Latest news with #sportsbetting
Fox News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito confronts MLB commish about sports betting
Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito is concerned about the safety of MLB players amid a rise in sports betting, revealing that both he and his girlfriend have been harassed on social media. Giolito, 31, spoke about the issue after meeting with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred this week. He told the "Baseball isn't Boring" podcast that Manfred met with the Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies to discuss issues and concerns and that he took the opportunity to raise an issue that he believes is a serious threat to most baseball players. "I asked him about something that has been on my mind this year that's been a little worrisome for me with the rise of sports betting – the access that exists now with social media and everything," Giolito said. "The threats when a player doesn't perform well – threats to their family, threats to their life – it's getting very tiring. I worry for guys that are maybe new to the league and aren't ready for something like that." The 2019 All-Star said that he's been subjected to angry threats on social media, regardless of his performance. He noted that even his girlfriend "gets a lot of nasty s---." "When it comes to the gambling, it obviously has created an uptick in insane people online — well, not insane, just disgruntled. I'm getting messages after every game, even games where I pitch well where they're made at me because I hit the strike out over instead of being under, or I was under instead of being over like prop bets – all these crazy things. And people put hundreds of dollars on it and they don't have a lot of money, but they're gambling it anyways because it's a disease. They freak out." Giolito admitted that while sports betting has been around for some time, access to players on social media and access to gambling has made it a bigger issue over the years. While staying off social media can shield players from the negativity, Giolito said it does not remove the real threat athletes could face. "It only goes so far," he said. "Is it going to take a player getting assaulted in front of their apartment building by some disgruntled guy that lost a bet for real action to be taken?" Giolito said he appreciated the commissioner speaking with teams and players, adding that "to be able to get face-to-face time and ask questions is always good." However, Giolito isn't the first athlete to ever raise concerns about sports betting – and he certainly isn't the first MLB player to be subjected to alarming threats. Just last month, police in Texas identified a man overseas as the culprit who allegedly made death threats directed at Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and his family in May. Police said the man was "inebriated" when he made the threats on social media after he lost money on a bet. The Astros hired security for McCullers and his family. McCullers said he struggled with explaining the situation to his 5-year-old daughter. "She asked me when I came home, 'Daddy, like, what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?'" McCullers told The Associated Press at the time. "So, those conversations are tough to deal with."
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Best betting sites in the UK: Top bookmakers for 2025
WITH so many bookmakers out there, it's not always obvious which ones are worth your time and your bets. This guide to the best betting sites in the UK for 2025 breaks down what sets each platform apart, from standout features like flexible bet builders and live streaming to small but essential details such as fund withdrawal speed and mobile usability. Whether you're regularly placing Saturday football accas, following every race at Cheltenham religiously, or just like to take the occasional punt on how Jack Draper will do at the next Grand Slam, we've looked at what real punters out there need and found only the best UK-licensed sites to meet those needs. We've also covered everything new and inexperienced bettors may want to know about online sports betting, from what the most popular markets are to the types of promotional offers you should be looking out for and the red flags you should avoid when searching for the perfect sportsbook. Finally, we've answered some of your most popular questions and given some tips for making the most of your bets. Read on for everything you'll need to know about sports betting in the UK in 2025. ⭐ Top betting sites 🔎 A closer look at the best betting sites in the UK To start with, we've gathered our favourite licensed bookies in the UK. Each of them excels at one or more areas, but we've tried our best to present both their strengths and potential weaknesses so you know exactly what you're signing up for. Although we may have liked some more than others, each operator on this list is an excellent choice for UK punters looking for a new betting home, and all of them are well worth your time and attention. 1. bet365 With a quarter century of experience under its belt, and just about every sport and market imaginable on offer, bet365 is the first choice for many punters and our favourite pick in 2025 as well. Sports fans will find a deep market coverage across major and minor leagues worldwide, including top-tier in-play betting and early payout options for football, and one of the best Bet Builder tools in the industry. The live streaming offering is equally impressive, with thousands of events available each year, including major football fixtures, ATP and WTA tennis matches, and UK and international horse racing events, all integrated seamlessly with live betting markets. Odds are consistently competitive, too, and the platform's smooth interface on both desktop and mobile features live streaming with detailed match stats. If we had to give one complaint, it's that withdrawing large sums through traditional banking methods can take a long time and requires extensive verification checks. 2. Betfred Betfred is a long-established UK bookmaker renowned for its generous Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) deals, daily racing specials, and acca-focused promotions. Its sports betting offer spans a large variety of markets, but primarily focuses on football, horse racing, and tennis, where you'll often find some of the best odds in the business. Football fans will appreciate Betfred's unique #PickYourPunt bet builder, while horse racing fans have BOG deals that ensure the best price on UK and Irish races. Top it off with Acca Flex promotions that both reward wins on large accas (2.5% bonus starting at 5 legs, and going up to 100% at 20+ legs) and soften the blow of one-leg losses (up to £10 back in cash) and you've got a bookie that knows its audience very well. That said, if you're a fan of niche markets or less popular sports, there are fewer here than on most top competing sites. 3. Betway With nearly two decades of experience and an excellent sportsbook selection, Betway is one of those bookies that we feel don't get enough credit. It is especially good for live in-play betting, featuring a dynamic user interface with rapid market updates, detailed live statistics for various sports, and a well-designed and snappy mobile app that is perfect for making those split-second live betting changes and ensuring you're up to speed with everything that's happening on the court. This is of particular note to tennis fans, who not only have markets with excellent odds available well before major events such as Wimbledon, but also occasional odds boosts and detailed match statistics on Betway's excellent live betting interface. That said, if you're looking to watch all the matches you bet on live, Betway lags a bit behind the competition with coverage in this regard, focusing instead on providing detailed live statistics for all the matches it doesn't stream. 4. Coral Coral is a legendary bookie with a storied history dating back to 1926. With brick-and-mortar shops all across the UK, it's a household name in Britain for sure. Its online offering definitely lives up to this legacy, with a wide range of sports and sports markets, class-leading cash out options, and some of the best bet-building features we've ever seen, all combined with a user-friendly interface and excellent live betting options on both desktop and mobile. Our favourite feature is the #YourCall custom bets, where you can combine several betting markets into a unique bet with special odds that Coral may even feature for other punters to copy. Horse racing fans will also love BOG deals and boosted odds for major events, and everyone will appreciate how easy partial cash outs are to process. That said, for punters looking purely for the best odds on major events, Coral is not usually the best choice. 