Best English Betting and UK Gambling Sites

Home » Best English Betting and UK Gambling Sites

If you are not from the UK please choose a MGA site for sports betting and online gambling.

Take a walk down a major UK high street, and you will find at least one, if not several, UK bookies, affectionately known as English betting sites. A bookmaker is a name of a person, or company, that keeps a book of bets, usually with a system of odds to encourage betting on more than just the favorite. Before the rise of the betting shop, nearly all UK Gambling activities were illegal except for horse racing and greyhound racing, courtesy of the Racecourse Betting Act 1928 and the Betting and Lotteries Act 1934.

English Betting Sites

Until the 1960s, English betting sites filled the grounds of thousands of stadiums and racecourses as the only legitimate source of land-based gambling. Off-course betting was illegal unless by telephone or postal service and evolved into big business for criminal gangs. Organized events would feature the gang’s bookie, known as a toller, who would take a cut of every gamble. One such game was pitch-and-toss, where punters bet on the result of a single coin toss. At one time, you could find pitch-and-toss rings across the UK.

English Betting Sites

Eventually, organized crime moved off the streets and into racketeering of racecourse bookies, who often needed minders for protection. Underworld gangs would take a portion of profits, muscle-out competition and even deny unsuspecting punters from cashing out a big win. Pre-1960s, both on and off-course, UK gamblers had no guarantee of collecting their winnings and no method of recourse when dealing with a bookmaker.

Gambling Sites UK

Harold Macmillan introduced The Betting and Gaming Act in 1960 to counter the criminal influence over gambling in the UK and create a safe environment for people to gamble without fear. The UK betting shop had arrived, and in May the following year, hundreds of bookmakers opened their doors to the public for the first time. Thousands followed in every central town and city across the UK as a place for people to meet safely and enjoy an age-old pastime.

English Betting And Gambling Sites

English betting site Ladbrokes began in 1882 as horse commission agents at Ladbrokes Hall in Warwickshire. The company became known as Ladbrokes in 1902 after a move to London and used profits to open a chain of betting shops following the 1960 reform. William Hill followed and seized the opportunity to move from a postal and telephone betting service established in 1934 into a common name for high street bookmakers in 1966, and now top the lists of best UK gambling sites.

In the same year, Fred Done took winnings from a bet on England in the World Cup and financed a single shop, Done Bookmakers, in Salford, Manchester. Steady growth saw over 200 shops by the turn of the millennium and rebranding to Betfred in 2004, and the name now features proudly among the best betting sites UK. The now Gibraltar-based, BetVictor, another household name in UK gambling sites, was founded in 1946 by the owner of Walthamstow Dog Racing Stadium, a greyhound racing track in London.

Betting Sites UK

The Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Act of 1963 gave much-needed guidance and reform to the booming industry as bookies met increasing demand. In 1973, the number of UK betting shops peaked at 14,750. The likes of Ladbrokes amassed 1,135 betting shops by this time, and several years later, in 1986, big names in bingo, Coral and Mecca entered the fray following changes in legislation. Not until online gambling has the number of betting shops significantly dwindled, and UK bookmakers moved online with the times.

Best UK Gambling Sites

Since its height, the number of high street bookies has shrunk by around 50%, with land-based premises taking a hit from online gambling and many English betting sites. Today, you can reach the best UK gambling sites from your mobile or handheld device, and more of us choose to gamble from the comfort of our homes rather than walk to the local bookies to take a punt. UK bookmakers are visited more by the masses at their online betting shops.

The 2005 Gambling Act prompted the formation of a regulatory body, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), in 2007. And following the birth of online gambling, the 2014 Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act means that all UK betting sites require a UKGC license to operate lawfully.

Best Betting Sites UK

Below we list the best betting sites in the UK.

Casino: 50 extra spins. Sports: no welcome bonus

 

T&Cs apply.. 18+. Play Safe. New UK customers only. Opt-in required. 1x per customer. Free spins on Lucky Mr Green only. Max. 50 free spins at £0.10/spin with 35x wagering. Spins expire 72 hours from issue. Game, country, currency, player restrictions and terms apply. Full T&C Apply. BeGambleAware.org.

