Best Betting Sites UK

The Independent Picks for the Best Betting Sites in December 2023

Whether you're into football betting, horse racing, or bet builders, finding the right online bookmaker matters. We've categorized the top UK betting sites based on specific features to help you discover your perfect fit.

Best Betting Sites For Football

1. BetMGM

BetMGM, one of the top football betting sites, offers new players £40 in Free Bets with a £10 bet. Simply place a £10 bet, to unlock £40 in Free Bets, covering Bet Builder, Football, Horse Racing, and an Acca for varied betting options. 

Football bettors can get a 5x profit boost with the 'Golden Acca,' e.g., a 4-selection bet earns a 20% boost. Daily Golden Boosts include a 100% boost on Saturdays for Football Bet Builder. There's a chance to win up to £2 million by predicting 6 football scores in a weekend with Golden Goals.

2. Kwiff

Kwiff is recognised as one of the best football betting sites, offering an innovative Sports Club that rewards customers with 'Football Surprise Bets' of up to £20 a week. Additionally, enjoy the 'Football Acca Shield' provided in case one leg of your football accumulator fails you.

Kwiff also offers a 'Guaranteed Weekend Supercharge' on 3+ fold accas, random 'Supercharged Cash Outs' for those looking to cash out in-running, or even to 'kwiff' your bet, with the odds suddenly improved as a surprise.

3. Betfred

Betfred stands out in premier league betting, offering 'PickYourPunt' for tailored bets. Access #PickYourPunt or tweet @Betfred for custom bets. Enjoy features like Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven on selected First Goalscorer bets. Acca Flex provides up to a 50% cash bonus for winning 5+ legs and a cashback of up to £10 for losing by one selection.

Participate in the Betfred £5 Million Christmas Draw—each settled bet of £1+ from Nov 10 to Dec 24 is an entry (max 100). If London sees Christmas morning snow, 5 entrants stand a chance to win £1,000,000 each.

Best Betting Sites for Horse Racing 

1. Unibet

Unibet is a leading best horse racing betting sites, offering live streaming of UK and Irish races, best odds guaranteed, and a range of racing promotions. These include three 'Uniboosts' daily on any chosen horse, a daily Acca Boost, money back specials on ITV races, and more extra places than other bookies.

As sponsors of key events like the Unibet Champion Hurdle and with ambassadors like trainers Nicky Henderson and Richard Hannon, Unibet was named 'Horse Race Betting Operator of the Year' in 2021 and 2022. 

2. BetGoodwin

BetGoodwin is the new online betting site from the well-established Goodwin Racing telephone bookmakers and boast various racing ambassadors, including jockeys Hayley Turner and Tom Cannon, plus trainer Alan King.

They are another to stand out for racing money-back specials: if your horse is beaten by a nose (or half a length in a chase), falls at the last when in front, or finishes second to a 50/1+ winner, you get your money back as a free bet up to £100. BetGoodwin also offer live streaming and best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish racing.

3. Fitzdares

Fitzdares are the official betting partner of Fulham FC and were awarded 'Racing Sportsbook of the Year' in 2020. They offer live streaming of UK, Irish and international racing, generous specials and boosts on racing multiples.

Receive a free bet if your horse finishes 2nd to one priced at 20/1 or larger in any UK & Irish race. Enjoy a percentage bonus on winnings for Lucky 15, 31, and 63 bets, with the bonus amount varying based on the number of winning legs.

Best Betting Sites for Bet Builders

1. Bzeebet

Bzeebet offers a versatile Bet Builder, covering various sports like football, tennis, rugby union, rugby league, American football and more. Choose from up to 30 markets per match, and the intuitive interface allows easy customization, including combining selections from different games or non-Bet Builder bets.

Boost your daily wagers with the 'BZ Combo Boost', providing up to a 77% boost for multiple winning bets. Participate in 'Free Bet Thursdays' by making combo bets of £20 or £50 during the week to earn a £5 or £10 Free Bet on Thursdays.

2. Betway 

Betway allow you to create your own personalised bets on major football matches with their user-friendly interface. You can combine up to 10 selections into one unique bet or choose pre-built ones from the list of ‘Popular Bets’. 

As well as being the longest running shirt sponsor of Premier League club West Ham United, Betway are the global betting partner of Brighton & Hove Albion and sponsor the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

3. NetBet

NetBet is another online bookmaker to make the process of building customised bets easy. Simply choose your match, click the Bet Builder toggle and start adding your selections, then just add your stake and place your bet.

It's not only football bet builders with NetBet, you can also build bets on the likes of cricket, rugby, basketball and American football, plus they also offer a Weekly Free Bet Club and enhanced odds on big events with BetPlus+.

Best Betting Site for the Darts World Championship 2024

The World Darts Championships start on December 15th, offering exciting opportunities for sports bettors. Top online darts betting sites feature special offers, including sign-up bonuses, free bets, and promotions for events like the World Championship.

bet365

For World Darts Championship betting, we recommend bet365, providing 38 betting markets for the championship along with appealing bet boosts like the 'boosted treble' for a 3-selection accumulator and odds boosts for individual matches.

