The Best Live Betting Sites: Top Bookmakers for In-Play Betting
We have ranked the best live betting sites available in the UK. Our rankings focus on the key aspects that matter to players, including the range of live markets, the quality of in-play odds and the availability of live streaming.
Written by Leon Marshall
Chief Editor at bestbettingsites.co.uk
| Position | Betting Site | Rating | Bonus | Info | Website | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🥇 William Hill | 5/5 | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Live streaming available | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! New online customers only, min £10/€10 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 3 X £10/€10, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. |
| 2 | ✪ Bet Victor | 4.9/5 | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | 100’s of in-play marekts | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. Click for T&Cs. Please Gamble Responsibly. |
| 3 | 🥉 Coral | 4.8/5 | Bet £5 Get a £20 Free Bet | Live streaming on offer | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Min deposit & bet £10 at min odds 1/2 to qualify for 4 x £10 free bets. Certain deposit methods and bet types excl. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
| 4 | ✪ Ladbrokes | 4.7/5 | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets | Top in-play odds | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+ New UK+IRE customers only. PayPal and certain deposit types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account registration at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. |
| 5 | ✪ Betfred | 4.6/5 | £50 in Free Bets | Extensive live betting options | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs apply. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. |
| 6 | ✪ bet365 | 4.5/5 | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Live streams on most events | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! For new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. 18+ Begambleaware.org |
| 7 | ✪ The Pools | 4.4/5 | £10 Free Weekly Acca Bet + Free Bets Every Week | Top live bet options | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+, UK only. Min odds and selections apply per offer. Cashed out bets and bets on non-runners do not qualify. Free bets are credited at bet settlement and will expire 7 days after being credited. Full terms apply per offer. |
| 8 | ✪ All British Casino | 4.3/5 | 10% Cashback Daily | Great range of in-play bets | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! *18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. General cashback terms apply. |
| 9 | ✪ Spreadex | 4.2/5 | £50 in Bet Bonuses | In-play spread options | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+ Get a free £10 fixed odds bet, free £10 spread bet and 30 free spins. Earn an extra free £10 fixed odds bet and 10 free spins each time your team wins! begambleaware.org |
| 10 | ✪ 10bet | 4.1/5 | 100% up to £50 Deposit Match* | Great in-play section | Get Bonus | Full T&Cs Apply! New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+ |
Our Reviews of the Best Live Betting Sites
We’ve carefully ranked the top live betting sites based on several key factors: the variety of in-play markets available, competitive in-play odds, live streaming options, and a user-friendly in-play interface, including real-time stats, event visualisation, and updates. Each helps you make informed decisions as the action unfolds.
William Hill
William Hill’s in-play betting is where it truly shines. With in-play price boosts on most live events and a massive variety of markets, we found ourselves covered on everything from football and tennis to horse racing. The live streaming was spot-on, letting us watch and place bets simultaneously, giving us a true sense of the game’s flow. And when the stream wasn’t available? Their in-play stats kicked into gear, covering everything from shots on goal in football to aces in tennis and even the position of your horse mid-race. If live betting is your thing and you’re especially in the market for horse racing and tennis betting sites, you will not go far wrong with William Hill.
BetVictor
For us, BetVictor really stands out in the world of horse racing betting sites. The live streaming had us tracking every stride, and their fast-updating in-play odds kept things lively right to the finish line. In addition, their Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish races always feels like a small victory before you even start! While it skips streaming other sports, we didn’t mind – BetVictor keeps it simple and all about the horses, and that’s exactly why we love it.
Ladbrokes
With a huge collection of live betting options, Ladbrokes has live betting down to a fine art – and that expertise comes from going online way back in 2000. What stood out to us was the flexibility they offer: from in-play cashouts to match insights that actually helped us make more informed bets. The partial cashout option was a real highlight of ours, letting us set an automated cashout when our bets hit a certain figure – which is particularly useful if you have your eyes on multiple events.
How We Ranked the Top Live Betting Sites
Variety of In-Play Markets
The best live betting sites offer a wide range of in-play markets, giving punters plenty of options as the action unfolds. You can bet on markets like the next goal, total goals, and individual player performance in football. For tennis, you can wager on the winner of the next game or set. Horse racing offers live odds adjustments during the race, while basketball allows for bets on total points or quarters. This variety means you’re not restricted to full-time outcomes.
