List of bookmakers in UK

Betting in UK

Betting in the United Kingdom is highly regulated and overseen by the UK Gambling Commission. Key areas include:

Legal Framework: The Gambling Act of 2005 legalized and set regulations for all forms of gambling, including sports betting and online casinos.

Sports Betting: Popular sports for betting include football, horse racing, and greyhound racing. Both physical betting shops and online platforms are widely used.

Online Gambling: The UK leads in regulating online gambling, requiring operators to obtain a UK Gambling Commission license.

Responsible Gambling: The government and organizations emphasize gambling awareness and provide support and preventive measures for gambling addiction.

Economic Impact: The gambling sector significantly contributes to the UK’s economy and job market.

The UK combines strict regulation with a wide range of betting options, maintaining both consumer safety and economic benefits.

History of online betting in UK

What was it like?

Let’s go back to 1766, to London, the capital of Great Britain. Here lived Richard Tattersall, ex-stableman of the Duke of Kensington. It was he who created the world-famous auction of thoroughbred horses called Tattersalls, which, incidentally, exists to this day, retaining the title of the largest auction in England and Ireland. The auction was originally housed in Hyde Park, London.
In the first premises of the auction there were 2 rooms that were given to the upper class. This was the privileged Jockey Club, which was started in 1752. Noblemen would come here for socialising, betting and watching the races. It is believed that it was Tattersalls that became the prototype of modern betting shops and contributed to the spread of betting around the world. By the way, the personality of Richard Tattersall has gone down in history – to this day in his honour are called platforms at racetracks, where bets are accepted. It sounds like Tattersall’s Enclosure.

A few more details

Curiously, the term ‘bookmaker’ itself is a derivative of the word bookmaking. Translated, bookmaking means “keeping a book”. And there is an explanation for this, as people taking bets wrote them down in a special book, which they carried with them at all times. By the way, even in the early days of bookmaking, bets were accepted on handicaps, as well as competitions of different class of participants (but then they were equalised the chance of winning).

• The odds were equalised by giving a small head start in time or distance. The lack of a uniform system did not bring stability to bookmakers.
• Somewhat later the tradition of so-called “Honest Bookmaking” appeared, as entrepreneurs realised that reputation was the main tool of success in this business.
• The originators of the tradition were Leviathan Davis and Fred Swindell. In 1850, Davis ordered a printing company to print “odds sheets”, which he hung all over the city. This, in turn, enabled punters to place bets knowing in advance how much they would earn (the odds were known).
• Until then, bets were collected in a single cashier and the bigger was the gap between bets on 1 and 2 outcomes, respectively, the smaller was the odds.
• In the States, bookmaking came in 1866, when the first bookmaker’s office was launched in Philadelphia. In America, betting was incredibly popular, and then betting began to spread rapidly across the planet.
• However, the United Kingdom still holds the honourable first place in the number of betting shops and the largest companies are located here.

By the way, betting has long gone beyond sporting events – bets are accepted on any outcome, up to the end of the world or the landing of aliens on Earth.

Key factors when choosing a bookmaker

Deposit and withdrawal options are one of the key factors that new players in the UK consider when choosing a bookmaker. But they are far from the only ones. Our research shows that below are the five most important factors UK punters consider when choosing an online betting site:

1. Secure transactions
2. A trustworthy reputation,
3. Free, easy and fast transactions,
4. Favourable / generous bonuses
5. Wide range of sports to bet on

Just like deposit and withdrawal options, the legal environment also affects which sports you can bet on.
Online betting sites tend to offer a wider selection of sports than retail bookmakers. Before choosing a bookmaker, look at what sports they offer, how in-depth they cover each one, whether they have the types of bets you want to place, and how their odds compare to the competition.

When it comes to reputation, don’t stop at word of mouth. Read our detailed bookmaker reviews and search the various sites on the UKGC’s public register. As mentioned above, the UKGC tracks all sanctions imposed against betting sites and keeps detailed records of complaints filed against them.
Finally, when comparing bonuses, current legislation requires betting sites to state all applicable terms and conditions. You are required to read the fine print. If you believe that a bonus was misleading or that a bookmaker has falsely advertised an offer, you can make a complaint to the UKGC.

