Which Is the Best Online Betting Site in the UK?

Most UK punters have their own favourite when they are asked which is the best betting site in the UK, but it would be fair to say that William Hill, Paddy Power, SkyBet, Betfair and bet365 will come at the top of most people’s lists. Don’t forget, though, and this is an extremely competitive industry, so don’t be surprised to see other bookies challenge the big boys in order to lay claim to being the best in the business.

Do Bookmakers Always Win?

It basically depends on what kind of punter you are. If you are someone who can’t watch a televised football match without having a bet or if there is not a selection which you fancy, but you will have a bet anyway, the bookmaker will always get the better of you over the long run. If, however, you are someone who specialises in a certain type of betting, UK National League football betting, for example, you could very well have an edge over the bookie, and it is likely that your betting activities will be profitable over the course of a season.

Which Bookmaker Has the Best Odds?

To be honest, it’s swings and roundabouts when it comes to which bookmaker has the best odds. Some bookies will be out of line with their odds and offer a higher price on certain events, but these discrepancies don’t usually last very long. It is, therefore, always a good idea to take advantage of ‘best odds guaranteed’ deals which are offered by many of the top bookies because it means that you are assured of getting the best odds, especially in the horse racing betting markets.

What Are the Benefits of Betting Online?

The ability to spot betting opportunities online and placing bets quickly is just one of the benefits of betting online. Add the various bonuses and promotions to the mix, and there is no getting away from the fact that betting online makes things so much easier and potentially more profitable for online bettors. The hugely competitive marketplace also means that punters of all descriptions will be very well catered for by the growing number of online bookies.

Do I Have to Prove My Identity with an Online Betting Site?

It is a requirement put in place by the various authorities that online bookies must be sure that their customers are at least 18 years of age and that they are who they say they are. Many bookies carry out checks automatically, but if these checks prove inconclusive, new customers will receive a KYC (know your customer) request, which means they will be asked to prove their identity by sending in copies of their passport/driving licence, a scan or photograph of the payment method and a scan or photograph of a utility bill which is less than 3 months old.

How Safe Are Online Sports Betting Sites?

Reputable online sports betting sites are extremely safe. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that online betting is one of the safest forms of online financial transactions. It is a requirement of the Gambling authorities that the highest level of encryption must be in place in terms of financial transactions along with the utmost security when it comes to the personal details of all customers.

Can I Place Bets from My Mobile Phone?

Most bookies now have the option to use a mobile phone in order to place bets. If you have an Apple or Android device, it is possible to download the bookie apps from the Apple Store or from Google Play, respectively. If you have a smartphone and don’t wish to download an app, simply enter the bookie URL into your mobile browser, and the mobile version of the bookie website will load automatically.

Do I Need to Pay Tax on My Winnings?

If you live in the UK and are of a certain age, you will no doubt remember the times when you had a choice of either paying 10% tax on your stake or 10% tax on your winnings! Thankfully, as the law stands at the moment, there is no tax to pay on your stake or your winning when placing online bets or any kind of sports bets, for that matter.

How Long Does It Take to Receive My Winnings?

When you make a withdrawal from your sports betting account, it will have to be processed by the bookie. Most bookies now process withdrawals within 24 hours, and it is then just a case of waiting for the funds to arrive back to the payment method from where the deposit was made. This can take up to 5 working days to a debit or credit card, but withdrawals back to a web wallet such as Skrill or PayPal can be received within a matter of hours.

Will the Online Bookmakers Suspend Your Account If You Win Constantly?

Bookmakers will suspend or restrict your account if you only take advantage of the bonuses and promotions that are on offer and don’t place any other bets. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that they act in this way. After all, they are running a business, and the aim is to make a profit. In order to stop your account from being restricted or suspended, mix your bets up a little bit, the odd ‘Yankee’ or bets on shorts priced favourites without taking advantage of any bonuses or promotions will usually do the trick.

Best Betting Sign Up Offers – List of UK's Top Bookies for 2024

Betting sign up offers are essential in the ultra-competitive world of modern online sports betting. Bookmakers are under constant pressure to attract new punters, and with the number of online operators increasing every year, that pressure is only likely to increase. Those are great news for punters as it forces online operators to attract them with even more generous new customer betting offers.

