UK Betting Sites | Top New Online Bookmakers December 2024

Our Picks For The Best UK Betting Sites

Our testing and review process provides us with all the information we need to categorise the best betting sites for specific sports or features.

We also call on our experience to highlight each site’s pros and cons, so you know exactly what to expect from a bookmaker.

We don’t hold back when it comes to honest feedback and every review includes detailed, unbiased analysis, to ensure complete transparency.

Read on to discover why the following sites made the cut and find out which ones are best suited to your betting style.

Best New Betting Sites 2024

Our research consistently shows that the best new bookmakers drive competition by introducing new types of markets and offers to the online betting world. With this in mind, these are the best new betting sites in 2024, as chosen by our experts and Gambling.com users.

Our Top Pick: Bet442

Why we Picked Bet442

When testing Bet442, we found that this new site is home to promotions features that we usually associate with the best established bookmakers.

For example, we were able to watch live streams of all the big horse and greyhound races from the UK and Ireland, with no buffering issues during our mobile and desktop testing.

After signing up and claiming the welcome offer, we're taken to the homepage, where our attention is drawn to the number of odds boosts available. These enhancements are mainly for football markets and the latest boosts appear in the top left of the home screen.

Bet442's best feature, however, is the bet builder. This same-game accumulator allows us to combine up to 30 markets in one bet, which is more than most sites offer.

The same-game acca is available across 10 sports, including cricket, which most sites don't have a bet builder option for.

Who It's For

Bet442 is something of an all-rounder but if you like to bet on football, horse racing or cricket, the odds and betting options here are first-rate.

The site also caters to a wide range of payment methods. If you prefer using alternative options like AstroPay or ecoPayz, Bet442 is an ideal choice.

Alternative Options

Of all new betting sites we've tested, PricedUp has the most appealing layout and user interface.

While the best price boosts at Bet442 are reserved for football, we were able to claim enhanced odds on boxing, darts and UFC with PricedUp.

If you want a new bookmaker and you're a fan of virtual betting, Gentleman Jim is probably your best option to go with.

There are over 20 different virtual markets to choose from at any time, including golf, football, basketball, horse racing and darts.

Best Betting Sites For Offers

Promotions are a deciding factor for a lot of punters when choosing a site to sign up with. This is the case for many of our own expert team members and for Gambling.com users. 

We've taken user feedback into account and combined it with our own findings in order to recommend these five bookies as the best betting sites for offers and free bets in 2024.

Our Top Pick: BoyleSports

Why we Picked BoyleSports

BoyleSports tops our list in this category for its early payout deals across multiple sports.

During our testing process, we took advantage of early payouts for 11 sports in total. For example, football bets paid out if our team led by two goals and golf bets settled if our player led after the third round - valuable given only 35% of third-round leaders actually go on to win tournaments.

The BoyleSports welcome offer is also a strong deal. After signing up, we claimed £30 in free bets and a £10 casino bonus.

All this took was a £10 deposit and a £10 bet at odds of even money. We found the process to be quick and our analysis of the T&Cs revealed no nasty surprises.

Additional offers like money-back specials, extra each-way places, best odds guaranteed and odds boosts further enhanced our experience with BoyleSports.

Who It's For

BoyleSports is ideal for multi-sport bettors as the offers are never restricted to just one or two sports.

If you're into football accumulators, the early payout deal applies to accas as well as singles. Some competitors, like Paddy Power, only apply early payouts to single bets, greatly reducing the value of the offer.

For American sports enthusiasts, BoyleSports has early payout offers on basketball and NFL games.

Alternative Options

Our latest research of UK betting sites shows that Betfred's bet £10 get £50 deal is the best welcome offer available.

While this is higher in value than the BoyleSports bonus, you don't get as many early payouts with Betfred.

For money-back offers, Kwiff is an ideal site to use, refunding bets if your horse finishes second to the favourite in selected races.

For odds boosts, Unibet's 'Uniboosts' consistently deliver the best value when compared to enhanced price offers from other bookmakers.

Best Bookmakers For Football

Every betting site in the UK offers football betting markets, but some sites stand out to our experts with exclusive offers, value odds and extra features like live streaming of matches. Here's a quick look of some of the best football betting sites in the UK and what they offer punters.

Our Top Pick: BetMGM

Why we Picked BetMGM

BetMGM came to the UK in 2023 with a big reputation in the United States, so we were unsure when first testing this site if the UK's favourite sports would get enough attention.

