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Best Betting Sites UK: Top 20 Online Bookmakers For July 2025

Our tipster, sports journalist and betting content producer Chris Wilson reviews the best betting sites in the UK

Chris Wilson
Wednesday 02 July 2025 11:05 BST
(The Independent)

Which are the best betting sites in the UK? We’ve searched through the 175 licensed bookmakers in the UK and put together a list of the top 20 online bookmakers for July 2025 based on various factors.

It's easy to become lost when scrolling through page after page of best betting sites results on Google. That’s why we’ve spent months researching betting sites UK bettors can choose to deliver impartial and reliable insights for readers.

Top 10 Betting Sites UK - July 2025

Rank

Bookmaker

Best For

UKGC Account No.

1

Bet365

Football

55148

2

William Hill

Horse Racing

39225

3

BoyleSports

Golf

39469

4

Parimatch

Boxing

39576

5

Unibet

Cricket

45322

6

BetMGM

In-Play Betting

39198

7

Betway

Free Bet Club

39372

8

Betfred

Accumulators

39544

9

BetVictor

Live Streaming

39576

10

NetBet

Bet Builders

39170

Our review of the best betting sites UK punters can find draws on research, experience and first-hand testing to assess each platform’s odds selection, security measures, free bet offers and more.

By leveraging trusted third-party data and our reporting standards, we endeavour to provide readers with an accurate and up-to-date guide to choosing the right bookmaker.

Rest assured that all of our recommended bookies are fully regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and we’ve even provided a link to their license number on the UKGC website in the table above.

The Independent’s Top 10 Best Betting Sites
The Independent’s Top 10 Best Betting Sites (The Independent)

1. Bet365 – Best For Football Betting

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The last 20 years have seen Bet365 become the industry leader among football betting sites, while their all-round appeal has led to their popularity with all types of punters.

The Stoke-based firm cater for their customers with innovative markets on all sports, but they are particularly strong on football and recently backed up this commitment by agreeing a three-year deal to become Uefa’s first betting partner for the Champions League.

Bet365’s European football offerings have an abundance of price boosts, early payouts and free-to-play games surrounding the continent’s premier club competition.

The only slight disappointment with Bet365’s football product is that live streaming of Champions League matches is not available.

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Bet365 give customers the chance to win Champions League tickets
Bet365 give customers the chance to win Champions League tickets (Bet365)

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.

New and existing customers can also take advantage of the Bet365 Super Boost, where odds are bolstered on a particular selection in one of the most popular betting events that day.

Bet365 Pros

Bet365 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 seen

Overall, the positives definitely outweigh the very slight drawbacks on Bet365, and it’s not only football that they specialise in. In my eyes, they’re up there with the best for a range of different sports, from horse racing to tennis.

Chris Wilson, The Independent


2. William Hill – Best For Horse Racing Betting

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

William Hill is a well-respected, award-winning bookmaker having picked up the award for Best Horse Racing Betting Operator at the 2024 EGR Operator Awards, making them the premier option for racing punters in the UK.

One of the main reasons it’s the best option for racing bettors is because of their best odds guaranteed promo for bets placed after 8am online.

It’s a handy concession for early-morning backers and 8am is the earliest BOG commencement time we’ve found.

William Hill’s BOG promo begins at 8am daily, the earliest around
William Hill’s BOG promo begins at 8am daily, the earliest around (William Hill)

Like Bet365, Hills offer new customers a sizeable bonus for signing up, with players gifted £30 in bonuses once they register and bet £10 via a mobile device after using the William Hill promo code R30.

The bonus is paid out as three £10 free bets. These can be used as horse racing free bets, but are also available to wager on any other sport, excluding virtual sports.

Not only do they offer healthy bonuses for new customers, but Hills offer regular price boosts with their Epic Boost feature, and they are also a bookmaker that gives away free bets to existing customers for big events like the Cheltenham Festival.

On the negative side, William Hill’s live streaming package is not quite up to scratch compared to some other racing bookmakers, like Bet365 for example, who provide users with access to a large archive of horse races to study.

William Hill Pros

William Hill Cons

Racing Epic Boost promo available on any race

Live stream service not as good as Bet365

BOG promo begins at 8am daily

Sign up offer needs to be claimed via mobile device

Daily extra places races

No free-to-play racing prediction game unlike rival bookies

Sign up offer is valid on horse racing odds

With top price guarantees, BOG and Non-Runner Money Back on several festivals, William Hill’s racing product is unbeatable at the moment. It’d be good to see a free racing prediction game – like you can find on Bet365 and Betway – but overall it is an undoubtedly strong offering.

