Online Sports Betting in the UK: Everything You Need to Know!

Join us on an exciting journey through the world of online betting in the United Kingdom and discover how to play safely and win using our comprehensive guides.

New betting sites appear often. More than 100 hold a UK licence. Picking a good one can be tough. Our sports betting team made this guide. They did these tasks: 

  • They compared over 150 data points for each brand;
  • They wrote full reviews for each one; 
  • They spent thousands of hours to check every site; 
  • They got reviews from thousands of our users; 
  • They made detailed guides for sports and types of bets;

We list our team’s ten favourite sites. We explain why each site is on the list.

Here is a short summary of ten top betting sites for 2025.

Rank and SiteSummaryKey Strengths
1. bet365Best for live betting and market depthIn-play bets, bet builder tool, full coverage
2. William HillTrusted odds on top sportsFootball, darts, rugby markets
3. UnibetStrong live betting and streamsTennis, golf, mobile app
4. BetVictorTop offers and a strong appBet builder, new user deals
5. BetwayA reliable all-round betting siteFootball, basketball, promotions
6. LadbrokesA popular pick for football and racingFootball, horse racing, special bets
7. BetfredLeading horse racing offersBOG, Lucky 15, racing markets
8. ParimatchA modern and balanced betting choiceFootball, tennis, live play
9. SmarketsTop exchange odds and cash-outExchange value, cash-out, clear odds
10. VirginBetClean app and good offersLive streams, bet builder tool

bet365 leads the  ratings for a long time. It tops more of our data tables than any other brand. bet365 is the biggest name. 

  • It is number one in our best cash-out bookmakers list;
  • It is number one in our best football betting sites review;
  • It is number one in our best bet builder sites check;
  • The mobile app scores lower than the BetVictor app;

William Hill is still a respected name in betting. It gives great odds. It covers football, darts, and rugby well. Its trust factor keeps it in our top ten.

  • Strong football odds;
  • A wide range of markets;
  • A trusted brand name;
  • The app seems old;

Our editorial process for each review is detailed and full. The full review takes a minimum of one month. It involves more than 10 skilled reviewers. Dozens of regular sports bettors help. Visit our about us page for a full breakdown of our review policy.

Unibet is strong in live betting. It has good live streams. This gives users more control. It is a fine pick for bets during a game.

  • Strong tennis coverage;
  • Excellent live betting screen;
  • Top live streaming service;
  • Few shops on the high street;

BetVictor has smart design. It has competitive offers. Its app is highly rated. Betting is fast and fun there. Its free bet club and bet builder are popular.

  • Rated best mobile app;
  • Top rated site for Tennis betting;
  • Consistently good horse racing odds;
  • It lacks a weekly free bet club;

Betway has a strong betting site. Its app performs well. It stays among the best. It covers all major sports. The odds are competitive. The site is easy to use.

  • A strong focus on football;
  • A smooth mobile app;
  • A Free bets Club;
  • Fewer promotions for racing;

Ladbrokes is a big name for football and racing fans. It has deep markets. It has decades of trust. Its mix of tradition and choice keeps it high in our list.

  • A trusted high-street name;
  • Huge football coverage;
  • Great racing odds;
  • The site design seems old;

Betfred stands out for horse racing. It has BOG offers. It has Lucky 15 boosts. It has a loyal crowd. It is a true punter’s bookmaker. It puts value first.

  • Best for horse racing on many levels;
  • The Bonus Kings;
  • It is hard to find a real negative;

“If you love racing, Betfred’s offers are tough to beat. They care for regular punters.” – Racing & Sports Betting Expert – James Banting

Parimatch brings a modern style to UK betting. The design is great, especially for football and tennis. It grows fast in popularity. It has clear odds and solid live markets.

  • Strong football focus;
  • Clean modern design;
  • Good live betting layout;
  • A smaller UK profile;

Smarkets leads in exchange betting. It gives users clear and fair odds. It is made for bettors who want control. They want flexibility and better market value.

