Best UK Betting Sites for 2020

We’re Here To Help You Find The Best Online Betting Sites

Undoubtedly, when you step into the world of online sports betting you want to know that you are joining one of the best sites around. You are trusting your money and well being with the site that you ultimately opt to join. All online bookmakers have to adhere to very strict rules and regulations. Furthermore, you want to know that the online bookmaker that you choose is one of the best around.

Picking the correct online bookmaker for you is hugely important as this will affect your overall enjoyment of making bets. You need to make sure you figure out what’s important to you, so you can pick your bookie based on what you care about the most.

That’s where we at MaxFreeBets come into it. We have got industry experts and sports gurus to look through all the best bookmakers – well known and lesser-known. As such, we have come up with a very comprehensive list of the top 32 best online betting sites that are currently licensed in the UK industry. We have checked all top sites to make sure that they offer the best experience, best bonuses and are safe and secure.

Best Betting Sites for the UK in 2020

Different betting sites excel at different things – here we take a look at what bookmakers do particularly well in different areas and rank them:

1. Bet365 – The Most Comprehensive In-Play Service
2. Betfred – The King of Bonus Offers
3. Coral Sports – Unrivalled Selection of Sports Markets
4. Ladbrokes – One-Wallet Payment for Sports, Casino & Poker
5. 888Sport – Widest Range of Betting Options
6. Unibet – One of the Most Trusted Betting Sites
7. Hopa – Extra Features like Fast Markets & Bet Assistant
8. Mansion Bet – Impressive Amount of In-Play Markets
9. Betvictor – Very User-Friendly & Great Design
10. 10Bet – Known to Provide Higher Odds

How We Compare And Review Betting Sites

Here at MaxFreeBets, we want to help all players – new and experienced – to find the best UK betting sites on the internet. As such, we only list and compare those sites that have a UK license. So, if the bookmaker is listed on our site, you can rest assured they are safe to play with! Our betting experts have been in the business for years – and they know how the UK betting market works inside and out. Thanks to their outstanding betting knowledge, we have been able to create a comprehensive review process.

We take an in-depth look at the products and promotions each bookie has to offer and assess the overall experience. But we don’t review at random, instead, we check out a whole overview of what’s on offer, including the mobile app, and overall user experience to help you find the best site in the UK. The main criteria we have elected to judge each Betting Site on are following:

• Commitment to betting offers & free bets
• Loyalty Program
• In-play betting console
• Customer Support
• Deposit & Withdrawal methods

Betting Offers & Free Bets

Everyone first gets attracted to a new online bookmaker due to the enticing new account offers. These could include promo code offers, risk-free bets, enhanced odds, free bets – such as 30 in free bets, or event-specific enhanced odds that are on offer. However, once you sign up to some of these bookies, there’s nothing else for you to claim as an existing customer and here at MaxFreeBets.co.uk, we think that’s simply not on. This is why we look further than the welcome bonus and welcome offers. We take a look at what promotions and best bonuses are on offer for customers who have already signed up.

Nowadays, top betting sites give us quite a variety of the best bonuses to choose from. It could be the double delight/hat-trick heaven promotion from Betfred,  or top event enhanced odds or the £5 weekly free bet that’s up for grabs from Ladbrokes. We always advise our readers to opt in to all marketing communications from the sites they sign up to. Yes, they may fill up your inbox, but you can set up folders for them so you don’t clutter your inbox all the time and then you’ll always be in the know with what’s on offer at all top online bookmakers.

However, remember that it’s important to check the small print when making a bet on sports with your bonus offer. These could say that you need to make a qualifying bet on a certain market where the sportsbook outlines the minimum odds or minimum stake. There are often wagering requirements that need to be met before players can withdraw their winnings. Many times exclusions apply returns exclude bet credit stake etc. Often, free bets expire after 7 days. There are also often qualifying deposit minimum odds. If in doubt, you should be able to contact your betting site’s customer support for assistance. Top sites generally give fair T&Cs and make them clear.

VIP Loyalty Scheme

We mentioned above that loyalty pays and for a bookmaker or operator to truly consider themselves a success, they need loyal customers – which is where a good VIP scheme comes into play. VIP Schemes work in rewarding loyal customers with points whenever they wager on sports, casino, bingo or poker.

These points can then later be traded in at these online bookmakers for prizes which can range from enhanced odds, free bets, cash rewards to top prizes such as watches, tech and even holidays. It’s actually possible to be taken out on day trips to big events such as the Grand National.

Quality of In-Play Betting Console

Bookies are always bringing out new ways to place bets and in-play is probably one of the most popular ideas they’ve had. Back in the early days of internet bets and online gambling, players could only place a bet pre-match – similar to what you’d get in a bookmakers shop. However, there are lots of new features on all top online bookmakers now.

Thanks to the introduction of their in-play consoles, you can now place a bet at any time throughout the match. This feature gives you the chance to maximise your profit from a pre-match bet or even reverse your losses. As everything is live though, you need to be quick to take advantage of the odds at their current state before they change.

When combining the fast-paced style of live sports betting with placing your bet on mobile, this can be an incredibly enjoyable experience on most online bookmakers – if the site’s console is good enough. In-play wagers usually come with a huge range of special offers and special odds, especially for football tennis and basketball, and these update often and in real-time.

