Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and get behind-the-scenes access and unrivalled insightJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterBeing a bettor in the UK in 2025 means you have a huge amount of choice when it comes to the best betting sites. There are over 175 licensed betting sites available in the UK and it’s not unusual for punters to have accounts with more than one online bookmaker.Odds, free bets, apps and customer services can differ massively from one betting site to the next, so why just stick with one operator?We’ve endeavoured to find online betting sites to suit every type of bettor, drawing on research, experience and first-hand testing to assess each platform’s pros and cons.The Independent aims to provide readers with an accurate and up-to-date guide to choosing the best online bookmakers, leveraging trusted third-party data and our reporting standards to put together our recommendations of the top online bookmakers.Rest assured that all of our best betting site recommendations are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), who hold online bookmakers to the highest standards of fairness and transparency.Top 10 Best Betting Sites UKBookmakerBest ForSign Up OfferUKGC Account No.Bet365FootballBet £10, get £30 in free bets55148ToteHorse RacingUse promo code B10G40 to get £40 in free bets3062BoyleSportsGolfBet £10, get £30 in free bets39469Virgin BetFree Bet OffersBet £10, get £30 in free bets54310William HillCricket£30 in free bets when you sign up and bet £102752BetMGMIn-Play BettingBet £10, get £40 in free bets39198BetwayFree Bet Club100% welcome bonus up to £3039372BetfredAccumulatorsGet £50 in free bets when you sign up and bet £1039544UnibetLive StreamingBet £10, get £40 in bonuses45322NetBetBet BuildersBet £10, get £20 in free bets39170Ranking updated October 20251.Bet365Best betting site for football this weekRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★Bet365 ProsBet365 Cons✓ High quality live streaming service✗ No Champions League streaming despite Uefa partnership✓ One of the strongest welcome offers going✗ Less free bet promotions than a lot of their rivals✓ Biggest variety of Champions League odds we’ve seenThis week’s best football bookmaker is bet365, an operator that’s become the industry leader among football betting sites over the last two decades. Ultra competitive odds, a huge range of markets and a strong range of offers have helped make the the Stoke-based firm extremely popular among football bettors.Bet365 enhanced their ties to the beautiful game in 2024 when they became Uefa’s first betting partner for the Champions League. They tend to excel at everything they do, building a betting site and app that are functional, reliable and packed with useful features.open image in galleryBet365 give customers the chance to win Champions League tickets (Bet365)When it comes to football, bet365 provide price boosts, early payouts, accumulator boosts, live streaming, fantasy options and free to play games.You can use the Bet365 bonus code INDY2025 to claim a new customer offer which sees players receive £30 in free bets when they deposit and stake £10. Alternative online football betting sitesBoyleSportsOne for the football accumulator fans. Regular acca bettors can get a £5 free acca bet every time they place five £5 accumulators with Acca Loyalty, while Acca Rewards gives punters either a profit boost or insurance.LiveScore BetLiveScore Bet has more football-related offers than most UK bookmakers with early payouts, accumulator insurance and a VAR promotion that honours goalscorer wagers, even if the goal is chalked off following a VAR review.What to bet on in football this weekWe’ve reached the round of 16 in the EFL Cup and Grismby will be looking to cause another upset when they face Premier League Brentford on Tuesday. On the same night, England Women will look to put Saturday’s defeat to Brazil behind them when they face Australia at Pride Park.Holders Newcastle then face Tottenham on Wednesday, while Crystal Palace go to Liverpool. Wednesday is a stacked night of football with a full fixture list in the Scottish Premiership, alongside games from Ligue 1 and Serie A.Premier League action at the weekend features five 3pm kick-offs, including Arsenal going to Burnley and Nottingham Forest taking on Manchester United. There’s a huge London derby at 5.30pm when Tottenham and Chelsea collide before Liverpool face Aston Villa at 8pm.Sunday’s top flight games start with Newcastle against West Ham at 2pm before surprise top four contenders Bournemouth go to Manchester City at 4.30pm. The first round of the FA Cup runs throughout the weekend too, while there’s an Old Firm