The betting sign up offers vary widely in value and take different forms, from matched deposit bonuses to risk-free bets. We will clear all of them for you and reveal how you can claim the best betting sign up offers and start to boost your value.

New Customer Offers Betting - The Best UK Bookmakers Ranked

BOOKMAKER	DETAILS	REGULATION	LIVE	APP	CASH OUT	BONUS	REVIEW
Betway Rating10/10	In-Play betting sports Exclusive offers Game Winner option	18+ gamblingcommission mga	Yes	Yes	Yes	£30Matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses	Claim Offer Betway Review
Betrino Rating9/10	Horse Race Betting Exclusive offers Many ongoing promotions	18+ gamblingcommission mga	Yes	No	Yes	Bet £25 Get£50	Claim Offer Coming soon
Unibet Rating9/10	Unibet TV Stats & Livescore Horse racing	18+ gamblingcommission egba	Yes	Yes	Yes	Bet £10 Get£40	Claim Offer Unibet Review
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet on sportsbook at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg. Receive 2 x £10 free bets within 24 hours of bet settlement, and further 2 x £10 casino bonus the next day.T&C’s apply.
bet365 Rating8/10	Live Streaming** Customer Support 24/7 Increased odds	18+ gamblingcommission ibas	Yes	Yes	Yes	£30in free bets	Claim Offer bet365 Review
New Customers only. Registration required. Bet £10 & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. **Geo restrictions apply. Funded account or bet placed 24 hours prior to event required to access, #AD
Betfred Rating8/10	Extensive choice of sports Competitive odds Many ongoing promotions	18+ gamblingcommission gibraltar	Yes	Yes	Yes	£60in free bets	Claim Offer Betfred Review
10Bet Rating8/10	Winnings Boost Free Spins from Betting Horse Race Betting Refunds	18+ gamblingcommission	Yes	Yes	Yes	100% up to £50	Claim Offer 10Bet Review
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+
Grosvenor Rating7/10	Free UK Races Broadcast In-play Best Horse Race Odds	18+ gamblingcommission	Yes	No	Yes	£10Double the Odds	Claim Offer Grosvenor Review
32Red Rating7/10	Daily Horse Racing Price Boosts Cash-Out feature Live Streaming Sports & Horse Racing	18+ gamblingcommission gibraltar	Yes	Yes	Yes	-	Claim Offer Coming soon
William Hill Rating7/10	Tipster Community Exclusive promotions Horse Race Betting	18+ gamblingcommission	Yes	No	Yes	£30in free bets	Claim Offer William Hill Review
*New customers using Promo Code P30 only, min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15 (30 days expiry), free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply.
Casumo Rating7/10	In-play Horse Race Betting Competitive odds	18+ gamblingcommission	Yes	Yes	Yes	£25back as a Free Bet	Claim Offer Coming soon

*18+ T&Cs Apply!

Topics on this page

Best Betting Sign Up Offers
How to get your bonus
Top UK bookies offers
Types of sportsbook bonuses
Important factors to consider
FAQ

How to Claim Your Sign Up Bonus

So, how do you get hold of these best betting sign-up offers? First, find the online sportsbook with the sign up offer you want (we will go into more detail about specific sites and their betting account offers later on).

Once you have found a sign up offer that suits you, the next stage is to register for a new account. This process varies slightly from one site to another, but the bookmakers are keen to make signing-up as painless as possible so you will find most sites are fairly similar.

Registration Process at the Best UK Bookmakers Online

The registration process normally only takes a few minutes and is triggered by clicking on the relevant icon on the homepage, usually marked “Register” or “Join Now”. This will take you to a series of short online forms which you need to complete with your details. Expect to be asked for:

Name
Address
Email address
Date of birth
Preferred username
Password
Security question and answer

It is also likely that you will be asked to verify your identity, either during the sign-up process or shortly afterwards. The bookmaker will explain specifically how to do this, but it usually involves uploading electronic copies of certain documents, such as a passport or driving licence. While this may seem inconvenient, it is necessary for the operator to comply with the modern gambling industry’s strict rules and is ultimately for your security. The verification process is usually completed in a day or two and doesn’t stop you from betting in the meantime.

