The Best In-Play Betting Sites for 2023 in the UK Ranked

The Best Live Betting Sites by Category

Every punter has different expectation and needs from an in-play betting site and below we have further categorised the best into bite-site opinions depending on our research. One thing you can be certain of is that all our selections are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission – even the bookmakers whose names may not be instantly recognisable.

• 🥇 Yetibet ✪ Bet Builder King
• 🥈 bet365 ✪ Decades of Experience
• 🥉 MrMega ✪ Unique Bet Specials
• ⭐️ 888sport ✪ Hundreds of Football Markets
• ⭐️ Betiton ✪ Great for Live Streams
• ⭐️ BetTarget ✪ Rapid Payouts
• ⭐️ BetVictor ✪ Ultra-Safe Payment Providers
• ⭐️ Ladbrokes ✪ Top Betting Odds
• ⭐️ Grosvenor ✪ Top Customer Care
• ⭐️ All British Sports ✪ Ongoing Player Bonuses

It is worth the time and effort to decide what you want from any of the best in-play betting sites. Are multiple markets important to you or is an achievable bonus something that you can’t do without? Check our selections to find the perfect option for you by considering all the options – good and bad.

Embracing In-Play Betting – The Appeal of Live Wagering

Gone are the days of placing bets pre-match and watching in frustration as events on the field conspired against you. Nowadays players have the chance to either not place a bet pre-game or bet once the game has started. The best in-play betting sites facilitate this.

• 🏆 Best In-Play Betting Site 2023: YetiBet
• 📱 Live Sports Betting App: Ladbrokes
• 💳 PayPal Live Betting: Betiton
• 💰 Best Live Bonus: Grosvenor
• 📈 Best Live Odds: All British Sports
• 💻 Most Live Streams: bet365
• 🔎 Top In-Play Offers: BetTarget
• ⚽ Top Football Live Operator: MrMega
• 🎾 Best Tennis Live Bookie: bet365
• 🆕 Best New Bookmaker: MrMega

And while winning is, of course, the most important aspect of the majority of gamblers, live betting affords players the satisfaction of placing fun bets. Fun bets are simply ones where you don’t care who wins or loses but having an interest is, well… a bit of fun!

Live betting even allows you to change your view of how a contest will play out. Early interactions or injuries can change the expected outcome. The ability to make decisions in real time affords certain bettors a great advantage – one not available before online sports betting began.

Nevertheless, there are also some downsides of gambling at in-play betting sites which players should be aware. It can encourage reckless gambling due to chasing losses. Never do this. It also gives punters less time to study and analyse. If your brain cannot cope with on-the-fly complicated decision-making, avoid live betting altogether.

How We Ranked the Best In–Play Betting Bookmakers

There are plenty of differences between the live betting sites. Below we’ve selected some of the most important criteria when selecting any of the sites with in-play betting recommended on this page. Check these factors and see which ones are the most important to you.

1. Variety of In-Play Markets: The range of sports and events available for in-play betting.
2. Odds and Competitive Pricing: Competitive odds and favourable pricing compared to competitors.
3. User Experience: User-friendly interface and smooth in-play betting process.
4. Live Streaming: Availability of live streaming for events to enhance the betting experience.
5. Mobile Betting: Quality and functionality of the mobile betting platform.
6. Cash-Out Options: Availability and flexibility of cash-out options for in-play bets.
7. Betting Offers and Promotions: Attractive bonuses and promotions specifically for in-play betting.
8. Customer Support: Responsiveness and professionalism of customer service.
9. Payment Options: Variety of safe and convenient payment methods such as PayPal.
10. Reputation and Trustworthiness: Integrity and dependability of the betting site among customers and industry experts.

No live betting site will get all these factors perfect but choosing operators which rank highly in a number of these features means you are on the right lines to finding the best UK site currently available. Check out our list of the best live betting sites currently available.

The Sports Selection

The first thing you may notice from the table below is that two of the most popular betting sports are missing. This is because horse and greyhound racing are not conducive to in-play betting. Like a poor lover, they are just over too quickly.

The best live betting opportunities come in extended sporting events. This not only gives bettors a chance to reassess the game or match situation, but also gives the betting sites time to make market adjustments – including pricing up new markets.

Live Football Betting

Football is by a wide margin the most popular live in-play betting medium for punters in the UK. While obviously more popular pre-match, the live betting markets available after kick-off opens a wide range of opportunities for punters and bookmakers.

