Live in-play betting sites
are becoming more and more popular and a lot of online bookmakers are making this method of betting a priority.
Throughout this in-play betting guide, we will help you find the
best in-play betting sites
and also explain how in-play odds are calculated, along with how to place in-play bets and even the best live betting markets to use.
We have searched for the best in-play live betting sites in the UK. Take a loot at the top 5 and how they operate in terms of live in-play betting.
Bet365 - In-Play Betting
Pros and cons of Bet365
Impressive welcome bonus
Live in-play betting markets
Live streaming options
Limited bonuses
Bet365 has been in operation since 2000 and is seen as not only one of the best bookmakers online, but also one of the best live in-play betting sites.
Over the years the live in-play market has grown and is not just used for football matches like it was mainly used for in the past.
Football is still a main market for Bet365’s live in-play betting, but sports like tennis, basketball, cricket, cycling, darts, rugby league, rugby union, American Football and golf all have sections available for in-play betting.
While betting in-play, you can view a page with plenty of stats and information relating to the game. You can see how much possession each team has had and the amounts of shots on target plus corners and cards. This information can help you plan your betting strategy while the action is going on.
As well as in-play betting, Bet365 prides itself on their live streaming format. They show hundreds of matches a week live from football to cricket to horse racing. As long as you have a funded account, you can watch all the live streaming action.
Sports Bonus
3.5/5
Sports Bonus
3.5/5
Bet £10 & Get £30
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|
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Open Account Offer Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Betfred - Extensive In-Play Markets
Pros and cons of Betfred
Great sports welcome bonus
Live in-play betting markets
Live streaming
Not enough live stream games
Betfred is another online bookmaker that has improved their in-play betting market over the years, and it is one of the most impressive around.
Football is their main point of business when it comes to in-play betting, but that is understandable with the amount of tournaments and matches played each week.
When betting in-play on a football match, you will be able to view a number of stats relating to the action on the pitch. In-play stats can be very beneficial when you are placing bets. It is a good function to have,
It is not just football that is covered with the in-play betting markets. Other sports included are golf, cricket, basketball, Australian Rules Football, ice hockey and tennis.
Betfred does have a live streaming section on their in-play betting page, but it is not as extensive as say Bet365. It will feature some live games throughout the year, but you will have to keep checking the schedule to see what appears.
Sports Bonus
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New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), 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.
BetMGM - Live In-Play Options
Pros and cons of BetMGM
IMpressive welcome bonus
Live in-play betting
Markets set out for each sport
Streaming options not clear
BetMGM is fast becoming one of the top online bookmakers around. Since they were founded in 2023, they have gone from strength to strength and that includes their live in-play markets.
Their live in-play markets are set up perfectly in our opinion. You can filter your selections by clicking on the sport you want and then the game in question. Then, all the available markets will be in separate sections for you to click on the one you want.
There is no unnecessary searching and scrolling to find the market you want to bet on while the game is in progress.
The only downside to the site is that the live streaming options are not very clear. There is a tab for live in-play betting, but you really have to search to find out if a game is being streamed live.
You would have to click on the sport you want and then activate a ‘stream only tab’ or scroll down the list of matches until you see a very tiny play button. It would be a lot clearer if there was just a separate section for live streams only.
Sports Bonus
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Sports Bonus
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Bet £10 Get £40
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New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned.
18+. T&Cs Apply.
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned.
18+. T&Cs Apply.
Requirements (WR): £10 Slots bonus on selected slots
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18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of signing up. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 1/1+) which expire in 5 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), 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.
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs Apply.
How to Place In-Play Bets
All of the best online bookmakers in operation today will conveniently list the wide range of available in-play market choices for existing customers and new customers alike.
The number of available in-play market options in this area may differ from bookie to bookie, as well as between sports, such as horse racing and traditional ball games.
Punters will be able to view the current scoreline, along with some useful statistics in some cases. Having taken on board all of the relevant information before placing your first bet, punters must quickly take advantage of value markets, with odds changing by the minute in some cases.
The top in play wagering sites will separate markets by sport, while schedules also make it easy for punters to see what in-play markets will be available in the near future.
Those placing in-play bets will generally have to wait a few seconds before it is processed, which is due to any potential price changes that may have happened in this time.
The majority of live bets will be placed during periods of open play or during intervals, as this is when they are most likely to be accepted if you want to bet live, with in-play markets regularly being suspended in order to allow bookmakers time to make adjustments.
As such, finding the right in-play bet can take time, meaning that it is advisable to have a number of bets lined up before you bet live.
