Best Online Bookies

Are you looking for the best betting companies online? Want to spend some of your spare time picking a few horse racing winners, or predicting the result of a football or tennis match and winning a few quid doing so?

Finding the best online bookies can be difficult in today’s competitive world and with so many to choose from, it can quickly start to feel overwhelming – especially if you’re new to online gambling and don’t know what to look for.

Fear not, though. We’re here to steer you through the wide world of online gambling and find the best online bookmaker for you.

Our guide will help you discover the best online bookmakers around today – and, more importantly, the companies that will suit your needs best.

Find the best online bookies today:

An Introduction to Betting Sites

The world of sports betting has exploded in recent years, thanks in large part to the internet.

The top-rated betting firms and brands now offer a huge range of different sports and special markets to bet on – all from the comfort of your own home or mobile device.

Sports bets are just as easy to get into online as they are with high street betting shops, and in some cases even better.

Online bookmakers offer free bets occasionally, on horse racing, football, greyhound racing, motor racing and more, in an attempt to tempt new customers – and retain the business is long-term punters. Additional perks, such as sports live streaming, a particularly tempting welcome offer (like £20 in free bets) or a low minimum stake are also welcome.

While there are still multiple betting forums and UK sports betting sites purely based on the high street, many of the bigger horse racing and sports betting brands are branching away from bricks and mortar and a new online scene. That’s why it is always easy to spot the greatest new betting companies online if you already recognise some of the brands.

No matter what welcome bonus is on offer, and no matter whether you already have an online gambling account, there are always going to be more businesses and brands worth looking into. We will always update our online gambling guides and lists as soon as new businesses pop up!

We’ve listed the best ones here – and be sure to read up on what other people have to say about new betting sites, too.

Gambling, whether online or off, should always be fun, so you’ll tell a lot from the experiences of punters just like you.

Best Betting Companies 2024

From our research here are the best betting companies April 2024:

1. William Hill
2. Ladbrokes
3. Betfred
4. Betfair
5. bet365
6. Paddy Power
7. 888Sport
8. Coral
9. BetVictor
10. Betway
11. Unibet
12. BoyleSports
13. Spreadex
14. Mr Green 
15. Novibet
16. 32Red
17. Quinnbet
18. Betbull
19. LeoVegas
20. Mansionbet

Best Betting Sites UK

“Best” is a subjective term but from our research though, here are the best betting companies all of whom are worth looking into.

Further on, we explore the reasons behind why we have rated these online bookies and the factors that we took on board when we compared gambling sites:

Ladbrokes

The iconic red Ladbrokes logo has been a fixture on the British high street for longer than many of us can remember (there are 4000 Ladbrokes betting shops across the UK), but does their online presence rank among the best betting site options? Yes it does and whilst you’ll likely find a better welcome offer for new customers elsewhere, but with best odds guaranteed and on-going perks ranks Ladbrokes comparator favourably with all the best betting sites.

William Hill

William Hill is another legendary name in British gambling. We highly recommend this betting site to anybody new to online gambling. William Hill offers a wide array of generous welcome bonuses to new customers (including £30 in free bets), but they also take care of their loyal customers with special promos, live streaming, free bets and more. This brand is a big name for a reason.

Betfred

Betfred is arguably the best choice of online bookmaker for horse racing enthusiasts. This brand clearly loves racing and builds a lot of offers and bonuses around this sport – as well as some highly favourable odds. Highly recommended.

Betfair

Betfair is best avoided by gambling novices, but it’s great for experienced punters and those like a weekly flutter. This site offers you the opportunity to play the role of the bookmaker. Using the Betfair exchange, you can lay odds for other punters to bet against. That’s a lot of fun – and potentially lucrative – if you know what you’re doing!

bet365

Bet365 is an absolute monolith when it comes to online gambling. This brand really brought the possibilities afforded by online gambling to mainstream attention, and many of the best betting sites follow the lead of bet365 when devising offers and interface. With a wide range of betting markets and plenty of generous offers for new customers, this is a great choice.

Paddy Power

Perhaps unfairly, Paddy Power is better known for its edgy and humorous advertising campaigns than its services as a bookmaker. This site offers plenty of great features (though free customers will get more free bets elsewhere), great loyalty programmes and dedicated customer service. It is the top Irish bookmaker, and with good reason.

