From the English Premier League season to major international tournaments such as the World Cup and the Champions League, there are dozens of games to bet on every week. Categories of wagers include individual player stats, game results, and more.

However, some football betting sites lead the way in users reviews, and it is those that this article will focus on. These are platforms where customers have reported satisfaction with the range of available services.

Ranked #1 for overall football betting: bet365

There’s a number of reasons why the UK’s own bet365 takes the top spot as a sports bookie for football. They range from the quality of its lines for the most popular football markets, the ease of use of its website and app, the generosity of its promotions, rewards and odds boosts, and the versatility of its football bet builder tool.

On top of that, they have a range of sports betting offers,and a variety of events covered for your wagering needs. Besides, the system in place allows a swift returns process on your wagers.

Here’s the full list of all the best bookies you can use to bet on football in the UK:

1. Spreadex
2. BetUK
3. Sporting Index
4. BetMGM
5. Planet Sport Bet
6. kwiff
7. Betfred
8. BoyleSports
9. Copybet
10. Parimatch
11. Luckster
12. AK Bets
13. StarSports
14. Betzone
15. 10bet
16. bet365
17. Sky Bet
18. LiveScore Bet
19. Betzone
20. Betgoodwin
21. BetVictor
22. Ladbrokes
23. Coral
24. William Hill

⚽ Joining us from Ireland? Find the best football betting sites here ⚽

How I rank football bookmakers: My criteria 

When seeing if the top football betting contenders measure up, I used several bases and scores for evaluation, including their services regarding funds, withdrawal times, and any payment method exclusions. After testing these sites according to those criteria, I ranked them, and the result is the top list of bookies outlined above.

• Range of football games and leagues – Some bookies focus on the major leagues only. However, the best UK bookies include all the professional football leagues, semi-pro leagues, to the lowest-ranked leagues to give the bettors a wide range of selections. 
• Best football odds – Odds are crucial for attracting UK gamblers because they define how much a player will gain upon their bet settlement. Therefore, it’s essential to have quality betting odds.
• Betting markets and options available – Besides choosing single and multi bets, the listed UK sportsbooks include additional betting types like over/under, parlays, accumulators, shots, etc.
• Live betting option – lots of bettors enjoy the excitement of live betting as the match flows, which makes the players attached to their phones and glued to the match screen, waiting for the final whistle to check if they won as well.
• Cashing out during a match – The cashout feature has become an increasingly popular tool. During the event, players can withdraw their wagers before the final whistle and take partial cash out at a percent defined by the betting site. It allows bettors to cut their losses depending on the current situation of the game.
• Mobile apps – there’s an increasing number of football fans who place their bets on the go, making it easier for them to gamble on different matches without waiting to get home on their PC. I tested each mobile app to see how they worked.
• Customer service  – A key component of any successful online gambling platform, and the same is true for the current age where mobile gambling is prevalent.  That’s why I prefer gambling platforms offering 24/7 customer service.
• Promotion and bonus variety for football matches – The availability of various football-only promotions, such as acca insurance, is the reason many players choose a specific football bookie in the UK.

A closer look at the top football sites for UK bettors

1. bet365

Topping my reviews table as the best site for football betting in the UK is bet365. They not only provide great wagering opportunities but also efficient services, ensuring that your funds are easily accessible, withdrawals are processed quickly, and there are clear outlines on payment method exclusions.

The bet365 website and app are the easiest to use, with simple menus and navigation helping punters to find their favourite leagues and bets quickly. The depth of its football coverage is excellent, with pre-match and in-play odds provided for competitions around the globe. Fast access to funds and a speedy returns policy are also worthy of note.

Football odds comparison sites confirm bet365 as one of the most competitively priced online bookmakers, with value lines on the key markets such as match winner, handicap spreads and both teams to score.

Its live-streaming channel is another highlight for football fans. The only gripe about bet365 is that it doesn’t have more football promotions to claim.

