My foray into the world of sports betting was as a punter, primarily following the ups and downs (well, mostly downs…) of my local team as they battled against the ever-present threat of relegation. Over time, I began to become more and more interested in the ins and outs of various strategies and became adept at spotting a good operator.
My day job was, at the time, writing and editing for a local newspaper, so turning my professional skills to my interest in sports betting followed naturally. I started writing about sports betting as a hobby initially with my own blog, analysing odds and providing betting tips where I thought I could find value. Eventually, I was headhunted to write the same content for a betting firm, which resulted in me leaving my local paper job behind and turning my professional interests solely to sports betting writing by 2017. Since then, I have been proud of the body of work I have been able to produce.
Using my interest in all aspects of the sports and gambling world to guide me, I now write for Betting.net, compiling operator reviews, bonus reviews, and sharing the tips and tricks across our various sports betting guides. When I’m not at my keyboard, I am an avid rock climber, with an ultimate goal of eventually ascending the Seven Peaks — if I can fit it in between penning the latest bookmaker review, that is!
We hear you’re looking for somewhere to put your feet up, indulge and enjoy. You’re looking for the best betting sites for sports and beyond. Well, at Betting.net, we aren’t content with anything but the best.
We work with you, providing an all-inclusive range of betting options to check out and see what you fancy. When it comes to the best bookmakers online, it’s a personal choice. That’s why our betting tour guides are here to assist – not tell you – what the best bookmaker sites are for you.
Well, we’re interested in helping anyone who wants to find the most beautiful and best bookmakers in the world to enjoy. So, if you want to find the best bookies – and if you’re not willing to settle for anything less than the finest sports betting odds, the most versatile online betting payment methods and generally speaking, the absolute best bookmakers online – then you’re perfect for our bookmaker sportsbook review.
Furthermore, like any good tour, we accept visitors from everywhere, meaning our best bookmaker reviews are a truly international affair. This means that wherever possible, a bookmaker sportsbook review from us will take into account all readers from anywhere in the world that can sign up to that site. Wherever you hail from, we want to ensure that where you’re going in terms of the bookmaker destination is as sunny as possible. So, whatever continent, country, town, city or island you come from, we try to craft our recommendations so you know which is right for you.
We do this by checking out licenses and available countries as part of our bookmaker sportsbook review, alongside any casino analysis when needed. Who should make use of our bookmaker comparison? Anyone and everyone who’s interested in gaining the best online experience.
Operator checklist: Our top 5 steps for finding the best bookmakers around
It doesn’t matter if they have some of the finest betting offers sign up promotions you’ve ever seen, nor if they offer the finest boxing betting online, if this fundamental necessity isn’t taken care of. That’s why none can be considered among the best bookmakers online or get a positive bookmaker sportsbook review, if they don’t meet these five criteria.
Having a quality reputation
One thing we view as being extremely important for our bookmaker sportsbook review recommendations is that we take other people’s opinion seriously. We know we cannot have surfed every wave of cyberspace and that’s why the experience of others is so important to establishing the best bookmakers online.
We could, for instance, have an absolutely fabulous time but discover that’s not what most people experienced. That’s why we take into account what other people say with regards to their general reputation. Nowhere is this more important than with security. People are quick to point out when they’ve had bad experiences in this regard. And considering we’re talking about real money and real data, we’re thankful they do because they’re a vital part of our security considerations.
Backing that up with history
Research is how we distinguish the best bookmakers online from the good, the bad and the ugly. We do a lot of the research legwork checking out the route, so you can use our recommendations of the best bookmakers to plan your betting journey.
There’s no more important element for us to research, alongside general reputation, than history. Let’s put it simply, if a site has had serious security incidents or scandals, then it will be recorded. If that creates a pattern of incidents which means unacceptable security conditions, there’ll be no positive bookmaker sportsbook review from us.