  • Number one Betting Exchange;
  • The lowest commission rates;
  • Best political betting site;
  • Lower liquidity in small markets;

Virgin Bet has a clean and user-friendly site. Its app stands out. Its bet builder tools are quick. It is one of the most improved brands in our ratings. It is great for mobile bettors.

  • The number one free bet club in the UK;
  • Great for live streams on many sports;
  • It scores in our Top 10 for five categories;
  • No BOG on greyhounds;

Top betting services in 2025 offer distinct advantages. These features set various operators apart from their competitors.

  • App Excellence: A high-quality app with a weekly free bet club ranks in the top three for app, BOG, and bet builder;
  • Rapid Transactions: Fast withdrawals start from a £5 minimum with same-day processing from a long-standing independent service;
  • Market Leader: This operator appears in more top ten lists than any other and holds a number one user rating;
  • Odds & Tools: It provides Best Odds Guaranteed, a live odds comparison tool, and new tools built by industry founders;
  • Promotion Variety: Many daily promotions exist, like a Bet Club for live action and free spins;
  • Sports Coverage: A huge selection of markets covers everything from football to niche sports like fishing and surfing;
  • Racing Specialists: Full UK and Irish racing coverage is available with a service that accepts large wagers;
  • In-Play Focus: Excellent live betting options feature clear graphics for football, tennis, and basketball;
  • Customer Commitment: Strong customer support is a hallmark, with personal traders for high-stakes clients;
  • Esports & More: Serious esports coverage is paired with great odds and a wide-ranging live betting section.

Editors pick the top 10 for this year. The list shows their choices. It meets the needs of all user types.

Rank & Betting SiteOur SummaryKey Features
1 bet365Best for live sportsIn-play markets big coverage bet builder
2 William HillTrusted odds makerStrong football rugby darts markets
3 UnibetGreat live play serviceTennis golf solid mobile app
4 BetVictorGood offers and an appBet builder tool new deals come often
5 BetwayA reliable all round siteFootball basketball has many promotions
6 LadbrokesA top pick for footballHorse racing markets daily specials exist
7 BetfredLeader for horse racingBest Odds Guaranteed Lucky 15 offer
8 ParimatchA modern balanced bookieFootball tennis live play function
9 SmarketsTop exchange valueCash out feature clear odds displayed
10 VirginBetSimple app with offersLive streams bet builder works well

Top Betting Sites For Each Sport

Our team reviews all the facts. This finds the best bookmakers for each sport. This ranking uses expert checks and member views. We test odds quality and market depth. We check app speed and live betting features. You see which betting sites win for each sport.

Our scores use numbers and expert checks. Each bookmaker gets a check in many areas.

  • Odds quality and market depth; price steadiness and sport choice;
  • Live and in-play performance; speed, cash-out, and bet types during events;
  • App use and features; design, bet builders, easy to use;

These scores form the our Ratings. Some sports get extra weight. This shows a true list of the best bookmakers for each sport.

See our key findings here. This table shows the best betting sites for each sport.

SportSiteWhy They Lead
Best Rugby SiteUnibetStrong prices for both rugby union and league
Best Greyhounds Sitebet365Regular greyhound offers and a classic choice
Best Football Sitebet365Many markets, good bet builder, full live in-play service
Best Motorsports SiteWilliam HillGood F1 and MotoGP range with solid prices
Best Tennis Sitebet365Great live streams and many in-play tennis options
Best Golf SiteStar SportsMany golf markets and strong each-way value on all tours
Best Snooker SiteCoralTop odds, live streaming, early market prices
Best Combat Sports SiteWilliam HillGood odds for boxing and UFC events
Best NFL Site888SportLeading NFL service with many markets and live bets
Best Cricket SiteBetwayFull match markets and detailed in-play service
Best Horse Racing SiteBetfredTop for BOG, Lucky 15s, regular racing offers
Best Darts SiteWilliam HillStrong odds and special bets for darts
Best Basketball Sitebet365Full NBA service and clear live stats on the app

Our betting guides cover more sports. Find info on baseball, ice hockey, volleyball, or cycling there.

