Best Football Betting Sites – Find Reliable Bookmakers & Honest Reviews
If you are serious about punting, it's essential to find the best football betting sites. There are hundreds of bookmakers out there, but how to recognize the best ones? Our expert bettors test, rate and review bookmakers to recommend the most reputable and trustworthy options.
At Topfootballbettingsites.co.uk we are regularly checking for free bets and promotions, available competitive odds, better in-play and mobile experience and more. All of the football betting sites we rank are licensed and have a strong reputation in the UK. Now, let's get straight to our top rated website ranking!
Top Football Betting Sites in the UK for 2025
| Bookie | Rating | Advantages | Welcome Offer | Bet | #1 Betway License: #39372 | 10/10 |
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Get £10 in Free Bets | Claim HereBetway Review | #AD *New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. Free Bet awarded: £10. 1 x £10 must be wagered at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18+. GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply | #2 Betrino License: #39335 | 9/10 |
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Bet £25 Get £50 Free Bets | Claim HereBetrino Review | #3 Unibet License: #45322 | 9/10 |
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Bet £10 and get £40 | Claim HereUnibet Review | 18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens or greater (2.0) each leg on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD | #4 bet365 License: #55148 | 8/10 |
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Bet £10 and Get £30* in Free Bets | Claim Herebet365 Review | Registration Required. 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly, GambleAware.org #AD | #5 Betfred License: #39544 | 8/10 |
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Bet £10 get up to £50 | Claim HereBetfred Review | 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. #AD | #6 10bet License: #43173 | 8/10 |
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100% up to £50 | Claim Here10bet Review | 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; T&C apply; 18+ | #7 Grosvenor License: #34161 | 8/10 |
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100% Odds Boost Token | Claim HereGrosvenor Review | #8 32Red License: #39430 | 8/10 |
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Get up to £150 | Claim Here32Red Review | #9 William Hill License: #39225 | 8/10 |
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Bet £10 Get £30* in Free Bets | Claim HereWilliam Hill Review | #Ad • 18+ • 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 | #10 Casumo License: #61549 | 8/10 |
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100% back as a Free Bet up to £30 | Claim HereCasumo Review |
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Best UK Bookmakers By Category
| 🏆 Best Football Betting Offers | Bet365 |
| 💰 Provides Excellent Rewards | Betfred |
| 💥 Best for Odds Boosts | William-hill |
| 📊 Top Bookie for Building Bets | Unibet |
| 📺 Best Site for Live Betting | Betway |
| 📲 Top Pick for Mobile Betting | Casumo |
#AD 18+ | Please gamble responsibly, GambleAware.org
Best Football Betting Sites for Every Bet Type
Find the best UK bookies based on your preferred football betting strategies. Check out the advantages these brands offer, why we selected each one as the best choice for specific bet types and expert betting tips, including what to watch out for.
Betway - Best Bookmaker for Handicap Betting
Key Features
Betway is one of the best football betting sites for Handicap betting, offering wide market coverage across the Premier League, the English Football League, European leagues and international tournaments. If you are not familiar with Handicap betting, it is basically where a bookie gives a goal margin to the favourite in a sporting event to even out the odds. This makes both teams more balanced in the betting markets and is a popular option with football betting.
Things to Keep in Mind
Handicap betting is most useful when there’s a clear difference in team quality. Although the market is well covered, some fixtures may have fewer handicap lines available, particularly if betting interest is low. But most big matches will include multiple handicap options, including alternative lines.
Expert Tips
Look out for strong teams in good form facing opponents with poor defensive records. Instead of backing a short-priced favourite in the 1x2 market, a Handicap bet can boost your potential return while still supporting the same team. It’s also a useful bet when a team is under pressure to win by a clear margin.
#AD *New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. Free Bet awarded: £10. 1 x £10 must be wagered at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18+. GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply
William Hill - Best Bookmaker for Asian Handicap
Key Features
William Hill is one of the most reliable sites for Asian Handicap betting in the UK. Betting on this market allows you to bet with more flexibility, removing the possibility of a draw in many cases and offering options like +0.5, -1.0, or even split handicaps. William Hill covers a wide range of matches, particularly in top leagues like the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga, and odds are usually good when compared with other football betting sites.
