How to Choose the Best Live UK Betting Sites
Live betting, or in-play betting, is a form of gambling that allows you to place bets during a running event, while pre-game betting is simply the action of placing a bet on an event before it starts. Live betting is way faster than pre-game betting as the odds can change rapidly, while the markets can be suspended during the action.
Regarding the bookmakers that offer live betting, it can be a thorough task to find the best betting sites in the industry and that’s because the operators are continuously improving the design and features of their website. There are a couple of key factors to consider when searching for the best live UK bookmaker:
Extra features
There is a whole world of online bookmakers offering different benefits to attract bettors. All these aspects presented above can tell you if a bookmaker is good enough to make you join or not, but it might take a while to verify all of them.
This is actually our job to do and we have already done it for you, as we have created a list with the best live UK bookmakers. You can also read our bookmaker reviews to check out the features of each bookie we have displayed on our pages.
How We Review and Rate the Best In-play Betting Sites
- First of all, the main factor we take into consideration is the multitude of betting events and markets available. Usually, the best betting sites are the ones that offer a wide range of events such as minor tournaments, competitions or obscure leagues. Furthermore, a reputable in-play betting bookmaker will offer a diversity of betting markets which gives you the ability to find value when the prices in the regular markets aren’t great.
- Secondly, another key factor that might show you the quality of an online bookmaker is the odds competitiveness. It’s not easy to determine the price value when it comes to in-play betting, but we have compared dozens of betting sites according to the odds fluctuations.
- Good value odds can play a huge role in your account balance, so it doesn’t matter the sport you bet on, it’s always necessary to compare odds between bookmakers.
- Almost every online bookmaker offers live betting stats during an in-play match. For example, if you’re a football fan, then you will be able to see the possession percentage, corners, free kicks, etc. Furthermore, modern betting sites also provide its customers with betting stats for pre-game events and fixtures. Live streaming service is also important because watching a live event can provide you with better knowledge about how the game goes.
Key characteristics for the UK bookies
Probably the most important aspect you want to look for before joining an online bookmaker is the betting licence. All the bookmakers in the UK should have a valid licence from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. You can check if a bookmaker has a valid licence by visiting the Gambling Commission website.
However, every bookmaker in the United Kingdom is obliged to display their licence details on their website. This Commission’s main objective is to protect customers, so if you want to report something about a bookie, you can do it by contacting the UK Gambling Commission.
The next step is to find out which bookies accept British pounds, although all of the bookmakers that operates on the UK territory should accept Great British Pounds. Furthermore, most popular e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, NETELLER, UKASH, accept the pound as currency.
Another important topic that we want to go through regarding the UK bookmakers is the customer support service. The most reputable bookmakers in the UK will have the customer support services available 24/7 hours a day, seven days a week.
Furthermore, you will be able to get in touch with the customer team through several methods such as sending an email, filling in a contact form on the website, giving them a phone call or just texting in the live chat function. All these contact methods should be visible on each of the betting sites we have listed on our website. In addition, some of the best bookmakers in the UK come with good help files (FAQ section), which can sometimes provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Top 5 bookmakers for live betting
Bet365
Bet365 lead the market when it comes to live betting, or 'In Play' betting as they call it. They have amongst the highest number of sports and events covered and available to bet on, have the most markets per game, the odds are usually competitive and their live streaming service, allowing you to watch along to the game you have bet on is more thorough than most.
Pros:
Great range of promotions across several different sports as well as a generous welcome offer.
Bet Boosts with enhanced odds on selected markets.
Early Payout if your football team goes two goals ahead.
Cons:
Customers must have a positive account balance in order to view live streams of events.
Skybet
Skybet have a huge number of live betting options including horse races where the odds change quickly but it is still possible to get on. They have the option to watch a large number of sports and football and tennis are particularly attractive as there is an 'Opt In' promotion for both tennis and football refunding 10% of your weekly in play losses as cash.
Pros:
Great promotions and offers for existing customers
Live betting for all major sports
Streaming for all UK Horse racing
Cons:
Strict verification process
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes have a great in play betting system that has a larger than average number of matches covered and crucially the user interface is fantastic. There are live statistics allowing analysis as the game progresses alongside the current betting options and the odds available for each.
Pros:
High street brand name
Well designed site
Many bets available to cash out
Cons:
Quick to limit accounts
BetFred
BetFred have a great in play product and regularly run bonus promotions linked to this form of betting. Check the promotions page for the latest details and remember to 'opt in' if relevant. Most weeks there is at least one Free bet bonus available for betting in play.
Pros:
Bet online or in shop
All major and most minor sports covered
Best Odds Guaranteed and many extra place races each day
Cons:
You must have an active account to view live streams
Betfair
The first to introduce in play betting to the mass market Betfair still have a strong product, live streaming available for all UK and Irish horse racing and a large number of other sports too. They are the only bookmaker to accept Horse racing bets from the moment the tape goes up right through to when the horses have crossed the line, and even after that if there is a stewards enquiry. For maximum flexibility and control of your bets, managing the liability in play then Betfair is up there with the best.
Pros:
Sports and Exchange betting from one account
Great odds in the exchange
Generous promotions in the sportsbook
Cons:
Winning exchange customers may have to pay a Premium charge!
The Advantages of Inplay Live Streaming for Betting
There are many advantages to having live streaming of events while betting in play. We list some of them, here:
More exciting - watching the action live enables bettors to have a more immersive, engaging experience when betting. Some betting sites even allow you to place bets while streaming events in full screen mode, allowing you to be fully engaged in the game without having to switch off to bet.
Wiser bets - watching a live stream of the game enables bettors to see for themselves how each team or individual is playing during the event has it unfolds, which in turn allows them to make more informed bets.
Higher winnings - in play odds are often better value than pre match odds, because bookmakers will adjust the odds throughout the game, as it progresses. This means that bettors can take advantage of high odds, at different points in the game.
Advantages of Live Betting Apps
There are a number of advantages for using live betting apps for in play betting. We discuss some of them here.
Convenience - Most bettors will have their smartphone to hand most of the time, so live betting apps allow punters to bet wherever they like, whenever they like. There’s no need to be at home or own a computer to be able to place your bets.
Bonuses and Promotions - Often mobile betting sites will offer customers various bonuses and promotions for using their apps, which can offer bettors better value for money.
Quality Experience - The best live betting sites will offer live streaming of events, allowing their customers to watch a high quality live video of the event.
Top 3 Live Betting Apps
There are many good live betting apps available, but we only recommend the best. Read on to find out the top three live betting apps.
William Hill App
The William Hill App is available to both iOS and Android users and offers in play betting across a wide range of sports, including football, tennis, golf, baseball, cricket, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, Australian rules, E-sports, and beach volleyball. Other features of the William Hill app include:
Live streaming of many in play events for active, logged in users.
Cash Out available on selected live bets.
Great choice of live betting markets.
Request bespoke live bets with #YourOdds.
Unibet
Unibet have a dedicated menu icon on their mobile app home page for live streamed events, although customers will need to have a positive account balance in order to view the live video streams. As for in-play betting, it is available across a number of sports, including football, tennis, cricket, golf, Esports, table tennis, tennis and hockey. Available for both iOS and Android, other features of the Unibet app include:
Bet Builder feature available for some in play sports.
Comprehensive statistics for in play events.
Good range of ‘action bets’ - markets for prop bets during each few minutes of play.
Decent selection of promotions and Bet Boosts for enhanced odds.
Betway
The Betway live betting app has in play markets available for a great range of sports, including football, tennis, basketball, golf, cricket, Esports, table tennis, baseball, beach volleyball, cycling, field hockey, handball, volleyball, rugby union, rugby league, American football, hockey, futsal, Gaelic sports and motor sport. Other features of Betway’s live betting app include:
Bet Builder feature for in play football matches.
Cash out option for selected in play betting markets,
Play by play information on most in play events, to enable bettors to review the event thus far.
Range of promotions for both new and existing customers.
Top Popular Types of Sports on Betting Sites with Live Streaming
Football live streaming - Football is one of the most popular sports on betting sites, but because the big TV companies own exclusive rights to televise most UK and international football matches, they are generally not available with live video streaming at betting sites. However, some matches played in other countries will have live video streaming available, and those that do not will still likely have live streamed graphics to allow punters to keep up with the events of the match, alongside a range of in play betting markets.
