PayPal Betting Sites

Best PayPal Betting Sites

Payment method restrictions apply. Offers, limits, fees and withdrawal times can change, so always check the latest T&Cs before depositing.

Betting Sites That Accept PayPal

There are loads of online betting sites that support PayPal, but we’re just going to look at those UK bookmakers we'd actually be the happiest with if betting ourselves.

1. bet365 – Best PayPal Betting Site Overall

★★★★★ 4.9/5

Bet365 is top of our list of the best PayPal betting sites... thanks to its combination of competitive odds, massive range of sports and variety of straightforward banking options.

Their PayPal deposits are generally processed instantly - and the PayPal withdrawals can take just a few hours… considerably quicker than traditional bank transfers. However, for us it’s all about the sportsbook itself, which is excellent. It has everything from football betting and horse racing to Bet Builder and all sorts of live and pre-match betting markets.

What’s more, new UK customers are also welcomed with £30 in free bets in the form of Bet Credits once they’ve met the qualifying bet requirements. However, minimum odds and account payment method restrictions apply, so you’ll need to check whether PayPal is eligible before you make any deposit specifically to claim the customer offer.

Best for: Overall PayPal betting

PayPal deposits: Yes

PayPal withdrawals: Yes

2. Betfair – Best for Exchange Betting

★★★★★ 4.8/5

Betfair is right up there as one of our favourite UK betting sites - because we like the option of having both a traditional sportsbook and betting exchange to choose from - in the same account.

PayPal users can make deposits and withdrawals without the need to keep sharing their bank or card details. However, there's one important catch for new GB customers: PayPal has been excluded from claiming Betfair's welcome offer.

If you do want to claim those free bets, you’ll need to make your first deposit with an eligible payment method and then place the required qualifying bet. After that, you can choose to use PayPal for any future deposits and withdrawals.

Best for: Betting exchange

PayPal deposits: Yes

PayPal withdrawals: Yes

Welcome offer via PayPal: No

3. Paddy Power – Best for Football

★★★★★ 4.8/5

Paddy Power is another one of our favourite betting sites that accept PayPal, and it’s great for football betting, Acca or Bet Builder bets and ongoing promotions.

Depositing and withdrawing via PayPal at Paddy Power is really easy, with super-quick withdrawals available for verified customers. However, if you do want to claim the Paddy Power welcome bonus, you’ll need to make an eligible first deposit via Pay by Bank, Apple Pay or debit card - not PayPal. 

Paddy Power requires a £5 multiple bet for new customer offers, but it specifies it can't be made via PayPal. So if getting the welcome bonus is important to you, we'd recommend you use one of the eligible banking methods first and then choose PayPal for your everyday betting afterwards.

Best for: Football betting

PayPal deposits: Yes

PayPal withdrawals: Yes

Welcome offer via PayPal: No

4. Sky Bet – Best Betting App

★★★★★ 4.7/5

We’re fans of Sky Bet because it has an easy-to-use betting app with a superb range of sports, excellent football Bet Builder markets and all sorts of promotions for existing customers - and it accepts PayPal.

PayPal is one of its most popular banking options, because it’s a convenient and safe option if you don't want to enter your debit card details whenever you want to make a payment.

As with all welcome offers, it’s always worth checking the current payment exclusions, minimum deposit, minimum odds, free bet expiry and whether min free bet odds apply before you claim and start betting.

Best for: Mobile betting

PayPal deposits: Yes

PayPal withdrawals: Yes

5. William Hill – Best for Horse Racing

★★★★★ 4.7/5

William Hill is one of the most established PayPal bookmakers on our list - and we think it’s particularly solid for horse racing, football and betting on other major sporting events.

It's also the perfect example of why PayPal betting and PayPal bonus eligibility aren't necessarily the same thing. William Hill does accept PayPal as a payment method, but you can’t use it to claim its current welcome offer.

Various other payment method exclusions apply, so make sure you use an eligible deposit method to claim the bonus and then make the switch to PayPal afterwards.

Best for: Horse racing

PayPal deposits: Yes

PayPal withdrawals: Yes

Welcome offer via PayPal: No

What is PayPal?

Well, PayPal is a hugely popular payment option, an e-wallet, and it basically acts as the ‘middleman’ between your bank account and your online bookmaker. To paraphrase the UK Gambling Commission, e-wallets “allow customers to combine payment methods and use the same wallet with different gambling businesses”.

Instead of giving every sports betting site you’ve signed up with your financial details, you can open a PayPal account and link the cards or account you want to use to fund them. When you're making your deposits, you then just select PayPal, sign in and authorise your payment.

For us, that's one of our favourite things about betting with PayPal. It's really quick and familiar to most and it's a secure payment option because you don’t have to share your bank details with every online bookmaker.

There’s also a great PayPal app that keeps all your PayPal transactions together, so it’s easy to monitor the amount of money you're depositing and withdrawing across the various gambling sites.