Things to Keep in Mind
Asian Handicaps are best suited to punters who want to manage risk or take advantage of smaller margins. While coverage is strong for major fixtures, lower league matches may not include all line variations. It's also important to understand how split bets work, as some involve partial wins or losses.
Expert Tips
The Asian Handicap 0.0 market is a great alternative to draw no bet, often with slightly better odds (but not always). It’s ideal when you think a team will win, but you want your stake refunded if the game ends level. Obviously, checking recent form, injuries, and lineup changes can help you find value before the market shifts.
#Ad • 18+ • 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
Casumo - Top Choice for Both Teams to Score Betting
Key Features
Casumo is a strong pick for Both Teams to Score (BTTS) betting, offering this market across a wide selection of matches. BTTS betting is available pre-match and in-play, giving punters flexibility. We have found that because of the way that the Casumo site is laid out (mobile and desktop), in-play BTTS betting is easy and straightforward when compared to some of the other UK bookies.
Things to Keep in Mind
With BTTS betting on all of the betting sites for football, there is the option of "Both teams to score – Yes" and "Both teams to score – No". It may sound obvious, but make sure you choose the right option. We have placed a bet on "Both teams to score – No" on more than one occasion when we actually thought that both teams would score.
Expert Tips
We often place BTTS bets and combine them into a multiple bet, such as an Acca or a Yankee. As long as you don’t try and be too greedy and use smaller stakes, these kinds of bets can often pay dividends.
Bet365 - Best Site for Over/Under Goals Markets
Key Features
If you are interested in Over/Under betting, you would struggle to find a better option than this bookie, which is widely regarded as being one of the best online football betting sites. You can bet on over or under 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 goals and more, depending on the fixture. So, it doesn’t matter if you're backing a tight, low-scoring contest or expecting a goal fest, bet365 gives you options pre-match and in-play. Markets are updated live during the game, with quick bet placement available on both mobile and desktop.
Things to Keep in Mind
If you’re adding an over/under selection to a bet365 Bet Builder, you’ll notice the layout is slightly different from the main markets. Instead of the usual goal lines like 0.5, 1.5, or 2.5, Bet Builder presents the options under "Total Goals" with separate choices for "Over", "Exactly", or "Under". This means you’ll need to select the specific number of goals first, then choose whether you think the match will go over, under, or land on that total.
Expert Tips
For over bets, look for fixtures involving two strong attacking teams or sides with weak defences. Under bets tend to offer more value in matches between cautious teams or when both sides have something to lose. European competitions and knockout
Registration Required. 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly, GambleAware.org #AD
32Red - Best Bookmaker for Card Betting
Key Features
32Red offers punters a solid card betting experience, such as the total number of cards, cards per team, and player-specific bookings. The platform is clean and easy to use, with markets listed clearly under each match, with the site being particularly suited to punters who value simplicity and a no-frills betting experience.
Things to Keep in Mind
Card betting relies more heavily on match dynamics than many other markets. While 32Red covers most major fixtures with card options, lower league matches may have limited selections, but with the top leagues from around the world, coverage is generally strong.
Expert Tips
Look for derbies, relegation battles, or teams with recent hostilities, as these often produce more cards. Some referees are known to issue cards more frequently than others, so researching the official can be just as important as analysing the teams.
Grosvenor - A Strong Pick for Corners Betting
Key Features
Grosvenor offers a good range of corner betting markets, enabling punters to choose from total corners, race to corners, corner handicaps, and the number of corners for each team. The platform is clean, responsive, and easy to use on both desktop and mobile, making it ideal for bettors who want a straightforward way to place corner-related wagers.
Things to Keep in Mind
Corner markets are influenced by a team’s playing style, so stats matter. While most top-level fixtures include multiple corner betting options, some matches may only offer basic totals. So, if you’re looking for more niche markets, like first-half corners, for example, they’re typically found on bigger fixtures.
