Online betting is booming in the UK and with November 2022 seeing the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, it is likely that placing wagers via the internet could become more popular than ever.
With so many different online bookmaker sites in the UK, picking which to join is getting harder. All of them promise great welcome bonuses, a range of features and competitive odds, but being able to differentiate between everything they promise is easier said than done for users.
This is where we come in to help, with a guide to the best UK betting sites for November 2022.
Read on for everything that you need to know about online bookmaker sites in the UK, from how to pick which to join, which have the best free bets and how all their welcome offers work.
How to Choose the Best Betting Site       Â
A wide range of factors must be assessed when looking at the best UK betting sites. Here, we break down the key departments that should be taken into account for online bookmakers:
Safety/security/licenses: The first thing to check is whether UK betting sites are legal. In order for online bookmaker sites in the UK to be legal, they need a license from the Gambling Commission. On the safety and security side, measures such as SSL encryption should be in place in order to ensure the personal and financial data from customers is kept secure.
Range of sports and markets: Most of the best UK betting sites have a similar choice when it comes to markets and sports that are available. However, sometimes new betting sites UK have surprising omissions, such as a lack of horse racing or greyhounds betting markets. Both live in-play and pre-match markets should be assessed to see the range of options up for grabs.
Competitive odds: While a small difference in the prices offered for the same bet between online bookmaker sites in the UK may not seem a big deal, it can have a large impact on the potential profit on offer, depending on the stake size. Competitive odds are therefore a must.
Welcome bonus and offers: The best UK betting sites almost always have a good welcome bonus on the table, with free bets typically up for grabs for those who sign up for a new account. Existing customers should also be able to claim deals like free bets on a regular basis too. For example, Paddy Power has a rewards club where players can work towards weekly free bets.
Payment methods: Most of the best UK betting sites have a similar list of banking options, with debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfer all commonly offered. However, some new betting sites UK have embraced cryptocurrency, pay by phone bill and alternative options such as Boku. It is also becoming increasingly common to be able to use Google Pay or Apple Pay to deposit too. Part of any assessment of payment methods has to include how fast it is to withdraw winnings.
Customer service: As online bookmaker sites in the UK can be used through the night, it stands to reason that 24/7 customer support should be offered. If this is the case, users might be kept waiting to get help in the event they have a problem or an issue with their account. Live chat has become a default customer service option, with alternatives including email and phone.
Mobile compatibility and apps: Many people now want to use the best UK betting sites on a mobile device such as a smartphone. This is why online bookmaker sites in the UK now often have a mobile app that can be downloaded to iOS devices via the App Store, while Android users are able to grab the app on their preferred platform straight from Google Play instead.
Features: Cash out and bet builder tools are now common features offered by most of the best UK betting sites. Others may have live sports streaming and other top features to be aware of.
Best Betting Sites For In-Play Betting     Â
In-play betting continues to get more popular at online bookmaker sites in the UK. Our top picks:
- Bet365
- Betfair
- BetVictor
- William Hill
- 888Sport
Best Betting Sites For Football     Â
Football is always going to be the top sport to bet on at online bookmaker sites in the UK. That is especially the case for November 2022 due to the start of the World Cup. Our top picks are:
- Bet365
- Betfair
- BetVictor
- 888Sport
- Paddy Power
Best Betting Sites For Horse Racing       Â
The sport of kings remains a top choice for people browsing the best UK betting sites. Meetings like the Cheltenham Festival are perfect for betting, so which are the best racing betting sites?
