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Fact Checked by The Best Betting Sites In The UK - Our Top Picks Explained
With over 100 UK licensed betting sites to choose from and new ones coming online all the time, we know how hard it is for you to decide which betting site to try out next.
That is why our expert sports betting editors have created this guide for you. They have
- Spent 1000s of hours researching every betting site
- Completing detailed reviews for each one
- Compared them by over 150 data points
- Produced detailed comparison guides by sport and category
- Asked OLBG's thousands of users what they had to say about betting sites through our review and rating service.
Below is a summary of our experts' top 10 overall favourites, along with an explanation of why each of these sites made the list.
Table showing the top 10 best betting sites according to OLBG editors
| Rank/Betting Site | Summary | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| 1. bet365 | Unmatched Live Betting and Depth | In-play, bet builder, coverage. |
| 2. William Hill | Trusted odds across top sports. | Football, darts, rugby. |
| 3. Unibet | Great in-play and live streaming. | Tennis, golf, app. |
| 4. BetVictor | best offers and strong app. | Bet builder, offers. |
| 5. Betway | Reliable, all-round betting site. | Football, basketball, promos. |
| 6. Ladbrokes | Popular pick for football and horse racing punters. | Football, racing, specials. |
| 7. Betfred | Leading racing offers and boosts. | BOG, Lucky 15, racing. |
| 8. Parimatch | Modern, balanced betting choice. | Football, tennis, live play. |
| 9. Smarkets | Market-leading exchange odds and cash-out flexibility. | Excels in exchange value, cash-out, and transparency. |
| 10. VirginBet | Clean app and solid offers. | Live stream, bet builder. |
1. bet365
If football betting is your main focus, it’s very hard to look past bet365. It consistently comes out on top in our football comparisons and has been number one overall rated by our users for years.
The reason I feel bet365 performs so strongly for football is the quality and depth of its features, ranking highly for cash out, bet builder and early payout. It’s one of the the best options for both pre-match and in-play betting.
If you like lots of leagues and markets, you’ll struggle to find more anywhere else
Pros
#1 in our analysis of the best football betting sites
#1 in our analysis of best bet builder sites
#1 in our analysis of the best cash-out bookmakers
Cons
Mobile app not rated as highly BetVictor when it comes to mobile betting
I always end up back at bet365 because the features just work better than anywhere else. Especially for football and darts
2. William Hill
If you bet across a wide range of sports, William Hill is a good, if obvious, option. It ranks in our Top 10 for both football and horse racing, but really stands out as the number one betting site for boxing.
That boxing focus is backed up by solid market depth and coverage, while football and horse racing has a dependable all-round offering that out-performs most other betting sites in our comparisons. They’ve top 10 appearances in seven more categories, including darts and motor sports.
Rather than relying on promotional features, William Hill delivers steady odds value and ease of use. This consistency is a big reason why it claims second place in our overall Top 10 betting sites list.
Pros
Trusted brand
Great football odds
Strong market range
Cons
App can feel dated
I use William Hill for racing and football as a daily, but they are really good for boxing too
3. Unibet
If basketball betting is your priority, Unibet is hard to beat. It came out best in our basketball rankings, while also top for Rugby betting and just behind William Hill for Boxing,
Football bettors are also looked after, with some of the best odds and the bet builder coming a close 3rd in our comparisons. It offers a deep range of markets and bet combinations.
A big part of Unibet’s appeal comes from its in-play betting, which our expert team rates highly. Live markets are easy to follow, well presented, and backed up by extensive live streaming coverage, including Unibet TV and Twitch-powered esports.
On top of that, Unibet’s Bet Club rewards regular users with weekly free bets.
Pros
Top for live streaming
Excellent in-play interface
Good tennis coverage
Cons
Limited high-street presence
I use Unibet because they are best for basketball, but better than that, the weekly free bets keep me coming back anyway
4. BetVictor
If you’re betting primarily on mobile, BetVictor has the best betting app on the market.
Football is a major strength, with BetVictor ranking second only to bet365 for its bet builder. The feature is backed up by an excellent range of leagues and markets, giving plenty of flexibility for placing simple bets or building more adventurous multiples.
That sports coverage is complemented by what BetVictor does exceptionally well in horse racing. It offers some of the best horse racing odds available, alongside one of the few Best Odds Guaranteed promos still operating, making it particularly appealing to racing fans who like to put bets on early.
