Betting Telegraph’s Online Sportsbooks Rankings
Sports betting is at an all-time high and finding the best online sportsbooks can be a challenge. However, you’ll be glad to know that Betting Telegraph is here to help. Our team has extensively tested and ranked the top sports betting sites to filter all the options available. We take multiple factors into account, including bonuses, odds, a variety of sports, and much more. Stick with us and find our verdict for the best sports betting sites.
Betting Telegraph’s Top 10 Online Sportsbooks
We know that this is the part which is most sought after so we will not keep you waiting. Here are the top 10 best betting sites that made the cut after our extensive research.
Bet365
If you are into sports wagering, you have heard of bet365. This bookmaker is one of the largest and most reputable top betting sites in the industry, offering dozens of sports and hundreds of betting markets. One of the reasons it became highly popular is its innovative features, such as the bet builder, the ability to edit your bets, and partial cashouts.
Betway
Betway is a British bookmaker founded in 2006. It is often referred to as one of the best football betting sites due to its partnerships with Premier League clubs and a massive variety of markets, including the top European leagues. It offers various exciting promotions, including free bets, cash rewards, and boosted odds.
888 Sport
888 Sports is one of the sports bet sites that has been around the longest, first appearing in 1997. Its reputation among the best betting sites is backed by an extensive list of sports markets, competitive odds, and solid bonuses with more than fair wagering requirements. 888 Sports is also known as one of the best horse racing betting sites due to its streaming service, which features races from major competitions across the UK.
Unibet
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Betfair
Innovation has always been a priority at Betfair and it helped solidify its reputation as one of the best betting sites in the business. The main feature that distinguishes this bookmaker is the Betfair Exchange, which is a betting marketplace where punters can trade on odds on how various events will end. The bookie also offers detailed betting guides and a mobile app for Android and iOS.
Paddy Power
Paddy Power is an Irish bookmaker that was founded in 1988 and entered the online sports betting business in 2000. It is especially popular among horse racing fans due to its ample event coverage and best odds guarantee. Other resources available at Paddy Power include a weekly rewards programme, a bet builder feature, and a cashout feature.
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes has been around since 1902, making it the oldest bookmaker in our list of top betting sites. This bookie has come a long way over the past century and managed to stay current, offering great live streaming options and GetAPrice – an innovative tool for tailoring your bets.
Bet-at-Home
Bet-at-home is a popular bookie with over 20 years of expertise. Its main features include a selection of over 50 sports with in-play betting, fair odds, and multiple promotions for new and existing customers. Bet-at-home also benefits from safe and fast payment methods like PayPal, Paysafecard, and Skrill.
NetBet
NetBet made it into our list of the best betting sites due to its consistency. Throughout the years, NetBet has offered punters hundreds of betting markets per event, an extensive in-play betting section, and exciting promotions. The bookie also has a cashout feature available for single and Acca bets.
betsafe
Betsafe is considered one of the top betting sites for mobile users. Its Android and iOS apps are designed to work seamlessly across all your devices so you can always be on top of the action no matter where you are. The bookmaker also offers an extensive sports selection and regular promotions, including boosted odds, free bets, and other offers.
How Do We Decide Which Are The Best Sportsbooks?
When we talk about the best online sportsbooks around, we really mean it. We don’t want you to waste any time playing at subpar online bookmakers, so our team rigorously tested all kinds of betting sites in the search for the top contenders for our list. Whenever we grade an online bookmaker, we evaluate its efficacy based on several key parameters, which we’ve outlined below. So, you can rest assured that all of our recommended sites deliver on all fronts.
Welcome Offers and Promotions
Welcome bonuses are crucial to both you and the bookmaker. They draw more traffic to the site while allowing you to win legitimate real money prizes for free. That’s why we look deep into a site’s promotional deals, ensuring their terms and conditions are adequate and delivering a transparent and fair bonus to the punters who claim them. We also take a site’s variety of promotions into consideration, making sure you have plenty of free bets and boosted odds to keep you busy, long after the welcome offer has been exhausted.
Odds and Pricing
The best odds possible are imperative to your betting. Online sportsbooks are constantly looking to offer great odds on your wagers, vying for the chance to have you pick them over others. We make sure bookmakers’ claims about their odds are legitimate, while also comparing their figures with other sports betting sites that offer similar betting markets. This process can sober up some exaggerated claims or verify legitimate ones, giving you a more precise set of expectations.
