The Best Football Betting Sites in the UK December, 2024!

bet365 Overview

A household name for watching and betting on football is bet365. Established in the year 2000, it has become one of the top players in the industry. 

Constantly keeping up to date with the game, it offers one of the most advanced live betting and streaming services, fully compatible with desktop and mobile devices, enhancing the user experience to the max. Its platform is really user-friendly and simple to navigate, and it has an excellent reputation for customer support, where the team can be reached quickly and easily. Bettors at bet365 can also perform transactions easily with plenty of accepted payment methods from recognised providers, ensuring the safety and security of their details.

Football Betting Features at bet365

The market coverage at bet365 is among the strongest in the industry. It features the biggest leagues worldwide, including the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, The World Cup, AFCON, FA Cup, and so many more! 

Available across most of these markets is the outstanding ability to place live in-play bets as the action happens. Select from special markets such as corners, cards, fouls, or goalscorers and get involved with the live-action, predicting what could happen. Thanks to bet365’s superior competitive odds, which are frequently above the market average, you can choose from the top odds in the industry.

Promotions for Football Bettors

Bettors at bet365 will have the opportunity to claim some football-exclusive offers and promotions courtesy of the site. 

These can include welcome offers when you first sign up that allow you to place a free bet or provide a first bet insurance. There can also be ongoing promotions, such as acca boosts and bet builders. Special promotions can also be run in the build-up to a big match, tournament or event to give bettors an extra incentive.

Pros and Cons

As with everything, there are plenty of advantages to placing your football bets with bet365; however, there can also be some disadvantages. We have listed some of these below.

bet365 Pros

• Experienced football betting brand.

• Large range of markets.

• Plenty of offers and promotions.

• Live betting and streaming are available. 

 bet365 Cons

• The site can appear cluttered.

Fitzdares Overview

Launched back in 2005, Fitzdares has quickly become one of go to places for sports bettors, in particular, keen football punters. 

It offers an easy-to-use platform that is accessible on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing you to bet on the go from wherever you are. It has excellent customer support options including a phone line, text service and email, that can be contacted around the clock should anyone need; alongside this is a great selection of accepted payment options that offer fast and secure transactions. Getting started at Fitzdares is super easy, and with such a quick sign-up process, you can start placing your football bets in no time.

Football Betting Features at bet365

Football betting at Fitzdares is a unique experience for football fans and bettors. If you are after placing some bets on a particular match, there is a very good chance that you will find it. 

The sheer number of leagues and competitions covered by the bookmaker is nothing short of impressive. Punters can expect markets on all of the top European competitions, including the Champions League, international tournaments like the World Cup, Euros and Copa America, domestic leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and football betting from the rest of the world including the Australian A-League and the MLS. To accompany all of that is great market coverage, including specials such as ‘Create a Bet’ which can unlock excellent odds that are unlikely to be beaten by any football betting websites on the market.

Promotions for Football Bettors

Promotions are aplenty at this one of the top football betting sites, with opportunities for keen punters on the beautiful game to claim some exclusive offers on their bets. 

This includes 10% back on weekly ‘Create a Bet’ losses, free bets if one leg of your acca loses, and bonuses on your accas if they win! Bettors can also expect special offers and promotions on big matches and events to further enhance their time at Fitzdares.

Pros and Cons

Every bookmaker will have its advantages and disadvantages, and it is important bettors are fully aware of a sites features prior to signing up. We have included some of the main features to keep in mind below.

Fitzdares Pros

• 24/7 Customer Support.

• Strong selection of football betting offers.

• Mobile App.

• Huge range of markets.

Fitzdares Cons

• No FAQs page or help centre.

Betfred Overview

If you are after experience and reputation in football betting sites, Betfred is the place for you. Operating since 1967, this bookmaker knows what it's doing and what its customers want. 

While it may not have all the latest flashy features like some of the new football betting sites, its classic layout and approach make it simple to use and translate perfectly between desktop and mobile. The site also accepts many of the main recognised payment methods, making transactions easy and secure.

Football Betting Features at Betfred

Since its first operation, football has been one of Betfred's most successful and focused features. Now, it is home to one of the strongest selections of different football betting markets, with over 33 available to punters. 

Expect to find the latest odds from leagues across the globe, including cup competitions and major tournaments such as the World Cup. Take advantage of Betfred’s in-play betting options and specials, too, where highly competitive odds can be found. Place a bet on how many goals will be scored, who will score them, yellow cards, fouls, you name it!  

