Latest news with #SamTurner
Irish Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Irish tech firm will invest £1.8m in cyber security initiative
A BELFAST based tech firm has announced an investment of nearly £2m into a cyber security initiative for the manufacturing sector. Angoka has confirmed it will support the development of a world leading cyber security solution for the industry with funding of £1.8m. The COSMIC (Cybersecurity for Operational Systems in Manufacturing and Industrial Control) initiative promises to deliver a solution to protect organisations from the threat of cyber-attacks due to the digitalisation of manufacturing systems. It is currently being developed in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and with financial support from Invest NI. (l-r) Sam Turner, CEO of AMIC, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Steve Berry, ANGOKA Chairman and Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest NI Founded in 2019, Angoka has developed technology that allows machines to communicate securely without interference from hackers and cyber security threats. 'With cyber threats growing in both scale and sophistication, demand for solutions that protect online devices has surged across the globe,' Angoka Chairman, Steve Berry said. 'COSMIC is a reaction to the growing need for cyber security adoption in the advanced manufacturing sector due to the detrimental impact any breaches could have on the operational resilience of manufacturing facilities,' he added. 'Our new solution will allow us to expand our core offering and achieve ambitious growth targets. 'It will be designed for ease of deployment both on existing and new manufacturing equipment. 'This seamless deployment will be a key enabler for breaking into new markets across the globe.' Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald announced Angoka's investment this week. 'This investment by Angoka will help increase productivity, create good jobs, and boost innovation across two of our priority sectors - cyber security and advanced manufacturing,' she said. 'It is the result of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector and it has been enabled by the City and Growth Deal which established the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre,' the minister added. 'So this announcement is a great example of our economic strategy paying dividends.' Over the next two years AMIC will support the development of the COSMIC solution through product testing, identification of target customers for commercial deployments and acting as a point of contact with industry groups. 'AMIC is at the heart of the innovation support system for Northern Ireland manufacturing,' AMIC CEO Sam Turner said. 'Led by Queen's University in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University, we support our industrial clients in transforming processes and introducing new cutting-edge innovative products,' he added. 'With our new Factory-of-the-Future opening in 2026 and our mission to drive growth, competitiveness and innovation, the AMIC team is delighted to support Angoka with this project.' See More: Angoka, Belfast, Cosmic, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Cheap £9 buy will instantly elevate your garden – it adds privacy and enhances your plants
IF you're getting your garden ready for summer, this feature may be worth adding. You can pan out in peace with no worries of nosy neighbours with this budget buy. 2 Adding the Smart Garden Climbing Plant & Fencing Mesh to your garden can improve your privacy Credit: Sam Turner And even if your outdoor space isn't overly exposed, this item is still worth your time. It will instantly elevate the look of your garden as well as adding privacy to your space. So whether you enjoy lying out in the sun or dining al fresco, this buy may be for you. The You can choose between green or brown designs with the size options 0.5 metres by five metres or one metre by five metres. The fencing is made of "strong UV-stabilised rigid plastic" with "easy to cut" mesh. According to manufacturers, this "can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your garden". It is said to provide "sturdy support for climbing plants, against walls or arches". Most read in Fabulous Gardening experts recommended climbing plants to create a natural barrier in your backyard. The pros at I made a DIY fence for £68 with pallets from Facebook Marketplace - it gives more privacy & people say it's 'fantastic' Instead of opting for tired hedging, they recommended gardeners "consider screening off areas within your backyard using shrubs or climbing plants as opposed to blocking your whole boundary". They suggested ivy, jasmine, clematis, and roses for "maximum screening power without creating an overly boxed-in look". Another How to create privacy in your garden CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden: 1. Fencing Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy. 2. Hedges and Plants Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier. 3. Outdoor Curtains Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution. 4. Sound Barriers A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern. And a £10 B&M You can also And its not just fences that can help give you privacy in your garden, one Meanwhile, a Home Bargains buy is said to Read more on the Irish Sun And a £10 B&M You can also 2 Climbing plants can create natural barriers in your garden during the summer (stock image) Credit: Getty
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Best Betting Sites UK: Top Online Bookmakers Ranked and Reviewed
