Sports betting is one of the most popular gambling-related activities throughout the UK. Unlike some other countries, where the sports betting market is largely untapped, it has been present in the UK for hundreds of years. Records, dating back to the early 1800s, show that at that time, there were more than 400 betting shops in London. You would also not be surprised to hear that Great Britain is also the home of cricket, and that wagering on sports events related to this sport is a long-lasting tradition in the British isles.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom can also boast that its gambling market is one of the best-regulated ones in the entire world. As previously mentioned, this is not the case everywhere, and wagering in places like that can be quite the coin toss in terms of the bookies you can encounter in terms of quality. Not in the UK, where each bookmaker looking to tap into the region’s excellent sports betting industry must meet the UKGC’s strict criteria. This ensures that UK bettors can always know that the websites they wager at are safe and that the quality of their services will be excellent.
Find the best UK bookmakers here
Historical Overview
However, things completely changed when authorities made all forms of sports betting illegal. It was not until the 1960s that the sports betting industry in the UK had its revival. New gambling laws have been put into force and pretty soon, bookmaking shops across the country were established. Nowadays, their number exceeds 8,500 and the UK is said to be home to some of the most popular bookmakers on a global scale.
The growing demand for sports betting options led to the necessity of expanding the market and enabling punters to place their wagers online. The latter has gained tremendous popularity in the UK and allowed punters to bet on local and international sports events.
Apart from the convenience online betting offers, it is also said to provide punters with better odds as compared to those available in traditional bookmaking shops. That is possible due to the major betting exchanges online bookies make use of. They match back and lay bets, which lowers bookies’ profit margins, and the numbers are shifted in favor of the player.
The latest law amendments, however, made several prominent bookmakers exit the UK sports betting market as they were reluctant to pay the newly imposed 15% tax on revenues.
Apart from the convenience online betting offers, it is also said to provide punters with better odds as compared to those available in traditional bookmaking shops. That is possible due to the major betting exchanges online bookies make use of. They match back and lay bets, which lowers bookie’s profit margins and the numbers are shifted in favour of the player.
The latest law amendments, however, made several prominent bookmakers exit the UK sports betting market as they were reluctant to pay the newly imposed 15% tax on revenues.
Regulatory Body
In 2005, the United Kingdom established the new Gambling Act, which sought to modernize British regulations pertaining to gambling activities. It was then that the United Kingdom Gambling Commission as we know it today was established.
All gambling activities within the United Kingdom are overseen by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. The executive body is in charge of issuing licenses to both domestic and international bookmakers who wish to operate within Great Britain, as well as suspending licenses when a bookmaker has breached the license terms. The UKGC also assesses whether the regulations set in place are met, and it has the power to take a variety of necessary actions to penalize transgressions.
Its duties include imposing financial penalties on bookmakers financially, ending a license, and revoking licenses if a sportsbook has neglected to pay the annual fee. Issuing warnings, making additions to the terms of a license as well as removing conditions are also some of the actions the UKGC is authorized to do.
In addition, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission is the regulative body that prohibited the use of credit cards when it comes to gambling activities in 2020. The decision was made due to the link between credit card utilization and problem gambling since it was estimated that 22% of bettors who were credit cardholders suffered from problem gambling.
Relevant Legislative Framework
Every country has its own sports betting laws and the UK is not an exception. Technically, all forms of sports betting is legal on the territory of the UK and you can freely take advantage of the services available at bookies’ shops and websites. However, you are not allowed to take part in any gambling activities unless you are 18 or older. In case you are underaged and you place a wager and win, your winnings will not be paid out.
The Gambling Commission
Online betting activities on the territory of the UK are governed by the Gambling Act, which came into force in 2005. According to it, every betting site needs to hold a Remote Gambling Licence in order to be legally allowed to operate on the UK market.
The Gambling Commission oversees all gambling activities that take place throughout the country. It also grants licenses to operators willing to enter the UK market and monitors if casino and sports betting providers adhere to the set rules and regulations. The Gambling Commission is also in charge of dealing with gambling addiction issues. In point of fact, the UK authorities set aside a substantial amount of money for dealing with gambling addiction issues.