Find the best site for your favorite sport. We pick the top bookmakers. They have good offers for each type of game. Here is our list.

SportSiteWhy they Rank best
Footballbet365Has top markets and a bet builder plus live in-play coverage
Horse RacingBetfredBest for BOG deals and its Lucky 15s racing promotions
Tennisbet365Shows strong live streaming and in-play tennis markets
GolfStar SportsHas deep golf markets each-way value on all tours
CricketBetwayFull match markets and has detailed in-play options
SnookerCoralTop odds and live streaming with early market prices
RugbyUnibetHas consistent strong pricing for both union and league
Basketballbet365Great NBA coverage and the app has clear live stats
Boxing/UFCWilliam HillPuts out strong combat-sport odds
DartsWilliam HillOffers competitive darts odds and specials too
Greyhoundsbet365A traditional choice which has regular greyhound offers
NFL888SportLeader in NFL coverage with deep markets and live betting
MotorsportsWilliam HillGood F1 and MotoGP range and it has consistent pricing

Our process combines hard numbers with expert opinion. We check each bookmaker’s site across several key areas. Here are the main points we score.

We look at these specific things for our reviews: 

  • Odds quality and market depth – we check their prices against other sites and count the sports available; 
  • Live and in-play performance – we time how fast the site loads during a match and see what you can bet on; 
  • App usability and features – we test the mobile app for its design, bet builder, and cash-out; 
  • Trust and customer feedback – this score uses real reviews from members and their comments.

These scores make the final our Ratings. Strong areas get a higher weight. This might be for racing or football. It shows you the top bookmakers.

Data from 2025 shows which bookies lead in specific areas. bet365 tops the overall list. It wins for its cash out service, live streaming option, and bet builder tool. These betting features attract many users. Other sites have strong points too. This list ranks them only on their special features.

Here is a look at the leading sites for major bet features.

FeatureBest Betting SiteWhy They Rank Best
Best for Live Streamingbet365It shows the most live sports for free
Best for Football Accasbet365Its football accumulator offers lead the market
Best for Cash Outbet365The cash out option works on thousands of events
Best for Lucky 15 BettingBetfredIt pays 3x odds on one winning Lucky 15 pick
Best Exchange BettingSmarketsIts 2% commission rate is a low price
Best for Free Bet ClubVirginBetIt gives weekly free bets to active members
Best for Acca InsuranceBetfredIts acca insurance deal has very simple terms
Best Spread BettingSpreadExThis is a major UK brand for spread betting
Best for Bet Buildersbet365Its bet builder covers most sports and leagues
Best Odds GuaranteedCopybetThis new site often posts its odds first
Best Live Bettingbet365It has the most in-play markets to choose from

Find the best site for your bet style. This list shows the top bookie for each key feature in 2025.

FeatureBest Betting SiteWhy They Rank Best
Best Exchange BettingSmarketsLow fees on the exchange and clear odds
Best Spread BettingSpreadExA top UK firm for spread betting with high dependability
Best Live Bettingbet365It has more live match markets than any other site
Best Odds GuaranteedCopybetThis new bookie offers the earliest available prices
Best for Bet Buildersbet365Their builder tool covers the most sports and markets
Best for Cash Outbet365Quick cash-out on thousands of live games every day
Best for Live Streamingbet365It has the broadest coverage of live sports events
Best for Free Bet ClubVirginBetActive users get regular weekly rewards from the club
Best for Acca InsuranceBetfredLong-running accumulator deals with very fair rules
Best for Lucky 15 BettingBetfredThey are the Bonus Kings for 3x odds on one win
Best for Football Accasbet365The top football bookmaker has the best accumulators

You choose your own betting site. Our list tells you what to look for. A good site has these traits.

