European Sportsbooks in the UK
Almost half of all original licenced betting sites in the UK are European bookmakers. While this ratio is high, newcomers cannot compete with established British brands that have been around for decades, and many have been accepting bets online for about 20 years. Match.Center analysed which EU sportsbooks can compete in the UK.
List of European Betting Sites for April 2024
Top 4 European Sportsbooks
BoyleSports
This is one of the oldest active Irish betting companies (founded in 1982). BoyleSports is especially suitable for racing fans. This is one of the best European sports betting sites, whose vast selection of betting events includes dozens of competitions from the UK, Ireland, the USA, France, Japan, Australia etc., and there is a video streaming option for most races. Also, there are lots of greyhounds with live video and for some of them the Free bet if 2nd to SP favourite promotion is available.
Paddy Power
This Irish bookmaker started working in 1988. The EU sportsbook has a poor selection of Esports betting events, however, as for traditional sports, Paddy Power follows all trends. This is one of the EU betting sites that provides a Bet Builder for football and basketball; in addition, you can get £10 daily, if one event in your 4+ leg combination loses. And if 1,000 football betting markets are still not enough, punters can take advantage of the #WhatOddsPaddy option.
888 Sport
This is a Gibraltarian bookmaker (since 2008), that knows the needs of UK bettors well. Their selection of top football betting markets is relatively small (about 500 markets). However, the European bookmaker provides a Bet Builder and pre-set combinations sorted by the odds size on the match page. The selection of racing betting events includes all the most popular competitions varying regionally from the UK to Brazil, in addition, there are streams for most of them. Moreover, this is one of the best European betting sites with a Betfinder option to select a horse.
Betway
This Maltese bookmaker started working in 2006. For the Cheltenham Festival 2023, Betway has significantly upgraded its horse racing section: now, there is more information on the participants and tips from Timeform; moreover, this is one of the best European betting sites that offers odds boosts and lots of special markets as well. Separately, we also note a decent range of Esports betting events and an excellent selection of markets to bet on top matches in League of Legends, CS:GO, Dota 2 and Overwatch. Furthermore, this European bookmaker has a Free bet club, where UK players can receive weekly awards.
How We Evaluate EU Betting Sites
Match.Center experts have rated almost all legal EU bookmakers available in the country based on nine parameters. These online bookies are compared with one another to give a comprehensive and objective assessment.
- The nine parameters are divided into three categories: technology & product, offers & payments, UX & support. The sports betting site which is rated as the market leader in one of these three categories unlocks an achievement.
- Each parameter is marked on a scale of 0 to 10 with the average used to rate the European sites.
- The Technology & Product category evaluates the quality of the betting product and betting coverage.
- The Offers & Payments category evaluates how good such European betting websites are by separately reviewing the supported payment systems and bonuses for new customers and regular bettors.
- The Live streaming marker is used to evaluate the quality of the live betting service offered by these European gambling sites.
- When assessing European betting sites, a great mobile betting app will be less valuable if the overall product is bad, so we just add 5 points for Android and iOS mobile betting apps.
The following link provides more information about our rating procedures: How We Evaluate Betting Sites.
The Evolution of Sports Betting in Europe
Sports betting has been an integral part of European culture for centuries, with evidence of wagers being placed on sporting events dating back to the ancient Greek Olympic Games. However, it was not until the 20th century that sports betting became a regulated industry. In 1960, the United Kingdom became the first country to introduce the Betting and Gaming Act. The next year’s turnover increased by 154%, and most European countries followed suit in the decades that followed.
Today, sports betting is a multibillion-dollar industry in Europe, with millions of punters placing bets on a daily basis. Match.Center welcomes regulation because it provides more protection for punters. No matter what the legal status is, sports betting takes place all over the world. As an example, Ladbrokes betting company was founded in the UK in 1884 and, therefore, operated in a grey zone for almost 80 years.
Football is by far the most popular sport and one of favourite sports for punters in Europe, with over 70% of all sports bets placed on football matches. Other popular sports include horse racing, tennis, and basketball.
Online sports betting has become increasingly popular in Europe over the past decade, especially with growing interest in live betting, which allows punters to place bets on matches and events as they are happening in real time. The convenience and accessibility of betting (in 2022, 53% of online bets have been placed on mobile devices) has led to a surge in online betting activity. According to the EGBA, European betting market revenue in 2022 reached €108.5bn gross, an 8% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and a 23% rise compared to 2021. Online betting accounts for about 35% of it.
In terms of sports betting, the United Kingdom is the largest European market, accounting for over 50% of all online sports bets placed in the region. There is a strong correlation between the level of national economies and betting costs within the EU. Other countries with high levels of online sports betting activity include Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. The growth of online betting has also led to increased regulation and licencing of online bookmakers to ensure consumer protection and fair play.
Most Popular Sports for Betting in Europe
Billions of euros are being staked on football matches every year. The popular sport is loved for its unpredictability, with upsets and surprise results being common. Furthermore, European football has the highest level of competition, the best leagues and worldwide TV coverage. Being fierce and unpredictable is good for the sport, but not much so for betting. Nevertheless, football fans enjoy placing bets on everything from the winner of a match to the number of goals scored, and there is always a wide range of betting options available – up to 1,500 markets for top matches.