New players can get up to £30 in free bets for any sport with a welcome bonus by depositing £5 to £10. Place qualifying bets, let them settle, and use Free Bets via 'Use Bet Credits' in the bet slip for any sport such as the darts world championships. Claim your welcome offer by using the bet365 bonus code. 

Best Betting Site for Boxing

Boylesports

Boylesports is the one best boxing betting sites in the UK. All of the best boxing betting markets are available including Round Betting, Total Rounds, and Will The Fight Go The Distance? Boylesports also tend to have special offers for the big fights.

Boylesports also offers odds on a huge variety of fights well in advance and has regular price boosts on fights. Boylesports offers an accessible welcome offer, which only requires a £10 bet to receive £20 in free bets to use on your preferred boxing event. 

How to Choose the Best UK Betting Site

Selecting the best UK betting site is important for a great betting experience. With many choices, it's important to consider various factors that suit your preferences. We'll break down key elements to help you make an informed decision and find the best betting site tailored to your needs

1. Licensed Bookmakers

When choosing UK betting sites, ensure they are licensed for legal use in the UK. All bookies recommended by The Independent are licensed, ensuring a regulated betting environment. Confirm licensing by checking the site's homepage or the UK Gambling Commission public register.

2. Offers and Promotions

Look for welcome offers and regular promotions, including free bets, on top UK betting sites.

3. Mobile Compatibility

With over 60% of online bettors using phones, pick bookmakers with great mobile experiences and betting apps for Android or iOS devices.

4. Competitive Betting Odds

Choose bookmakers with consistently competitive odds. Compare prices from different bookies for better value in specific sports or markets.

5. Payment Options

Select betting sites with flexible payment choices for quick transactions. Look for platforms supporting debit cards, e-wallets, or PayPal for convenience.

6. Customer Support

Prioritise sites with easy-to-reach support, including 24/7 live chat for quick and helpful responses to your queries.

7. Live Betting Options

Prioritise UK betting sites with comprehensive live options, including streaming, cash-out, and live updates for an engaging experience.

Different Types of Betting Offers:

• Welcome Bonus: A welcome bonus attracts new customers with a promo, often doubling the initial deposit. Example: a 100% matched bonus up to a specified amount.
• Free Bets: Offered in welcome packages or ongoing promotions, free bets come through loyalty programs, referrals, or event promotions for existing customers.
• Enhanced Odds: Boosted odds on selected events aim to attract new sign-ups or reward existing customers with higher odds than regular market prices. For example, the Betgoodwin World Darts Championship special offers Gerwyn Price to win outright at 6/1.
• Cashback Offers: A safety net for bettors, cashback promotions refund specific bets or a percentage of losses within a set period, mitigating losses.
• Acca Insurance: Acca Insurance refunds or compensates bettors narrowly missing wins on accumulator bets. If one leg loses, the site refunds the stake or provides a free bet.

Best Payment Methods for Online Betting

Choose a bookmaker that accepts your preferred banking methods. Best UK betting sites offer various options, including:

• Visa Debit
• Debit Mastercard
• Debit Maestro
• PayPal
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Skrill
• Neteller
• ecoPayz
• Paysafecard
• Bank Transfer

Make sure the betting site you choose accepts the payment method you prefer for a smooth betting experience.

How to Deposit and Withdraw Funds

To deposit or withdraw funds on your sports betting site, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Go to the 'Deposit,' 'Withdraw,' or 'Cashier' section on your betting site, usually in the top menu or account dashboard.
2. Choose your preferred banking method from the options available.
3. Input transaction details, including amount and payment information (card number, expiration date, CVV, etc.).
4. Verify that the entered information is accurate and confirm the transaction.
5. Wait for payment processing. Deposits are often instant, but withdrawals may vary from instant to 1-3 days on different betting sites.

With these simple steps, you can efficiently manage your funds and enjoy a simple betting experience.

How the UK Gambling Commission Regulates Betting Sites

The UK Gambling Commission oversees gambling sites in Great Britain, including online casinos, bingo clubs, sports betting, and online betting. Established under the Gambling Act of 2005. It licenses and regulates gambling operators, ensuring strict compliance for player protection.

In addition to licensing, the Commission mandates responsible gambling practices. Betting companies must verify age, keep customer funds separate, and communicate rules, odds, and risks clearly. To promote fairness, prevent deceptive practices, and assist players, bookmakers provide responsible gambling tools, self-exclusion schemes, and information on help services.

How Bookmakers Operate

Bookmakers determine odds by adjusting the true probabilities of outcomes, aiming to build a margin or overround. The overround represents their profit margin. In the competitive online betting market, bookmakers often offer more attractive odds, reducing the overround to attract customers.

Understanding that total probabilities must add up to 100%, the bookmaker's margin is essentially the amount by which their offered odds exceed the true probability. In today's market, online betting sites typically operate with lower margins, providing better value for bettors compared to the past.

The Best Betting Sites: The Independent View

Choosing a good betting site is important. We've listed key things to consider: license, promotions, mobile use, support, and good odds. Our recommended sites do well in these areas for a great betting experience.

Whether you're new or experienced, our guide is here for you. We suggest new betting sites, giving you different options. Use our recommendations to find your ideal betting site.