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Top Online Betting Sites UK in Test 2024

  • Author: Freddie Hartley
  • Written: 18.07.2023
  • Affiliate disclosure
    Affiliate disclosure

    Citeulike is a self-governing website that offers comparisons of various online casinos. It includes affiliate links, which could result in us receiving a commission if you decide to accept any of the offers we list. Our expert team focuses on identifying top-notch bonuses and safe casino options for your gaming experience. We meticulously evaluate each bonus prior to incorporating it into our site.

The Best Online Sports Betting Sites For 2021 1024X576

When it comes to betting, the UK is a world leader, and there are countless betting sites in the UK, each trying to be among the top online betting sites UK and vying for your business. So how do you know which one is right for you? And how do you make sure that you’re getting the best value for your money? Today, we will discuss real money betting and sports betting, and we will recommend some of the best UK betting sites in the UK. We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right site.

En Gb All casinos accept players from United Kingdom
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  • Fast Withdrawals
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  • Payout Rate 96.0%
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  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Diverse Betting Markets
  • Regular Promotions

  • Payout Rate 96.0%
  • Payout Speed 0 - 24 Hours
  • Min/Max deposit 20 $ - 5.000 $

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  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Diverse Betting Markets
  • Regular Promotions

  • Payout Rate 96.0%
  • Payout Speed 0 - 24 Hours
  • Min/Max deposit 20 € - 5.000 €

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  • Variety of Sports
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  • Competitive Odds

  • Payout Rate 96.0%
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  • Various payment options available
  • Exclusive welcome offer and VIP-program
  • User-friendly website design

  • Payout Rate 97.33%
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    Betting Sites in the UK – What you need to Know

    When you’re looking for a betting site in the UK, there are a few things you need to take into account. The first is whether or not the site is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. This is important because it means that the site has been vetted and approved by the government and that it meets all of the necessary requirements.

    The second thing you need to look at is the selection of betting markets and odds that are offered by the site. The best betting sites will offer a wide range of betting markets, both in terms of sports and events, and they will also offer competitive odds. You should also take a look at the site’s welcome bonus and ongoing promotions, as these can be a great way to get started.

    Finally, it would be best if you ensured that the site is safe and secure and has a good customer service team. The best betting sites will have all of these things in place and offer a wide range of payment methods, so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

    Top 10 Biggest Betting Sites In the UK

    You can wager on sports on various online gambling platforms online – for example, there are sports bets in online casinos. But there are also separate betting markets. Unlike casinos, they are solely made for sports bettors.

    Still, the best online betting sites are the ones that offer incredible bonuses you can use in sports wagering and casino games. It’s best to look out for those. We’ll recommend you ten of the top-rated online betting sites later on.

    RankBrandKind of GamblingTrafficAge
    1BetwayOnline Betting20.2M2005
    2BetfairOnline Betting14.6M2000
    3Paddy PowerOnline Betting11.3M2004
    4Evobet CasinoOnline Betting11.2K2018
    5888sportOnline Betting1.5M1997
    6BoyleSportsOnline Betting3.1M2007
    7ToteOnline Betting1.7M2006
    8ZenBetting CasinoOnline Betting8.6K2017
    9BetfredOnline Betting3.6M2005
    10LiveScore BetOnline Betting1.8M2018

    Which is the Best Online Sports Betting Site according to Citeulike

    The providers represented are safe, trustworthy, and suitable for all UK online players. However, there are some differences in bonuses, free bet stakes, min odds, and even bonus free spins. Therefore, to find the best, our experts have tested Online Sports Betting sites and prepared a special selection of Online Sports Betting sites by nomination from Citeulike.

    NominationsSports Betting Sites
    Latest Sports Betting Site22bet
    Top Rated Sports Betting SiteBetsson
    Good Sports Betting Site20bet
    Most Popular Sports Betting SiteBetsson
    Biggest Sports Betting Site20bet
    Most Reliable Betting Site22bet
    Trusted Sports Betting SiteBetsson
    Biggest Sports Betting Bonuses20bet
    Best Payout Sports Betting Site22bet
    Good Mobile Sports Betting SiteBetsson
    Genuine Sports Betting Site20bet

    Are Betting Websites Legal in the UK?

