Safe Betting Sites 2024

Our experienced betting experts have reviewed, rated and ranked the safest betting sites in the UK.

Below, you will find our picks for the safest online bookmakers.

Safest Betting Sites and Apps

Staying safe online is an important part of everyday life whether making a purchase or placing a bet.

Customers need to know that their personal information will not get into the hands of fraudsters and it’s also essential that betting sites have the tools to ensure you stay in control and gamble responsibly.

To operate legally, all UK bookmakers must be licensed by a regulatory body called the Gambling Commission which aims to keep crime out of the industry and protect the vulnerable.

Ensuring your gambling experience is conducted in a secure environment is a priority for most bookmakers, so with that in mind, we’ve highlighted five safe betting sites and some of the measures they have introduced for your protection.

1. Betfred

Betfred utilises the same Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology used by leading financial institutions, so your details are safe and sound from threats posed by identity thieves and fraudsters. 

Its Safer Gambling hub has plenty of tools for customers, such as deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and online account histories to help monitor your activity. 

Betfred also advises those who think they may have a problem, encouraging users to contact their customer services department, registered charities like GamCare or communities such as GamAnon and Gamblers Anonymous. They also provide advice on website blocking software to prevent underage gambling.

2. BetMGM

BetMGM is one of the newest UK betting sites but they take their responsibilities seriously and have more than 10 safer gambling control measures available to keep the customer in control, including self-assessment and wagering limits.

Customer service staff are trained to recognise the signs of problem gambling, and both the website and app are compatible with blocking software such as BetBlocker, which allows you to set time limits on exclusion and also includes parental controls.

Security is also paramount with BetMGM which uses SSL to encrypt the transmission of personal information.

3. Bzeebet

Security is also a top priority for Bzeebet which uses the latest 128-bit SSL technology, ensuring that your personal info is encrypted before it leaves your device.

Bzeebet also has a responsible gaming policy page which has plenty of tools to make sure you stay in control of your betting, such as time-outs ranging from 24 hours to six weeks or self-exclusion from between six months and five years.  

Getting in touch with the customer support team to discuss problem gambling could not be easier, either via Help & Contact or Chat where trained operators can help you impose limits or self-exclude.

4. talkSPORT Bet

The talkSPORT bet site was only launched in 2022, but it has an impressive attitude towards both security and safe gambling.

Its safer gambling portal is neatly laid out into three sections: Keep Informed, Stay in Control and Get in Touch.

The first gives advice on preventing underage gambling, keeping track of time, a link to GamCare and five myth-busters.

Stay in Control displays six neatly-arranged safer gambling tools ranging from a profit and loss overview to self-exclusion, while the Get in Touch section is self-explanatory and gives customers the options of contacting talkSPORT Bet by e-mail, chat or phone.

How we rank safe betting apps

Licensed betting sites

Before you register with an online bookmaker, it’s important to know that it is licensed by the Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry in Great Britain. 

Bookmakers will display this information at the footer of every page on their website with its account number or on the Gambling Commission’s public register.

Safety First

Once the licence issue has been settled, you must establish whether your personal and financial data are safe. UK bookmakers prioritise security and deploy state-of-the-art encryption technology to keep your details confidential. 

The safest betting websites usually have a page displaying the measures they take to protect you, such as Transport Layer Security, which is bolstered by firewalls, so take the time to see which bookmakers use this.

All bookmakers displayed on The Independent are licensed, for more information, you can read our betting site review process.

User feedback 

Reading reviews from bookmakers’ customers on social media is one way of assessing their reputations, although the drawback with that option is that feedback in that sphere tends to be negative.

Instead, search online to see which bookie has the most customers which is usually a good sign of trustworthiness or check the number of followers they have on social media.

There are also plenty of websites which assess the merits or otherwise of online bookmakers.

Industry reputation

Despite the absence of an annual UK bookmaker awards ceremony like the Oscars, it’s possible to gauge the popularity of websites from site traffic.

The matter is not that simple as internet searches can produce different results, but you should at least get a feel for those getting the hits. 

Safe betting sites bonuses and promotions

Online bookmakers are keen to attract new customers and retain their current clientele with special offers, some of which we have listed below:

Welcome bonuses

Many safe betting sites offer sign-up deals to bring new customers on board, which typically involve a 'Bet £10 and get £30', or even 'Bet £10 get £40 in free bets’. 

Each bookmaker will have different rules for spending your free bets, so read the terms and conditions before taking the plunge.

If you’re happy with the T&Cs, welcome bonuses can be a great introduction to UK gambling sites, which offer daily promotions.

Cashback offers  

Cashback offers are becoming increasingly popular with online bookmakers, especially on significant events where losing stakes are returned as cash for a specific race.

Cashback is quite unusual, but a popular promotion is money back as a free bet if your selection flops, meaning you get two bites of the cherry.

Free bet promos

For many punters, nothing beats a free bet, and plenty of bookmakers offer this kind of promotion as a reward for a decent performance in their free-to-play prediction games.