Betting on sport is a hobby for millions in the UK, but since there are so many betting sites to choose from, it's not always clear which bookmaker is the right fit for your own preferences. That's why we've spent the past few months researching the best betting sites who strive to deliver impartial and reliable insights for readers. Placing a small deposit into a newly opened betting account usually enables punters to access free bets to use on sports of your choice, which helps to get a feel for the bookmaker you've just invested in. Our review of the top betting sites in the UK draws on research, experience and first-hand testing to assess each platform's odds selection, security measures, bonus offerings and more. By leveraging trusted third-party data and our reporting standards, we endeavour to provide readers with an accurate and up-to-date guide to choosing the right bookmaker. Top 10 Betting Sites UK April 2025 Rest assured that all of our recommended bookies are fully regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and we've even provided a link to their license number on the UKGC website in the table below. 1. Bet365 – Best For Football Betting Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The last 20 years have seen Bet365 become the industry leader among football betting sites, while their all-round appeal has led to their popularity with all types of punters. The Stoke-based firm cater for their customers with innovative markets on all sports, but they are particularly strong on football and recently backed up this commitment by agreeing a three-year deal to become Uefa's first betting partner for the Champions League. Bet365's European football offerings have an abundance of price boosts, early payouts and free-to-play games surrounding the continent's premier club competition. The only slight disappointment with Bet365's football product is that live streaming of Champions League matches is not available. You can use the Bet365 bonus code INDY2025 to claim a new customer offer which sees players receive £30 in free bets when they deposit and stake £10. New and existing customers can also take advantage of the Bet365 Super Boost, where odds are bolstered on a particular selection in one of the most popular betting events that day. Bet365 Pros ✓ Biggest variety of Champions League odds I've seen ✓ High quality live streaming service ✓ One of the strongest welcome offers going Bet365 Cons ✗ No Champions League streaming despite Uefa partnership ✗ Less free bet promotions than a lot of their rivals Overall, the positives absolutely outweigh the very slight drawbacks on Bet365, and it's not only football that they specialise in. In my eyes, they're up there with the best for horse racing and tennis too. Sam Turner, The Independent 2. William Hill – Best For Horse Racing Betting Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ William Hill is a well-respected, award-winning bookmaker having picked up the award for Best Horse Racing Betting Operator at the 2024 EGR Operator Awards, making them the premier option for racing punters in the UK. One of the main reasons it's the best option for racing bettors is because of their best odds guarantee promo for bets placed after 8am online. It's a handy concession for early-morning backers and 8am is the earliest BOG commencement time I've found. Like Bet365, Hills offer new customers a sizeable bonus for signing up, with players gifted £30 in bonuses once they register and bet £10 via a mobile device after using the William Hill promo code R30. The bonus is paid out as three £10 free bets and can be used on any sport. Not only do they offer healthy bonuses for new customers, but Hills offer regular price boosts with their Epic Boost feature, and they are also a bookmaker that gives away free bets to existing customers for big events like the Cheltenham Festival. On the negative side, William Hill's live streaming package is not quite up to scratch compared to some other horse racing betting sites, like Bet365's for example, who give users access to a large archive of horse races to study. William Hill Pros ✓ Sign up offer is valid on horse racing odds ✓ Racing Epic Boost promo available on any race ✓ BOG promo begins at 8am daily William Hill Cons ✗ Live stream service not as good as Bet365 ✗ Sign up offer needs to be claimed via mobile device ✗ No free-to-play racing prediction game unlike rival bookies With top price guarantees, BOG and Non-Runner Money Back on Cheltenham, William Hill's racing product is unbeatable at the moment. I'd like to see a free racing prediction game like you'll find on Bet365 and Betway, but other than that it's a really strong offering. Sam Turner, The Independent 3. BoyleSports – Best For Golf Betting Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Established by John Boyle in 1982, BoyleSports is one of the best bookmakers available in the UK, especially when it comes to golf betting. Each-way betting is very popular with golf punters and Boyles allow customers to choose their own terms. For example, you may want to back Rory McIlroy each-way but you can select six, 10 or 12 places with the odds reflected accordingly. Boyles also run regular promotions around the majors, most notably their early payout feature whereby you'll receive a return if your tournament winner pick is the outright leader after three rounds, regardless of the final result. Away from golf, live streaming of horse racing is available on the BoyleSports site as well as their online betting app and the quality of the stream is excellent. As are the various promotions and bonuses available to customers which are neatly dotted around the site. The BoyleSports loyalty programme, called BoyleXtra, provides free bets and exclusive offers as well as prize draws to ensure you get the most out of your time betting with them. New players can gain £30 in free bets via the BoyleSports sign up offer once they have placed a minimum bet of £10 at odds in excess of evens, while they'll also throw in £10 credit for their casino sites too, with slots, live casino and poker all available. BoyleSports Pros: ✓ Lots of promotions for golf and various other sports ✓ New improved welcome offer ✓ Easy-to-use betting app with live streaming available BoyleSports Cons: ✗ Live chat customer support not available 24/7 like some rival bookies It proved very hard for me to find many meaningful faults with BoyleSports, which is why I've given it a five-star rating. Their golf offerings are second to none but they're also very good for racing and rugby betting. Sam Turner, The