Best Betting Sites in the UK in 2023

We can all agree that when looking at the UK online bookmakers directory most of us will be too spoiled for choice to be able to pick. It would be much easier if only we could have a convenient list of the 11 best betting sites in the UK.

Luckily for you, that’s exactly what’s waiting for you below, as well as everything you need to know about online bookmakers in the UK, the regulations they follow, and even which payment methods are recommended!

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Features of UK Betting Sites

When putting the UK's online bookmakers side-by-side with bookies who aren't licensed in the UK, the differences start to become apparent. Between the UK being one of the world's most powerful economies and the UK Gambling Commission doing such a great job at regulating the industry, it's no wonder that UK bookmakers tend to be some of the best in the business.

For example, all the best UK betting sites support PayPal as a payment method. The vast majority of the world doesn't get to use PayPal for online betting, but operators licensed in the UK benefit from the UKGC, ensuring that they meet PayPal's requirements.

We'll discuss this in more detail in our section on trustworthy UK sportsbooks below, but another major feature of betting sites in the UK is how safe and secure they are. Because of the laws and regulations that apply to bookies operating in the UK, punters need to think twice before trusting a UK bookmaker with their personal information or payment details.

The main ways that all online bookmakers in the UK stand out from their international counterparts are:

• Competitive odds
• Popular betting features such as cash out facilities (read more about this on our cash out betting page)
• Bonuses and promotions with clearly labelled terms and conditions
• Access to popular and secure payment methods like PayPal and Boku
• 3^rd party customer protection
• Access to a wide array of live-streamed matches (with the more prominent UK bookmakers who can afford it)
• Access to a wide variety of responsible gambling tools and organisations for their punters

These are just the tip of the iceberg. If we were to compare them with, say, an unofficial bookie which is not licensed in the UK or anywhere else, they wouldn't share any of these features. Again, if you're based in the UK, you're in an excellent position, because you live in a market that is highly regulated, highly protected, and where you as a customer is seen as extremely valuable.

Pros & Cons of Betting Sites in the UK

How to Recognise Trustworthy Betting Sites

For those who may be new to online betting, you should be aware that if there isn't a UK Gambling Commission seal at the bottom of the sportsbook's page, the site is off-limits. In other words, if the operator is not licensed by the official regulatory body in the United Kingdom, you can't join and enjoy online betting at the bookmaker in question.

To be honest, this is for your own good. The authorities have invested considerable time and money to create a safe online environment where you can securely place bets and withdraw your winnings at the top UK bookmakers online.

What this also means, though, is many of us consider a UKGC licence to be a massive sign of trustworthiness. Like we'll read about more below in our section on the UK Gambling Commission, the UKGC imposes such strict rules and regulations that any bookie who can satisfy them is one that punters don't need to worry too much about.

Another one of the core areas in which UK betting sites have excelled when compared with bookies from other regions is punter exclusion and overall protection of vulnerable groups. For example, it's always a good sign when a bookie links to a website like GamSTOP's in their footer.

Many betting sites which operate in the UK, such as 888sport, have a considerable list of responsible gambling tools and features that they make available to punters. The more prominently a UK betting site displays these tools, the more trustworthy they are.

The UK Gambling Commission – Behind All UK Betting Sites

It goes without saying that the changes in recent years have taken the UK bookmaker industry in a better direction. Our experts have stressed the importance of transparency, especially when it comes to betting promotions. Surprisingly, this was in the spotlight of some of the recent legal and regulatory changes the UK Gambling Commission has made.

While some expected online bookmakers in the UK to resist these changes, this wasn't the case. UK betting sites cooperated with the UKGC, preparing and analysing case studies to make the regulations more efficient and way more effective. What this ends up meaning for bettors in the UK is that online sportsbooks are now even safer and more secure. For example, punters in the UK have access to IBAS, which allows you to submit official complaints about bookies who might not be toeing the line.

It comes as no surprise that other jurisdictions are treating the UKGC rule book as an off the shelf solution for their domestic betting and gaming issues. We hope to see more collaboration of this kind in the future, as it will only mean that bettors across the globe will gain access to more protections.

A Seal of Approval Beyond the UK's Borders

The UKGC has earned the respect of authorities out of UK's borders. That being said, it's far easier for a betting site licensed in the UK to obtain a different license, such as one from the Malta Gaming Authority. This reputation cultivated over many years is not easy to maintain. It's only by paying attention to great detail, to each individual customer, to each complaint that the UKGC has been at the top for years now.

Additionally, other official authorities find it easy to deal with sportsbooks in the UK as the UKGC has a firm grip on their operations. In the past, there have been UK betting sites that have made an attempt to resist the changes, and so, they've perished, moving their operations overseas, and losing their once essential UK license.

Online betting is extremely popular in the UK. If the UKGC hadn't taken the steps it did, we can't imagine what would've happened to the online betting industry as we know it.