5. BetMGM Although a well-established operator across the pond, UK punters had a long wait until BetMGM opened its doors to the UK in 2023. It was a worthwhile wait, as BetMGM offers everything a betting enthusiast would want: a large selection of sports and sports markets (especially for popular sports like football and horse racing), with daily promotions and odds boosts through Lion's Boosts, a well-designed website with an intuitive betting interface, support for a variety of fast and secure payment methods, and excellent customer support. Our favourite feature, though, is the Edit My Bet, which gives punters the option to add, change, or remove selections (or increase their stake) on certain live sporting events while the bet is still active. If we had to pick one negative to mention, it would have to be that BetMGM's Android app can sometimes be a bit sluggish and isn't up to par with the site's desktop and iOS versions. 6. 888 Sport 888 Sport is one of the veterans in the online sportsbook space, with decades of experience and countless sports markets on offer. While primarily known to football fans for excellent Bet Builder and Acca offers (and sponsoring several notable teams such as Nottingham Forest), its offer also includes an excellent tennis betting selection with promotions covering popular events, such as free bets on any sport when you make a £20 or larger bet on Wimbledon, or similar freebies for Cheltenham or greyhound races. The site also supports fast and highly secure deposits through a variety of popular e-wallets and has some of the best Android and iOS apps in the industry, with detailed pre-match and live statistics and excellent live streaming coverage of all big events across football, basketball, cricket, horse racing, and boxing. Our one complaint is that non-e-wallet withdrawals can take a long time, and the site has very strict checks before releasing your money. 7. SBK While far less known in the UK compared to 888 Sport, bet365, or Coral, SBK is well worth checking out. Though it may not have as many markets as the biggest names in the industry, it more than makes up for it with generous promotions for both new and existing players, and, more importantly, some of the best odds you'll find on major sports events anywhere. SBK offers a highly transparent system called Best Price, where you can see live updates of the event's odds at SBK compared to leading industry competitors such as Ladbrokes, Unibet, William Hill, and the like, with green arrows marking when SBK's odds are the best. Price+ goes a step further, with SBK forfeiting their usual margins to offer the very best odds possible on select sports matches. That said, the site has far less live streaming coverage and ongoing promotions for players compared to the big-name competitors mentioned before. 8. Betano Operating in the UK since 2024, Betano keeps things simple: offer highly competitive odds, have a great live streaming and betting service, and provide just enough betting markets for popular sports, and you have a winning combination. In addition to a variety of standard bets, the site lets you make various combinations and accas, request bespoke selections with unique odds, or use Lucky Dip to get potentially boosted odds on a specific selection. There are also regular bet boosts on popular events, especially for football and tennis matches. Best of all, the user interface on mobile is one of the best we've ever seen, with a quick slide-out menu directly from your live match stream, and the ability to confirm bets by just swiping up, without ever leaving your match screen. That said, we'd have liked to see partial cash-outs and mid-bet editing options, but for now, Betano has an all-or-nothing system in this regard. 9. kwiff kwiff is a perfect example of a no-nonsense modern bookie, with a unique selling point, competitive odds, and a very respectable selection of sports betting markets to try out. Football betting fans get Bet Builder Insurance, which gives a free bet worth a tenner if one leg of a 4+ selection fails you, while horse racing enthusiasts get paid if their horse finishes first, even if they are subsequently disqualified. Great promos are not exclusive to these sports: you can get supercharged odds on 3+ fold accas on any sports market each weekend with a stake anywhere between £1 and £100, and kwiff also gives every bet on the site a chance to become supercharged, greatly boosting its odds. While we appreciate that there are no e-wallet restrictions on promos on the site, we do wish that there were more payment options available, with PayPal, Payz, and AstroPay currently being the only e-wallets supported. 10. Unibet Unibet is a giant on the sports betting market, operating online for nearly thirty years, and boasting a massive sportsbook to rival the very best in the industry. It also offers a ton of promotions, including money back offers for a variety of sports, acca boosts and Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish horse races, a comprehensive Bet Builder with a unique Rebound cash back feature on American sports leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB), and even tickets to the biggest sporting events. Unibet also boasts highly competitive odds for football and basketball markets, and one of the best responsible gambling toolkits we've ever seen. There are also numerous detailed sports betting guides, a very useful blog, and a fantastic streaming service that covers a large number of sports events. Our only complaint would be a lack of a dedicated sportsbook VIP programme, like the one found on the casino side of the site. 11. Midnite Midnite is another new kid on the block, having only been around since 2023. It's a highly UK-focused site, so you can find plenty of markets and very competitive odds for the Premier League, Wimbledon, or the Grand National. In place of a massive sportsbook filled with niche markets, this bookie opts to draw in bettors with consistent rewards such as price boosts and several methods of obtaining free bets every week. Players can opt to join the Bet Club, Acca Club, or Bet Builder Club, depending on their preferences, each offering different types of free bets each week. Midnite features a modern and well-optimised user interface that guarantees a smooth betting experience on both desktop and mobile, and supports several popular e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal, and Skrill. That said, it lags behind the competition when it comes to live streaming and has very basic in-play stats for matches, making it less suitable for live betting. 12. Copybet Copybet is a great pick for both inexperienced punters looking for expert advice and veterans who need some extra income. Its signature feature is the ability to copy bets from professional tipsters, allowing punters to browse expert profiles, subscribe to their selections, and automatically place the same bets with a single click. The system benefits both sides: tipsters earn a commission from their subscribers' winnings, while less experienced users gain access to tried-and-tested strategies without needing to do the research themselves. The site also offers a solid selection of sports markets, a clean mobile interface, and reasonably competitive odds, making it a solid all-around option even outside of its main gimmick. However, it could improve by offering more in-depth stats and performance data on tipsters, helping users make better-informed subscription choices. There are also not many promotions compared to most competitors on our list, but Copybet covers the basics like profit and acca boosts well. 13. Tote Tote is one of the UK's most beloved and oldest active bookies. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, it operates on a pool betting system, where all bets go into a shared pot and winnings are split among those with successful selections. This can result in both larger and smaller payouts than standard odds, but the Tote Guarantee (available on select events) helps balance that by ensuring your win price is never lower than the official starting price. Tote is also famous for its Tote Multiples, which act like accas but reward players with whichever return is higher: the starting price (SP) or the Tote dividend. There is also a respectable number of markets for other sports like football, and Tote offers both pool betting and fixed odds for added flexibility. That said, the best promotions are geared towards horse races and pool betting, so if that's not your forte, other competitors tend to offer better odds and more markets. 