Biggest Betting Companies in the UK Market
Table of Contents
The UK betting market is a truly diverse mix of companies: Some have been established for decades while others have joined up on the back of the Internet revolution to build a familiar online presence. There are new operators signing up all the time but who should be considered as the biggest bookmakers in this sector of the industry?
Who are the Biggest Betting Companies in the UK?
Currently the biggest UK betting company is Ladbrokes Coral which is owned by GVC Holdings. Estimated yearly revenue: 2.500.000.000 GBP. The runner up is William Hill with it’s 1.700.000.000 GBP yearly revenue. Once William Hill was the biggest UK betting company but Coral’s acquisition by Ladbrokes in 2016 pushed them to the 2nd place. Currently PaddyPower-BetFair UK takes the 3rd place.
Longevity
William Hill are one of the oldest names in betting and this trusted brand first appeared as an on course bookie back in 1934. Founded by William Hill himself, gambling was technically illegal at that time but the company got around those regulations and grew to become one of the most trusted betting brands.
Another reason why Hills can be classed among the biggest names is their presence on the UK high street. Most British towns have at least one William Hill betting shop and that’s one reason why so many customers have followed them and continued their relationship online.
The same scenario benefits Ladbrokes who are also heavily featured in terms of physical shops. In the last twenty years, the vast majority of independent UK bookmakers have disappeared with the big players buying them out and that has helped the likes of Ladbrokes and Hills to build their bricks and mortar outlets.
Ladbrokes themselves are perhaps the oldest name in the industry and their roots go way back to 1886 when they were commissioning agents in the sport of horse racing. Coral are another company with a long history and a presence on the British high street so if longevity is your main concern, any of these names could be a perfect fit for your business.
Trust is naturally very important but it’s vital that all UK bookmakers provide a fair service to their account holders and that’s what they aim to do. But who are the recent arrivals that are challenging the establishment?
Biggest Betting Companies
- Ontario
- SIA (Sports Interaction)SIA for Ontario residentsCLAIMKey Terms:New customers only. T&Cs Apply. 19+ Play Responsibly. Ontario only. 19+.
- OntarioEligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario.
- BetwayOntario Sports betting from BetwayCLAIMKey Terms:New customers only from Ontario (CA). 19+. Full Terms apply. Play Responsibly
- 888sport888Sport for Ontario playersCLAIMKey Terms:#Ad Full Terms and Conditions Apply. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+
- Canada (excl. Ontario)Offers not available for Ontario residents.Offers not available for Ontario residents.
18+ only.
Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem and wants help, please visit https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en - SIA (Sports Interaction)First Deposit Match Bonus up to $250CLAIMKey Terms:New customers only. Bonus equal to 125% of your 1st deposit up to $250. 6x rollover on deposit + bonus. T&Cs Apply. 19+ Play Responsibly
- ComeOnBet $25 and get $100 in Free BetsCLAIMKey Terms:18+ Begambleaware.org Min. deposit: $20. Wagering requirements (min odds 1.75) must be fulfilled within 30 days before a withdrawal. Accepted payment methods for the welcome offer are: Credit or Debit cards, MuchBetter, Local Bank Transfers, Interact. Any fraudulent or unethical behaviour be suspected in the Player’s Gameplay, the company has the right to reject the withdrawal and confiscate winnings.
- Betway100% Deposit Bonus up to $200CLAIMKey Terms:New Canada customers only. Opt-in required. Bonus based on 1st deposit of $10+. 10x bonus wagering at odds of 1.75+. Terms apply
- 888sport100% bonus up to $300 + $10 casino bonusCLAIMKey Terms:$10 min deposit • The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least once with cumulative odds of 1.5 or greater • Wagering must be cleared within 60 days • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Wagering limit of $50 per bet Applies • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply
- Ontario
- bet365Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets - Registration RequiredCLAIMKey Terms:#Ad. 18+ New Customers only. Registration Required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
Significant Terms and Conditions
• Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5* or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30* in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable.
• To release your Bet Credits for use, you must place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit (capped at £10*) and they must settle within 30 days of claiming the offer. Only qualifying bets placed and settled after claiming the offer will count towards this requirement.
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, paysafecard and all other prepaid credit and debit cards, where available, cannot be used for either your qualifying deposit or any subsequent withdrawal of returns from Bet Credits stakes unless we have successfully verified an accepted form of your Identity Documents and you have entered a Postal Verification Code (PVC), or we have successfully verified two accepted forms of your Identity Documents. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
• Bets placed must meet certain conditions to count towards the release of your Bet Credits:
- Must contain at least one selection at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater.