    Yes, sports betting is legal in the UK, and there are several different ways to do it. The most popular way to bet on sports is to use online bookmakers, a website that allows you to place bets on various sports.

    In that light, each website must have a regulated license by the UKGC to operate legally. All of the best betting sites in the UK online that we will be discussing have such a license. They are also offering great free spins bonuses and free bets, as well as free bet stakes.

    This is probably one of the biggest questions for sports betting platforms. First, you must consider that the best betting sites come from different parts of the world. Depending on where their company is physically located, they can be legal or illegal, both for betting and casino games.

    The most important thing is that no matter the geographic location of sports gambling sites, they must abide by the rules, requirements, and regulations under their relevant jurisdiction. There might be locations where rules are more strict compared to others. Lastly, any online betting site must have a gambling license – these documents prove that UK betting sites are legally registered and authorized to operate.

    Aspects of Trusted Betting Sites UK

    When you’re looking for a sports betting site in the UK, it’s important to make sure that the site is safe and secure. Of course, the best sites will have all the necessary security measures, including firewalls and encryption technologies.

    They will also have a good reputation for security and be licensed and regulated by the UKGC. Therefore, choosing a site with SSL encryption is always the right call. After all, the last thing you want is to have your wager calculated by sketchy online bookies.

    What Comprises the Most Trusted Sports Betting Sites?

    what-comprises-the-most-trusted-sports-betting-sites

    Undeniably, there are numerous trusted UK betting sites. However, what makes them trustworthy and reliable depends on the features and services they offer to their users. Commonly, credible online bookmakers in the UK have many features that make them secure and enjoyable for people, like horse racing, online casino bonus, and bet builder.

    These include legal and official licenses, various payment methods, unique bonus and promotional offers, reliable customer support, and a long list of sports to put your first bet on. On top of that, the best betting site features bonus bets, so the wager calculated is always in your favor.

    Additionally, feedback from previous and existing users of the best betting site contributes to its overall reliability and security. Positive reviews from other people draw the attention of other potential users since others confirm that the site is trustworthy and has a secure bet settlement.

    How to Pick the Best UK Betting Sportsbook?

    As mentioned in the previous section, certain aspects make a betting site reliable and secure. Before you pick the best sports betting platform, you definitely need to consider those. When choosing or navigating through an online sports betting site, you can ask yourself the following:

    • Is it reliable?
    • Is it safe and secure?
    • Does it offer the sports or games I’m looking for, like horse racing?
    • Can I wager using the real money bet type I prefer?
    • Does the site support my chosen payment methods?
    • What are the sports min odds?
    • Can I easily access customer support in case I have any concerns?
    • Is it legally authorized to run its services?
    • Does the site implement robust security measures?
    • Are there any online casino bonus offers or bonus bets available?
    • Has it received good and positive ratings and feedback?

    Aside from these guiding questions, there are also criteria you should pay attention to any time you’re picking the best sportsbook, especially when it comes to new betting sites.

    Our Legit Sports Betting Sites Review Experience

    Citeulike is one of the most trusted online bookies reviewers. Specifically, we’re known for:

    • Over seven years of continuous service and activity in the gambling research and betting markets
    • More than 50 UK betting sites reviewed

    What You Need to Know About Online Sports Betting Sites

    Online sports betting offers a wide variety of sports to choose from and to put your first bet. Depending on the new betting sites you play at, you can be offered over 50 types of sports. In these sports, you can also get more than one match to put your first bet on.

    The UK bookmakers, in general, provide venues for bettors to get their wager calculated on their favorite sports team. You can bet a certain minimum amount and make different types of free bets with min odds. However, there are many more things you need to consider before playing for real money. You have to assess sportsbook criteria for every online bookie you want to try, like its security, trustworthiness, payment options, and more.