14. Spreadex As with Tote, you can guess what Spreadex is about just by looking at the site's name. It combines a traditional fixed-odds sports market with a highly sophisticated spread betting platform, offering something fairly unique in a very saturated market. A standout feature is definitely the site's football spread markets, covering everything from goals and corners to total shots or bookings during a match, but fixed odds offerings are no slouch either, with competitive odds and a very good Bet Builder. Spreadex further ups the ante with a very good set of live stats and a highly intuitive user interface with options such as one-click cash outs for spread bets. Ambitious bettors can even access financial markets (CFDs, forex, indices) via FCA-regulated accounts, which you won't find on any other typical sports bookie. That said, we were disappointed with very limited e-wallet support, covering at the moment only Apple Pay and Google Pay. 🔬 How we review and rate online betting sites Whether it's looking for the best football betting sites or trying to find our readers the sites that offer the most generous free bets around, our comprehensive evaluation process is based on our in-house rating system, The Sun Factor. We take an all-encompassing approach in our reviews, looking at everything from sports and market variety to the competitiveness of the odds and betting options available, the quality of the promotions and customer service on offer, and the speed and security of all transactions on the site. Here's a detailed breakdown of what we evaluate (and you should, too!). 📈 Range of sports and markets One of the most important factors when we evaluate a bookmaker is the variety of sports and markets on offer. A top-tier sportsbook should provide access to a wide range of sports, including both popular picks in the UK like football, horse racing, tennis, basketball, and cricket, and emerging ones like esports and virtuals. Additionally, we like to see a broad selection of markets within each sport, from classic single match bet types such as moneyline bets to advanced bet builders, multiples(accumulators), and specials. A large selection of sports markets is essential for catering to a variety of players, from those who want to place bets on specific events or niche games, to adrenaline junkies who love in-play betting. Odds should also be available for pre-match, live, and outright wagers, so sites can cater to different betting styles and strategies. 🎁 Sports bonuses and promotions The availability and quality of bonuses and promotions are critical to a site's success in attracting and retaining its customers. These can include specific sports with free bets, profit boosts, bonus bets, bet credits, and even cashback offers. Leading sports betting sites also regularly run promotions like acca insurance, BOG (best odds guaranteed) or give out free bet offers and price boosts, especially around major events like the Premier League or the Grand National. As tempting as these are, it's essential to thoroughly read and understand the terms and conditions(T&Cs), especially regarding the wagering requirements, expiry times, min. deposit and bet stake amounts, and eligibility exclusions such as one promo/account per household or IP address. Another one to look for is payment method exclusions, such as e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill, which are often ineligible for promotions on UK betting sites. These factors influence the real value of any promotion and shouldn't be overlooked. 📊 Odds and value While rookies might go for a tempting-looking welcome bonus, seasoned punters know how to sniff out competitive odds and take advantage. During our research, we compare odds across different sports betting sites for the same events to identify those with the best value proposition. We also look at commission margins, especially for popular markets like football match result (moneyline bets), over/under, or horse racing win/place bets. Some bookmakers may offer lower margins on specific sports, events, or accas, appealing to experienced punters seeking maximum returns. Others may feature promotions like boosted odds, EVS specials, or wager deposit incentives. Ultimately, betting odds need to be highly competitive and transparent, and ideally updated in real time, especially for in-play markets where quick fluctuations can and do occur regularly. 🏟️ Live betting and streaming Live betting has become a central feature of modern online sports betting. Any bookie worth their bet slip should provide real-time odds, fast bet settlement times and a responsive platform for placing in-play bets. Live streaming is another major feature, especially for football, tennis, and horse racing fans. Sportsbooks that integrate streaming services let users watch the game and adjust their wagers accordingly. Operators like bet365, William Hill, and Ladbrokes offer top-tier streaming options with comprehensive stats, predictions, and live markets for a vastly enhanced betting experience. 📱 Mobile experience and site usability Convenience is one of the key reasons people these days use online sportsbooks these days. You can't beat the hustle and bustle of brick-and-mortar betting shops, but being able to bet on the go, wherever you are, provides a lot more flexibility. For that to work, though, the betting experience must be impeccable, regardless of the device you're using. Mobile site optimisation, clean and well-designed UI, or, better still, a bespoke app with all of the desktop features and even some unique promotions - these are all essentials we have come to expect from betting sites in the UK these days. In this category, we evaluate everything from the quality of the site's mobile apps to how quickly the games load on any device and how user-friendly navigating it is on both desktop and mobile. 💳 Payment methods and withdrawal speeds An essential part of evaluating any betting site is looking at the availability and eligibility of various popular payment methods that guarantee secure transactions on the site. This includes first checking what payment methods are available, from traditional ones like debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and bank transfers, to e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and finally modern payment platforms and open banking payments networks like Trustly, Paysafe or TrueLayer. Next, we search for any potential payment exclusions tied to bonuses, as some e-wallets may be ineligible to qualify for deposit-based promotions. Finally, we next look at the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal thresholds and processing times for withdrawal requests. Top bookies like offer secure, fast, and hassle-free payouts, and that's the standard you should be looking for on any site you decide to play on. 📞 Customer service quality We evaluate the quality of service of a site's customer support on several factors such as agent availability, response speed, and the available methods for getting help, such as FAQ, email, phone support, and, of course, live chat. Top betting sites offer 24/7 service through knowledgeable agents who can resolve issues such as settlement disputes or problems with money withdrawal requests quickly and efficiently. Most popular sports and where to bet on them In terms of sports betting in the UK, certain sports are simply much more popular than others, offering a large variety of betting options, competitive odds, and a steady stream of events. Whether you're a casual punter placing a single bet or an experienced bettor using accumulators and bet builders, these are the top sports in the UK with the most active and dynamic betting markets. ⚽ Football As you'd expect, football is by far the most popular sport to bet on in the UK. From the major events like the Premier League and Champions League to foreign leagues and international matches, the sheer number of games, markets, and bet types makes it ideal for wagers of all kinds. Football betting sites offer match odds on a variety of markets including standard moneyline (game winner) bets, trying to guess the correct score, or the game's first goalscorer, to advanced stats-based selections like the number of shots, corners, or fouls during the match, accas/multiples and, of course, in-play betting options. Enhanced odds, price boosts, and free bet promotions are regularly featured, especially on big events and highly anticipated matches. 🏇 Horse racing An all-time classic, horse racing remains a fan favourite on the UK gambling scene. With major events like Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, and the Grand National, horse racing attracts both recreational and professional bettors. While many operators have BOG (Best Odds Guaranteed) deals and a variety of betting markets, including popular EW (each-way) bets, the best horse racing betting sites also offer live streaming, race previews, access to detailed horse form and stats, and betting tips to help with customer selections. 🎾 Tennis Tennis betting sites are especially popular during major tournaments such as Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open. Fast-paced and ideal for live betting, tennis offers a broad range of markets like match winner, set betting, and, of course, various predictions on how successful players will be, such as whether they will reach the tournament final. 