Independent 4. Parimatch – Best For Boxing Betting Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Established in 1994, Parimatch has gained a fine reputation for innovation since entering the UK market in recent years, so much so that they've become the go-to online bookmaker for big boxing and UFC bouts. It's very common for Parimatch to run special welcome offers ahead of big fights, usually in the form of a ludicrously large price boost on either fighter to win. For example, in the recent rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, new customers could pick their winner at odds of 50/1. They do similar offers for UFC betting and big Premier League games too. The only downside is that such offers are usually restricted to new customers only. Meanwhile, Parimatch is known to be one of the safest betting sites for responsible gambling, with their current CEO Sergey Portnov a former 'Leader of the Year' winner at the prestigious SBC Awards, thanks to his commitment to maintaining ethical practices. New customers can currently gain a welcome bonus of £20 in free bets, but if the terms and conditions don't suit you there are various other Parimatch sign up offers under their offers tab. Parimatch Pros ✓ Genuine enthusiasm for responsible gambling ✓ Wide variety of sign up offers ✓ Unique promotions for boxing betting Parimatch Cons ✗ The best offers are reserved for new customers ✗ T&Cs not always the clearest on welcome promos While not perfect, I've given Parimatch a very healthy score of four stars due to the emphasis on responsible betting and the value on offer in their welcome promos. More promos for existing customers would bring this bookie up another level. Sam Turner, The Independent 5. Unibet – Best For Cricket Betting Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Launched online in 1999, Unibet has a long history of award-winning bookmaking. During the noughties, they were recognised as the European Sportsbook of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2009 by the international magazine Egaming Review, while they were also crowned Sportsbook Operator of the Year at the 2014 IGA Awards. Today, they rank among the best betting sites across all of Europe and in particular the UK where they have really improved their offers on horse racing, football and cricket betting. For cricket, Unibet offer a range of promotions for major events such as the IPL and The Hundred, while they also offer live cricket streaming for select events on Unibet TV. The standard Unibet sign up offer provides new players with £40 in bonuses if they deposit and bet £10, but £20 of this credit is a casino bonus which may not appeal to every punter. Unibet Pros: ✓ Choice of sign-up offers ✓ Excellent in-play betting experience ✓ Multi-award winning sportsbook Unibet Cons ✗ Main sign-up offer restricts 50% of bonus funds to casino ✗ App could be improved when compared with other UK bookies One of the major positives when betting with Unibet is the variety of markets they offer for smaller and niche sports. If you are a player that scours the betting landscape for value and innovation then Unibet is a solid choice. Sam Turner, The Independent 6. BetMGM – Best For In-Play Betting Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ BetMGM is undoubtedly one of the best new betting sites in the UK having begun their journey into the British gambling market in 2023. Arriving with a reputation as one of the best casino sites and sports betting operators in the US, BetMGM have made giant strides in the UK in the last 18 months, aggressively marketing their horse racing and in-play products in particular. You'll find a vast selection of in-play options, from the most popular sports to bet on such as football and tennis, to niche betting events in eSports and table tennis. The data available to punters when live betting on tennis is particularly impressive, with real-time stats and head-to-head records, plus winning first serve and break point conversion percentages all updated by the minute. The BetMGM sign up offer provides new customers with £40 in free bets once you sign up and bet £10. It comes in the form of four £10 tokens that are free to use across several different sports and features, namely football, racing and bet builders. For existing customers, the best promotions are centred around odds boosts such as Golden Silks, which is their daily boosts on horse racing, and golden acca which is a profit boost for football accumulators. BetMGM Pros: ✓ Valuable welcome offer valid on multiple sports ✓ Top quality in-play betting product ✓ Golden Goals promo gives customers a chance to win £1m BetMGM Cons: ✗ Not the fastest for processing withdrawals ✗ Not as many ongoing promotions as rival bookies We particularly like BetMGM's in-play experience and also their international racing markets, with races from America, Dubai, Australia and more all available on a daily basis. Sam Turner, The Independent 7. Betway – Best Free Bet Club Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Betway are one of the most recognisable bookmakers in the country given their huge sponsorship presence in any number of sports, but predominantly football. The simplicity of Betway's Free Bet Club makes it stand out as the best loyalty promotion among the best UK betting sites. Moreover, you don't have to stake a huge amount in order to qualify for the weekly free bets, unlike some bookies out there. With the Betway Free Bet Club, punters who bet £25 per week on sports multiples – either accumulators or bet builders with three or more selections – will be rewarded with £10 in free bets (two £5 tokens). All you have to do is opt in via the Betway promotions page and meet the qualifying terms week to week to collect your free bets. The current Betway sign up offer is a £30 matched bet plus 100 free spins on their casino, but those on a lower budget can choose a bet £10 get £10 alternative offer via the link above. Betway Pros: ✓ Best Free Bet Club on the market ✓ Very good betting app with live streaming ✓ Great for multis with bet builder and acca insurance