2. William Hill

Also featuring highly on my list of the leading football bookmakers is William Hill. They stand out due to their convenient withdrawal times, clarity on payment method exclusions, and quick access to wagered funds. Be sure to factor in any time limits when placing your wager.

Although the William Hill website is quite cluttered, it plays host to a huge range of football betting markets housed behind the ‘competitions’ and ‘coupons’ tabs. 

William Hill, a recognized brand regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, has its own bet builder tool, plus the #YourOdds Twitter hashtag that enables sports bettors to request the bets they want to put on. 

Daily enhanced odds specials can increase the implied value of a bet, and for sheer depth alone, William Hill hits the mark with more than 300 different sports betting markets and spreads offered for many Premier League games.

Free-to-play games, such as Free or 4, allow punters to play for real-money prizes, and free bets for correctly predicting the outcome of selected fixtures is another major plus for William Hill.

3. Spreadex

Completing the hat-trick of top-rated UK betting sites is Spreadex, a page that accepts a wide range of payment methods, including Visa, for faster bet placement.

Spreadex’s platform is crammed with value-adding features. Daily specials and ‘odds boosters’ enhance the price of some of the most popular bets on the site, and you can easily switch between pre-match and in-play odds with the tap of a button. Such elements never fail to address the issue of bet placements. 

The latter, accompanied by live streaming and comprehensive stats, confirms Spreadex as one of the leading sportsbooks for live football bets.

4. BetUK

BetUK is a name that has emerged as one of the most popular bookmakers for football betting in the UK in recent years. The selections they offer provide a balance between the variety of bets and a bettor’s specific choices.

The site stands out for several reasons, serving up a huge selection of football betting markets and some of the best promotions and loyalty bonuses for football betting. The BetUK Acca Club is a great bonus for fans of accumulators (accas), and the Bet Builder is also a popular promotion. 

5. Grosvenor Casinos

The Grosvenor chain of casinos is one of the most popular in the UK, but the bookie also provides a comprehensive sports-betting catalogue.

Grosvenor is right up-there when it comes to competitive odds, and it also features some excellent sports coverage that can help you make your selections. 

6. Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes is one of the best-known bookmakers in the UK and for good reason. The site’s football markets are top-quality, and the overall betting experience is just as strong.

You can bet on just about any league you can think of at Ladbrokes, and you will always get good value to match. Promotions like GetAPrice and The Ultimate Assist lead the way in terms of personalisation for football bettors.

7. BetMGM

As its name might suggest, BetMGM is a hugely popular online casino, but it also provides some excellent sports-betting options.

The football markets here are particularly strong, with the operator offering a good selection of leagues and markets for punters to bet on. 

Choosing the right site to bet on football: Key considerations and features

Selecting the right brand for football betting is a vital part of the process for punters. The majority of successful bettors review numerous aspects before settling on a particular bookmaker.

One of the most critical factors is whether the company offers competitive odds. These odds should provide ‘fair’ prices based on the probability of a team winning, scoring, and so on. Bettors can leverage an odds comparison service to assist with this evaluation. However, it’s equally essential to consider the bookmaker’s reputation, as this can affect the overall betting experience.

A user-friendly interface is a significant feature that bettors look for in a betting site or app. The ease of navigation, speed of loading, and general usability form a substantial part of user satisfaction. It can be incredibly frustrating when a site or app crashes or takes a long time to load, potentially causing bettors to miss betting opportunities.

In light of this, it’s important to have a lightning-fast platform, like an android app, which ensures a smooth transaction, increasing user loyalty across numerous countries.

Promotions, bonuses, and spreads also play a crucial role in enhancing the betting experience. These may include stake refunds, price boosts, and other special offers.

For instance, for qualifying bets, bettors may be offered refunds as a form of eligibility to a second wager deposit. Besides, in the unfortunate case of a lost bet, a refund can provide a second bet stake opportunity to the punter, mitigating the sting of a loss and assuring them that it’s not always their fault.

