Whether you are a newbie or veteran in the world of online sports betting, we have valuable information that can help you choose the best sports betting sites for your purposes. Here you can find the latest sports betting news, updates, and reviews of the top sports betting sites, not to mention betting tips and insights on odds. Don’t place a bet without reading this page first.
Sports betting is one of the oldest forms of gambling. At Online Casino Reports, we are dedicated to providing our players with the very best online casino experience, but we also want to make sure that players who like to delve into the sports betting waters are not left out in the dry. This is why we bring you our own list of the top bookmaking sites that can serve as a safe guide through the world of sports betting.
Our list of the best sports betting sites is made up of the top UK-facing sportsbooks, including the massive UK bookies who have been operating as land-based betting shops for many decades. Each site on the list is here for a reason, and you can be sure that every bookie on this list offers a safe top-notch betting experience.
We use a detailed and thorough process of rating the sports betting sites to make sure we always stay on top of what is going on with every site. Our ratings are made up based on a long list of criteria that ensure that every bookie on the list really deserves its place on it.
When looking for top sports betting sites, we looked at how safe the sites are to bet with, how favorable their odds are and what kind of bonuses and promotions one can expect to get from these sites. Looking out for all of those criteria, we have made a list that includes only the absolute best bookies in the world.
Deciding which bookie to bet with is never an easy job, especially for punters who don't have as much experience with such decisions. Our process of choosing the top sports betting sites is one that you could call scientific.
We leave nothing to chance and go over each and every site looking at our long list of rating criteria. Every site is rated in each of the categories, and a final score is given based on the average of these ratings. This way, we know that the sites we are listing on this page are indeed the finest in the industry. Our list of rating criteria includes:
Sports betting today is all about versatility and diversity. With so many sporting events happening worldwide every day, punters want to be able to bet on them all, and with full right. The best bookies out there have mastered the art of providing hundreds of events for simultaneous betting, both in the pre-match and the in-play betting lobbies.
The sites on this list offer a massive choice of sports, leagues, events, and markets that players can bet on. Sports markets include player favorites like football, cricket, and horse racing to minor sports and eSports. These sites give you a chance to back your favourites in any number of different competitions.
The actual value in finding an excellent bookie to bet with is the number of other markets that you can bet on. The over/under, handicap, and other prop bet markets make online sports gambling so much fun and more appealing than betting with regular land-based bookies.
Once you have chosen a bookmaker from our list, you may be overwhelmed by the number of betting options you will be presented with for each and every match. The markets lists are exceptionally long for significant sporting events, with over 100 different markets often available.
If you are a punter from the UK, chances are you bet on some football games. The sport is so massive in the UK that most people have placed a football bet at some point in their lives. With such vast popularity, it is no surprise that UK-faced bookies offer such a massive selection of UK football betting markets.
The selection of football leagues in the UK is much greater than in any other country, and with our top betting site, you can bet on all of them. At UK betting sites, you can bet on English Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, Conference Leagues, Scottish Premiership and Championship, and a dozen other leagues from all over the UK.
This kind of coverage means that football fans can fully use their extensive knowledge of the sport, support their favorite teams and maybe even beat the bookies. Such comprehensive coverage also gives all punters a chance to place any number of single or combo bets they desire each and every week and always keep themselves in action.
Horse racing is another traditional UK sport with millions of fans and a massive base of people who enjoy a good punt. Back in the day, it used to be about going down to the track and making some bets while watching the beautiful animals run their races, but times have changed, and how it can all be done from the privacy of one's home.
Horse racing is a significant sport with online bookmakers, with massive high roller action going on all year round. The stakes get exceptionally high when the big meetings like Cheltenham or The Kentucky Derby are going on, as the entire UK public is glued to the events at such meetings.
If you are a horse racing aficionado, you are in the right place. The top sports betting sites listed here are primarily in the business of horse racing betting as well, offering punters a great chance to bet with the best odds guaranteed, countless promotions going on, and plenty of betting markets available.
Security cannot be overstated whenever any online activity is in question. With so many frauds happening on the internet, it is essential to know that any site you are using is safe, especially when you are sharing your banking details or sending your money to such sites.
The top sports betting sites listed on this page all operate with licenses by the UKGC, making them as safe as they get. The criteria needed to get a license from the UKGC are stringent, and every bookie that has such a license operates a secure site.
Our team of dedicated experts spends lots of time looking into each site we list, and in addition to the licensing, they also look at the site's reputation. The sites in the top 10 of our bookies list are all well-regarded and top-rated sites whose reputation has been building up for years or even decades. We make sure to place the sites whose reputation has never been in question at the top of the list to make sure you are continuously betting in the safest place possible.
Online bookmakers have introduced many different perks for their players that punters didn't use to have some years ago. These unique features make betting more fun, more sustainable, and generally more appealing to the masses.