Betway Cons: ✗ £10 minimum withdrawals, other bookies allow £5 ✗ Website not easy to navigate compared to the app What I like about the Betway Free Bet Club is how much value you get back. By meeting the weekly criteria, you receive £10 in free bets for every £25 staked, effectively giving you 40% back to reinvest. It's a great way to get extra bets for your money. Sam Turner, The Independent 8. Betfred – Best For Accumulators Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Betfred have been a leading bookmaker in the UK since the 1960s and, after accumulating a large number of high street betting shops since the turn of the century, have since embraced the move to the online betting market. New customers can enter a Betfred promo code then bet £10 to get a £50 welcome bonus, which includes two free £10 accumulator bets, while the remaining three £10 tokens can be used on any sports betting markets. There's no doubt this welcome offer is up there with the best of them, but once you move past the newcomer stage there's lots of ongoing promotions to take advantage of. This includes Acca Flex whereby you can receive a bonus on your football accumulator winnings, or cash back if your multi only fails by one result. There are similar offerings for racing fans too, with 10% bonus funds added to winning Tricasts, Lucky15s and Yankees for example. The same bonuses can also be collected for winning greyhound accumulators. As well as several accumulator promotions, Betfred's punters can earn sizeable profit boosts with Goal Fever, Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven, among other solid football bonuses. Darts, rugby and NFL are all catered for too with ongoing bonus offers found under the promotions tab. Betfred Pros: ✓ One of the best sign-up offers on the market ✓ Accumulator promos available on several sports ✓ No wagering requirements on free bet offers Betfred Cons: ✗ Only 7 days in which to use the £50 bonus funds ✗ Multis must have 5+ results to qualify for Acca Flex promo ✗ Bet builders are not eligible for cash out Betfred are undoubtedly one of the top 10 bookmakers in the UK. The only reason I haven't given them a five-star review is because there are a lot of T&Cs to meet in their promos so make sure you do your homework before opting in. Sam Turner, The Independent 9. BetVictor – Best For Live Streaming Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ The BetVictor sign up offer may not be as appealing as some of their competitors, but players who sign up have access to a multitude of unique sports betting markets, with a strong focus on football and horse racing in particular. BetVictor boast a really good live betting platform and have an excellent user-friendly app and website which gives bettors access to their high-quality live streaming service. This will appeal to horse racing fans in particular, as BetVictor stream live racing from the UK, Ireland, France, USA, South Africa and the UAE. All you need is a positive betting balance in your account, or you'll also have access if you've placed a bet within the last 24 hours. However, be aware that if you plan to unlock a live stream by placing a bet, only outright markets will qualify and promotions such as price boosts for example are ineligible. Therefore, the simplest route to accessing live streams is to have some funds resting in your account. Regular racing offers for new and existing customers – including price boosts, lucky dips, BOG and daily specials – make them one of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK. As alluded to above, the current BetVictor welcome offer may not be to everyone's taste. It's a bet £20 get £40 in bonuses offer, but £20 of the bonus funds are reserved for casino activity and can't even be used on their online slots. BetVictor Pros: ✓ High-quality live streaming service on desktop and app ✓ Only a funded account needed to access streams ✓ One of the top racing betting sites in UK BetVictor Cons: ✗ 50% of welcome bonus restricted to casino ✗ £20 deposit required for sign up offer, more than most other sites ✗ Only outright bets will unlock live streams Not all sports betting fans will enamoured by BetVictor's sign-up package, but beyond the welcome offer there's a lot to like. I particularly enjoy their daily specials on racing, while their live racing streams are as smooth as I've come across. Sam Turner, The Independent 10. NetBet – Best For Bet Builders Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ NetBet's rise to prominence in the UK betting market is down to their dedication to bet builders, which are a relatively recent phenomenon in the bookmaking industry. Bet builders enable punters to pick and choose several potential outcomes within one game and combine them on one slip at accrued odds. It's similar to an accumulator except the focus is usually on one specific match, although the best bet builder sites will allow you to combine selections across multiple matches and even multiple sports. NetBet is one such bookmaker. They pride themselves on their bet builder product and boast one of the largest lists of sports on which bet builders are permitted. Many betting sites restrict their bet builders to just football, but on NetBet you can choose football, cricket, basketball, American football, ice hockey, baseball, rugby and AFL. Even NetBet's promotions page is dominated by bet builder offers, with football punters often rewarded with a free £5 bet just for placing a £10 bet builder on a specific game, while similar offers are commonplace during the NFL season. The NetBet sign up offer centres around bet builders. It's a bet £10 get £20 offer whereby new customers will receive two £10 bet builder tokens when they sign up and place a £10 bet builder at minimum odds of 3/1. NetBet Pros: ✓ Ideal sign-up offer for bet builder fans ✓ Lots of ongoing bet builder promos ✓ Wide range of sports permitted for bet builders Netbet Cons: ✗ Welcome offer not as lucrative as others ✗ Verifying account process can be slow ✗ Withdrawal process could be quicker I experimented with several bet builder sites over an