Some bookmakers even have a dedicated section for these promotions, giving people the chance to maximize their potential winnings. In the case of a lost bet, a refund can provide a second opportunity to the punter, mitigating the sting of a loss.

An added feature some bettors look for is a betting exchange, where people can trade bets with others rather than betting against the bookmaker. This can offer a different kind of betting experience, potentially more favourable odds, and an opportunity to place qualifying bets.

Note that withdrawal requests and bonus bets are subject to terms and conditions, and maintaining your bet stakes responsibly can help in avoiding any untoward consequences.

3

How popular is football betting in the UK?

It’s widely accepted that football is the most popular sport in the UK, and so it stands to reason that the beautiful game is also the most bet upon.

As a guide, FIFA claimed that around $155bn (£131m) was bet on World Cup 2018 around the globe – more than some countries’ annual GDP.

🏇Fan of horse racing? Find the best horse racing websites🏇

What are the most popular football competitions to bet on in the UK?

Football is the most popular sport in the world, so it should come as no surprise that it is the centre of attention for most top UK bookmakers. 

The sport attracts millions of viewers and features some of the world’s most popular sports leagues and competitions. Competitions like the Premier League, the Champions League, and the World Cup regularly lead the way when it comes to sports betting records, so it is easy to see why bookies want to feature them so heavily. 

Not all sports betting sites are equally worth your attention though, so my guide will only recommend the top sites for football bettors in the UK.

Premier League

The English Premier League is arguably the most popular sports league in the world. Twenty of the best teams in football compete across 38 matches for the right to get their hands on the Premier League trophy.

The likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are just some of the names you can bet on and watch in the Premier League, making it one of the most popular sports leagues for betting. Bookmakers in the UK will put the Premier League at the heart of everything they do, with weekly bonuses and price boosts for customers to take advantage of. 

La Liga

La Liga is the top division of Spanish football and is widely considered one of the best football leagues in the world. Home of iconic teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona, La Liga attracts attention from all around the world and is hugely popular with sports bettors. 

Among the exciting offers available to bettors, there are thrilling football betting offers like freebet, which are quite popular among the platform’s clients.

Serie A

Serie A the top football league in Italy. The division is home to some of the biggest football clubs in the world, including the ‘big three’ of AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus.

After a period of relative obscurity, the division has burst back onto the scene, with the big Italian clubs making their presence felt in the Champions League and other European competitions. The division is perhaps the most unpredictable of Europe’s top flights, making it a popular choice for football bettors. That’s why, given the unpredictability of outcomes in this league, betting responsibly is strongly advised.

Bundesliga

The Bundesliga is the top division of football in Germany. The league is a powerhouse of European football, with perennial winners Bayern Munich often being one of the most favoured teams to win top European competitions.

Munich are one of eighteen teams that compete to win the Bundesliga, with other top names including Borrusia Dortmund, RP Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen. Given the high stakes, the Bundesliga also has its unique football betting offers that attract a massive audience.

Europa League

The Europa League is Europe’s second-tier club competition. The tournament uses a group stage and knock-out format and takes place throughout the domestic season, with fixtures traditionally taking place on a Thursday night. 

Champions League

The UEFA Champions League is the premier club competition in Europe. The competition features the winners from all of Europe’s top leagues and multiple other entries from each country.

It takes place throughout the domestic season, with fixtures being held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Champions League final follows the conclusion of all of Europe’s top leagues and is considered the biggest game in European football.

International tournaments

International tournaments for football, or “soccer” are the most popular sporting events. Tournaments like the World Cup, the Euros, and Copa America, are celebrations of the beautiful game that can occur every few years.

Most bookmakers in the UK will promote these tournaments heavily, and they can be a great time to get your hands on a bonus or two. 

What UK bookmakers have live streaming for football?