Promotions

Nearly all bookmakers have a ‘Promotions’ page on their site, informing customers of their latest offers.

Many offer daily free spins on their online slots, and winnings may be paid out as cash to your account, so check the link regularly as new offers crop up all the time.

Safe betting sites features

The safest online gambling sites offer a range of features to ensure the customer is protected throughout their gambling experience, whether that involves data protection, registration, placing a bet or withdrawing money.

When sorting the wheat from the chaff, it’s worth considering the elements below to ensure your online bookmaker is trustworthy.

Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security

The safest betting sites use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or the updated Transport Layer Security (TLS) version to encrypt personal and financial data migrating from the site. 

There are three elements to TLS: 

• Encryption: Hides data being transferred between the parties
• Authentication: Confirms the parties are genuine
• Integrity: Verifies whether forgery or tampering of data has taken place 

Some horse racing betting sites also use firewalls and multiple systems to prevent cyber threats.

Two-factor authentication 

One way to bolster your protection is by introducing two-factor authentication (2FA), which involves passcode generators to prevent cybercriminals from stealing your data.

Some safe betting sites have their authenticator apps, which are available in the Apple Store and can be used on Android or iPhone, providing users with an extra layer of protection compared with traditional passwords, which are fixed.

Responsible gambling tools 

The safest online gambling sites take their responsibilities seriously and have various tools available for those concerned about their well-being.

Bookmakers offer practical solutions such as deposit limits, wagering, losses, and sessions. At the same time, the best sites have time-out options that restrict your site use for a set period.

Reality checks also alert users to how long they have been logged in. You can track your activity with most bookmakers to view your profit and loss figures. 

For those with a severe problem, there is a self-exclusion option in which you close your account extensively.

All responsible gambling sites in the UK provide helpline numbers; some staff are even trained to help those in need.  

Transparent terms and conditions 

It may be tedious, but checking the terms and conditions will pay dividends if you wish to avoid problems in the future. 

Online bookmakers will take a dim view of someone supplying false registration details or using family members from the same IP address to benefit from welcome bonuses. 

Don’t forget that it is illegal to gamble if you are under 18. The bookmaker will likely ask for verification after sign-up, so you will eventually need to prove your identity via a passport or driving licence. 

You may also be required to prove your source of funds to show you have the money to finance your betting and to prevent fraudulent activity such as money laundering.

When placing particular kinds of bets like double-digit multiples on accumulator betting sites, you should also check the maximum pay-out criteria for that sport, which varies from bookmaker to bookmaker.

Safe betting sites: Payment methods

Since 2020, using a credit card to gamble has been illegal in the UK, but you can use many other options to make payments on UK betting sites.

Creating a new account involves security checks to verify your age and identity. In some circumstances, the bookmaker may require a copy of your bank statement to ensure you have the money to fund your betting activity and that crimes are not being committed.

Once the formalities are out of the way, you must make a deposit - especially if you want to take advantage of the welcome bonuses.

Credit cards may be out of the question, but there are plenty of other options you can use, some of which are listed below:

PayPal

Withdrawing funds from PayPal betting sites is usually instant, depending on the bookmaker, but it can take up to 24 hours. Deposits are generally set at a minimum of £10. However, they can be lower or higher, so it’s worth checking on the website first.

Debit cards

All of the safest online gambling sites accept debit cards, the most popular payment method in the UK. Paying with a debit card means you can generally make a minimum deposit of £5. However, some bookmakers only allow withdrawals of £10 or higher.

Paysafecards

This voucher system has two versions - the pre-paid PIN and Mastercard - but online bookmakers accept both for deposits.

One advantage of the pre-paid version is that you do not need a bank account and thus do not need to provide any sensitive financial details when opening an account. However, you will still need to register your identity.

However, you cannot withdraw with the pre-paid card, so the Mastercard option is better in this respect, although this comes with annual maintenance and currency conversion fees.

Neteller

Like PayPal, Neteller is a licensed e-wallet popular with UK bettors for deposits and withdrawals. However, it’s worth checking with each bookmaker to see if it is an accepted payment method.

Skrill

A global payment platform accepted by many safe betting sites such as Betfred and BoyleSports. As with other e-wallets, Skrill is only sometimes regarded as an acceptable form of payment to trigger welcome bonuses if you are a new customer. Some do not accept it at all because of the rules surrounding credit cards. Again, check the terms and conditions.

Safe betting sites: The Independent view

Safe betting sites are keen to reassure customers they are in safe hands and generally provide lots of information about the encryption technology they use to protect you from criminal activity, so take the time to read the details.

Choosing a safe betting site can be a time-consuming process, but you can rest assured that all the betting apps listed by The Independent are fully regulated and licensed by the Gambling Commission.

Now that you have the tools to help you make better decisions, take a look at our best gambling sites and choose the one that fits you best, paying close attention to the welcome bonuses and promotions on offer.