The UK’s Best Football Betting Sites for 2024
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Football Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Football Leagues | Football Betting Types | Football Payout | Football Bookmaker Rating | Secure Link | Terms: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Bet365 | £50 In Free Bets |
4.80 ★ out of 5
|
www.bet365.com | Full T&Cs apply. New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £50* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. | |||
2. 888sport | £30 + £10 for Casino |
4.80 ★ out of 5
|
www.888sport.com | Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30F - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - 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 bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wagering req. vary by game • Deposit methods, Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply. |
Betting on football hasn’t been easier with the sites, we have chosen above, and your experience will be second to none. They all have great bonuses and a top selection of markets. In the following paragraphs, we will go into further detail as to why we chose them.
The Strengths of the Top Football Betting Sites in the UK
Depending on which football bookie you choose, you will benefit from different factors. You should know that some operators from our all gambling sites UK list may be better for one league, or even types of wagers. Below, we have highlighted the best points of each bookmaker that we have listed on this page.
- bet365 (Fantastic odds prices on offer)
- 888sport (Great live betting scene and stats centre)
How to Choose the Best Football Bookmakers
In the following paragraphs, we will be highlighting how we evaluate football betting sites. Obviously, these are general factors and some bookies may perform better in some areas than others. However, they provide us with the perfect way to analyse them quickly. This is much the same process with all top betting sites and daily fantasy sports sites, but we have adapted it for football here.
The main factors we will be looking at when analysing online football betting are things like, odds, betting markets, the in-play offer, mobile, security and bonuses. We will provide detailed coverage in each section, so carry on reading for more!
If you are interested in online football betting sites, you may well be a fan of pool game betting sites. From our experience we noticed that football betting fans are also fans of online tennis betting and vice-versa.
The Odd Levels for Different Leagues
One thing that most bettors are interested in is the odds levels offer at the best football betting sites. The higher they are, the better it is for you. Our teams of dedicated experts have come together to analyse each site individually, so you don’t have to.
In the table below you can find all of the top European leagues and we have listed their associated odds levels in terms of payout. It is important to note, that although we calculated these as an average they can and do change. Check the table!
Football Betting Site | Premier League | Championship | Champions League | La Liga | Budesliga | Serie A | Ligue 1 | Secure link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bet365 | 94.21% | 94.55% | 93.44% | 94.33% | 93.38% | 91.87% | 92.22% | Visit Site! |
888sport | 94.87% | 95.01% | 94.01% | 92.33% | 92.12% | 92.63% | 91.22% | Visit Site! |
As you can see all the best bookies for football offer very similar odds. Depending on the league you may find some variation, but unless you are playing with thousands of pounds then the payout you receive will not vary too much, no matter which of these sites you choose.
What you must wait out for is when bookies try to undercut you. These here are the best odds football has to offer, so can assume none of the ones we feature to do this, but some out there do. That is why it is best to stick with our list so you know you are no missing out on any potential profit.
Top Leagues and Tournaments Available for Online Football Betting
Every football fan has their preferred team, league or tournament that they wish to bet on. All of the top football betting sites have a multitude of different leagues which you can play with. Some will offer live streaming, whilst they should all have in-play opportunities. See the highlights below.
Football League/Tournament | Payout% | Betting Types | In-Play | Live Streaming | Bet At |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Premier League | 94.78% | 91+ | yes | no | bet365 |
Championship | 94.22% | 90+ | yes | yes | 888sport |
Champions League | 93.99% | 89+ | yes | no | bet365 |
La Liga | 94.02% | 83+ | yes | yes | 888sport |
Ligue 1 | 93.81% | 88+ | yes | yes | bet365 |
As you can see the choice you have is unbelievable. The top leagues throughout Europe are extensively covered. The only other sport with as much coverage is horse racing betting. If you are a fan of either, you should be satisfied.
Football Betting Types and Markets
As football betting is the most popular market in the UK, there are multiple different types of bets one can place. They range from simple to intricate. In the boxes below, we have highlighted some of the more popular ones for you to play on.
1. Full Time Result
The most popular bet is the 1X2 bet. Here you ever predict home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2). It is the simplest bet, yet one that comes with unpredictability. Often times you can combine more that one game to create an accumulator of multiple full-time bets to increase the odds.
