We’ve carefully checked, reviewed and rated 50+ betting apps available to UK punters. Check out a TOP 15 betting apps table below or browse through our betting app categories – from the newest betting platforms launched in 2020 to the best established brands for football and horse racing betting. We’re dedicated to providing you with an up to date list of the top betting offers and promotions. (Last update – January 2023).
Our comprehensive reviews give you a full run-down of the features you can expect to find in the best bookmakers’ apps, including functionality, markets, bonuses and specials, as well as giving you tips on how to download and install a mobile betting app on your smartphone or tablet, depending on the operating system you use.
If you like a punt on horse racing, football, golf or tennis, have a preference for North American sports, or follow lesser-known leagues from around the world, we’ll help you find the best betting app for you and show you what you can expect when you install it.
Check out the table below for our ranking of the UK’s top 15 betting apps, and the bonuses, features and markets they offer that get them our recommendation.
Football is amongst the most popular sports to bet on for punters across the globe and there’s certainly no lack of options available for punters looking to put their cash down on the big match live or on the outcome of their local derby.
There are many good sports betting apps, but none quite measure up against William Hill when push comes to shove. Bet on football on William Hill’s modern website or user-friendly app and you’ll enjoy the best service possible.
There’s plenty available to wager your cash on and something for everyone with a bet and odds designed to suit all pockets. William Hill traders offer over 100 markets on matches from all over the world, including Premier League, Scottish Premiership, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, MLS, Champions League, Europa League, World Cup and more.
Backers will be delighted to know many of the most popular pre-match markets remain live throughout the course of the game thanks to in-play betting. A bet on your favourite football team is now as exciting in the final few minutes as it was before kick-off. As well as the many markets and special offers, William Hill also serve up the best in-play coverage you are likely to find, with hundreds of match markets available throughout the course of the 90 minutes.
Watch closely, pick out a bet and get on before the traders adjust their price. There’s a generous cash out offer to members and this works particularly well with football accumulator backers. Place your bets and you’ll be offered a cash out value to consider.
If you have a market in mind that isn’t already quoted, you can suggest it to the trading team on social media using the hashtag #YourOdds. If the traders like what they see and believe others will be interested in it also, they will quote you a price and get it added to their system, allowing you and others to place bets on your creation.
Away from the various specials and enhanced odds there’s also great boosts for the matches and overall betting offers. Check out the promotions tab on the William Hill website or mobile app on matchday to see what’s available to you.
One of the most popular recurring offers is the sports acca bet boost. Create a football accumulator with three or more selections and William Hill will apply their biggest ever bet boost if your luck comes in. This will turn a nice winner into an incredible winner, enhancing your betting balance in the process.
Live streaming on football allows you to watch your bets in real time through a faultless, HD quality feed. View the day’s schedule and choose the match you want to watch live on the William Hill website or mobile app. You can then place an outcome on the game and follow the play at no extra cost. Cheer on your selections or have another go in-play.
Check out other football betting apps reviewed by TBA experts.
If you’re a sports fan you will know all about the great work Betfair does. Beyond offering competitive betting odds and a range of exciting markets on horse racing, the UK betting giant also sponsor a number of major events.
Existing customers are accustomed to getting the best service when it comes to betting on this widely regarded gentlemen’s sport and there are plenty of reasons why Betfair stands out from the crowd in a packed marketplace. Sign up today and you can take advantage of a long list of exciting promotions, including extra places each-way and money back for losers.
Betfair runs the vastly popular best price guaranteed (BOG) promotion. If you are serious about making a consistent profit from horse racing, this is a deal that can be of great benefit to you. Take a price when backing your horse of choice in any UK or Irish race and if the SP is bigger, you’ll be paid out at the higher return. What’s more, this works both ways. If the odds were biggest at the time the bet was struck, that’s the number that will be paid into your account if you land a winner. Best odds guaranteed is a must for horse racing punters and it is always available on Betfair.
A state-of-the art website and sleek mobile app allows you to watch your horse racing bets in real time through a spectacular live stream with no buffering or frustrating loading times. Never again will you be left refreshing a results service to check how you got on. Place your bet, get your stake down and watch the race unfold.
There are many other horse racing promotions that deserve a mention but one of our favourites is each-way edge. With this offer you are in complete control of your place terms. Add extra places for a small decrease in price but better chance of bagging a return or, if you’re confident, you can take places away and watch your potential returns grow.