Although the main purpose of the UK Gambling Commission is to regulate the activities of the gambling operators, it also has the right to investigate the behavior of individual punters and penalize any violation of the rules. The chance of being arrested for taking part in gambling activities in the UK is too slim, but punters should not forget that entrusting unregulated operators might have negative consequences for them.
In order to make sure you bet with a reliable operator, you are advised to check the list of licensed gambling providers, available on the Gambling Commission website. As for the Gambling Commission itself, it answers to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is in charge of the entire gambling industry apart from the spread betting niche. The Racecourse Betting Act 1928 created the Racehorse Betting Control Board as a statutory corporation. Its primary purpose was to provide a safe alternative to the illegal bookies.
The Laws Throughout The Years
The year 1960 saw the legalization of off-course bookmakers. The Betting Levy Act 1961 reconstituted the board and it became known as Horserace Totalisator Board. The Tote was given the responsibility of redistribution of funds to racing transferred to the Levy Board. As for pool betting on horses, it is a monopoly of The Tote. The latter was formerly known as the Horserace Totalisator Board. It was established in 1928 but Betfred acquired it in 2011. It has a great number of street shops as well as racecourses and call center divisions. The company itself offers fixed-odds betting, casino, and bingo games.
Apart from the Gambling Act 2005, the next notable change in the UK gambling legislation matters was the so-called Point of Consumption Tax. Although it was repeatedly challenged by different organizations, it came into force at the end of 2014. According to the clauses it contains, every operator, willing to provide and advertise services on the UK gambling market, is supposed to obtain a license issued by the UK Gambling Commission. In addition, POC requires operators to pay higher taxes, which made some of them exit the oversaturated UK gambling sector.
Restrictions
When it comes to sports betting and gambling activities in general, the United Kingdom is defined as the most liberal and at the same time the most strict country. All kinds of gambling activities are carefully monitored and in case a violation is spotted, the necessary measures are immediately taken. If you are over 18, you will be warmly welcomed at the betting shops and websites.
Proper regulation is something UK officials can take pride in. Punters are enabled to place a wager on a great variety of sports and choose a bookie that has been thoroughly checked before being given a license. UK-based punters can submit a complaint if they have been unfairly treated as well.
The winnings one generates via sports betting activities are not taxable. In other words, no funds are deducted from your balance for tax purposes. The operator pays taxes, but punters don’t.
There is, however, one notable change in recent years that did catch some bettors by surprise when it was first announced. Namely, in 2020 the usage of credit cards for gambling activities, including sports bets, was completely banned. Punters are forbidden from utilizing them, and sports betting websites must disable the usage of credit cards for gambling enthusiasts residing within the United Kingdom.
Popular Odds Formats
The odds are what basically determines how much money you are going to win if you wager on a particular team or player. Understanding how they work is of utmost importance for any gambling enthusiast wishing to partake in sports betting, and there are a couple of formats that are common at UK-friendly websites.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are some of the simplest odds formats out there, and they are favoured mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland. These odds show how much you can win for wagering £1. The way the odds are represented is by fractions: the amount you win/the amount you bet.
If the denominator (the amount you bet) is the bigger number, then we are looking at a favourite, while If the denominator is the lower number, we are looking at an underdog. You can calculate your profit by multiplying the odds by the fraction.
Let us say we want to bet £100 on a favorite team with potential odds of 4/5.
£100 x (4/5) = £80 profit
Since winning also returns your initial bet (£100), the total payout from this wager would be £180.
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds are, by far, the most popular odds format in the entirety of the European Continent, and a lot of UK punters also like this format. Ultimately, this popularity is owed to the fact that the decimal odds format makes it exceptionally easy to calculate the potential profit a bet could net.
For instance, a £10 bet with an example odds of 1.4 will net a £4 profit. Reaching this conclusion is simple:
Bet x odds = bet + profit
£10 x 1.4 = £14 (£10 bet + £4 profit)
In other words, figuring out just how good the odds are is just a matter of taking a glance at them.
American Odds
Although American odds are mainly popular in the United States for obvious reasons, many international bookies include them too. It is thus a good idea to learn how they work, especially since they are not hard to use.
American odds represent the relationship between the underdog or the favorite and your bet. Underdogs are represented with a plus, while favorites, with a minus.