- In market/fixture combinations that only have two or three potential outcomes (for example Soccer Full Time Result), where you have placed bets on more than one potential outcome, either pre-match or In-Play, only the outcome with your highest cumulative stake will count.
- Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, only the remaining active stake will count.
- Where a bet has been edited using our Edit Bet feature, only the new stake on the new bet will count.
- Fully Cashed Out, Instant Games, Gaming, void bets or In-Play bets which are settled as a push will not count.
• Your Bet Credits are non-withdrawable, and Bet Credits stakes are not included in any returns. Any returns from Bet Credits placed will be added to your Withdrawable Balance. Bet Credits cannot be used on certain products, offers/promotions and bet types. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
• Your Bet Credits will be forfeit and removed if your account is inactive for 90 consecutive days.
*or currency equivalent
T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. See full Terms. Registration required. Please gamble responsibly! www.begambleaware.org - Safer Gambling Week18-24 November 2024
- BetfredBETFRED50 - Get £50 in Free BetsCLAIMKey Terms: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; 18+ www.begambleaware.org #ad
- 10bet100% up to £50 welcome bonus. Code: SPORTCLAIMKey Terms: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+. See full Terms apply; 18+ www.begambleaware.org #ad
- BetwayGet up to £90 in Free BetsCLAIMKey Terms:Opt-in required. Upon weekly qualification, customers will be credited with £/€10 in Free Bets in two £/€5 installments on Saturday and Monday. From 24th September until 18th November 2022, an extra £/€5 Free Bet will be added to Quest to Qatar pot, which half will be credited on 19th November 2022, and the other half credited on 3rd December 2022. £30 Acca Offer New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. Debit card deposits only. Valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply.
- 888sport100% up to £250 w/ code 250BONUSCLAIMKey Terms:#Ad. 18+. £10 min deposit using promo code 250BONUS • The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least twice with cumulative odds of 1.50 or greater • To withdraw any winnings from your bonus, you must wager the bonus amount at least 5 times • All deposit and bonus wagering requirements must be completed within 60 days • This offer may not be combined with any other offer • Wagering limit of £50 per bet Applies • Restrictions apply to withdrawals, payment methods and countries & full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly - www.begambleaware.org
- Mr PlayBet £10 Get £15CLAIMKey Terms:18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £15 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. T&Cs apply. www.begambleaware.org #ad
- GrosvenorDouble the OddsCLAIMKey Terms:New customers. Max £10(Exc PayPal). 100% Odds Boost token. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. www.begambleaware.org #ad
- LV BETBet £10 Get £10CLAIMKey Terms:18+ | New UK players after 31.03.2021 | Valid on first Sports bet | Min. dep. £10 req. | Min. £10 wag. on the first bet with min. total odds of 1/1 to qualify | Bet must be settled | Bonus Wag. req.1x on min. 2-fold Acca bets (min. 1/4 odds each selection) with min. final odds of 1/ 1| Virtual and cashed out bets do not qualify | One-time offer | Bonuses credited following working day | T&Cs apply | BeGambleAware.org #ad
- Ontario
- LV BET100% up to €50CLAIMKey Terms:18+. New Customers Only. 100% Welcome Bonus up to €50. Minimum deposit: €10. Maximum Bonus: €50. Wagering Requirements: 12x (Deposit+Bonus). Minimum 2 selections with total odds of 2.00. Payment method and country restrictions apply. The offer is valid until 31.12.2021. Bets placed on different selections within the same market or bets placed on equivalent markets are not eligible for this offer. Gamble Responsibly.
- QuinnBet SportsBet €10 Get €60 + 10 Free SpinsCLAIMKey Terms:Bet €10 on any sport of your choice at min odds evens (2.00) or greater and QuinnBet will credit your account with 4 x €10 Free Bets (to use on any Sports of your choice), plus €20 QuinnCasino bonus, plus 10 Free Spins on Asgard Warriors. The 3 x €10 Free Bets, €20 Casino Bonus and 10 Free Spins will be credited the day after your qualifying bet settles. T&Cs apply | 18+ New IRE Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org
- Ontario
- bet365Get Up To ₹4,000 in Bet CreditsCLAIMKey Terms:15% of your qualifying deposit in Bet Credits (up to ₹4,000). Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 18+, begambleaware.org.
