Online betting has become an incredibly popular pastime in the United Kingdom, with over 30 million Britons now regularly placing wagers through online bookmakers and betting sites. With new bookmakers launching on a regular basis and established brands constantly updating their products and services to remain competitive, the online betting landscape can be difficult to navigate for UK punters. This article will provide an extensive overview of 10 of the leading online bookmakers available to customers in the UK. We will outline the key features, strengths, and potential drawbacks of each operator to help readers gain insight into which bookmaker is likely to best match their individual needs and preferences. However, with bookmakers prone to changing promotions, odds, products and more over time, some information below regarding bonuses, features etc. may potentially become outdated.
Introduction to the Top Online Betting Sites in the UK
Betting online versus in high street betting shops provides various advantages for UK punters. The convenience and ease of being able to access hundreds of markets at any time from mobile or desktop is a huge benefit. Most bookmakers offer incentives like free bets and odds boosts to encourage sign-ups, providing another edge over traditional bookmakers. And innovations like cashing out bets early and live streaming events add to the appeal of betting online.
But with so much choice, finding the online bookmaker that offers the right markets, odds, promotions and usability to suit your style can seem daunting. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of 10 leading online bookmakers who cater extensively to the UK market. We will assess their products and services across a number of key criteria to paint a detailed picture of their respective strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to help UK punters identify which of the major brands are likely to best satisfy their individual needs so they can confidently sign-up and begin betting.
Below is a table summarising the 10 bookmakers we will cover, along with a brief overview of their highlights:
| Bookmaker | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Bet365 | Massive selection of markets, excellent live streaming |
| Betfair | Betting exchange model often provides better odds |
| William Hill | Huge brand recognition, daily odds boosts |
| Betfred | Strong on UK sports |
| Ladbrokes | Competitive odds on UK horse racing |
| Coral | Bet & Get Club |
| Paddy Power | Novelty betting |
| Unibet | More than 35,000 live streams monthly |
| 888Sport | Bet builder feature, great mobile apps |
| Sky Bet | Part of media brand, popular with football fans |
Bet365
With millions of customers globally, bet365 is likely the most prominent online bookmaker for UK punters. Here is an overview of their key strengths:
- Massive selection of sports leagues and bet types covering everything from niche sports to major leagues. Excellent depth of markets.
- Live streaming capability for thousands of events every week is a significant selling point. Streams accessible on mobile and desktop.
- User-friendly desktop site and mobile apps make wagering seamless across devices. Intuitive bet slip and easy deposits/withdrawals.
- Cash-out feature provides customers with flexibility to settle bets early and secure profits or minimise losses. Popular for in-play betting.
Betfair
Founded in 2000, Betfair pioneered online betting exchanges which connect customers directly rather than pitting them against a bookmaker. Key strengths include:
- As a betting exchange, Betfair allows punters to act as a bookmaker themselves by offering odds to other members. This facilitates better value odds, especially for niche markets.
- Huge range of sports covered beyond just football and horse racing. Betfair is the ideal exchange for exotic markets like eSports, Aussie Rules, bandy etc.
- Liquidity depth on the exchange is immense, with millions in the market daily meaning bets are easily matched. No limits apply to winnings due to the peer-to-peer model.
- Traditional fixed odds sportsbook also available with competitive prices. Provides option to use exchange or fixed odds line.
- Functional website and mobile apps. Easy enough for beginners but also appeals to sophisticated exchange users.
The exchange model adds complexity and isn’t ideal for casual punters. But Betfair’s unique liquid exchange, extensive market depth and fixed odds book represent an excellent option.
William Hill
William Hill is one of the most established betting brands in Britain, tracing its origins back to 1934. Its online sportsbook appeals with:
- Huge brand recognition in the UK market and decades of experience as a bookmaker. Renowned as an industry leader.
- Broad range of betting markets across dozens of sports. Excellent variety for seasoned punters.
- Well-designed website and dedicated apps provide a positive user experience. Navigation and bet placement are simple.
- Live streaming capability for UK and Irish horse races. Useful for assessing races before betting.
Sign-up can be lengthy and verification rigorous. But William Hill is otherwise quick and convenient to use. Unique options like odds boosts and #YourOdds make it a great choice.
Betfred
Founded by brothers Fred and Peter Done, Betfred is now one of the largest UK-focused bookmakers online. Key features include:
- Pricing is extremely competitive on British sports like football leagues, horse racing, snooker and darts.
- Website and apps are clean and easy to navigate. Betfred excels at functionality over flashy design.
- Excellent depth on football leagues like the Premier League. Lots of specials and promotions focused on British sports.
- Daily odds boosts across major events to enhance winnings. Other promos like ACCA boosts add further value.
A lack of live streaming and more limited market variety for niche sports count as negatives. But Betfred excels on UK favourites at compelling prices.
Ladbrokes
Now owned by Entain but originally founded in 1886, Ladbrokes is one of Britain’s most venerable bookmakers. Key strengths include:
- Highly competitive odds on UK sports, especially horse racing and football. Prices boosted daily.
- Hundreds of betting markets across sports like tennis, MMA and surfing. Markets priced up early.
- In-play betting functionality excels, aided by useful live stats. Cash-out option available.
- Easy-to-use website and high-quality mobile apps suit novice and experienced punters.
- The 5-A-Side bet builder allows customising special bets on football matches. Fun for casual fans.
In a nutshell, in an increasingly crowded UK betting market, the 10 brands profiled here consistently stand out thanks to their product range, pricing, promotions and usability. Punters should weigh factors like market variety, competitive odds, special offers and brand trust to decide which bookies suit them best. Given regular updates, checking for the specific current offers and features before joining is advisable. But the bookmakers covered offer excellent betting experiences overall. Just remember to gamble responsibly.