Pros
Rated best mobile app experience
Consistently offers good horse racing odds
Top rated site for Tennis betting
Cons
No weekly free bet club
I used to do a lot of collecting football odds and found the BetVictor were almost always the best, the fact the app is so good has made it my go-to
5. Betway
If cricket betting is your main priority, Betway is an outstanding choice. In our comparison articles it is the best, while also performing well for football at fourth in our football Top 10.
This carries over into other sports too, with Betway holding the same strong positions for rugby and motor sports. Its coverage is broad if you like to switch between sports rather than focus on just one.
Horse racing odds sit just a notch below the very best, but they remain more than competitive, particularly if racing isn’t your main focus.
Both OLBG users and our expert team frequently praise Betway for its bet builder, top-rated Free Bet Club, and coverage of US sports, reinforcing its reputation as a top ten betting site for the UK.
Pros
Strong football focus
Smooth mobile app
Free bets Club
Cons
Fewer racing promotions
I originally joined betway to take advantage of the free bets club but have come to find they are grat for year round cricket betting. If I remember rightly I think i always do my NFL playoffs and superbowl bets there as well
6. Ladbrokes
If football betting is your main focus, Ladbrokes is one of the best options available. It ranks second only to bet365 for football, driven by one of the best acca insurance offers and highly rated cash out options.
Comparisons in other areas back up what they offer in football. Ladbrokes is joint-best for snooker and regularly offers some of the best odds on top NFL games.
Horse racing is another area where Ladbrokes performs well, with competitive odds, and boosts appealing to racing fans. Taken together, its mix of football features, competitive pricing and multi-sport options makes Ladbrokes a mainstay in our top 10.
Pros
Trusted high-street name,
Great racing odds
Huge football coverage
Cons
Site design feels dated
The acca insurance is a big reason I use Ladbrokes for football, but I’ve also found some great NFL and horse racing odds compared to other sites
7. Betfred
If horse racing is your main interest, Betfred can’t be beat. It’s the number one choice at OLBG, combining good odds with a Best Odds Guaranteed offering and popular Lucky 15 bonuses that add extra value when betting multiples.
Football is another area where you’ll find some of the best promotions available. Features like Acca Flex boosts, Pick Your Punt, and the iconic Goals Galore specials are there, while its acca insurance is rated the best in our comparisons.
Pros
Best for horse racing on many levels
Top 10 bookie in 9 categories at OLBG
The Bonus Kings
Cons
Genuinely hard to find a negative
Betfred isnt my main betting site, but I do check the odds every day to see the boosts and offers. They do have some good prices on horses quite often.
8. Parimatch
Parimatch makes our Top 10 tables in seven different categories, including football, cricket, rugby and baseball, which highlights just how broad its appeal is.
That multi-sport ranking is backed up by promotional features, ranking well for In-Play betting, Cash Out and Best Odds Guaranteed.
One area that particularly stands out is the cash-out function which is almost essential now for weekend acca punters.
Pros
Clean modern design
Strong football focus
Good in-play layout
Cons
Smaller UK profile
It's really similar to BetVictor but I've not had my bets restricted here yet - Really good live betting
9. Smarkets
If you prefer an exchange-style approach to betting, Smarkets offers very low commission at just 2%, with 0% commission for the first 60 days and a very good app.
That streamlined setup earns my praise for how intuitive and responsive it feels compared to other exchange platforms. It is especially appealing for users who like to trade positions as well as place straightforward bets.
Better odds on football and horse racing are a given, often outperforming traditional bookmakers thanks to the peer-to-peer model.
Pros
No.1 Betting Exchange
Lowest commission rates
Best political betting site
Cons
Lower liquidity in smaller markets
It took me years to try something different to Betfair but after trying a few I really like the way Smarket show the odds and graphs for movement, plus I can always switch to SBK for fixed odds if I want.
10. Virgin Bet
If you like betting in-play, you really should check out Virgin Bet. It ranks second only to bet365 in our in-play betting comparison, which speaks volumes.
The reason it ranks so well is that you can instantly see which events are live, what markets are available, and where to watch them, which is really helpful.
The other big reason to give it a go is their Free Bet Club. They are #1 in our comparison thanks to the focus on football accas.
On top of that, Virgin Bet also features in our Top 10 for cricket betting and horse racing Best Odds Guaranteed offer, so it’s not just a one-trick pony!
Pros
Great for live streaming across multiple sports
Scores in our Top 10 for five categories: In-Play, BOG, Free Bets, Cricket, Football
The no.1 free bet club in the UK
Cons
No BOG on greyhounds
Who says no to free bets every week? I make sure I do at least one of my football accas at VirginBet every week. I dabble on the live betting too if I'm hovering over the cash out button on my acca
The editorial process for each review is detailed and thorough. The full review process takes a minimum of a month from start to finish and involves more than 10 experienced reviewers along with dozens of regular sports bettors. Head over to our about us page for a full breakdown of our review and rating policy.