Ensuring legitimacy with licensing
In terms of legality, licensing is the be-all and end-all. Put simply, without a proper license, a site cannot claim to be legitimate. That means no considerations for best bookmakers online and no positive review from us. This is because they’re not being held to any legal standards, and you have little recourse if you fall foul of any kind of illicit behaviour. In other words, a proper license is an absolute non-negotiable in our best bookmaker reviews.
This is also incredibly important because, as we said, we’re an internationally-minded site. That means any bookmaker sportsbook review you see on our site will be checked for licenses from the relevant gaming authority. We also think very positively about a site being available legitimately across multiple jurisdictions.
Establishing trust with terms and conditions
The terms and conditions are where you find out the rules of how a betting site operates and how they expect you to operate. Now, assuming we’re dealing with a licensed betting site, there are already strict rules in this regard. That said, we check them regardless to ensure they’re both secure and fair. In other words, we ensure there’s no hidden terms that could jeopardize the quality of your experience unfairly. This is especially the case when talking about promotional terms.
Adhering to responsible gaming responsibilities
We’re well aware that some people reading this may view the need for responsible gaming measures to be the concern of other people. There’s nothing more important than keeping gambling reasonable and fun, though. That means you should care about this regardless if you’re looking for the best bookmakers in the world. There’s no greater reflection of how seriously a site takes its responsibilities to its customers than having ample practical responsible gaming measures available.
Editor’s recommendation – Sportsbook reviews by users and experts
What’s that? You want us to come up with a single pick for the finest betting destination, out of all the many candidates for the best bookmakers online? It’s not enough that we already lovingly craft recommendations for the best bookmakers in the world? All our research, all our bookmaker sportsbook review efforts, and you still want more? Well, ok, we suppose you are in first class.
We can’t say which is objectively best of the best. That’s why they are the best bookmakers online, and not the best, singular. Why? Well, while there are absolutely many cases where some bookmakers are better than others – after all, what would be the point of a bookmaker sportsbook review if that weren’t the case? – that doesn’t mean there’s a one-size-fits-all solution. Every bettor is unique.
That’s why our pick for the finest out of all the best bookmakers online is Betfair, because it’s the one that we think has the broadest appeal. In other words, it might not be everybody’s top pick for best bookmakers online, but we believe it would find itself at the top of the mountain more than anyone else.
What’s the reason for its immense appeal? Well, it just does so many things so very well. It’s both an incredible sportsbook and betting exchange. Put it this way, there are a few candidates for the finest cricket betting online or golf betting online, but few that can provide it in two completely different ways. Back that up with great promotions, mobile options and world-class customer service and this one is hard to argue against in any bookmaker sportsbook review.
This is how our experts test the best bookmakers around
Here at Betting.net, we’re dedicated to helping you discover the ideal bookmakers for you, no matter how you like to wager. That’s why our expert reviews carefully analyse a multitude of different factors to ensure we only ever recommend the absolute best. Here are some of the expert checks we conduct, so you can map out the route to your ideal betting site with complete confidence.
Sports Markets
First things first, we want a wide variety of sports markets to suit every bettor. That doesn’t just mean checking for coverage of popular sports but also more niche options like entertainment bets and eSports. We also want to see plenty of depth within those markets, which means a wide choice of different bet types.
Additionally, the best bookmakers should offer consistently competitive odds and a great live betting experience – whether that includes live streaming or updating graphics to help you follow the action.
Casino Products
Nowadays, many of the best bookmakers are jack-of-all-trades, offering casino and poker products too. When we step through those virtual casino doors, we want to see a generous range of popular titles, from table games to slots and more. The quality of these should be backed up by some of the biggest software provider names in the business, as well as being provably fair and random.
Promotions
The world of online betting is so competitive nowadays that it’s not enough to just have a generous looking welcome offer. We’re also looking for quality promotions for existing customers, as well as VIP and loyalty programmes that reward long-term use of the site. Of course, none of that matters if there’s not fair and reasonable terms and conditions, which is why we’ll be paying special attention to how much value they offer the average player.
Payment Methods
When it comes to payment methods, the more options available, the better because it means more customers can deposit in the way they prefer. Whether it’s debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies or anything else, we need to see fair fees and reasonable transaction times too if they’re going to get a recommendation from us.