Those fears proved to be unfounded and BetMGM is actually now the best football betting site online, according to our latest reviews.

The free 'Golden Goals' prediction game is the standout promotion here, with a £1million jackpot for correctly predicting six football scores. If you get a minimum of two predictions right, there are other prizes on offer, ranging from free bets to a share of £5k.

For example, we received a £20 free bet for getting three scores correct on a Premier League matchday when testing BetMGM.

We’re also impressed by the 'In-Play Boosts', offering 50% extra profit on live bets for selected Premier League games. With an average of 180 live betting markets per match, there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this feature.

Who It's For

BetMGM is ideal for betting on the Premier League in particular.

The bookmaker is an official partner of Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, offering 10% profit boosts for winning bets placed on these teams.

On an average Premier League matchday, there are more than 40 odds boosts available across all games combined.

BetMGM also has extensive options for PL bet builders, with dozens of markets. For example, when testing the site we noticed a recent game between Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace had 62 bet builder markets available.

Alternative Options

William Hill is home to some football promotions that BetMGM doesn't have, like early payouts and free bets for correctly predicting match statistics.

Like BetMGM, LeoVegas has profit boosts on sponsored clubs, except instead this offer applies to games involving Manchester City and Inter Milan.

Ladbrokes is our go-to site for football live streams. Once signed up, games from leagues like Spain's La Liga and the Dutch Eredivisie can be watched live while you bet.

Best Betting Sites For Horse Racing

Our latest user surveys show that over 52% of bettors in the UK have placed a bet on a horse race in the past year. The popularity of racing means that bookmakers compete fiercely for business from racing punters, especially when major festivals like Cheltenham come around. Here's a look at our picks for the best horse racing betting sites in 2024, including their standout features.

Our Top Pick: Coral

Why we Picked Coral

Coral is a household name in UK horse racing, with roots as a racecourse bookmaker dating back to 1926. The bookie also sponsors major races like the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, which tells us a lot about its commitment to the sport.

After thorough testing, we found the 'Coral Racing Club' to be the standout feature here, with exclusive prizes on offer at no extra cost. After signing up, we had access to competitions with prizes including raceday tickets and visits to trainers' yards.

We enjoy the 'Racing Super Series' game as well, which challenges us to predict a horse to place in seven races, for a share of a £25k prize pool.

Though we haven't yet won during testing, recent payouts (e.g. 42 winners sharing £543.48 each) show this game's potential.

Other perks that caught our attention were live streams, best odds guaranteed, odds boosts and extra each-way places.

We also took advantage of the option to bet on winning distances in selected races. We recommend this as a useful feature if you have a strong fancy and want to increase the odds by predicting the margin of victory.

Who It's For

Coral is a good fit for experienced horse racing bettors who want a range of features and promotions at their disposal.

The mobile app is highly-rated by our review team and Gambling.com users alike, so if you place most of your bets via mobile, Coral will suit you.

If you're looking for a stripped-back site without too many bells and whistles, Coral might not be for you.

Alternative Options

The Tote is a strong alternative if you like pool betting - where the money placed on a race is shared between winning punters. This can mean greater returns if you like to back outside shots.

BetGoodwin has four money-back specials (more than Coral and other leading sites) where you get your stake back if your horse loses in certain scenarios.

If you like to back Lucky 15s or Lucky 31s, Fitzdares has profit boosts on both.

Bet UK is handy for watching races while you bet. We've watched races from the UK, Ireland, France, the USA and Chile using the site and app.

Best Sites For Live In-Play Betting

One of the big advantages of online betting is the opportunity to place in-play bets while watching sport live. Our research shows that the best live betting sites have a wide selection of in-play markets, outstanding live odds and extra features like cash out and live streaming. If you bet in-play regularly, these are some bookmakers to consider.

Our Top Pick: bet365

Why we Picked bet365

bet365 was one of the the pioneers of in-play betting around the turn of the century and our latest tests show that it remains an industry leader in this area.

The live streaming service is comprehensive, with over 600,000 sporting events annually. During our testing, we watched streams of horse racing, golf, football, tennis, NBA, NFL, and cricket.

The streams are consistently high-quality and there are very few buffering issues, something which other sites struggle with.

