1. Bet365 - VISIT BET365
Bet365, founded in 2000 by Denise Coates in a portable building in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, is a private online gambling company offering sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo. Headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, it also operates from satellite offices in Manchester, Malta, Gibraltar, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Australia, employing over 4,000 people as of 2020. Denise Coates, the majority shareholder with 50.1% of shares, and her brother John Coates serve as joint-chief executives, with their father Peter as chairman. The company, trading as Hillside (New Media) Limited, started with a £15 million loan from Royal Bank of Scotland, secured against the family’s betting shop estate, and paid off the loan after selling the chain in 2005 for £40 million. Bet365 has expanded internationally, launching in New Jersey and Colorado in the US, and Ontario, Canada, while ceasing operations in China by March 2025. It reported revenues of £2.8 billion and a profit of £470 million before tax for March 2020–21.
2. Betfred - VISIT BETFRED
Betfred, founded in 1967 by Fred Done as a single betting shop in Ordsall, Salford, has grown into the UK's largest independent retail bookmaker. Initially named Done Bookmakers, it rebranded to Betfred in 2004 and expanded through organic growth and acquisitions, such as the 1997 purchase of the Robert Walker chain, reaching over 1,650 shops by 2017, including locations on 51 racecourses. Headquartered in Birchwood, Warrington, with additional offices in Media City, Salford Quays, Betfred offers online gambling through Betfred.com, based in Gibraltar, providing sports betting, online casino, bingo, lotto, poker, and virtual sports. The company has sponsored major events like the Cheltenham Gold Cup, World Snooker Championships, and Super League rugby, and in 2011, acquired The Tote for £265 million, pledging £155 million to racing over seven years. Its turnover peaked at over £10 billion in 2018-2019, dropping to £8.8 billion by September 2022 due to the Covid pandemic.
3. Sky Bet - VISIT SKY BET
Sky Betting & Gaming, a British-based gambling company owned by Flutter Entertainment, is headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire, with additional offices in Sheffield and Solihull. It operates under five core brands: Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Sky Casino, Sky Poker, and Sky Bingo, offering services such as sports betting, online poker, casino games, bingo, odds comparison, fantasy football, and football predictor games. The company’s history began with BSkyB’s acquisition of Sports Internet Group in 2000, which included Surrey Sports, rebranded as Sky Bet in 2002, and expanded through acquisitions like 365 Media Group in 2006. Ownership changed in 2015 when Sky plc sold an 80% stake to CVC Capital Partners for £600 million, retaining a 20% stake, and in 2018, it was sold to The Stars Group for £3.4 billion, which Flutter Entertainment acquired in 2020. Sky Vegas, the primary online casino division, is licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and evolved from ‘Sky Bet Vegas’ launched in 2003. In 2022, the company was fined £1.17m by the UK Gambling Commission for breaching marketing regulations by contacting self-excluded and opted-out customers.
4. Paddy Power - VISIT PADDYPOWER
Paddy Power, an Irish gambling company founded in 1988 through the merger of three bookmakers' forty shops, is headquartered in Dublin with a satellite office in Malta. It offers sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo. The company, now a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment following its 2016 merger with Betfair, expanded aggressively by opening prominent shops in Irish towns and grew its market share from 8% in 1988 to 33% by 2001. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2000 to fund UK expansion and, by 2010, operated 356 shops across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain. Known for novelty bets to gain media attention, Paddy Power has faced criticism for controversial markets and advertising campaigns, leading to regulatory scrutiny and fines. In 2022, it launched Paddy Power Games to align with UK gambling regulations, replacing its online and live casino offerings.
5. BetMGM - VISIT BetMGM
BetMGM UK, operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc, offers a comprehensive online platform for sports betting and casino gaming, emphasizing entertainment and innovation. The brand features a UK sportsbook with extensive markets on major events like the Premier League and Cheltenham Festival, including live and in-play betting options, Bet Builder for custom bets, and Golden Goals, a free predictor game with a £1 million prize. Its casino and live casino offerings include a variety of slots from providers like Pragmatic Play and NetEnt, as well as exclusive MGM content, with live games such as Exclusive Free Bet Blackjack and Crazy Time Live. BetMGM UK provides world-class promotions, including welcome offers like Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets for sports and 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash for casino, alongside responsible gambling tools and 24/7 customer support, reflecting its Las Vegas entertainment roots through MGM Resorts.