Our list below helps you find a good bookmaker. You can check these important points.

  • It has all the features you need;
  • Player friendly with their terms and conditions;
  • Reliable for placing bets;
  • A low risk choice for your funds;
  • Trustworthy and safe to use;
  • Reputable among other users.

You can open a few new accounts. This is a good way to test them. You can use the welcome offers. We update our free bets page daily. See the offers there.

User reviews show a site’s reputation. We have collected over 1,000 reviews from users. Our users talk about customer services. They explain how bookmakers fixed their problems. This makes a site reputable.

We do not list every licensed UK bookmaker. We leave some out. They might not pay out. They can change their terms and conditions. Their customer service could be poor. A reliable bookmaker does not do this.

Many new online bookies are small companies. They try to grow in the UK. Betting with them has some risk. They could have cash issues. A UK licence means they meet specific rules. This makes them a low risk option.

Top trusted betting sites according to Trustpilot ratings

Trustpilot scores show which sites users trust most. These scores come from many user reviews in 2025.

Online Betting SiteTrustpilot TrustScoreNumber of Ratings
NetBet UK4.31459
Matchbook Betting Exchange4.51604
10bet UK4.4965
Spreadex Sports3.8806
Kwiff3.83012
BetVictor4.43045

We checked the terms and conditions for each site. We looked at withdrawal policies. Some bookmakers charge for withdrawals. You can see this in our reviews. A player friendly site has clear rules.

Over 100 online bookmakers hold a UK license. We show only these licensed sites. Do not bet with unlicensed bookmakers. You could have a dispute. This makes a site truly trustworthy.

Over 100 bookmakers have a full license to operate in the UK. We list only these licensed UK firms for local people. Always use a bookmaker with a UK Gambling Commission license if you are in the UK. You will have dispute protection for your money in GBP. This is important in 2025. Problems can occur otherwise.

See how the best betting sites rate with users. This table shows top picks and their Trustpilot scores for 2025.

Online Betting SiteTrustpilot TrustScoreNumber of Ratings
Matchbook Betting Exchange4.51604
BetVictor4.43045
10bet UK4.4965
NetBet UK4.31459
Spreadex Sports3.8806
Kwiff3.83012

A licensed UK bookmaker is not always on our list. Some are not a reliable choice. They might fail to pay funds owed to clients. A poor history of customer support is another reason. They can also make sudden changes to their terms. We only list trustworthy operators.

Many small companies are online bookies in the UK. You take a risk with them. They can have cash flow problems. A UK Gambling Commission registration helps. This makes them Low Risk Betting Sites. These firms follow strict rules.

Know about withdrawal charges. Some bookmakers have fees for specific cash outs. Our team spent 200 hours. They looked at terms on every site. We give you clear facts on betting sites. Our reviews list all these details for you.

Maybe ignore our guides. You can sign up for a few new accounts on your own. This way you can check those sites. Also, collect their welcome offers. We update our free bets page daily with the latest welcome offers. Go there to see all the newest deals.

This page has common questions and answers about betting sites.

In 2025, users rated bet365 as the best bookmaker in the UK. They are ranked in our list according to these ratings. bet365 ranks first. It is a huge brand here. People note its huge selection of markets.

New bookmakers appear all the time. Our team writes reviews for every new site. These bookies are trustworthy. BetTOM — the best new website of 2025, in our opinion. Read expert reviews and user reviews. Compare a new bookie with others.

Yes. A licensed bookmaker is safe to use. All online betting sites listed on the website have full approval from the UK Gambling Commission. They must follow strict rules for your protection. Your funds in GBP and your personal data are kept secure. These sites use secure encryption to keep everything safe.

Users scores say bet365 is the top UK betting site for trust. It leads for reliability. But other reviews show a different picture. Trustpilot scores in 2025 put 10bet very high. BetVictor is also a top name. People trust these brands that have been around a long time.