To access streams, your account needs to have a positive balance, or you need to have placed a bet in the previous 24 hours.

The range of in-play markets also really impressed us. For example, a WTA tennis match had over 70 live betting options, along with a live bet builder - something not many other sites offer.

Another in-play feature worth mentioning is partial cash out. This allows us to cash out a portion of our bet, leaving the remainder to play out at the original odds.

Who It's For

While we've highlighted bet365 for in-play betting, this bookmaker really is an all-rounder, as evidenced by the fact it has over 90 million customers worldwide.

No matter what sport you're betting on, bet365 will have competitive odds and a range of markets that can compete with any of the best online bookmakers.

Alternative Options

Kwiff is an interesting alternative for in-play betting, with some unique offers like 'supercharged cash out', where cash out values are randomly boosted.

If you like to use statistics to your advantage, Virgin Bet has a live event centre which makes it easy to track in-play stats.

Bwin gives you lots of options with your live bets. For instance, we noticed over 120 live betting markets available for a Premier League football match during our testing.

BetVictor is another strong live betting site - where the in-play odds are rarely beaten by competitors.

How we Review & Rank Betting Sites

We rank betting sites using an in-depth process, which we constantly strive to improve and perfect. Here's a step-by-step insight into how our process works:

Step 1 - Testing & Reviewing

In order to evaluate a site and decide whether it is worth signing up with, we need to have plenty of first-hand experience using it.

The first step in our process is for one of our betting writers to sign up with an online bookmaker and put it under the microscope over a period of weeks, trying out all the key features before reporting their findings.

A fact-checker then reads through their report, conducts their own research, cross-references their findings and applies any edits that are needed. This ensures every review is 100% accurate and up-to-date.

Step 2 - Analysing User Reviews

As well as leaning on our own experiences, we also take into account the opinions of Gambling.com users.

If users consistently post negative reviews about a particular betting site, it’s usually a big red flag for us.

For example, if we notice negative reviews about payment speeds, we’ll look to confirm whether this is a problem by attempting to deposit and withdraw funds ourselves with a range of banking methods.

Experience teaches us that the bettor often knows best. However, we advise against taking every review at face-value when evaluating bookmakers, because occasionally someone will post a negative review which has no real substance behind it.

Step 3 - Comparing & Rating

The comprehensive data we gather is essential to our process, because it allows us to compare sites .

For example, when we review new betting sites or make updates to an existing review, we always take note of the number of sports that have in-play betting markets.

Having this sort of data to hand means that we can easily compare dozens of sites for a range of different factors.

Some of these factors are worth taking note of in case you're trying a site out for the first time yourself. We've explained the most important comparative factors below:

Step 4 - Regular Updates

You'll find that our reviews are regularly updated, along with our ratings.

We then update the rankings on this page to ensure those updates are reflected and that the best betting sites are highlighted above the rest. 

For this reason, we encourage readers to bookmark this page and check back at any time to see which sites top the list. 

Our Expert Review Team

Our award-winning expert betting review team is made up of experienced gambling industry professionals, helping to make Gambling.com the go-to source for online betting information. 

Our experts have amassed decades of experience in online betting between them, across a variety of roles. The majority are also active bettors, so they know what punters want from a modern betting site.

Their dedication to delivering the most objective and comprehensive sports betting reviews was honoured with the prestigious 'Sports Betting Affiliate of the Year' award at the eGaming Review Awards in London.

Here's some more information on the professionals who test online bookmakers, review licensed sites and update the rankings on this page with their latest findings.

How to Choose The Right Betting Site For You

We’ve already looked at the factors our experts and regular Gambling.com users take into account when assessing bookmakers. 

However, there might be certain aspects of a site that make it particularly suited to your preferences.

To help you make the right personal choice, here are some points to consider:

1. Read Our Reviews

As mentioned throughout this guide, we compile reviews for all the betting websites mentioned on this page, which reflect our experience using a site.

Each review is detailed, so it is worth checking out if you need more information on any particular bookmaker before you sign up.

Within each review, we assess features like sign-up offers, payment options and responsible gambling tools. 

2. Consider Which Sports You’ll be Betting on

If you consistently bet on just one sport, then you are best off going with a bookmaker that specialises in that sport.

Some sites will offer a bigger range of promotions or betting markets focusing on a particular sport.

For example, American football fans can find betting sites that specialise in the sport and offer free NFL bets. 