🏌️ Golf While more niche in the past, golf has grown significantly in the sportsbook space. Events like The Masters and The Open Championship draw in large betting pools, with longshot odds that attract value-hunters. Punters can place bets on outright winners, top 10 finishes, or even head-to-head matchups. Bookmakers at golf betting sites often include promos like free bets or profit boosts tied to golf tournaments. 🥊 Boxing Boxing is another very popular sport in Britain, and we have a long history of prize fighters worth following and hedging your bets on. Whether you're playing it safe and betting on the match winner, or have more daring bets such as how many punches will be landed or what round the match will finish in, boxing betting sites offer plenty of varied markets that will keep you entertained for a long time. Other popular sports Other key sports for UK customers include cricket, rugby, basketball, MMA, and esports, each with unique markets, bet types, and seasonal or global events. Esports, in particular, is growing fast in popularity among younger players and mobile app users, with live streams, dynamic odds, and plenty of unique markets making it a highly exciting market to get into. Best betting sites by feature Some punters prioritise features over offers. Below are the best UK betting sites for specific tools and innovations you may be interested in. 📺 Best for live streaming bet365 offers one of the most comprehensive live streaming services in the industry, covering a wide range of sports including football, tennis, horse racing, basketball, and more. The streams are high quality and integrated seamlessly with in-play betting options. 💸 Best for cash out offers Coral stands out for its flexible cash out options, allowing punters to take full or partial cash outs on a variety of sports markets. This feature gives you a lot more control over your bets and is essential for experienced punters looking to maximise profits or minimise losses. 👷 Best for bet builders Unibet's Bet Builder has a very intuitive and well-designed user interface and offers competitive odds, particularly on football and NBA games. It's ideal for veterans with in-depth football or basketball knowledge. 🤸 Best for in-play betting Betway delivers a great in-play betting experience with a dynamic and responsive interface, rapid market updates, and highly useful and regularly updated live statistics. It's a top choice for those with fast reflexes who love the thrill of live betting. ⚡ Best for fast withdrawals SBK and 888 Sport – Both SBK and 888sport support numerous fast and secure withdrawal options via e-wallets and debit cards, typically processing transactions within hours. Whether you're a fan of Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Neteller, or any of the other major e-wallets, these bookies have you covered. 🤳 Best mobile experience bet365 – With a sleek, gamified design, bet365's mobile app offers a great and feature-rich betting experience. Some highlights include smart navigation, tailored odds boosts, and a wide range of betting tools optimised for on-the-go use. Betting markets available at UK betting sites Whether you're a diehard football fan or prefer betting on more physical sports like boxing, there are a ton of fun and potentially lucrative betting markets to look into. The following will be a list of some of the most popular ones in the UK, followed by some unique markets for each of the most popular betting sports in the UK. Note that some of these may have slightly different names on different betting sites, but the core principles of the bet will be the same. To win match/fight/race The most popular, widespread, and obvious market, this one is as simple as it gets: whether it's Arsenal beating Manchester City, Tyson Fury knocking out Anthony Joshua, or your favourite horse outpacing all others, you are simply betting on the winner of the event. A popular variation of this bet is the Match Result or 1x2 bet, which adds the option of a draw, so you can, in team sports, bet on a home win, draw, or an away win. Another variation is Correct Score, which, as the name implies, bets not so much on who will win or lose but what the exact scoreline at the end of the match will be. Over/under bets Another very popular bet type, this one also comes with many variations, depending on which sport it applies to. You can bet on a huge variety of sub-markets here, from trying to guess the total number of goals, corners, or fouls, to the number of punches thrown or rounds completed before a boxing match ends. You're usually betting on an impossible number related to the sport, such as 2.5 goals, because you cannot score half goals in football. That way, if a match ends with 2 goals scored and you bet under 2.5, you'd win your wager, but if a third goal was scored, you'd lose. This is also a popular market in boxing, where punters will try to guess the number of knockouts or rounds during a match. Both teams to score A fairly simple bet, mostly used in football or other sports where scoring isn't a given (i.e. certainly not basketball). The idea is simple: you are betting that both teams will score at least one goal or touchdown, regardless of what the actual score may be in the end. This type of bet is often combined with others for more complex bet builders. Outrights These are long-term bets on who will win a tournament, league, or competition (e.g., Premier League Winner or Wimbledon Champion). These often feature generous odds, especially if betting on an underdog, but require a lot of patience and can be affected by many factors such as player injuries or form dips during the season. Prop bets Another massively popular betting market in the UK is proposition or 'prop' bets. These are also sometimes called novelty or side bets, as they focus on a specific event happening or not happening during the game, which may or may not influence its final results. Some examples include the first player or team to score, the total aces served or passes made, the first boxer to score a knockout, and so on. Prop bets are often used as part of custom bet builder combos and are very popular with experienced punters looking to maximise their winnings. Accumulators (accas) and bet builders While not technically a market in the same vein as the above options, these two are highly sought after, especially by football and other team sports fans. Essentially, accas or multiples are combining several selections into one slip for a chance at getting a much higher payout. While much more risky, since even one failed prediction could void all your other successful bets, these offer unmatched winning potential if you do get them right, and the top football and horse racing betting sites often provide some kind of acca insurance on popular events, softening the blow of that one 90th minute Everton goal that cost you your entire betting slip. Bet builders are a very similar concept, but with one key difference: whereas accas are typically a series of bets on one slip pertaining to different events (games), bet builders are more flexible, and are essentially custom-tailored selections that can either work like traditional accas or all be focused on a single match. For example, you could combine To Win, Over/Under and custom prop bets all in one match, for some major winnings if everything you predicted happens during that match. In-play (live betting) Again, not so much of a market in the traditional sense, as you could bet on numerous previously described markets as part of live betting, but a very popular choice with UK punters nonetheless. In-play or live betting refers to betting while the game is ongoing, with live odds adjusted based on match dynamics. A very popular choice for fast-paced sports like football, tennis, and esports. This is by no means a definitive list, as there are tons of markets unique or at least most often found in certain sports. Here's a couple worth noting for each of the UK's most popular betting sports. Niche/specials, virtuals, & esports This category includes a wide variety of miscellaneous bets that usually have nothing to do with traditional sports but can be fun to place anyway. For example, you could bet on the winner of the current edition of Britain's Got Talent, or, if you'd like your stakes a bit higher, the winner of the next US presidential race. This category also includes betting on virtual and esports, such as popular online video games - CS: GO, Valorant, and the like. Sports-specific bets In addition to standard bet types that can work across multiple sports, there are also those bets unique to a particular type of sport, or shared by a very few similar sports, such as boxing and MMA. Football - Asian handicap This popular market levels the playing field between two uneven teams by giving one a virtual head start. In practical