6. William Hill - VISIT WILLIAM HILL
William Hill, a British gambling company founded in 1934 by William Hill, has a rich history of ownership changes, including acquisitions by Sears Holdings in 1971, Grand Metropolitan in 1988, and Brent Walker in 1989, before being listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2002. It was acquired by Caesars Entertainment in April 2021 for £2.9 billion and later sold to 888 Holdings in July 2022 for £1.95 billion, focusing on its European operations. Headquartered in London with a satellite office in Malta, the company employs around 12,000 people, with 8,000 in the UK, and operates 1,414 betting shops. William Hill offers sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo, expanding internationally to markets like Nevada, Australia (until 2018), and Colombia. It has faced regulatory fines, including £19.2 million in 2023 for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures, and sponsors events like the Scottish Cup and PDC World Darts Championship.
7. BoyleSports - VISIT BOYLESPORTS
BoyleSports, an Irish gambling company founded in 1982 by John Boyle in Markethill, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, has grown significantly since opening its first betting shop. Headquartered in Dundalk with a satellite office in Gibraltar, it now operates over 320 retail branches across Ireland and the UK as of 2023. The company offers sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo, employing 2,500 people. Key leadership includes CEO Vlad Kaltenieks and Chairman John Boyle. BoyleSports expanded through acquisitions, such as 33 William Hill shops in 2020, making it Ireland's largest retail bookmaker, and the 2021 acquisition of Tully, adding ten retail venues. It has also engaged in sports sponsorships, including the Irish Grand National and EFL Championship side Birmingham City, and has brand ambassadors like Steven Gerrard and Robbie Power, enhancing its presence in horse racing and football.
8. Betfair - VISIT BETFAIR
Betfair, a British gambling company founded in June 2000 by Andrew Black and Edward Wray, is headquartered in London with additional offices in Ceuta, Dublin, Leeds, and Malta. It offers a betting exchange, sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo, and merged with Paddy Power in February 2016 to form Flutter Entertainment. Betfair claims to offer 20% better odds than traditional bookmakers, charging a commission on winning bets, with rates adjustable based on wagering volume. The company has expanded globally, holding licenses in various regions, including Bulgaria and New Jersey, and operates subsidiaries like FanDuel TV for horse racing and BetfairCasino.com. It also engages in sports sponsorships, such as with Barcelona F.C. and Conmebol, and supports community sports through initiatives like Cash 4 Clubs, employing 1,800 people worldwide as of 2013 with over 4 million customers.
9. Unibet - VISIT UNIBET
Unibet, founded in 1997 by Anders Ström and initially operating from London, is a sports betting, online casino, bingo, and poker platform, now part of the Kindred Group. Headquartered in Malta, it holds licenses from the Government of Gibraltar and the UK Gambling Commission, serving customers across Europe and beyond, with offices in Malta, London, New York, and Gibraltar, among others. Unibet launched its first online betting website in 1999, followed by live betting in 2003 and a mobile site in 2004. It expanded rapidly, supporting 12 languages by 2004 and listing on the Swedish Stock Exchange that year, with over 300,000 registered customers in more than 100 countries. The company, employing 1,600 people, offers products like sportsbook, casino games, poker, and bingo, and has a revenue of £751 million as of 2017. Unibet is known for sponsoring major sports teams and events and has won awards, including Best Sports Betting Operator in 2006, 2008, and 2009.
10. Betway - VISIT BETWAY
Betway, a British gambling company founded in 2006, is a subsidiary of Super Group, which listed on the New York Stock Exchange in January 2022. Headquartered in Malta with additional offices in London, Guernsey, and Cape Town, Betway offers sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo. It holds licenses in multiple countries, including the UK, Malta, and the US, and is a member of organizations like the European Sports Security Association and the Responsible Gambling Trust. Betway partners with the Professional Players Federation and sponsors various sports entities, such as West Ham United and Williams Racing. In 2015, it paid a record €17,879,645 jackpot on Microgaming's Mega Moolah slot, verified by Guinness World Records. However, it faced a £11.6m fine in 2020 for historical customer protection and anti-money laundering failures. In the US, Betway operates in states like Virginia and New Jersey, and offers a free Betway Big Pick app.