The minus before the favorite indicates how much you need to bet to win £100. The plus before the underdog indicates how much you can win if you wager £100.
Let us look at the listing of Rapid Vienna vs West Ham:
Rapid Vienna: +450
West Ham: -167
From the odds, we can see that wagering £100 on Rapid Vienna will net a £450 profit, resulting in a £550 payout. We can also note that we will need to wager £167 on West Ham to win £100, and the payout would be £267.
Popular Sports to Bet on
The United Kingdom is the country of origin of many sports that have gained international recognition. UK-based punters seem to be keen on football, rugby, golf, tennis, cricket, darts, squash, greyhounds, curling, snooker, hockey, boxing, etc. Needless to say, horse racing is extremely popular in the UK. If you are willing to bet on a “not so traditional” sport, you will be given that opportunity. Many bookies offer bets on MMA, winter sports, motor sports, swimming, and even politics. In case you prefer to conveniently place your bet without visiting a bookie shop, you can easily do that online or via your smartphone. Bookies either have a mobile app you can download or their website is compatible with all operating systems.. The mobile version provides all functionalities you may need.
No matter if you are willing to place a wager on an individual tennis player or a football team, the best thing you can do is to create an account with a reliable bookmaker that provides accurate odds as they help you determine the eventual winner. Do not underestimate the importance of choosing the right betting type, too.
Football
Football is a beloved sport to many people worldwide, and UK residents are among its millions of fans. It is often one of the very first sports a person learns to play when they are young, and whether that passion later translates into someone becoming a professional, or a spectator, it is undeniable that soccer remains a significant part of the lives of many. This includes punters who partake in sports betting, which is why any bookie looking to impress UK punters treats the sport well. You will typically be met with an excellent variety of markets such as both teams to score, outrights, totals, over/under, draw no bet, and more. Bookmakers will also typically cover events related to the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, the World cup, the English Football League Championship, and the Bundesliga among many others. Live betting is also loved by many bettors.
Rugby
Rugby is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most cherished sports. It is said to have originated in 1823 when William Webb Ellis took the ball in his arms during a football match without letting it go. Although this origin story is believed to not be true by many, the fact remains that rugby has been played for well over a century and is now an international sensation in sportsbooks. Leagues such as the Rugby League World Cup, the RFL Women’s league, the Rugby Football Union, the National Rugby League, and others will usually be present in a bookmaker’s library when in season. As for the types of markets offered to punters, handicap bets, outrights, moneyline bets, and tryscorer bets are quite popular.
Cricket
Cricket is England’s national sport, and is quite popular in the United Kingdom as well as internationally. In fact, it is the second-most popular sport worldwide, just behind soccer, and wagering on cricket is a practice that spans over centuries. The Indian Premier League, the Women’s Cricket Super League, the Big Blast, the Pakistan League, the Cricket World Cup, and many more are what you will typically find on a sports betting website. The bet variations are also numerous, with Series Winner, tied match, top bowler, top batsman, odd/even runs, and tournament-best bowler being just some of the available options.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is yet another classic practice within the British isles. It continues to be considered a highly-respected pastime, and it is one of the most popular spectator sports in Great Britain. It is especially popular when it comes to placing bets on horse races. Events like the Royal Ascot festival, the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, and the Coral Welsh Grand National all receive excellent coverage regardless of which UK-friendly bookmaker you choose. The bets gambling enthusiasts can place range from doubles, accumulators, heinz bets, and round robins to reverse forecast, goliath bets, and more.
| Popular Sports to Bet On Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Pre-match/In-play | Leagues |
| Football | yes/yes | UEFA Champions League, Premier League, World cup, English Football League Championship, Bundesliga |
| Rugby | yes/yes | Rugby League World Cup, RFL Women’s league, Rugby Football Union, National Rugby League |
| Cricket | yes/yes | Indian Premier League, Women’s Cricket Super League, Big Blast, Pakistan League, Cricket World Cup |
| Horse Racing | yes/yes | Royal Ascot festival, Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, Coral Welsh Grand National |
Popular Banking Methods
Having access to fast and convenient methods to manage one’s finances is one of the most important things for gambling enthusiasts worldwide, and bettors from the United Kingdom are the same. This is why bookies looking to enter the British sports betting market make sure that there is a sufficient number of banking solutions, and that no bettor is left dissatisfied.