extensive period and NetBet was the clear winner. Being able to combine NFL bet builder picks with NBA selections on one slip is a real treat for US sports fans, and the full list of sports you can include on your bet builder is impressive. We also keep an eye out for new betting sites making waves in the UK market and a select few can hold their own when compared with the biggest brands. We've been testing the newest UK bookmakers to find the best options for football, horse racing, free bets, price boosts, accumulators and more. Here's what stood out: 1. BetMGM – Best New Football Bookmakers Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ BetMGM have brought a strong product to the UK market, offering a slick betting experience with plenty of football promotions. Their £40 welcome offer and weekly free bets kept us engaged, but what really caught the eye were the profit boosts on Premier League betting and the free-to-play £1m Golden Goals prediction game. ✓ Excellent football promotions ✗ Limited live streaming options 2. BetGoodwin – Best New Horse Racing Betting Site Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ BetGoodwin focuses on horse racing, and their promotions reflect that, including their welcome offer of 50 per cent back on your first day losses (up to £25). They offer best odds guaranteed and several racing refund promos, including money back if your horse loses by a nose or falls at the last. Their acca insurance is a great feature for racing fans too. ✓ Wide variety of racing promotions ✗ Sign-up offer only applies to first-day bets 3. LiveScore Bet – Best New Bookie for Free Bets Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ LiveScore Bet is the perfect new bookmaker for those who get their kicks out of free bets. The LiveScore Bet sign up offer provides £30 in free bets after a first deposit and bet of £10, while ongoing promotions include refunds for losing bets on Saturday's early Premier League game and selected horse races. ✓ Great range of free bet offers ✗ Fewer markets than some other new bookies 4. TalkSport Bet – Best New Bookie for Price Boosts Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ TalkSport Bet, which launched in 2022, offers tons of price boosts across multiple sports, but none more so than football. Their Lucky Dip tool adds an extra element of fun, giving random enhanced odds on selected bets. There's also several different Talksport Bet sign up offers to choose from. ✓ Loads of boosted odds ✗ Live betting odds could be sharper 5. QuinnBet – Best New Betting Site for Accumulators Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ QuinnBet has a plethora of accumulator and system bet offers, with bettors able to get a free £5 bet every day by wagering £50 or more on accas (3+ selections), horse racing Yankees, Lucky 15s or bet builders. There's also a boost for winning accas and yankees, while QuinnBet offer accumulator insurance on NBA and NFL parlays where one leg lets you down. ✓ Ideal for accumulator betting ✗ Large stakes required to unlock free bets Why Trust Us? Sam Turner, the Independent's racing correspondent, is a seasoned horse racing journalist and broadcaster with over three decades of experience, including stints at the BBC and Adiyat Racing Plus, the UAE's leading weekly racing magazine. Having spent 17 years as the Daily Mail's lead betting tipster, he has learned a thing or two about bookmakers over the years and has a proven record of successful tipping too, having won the Racing Post's National Press Challenge award five times and been runner-up on four occasions. 5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Betting Site Now that we've established the top 10 betting sites and the best new bookmakers, we'd like to provide some advice on what you should consider before choosing the bookie that appeals most to you. 1. Payment Methods Modern betting sites offer various banking methods beyond debit cards and bank transfers. PayPal betting is a top choice for secure, fast transactions, while Apple Pay and Google Pay are gaining traction. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller allow deposits without sharing banking details, and options like Trustly and Paysafecard offer added privacy. Before signing up, check if the bookmaker supports your preferred payment method, as withdrawal speeds and deposit limits vary. 2. User Experience A betting app or website should be smooth and easy to navigate. Before registering, explore the bookmaker's site to see if finding the odds and markets you're interested in is straightforward. If you're using betting apps, a quick download will show how much storage it requires and whether it offers a seamless experience. Page load speeds and clear menus are crucial – if a bookmaker's platform is frustrating, take your bets elsewhere. 3. Customer Support Reliable customer support is essential. Test a bookmaker's live chat with a simple query to gauge response times and service quality. Emailing with a general question can also indicate efficiency. If a bookie lacks live chat or email support, consider whether they prioritise customer service. Delays in accessing funds or resolving issues can be frustrating, so choosing a bookmaker with prompt, helpful support is a must. 4. Betting Features Not all betting sites offer features like live streaming, in-play betting, bet builders or cash out. If these are important to you, confirm their availability before joining. For example, if you enjoy bet builders, ensure they cover your favourite sport. When in doubt, visit the bookmaker's help section or ask customer support directly – this also gives insight into their responsiveness. 