Your Guide To The Best UK Betting Sites in 2020

We’re a team of passionate and experienced punters who are proud to share with you our diverse and expert knowledge related to every aspect of sports betting. We enjoy gambling but also take it seriously because, at the end of the day, we’re still betting our hard earned money. This makes it all the more important to us that we choose the best sports betting brands the industry has to offer you.

Through our reviews, we can help you in your quest to find the best betting websites that are the most ideal for you. We carefully analyse and test each sports betting site we review, so we can provide you with the most important information regarding their sign up offers, other promotions, betting markets, betting options, banking, support and more.

We cover it all and recommend only the sports betting online brands we trust and where we are customers ourselves. We know what makes a site great and our mission is to share this with you. Welcome to TBS.

Top UK Betting Sites – September 2020

New customers only – £10 min deposit – The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least once with cumulative odds of 1.5 or greater. Wagering must be cleared within 90 days. This offer may not be combined with any other offer. Deposit methods, Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply.

New UK & NI customers only. 18+. Sign up using promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet at a minimum of £10 in one bet transaction at evens (2.0)+.

New UK and Ireland Customers Only. Min Deposit: £/€10. First Deposit matched up to £/€30. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet.  Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. Additional Terms Apply

New customers only. Min deposit £10 (UK debit cards only) Bet £10 at odds of evens (2.0) or greater. Multiple bets with cumulative odds of evens (2.0) count, each leg must have odds of 1/5 (1.2) to be eligible. Each way bets are eligible for this promotion. Upon qualifying bet settlement, 1 x £5.00 Free Bet will be credited to your account. Once the first £5.00 Free Bet has been used a further 3 x £5.00 Free Bets will be applied to your account. Free bet stake not returned after bet settlement. Valid for 7 days, each Free Bet must be used in its entirety.

18+. UK+IRE only. T&Cs apply.

New customers only. Deposit £10 min and claim in ‘my offers’ 1×100% mobile in-play profit boost. Max stake £10. Max extra winnings £100. Valid for 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits do not qualify. 18+ Full T&Cs apply. www.begambleaware.org

18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply,

New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply.

New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £30. Only deposits made using Cards or Paypal will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.

New customers only; Use code: PLAY10; Min. deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Bonus amount is 50% of deposit up to £50; Offer can be claimed once per household; Wager the qualifying deposit and bonus amount 5x within 30 days to convert bonus winnings into real money; Wagers must be on min. odds of 1.80 on singles or combo bets with min odds. of 1.40 per selection to qualify; Max. stake contribution to wagering requirement is the value of your bonus; Terms apply; 18

New UK players only/First bet in first 14 days/ Any sport with 3 selections/ Deposit and min. 1.8 odds per selection/Minimum stake £5 maximum £30/ Certain payment methods excluded/ T&C apply/18+/begambleaware.org

18+ T&Cs apply. Cash stakes only. Min £10 stake required for initial £5 free bet. Min odds ½. Max £25 in free bets. Subsequent free bets equal 50% average of each 3 qualifying bets. 13 bets required to receive full £25 free bet. Qualifying bet must be placed within 30 days of opening account. Free bet expires after 7 days. Payment method restrictions apply

18+ ,UK + IRE only, 18+, Full T&Cs apply

Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credit stake. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

Best Betting Sites in the UK (September 2020)

How We Rank Our Websites

To receive our approval, the sites we review and recommend to you – like the top 10 betting sites above – must meet certain criteria. Here are the good things we look for when reviewing the best sports betting brands:

• Friendly interface – We investigate how fast an online betting site responds and how easy it is to navigate, on both desktop and mobile.
• Easy to sign up – We open betting accounts to find out how straightforward and fast the process is. The best online betting sites UK experiences are those that begin with simple, short and quick registration. It should never be complicated with long loading wait times.
• Easy to place bets – Backing your favourite sports team should be as easy as a few simple clicks of the mouse or taps on your phone. All available betting markets should be clearly marked and easy to navigate, so when you’re ready to place a bet, it should happen almost instantly.
• Great welcome bonus – Behind every great bookmaker is a great welcome bonus. Perks matter! Of course you want to know what’s in it for you, and we let you know what types of offers you can expect when you first sign up, what you need to do to claim them, as well as the terms and conditions that might apply.
• Good odds for interesting events and/or matches – Our list of betting sites contains only those sites with considerably and reasonably good odds for football, tennis, boxing, and any other markets the site might offer. The odds are the probability of an outcome and determines the returns you can expect from a wager if you win. For instance, if a betting site has 4/1 odds, and you place a bet online, this means for every £1 wager the return is £4.
• Attractive ongoing promotions – Good betting sites offer promotions beyond those that are reserved for newcomers. We check to see, not only if a bookie offers ongoing promos, but also how interesting they are. We’ll tell you about the offers and loyalty scheme that give you the highest value and that we think would be of interest to you.
• Extras – Some sites offer more than just your standard betting options, some also offer live betting/in-play betting/in-running betting, streaming options, etc. We’ll let you know about any extras that make the bookie exceptionally noteworthy.
• Wide range of markets – We’ll let you know what markets the sports betting sites cover. This doesn’t include only sports like football, rugby, boxing, horse racing, etc. but all available options, including other sports like darts, snooker, MMA, e-Sports etc., and even beyond sports, such as TV, novelty, political betting markets, and so on.
• Customer support – How reliable and knowledgeable is customer support? Are they friendly? How quickly do they respond to queries and can you contact them 24/7? We find out all the answers, including if the FAQ is helpful.
• Security – It’s safe to say that if there’s one thing the top 100 betting sites have in common, it’s that they are fully licensed and regulated and have high quality security. All the sports book operators in our online betting sites list fully protect and safeguard their customers’ privacy, personal data and funds transfers, around the clock.