meeting in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday afternoon when Celtic host Rangers.2. ToteThis week’s best betting sites for horse racing Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tote ProsTote Cons✓ Tote guarantee on matching or bettering SP✗ Live stream service could be improved✓ Weekly free horse racing bets✗ Working out potential returns can be tricky✓ Unique racing betting options✗ No free-to-play racing prediction game unlike rival bookies✓ Highly-rated betting appTote has been synonymous with horse racing since its launch in 1928. It was created by avid racing fan Sir Winston Churchill and revolutionised how people bet on horse racing.For those unfamiliar with the Tote, it is unique among UK online bookmakers as it’s run on a pool betting system, with everyone who backed a horse sharing the dividends if that horse wins. We have a guide to Tote betting where you can learn all there is to know.Tote have comes a long way since then and while it still uses a pool betting system, it has introduced modern features such as free bets, Tote’s price guarantee, and live streaming to become on the UK’s best horse racing betting sites.open image in galleryThe Tote guarantee works in a similar way to BOG, securing bettors the best price on any winners (The Independent)The Tote welcome offer has recently been improved and now features £40 in free bets when you sign up with the code B10G50.While Tote terminology takes some learning, their racing dividends often match or exceed most UK bookies. Regular punters can earn £10 in horse racing free bets weekly via the free-to-join Stayers Club, which works like a free bet club.The Tote app ranks among the best horse racing betting apps in the UK, scoring 4.6 out of five on iOS and 4.5 on Android. Alternative UK betting sites for horse racingWilliam HillThe 2024 EGR Horse Racing Betting Operator of the Year, William Hill offer Best Odds Guaranteed from 8am every day. There are also daily price boost offers, extra placee races and regular free bets promotions.BetGoodwinBetGoodwin offer a free bet refund (up to £100) for a wide range of racing scenarios, including being beaten by a 50/1 shot or bigger, or falling at the last when leading. They also do extra races and have an excellent live streaming service.What to bet on in horse racing this weekThe Breeders’ Cup meeting in Del Mar takes headline billing this week with plenty of big-name flat runners heading to California for the two-day meeting, which wraps up on Saturday night with a card featuring nine Grade 1 races.Closer to home, Newmarket stage their last flat meeting of the season with both cards on Friday and Saturday featuring a handful of listed races.For those bettors who enjoy their racing over obstacles, Wetherby is the place to be with the West Yorkshire course hosting the Charlie Hall Chase, which could feature the likes of Cue Card and the Real Whacker.They also go jumping at Ascot on Saturday, while the highlight of this weekend’s racing in Ireland is the Grade 1 BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday afternoon.3. BoyleSportsBest betting site for golfRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BoyleSports ProsBoyleSports Cons✓ Varied welcome offer✗ Live chat customer support not available 24/7 like some rival bookies✓ Easy-to-use betting app with live streaming available✗ In-play statistics not as comprehensive as other online bookmakers✓ Lots of promotions for golf and various other sportsEstablished by John Boyle in 1982, BoyleSports has steadily become one of the best golf betting sites in the UK.Each-way betting is very popular with golf punters and Boyles allow customers to choose their own terms., meaning of you may want to back Rory McIlroy each-way, you can choose between six, 10 or 12 places with the odds reflected accordingly.open image in galleryThis Boyles golf promo is a big hit with golf punters (Boylesports)Boyles also run regular promotions around the majors, most notably their early payout feature whereby you’ll receive a return if your tournament winner pick is the outright leader after three rounds, regardless of the final result.Punters who like to place golf accumulators can benefit from the bookmaker’s various acca offers, while the BoyleSports sign up offer features £30 in free bets that can be wagered on golf, alongside a £10 casino bonus.Alternative betting platforms for golfStar SportsStar Sports can usually be counted on to provide a unique free bet offer in and around the majors and Ryder Cup, such as free to play games with cash prizes. They’ll also be extra places on offer for selected events, while the £25 free bet that comes with the sign-up package can be used