    Sportsbook in the UK Evaluation Criteria

    With our team of experts in the betting field, it’s certain that the sportsbooks we recommend are trustworthy. But what exactly goes into this evaluation? Here is a list of what our team looks for:

    Types of Bets

    There are different types of bets you can place on every sport and match. These are important since the type of bet you place affects how you can win and how much you’ll win. Specifically, you can choose between ten of them, but we’ll only discuss the most popular ones.

    Here are five of the most popular types of system bets, bonus bets, and even some racing bets excl. Let’s take a look: 

    1. Moneyline Bets

    moneyline-bets

    This is the most simple and common type of sports bet, also referred to as ‘Win Bets’. In the US, it’s more known as Moneyline, but it is called Win in most parts of the world. This is a straight bet which means you’re selecting and betting only on one team to win the match. There’s also a plus and minus format in the odds you need to understand so that you can estimate how much you might win on the underdog and how much you have to bet on your preferred team to win.

    Let’s have college football competitive odds as an example for these system bets. Say that Kent State and Michigan are going against each other. You like Michigan and believe that they will win, so you place a bet on Michigan. If Michigan wins, you win too. If not, you lose as well.

    As we’ve mentioned, you’ll encounter plus and minus in Moneyline bets. Technically, a plus sign indicates how much you can win with your sports bet, while the minus sign tells the wager calculated to win a standard bet.

    2. Parlay Bets

    parlay-bets

    A parlay bet is composed of multiple bets. However, this is risky since if one of the legs or sports bet loses, you’ll have a losing ticket. For example, you bet on a four-leg parlay. You’ll only win if all wager-calculated bets win.

    Once again, the odds will play a role in how much you can win. With a parlay, the more bets you place, the more money you can win. But this isn’t recommended for beginners since fully understanding and managing multiple qualifying bets can get complicated.

    3. Over/Under Bets

    under-bets

    This is one of the most popular types of bets for many major sports leagues, also known as total bets. Here, you’ll be betting based on the total number of points. The sportsbook will issue a certain total in specified sporting events, which is commonly tied to the scores in the game. You’ll then bet if the actual total will go over or fall under the issued total. After the bet settles, you will know the exact result.

    For example, in an NBA sports online match event covered by the Livescore bet, the Celtics are playing against the Lakers. The issued total of the sports wagering platform is 50, and you place a bet on over. At the end of the game, the combined scores tally up to only 42 points. This falls under the issued total,  so you lose.

    4. Future Bets

    future-bets

    These are bets on the future outcome of sporting events. These are usually offered on season-long championships of major sports leagues, where you place a first bet on what you believe will be the overall result in the future.

    For example, you’ll place a future bet on which team will win the championship or the total number of wins a specific team will have. These qualifying bets can also be player props, where you can wager on the number of points by a particular player for each game or something along these lines. After the bet settlement, new betting sites usually provide the whole report of the game you put the first bet on.

    5. Point Spread Bets

    point-spread-bets

    In point sports spread betting, you’re betting on the team’s margin of victory instead of the total and final result of the match. This is also called handicap betting. In this case, the sportsbook will issue a total number of points they think a particular team will win the game by. 

    For example, for a match, the sportsbook issued 7 points for the favored team. This means that they expect that team to win by that many points. You’ll then place a point spread bet based on that point: is it high or low? 

    If you think the favored team will win by at least 7 points, you’ll win on that team. But, if you think that the underdog team will win the game overall or lose by less than 7 points, then you’ll place a bet on the underdog team. 

    Trustworthiness

    This can be based on the history of the website and the experiences of previous and existing users. A trustworthy sports wagering site should have an established and solid base of bettors. As a rule of thumb, you can trust a site with positive feedback from new UK customers, proving that they had a great time on the site.

    Since there are many new UK betting sites, you can base your trustworthiness on the reviews given by various sites within this niche. However, some online bookies are not offering qualifying bets as bonus bets. This is something you should always check, as well as the wager calculated by the UK bookmakers.