Check out other horse racing betting apps reviewed by TBA experts.
Ladbrokes has a history and tradition that can be traced back through generations of sports punters, but they also place customers at the cutting edge of technology with their modern betting app.
Thanks to years of research and serious investment, the Ladbrokes app is now the best in the business for offering attractive betting odds and eye-catching promotions. Users can take advantage of recurring weekly promotions on football matches from the top leagues in Europe, which makes it one of the best online betting apps in general. This includes a long list of coupons, such quick slips, bankers and Premier League.
If horse racing is more your thing, you will be delighted to learn Ladbrokes offer best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish meetings, both online and in store. Ladbrokes The Grid customers can take advantage of this offer – usually reserved for online players – from the opening of each shop. That’s every single day of the week. Back a horse at a price and if the SP is bigger, you’ll be paid out at the greater odds.
The Odds Boost promo is worth a special mention as it really does need to be seen to be believed. Choose from hundreds of markets in dozens of sports and use your Odds Boost effectively. Turn a favourite into a nice price or an outsider into a long shot. You are in charge of which odds you boost and which you stick with.
Away from the many promotions and special offers, Ladbrokes offers consistently better odds than much of the competition and they do so on the most popular markets. Don’t just take our word for it. Check any respected odds comparison website and you’ll see Ladbrokes lead the way on the likes of horse racing, Champions League football, Grand Slam tennis and golf majors.
Place your sportsbook wagers at bet365 and you’ll never be short of something to gamble your cash on. Whether you’re taking advantage of the user-friendly website, state-of-the-art mobile app or super-fast mobile optimised website, you’ll find manoeuvring through the various sports tabs a piece of cake.
Bet365 have all the major sports covered, including horse racing, football, greyhounds, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, rugby, snooker, cricket, American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey and plenty more besides. There’s even a healthy presence of niche sports, allowing members to have their say on reality TV, politics and even awards. If there’s a popular opinion on the outcome of an event you can be sure the bet365 traders will be offering betting odds.
The different sports are listed in A-Z order down the left-hand side of the homepage in a navigation bar and users simply click the one that takes their fancy (please note that football is labelled soccer). From there, you will see a full list of antepost markets, as well as fixtures taking place today, tomorrow and in the near future. Antepost allows you to look deeper into the sporting calendar and have an early bet on the likes of Premier League winner, Cheltenham Golf Cup and Wimbledon.
Football is particularly well covered at bet365. Click the tab and then pick the competition you want to get your stake money down on. Premier League, Scottish Premiership, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Champions League and World Cup are all well quoted. After choosing your game you will be blown away by the options available.
Each game has over 100 individual markets attached, allowing you the chance to bet on match winner, both teams to score, total goals, half time/full time, handicap and more. Many of the most popular pre-match markets remain live throughout the course of the 90 minutes thanks to in-play betting. A punt is as exciting in the final few minutes as it was before the start.
The incredible Bet Builder feature allows you to combine different markets from the same game in a multiple. For example, you could bet on the winner, first goal scorer, correct score, total goals and even the number of cards. This is a value for money bet that will give you an interest throughout the entire contest. Punters will be glued to their TV screens, ticking off correct predictions as they come good.
Paddy Power (PP) is one of the biggest sports and casino betting brands in the world. They are, perhaps, most famous for their risky and often cheeky approach to advertising. The marketing team adopts a lads’ mag style that creates as many haters as fans but one thing’s for sure, the firm always makes a lasting impression.
Paddy Power may enjoy making headlines through humour, but they know treating their customers well is no laughing matter. How they stand out from the crowd in a cut-throat industry is by offering the kind of promotions and deals you just can’t get elsewhere.
From their money back welcome bonus for new customers to their recurring football offers reserved for those loyal to the Paddy Power brand, they are head and shoulders above their rivals and registered customers are the envy of the gambling game. There’s great value for those looking for deals. Paddy Power is industry leading when it comes to betting apps with free bets. If you’re betting with PP you’ll be well looked after, that’s for sure.
