The pros and cons when you compare betting sites
If you’ve been using sports betting sites for any amount of time, or even just taken a brief look at the number of betting sites available, you’ll soon notice there are an almost overwhelming number of options. If you are new to all of this or perhaps don’t know what you are looking for, you can just sit there scratching your head and not know where to start. This means you might not ever get going and miss out on not only adding that extra dimension to enjoying your favourite sports, but also some impressive bonus offers.
This guide is designed to help you make an informed decision about which of the many options out there is best for you. If you are a newer bettor and somewhat nervous about all the different online bookmakers and offers, then we’ve put together a checklist so you can compare sports betting sites easily. You can look for the key features that suit your needs, whether it is a big bonus, coverage of a niche sport or whether a certain payment option is supported.
If you are more experienced or just looking to get started quickly, we have a breakdown of the bookmakers that our own team of experts have rated highly, and you can use this shortlist as a starting point in your own search. Whatever your situation, we’ve got your back as we’ve already done most of the legwork for you. Here’s a quick view of the pros and cons of comparing sports betting sites:
Pros and Cons
- Plenty of bookmaker options
- Generous welcome bonuses available
- A huge number of betting markets
- Overwhelming number of options
Compare all bookmakers using our in-depth reviews
At betting.co.uk, we have already checked out pretty much every bookmaker you will find online, so using the resources here is a simple and easy way to compare
online bookmakers
and find what you are after. Our reviewers will have looked at every aspect you would yourself, from usability to cashing out and provided a detailed breakdown of what they have found. In fact, because they have been doing this for years, the chances are they might spot something that you could miss.
Which are the most highly rated betting sites in the UK?
When you compare online betting sites, you’ll quickly see some are better than others. This does not mean in any way that any of the others are awful; it’s just when you are picking a bookmaker, you’re going to want the best one. As best is always a subjective topic, we’ve included our top 5. Of course, there are full reviews of each of these elsewhere on our site, as well as an additional look at any bonuses and promotions, but here is an overview of what made these stand out to our review team:
| UK Bookmaker |
Welcome bonus |
Additional promotions for existing bettors |
Good range of payment options |
| BetMGM |
Bet £10 and get £40 in free bets |
Yes |
Yes, including card, bank and eWallet |
| Kwiff |
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
Yes |
Yes, including card, bank and eWallet |
| Dabble |
£10 in free bets - No Deposit required |
Yes |
Yes, including card, bank and eWallet |
| Betano |
Bet £10 Get £30 |
Yes |
Yes, including card, bank and eWallet |
| Betfred |
Bet £10 Get £50 |
Yes |
Yes, including card, bank and eWallet |
BetMGM - Excellent range of markets and a generous bonus
When you compare online sports betting sites, it’s hard to put them in any sort of order, especially when they are all so closely matched. However, BetMGM just edges it because our team thought that it led the way in the range of markets and bonus offerings. You might think of BetMGM as topping the
UK online casino list, but it turns out they are no slouches when it comes to sports either, with a wide range of markets including volleyball and even eSports. You’ll find a decent number of bets here, too, especially in the major sports. Sign-up is quick and simple with £40 in free bets waiting for you after you’ve made your first £10 wager.
Kwiff - get off to a great start with £30 in free bets
It’s just as easy to get started at Kwiff, which might not be a name that everyone is familiar with. Don’t worry, our team has checked it out, and it’s 100% legit, and the welcome bonus is one of the easiest to claim they have seen. Expect the same deep range of markets as you get at BetMGM, along with a range of additional promotions for surprise bonuses and a sports rewards club for loyal bettors. You’ve got some different ways to fund your account here, and our reviewers spoke highly of the customer support they received.
Dabble - a new name that you are going to remember for all the right reasons
Dabble is another new name, but it won’t stay under the radar for long. The £10 free bets bonus is quick and simple to claim, and you can be using it in minutes due to the quick and easy sign-up process. What made Dabble stand out for our team was the social aspects of this app-only bookmaker, so you can copy a friend's bets if you wish, as well as help yourself to a range of other ad-hoc promotions. Not sure how long that no-deposit offer will last, so if you are going to check out Dabble, it might be better to do it sooner rather than later!
Betano - everything you need from a bookmaker
From new names to one you will no doubt have heard of before. Betano is an old and reliable platform where they have had time to get everything in place, and this is reflected in the usability of the site, even with so many markets available. Like the others, there is live betting and some streaming, with events also covered with extensive stats, so you can easily see the momentum of any event you are wagering on. There’s no shortage of markets, and your £30 in free bets is easy to claim, even for beginners.