Competitiveness of Live Odds
Competitive live odds are crucial for securing value in live betting. Small differences in odds can significantly affect potential returns. Bookmakers that offer better odds provide punters with a higher chance of maximising profits, making odds an essential factor when choosing where to place bets.
Live Streaming Options
Live streaming no doubt enhances in-play betting, allowing users to watch events unfold in real time, making it easier to place informed bets and react to key moments. In addition, many football betting sites have prepared a specialised live score section, powered by the likes of Betradar and GoalsFeed to help you stay on top of the latest developments.
CashOut Functionality
Cashout functions are crucial for live betting, giving you the option to settle bets early. This flexibility allows you to lock in profits when you’re ahead or reduce potential losses if the game turns on its head. Some bookies, such as Ladbrokes and bet365, have custom cashout tools that automatically trigger when a specific threshold is reached, providing even more control over your bets.
Mobile App Performance
A great mobile app is essential for live betting, allowing punters to place and manage bets quickly on the go. We ranked sites based on app performance, ensuring they offer easy access to in-play markets, live streaming, and quick updates. We’ve all dealt with clunky apps that freeze at crucial moments, causing missed opportunities to lock in profits, so a reliable app is key.
Responsible Gambling Controls
All respected bookmakers provide tools and resources to help players manage their gambling. If you need assistance, services such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options are readily available. These measures ensure that players stay in control and gamble responsibly.
Top In-Play Bookmakers with Live Streaming
Choosing a bookmaker with live streaming offers a significant advantage, especially when paired with in-play betting. Live streaming allows you to follow the action in real time, giving you the edge to make informed, quick decisions. By watching events unfold directly on the platform, you can react instantly to key moments, whether it’s a goal, a break in tennis, or a race lead.
| Bookmaker | Football | Horse Racing | Tennis | Other Sports | Credit Requirements | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Hill | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £1 on the race | Visit Site |
| BetVictor | No | Yes | No | No | £1 on the race | Visit Site |
| Coral | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £1 on the event | Visit Site |
| Ladbrokes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £1 on the race | Visit Site |
| Betfred | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £1 on the race | Visit Site |
| bet365 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £1 on the race | Visit Site |
Pros and Cons of Live Betting: In-Play Vs Pre-Match
Both Pre-Match and In-Play betting have their advantages, depending on your style. Live betting offers more opportunities and quick-changing odds, while pre-match betting gives you time to strategise with stable odds. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Live Betting | Pre-Match Betting |
|---|---|
| Pros | Pros |
| More betting opportunities | Time for research and planning |
| Fast-changing odds for quick profits | Fixed odds before the event starts |
| React to live events and momentum | Less pressure, more control |
| Cashout options available | No need to monitor live-action |
| Cons | Cons |
| Requires quick decisions and focus | No in-play betting options |
| Higher chance of impulsive betting | Limited to pre-event analysis |
| It can be overwhelming in fast games | Misses out on live developments |
How to Place a Bet In-Play?
In-play betting requires quick decisions and a bit of instinct. Unlike pre-match betting, it relies less on deep research and more on following the action in real time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you on your way:
- Log in to your bookmaker account.
- Navigate to the live betting or in-play section.
- Select the sport and specific event you want to bet on.
- Watch the live stream if available.
- Pick your market and check the available odds.
- Enter your stake amount and confirm the bet.
- Monitor the Event and consider cashing out if appropriate.
Responsible Gambling
Live betting operators are regulated in the same way as the sports betting platforms they operate on. While we can’t ensure the fairness and safety of all bookmakers online, we can confidently stand behind our featured partners. They are licensed by the British Gambling Commission and monitored by reputable organizations such as ESSA, TST, and eCOGRA.
Responsible gambling is essential for maintaining control and enjoyment when betting. Organisations like GamStop and GambleAware provide support to those needing help managing their gambling.
Conclusion
After digging into the best live betting sites, we found some real gems. Whether it’s William Hill keeping us updated with in-play stats, BetVictor’s unwavering focus on horse racing, or Ladbrokes letting us set partial cashouts (ideal when you’re juggling a few bets), these bookies know how to keep punters in the action – no wonder they also feature in our list of the top betting sites in the UK. From tennis to football and even the odd quirky market, our top picks have mastered live betting with plenty of options to keep us on our toes!