Chris Wilson, The Independent


3. BoyleSports – Best For Golf Betting

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Established by John Boyle in 1982, BoyleSports is one of the best bookmakers available in the UK, especially when it comes to golf betting.

Each-way betting is very popular with golf punters and Boyles allow customers to choose their own terms.

For example, you may want to back Rory McIlroy each-way but you can select six, 10 or 12 places with the odds reflected accordingly.

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.

This Boyles golf promo is a big hit with golf punters
This Boyles golf promo is a big hit with golf punters (Boylesports)

Away from golf, live streaming of horse racing is available on the BoyleSports site as well as their online betting app and the quality of the stream is excellent.

As are the various promotions and bonuses available to customers which are neatly dotted around the site.

The BoyleSports loyalty programme, called BoyleXtra, provides free bets and exclusive offers as well as prize draws to ensure you get the most out of your time betting with them.

New players can gain £30 in free bets via the BoyleSports sign up offer once they have placed a minimum bet of £10 at odds in excess of evens, while they’ll also throw in £10 credit for their casino sites too.

BoyleSports Pros

BoyleSports 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 betting sites

Lots of promotions for golf and various other sports

It is difficult to find many meaningful faults with BoyleSports, which is why it’s received a five-star rating. Their golf offerings are second to none, but they’re also very good for other major sports such as racing and rugby betting.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

4. Parimatch – Best For Boxing Betting

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Established in 1994, Parimatch has gained a fine reputation for innovation since entering the UK market in recent years, so much so that they’ve become the go-to online bookmaker for big boxing and UFC bouts.

It’s very common for Parimatch to run special welcome offers ahead of big fights, usually in the form of a ludicrously large price boost on either fighter to win.

For example, when Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury fought for the second time in December 2024, new customers could pick their winner at odds of 50/1.

We took up this unique sign up offer on Parimatch
We took up this unique sign up offer on Parimatch (Parimatch)

They do similar offers for UFC betting and big Premier League games too. The only downside is that such offers are usually restricted to new customers only.

Meanwhile, Parimatch is known to be one of the safest betting sites for responsible gambling, with their current CEO Sergey Portnov a former ‘Leader of the Year’ winner at the prestigious SBC Awards, thanks to his commitment to maintaining ethical practices.

New customers can currently gain a welcome bonus of £20 in free bets, but if the terms and conditions don’t suit you there are various other Parimatch sign up offers under their offers tab.

Parimatch Pros

Parimatch Cons

Wide variety of sign up offers

The best offers are reserved for new customers

Genuine enthusiasm for responsible gambling

T&Cs not always the clearest on welcome promos

Unique promotions among boxing betting sites

While not perfect, we’ve given Parimatch a healthy score of four stars due to the emphasis on responsible betting and the value on offer in their welcome promos. Nevertheless, the presence of more promotions for existing customers would probably bring this bookie up to the top level.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

5. Unibet – Best For Cricket Betting

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Launched online in 1999, Unibet has a long history of award-winning bookmaking.

During the noughties, they were 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.

Today, they rank among the best betting sites across all of Europe and in particular the UK where they have really improved their offers on horse racing, football and cricket betting.

We found the level of detail in Unibet’s in-play cricket stats to be very helpful
We found the level of detail in Unibet’s in-play cricket stats to be very helpful (Unibet)

For cricket, Unibet offer a range of promotions for major events such as the IPL and The Hundred, while they also offer live cricket streaming for select events on Unibet TV.

The standard Unibet sign up offer provides new players with £40 in bonuses if they deposit and bet £10, but £20 of this credit is a casino bonus which may not appeal to every punter.

Unibet Pros

Unibet Cons

Choice of sign-up offers

Main sign-up offer restricts 50% of bonus funds to casino

Excellent in-play betting experience with numerous live streaming events

App could be improved when compared with other UK bookies

Multi-award winning sportsbook

One of the major positives when betting with Unibet is the variety of markets they offer for smaller sports. If you are a player that scours the betting landscape for value and innovation – as well as a wider range of sports – then Unibet is a solid option to consider.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

6. BetMGM – Best For In-Play Betting

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

BetMGM is undoubtedly one of the best new betting sites in the UK having begun their journey into the British gambling market in 2023.

Arriving 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 in the last 18 months, 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.

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.