One of the most popular features that online bookies tend to offer is the cashout feature. With this feature, punters can cash out their bets at appropriate odds before their event is over, which means there is a chance to cash in on your bet without risking a late surprise in any game you may be betting on.
Except for these features, betting with our top betting sites will mean always having a detailed overview of all the events that are about to start, the live scores of the running events, stats and information on past events, and countless other features that these sites provide their customers. With such unparalleled coverage, there is no surprise that so many punters are moving away from local betting shops and taking their activities online.
Sports betting is an age-old pastime, and in the UK specifically, it’s intrinsic to the culture. Sports betting was legalized in the UK in 1960, but online sports betting came about only in the past two decades with the advent of online gambling. The UK Gambling Commission was established in 2005 to oversee all online gambling and sports betting activity.
The UK sports betting industry is growing at a fast pace, and its rules are also considered the most advanced in the global sports betting markets. Here are some stats:
Sports betting is relatively straightforward, but there are several types of bets that it’s important to understand before jumping in.
Below are the most popular types of bets.
Straight Bet
A straight bet is an umbrella term for several types of bets in which you wager on the outcome of a single match. The most popular types of straight bets are moneyline, point spread, and totals. If the outcome of the game is a tie, you get your original bet back.
Moneyline Bet
A moneyline bet is a type of straight bet in which you wager on which team will win a sporting event. In this type of bet, you don’t need to bet by how much the team will win, just which team will win.
Point Spread Bet
The point spread is another type of straight bet in which you wager that a team will win by a certain number of points, or spread. The team you bet on must win the game by the spread in order for you to win cash.
Totals Bet
A totals bet is a wager on whether the sportsbook’s own prediction will happen or not. Sportsbooks usually predict a total number of points or goals that will occur during a game. You can bet the actual number will go over the sportsbook’s predictions, or under.
System Bet
A system bet means that you bet on the outcome of a group of games. For example, you can bet that your team will win two out of three games. The upside of this means that your team doesn’t need to win all the games in a group for you to win a prize.
In-Play Bet
An in-play bet is a bet you make as the game unfolds live before you.
Parlay/Accumulator Bet
One of the riskier bets, a parlay is a bet followed by several other bets that all add up to a fair sized stake. Every match you bet on needs to win in order for you to come away with anything. This means that you will only win big, not small. On the flip side, since the winning potential is big, so is the losing potential.
Teasers and Pleasers
Teasers and Pleasers are bets that are usually chosen by veteran sports bettors. They are built upon parlay bets, so it’s essential that you understand how they work before moving onto something more complicated. With teasers and pleasers, your bets need to be spread or totals. In addition, the point spreads all need to be shifted in one direction, so they are either for you or against you.
It’s easy to place a bet on your favorite team, but when you understand how odds work, you will have a much better chance of making the most of your bets. Odds aren’t something that most people determine themselves. Rather, bookmakers determine the odds by calculating several factors, including:
Because so many factors determine the odds, they are constantly changing before games and even during games. The goal for you, the bettor, is to use the odds to your advantage.
Below are several odds variants. Many online sportsbooks allow you to view the odds in decimal or fractional form.
Decimal Odds
These odds are displayed in numerical decimal format, like 2.00. They show how much you can win for the amount staked. For example, if you bet £100 and the odds are 2.00, your payout will be £100 x 2.00, which is £200. Your overall takeaway is £200, but your winnings are only £100.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are displayed in the form of a mathematical fraction. These tend to be more popular in the UK. Fractional odds show the ratio of the winnings to the wager. For example, if the odds are 5/2 and you bet £20, you divide your bet by the denominator: £20 divided by 2 is £10. You then multiply £10 by the numerator, 5, which equals £50. This means your potential winnings are £50.
Moneyline Odds
Also known as American odds, moneyline odds represent what you need to wager in order to win £100. These odds usually have a positive or negative number, representing the favourite (negative number) the underdog (positive number).
For example, if you’re betting on Liverpool to win with -150 odds, you’ll need to wager £150 to win £100 (in addition to the £150 that you’ll get back). If you’re betting on Manchester United with +150 odds, you can win an additional £150 for every £100 you wager.
Sports betting is easy if you follow these simple and straightforward steps.
There are thousands of online sportsbooks, but some are scams or unlicensed, which offer little consumer protection. We’ve rounded up a list of the best legitimate sports betting sites, so you can rest assured that the bets you place are safe and fair.
Find one or several legitimate sportsbooks that you like and open a new account. At this point, you can claim any welcome bonus, so make sure not to forget. Most sportsbooks require you to upload photos of your photo idea and a recent utility bill—this is done to maintain the integrity of the site and prevent fraud.
Choose your preferred payment method and make a deposit. Make sure that the method you choose is compatible with any bonuses you want to claim. Once you make a deposit, you can visit the banking area and see your balance in your casino account.
