This is our guide to the best safe betting sites in 2025, based on regulation, reputation and responsible gambling measures. All of these trusted betting sites come with licensing from the UK Gambling Commission.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 or more on any sports market at minimum 1/1 odds within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get £20 in sports Free Bets with 7 days expiry. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded | T&C apply Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. No cash out. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses (until 23:59) as a Free Bet up to £25, valid for 7 days. Min. 3 bets required, with 2 bets being at least 50% of your largest stake. Place at least 1 bet of £10+ at odds 2.00+ to receive a £5 Free Bet even if your account is up or losses are under £5. Gamble Responsibly. T&CS Apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Qualifying bet of £10 at min. odds 2.0 within 5 days of registration, E/W excluded. Get 3x Free Bets at min odds 2.0 each. 1x£10 Football, 1x£10 Racing, 1x£10 Acca (Min 4 selections). 7-day expiry. New selected customers. Min. deposit of £10. Full T&Cs apply.
Promotion available on desktop and web only and is not offered via the kwiff apps.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. *New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Customers by invite Only. Min Deposit £20 (exc PayPal & PaySafe). Max Bonus £30 (30x wagering & max wins £2000) & 100 Free Spins @10p playable on selected games (1x wagering on wins, max wins £500) + 100% Odds Boost Token. T&Cs apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. #ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Opt in to this promotion and deposit via Debit Card. Place your first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/1 on any sports market within 7 days of registering. T&Cs Apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1(2.00) or greater. Paid as Bonus Token with Min 4/5(180) Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible.BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Add a bet to your betslip with the minimum stake of £10 and tick “promotion opt in” on the betslip before placing your bet. Once accepted we’ll credit you with a £20 free bet. Only deposits via debit cards will qualify. Minimum odds on qualifying bet 1/1 (2.0). Your qualifying bet must be placed within 7 days after claiming the offer. Ends 31/12/25 at 23:59 GMT. Full T&Cs Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New customers only. Place a minimum £40 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £20 free bet upon bet settlement. Free bet expires after 7 days. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New cust only, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+. T&C’s Apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. #ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Get a percentage boost on all football multibets of 4 or more selections.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. Available once per household. Max. FreeBet amount: £10 Minimum Deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Free Bet is: £10 Void/cancelled or cashed out bets do not count towards wagering to activate the free bet. Offer valid only to customers making a first deposit of £10 or more. Offer only applies to players who are residents of United Kingdom and Irland.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Other Promotional Play restrictions apply. 18+. T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. *New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply.
**UK and Irish horse racing win/each-way bets placed after 9am on race day. Max enhancement £50k/day. Rules and exclusions apply. Click here for full T&Cs.. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware®. 18+
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ New customers only. Opt in via app and bet £15 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 1/1+) and a £10 Slots Bonus on Bigger Bass Splash, 30x wagering, max redeemable £250. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. Sign up using promo code b20g10. Deposit and place a minimum £20 bet with minimum odds of evens (2.00) and receive a £10 free bet upon bet settlement. Free bet expires after 7 days. 18+. GambleAware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets) • Full T&Cs apply • www.gambleaware.org
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. T&C's apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 ore more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 hours within of registration. £10 free bets must be wagered on sports. Cashback is cash without restrictions.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. #ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits.Full Terms apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on any sports at odds of 1/1+ within 7 days of signing up. Get £15 & £10 in Free bets for set markets & £15 & £10 in Slots Bonus for set games, 40x wagering, to withdraw max £625. Rewards expire in 30 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4 x £5 free bets. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New customers only. Registration required. Valid on your first combo bet (minimum 3 selections, minimum odds of 1.40 per selection, minimum bet of £5). If you lose, you receive a 100% refund up to £30 as Free Bet. Free bet valid for 7 days. The Free Bet can be used on a combo bet with at least 3 selections, minimum odds of 1.40 per selection and maximum odd of 6.00, all sports, excluding horse racing and virtual sports. Gambling can be addictive. Terms & Conditions apply. Please play responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Cash back without wagering the day after if the player loses all the money in the account.