Does PayPal Qualify For Welcome Offers?

This is the biggest sticking point for us. Because the answer is often no - not at most major UK bookmakers. And this really is something you need to consider before you make that deposit.

Just because a betting site accepts PayPal, that doesn't automatically mean PayPal deposits qualify for its free bets. Case in point: William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair all accept PayPal, but you can’t use it to make qualifying deposits for their new customer offers.

One of the main reasons bookmakers exclude certain deposit methods (like PayPal and other e-wallets) is because they come with higher transaction costs. Also, because e-wallets provide bookmakers with less direct banking information than debit card payments, it can make it harder and more complicated to check for bonus abuse.

That's why you always need to check bonus eligibility separately from the payment options accepted by the bookmaker.

Before you go ahead and make your first deposit, look for wording such as “Only deposits via Debit Card will qualify” or “Not valid with deposits via PayPal.”

Also check whether these same payment method exclusions apply to Neteller deposits, Skrill or other e-wallets. And, of course, you should look at other terms such as minimum deposit, qualifying bet, minimum odds, whether single or accumulator bets qualify, any max winnings, free bets valid dates, and whether the promotion excludes virtual sports.

You could also find that min odds apply to the free bet itself. That’s why we always recommend you read the full wording and not simply assume that your chosen sports market and bet (and deposit) qualify.

Your steps should be as follows:

1. Complete your account registration.

2. Make sure you make your first deposit using a qualifying banking method.

3. Place a sports bet that meets the minimum odds (and other requirements).

4. Wait for bet settlement.

5. Check that your free bet has been credited to your account.

6. Claim (and use) your free bets within the stated time limits.

7. And then switch over to PayPal for your future deposits and withdrawals.

So, you can still claim a Bet £10 Get £30, £40 in free bets or another welcome offer and then use PayPal as your preferred payment method afterwards.

Remember also that these welcome free bets expire and bonuses expire according to the T&Cs. Free bets may only be valid on selected sportsbook markets – ie horse racing or football – and the free bet stake won’t usually be returned. With Bet Credits, returns can also exclude the Bet Credits stake.

How We Rate PayPal Betting Sites

We don't think a betting site deserves a high ranking just because it happens to have a PayPal logo in its banking section. We look at the whole PayPal experience, including:

• PayPal deposits and withdrawals: We make sure you can use PayPal for both deposits and withdrawals… and how straightforward it all is. PayPal deposits are instant, but withdrawal times can vary.

• Withdrawal speed: We compare each site's stated PayPal withdrawal times. These are the bookmaker's own estimates, not timings we have measured.

• Deposit and withdrawal limits: We check their minimum deposits, maximum deposits and any other withdrawal/deposit limits that could affect you if you’re a PayPal user.

• Fees: We look to see if there are any charges attached to PayPal deposits or withdrawals.

• Welcome offer eligibility: We look to see whether you can claim free bets and other new customer offers with PayPal, as a lot come with payment method restrictions.

• Quality of sportsbook: We then make sure it offers decent odds, see what sports are available, betting markets and any other features such as Bet Builder.

• Mobile experience: We then look to see how easy it is to make deposits, withdrawals, and place bets on their mobile site and/or betting app.

• Security and licensing: We’d only ever recommend bookmakers licensed by the UK Gambling Commission - and we look at how secure payments are and account verification safety. UKGC-licensed sites ensure player data is kept safe and secure.

• Customer support: We also look at how quick and easy it is to get help if you do have a problem with your PayPal deposit or withdrawal. PayPal betting sites usually offer 24/7 customer support; live chat support is common for PayPal gambling sites, and most betting sites offer FAQs. If it offers all three, even better.

And for us, welcome offer eligibility is particularly important. There's not much point in us recommending a great Bet £10 Get £30 offer if you deposit with PayPal only for you to then discover that your payment method means you won’t actually be able to claim the free bet.

Withdrawal Speeds

PayPal deposits are generally instant at most PayPal sports betting sites, but withdrawals work slightly differently. A bookmaker will usually have to approve your withdrawal request before it releases your money, so withdrawal times can still vary.

However, it’s worth remembering that these withdrawal times are estimates rather than guarantees. They're typically processed faster for verified customers, while those withdrawals that need extra security or account checks can take a bit longer.

How to Deposit with PayPal

1. Open a new account or sign into your existing betting account.

2. Open the banking page.

3. Select PayPal from the list of available deposit methods.

4. Enter the amount you want to deposit.

5. Log in to your PayPal account.

6. Choose the card or account you want to use to make the deposit.

7. Confirm your PayPal payment.

8. Head back to the sportsbook and make sure the money’s hit your betting balance and the free bet applied to your account.

At most supporting bookmakers, PayPal deposits are normally instant – although there’s usually a minimum deposit, maximum deposit and other payment limits that apply. The minimum PayPal deposit is normally around £5–£10.