Paddy Power has interesting offers all year round and there’s something there to excite even the most demanding punter. They have the craziest out of the box promos – like Money Back Mondays: LOST YOUR FOOTBALL BET? TELL US WHY IT SHOULD BE REFUNDED. All you have to do here is Tweet Paddy Power on Monday and tell them exactly why you believe your stake should be returned. If you make a good case and can convince the staff, you’ll see the cash dropped back into your account balance.
The promotions crew will also return losing accumulator bets if your acca goes down by just one leg. This applies to multiples with four legs or more on football and same game multis with, at least, four predictions. If you hit the post, you can be sure you’ll get your stake back and you can use it to have another shot at going one better.
Stick with football and Paddy Power will pay your bet out as a winner if a team you backed goes two goals ahead. From that point it doesn’t matter what the final score is. If your team has a two-goal cushion at any stage – from the first minute to stoppage-time – the bet will be settled and winnings paid into your account. This could turn a losing bet into a profitable one.
Here at TBA, we never simply go by ‘gut feel’. There’s nothing random about our evaluations or rankings. Instead, every app we’ve reviewed has been thoroughly tested, according to a defined process and a strict set of criteria. Thus, the opinions you get at TBA will always be informed, researched, and fair.
In brief, here’s the process we go through when reviewing each app:
As we go through that process, we’re assessing the app according to these main criteria:
✅ EASE OF USE
Finding, downloading, and registering on the app should all be straightforward. You should be able to pick up an app and start using it – comfortably – within a minute at most. Sections should be clearly displayed, and easy to navigate between.
✅ RELIABILITY
An app which crashes constantly is no use to anybody! We value apps which have been built well, and won’t let you down when it counts.
✅ VALUE
When it comes to promotions, we don’t fall for any fancy advertising. Instead, we assess whether each offer provides actual, true value. A bookie’s odds must also – at the very least – be in line with its competitors’.
✅ FLEXIBILITY
A modern app should support betting on all types of sports, not just football. This should also come with a variety of bet types, and – preferably – promotions.
✅ SECURITY
We look at the security measures each bookie has in place, with the likes of SSL encryption and a separation between customer and company funds being must-haves. We also look at a bookie’s licenses, which – preferably – will include one from the UK Gambling Commission.
The team here at topbettingapps.co.uk are dedicated racing and sports punters, with a long involvement in online and mobile gaming. And because we’ve downloaded, installed and extensively used all of the bookmaker apps we review, we’re in the perfect position to recommend (or not!) all of the apps you’ll find under discussion on our site. Our team’s expertise covers all areas of sports app betting, so no matter what leagues, games or players you follow, you can benefit from our extensive experience.
Our aim is to cover the best betting apps UK punters can find and help them find the one (s) that’s right for them. We’ll run through the signup bonus, the special features (live streaming, race replays, etc.), and how competitive a brand’s prices are.
We’ll also give you our thoughts on which is the best betting app for accumulators, what is the best betting app for punters who are interested in exotic and special markets, and who offers the best in-play betting and cash out features. In addition, we focus on which apps look after their customers well.
We’ll detail the payment methods that are accepted (they need to be convenient and accessible for UK punters, after all), the security that betting apps have in place for carrying out financial transactions (whether it’s independently audited and tested), as well as how well your privacy is protected. All good betting apps are licensed by the Gambling Commission, well regulated, and have clear policies in place as to what they do with your personal information, so we always cover this when we assess a site.
What this means for the punter is that after reading our reviews, you’ll know everything there is to know about the leading UK sports betting apps, so you can go ahead and make your choice with a sound form guide and insider knowledge behind you.
Generally speaking, you should have two options for using a sportsbook on your mobile device: a dedicated app, or the mobile website. Larger, established brands will almost always provide both, and you can choose between the two. Newer brands, by contrast, often won’t have an app up-and-running yet, meaning you’re limited to the mobile site.
Even when using a mobile site, you should still have all the most important, fundamental features available to you. This includes browsing markets, placing bets, making deposits and withdrawals, and generally managing your account. An added advantage, of course, is that no extra storage space is used on your device.
Using an app instead brings its own benefits, but they’re more ‘quality of life’ improvements than genuine game-changers. Loading times will usually be quicker, for example, and the layout will often be better-tailored to a smaller screen size. You should automatically be logged in when you boot up the app, too, and some sportsbooks even offer app-only promotions.