BetMGM’s instant betting feature combined with live data creates an excellent in-play betting experience
BetMGM’s instant betting feature combined with live data creates an excellent in-play betting experience (BetMGM)

The BetMGM sign up offer provides new customers with £40 in free bets once you sign up and bet £10.

It comes in the form of four £10 tokens that are free to use across several different sports and features, namely football, racing and bet builders.

For existing customers, the best promotions are centred around odds boosts such as Golden Silks, which is their daily boosts on horse racing, and golden acca which is a profit boost for football accumulators.

BetMGM Pros

BetMGM 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 £1m

We particularly like BetMGM’s in-play experience and their international racing markets, with races from America, Dubai, Australia and more all available on a daily basis. however, these in-play options are not limited to horse racing, with football a particular draw too.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

7. Betway – Best Free Bet Club

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Betway are one of the most recognisable bookmakers in the country given their huge sponsorship presence in any number of sports, but predominantly football.

The simplicity of Betway’s Free Bet Club makes it stand out as the best loyalty promotion among the best UK betting sites.

Moreover, you don’t have to stake a huge amount in order to qualify for the weekly free bets, unlike some bookies out there.

We found Betway’s website to be more difficult to navigate than their app
We found Betway’s website to be more difficult to navigate than their app (Betway)

With the Betway Free Bet Club, punters who bet £25 per week on sports multiples – either accumulators or bet builders with three or more selections – will be rewarded with £10 in free bets (two £5 tokens).

All you have to do is opt in via the Betway promotions page and meet the qualifying terms week to week to collect your free bets.

The current Betway sign up offer is a £30 matched bet plus 100 free spins on their casino, but those on a lower budget can choose a bet £10 get £10 alternative offer via the link above.

Betway Pros

Betway Cons

Best Free Bet Club on the market

Offers and promotions hidden away

Very good betting app with live streaming

Website not easy to navigate compared to the app

Great for multis with bet builder and acca insurance

What is particularly appealing about the Betway Free Bet Club is how much value you can get back. By meeting the weekly criteria, you receive £10 in free bets for every £25 staked, effectively giving you 40 per cent back to reinvest. It’s a great way to get extra bets for your money if you’re someone who wagers regularly.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

8. Betfred – Best For Accumulators

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Betfred have been a leading bookmaker in the UK since the 1960s and, after accumulating a large number of high street betting shops since the turn of the century, have since embraced the move to the online betting market.

New customers can enter a Betfred promo code then bet £10 to get a £50 welcome bonus, which includes two free £10 accumulator bets, while the remaining three £10 tokens can be used on any sports betting markets.

We used the Betfred bonus code BETFRED50 to claim £50 in free bets
We used the Betfred bonus code BETFRED50 to claim £50 in free bets (Betfred)

There’s no doubt this welcome offer is up there with the best of them, but once you move past the newcomer stage there’s lots of ongoing promotions to take advantage of.

This includes Acca Flex whereby you can receive a bonus on your football accumulator winnings, or cash back if your multi only fails by one result.

There are similar offerings for racing fans too, with 10% bonus funds added to winning Tricasts, Lucky 15s and Yankees for example.

The same bonuses can also be collected for winning greyhound accumulators.

As well as several accumulator promotions, Betfred’s punters can earn sizeable profit boosts with Goal Fever, Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven, among other solid football bonuses.

Darts, rugby and NFL are all catered for too with ongoing bonus offers found under the promotions tab.

Betfred Pros

Betfred Cons

One of the best sign-up offers on the market

Only 7 days in which to use the £50 bonus funds

Accumulator promos available on several sports

Multis must have 5+ results to qualify for Acca Flex promo

No wagering requirements on free bet offers

Bet builders are not eligible for cash out

Betfred are undoubtedly one of the top 10 bookmakers in the UK in terms of their overall offerings. However, the only reason they don’t get a five-star review is because there are a lot of T&Cs to meet in their promos, so make sure you do your homework before opting in.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

9. BetVictor – Best For Live Streaming

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The BetVictor sign up offer may not be as appealing as some of their competitors, but players who sign up have access to a multitude of unique sports betting markets, with a strong focus on football and horse racing in particular.

BetVictor boast a really good live betting platform and have an excellent user-friendly app and website which gives bettors access to their high-quality live streaming service.

This will appeal to horse racing fans in particular, as BetVictor stream live racing from the UK, Ireland, France, USA, South Africa and the UAE.

All you need is a positive betting balance in your account, or you’ll also have access if you’ve placed a bet within the last 24 hours.