Customer Service
No matter how good any betting site is, they still need a good customer service to help answer any questions and resolve any issues. This starts before you need to contact the team, though. We assess how clear and informative the Help and FAQ sections of the site are, as these should always be your first port of call.
From there, we want to be seeing a wide choice of contact methods, with an around the clock live chat feature being the gold standard here. We then contact the team ourselves to get an understanding of how fast their replies are and how helpful their responses.
Licensing and Security
Of course, none of this matters if the bookmaker isn’t reliable in the first place. Rest assured, we only ever recommend legitimate operators that are fully licensed and regulated by a reputable gaming authority. But this is just the start though. We also need to see that they are protecting your data through the likes of encryption technology and providing a clear privacy policy. A clear commitment to responsible gambling also showcases that the bookmaker is taking steps to protect their customers.
So, we’ve talked about how important it is to recognise that the best bookmakers online is partially an objective decision, but also partially subjective.
A bookmaker sportsbook review from us always aims to respect the fact that we’re all individuals with our own preferences. We may all want security, for instance, but some may prefer a completely different style, sports focus, mobile integration, and so forth. All we can do in our search for the best bookmakers online is shine a spotlight on the finest through our best bookmaker reviews and let you take it from there.
What’s important is for you to generally consider what your priorities are when it comes to the best bookmakers online. When you read a sportsbook review, really consider what it is you want from an operator. As long as you keep that in mind and pay attention to our recommendations, you’re off to a good start.
Other areas to explore on the site
When it comes to discovering your ideal bookmaker, you can consider us as your personal travel guide. Our operator reviews take a comprehensive look at everything available from each betting destination. This includes their variety of sports markets and selection of bet types, as well as analysing how competitive their odds are and checking out the site experience in general.
Just as every person will have unique tastes when it comes to their holiday planning, so too do people have their own preferences with online bookmakers. This means that while some will be content to wager on sports markets alone, others will want more variety. If that sounds like you, then jet on over to our casino comparisons and games and slot reviews. Here you’ll find expert analysis on the best online casino offerings from different bookmakers. Variety is the spice of life, after all, so the more a bookmaker offers, the better.
Of course, people aren’t just unique when it comes to what they like to bet on. You’ll also have your own ways of making those bets, from the payment methods to the bonuses you use. We have you covered in this regard, too, with our payment articles and promotional analysis, where we dive into all those terms and conditions to let you know whether it’s worthwhile for you.
Finally, betting online shouldn’t just be about the destination – it’s a journey. And we want you to make the most of it every step of the way. Our strategy articles and guides do exactly that. We can help you discover ways to place smarter bets to help increase your chance of success. Hopefully, with a little guidance from us, you’ll be on your way to the sunny shores of your ideal online bookmaker in no time, knowing exactly how to make the most of your time there.
Checklist – This is how you find YOUR perfect betting site
Please fasten your seatbelts and put your trays in the upright position, as we’re almost ready for you to head out and find your ideal online bookmaker. To help you discover the operator that best suits you, your preferences and the ways you like to wager, you should first consider our top five checklist questions. By doing so, you’ll be able to discover an online bookmaker that makes you feel like you’re flying high, rather than being stranded on the tarmac.
Do you prefer to bet on desktop or mobile?
Although both desktop and mobile versions of a bookmaker site should ideally offer the same content, the two experiences do differ, with mobile allowing you to place your bets no matter where you are. Mobile betting may also be particularly important if you’re a fan of live betting, where you need to respond to fast-paced action while watching it unfold in real time.
Of course, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the best of both worlds. Indeed, the best bookmakers out there should be offering an excellent desktop experience and a dedicated mobile app – or at least a responsive mobile version of the site – which gives you the same on the smaller screen. It’s just a good idea to make sure that an operator delivers when it comes to mobile before you sign up, if that’s how you prefer to bet.
How many different ways do you like to play?