Best Payment Methods at UK Betting Sites

As we mentioned above in our section on UK betting sites features, UK sportsbooks benefit from a massive array of trusted payment methods. It's extremely easy to get your money into and out of online bookmakers in the UK.

We're taking a closer look at some of the most popular payment methods that punters have access to, because the more variety there is, the harder it can be to make a choice!

Payment Method	Min/Max Deposits	Withdrawal?
Debit Cards	£5 – £99,999	✅
PayPal	£5 – £99,999	✅
Boku	£10 – £5,000	❌
ApplePay	£10 – £30,000	❌
Trustly	£10 – £10,000	✅
Skrill	£5 – £99,999	✅
Neteller	£5 – £32,500	✅
Paysafecard	£5 – £1,000	❌

 Debit Cards

The tried-and-tested, always in your pocket payment method. While credit cards are no longer available at sports betting sites in the UK, punters can still use their VISA and MasterCard debit cards. The upside to using these is that you don't need to register any new accounts or remember any new passwords, but this does mean giving your debit card information to the online bookmaker you've chosen to bet with.

However, as we mentioned in our section on trustworthy betting sites in the UK, this isn't a cause for legitimate concern. The real downside to using debit cards is how long withdrawals take at UK betting sites! Punters can expect to wait anywhere between 3 and 7 working days for their withdrawal to make its way to their debit card.

 PayPal

If you had to cross-reference a complete list of UK bookmakers with a list of bookies who take PayPal, you'd likely find that the two lists are almost identical. There's no doubt that PayPal is one of the most famous and widespread e-wallets in the world, but punters in the UK are some of the very few who also get to use it for their online betting needs.

From their instant transactions, their payment protection, and even their handy app, many punters see PayPal as the best payment method for online betting. Bettors should be aware, though, that PayPal charges its own fees on transactions, and that it often makes them ineligible for sign-up offers at online bookmakers!

 Boku

While mobile payment apps are still a relatively new concept to the world, the top UK betting sites have already embraced apps like Boku. Plenty of bookies have adopted Boku in the UK, and it's becoming one of the nation's most popular payment methods.

While Boku allows punters to have their UK sports betting sites deposits added to their monthly phone bill, that convenience only goes so far. The deposit limits are relatively low, as we saw above, and it isn't available as a withdrawal method. Definitely an excellent choice for the more casual punters out there.

 ApplePay

ApplePay may be one of the newer payment methods on this list but managed to seemingly appear on tons of online bookmakers in the UK overnight. It's not hard to imagine why it's so popular, as plenty of people own some Apple device or another.

Apple Pay deposits are extremely fast, and more and more online sportsbooks in the UK are adding ApplePay support each week. Punters should be aware that ApplePay can't be used for UK betting site withdrawals, though.

 Trustly

Trustly is perhaps one of the only payment methods that was built specifically with the iGaming industry in mind. Trustly is basically a bank transfer, but adds another layer of protection for your bank account, and also somehow manages to speed up payments a little. We go into a lot more detail on our Trustly for UK betting sites page.

This is an excellent option for any punters who like to bet big, as it's easy to move more substantial amounts of money around with Trustly than with some other payment methods. Punters should bear in mind that this isn't necessarily the fastest withdrawal method, though.

Spotting Good Payment Methods

Best UK Betting Sites by Category

With the list of online bookmakers operating in the UK growing each year, all those options can be difficult to sort through. Plus, there's no one, single "Best Betting Site for punters in the UK". Each punter has their own set of needs and expectations from a bookie.

For example, one punter might love the thrill of live betting, so finding a bookie with a good live betting suite and a decent amount of live streams would be ideal. Another punter, though, might be more interested in finding the best betting app, as they prefer getting together with their mates and betting all together.

With this in mind, we've put together a list of the best betting sites in the UK according to several popular categories. Whatever you're looking for, we can likely help you find the best bookie for you!

Longest Established	bet365
Best Betting App	LeoVegas Sport
Best Betting Exchange	Betfair
Best Live Betting Suite	888Sport
Best Live Stream Catalogue	Unibet
Best Horse Racing Site	William Hill
Best Customer Service	Spreadex
Best Unique Betting Features	NetBet

A Closer Look at the 11 Best UK Betting Sites

Each of the operators in our list of the UK's top 11 betting sites above had to beat our dozens of others to get their spot on that list. But what is it about each of our top picks that's so special? Well, when compared to the massive list of bookies licensed by the UKGC, they each have something special.

We're going to end this in-depth look into betting sites licensed in the UK by talking about each of our top UK bookmakers and explaining what it is about them that's so special. If any seem like the right fit for you, don't forget to click on the links below and start building your betslip!

bet365

Back in the late 90s, bet365 was one of the first online bookmakers in the UK at a time where most people were still discovering what the internet even was. Today, over 20 years later, they're still considered to be one of the biggest betting sites in the UK and the world.