Some betting welcome offers are in your account as soon as you have signed up but most sportsbooks will credit them after you have made a deposit or your first bet has settled. Naturally, depositing money requires you to register your financial details.

The modern betting industry offers a wide variety of deposit methods. All you have to do is to click on the site’s “Payments” or “Cashier” section and choose your preferred option, such as debit/credit cards or the latest e-wallet solutions. Simply input the required details, such as card number and expiry date, and your preferred method will be remembered by the site. You will now be able to make your first deposit and claim from the bookie your betting sign up offers.

The Best New Customer Betting Offers for UK Punters

Betting shops have been legal in the UK since 1960 and all UK operators are licensed by the Gambling Commission, which keeps crime out of gambling and protects people from being taken advantage of. With this level of security, history and popularity, it’s no surprise that British bookmakers are at the forefront of the global sports betting industry. We’ve put together a list of ten of the best betting sign up offers available today.

Betway - Best Online Betting for Numerous Sports

Betway is one of the biggest names in the British sports betting market and it’s easy to see why. At the time of writing, you get a Betway welcome bonus that gives you a £10 free bet when you register and deposit £10. As always, you should check the full T&Cs. In this case, you need to deposit using a debit card and place odds of at least 1.75 (3/4).

Once you delve into the Betway sports betting section, you’ll see all the different sports they cover listed on the side of the screen. Favourites like football, cricket and horse racing are joined by less widely-seen events from Gaelic sports, volleyball and other sports. Special categories get added for major events like the Cheltenham Festival.

The live sports betting section is particularly useful, as you’ll find the latest odds for games and events that are currently taking place. At the time of checking for this review, there were more football bets than any other sport, with several different ways of wagering on what you think might happen next. Placing a bet is then simple, as you just click on the predicted outcome and type in how much you want to wager on it.

Pros

Odds available for many sports
Welcome offer gives you a free bet
Many different ongoing promotions

Cons

Relatively few customer support options
The website looks a bit busy on some pages
The welcome offer is quite small

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

Unibet - Top UK Betting Site for a Money Back Offer

The reputation of Unibet as one of the top UK sports betting sites means that you can feel comfortable registering as a new user. The sign-up process only takes a moment and you’ll be asked to verify your identity as well as choose a suitable banking method.

Their current new customer betting offers at Unibet are available when you make your initial deposit of £10 or more using a debit card. You then get up to £40 back if your first bet loses. Terms and conditions apply, as you need to wager 3x using minimum odds of 1.40 (2/5). It’s also valid for seven days, so you’ll need to remember to use it before it runs out.

The good news is that you’re going to find a lot of sporting events and matches from across the planet to bet on, with live streaming available in many cases. Many different sports are covered live and with upcoming matches from football and tennis to intriguing options such as esports, surfing and beach soccer.

Pros

Easy to get started with
Money back offer if your first bet loses
Good live-streaming options

Cons

You need your first bet to lose to get the welcome bonus
Terms apply to the welcome offer
Some sports have relatively few games or events listed

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

Betfair - Best In-Game Sports Betting in the UK

With categories covering all the most-loved sports in the UK, it’s easy to see why Betfair is such a popular betting site. Almost 30 sports have odds listed here, but it might take you a moment to work out how to navigate smoothly between them to place your bets.

As a new member, you’ll need to register and then place your first deposit using a debit card or Apple Pay. Once you place your first wager for £5 or more with the minimum odds listed in the offer, you’ll be given a Betfair bonus of a free bet for £20. Check the rest of the T&Cs on the offer, but there’s nothing out of the ordinary or unfair listed there.

When the time comes to place some bets, you get to choose from major events in the global sporting calendar - like the FIFA World Cup and the NBA Finals - or search through the many lower-profile matches they list. Odds boosts are offered regularly but the majority of their promotions at the time of writing are based on horse races.

Pros

Live in-game betting options
Welcome offer awards free bets
Simple registration process

Cons

Not many sports offers for existing members
The website looks a little dated
Some information is difficult to find

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

bet365 - Top UK Sports Betting with a Responsible Approach

The bet365 site lets you start betting with the help of a welcome bonus that can be claimed by 18+ players. Terms apply, so you should be sure to check the full details before going ahead and claiming this offer. You can then pick up the other deals available for existing members on this site.