Match events such as early goals will significantly change the market dynamics. Some pre-match bets will be down whereas others will become more valuable as the odds change in-play. Understanding how odds fluctuate throughout the course of a match is crucial to success at football betting.

Tennis In-Play Betting

Access to TV coverage is vital for enjoyable (and more successful) in-play betting. This why tennis betting has become extremely popular for live betting. Wimbledon, with its blanket BBC coverage, lends itself well to this betting style with huge amounts of markets turning in-play.

Punters can use their knowledge to assess how a particular game is progressing and avail themselves of fruitful odds should they believe they have gleaned important knowledge. Punters should be careful, however, as the markets can change rapidly and there may be slight broadcast delays.

Cricket Live Betting

The slow-paced nature of some forms of cricket lends itself well to betting in-play. Punters can take time to assess the markets and the state of play to place bets on their preferred outcome. Cricket betting can become more profitable if you understand the intricacies of this sport.

The usual pre-match betting opportunities such as highest scorer or player to take most wickets become available once again once a game starts. Watching the game on TV or through visuals on an in-play betting site can help to identify intriguing bets and cash out positions.

In-Play Golf Betting

Relatively slow sports, such as golf, do tend to have an advantage for in-play betting. Even in between shots markets have a chance to present punters with new odds either about individual player performance on a hole or in the tournament overall. Punters have the chance to see exactly when a market is suspended and figure out the best time to bet.

The opportunities at in-play betting sites can increase enormously when major team events take place. The Ryder Cup offers a multitude of live betting chances and the access to TV coverage helps boost the size of the betting markets.

Available Live Betting Markets

It’s not unusual for bookmakers to specialise in different in-play sports markets and below we have selected the operator who offers the best experience for each of the most popular sports. Often, if a betting site offers live coverage of an event through their app, there will be more in-play markets available.

Live football betting markets from bet365

Live tennis betting markets from BetVictor

Live football betting markets from Betiton

Live tennis betting markets from YetiBet

Live football betting markets from BetTarget

–Bookmaker 1 from 5->

As one of the most important aspects for any punter is to obtain the best odds available, it can sometimes pay to stay away from the most recognisable high street names. By choosing an up-and-coming operator you may be able to take advantage of the less experienced oddsmakers employed by the bookmaker.

Live Odds from the Best Bookmakers

Any discussion on live betting should naturally include the difference in odds levels. By taking only the best odds available you do increase your theoretical chance of making long term profits. In the table below you will notice slight differences among the operators considered.

Even before assessing the overall odds levels, we also make sure each of our recommended providers can technically produce variable odds at high speed. There little point having access to the best odds if the system breaks down under certain stress levels.

It is also important that the odds are updated quickly. The faster a betting provider is, the better. As far as the betting odds are concerned, it can be said that the live odds are not as favourable as pre-match odds. Mathematical payout rates of 95-96% tend not exist for real-time bets.

Live Betting Bonuses

Typically, bonuses are reserved for new players. However, it is worth keeping your eye on any special deals offered by the best in-play betting sites who may offer players an incentive to participate in some live betting action – usually on the televised sporting events.

Special Bonuses for In-Play Betting

It’s highly likely you will be able to use any welcome bonus betting on live sports. This is because, operators do not differentiate pre-match and in-play betting as regards to bonuses. To them, it’s all betting no matter how and where it is placed.

The only exception may be when you want to use your bonus to place bets at very short odds (long odds-on shots). Generally, each bookmaker will set a price in the terms and condition below which bets will not be accepted.

Live Sports Betting Welcome Bonuses

In the UK, sports betting platforms entice new users and retain existing ones with various bonuses. They range from matched deposits to free bets, providing the chance for extra betting capital. Bonuses often cater to popular sports like football and horse racing, and include live sports betting, enabling punters to wager during matches or events in real time.

As we’ve discussed live betting offers an exciting dynamic, as odds can change drastically throughout the game. It’s essential for punters to understand terms and conditions for any sports betting offers, as requirements such as wagering minimums and expiry dates can impact their utility.

Match Tracker/Scoreboard: Great Aids for Better Betting

A match tracker is a digital tool used in live sports betting that provides real-time updates on an ongoing sports event. It’s like a virtual scoreboard, displaying key information such as the current score, time elapsed, and important game events. The tracker can also present more detailed statistics, like player performance or possession stats in a football game.

This real-time data is crucial for in-play betting as it helps punters make informed decisions about when and what to bet, based on the changing dynamics of the game. It’s a convenient way to follow the game and adjust your bets accordingly.

Free Live Streams: The Icing on the Cake

Free live streams are an integral feature for many sports betting platforms. These streams allow you to watch sports events in real time, providing you with a detailed view of the game’s dynamics, beyond what basic scoreboards or match trackers can offer. You can observe the performance of individual players, the team’s strategy, and other subtle aspects that might influence the outcome.

By watching the action unfold live, you can make more informed decisions and adjust your bets based on what you’re observing. This immediacy and level of detail can be crucial in live betting where odds change rapidly in response to the game events.

Moreover, having a free live stream integrated within the betting platform enhances the convenience as you don’t need to switch between different sites or applications to watch the game and place bets. This seamless experience can significantly enhance your engagement and satisfaction.

However, free live streams do come with a few potential drawbacks. The stream’s quality can vary, sometimes leading to buffering or lag issues, which could result in you missing crucial moments.

Additionally, there might be a slight delay in the broadcast, which could affect the timing of live bets. Lastly, the availability of free live streams often depends on the broadcasting rights, which might limit the range of sports or events that can be streamed live.

Live Sports Betting Apps

Mobile sports betting has revolutionised the gambling industry, allowing punters to place bets on their favourite sports from the comfort of their handheld devices. Live in-play betting has become particularly popular, enabling bettors to wager during the ongoing game, dynamically adjusting their strategies as the match progresses.

While many prefer using dedicated betting apps for their sleek interfaces and personalised features, mobile browsers offer an equally efficient platform for sports betting.

This flexibility means punters can take full advantage of in-play betting opportunities, regardless of their preferred mobile platform, elevating their betting experience to unprecedented convenience and immediacy.

Live Betting Tip: Best Advice

Although in-play betting can be an exciting way to engage with sports it can be challenging due to its fast-paced nature. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate this landscape:

1. Stay Informed: Be aware of the current form of teams or players, their head-to-head record, recent injuries, and other news. This information can give you an edge when you’re making quick decisions.
2. Watch the Game: This is particularly relevant if you have access to a live stream. Observing the game lets you spot momentum shifts that may not be immediately reflected in the odds.
3. Manage Your Bankroll: Live betting can be exciting, but it’s crucial to manage your funds wisely. Don’t chase your losses and remember that not every game needs a bet.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced, dynamic world of in-play betting, finding the right platform can significantly enhance your betting experience. The best UK bookmakers offer a wide range of markets, competitive odds, valuable bonuses, and unique features like live streaming and cash-out options. These, coupled with top-notch customer service, ensure a seamless and enjoyable betting journey.

Remember, successful in-play betting is about more than choosing the right platform; it’s also about making informed decisions and managing your bankroll wisely. So, whether you’re a football fanatic or a tennis enthusiast, equip yourself with the right knowledge and strategies to make the most of your live in play betting experience.

FAQs

We hope you have a better understanding of live betting and are now confident to choose from the best live sports betting sites available to UK punters. Below we’ve answered some of the most popular queries from our readers. Each answer contains a handy link back to the most important content on this page.

1️⃣ Which are the best in-play betting sites in the UK?

2️⃣️ Do any bookmakers offer live streams of sporting events?

Most bookmakers will show a certain number of live streams to encourage punters to make a bet. Typically, these will be less well televised events such as lower league and overseas football. TV rights contracts are subject to short notice change meaning coverage can be patchy.

3️⃣ How does live betting actually work?

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, allows punters to place bets on a sports event as it unfolds in real time. Bookies adjust the odds rapidly based on the live action. You can make informed decisions based on game dynamics and performances.

4️⃣ What strategies can be used to improve your success at in-play betting sites?

To improve success use live betting strategies like ‘hedging’ to mitigate potential loses. Stay updated on team/player form and utilise momentum swings in games to find favourable odds. Maintain discipline in your decisions and manage your bankroll wisely.

5️⃣ Are there any live betting bonuses available?

Almost all welcome bonuses can be used to bet in-play and some operators may offer special live betting bonuses to existing customers. Remember to always read the terms and conditions of any bonus offer before signing up.