Market Variety
Betting is a nuanced activity, with plenty of betting markets to be found within each sport. The best online bookmakers must offer you all the possible sports to bet on, with extensive betting markets that allow you to place all kinds of wagers. This is why we make sure our top picks have the vastest selections possible, with plenty of supported sports and varied markets to bet on. Whether you’re looking to wager on the Grand National or wish to bet on a Champion’s League final, the best bookmakers out there need to offer you these possibilities.
Bet Builders
Bet builders have become increasingly relevant in the world of online sports betting. These sophisticated tools give you free rein to set target odds for the events you’re interested in, allowing their algorithm to determine an adequate bet slip that meets your requirements. In our analysis, we compare the top bet builders in the market, making sure our top picks offer you a user-friendly experience with plenty of special features.
Mobile Experience and Mobile App
Mobile betting is a must in today’s world, and the least we can expect is for an online sportsbook to offer you a seamless experience across all desktop and mobile devices. You must be able to enjoy the process on both Android and iOS systems, with features that adapt accordingly to your device’s screen size and touchscreen capabilities. We make sure our recommendations give you mobile apps that excel in stability, speed, features, and accessibility. If bookmakers don’t offer an app, we test their site’s responsive design through a mobile browser, holding it accountable to the same standards as a dedicated mobile app.
Variety of Payment Methods
Financial transfers are a crucial part of any betting experience, and we want you to have myriad payment methods at your disposal. Our top sites give you a selection of varied providers to choose from, including e-wallets, debit cards and bank transfers. We also make sure their processing times are as quick and efficient as possible, giving you less time to wait and more time to wager. Furthermore, online bookmakers need to encrypt your personal and financial data using high-level SSL technology, preventing any unauthorized access to your account.
Early Payouts
Mobile betting is a must in today’s world, and the least we can expect is for an online sportsbook to offer you a seamless experience across all desktop and mobile devices. You must be able to enjoy the process on both Android and iOS systems, with features that adapt accordingly to your device’s screen size and touchscreen capabilities. We make sure our recommendations give you mobile apps that excel in stability, speed, features, and accessibility. If bookmakers don’t offer an app, we test their site’s responsive design through a mobile browser, holding it accountable to the same standards as a dedicated mobile app.
Withdrawal Speed
Whenever you land a big win, you know you want to withdraw it as soon as possible. This is why we prioritise withdrawal speeds in our analysis. We grade bookmakers based on both the speed of the withdrawal process they offer, as well as the security that protects it. In all our assessments, we test out all of the available payment options, giving you a clearer look at what the average withdrawal time is for each option.
Safety and Fairness
We know that above all else, safety and fairness are an absolute priority whenever you’re picking an online bookmaker. The safest sites out there are all licensed by respected gaming regulators such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and/or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). These gaming commissions only give out their license to bookmakers who adhere to their strict rules, ensuring a safe and fair environment for you to place your wagers. We even take things a step further, making sure our top picks are proven fair by independent auditors.
Customer Support
Your betting experience wouldn’t be complete without robust customer support. We start by looking into a site’s FAQ section, making sure their compendium tackles a wide array of issues through a user-friendly format. Additionally, we make sure that the site has great channels of direct communication, with email and live chat services that should run on a 24/7 basis. We contact these services first-hand, rating them on their response time, friendliness, expertise, and efficiency.
Key Features To Keep An Eye On
All bookmakers have the same basic features, so they are constantly searching for ways to stand out in the crowd. The most common tactic involves creating a unique selling point – a critical feature that allows the best sports bet sites to stand out from their competitors, as you will see below:
Enhanced Markets
When researching betting sites with the best odds, you should also pay attention to enhanced markets. Bookmakers usually boost the odds of particular events to make them more attractive to punters. Betting with enhanced odds can allow you to win larger payouts without making riskier bets.
Live Streaming
Live streaming lets you watch your favourite sports games and matches directly within betting apps or desktop sites. It is one of the most sought-after features, especially for football betting sites. Before getting started, we recommend checking if your chosen bookmaker offers this resource, as it drastically improves the in-play betting experience. It is often required that you have money in your player account or an active bet to enjoy this feature.
Bet Builders
The bet builder is an excellent resource for beginners and experienced punters alike. It allows you to set target odds within the same event. Then, an automated algorithm selects markets that match your setting, then creates a personalised bet that equals your requested odds. You can also remove or add selections, giving your bet a personal twist.