terms, let's say one team is a clear favourite - they might start with a virtual 2-goal handicap. As such, unless they win with a three-goal (or wider) margin, any bet on them winning will be a losing one. Asian Handicap is often used in spread betting, further simplifying traditional 1X2 wagering by eliminating the possibility of a draw outcome, so you'll see things like teams starting with a half or even quarter goal advantage, which ensures that either the house or the bettor will win their bet and there'll be no refund opportunities however the match ends. Horse racing – Each way (EW) betting This popular horse racing market combines a win and a place bet. If your horse doesn't win but finishes in the top few positions (as defined for each particular event, but usually top 2 or 3), you will still get a payout. You can also find each way, winning, and place bets in other types of racing events, such as when betting on F1 or 100m sprints. Golf – Top 10/20 finish A market shared by many other sports, this one simply tries to guess whether a specific golfer will finish within the top 10 or 20 after a tournament ends, not necessarily in what particular place. A safer market compared to picking the outright winner, this one is also less lucrative for obvious reasons. Boxing – Method of victory This simple market shared with UFC and other fighting sports tries to predict how a fight will end: by a knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), referee decision, or even rarely, a draw. This is often combined with other fighting sport-specific markets like Go the Distance, which predicts that a match will go the full number of rounds planned instead of ending early. Darts – Highest checkout Unique to darts, this market has players bet on the highest score achieved in a winning leg. Common during tournaments like the PDC World Championship, and supported on sportsbooks that offer niche betting markets, this one's tough to predict, but pays rather well if you manage to. 💰 Bonuses and promotions for sports betting Below, you'll find the most common ways sportsbooks try to add extra value to your wagers. Everything sounds tempting (it's designed to), but always make sure to read the terms and conditions (T&Cs) carefully and pay attention to details, such as minimum deposit amounts, payment method exclusions, wagering requirements, time limits, and even household or IP address restrictions. Welcome offers The most common and popular promotion at online betting sites in the UK, welcome promotions come in all shapes and sizes, but are always aimed at attracting new players to the fold. In terms of sports betting, these typically come as free bets you can become eligible for after depositing and betting a certain amount of money on the site (bet £10, Get £30 in free bets, for example), but can also be sports-specific or give a matched deposit bonus, more akin to what you'd find on casino sites. Free bets (with or without deposit requirements) Free bets don't come only with welcome offers for new players, and are, in fact, quite a popular ongoing reload promotion for veterans on the site. Unlike a straight cash bonus, a free bet token lets you place a wager without risking real balance, but typically comes with other restrictions, such as limits on maximum winnings or stakes, especially if they are no-deposit free bets, that don't require any upfront investments. Some bookmakers drop sports free bets every weekend for selected football or horse-racing events, while others gift free bets when you build a multi-leg acca or use a new mobile app. Check whether PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller deposits qualify, because payment method exclusions are common for this type of promotion. Bet & get promotions These are very simple and mean exactly what you think they do: whether it's a welcome promotion or an ongoing reward for players, bet & get simply means that you need to bet a certain amount of money to get a reward, regardless of the outcome of that bet. The rewards are most commonly free bets or bonus cash for placing more bets, and this is one of the most common promotion types aimed at both new and veteran players that you'll see on betting sites in the UK. Odds & profit boosts Odds or price boosts crank up the potential return on a specific selection or acca bet. The best betting sites in the UK frequently offer 'profit boosts' or 'super odds' on high-profile football, horse racing, tennis, cricket, or esports matches, sometimes via push notification in their betting apps. Because the boost improves returns without raising risk, players hunting for the best bets use them as a low-risk way of squeezing extra profit from a bet they might have been planning to place anyway. Weekly & reload bonuses If you're already a member, look for reload or top-up deals such as '25% extra up to £50 every Monday' or odds boosts on specific sports or sports events. These typically give you a match-up bonus based on the deposits you made on a particular day or during that week. Veteran punters who stake regularly can keep their bankroll topped up with these smaller but steady promos; just watch the wagering requirements and expiry dates, which are often tighter compared to the headline welcome offer. Loyalty & VIP perks Regular bettors eventually graduate to points-based reward schemes and regular VIP rewards. In these types of promos, every settled stake typically earns some credits that you can later swap for free bets, cashback, or even spins on casino games if the sportsbook has a hybrid casino site. High-tier VIPs often get dedicated customer-support agents, personalised odds boosts, higher bet limits, and even invites to live-streaming boxes at major sporting events. The best VIP programmes are transparent about how to convert these points and which restrictions you can expect in terms of payment methods or other requirements for unlocking them. Accumulator insurance Also called acca insurance, this promo refunds your stake (usually as a free bet to be used on the site under specific conditions) if a single leg in your multi-selection wager lets you down. Football five-folds are the classic target, but many sportsbooks now extend the safety net to other popular markets like the NBA, NFL, or horse racing. Terms vary from site to site, and while some bookies may cover accas with four legs, others could demand six; some will cap refunds as low as £20, others at £100 or more, so it always pays to snoop around and find the best acca insurance deals. Cashback on losses Similar to Acca insurance, these types of bets guarantee a return of some portion of your losses after making unsuccessful bets. These are typically run on popular events or as part of a special promotional push on the site, but can also be weekly or monthly specials, such as 10% cashback on all losses paid out on Monday for all losses you've had during the past week. Other popular promotions Bet builders & custom markets – Combine several bet types into a single bet, such as not only when a goal will be scored, but who will score first and in which half; some operators add a small profit boost on three-plus selections. bet365, SBK, and BetMGM are popular for their excellent bet builders. Early payout & cash out – Bookies such as William Hill may settle your football bet early if your team goes two goals up, or let you lock in profit (or cut losses) before full-time. Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) – Standard on the best UK horse racing betting sites like Tote: if the starting price is bigger than the price you took, you'll still be paid at the higher odds. Betfred is famous for its BOG offers. Risk-free single bets – Stake is returned in cash or bet credits if your first wager of the day loses—handy for testing new markets. You'll find this on many of our top-rated sites, though it's a rare and timed promotion usually. Live-streaming exclusives – Place the qualifying bet and unlock HD streams for tennis, greyhounds, or niche sports straight in the interface, alongside real-time stats and tips. Many of our top picks have incredible live streaming services, but bet365 in particular offers excellent live-streaming exclusives from time to time. Special features to look for at the best betting sites Whether it's football, cricket, or UFC betting sites, the best betting sites in the UK offer more than a wide range of markets or somewhat competitive odds: they also provide smart, punter-friendly tools that can elevate the betting experience to the next level. From live streaming options to dynamic bet builders, here are some such features well worth seeking out. Live streaming services A growing number of sports betting sites now provide real-time streaming of major events, including tennis, football, and horse racing, directly within the betting platform. Once you've placed a qualifying bet, you can watch the action unfold on desktop or mobile, often with