Debit Cards
Using debit cards to deposit and withdraw funds online is a tried and true method familiar to many gambling enthusiasts. It offers fairly fast deposit times, and withdrawals do not take all that long either. Popular debit card options include Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro.
It should be noted that this information pertains strictly to debit cards. As of April 2020, British punters are prohibited from utilizing credit cards for gambling purposes.
E-wallets
E-wallets are yet another well-liked banking solution, especially among British bettors who are more privacy-conscious and would rather not disclose their banking information to bookmakers. Unfortunately, the number of e-wallets available to gambling enthusiasts from the United Kingdom is fairly limited nowadays due to the aforementioned ban on credit card usage, but luckily a few options remain. You can use Paypal, Google Pay or Apple Pay provided that your account is funded via a debit card.
Vouchers and Prepaid Cards
Vouchers and prepaid cards are also a method that allows a level of anonymity to punters. They are easy to use and are especially popular among recreational gambling enthusiasts. Services such as Neosurf and Paysafecard are typically listed as options at most British-friendly bookies, and WilliamHill Cash Direct is useful to those who use WilliamHill as their bookie of choice.
Bank Transfer
If all else fails, you can always trust that Bank transfer will be available at pretty much all sportsbooks which accept bettors who reside in the United Kingdom. Withdrawals do typically take longer than previously mentioned methods, but the reliability of bank transfers makes them an easy and convenient banking solution for many punters.
| Popular Banking Methods Summary | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Method | Fees | Deposit Limits | Deposit Times | Withdrawal Limits | Pending withdrawal time | Withdrawal Times |
| Visa Debit | Free | £5 – £99,000 | Instant | £5 – £33,000 | 24 hours | 1-3 days |
| Visa Direct (debit) | Free | £5 – £99,000 | Instant | £5 – £33,000 | 24 hours | 4 hours |
| Mastercard Debit | Free | £5 – £99,000 | Instant | £5 – £33,000 | 24 hours | 1-3 days |
| Maestro Debit | Free | £5 – £99,000 | Instant | £5 – £40,000 | 24 hours | 1-3 days |
| Paypal (funded with debit card) | Free | £10 – £5,500 | Instant | £10 – £5,500 | 24 hours | 1 day |
| Apple Pay (funded with debit card) | Free | £5 – £99,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Google Pay (funded with debit card) | Free | £5 – £5,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fast bank transfer | Free | £10 – £10,000 | Instant | £5 – £10,000 | 24 hours | 3-5 days |
| Willaim Hill Cashdirect | Free | £10 – £5,000 | Instant | £10 – £5,000 | Instant | Instant |
| Paysafecard | Free | £10 – £200 | Instant | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Neosurf | Free | £10 – £12,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bank transfer | Free | £25 – £100,000 | Instant | £25 -£100,000 | 24 hours | 3-5 days |
Mobile Betting
Life nowadays is quite busy for the modern-day gambling enthusiast. Between work, the commute, and all of the errands one needs to take care of on a daily basis, there is hardly ever any time for someone to sit in front of the computer. Generally, those minutes that you spend in traffic or on the bus are more often than not considered the perfect time to relax and visit your favorite sportsbook, which is why wagering on smartphones is steadily becoming the main way for punters to place sports bets.
Few Britain-friendly bookies would neglect their mobile user base, and we are thus left with a good selection of mobile solutions that work great on mobile and sacrifice nothing in terms of the functionality and features available. In fact, the only difference between a desktop interface and what you can access on smartphones is the layout and visual design. Wagering, deposits, and withdrawals are no different, and taking advantage of the same bonuses PC users have access to is the standard for mobile methods.
As for the types of solutions, the first and easiest of options for most individuals is to simply load the mobile version of a bookmaker. Websites like this are modified to seamlessly incorporate everything a bookie has to offer in a mobile-friendly design that will scale perfectly regardless of the size of one’s mobile screen.