How popular is sports betting in UK?

Sports betting is hugely popular in the UK, ingrained in the country’s cultural fabric. The UK has a long history of betting on sports, with horse racing and football (soccer) being among the most popular sports to bet on. The legality and regulation of betting in the UK have helped create a safe and structured environment for gamblers, contributing to its popularity.

Several factors contribute to the popularity of sports betting in the UK:

1. Legal and Regulated Market: The UK has a well-established legal framework for gambling, including sports betting, which is regulated by the Gambling Commission. This ensures that betting practices are fair, transparent, and responsible, providing a secure environment for bettors.
2. Wide Availability: Betting shops are common sights in many UK towns and cities, and online sports betting has become increasingly popular, offering convenience and accessibility. Major bookmakers also offer mobile apps, making it easier for users to place bets from anywhere.
3. Cultural Acceptance: Betting on sports is a socially accepted activity in the UK. Major sporting events, especially in football and horse racing, often involve some level of betting activity among fans, making it a part of the overall experience.
4. Live Betting and Streaming: Advances in technology have made live betting and streaming widely available, enhancing the sports betting experience. Bettors can watch live sports on their devices and place bets in real-time, adding to the excitement.
5. Variety of Markets: UK bookmakers offer a wide range of betting markets, not just on domestic sports but also on international events. This variety caters to a broad audience with diverse interests, from football and horse racing to tennis, cricket, and even esports.
6. Promotions and Bonuses: Betting companies often offer promotions, bonuses, and free bets, especially to new customers, which can attract people to participate in sports betting.

Despite its popularity, sports betting in the UK is also subject to concerns about problem gambling. The industry and government have taken steps to promote responsible gambling practices, including self-exclusion schemes, betting limits, and advertising regulations to help mitigate these issues.

Overall, sports betting remains a significant part of the UK’s sporting culture, contributing significantly to the economy and the sports industry.

How betting is regulated in UK

The primal instincts of any human being have to do with safety. After all, you are playing with your own real money, so any potential complications should be completely avoided.
From December 2014, changes were made to the way companies offering services in the UK operate, whereas previously companies could be licensed and regulated in another country (such as Malta and Guernsey), the 2014 change meant that all betting shops serving UK customers must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This change was good news for the customer as it ensures that all companies are regulated by the same regulator, ensuring consistency.

Transparent regulations mean that you will actually be paid out when you win. In addition, the privacy of your personal data is fully guaranteed. Isn’t that what we all want at the end of the day when we use online bookmakers UK? If you scroll down to the footer of any betting site, you will see which testing agencies have provided certifications for it and what other services are utilised. We’ve put together a robust guide to show you what you should look out for in a bookmaker.

? Country	United Kingdom
? Currency	£
⚽ Popular Sports	Football, tennis, snooker, cricket, horse racing
? Most Popular Payment Methods	Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, PayPal and more.

Top 5 casino sites in UK

Betfair

Betfair is owned and operated by Paddy Power Betfair. This company is made up of two former British gambling rivals, Paddy Power and Betfair.
The two companies merged in September 2015. The deal was finalised in February the following year.
This merger made Paddy Power Betfair the number one online gambling company in terms of both size and revenue in 2016, valued at $12 billion.
The company is based in West London, United Kingdom. Betfair operates under a Gibraltar licence.

Sports Promotions

Right now, Betfair offers 10 different promotions at its betting shops. However, most of them are not actually promotions, are limited time offers or cannot be used in betting shops.
In any case, here are the details of their several sportsbook promotions.

Risk Free Bet – Sign up for this offer and then place a bet. If you bet more than £5 on their exchange and it loses, Betfair will refund you £5 in cash.

This offer is only available for your FIRST bet on the exchange.

Best odd s – Betfair claims to offer the best odds on men’s tennis, English football, rugby, as well as British and Irish horse racing and greyhound winning markets. It’s not so much a ‘do this, get that’ type promotion. But it’s nice to see that if you plan to bet on these sports/markets, you get the best price – with evidence to back it up.