888 Sport

888 Sport is a relative newcomer to the world of online bookmakers as a literal new betting site, but they’re already making quite a splash. With a wide betting market, tempting welcome offer and clear, simple user interface, we think that 888 is going to continue going from strength to strength.

Coral

Coral is another brand found on most high streets (check out a Coral betting shop near you), so you can be assured that you’ll be betting with a reputable bookmaker here. The welcome offer to new customers is generous but does come in four instalments, so you’ll need to stick around to take full advantage of it.

BetVictor

If you’ve never heard of BetVictor, you’re missing out – we love this betting site! Read our full review for more information as to why, but in a nutshell, BetVictor offers pretty much everything that we look for in our online bookmakers including a great mobile betting app.

Betway

Betway is arguably one of the leading lights in football betting, with its free-to-enter (that will always be our favourite minimum stake) “four to score” bet popular – alongside all the more traditional wagers surrounding fixed odds and in-play betting. This bookmaker has plenty to offer those that cannot stand football too though, a full range of bet types and also a wide range of bet payment methods.

Unibet

Unibet was made for gambling enthusiasts, by gambling enthusiasts. There are plenty of promotions and bonuses offered by this bookmaker, and it’s a handy and easy to navigate site. The welcome bonus is very tempting for new customers too, especially the money-back offer on losing bets.

BoylesSports

There are certainly prettier and more user-friendly websites out there than that offered by BoylesSports. Look past this learn how to negotiate the site, however, and you’ll find a pretty handy bookmaker. This may not the best-known betting site out there, but we have a lot of time for it.

Spreadex

Spreadex is a one-of-a-kind betting site, primarily dedicated to horse racing. Instead of the conventional wagers, you’ll find with other online bookmakers, Spreadex combines sports betting with trading the stock market – you buy or sell bets in real-time. It takes some getting used to, but it’s a lot of fun.

Mr Green Sports

Mr Green is a must-bookmark is finding the best minimum odds is your priority. You can make some impressive winnings here on the back of a minimum stake, especially if you take advantage of the welcome offer of £10 in fee bets.

What to Look for in an Online Bookmaker?

The best online bookies host plenty of sports betting opportunities, as well as loyalty bonuses and superior customer care.

They all have strengths and weaknesses. Whether you look for general sports betting or horse racing odds betting site options, there are plenty of reasons why you should shop around.

Here are just a few factors we look for when considering the best sports betting businesses and companies online right now:

Betting Welcome Offers

What welcome offers (such as free bets or free spins on a casino website) are on offer to new customers? Is that promise to get £30 in free bets really true (sometimes called Bet 10 Get 30), or is it misleading? Welcome offers come in all shapes and sizes and there will always be one to take advantage of, so shop around for a good one.

Customer Care

Can you easily get in touch with an agent or representative at short notice if you need help? Does your online bookmaker have a live chat option, an email address, a telephone number, or all three? Will you be able to rectify an oversight without any quibbles, such as a payout that is lower than you are entitled to? The bookies we list all have good customer service reputations.

Choice of Bets

What betting markets are covered by the bookmaker? Can you use them for football betting or other sports? Will they let you build an accumulator or place a unique bet such as a Yankee, Canadian or Goliath?

Payment Methods

How easily can you pay for your bets? Does a bookmaker accept methods such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill, or do they just allow UK card payments and withdrawals? Be aware that UK bookmakers are not allowed to accept a stake paid for by credit card under law. What payment method exclusions apply to a welcome offer and are free bets valid for payment type.

Bonus Betting Offers

What are the terms and conditions of your first deposit welcome bonus? How much do you have to pay in, and how much can you stand to receive? Do you have to pay £10 as a qualifying bet, and are there minimum odds you need to bet on? Are these bonus offers valid for 7 days or longer? Is a promise of £20 in free bets straightforward, or does it come with more catches than a cricket match?

Wagering Requirements

That qualifying terms and conditions are attached to bonus deals? What will you need to pay back into a betting company or online bookmaker before you can take winnings away – is it within days or hours of bet settlement? Is there a minimum stake for a particular event? How quickly will you get your money after backing a winner?

Security

Does an online bookmaker use HTTPS protocols? Do they regularly update the security certificate attached to their online service? Are you confident that your money is protected in all that you do? Has the website ever been hacked? The ones we have selected all have great security measure in place.