to wager on golf.Bet365Bet365 has regular promotions for betting on golf, especially around the majors, including free bets, enhanced odds and super boosts, which are widely available. Also, look out for its each-way extra bonus. What to bet on in golf this weekIt’s a quiet week in the golfing world with the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and LIV Golf all taking a break. That clears the stage for the LPGA’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia, with China’s Yin Ruoning entering as the defending champion.4. Virgin BetBest online bookmaker for free betsRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Virgin Bet ProsVirgin Bet Cons✓ Regular free bet offers✗ Reports of withdrawals taking several days✓ User-friendly, accessible and well-reviewed app✗ Smaller selection of football markets✓ Daily extra place racesVirgin had been on the fringes of the online betting scene, despite being named ’Rising Star in Sports Betting’ at the 2021 SBC awards and having done their image the power of good with their regular women’s days for racing and partnership with personal safety app Walksafe.But it’s taken until now for Virgin Bet to find its betting niche and stand out as one of the top bookmakers when it comes to free bet offers.open image in galleryThere’s usually a free bet offer available on Virgin Bet (The Independent)Virgin regularly run bet and get promotions for high-profile football games, while every Saturday, they offer money back as a free bet on all losing bets for one race shown on ITV. This offer goes from weekly to daily during big meetings, such as Cheltenham and Royal Ascot.Bettors can also secure a £5 free acca bet each week by staking £5 or more on at least four accumulators between Monday and Sunday.Very few betting sites have as many regular free bet offers, while the Virgin Bet sign up offer now features £30 in free bets, having previously been £20 in another sign of the operator’s efforts to challenge the UK’s established online bookmakers.Alternative betting sites UK for free betsQuinnBetQuinnBet offers six daily free bet promotions, including money back on 0-0 football draws, horses finishing second to the SP favourite, acca bonuses and US sports-related offers.NetBetNetBet runs regular bet £10, get a £5 free bet promotions across football, horse racing and UFC.5. William HillBest online bookmaker for cricketRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ William Hill ProsWilliam Hill Cons✓ Great coverage of cricket, both pre-match and in-play✗ Live streaming service not as good as rivals✓ Sign up offer bonus can be used to bet on cricket✗ Website and app look dated✓ Award-winning bookmakerWilliam Hill have been in business since 1934 and even after that long, they remain right at the top of the UK gambling scene, scooping EGR’s Horse Racing Betting Operator of the Year in 2024.But it’s not just racing where Hills excel, as they also do a good job covering several other sports, including cricket.The £30 in free bets from the William Hill sign up offer can be used to wager on cricket, with Hills placing few restrictions on how their welcome bonus can be used.open image in galleryCricket bettors can find matches from all over the world on William Hill (The Independent)William Hill’s extensive cricket markets and #YourOdds bet builder make it one of the best cricket betting sites, with regular price boosts and occasional free bets on major fixtures. Their in-play cricket service is excellent too, even if they can’t provide live streams of games, with live price boosts. Hills regularly run free bet offers for the big Test matches and tournaments too, while to top it off, the £30 that comes with the William Hill sign up offer can be wagered on cricket.Alternative UK betting sites for cricketUnibetUnibet live stream a large number of cricket games for free on their desktop and mobile platforms, giving punters the opportunity to bet and watch the action. Unibet also have a rewards centre that cricket bettors can take advantage of.BetwayBetway delivers an exceptional product for betting on cricket, offering coverage of a wide array of cricket leagues and matches worldwide. It particularly stands out for its IPL betting markets.What to bet on in cricket this weekWe are down to the final four at the Women’s World Cup with England taking on South Africa in their semi-final on Wednesday. England crushed South Africa in the league stage of the competition, winning that clash by 10 wickets, and are heavy favourites to advance to Sunday’s final, where either India or Australia will await.England’s men continue their one-day series against New Zealand seeking to bounce back after losing the opener, while