With That In Mind, Here Are Some Of The Bad Things We Watch Out For:

• No licence to work in the UK – Bookies must meet basic legitimate betting websites UK standards as put forth by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). We don’t review illegal sites.
• Website is slow – If a site takes forever to load, we’re not interested in what they have to offer, as they clearly haven’t taken the time to provide the best online gambling experience to their customers.
• No welcome bonus and/or interesting promotions – As we already covered, perks matter! No welcome offers or ongoing-promotions shows that a brand doesn’t value its players.
• Difficult to navigate the product – You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to find out what online betting websites have to offer.
• Betting options are too limited – If there’s only a few markets and restricted betting options, you’re not getting a full experience.

How Do Sports Betting Offers Work?

The top sports betting sites always offer their customers offers. It is how they stay competitive with other online gambling sites. The following is a basic idea of how these offers work.

Welcome Offers

• Deposit bonus – Often given in the form of a 100% match bonus, this means that what you deposit is equally matched by the online bookmaker (e.g. deposit £20 and you’ll get £20, so you start off with £40 total in your account).
• Free Bets – This is the most common welcome offer. It typically involves making your first deposit and placing a low deposit (e.g. £5 or £10) on specific odds (e.g. odds of 1/2or greater) to receive a certain amount of free bet (e.g. £20) from the sports book.
• Money-back specials and bonus accumulators are also sometimes offered to new players.

Ongoing Promotions

Online sportsbooks usually offer additional promotions to their punters, as well. Most are time-limited offers released for certain sporting events, such as the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the Euro, the World Cup, the Olympic Games, etc. That said, they may also include longer running promotions that include best odds guaranteed, ACCA savers, etc.

There are also loyalty schemes (some are by invitation only), that give players the chance to earn perks, such as exclusive rewards, faster withdrawals, and so on. Keep in mind that all promotions have terms and conditions. There are certain rules that must be followed (e.g. using a promo code, betting on certain markets, place bets on certain odds, etc.), in order to claim the offer and benefit from it.

Bonus Terms and Conditions

Punters looking to take advantage of the wide range of bonuses and promotions available with online bookmakers today must be aware of the terms and conditions surrounding them beforehand, as these will likely have a significant impact upon your ability to make withdrawals. Many of the top UK betting sites introduce such promotions during the year, with the following being among the most important factors to take into consideration:

Wagering Requirements

The total bonus amount received will often have to be rolled over a certain amount of times before withdrawals become available, which ultimately makes this eventuality less realistic. The total turnover amount will differ between the top UK betting sites, however those who enjoy sports betting using bonuses must be aware of this.

Minimum Odds

Meanwhile, minimum odds must be hit when it comes to both claiming bonuses and using them, with even the best online betting sites ensuring that punters can not simply bet on the overwhelming favourites. Such odds normally sit somewhere between 2/5 and 2/1, however the actual price will vary.

Validity Period

Having gained a bonus, whether it be with one of the best online betting sites or betting apps, punters will generally have a set period of time in which they must meet any wagering requirements in. Those failing to do so are likely to forfeit their bonus, making this another key aspect of the terms and conditions set by bookies.

Bonus Codes

Punters must also be sure to use any necessary bonus or promo code when making qualifying deposits, as failing to do so will mean that you miss out on a potentially lucrative offer. While the use of bonus codes has become rare over recent years, bettors must still be sure to check this beforehand.

Betting Apps & Mobile Betting

With the demand for betting on the go being bigger than ever, it comes as little surprise that the majority of leading bookmakers have now introduced betting apps and easy to use websites in this area. Whether it be for iOS or Android devices, such platforms allow punters to bet on their favourite sports markets when away from their desktop.