- Paddy Power
- Betfair
- Bet365
- 888Sport
- William Hill
Cricket Betting Sites
England are champions of the world in both ODI and T20 cricket right now, so cricket betting sites are in high demand. Our picks for the best cricket betting sites in the UK are as follows:
- William Hill
- Betfair
- Bet365
- 888Sport
- BetVictor
Rugby Betting Sites
Still one of the most popular sports at online bookmaker sites in the UK, these great rugby betting sites provide competitive odds and a wide range of features for their users:
- Betfair
- Paddy Power
- Bet365
- 888Sport
- William Hill
Snooker Betting Sites        Â
No longer a niche sport, snooker betting sites are in demand. Our picks include the following:
- Ladbrokes
- William Hill
- Paddy Power
- Bet365
- Betfair
Formula 1 Betting Sites     Â
A second world title in succession is in the bag for Dutch driver Max Verstappen. But which Formula 1 betting sites in the UK should fans of motorsport look at for their best bets:
- Bet365
- Betfair
- 888Sport
- William Hill
- Paddy Power
How Do Welcome Offers Work?   Â
For sports fans in the UK who are looking to join new betting sites UK, welcome bonuses are up for grabs. Free bets are typically offered to those who sign up to new online betting sites.
The reason why these are on the table is clear. With so much competition in the industry to be ranked among the best UK betting sites, welcome offers are a way to attract lots of new users.
Customers will often need to make an initial deposit and place a qualifying bet to get a welcome offer. However, at an increasing number of online bookmaker sites in the UK, welcome offers with no deposit required are also on the table – and these deals are proving to be very popular.
When signing up for an account with one of the best UK betting sites, users might need to enter a promo code or a bonus code in order to ensure that they get a welcome bonus being offered.
SMS verification and/or proof of ID and address may be required to get these deals as well. This is usually a simple case of clicking on a link or entering a code that is sent into the relevant box.
Qualifying wagers usually need to be placed at certain minimum odds, then the user will see the free bet credited into their account. Free bet stakes are not normally refunded to the player and there is often a time limit mentioned in the terms and conditions, after which the token expires.
The good news is that sports fans can claim welcome bonuses at as many of the best UK betting sites as they want, giving them a chance to try out a range of online bookmakers.
Do You Need A Bonus Code?       Â
A common question that UK sports fans ask when joining a betting site is if they need a bonus code or a promo code in order to qualify for bonuses, deals and promotions as a new user.
This varies across the different online bookmaker sites in the UK. Some will apply a welcome bonus automatically to the accounts of new players as long as certain conditions are met.
As an example, players making a deposit using an e-wallet such as PayPal, Skrill or Neteller will commonly find that this means they are not going to qualify to receive welcome bonus free bets.
Sometimes, the registration process for signing up to a betting site will have a box where a bonus code or a promo code can be entered. It is often the case that online bookmaker sites in the UK have separate offers for their online casinos and sportsbook sides too, so players might have to decide which of the different welcome bonuses that are up for grabs they want to take.
Betting bonuses are not just for new users who join the best UK betting sites either. Many of them reward the loyalty of their customers with extra free bets, which does not normally require them to enter either a bonus code or a promo code to be able to claim them on their account.
How To Sign Up To A Betting Site
Sports fans who are new to online gambling will need to learn how to sign up to a betting site. Luckily, joining UK betting sites is fast and straightforward thanks to our step-by-step guide:
- Choose a UK betting site to join – noting the betting bonuses like free bets offered
- Click register or join now to begin the process of signing up for a new betting account
- Fill in personal details such as name, date of birth, address and email address
- Verify the new account, a step normally completed either via email or by SMS
- Check out the terms and conditions that must be met for any welcome bonuses
- Make an initial deposit into the new account, choosing from a list of payment methods
- Place a qualifying wager, reading the small print to see if there are minimum odds
- Wait for the bonus to be credited then enjoy the free bet with your new betting account
Payment Methods In The UKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
UK betting sites typically offer a wide range of different online payment methods that can be used. This list is being added to all the time, but here are some of the most common options:
- Debit cards: Visa and MasterCard are almost always accepted – but not credit cards
- E-wallets: PayPal, Skrill and Neteller are leading options, with fast withdrawals
- Google Pay/Apple Pay: Mobile users can opt to make a deposit via these apps
- Boku: Pay by phone bill options are also on the rise for mobile betting site users
- Paysafecard: This prepaid voucher is a good way to make secure online payments
- Bank transfer: A traditional method, but one that is slow when withdrawing winnings
- Cryptocurrency: An increasing number of UK betting sites are embracing crypto
Best Betting Sites For Withdrawal Time  Â
The speed at which users are able to withdraw winnings from UK betting sites can vary a lot.
