UK Bookmakers 2024: Your Guide to Legal Gambling

How Do We Rate Bookmakers

Our experts assess operators using specific criteria, scoring each from 0 to 10. Higher scores reflect stronger performance. We aim to offer comprehensive insights, helping both new and seasoned punters make informed choices. Here’s what we prioritise when rating UK bookies:

• Validity of UKGC licence
• Promotions for new and existing customers
• Range of sports and markets
• Available payment methods and speed of payouts
• Live streams
• Quality of mobile apps
• Customer support responsiveness and quality

The Best Betting Sites in the UK by Category

Using the criteria above, we’ve identified the top platforms in five distinct categories:

To learn more about the main advantages of these sports betting sites, you can check out the detailed bookmaker reviews on our website.

Top 5 Online Bookmakers: Expert Analysis

Betfred 

This platform is notable for its generous welcome deal. It offers £50 in Free Bets* for new customers, multiplying your first £10 stake by 5. In addition, Betfred provides several bonuses on horse racing and greyhound events and includes Totepool betting on horse racing. With its PickYourPunt feature, you can combine up to 5 options from one game into one wager.

*Sign up, deposit £10+ with a debit card within 7 days and place a £10+ bet at odds of 1/1 or greater. After it settles, you’ll receive 3 x £10 Free Bets that can be used on any sportsbook market. In addition, you’ll get 2 x £10 Free Bets for accumulators with 4+ legs. Use the bonuses within 7 days. Full terms and conditions are available at www.betfred.com.

Betfred

4.75

review

Play Now

Unibet

The platform includes a wide range of live-streamed sports events. It covers various top-level competitions such as La Liga, Bundesliga, NBA and Euro Cup. The site also features over 1,000 markets for major football matches. Its well-organised racing section provides quick access to race cards and detailed statistics.

Unibet

4.75

review

Play Now

William Hill

The bookie has around 35 sports to bet on, from tennis to darts and niche options. It’s also one of the best football betting sites. There are over 2,000 outcomes for the major games, including stakes on team and player statistics. There is also a wide range of markets in the horse racing and greyhound sections, as well as numerous free streams.

William Hill

4.75

review

Play Now

Boylesports 

It offers a cutting-edge mobile app with smooth navigation. The homepage is well laid out, with key categories such as football and horse racing prominently displayed. Alongside these popular options, you’ll find around 40 other sports and betting on politics and entertainment. However, the desktop version lacks some of the polish of the app, which may disappoint users who prefer to bet on larger screens.

Boylesports

4.75

review

Play Now

Hollywoodbets

It’s one of the top betting sites in terms of transactions. It has a low deposit threshold, starting at £1. You can transfer this amount using TrueLayer and TopUp Voucher. Bank cards and e-wallets such as PayPal also have a low limit of £5. Along with low payment thresholds, the bookmaker also offers betting guides for beginners and the ability to customise the bet slip for quick stakes.

Hollywoodbets

4.75

review

Play Now

Comparison of Betting Sites by Key Criteria

Here’s how the top UK operators stack up against each other across main parameters to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Bookmakers with Mobile Apps

We have selected the best applications based on their availability on the major mobile platforms. In addition, all of our selected apps have key features such as live streaming, Bet Builder, Cash Out and the full functionality of the desktop version.

All apps were tested on the latest smartphones, including iPhone 16, iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S23, and Google Pixel 8.

Bookmakers with a Wide Range of Payment Methods

We have selected the online betting sites with the most transaction options and listed them in the table below in descending order by number of methods.

Sportsbooks with Live Streams

If you want to watch an event you’re betting on in real-time, viewing it directly on the bookmaker’s website is much more convenient than searching for another source. We have selected the platforms with the most coverage for various sports, from football to cricket.

• Unibet
• William Hill
• Betfred
• 10bet

Welcome Bonuses at UK Bookmakers

Most betting sites offer promotions for their new users. We have selected the best of them for you, taking into account not only the amount of the reward but also the acceptability of the conditions.

