If you are looking for the best bookmakers in the UK, then you are in the right place. Here, we’ll take you through the key parameters that each bookie must pass before we recommend it to you. We understand that choosing the right bookmaker can be daunting, especially for beginners, but with our guide, you can rest assured that you will find the best UK bookmaker that suits your needs.
High Odds
When it comes to betting online, high odds are a punter’s bread and butter. High bookmakers’ odds mean that you will earn more on every win, making long-term profit much easier. As such, it’s essential to choose a bookmaker that offers high odds. With high odds, you will maximize your earnings and enjoy more profitable returns.
Easy to Use Site/App
Few things are more frustrating than having to spend half a minute searching for your favorite markets on a bookie’s platform. Similarly, tapping your smartphone’s screen ten times to find the withdrawal button on the cashier can be quite frustrating. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a bookmaker with an easy-to-use site/app. A user-friendly platform will save you time and hassle, making betting a seamless experience.
Good Bonuses and Offers
A high joining bonus is an excellent way to enhance your starting bankroll, allowing you to be more versatile on how you bet. Additionally, a large amount of offers and a loyalty program is a welcome addition. However, it’s essential to note that some UK bookmakers try to compensate for poor odds by awarding free bets and bonus offers. As such, it’s vital to choose a bookmaker that offers good bonuses and promotions, but without sacrificing odds.
High-Quality Live Streaming
Betting live with no streaming is like drinking non-alcoholic beer. You might get a familiar taste, but there’s no kick in it. While we don’t expect to watch the UEFA Champions League Final live on a sportsbook, the lack of streaming on Europe’s largest football league’s and Britain’s top racing events is a poor excuse for an in-play betting platform.
As such, it’s crucial to choose a bookmaker that offers high-quality live streaming. With high-quality live streaming, you will enjoy a more immersive betting experience, making it easier to make informed bets.
Large Amount of Events & Markets
The more markets you can find on a UK bookmaker, the higher your chances to stick around. Having many choices on your bets not only allows you to pick a market you might feel comfortable with but also lets you shop the best possible odds from a number of UK bookies. As such, it’s vital to choose a bookmaker that offers a large amount of events and markets. With a wide variety of events and markets, you will have more betting options, and you can maximize your earnings.
Top Customer Service
Customer support is crucial when choosing a UK bookmaker. The last thing you want is to have a problem with your account and have to wait for hours or even days for a response. We’ve seen some travesties during the past years with some outsourced customer service agencies.
Low-budget bookies will try and cut costs wherever they can. This is why customer support agents, similar to the ones on 888sports, who are knowledgeable, fast and helpful, get all five stars from us. As such, it’s essential to choose a bookmaker with top customer service. With top customer service, you will enjoy a more seamless betting experience, with quick and helpful responses to any issues you may have.
Key Characteristics to Identify a UK Bookmaker
Are you looking for a new bookmaker in the UK but don’t know where to start? With so many options available, it can be tough to determine which bookmaker is the right fit for you. In this article, we’ll highlight key characteristics that you should look for in a UK bookmaker before signing up.
UKGC License
Your top priority should be to check if the bookmaker you want to sign up for is licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing all forms of gambling in the UK, and a license from them ensures that the bookmaker is trustworthy and operates within the law.
You can easily check if the bookmaker has a UKGC license by looking for their logo at the bottom of their website.
British Pound Accepted
It goes without saying that a bookmaker should let you deposit and withdraw with British Pound Sterling (GBP). Thankfully, all legally licensed bookmakers offer this option, so you don’t have to worry about converting currency every time you make a transaction.
English Customer Support
It’s essential to have reliable customer support that can help you with any issues you may encounter. By English, we mean native English speakers, who can better understand your questions or complaints. Some Asian operators have been at fault for hiring non-native English speakers, making it difficult to communicate effectively. Look for bookmakers with English customer support that can quickly and efficiently solve your problems.
GB Payment Localization
Apart from well-known payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, and Skrill, a truly localized British bookmaker should offer payment methods that are popular in the UK, such as PayPal and Paysafecard. It’s always a good idea to have a range of payment options, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
British Sports
Football, tennis, and horse racing may be the most popular sports to bet on in the UK, but there are plenty of other sports that are highly competitive and offer dozens of markets. Darts, rugby union, cricket, netball, badminton, snooker, and even drone racing are all sports that you can find on top UK bookmakers.
Correct Sports Categorization
Being able to find your favorite sports and leagues easily is essential. Look for bookmakers that have correct sports categorization, making it easy to navigate their website and find the sports you want to bet on.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are a crucial part of UK bookmakers. It’s self-explanatory, but you might find it difficult to calculate the exact value of a set of odds. Fractional odds are easier to understand and calculate, making them a popular choice for UK bettors.