Expert Tips
Target teams that play with width, use overlapping full backs, or dominate possession in the final third. Matches with a clear favourite can also generate more corners for the dominant side, especially if the opposition sits deep and defends for long periods. In-play corner betting can also offer strong value when momentum shifts.
Betfred - Best Option for Goalscorer Betting
Key Features
Betfred has long been considered as one of the top football betting sites and a favourite for goalscorer betting, offering a wide range of first, last, and anytime goalscorer markets across domestic and international football. Player odds are easy to find, and the site updates markets quickly once team news is released. The interface is clear, and Betfred’s mobile app is especially good for tracking live goalscorer bets as matches progress.
Things to Keep in Mind
Odds on popular players can be short, so it’s worth exploring value in midfielders who regularly push forward or are on penalties. Always check the starting lineup before placing your bet, especially for anytime goalscorer markets, to avoid backing a substitute or late fitness doubt.
Expert Tips
Look for in-form attacking players with a strong goal record, particularly against weaker defences. Also, consider players who take free kicks or penalties, as they have more chances to score, and studying recent performance stats and team formations can often help you spot value bets outside the usual favourites.
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. #AD
Betrino - Draw No Bet Made Simple
Key Features
Betrino offers a smooth and beginner-friendly platform for Draw No Bet betting. This market removes the risk of a draw by refunding your stake if the match ends level, so it’s a popular choice among football punters who want to place wagers without committing to the standard 1x2 market. Betrino covers a wide range of matches, with Draw No Bet available on most league and cup fixtures.
Things to Keep in Mind
Whilst odds for Draw No Bet are lower than the full-time result market, the added safety can be worth it. This market works especially well when backing home teams with solid records or when you're confident one side has the edge, but don’t want to risk losing on a draw.
Expert Tips
Use Draw No Bet when the match looks close on paper, but one team has a slight advantage, such as better form or fewer injuries. It’s also a useful option for derby matches, where tension often leads to tighter results.
10Bet - Best Website for Betting Accumulators
Key Features
Enormous selection of football leagues and competitions from around the world means that 10Bet is a football bettors paradise, plenty of matches to choose from when putting together your Acca and when you also take into consideration that the odds are usually pretty good. It really is the perfect bookie for Acca bets.
Things to Keep in Mind
The Acca bonuses are good but a little over-exaggerated. A 100% winnings boost is available but only for Acca bets with 15+ selections, so the chances of landing one are pretty extreme.
Expert Tips
If you are looking for a decent Acca boost, William Hill often have offers on a Saturday, which have the potential of being quite lucrative.
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; T&C apply; 18+
Unibet - Top Bookie for Bet Builders
Key Features
Unibet are becoming known as the “go-to” betting site for Bet Builders. They have even got a dedicated section for these types of bets, which includes videos showing customers how to choose their selections and maximise the possibilities that the Bet Builder offers. Regular Bet Builder promotions are the icing on the cake for this well-regarded website.
Things to Keep in Mind
Unibet are pretty quick in restricting promotions to users who only place bets when claiming bonuses and promotions.
Expert Tips
Look out for the “Uniboost” button in your Bet Slip when you have selected a Bet Builder with 3 or more selections. Available once per day, the Uniboost will boost your potential Bet Builder winnings.
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens or greater (2.0) each leg on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD
Ranking Criteria
Our ranking criteria for the best football betting sites focus on key factors that enhance the betting experience. We evaluate:
Licensing and securityIt goes without saying that licensing and security are of paramount importance. If a bookie doesn't have either of these, they are not worth touching with a bargepole.
Competitive oddsYou will never find football betting sites who offer the best odds on every market, but it would be fair to say that overall, some operators are more generous than others.
Market varietyThis is an important factor which enables punters to take advantage of different market conditions and use their knowledge to get an edge over the bookies.
Bonuses and promotionsThe online gambling industry is well known for offering incentives to tempt new customers, but we also put emphasis on the bonuses and promotions that existing customers can also take advantage of on the online football betting sites because they can often prove to be lucrative.