Loyalty Schemes

Are there any free bets and deals which pop up along the way when you start betting with the company, such as enhanced odds on major events? Can you use these on different sports? Will you continue to get £20 in free bets if you continue to use a bookmaker, or is that just for new customers? Loyalty schemes are a great way to keep happy punters going back and using the same gambling site time after time.

Live Betting

Is there a live betting service available? Can you bet in-play, meaning that there are odds you can bet on before a match or race finishes? Can you cash out early if you have laid a bet?

Live Streaming

Can you watch horse racing or other sporting events live within the app? Is this feature free or charge, or will you need to pay extra for it? Is the live streaming service reliable, or it is likely to cut out at a pivotal moment? Live streaming is available with most of the major UK bookmakers now including William Hill live streaming, Ladbrokes live streaming and bet365 live streaming.

Mobile Betting and Betting Apps

Does an online bookmaker offer a flexible mobile interface for betting? Can you download an app, or do you have to log in via their main website every time you wish to place a bet? Can you use the betting app on another smart tech, such as an Apple Watch? Once again the selected bookies in our list all have great associated betting apps which are easy to move when on the go.

Best Odds Guaranteed

If the odds of a sporting event change after you have placed your bet, such as odds on a team winning a football match lengthening dramatically because their star striker is injured in the warm-up, will you receive these enhanced odds if you still win? BOG promotions are now pretty standard for all the big bookies including Betfred BOG, bet365 BOG, Betfair BOG and Coral BOG.

Ongoing Deals For Existing Customers

Once you have started giving your business to an online bookmaker, why should you continue to do so? The best betting sites will ensure that customers stick with them – how is your bookmaker making this worth your while?

Regulation and Safety

This one is very important – is an online bookmaker or betting company regulated by the UK Gambling Commission? This means that it should receive full regulation and oversight. This also means that you can be sure the bets you make are fair and that you’re guaranteed to stand the same chance of winning cash like everyone else.

As you can imagine, these are only a few things we consider when looking at the best bookmakers. The fact is, there is more to an effective site than just free bets and ongoing deals. The best betting sites need to be fair, transparent, and supportive – and don’t forget user-friendly. If you’re looking to place a bet in a hurry, the last thing you want is to negotiate a confusing labyrinth of sub-standard web design!

With all of this in mind, we will only ever list online bookmaking and betting companies that we thoroughly test, and which have firm track records with betters and punters all over the UK. If a company has a dubious reputation in the world of sports betting, accused of ripping off punters or acting dishonestly, you won’t find them listed in this guide.

Which Online Betting Company has the Best Odds?

Betting companies will vary in terms of the odds they offer, and no one site offers the ‘best odds’. Most of the time, odds are customer-driven. William Hill may have shorter odds on a horse than Paddy Power because that particular bookmaker just had a rush of wagers, for example.

It’s, therefore, a good idea to take a look around at the best internet bookmakers to see if there are any differences in odds on the events you wish to bet on. Always look for the best price for your stake – that’s your right as a consumer.

You could bet £10 on one event, for example, only to find that you stand more chance of converting it into big money by going to a different business altogether. Some online betters even go straight to an exchange.

To look for the best odds, you might want to make sure you use a website or comparison tool such as Oddschecker. These will help you to analyse live betting odds and to check which sites and businesses give you the best conversion on a min deposit.

As you’ll soon find, you’re going to need to consider more than just odds quality when looking for the greatest betting company for your money. Keep reading for the full lowdown.

What is an Online Sportsbook?

“Sportsbook” is an Americanism that has slipped into everyday parlance among UK bookmakers. Essentially, a sportsbook is just a list of all the events that your online bookmaker will let you place a wager against, with odds assigned to them.

Basically, it’s a summary of all the betting markets open to you.

Sportsbooks are most commonly associated with horse racing, but they can also be used for football betting or any other kind of sporting wager. Just note that a sportsbook is not a casino bonus – that’s a different perk, applicable to a different kind of gambling experience.

Are All Online Bookies Trustworthy and Safe?

The best bookmakers will be fully regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and will have a full list of terms and conditions available to show that they offer fair betting experiences.

Unfortunately, there are a few (old and new) betting sites that do not offer such a fair practice. Rest assured, we want to make sure that we only list businesses with firm reputations, and which offer a clear indication that they are regulated.