Horse racing is also hugely popular for betting in Europe, particularly in countries such as the UK and Ireland. The sport offers a wide range of very special betting options, from simple win bets to more complex and exotic accumulators you will not find in any other sport. Horse racing fans also enjoy studying the form and picking their own winners, adding an extra level of excitement. Most of the best EU betting sites have developed separate interfaces for horse racing, which include quick access to comprehensive statistics and live streams of most events.
Tennis is the most popular individual sport for betting worldwide, with major events such as Wimbledon and the French Open attracting significant betting interest. Bets can be placed on tennis at any time of the year. You can bet on a lot of statistical events during a match, such as points difference, double faults, 1st serve percentage, and other particular parameters, making live betting very appealing.
Basketball is a fast-paced and exciting sport that has grown in popularity for betting in Europe in recent years. The NBA is the most popular league for basketball betting, with fans enjoying a wide range of markets on everything from the winner of individual games to the outright winner of the championship. Although European basketball leagues are less popular than the NBA, punters find their games more predictable.
European Betting Regulation
In some European countries, betting is hit by the initiatives of legislators, who desperately want to regulate European betting sites but do not always know how to do to it productively. That is probably why the UK market does not have any originally Spanish or German betting sites that face difficulties in making money in their home countries. They just do not have enough resources to enter another highly competitive and tightly regulated market. However, the UK attracts betting sites from European offshore locations, such as Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus.
Germany
German gambling regulations are perhaps the most frequently updated ones. In 2011, Glücksspieländerungsstaatsvertrag, a law with an intimidating name, appeared and was upgraded almost annually. The third amended version of GlüStV came into effect on January 1st, 2023. Since that date, there has been a new federal regulator, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), which is responsible for licencing betting operators. Currently, there are less than 25 legal betting sites in Germany.
German punters pay a 5.3% tax on every winning bet. Interesting that the betting sites are not permitted to accept bets on Esports and MMA, as the list of allowed sports only includes the Olympic ones. For some reason, Formula 1 is not banned for betting. Anyway, we expect that this strange law will be amended once again.
Spain
To operate in Spain officially, European betting operators or sites need to be licenced by Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego. Spanish betting sites have no sports betting restrictions, compared to Germany. Instead, some of them can offer sports betting options that will seem exotic to UK punters, including such niche sports as padel, pelota and sailing. In total, there are 44 legal Spanish betting sites.
However, Spanish betting sites are not permitted to advertise any bonuses, and Welcome offers are completely banned. Spaniards can take part in promotions only 30 after registration.
France
The modern history of online betting in the Fifth Republic began in May 2010 with the enactment of Law No. 2010-476. In addition, it simplified the registration conditions and lowered taxes for European operators, regardless of their location. Despite the concessions, regulation remains tight and European operators do not hurry to legalise in France. In 2023, only 17 betting sites are licenced by l’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ).
Italy
Like France, Italy was closed to foreign betting operators for a long time, but the European Union forced it to modernise its gambling laws. Since 2006, over 50 betting companies have got a sports betting licence from Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS).
Ireland
It is not the largest European country, but it is definitely one of the strongest in terms of betting. Such brands as Paddy Power, BoyleSports, BETDAQ and Bar One Racing came from Ireland to the UK, but even more UK betting sites were legalised in Ireland. To become legal, betting sites need to obtain a remote licence from the Revenue Commissioners. Unlike Spain and Germany, Ireland has no strange restricting gambling laws, which makes the local betting market one of the most competitive and strong.
Best European Betting Apps
888 Sport
This is one of few apps that supports two themes. Such helper options as BetFeed, Made for you and Bet finder (for horse racing) look especially appropriate in the app – using them, you can find an interesting betting market in a couple of clicks.
BoyleSports
Perhaps, the BoyleSports app is even better than the betting site. In the mobile betting app, there are significantly fewer annoying banners, and the betting area is used effectively without losing the betting site’s functionality.
Virgin Bet
The app of this young bookmaker has almost benchmark navigability. This is one of the betting sites in Europe that offers a decent betting experience with its variety of tools, thanks to which you can surf however you like. Separately, we note its informational push notifications.
New European Sports Betting Sites
Virgin Bet
Perhaps, this is the highest-profile newcomer in the UK betting market (started in 2019). We recommend that tennis lovers pay attention to it: the selection of betting events includes competitions of all professional levels, and almost all events are available both in the pre-match and live betting modes, and there is a streaming option for most of them.
The number of football betting markets is obviously not a record one; however, there is a Bet Builder, lots of pre-set combinations and special bets. There is also the Virgin bet FIVES free fantasy game with cash prizes. We also note the Acca Free Bet Club with weekly bonuses.