Promotions for Football Bettors

Many football-exclusive promotions can be claimed by punters at Betfred. With experience comes value and knowledge on what offers get the most interest, which is why, right from the get-go, new customers signing up can claim a sports welcome offer! 

Alongside this, there are bet builder offers, acca flex, bet boosts, and hattrick offers. Customers can also expect offers on big matches such as England games and major finals including the Champions League and FA Cup. These can be enhanced prices, odds boosts and even an opportunity to claim free bets!

Pros and Cons

Even a football betting site that has been in operation since 1967 will have its advantages and disadvantages for users. Every punter will be looking for different features and will have their preferred ways to bet. We have looked at the main site features below.

Betfred Pros

• Well-established in the industry.

• Frequent and ongoing promotions.

• 33+ Football betting markets.

• Many accepted payment methods.

Betfred Cons

• No esports betting markets.

Betano Overview

Betano is a new recruit amongst the best football betting sites. Considering its introduction only came back in 2023, it has asserted itself right at the top of the game with its fantastic, modern platform. 

Its sleek black-and-red site design really draws you in to explore. Whether you are using the site or the Betano mobile app, everything is easy to find and super responsive. Another strong feature of this online football betting platform is the available customer support. Many options are available to reach the team, such as live chat and email, with 24/7 access to provide assistance should you need it. 

Football Betting Features at Betano

Whatever you follow in the world of football —the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, International football, and more—Betano is bound to have some odds on it. 

It has one of the most in-depth selections of football betting markets, supported by strong betting options. In particular, its selection of in-play odds competes up there with some of the best in the business. Punters can place their bets as the action happens on the likes of the next to receive a card and the next goalscorer, with the stats and odds updating in real-time, all while offering the most popular markets to bet on as well as match results, BTTS, over/under goals, correct score, and more. As new betting sites go, we were impressed by Betano's display of professionalism and extensive offering for its customers.

Promotions for Football Bettors

To be a top football betting site it is essential to provide frequent and valuable promotions for both new and existing customers to get the most out of their time at the site. 

This includes offering a competitive welcome bonus for new customers, which Betano has covered, where new sign-ups can claim free bets, enabling them to explore the site more. This increases the chances of them coming back and continuing, as they have been able to try out the site with no risk. There are also plenty of great opportunities to claim offers as an existing customer, where you can win free bets for every goal scored, price boosts close to kick-off, and enhanced offers on big matches and events.

Pros and Cons

Despite Betano being a relatively new entry into the world of football betting sites, it is not hanging around and has rapidly mixed with the big guns. Below, we have included some of the advantages and disadvantages of the up-and-coming football betting site.

Betano Pros

• Excellent customer support options.

• Good live streaming capabilities.

• Modern user interface.

• Wide selection of markets.

Betano Cons

• Fairly new betting site to the market.

William Hill Overview

Another experienced and established football betting site is William Hill. Operating since 1934, it is one of the top football betting sites UK punters have at their disposal. 

It does a stellar job of covering everything football bettors could want and need, even on the go, thanks to its mobile app and compatible website. Both, no matter what device you are accessing the bookmaker on, are easy to navigate and locate what you want, with menus for everything. The platform is responsive and intuitive, two features that extend to the customer support provided by the brand. Easily reachable via email and live chat, the staff are superb, and there is also a strong FAQ page for answers to everything you could possibly want to know. It also accepts many common payment providers, allowing users to make safe and secure transactions.

Football Betting Features at William Hill

If you are after a bit of everything when it comes to your football betting, William Hill is the place for you. 

With one of the largest selection of leagues, competitions and more covered, punters can get involved with plenty of in-play betting opportunities and special markets from corners, cards, goalscorers, and more! With highly competitive odds already, there are still opportunities to claim enhanced odds and price boosts that are generous at William Hill, especially when compared to other competitors. 

Promotions for Football Bettors

Another feature William Hill does well is providing several great promotions tailored specifically to football fans, punters and players. 

This starts right from sign up with a welcome offer up for grabs that is one of the most rewarding around. There are plenty more offers whether you are a new, existing, or loyal customer, claim free bets, cashout offers, in-play promotions, and more throughout your time at the bookmaker. There is even acca insurance offers too, to protect your acca bet from being let down by just one leg.

Pros and Cons

Even with the experience and length of time operating in the industry as William Hill has been, there will always be things that can be improved and changed as time goes on. Below we have taken a brief look at the advantages and disadvantages of this well establishing football betting site.

William Hill Pros

• Experienced and established football betting site.

• Simple sign-up process.

• Generous offers.

• Top live streaming service.

