Sports betting in UK
UK gambling statistics tell us a lot about the industry, but the challenge remains finding the best bookmakers. How do you find the best UK bookmakers and how do you evaluate their performance? What does a list of the best UK betting sites look like ?
Answering these questions honestly and objectively requires experience. Well, don’t worry: we have that experience and even more. In this article, we will talk about the best online UK bookmakers and new UK bookmakers, and provide you with an up-to-date list of UK bookmakers with recommendations on how to evaluate them.
List of bookmakers in UK
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Betting in UK
Bookmakers from the British Isles are considered the best in modern betting, and not only according to players from Western European countries. It was English bookmakers who were the first to accept bets on sporting events and horse racing. Among the modern TOPs, you can find bookmakers with a hundred-year history.
History of online betting in UK
The history of bookmaking in Great Britain goes back several centuries. The first mentions of bookmaking in this country date back to the 16th century. At that time, people bet on the results of sporting events such as horse races and fist fights. Bookmakers often worked in taverns and other public places. Mostbet Kazakhstan
In the 17th century, bookmaking became more organised. During this period, the first bookmakers’ offices appeared in England. One of the first such offices was the office opened in 1653 by Leviathan Davies and Fred Swindell. This office was located in the town of Newmarket, which was known for its horse racing. Davis and Swindell were successful bookmakers and their office quickly became popular.
In the 18th century, bookmaking became even more popular. During this period, new betting shops appeared in other cities in England. Bookmaking also became more popular in other countries in Europe and North America.
In the XIX century, bookmaking continued to develop. During this period, new types of bets such as betting on political events and the results of football matches appeared. Bookmaking also became more regulated. In 1845, a law was passed in the UK that prohibited bookmakers from accepting bets on horse racing in public places. This led to bookmakers opening in private homes and offices.
In the 20th century, bookmaking became even more popular. During this period, the first online bookmakers appeared. Internet bookmaking quickly became popular and it changed the way people bet.
In the 21st century, bookmaking is going through a period of rapid growth. This period has seen the emergence of new forms of betting such as online bookmaking and mobile betting.
How betting is regulated in UK
If you’re new to sports betting, you may not know what your take on UK gambling laws is. Simply put, gambling in the UK is legal for anyone over the age of 18. This applies to both online and offline gambling, such as sports betting and casino games. All of this means that British adults can do things like legally bet on sports at a high street bookmaker, play games at an online casino site and more.
The best betting sites will always be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). However, UK gambling laws also allow UK betting sites to be regulated by gambling authorities recognised by the UKGC. These laws also apply to betting shops in the UK and Northern Ireland.
Here are the basics of UK gambling laws:
- Anyone over the age of 18 can gamble
- You don’t have to pay tax on your winnings
- All sports betting sites and online casinos require a valid licence
- Licences must be issued or recognised by the UK Gambling Commission
? Country | UK |
? Currency | £ |
⚽ Popular Sports | Football, tennis, snooker, cricket, darts, horse racing, Gaelic disciplines |
? Most Popular Payment Methods | Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, PayPal |
Top 5 casino sites in UK
Bet365
This bookmaker offers a wide range of sports options covering sports such as baseball, football, football, indoor football, golf and others. The inclusion of golf betting is designed for fans of highly specialised sports, enhancing the appeal of the platform. The seasonal availability of sporting events provides timely betting opportunities.
When it comes to covering world sports, this bookmaker is an expert at including international events such as football in its offerings. The diverse and comprehensive selection of sports is a standout feature. Whilst no platform is perfect, the diversity of this bookmaker is noteworthy, providing an attractive space for punters.
The variety of betting options is a highlight, including classic bets such as moneyline and point spreads, as well as express and over/under bets. The emphasis on in-play and player props sets this bookmaker apart. These specialised bets enhance the gaming experience and are suitable for both casual and professional punters.
Different bet types, including teasers, bring an element of strategy and variety to the betting landscape. Offering around 10 different bet types for each sport demonstrates consistency. This approach ensures that punters have options to suit their strategies across different games.
The bookmaker’s adaptability is evident in its willingness to consider customised bets on request, which emphasises its commitment to innovation and user satisfaction. Whether you are looking for tradition or innovation, this bookmaker has both.
Advantages:
- Fully licensed and regulated in Malta and Gibraltar
- Largest collection of odds / SGP combos
- Over 35 betting markets
- Fast and secure banking
- Valuable bonuses
- Real-time support 24/7
Disadvantages:
- The number of winners is quickly limited
- No loyalty programme
- Frequent failures
- No telephone support
Marathon Bet
The bookmaker offers players a wide range of features. Withdrawals can be made in full, partial and automatic forms until the later stages of matches. Live streaming is available, but only for minor sports such as table tennis and cyber sports.
With the BetConstructor feature you can create two virtual opponents from real football, hockey or tennis tournaments. MarathonBet bets will be calculated based on the total points scored by each team. You may want to check out our guide on what odds are most likely to win in this case.
