Which is the best betting site on the internet? This is a debate that has been active for many years, and it will never end. Why? Because the answer is so subjective. Of course, players can have their favourites (and they can argue with friends over which is better!). But there will never be a definitive answer because there are so many valuable and distinguished services.
Every year, we also need to consider that new betting sites are thrown into the mix. These days, companies wanting to launch a sportsbook don’t need to do everything themselves because there are ready-made solutions available. Although the choice in the market is a positive thing, it can sometimes feel overwhelming deciding between many big names.
Fear not, we have the ultimate guide with everything you need to know on this page. As you’ve probably seen, we’ve listed some of the best betting sites around. Now, we want to explain how we came to form this list. What do we consider when judging a betting site?
How We Rank the Best Betting Sites
Perhaps most importantly, we’re players ourselves, and we know what people like and dislike in a betting site. Below, we’ve broken down some of the most influential considerations.
1. Reputation and Licensing
It might sound obvious, but a betting website needs to have a good reputation and it needs the right licensing. With this in mind, no service on our list will lack either. Betting websites need a UK Gambling Commission license to operate in the UK, and this is one of the first things we check (especially with newer names!).
We also pay attention to what consumers and other services are saying about a betting website. If a large percentage of customers are unhappy, this suggests something majorly wrong with the platform…so we’ll investigate. On the other hand, we always appreciate services when most customers leave a fantastic review.
2. Welcome Bonus and Registration
In recent times, we’ve encountered lots of people who want services without all the verification stages. Unfortunately, this is now part of the industry and something we’re going to have to accept. Now a legal requirement, be aware that verification steps protect gambling addicts, underage gamblers, and more.
Just because the verification process is necessary, this doesn’t mean it needs to be difficult. For us, the simpler the better (we’re sure that’s true for you too!). At the same time, we also deserve a great welcome bonus for choosing one betting website over every other. Therefore, we assess the quality of the welcome offer (we even read all the small print).
3. Sports and Markets
Everything else we discuss today is important, but the sports and markets are really where the experience comes alive, it’s why we join a betting platform. With this, we expect a wide range of sports and good coverage of the main sports. At the moment, football and horse racing are two of the biggest betting sports, and a good betting site covers them both well.
These days, it’s normal for betting sites to provide smaller sports too. This includes volleyball, cycling, Gaelic games, ice hockey, speedway, and others. We also consider whether or not the betting website offers eSports and virtual games.
4. Banking Options
Though some take banking for granted, it’ll soon get frustrating if you can’t use your chosen depositing method on a betting site. Also, it’ll soon get boring waiting if your chosen betting platform has long withdrawal times. We take all of this into consideration and ensure that recommended sites have lots of banking methods with favourable terms for players.
These days, Visa and MasterCard are only the start. People want to use eWallets such as PayPal, Neteller, Trustly, Skrill, and others. Without these options, it could lead you to another platform. Additionally, more people want to deposit using their mobile phone bill, so this is something we’re adding to our system more and more.
5. Customer Support
In our experience, customer support becomes more important as we play more because the risk of something going wrong increases. If you’re a betting regular, make sure you choose a website with strong customer support. Something we pay close attention to is whether the service is available 24/7. Technological innovations have made live chat support more affordable than ever, and it’s a service that many players need.
In addition to live chat, we also believe a company should do their best to offer a phone number, email address, contact form, and a FAQs page on the website. With this last option, it allows you to check solutions to common problems before contacting the support team.
6. Website and App Experience
Does the betting company offer a strong website? Do they have an app for mobile players? Is navigation easy to manage across all platforms? Is the website optimised for smaller screens? These are all questions that we answer when comparing and reviewing betting sites. When you see a brand on our list, you can be sure that the website works well, placing a bet is pain-free, and that you won’t have major issues with this area.
7. Betting Features
As we continue through the list, we start to come across things that aren’t integral to the experience but still contribute to our enjoyment. For example, we look at whether betting sites have live betting, live streaming, cash out, partial cash out, and other smaller features. With this, you can shape your decision around what you need. If live-streaming is an essential part of betting for you, be sure to choose a betting site that offers this feature.
8. Promotions
We’ve looked around the internet, and much of the attention online seems to be on welcome bonuses. In fact, some say it’s the be-all and end-all of choosing a betting site. We disagree, and this is because we’re only a new customer once. We would much rather choose a platform with lots of offers for existing players than a great welcome bonus. As soon as the welcome bonus is done, you’re no longer a new customer.
With this in mind, we differentiate from many review sites and place an emphasis on promotions for existing players. What sort of thing do you get as a regular player? Is all of the attention on new players or do loyal customers get acca insurance and other bonuses? The more promotions, the more fun for all players. We especially like services that frequently change their bonuses.
9. Responsible Gambling
Lastly, we would never forget the Responsible Gambling side of things. These days, top betting websites offer all sorts of measures to prevent gambling addiction. This includes:
- Time outs
- Betting limits
- Loss limits
- Cool off periods
- Budget calculators
- Reality checks
- Self-assessments
- Self-exclusion
For us, the very best companies want to help with the growing gambling addiction problem and prevent underage gambling. Therefore, we also like when websites offer links to gambling organisations and services.
You’ve seen how we review the many different betting sites, and now it’s time for you to choose from our list. With this in mind, the best piece of advice we can provide is to keep your needs in mind above all else. It’s great to look at the recommendations and suggestions of other players, but only you can decide the right platform. Consider everything listed above when making a decision.
The more you learn about what YOU need, the easier it is to choose between the fantastic betting sites on this page.
When you’ve made a decision, the first step is to go through the registration process. Initially, the platform will ask for an email address, password, and a couple of other details. Then, as you proceed, you’ll need to provide more information.
As mentioned, the verification process is now a legal procedure in the betting industry. With this, you may need to send some identification and a proof of address. While some platforms ask for this during registration, others request it before depositing for the first time. Either way, you won’t be able to bet and enjoy the whole experience without verifying your address and identity first.
Normally, you’ll send a photo ID and a bill or another official document with your address listed. Once this is done, the betting site will review the documents and grant full access to your account. We know this is frustrating when you’re desperate to place bets, but the verification system is a positive step for the safety and security of the industry.
With this, you’re ready to choose your betting website and win some money (if only it were that easy!).