Regulation means that there is always someone available, a third party, who can make sure an online bookmaker is held to account. It also offers you protection as a consumer if you need to make a complaint about how your bookmaker is behaving.

Betting and gambling online is policed through these means, and by showing banners and badges on their betting sites, companies can clearly establish that they offer fair gaming and betting.

Even the biggest bookmakers online with the flashiest betting offers will need to have some form of regulation in place. It is all well and good for betters to expect games and sportsbook features to be fair, but this extra piece of clarity often goes a long way.

Are the Best Online Bookmakers Known or New Bookies?

The best bookmakers online are those with years of experience, as well as clear customer care and support. In such a crowded market, these UK bookmakers would have been able to stand the test of time otherwise.

Unfortunately, time and again we have found betting sites and betting companies offer little in the way of customer help. Therefore, it’s important to look closely at how a bookmaker performs, and what other people have to say about their services before you go ahead and place any bets.

We’ve made it a little easier for you to find a new online bookmaker to sign up for. The firms and brands listed here are clear, fair, and offers a wide range of sportsbook facilities. This means you won’t have to spend hours comparing payment method after payment method.

It also means that you won’t have to trawl around for the best odds. It’s well established that the brands listed here offer fantastic customer care, a great range of odds, and more besides.

What’s more, we will regularly update and refresh our list and guide, so do make sure you bookmark this page in case you want to look for more online bookmaker brands and services in future. We make sure that our fingers remain firmly on the pulse when it comes to UK betting sites!

What is the Best Sports Betting App in the UK?

There are plenty of big betting companies which offer fantastic betting sites and apps in the UK, and we’ve made sure to list the best available for you to download right now.

Most of the bigger betting brands and firms online in the UK offer apps. This means that you can simply download a free program directly to your phone or tablet to launch from your home screen. For many people, this will likely prove to be a very smooth and streamlined process.

Mobile betting sites have really taken off in recent years. This means that, more so than ever before, people are able to pick events and place money on odds without having to head to the PC, and without having to hit the high street!

Not all leading bookmaker and sportsbook services will offer an app, but that doesn’t mean they are inferior. If anything, it means that they should have a solid mobile site experience for you to log into at your leisure. In the days of Google and SEO, no business will stay afloat long without a good website if they don’t have an app. In our experience, and in many cases, some of the best firms offering betting have a great mobile site sportsbook and don’t have the need for an app.

New customers to bigger sites may be able to log straight into their accounts through betting websites on their browsers. Otherwise, whether for Apple or Android, they may be able to download a program, app or two in just a couple of taps.

Many people like betting on apps because they are custom-built for the purpose of mobile betting. In this list, you’ll find plenty of betting sites apps available which you can download and launch without any difficulty or inconvenience.

Where Do I Start? How Do I Sign Up?

Start by taking a closer look at the betting businesses and top betting brands we’ve listed here, taking into account mobile usability, as well as what other users have to say.

The best betting company for you may not be the same as everyone else’s. Don’t worry to think outside of the box and go a bit left of field occasionally! That’s all part of the fun when it comes to sports betting.

Most online betting sites have a minimum deposit amount, so make sure you’re comfortable with this if you’re new to online betting. A reputable, trustworthy betting site will not demand that you fill your account with hundreds of pounds immediately.

When it comes to signing up for an account with an online betting site, the process varies. Most will ask you to prove your ID though. This is mainly for your protection, to ensure that somebody is not setting up an account in your name with your money. It also protects the bookmaker, ensuring the same punter is not fraudulently claiming a welcome offer intended for new customers over and over again.

Work your way down our list, and do make sure you read the terms of conditions for any minimum deposit bonus deals you take on. Try that first bet, and if things don’t work out, there are plenty of great live streaming and online betting site options elsewhere. Online betting is a broad church, and you’ll have plenty of options.

What if I Start to Worry About My Gambling?

The UK charity Gamble Aware has a catchphrase – “when the fun stops, stop.” That is not always easy, though. Gambling can become addictive, and it needs to be managed carefully. This is why it’s important that you always sign up for betting sites regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.

UK bookmakers that are worthy of your attention will provide the opportunity to “self exclude.” This means that you can choose to freeze your account – a decision that must be honoured by the bookmaker. While you are self-excluding, you will not be able to place bets, even if you have £100 in bet credits for more, and the bookmaker cannot market promotions to try to tempt you back.