In addition, you will often have the ability to download a dedicated application for Android devices. Certain websites will just provide the apk file directly on their webpage, but most UK-friendly bookies will put their apps on the Google Play Store. This makes the installation process an absolute breeze. Bettors who utilize iOS smartphones and tablets will also be provided with applications, which they will be able to download from the Apple App Store.
Key Aspects of a Worthy Betting Site
We all have our preferences, and we prioritize different things when it comes to online bookmakers. It is undeniable, however, that there are certain aspects we can all agree are absolutely crucial for a sportsbook. Most of them are a quick and easy way to spot a subpar bookie from a reputable sports betting website.
Sports and Markets
Obvious as it might be, it is important to emphasize just how crucial the sportsbook in and of itself is for an online bookmaker. Modern-day bettors are quite picky with the sports they enjoy and they wish to have access to as many options as possible. There are few things worse than eyeing a promising bookmaker, only to quickly realize that they either do not offer your favorite sport, or the number of markets and events covered are insufficient, so a well-organized and varied sportsbook is an absolute must.
Banking Solutions
Something else to pay very close attention to are the banking solutions an online website provides to its users. We need to reiterate that managing one’s finances can make or break the gambling experience for a bettor, so a sufficient variety of options is important in order to ensure that as many punters as possible will have access to a hassle-free way to deposit or withdraw their funds. E-wallets, debit cards, and prepaid vouchers are some of the vital banking methods and are generally expected choices within sportsbooks.
Bonuses
Bonuses tend to be what introduces a punter to a new bookmaker, which should not be surprising. In today’s competitive market, you need to be able to show a customer that they are special and that you value their time, money, and user experience, and promotions are the perfect way to achieve this. This is why any reputable bookie is expected to offer lucrative bonuses to its user base. In addition, gambling enthusiasts should always check what long-term promotions are available to regular customers. This will give you an idea of how the bookie treats those who stick to using the website.
Mobile Solutions
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for bettors to spend the majority of their online sports betting time on their phones. Mobile devices provide an unmatched level of portability, which is why a mobile version of a website or dedicated applications for Android and iOS are an absolute must for busy bettors.
Popular Bookies
As mentioned above, the United Kingdom is a country where sports betting is legal and heavily regulated by government bodies.
Some of the most popular bookies welcome UK-based players and provide them with a safe gambling environment and numerous chances of winning an overwhelming amount of money.
You just have to put your knowledge of sports into practice. Don’t miss to check the available sports betting promotions as well.
William Hill
William Hill is one of the oldest and yet, the most reliable bookmakers throughout the UK. It allows players to place bets at the betting shops, online or via phone. The number of active sports betting accounts is constantly growing. The bookmaker can also take pride in being available on the US market where the legislative matters are really complicated.
As for the sports betting activities it provides UK-based players with, William Hill provides a wide array of sports betting markets. Currently, it offers football, horse racing, tennis, greyhounds as well as darts, snooker, boxing, cricket, golf, baseball, handball, etc. In-Play betting options are also available. Players are enabled to deposit and withdraw funds via a large variety of payment processors.
William Hill is not famous for offering the best margins every time but the odds are quite reasonable, especially when it comes to major leagues. For example, the soccer profit margin is 5.6%, while the basketball margin is 3.5%. In addition, William Hill provides some pretty interesting tennis and football bets that draw the attention of passionate punters. Odds are available in decimal, American and fractional format.
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Pros
- Excellent variety of sports and markets
- Good odds
- Great mobile solutions
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Cons
- Cluttered interface
- Subpar bonuses
Paddy Power
Paddy Power is, without a doubt, a premier bookmaker in the United Kingdom. It offers an incredible variety of sports including cricket, football, volleyball, basketball, darts, golf, badminton, etc. Paddy Power provides the ultimate sports betting experience and no matter if you are keen on horse racing, snooker or darts, rest assured that you will always find an exciting sports event to bet on. Apart from the aforementioned sports, some other popular sports among Paddy Power customers are GAA, greyhounds, ice hockey, motor racing, rugby, MMA, cycling, volleyball, boxing.
