How to Bet Online in 2024

James Fuller

Betting Expert

Updated: 30 October 2023

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We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission - at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Looking to learn how to bet online? Sports betting is now a hugely popular pastime. The excitement and potential rewards of betting on teams and players make online bookmakers increasingly common. Whether it is football, horse racing, basketball or other sports you wish to bet on, punters can find whatever they are looking for today.

On this page, we discuss everything there is to know about how to place a sports bet online. While the process is easier than ever, it is still important that beginners fully understand what is involved. We will deliver the best betting sites, as well as explaining why online bookmakers are better than high street alternatives. Before we get into how to place a bet online, the following are our top ranked betting sites for beginners.

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Affairs","offers":[7664]},"1531":{"id":1531,"name":"Motorsports","offers":[7664]},"1656":{"id":1656,"name":"TV and Specials","offers":[7664]},"1593":{"id":1593,"name":"Athletics","offers":[4094]},"1505":{"id":1505,"name":"Beach Volleyball","offers":[4094]},"1660":{"id":1660,"name":"Daily Specials","offers":[4094]},"1661":{"id":1661,"name":"Entertainment\/TV","offers":[4094]},"1644":{"id":1644,"name":"Field Hockey","offers":[4094]},"1544":{"id":1544,"name":"Futsal","offers":[4094]},"1549":{"id":1549,"name":"Speedway","offers":[4094]},"1590":{"id":1590,"name":"Squash","offers":[4094]},"1600":{"id":1600,"name":"Swimming","offers":[4094]},"1557":{"id":1557,"name":"Biathlon","offers":[5225]},"1688":{"id":1688,"name":"Sky Jumping","offers":[5225]}},"bonus_types":{"1521":{"id":1521,"name":"Free Bet","offers":[8877,9676,3986,4067,7664,4094,5225,7606]},"1551":{"id":1551,"name":"BOG","offers":[9676,3986,4067,4094,5225,7606]},"1641":{"id":1641,"name":"Extra 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betting","offers":[3986,4094,5225,7606]},"849":{"id":849,"name":"\u00a320 Free Bet","offers":[8877,7664,7606]},"637":{"id":637,"name":"Cash Out","offers":[8877,3986,5225]},"578":{"id":578,"name":"Enhanced Odds","offers":[8877,9676,4067]},"576":{"id":576,"name":"New!","offers":[8877,7664,5225]},"580":{"id":580,"name":"Live Streaming","offers":[3986,4067,4094]},"853":{"id":853,"name":"\u00a310 Free Bet","offers":[8877,4094]},"852":{"id":852,"name":"Free Spins","offers":[8877,5225]},"854":{"id":854,"name":"\u00a330 Free Bet","offers":[9676,3986]},"972":{"id":972,"name":"Placepot bet","offers":[4094,5225]},"581":{"id":581,"name":"\u00a35 Deposit","offers":[8877]},"346":{"id":346,"name":"New Free Bets","offers":[7664]},"851":{"id":851,"name":"\u00a325 Free Bet","offers":[5225]}}}

[8877,9676,3986,4067,7664,4094,5225,7606]

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Bet £10 Get £30 Surprise Bet

19/07/23

Bet £10 Get £30 Surprise Bet

• Boosted bets
• iOS and Android mobile apps available
• Football & other win draw win options

9.8

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1339

6

New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly

Min Deposit £5

Deposit Method

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  Debit cards

Regulated ByUKGC

License No.44448

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New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly

Kwiff Gallery (4)

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Website:Kwiff

Owner:Eaton Gate Gaming

Founded:2016

Headquarters:London, UK

Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets

24/11/23

Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets

• Regular price boosts
• Good number of additional specials
• Efficient mobile app available

9.8

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6010

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T&Cs apply. New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.