Top 10 Rated Bookmakers By OLBG Users
OLBG users have been rating and reviewing UK bookmakers since 2002, providing trusted, first-hand experiences that shape our rankings and help you choose the best betting sites.
They review each site out of five and add their comments to back up their rating.
Here are the top 10 rated betting sites according to OLBG users
- bet365 "I have accounts with most of the online firms and can honestly say 365 are top dogs" Stod180
- Zetbet "I have nothing but good things to say about them... had a good service from them." TheIceMan
- Dragonbet "I was initially impressed by the football in play market" Boogiebear
- QuickBet "Good sign up offer with boosted odds" Jeff1234
- Mr Luck "Good prices. The platform is very easy to navigate" Robtouptet
- Fun Sports "User friendly design and range of promotions make it a solid choice for football" MaManE
- PlanetSport Bet "Been playing here a while - really reliable sportsbook" Davehaines86
- Betano "One of the best sites for football betting" Mihaylov
- Priced Up "Great range of priceboosts" CJMST380
- Betarno "Decent overall odds, generous welcome bonus."
🆕 New Betting Sites
Luke Bradshaw-Lee updates our bookmaker content every day, which includes regularly adding new bookies to the lists and comparing them with our existing bookmakers to see if they make any of our top 10s.
The full reviews for 36Vegas will be up shortly, as well as a new site called BestOdds, which I think you'll like. Whilst you are waiting for them, I have recently completed the reviews on Apuestarey, Vickers Bet and Hot Streaks sports betting sites - all with interesting welcome offers and, as expected, excellent sports betting coverage.
Table of Most Recent Betting Sites to be Reviewed at OLBG
| New Betting Sites Reviewed | OLBG Rating | Established | Listed on OLBG | UKGC License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36Vegas | 4.2 | 2025 | November | 66806 |
| BestOdds | 3.0 | 2025 | November | 66479 |
| Vickers Bet | 4.0 | 1986 | November | 66877 |
| Apuestarey | 4.0 | 2020 | October | 39483 |
| Hot Streak Sports | 4.0 | 2022 | October | 57869 |
| Dream Vegas Sports | 4.0 | 2025 | September | 52894 |
| LuckyMate | 4.0 | 2025 | August | 48789 |
| Swifty Sports | 4.0 | 2022 | June | 58957 |
| BetMaze | 4.0 | 2025 | June | 39483 |
| Betnero | 4.0 | 2023 | June | 48789 |
The Best Betting Sites By Sport
I’ve combined insights from our expert editors with extensive OLBG data scoring to identify which bookmakers perform best by sport. Each ranking reflects thousands of data points. From odds quality and market depth to app performance and live betting features, supported by feedback from real OLBG members. It’s a balanced, data-driven view of where each site truly excels.
Table of the Best Bookies by Sport
| Sport | Site | Why they Rank best |
|---|---|---|
| Best for Football | bet365 | Unrivalled markets, bet builder, and live in-play coverage. |
| Best for Horse Racing | Betfred | Market leader for BOG, Lucky 15s, and racing offers. |
| Best for Tennis | bet365 | Excellent live streaming and in-play tennis markets. |
| Best for Golf | Star Sports | Deep golf markets and each-way value across tours. |
| Best for Cricket | Betway | Comprehensive match markets and in-play detail. |
| Best for Snooker | Coral | Best odds, live streaming, and early market pricing. |
| Best for Rugby | Unibet | Consistently strong pricing across union and league. |
| Best for Basketball | bet365 | Great NBA coverage and clear, app-based live stats. |
| Best for Boxing/UFC | William Hill | Competitive combat-sport odds. |
| Best for Darts | William Hill | Strong darts odds and specials. |
| Best for Greyhounds | bet365 | Traditional choice with regular greyhound promotions. |
| Best for NFL | 888Sport | Leading NFL coverage with deep markets and live betting. |
| Best for Motorsports | William Hill | Good F1 and MotoGP range with consistent pricing. |
We have even more sports covered in the betting guides section of the site, so if it's Ice hockey, baseball, volleyball or cycling, go take a look.
How we Rank and Compare betting sites
Our rankings are built on a blend of quantitative data and expert insight. Each bookmaker is assessed across dozens of categories, including:
Odds quality and market depth - consistency of pricing and range of sports covered.