Horse racing live streaming - Horse racing is another popular sport at betting sites with live streaming. Often, customers are able to watch live streams of their chosen race, once they have placed a bet on it or have a positive account balance.
Tennis live streaming - Tennis is a sport which often has live video streams available, but most live betting sites will also have live graphics streams available to allow punters to keep track of play, if a live video stream is not available.
Boxing live streaming - As with football, TV corporations generally hold the rights to televise boxing matches, but most live betting sites will offer in play betting markets for boxing matches.
Cricket live streaming - Cricket live streaming is generally available at some live betting sites, but customers are usually required to have a positive account balance or have placed a bet within the past 24 hours, in order to watch the live video stream.
Greyhound live streaming - Greyhound live streaming is available at several live betting sites, but customers usually need to have placed a bet on the race they would like to view, in order to have access to the live video stream.
Rugby live streaming - Some live betting sites allow customers to watch live video streams of Rugby Union games, but users are usually required to have a positive account balance in order to do so.
Golf live streaming - Golf is another popular sport that often has live streaming as an option at live betting sites. Customers are often required to have a positive account balance in order to view the live video stream, but some betting sites allow their customers to watch live for free.
Most Popular Types of Bets Available for Live Streaming
Of course, every live betting site is different and have their own offering when it comes to the types of bet available for live streaming. However, there are generally some key markets that are available as in play bets at live betting sites. We discuss the most popular in play bet types below:
Match Result
Probably the most popular in play bet type, with match result, you are simply betting on who you think is going to win the game that is currently being played.
Total Over/Under
With total over/under bets, you are betting on a key statistic in a game being over or under a certain amount. For example, in football you might be betting on the total number of goals being over or under 3.5, and in table tennis you might bet on the total number of game points being over or under 18.5.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets, also known as prop bets, are bets on events occurring that do not affect the final outcome of the game. Some examples of football prop bets might include player to score the first goal, or a particular player receiving a yellow card.
Bet Builder
Bet Builders are becoming increasingly popular at live betting sites. Essentially, punters can choose the exact details of the bet, adding multiple selections within a single game to build a bespoke bet.
Comparison of the Best Live Betting Sites
| Betting Site | Advantages | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
 Betfred |
High Street Brand Reliable Live Streams Many Payment Methods |
|
 QuinnBet |
Fast and Easy registration Existing User bonuses 30+ sports |
|
 Star Sports |
Best Odds Guaranteed Excellent Customer Support Many betting markets |
|
 888sport |
Quick Payments Great Odds High bet limits |
|
 BoyleSports |
User Friendly Mobile App Bet Builder Options Cash Out available |
Simple Bookies vs Live Betting Sites
You might be wondering whether it is best to use a simple bookmaker or a live betting site. Here, we discuss some of the reasons why you might pick one over the other.
Live betting sites are best:
If you want to follow the live events of a game that is not being televised.
If you want to learn more about how odds change throughout a match.
If you are looking for higher odds on your bet, as in play odds tend to be higher.
If you want to have a more exciting betting experience.
If you want to take advantage of in play promotions.
A simple bookmaker is best:
If you are new to sports betting.
If you are unsure about the rules of the game.
If you want to keep your level of risk as low as possible.
If you want to place your bet before the match and then enjoy watching it without distraction.
If there is a particular promotion that you want to take advantage of.
Best Payment Methods on In-Play Betting Sites
In play betting sites accept a range of different payment methods. We detail the main ones here:
PayPal - PayPal is an online E-wallet that allows bettors to keep their banking details completely confidential from the in play betting site. Users can transfer money into their PayPal account, then use this to fund their bookmaker account. Users simply need to provide their PayPal email address in order to deposit funds, which also avoids the details of the betting site appearing on their bank statement.
Skrill - similar to PayPal, Skrill is another online E-wallet. Like PayPal, Skrill allows bettors to keep their bank details private from online betting sites.
Neteller - yet another E-wallet, Neteller acts as a middle man between the betting site and the bettor’s bank account.
Debit Card - Debit card is the payment method that is most favoured by online betting sites. That is why promotions often only allow deposits via debit card to be eligible. Making a deposit at a betting site using a debit card is very similar to making any other online payment using a debit card. Simply enter your card details and the amount that you wish to deposit, then confirm the transaction. Of course, this means that details of the betting site will appear on the debit card user’s bank statement.
How to Make a Deposit
After you have registered with an online bookmaker, the next step is to make a deposit on your account. The minimum deposit limit differs from bookmaker to bookmaker, as well as the payment methods, verification process, etc. We provide you with all this info in our bookmaker reviews, but we’re going to explain all the important aspects on how to make a deposit in the following rows.
Some of the online bookmakers listed on our website, which are reputable brands in the UK, will need you to provide them with copies of your ID and a proof of address. This happens because the bookmakers need to comply with the UK Gambling Commission’s regulations regarding money laundering. The best advice is to follow the guidelines as all licensed bookmakers must follow the UKGC regulations.
As for the banking options, almost all of the UK bookmakers on our website accept the most popular payment methods such as debit cards, e-Wallets (PayPal, Skrill, NETELLER, Paysafecard), bank transfers and so on. Bookies will usually return any winnings to the same payment methods used to deposit.
Furthermore, e-Wallets banking options aren’t eligible for most of the bonuses and free bets offered by the bookmakers, but you can find more info by reading through our bookmaker reviews.
The top betting sites are…
Here at Legalbet we have also categorised the top betting sites and their features to make them easier for you to find. They are:
By Sport: Football | Tennis | Boxing | Cricket | Snooker | Golf | UFC | Darts | Greyhound | Rugby | Horse Racing | Basketball | Baseball | Formula 1 | Ice Hockey (NHL) | Volleyball | Cycling | Netball | AFL
By Payment Systems: PayPal | Skrill | Klarna | Boku | Debit Cards | Apple Pay | Paysafecard | Neteller | Google Pay | Prepaid Cards | Revolut
By Features: Cash Out | £5 Minimum Deposit | Minimum Bet Sizing | Live Streaming | Betting Exchanges | Safest | Fast Withdrawal | Daily Free Games | New Betting Sites | Horse Betting Apps | Football Betting Apps | Virtual Sports Betting Sites
By Events: Politics | WWE | NRL Grand Final | MLB World Series | Euro 2024
By Esports: CS:GO | Dota 2 | League of Legends | PUBG | Valorant | FIFA | CS:GO Betting Sites with Paypal
Frequently Asked Questions
Live Betting is a fast-paced form of betting, so it’s not exactly the right place for a new bettor. However, there some tips and tricks that might help you understand better the in-play action. It doesn’t matter if it’s live football betting or live golf betting, you still need to watch the entire match or event, as sometimes you can predict the outcome of the game while doing this.
The main idea of live betting is to find a little edge over the bookmaker in order to make a profit in the long term. Then, you need to make sure that you keep track on your bankroll if you’re going to place multiple live bets. Good bankroll management will help you place more bets and increase your winning chances.
Any of the online bookmakers we recommend on our website are licensed, safe and trustworthy. It’s up to your personal taste which bookmaker you choose, but going through our bookmaker reviews, you can make a better decision. Our experts are spending most of their days glued to their laptops in order to analyse the best betting sites and promotional bonuses, so you can have all the best info in one place.
In-play betting bonuses are designed to be used by bettors during a live match or event. Online bookmakers usually offer free bets as live betting bonuses, which are being credited after the customer places a qualifying pre-game bet.
For example, you can receive a £10 in-play bet if you wager £30 on a specific pre-game event set by the bookmaker. Some bookies can also reward their customers with risk-free bets that can be used only on the in-play market.
An in play bet is a bet that is placed while the game is currently being played, live.
No, bookmakers do not offer live betting markets for every sport. However, most offer a good selection of in play betting markets for the most popular sports.
Live betting sites offer odds on various aspects of the game, such as match bets, final score etc. The odds on these bets change as the game progresses, depending on how each team or individual is performing at that point in the game.
The main benefits of using a live betting site are that bettors are often able to watch a live stream of the event while placing their bets, and the odds on in play bets are often better value than pre match bets.
Yes, live betting sites are legal, provided that they are properly licensed and regulated by the appropriate authorities. This information can usually be found in the footer of the online bookmaker’s website.
Have a look at our suggestions in this article, to find the best live betting sites.
The risks associated with using a live betting site are the same as when placing any other bet online.
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