There are no major surprises in the events covered, with the main sports enjoyed by Brits all included. Yet, fans of certain niche sports might be disappointed to see little coverage. The chance to build your own bets is an eye-catching detail that could be of particular interest to anyone who likes the idea of scanning the upcoming events to find something they think they can predict.

There are many ways to bet here, and the site is easy to get around so you can find all the relevant information very easily. You can also choose whether to download their mobile app to place wagers wherever you happen to be. A professional approach can be seen with their wide range of banking options and good customer service.

Pros

Range of promos for 18+ players, T&Cs apply
A solid approach to responsible gambling
Use bet builders to create unique bets

Cons

Not all banking methods are equally fast
The mobile app feels dated
Some of the best niche sports aren’t covered

Open Account

*New Customers only. Registration required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply, #AD

Betfred – Best UK Sports Betting for Fast Banking

Start with Betfred sports betting by registering as a new player and accepting betting sign up offers. When you make your first bet for £10 or more at odds of evens or greater, you’ll be awarded £30 in free bets. This allows you to try out any of the many sports listed on the side of the home page.

You’ll want to look out for future Betfred sports betting bonuses too, with some interesting offers that let you collect free bets or get boosted odds from time to time. If you don’t see anything you want to bet on just now, it might make sense to check out their bet builder tool to decide what type of wager you’d like to make.

The site designers have taken a sensible approach to cramming in so many details, meaning that the site is easy to use. They’ve got a lot of useful FAQs that will help if you’re ever wondering what to do next, and a smooth banking process means you’re not going to be sitting around for long waiting for deposits or withdrawals to arrive.

Pros

Attractive site layout
Many popular sports covered
Reliable banking processes

Cons

The site is slow to load at times
Not a lot of esports odds
More bonus offers would be good to see

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

10bet - Top Site for UK Sports Betting with a Welcome Bonus

There are many sports covered by 10bet, with football the most popular at the time of this review. The live bets are found on a separate tab on the well-designed and welcoming website. A ‘top action’ section makes it easy to find the current odds for the biggest upcoming events without much searching.

As you’d expect, there’s a 10bet welcome bonus waiting for you that gives you a good way of starting to make your wagers. This is a 50% bonus that gives you up to £50 on your first bet. You need to play through the winnings 8x, while there are some other T&Cs to take into account. Other promotions include acca boosts and free bets on specified sports.

Depositing to your account is easy, as they accept the most popular debit cards and e-wallets as well as some other methods. Most deposit methods see the cash arrive in your account instantly so that you’re ready to start wagering and collect sign up betting bonuses right away.

Pros

Mobile app
Excellent welcome bonus
Fast customer support
Many live betting events

Cons

More deposit methods would be useful
Live streaming is restricted mainly to horse racing
Welcome offer has a list of T&Cs to consider

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

Grosvenor - Top Sports Betting for Varied Markets

You’ll be up and running in next to no time here, with a Grosvenor welcome bonus that gives you double the odds on your first bet. This works on bets up to £10, or £5 each way. There are a few other bonuses to look out for as you play, with boosts and cashbacks among them.

Their live streaming has a strong focus on UK and Irish horse racing. To catch the latest races, you just need to have a positive account balance or have placed any sort of bet in the previous 24 hours. The main sports like football and golf are easily seen on the home page, while you can quickly find any other sports that interest you.

Managing your account shouldn't be a problem, as they accept a range of payment methods and make it easy for you to add or withdraw funds whenever it suits you. If you ever run into any issues, there is plenty of help at hand through the site’s FAQ and live chat.

Pros

High-quality website design
Many varied bonuses and promotions
Plenty of betting markets

Cons

Lack of free bets
Withdrawals may be slow
Live streaming doesn’t cover all sports

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

32Red - Best UK Sports Betting with Cashout

With a slick website and some interesting features, 32Red is a site worth checking out. They’ve opted to concentrate on horse racing for their daily odds boosts, but there are plenty of other sports you can bet on live with a cashout option. A good live-streaming selection lets you choose from many sports to watch while you decide whether to wager or not.

