Find the UK’s best bookmakers licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. We’ve selected only our favourite online bookies by type, from new betting sites to free.
So whether you’re placing an accumulator on the weekend’s sport or your annual punt on the National, we’ve got you covered.
Only want football? Check out our list of football betting sites instead.
Do you skip to the end of a film, flick to the end of a book or scroll to the end of a post? We’ve summarised our top sports betting sites below in list form for those who want the answer but not the detail.
Betfred T&C: 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 & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Midnite T&C: 18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply.
QuinnBet T&C: New UK customers only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of events (2.00) or greater. No cash out. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses (from first bet settlement until 23:59) as a Free Bet up to £35, valid for 7 days. Min. 3 bets on different events required, with 2 bets being at least 50% of your largest stake. Place at least 1 bet of £10 at odds of 2.00+ to receive a £5 Free Bet, even if your account is up or losses are under £5. Gamble responsibly.
Grosvenor Sport T&C: 18+. New members only. Max £10 bet. 100% Odds Boost token. Paid in cash.
10Bet T&C: 18+. New bettors only. Use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid for 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Parimatch T&C: New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. No cash-out. Get 4x£5 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 20 days. T&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Highbet T&C: Available to verified customers residing in the UK. Opt-in is required. Place your first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/1 on any sports market within 7 days of registering. Get £20 in Free Bets (1 x £10 Horse Racing Free Bet + 1 x £10 Football Acca Free Bet) T&Cs apply. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.
PricedUp T&C: 18+. New customers only. Place a minimum £40 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a 4x£5 Free Bets. Free bets expire after 24 hours. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs & Maximum Pay-Outs Apply.
We don’t hand out favourites lightly. Our top betting sites are presented as a result of real testing by our experts and a consideration of what we believe matters most to Walking Football World readers.
We recommend bookmakers that genuinely stand out in terms of fair odds, user-friendly design, generous bonuses and reliable support. Betfred is all of these and more.
The UK's best betting site
One of the UK’s oldest bookmakers is also one of the best. We’ve rated Betfred as our top betting site due to it’s fantastic customer support, unrivalled range of markets and its clear promotional terms.
Betfred delivers an abundance of options on one website, from sports and casino to bingo and poker. Every part of the Betfred website is well presented and signposted for quick and easy navigation.
Betfred stands out among other UK betting sites for its straightforward promos and consistently competitive football odds.
Betfred is offering you the chance to earn £50 in free bets when you deposit and place a bet of at least £10 on sports at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater.
You’ll receive your £50 of free bets in your account within 10 hours of your first bet being settled. While you can’t withdraw your free stakes, any winnings you earn from your bets will be credited to your real money cash balance.
How to qualify:
Betfred Terms: 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 & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
✅ UKGC Licence no. 39544
Betfred
Licence
Min. deposit
Min. withdrawal
Sportsbook
Casino
Poker
UKGC
£5
£5
Yes
Yes
Yes
The best new betting sites often bring fresh features, modern design, and larger welcome offers to stand out from the crowd. But, the latest sites are also unproven and mostly unknown.
We wouldn’t suggest changing from your regular online bookmaker to a new betting site without being absolutely sure they can be trusted. Below is our top new pick from all betting sites launched in the last six months.
Best new betting site
Although Midnite isn’t technically new (it first launched in 2022) it’s perhaps the fastest growing and most innovative sports betting site in the UK at the moment. And, as far as we’re concerned, any brand committed to constantly delivering a fresh product to its customers deserves recognition.
There’s much about Midnite you’ll have seen before at big name betting sites. The standard three-column desktop layout is familiar and effective, but the addition of simple coloured logos and graphics helps to provide an overall pleasant experience.
In terms of markets, Midnite excels in its range of dedicated eSports options, including the ever-popular League of Legends and Counter Strike. However, some more traditional sports markets are lacking the kind of depth you’d find at larger more established bookmakers.
Midnite’s welcome offer is available for new customers who deposit a minimum of £10 and place a £10 sportsbook bet within 14 days of registration.
Use code BETGET30 when you sign up and place your bet with minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0). Upon settling, you’ll receive five free bet vouchers worth a total of £30, including pre-match Bet Builders and Accumulators.