5. Responsible Gambling Tools All UK-licensed bookmakers must provide responsible gambling tools, but quality varies. Self-exclusion, deposit limits and time-out options help players stay in control. Even if gambling feels manageable now, personal circumstances can change. Before signing up, check what safeguards are in place – choosing a bookmaker with strong responsible gambling features ensures you're protected, whatever the future holds. Recommended BoyleSports sign up offer Betano sign up offer Tote sign up offer How We Chose The Best Betting Sites Before recommending a bookmaker, we ensure they meet strict criteria. Regulation is non-negotiable – all featured betting sites on this page hold a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence, guaranteeing fair play, data security and player protection. A bookmaker's reputation matters, whether it's a trusted UK brand like William Hill or an operator with a strong global presence. Equally vital is customer experience – we assess site usability, withdrawal speeds and customer support to ensure a seamless betting journey. Promotions should go beyond welcome offers, with ongoing deals across multiple sports, from acca insurance to money-back specials. Finally, we prioritise responsible gambling, favouring sites that actively promote safer gambling tools to help players stay in control. What To Bet On Today The 89th edition of the Masters gets underway on Thursday at Augusta with all eyes on Rory McIlroy from a British perspective as he seeks to complete the career grand slam. McIlroy is second favourite in the outright market on Masters betting sites, just behind Scottie Scheffler, who is bidding to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Green Jackets. There's also a busy night of European football to come with Man Utd, Rangers and Tottenham all in Europa League action as the competition enters the quarter-final stage. All three British clubs face tough ties against Lyon, Athletic Bilbao and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. Chelsea's Europa Conference League quarter-final tie against Legia Warsaw is expected to be a little more straightforward with the Blues overwhelming favourites to advance to the semi-finals and to win the whole competition. We are into the round of 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters, where Carlos Alcaraz is the heavy favourite for the title ahead of his clash against Daniel Altmaier. Alcaraz's title chances were given a boost by Novak Djokovic's surprise exit on Wednesday, but some top contenders still remain. Round seven of the Super League season gets underway on Thursday evening when Salford visit Leeds, while Manchester is the setting for Night 10 of the Premier League Darts. Online Betting vs In-Store Betting Given the large-scale advertising around sporting events, you would be forgiven for thinking that online sports betting dominates the UK gambling industry, but recent data from the UK Gambling Commission confirms otherwise. The UKGC's 2024 survey data revealed that 48% of UK adults surveyed had gambled in the previous four weeks, but lottery (32%) and scratchcard activity (14%) made up a large proportion of that figure. Among UK adults, 9% reported placing a bet during that time, making betting a significant but smaller component of overall gambling activity compared to those who only gamble on lotteries (21%). A closer look at the sports betting data reveals 8% had put a physical bet on in the previous four weeks, while 6% of those surveyed had placed a bet online. The bar chart above highlights key trends in UK gambling participation. A key takeaway from this UKGC data is that in-person betting remains slightly more common than online betting, with bookmaker shops and racetrack activity still holding their own in the industry. While traditional betting venues still attract a slightly larger volume of activity, the small gap between online and in-person betting is likely to shift towards digital platforms as betting sites and apps offer greater convenience, more competitive odds and better promotions. Please Gamble Responsibly Before using gambling sites, it's crucial to understand the risks of problem gambling. The latest Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) highlights embarrassment, conflict, and stress-related health issues as common consequences of excessive gambling. To stay in control, make full use of a bookmaker's safer gambling tools. Set a deposit limit from day one – only wager what you can afford to lose. Enable reality checks to receive reminders of your time spent gambling. If betting becomes overwhelming, the Time Out feature lets you block access for up to six weeks. For longer-term control, Self-Exclusion prevents access for a minimum of six months, ensuring you take a necessary break from gambling. Responsible gambling should always be a priority – if you need help, seek support from a trusted organisation such as: BeGambleAware – For free, confidential help and advice GamCare – A national helpline, live chat and support group Gamblers Anonymous UK – A self-help group offering peer support meetings National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) – A network of local organisations providing treatment and support Gambling Therapy – Provides global online support and resources NHS Northern Gambling Service – Specialist clinics for problem gambling treatment GAMSTOP – free service that enables people to block themselves from all online gambling companies licensed in the UK. Best Betting Sites UK: Summary We've highlighted our top 10 betting sites in the UK, but the best bookmaker ultimately depends on your personal preferences. While our recommendations are based on thorough research, you should choose a site that meets your needs. Every betting site featured here is UKGC-licensed, ensuring fair play and consumer protection. If you decide to sign up to any, always gamble responsibly and stay in control of your betting. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Recommended Betfred Promo Code Betway Sign Up Offer Best Football Betting Sites UK More about Betting Bookmakers bet365 Betfred William Hill We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Independent a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK's best online gambling companies. Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare. Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Bet365 Grand National Offers: £30 in Free Bets & Constitution Hill Super Boost