11. Parimatch - VISIT PARIMATCH
Parimatch, established in 1994 in Kyiv, Ukraine, is an international sports betting company with operations in Europe, including the UK market, where it launched on October 1, 2020, run by BV Gaming Limited. The company, headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, offers bookmaking, betting shops, and online gambling, operating under local licenses in various countries and an international license from Curaçao. Parimatch expanded into the UK with a focus on online betting, aligning with its broader strategy of global market entry, which also includes regions like Kazakhstan, Tanzania, and India. Key features include its early adoption of online betting in 2000 among CIS bookmakers and efforts to combat match-fixing through partnerships like Federbet. In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Parimatch withdrew from Russia and established the Parimatch Foundation, allocating €510,000 for Ukrainian humanitarian aid. The company also joined the Esports Integrity Commission in 2020 to address cheating in esports.
12. Ladbrokes - VISIT LADBROKES
Ladbrokes, a British gambling company, was founded in 1886 by Messrs. Schwind and Pennington as commission agents for horses trained at Ladbroke Hall in Warwickshire, adopting the name Ladbrokes in 1902 after Arthur Bendir joined. Initially catering to the British aristocracy, it expanded after World War II under Mark and Cyril Stein, who acquired it in 1956 and grew its betting shops following the 1961 legalization. The company diversified into casinos, hotels, and bingo clubs, and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1967. It merged with Coral in 2016 to form Ladbrokes Coral Group, becoming Britain's biggest bookmaker with over 4,000 shops, and has been owned by Entain since March 2018. Ladbrokes offers sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo, and completed an omnichannel integration in 2018 for single account functionality across its platforms.
13. Coral - VISIT CORAL
Ladbrokes Coral, a British gambling company and subsidiary of Entain, was formed in November 2016 through the merger of Ladbrokes, established in 1886, and Coral, founded in 1926. Headquartered in London, England, the company offers sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo. Ladbrokes began as commission agents for horses trained at Ladbroke Hall in Warwickshire, adopting its name in 1902 and initially catering to the British aristocracy until its acquisition in 1956 by Mark and Cyril Stein. The company expanded into betting shops following the 1961 Betting and Gaming Act and diversified into casinos, hotels, and other ventures. Coral was briefly acquired in 1998 but sold due to anti-competitive concerns. Since March 2018, Ladbrokes Coral has been owned by Entain, previously listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE 250 Index, focusing on integrated online, mobile, and retail gambling services.
14. Betano - VISIT BETANO
Betano, operated by Kaizen Gaming, was founded in 2012 in Greece and launched its betting platform in 2017. The company has rapidly expanded to multiple markets including Europe, South America, and North America, with a strong presence in the UK since 2024. Betano offers a comprehensive sportsbook covering over 30 sports, live betting, bet builder, and a vast casino with slots, table games, and live dealer options. Key features include competitive odds, missions for loyalty rewards, Bet Mentor for betting suggestions, and SuperOdds for selected matches. The platform is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and emphasizes responsible gambling. Betano sponsors major clubs like Aston Villa and events like the Europa League, providing an intuitive app and website for seamless betting experiences.
15. LiveScore Bet - VISIT LIVESCORE BET
LiveScore Bet, launched in 2020 as part of the LiveScore Group, is a sportsbook that integrates betting with live sports scores from the LiveScore app. Operating in the UK, Ireland, Nigeria, and the Netherlands, it offers betting on over 40 sports, in-play markets, virtual sports, and a casino section. Key features include live streaming of events, bet builder, cash out, and promotions like Squads for free bets. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, it emphasizes responsible gambling with tools like deposit limits. The brand focuses on mobile betting with a user-friendly app, providing competitive odds and quick withdrawals. LiveScore Bet has won awards for its mobile product and aims to enhance the fan experience through convergence of media and betting.
16. talkSPORT BET - VISIT TALKSPORT BET
talkSPORT BET, launched in 2022, is a sportsbook born from a partnership between the talkSPORT media brand and BetVictor. It offers betting on over 30 sports, with strong focus on football, horse racing, and in-play markets. Features include bet builder, cash out, live streaming for racing, and promotions like Footie Rewards and acca insurance. The platform provides competitive odds, a user-friendly app, and casino games. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, it promotes responsible gambling with tools and support. Leveraging talkSPORT's radio presence, the brand delivers expert insights, boosted odds, and free-to-play games, aiming for an engaging experience for UK punters.