Overall, both mobile apps and websites give you the added convenience of betting on-the-go. We prefer using a dedicated app, for the reasons mentioned, but there’s not an enormous difference between the two. So, if a bookie doesn’t offer an app, that’s not a deal-breaker.
✔️ Apps tend to be quicker than mobile betting sites.
✔️ They are usually easier to open with just a single tap (although you can also install an icon for a browser-based site on your home screen).
✔️ You have more control over the nature and frequency of the notifications you receive.
❌ Mobile betting in your device browser means that memory is not taken up by an app installation.
❌ You have more flexibility in that as long as you have your log in details, you can access your account and play on any device.
The device you use may, in the end, be the determining factor as to whether you opt for a downloadable app or decide to go for mobile betting on your smartphone or tablet.
Finding an online betting app for Android devices is also fairly simple, with most leading sports books offering their app for this operating system as well, although accessing them can be slightly more complicated.
Even though Google recently allowed users to install bookies apps from the Play Market, some of the most popular betting apps still only offer their betting apps via direct download from their sites. Read more about Android betting apps on our site.
Whilst almost all the sport betting apps we review and recommend are available on all the major operating systems, this isn’t always the case. Apple’s iOS remains the most dominant player in the market, with almost every app we recommend available to download for free for iPhone or iPad from iTunes or the App Store.
While there are some bet apps designed for download to Windows and Blackberry devices, these aren’t very common. Therefore, if you use one of these types of smartphone, you will likely be limited to mobile betting.
There are no great differences between betting in the browser of your hand-held device, or via free betting apps that you’ve downloaded and installed on your phone or tablet.
Still, in the end, we would always opt for installing an app because of the ways in which you can adjust the settings and customise it to suit you and how you bet, plus the interface will generally be more user-friendly and better adapted to the smaller screens of smartphones.
Gatobet was only founded in 2019, meaning it certainly still qualifies as a new bookie in our eyes! It was created by ProgressPlay, though, who have plenty of experience in creating successful online casinos, and have opened several new sportsbooks over the past couple of years.
This experience shows itself throughout the Gatobet platform. The navigation, for example, is pleasingly straightforward and highly intuitive, meaning that you really can find your way around almost instantly. The range of betting markets is vast, with some 2,500 available at the time of writing, and these are nicely divided between pre-match and in-play. You also get 24/7 support, plus a nice selection of payment options (including PayPal).
Where Gatobet could improve, however, is in its promotions. The ‘Bet £10, Get a £30 Free Bet’ welcome offer sounds great, but is spoiled by some highly demanding rollover requirements. Elsewhere, while it seems like there’s a wide selection of ongoing promotions, they’re actually all pretty similar to each other, and are also hampered by tough T’s & C’s. Finally, there’s no actual app for Gatobet yet, meaning you’re reliant on the mobile site. That site is good enough to get the job done, but – particularly in terms of its layout – could certainly be improved.
Winston Bet is another new sportsbook from experienced developers ProgressPlay. Accordingly, it shares many of the same strengths – and weaknesses – as Gatobet.
As with Gatobet, it’s faultlessly easy to find your way around here. Swapping between all the major sections is a cinch courtesy of intelligently-designed menus, and Winston Bet do a good job of splitting up their markets in a sensible way too. Live betting is particularly strong here, with a good selection of in-play markets, frequently-updated odds, and live stats plus a useful visualisation tool keeping you up to date with the latest goings-on. We also enjoyed the variety of bet types, and the fairly broad selection of sports that are available to bet on.
Unfortunately, as with Gatobet, this site also has its problems! Once more the welcome offer sounds good – ‘Deposit £10 and Get £10 Free Bet’ – but its appeal is reduced by pesky rollover requirements. Again, the ongoing promotions aren’t good enough to make up for this, lacking variety and also falling foul of overly-strict requirements.
Overall though, this is a highly professional and worthwhile betting platform. While there’s no dedicated app, the mobile site allows you to carry out bet placement, account management, and so on with minimal fuss.
Betiton is a very young brand, only launching in March 2020. This is slightly misleading, though, because – like some of the other brands we’ve looked at – they actually have some serious experience behind them. For starters, their founder previously worked as the Managing Director for another sportsbook, Karamba. Their actual platform has also been created by Aspire Global, who have been providing white label online betting solutions since 2005.