The end of the National Hunt season is nearly upon us, but not before racing fans get to enjoy the three-day Grand National Festival at Aintree, which gets underway on Thursday. As one of the leading betting sites on the market, Bet365 are preparing customers for the 2025 Grand National with special tailored offers in addition to providing great value in their Grand National welcome offer. New customers can claim £30 in free bets for the Grand National, while existing customers can take advantage of a range of offers, including daily super boosts with Consitution Hill's price to win the Aintree Hurdle boosted to 7/4. We've compiled a brief guide to Bet365 Grand National offers, including information on their welcome offer, other horse racing promos and additional relevant info ahead of the big race. What is the Bet365 Grand National Welcome Offer? The Bet365 sign up offer provides great value for new customers looking to join one of the best horse racing betting sites. New customers can secure the Bet365 Grand National offer worth £30 in free bets by signing up online after clicking our link and depositing and betting £10 online within 30 days of registration. New customers must use the Bet365 bonus code INDY2025 during the registration process to qualify for the welcome bonus. Customers can then deposit £10 using an eligible payment method. Bear in mind, Bet365 may require identification documents for certain debit cards, PayPal and prepaid cards if used as the deposit method. A qualifying wager of £10 must then be placed on any sports market with odds of 1/5 or greater. Once your qualifying wager has settled, customers will receive £30 in free bets to use on all sports. Bet365 offers great flexibility with its welcome offer, highlighting the strength of its betting site and experience for new users. Customers can also deposit £5 instead of £10 and receive £15 in free bets to use all sports by following the same process. Bet365 Grand National free bets expire within seven days, and can be used by clicking the free bets button on your bet slip. Is there a Bet365 Bonus Code for the Grand National 2025? Customers must use the Bet365 bonus code INDY2025 to unlock its Grand National offer. New customers only need to click one of the links in this article before signing up, depositing £10 and betting £10 on any sports market with odds of 1/5 or greater. Once your qualifying wager has settled, your account will be credited with £30 in free bets. You can use your Grand National free bets on any race or indeed sports market across the Bet365 sportsbook. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Constitution Hill Super Boost Each day of the Grand National Festival, bettors can enjoy boosted odds on selected runners, as well as a Super Boost on one of the big favourites. Constitution Hill, the favourite for the Aintree Hurdle (3.30pm) and one of Sam Turner's picks for his day one Aintree tips has seen his price boosted from evens to 7/4 to win Thursday's feature race. Expect further super boosts to follow, offering outstanding value on bet365's Grand National odds. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Bet Boost Bet365 run numerous bet boosts as one of their Grand National offers. This entails boosting the prices of several markets surrounding the race, from horses to trainers and even jockeys. Bet boosts will also be available throughout Aintree Festival, helping customers to receive greater value on their Grand National bets and more. Bet boosts are not usually capped like Super Boost markets, giving customers greater license with their stake. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Best Odds Guaranteed Bet365 offer best odds guaranteed on the Grand National and all other races at the Aintree Festival. This is another primary Bet365 Grand National bet offer. Customers will receive the best possible price on their Bet365 Grand National odds for any bets placed on 8am on the day of the race, even if their bet has odds shorter than the SP price. This promotion applies to win bets and each-way bets on the Grand National and other races during the festival. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Each-Way Extra Bet365 offers each-way extra as another of the primary Bet365 Grand National bet offers. Customers are offered the chance to increase or decrease the number of places in specific races in Aintree Festival. The more places users add to their bet, the lower the value of their betting odds. Bear that factor in mind before placing your bet online. This promotion is available for races on the day of the meet at 10am. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) As another main part of the Bet365 Grand National product, the Bet365 also offers non-runner no bet on the Grand National and other races in the Aintree Festival. This means that if a bettor's chosen runner does not run they will receive their money back as cash. If part of a multiple bet, your selection will be voided. Note that non-runner no bet does not qualify for the BOG promotion. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Winnings Boosts Bet365 have recently launched horse racing bet builders and fans of this bet type can get a 25% winnings boosts for successful bet builders on selected races at Aintree. Racing bet builders require three or more selections and must have combined odds of evens or greater to qualify for the boost. Once you've put together your bet builder, hit the 'Winnings Boost' option on the bet slip to make sure you get a bigger payout if the wager is successful. Bet365 Grand National Offers - Free-to-Play £50k Prediction Game Bettors could be in with a chance of winning a share of bet365's £50k jackpot on their 6 Horses Challenge. The free-to-play game requires bettors to pick the winner from six selected races at Aintree. Bettors will need to get all six correct to win the jackpot, but they can secure a casino bonus with two or three correct selections, while those that pick out four or five winners will receive a cash prize. Responsible Gambling Betting should only ever be considered a form of entertainment – it will never be a surefire way to make money. When betting, assume you'll lose and therefore, only wager what you can afford. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. Make sure you use the safer gambling tools offered on betting apps such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Grand National tips: Experts' best bets and 13 horses to watch on day one at Aintree