Customer supportMost punters want general enquiries or problems to be resolved quickly and without any fuss. They don't want to have to wait ages to get connected or have to deal with a support operator who is rude or lacking in knowledge.
Live betting and streamingLive betting is becoming increasingly popular in the football betting markets and even though live streaming is more for entertainment purposes, it is still an important factor that many recreational punters place a great deal of importance on.
Betting appsGone are the days when a football betting app was all bells and whistles; now, the measure of a quality app is that it is quick, not clunky and easy to navigate.
Payment options and payout speedA wide choice of payment options is essential in order to cater to the needs of every player. In these days of punters placing bets with different football online betting sites, payout speed is also an important factor to take into consideration so that funds can be utilised quickly.
Best Betting Offers & Promotions
We all love a good promotion being offered by the best betting sites for football and luckily for us, we are spoilt for choice. These betting offers range from odds being boosted for the big matches, bonuses for placing multiple bets (Lucky 15, Lucky 31), acca insurance, goalscorer bonuses, to name but a few.
Football Betting Offers at Betway
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Free bets and price boosts
Various promotional offers
Top rated by bettors and experts -
Sign-up Offer
Get up to £10.00
in free bets -
Free Bet Club
Bet £25 in trebles or higher
and get £10 Free -
Betway Boost
Daily Price Boosts to increase
your winnings
Before we continue, you should take into account that there are usually stake restrictions on these types of bets, not all of them, but more often than not. The restrictions will be stated in the terms and conditions of the offers, but if you try and put on a £100 bet on a bet365 bet boost, for example, the bet will be declined and the betting slip will state the maximum stake you are allowed.
The most popular football betting offers and promotions include the following.
- Bet boosts - The most generous bet boosts are usually available on featured matches over a weekend. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common are 'Player to score' and 'Players' shots on target.'
These Bet boosts can be used for value betting purposes but also for matched betting, where the boost can be layed off at a betting exchange to ensure a profit before the match has even started.
- Two goals ahead early payout - This is a great offer if you are placing a bet on the home or away win market because if your team goes two goals up in the match, the bet is paid out as a winner even if the match finishes as a draw or the other team ends up winning.
This offer also applies to matches that are part of an accumulator.
- Deposit match reload bonus - These offers pop up every now and then, usually in the form of bet £10, get a £10 free bet.
Minimum odds apply, but offers like this can be used as a speculative bet.
- Acca offers - There are two types of Acca offers: Acca Insurance, where you will get your stake back if one of your selections loses and Acca Bonus, where you will get a percentage bonus if all of your selections win, the bigger the bonus for the more legs of the Acca.
There are plenty of other promotions offered by the football betting sites. Bonuses come in various formats, so it's essential for customers to carefully review the terms and conditions of each offer.
#AD *New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. Free Bet awarded: £10. 1 x £10 must be wagered at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18+. GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply
Results
At odds of 2.5, your lay stake is £44.90
Your liability will be £67.35
If the Bookmaker Bet wins, your overall position will be £12.35
If the Exchange Lay wins, your overall position will be £12.35
Your match rating for this bet is 77.55%
Which are the Best Betting Odds and How to Assess Them?
Obtaining the best betting odds can make a big difference to the overall profit of a person's betting activities, but there are a few things that you should bear in mind. Many punters make the mistake of always going for selections with higher odds in the hope of generating a big 'pay day', but in order to make your betting pay, the emphasis must be placed on value.
We could talk about value betting all day long, but to sum it up, let's look at an example. If Arsenal are playing Spurs and you calculate that Arsenal have a 50% chance of winning, the odds for that result should be evens (2.0). If Betfred are offering odds of 6/4 (2.5) and you place a bet on those odds, you will be placing a value bet. Over the long term, placing value bets like this will give you an advantage over the football betting sites UK.
How to Find Value Bets
Fortunately for online punters, there are ways that you can use the top football betting sites to find value bets.