    Security

    Overall, an excellent UK sports betting site should have a reputation as a safe and secure platform, and the functionality should be serviced only by reputable software providers. Only the best UK betting sites will outright specify betting rules and mechanics to the users. Any betting website that doesn’t should raise some concerns. 

    Additionally, reputable providers should have a good and long history of betting activity. You will definitely feel safer with UK bookmakers that have been in the business for a while. Moreover, secured sites ensure that they run on encrypted connections – e.g., an SSL-encrypted connection. 

    All these aspects are important since it means that everything will run smoothly on this online sports betting site, and the safety of your data and money is guaranteed.

    Odds

    In online betting, odds represent the ratio between the amounts wagered by parties to a bet. This means that with a betting odd of 3:1, the first party bets three times the amount wagered by the bettor. Understanding the best odds guaranteed can help you calculate how much you can win if you make a bet.

    Competitive Odds can be in fractions or decimals. For example, with an odd of 5.0, you can calculate potential winnings of £40 from a £10 bet from this calculation:

    Winnings = [(Odds) x (Bet)] – Bet

    With a fractional odd, you can also determine the probability of the event happening. For example, with a 1/1 odd, you can calculate this as 1/(1+1)=0.50. This means that there’s a 50% chance of the event happening. At the same time, with a 1/1 and a bet of £10, you’ll win £10.

    Specific Bonuses

    You need to look out for the bonuses available on UK sports betting websites, such as free spins, bonus bets, free bets, and even a bet builder. These offer more chances of winning and positive football betting experiences on-site. Here are specific sportsbook bonuses you should look out for:

    Deposit Bonuses

    This is a popular type of casino bonus across all forms of online gambling, especially online bookmakers in the UK and casinos as well. A deposit bonus is a welcome bonus given by a football betting site, for example, after you make a deposit. You can only activate this casino bonus with the first deposit.

    The welcome bonus is equivalent to a percentage of how much you deposited. For example, the sportsbook can offer a 100% bonus of up to £100 on your deposit. The requirements and limitations of a welcome bonus vary at different online bookies.

    Free Bets

    This is a popular promotion in some of the biggest online sports UK betting sites. With free bets valid codes, the site offers to cover your qualifying real money bet if you lose within a specific range of markets. This isn’t cashback – the site will allow you to make another bet using the free bet token instead of giving back the money you lost after the bet settlement.

    This is quite useful for those looking for new horse racing betting sites. Also, make sure that free bets come in the form of bonus bets, as online bookies usually offer them with other bonuses, such as free spins.

    Reload Bonuses

    This is similar to a deposit bonus, but it doesn’t work only on your first deposit. With reload bonuses, you’re also given a percentage of the amount you deposited. Some UK online betting sites offer this kind of bonus all year round, while others only periodically and for special occasions.

    You can use money online bookies give through this bonus to put qualifying bets with min odds. After all, these bet credits have a wide range of markets on online bookmakers.

    Payment Methods

    This is one of the most important factors to consider. The payment methods will dictate how you can get funds in and out of your account. It’s recommended to go for gambling sites with various payment methods like credit cards, online banking, and e-wallet transfers. This ensures that you can use your money the way you want to, for horse racing with mid odds, for example.

    This is also important in terms of convenience since it’d be challenging to play somewhere with limited payment methods, especially without your preferred choice. The last thing you want is to be limited on payment methods and not be able to utilize bonus bets, free bets, or any other bonus at online bookmakers.

    Customer Support

    There’s a possibility that you may encounter issues and errors while using the sportsbook. An online UK betting site must have readily available customer support. A 24/7 live chat makes it even more helpful. Overall, it’s essential to have reliable and accessible customer service to assist you with your concerns about problems you might face with casino bonus offers, understanding min odds, and even bet credits. It’s hard to trust a site without one.

    On top of that, customer support should always provide a decent solution to any problem you might have with online bookies. In most cases, bettors want a straightforward answer to their question, especially if it’s about qualifying bets or bet credits.