Min deposit £10. Gameplay is monitored. Full T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. #Ad. New customers Only. New customer must place and settle £50 in bets on Matchbook markets only. The user must bet on at least 4 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. T's and C's Apply. Be Gamble Aware. 18+
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New Customers Only. Min deposit £20. Maximum one £10 Free Bet & two £5 Bet Builder Free Bets. Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of Evens (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus tokens: Token 1 Min odds Req: 4/5 (1.80). Token 2 & 3 are valid for Bet Builder only and are subject to min odds of 2/1 (3.00). T&Cs Apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New players only. Bet £10 min. odds 1/1 (2.00). No cash-out. Free Bet available on Bet Builder. 25 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash, each valued at 10p without wagering requirement. Terms apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. *New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs and deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New player only, 1st deposit, min deposit £15, Max £15 Free Bet valid for 14 days, Bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller, Skrill and Payapl not eligible. T&C apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Free bets and bonuses are valid for 7 days. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Min £/€/$ 20 qualifying bets stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £/€/$ 30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £/€/$ 200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms Apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet on sportsbook at min odds 1/1 (2.0) each leg. Receive 2 x £10 free bets within 24 hours of bet settlement, and further 2 x £10 casino bonus the next day. T&C’s apply.
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Bet £50 to Get a £25 Free Bet. Offer available to new customers only signing up with Promo Code BET50GET25 only. Full T&C's apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. This promotion is for new customers only.
- Sign up using the promo code bet20get10 and make a minimum deposit of £20.
- Place a minimum £20 cash bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and receive a £10 Free Bet
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms Apply
-
Full Terms Apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Min £10 deposit and bet on odds 1/1 or greater required. deposits via Paypal, Neteller, Pasafe, Skrill or Skrill 1-Tap will not be eligible for any free bet offer. Extra bet and bonus spins issued within 24 hours of quailfying bet being settled. Extra bet valid for 14 days, stake not returned. Bonus spins valid for 24 hours, selected games only.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MAX ONE £10 FREE BETS. QUALIFYING BETS MUST BE PLACED AT ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. PAID AS BONUS TOKEN WITH MIN 4/5 ODDS REQ. SKRILL, NETELLER & PAYPAL NOT ELIGIBLE T&CS APPLY. 18+
Safe Betting Sites Reviewed & Compared
Staying safe online is an important part of everyday life, whether making a purchase or placing a bet.
Customers need to know that their personal information will not get into the hands of fraudsters and it’s also essential that bookmakers have tools to help with gambling responsibly.
To operate legally, all UK bookmakers must be licensed by a regulatory body called the UK Gambling Commission, which aims to keep crime out of the industry and protect the vulnerable.
Ensuring your gambling experience is conducted in a secure environment is a priority for reputable bookmakers. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted four of the best safe betting sites and some of the measures they have introduced for your protection.
Betfred utilises the same Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology used by leading financial institutions, so your details are safe and sound from threats by identity thieves and fraudsters.
This safe betting site's 'Safer Gambling' hub has plenty of tools for customers to aid responsible gambling, such as deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and online account histories to help you monitor your activity. They also provide advice on website-blocking software to prevent underage gambling.
All of this has led to us ranking Betfred among the safest online gambling sites available to bet with in the UK.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. BetMGM is one of the UK's best new betting sites and this company clearly takes their responsibilities seriously, with over 10 safer gambling control measures available to keep the customer on top of their betting, including self-assessment and wagering limits.
Customer service staff are trained to recognise signs of problem gambling. The website and betting app are also compatible with blocking software such as BetBlocker, which allows people to set time limits and self-exclude from betting. It also includes parental controls.
Security is also paramount with BetMGM, with SSL used to encrypt the transmission of personal information.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Security is a top priority for Bzeebet, which uses the latest 128-bit SSL technology, ensuring that your personal information is encrypted before it leaves your device.
Bzeebet also has a responsible gambling policy page which has plenty of tools, such as time-outs ranging from 24 hours to six weeks, or self-exclusion from between six months to five years.