there’s plenty of T20I action throughout the week with Australia taking on India after the Baggy Greens won the recent ODI series. Pakistan face off against South Africa, while Bangladesh and the West Indies also square off.6. BetMGMBest in-play betting sitesRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ BetMGM ProsBetMGM Cons✓ Valuable welcome offer valid on multiple sports✗ Not the fastest for processing withdrawals✓ Top quality in-play betting product✗ Not as many ongoing promotions as rival bookies✓ Golden Goals promo gives customers a chance to win £1mArriving with a reputation as one of the best casino sites and sports betting operators in the US, BetMGM have made giant strides in the UK since their launch in 2023, aggressively marketing their horse racing and in-play products in particular.You’ll find a vast selection of in-play options, from the most popular sports to bet on such as football and tennis, to niche betting events in eSports and table tennis, all of which are easy to find via the in-play section.open image in galleryBetMGM’s instant betting feature combined with live data creates an excellent in-play betting experience (BetMGM)The data available to punters when live betting on tennis is particularly impressive, with real-time stats and head-to-head records, plus winning first serve and break point conversion percentages all updated by the minute. The one thing we would like is to see more live streaming options for non-racing events, but the in-play service is still a big plus, as is the current BetMGM sign up offer that provides £40 in free bets to new customers.Alternative live betting sitesBetwayBetway have one of the most comprehensive in-play betting packages, boasting a good selection of markets on all events, up-the-minute live stats and live streaming of a large number of contests.LiveScore BetHaving built a reputation as one of the best live scoreboard companies in the world, it’s no surprise LiveScore Bet ranks highly as a live betting site. Match updates are fast, giving bettors plenty of information at their fingertips, while using the app to make a live bet is a breeze.7. BetfredBest betting sites for free bets clubRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Betfred ProsBetfred Cons✓ One of the best sign-up offers on the market✗ Only 7 days in which to use the £50 bonus funds✓ Free bets club available on several sports✗ Multis must have 5+ results to qualify for Acca Flex promo✓ No wagering requirements on free bet offers✗ No free bets club for football or horse racingBetfred don’t have a permanent Free Bet Club, but most weeks, punters will find they can bag free bets for both tennis and cricket via their free bet clubs.Betfred only open these clubs during busy periods, giving bettors the chance to claim not one set of free bets but two. If you aren’t a tennis or cricket fan, then these offers aren’t for you, but if you enjoy wagering on those sports, you can claim a £10 free bet for each by placing three or more bets at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) in-play.open image in galleryTennis bettors will find plenty to like on Betfred (Betfred)The free bet is calculated on the average stake of the three qualifying wagers, with a minimum bet amount of 50p.The free bet clubs tend to shut before the weekend, but there are plenty of other offers on Betfred by that point, with bet and get deals, accumulator offers and price boosts available in abundance, not to mention the excellent Betfred sign-up offer, which features £50 in free bets.Alternative Free Bets Clubs at online bookmakersBetUKBetUK’s bet £10, get a £5 free bet is a top offer for low-stakes bettors. Opt in and bet £10 or more on a football bet builder with odds of 2/1 or greater. The free bet can be wagered on any sport.LottolandLottoland now have a sportsbook with a free bets club that rewards punters with £8 in free bets each week. Just wager £25 or more on accumulators to receive a £5 free bet and a £3 free in-play bet.8. HighBetTop Bookmaker for AccumulatorsRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ HighBet ProsHighBet Cons✓ Money back acca offers on different sports✗ Below average sign-up bonus ✓ 2up early payout offer covers both singles and multiples✗ No betting app✓ Expert accumulator advice from HighBet tradersHighBet have been steadily building out their accumulator offers and now have an excellent selection, offering acca insurance on several sports and profit boosts.Punters get 50% of their stake back, up to £5, if one leg of their football, tennis or basketball accumulator lets them down. This offer can be claimed four times per week, meaning that on a bad week of acca betting, bettors can receive £20 back in free bets, provided they meet the qualifying requirements.Bettors must opt in to offer for each sport they want to wager on and then build an acca that has at least four legs, with each selection having odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater.There’s also an acca profit boost offer which covers all sports. This kicks in with a 5% boost for four-folds and goes up to 100% if you can land an acca of 20 legs or more. It’s unlikely you’ll land a 20-leg accumulator, but that threshold is standard across most betting sites, while there are plenty of different levels of boosts available.HighBet’s 2up early payout promotion works for both singles and accumulators, which is always handy, while the HighBet traders put up their recommended accas on the front page of the site.Alternative betting sites for accumulatorsBoyleSportsWith acca rewards, BoyleSports gives bettors the choice of either taking our insurance on their multiple or boosting the potential payout. Boyles also have acca loyalty, giving bettors a £5 free acca bet for every five accas they place.QuinnBetQuinnBet has established itself as one of the premier accumulator betting sites with punters able to claim up to £50 in free bets every day via winning accumulators. QuinnBet also excels when it comes to horse racing multiples with bonus funds available for winning forecast, tricast and Yankees.9.UnibetBest betting sites for live streamingRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Unibet ProsUnibet Cons✓ Over 185,000 events live-streamed & free to watch✗ 50% of welcome bonus is restricted to casino✓ Champion Hurdle, Road to Cheltenham and Middlesbrough FC sponsors✗ Betting app could benefit from an update✓ Regular racing offersBetting sites are one of the last one-stop shops for watching sports, with the elite bookmakers having the rights to a huge catalogue of sports, including top-flight football, tennis Grand Slams, and premier US sports.That’s where we find Unibet, who claim to offer live streaming of over 185,000 different events each year. To watch any event, bettors simply need to have a funded account or have placed a bet in the last 24 hours.Unibet live streams Bundesliga, LaLiga and Serie A matches, alongside qualifiers for all the European competitions. There’s coverage of every UK and Irish race meeting, including Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, and some of the biggest tennis tournaments, such as the US Open and Australian Open.open image in galleryUnibet has a wide selection of live streaming options at any given time of day (The Independent)NHL, NBA and MLB bettors can live stream the majority of matches from their respective US leagues, with streams often carrying the TV broadcast commentary, but without the annoying advert breaks.All events can be viewed alongside live stats and in-play betting options. It’s a top level in-play service that works well on both desktop and mobile, although phone screens can become slightly crowded. Live streaming only adds to an award-winning bookie, Unibet having been recognised as the European Sportsbook of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2009 by the international magazine Egaming Review, while they were also crowned Sportsbook Operator of the Year at the 2014 IGA Awards.The Unibet sign-up offer is also one of the biggest available on UK betting sites, offering new customers a £40 welcome bonus when they bet £10. However, the bonus is heavily caveated with the free bets split up into a £10 free bet builder and a £10 free accumulator, while the remaining £20 is a casino bonus for use on Unibet’s best online slots.Alternative online betting sites for live streamingBet365With hundreds of thousands of events live-streamed each year, bet365 are often the betting site punters will turn to for live streaming. Like Unibet, you only needed to have a funded account to watch any action and the best bit about watching on betting sites is they don’t broadcast all the annoying adverts that interrupt US sports.LadbrokesA great range of football competitions available to live stream and Ladbrokes do a great job of making the video fit seamlessly into the betting screen on both mobile and desktop.What to bet and watch this weekThe addition of a midweek round of matches in Serie A and Ligue 1 means there is more football than usual to live stream on betting sites over the course of the week, with the Bundesliga, LaLiga and the MLS play-offs added to the mix at the weekend. Tennis punters can stream every match at the Paris Masters on selected betting sites, while the conclusion to the Women’s Cricket World Cup, which wraps up on Sunday, is also available to watch. There’s plenty to