Betfred – Bet £10 and Get £50

• Min. Deposit: £10
• Conditions: You can get £50 in Free Bets by placing your first stake at odds of 1/1 or higher. The prize includes 3 x £10 Free Bets on any sportsbook market and 2 x £10 extra money for accumulators with 4+ legs. Full terms and conditions are available at www.betfred.com.

Unibet – Bet £10 Get £40

• Min. Deposit: £10
• Conditions: Top up £10+ and place a wager at odds of 1/1+. Once your qualifying stake is settled, you will receive your £10 bonus on Bet Builder (min. odds of 1/1), £10 on accumulators (4+ legs) and £20 for casino (50x rollover). Use the rewards within 7 days. Full terms and conditions are available at www.unibet.co.uk.

William Hill – Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets

• Min. Deposit: £10
• Conditions: Sign up using promo code R30. Place a minimum £10 wager on sportsbook markets with odds of 1/2 or higher. Once the qualifying wager settles, you’ll receive £30 in Free Bets. The bonus expires in 7 days and cannot be withdrawn as cash. Full terms and conditions are available at https://sports.williamhill.com/betting/en-gb.

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Choose a Bookmaker in {YEAR}

Our experts have gathered essential tips for beginners in sports wagering:

1. Check for a Valid Licence. Ensure the betting site is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), as this guarantees they meet regulatory standards for fairness and safety. You can choose any bookie from the list at the top of this article, as they are all legally allowed to operate in the UK.
2. Compare Sportsbooks. Check out our top 5 platforms that offer the best service. Or if you already know what you’re looking for, take a look at our comparison of operators by key features above.
3. Verify Your Account Early. Confirm your profile before participating in promotions or placing stakes if you have already chosen a site and signed up. The platform will require you to verify your account before withdrawing your winnings anyway, so doing so at the beginning will save you from delays in the future.

Is It Legal to Bet on Sports in the UK?

Yes, it is legal, provided the bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Gambling is regulated under the Gambling Act 2005, which sets out strict guidelines to ensure that wagering is conducted fairly, safely, and responsibly. The UKGC, established by this law, monitors and enforces these standards to ensure that all licensed sites comply with legal requirements. 

Rest assured, we have thoroughly checked all sports betting sites we recommend, verifying their licences to ensure they are fully compliant and safe for British punters.

Licensed Betting Sites in the UK

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 operators holding active licences.

What Sporting Events Do British Punters Bet On?

UK bettors wager on a wide variety of sports, from traditional disciplines like football and horse racing to emerging fields like Esports. Here are the main options punters focus on:

• Football. It is a staple on all betting sites, with William Hill offering one of the best selections. With coverage of around 200 competitions, including 20 UK-based tournaments, it provides over 2,000 outcomes for top matches.
• Horse Racing. It holds a special place for British bettors, and Boylesports is a top choice for fans of the sport. It covers various British, Irish, and international races, from the USA to New Zealand, with live broadcasts for many events. The bookie also provides tips from Racing Post and results from past races.
• Greyhounds. This option is often found on websites’ home pages along with horse racing. Betfred is one of the best for dog betting, covering many British and Irish races with streams and profiles for each runner.
• Esports. Cyber disciplines have grown in recent years, and Unibet is leading the way in this category. With extensive coverage of CS2, Dota 2 and LoL events, it offers live streams of numerous games, as well as detailed statistics such as player K/D/A ratios and map data.

Payment Limits at UK Bookmakers

Operators also have different payment methods and transaction limits. We have prepared a comparison for you so that you can choose the site that suits you best.

Responsible Gambling

Betting should be seen as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money. In the United Kingdom, you can only bet at legal sportsbooks if you’re over 18. In addition, the UK Gambling Commission requires bookmakers to offer tools to set limits on deposits, spending and time spent playing. Self-exclusion options are also available for those who need a break. 

Organisations such as GamCare and BeGambleAware offer support and resources for those struggling with gambling problems. Remember, it’s important to stay in control and bet within your means to keep gaming fun and safe.

FAQ

Jane Brown Author and gambling enthusiast