Top Online Bookmakers – Find The Best Online Sports Betting Sites

What Does It Take to Be a Good Bookmaker in the UK?

We should first appreciate that the competition within the massive online bookmaker industry is staggering. The number of online UK bookmakers is forever increasing. New online bookmakers surge onto the scene at a rapid rate, and for new UK customers selecting the best betting sites may seem intimidating.

This article aims to help guide a new customer into selecting the correct online bookmaker based on ratings, outlining features to search for and compare when looking into what it takes to be a good bookmaker in the UK. As there are so many sports bookmakers, look at our ratings and rankings as a starting point when selecting a new online bookmaker so that bonus.org will show you the endless sea of bookies.

License – Reputable and Trustworthy Bookmakers

When looking at UK bookmakers, a legitimate concern for any new customer will be the reliability of the operator and how regulated the online betting site is. All UK betting sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Other betting sites may be licensed by other gambling commissions depending on their location worldwide. The Gambling Commission lays down strict regulations that a licensed betting site must adhere to, and these regulations are there to protect the customer.

Well-established online bookmakers such as Paddy Power or William Hill generally have a good reputation as being reliable and trustworthy, backed up with a good user experience and ratings. New online bookies may not have an experienced reputation, but this is not to say the bookmaker is not trustworthy or reliable.

A new customer should always check that the bookmaker is legitimate and licensed, check terms and conditions and look for any poor reviews of the bookmaker, such as poor customer service or failure to payout. Online bookmakers without a license do not need to follow the regulations laid down by gambling commissions which can leave customers unprotected in the case of any wrongdoing.

What is the UK Gambling Commission?

All gambling in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Gambling Commission. This does not just include Bookmakers and online betting sites. It regulates all corners of gambling; Bingo, Lotteries, Casino’s, slot arcades and companies that provide the machines and the software.

The commission licences and regulates the businesses and people who work in or provide gambling in the United Kingdom. As well as laying down guidelines for the involved businesses and people to follow, the commission is also there to protect the public. Any complaints about transactions or services that customers may have encountered can be communicated to the commission. The commission also promotes safer gambling, gambling awareness, getting help, and avoiding fraud and scams.

A User-Friendly Website

There are two ways to define a user-friendly website. First, we refer to on-site navigation and the layout of the pages. Can visitors find what it is that they are looking for? How easy is it to encounter the most relevant sports? How long does the page take to load? Is a help section clearly labelled? What user ratings of the website are intuitive in their design that will naturally attract a more robust customer base.

The second point is that there should be numerous customer service options if an issue arises. Email, live chat widgets and a dedicated toll-free phone number are all recommended.

Sign-up Process of a Betting Site

For new customers, the first experience they will have once they have selected which online betting site to deposit with will be the sign-up process. The best betting sites will have a simple, streamlined and secure verification process which can also set an example to a new customer of how the rest of the online betting site will operate.

Nearly all online betting sites require the same customer information in the sign-up process. It is the ability to easily and securely input this information and the amount of time it takes the bookmaker to verify the details that a new customer should consider when deciding upon a new UK bookmaker.

Mobile Version of the Website and a Mobile App

A growing number of users are now accessing UK betting sites while away from the home or the office. So, it only stands to reason that every portal must be able to be fully displayed on a smartphone or a mobile device. This can help to accommodate the needs of those on the go, and once again, such an option is sure to attract a wider customer base.

Mobile applications have become synonymous with effective websites. And this same principle holds true within the world of sports bookmakers. A mobile apps enables clients to quickly and easily visit their account to view the latest sports standings and ratings. And perhaps most importantly, to take advantage of the best spreads when they become available. A mobile application also signals that the company is seeking to cater to the needs of its customer base.

The Variety of Sports Available at the Betting Site

The range of sports and sports betting markets available to customers differs from one UK bookmaker to another.  One of the main reasons new UK customers will sign up to a bookmaker is to place bets on their chosen sports and various sports available to place bets on. Nearly all

UK betting sites will offer sports betting markets on major sports such as football betting, horse racing, boxing and tennis. However, more and more online bookmakers are offering sports betting on the more niche markets and the more obscure sports. For example, when football betting, a punter may not just want to bet on matches in the Premier League but to look further afield and place bets on matches in the Dutch Eredivisie or the Australian A-League.

Other customers may be only concerned with horse racing betting and should look to select the best online bookmakers offering the best sports betting markets for horse racing. A new customer should search out the best betting sites for football or the best betting sites for horse racing, depending on their needs. The best online bookmakers will generally have a wide range of sports to place bets on and feature leagues and sports events worldwide.