Quick Bet allows you to place bets in 1 click after you have set a certain bet amount. Finally, you can use AdvanceBet if you have unsettled bets in your account. It offers the ability to place new bets, even if you don’t have enough funds, based on the prediction of your open bets.
Other important information about MBet
The betting offer is not the only thing about the MarathonBet bookmaker. Firstly, a mobile app for Android and iOS devices is available for download and the win limits are high. You can also take advantage of MarathonBet’s welcome offer from your phone. Namely, you can win up to €250,000 in the top football leagues and €150,000 on horse racing.
There are also over 20 languages and local currencies to choose from. Customer support can be contacted 24/7 in multiple languages via email, phone and chat. Deposits at Marathonbet are instant and free, and withdrawals are also very fast. Players can make payments using VISA, Mastercard and Skrill, as well as Boleto, Jeton and cryptocurrencies.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive sports lobbies
- Lots of casino games from leading providers
- Bitcoin supported
- App for iOS and Android
- Favourable features, rewards and promotions
Disadvantages:
- There is currently no no deposit bonus available
- Digital currency users do not receive any special bonuses or promotions
William Hill
William Hill is a giant in the industry, so you shouldn’t have any security concerns. The bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission as well as the government of Gibraltar, while the site itself implements 128-bit SSL technology to encrypt data going to and from the platform, including personal information.
There have been no notable data breaches in the past. William Hill’s emphasis on player safety and well-being is evident from the very beginning of your interaction with the bookmaker. During the registration process, you will be asked to set a daily, weekly or monthly deposit limit. You must choose one of the options to control your gambling.
William Hill’s new customer offer isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but it is great value. You can earn £30 in free bets after your first £10 deposit and bet.
To make sure you are eligible for this promotion, all you need to do is place a bet on any sports market offered by William Hill at odds of at least 1/2. Oh, and if you register via their mobile app, please make sure you enter the code ‘R30’ before completing the process.
Your free bets will be credited as three £10 bets as soon as your first qualifying bet has been settled.
Considering that you can earn a 300% bonus and the ease with which your bonus can be unlocked, there’s nothing to complain about here. The fact that you get three free bets means you can spread them around and make the most of different markets and events.
Advantages:
- A wide range of offers with William Hill promo code at registration
- Real live streaming of certain games and events
- Wide range of games, betting and gambling offers
- Downloadable mobile betting and gaming app
Disadvantages:
- The live streaming feature is not available in the mobile app
Paddy Power
Paddy Power Sports is one of the largest Irish bookmakers, and all of the above applies to this giant. Paddy Power Sports has made its presence known in the rest of Europe as well, among the many international members of Paddy Power. The bookmaker is one of the most trusted websites that attracts customers thanks to its transparent gambling policy, where every customer is treated equally and where every customer is important. This must be the recipe for Paddy Power’s success.
As a first-class bookmaker, Paddy Power Sports offers several bonus offers to reward its customers. One of the most common bonuses is a cashback bonus on a number of different markets. For example, they guarantee an ACCA insurance offer whereby you will get your money back if you lose a bet. Special cashback offers also include tennis, horse racing, dog racing and Premier League sports betting.
Paddy Power is one of the most active bookmakers when it comes to bonuses, given that they offer something new almost daily. Throughout the year, Paddy Power Sports offers special discounts, free bets and some very creative promotions.
They also have a welcome bonus for anyone coming to the bookmaker for the first time. The welcome bonus rewards players who bet at 10GBP with three times the amount. The validity of this free bet offer is 30 days. If you are not already a Paddy Power member, hurry up and don’t miss out on interesting and lucrative promotions. Paddy Power makes sports betting more exciting.
Advantages:
- Recognised bookmaker
- Online chat is available round the clock
- No withdrawal restrictions
- Battery insurance available
- Daily special offers on refunds
Disadvantages:
- Large number of countries with limited access
- Average mobile app
Ladbrokes
This famous company was founded in the late 19th century and has since gained immense popularity. It all started when two gentlemen, Messrs Pennington and Schwind, set up an office for making books. At the beginning of the 20th century, this business was doing very well and the aforementioned men took another gentleman, Mr Arthur Bendire, into their partnership. From then on, punters could bet not only on horses but also on other types of bets. Over the years the list of bets grew.
Line and Live betting
Ladbrokes set their own playing rules as they have bought lines from other bookmakers. Their analytical department generates the lines themselves, which makes their line up very attractive in terms of both event and odds offerings.
Live betting is organised to the highest global standards.
Advantages:
- Many bonuses and promotions
- Offers real-time bookmaker betting
- Large selection of casino games
Disadvantages:
- Players from the USA Not accepted
How popular is sports betting in UK?
Betting on sports in the UK is serious business and a regular pastime for millions of Brits. Football is the most popular choice overall, but horse racing has every reason to be considered the sport on which most bets are placed in the UK – at least in terms of the number of pounds bet and the widespread tradition of betting on the Grand National.