Betting on Sports in 2024 – The Options on Offer
Betting on sports in the UK has never been easier with a host of excellent bookmakers offering a range of markets, impressive odds and exciting bonuses. Whether you fancy a flutter on the football, a wager on the racing, or a punt on anything else, there are myriad options available.
The top sports at online bookmakers
How to to choose the sport
Find top offers
Are there any other sports?
Our top recommendations
Frequently asked questions
Below, we’ll introduce you to what sports you can bet on, and the best betting sites to visit to do that. We’ll break down the best markets including live betting and offer some hints and tips for choosing the right sport for you.
Criteria for Choosing a Sport to Bet On
When you’re considering the right sport to make your wagers on, there are numerous criteria to consider. Below, you will find some of the factors we believe to be most important in deciding what betting markets to go for.
- ✔️ Pick a sport you are familiar with to help your betting strategy.
- ✔️ Find a sport you can use bookies bonuses on to enhance your betting experience.
- ✔️ Consider a sports betting site with a wide collection of sports to enhance your choices.
- ✔️ Look for a sport with live betting options and a range of markets.
- ✔️ Choose a sport with a lot of resources to help you research form.
- ✔️ Research the best odds and choose a sport that has the potential to pay well if your bets win.
Once you’ve decided on the right sport to bet on, you need to find the right online bookie to bet at. While all betting sites specialise in different things, our recommended sites score well across the board in terms of the above criteria.
While it’s important to find a bookie that specialises in what you’re looking for, you also want to know the markets, bonuses, and customer service will be high quality, too, which is why we suggest sticking with our recommended UK sports betting sites.
Best Sports to Bet On
What sport can you bet on? UK punters are spoilt for choice. From major UK sports, to obscure international leagues, regular events to sporadic global phenomena like the Olympics and World Cup. There is no shortage of options available.
- Football Betting Sites
- Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Golf Betting Sites
- Tennis Betting Sites
- eSports Betting Sites
- American Football Betting Sites
- Basketball Betting Sites
- Baseball Betting Sites
- Boxing Betting Sites
- Cricket Betting Sites
- Greyhounds Betting Sites
- Snooker Betting Sites
- Cycling Betting Sites
- Rugby Betting Sites
- Ice Hockey Betting Sites
- Darts Betting Sites
- Fantasy Betting Sites
- Volleyball Betting Sites
- Handball Betting Sites
- Water Polo Betting Sites
- Futsal Betting Sites
- Table Tennis Betting Sites
- Badminton Betting Sites
- Athletics Betting Sites
- Olympics Betting Sites
- Australian Rules Betting Sites
- Virtual Sports Betting Sites
- Floorball Betting Sites
- MMA Betting Sites
- WWE Betting Sites
- Lacrosse Betting Sites
- Motor Sports Betting Sites
- Gaelic Sports Betting Sites
- Winter Olympics Betting Sites
When first starting, we suggest sticking to sports you know and are comfortable with. However, after time, if you choose to expand your horizons, all the biggest sports betting markets are waiting for you, as well as lesser-known options from around the world such as handball – you can then expand your horizons and use cash out betting sites on some of these markets.
Top 5 Sports to Bet On
- 🥇 Football ✪ Most popular UK sport
- 🥈 Rugby ✪ Rugby Union and Rugby League options
- 🥉 Horse Racing ✪ Loads of Events and Markets
- Cricket ✪ Multiple In-Play Markets
- Snooker ✪ Unique Bets to Make
Football
Football is without question the most popular sport in the UK. Between the Premier League, the World Cup, the Champions League, and the numerous other leagues and competitions that involve UK club and national teams, there’s almost always football to watch, and therefore to bet on.
Football bettors in the UK don’t limit themselves to local events, with international leagues like La Liga, Bundesliga, and MLS also hugely popular. The best football betting sites also provide a wide range of pre-game and live betting markets.
Horse Racing
The UK hosts some of the world’s most famous horse racing events including the Grand National. Not only is a day at the races a grand day out and a popular pastime, it’s also an excellent opportunity to try your luck and have a flutter on a horse or too.
Thanks to great UK horse-racing online bookmakers bettors no longer have to visit the track, or even a betting shop. Instead you can make your bets on the horse (or horses) you fancy the chances of from your laptop or mobile device.
Tennis
Wimbledon is the most famous tennis tournament in the world and a highlight of the British sporting calendar. However, tennis betting is on offer all-year round thanks to the four major grand slam tournaments, the Davies Cup, and numerous other tennis events from around the world.
At the best tennis betting sites you can wager on the winner of a game, make a futures bet on the winner of the tournament, or bet on the winner of the next set through in-play betting, amongst other options.
Cricket
Cricket is an intriguing sport for punters as a single match can go on for several days. This brings a huge amount of potential for in-play options. Live streaming of cricket games is possible at the UK’s best cricket betting sites, too.
Whether international or club matches, cricket comes in many shapes and forms and there is a variety of betting markets available for them all.
Rugby
Rugby union and rugby league are both popular sports for those in the UK, for watching, playing, and betting on. From various British leagues to the annual Six Nations tournament and the World Cup, there’s no shortage of rugby events available to bet on.
If you’re looking for the top rugby bookies we recommend checking out the different markets and bet types available. All our recommended rugby betting sites have a range of available betting options
Boxing
Boxing has always been a hugely popular sport for UK punters. There’s something about the 1-on-1 competition of two competitors battling it out for superiority using only their fists that bettors and fans alike find intriguing. Boxing betting has limited markets, making it perfect for beginner bettors.