Live and in-play performance - speed, stability, and betting variety during events.
App usability and features - design quality, bet builders, and cash-out reliability.
Trust and customer feedback - drawn from real OLBG member reviews and user data.
Scores are then combined to produce our OLBG Ratings, with additional weighting applied for sports-specific strength (e.g. racing offers, football markets, or live streaming coverage).
The result is a transparent, evidence-based list of the bookmakers that genuinely perform best for each sport.
Best Betting Site by Bet Features
When I broke the data down by key betting features, it became even clearer why bet365 sits at the top of our overall rankings. They lead the way in live streaming, cash out, and bet builder performance. Features that make a genuine difference in betting day to day. That said, other bookmakers still shine in their specialist areas, and it’s only fair to give them credit where it’s due. Here’s how the top sites perform when we look purely at features.
Table of Best Betting Sites by Betting Features
| Feature | Best Betting Site | Why They Rank Best |
|---|---|---|
| Best Exchange Betting | Smarkets | Low fees and transparent exchange odds. |
| Best Spread Betting | SpreadEx | Leading UK spread betting platform with proven reliability. |
| Best Live Betting (in-play) | bet365 | More in play markets than any other |
| Best Odds Guaranteed | Copybet | Newcomer with the earliest prices |
| Best for Bet Builders | bet365 | Industry-leading builder with most sports and markets. |
| Best for Cash Out | bet365 | Fast cash-out options on thousands of live events. |
| Best for Live Streaming | bet365 | Covers the widest range of live sports events. |
| Best for Free Bet Club | VirginBet | Consistent weekly rewards for active punters. |
| Best for Acca Insurance | Betfred | Long-standing accumulator offers with clear terms. |
| Best for Lucky 15 Betting | Betfred | Known as the Bonus Kings for 3x odds for 1 Winner |
| Best for Football Accas | bet365 | Best footy Bookie = Best Accas! |
These feature results back up everything we see in the main OLBG ratings, real data showing why some sites lead the way in specific areas. If you want to dive deeper into how each bookmaker performs, you’ll find full breakdowns and expert reviews in our dedicated betting site guides.
How To Choose The Right Betting Site For You
If you want to choose your own betting site rather than follow our recommendations then you need to know what to look for. We recommend that you carefully consider the following factors and assess whether the betting site you are thinking about is
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
- Low Risk
- Reputable
- Player Friendly With Their Terms and Conditions
- Has Everything Else You Want!
🔒 Trustworthy Betting Sites
There are over 100 online bookmakers licensed to operate in the UK. We only list UK licensed bookmakers to UK traffic on this site and if you live in the UK we would advise that you don't bet with any bookmakers which aren't licensed by the UK Gambling Commission as you may have trouble if you ever have a dispute with them.
Table showing top trusted betting sites according to Trustpilot ratings
| Online Betting Site | Trustpilot TrustScore | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Matchbook Betting Exchange | 4.5 | 1604 |
| BetVictor | 4.4 | 3045 |
| 10bet UK | 4.4 | 965 |
| NetBet UK | 4.3 | 1459 |
| Spreadex Sports | 3.8 | 806 |
| Kwiff | 3.8 | 3012 |
✅ Reliable Bookmakers
We don't list every licensed UK bookmaker on this page. Some we don't consider to be trustworthy and reliable. This could be for a number of reasons including failing to pay what is owed, changing terms and conditions, having a poor record of customer service.
🟢 Low Risk Betting Sites
There are many new online bookies, some very small companies investing in growing a business in the UK. There are risks betting with small companies as they could potentially come into cash flow problems. However, if they are registered with the UK Gambling Commission, there will be certain criteria they need to meet.
🌟 Reputable Bookmakers
The best way to see this is from user experience. This is why we have collected over 1000 user reviews across the different UK betting sites from the members here at OLBG. Our users will often talk about their experiences with customer services and how any issues they had were dealt with.
👥 Player Friendly Betting Sites
We have spent hundreds of hours trawling through terms and conditions, withdrawal policies, depositing terms for each of the betting sites we list so that we can provide you with all the details. Some bookmakers do make charges for certain withdrawals and you can see that in our reviews.
Everything else you want?
Opening a selection of new accounts and trying them out is an alternative to reading our guides. We are aware that some people may wish to do this and take advantage of the welcome offers available. We update our list of welcome offers daily - you can see them on our free bets page.
Bookmaker Deposit Methods
The key to which betting site you use could be down to how you want to fund your account. In this section we explore the popular funding methods for betting sites and then highlight the best site for each deposit type.