Add all that together, and – unsurprisingly – you get a highly professional and modern sportsbook. Both visually and in terms of its layout, Betiton makes a good first impression, which is backed up by a solid welcome offer, giving you a £10 free bet in exchange for a £15 spend. While there aren’t many ongoing promotions, the ones which are present are good enough, including a ‘Boostiton’ acca boost offer. Customer support is available 16 hours per day via live chat or email, and there’s a very good FAQ section to help you along too. There are also plenty of payment options, including PayPal and bank transfer.
In all, while we’d ideally like to see a few more promotions, there’s very little not to like about Betiton. Our one minor complaint is that there’s no actual app, either for Android or iOS users, but the mobile version of the main website is an able replacement.
As with some of the other names on this list, Mr. Play has a deceptive amount of experience behind it for such a young brand. After all, while the sportsbook was only launched in September 2019, Mr. Play had already been operating a successful online casino for almost two years by that stage. Also, like Betiton, the actual platform is provided by industry veterans Aspire Global.
Once again, therefore – while the brand itself is new – we find a sportsbook which is already competitive with much older, more established names. As is typically the case when Aspire are involved, the entire interface here is excellent. You’re presented with plenty of information without ever being overwhelmed, markets are clearly displayed and separated, and whisking between the most important areas is made easy by the top and bottom menus. In addition to a nice range of betting markets and bet types, you’re given plenty of flexibility when it comes to payment options, with Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, bank transfer, and several major eWallets all eligible.
Our only real quibbles regard the promotions. The ones which are present are fine – including a welcome offer granting you a £10 bet token, and a fun ‘Battle of Punters’ competition – but there simply aren’t enough of them. Also, while Mr. Play’s casino does get its own app, the sportsbook – sadly – does not.
While the brand’s name is technically ‘SwishBetCasino’, don’t be fooled… they do indeed have a sportsbook too! And, as with a couple of the other names on this list, that sportsbook belongs to the growing collection of betting sites created and operated by ProgressPlay.
Like ProgressPlay’s other websites, this one is extremely straightforward to use from the very beginning. The main sections are visited directly using easily-accessible menus, and betting markets can be intuitively found and explored courtesy of a series of other menus in the main section of the screen. Considering how extensive that selection of markets is, the ease with which you navigate it is commendable. There’s also a reasonable amount of choice when it comes to payment options, and – impressively – 24/7 support for all users, provided via live chat and email.
Unsurprisingly, SwishBet suffers from some of the same shortcomings as ProgressPlay’s other brands. The appeal of the welcome offer, and most of the ongoing promotions, is greatly diminished by harsh rollover requirements. There’s also a pesky transaction fee for all withdrawals, and the layout of the mobile website could be improved.
With that said, there’s still a lot to like with SwishBet. The fundamentals are executed very well indeed, and there’s enough here to satisfy veteran and inexperienced bettors alike.
Installing a betting app on an iPhone or iPad is a straightforward experience, and no different to downloading any other type of app from iTunes or the App Store. That said, before we start, keep in mind that you can always click the links in the table or in our bookmaker reviews to go directly to the bookie’s website and be prompted to download the app suitable for your device.
Using Paddy Power as an example, here is how to install the Paddy Power mobile sports betting app on an iPhone or iPad (iOS 11.0+):
To install the Paddy Power online betting app on an Android device:
When you’re trying to choose the best app for betting, look for a clear, easy-to-read user interface that gives you quick access to the current markets, usually through a pull down menu. Being able to put a bet on in as few steps as possible is also important on mobile betting apps, because, more often than not you’re using it on the go.
Once your bets are on, it’s helpful if you can access your bet slip easily, and that your slip is easy to understand and follow, showing you what wagers are still in the running, how much you’ve put on and the price you got.
Everyday competitive odds, and lots of innovative specials around the biggest events, should also influence your decision as to which bet app you install.
Thanks to odds comparison websites, you can see at a glance the prices being offered across a whole range of sports books at the same time on the same race or match. Therefore, if you put in some time, you can work out who consistently gives the best prices in the sports you punt on.
Finally, when it comes to the biggest race meetings or sports tournaments, look at the value you get from the special and exotic bets on any mobile betting app you’re considering. These not only get you engaged with the event, but can also be very lucrative, so always look at this aspect of its offerings when searching for the best online betting app.