Min Deposit £10

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Regulated ByUKGC

License No.39198

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Open only to new BetUK.com players. Aged 18 or over. Opt-in required by clicking on the “Claim” button on the player’s “My Offers” page. Offer is available on mobile browser and app only. Offer must be claimed and qualifying bet must be made within 7 days of registration. Only bets with minimum odds of 1.5 qualify for this promotion. Qualifying bet must be a bet of at least £10. Void, cashed out, or partially cashed out bets do not qualify for this promotion. Once the qualifying bet settles 3x £10 free bets will be awarded. Free bets must be used on bets with 4 or more selections. Each selection must be at odds of 1.3 or greater. The free bets will expire seven days after they are awarded if they remain unused.
This offer can only be claimed once.
Free bet stake not included in any winnings.
Bets placed with free bets do not qualify towards the promotion.
General T&Cs apply

BetUK Gallery (4)

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Website:BetUK

Owner:LeoVegas Gaming PLC

Founded:2018

Headquarters:Malta

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets +

19/04/22

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets +

• Bet Builder, BetFeed & BetFinder tools
• Large number of in-play football markets
• Live football streaming available

9.3

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#ad. 18+ Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Bonus valid on selected Casino games only • Bonus wins capped at £500, excluding Jackpot wins • You must wager Bonus amount x40 – this requirement varies by game. Full T&C’s apply. BeGambleAware

Min Deposit £10

Deposit Method

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  Neteller

Regulated ByUKGC

License No.39028

888Sport Gallery (4)

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Website:888Sport

Owner:888 Holdings plc

Founded:2008

Headquarters:Gibraltar

Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

29/11/23

Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

• BOG applies after 8am on race days
• Includes selected international races
• Available for horse racing & greyhounds

9.5

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BETFRED50

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1102

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New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via debit card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

Min Deposit £5

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Regulated ByUKGC

License No.39544

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New customers only. Register (excl. 13/04/24) with WELCOME50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get Free Bets: £20 In-Play, £20 Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

Betfred Gallery Gallery (4)

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Website:Betfred

Owner:Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited

Founded:1967

Headquarters:Cheshire, UK

Bet £10, get £30 in free bets

29/04/22

Bet £10, get £30 in free bets

• Live-stream biggest horse races in UK & Ireland
• Best possible price promise
• Tips & social features: follow the biggest winners

9.7

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SBS22

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New UK, IE & Malta customers only. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Min £10/€10 first deposit using Debit Card. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5. Free bets expire in 90 days. Full T&Cs apply.

Min Deposit £10

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Regulated ByUKGC

License No.39173

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1. You must make a first deposit of at least £10/€10 in a single amount to be eligible for the new customer welcome offer.


2. The minimum stake to qualify for this bonus ise £10.


3. The maximum amount of free bets that can be awarded in this offer is £30.


4. Free bets will appear in your promo balance once a bet of £10 (or greater) has been placed at minimum odds of 1.5.


5. Free bets can be placed on all sports.


6. Free bets can be placed in denominations of £2, £5, or £10


7. Free bets that have not been used will expire 90 days after they have been credited to your promo balance.


8. Free bets cannot be redeemed for cash at any time.


9. The promotion is only open to new users making their first deposit by card.


10. The new customer welcome offer is strictly limited to one per individual, family, household address, email address, same payment account number, IP address or shared computer.


11. The offer can only be redeemed by residents of UK, Ireland and Malta only, who sign up and deposit between 16.00 BST on 26th July, 2022 and 16:00 GMT on 31st January, 2023 and are not existing SBK/Smarkets Exchange users.


12. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other sign-up promotion.


13. This promotion is only available to users 18 years or older.

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SBK Gallery (4)

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Website:SBK

Owner:Smarkets (Malta) Limited

Founded:2019

Headquarters:London, UK

Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets

24/11/23

Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets

• Combined odds of just 3/1 required to qualify for acca insurance offers
• Generous welcome offer
• Daily specials available

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*New UK customers (Excluding NI) mobile only. £20 in FREE Bets (FB) as £10 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7 day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply

Min Deposit £5

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  GooglePay

Regulated ByUKGC

License No.39469

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Place a bet of £10 or more at odds of EVS (2.0) or greater and receive £20 (£10 Sportsbook Free Bet + £10 Casino Bonus). Minimum stake of £10 and minimum odds of EVS (2.0) or greater required to qualify. All acquired free bets gained through other promotions will be removed from this offer. For multiple bets the combined odds must be EVS (2.0) or greater. Free bet will be applied as 1 x £10 free bet. The free bet will be applied within 5 minutes of the 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. Free bets cannot be transferred. Casino Bonus T&Cs: Qualifying customers will receive their exclusive £10 Casino bonus within 5 minutes of the 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. There is a wagering requirement of x5 of the bonus amount attached.