watch from the US, too, with the ongoing World Series in baseball available to stream. The Breeders’ Cup and the latest action from the NFL, NBA and NHL are also available at selected bookmakers.10. NetBetBest UK betting sites for bet buildersRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ NetBet ProsNetBet Cons✓ Improved sign up offer✗ Verifying account process can be slow✓ Lots of ongoing bet builder promos✗ The withdrawal process could be quicker✓ Official UFC betting partner✗ Bet builders can have a maximum of six legsNetBet’s rise to prominence in the UK betting market is down to its connection to the UFC as an official betting partner and its dedication to bet builders.Bet builders have been around for a while now, but for those that don’t know, bet builders enable punters to pick and choose several potential outcomes within one game or event and combine them on one slip at accrued odds. It’s similar to an accumulator except the focus is usually on one specific match, although the best bet builder sites will allow you to combine selections across multiple matches and even multiple sports.open image in galleryUnlike some other bookies, NetBet let you cash out your bet builders (NetBet)NetBet pride themselves on their bet builder product. Unlike some rival bookmakers that only allow football bet builders, with NetBet you can choose football, cricket, basketball, American football, ice hockey, baseball, rugby and AFL. NetBet’s promotions page is dominated by bet builder offers, with football punters often rewarded with a free £5 bet just for placing a £10 bet builder on a specific game, while similar offers are commonplace during the NFL season. The NetBet sign up offer is one that’s steadily been improved in recent years and anyone thinking of joining now can claim £20 in free bets, which is double the amount they previously offered.Alternative betting sites for bet buildersParimatchParimatch’s bet builder tool gives users the chance to create their own bet or use prepared bet builders, many of which will receive a price boost from the bookie.KwiffNot only is there a chance your bet builder will get Kwiffed (odds boost) randomly using Kwiff, but for those placing football bet builders, you could receive a £10 free bet refund if your wager doesn’t win. Kwiff’s bet builder insurance means if one leg of your bet lets you down, they’ll refund your stakes, up to a maximum of £10.Best New Betting Sites UKWe also monitor new betting sites making waves in the UK and have selected the best new sites to have entered the market recently.We’ve been testing the newest online bookmakers in the UK to find the best options for football, horse racing, free bets, and more. RankNew BookmakersBest ForUKGC License1talkSPORT BETFootball395762High BetHorse Racing446623LiveScore BetFree Bets568594QuinnBetAccumulators610115BetanoSign up offers39576Ranking updated October 20251.talkSPORT BETBest New Betting Site for FootballRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Now entering its third year, talkSPORT BET has become known for its regular football betting offers, price boosts, and weekly rewards that keep punters engaged throughout the season. With enhanced odds, early payouts, and the Lucky Dip feature all available through its top-rated football betting apps, it’s one of the more dynamic choices for football fans. talkSPORT BETtalkSPORT BET Cons✓ Exclusive sign up offers✗ Lack of choice for Lucky Dip markets✓ Weekly football free bet club✓ Free-to-play football prediction game2. HighBetBest New Betting Sites for Horse RacingRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ HighBet relaunched in 2025 with a fresh design and new promotions, including up to £15 in weekly horse racing free bets for customers who wager £30 or more at odds of 1/1 or higher. It also offers ongoing racing perks such as non-runner no bet first past the post guarantees, and a bet £10, get £20 welcome offer with half usable on racing. HighBet ProsHighBet Cons✓ Weekly free racing bets✗ No Best Odds Guarantee✓ Strong focus on UK racing✓ Non-runner no bet on every UK race3. LiveScore Bet Best New Online Bookmaker for Free BetsRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ The LiveScore Bet sign up offer provides £30 in free bets after a first deposit and bet of £10, while ongoing promotions include payouts on certain goalscorer markets if a goal is ruled out by VAR in a Premier League game and money back on selected horse races if your runner finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th.As a regular acca bettor, I took full advantage of the weekly free £5 acca bet up for grabs on LiveScore Bet. Just opt in and place four or more acca bets, wagering a