 
Casino: 100% up to £25. Sports: Bet £10, get £50 in bet credits  
T&Cs apply. First deposit bonus will be doubled up to £25 at the casino. For sports, players get up to £50 as bet credits. Welcome package. * 18+. Deposit min. £10. Max. bonus £25. 20x wagering (game weighting, table coverage and max. bet rules apply) on deposit and bonus to make the bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&C apply. Sports: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply.
Casino: Various promotions Sports: €30 Free Bet
T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Debit card deposits only. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply. Gamble responsibly
Sports: 50% £50 Casino: 50% £100 + 25x
T&Cs Apply. New customers only. *Key Terms: 18+ begambleaware.org; New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; Full terms apply. 18+ | gamble responsibly
Sportsbook: no bonus. Casino: 100% £25 + 20 extra spins
T&Cs apply. New customers only.  18+ only. New customers only. Bonuses are on opt-in basis. Min deposit is £10. 30x wagering requirements apply for bonuses and winnings to be withdrawn. Contribution % towards WR vary from 0% to 100% according to game. Participation of new customers in the Welcome Offer requires a £10 minimum deposit. 18+ | gamble responsibly
Sportsbook: £5 free bet. Casino: Up to 500 spins
T&Cs Apply. New customers only. *18+ the UK only. NOTE: Customers must place a acca of at least £10 on any English leagues with 4 selections or more minimum odds 1/2 (1.5) per selection. First bet placed will qualify. £5 Free Bet will be given on settlement. Valid once a week until 22nd May 2022. 18+ | gamble responsibly
Bet £10, get £40
T&Cs Apply. *Key Terms: Key Terms: Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount 40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply. 18+ | gamble responsibly
No deposit: 10x spins. Casino: 200% £200. Sportsbook: 200% £200
T&Cs apply. New customers only. * Wager the bonus amount 5x within 7 days on Sports to release your Bonus; Bonus equal to 200% of qualifying deposit - up to £200; Bonus credited in real money without wagering requirements. 18+ | gamble responsibly

UK Betting Sites List

Today, the UK betting sites list has grown into a multi-billion-pound industry built on corporate behemoths such as MGM Resorts International, Entain, Betsson, Flutter Entertainment,  888 Holdings, and Kindred.

A search online for gambling sites UK or best betting sites UK will find some names more than others. Though recognisable brands such as Unibet, LeoVegas, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Mr Green, 888Casino, 32Red, Coral, Ladbrokes, Gala and Bwin crown the UK betting sites lists. Whatever your favourite sport or event, there are English betting sites in droves with online sportsbooks, casinos, and still the occasional shop, on hand for millions.

All UK Betting Sites

Here you can find all UK betting sites listed.

Casino: 50 extra spins. Sports: no welcome bonus

 

T&Cs apply.. 18+. Play Safe. New UK customers only. Opt-in required. 1x per customer. Free spins on Lucky Mr Green only. Max. 50 free spins at £0.10/spin with 35x wagering. Spins expire 72 hours from issue. Game, country, currency, player restrictions and terms apply. Full T&C Apply. BeGambleAware.org.

 
Casino: 100% up to £25. Sports: Bet £10, get £50 in bet credits  
T&Cs apply. First deposit bonus will be doubled up to £25 at the casino. For sports, players get up to £50 as bet credits. Welcome package. * 18+. Deposit min. £10. Max. bonus £25. 20x wagering (game weighting, table coverage and max. bet rules apply) on deposit and bonus to make the bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&C apply. Sports: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply.
Casino: Various promotions Sports: €30 Free Bet
T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Debit card deposits only. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply. Gamble responsibly
Sportsbook: no bonus. Casino: 100% £25 + 20 extra spins
T&Cs apply. New customers only.  18+ only. New customers only. Bonuses are on opt-in basis. Min deposit is £10. 30x wagering requirements apply for bonuses and winnings to be withdrawn. Contribution % towards WR vary from 0% to 100% according to game. Participation of new customers in the Welcome Offer requires a £10 minimum deposit. 18+ | gamble responsibly
Sportsbook: £5 free bet. Casino: Up to 500 spins
T&Cs Apply. New customers only. *18+ the UK only. NOTE: Customers must place a acca of at least £10 on any English leagues with 4 selections or more minimum odds 1/2 (1.5) per selection. First bet placed will qualify. £5 Free Bet will be given on settlement. Valid once a week until 22nd May 2022. 18+ | gamble responsibly
Sports: 50% £50 Casino: 50% £100 + 25x
T&Cs Apply. New customers only. *Key Terms: 18+ begambleaware.org; New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; Full terms apply. 18+ | gamble responsibly
Bet £10, get £40
T&Cs Apply. *Key Terms: Key Terms: Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount 40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply. 18+ | gamble responsibly
No deposit: 10x spins. Casino: 200% £200. Sportsbook: 200% £200
T&Cs apply. New customers only. * Wager the bonus amount 5x within 7 days on Sports to release your Bonus; Bonus equal to 200% of qualifying deposit - up to £200; Bonus credited in real money without wagering requirements. 18+ | gamble responsibly

FAQ

Are English betting sites safe?

Yes, English betting sites are safe as they are all licensed by the UKGC.

Which betting site is the best in the UK?

The answer depends on the player. However, we are listing the the betting sites from best to the worst based on our reviews.

Where do I find all English betting sites?

Take a look at this page and you will find all the best English betting sites.

18+ | Gamble responsibly.