A short registration process where you need to enter some basic details is followed by the request to verify your identity to meet the UK’s regulatory requirements. At the time of writing this 32Red sports betting review, there are no betting welcome offers listed. However, it’s worth going back to check out the promotions page from time to time.

The information on their site shows that they put a lot of emphasis on offering a product as fair and secure as possible. This helps to explain why they offer only the most reliable banking methods and have a professional customer support approach that gives you 24/7 access to answers.

Pros

Live betting with cashout
Great website look
Daily price boosts on horse racing

Cons

Lack of promotions
No loyalty program or VIP scheme
Bank transfer withdrawals are sometimes slow

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

William Hill - Best Sports Betting Site with Enhanced Odds

The William Hill sports betting site is packed with the odds on current and upcoming games, meaning that it might take you a moment to get to grips with all the information on display. At the time of checking, the live betting area has an impressive mixture of sporting events from different corners of the planet.

A welcome bonus gives you a big free bet when you make your first wager using your own funds. After that, there are ongoing William Hill bonuses and offers like daily enhanced odds and bet boosts to be aware of. There’s a lot of information crammed into the site, so you’ll want to check out the promotions page to see which deals suit you best.

The professional approach taken by this operator can be clearly seen in areas such as the banking process and how customer support is always available. As for the betting process, this is easily carried out by clicking on the game and choosing your stake.

Pros

A highly professional approach
Numerous games and events are listed with the latest odds
Enhanced odds available

Cons

Website design is unexciting
Not many general sports promos
Finding answers on the site can be tricky

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

Casumo - Top Sport Betting for Free Bets

The Casumo sports betting bonus for new players works as a type of cashback when you start gambling here. This means that you get a free bet of up to £25 if your first bet loses. This is 50% of your losing bet, and there are some conditions attached, such as the need to bet with minimum odds and a maximum win of £1,000.

A friendly-looking site lets you easily sign up and then look for the bets that interest you. All of the top betting markets that are popular among British punters are included, so it’s a matter of filtering through the options to find what you’re most interested in.

The live sports choices are particularly interesting, with many games to choose from. With a sensible approach to areas like banking and responsible gambling, it’s easy to see why the Casumo sports betting site has been gaining popularity to rival their better-known casino offering.

Pros

All the top games and tournaments are included
Many sports offered
Free bet for new players

Cons

Your free bet is only if you lose with your first wager
More promotions would be good to see
No way to live steam sports

Open Account

#AD, 18+, T&Cs apply

The BetVictor Sign Up Bonus is Worth £30

One of the first betting companies to set up a base in Gibraltar, BetVictor offer an attractive £30 in free bets for new customers who place a £5 bet with them. While it’s definitely worth taking advantage of, it’s worth noting that there are more restrictions on how you can use your bonuses.

To claim your welcome bonus, you just need to register with BetVictor, opt-in to the promotion and make a £5 bet at odds of 2.0 or higher within the first 7 days.

The £30 bonus is split into 3 separate £10 free bets. The first is a standard free bet that can be used on any sports market, while the second is to be used on any sports accumulator of 3+ selections. The third part is a £10 free bet for BetVictor’s online casino. The casino bet needs to be wagered 35 times (so £350 of casino bets) before any winnings can be withdrawn. The rollover is important but it doesn’t detract from one of the better betting account offers online.

£40 Welcome Bonus at SkyBet

SkyBet enjoy a high profile thanks to their association with the Sky broadcasting company which provides coverage of a wide range of sports to UK customers.

As you’d expect from one of the biggest companies, SkyBet offer one of the best betting sign up offers around, rewarding new customers with £40 in free bets. This bonus takes the form of 4x £10 bets which are automatically credited after you register and make a £10 bet with SkyBet on any sports market at odds of 2.0 or higher. The free bets need to be used within 30 days and are issued at the rate of one per week.

£10 Risk Free Bet at Paddy Power

Famed for their innovative marketing practices – including getting Floyd Mayweather and Nicklas Bendtner to wear Paddy Power boxer shorts - and they have one of the best new customer betting offers, worth a total of £10.

This bonus is made up of £10 in risk-free bet to be used on any sports market. To claim your betting offers new account needs to be created using the promo code at the website, make a deposit of minimum £10 using card or PayPal, and then place a bet up to £10 on any sports market.