    User-friendly theme

    As we’ve mentioned, a good UK sports betting site has to work with top-rated software providers for both qualifying real money bet options and casino games. If you see a long list of reputable providers, it means that you can put qualifying bets on various sports under the best terms. UK bookmakers should have a good interface so you can enjoy putting qualifying bets.

    Usability is vital since you can’t play and enjoy the best betting site without an intuitive dashboard to manage all your qualifying bets. Also, putting a qualifying bet using bet credits or free bets should always be convenient for all.

    Currencies and Languages

    Since most online sports UK betting sites are available worldwide, players’ ability to use the platform in their language is prioritized. This is especially noteworthy for bettors that are more comfortable in their native language, not English. Just imagine putting horse racing bets without the knowledge of terms and free bet stakes.

    Moreover, the currencies supported by the site are also essential and should be in line with payment methods. Currency exchanges are a hassle, so it’s a good thing if the best betting site accepts a wide variety of currencies for deposit and withdrawal transactions. Payment methods should also be in line with the currency of online bookmakers.

    Additional Features of The Biggest Sports Betting Sites

    Aside from the aspects mentioned above, you can also look into other features the best betting site offers. These features can be unique to one site only and not provided by most UK bookmakers. For example, there are specially designed buttons that allow you to put qualifying bets with ease. Also, UK bookmakers offer a range of markets when it comes to rewards in terms of free spins and free bets that you can claim easily.

    However, some online bookmakers are known to create free bets valid codes. With these, bettors can use free bets with ease and put qualifying bets on their favorite teams until free bets expire.

    Most Popular Sports to Bet On

    As we all know, UK online players are crazy about horse racing betting. However, here’s the list of the most popular sports to bet on when it comes to UK online bookmakers.

    • Football
    • Horse Racing
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • American Football
    • Boxing
    • Motor Racing

    Let’s take a closer look at the best UK betting sites offer when it comes to games.

    Tennis

    This is one of the most accessible and popular options to put a qualifying bet on and predict the winner. You can wager on who’s going to win a set or the overall game. It also has min odds because tennis matches can sometimes end with a draw. Commonly, the best odds guaranteed to range from 1.10 to 1.35 for favorites – these are great betting odds considering that favorites win most of the time.

    You can also put a qualifying bet on live tennis games. It’s important to mention that only some online bookmakers offer free bets for live betting. This is because bet credits should be used until free bets expire, and not after. Therefore, live betting on tennis is best with a bet builder that offers solid qualifying bet options with min odds.

    Football

    Football betting is probably the most popular pick on all online bookmakers since it’s the most-played sport worldwide. You have major leagues and college football games, which give you plenty of options to put qualifying bets. Football is also easy to put free bets on since you can have an 80% chance of predicting the outcome correctly. Most of the time, the odds of the host in a match are lower – a good sign to bet on them using a qualifying bet.

    When you enjoy football betting, you can find valuable details and statistics like the team composition, the number of wins, losses, and stakes. You can even use free bet stakes for football betting and win big.

    Horse Racing

    Horse racing is one of the most affluent sporting events since a match comes with a lot of prize money, big stakes, and big viewerships. Although it doesn’t seem to be the go-to option for many bettors, its biggest sports betting market is Japan, followed by the UK and Australia. One reason why horse racing isn’t that popular is that it’s illegal in many places. 

    Therefore, horse racing betting sites UK are always looking to offer casino bonus offers and great free bet stakes. You can easily use free bets on horse racing and win a large amount of money at online bookmakers in the UK, especially if you use first racing pool bet added options.

    Golf

    This is a noble sport where more than 70 players compete in one game. Golf has many betting formats on UK betting sites, and big events can last for up to four days, producing many winning opportunities and outcomes compared to other sports. It’s recommended to track golfers’ previous games, injuries, and other stats when deciding on a bet.