A number of the best UK betting app sites not only run sports books, but they have casino, poker and bingo apps as well. Check to see whether you can use the same log in details and manage your account across the whole range of apps, and how easy and straightforward it is to transfer cash from your sports betting app account into your casino account, for instance.
Probably the most important development in online betting apps has been the introduction of in-play betting, which means that when you’re following a match closely you can try to take advantage of the changing odds as the game develops. Most good betting apps accept in-play bets, so if this isn’t possible, you’re missing out.
Likewise, cash out is important, because we’ve all had an acca bet that almost paid off, only for the red-hot favourite to let us down in the last leg. With cash out, however, you can take your winnings early (or with some apps, partial winnings) so the whole bet isn’t a bust.
Again, this is one of the most enjoyable features of mobile punting, so you should always look for this option on the best sports betting apps.
Check out our quick reviews of the top betting apps for UK punters to find out which ones meet the right criteria for you:
Our bookmaker apps reviews are detailed and thorough examinations of every aspect of the brand from the UK punter’s perspective.
We look at which devices and operating systems each app is available on, and how accessible it is for UK players in terms of the markets offered, whether or not you can operate your account in GBP, and the payment methods accepted.
We also make it clear which is the best betting app for punters in the UK with regard to licensing, regulating and auditing, so that you can be sure you’re betting in a fair and secure environment.
Overall, our aim here is always to focus on finding the best betting apps UK punters can download and enjoy, so you get the most out of your mobile betting experience.
✅ FUNCTIONALITY
We examine how straightforward an online betting app is to use, how easy is to get your bets on and keep track of your bet slips, and how quickly you can find the markets, races or matches you’re looking for.
✅ OPERATING SYSTEM
Most of the best mobile betting apps are available on the major operating systems i.e., Apple iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry, but where this isn’t the case, we’ll make it clear in our review.
✅ SIGNUP BONUS
The quality of the Welcome Bonus you get when you sign up for an account with a mobile betting app can make or break the deal. We look at them in detail so new punters can see exactly what they can expect to get from any introductory offer or promotion.
✅ COMPETITIVE ODDS
Every punter wants to get the best odds they can, and so our reviews of UK bookmaker apps look at how each one stacks up against its rivals in terms of the prices and value it offers you.
✅ IN-PLAY BETTING AND CASH OUT
For many, being able to bet in-play, or cash out of an acca when the last leg is letting you down, are the main features they expect from the best mobile betting apps . We think these are amongst the most valuable features of any sports betting app too, and so we always make a point of highlighting whether these capabilities are available in our reviews.
✅ SPECIALS
The best gambling apps offer tons of betting options and markets. The biggest events, like the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National, the World Cup and the Euros, are great opportunities for punters to pick up specials. We highlight which bet app has the best offers, specials and exotic bets when the big sporting occasions roll around.
✅ OTHER GAMING APPS
A growing number of online betting apps not only give you access to their sports book, but also to their associated sites and apps, where you can play online casino games and slots, poker and bingo. Our reviews include all the sites you can play at when you join up via a particular brand’s betting app.
✅ MARKETS
We give you a rundown of the top, special and exotic markets that you can access through the bookie’s app. It doesn’t matter if you’re a punter who prefers to bet on an array of sports or novelty markets. We’ll let you know what the hottest sport and non-sport markets are, including those that focus on local events and minor sports events.
Safety should be the number one priority for both bookmakers and punters when betting online today. Wagering should take place only on mobile app platforms that have passed strict regulations and checks. With increasing concerns surrounding fraud, viruses and identity theft, let’s take a closer look at just what makes a safe betting app, along with some of the most important regulations within the industry.
Betting apps are hugely efficient and convenient for punters. However, it is crucial that punters only register and use mobile platforms that are 100% safe.
The first factor to consider is whether the bookmaker holds a valid gaming license, with those catering to punters in the UK having to be licensed by the Gambling Commission. The UK Gambling Commission is one of the most respected authorities within the industry today, with only those operators who pass strict checks being accepted. Those who hold such a license can generally be considered as safe. You can find a list of betting sites with valid licenses on the Gambling Commission’s website.
In addition to the best betting apps will also offer a range of secure banking options. Those making deposits should be able to do so safely, whether it be through a bank transfer, debit card or e-wallet. On a similar note, bookmakers should also ask for verification before allowing for deposits and withdrawals to be processed, such as ensuring that punters provide proof of identity.