Once you enter the promo code for the casino’s welcome bonus, you’ll be able to use the bonus. Remember that you only get a welcome bonus once, so make the best of it. At the same time, make sure to read the terms and conditions so you know what you have to do to meet the wagering requirements.
So many sports and so little time! So use your time wisely and choose your favourite sports to bet on. We recommend betting on sports that you’re familiar with.
Each sport has different markets and each has its own odds. Look at the odds and determine which market is best for you. The main thing you’re looking for is a high return.
Once you’ve done your research and chosen your sports and your market, it’s time to place your bet. Go for it!
Once you’ve placed your bet, you’ll want to know what the outcome is! Watching the game is more exciting when you’ve put money down on it. If you haven’t reached the limit of your budget, you can place in-play bets as well.
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Our sports betting tips can help maximize your chances for success. Read our guidelines below before your next wager.
What makes a sportsbook “good” or “bad?” We’ve zeroed in on several factors that contribute to the success of a sportsbook. We’re sharing them here with you so you know what to look for.
Sports Selection The best online sportsbooks have a large selection of sports to bet on. Basics include football, rugby, cricket, American football, baseball, basketball, horse racing, and more. More obscure games like chess and darts are a bonus.
Markets Selection The best online sportsbooks have several markets with different odds. Look at the options before choosing a market, and make sure to compare odds before placing a bet.
Types of Bets As outlined above, there are several types of bets you can place on a game. If you're new to sports betting, make sure to familiarise yourself with the different types. As always, practice makes perfect, so you can try your hand at betting small amounts on different kinds of bets.
Promotions & Bonuses Many promotions look appealing, but once you read the terms and conditions, you realise they're not that great. The best online sportsbooks are those that offer bonuses with big rewards and low wagering requirements.
Payment Methods The best online sportsbooks offer various payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and more. If you prefer cryptocurrency, look for a sportsbook that accepts it as a deposit and withdrawal method.
License & Security Markets, odds, and payment methods are all subjective—different players have different priorities. But the one factor that remains objective is licensing. The best online sportsbooks are licensed and use SSL encryption technology to protect their bettors' financial information.
Customer Support The best online sportsbooks have responsive and knowledgeable customer support representatives. Moreover, they offer a variety of contact methods, including live chat, email, and phone.
Mobile Option Many bettors like to place sports bets from their mobile devices, so it's important to choose a sportsbook that has an app or an optimised site for mobile play.
There are so many options in sports betting, so how can you choose which sport to bet on? We’ve broken it down for you.
Football Football is the most popular sport in the UK, so it's no wonder people love to bet on it. If you can't get enough of football, you can also bet on American soccer.
Basketball Basketball is another popular betting sport. Britons can bet on BBL games, NBA games, and even March Madness through licensed online sportsbooks.
Hockey There is no shortage of hockey games to choose from, and you can place online bets on both national and international events.
UFC Betting on UFC and MMA events is legal in the UK—in fact, it's quite popular. If you enjoy watching these matches, you can make the experience even more enjoyable by placing a few pennies on your favourites.
Horse Racing Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on in the UK, but events take place both locally and internationally. You can bet on these easily from your couch or while at work, as long as you have access to the internet.
American College Football While American college football is mainly popular in the U.S., UK bettors have access to it via their favourite online sportsbooks.
American Football What Britons call "football," Americans call "soccer." American football is a different game altogether and is arguably the most popular sport in the U.S. Britons can get a piece of the action by placing bets at online sportsbooks.
Cricket As one of the most popular sports in the UK, Britons enjoy betting on cricket events, especially on the Cricket World Cup.
Not all online sportsbooks are legitimate, but if you only place bets at the sportsbooks on our list, you can rest assured that your personal and financial information will be safe and secure. If you discover a sportsbook that’s not on our list, make sure to check if it’s regulated by the UK Gambling Commission or a different regulatory body.
Yes, most online sportsbooks have optimized sites for iOS and Android devices. Some even have apps. You can place bets just as easily on mobile as you can from your desktop or laptop.
If the app you use is connected to a reputable, licensed sportsbook, then it's safe to use.
Online sports betting is legal in the UK, but if you’re located in another country, you will need to check the local laws. Wherever you place bets from, make sure the site is licensed and regulated.
Most online sportsbooks offer bets on virtually every sports available, including home team and international sports. Popular sports to bet on in the UK are football, rugby, horse racing, and cricket.
Sports betting odds are important because they show how much money you can win from a specific bet. The odds also show which teams/players are favourites and which are underdogs.
Bookmakers usually set the odds for each bet. They take many factors into account, including win/loss history, external factors like injuries or precipitation, the market, and more.
Your average return will depend on your experience and luck. A return of 5% is considered good, but with enough experience and strategy, you can get even more.
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