- Shop around - The football betting sites operate in an extremely competitive market, and to put it in a nutshell, they want your business. They can achieve this by offering higher odds on particular selections, so it makes sense to spend a little time looking around to see what is available.
- Take advantage of 'Bet boosts' - It's not unusual for the UK football betting sites to offer bet boosts on some of the weekend matches as well as midweek European fixtures. This is where the odds on a popular section are boosted for a period of time but you should bear in mind that there is usually a limit on the stake.
- Choose alternative markets - Instead of the usual 1x2 markets, consider placing a bet on the overs/unders or 'player shots on target' as an example.
- Specialise - There are now so many markets offered by the best football bookies it would be impossible for them to be on top of them all.
Most of the odds are compiled using complicated algorithms, but if your knowledge lies in Championship football as an example, you will be aware of any injuries, rumours and gossip, so you will be able to take advantage of any odds that could represent value betting.
- Use a betting exchange - It is often the case that you can get better odds on betting exchanges such as Betfair as opposed to the football betting sites. Even taking into account the commission that is charged on winning bets, exchange betting is always worth taking into consideration.
The Variety of Football Betting Markets
Value in everyday markets should be matched with choice, and when it comes to online football betting, that means a wide range of markets from each bookmaker. Moreover, the best online bookmaker for football should provide variety in both the types of bets and the available championships.
What Are the Most Popular Football Bets?
We have listed here the most popular football bets in no particular order. Some of these wagers are just popular with football fans, while others are unique to the sport.
Straight resultAlso known as 1X2, this is the simple case of betting on a win or a draw.
Individual goalscorers These bets have been around since before the Internet had even been dreamt of. We’re talking about separate bets for first, last and anytime scorers. In addition, the rise of live football betting sites has given us the new option of ‘next goalscorer’.
Total goals Football betting sites list a number of goal lines, starting at 0.5 and finishing at around 10.5 or possibly higher. Punters must then decide whether to go over or under a line and stake accordingly. There is an additional option for the exact number of goals, but this is much harder to predict and, as a result, is less popular.
Correct score It can be challenging to predict the exact outcome, but this type of bet is popular because the odds for an accurate prediction can be very high. When it comes to football betting sites, UK-based firms are very competitive on this particular bet, and it's widely available across sportsbooks.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) This wager requires the bettor to decide whether both teams to score during the match in question. It's also possible to stake on either side to score in that game. As with any market that is related to goals, a quick look at a team's scoring record over recent matches offers strong indicators as to whether the bet will be successful.
Discipline bets You can’t bet on whether there will be a yellow card in a specific match, as they are incredibly common, but it is possible to bet on the odds of a send off. A small selection of football betting sites also publish a market on whether a specific player will get a yellow card.
Handicap bets Handicap bets are good to leverage both risk and profit. Additionally, they are excellent for betting on matches where the winner is evident.
Top Football Championships and Leagues to Bet On
In addition to bet types, there is another aspect of markets which is very important to football punters – the availability of championships and leagues. Nowadays, the best football betting sites offer competitions from all over the world, and there is coverage of games even in the most remote parts of the planet. However, some leagues and tournaments will always be more popular than others. Here are the competitions that remain the main focus for all football betting sites:
At the start of the 1992/93 season, the best teams in England broke away and formed the Premier League. More than 25 years later, the league has grown to become one of the best. When it comes to football betting, UK sportsbooks always give the EPL extensive coverage.
The FA Cup is much older than the Premier League, but it's just as prestigious. Every club under the auspices of the Football Association takes part, and when the teams reach the finals in May, it’s one of the highlights of the sporting year.
The top division in Spain features two giants of world football – Barcelona and Real Madrid. Some of the greatest players in the game compete in this league. Since it's such a big draw for spectators, it also gets a lot of attention from football betting sites across the web.
This is the biggest domestic cup competition in Spain. Once again, Barca and Real feature heavily. The nation’s football is competitive, with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla providing stiff opposition, so this is an important area for the online football betting industry.
This is the top Italian division, and the best football bookies have hundreds of markets available. In the modern era, Juventus have been a dominant force, but there are challenges from top teams such as Inter and AC Milan.