The company has spent all this time on making sure that they not only offer some of the most phenomenal odds out there, but also have an excellent array of features, such as their live betting suite. Many bookmakers in the UK still look to bet365 today as the gold standard to emulate, even if their site could do with a visual update.

888Sport

888Sport benefits from being part of a larger company that has plenty of different websites in the iGaming sphere. This means that they tend to have top-notch customer support, security, and more.

It isn't surprising to see them so close to the top of this list. They tend to excel in all areas, not least of which being their phenomenal sports and event coverage, and they're a solid choice for any punter looking for a top-notch betting site licensed in the UK.

LeoVegas Sport

LeoVegas was built from the ground-up with the mobile experience in mind, which makes their ranking as the bookie with the best betting app make a lot of sense. LeoVegas Sport also have some of the best bookmaker offers in the UK, which is something any punter can appreciate.

The betting site's UK focus is pretty clear to see, from their freephone customer care lines to their great horse racing betting platform. If you're looking for a top-notch mobile betting experience, you can't go wrong with LeoVegas.

NetBet

NetBet might not be a household name like some of the other brands featured here, but there's no disputing how they ended up on our list of the top betting sites operating in the UK. Their unique betting features like their SnapBet feature for live football betting add totally new dimensions to the betting experience.

If any punters are looking for an experience they can't get anywhere else, we definitely recommend giving NetBet a shot. Their phenomenal odds and their phone support helpline for UK customers also goes a long way in making them an excellent option for any punter.

Unibet

When talking about the top bookmakers in the UK, there's no way we could leave Unibet off the list. Unibet have a phenomenal user interface that feels fluid and snappy on every device, every operating system, and every display size.

Unibet's claim to fame doesn't end there, though. They consistently manage to blow their competitors out of the water with their odds, they support almost all of the recommended payment methods for UK betting sites we mentioned above, and their live streaming catalogue is nothing short of breathtaking. Fans of live betting, in particular, will be extremely pleased with Unibet.

Mr. Play

If you're a footie fan who likes to bet on the biggest leagues, Mr. Play is the right bookie for you. They have an unparalleled amount of player-specific betting markets for all of Europe's biggest, best, and most spectacular leagues.

They might not be the best bookie for the more hardcore punters out there, but Mr. Play is perfect for punters who want a simple, no-hassle betting experience.

Betfair

If you've been anywhere near the online betting industry in the last decade or so, you've probably heard of Betfair. Betfair is more than just your run-of-the-mill bookie, it's is also one of the most famous betting exchanges in the world.

For those who just want the standard online betting experience, though, Betfair is one of those online bookies operating in the UK that ticks almost every box we mentioned back in our section on features of UK betting sites.

Karamba

Many people know Karamba as "that bookie with the parrot", but they're so much more. While they might not have some of the more innovative features that other betting sites in the UK have, Karamba is a reliable and dependable bookmaker.

Owned by Aspire Global, Karamba meets all criteria we laid out in our section on recognising trustworthy UK betting sites above. They feature solid odds, an amazing selection of payment methods, and more security features than you can shake a stick at. Karamba are the obvious choice for those concerned about their cybersecurity.

Fansbet

Fansbet is the minimalist, no-frills online bookmaker for the old-school purists out there. They channel their resources to core areas like their customer support and working with as many payment method providers as possible.

Fansbet might not feature all the bells and whistles that some other top UK betting sites do, but that's purely by design. If you want a platform that is designed solely to handle your bets and that'll reward you with regular promotions and offers, Fansbet is likely the bookie for you.

Spreadex

Originating as a sports spread betting service, Spreadex was certainly no stranger to keeping UK punters happy when they began offering online sports betting all the way back in 2006. In the many years since, Spreadex has grown and developed into one of the UK's most trustworthy bookmakers.

Spreadex earned the title of Best Customer Service in our best UK betting sites by category section above, and that's because it's ridiculously easy to get in touch with them and resolve any issues you might be having. This UK bookmaker has all the features you could ever want, and all that backed up by decades of experience.

William Hill

William Hill is possibly one of the most quintessentially British brands in the iGaming industry. We crowned them the best horseracing betting site in the UK, and that's because they offer a more robust horse racing betting suite than almost anyone else out there.

In addition to that, William Hill have a stellar offering of betting markets on both pre-match and in-play bets, as well as round-the-clock customer support for punters in the UK. If you've placed bets in a bet shop before, you've likely been inside one of their many brick-and-mortar locations before, and you can now have that same experience from the comfort of your own home.

Betting Sites Outside the UK

While our main focus here on Sportsbetting24 is on the UK, we also cover plenty of other countries.

If you're reading this from anywhere other than the UK, then we recommend finding your country (or your nearest neighbour) to take a look at what our experts think are the best betting sites in each region:

Canada	South Africa
India	Bangladesh
New Zealand	Singapore
Kenya	Nigeria

Betting Sites Operating in the UK – FAQs

All Betting Sites Licensed in the UK