Boxing is consistently a common sport to bet on, and the best boxing bookies cater for this with competitive odds and often offer enhanced odds promos in the run-up to a big fight.
eSports
A relatively new addition to the world of online betting, eSports have taken the world by storm and show no sign of letting up. From Dota 2 to FIFA, League of Legends to NBA 2k, there are almost always eSports events and competitions to bet on for UK players.
At top eSports bookmakers UK players can find a range of exciting betting options, including unique bets that are only available on certain games, such as map-based props on Dota 2.
Other Sports to Bet On
The above sports are just scratching the surface of the different events on offer. If you like US sports, you could check out some of the best basketball betting sites and ice hockey bookies. If you enjoy combat sports such as boxing, have a look at some of our MMA bookmakers.
How do I find what sport options are available?
When you fire up a betting site, you will see the available sports displayed on the side bar. When you click on a specific sport, the available leagues, events, and other markets will be revealed. Simply pick your chosen market to see all events currently available to wager on.
How to Choose the Sport for You?
Not sure what sport to bet on? It’s a decision that is worthy of some consideration, and below you’ll find our suggestions for the most important factors to think about when it comes to picking the top sport for you to play at UK online sports bookies.
1. What are you passionate about?
The sports you love are likely also the sports you know the most about. That passion often equates to knowledge of players, teams, and form which can be used as part of your betting strategy. Be aware of potential bias, as you’ll be hesitant to bet against your favourite team.
2. What sport do you know most about?
The sports you know the most about are the best to make your bets on, whether this is because of your passion, whether you’ve played this sport, or worked in the industry. Your knowledge may well benefit your betting.
3. Is live streaming important to you?
If you like to make in-play bets, then an online betting site that offers live streaming is important, as are sports that are streamed more often, such as horse racing. Live streaming is less common for sports with licensing deals, such as Premier League football.
4. What type of bets do you want to place?
Different bets favour specific sports, so it’s worth knowing what types of wager you like to make and consider that when choosing the market to bet on. For example, live betting is good for sports that can change dramatically in a short space of time, such as basketball.
5. What coverage does the bookie provide?
A wide range of markets is important within individual sports. Football is offered at all sports betting sites, but if you’re after lower league football or some more obscure international leagues, you’ll want to look for a bookies with a wide range of football markets.
Top Betting Sites by Sport
Still struggling to find the best betting site for your chosen sport? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find our recommendations for the best betting sites for various sports listed below, simply pick your favourite and click the link to sign up.
Betting Bonuses for Different Sports
While welcome bonuses can usually be used on a range of different sports and markets, there are sporadic bonuses for existing customers that focus on specific sports. Some top bookies stand out for their promotions for certain markets.
The Top Sports Bonuses
- bet365 ✪ Best Football Bonus
- Ladbrokes ✪ Top Rugby Bonus
- 888Sport ✪ Great Horse Racing Bonus
- William Hill ✪ Excellent eSports Bonus
- 10Bet ✪ Best Cricket Offers
Bonuses are often offered in conjunction with major sporting events such as the World Cup, Grand National, big boxing fights, and more. It’s worth keeping your eye on the promotions tab of your chosen betting site to stay updated.
We’ve got all the information you need on the top betting bonuses at UK sports betting sites including which bookmakers specialise in promos for certain events. You’ll also find all the details on welcome bonuses at the UK’s top bookies.
There Are Plenty of Sports to Bet On
There is no shortage of sports to bet on at the top bookmakers. Of course, you’ll find the big events like Premier League betting and wagering on major horse races, but that’s only the start of the options available, you can also try the best casino sites. If you can think of a sport, league, or event, the chances are you’ll find it at our top sports betting site.
The best bookies for UK players don’t only provide a range of sports, but also varied markets within them and competitive odds on the best you can make. You’ll also find unique wagering options such as live betting as well as a range of bonuses for various sports.
Remember the advice above when considering what sport to bet on. Think about the right sport for you, consider your knowledge, and the information and odds available for your chosen sport.
FAQs
If you have more questions about betting on sports or what sports you can bet on, you should find them answered below. If you have any other queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
❓What is the best sport to bet on?
The best sport to bet on depends on your preferences and knowledge. Check out the different options available, and read through our advice on choosing what sport to be on to help you make your decision.
💪 What is a good sport to bet on?
Any sport that offers good odds and you are comfortable making wagers on could be a good choice for betting. We break down the biggest sports betting markets so you can read through the most popular options and figure out where you’d like to start.
👌How many sports can I bet on?
You can bet on as many sports as you like, you’ll find there is a host of available options on offer at the top UK bookies. Not only major sports, but also a range of more niche options. Check out our breakdown of other sports you can bet on for a comprehensive overview.
🤷 Are all sports available to bet on?
All major sports – and many lesser known sports – are available at UK bookmakers. However, some betting sites stand out when it comes to markets, odds, and bonuses that are offered on specific sports and events. Check out our look at the top betting sites for specific sports
🤑 What kind of bets can I place on sports?
Each sport has different betting options available. While some bets, such as picking a winner, exist on almost all events, others can be specific to certain sports. Live betting, for example, is becoming increasingly popular and is available at the best UK bookies. You should also look at using the top UK sports betting bonuses to make your wagers.