This is the biggest knockout competition here, and the sportsbooks are particularly active when this competition reaches its later stages. Its first edition was held in 1922. Juventus is the competition's most successful club with 13 wins.
The Champions League (UCL) features the winners of European divisions and the top-placed teams below them. This event is highly significant for football betting sites UK, as it is one of the biggest events in the entire sporting calendar and when they are busiest.
This tournament features strong teams that finished just outside the Champions League qualifying places. Once again, this competition proves to be a big draw for the best football betting sites, offering numerous betting opportunities throughout the long tournament.
In-Play LIVE Football Betting
In-play betting has grown in popularity over the past few years and it is not difficult to understand why. It often becomes apparent during a football match which team is gaining the upper hand, so live betting enables you to place a bet in real time as opposed to placing a bet before the match starts and hoping for the best. It is important that there is not too much of a time delay in the stream you are watching and remember that there is a ten-second buffer between the time you place the bet and the time it is accepted.
In-play betting using a betting exchange is preferable for many punters as the bet is placed straight away as long as there is enough liquidity in the market. Live betting and live streaming offer great value. We've compiled helpful information on the top choices for both options. Make sure to check out our 'Live Betting' and page for additional details and tips.
Football Betting Apps Usability
It's taken a long time for the best football bookmakers to realise it, but the betting apps should be simple and easy to use. Nobody is bothered about an app that looks pretty when you login; it just needs to do the job it is intended for and that is to enable us to quickly and easily place a bet.
Biometric login, e.g., fingerprint, is a big help, so you don't have to mess around with typing in your login details, but apart from that, a mobile app which allows you to place bets whilst on the move is a great tool in the quest to win money off the football betting sites.
Nobody wants to be tied to their computer when watching a football match for betting purposes so a mobile app allows you to go about your day, keeping an eye on a football match with a view to spotting any lucrative betting opportunities.
Popular Deposit Options
It's in the best interests of all UK football betting sites to have various deposit options available for their customers.
- Debit cards (Visa/Mastercard): The most widely accepted method, debit cards allow instant deposits directly from your bank account with no fees. It's secure and easy to use.
- PayPal: A popular e-wallet option that offers fast and secure transactions. PayPal adds an extra layer of protection by not sharing your card details with the bookmaker.
- eWallets: NETELLER and Skrill are favoured for their speed and privacy. Deposits are instant, and they can help you manage your betting budget separately from your bank account.
- Bank transfer: A secure but slower option, bank transfers are ideal for larger deposits. However, it may take a few days for the funds to appear in your betting account.
- Apple Pay/Google Pay: Mobile payment options that offer fast deposits directly through your smartphone, with no need to enter card details.
Security and Licensing Information You Must Know
All trusted football betting sites are very open about their licencing, security and collaborating organisations. There are four main types of logos you will see at the bottom of a site’s homepage, and they all serve an important purpose in your betting experience:
- Regulators. In the UK, the text at the bottom of the homepage should confirm that the company is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and that they are allowed to take on qualifying British customers. Most bookmakers also display the logo of the Gambling Commission. If you click on it, you will likely be redirected to the regulator's home page, and very often you will see the sportsbook licence as well. If the licence is not immediately visible, you can search for it in the website's database.
- Auditing and security agencies. Bookmakers undergo gambling-specific audits to ensure the fairness of their services. These audits are performed by organisations such as eCOGRA and iTechLabs. In addition, sportsbooks may list their security encryption providers and various certificates related to personal and financial data-handling.
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR). When issues arise with bookmakers, punters may choose to solve them with independent adjudicators instead of bringing them to court. All UK-licensed bookmakers are required to work with at least one ADR organization, such as IBAS, eCOGRA, ADR Group and others. These organisations can help punters a great deal with legal disputes.
- Responsible gambling groups. Problem gambling can be a serious issue for all involved parties. Therefore, responsible sports betting sites make sure to include at least one support organisation that deals with it. You will soon learn to recognise the logos of GAMSTOP, GamCare and BeGambleAware.