Boyle Sports Gallery (4)

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Website:Boyle Sports

Owner:Privately Held

Founded:1982

Headquarters:Dundalk, Ireland

£35 Free Bet + 10 Free Spins

15/12/23

£35 Free Bet + 10 Free Spins

• Free bet worth 5% of your total bets
• Min odds of 6/4 needed
• 1x free bet available daily

9.5

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We’ve enhanced our UK Sportsbook Welcome Offer. Get 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £35 (normally £25) plus 10 Free Spins! A minimum of 3 bets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater is required to qualify for the max free bet, which is based on 50% back of first day losses. Even if your account is up, a single £10 Bet at the minimum odds, secures a £5 Free Bet & 10 Free Spins. UK 18+T&C’s

Min Deposit None

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Regulated ByUKGC

License No.22201

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To activate your Sportsbook 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £35 and 10 Free Spins, simply deposit and bet on any Sportsbook markets of your choice (horse racing, football, tennis, darts etc) at minimum odds of evens (2.00) or greater. At least 3 bets (on different selections) must be placed to qualify for 50% back, 2 of which must be 50% in value of the largest bet you place. Provided you place at least 1 bet of £10 or greater at minimum odds evens (2.00) or greater you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet and 10 Free Spins either way. Sportsbook losses are calculated from the time of your first settled bet until 23:59 the same day. Only settled bets from the first day of Sportsbook bets qualify for inclusion. Casino losses qualify separately under QuinnCasino 50% Cashback Welcome Offer. If at the end of the day (23:59) your account has losses overall, you will get 50% back as a free bet up to a maximum of £35 plus 10 Free Spins.

Gallery (4)

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Website:Quinnbet

Owner:Belbridge Consultancy Limited

Founded:2017

Headquarters:Ballyconnell, Ireland

Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

24/11/23

Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

• Great In-Play Markets
• Excellent mobile app for iOS & Android users
• Fantastic for in play betting

9.5

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*New members. Offer not available 15/04/23 £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Rules & Exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply, 18+

Min Deposit £10

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Regulated ByUKGC

License No.54310

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Qualifying Bets must be made as a minimum £10 in one go and only the ‘win’ part of your bet will count, i.e. two £5 bets each-way (with a total stake of £10) will not be a Qualifying Bet, whereas with a £10 each-way bet (a total stake of £20), £10 would count and therefore would be a Qualifying Bet. If you make a Qualifying Bet, you may claim £20 in free bets, which will consist of two £10 free bet token(s) (“Free Bet Token/s”), subject to the requirements and restrictions applicable to Free Bet Tokens as set out below. If your Qualifying Bet is cancelled, voided or ‘cashed out’, you will not be eligible for the Free Bet Token/s in respect of that bet, but you will be able to place another Qualifying Bet.

Virgin Bet Gallery (4)

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Website:Virgin Bet

Owner:Virgin Bet Limited

Founded:2001

Headquarters:Gibraltar

How We Rank Our Best Betting Sites 

Some betting sites are better than others in terms of catering for beginners. Learning how to bet online can be sped up by selecting the right bookie. So, when ranking available sites, we take the following factors into account:

How Old Do You Have To Be To Bet Online? 

For those in the UK, you must be aged at least 18 to legally place bets, both online and in high street bookmakers. When signing up with a bookie, new customers must provide a form of identification in order to prove their age. This can be a passport, driving license and household bills. Bookmakers that accept new customers without verifying your identity are unlikely to be regulated. These are to be avoided in all circumstances. In terms of additional gambling laws, punters in the UK were banned from funding their activity via credit cards in the UK from April 2020. 

How To Sign Up To a Sports Betting Site 

At most betting sites, signing up, depositing funds and placing bets is simple. However, for newcomers, it is important to understand the process. So, the following is a step by step guide for how to register with an online bookie. This is extremely important when it comes to learning how to bet. We have used one of our top ranked bookies as an example: 

Step 1: Select Your Betting Site

Take a closer look at our list of top ranked betting sites in the UK. Take into account your preferred sports, as well as the features you require. This could include live streaming or cash out. Based on your list of demands, decide upon which bookie best meets your needs. Of course, you can sign up on more than one site if you wish. 

Step 2: Register an Account

Enter the sportsbook of your chosen bookie. This can be achieved by clicking on the link on the table at the top of this page. Alternatively, enter the website into the navigation bar of your browser. Click on the “JOIN” button. Complete the registration form by entering your personal details. Verify your account by uploading a proof of identity. Login for the first time. 