Other Popular Questions

Here are the most popular questions we get asked about UK betting sites and UK online bookmakers.

Which betting sites give you free bets?

William Hill, bet365, Ladbrokes, BetBull, Coral and more, will give free bets.

To be honest, if a betting site does not at least offer free bets as a welcome offer or from time to time to keep you happy, you may as well look elsewhere.

This, along with free spins on casino games, is a standard perk in the world of online betting, and most betting sites will offer a £10 free bet, valid for 7 days or more, at the very least – some go as far as £30 in free bets.

The best online bookmakers will make this free bet easy to use, and apply it to any payment method. Exclusions apply a lot of the time though, so make sure you read the Ts and Cs. £100 in bet credits may look like an offer that’s too good to be true, and it probably is.

What deposit methods are available with online bookmakers?

The best betting sites will accept a wide range of different funding sources for online betting. A debit card is a given, but you’ll be able to find a bookmaker to match any preferred deposit method including an e-wallet service, like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Boku and more.

Well, one method that will not be available is using a credit card. Under advice from the UK Gambling Commission, this now illegal in the UK.

Which online bookmaker gives the best odds?

bet365, William Hill and Ladbrokes all give great odds but many now offer best odds guaranteed as standard.

Odds will vary between bookmakers.

Betting sites, UK-based or otherwise, are permitted to choose their own odds. That’s the role of a bookmaker – striking the perfect balance that tempts punters to play the betting markets while also managing to earn a living. Shop around and find the most appealing minimum odds that you can locate.

Look for a Best Odds Guaranteed promise, though – that’s much more appealing than fixed odds.

What are the best online bookies for greyhound racing?

William Hill, Ladbrokes and bet365.

Much like horse racing, greyhound racing is among the most common betting markets for UK punters.

Any betting site worth its salt, and certainly all of those listed in the guide, will welcome online betting on greyhounds.

What are the best online bookies for Esports?

Betway is probably considered the best betting site if you’re into cybersports. They have been allowing online betting on this hobby for longer and got into more detail.

The increasing popularity of esports means that just about any betting site and online bookmaker will not take wagers on the exploits of gamers.

What does a bookmaker do?

A bookmaker balances the books of a betting business by accepting wagers, paying out on winning bets and banking the proceeds of losing wagers.

The best online bookmakers are indistinguishable from those that work in shops and will be regulated by the UK gambling commission.

Is a casino a bookmaker?

Yes. Casinos, like bookmakers, accept money from the public and allow them to gamble their cash in the hope of winning more.

If you see reference to an online casino, however, they will typically be different to an online betting site.

The best online bookmakers often have a casino arm to their websites, where you can play poker, blackjack or online slot and fruit machines (often with free spins), but you may not find horse racing wagers available on a casino website. If you see the words casino bonus, this will not apply to sports betting.

Do UK online bookmakers have sign-up bonuses?

Yes the best betting sites will also offer a sign-up bonus to new customers.

This could take the form of free bets (a £10 free bet is very popular as a welcome perk), free spins as an internet casino bonus, enhanced odds, or plenty more besides.

Is there a crossover between a UK online bookmaker site and their land-based shops?

Only really in terms of branding.

As online gambling is now so popular, even the most famous, best-betting shops are essentially now advertising for an online service – some are not even owned by the same business and just share branding.

You certainly cannot walk into a brick and mortar bookmaker and say you have £100 in bet credits in your online account and you want to use them there. That’s not how the relationship works.

Best Betting Site Award 2023

Betopin has been granted this award due to being a power house in the field when it comes to offering various different up to date welcome offers for betting sites.

Summary of the Best Betting Sites

So, this concludes our guide to the best betting sites and UK bookmakers.

We appreciate that we haven’t actually answered the question “which is best” but that’s only because it’s purely subjective and we think the Top 20 betting site list will have something to suit you and your needs.

If you place a wager with a betting site and don’t enjoy the experience, just look for another. Online bookmakers are found all over the internet, and there are dozens of betting sites in the UK alone – every one of which will be constantly looking for new customers.

Good luck and play responsibly.

Other Gambling Businesses

Here is a list of gambling businesses in the UK.

• Best Online Bingo Companies
• Best Online Bookies
• Best Online Casino Companies
• Best Online Slots Companies
• Boomtown Bingo
• British Racecourses