The Grand National Festival is almost here with the three-day festival at Aintree poised to provide some thrilling racing. Last year's winner I Am Maximus, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, is back and among the main contenders eyeing up glory, while Iroko, Stumptown, Hewick, Intense Raffles and Vanillier are also heavily fancied by tipsters and experts. I Am Maximus is attempting to create history as the first runner carrying top weight to win since three-time winner Red Rum in the 1970s, while only Tiger Roll has defended the title, in 2019, since then. But before that, we'll look forward to a star-studded card on Thursday, which includes former champion hurdler Constitution Hill, who was upset at Cheltenham Festival last month, in a heavyweight clash with Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle, with officials compensating for the dry conditions by watering the ground to ensure the going is good to soft. Day 1: Thursday, 3 April 1.45 Sam Turner's tips: Jango Baie – 2 points win @ 5/2 Gidleigh Park – 1 point win @ 11/2 Jango Baie pulled off one of the unlikeliest victories in the Arkle Chase seen for years when overhauling his four rivals in the dying strides to snatch a dramatic success. This step up in trip should really play to his strengths and he has a major chance of following up providing he jumps with a little more fluency than he did at Cheltenham. Gidleigh Park is reportedly a hard horse to keep right but the form of his Windsor win on easy ground took a handsome boost at the Festival when runner-up Caldwell Potter bolted up and the selection looks like another to relish the return to today's trip. 2.20 Sam Turner's tips: Puturhandstogether – 1 pt win @ 2/1 Filibustering – 1/2 pt ew @ 16/1 Winners of the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham are 0-5 in this event when attempting to follow up, but such was the manner of the gelding's victory in that fiercely contested handicap, that he could still take all the beating upped in class here. Wendrock was sixth despite not jumping either of the last two hurdles particularly cleanly so could finish a lot closer this time round, while Filibustering is worth a small each-way play with betting sites after impressing on his Kelso debut over hurdles. He reached a good level on the level and was very much at home on a flat, galloping track so Aintree should suit him. 2.55 Sam Turner's tips: Grey Dawning – 2 pts win @ 9/4 Connections of Grey Dawning have campaigned their grey son of Flemensfirth with this race in mind all season, so he narrowly gains the nod ahead of Spillane's Tower and Stage Star. A recent Kelso defeat of Iroko reads pretty well and conditions should be to the liking of the eight-year-old who appeared to get stuck in the mud in the Betfair Chase in his comeback last November. 3.30 Sam Turner's tips: Constitution Hill – 2 pts win @ 5/6 Take No Chances – 1 pt win @ 13/2 in the betting markets without Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth What to make of a horse like Constitution Hill? Brilliant on his day but, as we have seen in recent times, prone to the most calamitous blunder. The selection has reportedly undergone extensive schooling since his Cheltenham mistake and, although he has hasn't reached the heights of his 2023 Champion Hurdle success, the 2023 winner of this race did run out a comfortable winner at the expense of Lossiemouth when securing a third Christmas Hurdle success on his return, despite needing the run and is fancied to bounce back. The betting markets without the front two in the market are interesting with Wodhooh an understandably warm favourite following her Cheltenham win. However, Take No Chances finished off powerfully to take third from an uncompromising position in the race won by Lossiemouth and will probably be more conservatively ridden than Wodhooh so makes some appeal at 13/2 without the front two in the market. 4.05 Sam Turner's tips: My Drogo – 1 pt win @11/2 Milan Forth – 1/2 pt ew @ 14/1 (5 places) Not a race for the feint hearted this, but My Drogo was very well regarded in a former life with Dan Skelton – won a Grade 1 hurdle here four years ago – and remains of interest now he appears in good heart in this sphere. The presence of Will Biddick is another plus, and the selection should relish conditions. Milan Forth made a pleasing debut for Adrian Murray at Down Royal, travelling powerfully and jumping well before putting the race to bed. He looks the right type for a race of this nature and is worth supporting using the betting apps with five places on offer. 4.40 Sam Turner's tips: My Mate Mozzie – 1pt ew @ 11/2 – four places Calico – 1/2pt ew @ 11-1 – four places Cheekpieces could be the key to My Mate Mozzie producing his best and the expected strong gallop and good ground look ideal for him to deliver another big performance in a hot handicap. Calico is another well suited by spring conditions and it is worth remembering he was on the verge of chasing home Jonbon here two years ago only to tip up at the final fence. He posted a career best at Cheltenham in October on good ground and is another sure to relish an end-to-end gallop. 5.15 Sam Turner's tips: Jackie Hobbs – 1/2pt ew @ 15/2 Oldschool Outlaw – 1/2pt ew @ 25/1 Jackie Hobbs has been targeted at this event since scoring on her bumper debut at Ludlow and she did little at Ascot to dissuade the view that she should give another good account here. Her recent homework has been very encouraging. Oldschool Outlaw is a rather more left-field selection, but she was only overhauled late on at Leopardstown last month on her under rules debut and displayed a terrific attitude that day so is worth a small each-way play with betting sites offering four places or more.