2. Both Teams to Score
The BTTS bet is one that is also very popular. Here, you choose whether each team will score a goal or not. This is especially interesting when you know a team will win, but their defence is suspect. So, you can see both teams scoring, thus you say yes for BTTS.
3. Over/Under Bets
All football bookmakers have this option across multiple bets. Involving the number of goals in a match, corners, cards etc. All you say is whether there will be more or less than a specified number. It pays to study on this one, even so, football is inherently unpredictable!
4. Individual Player Bets
This kind of bet revolves around the player instead of the team. For example, you can predict if X player will score, receive a yellow card, or even get sent off. You can often combine this bet with one of the above to increase the odds on offer.
5. Outright Bets
This one is for those who are in it for the long haul. Basically, the outcome is only decided at the end of the season. So, you can predict the PL top scorer, winner, or team to get relegated. You will only win if your prediction comes true at the end of the season.
These are all pretty popular betting types that are on offer at all of the best football betting sites. Dig a little deeper and you can find a lot more. Even so, we’d recommend starting with these to familiarise yourself with the markets before then moving on to more intricate betting.
As we mentioned, you can either place bets on a specific game, or ante-post (outright) bets on the competition. If you want to see quick results then you should stick with betting on football with single games. Below, you can see an example
An Example: How Does Full Time (1X2) Betting Work
In order to aid your betting adventure, we are now going to give you give you a concrete example on how to place bet on a football match. Using our full-time betting type we will pick the result of a game.
We chose a Premier League game between West Ham United and Liverpool. Liverpool were resounding favourites at 2/5, but we backed the Hammers at 16/1. We put a tenner down, and the pulled through! We got a return of £170. Not bad.
In-Play Football Betting
The world of live football betting is one that many punters enjoy. Either by using football betting apps or simply on the desktop, they can watch the game progress and make a bet on the action as it happens. We go more into detail in our guide to live betting, below you can find the best football betting offers for in-play.
Whenever you are football betting in play you want to make sure you have numerous markets to choose from. The bookie should also provide a live score centre, and if possible live streaming, which we will go into further detail below. They will all enhance your in-play experience.
Live Streaming Availability
Most football betting sites UK-wide offer some form of streaming, but do they do it for football? Well, some do, and some don’t. Unfortunately, none offer Premier League streaming in the UK. Even so, there are various European leagues and competitions available to enjoy.
- Football Live Streaming:Yes
- La Liga Live Streaming:Yes
- Cash Out:Yes
Even if your chosen league is not available to stream, you can still enjoy the live interface with up-to-date graphics of what is happening on the pitch. Another area which is growing is Esports gambling where live streams are regularly available.
Football Betting on Mobile Apps
One of the most popular ways to enjoy football betting in the UK is through an app. This allows you flexibility in the way you bet. If you are in the pub watching a game, or on the sofa, you can just whip your phone out and place a wager.
There are numerous football betting apps out there and the key facet is that you should be able to enjoy the sport just like you would on a desktop. Luckily, many sites are now developed with the mobile user in mind, so you should be able to enjoy it flawlessly.
Football Betting Offers and Promotions
As we have mentioned on our betting bonuses page, there are numerous different types of promotions you can claim. Football betting offers are no different with accumulator insurance, special offers on big events, free bets, cashback and more. Check the best bookie below.
- Unbelievable Welcome Bonus
- Ongoing Promotions
- Event Specials
The offer we selected above is one that everyone can enjoy. We will update this regularly, as things can and do change. Even so, playing with a bonus at the best football betting sites is truly a joy and can really make a big difference.
Licences, Security and Responsible Gambling
When you’re participating in any kind of real online gambling for real money, whether it is betting on football, casino, or any other sport then you want to feel secure in doing so. All of the bookies we list here are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. This is essential to your security as a punter.
- UKCG
- Gamcare
- GambleAware
- GA
Another key aspect is the promotion of responsible gambling. You should never feel pressured into parting with your money, and you should always have the opportunity to self-exclude from a site. There should be partnerships in place, with the organisations shown above, who you can always contact.
Payments Methods and Restrictions
Another consideration when assessing football betting sites is the payment methods available for you to use. The more choice you have the better. In today’s world, e-wallets are integral to the popularity of a bookie. If you don’t have the chance to use them, we suggest looking elsewhere.