The majority of the leading betting apps have been designed largely with iOS users in mind, however Android customers will be pleased to hear that they can still take advantage of a large number of mobile platforms. The likes of 888Sport, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, William Hill and Betfred are all well known for their mobile betting platforms, with each offering a dedicated app free of charge to punters. These apps deliver features including live streaming, cash out and Touch ID log-in, which add up to make them the preferred platform for many bettors today.

Live Betting & Streaming

Live, or in-play as it is commonly known, betting has become a key part of many sports betting strategies, with bookmakers offering odds on events that are already underway. Odds fluctuate depending on what is taking place on the field, court or circuit, with punters who are able to place bets at the right time being in with a good chance of earning some significant winnings. Similarly, punters have also been aided by the fact that events are available to watch thanks to the live streaming features offered by leading bookmakers today, with just a small bet or positive account balance being required in order to gain access. Live streams, whether it be football, tennis, horse racing or other disciplines, adds to the overall excitement of betting, while it is also gives punters a chance to understand how an event is playing out before backing their favourite. For those looking for excellent options when it comes to both live betting and live streaming, bookmakers including Betway, William Hill and Coral are well worth checking out.

Online Betting Exchanges

As opposed to a traditional online bookmaker, a betting exchange allows punters the opportunity to bet against other registered customers, who can offer and request odds with one another. Betting exchanges charge a small commission on all winnings made, however they are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to sports betting, with the likes of Betfair, Matchbook and Smarkets being among the most recognisable names in this area.

LICENSING AND REGULATION OF SPORTS BETTING IN THE UK

No matter where you may choose to bet online, for your own protection, always ensure that the site is legally licensed to operate. All legitimate gambling sites UK-based are licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. This governing body was established in 2005 and created for the sole purpose to regulate commercial gambling in the UK. It requires all gambling brands who want to operate in the UK market to meet certain strict requirements and regulations to ensure that these operators provide a transparent, consistent, fair, secure and responsible environment to their patrons. All sites licensed by the UKGC will display the Gambling Commission logo. Make sure you see it before you sign up.

 Is Online Betting Legal in the UK?

The laws surrounding betting in the UK are simple, with the industry being well regulated. The Gambling Commission ensures that gambling operators meet the required standards, which includes all online platforms. The Gambling Commission works under the terms set by the Gambling Act of 2005, claiming responsibility for the regulation of online gambling in the UK.

There are now a huge number of UK-based betting sites, along with a number of foreign-based platforms that cater for UK residents, with users being able to legally utilise them and place bets at their will. As well as this, authorities in the UK work hard to ensure that gambling is not associated with crime, conducted fairly and that children and vulnerable people are protected from harm.

 As a result, those in the UK looking to place bets should do so on a platform that is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. Those over the age of 18 are able to gamble online legally, while there are a number of organisations in place which help those who believe they have been treated unfairly. On a similar note, those in the UK are able to take home 100% of their winnings due to tax laws.

 What are the restrictions of betting  in the UK?

The minimum age for gambling in the UK has been set at 18 years old, with this being the case when it comes to brick and mortar betting shops and online betting sites. Anyone below the age of 18 placing bets will be guilty of a criminal offence, with bookmakers having to verify this before deposits can be made. Meanwhile, bookmakers will also set limits in terms of the maximum stakes accepted online, designed to ensure that punters do not go over their means.

 How Can I know If a Betting Site is Safe to Bet At?

While there are a large number of reliable and trustworthy betting sites available to punters in the UK today, it is hugely important that you register with a bookie who offers a safe platform at all times. The first factor to consider is whether that bookmaker holds a valid license from the Gambling Commission, with their logo being displayed on the footer of their website if so. Those who hold such a license can generally be considered as safe, due to the high standards in which the authority has put in place. In order to be awarded a gambling license from the Gambling Commission, operators must meet strict standards when it comes to fair games, security and responsible gambling, which should all be of importance to punters.

 Leading betting sites work alongside respected and approved authorities in order to test their features and services. Meanwhile, online betting sites should use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology in order to ensure that their platform is nothing but 100% secure at all times. SSL provides a private link between the betting site and the customer, helping to battle against the threat of fraud in the process, along with the possibility of malware and viruses. The best betting sites will also work alongside gambling organisations in order to promote responsible betting at all times, while only those aged over 18 and those who are able to provide a proof of identity should be accepted.

 Why Trust at TBS?

We are a team of veteran punters who are committed to sharing our experiences with you about the top online UK betting sites we have personally researched, tested and reviewed. We are passionate about online sports betting, and we believe that our knowledge and expertise as punters can benefit you as you seek to get the most out of your online betting experiences. Serving as a comprehensive and honest resource covering the many aspects of online bookmakers, TBS is your one-stop-shop for information about the best sports betting sites the UK has to offer.

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