UK
Author: Niklas Eriksen
Last Updated: 20 November, 2024
The whole gambling industry has grown massively ever since sports betting became legal in the UK in 1960, and today, the country has a wide selection of the world's best online betting apps and sites for bettors to choose from.
🇬🇧 Legal sports betting apps in UK:
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
The free bet bonus is only for new customers. Opt-in required. T&C apply. The qualifying £10 minimum bet must be placed with the odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater. Bonus is 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 18+.
Online sports betting in the UK - One of the top markets globally
The entire gambling industry in the United Kingdom stems from centuries ago and has changed considerably. However, in-person and online sports betting, as well as iGaming and casino gambling, are perfectly legal in the country and have been for quite a long time now.
For example, in the Victorian era, punters placed bets on a "gentleman's agreement." These were straight-up wagers without odds, and one could prevent the other party from running off with the stakes. In the 1800s, things got much easier with the introduction of bookmakers, all of which were primarily illegal. For the legal ones, UK punters could only place wagers on the tightly regulated courses and tracks.
Decades later, in 1960, lawmakers passed the Betting and Gaming Act, which legalized sports gambling, allowing off-course betting all over the country. Subsequently, lawmakers amended the act when they passed the Gambling Act of 2005. This same act controls all gambling activities, including online betting, in the United Kingdom.
With the introduction of the internet, the UK betting space saw a drastic change as people no longer needed to visit land-based bookies to place wagers on their favorite sports. This turnaround happened after lawmakers passed The Gambling Act 2005 (2005 c 19) to provide a new set of sports betting laws. The same act created the UK Gambling Commission to regulate all forms of gambling, which means that all sportsbooks and retail casinos in the country must obtain their licenses from the commission.
Currently, punters can place bets online through either betting sites or apps licensed to operate within the country. The sports gambling laws only prohibit bettors from using unlicensed offshore bookies. With that said, the United Kingdom is home to several trusted betting websites and apps worldwide, and the UKGC takes all necessary precautions to ensure that all online sports betting fanatics in the country are safe.
Sports betting legislation in UK
| Is online sports betting legal in UK? | Yes |
| Is in-person sports betting legal? | Yes |
| Is daily fantasy sports legal? | Yes |
| Is horse racing betting legal? | Yes |
| Is political betting legal? | Yes |
| Is eSports betting legal? | Yes |
| How many legal sports betting apps are there in UK? | 170+ |
| Legal age for sports betting in UK? | 18+ |
| UK's tax rate for betting/gambling winnings | 0% |
| Who regulates sports betting in UK? | The Gambling Commission |
Placing bets is a pastime to many Britons, just like it is for the rest of the world, and today, bettors, given that you are above the age of 18, in the United Kingdom can place wagers on basically any sport or sporting event imaginable. However, aside from that, punters are bound by no other restrictions regarding sports gambling, which means that UK punters can wager on all kinds of sports, events, and competitions offered by licensed bookmakers in the country.
In fact, the UK sports gambling industry even came up with the first sports betting exchange in the world, Betfair. Horse race betting is also widely popular in the United Kingdom, and events such as Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival are among the most prestigious horse racing competitions in the whole world.
In addition to all that, Daily Fantasy Sports is legal in the country, but it's worth noting that the UK's DFS market is far smaller than North America's.
Recent updates from the UK’s sports betting scene
October 31, 2024: Virgin Bet hosts its second Women's Day at the November Handicap on November 9 at Doncaster Racecourse, celebrating women's contributions to racing. Building on last year's debut event at Ayr Racecourse, it aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the sport, aligning with Virgin Bet's commitment to breaking barriers in racing and sports.
October 31, 2024: The UK Gambling Commission reported a 6% year-on-year rise in online real event betting GGY to £453 million. Despite a 10% drop in bets, average monthly active accounts grew 9%, indicating higher wagers per bettor.
October 28, 2024: EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has entered online sports betting with EasyBet, a UK sportsbook launched in partnership with Triplebet under a white-label deal. Triplebet, a company behind the Matchbook betting exchange, provides the infrastructure, while Haji-Ioannou earns branding fees.
October 24, 2024: William Hill will sponsor the County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Gold Cup Day, March 14, 2025, marking its return to a major jump racing event. The race is a highlight of the Festival, drawing significant participation and anticipation.
October 23, 2024: Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Everton, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, and Fulham, are accused of breaching rules by not offering adult kits without gambling sponsor logos. Sponsors include Betano (Villa), Stake.com (Everton), Hollywood Bets (Brentford), Kaiyun (Nottingham Forest), Rollbit (Southampton), and SBOTOP (Fulham).
All legal gambling options in UK
| Are online casinos legal in UK? | Yes |
| Are retail casinos legal? | Yes |
| Are social casinos legal? | Yes |
| Is online poker legal? | Yes |
| Is the lottery legal? | Yes |
With the wide variety of betting and gambling apps available, UK bettors have endless wagering options at their fingertips. In addition, retail gambling establishments allow Britons to wager on poker, casino games, horse races, bingo, and lottery. Of course, slots and live casino games are also available on online casinos that have just obtained UKGC licenses.
The UK gambling market is the biggest in Europe and is estimated to face an annual growth of 5.25% from 2022-2026. So, it is clear that the country is truly a hotspot of the global online gambling scene.
Other gambling-related news & stories from the UK
November 11, 2024: GambleAware has criticized the UK's gambling marketing rules as too lenient, warning they may expose vulnerable groups to harm. A report by the University of Bristol and Ipsos highlights that Britain trails behind European nations like Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, which enforce stricter advertising regulations.
October 31, 2024: UK gambling firms like Flutter and Entain welcome the Autumn Budget, which left gambling tax rates unchanged, avoiding a feared hike in Remote Gambling Duty (RGD). The current 21% RGD rate could have risen to 50%, a move that would have severely impacted an industry already facing stricter regulations.
October 31, 2024: The UK Gambling Commission reported a £1.32 billion gross gambling yield (GGY) for Q3 ending 30 September, an 11% rise driven by a record 16% growth in online slots revenue. Monthly active accounts increased 8%, and total bets across all verticals rose 12% to £25.2 billion, though GGY fell short of the previous quarter's £1.46 billion.
October 25, 2024: The UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority sign a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration. The agreement focuses on sharing intelligence to improve consumer protection, combat criminal activity, and safeguard vulnerable players from gambling-related harm.
October 21, 2024: The UK Gambling Commission launches its first comprehensive study on the black market, aiming to understand consumer use of unlicensed gambling sites and improve tracking and regulation. Initial findings are expected by spring 2025.
UK - Some commonly asked questions (FAQ)
Are there any legal restrictions in the UK's sports betting landscape?
If you are just above 18, you can legally bet on sports and play casino games, both online and in-person, in the UK on any operator licensed by the UKGC. Even betting on politics and eSports is legal, as are daily fantasy sports.
What impact has legalized sports betting had on the UK's economy?
During the 2023 calendar year alone, the UK government collected a whopping £3.4bn ($4.3bn) in betting and gaming taxes, so it's fair to say that the UK gambling industry contributes vigorously to the country's overall economy.
How much money do people from the UK spend on sports betting?
According to the studies, bettors from the UK spend around £141 ($178.38) annually, or in turn, £2.70 per week ($3.42) on all types of gambling. Sports betting has, however, only a 4% market share among the Brits, with lottery (16%) dominating the scene.
What is the largest fine the UK Gambling Commission has ever issued?
In March 2023, the UKGC handed the largest-ever £19.2M ($23.7M) fine to the William Hill betting group for failings regarding customer protection and anti-money laundering control. This is still the record penalty in the UK gambling market's history.