- Betway100% Matched Free Bet up to ₹4,000 If First Bet LosesCLAIMKey Terms:*New India customers only. Min Stake: ₹250. Max Free Bet: ₹4,000. First bet on any sports with overall odds: 2.00 (1/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ Terms Apply
- Casumo100% Bonus up to ₹10,000CLAIMKey Terms:18+ New customers only. 100% Bonus: Opt-in required. Min. deposit ₹700 to receive a 100% bonus up to ₹10,000 (within 7 days from reg.). 6x deposit and bonus wagering at odds of 1.6. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. begambleaware.org. Full Bonus terms apply.
- ComeOn100% Matched Deposit Bonus up to ₹6000CLAIMKey Terms:India 18+ customers only. You will have a total of 30 days to complete the bonus from the activation date. ComeOn! will double your first deposit, up to ₹6,000. Minimum deposit is ₹200. Maximum bonus amount is ₹6,000. Minimum wagering requirements apply. You will need to wager your bonus before you can withdraw as follows: Sportsbook: 10 x deposit and bonus. Each way bets or bets placed on Asian Handicap are excluded. The ₹6,000 Sports Welcome Bonus will be credited to your account within 24 hours after your first qualifying bet has been accepted. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- Bons₹1000 Free BetCLAIMKey Terms:Cashback up to 20% every month, ₹1000 free bet on sport, Rebate 500% in sports bets, COMBOBOOST up to 100% in combo bet
- Ontario
- bet365Bet Now!CLAIMKey Terms:Open an account with bet365 today and bet on a huge range of markets with the world's favourite online sports betting company. Registration required.
- PlayUp AustraliaLogin to View PromotionsCLAIMKey Terms:Join PlayUp today and you can bet on all the best Racing and Sports. Whether you’re just after the simple stuff like Win/Place and Head-to-Heads or something a bit more complex such as Exotics and Player Props, we’ve got top odds on all the markets you could ever need! So sign up to Australia’s best fixed odds bookmaker now and make your best bet!
- Ontario
- Ontario
Betting on the Go
The concept of live betting is a fascinating one and it’s one of many factors that have revolutionised the gaming industry in Great Britain and beyond. At the heart of the new development is bet365 and in the present day, they are widely considered to be the market leaders.
Betting on the go can be great fun if you’re the type of person who likes a bet while watching a match. It can really challenge your ability as an analyst too so if you think you can predict how a game will develop, this could be the market for you.
It’s a frenetic side of the industry too as odds can change very quickly so you need the equipment that can take the pace. Mobile devices with fast internet connections are vital if you are to make a success of live betting.
bet365 devote almost their entire advertising campaign to betting on the go and you will always see their TV ads at half time during the major football games in the UK. They have the biggest choice of live markets too but there are certainly alternatives.
Stan James are another UK bookmaker with a big live schedule as are Paddy Power and all of these companies back up their live operations with fast moving social media accounts that keep you up to date with the latest odds.
If live betting is important to you then these three names are thought of as the biggest in the UK market. bet365 are also very useful if you like to follow Asian Handicap betting and frequently they may be the only bookie quoting this type of market for a certain football match.
Offers
As customers we all want offers – the ones that come in when we sign up and those that reward us for regular play. As a general rule, UK bookmakers tend to reward loyalty above an early sign up but there are exceptions.
If you’re judging bookies on the welcome bonus then bet365 are the biggest in the UK industry with their £100 opening deal. Ladbrokes are arguably next at £50 while the likes of Paddy Power and Betfred have an identical £30 free bet deal.
For ongoing promotions, it’s hard to choose between them but arguably this is an area where William Hill and Coral score the most points.
Presence
You can generally gauge the size of a bookmaker by their advertising budget and by how many times they appear on your TV. We’ve seen how frequently bet365 crop up during football matches and they are certainly among the biggest around when it comes to Live Betting.
Betfred are also one of those companies who go big on their advertising campaign and you’ll also find Coral, William Hill and Ladbrokes offering some innovative TV ads right through the sporting calendar.
This is a good measure if you just want size and as yet, we’ve yet to see the newer bookies such as Smart Live Gaming appear on our TV screens. However, growing companies such as Betway are getting involved and the more you see a bookmaker on television, the bigger they will be.
But the biggest advertiser for many is Paddy Power who spend money on very entertaining and very elaborate campaigns. Another area where Paddy score is with Social Media and once again, this is another place where you can judge the size of any UK bookmaker.
Paddy Power have over half a million followers and that’s simply huge. Some will be there just for some entertainment but many will be customers and that underlines their size and stature.
We all look for different things from our bookmakers and there are several categories that might make one operator a bigger name than another but the good news is that we have plenty of choice.
If it’s longevity that you want then some outlets have histories that stretch back for decades but others have worked hard to catch them up in a short space of time so decide what you want from a UK bookmaker and then make your choice.