Betting apps should also operate using encryption technology, as this makes it extremely difficult for third parties and hackers to get hold of personal information and bank details. While some may look to save money in this area, the leading bookmakers available to punters in the UK will ensure that they perform to the highest possible level.
Finally, the best betting apps will appear on both the App Store and Google Play, as this means that they have passed strict checks. Betting apps must prevent underage gamblers from betting via the app and be free to download, and, there are also a range of other regulations in place when it comes to UK betting apps available in App Store and Google Play.
Along with licenses and regulations, there are a number of simple security measures that can be put in place in order to ensure that your betting experience remains safe at all times.
In recent years, successive scandals and the introduction of GDPR have raised more awareness than ever of online privacy. It’s a key issue for many internet users now, and this absolutely applies to sports bettors too.
For starters, betting companies do absolutely need to collect some of your personal data. This is not only a legal requirement, but a common sense requirement too. After all, the whole reason ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) guidelines were introduced in the first place was to help prevent online fraud, identity theft, and so on.
Be aware, though, that betting apps also collect some data you might not be comfortable with, such as ‘time logged in’, and your location. Again, we’d argue both are necessary – the former to ensure you’re betting responsibly, the latter to ensure you’re betting legally – but it’s worth bearing in mind. In addition, apps might use cookies, monitor your betting success, track your transactions, and so on.
If you want to sign up with a bookie, you simply have to accept these things. It’s certainly worth investigating how this data is actually stored and protected, though.
Most importantly, you should know that independent regulatory bodies have been created to ensure bookies both collect and protect data responsibly. The UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority are the two most popular such bodies, and all legitimate bookies should hold a license with at least one of them.
We’d also encourage you to check a sportsbook’s T’s & C’s, and any ‘Security’ sections on their website. These should include mention of security measures – like encryption – and some relevant details about how and where your data is shared. Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not you’re happy to register with a bookie.
Due to recent changes, all bookmakers operating in Europe will have to do so under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a group of regulations that determine the actions of betting sites and apps, including how they engage with punters. This is important due to the fact that regulations mean that bookies must now identify how they will track the conduct, finances and gaming preferences of customers, along with personal information, including names, addresses and location. As well as this, the GDPR will also signal how bookmakers keep, disclose and transfer data.
Sportsbooks will now be at threat of major penalties if they break the rules, with the gambling industry having worked hard in order to make the market safer. Those failing to adhere to such regulations are at risk of having to pay as much as 4% of their global turnover or €20 million, whichever is highest. Meanwhile, regulations set by the GDPR mean that bookies must also receive permission from punters to process their data, meaning that another checkbox will be found within the terms and conditions section during the registration process.
Finally, the regulations introduced in 2018 also state that gamblers will now have exclusive ownership of their data. As such, punters can request all of the data in which their bookie has, including their location, finances and gambling history. Such actions must be carried out at no additional cost to customers, while punters must also have the opportunity to transfer data from one sportsbook to another. This is likely to have significant implications for bookmakers themselves, as they will potentially be able to target gamblers who are currently registered with their competitors.
Here is a selection of the most Frequently Asked Questions about UK betting apps:
All of the best sports betting apps give new players signup bonuses in one form or another. Occasionally, this might be an exclusive deal for app punters, but it’s generally the same offer as if you signed up at a brand’s website. The type and scope of these deals can, however, vary a great deal — check our comprehensive reviews for more details.
The range and variety of markets on offer in the betting apps we review are comparable with those you’ll find on a brand’s website. Crucially, the odds are the same too, as are the type of bets you can make. You’ll also find specials and exotic bet markets as well.
Both of these features were developed largely in response to the growing widespread use of bookmaker apps in the UK, and so these are options that you will always find in the apps we recommend.
If you’re punting on a mobile betting app, not only do you get access to the same offers and promotions as players using the website, but there are often exclusive promos that are just made available to punters using the app.
A lot of the brands that we recommend who run mobile sports books also have online casinos and poker rooms. In most cases, if you sign up for an account in one of their online betting apps, you can use the same log in details and use the same account across sites and platforms. It is generally a straightforward process to transfer money between your accounts, but it always pays to check the specific requirements in order to do so.