The BetFinder tool is one of many very useful features on BetVictor
The BetFinder tool is one of many very useful features on BetVictor (BetVictor)

However, be aware that if you plan to unlock a live stream by placing a bet, only outright markets will qualify and promotions such as price boosts for example are ineligible.

Therefore, the simplest route to accessing live streams is to have some funds resting in your account.

Regular racing offers for new and existing customers – including price boosts, lucky dips, BOG and daily specials – make them one of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.

As alluded to above, the current BetVictor welcome offer may not be to everyone’s taste.

It’s a bet £20 get £40 in bonuses offer, but £20 of the bonus funds are reserved for casino activity and can’t even be used on their online slots.

BetVictor Pros

BetVictor Cons

High-quality live streaming service on desktop and app

50% of welcome bonus restricted to casino

Only a funded account needed to access streams

£20 deposit required for sign up offer, more than most other sites

One of the top racing betting sites in UK

Only outright bets will unlock live streams

Not all sports betting fans will be enamoured by BetVictor’s sign-up package, but beyond the welcome offer there’s a lot to like, especially in terms of markets for major sports. Their daily specials on racing are notable, while their live racing streams are as smooth as I’ve come across.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

10. NetBet – Best For Bet Builders

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

NetBet’s rise to prominence in the UK betting market is down to their dedication to bet builders, which are a relatively recent phenomenon in the bookmaking industry.

Bet builders enable punters to pick and choose several potential outcomes within one game 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.

NetBet is one such bookmaker. They pride themselves on their bet builder product and boast one of the largest lists of sports on which bet builders are permitted.

Many betting sites restrict their bet builders to just football, but on NetBet you can choose football, cricket, basketball, American football, ice hockey, baseball, rugby and AFL.

Unlike some other bookies, NetBet let you cash out your bet builders
Unlike some other bookies, NetBet let you cash out your bet builders (NetBet)

Even 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 bet builder-centric with punters getting a £10 free bet builder bet and 25 no wagering free spins when they bet £10 or more on any sport at odds of evens or greater after registration.

NetBet Pros

NetBet Cons

Ideal sign-up offer for bet builder fans

Welcome offer not as lucrative as others

Lots of ongoing bet builder promos

Verifying account process can be slow

Wide range of sports permitted for bet builders

The withdrawal process could be quicker

I’ve experimented with several bet builder sites over an extensive period and NetBet was a clear winner. Being able to combine NFL bet builder picks with NBA selections on one slip is a real treat for US sports fans especially, and the full list of sports you can include on your bet builder is impressive, opening up an entire new dimension for regular punters.

Chris Wilson, The Independent

Best New Betting Sites UK

Our Top 10 New Betting Sites 2025
Our Top 10 New Betting Sites 2025 (The Independent)

We also keep an eye out for new betting sites making waves in the UK market and a select few can hold their own when compared with the biggest brands.

We’ve been testing the newest UK bookmakers to find the best options for football, horse racing, free bets, price boosts, accumulators and more. Here’s what stood out:

Rank

New Betting Site

Best For

UKGC License

1

Bet442

Football

39483

2

BetGoodwin

Horse Racing

2927

3

LiveScore Bet

Free Bets

56859

4

talkSPORT BET

Price Boosts

39576

5

QuinnBet

Accumulators

61011

6

BzeeBet

Bet Builders

39483

7

Betano

Sign Up Offers

39576

8

CopyBet

Betting Tips

53774

9

7Bet

Fast Withdrawals

48789

10

Betiton

Cash Out

39483

1. Bet442– Best Football Betting Site

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Anyone who has any knowledge of football tactics will know exactly who Bet442 is being aimed at. Taking its name from the most famous football system of all time, Bet442 does alot to please fans of the beautiful game.

There are regular special offers, such as Bet442 giving out a £25 free bet for the Club World Cup when a bettor placed an ante-post wager on the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Bet442’s sign up offer also gives bettors £20 in free football bets when they wager £20 after opening an account. It’s a decent welcome bonus, although it was superseded at the time of writing by a money back Royal Ascot betting offer worth £50.

It’s worth checking to see what sign-up offers are available with Bet442 before opening an account, given the tendency with which they are changed.

Other football-related promotions include an acca boost of up to 77 per cent on winning multiples and a well-built Bet Builder tool that those familiar with any other AspireGlobal betting sites will recognise.

Bet442 Pros

Bet442 Cons

Regular football offers

Sign up offers could be simplified

Acca boost of up to 77%

Competitive football betting odds and offers


2. BetGoodwin – Best New Horse Racing Betting Site

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

BetGoodwin focuses on horse racing, and their promotions reflect that, including the BetGoodwin welcome offer of 50 per cent back on your first day losses (up to £25).