Round The Clock Customer Support

Everyone runs into trouble at some point in their time on a betting site and this is when you’ll need to be able to rely on the customer service that’s on offer.  This can hugely affect the entire user experience. It can make it or break it. There is nothing worse than when there’s no one available to answer your questions until the following morning.

This is why the majority of top bookmakers that make it onto our best betting sites and casino sites lists have 24/7 customer support, preferably on live chat. Not only that, but we look at the type of support the sites offer, such as Live Chat, Telephone, E-mail and even post. We also test out what’s on offer with a few basic questions to the customer support crew at all the sports bookmaker sites to see how quickly they respond.

The Variety of Deposit & Withdrawal Methods

Never have UK punters had so many deposit & withdrawal options available as of today. The most commonly used transaction methods are still credit & debits cards like Visa & MasterCard, but eWallets such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill are quickly growing in popularity. On top of that you also have newer methods like Revolut and deposit by phone by Boku.

We cover each of these payment methods in our transparent & in-depth reviews, as some betting sites will have more options than others. You will also find more info regarding deposit & withdrawal limits, deposit & withdrawal times and which deposit methods will make you eligible for bonuses like free bets & other sign-up offers.

Footnote; As of 14th April, 2020, the government made it illegal to bet with credit cards. According to igamingbusiness.com, the ban applies to all online and offline gambling products, not just sports betting. The only exception being non-remote lotteries including physically buying a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard.

The Key Factors when Choosing a New Betting Site

There are a few factors to consider when creating an online betting account, but the most concerning is whether the new betting sites are trustworthy. This is crucial since we all want peace of mind when placing a bet or retrieving our winnings!

New Betting Sites can be challenging and a navigating through them can be daunting. Luckily, we have teams of experts in place that review new betting sites, starting from evaluating their offers, commitments to new players as well as their level of reputation at being trustworthy. Here are the key factors that we take into consideration when we test a new betting site to determine the level of integrity:

• Responsible Gambling Commitment

Alongside licenses. We feel that it is very important that a site takes its Responsible Gambling duty seriously. As such, they should have a section on the site dedicated to it, and provide the ability to self exclude and set time and deposit limits. They should also be linked to responsible gambling sites such as GambleAware, that is a grant-making charity to help problem gamblers, which is very important as they state that nearly half the people with gambling disorders have yet to seek help.

Sites should also be connected to GamStop so you have somewhere to go if you are experiencing problem gambling issues as it will help you to self-exclude from registered sites. You can exclude yourself for a period of 6 months, 1 year or even 5 years.

• Experience and Reputation

Another important area we look at is the experience of the company – and thus, its reputation. Generally, if the site has been around for a long time and has a good reputation, then we deem it to be one of the more trustworthy. However, if an online bookmaker is new on the scene, it doesn’t mean it’s not trustworthy, we just have to look at all the other areas of the site before we make our decision.

• The Popularity of the Betting Sites

If a betting site has remained popular for a length of time, then this is another sign of its trustworthiness. Scam betting sites will be found out soon and as such, they won’t be popular for very long, no matter how good the offers look.

Betting sites that are getting more customers consistently have a strong chance of being safe, secure and trustworthy. However, the site might not be well known itself but run by a company that is both popular and experienced. If it is linked with a well-known parent company, it’s also a good indicator that this is a trustworthy site.

• The Outstanding Complaints

The voice of the people can always be a good indicator. Who doesn’t like to see what people’s experience of a site is? We look at all the complaints – outstanding and resolved, to see if there are any patterns.

We also look at how they respond to the complaint. Every site will have a complaint against them at some point, as no service is perfect. We just want to see how they deal with them and how many they garner. We also like to make sure that the site is linked to IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service) so any dispute is dealt with fairly by a third party.

No online bookmaker is perfect, but we place the highest importance on how it responds to criticism and how much respect it pays to its customer.

• Betting Sites Payments – Depositing and Withdrawal Policies

The biggest issue that arises in terms of complaints and dissatisfaction when it comes to online bookmakers is the policy attached to depositing, and, most importantly, withdrawing. We make sure that withdrawal policies are both fair and player-friendly. We check through the T&Cs to make sure that they aren’t too different from the industry norms.

Last but not least, we also ensure that the operator is licensed and regulated by the UKGC as required. We highly recommend you take this into consideration to avoid any potential repercussions. Below, we give you some insight into the UK Gambling Commission and the importance of betting with a bookmaker that holds a full license to ensure safe and secure experience.

Why Choosing a UKGC Licensed Betting Site is Important

We make sure that all of the betting sites listed on MaxFreeBets have the licenses necessary to operate legally in the UK. As such, we check to see that all sites are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which was set up in 2005 to regulate commercial gambling and has put into place many rules and regulations to ensure the safety of players. Many also have other licenses to operate in Europe, including MGA license, The Alderney Gambling Control Commission and even the Isle of Man Government Gambling and E-Gaming Licenses.

It’s important that the UK Gambling Commission licenses all of the sports betting sites you play on. All the bookmaker websites we recommend will have a full UK Gambling Commission license. This body makes sure your entire experience is safe, secure and enjoyable.

So, before you do anything, or put your money and personal details anywhere, check that your operator is fully licensed and regulated. Ultimately, when looking at online bookies, this is by far and away the most important aspect.

UKGC Licensed Betting Sites

Every site we have here at MaxFreeBets has the UKGC stamp so you can rest assured that the site is operating fairly and legally. At the bottom of this section, there is a list of all the bookmakers on our page along with links to their UKGC licenses.