In this article, we will discuss the best UK betting sites. Stay with us to learn more about sports betting in the UK and learn what makes a sportsbook worth your time and money.

History of Online Sports Betting in the UK

The UK has a long history of gambling and betting in particular. Sports betting has come a long way since the 1700s when first bets on horse racing were placed. In the 1790s, different odds of winning have been introduced as well as the profit margin. The man behind this system was Harry Ogden, an inventor and the first bookmaker in the UK.

Fast forward to the 1990s, when the first online sports betting sites were established. According to some sources, the first UK sportsbook on the Internet was Intertops, launched in 1996. Today, players can enjoy a smooth betting experience from the comfort of their home or on the move. Just like live casino games that are broadcast in real-time from land-based casinos and studios, betting sites offer live streams where you can watch the game once you have placed your bet on it.

Over the last 20 years, online betting regulations have been updated to address new challenges of the market. According to the 2005 Gambling Act, a bookmaker who wants to offer its services in the UK market must obtain a local online gaming licence and pay tax in the UK. The UK Gambling Commission is considered one of the most reputable authorities in the world when it comes to online gaming.

How to Identify Best Betting Sites in the UK

Whether you are a newbie to this form of entertainment or you are an experienced bettor, choosing a UK betting site may be overwhelming. Although the regulatory body makes sure that only licensed operators offer their services, the market is still oversaturated. To help you choose the best sportsbook for you, we have made a list of factors you should pay attention to.

Licence and Safety

The first thing you should check is whether the betting site you want to register with is licensed in the UK. On our gaming portal, you will only find sportsbooks that meet this criterion. Yet, if you want to look up for a betting site yourself, the UK gaming licence should be your priority. It is a guarantee that the operator has met industry requirements and complies with the regulations. Only UK-licensed betting sites are considered safe and fair gambling destinations.

Odds and Markets

When a country has a long tradition of betting, its online gaming market is highly competitive. To make new customers join them, operators will offer attractive odds that may vary from one betting site to another. Check the odds before you place your bets to make the most of them. Needless to say, a betting site worth your time and money should offer all kinds of sports and competitions to please even the pickiest of punters. 

Another important aspect is a range of available markets you can bet on. It’s not only about sports and events you can bet on. It’s also about separate markets within a certain event you can make wagers on. For instance, a good betting site will let you predict the match result, but you can also predict the number of goals or even the players who will score them. In a nutshell, it should offer a wide variety of markets for each event you can wager on.

The live streaming of events would be another plus. If you are on the go and you have placed your bets on the events you cannot watch on your TV set, you can utilise the live stream option. The quality of the stream may vary from site to site, but you will stay informed about how the match unfolds in real-time even if you have placed the minimum stake. In this case, it will be a little above the regular minimum bet you can place.

Registration and User Experience 

A smooth registration procedure that does not take a long time is a must for a modern betting site. However, be prepared to provide essential personal and contact information, including your full name and physical address, phone number, date of birth, email and so on. Also, due to strict regulations, reputable operators will ask you to provide a photographic ID and proof of address and answer a security question, like your mother’s maiden name. Before you make your first deposit, you will have to enter payment method information as well.

Thanks to reliable customer support agents, your data will be checked in a few minutes and your account will be almost immediately verified if your documentation is right. Sometimes, you may be asked to provide these documents before a withdrawal, which may make the overall procedure last longer.

A user-friendly layout allowing bettors to navigate the betting site easily and track their bets are the things we all look forward to. Besides, the betting site should be fully optimised for mobile devices or the operator should offer a native app you can download and install on your smartphone or tablet. Mobile optimised betting sites allow players to place bets on their favourite teams and markets wherever they are.

Banking Methods

Today, UK players can choose from a wide array of banking options. However, using credit cards to make deposits on betting sites was banned in April 2020 by the UK Gambling Commission. It is one of the social responsibility measures that should prevent problem gambling in the UK. Yet, UK punters can utilise dozens of other banking options, including major debit cards, e-wallets, including PayPal, Neteller or Skrilla, prepaid card and pay by mobile solutions and so on.

All betting sites listed on our portal accept GBP and allow you to make safe and quick deposits and withdrawals without additional transaction fees. Make sure to check whether deposits via the payment method you want to use will qualify for bonuses and promotions, though, since there may have been certain restrictions.

Customer Support

A trustworthy betting site will provide its customers with 24/7 support, and we firmly believe that it is a must. Since you can place bets anytime, day or night, you should have access to around-the-clock assistance. The good news is that the best UK betting sites are ready to assist its customers through various communications channels, including live chat, email or even toll-free phone line.

Best UK Betting Sites Bonuses and Promotions

As we have already mentioned, the UK online gaming market is highly competitive. To attract new customers and retain existing ones, UK betting sites offer hard-to-resist bonuses and promotions. They include deposit-based accumulator bets, match bonuses, free bets, money back, enhanced odds and more.

Before you claim any of these offers, make sure to read the terms and conditions and check whether they have achievable wagering requirements. In the terms and conditions, you will also find out whether you can withdraw your winnings from bonuses and what other requirements you need to meet to do so. Keep in mind that offers with high wagering requirements, like those above 40x the bonus, does not have real value. They just look good on paper. That’s why you should do your homework and read the fine print so that you can make an informed decision.

Other Things to Keep in Mind When Joining UK Betting Sites

You need to be 18 or older to register with a betting site in the UK. The UK Gambling Commission monitors the operators and imposes high fines on those who accept minors. Besides, the best UK betting sites should enable you to set deposit and loss limits and include other responsible gambling tools, like reality checks and self-exclusion programmes and provide links to organisations that can help you if you notice that you have lost control over your gambling habits.

Why Join UK Betting Sites?

If you are a UK resident, you should stick to the operators licensed in this country. It is the best way to make the most of your betting experience, as only by doing so you won’t have to worry about your sensitive data or funds. The best UK betting sites are safe and provide a plethora of options in terms of sports, events and markets but also when it comes to banking. To make you enjoy your stay to the fullest, they also offer bonuses and promotions with fair policy, so you can relax and place your bets even without risking your own money.