The Different Types of New Customer Betting Offers

While getting £20 or £30 in free bets has been the traditional bookie sign up reward, the increasing competition in the online betting market means that bookmakers are now providing many different types of betting sign up offers to compete for your business and stand out from the competition. Here is a quick look at some of the other types of incentives you can expect if you join up as a new customer.

Cash in with a Matched Deposit Bonus

The matched bonus rewards you for adding more money into your account by doubling – or matching – your initial deposit. While free bets are usually only awarded after you’ve placed a bet, matched betting website deposit bonus funds are often credited immediately.

Even though you will see the money in your account straight away, expect to meet certain requirements before you’re able to withdraw it. Bookmakers will usually need you to stake the welcome bonus at least once and at their specified odds before it can be withdrawn. So what’s the difference between this bonus and a free bet then? If you place a free £10 bet at odds of 2.0 and it wins, you receive the £10 profit. Win the same bet with a £10 matched deposit balance and you get £20 back, the profit plus the stake.

Not all bookies double your deposit. For instance, MansionBet’s current offer matches new customers’ first deposits at 50%, up to £50. So, if you open a MansionBet account and make a deposit of £100, you will be credited with a £50 bonus. Matched deposit bonuses option for punters looking for the biggest bonuses.

Rollover Requirements in Sign Up Offers

It’s important to check all the terms and conditions for each new customer betting offer. While most are straightforward, some require you to wager the bonus (and sometimes deposit plus bonus) amount a number of times before you can withdraw it. This type of bonus, sometimes known as a rollover bonus, is seen a lot in the world of online casino betting but is less common among sports betting companies.

Matched betting bonus rollover deals usually take the form of deposit bonuses, being credited to a new account before any bet has been made and will usually be bigger than standard free bet offers. That’s the plus side – you get a bigger reward for signing up as a new customer. The disadvantage is you might need a series of successful bets before withdrawing your winnings.

For example, MansionBet requires you to wager your deposit and bonus 6 times at minimum odds of 1.8 before the bonus and winnings can be withdrawn. If you deposit £100, you get a £50 welcome bonus so you would have to make a total of £750 worth of bets before withdrawing.

Money Back and Stake Returned Welcome Bonuses

If you prefer to keep things simple and avoid rollover bonuses and the possibility of not meeting one of the wagering requirements, then a stake returned deal might be one of the best betting sign up offers for you.

As the name suggests, a stake returned bonus means you get your stake back if your bet loses. In other words, it’s a risk-free bet that is returned as cash, not another free bet. For example, FavBet have a stake returned sign up deal that guarantees to refund your initial sports bet of £10 to your account if it loses. There are no free bets or matched bonus deposits, just a simple refund of your losing bet.

Play It Safe with a Risk-Free Sign Up Deal

Another common online bookies sign-up bonus for new customers is the risk-free offer. With this type of deal you aren’t automatically given your bonus when you sign up, make a deposit or make a bet. But if your first bet loses, you will be compensated with a free bet of the same value as your wager. In practice there is always a limit on the size of the risk-free bonus, and there may be other conditions such as minimum odds in order to qualify.

The Beauty of Free Bets for New Customers

Free bets are the most common way of rewarding new customers and meeting the demands for competitive betting sign up offers. Typically, when you sign up for a new account with a sportsbook, your welcome bonus will be awarded in the form of a free bet. For instance, BetBull are offering £30 of free bets to new customers who sign up and make a bet of £10 or more.

A free bet is not the same as cash or a matched deposit. It allows you to make a bet that is essentially free, since it doesn’t come out of your cash balance, but you only increase your balance if the bet wins. If you’re credited with a £10 free bet, you cannot just withdraw that £10 to your bank account. You have to place it on the specified sports betting market and at the minimum odds mentioned in the terms and conditions. If your bet wins, you get the profit as cash but the stake is not returned. Some bookmakers will ask for the free bet value to be rolled over a number of times, but this is rare.

Boost Your Price with an Enhanced Odds Welcome Bonus

Another innovative type of bookmaker sign up offers that you’re likely to come across is the “enhanced odds” sign up offer. There are no free bets of matched bonus deposits here. Instead, new customers are offered increased odds on a particular market. These markets are usually based on a high-profile event such as a Champions League game and typically offer very high odds.