William Hill Cons

• The website could be considered cluttered.

Best Football Betting Sites Comparison

bet365

• Minimum Deposit: £5

• Cashout Option: ✅

• Live Streaming: ✅

• Mobile App: ✅

Fitzdares

• Minimum Deposit: £10

• Cashout Option: ✅

• Live Streaming: ✅

• Mobile App: ✅

Betfred

• Minimum Deposit: £10

• Cashout Option: ✅

• Live Streaming: ✅

• Mobile App: ✅

Betano

• Minimum Deposit: £5

• Cashout Option: ✅

• Live Streaming: ✅

• Mobile App: ✅

William Hill

• Minimum Deposit: £5

• Cashout Option: ✅

• Live Streaming: ✅

• Mobile App: ✅

What's on this Week? (16th-22nd December 2024)

The festive football continues this week as League Cup quarter-final action gets underway, alongside the WCL, EFL and Premier League. 

Monday Night Football sees a struggling West Ham side travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth. Tuesday and Wednesday will feature big games in the Women’s Champions League, including Real Madrid vs Chelsea, Arsenal vs Bayern Munich, and Barcelona vs Manchester City.

Wednesday also sees three quarter-finals in the League Cup as Arsenal host Palace, Newcastle United host Brentford, and Southampton host Liverpool. Thursday follows with Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United. Chelsea are in Conference League action on Thursday night, too, as they host Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

The weekend is business as usual across the football league, with Aston Villa vs Manchester City the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday. Saturday Night Football sees Palace welcome The Gunners.

On Sunday, Everton will start the day by welcoming Chelsea to Goodison Park at 2pm, with three other games running alongside. Spurs vs Liverpool will conclude the day's action with a 4:30pm kick-off.

How we Choose the Best Football Betting Sites

Licensing and Regulation

Before signing up for any football betting sites, it is important to check that the site is licensed. This must have been issued by a reputable gambling authority such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). 

It is particularly important for betting sites to hold a license, as it must adhere to strict regulations to ensure fair play, security, and transparency to its players. This includes audits of its odds, the inclusion of responsible gambling tools, secure payments and encryption software to protect customer data. Betting with a non-licensed betting site makes you more vulnerable to fraud and unfair practices.

Market Coverage

Having an extensive market coverage is essential to be one of the best football betting sites. Covering all of the top domestic leagues including the Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga, European tournaments like the Champions League and Europa League, major tournaments such as The World Cup and The Euros, as well as smaller leagues and competitions offers many more opportunities for betting.

While all the top leagues and tournaments will attract interest from casual fans and punters, the smaller leagues will provide opportunities for an audience who would not otherwise get involved with a betting site, as the leagues they follow are not always available. This also means there are plenty of betting markets running throughout the year between the summer and international breaks in English football, allowing for betting all year round.

Quality of Odds

So, does it matter that much if the odds are challenging those available from other betting sites? In fact, it does. The odds directly impact how much you could potentially win if your bet is successful. Therefore, taking the time to find the best odds available will maximise your potential returns. 

There are two ways that odds can be represented at betting sites and in the UK these are typically fractional odds. For instance, the odds 5/1 would mean that a £1 bet could return £5 if it was to win. This is generally plus the original stake as well, resulting in £6 total.

Bonuses and Promotions

Welcome bonuses

A welcome bonus is the biggest and best offer that users will find at football betting sites. Available to new customers when signing up for the first time, they tend to be of more value or contain more than one offer. Bettors should always look for a strong welcome bonus with a low or no minimum deposit.  

Pros:

• Valuable Offer

• Easy to Claim

Cons:

• Only for new customers

Free bets

Free bets present a great opportunity for bettors to place their bets on matches without spending any money. Available across some of the biggest matches, place a bet for free and keep your winnings if your bet wins! These are great for trying out new markets and betting types risk and worry-free!

Pros:

• Available for both new and existing customers

• Try out new bets and markets for free

Cons:

• Wagering requirements

Loyalty programs

Loyalty programs are a great way to reward and encourage customers' continued loyalty and show them they are noticed and appreciated. They provide that extra incentive for frequent customers at a football betting site by issuing exclusive rewards and offers. 

Pros:

• Encourage continued return custom

• Provides incentive to stick with one betting site over another

Cons:

• Rewards similar to regular offers and promotions

Live Betting and Streaming

Live betting and streaming options are becoming the most sought-after features of football betting sites. These are key features of all the top sites and must be present for any site to remain a top choice for punters. 

