This is a very important area of our reviews. We only want trusted betting sites to be showcased, so that means taking a very close look at the question of licensing. Firstly, it is important to understand that betting is legal in the UK. As long as you are 18 years of age and are not excluded for any other reason, it is OK for you to bet online.

However, we do need to make sure that the sportsbook in question is licensed and regulated and therefore allowed to provide betting services in the UK. In 2014, some new laws laid down by the UK Gambling Commission meant that operators had a change to the tax laws. The tax was now applied at the point of sale rather than the point of origin and that meant that some sportsbooks ceased trading here.

Those that remain have to abide by those laws and they have to be fully regulated by the K Gambling Commission. Their registration number should also appear on the website so that customers can be sure that they conform.

In summary, sports betting is legal in the UK, but it is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Only the best betting sites are allowed through and these are the ones that we will be picking up.

Safety and Security Is of Paramount Importance When Choosing a Bookmaker

Online security is very important

We’re only interested in safe betting sites here, and this is another vital point to consider. Is the sportsbook in question safe to play at and will it make sure that your personal information – including your financial details – are ring-fenced and cannot be compromised?

The top betting sites work with a number of external third parties in order to ensure that they meet these important requirements. In no particular order, there is eCOGRA who stand for fair play and player protection. Thawte are responsible for assessing the secure socket layer (SSL) technology which encrypts and protects data.

Moving on, we have governing bodies such as EGBA – the European Gaming and Betting Association who oversee operations and make sure that they are adhering to regulations.

In the modern-day, sportsbooks are also expected to pay particular attention to the question of responsible gambling. Organisations such as GamStop and, for UK players, BeGambleAware, are there to protect and offer advice for anyone who needs help.

Sportsbooks will work with a number of these organisations, and this is another point that we will assess as we work through our reviews.

Quality of the Site and User Experience Helps Us Bet Quickly and Conveniently

We can give you positive guides to all of our top betting sites, but, on occasions, it can all come down to whether or not you feel comfortable here. Before you sign up with any of the UK bookmakers, just spend some time looking at the site to assess whether you want to play here.

Are your favourite sports easy to find? Once you’ve located those sports, can you find all of the available markets and is the actual betting process a simple one? It isn’t all about the betting procedure so you should also look to locate the cashier and all of the help facilities that exist.

If you are going to be in a long-term relationship – business or otherwise – you simply have to be happy so remember to check on this before you sign up. Obviously, this all comes down to personal choice, but we will guide you in terms of design and navigation as we work through our list of best betting sites.