For instance, ahead of the Nations League semi-final match between England and the Netherlands, 888sport offered greatly enhanced match odds for punters wishing to back either team. Take this bonus and you would get 16/1 (17.0) on the Netherlands or 12/1 (13.0) on England in this game, providing you sign-up to a new account and make a bet of up to £5. Because of the massively enhanced odds (standard prices were 2/1 (3.0) for the Netherlands and 17/10 (2.7) for England), there is nearly always a tight restriction on the maximum bet, but they can still be very profitable and for some players, they represent the best betting sign up offers at that point in time.

Mobile Sports Betting Sign Up Offers

The ability to bet on the go has been one of the most significant developments for sports betting punters over the last decade, and as smartphone technology has continued to improve, so sportsbook companies have been challenged to provide a smooth mobile betting experience.

These days most online sports betting companies offer either a dedicated app or a fully mobile-compatible site, often both. As an ever-increasing proportion of us choose to access the internet primarily through our mobile devices, sports betting companies have started offering new customer betting offers reserved for players using their apps or mobile sites. This benefits both parties: more bonuses for you and more custom for the bookmakers. After all, you’re more likely to place a bet with a particular bookie if you already have their app installed on your phone.

888sport’s bookies sign up bonus is a good example of this kind of incentive. New 888sport customers who register for an account will be eligible for a £30 in free bets including a £10 free bet that can only be used via their app or mobile site.

Some sportsbooks go further, however, actively encouraging punters to register for an account with their mobile devices for mobile-specific betting sign up offers. For instance, ComeOn! had an offer that gives new customers a £5 free bet when they register and make a bet with the company’s mobile platform, rewarding those who prefer not to sit at a desktop.

Betting Welcome Offers: What to Look out for?

With all the different sign up betting offers, it’s not always easy to find the best deal. To simplify the process, we’ve put together a list of the important factors that you need to consider before you go for one of the offers.

Betting Promotions: Check the Small Print

As with any promotion or deal you’re thinking about taking, it’s important to check the terms and conditions, not just the headline offer. Bookies legally have to provide details of all the wagering requirements, minimum odds, sports betting markets, minimum/maximum stake and any other restrictions associated with your welcome bonus. This information is usually clearly linked to underneath the headline text and is well worth reading up on.

Weigh up the Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements are often attached to even the best betting sign up offers – especially the larger ones - and can make a big difference to the profitability of the offer. A wagering requirement prevents you from withdrawing the bonus and any winnings associated with it until you have turned over the bonus amount a certain number of times, often five or six. New customer betting offers with wagering requirements can still represent a good deal, but it is important to know what you will need to do to withdraw the money before signing up.

Time Restrictions on Betting Sign Up Offers

Nearly all sign up betting offers come with time restrictions. You might have to make a bet within the first 7 days to qualify for your bonus and free bets might disappear if you don’t use them up within a few days. It’s a case of use it or lose it. The time limits are usually fair so don’t worry about not being able to place the qualifying bets, but do make a note of the terms so you don’t miss out on your bonuses.

Other Things to Consider

The precise details of terms and conditions will vary from site to site, but some of the more common restrictions to look out for involve minimum odds and qualifying markets.

Sign up to a few bookmakers and you’re likely to notice restrictions related to the odds of the bets you can make as part of a bookies sign up bonus, either for qualifying bets or for the free bets themselves. This is particularly important to bear in mind if you want to secure your bonus by betting on high likelihood events as you may find that you have to use your bonus on selections priced 2.0 or higher (with a theoretical chance of winning of 50%).

betting offers with restrictions related to the odds of the bets

You are also likely to encounter a restriction on the qualifying markets for your bonus. For instance, you may only be able to use your free bet on football matches or horse-racing. Most of the time you will still have a wide choice of markets to bet on but it’s worth checking to make sure your bet qualifies.

Getting the Most out of the Betting Sign Up Offers

The shrewdest and most successful sports punters always take advantage of opportunities and are constantly on the lookout for chances to profit. Not all bookmaker sign up offers are good deals – some have wagering requirements that make it very difficult not to lose the bonus - but many are. By taking the time to read through the terms and conditions and learn about the different types of betting sign up offers available, you can take advantage of these deals. Whether you want to smart small and get a high return on investment with low deposit free bets, play it safe with risk-free bets or go for big profits with enhanced odds and matched deposit bonuses, you can be sure there’s a sign up bonus for you.