Click the links for the full guides, next to which we show you the category winners - the best betting site for that payment method.
Best Pay By Phone Betting Sites - Bet Goodwin
Best Paypal Betting Sites - SBK
Best Apple Pay Betting Sites - bet365
Best Google Pay Betting Sites - William Hill
Best Betting Sites for PaySafeCard - BetVictor
FAQ
Betting Sites Page
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What is the best betting site in the UK?
According to OLBG’s user ratings, bet365 is the highest-rated online betting site in the UK. The bookmakers on our list are ranked by user reviews from best to worst, and bet365 sits at the top. It’s also one of the biggest and most popular betting brands in the country, known for its wide range of markets and excellent user experience.
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What are the best new betting sites?
New betting sites are launching all the time, and you can spot the best ones by looking at OLBG’s ratings and reviews. Our team thoroughly reviews each new bookmaker before adding it to the site, so you can trust those featured on this page. For example, in 2025 OLBG identified BetTOM as one of the top new betting sites to try. Be sure to read the user feedback and expert reviews for any new bookie to see how it stacks up.
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Who are the biggest bookmakers in the UK?
Bet365 is considered the world’s largest online bookmaker, with a reported 35+ million customers globally. In terms of overall company size, the parent firms Entain (which owns Ladbrokes, Coral, Bwin) are among the highest revenue earners in the industry. Within the UK, Ladbrokes, Coral, and William Hill are often called the “big three” bookmakers because they have the most high-street betting shops nationwide
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Are online betting sites safe to use?
Yes – as long as you stick to legitimate, licensed operators, online betting sites are safe to use. All the bookmakers listed on OLBG are fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, meaning they must meet strict standards for security and fairness. These top sites use measures like secure encryption and ID verification to protect customers. By choosing well-known licensed betting sites, you can be confident that your money and personal information are protected.
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Which is the most trusted UK betting site?
Based on OLBG’s user ratings, bet365 is regarded as the most trusted betting site in the UK. It consistently ranks at the top for user satisfaction and reliability. Independent review platforms show a similar picture – for instance, Trustpilot ratings currently show 10bet (followed by BetVictor) with very high trust scores among UK punters. In general, well-established brands with a long track record (like those above) tend to be the most trusted by bettors.
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Which betting site offers the best odds?
Odds can vary by sport and event, but some bookmakers consistently offer more competitive odds than others. OLBG’s analysis identified AK Bets as a site that frequently provides the best betting odds overall. This means AK Bets often pays out higher on winners compared to the competition, especially in popular markets like football and horse racing. It’s always wise to compare odds on a few top sites for big events, but seeking out a bookmaker known for great odds (like AK Bets) can give you an edge
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Which betting site has the fastest withdrawals?
When it comes to getting your winnings quickly, Parimatch stands out for its fast withdrawal times. OLBG’s ratings highlighted Parimatch as one of the best bookmakers for speedy payouts. Many top UK betting sites now offer quick withdrawals (often within hours, especially if you use e-wallets), but Parimatch is especially known for processing cash-outs promptly. Fast withdrawals mean you won’t be waiting long to receive your funds after a win.
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Which betting site has the best mobile app?
Most leading bookmakers have high-quality mobile apps, but OLBG’s reviews indicate BetVictor offers one of the top-rated betting apps in the UK. In fact, BetVictor’s app is rated even higher than bet365’s when it comes to mobile betting experience, reflecting its speed, stability, and ease of use. Other highly rated sites like Midnite and bet365 also provide excellent apps, so you can expect a smooth experience with any of the best betting sites on your smartphone or tablet.
Summary & Conclusion
When looking for the best betting site for you, the key areas to consider are
- ✅ OLBG experts' analysis of best sites overall
- ✅ OLBG experts' guides to the best by sport
- ✅ OLBG experts' guides to best by category/bet type
- 💬 OLBG user reviews to see what regular bettors say about their experiences at each site
- 💳 The payment methods which you want to use and which sites support them
- 🔒 How Trustworthy, Reliable and Reputable each site is
After comparing all of these factors, it’s clear there isn’t just one bookmaker that’s right for everyone, but there is a right one for you. That’s why we combine our expert analysis, user feedback, and detailed data scoring to help you make the right choice for how you want to bet and what on. Whether you’re betting on football, racing, or anything in between, the betting sites featured here have been tested, reviewed, and trusted by both the OLBG team and our members.
You can open a new account right here on this page, or consider the various betting offers provided by each on our Free bets page.