They have the biggest range of money back racing offers of any betting sites with punters able to recover up to £100, credited as free bets, should their selection finish second to a 50/1 shot or bigger, be beaten by a nose, lose by under half a length in a chase or fall when leading at the last obstacle.

The first past the post promotion is another nice touch from BetGoodwin, meaning they’ll pay out the initial result of a race and the official result should they differ.

BetGoodwin’s best odds guaranteed promo is only active from 10am on race day, which is later than some betting sites, but it does cover all UK and Irish races, as well as greyhound racing.

BetGoodwin Pros

BetGoodwin Cons

Various £100 free bet racing offers

Sign-up offer only applies to first-day bets

Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)


3. LiveScore Bet – Best New Bookmaker for Free Bets

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

LiveScore Bet is the perfect new bookmaker for those who get their kicks out of free bets.

The LiveScore Bet sign up offer provides £30 in free bets after a first deposit and bet of £10, while ongoing promotions include refunds for losing bets on Saturday’s early Premier League game and selected horse races.

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 Pros

LiveScoreBet 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 bets


4. talkSPORT BET – Best New Bookie for Price Boosts

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Launched in 2022, talkSPORT BET offers tons of price boosts across multiple sports, but none more so than football.

Their Lucky Dip tool adds an extra element of fun, giving random enhanced odds on selected bets.

If you aren’t a customer already, there are regular special talkSPORT BET sign up offers to choose from. Recently, they’ve run sign up offers tied to the Cheltenham Festival, Champions League and Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight.

talkSPORT BET Pros

talkSPORT BET Cons

Daily boosted odds

Live betting odds could be sharper

Good selection of permanent free bet offers

Regular special sign up offers


5. QuinnBet – Best New Betting Site for Accumulators

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

We've found QuinnBet to have one of the largest number of betting offers of any betting sites UK punters have to choose from. Not all the offers are great, but the plethora of accumulator and system bet promotions they have are good.

Punters can claim a free £5 bet every day by wagering £50 or more on accas (3+ selections), horse racing Yankees, Lucky 15s or bet builders. There’s also a daily acca bonus promotion which rewards bettors with a free bet, up to a maximum of £50,

Successful forecast, tricast, and yankee bets will receive a 10 per cent profit boost, while NFL and NBA bettors can insure their accumulators. Just place an NBA or NFL acca with five or more legs, and if one leg lets you down, QuinnBet will refund your stake in free bets.

Finally, all accumulator and system bets qualify for QuinnBet’s weekly money back offer, meaning bettors can get 25 per cent of their weekly losses refunded as free bets.

QuinnBet Pros

QuinnBet Cons

Great selection of accumulator offers

Large stakes required to unlock free bets

Horse racing bettors well catered for

Excellent customer service team


6. BzeeBet - Best New Betting Site For Bet Builders

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆☆

Every online bookmaker now has a bet builder tool, but the best betting sites are the ones that have built on the original concept.

Bzeebet allows punters to put together bet builders for Australian Rules, American football, baseball, basketball, cricket, ice hockey, rugby league, rugby union, football and tennis, way more sports than the average betting site.

They also allow you to combine up to 30 markets from one event into a single bet. But more than the range of markets and sports is the ease with which bettors can construct their bet builders.

If a bet builder is available for an event on Bzeebet, there will be a tab at the top of the page. From there, it’s just a matter of combining the selections you want into a single bet.

Bzeebet can certainly do more to raise their stock among betting sites with the Bzeebet welcome offer and their range of promotions areas to improve on. But when it comes to bet builders, they are doing something right.

Bzeebet Pros

Bzeebet Cons

Simple and expansive bet builder tool

Lack of offers for existing customers

Regular bet boosts on a range of sports


7. Betano - Best New Betting Sites UK For Sign Up Offers

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★☆

Betano are one of a handful of betting sites that consistently produce special sign up offers for new customers to take advantage of.

Whether that’s boosting the odds on Manchester United to win the Europa League to 50/1 or offering Galopin Des Champs at 30/1 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, there’s usually something different to go with their permanent welcome deals.

The standard Betano welcome deals give punters a choice between a bet £10, get £30 in football free bets or a horse racing-specific promotion worth up to £40 in free bets.

The standard and special sign up offers run by Betano are simple to understand and don’t contain any wagering requirements.

