The ability to watch live action as it unfolds online has added another ounce of excitement for sports betting punters, while bookmakers with live streams available have also made it easier for them to gain an understanding of what the eventual result may be. The number of bookmakers offering their customers live streaming is increasing at a rapid rate, however there are undoubtedly some sites which perform better than others in this area. This page will look at exactly what live streaming is and how it can be used, while also outlining just which are the best bookies for watching live sports action.
Live stream betting sites allows punters the chance to watch live sports events as they unfold
A small stake or positive account balance is required in order to gain access
The number of bookmakers now offering live streaming has increased significantly
Sports including football, tennis and basketball are regularly available to watch
Streams are viewed a few seconds behind, allowing bookies time to suspend markets or alter odds.
What is Live Streaming?
Those placing bets online today will potentially be in a position to take advantage of live stream betting sites, allowing them to watch sporting events as they are played out, whether it be on desktop or using a mobile device. A large number of betting sites now offer live streaming services, which can be unlocked by placing a bet or having a positive account balance. Streams are played on a delay of anywhere between 10-30 seconds in most cases, which is a necessary step for bookmakers in order to stop punters quickly placing bets on live markets. Streams are generally available in good quality, while we will discuss the requirements of live streaming further down on this page.
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+ Opt in, bet £10 on any football (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of sign up. Get 2x£10 and 1x£5 Free Bets for set football markets + £5 Slots Bonus on Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, max redeem £125. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org
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.
Live Streaming Requirements
There is not a lot for bettors to consider when it comes to technical requirements while visiting bookmakers with live stream services. Whether it be on desktop or mobile via iOS or
Android betting apps UK
players can use, flash or HTML5 systems are utilised, meaning that just a simple download will be required in order to gain access. For those who have downloaded their bookmaker’s mobile app, all of the relevant software is already there, with 3G or 4G or an internet connection being required too. Many bookmakers offering live streaming today have low resolution options, meaning that they can still be viewed on a low bandwidth.
What Sports Can Be Watched on Live Stream Betting Sites?
The number of sports that are available to watch through live streaming on betting sites is increasing all the time, however there are also a number of events in which bookmakers are never allowed to show. Bookmakers must purchase the rights in order to be in a position to stream events, with the following sports being available on betting sites to punters in the UK today:
Football
– Football matches are available to watch on a daily basis on live stream betting sites, with services covering encounters from major European leagues, including Serie A, Bundesliga and La Liga. Premier League matches are not available due to broadcasting rights, however with football being the most popular betting sport in the UK today, the vast live streaming options will certainly please punters.
Horse Racing
– A large number of bookmakers with live streams make it easy for customers to watch every single horse race from the UK & Ireland, while a small number of international meetings are also available to watch.
Tennis
– No matter whether it is a high-profile match from the ATP and WTA Tour or an encounter between two lowly ranked players, tennis matches from around the world are available to watch, providing punters with a better understanding of how players are performing, rather than just simply following the score online. As a result, it perhaps comes as little surprise that tennis is now one of the most popular betting sports around.
Rugby
– Despite still being on the periphery of things in terms of betting, rugby is another sport that is available on live streaming features with bookmakers, including matches from the English Premiership.
Basketball
– Action from European, Asian and American leagues are often on offer to live streaming customers, with the ability to watch all four quarters, and potentially even overtime, being hugely appealing to fans of the sport.
Esports
– As one of the newcomers to the world of sports betting, it comes as little surprise that Esports is now featured by many bookmakers with live streams, whether it be games from Dota 2, League of Legends or CS:GO tournaments.
Sports such as golf, cricket and American Football are generally unavailable to punters in terms of live streaming, which is mainly down to the strict broadcasting rights. However, there should still be plenty to sink your teeth into when it comes to live streaming.
Differences Between Live Streaming Betting Sites and Regular Sports Viewing
There are some minor differences between watching a sporting encounter on television and through your bookmaker, with the first being that you are unlikely to enjoy the same picture quality and screen size on betting sites. Meanwhile, live streams on betting sites are often accompanied by match statistics and constantly updated odds, catering for fans of in-play betting in the process. Meanwhile, betting site streams are not always accompanied by commentary or sound, which does make the experience a little different.
Live Streaming Betting Strategies
The introduction of live streaming has added another form of betting strategy, with the following points having been put forward in order to help punters make the most of this service:
Punters should consider available betting markets when watching live streams, with the majority of bookmakers allowing their customers to view both at the same time thanks to pop-up windows. Whether it be taking into account whether a football match is being a particularly feisty affair or the type of players that are competing in a tennis match, keeping your eye on the ball will give you a better chance of placing successful bets.
It is also advised that punters should have potential bets already loaded in their bet slip, thus meaning that it is quick and easy to take advantage of any actions that occur when watching a sporting encounter via live streaming.
The cash out feature is another which punters should consider using in combination with live streaming, with customers watching the action live having a better understanding of when a goal may be scored, a break of serve occurring or a yellow card in a rugby game.
Be sure not to wait too long before placing bets, with your gut instinct after watching an event live often being correct, if you have a good understanding of the sport in question.
What Other Betting Guides & Strategies are Available?
Live streaming is a fantastic service that is utilised by a large number of punters in the UK today, but what about how to use it as a part of your gambling strategy? Here at Betting.co.uk, we specialise in providing useful guides on gambling strategies, perfect for those considering exactly how to go about beating the bookies! Be sure to check out our guides about
in-play betting
and
no risk matched betting
and many others. We also have a page dedicated to
which bookmakers are best for beginners
and another for anyone who wants to know if a
betting exchange
may be a more suitable platform for them. In addition, if you want to know more about the legality of UK gambling, then our article on the
legal status of betting in the UK
is a must-read.
Conclusion
The addition of live streaming on betting sites has been one of the biggest changes to the industry over recent years, with this now being one of the most in-demand features for punters too. The ability to watch the action unfold live not only adds to the excitement, but also enhances your chances of coming out on top. There are now a number of live stream betting sites, which immediately put them 1-up on their competitors, with the number of bookmakers with live stream services only set to increase. So, be sure to check out the betting sites with live streaming on this page, before testing them out for yourself.
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 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.
18+ Opt in, bet £10 on any football (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of sign up. Get 2x£10 and 1x£5 Free Bets for set football markets + £5 Slots Bonus on Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, max redeem £125. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org
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 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 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 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.
18+ Opt in, bet £10 on any football (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of sign up. Get 2x£10 and 1x£5 Free Bets for set football markets + £5 Slots Bonus on Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, max redeem £125. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org
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 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.
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