails should also arrive from sites where the person is registered, confirming that access to their account(s) has been suspended.
Once Your Period is Up
A self-exclusion period is not lifted automatically. Anyone wishing to use UK gambling sites again has to apply to GAMSTOP for the self-exclusion to be lifted. If, at the end of the self-exclusion period, someone still feels they need to keep away from online gambling, they simply do not request that the period comes to an end.
UK Online Bookmakers Compared – Facts in a Nutshell
Looking for a direct comparison between UK betting sites? The table below outlines the main factors for a selection of UK online bookmakers covered on this page, along with our rating for each where applicable.
Brand
Min. Deposit
Max. Withdrawal
Bet Builder
Cash Out
Betting App
Betting Markets
Odds
Bonuses
Support
Payment Methods
£10
£100,000
N/A
9.7
9.7
9.7
9.8
9.7
Live chat
Debit cards
£10
No max
9.8
9.7
9.6
9.6
9.7
9.6
Live chat, email
Debit cards
No min
No max
9.8
9.6
9.6
9.6
9.6
9.5
FAQs, Live chat, email, phone
Debit cards, credit cards (spread betting only), bank transfer, cheque
£10
No max
9.6
9.8
9.6
9.6
9.5
9.4
FAQs, email, live chat, phone
Debit cards, credit cards (spread betting only), bank transfer, cheque
£5
£10,000
9.9
9.4
9.6
9.6
9.6
9.9
FAQs, email, live chat
Debit cards, ApplePay, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Rapid Transfer, Much Better, Bank Transfer
£5
£99,000
9.9
9.5
9.5
9.7
9.6
9.6
FAQs, email, live chat
Debit cards, PaysafeCard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Payz, ApplePay, Fast Bank Transfer
Our guide to UK betting sites is intended to explain how licensed online bookmakers differ, so you can see which ones align with your own preferences.
Whatever your particular sphere of interest, you should now have a clearer idea of which sites cover the areas described above. It may help to consider what you want from a bookmaker and then read our detailed bookmakers’ reviews for more information on each site.
Gambling carries a risk of losing money, so it is worth setting limits and treating betting as entertainment rather than income. Support and advice are available from GamCare. Our list of betting sites is reviewed periodically as features and offer terms change.
FAQs
What are some of the newer betting sites?
One of the more recently launched betting sites is Fafabet. This site began operating in 2021, so it has only been around for a few years, but it covers a range of markets, odds, features and promotions for new and existing customers, each subject to its own terms and conditions.
Which are the biggest bookmakers?
Among the largest UK bookmakers are household names such as William Hill, Betfred and Paddy Power. All three are long-established operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which sets requirements on player protection and fair treatment.
Which betting sites offer free bets?
A number of UK sports betting sites run free bet offers for their customers, all of which carry conditions such as qualifying stakes and minimum odds. Our Betting Offers page sets out examples of new customer deals and other promotions, along with their terms.
How is the safety of online betting sites regulated?
The online betting sites covered in this guide are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which sets standards on security, fairness and consumer protection. Sites without a UKGC licence operate outside those rules, and GamStop self-exclusion does not apply to them.
What documents do I need to open a bookmaker account?
You won’t usually need any documents to open an account with a UK sportsbook online, but you may be asked to verify your identity before you can make a withdrawal. Acceptable documents for this typically include copies of your passport or driving licence and a recent utility bill.
I won with a £10 free bet at odds of 2/1 but was only paid £20. Why?
With most free bet offers from online sportsbooks, the stake is not returned when a free bet wins. If you bet £10 at odds of 2/1 with your own money, the returns would be £30. With a free bet the stake is not included, so the returns come to £20.
Why can’t I use my credit card at William Hill?
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission prohibited the use of credit cards to make or receive payments at UKGC-licensed betting sites in 2020. As a result, credit cards (or PayPal credit at PayPal betting sites) cannot be used at any UK-licensed online sportsbook.
Ian Bruce
Senior Editor
Ian Bruce joined Safest Betting Sites in 2024 as Senior Sports Editor to oversee the quality and usefulness of its gambling content. He originally developed an interest in betting after landing a winning Yankee on his first attempt. He then spent years figuring out how to replicate that success. Along the way, he became one of the UK’s leading writers on the topic of betting and gaming. Ian’s career has now spanned more than three decades, and his enthusiasm for systematic and responsible betting hasn’t waned one bit. However, his preferred approach to winning these days is Dutching, for the simple reason that “It’s a lot easier than landing Yankees.”
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