They are a nice introduction to one of the newest betting sites in the UK. The only problem is which one do you choose?

Betano Pros

Betano Cons

Regular special sign up offers

Odds could be more competitive

Official Europa League and Aston Villa betting partner

Daily odds boosts


8. CopyBet - Top New Betting Site For Tips

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★☆

CopyBet’s unique selling point is that it allows you to follow and copy the bets of sports betting tipsters, giving you the opportunity to benefit from their knowledge.

It’s easy to check out which betting experts are in form and to start following them, while you are able to access the profile of each tipster to see their stats over the entirety of their time using CopyBet.

However, there’s a lot more to it than just being a platform to follow tips, and they have built one of the best football betting sites in the UK.

The CopyBet sign up offer gives new users £20 in free bets and the entire sum can be wagered on any pre-match of live football market. New users can also claim a 15 per cent daily profit boost token, which can again be used for football betting.

CopyBet will regularly boost the odds of several selections for big football games, while their acca boost promotion is far more achievable than some accumulator betting sites offer with a winning double landing a five per cent boost, and up to a 20 per cent profit boost for successful five-folds.

There’s also the chance to win a £50 free bet or your favourite football team’s shirt with their weekly free-to-play score prediction game.

CopyBet strikes me as being a fair betting site with the way they structure their offers. There are elements we’d like to see improved, such as cleaner sportsbook pages, but football bettors should find plenty to like.

CopyBet Pros

CopyBet Cons

Hundreds of tipsters to follow on a transparent platform

Confusing sportsbook layout

Free-to-play score prediction game


9. 7Bet - Best Betting Site For Fast Withdrawals

Launched in the summer of 2024, 7Bet already provides a strong betting service, They mainly cater towards football punters with their promotions, such as money back on losing bets if a match finishes goalless, although their early payout offer does cover tennis, basketball, baseball, American football and ice hockey.

I noticed plenty of little touches you won’t find on some new betting sites, such as a dedicated horse racing section with several streaming options and a good in-play service. What also caught the eye are the payment options and commitment to being among the best fast withdrawal betting sites.

7Bet pledges to process withdrawals, no matter the payment option, the same day as the request is made. Any withdrawal from 7Bet will take no longer than three days, althought in my experience, they were able to transfer my funds in a matter of hours.

7Bet Pros

7Bet Cons

Most withdrawals processed the same day

Poor mobile betting service

Good selection of offers for existing customers


10. Betiton - Betting Sites With Cash Out

Most of the best betting sites offer a cash out function, allowing bettors to lock in an early profit or cut their losses on losing wager.

But how cash out works differs from one online bookmaker to the next, with some resticting which sports or bet types they offer cash out on.

Betiton cover most bases when it comes to cashing out, offering the tool for both single and accumulator bets, while also giving punters the option of a full or partial cash out.

Partial cash out lets bettors claim some winnings earlier, while leaving the remainder in play on the bet.

The best live betting sites are often the top picks for cash out betting too and Betiton’s superb in-play service, where the odds update in real time, means the cash out figure is regularly updated. Once bettors have hit the cash out button, I found Betiton would process the request very quickly.

Betiton Pros

Betiton Cons

Cash out offered on a variety of sports and bet types

Lack of offers for exisisting customers

Stylish integration of stats into event pages

Seamless cash out process


Why Trust Us

Chris 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 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.

5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Betting Site

Now that we’ve established the top 10 betting sites and the best new bookmakers, we’d like to provide some advice on what you should consider before choosing the bookie that appeals most to you.

1. Payment Methods

The best betting sites should offer a range of payment methods to suit everyone.

Most UK trsuted sports betting sites will still place restrictions on their sign up offers which will require punters to make their first deposit using a debit card, but beyond that, there’s no excuse for only offering a limited number of banking methods.

Further down the page you can read all about the various payment methods you are likely to find on betting sites and the various pros and cons of those methods.

2. User Experience

A betting app or website should be smooth and easy to navigate. Before registering, explore the bookmaker’s site to see if finding the odds and markets you’re interested in is straightforward.

If you're using betting apps, a quick download will show how much storage it requires and whether it offers a seamless experience.

Page load speeds and clear menus are crucial – if a bookmaker’s platform is frustrating, take your bets elsewhere.

3. Customer Support

Reliable customer support is essential. Test a bookmaker’s live chat with a simple query to gauge response times and service quality. Emailing with a general question can also indicate efficiency.

If a bookie lacks live chat or email support, consider whether they prioritise customer service.