Some will have live streams of your favourite sports, while others may have standout odds.

3. Consider What Type of Bettor You Are

Every bettor is different and it’s important to establish what type of bets you’ll be placing.

If you regularly put accas on the weekend’s football, then you’ll be best off going with a bookie that has promotions like acca insurance or acca profit boosts.

If you enjoy bet builders, then look for bet sites that offer same-game accas across a wide range of sporting markets, or bet builder free bets.

There is no point in signing up to a site that doesn’t match your betting style.

4. Check The Site’s Terms & Conditions

Bettors often skim through a site’s terms and conditions, but we recommend always taking a good look at them.

The best betting options will have user-friendly terms and conditions. This means that there will be no, or very low, wagering requirements on free bets and no charges on dormant balances.

For example, if you are mainly looking to take advantage of free bets, then you don’t want to be subject to wagering requirements for every offer you take.

5. Check Withdrawal Times & Payment Options

Payment options should have an impact on your choice.

If you are mainly a high-stakes bettor, then you will want to double-check a site’s maximum bet or deposit restrictions.

If you like to bet small amounts, you might want to prioritise low deposit betting sites over the rest.

Regardless of the type of bettor that you are, it’s always a good idea to check out average withdrawal times.

You don’t want to be waiting for weeks to receive your withdrawals - but you can rest assured we won't recommend any online bookmakers that delay payments to their customers.

Betting Site of The Week: BoyleSports 

European football returns this week with lots of interesting matchups to look forward to. 

After the drama of last night's Champions League ties, punters can look forward to more European action this evening as Man United play Viktoria Plzeň and Tottenham face Rangers in the Europa League. 

And if that wasn't enough football, there's a full slate of Premier League games to bet on at the weekend - including the Manchester Derby. 

BoyleSports is our recommended betting site for all of this week's sport, including the big PL clashes.

The bookie offers standout odds for bets placed on Sunday's Derby between United and City. 

We also like their 2 Goal Early Payout deal, which allows you to get paid out as a winner if the team you back goes two goals ahead at any stage of the game. 

Horse racing punters can use BoyleSports to wager on this week's racing, which comes from the likes of Southwell, Kempton and Taunton.

BoyleSports offers best odds guaranteed, money-back specials and odds boosts for racing. All major races from the UK and Ireland can be watched live on the site and app as well.

Best Payment Methods For Online Betting

The best betting sites in the UK offer a variety of secure and flexible payment methods. 

Below are some of the best options we recommend for depositing and withdrawing money at online bookmakers.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are the most widely accepted payment method and can be used at all licensed betting sites. They offer a straightforward way to deposit funds by simply entering your card details. 

Keep in mind that online bookmakers in the UK are legally prohibited from accepting credit cards as a payment method, according to UKGC regulations.

PayPal

PayPal is a globally recognised e-wallet and a convenient choice for online betting transactions. 

It’s quick and easy to set up a PayPal account and there are lots of PayPal betting sites to choose from. 

However, keep in mind that deposits made through PayPal may not always qualify for certain promotions or free bet offers.

Trustly

Trustly is a secure e-wallet that facilitates seamless payments.

A key advantage of Trustly is that you don’t need to create an account to use it. Instead, you can enter your card details into Trustly, where they will be securely stored.

Boku

Boku is a unique payment method that allows you to deposit funds without needing to provide card details. Instead, the amount is charged directly to your phone bill. 

Boku is easy-to-use and secure, but it’s important to remember that deposits will appear on your next phone bill.

Neteller

Neteller is one of the most popular e-wallets in the UK and is frequently used for betting site transactions. 

Like other e-wallets, however, deposits made through Neteller may not qualify for welcome bonuses or promotional offers. Always check the terms and conditions before depositing.

Paysafecard

Paysafecard offers a prepaid card option that adds an extra layer of security to your transactions. 

Since it doesn’t link directly to your bank account, Paysafecard is a great choice for bettors seeking additional privacy and security. 

You can use it for both deposits and withdrawals when betting.

Skrill

Skrill, formerly known as Moneybookers, is another e-wallet option worth considering. Some of the betting sites that accept Skrill are among the best in the UK in 2024.

It requires a separate account where you link your bank details before transferring funds to your betting account. 

As with other e-wallets, always verify whether Skrill deposits are eligible for bonuses or promotional offers on your chosen site.

