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The Best UK Online Bookmakers in 2024

From football and horse racing to politics and water polo, the best UK online bookmakers accept bets on virtually anything. But with so many UK licensed bookies to choose from, where should you sign up and bet? Below we list the bookies in the UK, explain the role of the Gambling Commission, and cover everything else you should know.

Best UK Online Bookies – November 2024

4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 645 people this week
Up To $1000 Welcome Bonus
Terms and conditions: The bonus code is only valid for a new customer's first deposit and must be redeemed immediately after the deposit and before a wager has been placed. The sum of the deposit and the bonus are subject to rollover requirements of 8x at min. odds of -200 (1.5) before a new bonus can be redeemed or a withdrawal can be made. Max. $1000 of each bet count towards the rollover requirements. Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bank Transfer
Neteller
Paysafecard
Skrill
Bitcoin
+5

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • AUD
  • CAD
  • USD
  • Competitive sign-up and promotional offers
  • Excellent statistics section to aid customers
  • Pain-free deposit options
  • Accepts both high and low limit bettors
  • Lengthy and expensive withdrawal procedure
4.5/5
Rated by 321 users
Claimed by 555 people this week
150% Welcome Bonus
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Neteller
Skrill
Paypal

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • CAD
  • AUD
  • USD
  • Claim an array of generous bonuses
  • Climb the VIP program for extra perks
  • Instantly withdraw cash via crypto
  • Bet on niche markets like X-Factor
  • Visit the statistics center for insights
4.5/5
Rated by 267 users
Claimed by 445 people this week
125% up to $3,125
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bitcoin
American Express
Moneygram
Ethereum
Litecoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • Premier destination for US bettors
  • Racebook covering daily races
  • Esports and virtual sports markets
  • In-depth sports stats and tips
  • Intuitive live betting markets
  • Limited withdrawal options
4.6/5
Rated by 504 users
Claimed by 484 people this week
Get 125% Deposit Boost to bet on sports up to $1250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Paypal
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Dogecoin
Ripple
+4

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • Deposit and bet using BTC
  • Choose from 25,000+ markets
  • Bet in-play on a huge range of sports
  • Get paid quickly with no fuss
  • Friendly customer support agents
4.57/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 374 people this week
100% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Bitcoin
BitcoinCash
MasterCard
Person to Person
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • LTC
  • USD
  • Generous bonuses and promotions
  • Great range of betting markets
  • Extensive racebook
  • Very good customer service
  • Only a few withdrawal options
  • Fees for withdrawing funds
4.62/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 252 people this week
100% Up to $1000 + $25 casino chip
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bitcoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Trusted by publications such as ESPN
  • Access a dedicated racing section
  • Crypto-friendly sportsbook
  • Adjust odds format and time zone
  • Support options include call back
  • Quite low sportsbook limits
4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 232 people this week
50% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
Discover
MasterCard
Neteller
Skrill
+1

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • USD
  • Accepts players from all over the world
  • Known for their live betting offers
  • Lots of secure banking options
  • Great bonuses and promotions
  • High fees for some deposit options
  • Support agents are often slow to reply
4.5/5
Rated by 313 users
Claimed by 329 people this week
50% Up to $250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Amex
Bitcoin
MasterCard
Rapidtransfer
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Top-rated US online sportsbook
  • Mobile site for iOS and Android users
  • Diverse range of betting markets
  • Excellent customer support options
  • Lines come out very late in the day
  • Odds not as favorable as other books
4.5/5
Rated by 232 users
Claimed by 200 people this week
15% up to $600
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Amex
Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
MasterCard
Neteller
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BPS
  • CAD
  • EUR
  • Popular book that accepts large max bets
  • Huge focus on football and basketball
  • High-spec live in-play platform available
  • Downloadable client for Windows & Mac
  • Odds are not amazing on non-US sports
  • User interface could be improved

UK Bookmakers Licensing & Regulation

All UK online bookmakers must have a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence to operate. But what does this actually mean?

Ultimately the UKGC is there to protect players from fraud, unfair gambling or problem gambling.

Licenses can be taken away or fines issued if a site doesn’t adhere to the UKGC rules. All our recommended UK bookmakers are licenced by the UKGC and observe their strict regulations.

What We Look For in a Good UK Bookmaker

With so many UK online bookmakers claiming to be the best thing since sliced bread, we understand that it can be hard to know which one to choose.That’s why we select our recommended bookies based on the things that really matter. We take many factors into consideration when reviewing UK bookmakers, including:

Free Bets and Bonuses

Betting Offers

Getting a free bet, deposit bonus or special to use on your favourite sport is something all punters love. We know that joining a new site and taking advantage of these offers is really important. It can give you the edge on a bookie and turn a good bet into a great one.