Step 3: Deposit Funds

Enter the cashier page of your account, before clicking on the “Deposit” option. Select from one of the available payment methods. Enter the amount you wish to deposit. For debit card payments, punters must enter their card details. Alternatively, select an e-wallet, before logging into your account via the pop-up. Confirm your payment and wait a matter of seconds for funds to show in your betting account.

Step 4: Place Bet

Browse available markets. Remember to focus upon sports that you follow closely. This will give you the best chance of beating the bookies. Search for value, adding picks to your bet slip in the process. Do your homework, looking at the news and statistics surrounding potential selections. Weigh up the available bet types, as well as the potential winnings. When happy, confirm your bet by clicking on the “Place Bet” button.

Step 5: Withdraw Winnings

Depending on the success of your bet, it may be that you have winnings to collect. Rather than having to visit your high street bookie, funds will be available in your online account immediately. Punters can then decide whether to invest in future bets or withdraw to their bank or e-wallet account to spend elsewhere.

How To Place A Sports Bet 

How you bet on sports will likely depend on your strategy and objectives. However, it will also depend on the sport itself. For example, some sports come with more markets than others. Bets can be placed at as little as £0.01 on some sites, with slips being automatically updated upon selections being added. Maximum stakes will vary between both bookies and sports. However, we can confidently say that the limits set on our recommended sites will meet the demands of 99% of beginners. Let’s take a closer look at football and horse racing, the two most popular betting sports in the UK. We will then discuss how to bet on Grand National online. 

How To Bet On Football Online

Football bets can be placed on leagues and cups from around the world. However, the English Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and FA Cup are among the most popular. Meanwhile, available markets include 1×2, correct score, over/under goals, first goalscorer and draw no bet. Punters should also look out for football promotions offered by bookies. Such promos include acca insurance, price boosts, early payouts and money back specials. Finally, on some betting sites, live streaming services will make it possible to watch football matches as they play out. 

How To Bet On Horse Racing

Whether it be meetings from the UK & Ireland or further afield, horse racing features heavily on most betting sites. Meetings in the UK generally feature either flat or national hunt races. Races take place daily, with all runners and riders being handed an individual price, based on form, age and the going. Terms to look out for include starting price, non-runner and ante post. Be sure to check out our horse racing guide for further information. Popular bet types include to win, each-way, forecast and tricast. Meanwhile, best odds guaranteed is offered by many online bookies. This ensures that punters claim winnings at the best possible price, regardless of when the bet was placed. Other horse racing promos include faller insurance and enhanced odds. You should not have a better understanding of how to bet on horse races online. 

How To Bet On The Grand National

The Grand National is the biggest day in the betting calendar. The historic horse race takes place at Aintree, involving 40+ runners and riders. The race attracts both regular punters and other members of the general public. With some runners being priced up to 100/1, there is a good chance of coming away with winnings. The race is broadcast live on terrestrial TV, with millions tuning in. The Grand National is given major emphasis by bookies. Many promotions specific to the event will be introduced in the days leading up to the race itself. 

Understanding Odds When Betting Online

Part of learning how to bet online is understanding how odds work. At our recommended betting sites, odds will likely be available in fractional, decimal and American formats. Simply put, the lower the price, the greater the chance of the result occurring will be. For example, odds of 1/9 for Manchester City to beat Burnley at home indicate just how heavily Pep Guardiola’s side are the favourites.

Betting margins vary between bookies. This is how they make money. This is something else in which punters must consider before signing up and placing bets. Punters will want to know that winning bets bring about the highest earnings. The best margins sit as close to 100% as possible. Bookies with a margin of around 110% are likely to be worth avoiding. Let’s now take a closer look at the three most common odds formats found at UK betting sites:

Fractional Odds

This is the most common type of odds in the UK. Here, a hyphen is used to display prices. Simply put, the number on the right is what is needed to win the number on the left. For example, when the odds are 5/1, a £1 bet will bring about a profit of £5.

Decimal Odds

More common across Europe, decimal odds show the amount that can be won for every £1 staked. For example, when the decimal odds have been set at 5.00, a £1 stake will once again result in a profit of £5. The calculation stake X odds can be carried out to work out the potential payout. 

American Odds

Also known as moneyline odds, this format is unlikely to be used by many punters in the UK. Here, both + and – symbols are used to show the favourites and outsiders. Odds show how much can be made by placing a $100 bet. For example, a bet on the favourites at odds of -500 would require a $100 bet to win $500. Meanwhile, a $100 bet on the underdogs at -300 would result in a total payout of $400.