integrated stats, regularly updated odds, and a highly responsive and mobile-friendly user interface. This makes it easier to react to changes and is ideal for fans of in-play betting. In-play betting options Also called live betting, this feature lets you place wagers after the game has started. Odds shift constantly, reflecting what's happening on the pitch or court, which can create serious value for alert players. Apps from top providers such as Betfair or Ladbrokes offer easy access to in-play betting markets with one-click functionality and have near-instant bet settlement. Bet builders A bet builder allows you to combine multiple outcomes from the same event into a single selection—for example, 'Over 2.5 goals + Team A to win + Player X to score.' This adds potential for some fun custom bets that can be very profitable. Many bookmakers even attach promos like price boosts or profit boosts to multi-leg bet builders, especially for high-profile football or cricket matches, so they are a highly popular option with veteran punters. Early cash out (full or partial) options As the name implies, the cash out feature gives you the power to settle your bet early, either to lock in a profit if things are going your way or to limit the losses if the momentum has turned. Some sportsbook operators even offer partial cash out, letting you secure part of your stake and leave the rest in play. This option is especially useful during tense live events or when betting on volatile markets. Statistics, match trackers, and data tools Serious bettors don't just rely on gut instinct. The top sportsbook platforms integrate a lot of detailed stats, have blogs about the historical results of the match opponents, and even give predictions based on form and betting trends. There are also detailed match trackers with all sorts of statistics that seasoned punters will find useful. These tools can help both new and veteran punters better analyse selections and refine their strategy, and even sometimes spot soft markets where the odds might not fully reflect reality. Notifications and custom bet tracking Punters these days appreciate tools that help them stay informed in real time. Push notifications and custom bet tracking features allow you to follow the progress of your active bets, receive alerts for cash out opportunities, and get updates on match events like goals, cards, or price changes. These tools are of particular help to seasoned punters who make bet builders or love live betting, letting them follow what's going on actively without needing to constantly keep checking their sports betting app. Personal limit setting & loss tracking Responsible gambling tools have become essential features at reputable betting sites in the UK. Most platforms now allow punters to set deposit limits, loss limits, session time alerts, and self-exclusion periods. These features are designed to help users stay in control of their spending and betting habits. Loss tracking dashboards can also give you a clear picture of overall performance, encouraging more informed and responsible betting. 🏦 Payment options at online betting sites A good selection of fast and secure payment methods is an essential part of any reliable online sportsbook. The top UK betting sites offer a range of deposit and withdrawal methods, allowing punters to fund their accounts and collect winnings with minimal hassle. Here's a breakdown of the most commonly supported options you'll likely run into. Debit cards Pretty much all UK bookmakers accept debit cards like Visa and Mastercard for both deposits and withdrawals. These are widely used due to their simplicity, reliability, and so are compatible with the vast majority of welcome offers and bonuses, except those especially tailored for other payment methods. Unlike credit cards, which have been banned for UK gambling transactions for a while now, debit cards remain a staple across all major betting sites. Bank transfers Direct bank transfers provide a traditional but secure way to deposit and withdraw larger amounts of money. While not as fast as debit cards and definitely much slower than e-wallets, they're popular for high rollers and VIP-level members, as well as older players, who might not particularly like or understand more modern payment methods. There are modern alternatives through open banking systems like Trustly, but more on that later. E-wallets Tech-savvy and younger players typically prefer using e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal, due to their mix of transfer speed and absolute anonymity. While they allow for almost instant deposits and fast withdrawals, it's important to note that using an e-wallet such as Skrill or Neteller may disqualify you from claiming certain free bet offers or casino bonuses, depending on the site. Always check for payment method exclusions in the T&Cs before putting down any money using one of these methods. Apple Pay & Google Pay Modern, mobile-first casino apps increasingly support Apple Pay and Google Pay, two highly popular mobile payment solutions. These methods are secure, require no manual card entry, and offer instant deposits. However, not all operators currently support them for withdrawals, so double-check whether they can be used as a deposit method only. Trustly & other open banking systems Trustly and similar open banking services are rising in popularity due to fast transfers and low fees. They link your bank account directly to the bookmaker, with no need to enter card details. While Trustly isn't accepted at all casino sites, it's becoming more common at major sports betting platforms, and is a great alternative for people used to traditional bank transfers looking for a faster and more anonymous solution. PaysafeCard PaysafeCard is a prepaid option ideal for those who want to control their spending and avoid linking personal details such as their card or bank account number. You purchase a voucher with a fixed value and enter the code to fund your balance. It's one of the few methods that lets you bet online with no bank details required, though sadly, withdrawals aren't usually supported. What else to look for Besides available payment methods, consider the withdrawal times, deposit requirements, and any potential restrictions tied to your chosen method. Some operators limit promotions based on how you make your deposits, while others may impose account or deposit/withdrawal limits per household or IP address. Low deposit betting sites may look tempting, but they often come with more restrictions you need to watch out. ⚠️ Responsible gambling tools and resources Gambling can be a tricky hobby to keep in check, as the rush of the next winning spin or successful acca slip going through is always potentially just around the corner, making it hard to step away sometimes. Thankfully, there is a wide range of responsible gambling tools and support services available to players on casino and sports betting sites these days. Here's what you should know about them. Responsible gambling tools Deposit limits: These let players set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps, preventing overspending on betting slips or casino games. Time reminders: These alert users when they've spent a set amount of time on their favourite sportsbook, helping manage gambling habits and reminding players it may be time to take a break. Loss/stake trackers: These tools help punters monitor how much they're wagering and winning or losing over time. They usually display key stats like total stakes, net profit/loss, and recent bet history in an easy-to-read format. Some platforms also break this down by period (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly) or sport, helping users identify patterns in their betting habits. They give punters a much clearer picture of their actual performance rather than relying on memory or assumptions. Self-exclusion tools: Available on many UK -licensed betting sites, these allow players to temporarily or permanently block access to their account across all linked sports and casino platforms. A last-resort type of tool, but one that can be incredibly helpful nonetheless. Reality checks: Similar to time reminders, these are timed pop-ups during gameplay, reminding users how long they've been betting and how much money they've spent during that time. 👇 Organisations offering help GambleAware: Offers free confidential advice and consultation for anyone concerned about their own or someone else's gambling habits. It is an independent charity organisation focused on gambling education, addiction prevention, and treatment. GamCare: Provides free counselling and operates a National Gambling Helpline 24/7 helpline, offering online support for both individuals and families affected by gambling addiction. GAMSTOP: A UK national self-exclusion scheme that can block access to all licensed sports betting and casino sites for a chosen period of anywhere between six months and five years, with options for self-renewal. Gambling Therapy: An international service that provides free practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling. NHS Northern Gambling Service: An organisation focused on providing specialised mental health treatment for gambling addiction. 