Interesting Football Betting Facts & Tips
- The best football betting site for bonuses and promotions.
The welcome bonus of Bet £10, get £30 in free bets is the real gold is in the Bet Boosts and ongoing promotions that are offered on a weekly basis.
- Top 5 most popular betting markets on online football betting sites.
- Match Result (1X2)
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
- Over/Under Goals
- Correct Score
- First/Anytime goalscorer
- Top 3 football betting strategies.
- Value betting (obtaining best prices)
- Matched betting (placing bets with a bookie and laying on a betting exchange).
- In-play betting (Placing a bet once the match has started).
- If you think a football match will end in a draw, consider a correct score bet of 1 -1.
Roughly 42% of all football draws in leagues like the Premier League result in a 1-1 scoreline.
- Before placing a bet on a scoreline of 0 - 0, consider placing the bet on 'No Goalscorer' instead.
The odds on both markets are usually the same, but own goals do not count, so if a match ends 1 - 0, for example, and it is an own goal, the 'No goalscorer' bet would have won, but the 0 - 0 scoreline would have lost.
Other Popular Sports to Bet On
Football betting is the most popular sport to bet on in the UK, but for those with no interest in the beautiful game, there are a number of other sports to get involved with from a betting point of view.
Horse racing - Betting on the 'gee gee's' has always been a popular pastime in the UK and when you take into account that horse racing takes place every day of the week, it is not surprising why punters love it.
Just like football online betting sites, there are numerous betting markets to get involved with and many punters love to place a Yankee or Lucky 15 on the horses to small stakes in the hope that they will be rewarded.
Golf betting - This type of betting is increasing in popularity, tournaments in Europe and across the pond usually begin on a Thursday and run through until Sunday, offering entertainment to punters who decide to get involved.
Greyhound racing - Whilst not as popular as horse racing in the UK, betting on the dogs is still loved by many punters, especially the older generation.
Greyhound racing takes place every day of the week, with meetings starting in the morning and going on through the afternoon and evening, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Make sure to check our Betting Strategies page for more info on how to keep the ball turning in your favour.
Alternative Markets: Fantasy Vs. Virtual Football
As we have already seen, the betting industry is a very fluid one. To survive and thrive in such an environment, the best football gambling sites have to stay ahead by innovating. New trends are coming online all the time, and there is a host of new betting opportunities for punters to enjoy.
One of the more popular options is fantasy football, and while this concept has been around for many years, online sportsbooks are only now starting to embrace it. The game originated from national newspapers in the 1990s, and in football terms, it involves picking a national team from the hundreds of players available across a division.
Players assemble their imaginary squads and earn points for goals, assists and clean sheets. In time, the concept was picked up by specialised football betting sites. Now, it's a big hit in the United States, where a number of daily fantasy sites (DFS) have cropped up. With American laws on gambling just starting to be relaxed, we can expect the best football betting sites in the UK and Europe to pick this trend up and develop it further.
The game of virtual football is sometimes confused with the fantasy version, but it's important to understand that these are two completely separate entities. Virtual football games are played between computer-generated characters, and they were initially picked up by physical betting shops before being transferred online.
Conclusion
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that UK punters have never had it so good when it comes to the top football betting sites. Generous welcome bonuses are available to tempt punters to open bookie accounts and the reload bonuses can be quite extraordinary. Some of the best football betting sites offer bet boosts and BetBuilder bonuses along with various other incentives for existing customers, which add a great deal of value to the overall betting experience. These bookmakers are all highly regulated and provide a customer experience which is second to none.
Football bettors have literally several hundred markets to choose from in a Premier League match so anyone with an interest in the game can often find a betting angle to potentially exploit. It doesn't matter if you are a recreational punter or someone who takes their betting activities a little more seriously; there are lots of opportunities to get involved and due to the immense competition between the football betting sites, the quality in terms of promotions and customer satisfaction will continue to break new barriers.
FAQs
⚖️Q: Is betting legal and regulated in the UK?