Responsible Betting Tips & Resources

At Gambling.com, we believe that responsible gambling is essential to ensure betting remains an enjoyable pastime.

The best betting sites take this responsibility seriously by offering tools and support to help bettors stay in control.

For most people, betting is entertainment, not a source of reliable income. To help you gamble safely and responsibly, here are some practical tips and resources to consider:

1. Stick to a Betting Budget

Always set a betting budget that aligns with your financial situation and stick to it.

Decide how much you can afford to spend on betting weekly or monthly and avoid exceeding this limit, even during winning streaks.

2. Avoid Chasing Losses

Gambling responsibly means making decisions with your head, not your heart.

Chasing losses can lead to poor decisions and increased financial risk. Accept losses as part of betting and don't try to win them back, particularly by betting on markets you don't have any knowledge of.

3. Use Responsible Gambling Tools

Licensed UK betting sites offer a variety of tools to help you stay in control, including:

• Deposit Limits: Allows you to set a maximum amount of money you can deposit into your account within a specified period (e.g. daily, weekly, or monthly). Used to ensure you don't deposit more than you can afford.
• Loss Limits: Caps the total amount of money you can lose within a defined timeframe (e.g. per day or week). Keeps losses manageable by stopping any further bets once the limit is reached.
• Time-Outs: Temporarily blocks access to your account for a short period (e.g. 24 hours, 7 days, or up to six weeks). Useful as a cooling-off period if you feel your gambling is becoming too frequent.
• Self-Exclusion: Blocks access to your account for a longer, fixed period (e.g. one year, or longer). This is the tool to use if you feel you need to step away from gambling entirely.
• Reality Checks: Provides notifications summarising your activity, including time spent, money wagered and winnings/losses over a set period of time. This encourages informed betting, by giving you a clear picture of where you stand.
• Bet Limits: Sets a maximum amount for individual bets and encourages strategic betting by keeping stakes within reasonable limits.
• Self-Assessment: Some sites offer a self-assessment questionnaire, which provides an opportunity to reflect and examine if you're at risk of having an issue. Advice and tools will then be recommended based on your responses.

4. Seek Support When Needed

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, there are organisations ready to help. We recommend reaching out to these trusted resources:

BeGambleAware

Provides information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling. Offers a directory of support services and practical tools to promote safer gambling.

GamCare

Operates the National Gambling Helpline, offering free, confidential advice and support 24/7. Provides live chat, group chat rooms and face-to-face counselling. 

GAMSTOP

A free service that allows individuals to self-exclude from all online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain. 

National Gambling Helpline

Operated by GamCare, this helpline provides free, confidential advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Safer Gambling UK

Offers information and resources to promote safer gambling practices. Provides advice, helplines, and tools to help individuals stay in control.

5. Why Responsible Gambling Matters

Betting should be enjoyable and should not be a cause of stress or financial difficulty.

That’s why the bookmakers featured at Gambling.com are all licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and prioritise protection.

Always remember to gamble responsibly and enjoy the best of online betting. For more information, check out our dedicated responsible gambling hub.

Why we Only Highlight Licensed Betting Sites

As we've mentioned throughout this guide, the UK Gambling Commission seal of approval is a must for reputable betting companies. 

The UKGC is one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the world of online betting and there are a number of reasons why it has gained such a reputation:

• Personal Data Protection: The UKGC regulates betting sites so that they keep bettors' personal data safe. Personal data can only be obtained for the prevention of crimes such as money laundering and not for any other purpose.
• Responsible Gambling Code: In order to obtain a UK Gambling Commission licence, a bookmaker must make responsible gambling information available to customers and follow a strict code of practice.
• Gambling Licence Enforcement: If a betting site is found to have broken UKGC regulations, their parent company could be fined large sums of money or have their gambling licence revoked, meaning they won't be permitted to operate in the UK.

Our Final Thoughts on UK Betting Sites

This guide was created to streamline your search for licensed UK betting sites that align with your preferences. 

Whether you’re looking for competitive odds, a range of sports markets, or valuable betting offers, our reviews provide detailed insights to help you make an informed choice.

We update this list with new betting sites when they meet our high standards, so you’ll always have fresh options to explore.

Above all, remember that betting should enhance your enjoyment of whatever you're gambling on, not detract from it. Keep the experience fun, set limits, and always gamble responsibly.