17. BetVictor - VISIT BETVICTOR
BetVictor, founded in 1946 by William Chandler, is a private online gambling company headquartered in Gibraltar, currently owned by Michael Tabor. Initially starting as a bookmaking business linked to Walthamstow Stadium, it was later managed by Victor Chandler Sr. and Jr. after William's passing. The company moved its headquarters to Gibraltar in 1998 to avoid UK gambling taxes and underwent rebrandings, first to VC Bet in 2004, then back to Victor Chandler in 2008, and finally to BetVictor in 2012 for international recognition. It offers services like sports betting and online casinos. BetVictor has expanded through business-to-business partnerships, including launching BildBet with BILD in 2020, serving as a white-label provider for Parimatch in the UK, and partnering with Global Media & Entertainment for HeartBingo in 2021 and talkSPORT for talkSPORT BET in 2022. The company faced regulatory actions in 2022, paying £2 million for fairness and anti-money laundering failures, and in 2023, an ad was banned for appealing to under-18s.
18. Spreadex - VISIT SPREADEX
Spreadex, established in 1999 and based in the UK, is regulated by the FCA and Gambling Commission, offering a unique combination of fixed odds sports betting, sports spread betting, and financial trading. The company provides sports betting on global events like football, F1, horse racing, and handball, with features such as live streaming, cash out options, and Bet-Builder, alongside sports spread betting for varied markets. Its financial trading platform allows trading on global shares, indices, FX, commodities, and more through spread bets, CFDs, or Options, with tools like tight spreads, low margins, and one-click dealing. Spreadex is known for innovative products and excellent customer service, evidenced by Trust Pilot ratings of 4.4 out of 5 from over 1,500 reviews for both sports betting and financial trading, and awards like Best Spread Betting Platform at the 2025 ADVFN Awards. Customers appreciate regular betting offers, reliable service, fast payouts, and quick withdrawals.
19. Tote - VISIT TOTE
The Tote, established in 1928 as the UK's pool betting operator for horse racing, was acquired by Betfred in 2011 for £265 million. It operates tote betting where payouts are determined by the pool size, offering bets like Win, Place, Exacta, Trifecta, Placepot, and Jackpot. Key features include Tote Guarantee, ensuring payouts at least match SP, and international pools for major races. The brand provides online and on-course betting, with promotions like free bets and bonuses. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, the Tote supports racing with contributions and sponsors events. Its app and website offer live streaming, results, and tips for an immersive racing experience.
20. Kwiff - VISIT KWIFF
Kwiff, founded in 2015 by Anders Ström and Karl Engström, is an innovative betting platform owned by Eaton Gate Gaming Limited. It specializes in sports betting with a unique "supercharged" feature that randomly boosts odds on any bet, potentially multiplying them up to 2000x. The brand offers betting on over 20 sports, live betting, cash out, and a casino with slots and table games. Key features include surprise bets, acca insurance, and a mobile-first app for seamless experience. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Kwiff emphasizes fun and excitement, with fast withdrawals and responsible gambling tools. It sponsors events like Millwall FC and focuses on user-friendly interface.
All top UK betting sites must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to operate legally, ensuring fair play, data protection, and dispute resolution. People often check for this to avoid scams and confirm trustworthiness, with services like IBAS available for complaints.
Punters want details on sign-up offers like free bets, matched deposits (e.g., bet £10 get £30), or no-deposit bonuses, including wagering requirements and expiry dates. Ongoing promotions, such as acca boosts or best odds guaranteed on horse racing, are also key for long-term value.
Comparing odds across sites is crucial, as better prices mean higher potential returns. Features like price boosts, early payouts, or value betting strategies help identify the best value, especially for popular sports like football and racing.
Users seek variety, covering 30+ sports including football, tennis, esports, and niche options like chess. In-play betting, bet builders, and markets like accumulators or each-way bets are highly valued for flexibility.
Common queries include supported options like debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, or bank transfers, with no credit cards allowed since 2020. Minimum deposits, fees, and instant funding are important for convenience.
People want fast payouts (e.g., same-day via e-wallets) and low minimums, without excessive fees or delays. Verification processes (KYC) for first withdrawals are a frequent concern to ensure smooth cashouts.
A seamless app or mobile site for on-the-go betting is essential, with intuitive navigation, quick loading, and features like live streaming or cash-out. Compatibility with iOS/Android and ease of use are top priorities.
Availability of 24/7 live chat, email, or phone support, plus quick response times, matters greatly. Users often check for helpful FAQs or resolution of issues like account verification.
Sites should offer deposit limits, self-exclusion, reality checks, and links to helplines like GamCare. With growing awareness, people prioritize platforms promoting safe betting to avoid addiction risks.
Real experiences from sites like Trustpilot or forums reveal reliability, payout consistency, and complaint handling. High ratings and positive feedback on aspects like security and fairness build trust.
Copyright © 2025 Top 20 Betting Sites UK - All Rights Reserved.
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly