Best Live Betting Sites in the UK for 2024

In a bid to bring you only the best in-play bookies, we concentrated on a series of criteria. If you're looking for your own betting sites, this is a helpful guide to use.

• Speed of live betting updates: We checked how fast these sites roll out information on ongoing matches. A smart in-play betting service will update its live scores and odds in real-time, ensuring that you always have the most up-to-date information as the game unfolds.

• Range of sports market: We also checked the range of sports. A good sportsbook should cover a wide range of sports, including football, horse racing, and tennis, as well as covering sports in both major and minor leagues worldwide.

• Live stream available: We also looked at the availability of live streaming features. The live streaming feature is getting more and more popular by the day and helps you stream matches on your betting account. Four out of the five sites we listed have live-stream features, with Kwiff still earning its spot thanks to its excellent updates.

• Licence: To be recommended on BestGamblingSites, a sportsbook must have a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This ensures they are safe, secure, and fair for all UK bettors.

• Bonuses and Promotions : Part of the fun of signing up to a new site is snagging a great bonus. We favour sportsbooks with a generous welcome bonus, as well as regular promotions for existing customers. A loyalty or VIP scheme is a plus.

• Mobile Compatibility: Most bettors in the UK access their chosen bookie via mobile. So, we ensure that all of the sites we recommend either have dedicated mobile apps, or a properly optimised mobile site.

• Customer Service: Even at the best live betting sites, things can go wrong. It's in these moments that it's essential to be able to get in touch with a helpful customer service team. Live chat, a phone-line, social media channels, and an email address are all attributes that we look for.

• Terms and Conditions: Nobody likes to read the terms and conditions, that's why we do it for you. We look for clear, fair terms for all aspects of the online betting site. That includes: wagering requirements, minimum odds, payment terms, and more.

In-play betting, commonly known as live betting, allows you to wager on live sporting events. It can be useful if you missed betting on a game before it started. Live betting is growing in popularity, with only a few bookies in the UK lacking a live betting facility.

The steps for placing in-play or live bets may differ depending on the betting site you use. However, the following points cover the basics across all betting sites. As our top live betting site, our steps use Bet365 as an example.

Log into your betting account

Log in to Bet365 or your chosen live betting site.

Navigate to the in-play section

Head to the live betting/in-play section of the bookmakers site.

Choose your sports and events

Browse the available in-play markets

Analyse the odds and statistics

Once you've analaysed the odds, it's time to bet. Place your bets and monitor your game to see if you'd like to cashout early.

Live betting offers you a number of benefits, including excitement and the instant gratification of bets. However, there are some risks associated with in-play betting that you should be aware of. The following are the pros and cons of live betting:

Betting comes with inherent risk, but in-play betting can be even riskier. Before you place an in-play bet in the live betting section, you should check the match stats and live stream (if your site has a live stream feature). This will help you to understand the potential direction of the match. Check the available betting markets to see if the odds and options are favourable.

The option to cashout means you can take a percentage of the profits from an existing bet, before the event is finished. If it looks like your bet is very likely to land, then a bookmaker might offer you a lower value to cashout immediately.

Used correctly, cashouts allow you to lock in profits on your bets at a live betting site. Not all in-play betting sites offer this option, so if you're keen to have use of a cashout feature, make sure to check for one before signing up.

There are so many popular sports you can find on live in-play betting sites with the in-play bets feature. Some of these sports include:

In-play betting is revolutionising the entire sports betting industry, allowing you to place bets on sports events on the go. There are different types of in-play bets available for live streaming, and the following are some of them:

• Total over/under: The over/under total, usually known as the point total, is one of the most common types of bets available for in-play wagering. This in-play bet lets you forecast or place bets on whether the cumulative score of both teams in a game will be higher or lower than a predefined number.

• Bet Builder: Bet Builder is one of the most popular types of in-play bets available for live streaming. It allows you to place personalised bets - you can combine different in-play betting opportunities on a particular event in one bet, giving you the chance of winning bigger.

• Match result: This is arguably the most popular type of bet on pre-match and live bets. It requires you to predict the winner of the game or, in some cases, whether the game will result in a draw. They are often displayed as "1x2," with "1" representing the home team's win, "x" representing a draw, and "2" representing the away team's win.

There are numerous bonuses available at live betting sites. Learning a little about them can help you to choose the in-play betting site that offers bonuses that make sense for your betting style. Among these bonuses are:

• No deposit bonuses: No deposit bonuses are usually given to you only for signing up with a betting site. You do not need to deposit any real money to receive this bonus, as the name says. However, only a few sites give this incentive and those that do almost always attach high wagering requirements before withdrawal.

• Enhanced odds: Some online bookmakers offer enhanced odds - the sites increase the odds on certain betting markets in certain sports. This encourages you to bet on these events, but can also provide great added value if you were planning on betting anyway.

• Cashback bonuses: These bonuses offer a percentage cashback on your net losses. This is usually restricted to losses incurred within a specific period.

• Deposit bonuses: Deposit bonuses are most common when signing up to a new site. They will offer you a deposit match on your first deposit with them, anywhere from 50% to 300% is standard. There are almost always wagering requirements attached to these bonuses.

• Free bets: Free bets can come in the form of deposit or no-deposit bonuses. When signing up to a site you'll often be credited with free bets after making your first bet, this is a deposit bonus. Once you're a member of the site, you sometimes get sent free bets for your loyalty - this is a no-deposit bonus. Often free bets don't have wagering requirements attached - but you should still check!

There are so many live betting sites in the UK, but not all of them have a dedicated mobile app that can help you place live bets on your mobile devices on the go. The following are some of the best betting apps for live betting:

There are several payment methods you can use to deposit and withdraw on in-play betting sites. Thanks to UKGC licensing, all of these payment methods are safe, but some are faster than others. The following payment methods are some of the best payment methods on live betting sites:

• Visa/Mastercard debit cards: Depositing with this method is quite quick, and payment appears in your account immediately. Also, depending on the processing speed of your betting site, withdrawals via this method can be instant or within 24 hours. Make sure that you have fast funds enabled for the quickest withdrawals.

• PayPal: PayPal is a quick payment solution that can be found on all the best live betting bookmakers. Depositing and withdrawing funds via this method is exceptionally fast. Withdrawals can be completed instantly, depending on the sites' processing time frames.

• Skrill: Skrill is another popular payment platform that can be found on numerous sports betting websites. Skrill allows you to deposit and withdraw funds with swift confirmation. You should note that some sites do not honour bonuses when you deposit with Skrill.

• Trustly: Trustly works as an intermediary between your bank account and the betting site. It helps to speed up transactions and keeps your bank account details safe. Generally, payments are fast when using Trustly.

• Neteller: Neteller is an e-wallet that speeds up the banking process with gambling sites. Whilst it is safe, secure, and fast, it is often excluded from bonuses.

• Paysafecard/Neosurf: Both Paysafecard and Neosurf are prepaid cards that you can use to gamble anonymously at UK sites. They offer instant deposits without the need to share your bank details. However, very few gambling sites offer withdrawals using either of these methods.

• Apple Pay/Google Pay: Whether you're an Android or iOS user, increasingly more betting operators are offering the option to pay via Google Pay and Apple Pay. These offer average withdrawal times, but aren't yet as widely accepted as some other options.

There are some features that you should look out for before choosing to play at a live betting site. Some of these features include:

• Licence: Always look for a licence from the UK Gambling Commission before signing up to a betting site. This ensures that the platform is safe, secure, and fair for all bettors in the UK.

• Terms and conditions: Nobody enjoys reading through the terms and conditions, but it is incredibly important. In particular, check the payment terms, as well as specifics for bonuses that you want to claim.