FAQ

Which Is the Best Online Betting Site in the UK?

Most UK punters have their own favourite when they are asked which is the best betting site in the UK, but it would be fair to say that William Hill, Paddy Power, SkyBet, Betfair and bet365 provide the best bookmaker sign up offers and will come at the top of most people’s lists with their overall betting experience.

Don’t forget, though, and this is an extremely competitive industry, so don’t be surprised to see other bookies challenge the big boys in order to lay claim to being the best in the business.
Do Bookmakers Always Win?

It basically depends on what kind of punter you are.

If you are someone who can’t watch a televised football match without having a bet or if there is not a selection which you fancy, but you will have a bet anyway, the bookmaker will always get the better of you over the long run.

If, however, you are someone who specialises in a certain type of betting, UK National League football betting, for example, you could very well have an edge over the bookie, and it is likely that your betting a ctivities will be profitable over the course of a season.
Which Bookmaker Has the Best Odds?

To be honest, it’s swings and roundabouts when it comes to which bookmaker has the best odds.

Some bookies will be out of line with their odds and offer a higher price on certain events, but these discrepancies don’t usually last very long.

It is, therefore, always a good idea to take advantage of ‘best odds guaranteed’ deals which are offered by many of the top bookies because it means that you are assured of getting the best odds, especially in the horse racing betting markets.
What Are the Benefits of Betting Online?

The ability to spot betting opportunities online and placing bets quickly is just one of the benefits of betting online.

Add the various bonuses and promotions to the mix, and there is no getting away from the fact that betting online makes things so much easier and potentially more profitable for online bettors.

The hugely competitive marketplace also means that punters of all descriptions will be very well catered for by the growing number of online bookies.
Do I Have to Prove My Identity with an Online Betting Site?

It is a requirement put in place by the various authorities that online bookies must be sure that their customers are at least 18 years of age and that they are who they say they are.

Many bookies carry out checks automatically, but if these checks prove inconclusive, new customers will receive a KYC (know your customer) request, which means they will be asked to prove their identity by sending in copies of their passport/driving licence, a scan or photograph of the payment method and a scan or photograph of a utility bill which is less than 3 months old.
How Safe Are Online Sports Betting Sites?

Reputable online sports betting sites are extremely safe. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that online betting is one of the safest forms of online financial transactions.

It is a requirement of the Gambling authorities that the highest level of encryption must be in place in terms of financial transactions along with the utmost security when it comes to the personal details of all customers.
Can I Place Bets from My Mobile Phone?

Most bookies now have the option to use a mobile phone in order to place bets.

If you have an Apple or Android device, it is possible to download the bookie apps from the Apple Store or from Google Play, respectively.

If you have a smartphone and don’t wish to download an app, simply enter the bookie URL into your mobile browser, and the mobile version of the bookie website will load automatically.
Do I Need to Pay Tax on My Winnings?

If you live in the UK and are of a certain age, you will no doubt remember the times when you had a choice of either paying 10% tax on your stake or 10% tax on your winnings!

Thankfully, as the law stands at the moment, there is no tax to pay on your stake or your winning when placing online bets or any kind of sports bets, for that matter.
How Long Does It Take to Receive My Winnings?

When you make a withdrawal from your sports betting account, it will have to be processed by the bookie.

Most bookies now process withdrawals within 24 hours, and it is then just a case of waiting for the funds to arrive back to the payment method from where the deposit was made.

This can take up to 5 working days to a debit or credit card, but withdrawals back to a web wallet such as Skrill or PayPal can be received within a matter of hours.
Will the Online Bookmakers Suspend Your Account If You Win Constantly?

Bookmakers will suspend or restrict your account if you only take advantage of the bonuses and promotions that are on offer and don’t place any other bets.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that they act in this way. After all, they are running a business, and the aim is to make a profit.

In order to stop your account from being restricted or suspended, mix your bets up a little bit, the odd ‘Yankee’ or bets on shorts priced favourites without taking advantage of any bonuses or promotions will usually do the trick.