    On top of that, putting a qualifying bet on a certain player in golf will win you a huge amount of money after the bet settlement. Also, UK bookmakers that offer golf-free bets usually have convenient payment methods for cashing out your winnings.

    eSports

    This is currently the fastest-growing sport in betting markets. The increased popularity of eSports betting exploded when the pandemic started, and since then, many online video games have been included in this category on UK betting sites. Because of this, many new UK customers began to learn more about this activity, and existing eSports players began to wager more on their favorites online. Some of the most common games include League of LegendsDOTA 2, Counter-Strike, and Fortnite.

    There are also great online casino bonus offers that come with these games. Usually, bettors put qualifying bets on their teams to win, and with the winnings, they tend to play casino games. Most importantly, UK bookmakers offering eSports betting with min odds are always going to be popular.

    Legal Online Sports Betting Sites UK With Real Money

    legal-online-sports-betting-sites-with-real-money

    When dealing with real money on sports betting platforms for horse racing or any other UK online bookmakers, you might be concerned with the payout payment methods and the high stakes. These two can significantly affect your winnings regarding how much you can get the money and how fast you can get it.

    Fast Payout in Biggest Sports Wagering Sites

    One of the best features of online sports UK betting sites is the availability of fast withdrawal transactions. Usually, the payout process goes like this: 

    • Identity verification
    • Request for a withdrawal
    • Processing
    • Transfer of funds

    A fast payout is essential since it’s a sign that the online sportsbook is credible and values its users’ time. Everyone deserves to get their winnings as soon as possible. In the biggest online sportsbooks, the fastest payout options include: 

    • Debit cards – VISA or MasterCard (takes minutes, sometimes a few hours)
    • Bank transfers – online banking (several days up to a week)
    • Cheques – can be cashed or deposited at your bank (several days to a month)
    • eWallet transfers – PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, EcoPayz, etc. (instant)

    If your withdrawal is delayed, there can be several reasons for it, including: 

    • You submitted the wrong documentation for identity verification. 
    • Your deposit method is registered under someone else.
    • You transferred funds to somebody else’s account. 
    • The withdrawal option isn’t the same as your deposit method.

    Try contacting a customer service agent to resolve your issue. 

    High-Stakes Online Sports UK Betting Sites

    High-stakes best betting sites UK are suitable for bettors who prefer a higher level of betting with bet credits and enjoy casino games. In other words, they prefer betting a bigger amount of money compared to the usual for more significant wins. The best betting sites support their bettors by offering various bonuses and promotions and adjusting odds and limits. 

    A good high-stakes betting site has the following characteristics: 

    • Best odds guaranteed – The site works with high betting odds, especially with the most popular sports and leagues, like horse racing.
    • High betting limits – The site supports high betting limits, allowing you to place enormous bets.
    • Excellent sports betting app for any mobile device – Sites that offer functional and downloadable sports betting apps. It’s also important that the betting app can give you direct access to your funds and withdrawal options. 
    • High banking limits – UK Online bookmakers that accept large deposit amounts with convenient payment methods.
    • Low fees – Low to no fees for deposit and withdrawal transactions, whether using a betting app or through the web version.

    Live Betting in the UK

    Live betting is when you make a bet on a sport while the game is still happening. There are lots of different bets possible in the live betting section, so bettors usually use them to try and make some quick money.

    Therefore, this is one of the most exciting forms of sports betting online. Live betting or in-play betting is where a bettor is allowed put qualifying bet on sports events while the events are happening in real-time. This is entirely different from the usual and traditional betting with bet credits, where you’d place a qualifying bet on events before they begin. 

    With live betting, bettors get to watch the event and observe how it’s going before deciding on how to bet. Many UK online gamblers actually find this more appealing, which is why many legal UK betting sites now have in-play sports betting options.

    One of the advantages of this feature is the opportunity to make quick, informed decisions not based on guesswork. Make sure to check for live bets, among other options, on good UK online betting sites.

    The best UK betting site will offer a wide range of live football betting and max qualifying bet stake. Another great thing about live betting is that you can always” defend” your ticket, even with another free bet club. Namely, if you played for a certain team to win, but they are losing, you can put a qualifying bet on the other team on live betting. This way, you will win either way.