How to Withdraw to PayPal

1. Open up the withdrawal section of your bookmaker account.

2. Choose PayPal as your preferred withdrawal method.

3. Enter the amount you want to withdraw.

4. Confirm your request.

5. Wait for the bookmaker to process it.

6. The money should then appear in your PayPal balance, normally within a few hours for verified accounts.

You’ll usually need to have made your deposit via PayPal if you want to withdraw to it. Also, make sure you check the banking and bonus terms too, because sometimes withdrawals void bonus funds if the wagering requirements haven't been met.

Setting Up a PayPal Account

But first, you need a PayPal account - which you can create through the official PayPal website or PayPal app. You’ll then need to link an eligible debit card or bank account and complete any requested verification; PayPal notes that verification can be required on new accounts.

You can’t use credit cards to gamble in Great Britain - and this rule also covers e-wallets, which is why gambling operators have to make sure that any money you do send via e-wallets like PayPal hasn’t come from a credit card. You’ll need to use an eligible debit card, bank account or any other permitted option instead.

Moreover, betting sites in the UK also come with strict geographical restrictions, so you might find that you can’t make your gambling deposit from abroad, even if you do still have access to your PayPal account.

The Advantages of Betting With PayPal

For us, the biggest advantage is that you don’t have to share your banking details with any bookmaker. But there are plenty more advantages to consider… It’s widely accepted, deposits are usually instant, and PayPal withdrawals tend to be a lot quicker than other payment options like debit cards and bank transfers.

We also like that you can use the one PayPal account on different bookmakers, and it has a pretty nifty PayPal app and PayPal website, so it’s easy to monitor your gambling transactions and manage how much you’re spending.

For us, PayPal is a useful alternative if you'd rather use an e-wallet method instead of traditional payment methods. For many UK players… including us, it’s just the right combination of quick payments, privacy and convenience.

The Disadvantages of Using PayPal for Betting

For us, the main disadvantage is that you often can’t use it to claim new customer offers. There are some deposit methods, particularly e-wallets, that often can’t be used to claim welcome offers, so if you do try to use PayPal for your first deposit, you might not be able to claim those free bets or bonus bets.

And we’ve also noticed that PayPal isn't universally accepted either, while some sites still have lower payment or withdrawal limits. You’ll also find that although a lot of bookmakers offer fee-free PayPal transactions, using PayPal to move or convert money could potentially incur fees.

Also, if privacy is important, you should know that gambling transactions will also appear in your PayPal account history - so they can be traced. If you're just someone looking to claim the best welcome offer, you might want to go for an alternative payment option.

PayPal vs Other Payment Methods

PayPal isn't automatically the best payment option. If the most important thing to you is claiming welcome bonuses rather than withdrawal speed, it’s probably best to go with a debit card or Pay by Bank method. You can then switch to PayPal afterwards if you want.

Which Bookmakers Don't Accept PayPal

As we said earlier, not every UK bookmaker accepts PayPal yet. Highbet and LuckyMate are two examples we've found listed without PayPal among their supported deposit and withdrawal options, instead offering a variety of alternative banking methods.

However, payment options can change, so we’d always advise you check the bookmaker's banking options before you open an account. Even if a site doesn’t support PayPal now, it might introduce it later, or another site could remove it.

There's also an important difference between a bookmaker that doesn't accept PayPal at all and one that accepts PayPal in general, but won’t let you use it to claim your welcome bonus.

Moreover, PayPal won’t work with all gambling sites. Its policy states that gambling payments can only be processed for those sellers it has approved in jurisdictions where the gambling is legal.

Is PayPal Safe For Betting?

Yes, we think PayPal is one of the most secure payment methods out there - as long as you're using it at a fully legitimate and UKGC-licensed sports betting site.

You don’t have to share your card and financial details directly with the bookmaker, and, on top of that, PayPal has its own watertight account-security measures, including 2FA and protection against fraud. But you shouldn’t confuse PayPal's general payment protections with protection against gambling losses. If you lose money through gambling, PayPal won't reimburse you.

However, the good news is that PayPal now also offers a Gambling Block that you can activate through Payment Controls, and it blocks payments to merchants that it identifies as a gambling or lottery operator. If you disable the block, PayPal will apply a three-day cooling-off period before you can start using it to gamble again. That being said, both we and PayPal stress that you shouldn’t rely completely on that as the only way you control your gambling activity.

We only ever recommend UK betting sites that have been licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, all of which should provide a selection of safer-gambling tools and participate in GAMSTOP to help you play responsibly.UKGC-licensed

So, remember - set limits, keep track of your betting bankroll and always bet responsibly!

18+. T&Cs apply. New customer and payment method restrictions may apply. Gamble responsibly. GAMSTOP, GamCare and NHS gambling support provide information and support. #ad