minimum of £5 on each, to claim the reward.LiveScore Bet ProsLiveScoreBet Cons✓ Regular free bet offers on football and racing✗ Fewer markets than some other new bookies✓ Weekly free bets via acca club✓ Early payout and accumulator insurance on football bets4.QuinnBetBest New Bookmaker for AccumulatorsRating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ QuinnBet stand out from other UK betting sites with a huge range of accumulator and system bet promotions, including daily free bets and profit boosts. Bettors can earn a £5 free bet each day, enjoy 10% boosts on select wins, insure NFL and NBA accas, and claim 25% of weekly losses back as free bets through QuinnBet’s ongoing offers. QuinnBet ProsQuinnBet Cons✓ Great selection of accumulator offers✗ Large stakes required to unlock free bets✓ Horse racing bettors well catered for✓ Excellent customer service team5.BetanoBest New Betting Site for Sign Up OffersRating: ★ ★ ★ ★☆Betano regularly release unique sign up offers alongside their standard welcome deals, giving new customers a of welcome bonuses.From creative promotions like £1 free bet bonuses per Premier League goal to enhanced odds on major events, Betano’s offers are simple, varied, and free from wagering requirements. Betano ProsBetano Cons✓ Regular special sign up offers✗ Odds could be more competitive✓ Official Europa League and Aston Villa betting partner✓ Daily odds boostsWhy Trust UsChris Wilson, a betting content producer and sports reporter at The Independent, has spent over a year testing and reviewing dozens of betting sites across the UK to come up with a list of the best online bookmakers. Chris has used a range of strict criteria when evaluating online betting sites, with each site needing to provide high-value promotions and offers, a wide variety of games and payment methods, efficient customer service and a positive, enjoyable overall experience of gameplay. In addition, each betting site that The Independent recommends is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring that punters are kept safe while betting and that their details are secure. How We Rank The Best Betting Sites UKWe rank online bookmakers using first-hand testing, transparent evaluation criteria, and strict editorial standards. Each site listed has been assessed not just for its welcome offers but also for how well it serves bettors over time.Here are the key factors we considered when compiling our best betting sites rankings.1. UK Gambling Licence & RegulationAll the gambling operators on our list are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is a non-negotiable starting point for any online bookmaker. It ensures the bookie meets legal requirements around fair play, data security, customer funds protection, and responsible gambling protocols. 2. Trust and TransparencyWe utilise our industry expertise to evaluate betting sites, favouring bookmakers that lay out their terms and conditions in plain English and have a proven track record of resolving customer issues. But we also consider the experience of punters, checking the feedback UK betting sites receive to determine which ones are trustworthy. According to customer ratings and review platform Trustpilot, these are the best-performing online bookmakers for bettor satisfaction. Betting SitesTrustpilot score (out of 5)Total reviewsSpreadEx4.41,734Parimatch4.348210bet4.21,578Matchbook4.12,094BetGoodwin4.02,021Kwiff4.06,262BetVictor4.05,030While it is useful to read these reviews to get a better picture of betting sites, some need to be treated with caution as they can relate to gambling losses out of the control of the online bookmaker.3. Desktop & Mobile UsabilityEach betting site is put through its paces on both desktop and mobile devices. Ease of navigation (can users find odds quickly?) Page load speed App usability and responsiveness Sites that feel sluggish, cluttered, or confusing are marked down with a clean design and interface, a must-have for the best betting sites on our list.4. Quality of Offers and PromosIt’s easy to get drawn in by offers that promise ‘bet X, get Y’ or those that pledge to massively increase your initial deposit. We’ve looked beyond those headline-grabbing sign-up offers and considered the following: How accessible the welcome offer is (e.g. minimum deposit, odds requirements) Whether ongoing promotions are available to all users, not just new ones Variety across sports (e.g. football boosts, horse racing insurance, acca clubs) We try to avoid sites that push large bonuses with excessive wagering or unclear conditions.5. Commitment to Safer GamblingSafer gambling isn’t a slogan, and the actions of betting platforms in this regard speak far louder than