As well as the choice of payment method used, factors to take into account include whether or not there will be any need to upload any verification documents to prove a player’s identity.
However, some UK betting sites are known for being faster when users withdraw winnings. Here are some of the best betting sites in the UK for sports fans who want to get their money fast:
- BetVictor: between 30 minutes and four hours when using VISA Fast Funds
- Betfair: between four and 24 hours when using an e-wallet such as PayPal
- Ladbrokes: within six hours for those users opting for e-wallets such as Skrill
- Unibet: within 12 hours when using e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller
- BoyleSports: within 24 hours when withdrawing winnings via an e-wallet
Reviews       Â
For people thinking about joining online bookmaker sites in the UK, reviews play a big role.
Reading reviews is a good way for sports fans to see which UK betting sites are well rated by their peers, with factors such as competitive odds and if odds guaranteed are offered taken into account. Checking out reviews on the App Store or Google Play are recommended for those who want to place bets via a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer too.
As well as user reviews, taking the time to research some expert opinion can pay off too. As the experts on online bookmaker sites in the UK, it will be clear to see which sites stand out from the pack. As there is a lot of competition to be named among the best UK betting sites, reading the in-depth expert opinions of those who work within the industry can be well worth the time.
FAQ
What is the most popular betting site?
Ranking the best UK betting sites by popularity is not easy as bookmakers do not tend to give out information about the number of customers they have. However, judging purely by size, there is no doubt that Bet365 and Betfair are two UK betting sites to be the most popular.
What UK betting sites give free bets without deposit?
Free bets without deposit have become one of the most popular types of bonuses. Among the best betting sites in the UK offering this right now are Betfair, 888Sport, and Paddy Power.
What betting sites give you a free bet?
Most, if not all, of the UK betting sites we recommend will offer some form of free bet to those new customers who sign up for an account. Examples of UK betting sites with a free bet offered include Paddy Power, 888Sport, Betfair, Bet365, Unibet and William Hill, but there are more.
Which betting sites offer cash out?
Cash out has become one of the most popular features that tend to be offered at online betting sites in the UK. Most major bookies have cash out on at least some markets, with the best UK betting sites offering cash out including the likes of Betfair, Paddy Power and 888Sport.
Which betting site has the highest odds?
The UK betting sites with the highest odds varies across sports, but a few bookmakers are known for providing very good value with their prices. Among the UK betting sites with the most competitive odds are Bet365, 888Sport and Betfair, which has an exchange plus a sportsbook.
Which betting site is best for football?
Football is the top sport to bet on at virtually all of the UK betting sites that we recommend. Among the leading options for football betting are Bet365, William Hill and Paddy Power.
What betting sites don’t use gamstop?
Most UK betting sites now use gamstop, which helps people to stay in control of their spending on online betting. It is not recommended to place wagers with betting sites without gamstop.
Which betting sites offer free bets?
Paddy Power, 888Sport, Bet365 and William Hill are among the UK betting sites that offer a free bet to users who sign up for a new account. Other sites to consider include Betway and Unibet.
Which betting site gives bonus on registration without deposit?
A growing number of UK betting sites give a bonus on registration without deposit these days, allowing people to sign up and not have to spend any of their money. Among the UK betting sites with this type of betting bonus up for grabs are Betfair, 888Sport, and Paddy Power.
Which bookie has the best football odds?
Bet365 is one of the UK betting sites with competitive odds on football, with its prices usually up there with the best in the business. Paddy Power and BetVictor also have great football odds.