In-Play betting and live streaming are also among the available options. As far as the live streaming service is concerned, Paddy Power provides comprehensive live streaming services that enable players to monitor different events and get a better idea of who would be the winner. The Watch Live button gives you a charge-free access to all live streamed sports events and to those that are to kick off within the next few days. Paddy Power is mainly focused on streaming football and horse racing events, though.
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Pros
- Live-streaming
- In-play
- Live chat customer service is available
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Cons
- No cryptocurrency
- Certain web pages’ text is difficult to read
Coral
Coral is such a popular bookmaker for a reason. It has hundreds of regular customers and supplies a great number of markets in order to meet punters’ demands for high quality sports betting experience. Some of the most popular sports are bandy, cricket, darts, American football, rugby, snooker, handball, greyhounds, futsal, F1, ice hockey, tennis, boxing, football. The variety of available sports is capable of meeting the expectations of every demanding customer, not to mention users are enabled to bet on politics and reality television as well.
Coral has recently changed the live betting section and made it more functional. Now, one just has to click on the event they are interested in and get more information about the latest odds and statistics. The in-play and live stream sections are also user-friendly.
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Pros
- Numerous sports
- In-play
- Clean design
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Cons
- Certain events are short on markets
- Some customers report inconsistent customer service
bet365
Bet365 is undoubtedly one of the most popular bookmakers worldwide and it is the bookmaker of choice of many UK-based punters. Bet365 currently operates in more than 200 countries and the number of happy customers is growing every day. In case you are keen on sports betting, creating an account with bet365 is the best decision you can make. Once you complete the registration, you will find a wide array of sports to wager on. Bet365 also offers obscure competitions that can hardly be found with any other bookmaker. Punters praise it for the comprehensive coverage of football and horse racing events.
Live betting platform is one of the most impressive features of Bet365 and the data provided makes it easier for choosing the correct type of wager. bet365 is the right choice if you are planning to wager for big stakes too. On the downside, the betting platform is said to run too slow at times.
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Pros
- Live betting is available
- Great customer service
- Dedicated smartphone applications
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Cons
- The verification process can be cumbersome
- Certain users report that their accounts were limited
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes is undoubtedly one of the most prominent bookmakers in the UK and as such, it provides players with convenient betting options. A wager can be placed over the web, via phone and by visiting a Ladbrokes betting shop. If you choose to place your wagers online, you should be familiar with the following. You have three odd formats to choose from – decimal, fractional and American. Ladbrokes is not among the bookmakers associated with offering the best margins and as a result, they don’t always offer the best odds. However, if you are interested in placing a bet for a major league, Ladbrokes is probably the best choice.
As far as live streaming is concerned, Ladbrokes offers free live streams for Live Greyhounds, Raceclubs, Virtuals, Racing UK, At the Races. The bookmaker does not offer football live streaming, which is considered a main disadvantage. Basketball margins in basketball odds are medium-big. Speaking of the advantages, Ladbrokes offers offers live streaming of horse racing and greyhound racing events as high limits, excellent live betting options and 1.91-1.91 odds in an even match. In addition, Ladbrokes frequently offer exciting bonus offers and promotions.
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Pros
- Live-streaming
- Cashout
- Well-stocked library of sports and markets
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Cons
- The odds could be better
- The sign-up experience can be frustrating
Betway
Betway is one of the leading bookies internationally, and it is a favorite of punters from practically dozens of countries worldwide. Naturally, the bookie is also well-liked within Great Britain seeing as it was actually established in the United Kingdom around twenty years ago. The website’s design is clean and modern, and finding your way through the various menus is an absolute breeze.
It offers an array of sports to wager on, and the likes of football, eSports, horse racing, greyhound racing, basketball, tennis, cricket, and volleyball are just a few of the over 30+ sports you could go for. Its markets are no slouch either, seeing as outrights, totals, both teams to score, and double chance bets are all accounted for among many others. If you enjoy the thrill of live betting, you will be happy to learn that Betway’s in-play section is pretty much excellent.
The bookmaker’s payment solutions are great as well, and punters can utilize e-wallets and debit cards among other options to manage their wagering funds online.
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Pros
- Excellent design
- Great mobile compatibility
- Sufficient number of odds formats
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Cons
- Some bonuses are debit card-only
- Navigating to the live chat is a bit unintuitive
888sport
Established in 2008, 888sport is a popular bookie which has a lot to offer to its users. Its odds are competitive, and wagering is all in all excellent thanks to the bookmaker’s top-notch betting software.