Betfred - £50 in bonus bets is just the start
When it comes to offers, however, Betfred definitely takes the high ground. There’s £50 on offer when you wager £10, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are acc boosts and bet, and get bonuses tailored made for each sport. You’ll also find free-to-enter promotions, like Betfred, where answering some simple yes or no questions will get you at least some free spins, and possibly even a share of a £5000 prize fund.
What to look for when you compare betting sites
If none of those fit the bill, you might want to take a look at many of the other options available. To make sure that you are not taking too long to compare bookmakers, we’ve put together a list of what all the best betting sites have in common. By using this, you can take some of the hard work out of making the right decision.
The first check is to see if the bookmaker can operate in the UK. Look for the UKGC license details at the bottom of the page and see which security methods are employed to keep your data and funds safe.
Nearly all bookmakers will have one, so you need to find the one that is right for you. Look for generosity but also check out the small print to see if the wagering conditions fit your playing style, or if you’d be better with a smaller bonus elsewhere.
📈 Range and Depth of Markets
If you bet on major sports, most bookmakers will have you covered. However, if your love is a niche sport, check out the range and depth of markets so you have access to the pre-match and live bets you want.
⚙️ Simple Betting Process
On that note, see if the betting process is quick and easy, and if placing accas is as simple as it should be. Also, look for betting tools like bet builders to do this, and even cash-out buttons.
💳 Deposits and Withdrawals
Payment methods vary when you compare betting sites, so look to see if your preferred method is accepted, and whether it allows you to claim any bonuses. Try to look at the time frame for withdrawals as well, and if your preferred method is available there, too.
If you have any problems, you’ll need them resolved quickly, so you are looking for a decent FAQS section, as well as live chat and email. Test drive the ones you can before signing up to check the speed and quality of the response.
Not all bookmakers will have a loyalty program, but others will more than make up for it in other areas. If a VIP or loyalty program does exist, checking your level of activity will actually get you some rewards and if those rewards are of any use to you. Check out the other promotions, too, as there can be boosted wagers and free bets on offer, especially when a new season of a major sport kicks off.
Conclusion - make the best online bookmaker comparison using our reviews
Finding the right bookmaker can be hard, especially if the only way to do it is to compare betting sites with little or no knowledge. By tapping into the wealth of reviews and expert advice available here, this should no longer be a problem. You have your checklist of what all the best sports betting sites have in common, so you can make an informed choice, or look at the top 5 highest-rated platforms, and make your choice from there.
Either way, the resources you’ll find here will arm you with all the information you need to make the best decision possible, and you can then get started any time you want by simply using the links on this page to go to your preferred bookmaker.
Our favorite sportsbook bonuses
1.
Bet £10 on the World Cup Get £40 in Free Bets
Requirements (WR): 4x Bonus + 10x Deposit, Min. Deposit: 10
New customers: Deposit £10+ within 7 days and place a sports bet. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports Bet). Valid 7 days. Min odds apply. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
18+. T&Cs Apply.
GambleAware.org.
2.
£20 Back-Up Bet as Free Bet
Min. Deposit: £10
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned |
T&Cs apply.
3.
Bet £10 on the World Cup Get £30 in Free Bets
Min. Deposit: £10
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 £30 in Free Bets (1x £10 Horse Racing Free Bet + 1x £10 Football Acca Free Bet + £10 Basketball Acca Free Bet) T&Cs apply. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.
4.
Bet £40 on the World Cup get £20 in free bets
18+ Offer available to new customers only who sign up with Promo Code BET40GET20. Place a bet of £40 (or more) at EVS (2.0) or greater and Get 2 x £10 Free Bets. 1 x £10 Free Bet paid automatically & following £10 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0). Free Bets expire after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
5.
Bet £10 on the World Cup Get a £10 ACCA Bet
18+ New Customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Get £10 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days and must be used on acca with min 5 selections and min total odds of 2.0. Free stake not returned with winnings. Use code ACCA10 on signup. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org.
Compare betting sites FAQs
📊 What’s the easiest way to compare betting sites in the UK?
There is no shortage of options, and any betting sites comparison could take you longer than you'd like. By using the reviews on a platform like betting.co.uk, you can tap into expert knowledge to see what factors you prefer and help you make an informed choice about where to start.
🏆 Which are the best UK bookmakers?
Best is always a subjective matter, but all of the highest-rated platforms have the same things in common. Our review team at betting.co.uk have taken many factors like usability, bonuses and long-term benefits into account and found that BetMGM, Kwiff, Dabble, Betano and Betfred come out top.
🎁 What are the biggest bonuses at UK bookmakers?
For any online betting sites comparison, the bonuses available will be a big factor, especially the welcome bonus. For UK bookmakers, this will normally be a certain number of free bets once you make a qualifying wager. Check the T&Cs of each offer to see which one is the best fit for you, as they will all have slightly differing wagering requirements and time limits.