Mobile App

Sports Betting Apps

With features like in-play betting and cash-out, sports betting on an app has become key. Want to make the most of your bets and get the edge on a bookmaker? It’s crucial that you can stay up to date and connected on a solid, secure, and speedy app.

Football

Football Betting

It goes without saying that football is the most popular sport to bet on in the UK, but not all UK bookmakers are equal when it comes to the beautiful game. Our recommended sites offer competitive football odds, a vast range of markets – including Asian handicap – and regular specials for footy fans.

UK Gambling Commission

Features of the Top UK Betting Companies

There’s a reason why certain big-name bookies sit at the top of the pile and regularly out-do their competition. They can afford to offer the most competitive odds and biggest bonuses because they are well established. If most sports bettors have an account with a particular bookie, there’s probably a reason for that.

There are some other really important things that many people take for granted at bookmakers, but we always check. These include:

  • Valid UKGC license
  • Customer support
  • Licensing and regulation
  • Average odds offered
  • Range of sports and markets
  • Payment options available
  • Registration and verification process
  • In-play betting markets
  • Site speed and usability
  • Statistics and information available
  • Live streaming service
  • Free bets and promotions
  • Brand reputation
  • Mobile experience
  • Cash out and other features

100% Trusted, Secure & Approved Betting Sites

  • Fully licensed and certified by independent regulators.
  • Approved for secure financial transactions and data protection.
  • Reputation for dealing with complaints quickly and fairly.

Claim Free Bets at UK Bookies

Nearly every bookmaker offers attractive looking welcome bonuses and promotions to persuade you to deposit. But what actually are the best ones? Are some better than others? Are free bets actually free?

Some bonuses are too good to be true. Huge sums are offered but often you have to ‘playthrough’ loads of times.

This means that you have to bet the money you were given on numerous occasions before you can withdraw any winnings – this obviously increases your chances of losing.

With so many different types of offer available, it can be hard to know what’s best. That’s why we’ve selected the bookies below. They each offer you actual free credit to make bets with – you don’t have to lose and there aren’t ridiculous playthrough requirements.

With these UK bookies it’s simple – after your first deposit, you get to make some risk-free bets on your favourite sports.

Big Ben in London

New Bookmakers for UK Punters

New online bookmakers pop up all the time. But how do you know if you can trust a site that doesn’t come with a long-standing reputation? Ultimately there are pros and cons to each online bookmaker and it’s up to you to choose whichever one suits your needs. But we can help.

When it comes to discovering new betting sites in the UK, we have our finger on the pulse. We track the latest bookies coming to market, review them and let you know the score. We will tell if any new betting sites have brilliant welcome bonuses and how easy the sites are to use.

Below we have selected the best new bookmakers that welcome you to their site with outstanding bonuses:


T&C: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply

T&C: Terms & Conditions Apply. New Players Aged 18+. Please Gamble Responsibly. – Terms apply

T&C: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply

T&C: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply

T&C: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply

T&C: Terms & Conditions Apply. New Players Aged 18+. Please Gamble Responsibly. – Terms apply

T&C: New Players Only. Free bet – one-time stake of $/€ 10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: $/€200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. – Terms apply

T&C: Promotions available to 18+ aged individuals who are registered customers of Spreadex. 5 x £5 free fixed odds bets, 4 x free £5 spread bets + 50 free spins on Starburst. Min odds 1/2. Each free spin is worth 10p and there are no wagering requirements Free bets and spins must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet/spin stake not included in any winnings. 18+ begambleaware.org – Terms apply

The Most Popular Sports for Betting in the UK

Two sports dominate UK betting: football and horse racing. Despite the rise in popularity of betting on other sports, these two favourites are still the most important for bookmakers and punters alike. That’s why the UK bookies we recommend have the following features for football and horse racing.

Football

Range of Markets, Leagues & Promotions

Range of Markets, Leagues & Promotions

The UK bookmakers we recommend offer multiple markets on leagues from across the world. They can cater to your football betting needs, no matter what you’re looking for. You’ll be able to get Asian handicap odds on the J1 League or a free bet offer for next round of Premier League fixtures.

Cash Out & In-Play

Cash Out & In-Play

The ability to cash out if your bet isn’t going how you planned is crucial to modern sports betting strategy. So is betting in-play, where you can bet on live odds as the action unfolds. All the sites we recommend offer these features for football.

Acca Insurance

Acca Insurance

A football accumulator or acca is when you combine more than one bet together to increase your odds. If all your picks come in, you can win big, but the odds are often high. Many bookies now offer acca insurance which gives you a payout even if one of your selections doesn’t win.

Horse Racing

Worldwide Markets

Worldwide Markets

The best betting sites let you place bets on hundreds of races from around the world. You can bet on daily meets in the UK and Ireland, as well as on big races overseas like the Kentucky Derby.

Enhanced Odds Offers

Enhanced Odds Offers

Our partners offer enhanced odds on big races at major horse racing meets such as Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot. Special prices are usually reserved for a selected race of the day.