Getting in touch with the customer support team to discuss problem gambling could not be easier, where trained support staff can help you impose limits or self-exclude if needs be.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1(2.00) or greater. Paid as Bonus Token with Min 4/5(180) Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible.BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply. The talkSPORT BET site was only launched in 2022, but has an impressive attitude towards both security and safe gambling.
Its safer gambling portal is neatly laid out into three sections: 'Keep Informed', 'Stay in Control' and 'Get in Touch'.
The first advises on preventing underage gambling and keeping track of time spent betting.
'Stay in Control' displays six neatly-arranged safer gambling tools, ranging from a profit and loss overview to self-exclusion, while the 'Get in Touch' section gives customers the options of contacting talkSPORT BET agents by email, live chat or phone.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on any sports at odds of 1/1+ within 7 days of signing up. Get £15 & £10 in Free bets for set markets & £15 & £10 in Slots Bonus for set games, 40x wagering, to withdraw max £625. Rewards expire in 30 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly How We Rank Safe Betting Sites
These are some of the key factors we take into account when ranking the safest online gambling sites in the UK.
When testing bookmakers as part of our review process, we place an emphasis on the following features:
Licensing & Regulation
Before you register with an online bookmaker, it’s important to know that it is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry in Great Britain.
Trusted betting sites will display this information at the footer of every page on their website, along with their account number on the Gambling Commission’s public register.
Data Protection
Safe betting sites must keep your personal and financial data safe. Licensed UK bookmakers prioritise security and deploy state-of-the-art encryption technology to keep your details confidential.
The safest online betting sites usually have a page displaying the measures they take to protect you, such as Transport Layer Security, which is bolstered by firewalls, so we take the time to see which bookmakers use this.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. *New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply User Feedback
We take into account what other bettors are saying about bookmakers before deciding whether or not to sign up.
If a betting site receives a disproportionate amount of negative reviews on forums or app stores, it's a big red flag, and it means that the bookie won't make our trusted betting sites list.
Industry Reputation
If a bookmaker isn't doing the right things, those of us working in the gambling industry will soon find out about it.
If a betting site is to feature at Gambling.com, it must come from a company with a strong reputation within the industry.
We also review the latest online betting awards, such as the International Gaming Awards, Global Gaming Awards and EGaming Review Awards, to see which sites are being honoured by their industry peers.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply. Features of The Best Safe Betting Sites
The safest online gambling sites offer a range of features to ensure bettors are protected throughout their gambling experience, whether that involves data protection, registration, placing a bet or withdrawing money.
When sorting the wheat from the chaff, it’s worth considering the elements below to ensure you choose a trusted betting site.
Secure Sockets Layer & Transport Layer Security
The safest betting sites use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or the updated Transport Layer Security (TLS) version to encrypt personal and financial data migrating from the site.
There are three elements to TLS:
- Encryption: Hides data being transferred between parties
- Authentication: Confirms parties are genuine
- Integrity: Verifies whether forgery or tampering of data has taken place
Some horse racing betting sites also use firewalls and multiple systems to prevent cyber threats.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. T&C's apply. Two-Factor Authentication
One way to bolster your protection is by introducing two-factor authentication (2FA), which involves passcode generators to prevent cybercriminals from stealing your data.
Some safe betting sites have authenticator apps, which are available in the Apple Store and can be used on Android or iPhone, providing users with an extra layer of protection compared with traditional passwords, which are fixed.
Responsible Gambling Tools
The safest online gambling sites take their responsibilities seriously and have various tools available to help with responsible gambling.
Betting sites offer practical solutions such as deposit, wagering and loss limits. At the same time, the best UK bookmakers have time-out options that can restrict your site use for a set period if you feel a cooling-off period is needed.
Reality checks also alert users to how long they have been logged in. You can also track your activity with most bookmakers to view your profit and loss figures.
For those who want to quit betting, there is a self-exclusion option where you can close your account.
Transparent Terms & Conditions
It may be tedious, but checking terms and conditions will pay dividends if you wish to avoid any misunderstandings.
Online bookmakers will take a dim view of someone supplying false registration details or using family members from the same IP address to benefit from welcome bonuses.
