Best UK Betting Sites for 2018

Here we will be look at the best betting sites for UK customers, instead of just focussing on the free bets that are available for customers to claim we will also be reviewing each individual site to ensure our readers only bet with the best betting websites. Our team has plenty of experience in the online gambling industry and they are here to share some of their knowledge with you.

Should you be using Betting Sites over more traditional methods?

Shop based bookies were once one of the easiest ways to get a bet on any sporting event across the UK. That was before the days of the internet though. While some betting websites may of been slower than others to make the move as soon as they saw the fully online betting establishments such as bet365 growing massively in popularity they decided they had to take the plunge.

Better Odds

One of the main reasons why betting online is now one of the most popular ways to gamble is punters can get much better odds which are much more fluid, meaning depending on the time you place a bet you might get even better winnings than the standard ones that are already on offer. If you enjoy betting on in-play markets, the betting odds for live games are constantly updating and changing depending on what is happening in the match. Football betting is still the most popular sports market in the UK and with so many sportsbooks competing, the odds are better now than ever before.

Betting On The Go

Now thanks to the technological advancements in the mobile online gambling world, you can even place a bet from anywhere on the planet as long as your phone in connected to the internet which means there is no reason why you’ll miss out on being able to bet on your favourite sporting events. The vast majority of UK betting sites will have their offerings optimised to all mobile devices meaning you can place a bet while sat with your friends in the pub instead of having to get to a laptop or computer to bet. Another thing that more players are doing now than ever before is live betting, this is often found labelled as live betting or in-play betting, depending on the sportsbook. There are multiple reasons why mobile betting has become as popular as it currently is and the main one is how convenient players find it.

We now live in a day and age where bookies offer live streaming options for players who are playing from their mobiles. Live streaming the match or event that you’re betting on can have some huge advantages, allowing you to follow the game and make bets as you watch.

Free Bets & Promotions

One of the most enticing reasons to start using betting sites UK to place a bet is all the fantastic free bets and risk free bets that are up for grabs which fortunately is what we’re all about at MaxFreeBets.co.uk. Its impossible for bookies to offer free bets for betting on sports in store due to all the fraud that could be committed. So, to try and get their punters to sign up to their site they will offer competitive welcome bonuses instead which can range from anywhere in between £10 all the way up to £200. It matters more than just the bonus amount, however and different types of bonus are more superior than others. As with all bonuses and promotions, T&C’s apply and you should be aware of the minimum deposit amount, as you might not qualify for the bonus if you don’t meet the requirements.

Top 10 Best Betting Sites Reviews:

Rank
Betting Sites
Bonus
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1st
Bet365
100% up to £100 in Bet Credits
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2nd
Betfair
5 x £20 in Free Bets
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3rd
Ladbrokes
£50 Matched Free Bet
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4th
10Bet
£100 Deposit Bonus
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5th
UniBet
£30 Bonus Money
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6th
William Hill
£30 in Free Bets
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7th
Paddy Power
£20 Risk Free Bet
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8th
ComeOn
£10 Free Bet
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9th
Karamba
£10 Free Bet
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10th
Betfred
£30 Free Bet + 30 Free Spins
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How to choose the best Betting Sites for yourself

Everyone wants to find the best betting sites to suit their needs, at the end of the day it actually pays to be loyal as bookies will reward you with bonuses and prizes if you stick with them. However its actually not in your best interest to be loyal to just one betting site you should have a few accounts so you can always ensure you’re getting the best prices for your bets and bonus amounts.

Generally its best to find a site which caters specifically to the sport you wish to bet on, as the majority of our readers will be football bettors then you’re in luck as essentially every bookmakers will offer odds over this. However if you’re looking for horse racing sites you may want to check out websites such as RaceBets or PaddyPower who focus a bit more on horse racing specific markets.

You could always sign up to a site which will have a general focus on everything such as Bet365 while they may not offer the largest amount of markets on the more niche sports such as Handball they do provide a pretty good coverage.