👉 How to bet responsibly Betting should always be an enjoyable side activity, not a lifestyle, and staying in control of your gambling habits and knowing how to bet responsibly is key to keeping it that way. Whether you're exploring new betting sites to find the best odds on a niche market or just placing some sports bets on your favourite teams, these tips can help you be responsible with your finances and make the most of your betting experience. 1. Set a budget and stick to it Only bet what you can afford to lose. Before placing a stake on any market, decide how much money you're comfortable spending and set strict deposit limits where possible. Responsible bookies and sportsbook platforms typically offer these tools within your account settings. 2. Never chase losses It's easy to fall for the trap of thinking that your next bet will win back what you lost, but this mindset usually leads to even larger losses and emotional decision-making that gets you in more trouble. Every wager you make should be considered on its own merits, and never as part of a recovery plan. 3. Use responsible gambling tools Top sports betting and casino sites provide tools like reality checks, self-exclusion, deposit caps, and even tracking of your previous bet history. It's best to use most of these tools preventively, so you'll have ways to stop problematic gambling behaviours before they even occur. 4. Avoid using betting as a way to make money Betting is not a reliable source of income. Think of it like paying for entertainment, such as watching a football match or watching a movie in the cinema. Even when the odds seem favourable, outcomes are never guaranteed, so while you certainly can earn quite a bit of money with lucky and skilful bets, that should never be your priority. This mindset will also help you avoid chasing losses and make it easier to step away when having those dreaded cold streaks. 5. Take breaks and monitor your betting activity Use cooling-off periods or take a break from the betting site completely, especially if you're starting to feel frustrated or impulsive. A clear mind leads to better decisions, and stepping away when you feel like you're not thinking clearly is always a good idea. 6. Know where to get help If betting is no longer fun or if it's affecting your life or the lives of those close to you negatively, organisations like GamCare, BeGambleAware, and the NHS Northern Gambling Service can offer free, confidential help. You're not alone, and support is always available if you need it. 🚩 Red flags to watch when choosing a betting site Choosing a reliable and trustworthy betting site is the first and most important step to having a safe and enjoyable betting experience. There are plenty of options out there, but not all bookies these days operate with the same level of transparency or integrity. Here are some red flags to watch out for before signing up and placing any bets. 1. No valid gambling license One of the biggest red flags when choosing a sportsbook is if they don't have a valid licence from a respected authority, like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Without a proper licence, the site doesn't have to adhere to any safety, security, or fairness standards, meaning much higher chances of bad actors online stealing your private data or the bookmaker not acknowledging a big player win. All of the bookies we review are properly licensed to operate in the UK, but it never hurts to double-check for this information, which is most commonly found on the footer section of the site. 2. Unclear or misleading bonus terms If a site offers too-good-to-be-true bonuses like no-deposit free bets, take a closer look at the terms and conditions. Unclear or overly high wagering requirements or very short promotion expiry times are often deliberately designed to trap you into losing your winnings. If the T&Cs are buried amidst a ton of inconsequential text or are hard to understand, it's a major warning sign that the site may be up to something shady. 3. Poor or limited customer support A trustworthy sportsbook should offer customers a variety of easy-to-access contact options, including email, phone, and live chat. If the betting site is only reachable through a form or has slow and unhelpful customer support staff, that's a major red flag. Also, be wary of platforms that don't have easily available contact details and readily apparent information about their business. 4. Slow or unreliable payouts If a site is known for delayed withdrawals and people have had numerous bad payout experiences, it could very well be a scam. Bookies that try to make it difficult to access your winnings or take forever to process payments should raise immediate concerns. Aside from our reviews, look for feedback from other users to get a sense of the platform's payout track record and find out if there's anything to worry about before it happens to you. 5. Absence of responsible gambling tools A reputable bookmaker or sports betting platform will always provide clear access to responsible gambling features. If you cannot find options like deposit limits, self-exclusion, or reality checks, it's a very good indicator of a lack of commitment to player safety, which tells you a lot about the site's attitude towards its players. 6. Poor website or app security Another clear indicator of a negligent operator is if the betting site has an outdated or poorly designed app or website. Make sure the site uses SSL encryption and that its payment methods include secure options like PayPal, Skrill, or debit card payments and don't be afraid to ask the customer support team about what kinds of protection the site has in place to stop bad actors from stealing their users' personal and financial data. Multi-factor authentication is a must these days, and if a site cannot even bother with such simple but effective measures, it probably isn't worth your time or money. 7. Lack of customer reviews or negative reputation This one should be obvious, and won't be a problem if you choose any of our top sportsbook picks. That said, before signing up, always check reviews and ratings from other punters. If you can't find any reviews or the site has consistently poor feedback across independent review sites or forums, consider it a serious warning. Be especially cautious of platforms that offer flashy promos or price boosts to cover up their poor online reputation. 🙋 FAQ about the best betting sites in the UK Whether you're a seasoned punter just hunting for the ultimate place to place your genius acca bet or someone new to the hobby looking to get their feet wet with a small-time bet or two, there may be questions that scouring various sportsbook FAQ sections online haven't been cleared up and you need some real answers to. We've gathered the most common questions from our readers and tried our best to answer them in a quick and succinct manner here. Let's get right into it, shall we? 1. Which are the best betting sites in the UK? The best betting sites in the UK are those that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, have a variety of supported secure payment methods, provide a great user experience on both desktop and mobile, and offer a wealth of sports games and markets to bet on. We've listed ten of our favourites based on various criteria in this article, but there are certainly more good sites worth checking out. 2. Which betting sites have the best odds? Sites like SBK, bet365, and Betfred are known for best odds. They regularly provide price boosts and competitive sports betting markets across football, horse racing, and more. 3. Which betting sites have the best promotions? If you're looking for generous promotions, bet365, 888 Sport, and Ladbrokes often offer generous amounts of free bets and tempting cashback offers. Just be sure to read the T&Cs to make sure you understand the eligibility requirements and any wagering requirements. 4. Which is the best betting site for football? Our overall favourite is bet365, but you cannot go wrong with any of the bookies from our list. Some excel at football betting, while others may be better for horse racing or tennis fans. At the end of the day, there is rarely an objectively best bookie, just one that may have the types of promotions, supported payment methods, or sports markets that most resonate with you. 5. How do I choose the right betting site for me? When choosing the best betting site in the UK, consider factors like available sports markets, the competitiveness of the odds, the quality of the user interface on both desktop and mobile, the available deposit options, bonus terms and conditions, customer support on the site, and, last but not least, the site's online reputation. Also, make sure that the site is licensed by a respectable gambling authority and offers all of the necessary responsible gambling tools. Always read reviews (both ours and those of your fellow punters online) and compare features to find the site that best fits your preferences. About the author James Anderson James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing. Find James on LinkedIn Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – GambleAware – Read our guide on responsible gambling practices. For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. Most read in Betting SPOTY BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 betting odds: Who is favourite to win? review Betway casino review: Stake £10 and receive 125 free spins REVIEW Party Casino review UK: Unlock 50 free spins after wagering £10 on slots Horse play Best horse racing betting sites in the UK (2025)