Don’t forget that it is illegal to gamble if you are under 18. The bookmaker will likely ask for verification after sign-up, so you will eventually need to prove your identity with a passport or driving licence (this is a UK Gambling Commission requirement to prevent underage gambling).
When placing particular kinds of bets like double-digit multiples at accumulator betting sites, you should also check the maximum payout criteria for that sport, which varies from bookmaker to bookmaker.
Payment Methods at Safe Betting Sites
Since 2020, using a credit card to gamble has been illegal in the UK, but you can use many other options to make payments at trusted betting sites:
PayPal
Withdrawing funds from PayPal betting sites is usually instant, depending on the bookmaker, but it can take up to 24 hours.
Deposits are generally set at a minimum of £10. However, they can be lower or higher, so it’s worth checking the specific bookie's terms first.
Debit Cards
All of the safest online gambling sites accept debit cards, the most popular payment method in the UK.
£5 deposit betting sites generally accept debit cards for both deposits and withdrawals. However, some bookmakers only allow withdrawals of £10 or higher.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Qualifying bet of £10 at min. odds 2.0 within 5 days of registration, E/W excluded. Get 3x Free Bets at min odds 2.0 each. 1x£10 Football, 1x£10 Racing, 1x£10 Acca (Min 4 selections). 7-day expiry. New selected customers. Min. deposit of £10. Full T&Cs apply.
Promotion available on desktop and web only and is not offered via the kwiff apps. Paysafecards
This voucher system has two versions - the pre-paid PIN and Mastercard - but online betting sites and betting apps accept both for deposits.
One advantage of the pre-paid version is that you do not need a bank account and thus do not need to provide any sensitive financial details when opening an account. However, you will still need to register your identity.
You cannot withdraw with the pre-paid card, so the Mastercard option is better in this respect, although this comes with annual maintenance and currency conversion fees.
Neteller
Like PayPal, Neteller is a licensed e-wallet popular with UK bettors for deposits and withdrawals. However, it’s worth checking with each bookmaker to see if it is an accepted payment method.
Skrill
A global payment platform accepted by many safe betting sites such as Betfred and BoyleSports. As with other e-wallets, Skrill is only sometimes regarded as an acceptable form of payment to trigger welcome bonuses if you are a new customer.
Some UK betting sites do not accept it at all because of the rules surrounding credit cards. Again, check the terms and conditions.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply Safe Betting Sites Bonuses & Promotions
Trusted betting sites are keen to attract new customers and retain current bettors with special offers and promotions.
A betting site won't attach any nasty terms and conditions to these offers. They should instead be transparent and easy to claim.
Welcome Offers
Most safe betting sites listed on this page offer sign-up deals to bring new customers on board.
These might take the form of bet £10 get £30 or bet £10 get £40 offers - where you sign up, deposit and place a qualifying bet to get free bets allocated to your account.
Money-Back Specials
Many safe betting sites run promotions that will see your stake returned to you under certain circumstances. For example, with acca insurance you'll get money back as a free bet if one of your selections lets you down in an accumulator.
You could bet on a horse to win and if it loses by less than a length, you might get your money back with some online bookmakers like BetGoodwin.
Free Bets
For many punters, nothing beats a free bet, and plenty of bookmakers offer this kind of promotion as a reward for a decent performance in their free-to-play prediction games. You might also be able to claim free bets as a loyalty reward for placing a certain amount of bets within a specified timeframe.
Free bets might be allocated to existing customers when big sporting events are taking place. For example, the best football betting sites often give out free bets when England, Scotland or Wales are playing a match at a major tournament.
Safe Betting Sites: Our Final View
Safe betting sites are keen to let their customers know that they are in safe hands and generally provide lots of information about the encryption technology they use to protect you from criminal activity, so take the time to read the details.
Choosing a trusted betting site can be a time-consuming process, but you can rest assured that all of the safest online gambling sites on this page are fully regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
Now that you have the tools to help you make better decisions, take a look at our recommended safe betting sites and choose the one that fits you best, paying close attention to the welcome bonuses and promotions on offer so you can get some extra bang for your buck at the same time!