Mobile Gambling

Mobiles are quickly becoming the go to tool for anything internet related, google itself has reported that now well over 50% of searches occurs from a mobile device meaning 50% of bettors are now betting on sports from their mobile device. Mobile betting has quickly become one of the fastest growing markets in online gambling. This is why its incredibly important for betting sites to be mobile optimised or have their very own dedicated betting application to take advantage of all these customers using the small screen alternative.

How we review UK Betting Sites

Before we even list the sites free bets for our readers to claim we like to look in-depth in regards to whats on offer.  But we don’t just review them in secret we provide you with a whole overview of whats on offer, to help you find the best site in the UK. For more information on our review criteria read below:

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 betting and online gambling, players could only place a bet pre-match similar to what you’d get in a bookmakers shop however thanks to the introduction of their in-play betting consoles you can now place a bet at any time throughout the match. This feature gives you the chance 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 mobile betting, this can be an incredibly enjoyable experience. In-play betting usually comes with a huge range of betting odds and these update often and in real time.

Customer Promotions

Everyone gets attracted to a new betting site due to the enticing risk free bets, free bets or enhanced odds that are on offer but once you sign up to some sites theres nothing else for you to claim and here at MaxFreeBets.co.uk we think thats dreadful. This is why we look further than the welcome bonus and take a look at what promotions are on offer for customers who have already signed up. Nowadays there is quite a variety to choose from whether its the double delight/hatrick heaven promotion from Betfred or the £5 weekly free bet thats up for grabs from SkyBet. We always advise our readers to opt into 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 whats on offer.

It’s important to check the small print as more often than not T&C’s apply when betting on sports. These could be that you need to make a qualifying bet on a market where the sportsbook outlines the minimum odds. There are often wagering requirements that need to be met before players can withdraw their winnings.

Round The Clock Customer Support

Everyone runs into trouble at some point in their betting lives and this is when you’ll need the customer service on offer and there is nothing worse in our opinion when theres no one available to answer your questions until the following morning. This is why the majority of the bookies that make it onto our best betting sites list have 24/7 customer support. Not only that but we look at the types of support on offer such as Live Chat, Telephone, E-mail and even post. We also try out whats on offer with a few basic questions to see how quickly they respond.

VIP Loyalty Scheme

We mentioned above that Loyalty pays and for a bookmaker to truly consider themselves a success they need loyal customers which is where a VIP scheme comes into play. VIP Schemes work in rewarding customers with points whenever they wager on sports, casino, bingo or poker. These points can then later be traded in for prizes which can range from free bets, cash rewards or even prizes such as watches, tech, holidays. Its actually possible to be taken out on day trips to big event such as the grand national.

Payment Methods

Betting sites are unfortunately playing catchup with the rest of the online world in regards to integrating new and improved payment methods onto their sites. This is partly due to bonus abuse as each bookmakers has to make sure that they aren’t open to fraud. However some of the methods that have already been cleared and are ready for use by their customers are:

Credit & Debit Cards: A very well known method and probably the most common way to fund a betting account. Every betting website on our list accepts credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo and Maestro. Withdrawal speeds are pretty standard with card and bank transfers taking approximately 3 – 5 working days before the money hits your bank account.

E-wallets: Quickly taking over as one of the most popular ways to bank with bookies, it has a few advantages over card and bank transfers such as they wont affect your credit score, same day withdrawals. Sites tend to accept the major players in this industry such as Neteller, Skrill and Paypal. Withdrawals are normally processed same day sometimes taking less than 2 hours to hit your account. However one thing worth noting is that at some sites you wont be able to claim their welcome bonus if you choose to use an e-wallet to fund your first deposit, this is because e-wallets are open to a lot of bonus abuse given the ease of setting up new accounts.

Pre-paid debit & credit cards: We’ve already mentioned that using your credit and debit card can have an effect on your credit score, fortunately you can purchase pre-paid debit and credit cards from shops which come already funded with cash to use. There are even cards which can be topped up whenever you want which will help make you more secure while betting online. The great thing about this is it can also prevent you from overspending as you’d have to fund your top up card again if you lost the money you previously deposited. We’ve also got a page dedicated to reviewing new betting sites.