Live Betting

We have alluded to the popularity of live betting already on this page. Live betting, also known as in-play, simply means wagering on sporting events that have already started. Most online bookies feature dedicated live betting pages. Here, odds on events are constantly changing. Changes are normally clearly indicated, with many using red and green symbols. Some in-play markets are accompanied by live streaming. 

For bookies that do not deliver a live streaming service, useful graphics and statistics are likely to be found instead. Sports including football, tennis, basketball, cricket, Esports and hockey are among those commonly associated with live betting. However, due to the nature of the sport, horse racing is not available. 

Another useful feature when it comes to live betting is cash out. Some bookies offer only full cash out, while others will offer full and partial options. Cash out effectively means settling a bet early. This is a good option when punters are looking to cut losses or guarantee a profit. Punters must understand that the cash out feature must be used before the completion of the event. As you learn about how to bet online, it will become clearer as to just when to cash out and when to trust your bet.

Betting Promotions

Promotions are available to both new and existing customers in the UK. While it is easy to place too much of a significance upon such offers, some promos can be well worth taking advantage of. As well as helping to attract new customers and keep existing players happy, they can aid punters in maximising winnings and minimising losses. Free bets and bonuses are available to those signing up for the first time. Meanwhile, price boosts, acca insurance, early payouts and money back specials are among the most common ongoing promotions. 

Of course, each offer comes with unique terms and conditions. T&Cs must be read before getting involved. This will mean that punters avoid any disappointment or surprises. Minimum odds, wagering requirements and maximum winnings are among the most common to consider. Meanwhile, some offers will require a promo code in order to qualify. Alternatively, punters can opt in or place a qualifying bet. Be sure to look at our favourite betting promotions available in the UK today.

Why You Should Bet Online Instead of In A Bookies 

While high street bookmakers are still found in the UK, betting sites are the preferred option for most punters today. It is easy to see why online bookies are so popular, given the number of benefits on offer. Unlike in betting shops, betting sites offer promotions, including welcome bonuses. Meanwhile, features including live streaming, cash out and bet builders are also available with selected bookies.

Of course, betting online is far more convenient. Betting sites save punters a trip to their local bookie. While many enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie of high street bookies, an increasing number like wagering from the comfort of their own home or from the stadium itself. With betting sites being safe and reliable too, it is little wonder that the number of online customers is increasing rapidly. 

5 Biggest Tips When Betting Online

It is important to have a strategy when betting online. Researching available strategies will also help you in understanding better just how to bet online. However, regardless of strategy, there are some tips that are useful for all punters. The following will give punters the best possible chance of beating the bookies:

How to Place a Bet Online Bottom Line

There has never been a better time to get involved in online betting. The number of legal, reliable and potentially rewarding bookmakers available in the UK is growing quickly. In other good news, most bookies also make placing bets easy. Whether it be on desktop or mobile, punters can quickly and simply login, deposit funds and browse markets. Meanwhile, our recommended betting sites also come with a host of features and promotions. So, be sure to check out which best suits your needs, before claiming your welcome bonus in the process.

Our Top Rated Best Betting Site in The UK

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New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Get £25 in Free Bets plus 10 Free Spins when you make a first bet of £50 or more. Your qualifying bet must be placed at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater. Free Bets must be placed at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on named sports. Free Spins are valued at 10p and expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

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License No.400

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New UK + IRE customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Get £25 in Free Bets plus 10 Free Spins when you make a first bet of £50 or more. Your qualifying bet must be placed at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater. Free Bets must be placed at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on named sports. Free Spins are valued at 10p and expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

Fitzdares Gallery Gallery (4)

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Website:Fitzdares

Owner:Fitzdares Ltd

Founded:2005

Headquarters:London, UK

How to Place a Sports Bet Online FAQ’s

James Fuller

Betting Expert

James Fuller is a sports journalist based in Bath, England. Specializing in sports and iGaming, he has worked for a variety of leading online publications in the past, having first created content for safebettingsites in 2020. James also has a degree in Sport & Leisure Management from Sheffield Hallam University. He also has a certificate in Football Communication & Digital Media from the Sports Business Institute in Barcelona, which James has used to help brands enhace their following and reputation on online platforms. With almost a decade of experience in sports writing to his name, James has received outstanding feedback from existing and former clients.

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