Midnite Terms: 18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply.
✅ UKGC Licence no. 42647
Midnite
Licence
Min. deposit
Min. withdrawal
Sportsbook
Casino
Poker
UKGC
£5
£5
Yes
Yes
No
Free bets are the favoured currency of bookmakers in the UK, but the best betting sites are more than plain bonus bait. Free bets frequently used to attract new players and entice existing players to bet on major events.
However, not all free bets are created equal and not all offers are as good as they first seem. We only recommend betting sites with the fairest and most transparent free bet terms online.
Best for free bets
Powered by the excellent Pragmatic Play betting platform, QuinnBet continues to grow in popularity across the UK and Ireland. Enjoy hundreds of sports markets, in play betting and even live casino games.
QuinnBet is packed full of sports offers, with over 14 live on the site at the time of writing. And you won’t only find the basics here, QuinnBet features daily, weekly and seasonal specials designed to reward your play better than most other betting sites.
You’ll find everything from acca bonuses and insurance to goalless money back and Bet Builder Power Ups. For those who like to play slots, many of the sports offers include free spins and there’s also a generous 25% weekly cashback reward.
Receive 50% of your qualifying bets back as a free bet at QuinnBet up to a maximum of £25, with winnings paid in cash.
You’ll need to place a minimum £10 bet on any sport. Then, place two additional qualifying bets on different events, each worth at least 50% of your largest initial stake.
Your free bet can be used on all QuinnSports events at minimum odds of 1/4 (1.25) or greater with maximum odds of 250/1.
QuinnBet Terms: New UK customers only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of events (2.00) or greater. No cash out. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses (from first bet settlement until 23:59) as a Free Bet up to £35, valid for 7 days. Min. 3 bets on different events required, with 2 bets being at least 50% of your largest stake. Place at least 1 bet of £10 at odds of 2.00+ to receive a £5 Free Bet, even if your account is up or losses are under £5. Gamble responsibly.
✅ UKGC Licence no. 61011
QuinnBet
Licence
Min. deposit
Min. withdrawal
Sportsbook
Casino
Poker
UKGC
£10
£10
Yes
Yes
No
Besides our top picks, there are a couple more excellent betting sites worth checking out. These bookmakers offer solid football, golf and boxing odds, brilliant mobile betting apps, and user-friendly platforms.
Whether you’re after specific sports markets or you’re already a member at the betting sites listed above, the below bookmakers provide real alternatives for you to try.
Best for mobile betting
From a heavyweight of the UK casino scene comes a mobile app that feels quicker, cleaner and more polished than most of its rivals.
We voted Grosvenor as our best iPhone betting app with live streaming, Early Cash Out and Enhanced Accas all available on the small screen.
Increase the value of your real money deposit with a unique welcome offer from Grosvenor Sport which doubles the odds of your first bet.
Deposit £10 at Grosvenor Sport to receive a 100% Odds Boost Token to use on any sports bet with a maximum stake of £10 (or £5 each way), with winnings paid in real cash.
Grosvenor Sport Terms: 18+. New members only. Max £10 bet. 100% Odds Boost token. Paid in cash.
✅ UKGC Licence no. 57924
Best for football betting
10Bet is one of the few brands providing real competition to the UK’s biggest football betting sites, including giants Bet365, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes.
10Bet is packed full of football markets with even the most obscure leagues included. We love the flat modern design, instant cash out options and slick filtering system.
Sign up to 10Bet and deposit up to £50 to receive a 100% bonus credited to your sports balance immediately.
You’ll need to wager the combined value of your deposit and bonus at least eight times before you can withdraw it, but given how rare percentage matched bonuses are in sport, we think that’s acceptable.
10Bet Terms: 18+. New bettors only. Use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid for 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. Full T&Cs apply.
✅ UKGC Licence no. 43173
In your quest to find a new betting site you’ve likely been bombarded with lists of 100 brands all shouting about their latest bonuses. So how can you cut through the noise and choose the right site for you?
For us, there are some non-negotiables: excellent customer service, clear and transparent terms, and a genuine UK gambling licence. Everything else is personal preference.
