Online Betting Options In the UK
Online betting in the UK is well regulated but still offers endless entertainment.
You have hundreds if not thousands of betting opportunities across sports and casino games, every hour of every day.
This guide offers a look at the types of bets you can place online at licensed UK casinos and sportsbooks, so you can get an idea of the options that are available.
Online Sports Betting
If you have an account at an online sportsbook in the UK, you’ll know the betting options seem infinite – with the bookies adding more and more options every week.
Whether you want to bet on your local football team, the horse your boss swears is going to be a winner this weekend, or even who’s going to score the first touchdown in the Super Bowl – you’ll surely be able to put a tenner down.
Whatever sport you’re into, here’s a breakdown of common bet types you’ll find available:
| Bet Type | Explanation |
| Single Bet | The simplest form of betting, involving a wager on a single outcome. |
| Accumulator (Acca/Multiple) | Combining multiple selections into one bet. All selections must win for the acca to be successful, offering higher potential payouts but increased risk. |
| Each-Way Bet | Primarily used in horse racing and golf, this bet is split into two equal parts: one for the win and one for the selection to “place” (finish within a specified number of top positions). For example, a £10 each-way bet (£5 win, £5 place) on a horse at 10/1 odds. (Can you remember the name of that horse your boss mentioned?). |
| Over/Under Bet | Betting on whether a specific statistic will be above or below a given threshold. For instance, you could bet £20 on a football match to have over 2 goals scored. |
| Handicap Betting | Used to level the playing field between unevenly matched teams. One team is given a virtual “head start” (or deficit). A -1 handicap on Liverpool means they must win by two or more goals for the bet to win. |
| In-Play (Live) Betting | Placing bets while an event is in progress. Odds fluctuate dynamically based on the unfolding action. You could bet on the next team to score in a live football match. |
| Correct Score & First Goalscorer | Predicting the precise final score of a match or the player who will score the first goal. Bookies offer higher odds on these bets due to their difficulty. |
| Other Markets | Beyond the basics, there are loads of other markets, such as number of corners, cards awarded, player performance statistics, and more. |
Online Casino Betting
When it comes to big brands, online sportsbooks in the UK usually offer casino games as well, and vice versa.
The most popular casino games are slots but you can place a bet on virtually any type of casino game, including live dealer and poker games.
- Slot Games: From classic fruit machines to Megaways video slots, you can probably play a new slot for every day of the year at most sites. Book of Ra and Gonzo’s Quest are two of the most famous slots that you can bet on. You set your bet per spin and aim to get a big payout, trigger the bonus feature, or win the jackpot.
- Slingo Games: Slingo games are like slots but they incorporate an element of bingo into the gameplay. You also set your bet per spin and try to get a Slingo.
- Table Games: Just like at a real casino, you can bet on red or black in roulette or play a hand of blackjack against the dealer. Most UK online casinos offer at least the classics, including roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.
- Video Poker: Video poker games are digitalised versions of five-card draw poker crossed with slots, and you bet on getting the best hand possible each round.
- Live Dealer Games: Join other players by streaming real-time video of real dealers and bet against the dealer in live blackjack and more.
Online Lottery & Bingo
Outside of casino games, there are plenty of sites that also offer online lottery and bingo games for real money.
UK online casinos might offer a small selection of bingo games, but you’re better off finding a dedicated brand to play the lottery or enter rooms with big cash prize pools.
- Lottery Bets: You can bet on the outcome of official lottery draws, such as the National Lottery or EuroMillions, often with options to bet on specific number combinations or bonus balls.
- Bingo: Online bingo halls offer various games with different ticket prices and prize pools.
Esports Betting
Since it is 2025, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t mention that you can also bet on professional video game competitions across popular titles like League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and more at UK online casinos and bookie sites.
Esports betting might not be a traditional type of online betting, but it’s growing more popular every year!
Responsible Betting and Gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly.
Set deposit limits, take breaks, and seek help if you feel you’re developing a gambling problem.
Resources like GamCare and BeGambleAware provide support and advice.