Fixed Odds Betting

Fixed-odds betting is the most common form of betting that UK bookmakers offer. In general terms, it means that when making a bet with the bookmaker, the odds that the customer and bookmaker have accepted will remain the same without varying until the settlement of the bet. Whatever the price of the bet accepted at that time, no matter what happens in the market, the price will not change, compared to when a customer places a bet taking the starting price where the price of the odds at the beginning of the event are the odds placed by the bookmaker.

The advantage of placing a bet with fixed odds is mainly to secure the bet without the possibility of the odds changing, especially when betting on an event where the odds may change depending on the market. For example, betting on horse racing, where odds will fluctuate until the race starts, a customer can place a fixed-odds bet on a horse they believe is a good price.

The Number of Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Several benefits are associated with offering numerous deposit and withdrawal options. This enhanced odds and level of flexibility can cater to clients of all levels instead of only those who utilise specific tools such as Skrill or PayPal. Also, we should mention that a greater number of bookmakers’ payment methods tend to be associated with higher levels of security. Some of the most common forms include:

• Debit cards
• Direct debit
• Online payment portals such as Neteller and PayPal

Some bookmakers even accept Bitcoins as payment options, like Bitcoin.com Casino. A kaleidoscope of transfer methods is the hallmark of a reputable bookmaker site.

Withdrawal Times of a Bookmaker

As a rule of thumb, withdrawal times will vary depending on the service type employed. For example, PayPal states that an online transfer request will take two to three business days. Transfers directly into one’s bank account could take considerably longer.

Despite these general rules, it is still a fact that some UK bookmakers delay withdrawals. This is unwise, for clients are likely to become frustrated if their money is not sent as soon as requested. There can be cases when processing takes a day, but this is the maximum amount of allowable time. Summarily, quick withdrawal times reflect a transparent and efficient bookmaker.

High Betting Odds and High Payout Rates

Sports betting is primarily based on the odds offered, the inherent spreads and payout rates. One of the biggest selling points of any sports betting site is if the bookmaker offers the best odds available to the client and the payout rates are just as agreeable. According to analysts, the bookmakers average payout rate is approximately 90%. The remaining percentage is the calling rake (reserved for the bookmaker). While this may seem quite high, the fact is that some sports betting sites now offer figures as high as 95%. This is beneficial to the customer in question.

Odds are another major concern. These ratios will not only determine the payout in question but can also help highlight whether the bets are wise. Higher odds (within reason) are always agreeable. Astute sports bettors will often compare and contrast the major bookmaker sites to appreciate which bookmakers offer the best odds.

Live Betting Options

Live betting options are now becoming common for all bookmakers. Why is this the case? We must first consider high-speed Internet access and 4G mobile phone speeds. Live-in-play betting allows customers to place bets once the game or race has started offering customers a new dimension to sports betting.

Live in-play betting is exciting, as odds on the spread can change quickly depending on variables occurring, such as goals, substitutions or tactical changes. Also, bookmaker sites that offer in-play betting tend to experience higher Internet traffic. In turn, this will help the portal itself to rank higher within the search engine results page (SERP). Higher rankings equate to a better bookmakers reputation.

Live Streaming Options

We should never forget that a bookmaker is primarily concerned with sports. Customers need always be updated regarding horse racing, basketball, football or rugby. After all, late-breaking information will undoubtedly impact how they place bets.

This is why popular UK bookmakers will offer live streaming options within their websites. Recall that this is not only concerned with embedded flash videos. Streaming spreads and competitive odds should also be displayed. Any sites that do not offer a live streaming feature are not considered “modern” in the contemporary sense.

Customer service

A good online bookmaker essentially needs to provide great customer service. From step 1 of signing up with a bookmaker to problems with withdrawal or general questions about a betting account, customers should expect expert help with their queries from their bookmakers, where questions can be answered and problems solved as quickly and professionally as possible.

The best online bookies offer live chat, telephone, and email customer service, available 24/7 for instant feedback. The number of positive ratings of the bookmakers’ customer service will reflect the dependability of the UK betting site.

The Asian Handicap: Established Bookmakers Have It in Their Portfolio

Asian Handicap (AH) is available as a betting option within many established UK bookmakers such as William Hill. Due to that, it eliminates the possibility of a draw during a sporting event (represented as 33 per cent). In other words, the outcome of any match can be one of three ways:

1. A win
2. A loss
3. A draw (depending upon the sports)

An Asian Handicap prevents a draw from entering the equation. This is an especially useful option when two competitors or sports teams are equal in possessing the same skills and levels of expertise. So, bettors can instead rely on their preference for one side. Also, Asian Handicaps are OPTIONAL as opposed to mandatory. So, customers will have another choice besides a standard bet. In conclusion, bookmakers that offer flexible online sports betting options will experience a more robust customer base.