Delays in accessing funds or resolving issues can be frustrating, so choosing a bookmaker with prompt, helpful support is a must.

4. Betting Features

Not all betting sites offer features like live streaming, in-play betting, bet builders or cash out. If these are important to you, confirm their availability before joining.

For example, if you enjoy bet builders, ensure they cover your favourite sport.

When in doubt, visit the bookmaker’s help section or ask customer support directly – this also gives insight into their responsiveness.

5. Responsible Gambling Tools

All UK-licensed bookmakers must provide responsible gambling tools, but quality varies.

Self-exclusion, deposit limits and time-out options help players stay in control. Even if gambling feels manageable now, personal circumstances can change.

Before signing up, check what safeguards are in place – choosing a bookmaker with strong responsible gambling features ensures you’re protected, whatever the future holds.

How we Ranked The Best Betting Sites UK

We ranked these UK betting sites 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.

Below is a breakdown of the key factors we considered when compiling this list.

1. UK Gambling Licence & Regulation

All the betting sites 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. We verify licence numbers directly and exclude any sites operating without UKGC authorisation.

2. Trustworthiness and Transparency

We evaluated each betting site’s reputation based on:

  • Public user reviews
  • Industry standing
  • Clarity of terms and conditions

We favour bookmakers that lay out the terms and conditions of promotions in plain English and that demonstrate a track record of resolving customer issues. Sites with vague bonus terms and hidden exclusions are marked down accordingly.

3. Desktop & Mobile Usability

Each betting site is put through its paces on both desktop and mobile devices. We assess:

  • 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 Promos

It’s easy to get drawn in by offers that promise ‘bet X, get Y’ or those that promise 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 Gambling

Safer gambling isn’t a slogan that betting sites can put on their pages. We prioritise 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 punters

A bookmaker's approach to player welfare is a key factor in our ranking. We only recommend betting sites that make it easy for users to stay in control.

Betting Sites Payment Methods

Betting sites have moved on from only accepting debit card payments, and there are now a large number of ways for bettors to conduct their financial transactions.

E-wallets, digital payment providers, and pre-paid cards are the norm when it comes to banking with the best betting sites, while Apple Pay and Google Pay have made mobile transactions far more straightforward.

Each payment method accepted by betting sites has its pluses and minuses, and these are my findings on the most popular options.

  • Debit cards: The most common payment method found on betting sites. Nearly every online bookmaker will accept deposits and withdrawals made via Visa or Mastercard debit cards, and they are often required to complete sign-up offers. The biggest drawbacks with debit cards are the longer withdrawal times some betting sites place upon debit card transactions and the security risk of storing your card details with an online bookmaker.
  • Bank transfer: For bettors looking to move large amounts of money, a bank transfer is the most convenient and secure method. However, transaction times can be lengthy with deposits taking days to process.
  • PayPal: Seen as the original e-wallet provider, PayPal betting sites are now pretty common with the majority of top UK betting platforms accepting PayPal. Both deposits and withdrawals are often processed within minutes and there’s the added security of not needing to hand over any bank details. The biggest drawback to using PayPal on betting sites is that many don’t accept PayPal deposits when it comes to qualifying for their sign up offers.
  • Skrill: Skrill betting sites are slightly less common than PayPal, but I found plenty of big brands accept this e-wallet, including BetVictor and William Hill. Skrill makes transactions super easy with its ‘1-tap’ feature and offers enhanced security. However, my research failed to find a single sign-up offer that accepted Skrill as an eligible payment method.
  • Neteller: The least widely accepted e-wallet of the big three providers, Neteller is an option at some of the best betting sites UK punters have to choose from, such as Betfred and Ladbrokes, but is still seen as a bit of a niche option. Just like Skrill and PayPal, transactions tend to be processed in a matter of hours, butmaking an initial deposit using Neteller may mean punters don’t qualify for the welcome offers on betting sites.
  • Apple Pay: Apple Pay and the Google equivalent have revolutionised how transactions are carried out when using trusted sports betting sites on mobile devices. A couple of taps is all it takes to complete a deposit and payments are instant. There’s no need to give your card details to Apple Pay betting sites and the service has been improved so bettors can now make withdrawals using Apple Pay. The draw backs of Apple Pay are minor, with the withdrawal limits much lower than most other payment methods.
  • Google Pay: Google Pay lags behind its main rival for one big reason: you can’t make withdrawals using the service at most betting sites. Everything else about Google Pay betting sites is the same as Apple Pay when it comes to the speed of transactions, payment limits and security.
  • Trustly: Not to be confused with an e-wallet, Trustly is a digital bank transfer payment service that doesn’t require users to enter any bank details on betting sites. Trustly offers a secure payment option with far higher limits on withdrawals than debit cards and e-wallets, while deposits and withdrawals of any amount are processed faster than they would be via a bank transfer. The biggest issue with Trustly betting sites is that there aren’t that many of them and it can’t be used in conjunction with sign up offers.
  • Paysafecard: A Paysafecard is a pre-paid debit card that doesn’t require bettors to enter any bank details with most betting sites processing deposits instantly. The cards do carry a far smaller deposit limit than most payment options for betting sites. Most betting sites won’t allow withdrawals using a Paysafecard, but some, such as bet365, do now offer the service.
  • Credit Cards and Cryptocurrency: The use of credit cards to fund betting accounts was banned in April 2020 in an effort to stop people borrowing money to gamble. As a result, credit cards can no longer be used on betting sites. Punters may see some betting sites offering the option to pay with certain cryptocurrencies. However, using crypto to fund betting accounts is currently banned in the UK and the betting sites offering the service are off-shore bookmakers that are best avoided at all costs.