The bookie we listed above has fast transactions times, often less than a day, and does not charge any fees directly for using their services. This is the kind of thing you need to look out for when you choose your preferred site, as you don’t want to find any unwanted surprises when you check your bank balance at a later date!
Special Features for Football Bettors
There are numerous special features you can expect to find which are unique to football betting. Some of the best we have highlighted for you below. Although some may have also now been developed for other sports, they start with the beautiful game, so you have a lot to be thankful for!
Cash Out
One of the best things about football is you can sense a change of momentum and know something will change. This is where cashout comes in handy. If you know another team is going to score, you can cash out your bet at a lower price before they do, to get some or all of your winnings.
Virtual Football
Virtual football betting is a thing of beauty. If there are no games available, you can instead expect to find virtual ones every 4-10 minutes depending on the bookies’ schedule. It is a great alternative for when you are starved of any real games.
Stats & Livescore
Every betting site should have a livescore and stat portal at your fingertips. It provides the punter with all the essential information in real-time and allows you to make a quick assessment for your bet. They usually come with hand infographics so you can follow the action in a game, without even seeing the real video!
Top Football Betting Strategies
Betting is not as simple as just following your gut. Sometimes, it is important to have a good strategy before you go head-on into the fire. Our team has gathered some of the best ones below. If you follow these advises, you will be doing better than most people out there!
- Value Betting – This is about using your knowledge of an event over the bookies. In essence, you can find something that has a higher probability of happening than the bookie thinks. This is often used in lower leagues, particularly if you follow a team closely.
- Back & Lay – Basically a ‘back’ bet is the most common form of a bet. You say something will happen. A ‘lay’ is the opposite. You go against this. Therefore, if you can find a bookie with a gap in odds prices you can expose this and place both bets.
- Double Chance – This kind of bet is astute when you are not fully confident in your overall prediction. E.g. you think Man Utd will win, but their form isn’t good. Therefore, with the double chance, you can bet on the draw as well, as insurance. It lowers the odds but gives more security.
- Handicaps – On the contrary, if you are confident your team will smash their opponents, then applying a handicap is an astute way to go. Here you can say your team starts on -2 (or more), and they will still win. It will increase your odds significantly.
- Halftime/fulltime – Another good way to boost your odds, is to predict the outcome of both halves. So, you could say draw at h/t and a win for a team by f/t. This is obviously riskier but might increase your overall payout if it ever comes through.
- Last Minute Bets – This is a strategy that involves waiting until the last 10 mins in a game to place a bet. Usually, you will go for X team to score or X player. The idea being, with a reduced amount of time left, the odds should be higher.
As you can see, some may seem a bit obvious to you, but it is still worth pointing it out. We stress that using your head is always the better option than just simply going in blind. Research pays, and although luck does come into it, the way you approach betting definitely affects the outcome from your side.
History of Football Betting
It is safe to assume that betting on football is now culturally embedded in the UK. Nearly every fan has had a punt every now and then. It all started outside Old Trafford in 1923 when Littlewoods began accepting bets on games, in violation of the law!
In 1960 the Betting and Gaming Act was introduced and spawned the rise of many high-street bookmakers. In 2002 further legislation was introduced to allow betting on single games. This was the beginning of what we see today, and it is a forever expanding market.
Conclusion: Football is a Punter’s Dream
Football is one of the main markets for online betting. As a result, they put a lot of effort into you having fun. The bookies we listed here all stand up to our stringent testing system, but the one below is truly the best. We’d say give it a go now, and we are sure you won’t disagree with us.
- Fantastic Welcome Offer
- Great Payout Prices
- Top for Premier League
The world of betting does not stop with football. Why don’t you head over to our list of best casino sites for some detailed information on another hemisphere of gambling. You can also check out our article about the best gambling deals online, where bonus hunters will find plenty of alluring opportunities. After all, there’s much more than football betting in the world of online gambling. If you are looking to bet on another sport, feel free to search through the top darts betting sites uk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football Bookmakers
Now we have come to the end of this football betting guide, we are confident that we have answered all of the questions you could hold. Nevertheless, our team has gathered some of the most frequently asked ones by our users and listed them below for you to have a look through.