Read our tips below to help you choose between all of the betting sites in the UK.
How to choose a betting site
Before signing up to betting sites, it’s important to check it includes the markets you care about. And, even though every UK bookmaker will include general football and sports markets, they may not all include proposition bets such as number of corners, cards, or throw-ins.
Perhaps you prefer horse racing, tennis, or something more niche like darts or snooker. A good betting site should offer depth as well as breadth – not just a long list of sports, but meaningful options within each one.
Other features to look out for include in-play betting, cash out options and price boosts. These help to add to your betting experience and may help you to feel more in control.
How to choose a betting site
Online reviews and recommendations can help you to quickly spot which online betting sites are worth your time and which to avoid. Look for feedback on important service areas like customer support, ease of withdrawals and how reliable the site is during busy sporting events.
We provide our human-reviewed recommendations to deliver what we believe are the five best betting sites according to different needs. We don’t simply promote whoever’s paying the most; we test sites ourselves to honestly highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
Have your own thoughts about a bookmaker we’re promoting? Reach out to let us know and we’ll update our reviews above as necessary.
How to choose a betting site
One of the most important things to check before signing up to betting sites is whether they hold a UK Gambling Commission licence. This ensures the bookmaker is legally allowed to operate in the UK and follows strict rules designed to protect players.
You can usually find the licence information in the website’s footer or by searching the UKGC’s public register. If a site has no evidence of holding a licence it could be operating as an unregulated offshore casino at which you will have very little protection as a player.
Using licensed betting sites provides you with a level of protection if things go wrong in the knowledge that the operators are regularly audited and monitored for fairness.
The very best online bookmakers go far beyond just football to provide odds on dozens of other popular and obscure sports. So if you like to dabble in darts, gamble on golf or bet on boxing, we have you covered.
Betfred has long been the go-to bookmaker for horse racing, even before it began seemlessly integrating Racing Post tips into its website.
Watch live coverage of all UK & Ireland races as they happen and use the simple filter toggle to quickly switch to international meetings.
Betfred guarantees the best odds on selected national races from 8am every day, with regular extra place payouts available just as often.
Get your bets in early with a range of ante-post markets on landmark events from the Cheltenham Gold Cup to the 2026 Grand National.
Parimatch has built an impressive golf betting platform that covers all major tournaments from the The Masters to The Open, as well as regular PGA and DP World Tour events.
Use the intuitive Parimatch interface to view real-time leaderboards, player groupings and even illustrated maps of each hole.
Parimatch offers a range of your classic golf markets, such as outright winners and top regional performers, with each-way bets paid up to five places.
Parimatch also includes a range of unique featured golf options, including the option to place a Lucky Dip bet on tournament winners at enhanced odds.
QuinnBet punches above its weight in boxing coverage, covering everything from domestic title bouts to major world championship fights.
QuinnBet offers all the usual fight winner and winning round markets, as well as more specific combinations and method of victory odds.
The interface is fast and smooth on all devices ensuring your in-fight bets can be placed in time before a haymaker ends proceedings.
QuinnBet’s boxing odds are competitive across undercards and main events, making its choice as our best bookmaker for boxing anything but a split decision.
10Bet hits the bullseye when it comes to darts betting, offering a complete experience for fans looking to support (or subdue) the Luke Littler hype.
Enjoy competitive odds on key calendar events like the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, the 2026 Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts.
You’ll find early odds available on hundreds of darts markets, including match winner, tournament outrights and total match legs.
Plus, 10Bet has an abundance of specials for selected competitions. Our favourites include the 170 checkout, name the finalists and the match with the most 180s.
Welcome offers at bookmakers consist almost entirely of free bets and percentage match bonuses. Occasionally you may even see cross-promotions with slots and casino games, usually in the form of free spins.
But, the headline figures can mask the reality of the promotions. Here are four key things to look out for when claiming offers at online betting sites.
Choosing an offer
Almost every betting welcome offer will include a minimum odds clause meaning that your qualifying bets must be placed at odds above a certain level.
For example, your £10 free bet may only be valid for improbable bets and not the odds-on favourite you were planning to back.
Always check this beforehand. High minimum odds are designed to influence you into riskier bets simply to unlock the bonus.
