Top 3 Best British Betting Sites – Why Bookmaking in the UK is a Time-Honored Profession

Bookmakers from the British Isles are rightly considered the best in the modern gaming industry. It was the English offices that first began to accept bets on sporting events and horse racing in the mid XVII century and the tradition is very much alive: today the houses whose history goes back over a century still lead the way in modern bookmaking.

Both beginners and pros alike from the world over flock to British betting sites in hopes of an easy win and reliable ticket settlement. In this article we explore the reasons for the popularity of these platforms, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of betting on British bookmaking sites, and delve into the bonus policy of some of the most popular and respectful online bookmakers based in the UK.

Ladbrokes (Since 2016, Ladbrokes Coral)

One of the oldest bookmakers in the UK and around the world was founded in 1886. In the mid-20th century, Ladbrokes began accepting bets on football matches growing to 2 thousand branches by 2010. In 2016, Ladbrokes acquired Coral – another British gambling powerhouse – becoming one of the largest gambling operations in the world with the net income of over £204.3 million (2016).

Ladbrokes built an interactive online betting platform in 2000 targeting mostly Western European audiences. The House offers a welcome bonus for new customers, albeit only UK citizens, credited as a £20 pound free bet. To claim your deposit bonus, you must bet £5 on any sporting event with the odds of at least 1.50 within two weeks after registering an account. Bets can be placed both from the main site and through mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Pros: Reputation, reliability, play virtually anything – from darts to horse racing

Cons: Not so impressive margins, tedious registration process

Bet365

This venerable bookmaker started on its way to the top in 1974 with the development of a network of high street betting shops. Today, you can still place bets through a plexiglass window, but not many do since in 2001 Bet365 customers got a chance to bet online. Like most other British bookmakers, Bet365 focuses on EU bettors – you can tell by the lack of language options on the website and the fact that only major global currencies are included in the list of exchange options. 

Nevertheless, with its generous and easy to claim sign-up bonus ($30), short withdrawal periods and the sportsbook that’ll make even the most demanding gambler’s mouth water, Bet365 is considered one of the best in all modern betting. The lineup consists of popular choices like football, horse/dog races, and cricket as well as some exotic disciplines. 

Pros: Thick sportsbook, short withdrawal time, high sign-on bonus

Cons: Odds aren’t what they used to be

William Hill

Another legend in British gambling. The company, founded in 1934, sports one of the largest networks of walk-in branches in the world. Incidentally, WH was one of the first houses to figure out the value of online gaming and open virtual doors in 1998. The site supports multi-language functionality welcoming punters from all over the world. The added benefit is the multitude of electronic wallets accepted on the platform. The $50/EUR sign-on bonus makes WH even more attractive.

In terms of depth of the roster, William Hill’s pre-match lineup is rightly considered one of the best in the modern betting industry. A large number of exclusive markets are available to players. The odds are average, which is typical for older houses. The ticket settlements are fast and there have been no unsubstantiated account freezes in the observed past. A marvellous operation all around!

Pros: Free live streaming, the bespoke cash-out option, almost unlimited deposit options

Cons: Higher than average margins (sometimes up to 9%)

Conclusion

All well-known British bookmakers are highly reliable in terms of observing the rights of users, compliance with financial regulations and other painstaking issues. The reason being is that obtaining a UK gaming license is extremely difficult so the aspirants have to go through the sort of ‘artificial selection’ that would astonish Charles Darwin himself. Besides, only the heavy hitters in the gaming industry can endure the onslaught of stringent requirements, norms, and standards imposed by the Gambling Commission. But as a result of these measures punters who take chances under the protection of the British law feel that the majority of traditional gambling risks are taken out of the equation completely. This gives them a chance to relax, concentrate on the game and have good clean fun.

Advantages and disadvantages of UK-based betting sites

Pros:

• Extensive pre-match lineups
• Deep rosters with an abundance of exclusive markets
• High betting ceiling
• Reliability in settlements

 

Cons:

• Average odds
• Focus mostly on punters from the EU and the US