    Mobile Betting Sites UK

    The best UK betting websites will have a mobile app that you can download to your smartphone or tablet. This way, you can place bets on the go, wherever you are. The mobile apps should be well-designed and easy to use, and they should offer all of the same features as the desktop site.

    On top of that, mobile apps are getting more and more popular in the past couple of years, so most UK online bookmakers are looking to develop their own apps. The only thing you need is a betting account and to download the best sports betting app. Also, they offer a lot of bonuses in terms of free bets with min odds, free spins, and even a strong bet builder for those who are new to online bookmakers.

    Best Betting Websites for Bonuses and Rewards

    The best new betting site will offer a range of different bonuses and rewards to their customers. These can include:

    • Welcome bonuses – These are usually a match on your first deposit, and they can be worth up to £1000. Some people use this bonus for horse racing, while others benefit from free spins and free bets.
    • Reload bonuses – These are usually a match on your second or third deposit, and they can be worth up to £50, depending on online bookies.
    • Loyalty programs – These are usually points-based systems where you earn points for every bet or free bet. The points can then be redeemed for free bets or even free spins in some cases.
    • Cashback offers – These are usually a percentage of your losses that the site will give back to you, up to a certain amount. Cash bet is definitely a popular thing with online bookmakers in the UK.
    • Free bets – Free bets are usually given as part of a promotion, and you can use them to bet on any sport until free bets expire. Most people use it for horse racing and racing bets excl, even with the min odds.
    top-5-sports-betting-sites-for-bonuses-and-rewards

    The terms and conditions of these offers can vary considerably from site to site, so it’s always worth reading the small print before you sign up at online bookies.

    Anyhow, UK online bookmakers with bonuses are the best way to utilize free bets with min odds. These bonuses can also include a high-quality welcome bonus, cashback, free bets, etc. Here are five online bookies with the best online sportsbooks bonuses where you can put your first bet:

    • BetUs – a 125% welcome bonus up to £2,500
    • BetOnline – 50% with a max amount of £1,000
    • MyBookie – a 100% welcome bonus maxed at £1,000
    • Bovada – a 50% sportsbook bonus up to £250
    • Sportsbetting. ag – 50% with a max amount of £1,000

    Beware of Blacklisted Online Sportsbooks

    A satisfying online gambling experience depends not only on the match outcomes but the online sports betting site you’re putting the first bet on. Not all online bookies operate in good faith, so you should look out for bad gambling sites with shady payment methods. Here are things you won’t find in the best sports UK betting sites for horse racing or any other sport that offer free bets: 

    • Low wagering odds
    • Lack of sports betting legal license
    • Disregard for proper gambling regulations
    • A small range of payment methods
    • Slow payouts
    • No online sportsbook bonuses like free bets
    • High withdrawal fees with regular payment methods
    • Unavailability of sports betting apps and bet builder
    • A limited number of sports events with free bets
    • Non-encrypted connection 
    • Bad UK online bookmakers review

    As you can see, these are all red flags when it comes to online bookmakers in the UK. Make sure to research everything about a site, especially its payment methods, before you enroll in betting with free bets. Most importantly, avoid sites without free bet options or with low bet credits stake.

    Reputable Sports Betting Sites Worldwide

    UK online betting sites are prevalent globally, but it’s much more popular in these countries, which have the most sports bettors:

    • China
    • Italy
    • India
    • Kenya
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • Canada
    • Singapore
    • Mexico
    • Nigeria

    Online Sports Betting in the US Compared to the UK

    The number of sports bettors in the US is lower in the UK, but there’s a steady number of active bettors. Since 2018, online betting has been legalized in many states in the US. However, sports betting hasn’t been legalized on a federal level, especially horse racing and the first racing pool bet added, which explains why it isn’t as prevalent in the US.

    Another reason lies in the payment methods. Usually, USA sites are not equipped with as many convenient payment options as the UK ones are. This directly influences the quality of the site and its free bet options with min odds.