Partial Cashouts
With partial cashout, you can select a percentage of the stake you would like to withdraw instead of settling the bet for a smaller return. This way, you will be able to secure part of your stake or use the withdrawn funds to place other bets while still having skin in the game.
Bonuses: An Explainer
You will first notice bonuses when you join an online sportsbook. These offers come in various forms and are used to attract new and regular punters, alike. Here are the most common offers you can find at some of the best betting sites out there:
Matched Deposit Bonus
First Deposit Bonus - Welcome Bonus
Perhaps the most popular bonus type around, first deposit bonuses give you a boost based on your initial deposit. This is typically presented as a match deposit bonus, although in some cases, it offers a fixed number of free bets. As a new punter, you are asked to make a first deposit and if you satisfy the minimum deposit requirement, you receive the bonus automatically. As with all bonus offers, this comes with a series of terms and conditions, which outline your max bet caps, minimum odds requirements, wagering requirements and more.
Matched Deposit Bonus
Matched deposit bonuses are used in both welcome and reload bonuses. They are generally presented in this format, 100% up to £100. This means that your deposit will be matched by 100% and can reach a maximum cap of £100. So, if you deposit £50, you will receive £50 in bonus funds. If you deposit £200, you can only receive a maximum of £100, following the bonus’ max cap. You receive your cash as bonus money, which will need to be cleared of all wagering requirements before it or any winnings you make using it can be withdrawn.
Free Bets
A popular bonus which you’ll find at most online bookmakers, free bets allow you to place bets on specific sports for free. These non-redeemable wagers have no withdrawable value, but they can be used to win real money prizes. A free bet offer can ask you to stake £10 for £30 free bets. This means that you need to wager £10 in real money, at the required odds before the bookmaker gives you £30 in free bets.
Money Back
Money-back deals are also known as insurance bonuses or risk-free wagers. They give you the chance to bet your initial deposit with added confidence, knowing that you’ll be reimbursed for your losses. So, if you find a £20 money-back deal, this means that the first £20 you lose on wagers will be reimbursed to your account. Although some sites give you the cashback in real money, others give you free bets instead, which come with their own restrictions including wagering requirements, minimum odds, and restricted betting markets.
Enhanced Odds
Provided as both welcome bonuses and running promotions, enhanced odds boost your chances on specific bets. This is not done across the board, but instead online bookmakers pick particular sporting events and increase the odds on some of their betting markets. So, if you get this deal on a ‘first to score’ bet on a particular football game, the odds for that wager can be enhanced from 4/1 to 10/1, increasing your potential for better returns.
Choosing your Online Sportsbooks
The online betting industry is bigger than ever and there are no signs of slowing down with new bookmakers surfacing regularly. This is great because we get more options to choose from. Of course, picking just a few of the best betting sites isn’t always easy, but knowing what to look for can help. Betting Telegraph is always here to keep you on top of your game when choosing where and how to bet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Many variables go into choosing the best betting site, including bonuses, odds, payment methods, and customer support. Ultimately, the best sports betting site depends on your preferences.
Our team verified that bet365 offers the most consistent odds throughout the market, especially in football and horse racing. However, it’s always good to shop around and check the odds for the match/game you want to bet on.
The top sports betting sites are packed with exciting offers. You can grab free bets, deposit bonuses, enhanced odds, and other offers after creating an account.
Many of the online sports betting sites out there offer free bets. It’s all a matter of doing your research, checking out the bookmakers’ Promotions page and always reading through the T&Cs to make sure that the offer is really valuable.
The Betsafe app is considered one of the best around. It is available for iOS and Android devices and offers all the features of the bookmaker’s desktop version, including hundreds of markets, live betting, and cashout.
The Betsafe app is considered one of the best around. It is available for iOS and Android devices and offers all the features of the bookmaker’s desktop version, including hundreds of markets, live betting, and cashout.
It takes both skill and luck to consistently pick winning bets. At the end of the day, anything can happen. A penalty kick in overtime can ruin an entire acca. Doing your research and understanding the sports betting world really helps with making better decisions, though.
Sports betting is legal in India. While there are restrictions on betting services being offered within India’s borders; there are plenty of reputable European casinos that allow people to register and bet at online sportsbooks without concerns or issues.
You can claim a betting bonus by opting in or using a promotional code. Check the relevant box during the registration process to opt-in for bonuses. To use a code, all you have to do is enter it in the corresponding field.