Special Betting Markets
Politics, entertainment, and Royal specials are quickly becoming player favorites as they let you claim a couple of free bets and offer a host of highly valued underdog options. While they are not necessary, they are a welcome selection when you want to place a small wager on a fun market.
Existing Customer Free Bets
Apart from receiving a free bet when you sign up with a new bookmaker, it’s always nice to receive additional free bets through your betting action. Look for bookmakers that offer existing customer free bets, as they are a great way to get more value from your betting.
Acca & Odds Boost Offers
Special offers on your accumulators, such as Acca boosts and insurances, are some of the favorite promotions among UK punters. Odds boosts and cashback bonuses are also welcome additions on the top UK bookmakers. Look for bookmakers that offer these promotions, as they can significantly increase your winnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is betting legal in the UK?
Yes, sports betting on fixed odds and betting exchanges is perfectly legal in the UK, provided that you are at least 18 years of age. The UK has a well-established and regulated gambling industry, overseen by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Do I have to pay a gambling tax on my winnings?
Ever since 2001 and the abolishment of Gambling Duty, players are not required to pay any taxes on their winnings. This means that you get to keep 100% of your winnings, which is great news for all UK sports bettors.
What payment methods can I use on UK bookmakers?
You can use nearly every local and international banking method you can think of, as UK bookies are extremely versatile when it comes to payment options. Some of the most well known and widely used include Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Paysafecard, and bank transfers.
Are there any illegal bookmakers in the UK?
Understandably many bookies are willing to get a piece of the UK betting pie; however, not all can be considered safe by the UKGC. These sportsbooks will, in turn, go rogue and accept British punters without holding a local license. Although in 99% of such instances the United Kingdom Gambling Commission will discover those bookies and block them, you must be extra careful not to fall victim to them.
What is the Association of British Bookmakers?
Abbreviated as ABB, the Association of British Bookmakers is a loose coalition of some of the United Kingdom’s most influential bookies. These operators respect the rulings of the UKGC but also tend to support their own agenda; often in direct contrast to some of the government’s policies.
Who are the leading UK bookmakers?
The top 5 British bookmakers based on revenue are the following: 1) 888 Holdings PLC 2) Entain plc 3) Kindred Group plc 4) Flutter Entertainment plc 5) Hillside Ltd. These bookmakers offer a wide variety of sports and events to bet on, as well as competitive odds and generous promotions.
How many UK bookmakers are based abroad?
As many as 58% of all UK bookmakers are based abroad according to UKGC’s industry statistics. The reason is the significantly lower taxes they are required to pay. Common destinations include some British Overseas Territories like Gibraltar, Alderney, and the Isle of Man.
Which are the best bookmakers for UK elections?
Seeing that the UK political landscape is highly volatile due to the recent Brexit and the rise of the alt-right in Britain, a UK election is surely on the cards. The best bookmakers for UK elections are without a doubt William Hill and Coral. The reason behind this is that both are well known for spoiling us with various freebets on special events.
How many betting shops are there in the UK?
The number of betting shops remained stable more or less during the past decade, amounting close to 8,500. Following the recent FOBTs stake reductions, there have been massive layoffs and shop closures; as fewer and fewer operators are willing to offer both online and land-based gambling. The number of betting shops per operator are: William Hill – 2264 / Ladbrokes – 1828 / Betfred – 1620 / Coral – 1529 / Other – 1079
Who to Contact for Bookmaker Complaints in the UK?
If you feel wronged by a UK bookmaker, you can contact them directly through their live chat channel. Alternatively, you can bring your case to the Resolver, which works directly with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Where to Find All UK Licensed Bookmakers?
You can find a comprehensive list of all licensed online bookmakers in the UK above. For a list of all licensee holders, including inactive ones, visit the UKGC public registry page.
How Many UK-Based Bookmakers are There?
There are 125 active remote operators licensed by the UKGC, with 41% of them based within the UK. The total number of UK-based bookmakers is 51, excluding British crown dependencies or overseas territories.
Most Popular Bookmakers in the UK
According to industry statistics, Betfair is the most popular bookmaker in the UK, with 27% of sports bettors choosing them. Bet365 and William Hill come in second and third place, with 23% and 15% respectively. Ladbrokes and Coral follow, with 10% and 9% of sports bettors respectively. Other bookmakers make up the remaining 16%.
How Many Bookmakers are There in the UK?
There are 10,808 non-remote gambling premises in the UK, with 78% of them offering real events betting.