Just like each holiday destination is unique, online bookmakers also vary in what you can discover there. They may cover a wide variety of popular in-play and live online sports betting markets. They may have a more niche focus on something like eSports. Or, they may do it all, alongside providing casino and poker sections of their site, too.
This is one of the most important things to consider before you sign up to any bookmaker. Understand how you like to play and make sure that your betting site delivers across the board. Don’t just think about your preferences right now either, but also what you may want to try out in the future. Sure, you may be content to just wager at the best football betting sites now, but when it comes to other big sporting events, you’ll want to be sure they can cater for your future bets, too.
Can promotions give you some extra bang for your buck?
It’s easy to see a generous looking sign up bonus and get tempted to register to a bookmaker to take advantage. However, you should also be thinking beyond this to your long-term use of promotions. After all, if a shiny sign-up bonus is all they offer, that bookmaker might not be much use to you as an existing customer.
Once again, you’ll have to consider how you like to bet here. If you like to place frequent wagers, look for VIP and loyalty programmes. If you’re an avid sports fan, check for sportsbook specific promotions, like acca insurance or bet boosts. And if you like to spend some time in the casino, free spin offers can be a really valuable offering. Our bonus comparisons and reviews can help you understand which promotions are best for you, as well as all the terms and conditions you’ll need to meet.
What kind of payment methods do you use?
While many bookmaker sites offer traditional payment methods like credit and debit cards and e-wallets, other payment options may be a little less common. For example, if you like to pay with a cryptocurrency, you’ll have to make sure this is available at your preferred bookmaker before signing up.
Of course, payment methods don’t just stop there. There’s other considerations too, like how fair their transaction times and fees are. We analyse all this in our payment method guides to help you know where to check in to.
Are you ready to check out our operator reviews?
Once you’ve taken a little time to know exactly what your tastes and preferences are as a bettor, you can head on over to our expert bookmaker reviews. Here, we analyse absolutely everything from a bookmaker’s markets and odds, to promotions, customer services and more. That way, you not only know that your chosen operator suits your betting style but that they can be trusted to deliver a great experience all around.
Conclusion – Use our comparison today!
That’s everything you need to know about how we come up with our picks for our best bookmakers online. Importantly, it’s a collaborative approach – one where we want to help you, not dictate to you our opinion. That’s why as part of this guide, we also wanted to make it clear not just what we look for in a bookmaker sportsbook review, but also what you should look for and focus on as well. That way, you can take that final step towards your perfect betting destination with confidence.
When it comes to determining which bookmaker should take this coveted crown, there’s actually no clear answer. That’s because so much of it comes down to your own personal preferences. One person may be looking for a bookmaker site that covers niche sports markets. Another person may prefer one that has a casino and poker offering too. We can’t tell you how you like to wager online. What we can do, though, is tour you around some of the best of the best, so you can decide where you want your journey to take you from there.
💻How do I sign up to the best bookmaker sites?
To be considered one of the best bookmaker sites online, the entire site experience should be as smooth and easy as possible. That starts with the registration process. This should typically be an online form which takes just a few minutes to fill out with your personal and account information. We also give extra marks here for any responsible gambling measure available at this stage, including things like deposit limits. You can learn more about signing up to the best bookmakers here.
✅How do you determine which bookmakers are best?
There are so many different considerations that go into our bookmaker reviews and comparisons. We assess absolutely everything from the site design to the variety of sports markets, betting odds and promotions. No one operator has to get a five-star luxury rating in every regard, but the best of the best should be consistent across the board. Of course, some of this comes down to personal preferences and how you personally like to bet online. Read our guide to discover the ideal starting point for your next betting adventure.
❓Do the best online bookmakers also have land-based shops?
Many popular online bookmakers will be big names in the industry. This means they may have land-based shops that complement their online presence. However, that’s not always the case and an innovative newcomer could come along and be your best fit out of all the competition. That’s why, in our operator reviews, we not only consider the quality and variety of the bookmaker but also who it may be best suited for. That way, we can help guide you to your ideal destination.