Follow these simple steps to ensure you place the correct in-play bet:
Head over to your selected bookmaker
Click on the in-play or live betting section
The games that are currently being played will be available
If needed, filter to the sport you are interested in instead of taking time to scroll down
Choose the game you are interested in betting on
Check out the different markets available for the match
Place your bets while the action is going on
Be wary that some markets might be temporarily suspended due to what is happening on the pitch
Key Points Surrounding In-Play Betting Sites
For those who are not familiar with this form of betting and how the best in-play betting sites operate, the following points will give you a much clearer understanding:
An in-play bet is one that is placed after the sporting event or match has started.
In-play market odds are updated regularly by online bookmakers.
In-play market options are also suspended upon a key incident occurring.
In-play betting is also commonly known as live betting, with many live betting markets available to wager on today.
New live wagering sites and existing bookmakers offer in-play betting markets surrounding most sports, with football, table tennis, horse racing and basketball being among the most popular in play betting markets.
What is In-Play Betting?
In-play betting is effectively any bet that is placed after the official start of an event or match, whether it be one minute into a football match or in the fifth and deciding set of a tennis match.
In-play market odds are constantly changing, with the best in-play wagering sites adjusting prices based on what is taking place on the pitch, court or track.
Both existing and in-play betting sites cater for fans of many sports in this area, as well as new customers with niche tastes such as table tennis and horse racing, with in-play market choices now forming the basis for many betting strategies today on your preferred betting market.
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned.
18+. T&Cs Apply.
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of signing up. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 1/1+) which expire in 5 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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.
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Most Popular In-Play Sports For Betting
There are so many sports to bet on nowadays it is crazy. A lot of the best live betting sites make sure they cover all the main sports and even some of the sports that are not considered mainstream.
Below is a brief list of the most popular sports that are used for in-play betting. You will not be surprised by most of them.
Football - This was always going to be a popular one. There are so many matches taking place throughout the world each week, the demand is very high.
Horse Racing - Like football, there are a lot of horse racing meetings taking place. This sport is a little bit more difficult due to the quick nature of each race, but the options are still there.
Tennis - A good sport to bet on while the action is taking place. You can bet on who wins each game and who gets the first points. It can be very exciting in the big tournaments.
Cricket - Similar to tennis, there are plenty of markets available while the action is taking place. You can place bets on the amount of runs in the next over, ball-by-ball scores and the next wicket to fall. Another exciting market to get involved with.
Basketball - Another popular and fast-paced sport to place bets on. You can go down the betting on points route or just separate team bets while the game is going on.
Best Live Betting Markets
Due to the long list of sports available at the best live betting sites, there are a wide range of markets available. We have highlighted the best ones below:
Match Result
This is a simple but effective bet when it comes to the best live betting sites. If a team is losing 2-0 then their odds will change dramatically. It’s up to you to decide whether you think they will come back and if backing them to draw or win is worth the risk.
Next Scorer
This is obviously a popular one with football matches. A lot of punters back the first goal scorer market before the game, but betting the same market in play could still be as lucrative. Imagine seeing a player miss three sitters and then the relief and joy when he finally scores and you have made that bet.
Total Goals
This is another market where having a bit of knowledge of the teams in question could be beneficial. You kind of get a sense of how a game is going to go after 20 minutes, so backing the total goals of the game could work in your favour.
Next Wicket To Fall
This is clearly in cricket live in-play betting. You can back which player will be the next to be dismissed. The odds might not be the greatest, but if you do it over a period of time in the game, you could end up winning a bit of money.
Number Of Runs In An Over
Sticking with cricket, you can back how many runs will be scored in the upcoming over of a match. You might have options of over and under a certain score, but it can be fun watching every ball bowled to see if he scores runs or not.
[bonus-id]
Can I Do Bet Builders Live?
Not all in-play betting sites have the function to apply bet builders to their in-play betting markets, but some do.
The likes of Bet365 and William Hill have introduced this feature and it is a great way to stay connected and interested in a game that is taking place live.
It is simple to execute and it is not really different to a bet builder you would place before a game has started. There might not be as many markets on offer, but you could still create a decent bet builder.
Some of the markets available on a football in-play bet builder would include Match Goals, Next Goal, Number of Corners, Number of Cards and whether the goals scored would be Odds or Evens. Still a fun way to bet while the game is being played.
Using Bonuses On Live Betting Markets
You will see the majority of welcome bonuses are directed at certain sports, but there is no real rule that prevents you from using these bonuses for live in-play bets - unless it is clearly stated.
Bet365 are in favour of offering in-play live betting bonuses. They encourage bettors to place a £5 bet and receive a free £5 bet to be used on in play live betting.