💬A: Betting is legal in the UK and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act which was put in place in 2005.
It is illegal for any betting site to operate in the UK without a UKGC licence, and they keep a close eye on anything betting-related, coming down hard on any site that breaks the strict rules that have been put in place by the Commission.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the UK is one of the safest places in the world to place a bet.
⚽Q: Which UK betting site is best for football?
💬A: Choosing the best UK betting site for football bets is quite difficult because all of the top UK bookies offer an outstanding football betting experience. On saying that, bet365 has to be the number one choice because of the never-ending amount of football bonus offers for existing customers.
William Hill and Betway are also hugely popular with UK punters due to the high-quality live streaming, cash out options and promotions, so they also give bet365 a run for their money as the best football betting site in the UK.
📝Q: What information do I need to open an online betting account?
💬A: The information required to open a betting online account is basically the same across all bookies. You will be required to enter your name, address, email address and telephone number during the sign up process.
This is to comply with regulatory requirements set by the UK Gambling Commission, you may also be asked to provide a photo of your driving licence or passport and a utility bill that has been issued within the past 3 months.
📈Q: Which bookmakers give the best odds guaranteed?
💬A: Best Odds Guaranteed is one of the most underrated bookie offers, so it makes perfect sense to place any horse racing bets with bookies who have this promotion in place. Not only does it give you better returns, but it also removes the worry of odds drifting before the race.
The leading Best Odds Guaranteed bookies, in our opinion, are bet365, Betway and Unibet. BOG is available on bets placed after 8 am on UK and Irish horse racing events, ensuring you always get the best possible value for your bet.
🆓Q: Which betting sites offer free bets?
💬A: Many of the bookies reviewed on TopFootballBettingSites.co.uk offer free bets in the form of welcome bonuses for new players as well as various promotions for existing players.
A good example of a welcome bonus would be the Betfred offer, deposit and bet £10 to receive £50 in free bets.
Betway and William Hill offer a range of free bets to new and existing customers, helping punters get even more value from their betting experience.
💳Q: What is the best payment method for betting?
💬A: In this day and age, all payment methods that are accepted by UK bookmakers are safe and secure, so it basically comes down to personal choice.
Visa and Mastercard are popular options, but for those punters who prefer to keep their betting transactions separate from their everyday spending, NETELLER and Skrill are excellent alternatives.
For punters who are keen on mobile betting, Apple Pay is a great choice due to the flawless way it works with mobile betting apps.
📥Q: How to deposit on a betting site?
💬A: To make a deposit into a bookie account, you need to:
- First, log in and go to the cashier or banking section of the site.
- Select “Deposit” and choose your preferred payment method, such as debit card, Skrill or NETELLER.
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit and provide any required details, like card information or login credentials for e-wallets.
- Confirm the transaction, most deposits are processed instantly, allowing you to start placing bets straight away.
⏱️Q: How long does it take to open a new betting account?
💬A: Opening a new betting account is usually quick and easy, with registration only taking around 5 minutes. You will be required to enter basic personal details like your name, address, and date of birth. Once you’ve signed up, most bookmakers will try to verify your identity automatically, but if they are unable to do this, additional documents will be required.
This is just a case of sending in photos of your driving licence or passport and a utility bill which shows your address; the verification time varies between bookies but is usually completed within 24 hours.
🔒Q: Which football betting platform is the safest and most trusted?
💬A: Due to the strict guidelines put in place by the UK Gambling Commission, every bookie that is available to UK punters is extremely safe and reliable.
Brands such as bet365, William Hill, Betfred and Unibet have built strong reputations over many years, with consistently high ratings and customer reviews for fairness, security, and reliable payouts.
They use advanced SSL encryption to protect customer data, and they all have first-class customer support options in place should punters have any queries or run into any problems.
📞Q: What Is the Best Way to Contact а Bookmaker If I Have a Problem?
💬A: We always recommend live chat. The live chat operators are helpful and knowledgeable, any queries can usually be resolved straight away and you will have a record of the chat in case you need to refer to it at a later date.
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