Lower odds requirements tend to offer more flexibility and are generally better for new or inexperienced bettors. Look for offers that strike a fair balance of generous rewards and reasonable chance.
Choosing an offer
Wagering requirements are the number of times you need to bet your bonus (or your winnings) before you can withdraw them. For example, a £10 free bet with a 5x wagering requirement means you must stake £50 before cashing out.
High wagering requirements can make it difficult to actually benefit from an offer. Some betting sites even include your deposit in the offer calculation meaning your real money funds will also be locked until wagering is cleared.
Fortunately there’s an increasing trend in the UK to provide actual cash bonuses with no wagering requirements. Plus, from December 2025, all UK licensed operators will be forced to cap all wagering at a maximum of 10 times only.
Choosing an offer
Many betting sites place restrictions on the payment methods you can use to qualify for welcome bonuses. It’s common for deposits made with e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller to be excluded.
Most of these exclusions are due to the way bookmakers are charged processing fees by payment providers, making offering bonuses on top less profitable.
We strongly suggest reading the terms of your welcome offer to check which payment options are eligible. If in doubt, a debit card deposit is usually the safest bet (excuse the pun).
Note that deposits by credit card were banned in the UK back in April 2020.
Choosing an offer
Not all offers work the same way. Some betting sites give you a free bet which you can stake but not keep if you win, while others credit you with a bonus balance or match your deposit.
Some bets and bonuses come with time restrictions and limits on whether the funds must all be used once or split across multiple bets.
Offers that give you full flexibility, such as a matched bet with no stake returned and few restrictions, are often better value in the long run.
Don’t be swayed by the biggest number, consider how the bonus actually works before you commit to claiming it.
Got questions about betting sites in the UK? You’re not alone. Whether you’re new to online betting or just want to make sure you’re using a safe and reliable bookmaker, our frequently asked questions covers it all.
There’s no single “best” betting site for everyone, it depends on what matters to you. Some punters want great football odds, others prefer a smooth mobile app or strong in-play markets. We review and recommend sites based on key factors like trust, features, ease of use, and value. Check our top picks to find one that suits your style.
Many new betting sites are perfectly trustworthy, especially those licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. They often bring fresh features, modern design, and generous offers to stand out. That said, it’s worth doing a quick background check: read reviews, confirm the UK licence, and see what other users say. If a site feels sketchy or lacks clear information, give it a miss.
Yes, most free bets come with an expiry date, often between three and seven days after they’re credited to your account. If you don’t use them in time, they’ll disappear. Always check the terms and conditions so you know how long you’ve got and whether there are any restrictions on how they can be used (like minimum odds or specific markets).
You’ll usually need to provide your full name, date of birth, address, and email to register with a UK betting site. You’ll also need to verify your identity (often by uploading photo ID in the form of a passport or driving licence) and proof of address. These checks are required by law to keep betting safe and fair for everyone.
In most cases, yes, but some restrictions can apply, especially if you win regularly or place unusual bets. Bookmakers can limit stakes or odds at their discretion. Always read the terms, and consider using more than one site to keep your options open.
No, credit card betting has been banned in the UK since April 2020. This rule applies to all online and offline gambling, except for National Lottery tickets bought in person. You can still deposit using debit cards, bank transfers, and some e-wallets – just make sure your payment method is accepted and eligible for any bonuses you want to claim.
Yes, many UK bookmakers offer live streaming for selected sports, especially football, tennis, horse racing and greyhounds. To access a stream, you usually need to have a funded account or place a small bet on the event. Streaming availability can vary by sport and bookmaker, so it’s worth checking the site’s live betting section for full details.
A legitimate UK betting site should clearly state its UK Gambling Commission licence at the bottom of its homepage – look for a licence number and a clickable link to the official UKGC register. You can also visit the UK Gambling Commission website and search for the bookmaker by name. If a site doesn’t mention a licence or seems vague about regulation, it’s best to avoid it.
We rely on our relationships with partner sites to keep our service free. We receive compensation from many of the brands featured on our site which may influence how we display them. However, we only recommend brands that we believe are safe, fair and trustworthy. The commission we receive does not affect the impartiality of our content.