Live streaming is another feature of increasing importance to the modern bettor. The ability to stream matches from top leagues, besides the PL, such as the Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A directly through a bookmaker’s website or app provides a fantastic opportunity to watch elite-level action on your phone or tablet. This also allows bettors to make more informed decisions based on live match statistics, and some sites even offer expert predictions, tips and analysis. In this regard, bet365 is my top pick.

What is in-play betting?

In-play betting does as it says on the tin. It allows players to bet on a match while it is taking place. This can be a great way to capitalise on any major changes that happen in a game and can often present great betting opportunities to take advantage of.  

What are the most common football betting markets?

There are plenty of football betting options you’ll find on betting websites. Sports bets such as moneyline, point spread, over/under, parlays, teasers, futures, props, and in-play wagering are the most common football betting markets, offering a wide variety of options to choose from, especially when you combine them with football-specific bets.

• Match result – This is the most straightforward betting market, where you simply bet on which team will win, or if the match will end in a draw.
• Over/under goals – In this market, you bet on whether the total number of goals scored in the match will be higher or lower than a specific number.
• Both teams to score – Here, you bet on whether both teams will score during a single event or not.
• Correct score – This involves predicting the exact scoreline of the match, which can be challenging but also potentially rewarding.
• First goal scorer – This football market involves betting on which player will score the first goal of the match.
• Last goal scorer – Similar to the first goal scorer, but here you’re betting on who will score the last goal of the match.
• Anytime goal scorer – In this market, you’re betting on a particular player to score a goal at any point during the match.
• Half-time/full-time – In this market, you bet on the result of the match at both half-time and full-time.
• Handicap betting – This involves giving one team a virtual goal advantage or disadvantage to even out the odds.
• Asian handicap – Similar to the traditional handicap betting, but this market removes the possibility of a draw, by using fractions of goals to handicap the teams. For example, a team could be given a handicap of -1.5 goals, meaning they would need to win by 2 goals or more for a bet on them to be successful.
• Outright winner – This market involves betting on the winner of a competition or tournament, such as the Premier League or the World Cup.
• Accumulator or acca bet – These money bets involve combining multiple bets into one. For instance, you could bet on several different matches, with the odds for each bet multiplied together. It offers the potential for a big win, but all of the bets must be successful.
• Cards and corners – These markets involve betting on the number of yellow/red cards shown in a match, or the number of corners taken. You can bet on over/under a certain number, or which team will have more.

How to place a football bet

Once punters have determined what they actually want from their football betting site, they can begin to make their selection and get started.

1. To begin, punters should navigate to their betting site of choice and register their account. There’s a quick form to fill in, which asks for some personal information, identity verification and to confirm login details. You’ll likely be prompted to register your phone number as well with an SMS verification.
2. Once their account is live, punters can make their 1st deposit using one of the many accepted payment methods, which include debit cards, e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill, bank transfer and, in some cases, mobile payment platforms such as Apple Pay.
3. Deposits are normally processed immediately, which means that punters can get started as soon as the payment has gone through.

Can I bet on football from my phone?

Of course! All of the top UK bookmakers I presented in this guide will allow players to bet on their phones. In some cases, the bookies will also have a mobile app you can download to make things even more convenient. 

Can I use multiple bookies to bet on football?

Yes, and I would recommend it. Different bookies have different selling points. One bookie might have excellent Premier League odds and promotions, while another might specialise in the Champions League. Shopping around for bookmakers is a good idea and will allow you to maximise your potential winnings. 

Which bookmakers are safe to use in the UK?

Any bookmaker that is licensed and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is safe to use. Bookmakers should display their licensing information clearly on their websites.

If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a bookmaker or casino, then I recommend leaving and going to another site – there’s plenty of fish in the sea. On the bright side, all of the bookmakers I have recommended in this guide are 100% safe to use. 

Can I bet on more than football?

Yes. Most bookmakers will also have a casino section where you can play a selection of online slots and popular card and table games. In most cases, bookies will also have a live casino section where you can play versions of classic games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. 