    Nevertheless, some best online sports betting local platforms include: 

    • DraftKings
    • Fanduel
    • Winview

    The Popularity of Online Betting Markets in Europe

    The sports betting industry is extremely popular in Europe, especially in horse racing. In 2019, these betting markets had a total worth of over €98 billion, with over €24 billion of that from online bookmakers. This means that 41% of the online gambling revenue in Europe came from sports betting, partly from horse racing as bettors put their first bet on this sport.

    Europe is also the leading online gambling market internationally, but you can also find traditional and land-based venues all over the world. Still, betting on sports online is unstoppable. Surprisingly, UK’s best betting sites from Europe are most popular in China. 

    International Legitimate Betting Sites

    The best betting sites UK are expected to have a global betting markets size worth over £140 billion by 2028. The market is rapidly growing and increasing, which means more people are experiencing the best betting sites and the excitement of betting online. The growing digital technology acts as a driving force to this, resulting in expanding betting markets worldwide. Many bettors place their first bet on some online bookies that come from the UK. Therefore, it’s only logical to conclude that UK market is allowing great features such as bet builder, and first bet with min odds. Also, sport betting sites in the UK are known for their free bet offers as they build the bet credits stake.

    Betting & Responsible Gaming

    Betting is fun, but it can also be addictive. It’s important to bet responsibly at betting sites. So, here are some sources you can check if you’re struggling with betting.

    • UKGC – Learn about responsible betting.
    • Be Gamble Aware – Stay ahead of your addiction and learn how to beat it.
    • NPC Gambling – Great place to learn about betting.
    • GEM Care – Best for overall gambling information.

    References

    We used only the most reliable and trustworthy sites for the research. Therefore, check out some of them if you like:

    • Investopedia – Betting and best Odds explained.
    • UKGC – Learn about the online betting site from UKGC.
    • NHS – Explained betting addiction and how to beat it.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, these are the best UK betting sites. We explained everything you need to know in order to make the right choice and start betting. We also made a list of the most popular sports to bet on when it comes to the best betting sites UK, as well as the best payment methods to use. In addition, we talked about live betting and mobile betting, and we gave you some tips on how to find the best bonuses and rewards. Have fun using the bet builder, and happy betting!

    FAQ

    The safest betting site in the UK is the one that has a license from the UKGC. This ensures that the site is safe and regulated for any type of qualifying bets, especially for horse racing.

    Some of the best online betting sites will offer a welcome bonus that includes a free bet. You can check some sites from our list and see which one offers the best bonus for you.

    There are a few betting sites UK that you should avoid, as they are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. These sites might be unsafe and could even scam you.

    You can easily request a payout after winning an online bet or winning with the free bet token. Submit your identification, make a request for a certain amount, and wait until the bet settles. However, remember that the processing time varies based on the withdrawal option.

    First, you have to create an account. Once fully verified, choose a deposit method from the available options. Indicate the amount and wait for the funds to be transferred to your online betting account.

    The best football betting sites are online, so you don’t need to go somewhere just to place bets physically. Aside from this, many security measures implemented in online platforms ensure the safety of your data and money. Moreover, the online space gives you access to many top online betting sites, with more options to put free bets valid with min odds.

    A risk-free sports bet is a promotional offer from betting sites. With this, an online sports UK betting site will give back your bet up to a certain amount if you lose the initial real money bet you placed. This is available for those who enroll in the free bet club programs.

    Taking the 2018 NFL season as an example, the total odds changed, on average, 0.14 times per game on the best betting sites UK. It may be a small change for the betting lines, but what’s important is to know that the rates do change. These small changes are where opportunities lie. Additionally, win rates are 53 or 54% at all UK sports betting sites.

    About the author

    Emily Campbell (professional name) is our go-to person, and she has served as our Chief Editor since 2018. Educated at Newcastle University, Emily has worked in the marketing industry across the UK, helping various companies to gain traction and to build up quality, value-driven information aimed at readers.

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