words. We prioritise UK betting sites that take safer gambling seriously. That means: Easy access to deposit limits and time-outs Clear links to self-exclusion and support services Proactive account monitoring without hindering in control puntersA bookmaker’s approach to player welfare is a key factor in our ranking. We only recommend those operators that make it easy for users to stay in control.How to Select the Best Betting Sites UKHaving examined the best betting sites and the latest newcomers, now is a good time to consider what makes a bookmaker right for you. These are five areas worth considering when evaluating the online bookmakers punters can choose from.1. Payment OptionsThe best betting sites make it easy to manage your money. While you’ll often need to use a debit card to qualify for a sign-up offer, most licensed UK bookmakers support a variety of other payment methods once you’ve joined. The list of Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal betting sites is now extensive as more operators accept e-wallets, while pre-paid cards and bank transfers via services like Trustly are also widely accepted.Pay by mobile is also an option at some sites, but beware any operator that accepts payments via cryptocurrency or credit cards as licensed UK betting platforms are currently prohibited from such practices.2. Special FeaturesMost bookies now offer some kind of bet builder tool or in-play betting, but the best ones go way beyond that, providing cash out functions on a variety of sports or letting you live stream an event.A quick scan of the betting site and its help section will normally provide all the information you need on their special features, but keep an eye out for temporary features like free-to-play games and competitions, which some UK betting sites run regularly.3. Sports Coverage & MarketsIt’s always worth checking if your preferred sport is covered by a bookmaker. Some brand new betting sites don’t always offer horse racing odds, while some may niche sports may not be covered.If your sport is listed, check the markets available to make sure there’s plenty of choice and compare the odds available elsewhere to make sure the online bookmaker has competitive pricing. It’s also worth checking whether you can place a bet builder or if the bookmaker offers special offers on your chosen sport.4. In-Play ServiceA recent study by Optimove in the United States found that nearly half of all bets were placed in-play in 2024, with a good live betting service now of paramount importance to some bettors.Most in-play bets will be placed on betting apps, so check to see how an app performs in that regard, measuring the speed with which odds update and the markets available in-play. The best betting sites will offer live streaming, audio commentary or computer animations to help bettors follow the action, providing a one-stop shop when it comes to watching sport and having a bet.5. Customer ServiceIf you ever need help, responsive customer support is absolutely essential. Live chat is ideal, but even an email reply should be quick and helpful. If there’s no support option or you find reports of poor customer service on Trustpilot and Reddit, it may suggest the bookmaker doesn’t put users first.A 2025 study by the UK Gambling Commission found that certain types of gambling are more likely to lead to problem gambling in the future. Using casinos – online and in-person – and betting on sports scored highly on the UKGC’s Problem Gambling Severity Index, and it’s crucial that bettors understand that using gambling sites comes with risks.Gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment, not a way to generate income. Regardless of how much you know about sport or betting, there is always the possibility that your bet may not win.It is important to only wager money you can afford to lose, and never try to recover losses by placing further bets. These are two of the most important principles for anyone who gambles.Most reputable UK betting sites offer tools to help you stay in control of your gambling. Features such as deposit limits, self-assessment questionnaires, and session reminders can support you in managing the time and money you spend online.If you feel you need a break, you can use options such as time-outs or self-exclusion to temporarily or permanently step away from gambling.Should you ever feel that your gambling is becoming difficult to manage, don’t hesitate to seek help from the organisations listed below.Best Betting Sites UK: FAQsWe may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. 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2025-10-27 12:05:29
Best Betting Sites UK 2025 | New & Top Rated Bookmakers