What To Bet On Today - July 2

The 2025 Women’s Euros kicks off this evening with England second favourites on most betting sites to retain the title they won three years ago on home soil.

World champions Spain get top billing in the Euros outright market and they get their campaign underway on Tuesday against Portugal with none of the expected championship protagnists in action today as the tournament opens up with Icelands against Finland at 5pm, following by hosts Switzerland facing Norway at 8pm.

Also getting underway today is the second Test of the series between England and India, with the hosts 1-0 up after a thrilling victorey at Headingley. India have rested bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test at Edgbaston, where the weather could have a big say in the outcome of the contest.

There have been some huge shocks over the first two days of Wimbledon and British qualifier Oliver Tarvet will be hoping to spring the biggest surprise of the lot when he faces defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz today.

British number one Emma Raducanu faces a huge test of her recent resurgence when she faces 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

Today’s Betting Tips

Please Gamble Responsibly

A recent 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 is a form of entertainment and should never be viewed as a way to make money. No matter how knowledgeable you are about sports, there’s always a chance a bet will lose.

Never bet more than you can afford and never chase your losses. These are two tried and tested rules for gambling.

Gambling tools are available from the best betting sites, which provide them to help you remain in control of your gambling.

Tools such as deposit limits, self-assessment questionnaires and game time reminders help bettors keep track of the time and money spent at betting sites.

There’s also the option to take a time out or exclude yourself from using betting sites if you feel the need to step away from gambling.

If you ever feel like you are struggling to stay in control of your gambling, do not hesitate to reach out to any of the organisations below:

Best Betting Sites UK: FAQs

What are the best betting sites for 2025?

Personal preference plays a big role in deciding the best betting sites and punters may be best served by joining a selection of betting sites in order to maximise the wide range of offers available. If I had to pick a top five of betting sites, it would include bet365, BoyleSports, Unibet, Betfred & BetVictor.

Can I use PayPal on betting sites?

Most UK betting sites now accept PayPal as a payment method, along with a selection of other e-wallets. However, several betting sites do not allow PayPal transfers when it comes to qualifying for their sign up offer. Check the accepted payment methods for any welcome offer before going ahead if you want to use PayPal.

Can betting sites refuse to pay out?

It is unusual for betting sites not to payout when a wager has won, but there are examples of payouts being denied for various reasons. Bookmakers have cited the odds displayed for games being wrong as a reason to deny payouts, voiding the bet. If involved in a dispute with an online bookmaker, bettors can contact the UK Gambling Commission or IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service) for help.,

Which betting sites accept credit cards?

As of April 14, 2020, UK betting sites and online casinos are banned from accepting payments made via credit card. The UKGC also encourages betting sites to prevent e-wallet payments where the funds have been transferred from a credit card.

How do you block betting sites?

If you are worried about your gambling activity, there are several ways to block access to betting sites. GAMSTOP is a free service that blocks access to all registered betting sites UK bettors can access, while BetBlocker, Gamban and GamBlock can prevent betting sites from appearing on your device.

How many betting sites UK are there?

According to the UK Gambling Commission, the number of betting sites UK punters have to choose from currently stands at 175. Those are online bookmakers licensed by the UKGC. More betting sites can be accessed from the UK, but those are off-shore, unregulated and best avoided.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Independent a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.

Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.

Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.

GamstopBe Gamble AwareGamCare18+

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