List of UK Betting Sites

The United Kingdom is one of the world’s largest economies and home to a significant number of betting lovers. British players have an insatiable appetite for gambling. This partly explains why there are hundreds of betting sites in the UK; with dozens more being added each year.

However, the abundance of wagering options does not mean that each and every operator should be among the top. So, we have reviewed all the betting sites in Great Britain; in order to answer which are truly the best and offer you a detailed UK betting sites list of those that come with great bonuses.

UK Betting Sites List - Top for 2024

The following shortlist contains the top 3 UK betting sites for 2024. We have reviewed their odds and markets on all the popular British sports, as well as the freebet offers for new and existing punters. We have also evaluated their level of GB localization and their withdrawal times.

5 Things to Know about Betting Sites UK

• 1
  The minimum age requirements are set at 18 years
• 2
  You can ask to self-exclude from a betting site at any time
• 3
  Betting winnings are tax-free
• 4
  Established in 2005, the UKGC oversees gambling activity in the UK
• 5
  Credit card deposits have been banned since 14 April 2020

General info

⏩Population: 68.100.000

⏩Active players: 21.000.000

⏩Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Fixed-odds betting, betting exchanges, spread betting, horse racing, greyhound racing, bingo, casino games, lotteries, poker

⏩Operator types: Online betting sites and casinos, land-based betting shops and casinos

⏩Designated authority: United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)

⏩Status: Regulated

How UK Betting Sites Operate

Operator-wise, the UK is one of the top markets to enter and also one of the hardest to get a foothold since the establishment of the Gambling Act 2005. The UKGC holds very high standards towards licensees and requires all new betting sites to be socially responsible by not accepting players younger than 18 and by preventing wagering if they have self-excluded.

What Fees Do English Betting Sites Pay

Fee-wise, there is a whole host of different charges; like application costs, freeplay duties and annual fees, that range from £3,408 up to £494,856 depending on the declared revenue. These fees are required on top of the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD); which is charged at the rate of 21% of an operator’s profits. Furthermore, there is a 19% Corporation Tax for businesses located in Great Britain.

What Should Punters Know About British Betting Sites

British punters can rightfully be considered among the luckiest in the world, as they can bet on a wealth of well-regulated betting sites with unparalleled safety. Plus, much like Irish bookmakers, betting winnings in the UK are completely tax-free for all players.

From a legal point of view, any UK resident can sign up on a betting website; as long as he has not self-excluded himself from gambling sites. The legal betting age in the UK is 18 years. From February 7, 2019 all betting sites are required to verify their players’ age before they are able to make their first deposit or place their first bet.

The government is planning to keep it this way; since it has lately tightened the rules on the age and identity checks online operators must do before allowing someone to wager online. Betting sites in England are also obliged to prevent reverse withdrawals and apply bonus restrictions on bettors who are identified as problem gamblers.

What Sports Do Betting Sites in England Offer

When it comes to sports; punters can rest assured that all UK betting sites offer a wide array of markets on the top British sports. Football lovers can place their wagers on Premier League fixtures and on all three divisions of the English Football League. One of the most famous Grand Slams, the Wimbledon, also takes place in the UK. 

Also Read: Best Wimbledon Bookmakers

Cricket enthusiasts can bet on major competitions, such as the Ashes. The same applies to rugby union bettors, with the Six Nations Championship being on top. For those who love punting on horse racing; betting sites UK offer markets on the most important festivals like the Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival, Grand National and Epsom Derby.

Lewis Hamilton fans can find various F1 bets; while Anthony Joshua’s supporters can bet on him on the biggest boxing fights. Greyhound racing, snooker, darts and MMA are also very popular among players; so UK bet sites make sure to offer a great variety of betting options on those sports too.

How to Deposit on Betting Websites in the UK

About 90% of those who wager on betting sites UK deposit funds to their accounts via direct bank transfer, debit cards and e-wallets. Mobile payment methods, such as Boku and Apple Pay, are also becoming increasingly popular.

The top e-wallet among British bettors is by far PayPal. Paysafecard, Skrill and Neteller constitute some alternatives. As regards debit cards, Visa and Mastercard remain on top. On the contrary, credit cards cannot be used for betting account funding in the UK since April 14, 2020. Lately, Google Pay betting sites have also risen in popularity. 

As for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies; they are technically accepted. However, they are not recommended by the UKGC. Consequently, very few British betting sites offer them as a deposit option. Other than staying away from crypto deposits, UK punters make sure to select deposit methods that will help them have a smooth verification process.

Most betting sites in England along with a photo of their ID and proof of address; ask players to provide them with payment ID too. So, you should better avoid signing up using a foreign bank card (and not one issued by a UK bank); as you will most probably be asked to send more documentation in order to get your ID verified.

Why it is Worth Wagering on UK Betting Sites

Since the establishment of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005, the best UK bookmakers operate in a well-regulated environment. This means that Britons can safely place their wagers online on their favorite sports and keep all their winnings, since they are tax-free.

Product-wise, British betting sites offer a wide array of pre-match and in-play markets on the most popular sporting events; along with high odds and innovative features that cater to the bettors’ needs.

As regards those who have gambling problems; they can set their own betting limits anytime they want and even self-exclude themselves. Plus, those who might feel wronged by any UK betting site; can submit a complaint through the Resolver website that is cooperating with the Gambling Commission.

However, in recent years, several restrictions were also applied on those who bet on UKGC licensed operators; such as the ban on credit card deposits and reverse withdrawals. So, an increasing number of players are now opting for independent betting sites in Great Britain.