Placing in-play bets according to the live action as it is happening provides excitement and anticipation, adding a bit of suspense to your betting experience. Things can change fast in a match, and great live odds, regularly updated and valuable, provide opportunities for punters to grab a great deal. Offering football live streams also encourages bettors to get involved with in-play markets while watching alongside, never missing any of the action. Having both live betting and streaming available means everything can be done all in one place. 

Mobile Compatibility

It is now essential the best football betting sites offer a mobile-friendly platform or dedicated app to allow users to place bets on the go from wherever they are. It is also particularly crucial during live games. 

Where odds can change fast and you need quick and convenient access to the platform, simply loading the site up on your phone or opening the app means you can check on your bets, cash out, and place new ones without needing a desktop. A responsive mobile app and site mean you never miss a thing, and punters can even set up notifications to help them stay up to date with their bets and the latest action.

Payment Methods

When using any of the best football betting sites in the UK, punters can expect smooth and seamless transactions that are quick and easy to make so as to not hinder their time at the site. 

This is because the sites accept many of the most popular and everyday payment methods that users will be familiar with for making deposits and withdrawals. This includes Visa/Mastercard debit, PayPal, Skrill, and direct bank transfers. Deposits and withdrawals will not only be safe and secure, but fast too! With many deposits being instant and withdrawals as quick as 48 hours.

Unique Features

Alongside all of the other great features at football betting sites, there will be unique features to certain sites that can not necessarily be found everywhere else. 

An example of a more unique feature to football betting sites specifically are cashout features. These allow punters to secure a portion of their winnings or minimise losses mid-game by ‘cashing out’ if a game is not going in favour of the bet. It is a great way to get your initial wager amount back to place another bet. Another one of the unique features to look out for are bet builders. These have become increasingly popular for creating customised football bets and provide a great opportunity for more personlised bets and enhancing your potential winnings.

How to Sign Up to a New Football Betting Site

It is really simple to sign yourself up with any football betting site as a new customer. We have provided a guide below to help you get started at one of the best football betting sites UK, bet365.

1. First, head to the bet365 website or app and click ‘Log In’. A box should pop up to enter your username and password. In the bottom left-hand corner should be a ‘Join Now’ button - click here.

2. You should now be taken to the bet365 ‘Join Us’’ page. Here, you will be given a form and asked to select your country of residence. Fill out the form and enter your personal details. These include your email address, mobile number, full name, date of birth and nationality. 

3. The next step of signing up is to enter your address, followed by choosing your personal login details. You must make a username and password for your account to use each time you log in.

4. If you have a new customer bonus offer you wish to claim, enter it once you have completed the registration form. When creating your unique login, a ‘bonus code’ box should appear underneath. Enter your code here and press ‘Join bet365.’

5. bet365 requires all new sign-ups to verify their accounts. To do so, log in to your account and click the ‘Verify Now’ button. Complete the process following the necessary steps from the bookmaker.

6. Once you have completed the verification process, wait for the site to confirm it, and your account should be ready to go.

7. Now, you should be able to go ahead and make a deposit into your account and start your betting journey with the best football betting site in the country!

Football Betting Markets Explained

Any of the best football betting sites will feature a vast, diverse range of football betting markets, ensuring that they cater to most football fans' and punters' preferences. We have looked at some of the most popular markets below and explained them in more detail.

• Match Result - If you want a quick and easy football bet to place, match result is the one for you. Simply correctly choose the winner of a match and get it right for your bet to win! There is no need to correctly predict the score with this bet.

• Over/Under Goals - Place your football betting wager on there to be ‘over’ or ‘under’ a certain number of goals scored in match. Often set by the betting site, get your bet right and it should win! For example, a match where three goals are scored and you have bet on there to be over 2.5 goals, this bet should come in.

• BTTS - One of the most popular markets at football betting sites is both teams to score (BTTS). With this bet, there is no need to worry about who might win the match, you just need both sides to score at least one goal apiece.

• Correct Score - If you enjoy having a punt on the score at full time, place a Correct Score bet. Get the winning side and the score right to win!

• First Goalscorer - Do you have an idea who might score first in a match? You can back your prediction by placing a first goalscorer bet. If your selection scores the first goal of the match, you should win!

Betting on Major Football Tournaments

When it comes to football, there are so many major tournaments and competitions that punters can get involved with at their chosen football betting sites. Whether it's the FA Cup or the World Cup, we have looked below at the major betting tournaments for users of the best football betting sites and why they are so popular.

• Premier League - The most exciting and intense league in football, the Premier League is the most popular and unpredictable of them all. WIth over 4 billion people tuning into to watch, it is no wonder it is one of the most popular leagues to bet on.