Visually, 888sport looks great. Its visual interface is well designed and the black and orange color palette is very easy on the eyes. The layout is also exceptionally easy to use thanks to the well-within-reach bet slip and organized interface, and you will find that navigating the website is great regardless of whether you are using it on desktop or if you are betting on one of the mobile solutions. You will also find that withdrawing and depositing your funds, contacting customer service, and pretty much everything else you can do on the desktop version is also just as accessible and easy to do on smartphones.
Last but not least, we are happy to report that 888sport’s sports catalog is more than sufficient. Football fans in particular will be pleased with the number of events covered, especially when it comes to live betting, since 888sport tends to cover many live events. In-play tends to be one of the most exciting ways to wager on sports, so we are not surprised to see that 888sport has not neglected to focus on it properly.
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Pros
- Good customer support
- In-play
- Sufficient payment options
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Cons
- Certain punters report being limited
- eSports library could improve
MansionBet
MansionBet is a bookmaker with almost two decades of experience within the sports betting sphere, and it has managed to gain an impeccable reputation throughout the years.
Its library is packed with numerous sports and markets, and wagering is a hassle-free experience thanks to the options punters have when it comes to managing their finances online. Debit cards are among the methods you could go for, as are e-wallets. In addition, prepaid vouchers the likes of Paysafecard are also one of the banking solutions you can utilize and they are especially simple and easy to use.
It is also one of the bookmakers offering competitive odds. In addition, you can choose between decimal, fractional or American odds depending on your preferences. Which format you go for will depend on which one you find the easiest. Although most European bettors prefer the decimal odds format, bettors residing in the United Kingdom will generally see fractional odds as the most hassle-free format to use.
You can also always count on MansionBet to provide assistance if something ever goes wrong, or you simply find yourself needing additional information. The are numerous ways in which you can contact customer support, and you can get in touch with MansionBet’s team via email, telephone, or LiveChat.
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Pros
- Modern design
- Wide variety of sports and bet variations
- Convenient bet slip
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Cons
- The website can be slow
- No 24/7 customer support
BetVictor
BetVictor is an oldie but a goodie of the sports betting world. Its roots date back to 1946, and it has been providing gambling enthusiasts with an excellent place to partake in sports betting ever since.
Although the company is quite old, you would not be able to tell from their website. From the excellent color palette to the layout that is organized very well, Betvictor is a modern bookmaker through and through.
Its sportsbook is the bookmaker’s biggest plus, both figuratively and literally. Over thirty sports await, and you can also be certain that your favorite events will have more than enough bet options to pick from.
The wagering experience is pretty much the same on mobile devices as well, seeing as the bookmaker is indeed keeping up with the times as we previously established. Whether you simply choose to go with Betvictor’s mobile website, or you instead opt for downloading one of the applications depending on the operating system of your smartphone, you will find that you will be able to enjoy the same exact features as the bettors who wager on a computer.
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Pros
- Good customer service
- Dedicated Android and iOS applications
- Informative help center
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Cons
- No live streams
- Users report inactive accounts being closed
Unibet
Unibet is a well-known name within sports betting circles and for good reason. This bookmaker has been around for over two decades, and it has managed to gain a staggering amount of fans through the years. This should not be surprising, considering that bookmaker obviously values the bettors who decide to make the website their bookie of choice.
Indeed, there is a lot to like about this sportsbook, from its generous bonuses to the varied sportsbook that features an excellent number of sports and bet variations, Unibet provides a streamlined and hassle-free experience to all of its bettors. Finding your way through the various menus of the website is especially easy thanks to Unibet’s exceptional betting software.
Deposits and withdrawals are also quite easy to execute while you are using this sportsbook. You can use your credit card if you find this method convenient, while pre-paid vouchers are also an option for those who prefer them. As for e-wallets, iOS bettors are in for a treat as Unibet also supports payments through Apple Pay.
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Pros
- Support is available on the clock
- Many payment solutions
- Competitive odds
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Cons
- Troublesome verification process
- Mixed reports from users regarding customer support
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