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10Bet Sports
Great Welcome Bonus

10Bet are one of the quickest growing bookies around, thanks to massive expansion online in the United Kingdom they’re becoming one of the punters go to bookies. Sign up today and you can grab yourself a £30 bonus.

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K8 Sports

K8 Sport have teamed up with one of the best gaming developers in the industry to provide you with the best gambling service possible. Claim your welcome bonus of 50% up to £50.

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Betfred Sports
Exclusive Welcome Bonus

Betfred are a betting site who go by the name of the Bonus King, they offer some of the best existing customer promotions going. They are currently the largest independent bookmakers in the United Kingdom with well over 1400 shops up and down the high street. For new customers you can grab an exclusive welcome bonus of £30 + 30 free spins on sign up.

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Blacktype.Bet

Take a look at one of the UK’s newest online bookmakers. Blacktype have a range of betting markets, offers and promotions to get stuck right into. Why don’t you sign up today and claim a £10 free bet if your first bet loses.

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Karamba Sports

Karamba sports is one of the newest online bookmakers to grace the UK sports betting market. They’re currently offering a £10 free bet to all new customers who sign up today!

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Mansion Bet

MansionBet are one of the newest online betting sites for 2018. Having previously existed as an online casino they’re now offering all new sign ups a £50 matched bet. They cover a wide range of sports so if you’re looking for somewhere new they’re definitely worth a look at.

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BetVictor
Best Odds For Football Betting

BetVictor was created by Victor Chandler back in the 90’s. They were one of the first betting sites to offer tax free betting which is one of the reasons why the grew so quickly. Offering the best odds on the football and a great selection of other markets they’re a site that you should definitely consider. All new customers signing up today can get a £40 welcome bonus.

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Leo Vegas
King of Mobile Casinos

Leo Vegas are one of the most well known casino brands, growing quickly over the last few years they have begun moving into the sports betting market with all new customers able to claim a unique welcome bonus of up to £50

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ComeOn!
Enhanced Odds Promotions

ComeOn are a new betting website who are quickly establishing themselves within the UK market thanks to their enhanced odds offerings, free bets and existing customer promotions. New customers can claim a £25 free bet today.

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MintBet

Mint Bet Sports Review & Free Bet

Mint Bet is a new, fresh betting site that was launched recently in 2017. Mint Bet offer a Sportsbook and an Online Casino. Mint Bet offer their amazing services in 30 different countries and are a very privileged brand after rebranding itself from McBride’s Racing, a brand that had over 40 years’ experience in the gambling industry.

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£10 Free Bet

EnergyBet
New Bookmakers

Energy Bet are one of the newest betting sites that we’ve reviewed. They are actually part of the EnergyCasino brand so if you’re familiar with them you’ll be right at home. New customers who sign up today can claim a bonus bet and odds boost.

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£25 Free Bet

TonyBet
New Online Bookies

TonyBet is the brainchild of professional poker player Antanas Guoga however they were bought out by Bettsson in 2016. Still customers will be able to bet on a range of sports from across the world both pre match and in-play. You can also claim a £20 welcome bonus on sign up. Its a moderately new betting establishment but its still one of our favourites.

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Mobilebet
£10 Free Bet

Exciting Promotions and Bonuses

MobileBet is a brand new bookies who are quickly growing in size thanks to their mobile betting focus. They focus on mobile first instead of the other way round ensuring that their bettors have a smooth experience when betting on the small screen. New customers have a £10 welcome bonus thats up for grabs.

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JetBull
Exclusive Free Bet

JetBull have been around since 2007 offering their sports betting and casino services to customer up and down the United Kingdom. Any new customer who signs up today are able to claim a £50 welcome bonus which puts them at one of the larger offers on site.

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£50

Mr Green Sports

Following in Leo Vegas’ Footsteps Mr Green another award winning casino. With a full sportsbook consisting of all the popular sports. New customers are able to claim a £10 free bet on an acca.