Not all of the best in play betting sites will allow you to use a bonus on live matches, but it does no harm to check out all the
top UK bookmakers
to see if they do have bonuses available.
How Are In-Play Odds Calculated?
Most of the best live betting sites for new customers will utilise leading software when calculating live odds.
Both before match odds and influencers, including goals, cautions, injuries and performance, are used, with such systems quickly coming up with prices, based on the probabilities and risks involved.
As such, those with excellent knowledge in a particular area, such as calculating live odds or in-play odds, are likely to be able to find good value from time to time.
In-Play Betting Rules
No matter which bookmaker or live betting site you are registered with, there are a small number of rules surrounding in-play betting that must be taken into account, including the following:
Live bets may not be processed instantly, with a small waiting period being required. Meanwhile, in some cases, bookmakers will cancel bets before they are placed due to changes in odds or suspended markets.
In-play bets may not contribute to bonus wagering requirements, with this likely to differ from bookmaker to bookmaker.
Cashed out in-play bets are also unlikely to qualify punters for any potential enhanced odds offers, so be sure to look into this beforehand before you place your first bet.
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In-Play Betting Strategies
The fact that in-play betting is now so common has meant that this form of wagering now forms the basis for many betting strategies, with the following being among the factors to consider in this area before you place a bet:
Cash Out
In-play betting and cashing out go hand in hand, with the ability to settle bets before their completion having become part of many betting strategies. For example, when punters place a bet on a football team to win, only to see the team in which they have bet on score just minutes later, the amount of cash offered by bookies to cash out will likely grant a rapid profit to reward those who place a bet. As well as this, cash out can also be used to cut losses, ensuring that funds remain for future bets.
Live Stream
Live stream options are hugely useful when it comes to in-play betting, allowing customers to watch how an event is playing out via live stream, before backing their favourite at their chosen event. For example, if a number of tough tackles have been put in by the same player, it may be worth betting on them receiving a yellow card.
Pulse Betting
A number of the top in play wagering sites offer what is known as Pulse betting, which effectively means backing a particular event occurring within a particular timeframe. The quicker the event occurs, the more winnings are received, making this another popular live betting option for those who are intrigued by live betting markets.
Pre-Match vs In-Play Betting
Despite the introduction of the in-play markets available to new customers, pre-match bets are still hugely popular, with the following being the main factors to take into consideration when choosing between the two and placing your first bet:
With the majority of sporting encounters, there will be a favourite and an underdog. As such, waiting until the event or match has started is an effective way to increase the odds before you place your first bet, whether it be waiting until 20 minutes into a football match when the score remains goalless or in the event of a tennis player losing the first set against the odds.
Those placing pre-match or pre-event bets on the overwhelming favourites are unlikely to see any significant winnings, with bookmakers having priced them with short odds.
Players use in-play markets when they are looking to hedge their bets via an in play bet. For example, if you have backed Liverpool to win in the Champions League with a pre-match bet, but their opponents take an early lead, you may wish to bet on them with an in-play bet in order to cover your losses, with an in play bet coming to the rescue in this instance.
When looking to back an underdog, it is better to do so with a pre-event or match market generally speaking, with the odds on an unlikely victory only likely to decrease as the event plays out.
With bookmakers looking to entice punters to use in-play bets, promotions surrounding this form of gambling are often made available in order to make such markets all the more appealing via a promo code.
The number of pre-match and pre-event markets is also likely to differ from the amount of in-play markets on wagering sites.
Conclusion
In-play betting has quickly become one of the most popular forms of wagering on sporting encounters, with those who place a bet at the right time being rewarded generously on their chosen betting site.
The best live in-play betting sites cater for fans of all sports, such as horse racing and football, while in-play wagering sites are delivering more and more features in this area, making this type of wager all the more enjoyable on your chosen
best betting sites.
So, be sure to check out the best in-play betting sites listed on this page, before backing teams and players after the opening whistle has been blown, ball has been bowled or tee shot has been hit.
What Other Betting Guides & Strategies are Available?
For those who do not think that in-play betting is the best option for their first bet, and are considering live betting markets, there are a wide range of other guides and strategies on our review and betting site.
The best live betting sites are perfect for bettors looking to find the form of wagering which will deliver the best chance of beating the bookies on a consistent basis.
Below is a list of other betting markets and strategies that might be suited to different kind of bettors:
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned.
18+. T&Cs Apply.
Requirements (WR): £10 Slots bonus on selected slots
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18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of signing up. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 1/1+) which expire in 5 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), 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.
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs Apply.
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned.
18+. T&Cs Apply.
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of signing up. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 1/1+) which expire in 5 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), 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.
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs Apply.
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18+. T&Cs apply.
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned.
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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 |
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