Bet £10, get £5 – Betfair have a limited time offer whereby if you place a £10 exchange bet on a particular football match, you’ll receive a £5 accumulative bet on the bookmaker.
Whilst the offer is limited in time, there’s a good chance they’ll offer it again in the future – just for a different match or for a different sport.

Joycasino

JoyCasino has been on the market since 2004 and thanks to its cooperation with almost all gaming operators, it offers an inexhaustible number of games, from which everyone will surely be able to choose their favourite. When you make your first deposit, a large starting bonus of 200% up to €2,000 awaits you, and on top of that you can choose from a range of personalised bonuses.

With JoyCasino, you can bet on a huge selection of sports thanks to an extensive catalogue that is regularly updated. Sports such as Australian Rules, MMA, Snooker, Baseball, Badminton and more are designed to make sports betting exciting and adrenaline-fuelled. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out in sports betting, you will find odds and markets to suit your skill level and personal preferences. Compared to its competitors, JoyCasino has one of the easiest interfaces to navigate. In addition, the convenience of the site makes it easy to find the right sporting events.

Coral Sports

Coral Sports is one of the most well-known betting brands in the UK market. It offers a plethora of sports betting markets, live streaming options and in-play spot betting options. The world of sport will be at your fingertips if you ever decide to bet on the go with Coral Sports, and enjoy some of the most favourable and competitive odds.
Coral Sports is a true leader in the UK betting market, and as such, it offers you a wide range of sports and betting options to explore.

Coral Sports offers you the world’s best odds, sports and markets, the variety of which seems almost endless. Players will have something to explore to the fullest and evaluate it as they see fit.
There are over 40 disciplines to bet on, and hundreds of competitions and sub-markets to explore further. Players can put their best efforts and enjoy sports such as American football, baseball, cricket, Australian Rules, football, hockey, horse racing, greyhounds, golf, tennis, motorsport, billiards, snooker and many more.

NetBet

With over 20 years of experience in providing the best online gambling experience, NetBet is one of the most popular casinos in the world. It offers a diverse collection of games, including exceptional betting on bookmakers. It is owned and operated by the highly respected NetBet Enterprises Ltd, known for providing a safe gaming environment regulated by the Malta Gambling Authority.

The site’s official flag is white and yellow, the main colours of the casino logo. When you first arrive, you will be greeted by a beautiful hostess who will invite you to join the club by creating an account. All the buttons needed for further navigation are located at the top of the navigation bar, while all the other subcategories are placed right below the displayed banner. If you continue scrolling down the page, you will see recommendations for the most popular games, as well as many other game categories.

In order to officially register an account and start playing for real money, you must register an account. You can start the process by clicking the orange “Register” button. It’s simply a matter of following the instructions and providing the necessary information. Once you have filled in all the necessary information, you will need to confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions and you can start playing as an official member of NetBet Club.

Spreadex

Overall, the Spreadex sports betting platform is a reliable sports betting provider with a range of features and services that suit both novice and experienced punters. It is one of the companies offering spread betting options that provide a unique approach to sports betting, and its fixed odds betting options give you the opportunity to bet at competitive odds. The fixed odds betting platform also provides a user-friendly platform.

One of the main strengths of the Spreadex spread betting platform is its generous welcome offers. One includes two free £5 total goals spread betting rewards and the chance to receive up to £300 in cashback, while the other gives you the chance to get up to £50 of free bets. In addition, the company’s highest football odds, price promotions and live streaming options provide customers with an all-round betting experience.

Spreadex UK has some decent bonuses awaiting all new customers. There’s a bonus for fixed odds bets and a bonus for spread bets. How generous.

The fixed odds betting bonus will give you up to £30 in bonus betting tokens. Simply register with Spreadex UK for the first time and place a minimum bet of £10 on odds of 1/2 or more. When you complete this action, Spreadex will give you two batches of £10 bonus bet tokens for fixed odds bets and two £5 extra bet tokens for total heads spread bets + 50 free spins. This will be backed up by a guarantee of the best odds for Premier League betting – nice!