• Bonuses: Bonuses and free bets aren't everything, but they can give a substantial boost to your bankroll. Look into how many bonuses are available for existing customers, as well as checking their terms.

• Live streaming: Live streaming gives you important information that can be used to place the right bets. You can use players' form, team strategy, and specific situations to make informed decisions on your bets.

• Match stats: Match stats are very important on live betting sites. They're similar to your game strategy. Imagine watching a soccer game, and instead of just rooting for your team, you have analytics informing you who is taking more shots and who is controlling the ball. It's real-time data, so you know exactly what's going on and place your bets accordingly.

Betting is inherently risky, but that's also part of the enjoyment of it. As long as you bet within your means, you'll come to no harm. However, the following tips can help you navigate live betting safely:

• Stick to familiar sports and leagues: When you're familiar with a sport or league, you have a better understanding of the rules, player dynamics, team strategies, and historical trends.

• Use live streams: Watching live streams of your desired game can help you analyse and understand the direction of the game before placing your bets.

• Read the match stats: Before putting bets on any ongoing match, you should always examine the statistics. You may find facts such as total corners, the next team to score, which side wins the first half, and much more to assist you in making informed decisions.

• Always bet within your means: It can be tempting to chase losses, or just place one more bet, but don't. It's important to set a budget and stick to it.

The following are some other types of bet available at sports betting platform

• Pre-Game Betting: Pre-game betting, also known as pre-match betting, is one of the oldest methods of betting and is still accessible for online sports betting. It involves evaluating various factors before placing a bet, such as head-to-head, historical performance of players, and number of trophies won. It is thought to be safer than live betting.

• Multiple Bets: Multiple bets involve placing numerous picks (e.g., team victories, over/under scores) on separate events, and all selections must win for the bet to win. This means that even a single wrong prediction leads to a loss on your bets, making them more risky but also more rewarding than single bets.

• Accumulator Bets: Accumulator betting, often known as "acca" or "parlay", is a high-risk, high-reward method used often in live sports betting. It merges numerous separate wagers (usually four or more) into a single stake in which all selections must win for the overall bet to be successful.

Yes, live betting sites that are licensed and regulated are safe. It always pays to read the terms and conditions, because even safe sites aren't all held to the same moral standards. For example, some betting sites offer quick payouts with no fees, while others may charge fees for withdrawals, lengthen payment processing times, or hold unfair bonus requirements.

We've checked the terms on all of the live betting sites that we have recommended on this page, so you are 100% safe to use these ones.

Yes. Live betting can be a fun and sometimes even profitable experience. Before opening an account on any live betting sites, make sure you check for a licence and read those T&Cs. Following responsible gambling techniques, such as setting deposit and loss limits is also a great idea.

At BestGamblingSites we want our readers to enjoy betting on sports and stay safe when doing so. To stay safe when betting we advise you to:

• Establish a budget: Set yourself a financial limit before you start betting. Adhere to this budget strictly and do not chase losses.

• Manage time wisely: Set specific time boundaries for betting. If you're betting a lot, then take a break. Most UK betting platforms offer timeout options to assist with this.

• Emotionless decision-making: To ensure responsible gambling, it is crucial to detach emotions from the betting process. Recognise that luck plays a role, and that heightened emotions can lead to poor choices. Take a pause.

• Avoid pursuing losses: Although betting losses are undesirable, resist the urge to chase them. Doing so can exacerbate errors in judgment. Most UK betting platforms offer payment caps to assist with this.

• Understand the risks: Gain comprehensive knowledge about the potential risks associated with betting. Acknowledge that the odds generally favour the house and approach betting as entertainment, rather than a reliable source of income.

• Do not borrow to bet: Refrain from borrowing funds for betting purposes. This practice can lead to financial distress and a cycle of debt. Only utilise disposable income for betting.

• Seek assistance when necessary: If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling addiction, do not hesitate to seek support from dedicated organisations or helplines. These resources provide valuable assistance, guidance, and access to relevant tools for overcoming gambling-related challenges.