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NetBet
Trusted & Established Brand

NetBet have been around since 2001 but have only recently just started seeing massive growth in the UK markets. Offering odds on a variety of sports from across the world they are quickly becoming one of the go to bookmakers when it comes to both sports and casino betting. All new customers signing up today are able to claim a £50 welcome bonus.

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Sporting Bet
Europes Most Popular Bookmaker

SportingBet are an incredibly popular online betting site across Europe with customers from all over the place. They price up a variety of markets in all major and minor sports. New customers who don’t already have an account with SportingBet can claim a £15 free bet.

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Royal Panda

Royal Panda Sport, the award winning Sport Betting Platform offers betting across a variety of popular sporting events and competitions. As a new customer, a £20 free bet bonus is awarded when you deposit £20 or more.

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32Red Sports
Popular Online Casino

32Red are one of the oldest online casinos around, they’ve been about since the very dawn of the internet and have now created their very own sports betting site for you to wager on. New customers who sign up today are able to get a 100% profit boost worth up to £100.

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BetSafe

BetSafe are one of the newest betting sites to feature on our list. They’ve got a wide range of customer promotions for you to get stuck into, a great array of sports to bet on.

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No Bonus On Offer

Betway
Peoples Choice Bookies

Betway are a completely online betting website based in South Africa. They offer customers the chance to place bets on sports over a selection of different countries and their leagues. Football is the main focus but they pretty much cover everything in depth. New customers can claim a £30 deposit bonus on sign up.

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MarathonBet
Best Odds In The Business

MarathonBet are one of the oldest betting sites in the world. Started back in 1996 at the very dawn of the internet they have seen growth all across Europe. Being online only they offer some of the better odds for the European Football markets.

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No Bonus On Offer

Unibet
New Online Bookies

UniBet are a pretty new betting website to hit our lists, however they’ve recently taken over StanJames so they’re certainly one to look out for. For all new customers who sign up today they will be able to claim a £30 welcome bonus.

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Super Lenny
UK Bookmaker

Super Lenny are a little known online bookmakers who cater for bettors from the UK market. They’ve got an extensive range of fantastic promotions for you to choose from including a great rewards program.

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Ladbrokes
Worlds Oldest Bookies

Ladbrokes are the worlds oldest bookmakers having been around since the 1800’s they have built an incredibly reputable and trustworthy brand. Offering their customers a wealth of markets to choose from and a £50 welcome bonus for all new sign ups.

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NoviBet
New Bookies

NoviBet are a brand new sports betting website that accepts customers in the UK. They currently dont have a welcome offer for you to claim but they do have some pretty unique promotions that are worth checking out.

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£10 Free Bet

MatchBook
Exchange Betting Site

Matchbook isn’t your typical sports betting site, in fact it operates exactly like Betfairs exchange betting service which means you’ll be betting against other punters instead of the sportsbook itself. For new customers who sign up today you’ll be able to grab up to £500 in cashback.

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JenningsBet

You may recognise JenningsBet from the highstreet, they do have a few select shops up and down the UK but its nothing in comparison to the big boys. Fortunately they’ve got a pretty functional betting site for fans of the shop to bet on. Unfortunately though they’ve currently got no welcome bonus but customers will get best odds guaranteed and acca insurance.

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Fun88
Newcastles Official Sponsors

Fun88 are one of the more popular sites out of Asia and are actually the shirt sponsors for recently promoted Newcastle United. New customers who register an account today will be able to claim a £28 free bet once they place 6 qualifying bets.

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Bwin
King of Accas

Bwin is one of the largest bookmakers in Europe with over 1,500 employees underneath them. They price up the vast majority of markets with new customers who sign up today being able to claim a £10 free bet.

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Betvision
Best Odds Guaranteed

Betvision is an online sportsbook which has been around since 2012. The company has a simple but effective platform which players can use to bet on their favourite sports or teams.