LiveScore Bet
The bookmaker has been operating since 2020. LiveScore Bet is owned by the same company as Virgin Bet, however, it is not a white label site. These two European betting sites have the same service: an excellent range of tennis betting events and markets, a decent selection of top football betting markets with a Bet Builder, as well as a pretty good horse racing section. However, the LiveScore Bet bonus programme is independent: for a better betting experience, you can take advantage of its Welcome offer and other bonuses, as well as participate in the Squads fantasy game (an analogue of Virgin Bet’s FIVES).
Parimatch
This is a white label of the well-known BetVictor betting company (launched at the end of 2020), that is why you can get a Welcome bonus only at one of these two European bookies. However, the Parimatch bonus programme is different from BetVictor’s, so it can in part be considered an independent bookmaker. It is suitable for football fans with its 2,000+ sports markets to bet on top matches, a Bet Builder and odds boosts.
European Bookmakers Payment Methods
European sportsbooks offer a variety of payment methods to accommodate European bettors’ needs. These are the most commonly used:
Debit Cards
Debit cards are widely accepted at most European bookmakers and are a convenient and secure method for depositing funds. Transactions are usually processed instantly, and there are often no additional fees charged. Debit cards allow you to claim 99% of bookmakers’ bonuses when you deposit with them.
E-wallets
E-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller are popular payment methods for online sports betting on many European betting sites. They offer a secure and fast way to transfer funds, with instant deposits, and withdrawals are usually processed within 24 hours. Most likely, these methods will not be eligible for any bonuses.
PayPal
Another option that is widely accepted by European bookmakers is PayPal, which is the most popular method of online payment in some countries. It offers a safe and easy way to transfer funds, with fast processing times and no additional fees inside the system. However, not all European sportsbooks may accept PayPal as a payment method.
paysafecard
It is a prepaid payment card that allows users to make secure and anonymous transactions without the need for a bank account or credit card. To use paysafecard on European betting sites, users can purchase a card with a 16-digit PIN code at a retail store or online and then enter the code on a betting site to deposit. However, you must register on the paysafecard website to use this deposit method, even if you have bought a code offline.
Mobile Payment Services
Mobile payment services like Klarna are becoming increasingly common for online sports betting in Europe. They allow European bettors to make deposits and withdrawals directly from their mobile phones, offering a modern, convenient and hassle-free experience. Not all betting sites in Europe support mobile payment services, and there may be additional fees associated with using this method. Furthermore, some providers only allow you to make deposits, not withdrawals.
How To Sign Up At An Online European Sportsbook
Here is a brief step-by-step instruction on how to sign up for an online European sportsbook:
- Find a Register or a Sign Up button. Usually, it is located in the top right corner or on the homepage of European betting sites.
- Provide your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, email address, and phone number. You will also need to create a username and password for your account.
- Verify your identity. The sportsbook will ask you to upload a copy of your ID or passport. This is to ensure that you are of legal age to gamble and that you are who you say you are. Additionally, you will often need to provide proof of residence (POR). This is necessary for betting sites in Europe to know, which Welcome bonus you can claim. Typically, the amounts are similar, and the terms are the same. However, UK customers will receive the bonus in British pounds, while European punters will receive it in euros.
How To Bet At European Bookies
Almost all gambling sites, British or European, have similar interfaces, so here is a universal guide:
- Choose a bookmaker. Check out our selections by sports, payment methods and other criteria. Read our reviews to find EU sports betting sites that will be perfect for you.
- Read the T&Cs of the Welcome bonus. Of course, do it only when you want to participate in the promotion for new customers. You should do it before registering your new account, as there is a chance that such an offer needs to be activated in the registration form, and you’d better know about things like that in advance.
- Create an account. Go to the betting site and click on the Register or Sign up button (normally, it is located at the top), provide your personal details, login and password, etc.
- Deposit funds. Most European betting sites offer a variety of deposit methods, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. However, it is better to check out the list of payment methods available in advance.
- Choose an event and a market. All European sports betting sites may be distinct, but you will typically find a variety of sports and events to bet on, as well as different types of bets, such as singles, accumulators and system bets.
- Place a bet. Once you have found a bet you are interested in, select and add it into the bet slip and enter your stake. The site will calculate your potential winnings based on the odds and your stake.
- Practice responsible gambling. Remember to always gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Set your betting limits and take breaks if you find yourself becoming too emotionally involved in your bets.
European Betting Sites FAQs
Is Online Betting Legal in Europe?
Online betting in Europe is legal in a number of European countries, such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, etc. To become legal, European betting sites need to get a licence from local regulators. For instance, in Spain, betting sites are licenced by Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego.
What Is The Best European Betting Site?
As for the top European betting sites, GatoBet has the best selection of top football betting markets to bet online, Spreadex has the most competitive odds and Betway has the best selection of Esports betting markets. Since there is no universal best betting site that will suit everyone, read our reviews and choose the right one for you.
What Are the Biggest Online Betting Companies in Europe?
The biggest online betting companies include the Irish Paddy Power, the Maltese AG Communications Limited (Mr. Play, Betiton, Karamba and other brands) and the Cypriot ProgressPlay Limited (GatoBet, BetDukes, InterBet, etc.).