3

FAQ about betting on football online

I’ll answer the most important questions UK punters have to help them make the most of football online bookies.

1. Can I bet on lower divisions?

Yes. UK bookmakers will allow you to bet on matches across the UK, with some of them allowing you to get deep down the football pyramid. All bookmakers will allow you to bet on the EFL, which consists of the three leagues directly below the Premier League – The Championship, League One, and League Two.

They will also take bets on the top divisions in Non-League, including the National League and the National League North and South. 

2. What payment methods are available at UK bookies for football betting?

The most common method for paying is through debit card payments, which are widely accepted at betting sites in the UK. There are usually no additional fees associated with this method. Keep in mind that there are payment restrictions for UK residents, and you aren’t able to use credit cards to place a sports bet or gamble in general. Debit card deposits only are allowed, regardless of the deposit methods that you’re using.

E-wallets are popular also since they offer an added layer of security, as they do not require you to share your bank details with the sportsbook. Instead, you can simply make a payout from your e-wallet account to your betting account, and vice versa. Furthermore, these offer fast withdrawal options for members.

3. Should I use cash-out when betting?

When used correctly, cash out can be a really useful tool. Cash-out gives you the option to end your bet early, with the bookies offering a price based on the conditions of your current bet and the live odds. 

4. How can I get free bets for football?

Free bets for football are extremely common. Most top UK bookmakers will run regular free bets for football, especially for the big matches. All you need to do is check the promotions page on each bookies page before you bet. If you’re new to a bookmaker, you can also claim your welcome bonus, which, in most cases, features a free bet of some description.

5. What other kind of football betting bonuses can I get? 

A lot of bookmakers will offer a specific sportsbook bonus during special sporting events or for special sports markets. Some football punters offer bet boosts and similar promotions. Whenever you want to claim an offer, always check the deposit requirement and what bet types are eligible for the promotion. Bear in mind that most promotions are limited to one household and one IP address.

Pay attention to min deposit requirements, max deposits, required bet placement, minimum wagering requirements, max payouts, and any expiry dates for the offer. The terms and conditions page will cover everything that site members will need to know before placing their money bet.

In addition to betting welcome offers, some bookies also offer casino bonuses involving free spins and other rewards. If you like casino games, I suggest looking at game restrictions, and wagering requirements before you make your qualifying deposit, as some bonuses have high wagering requirements. It would help if you found an operator that will give you a good bonus amount with low enough wagering requirements that you can still take your winnings home. Keep in mind that using a casino bonus for the 1st deposit will often exclude you from being eligible for a betting sign-up offer upon completing your registration at these gambling sites.

3

My top 5 tips for football betting

• Look for the best bonuses and features – The best sites to bet on football in the UK will have an array of bonuses and promotions for customers to take advantage of. I recommend shopping around for the best bonuses and keeping your eyes peeled for free bets and offers, especially surrounding big matches and sporting events. Features like 2UP, acca insurance, and price boosts are also extremely useful. 
• Sign-up with multiple bookmakers. Having accounts with multiple bookmakers can be a great way of ensuring you get the best football betting experience possible. This will allow you to claim a wider range of bonuses, as well as ensure you get the best odds for each match or competition. 
• Do your research. Like all sports, you should do your research when it comes to football betting. Making sure you understand all of the necessary betting terminology, check a team’s current form, as well as their head-to-head records, team news, and injury updates, are just some of the things you can do to help boost your chances of winning. 
• Monitor in-play markets. In-play betting has changed the way we bet on football. It allows you to capitalise on any changes that take place during the game and can be a great way of taking advantage of odds changes. I recommend betting in-play while you are watching a game, as this will give you a much clearer picture of what is happening. 
• Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Finally, I advise you to gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. You should never chase losses, and if you feel as though you have a problem, then you can use any of the responsible gambling resources provided on this page for help. 

Read my team’s strategy guide here ➡️ football guide for bettors.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.