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Get £30 in free bets and £10 casino bonus with BOYLE Sports, plus new 2+ Early Payout on football
NEW to BOYLE Sports? Well now's the perfect time to join because they've just launched an incredible welcome offer that's TWO good to ignore. Sign up today and receive £30 in free bets plus an extra £10 casino bonus. BOYLE Sports have also launched their exciting "2 Goals Ahead" football offer. That means if you back a team and they go 2 goals up at any stage of the match, you'll get paid out as a winner no matter what the final score is - and it's available on accas! BOYLE Sports welcome offer Not got a BOYLE Sports account? Now is the very best time to get one! Simply visit the BOYLE Sports website and register for your brand new account. Deposit at least a tenner and then place a tenner or more on any football betting market at odds of Evens or greater. Once that's settled, you will receive £30 in free bets and a £10 casino bonus. BOYLE Sports Early Payout - 2 goals ahead So what is Early Payout - 2 goals ahead? The 2 Goals Ahead offer allows YOU to back a football team in the match betting market, and if they go 2 goals up at any point during the 90-minute match, your bet will be settled as a winner immediately! The final result doesn't matter; your team is considered a winner if they go 2 goals ahead. And yes, you can place Singles, Multiples, and Accumulators on the 2 Goals Ahead markets. *18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won't apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply 18+. Applies to bets placed on match betting ahead of kick off. Get paid out as a winner if your team goes 2 goals ahead even if they win, lose or draw. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. T&Cs apply.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sports betting leads to player availability reporting policy for ACC women's basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sports bettors have forced the hand of Jim Phillips, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Specifically, those gamblers jumping in the direct messages of players and harassing them online, wanting to know if they're injured as they look for an edge to beat the lines set by Vegas and the sportsbooks. Beginning this season, the ACC will have a player availability reporting for four sports: football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball — arguably the four most popular sports for folks betting on collegiate athletics. Advertisement 'This decision is directly connected to our ongoing commitment to best protect our student-athletes and our multi-faceted approach to addressing the effects of sports wagering,' Phillips said Tuesday at ACC Kickoff, the conference's media days for football. 'In this case, it would alleviate pressure from entities or individuals who are involved in sports wagering that attempt to obtain inside information about availability from players, coaches, and other staff.' He later added: 'There's stresses on our student-athletes from individuals that are trying to garner information — and sometimes it's pretty innocent because they just want to know, they're a big fan — but other times it really does trickle and lead yourself to the gambling and sports wagering kind of path.' In 2024, the NCAA released a study that analyzed the social media accounts of 3,000 college athletes and 500 coaches in a variety of sports. The analysis found 743 abusive messages related to betting and 73 percent of them happened during March Madness. Women received 59 percent more abusive messages than men. The NCAA has lobbied to ban statistic-based prop bets for college athletes too. For basketball specifically, Phillips said that reports will be due from teams one day before games and then updated two hours prior to tip-off. Those reports will be made public on the ACC's website. Advertisement The ACC is the third conference to launch such reports for women's basketball. The SEC and Big Ten implemented similar policies last season. Reports from the SEC and the Big Ten didn't list what specific type of injuries players had, but had designations for 'out' or 'questionable' for every game. Some teams chose to clarify if an injury was a season-long one. Some coaches can be reserved or even secretive when it comes to discussing injuries and availability with reporters, but Phillips says that none of the coaches in the four sports pushed back on implementing this policy. 'Coaches are hard to change, but when we told them that we were doing it, no one said anything on the call. I don't know what that meant, other than they were accepting it,' Phillips said. 'It's the right thing. Every coach has to do what they have to do in order to get their team ready, and there's always gamesmanship, always. That's been around for 100 years, and it's going to continue, but it's the right thing.' Phillips said that there isn't a fine structure in place yet for late reports or for coaches being untruthful with those reports. Advertisement 'We're still kind of discussing that,' Phillips said of a fine system. 'But we'd also like to think that people are going to do what they're asked to do, and we hope that it wouldn't come down to that.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘EFL community has been missing something like this': U's fan on new app
AN Oxford United fan believes his new EFL predictor app is filling a gap in the market, following its launch on Friday. Kieran Whelan, from Brize Norton, and two friends launched an EFL predictor app called Tipple Sports, where users predict the correct results in six out of the 20 toughest games from the Premier League through to Sky Bet League Two. The app's scoring system includes point penalties for poor weeks, bonuses for winning the weekly 'Big Bet', and base points for correct results. SEE ALSO: The best photos of the U's faithful in Indonesia Having released the app on the Apple App Store, Whelan spoke about the feedback he has gotten so far. He said: 'It has been pretty good so far as people seem to be receiving it well once downloaded and there have been positive comments on the look and feel of the app and the ease of use.' Whelan expressed how the biggest piece of feedback he's gotten has been more positive than he could imagine. He said: 'The main bit of feedback I've received so far has been for an Android version, and this has come up a lot. This is exactly what I was hoping for as it shows a real desire to use the app. 'The Android version is in the pipeline and depending on how successful the start of this season goes will define how quickly I can implement this.' CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) Whelan's aim for the app is to engage the EFL community in a way that most other predictor apps tend to ignore, with those focusing more on the top flight. 'I think the EFL community has been missing something like this for a long time, and I think the unrest in the community towards the Premier League and the gap in coverage, money, and everything else that comes with that has been growing especially in the last few years,' said Whelan. 'I hope that this app can be used to grow interest in the EFL, with games having more importance and maybe it can persuade people who wouldn't normally watch to tune in and see that it is as entertaining, if not more, than the top tier.' Having already received a lot of feedback, Whelan and his friends are looking to make changes to improve the app, including implementing a blog. He said: 'Me and a few friends will also be running a weekly blog called This Week In Tipple Sports and we're kicking things off with our full league predictions coming out at the end of this month. 'The idea is that users can compare their results with the 'experts' and try to beat the creators of the game themselves, making the app more interactive.' For more information about Tipple Sports, please visit:
