Live betting opens up a whole new world of exciting opportunities. With the ability to bet in-play on loads of great markets, potentially find more favourable odds and even stream live sports events, there is loads of fun to be had. Looking for the UK’s best live betting sites? We’ve created a list of the top online betting sites that offer in-play markets. All you need to do is compare our recommended live betting sites, sign up and start betting!
If you want to learn more about live betting, this page covers everything you need to know. From the top in-play betting bonuses to the best betting sites with live streaming, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get to it.
Quick Reviews for the Best Live Betting Sites
Looking for some quickfire inspiration for your next live betting site? We’ve selected five of the best options below. If one takes your fancy, you can click straight through and sign up. Want to know more? Our experts have reviewed each site in detail. And if none of these float your boat, check out our comparison list of the best live betting sites at the top of the page for some more options.
Bet on the Top Sports In-Play
You can bet on virtually all the top sports in-play at the best online betting sites. Football is the most popular sport for live betting, but you can also bet on live boxing, tennis and cricket matches to name just a few. You can also bet on live horse racing at some top sportsbooks, though the short nature of races means you’ll have to pay attention and be quick getting your bets in. Some betting sites even let you bet on live esports events!
It’s not just the top leagues and tournaments like the Premier League that you can bet on in-play, either. Many top betting sites also offer you the chance to bet on smaller, more obscure sporting events, such as the Tajikstan football leagues. This means there are a plethora of live betting opportunities and you’ll never have to wait too long for the next in-play market to kick off.
It’s important to remember that the selection of live sports is different at each betting site. That’s why we always advise you to use our expert sportsbook reviews to make sure your preferred sports are available before signing up to an online bookmaker.
Choose from a Range of In-Play Markets
Just like you can bet on many different sports in-play, you can also try your luck on a wide variety of different live betting markets at the top sportsbooks. From under/overs, handicaps and goal scorers to the number of corners and red cards, there are loads of markets to choose from – and that’s just for football! You can also make live accumulator bets, while some of the best live betting sites even offer you the chance to build your own bets.
Again, some betting sites offer a more extensive selection of live betting markets than others, so we’d recommend making sure the offering is to your liking before signing up.
In-Play Accumulator Bets
If you’ve spent any time on this page, you likely already know that in-play bets are simply bets placed while a match or event has already begun. And there’s a good chance you’re familiar with accumulators or accas too.
More adventurous bettors may want to roll both concepts into one — and place an in-play accumulator. Thankfully, many live betting sites allow punters to do just that. All you have to do is combine the wagers on your bet slip as usual, selecting live markets instead of pre-match bets.
As with a normal acca, the odds of each bet are combined to calculate your potential return. However, the odds of in-play bets tend to more accurately reflect the real-world chances of a certain outcome. This translates through to the overall odds of the acca, so the final price will likely be different to if you’d placed it pre-match.
Some bookies, including Unibet and Bet365, allow punters to fully or partially cash out their accas. That means if you change your mind about your accumulator, you’re not locked into seeing it play out. You might also be able to cash out for a smaller payout or to minimise a loss.
Planning on making an in-play acca bet? Be sure to check the T&Cs before signing up at the site, as the feature isn’t always available — and if it is, there may be limitations on when and how it can be used.
Potentially Benefit From Better Live Odds
There is generally very little variation when it comes to pre-match odds at different online sportsbooks, as each betting site has the time to calculate the odds and make sure they’re competitive. However, when it comes to live betting, there can be larger discrepancies in the odds offered at different sportsbooks, as each has less time to match its odds up against other sites. Live betting can also give astute punters opportunities to find more favourable odds.
For example, if the favourite in a football match concedes an early goal against an underdog, or if a player receives a red card, this can have a significant effect on the odds. Get your bet in quick enough, and you could benefit from better odds. Of course, things could always go the other way, but that’s just part of the risk that comes with betting. If you keep a close eye on the action, bet in an informed way and get your wagers in fast, then live betting could potentially be more profitable then pre-match betting.
Stream Live Matches From Your Betting Account
As well as offering in-play betting markets, many of the best betting sites offer live streaming services for sports matches and events. This means you can watch big football matches, horse races and much more without needing a TV subscription. For many players, this adds to the excitement of live betting as you can watch events unfold and place your bets accordingly, all from a single account and device. Some of the top sportsbooks also offer real-time stats which can help you make informed bets.
Most sportsbooks have a qualifying requirement for live streams. This can be having a bet on the event that’s being streamed, having placed a bet in the last 24 hours, or simply having a funded account.
Bag a Live Betting Site Bonus
Pretty much every online betting site offers a welcome bonus to new customers, whether that be free bets, a matched deposit bonus, cashback, odds boosts or a money-back bet. Usually, these bonuses can be used on live markets as well as in-play ones.
Some betting sites even offer special live betting promotions. For example, a sportsbook may give you a free bet to use on a big football match or horse race as it’s in action. Let’s take a look at the types of betting bonuses you can claim at the best live betting sites in the UK.
Thankfully, taking advantage of a live betting bonus is a breeze. We’ve run through the steps below.
- Browse Live Betting Sites and Compare Offers
Use our comparison tools and reviews to compare the different bonuses available at live betting sites. Our experts have dissected each site to give you an unbiased view, delving into every aspect of a sportsbook to help you find your perfect match. And you can sign up to any of our recommended live betting sites safe in the knowledge that we exclusively recommend licensed operators.
- Check Terms and Conditions
An essential step when you claim any betting offer is a thorough read through the T&Cs. That way, you’ll know the requirements and limitations of the bonus and won’t be unpleasantly surprised. In particular, check which markets you can use the betting bonus on. Are live bets included? Which sports are eligible? And are there minimum odds? Wagering requirements are another important consideration, as these will stop you withdrawing any winnings associated with the bonus until they’re completed.
- Click Through and Sign Up
Once you’ve found your ideal live betting bonus and you’re happy with the terms, click through to the site from Compare.bet. You’ll be taken straight to the homepage — follow the prompts to start the sign up process.
- Enter Personal Details
You’ll need to enter some information in order to create a new account at the live betting site. Name, address, and date of birth are usually required. Pick a memorable username and secure password as well — you’ll need these to log in across all your devices. If your bonus requires a promo code, now might be the time to enter it. Then, just click to create your new account.
- Complete KYC Requirements
As part of the Know Your Customer requirements, you’ll have to provide proof of identity — usually a scan of your driver’s licence or passport. You may be required to submit proof of address as well, like a recent utility bill.
- Make Qualifying Deposit
If the terms of your live betting bonus require you to make a deposit, you can do that once you’re logged in. Head to the cashier, select a payment method, and enter the amount you wish to deposit. Make sure it meets the minimum deposit requirements of the bonus.
- Make Qualifying Bet
If you’re claiming a ‘Bet X Get Y’ type offer, you’ll need to make your first bet on an eligible market at the minimum odds and stake. Once it settles, you’ll be able to claim your bonus.
- Claim Bonus
At this point, you’re ready to claim your live betting bonus — which should be automatically applied to your account, assuming you’ve met all the requirements. You should be able to view your bonus balance or free bets from within the account management area.
- Place Your Bets
You’re now ready to use your live betting bonus. Have another look over the T&Cs so you’re clear what it can be placed on. Then, just open up the sportsbook and take your pick!
The most common bonus at sports betting sites, this offer rewards you free bets when you either make a qualifying deposit of wager. For example, a live betting site may offer a ‘bet £10, get £20 in free bets’ bonus.
A matched deposit welcome offer rewards you bonus funds worth a percentage of your initial deposit, up to a certain amount. An example of this bonus is ‘100% match up to £100’, where you’d get a £50 bonus for a £50 deposit.
Some live sport betting sites offer odds boosts bonuses. Instead of rewarding bonus bets, these allow you to get improved odds on certain markets. Some bookies even offer double odds promos!
Some of the best in-play betting sites offer cashback to their customers. With a cashback offer, you’ll see a percentage of your total losses — or sometimes wagers and deposits — returned as bonus credit or cash. The amounts vary from site to site, usually somewhere between 1% and 10%. Say you lost £100 in a given week at a site with 5% cashback. You’d get £5 returned, either to your cash balance or as a bonus bet.
Also make sure you check the terms and conditions of bonuses, as some may exclude free bet markets, Keep an eye out for other terms like wagering requirements, minimum odds and maximum win limits.
Bet In-Play On Your Mobile
Mobile betting is hugely popular among sports bettors, so it’s no surprise the best online betting sites ensure they’re live betting products are optimised for mobile play. You can bet in-play on mobile betting sites which you can access through smartphone and tablet web browsers, meaning you can bet live whenever, wherever.
Many of the top sportsbooks also offer mobile betting apps for iPhone and Android devices, and these apps can make mobile live betting even smoother. Betting apps also have the added benefit of push notifications, meaning you’ll be alerted to the latest promotions and news, and some sportsbooks even offer app-exclusive bonuses!
How to Get Started at a Live Betting Site
Follow these steps to get up and running at an in-play betting site.
- Compare
First up, use our list, expert reviews and scores to compare the best live sports betting sites. We cover every corner of the sportsbooks we review to help you find the best betting site for you.
- Sign up
Once you’ve chosen, click the ‘claim bonus’ link to take you to the sign up page. You can create an account within minutes, though you may be asked to verify your live betting account after registering.
- Deposit
The top in-play betting sites offer a variety of payment methods, such as debit cards, PayPal and Skrill. Head to the cashier page, select your method and make your first deposit.
- Bet
Now the fun begins. Search the live betting markets on offer and then set your bets. Remember to pay close attention – the odds can swing in an instant when it comes to in-play betting!
Bet on Sports In-Play!
Now we’ve taken you through all there is to know about live sports betting, you can have a go for yourself. Look no further than our carefully select list of the best live betting sites, which you can use to compare the top UK sportsbooks. Whether you’re looking for live horse racing betting, betting sites with live football streaming or anything else, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at our recommended sportsbooks. Simply compare, sign up and bet in-play!
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While live betting is available at many of the top UK betting sites, it isn’t available at all sportsbooks. Luckily, you can easily pick out the best live betting bookmakers with the help of our carefully selected list on this page.
Yes. Many of the best sportsbooks allow you to create accumulators bets with live betting markets. However, be wary that prices often fluctuate massively for in-play markets, and just a slight change in the odds of one or two markets can have a significant impact on the overall price of an accumulator.
Most sports are, though some of the more obscure ones may be unavailable as in-play markets. However, remember that the live sports markets available can vary quite a lot at different online betting sites.
At some sites, yes. Cash out allows you to either secure some profit or cut your losses without waiting for the match to finish, and some of the top UK sportsbooks offer this option on live betting markets. However, it isn’t available at all bookies.
Yes. Some of 2023’s best new betting sites offer in-play betting, so there’s plenty of fantastic sportsbooks to choose from. Just keep in mind that live betting isn’t offered at every site, so check it is before signing up.
There are many live betting tips available online, particularly for big sports like football. These can be helpful when making your in-play wagers, but remember that no tipster can guarantee a winning bet.
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