Non-Runner No-Bet (NRNB)

Non-Runner No-Bet (NRNB)

With a Non-Runner No-Bet offer, you win your money back if a horse doesn’t ride. That’s one advantage the best horse racing bookmakers provide online when compared to betting shops.

Guaranteed Starting Price Odds

Guaranteed Starting Price Odds

The Starting Price, or SP, can change considerably before a race begins. As our recommended sites are industry leaders, they will guarantee the best possible SP available that day.

How to Deposit at UK Online Bookmakers

Once you are used to a site, it’s easy to deposit, withdraw money and use different banking methods. However, if you are new to online sports betting or are trying a new bookmaker, there are a few important things to remember.

Firstly, UK bookmakers accept a wide range of payment options. You can fund your account using debit cards, digital wallets, prepaid cards, cryptocurrencies, and countless other safe and convenient options.

However, credit cards are no longer an option for UK punters. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) introduced a ban on credit cards for gambling on 14 April 2020. The Gambling Commission cited the number of problem gamblers accumulating debt by gambling on credit card as being the reason for the ban.

Ultimately, it’s important to choose the deposit method that is right for you. If you want to find out more about the benefits of each method, take a look at our guide to depositing at online betting sites.

If you’re not confident about depositing, take the hassle out of your first time with our step-by-step guide:

Popular Deposit Methods

Bank Transfer
Cheque
PayPal
Entroypay
INSTADEBIT
Neosurf
paysafecard
NETELLER
Skrill
Step 1

Sign up to one of our recommended UK bookmakers and click on the Cashier button – this is usually located along the top navigation bar.

Step 2

Choose your preferred deposit method.

Step 3

Enter the relevant details required and choose the amount you wish to deposit. Remember that some payment methods have a minimum deposit requirement.

Step 4

If your welcome bonus has a deposit code, then make sure you enter it at this stage. Hit ‘Submit’ when you’re happy with your selection.

Step 5

In most cases, the money will appear in your account in seconds, and you’re ready to start betting.

Big Ben and flag of United Kingdom

Withdraw Your Winnings From UK Bookies

There are no guarantees when it comes to sports betting, but at some point, you will likely want to withdraw funds from your account following a successful flutter. This can also take a bit of getting used to with your preferred site, but the option to withdraw should be available in the cashier.

When you withdraw your money from an online bookmaker in the UK, it’s important to be aware that you may be asked to verify your identity before you get your cash. The verification process is called Know Your Customer (KYC) and is used by UK bookies to combat fraud, underagegambling, and money laundering.

If you are asked to provide information as part of KYC, you usually have to send a copy of an ID and document to a customer support agent. These can include:

  • Passport
  • Driving Licence
  • Birth Certificate
  • Utility Bill
  • Bank Statement
  • Payslip

These checks don’t happen for every withdrawal but be aware that you may need to send proof of your identity to receive your winnings from UK bookies. It shouldn’t take too long, and rest assured that the bookmaker and the Gambling Commission are trying to protect genuine UK punters.

Choosing the Right UK Bookmaker for You

We have years of industry experience and have reviewed countless online bookies from around the world. The point of this page is to give you our advice on how to choose a good UK bookmaker, but ultimately the final decision is up to you.

It’s important to consider all the things we have mentioned within this page. When signing up to a new site its helpful to ask yourself things like:

  • Does this site offer the banking option I want to use?
  • Can I get odds on specific markets and on my favourite sports?
  • Is this welcome offer actually worth taking or should I look elsewhere?

The bookmakers we have suggested on this page each score highly on important factors such as free bet offers and customer support.

Claimed by 645 people this week
Get up to €450
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply

UK Online Bookmakers FAQ

When was gambling legalised in the UK?

Legal sports betting has been available in the UK since the 1960s. The 1960 Betting and Gaming Act legalised off-course and fixed odds betting. The Gambling Act 2005 allowed licensed online bookmakers to operate. Since the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 was introduced, only UK online bookies carrying a Gambling Commission licence can operate in the United Kingdom.

Is gambling tax-free in the UK?

Yes. Tax on bets was removed in 2002. Customers can enjoy tax-free winnings on all sports betting.

Do UK bookmakers offer a cash out option?

A cash out service is available at all the best sites for sports betting. Many of them also include a partial cash out.
Q.

How do you know if a new bookie is worth signing up to?

A.
New bookmakers provide the latest software and apps. New customers may also receive a special welcome bonus on signing up, so always try to register with bookmakers that offer something to the user.

About the author

Alan Penny
Alan Penny

Editor-in-Chief

Alan hails from Northern Ireland and is an avid fan of all sports. He has been with us since 2017 and serves as SBO’s Editor-in-Chief. Alan passionately covers everything from the latest regulatory developments across the globe to tips on the latest football matches.