• Champions League - The pinnacle of European football, the Champions League sees the best teams across Europe battle it out to be crowned ‘Champions of Europe’. It features teams such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

• The FA Cup—The oldest national football competition, the FA Cup sees teams from across the country and the football league compete in knockout stages. There has been a history of some great upsets in the tournament, with non-league sides knocking out the big dogs in the Championship and Premier League.

• The World Cup - Held every four years in the summer months, the World Cup sees the best countries in the world battle it out and bring fans together worldwide. Argentina won the most recent tournament in 2022. 

• European Championships - The Euros are also held every four years, but two years between the World Cup, ensuring fans are not left football-less for too many summer breaks. Teams across Europe compete to become European champions, a tournament dominated by Spain and Germany.

Football Betting Site VIP & Loyalty Programs

A consistent feature across all of the best football betting sites is the opportunity to benefit from site-specific VIP and loyalty programs.

Loyalty programs are designed to reward frequent returning customers. They show bettors that their custom is appreciated, recognised, and encouraged to continue. Customers are often automatically enrolled into a site's loyalty program when they create an account. They benefit from exclusive rewards such as cashback, free bets, and personalised offers.

Often, a more exclusive club once you are a part of a football betting site loyalty program are VIP programs. These tend to be reserved for high-rollers and much more frequent bettors. VIP programs tend to use tiered reward systems that bettors can climb up the ladder or levels to reach an even higher status. For example, this could be a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiered system. The higher tier you are, the more enhanced your rewards. Benefit from perks such as higher betting limits, faster withdrawals, luxury gifts and tailored promotions, just to name a few. 

Top Tips for Betting at Football Betting Sites

To ensure you have the best experience possible at your chosen football betting site, we have put together some tips for making the most of your betting experience. Stick with us below to find out more!

Gamble Responsibly

All football betting sites in the UK must have responsible gambling features, which is a legal requirement of all sites regulated by the UKGC and MGA. Whether or not you need them, you must check they are there. These include deposit limits, account time limits, timeouts, and the relevant information to contact for further support. 

Look at team and player performance

To try and get the most out of your football bets, you may benefit from doing some extra research. This could be looking at the recent form of the side you are looking at betting on the previous results in the same fixtures. If you are looking at a specific player bet, check out their performances and stats from recent games, are they in form on a good run, have they been injured or left on the bench? All of these things should be considered before confirming and placing your bet.

Try out different football betting markets

Football betting sites will have a wide range of different betting markets from which you can choose. With so much available in the game to place a bet on, customers will usually be spoiled for choice. If you tend to stick to what you know, why not try out a new market? Take your pick from first goalscorer, score anytime markets, bookings, corners and more!

Take advantage of bonuses and promotions

Online football betting sites will always have bonuses and promotions running for customers. Whether you are a new customer, an existing customer or a frequent, loyal customer, take advantage of the various offers available to you to get the most out of your betting experience. Claim free bets, cashback offers, cashouts, odds boosts, loyalty bonuses and more.

Use a trusted football betting site

Finally, we recommend ensuring you are using a trusted football betting site. This can be any of the sites we have recommended within this article; we would only recommend reputable and trustworthy betting sites. Before choosing where to sign up and play, check that the site has a license from a reputable gambling authority such as the UKGC or MGA. Check out user reviews and payment methods, and check for a site's reputation in the industry.

Responsible Gambling

If you should have any questions or concerns regarding your time and activity spent at any of these top football betting sites, there should be various responsible gambling tools available to help. These include self-help tools, such as the ability to set time limits on your account so that you can only use it for a certain amount of time, deposit limits to prevent any more spending beyond your set amount, and timeouts to not allow you to use your online football betting account. Finally, there will also be details on how to contact the relevant helplines and receive further support should you think you have a gambling problem.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I bet on live football matches?

Yes! Bettors can get involved with live in-play betting markets during a match.

Can I get football free bets?

Football betting sites can run promotions where punters can receive some free bets to use on football markets.

Are football betting sites legal in the UK?

Yes, as long as the football betting sites have a license issued from the UKGC or any reputable gambling authority, it is legal to operate in the UK.

What is a betting exchange?

A betting exchange allows punters to place bets against each other rather than just placing bets at normal bookies. 

What is the best betting bonus at football betting sites?

The best online football betting bonus customers can find at any of these sites is free bet bonuses and cashout offers.

Can I get the best football betting sites on my mobile?

Most of the best football betting sites are mobile-friendly, whether via a browser or an exclusive mobile app.