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TLC Bet
Official Sponsors of Southampton

  • TLC Bet are a relatively unknown sportsbook that are based out of Asia. They have recently began moving into the UK market and offering new customers the chance to claim a £50 welcome bonus when they sign up today.

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Bet-At-Home
One of Europes biggest bookies

Bet-At-Home are one of the biggest betting sites in the whole of Europe. While they still remain moderately unknown in the UK but dont let that put you off. If you sign up today then you will be able to get a £20 free bet.

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138.com

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BetDaq
Great alternative to Betfairs Exchange

Looking for an alternative for betting on the Betfair Exchange then why dont you take a look at what Betdaq have to offer. New customers who sign up today are able to claim a months free betting without paying commissions on winning bets.

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RaceBets
Horse Racing Exclusive

RaceBets are a betting site that are 100% dedicated to Horse Racing, you wont find odds for any other sports on site however what you will get is one of the most inclusive horse racing sports books online. So if horse racing is your thing new customers can claim a £50 free bet on sign up.

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Winner Sports
Exclusive Acca Rewards

Winner Sports are an online betting website that cater for UK Bettors. Taking odds on a variety of different sports and a set of exclusive acca rewards if you plan on betting on accumulators they’re definitely a bookies worth checking out.

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Totesport
Best Bookies for Tote Betting

For those of you who are into Horse Racing then Totesport could be the right bookies for you they offer some of the best betting services for horse racing fans in the United Kingdom, recently taken over by Betfred which means Totesport’s customers will benefit from round the clock customer support.

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BetStars
Unique Spin & Wn Promotion

BetStars are actually an off shoot of the well known poker brand PokerStars. Taking their wealth of experience within the online poker world they have recently launched their sports betting operation in 2016. Offering customers a £20 welcome bonus as well as the chance to use their spin and win promotion to massively increase their odds on specific bets.

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BetBright
Great UK & Irish Horse Racing Coverage

Probably one of the most popular bookies to come out of Ireland in recent years they have particularly good coverage on all the horse racing events going on in the UK and Ireland itself.  With all of their new customers able to claim a £50 welcome bonus on sign up.

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188Bet
Up & Coming Bookies

188Bet should be instantly recognisable due to their TV advertisements that are currently going on. They are shelling out some serious money for promotion and so they should, they’ve got a great sportsbook and online casino with a variety of promotions available. All new customers who sign up today are able to recieve up to £75 as a bonus offer.

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GentingBet
Exclusive Welcome Bonus

GentingBet are an off shoot of Genting Casino the popular high street brand which can be found up and down the United Kingdom. All new customers who sign up to GentingBet can claim a £10 free bet + £50 in casino welcome bonuses.

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Boylesports
Great Horse Racing Odds

Boylesports are another popular bookmakers from Ireland, with a particular focus on the UK and Irish sports whether its Horse Racing or Football Boylesports will have the majority of it covered. New customers can claim a £25 free bet offer on sign up.

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Vernons
Established & Trusted Brand

While not the most well known of the betting sites on our list, Vernons are actually one of the oldest bookmakers in the industry. Having been around since 1925 they have built up a loyal customer base. All new customers who sign up today can claim a £50 welcome bonus.

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William Hill
Get £30 Free Bonus Now

Bet £10 Get £30

William Hill are another one of the old guard of bookmakers having been around since the early 1900’s. They come complete with an easy to use betting website, dedicated mobile app, casino, poker and bingo room. New customers who sign up today can claim a £30 welcome bonus.

  • Offer for new customers only
  • Minimum stake of £10 required
  • Minimum odds of 1/2 and above
  • Win part of the EW bet will count
  • Free bet terms, payment method & country restrictions apply
  • Stake not returned in winnings
  • Free bets must be wagered within 30 days of being credited.

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£30

Betfair
King Of Exchange Betting

Betfair are the king of the Exchange, allowing punters to bet against each other at the cost of a commission meaning you wont even get factored. But thats not all they offer you can bet at their sportsbook as well. With new customers able to claim up to a £100 free bet upon sign up, they’ve also got some pretty tasty exclusive offers so keep your eyes open.

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