What You Need to Know About UK Bookmakers?
Today in the world, there are a considerable number of various bookmakers in the UK. It is not surprising because most online clubs have proven that they work honestly. Sports betting sites UK are very different in their choice of sports and bets, bonus programmes, the odds size, and many other parameters. But their operation is determined by the government, so there are some facts about this regulation you need to understand to bet in the UK.
Is It Legal to Bet on Sports in the UK?
There is no ban on sports betting in the UK. Instead of banning gambling, the government of this country decided to develop sustainable rules for their regulation. And this is not surprising because there is evidence that the first bookmakers appeared in this country, and the number of people who want to bet on sports is enormous.
So, only licensed bookmakers can legally operate in the UK. All others are automatically recognised as fraudsters, and their online platforms are instantly blocked. The bookmaker should be authorized to work directly in the UK; however, venues licensed in other jurisdictions can work here as well.
In this country, it is strictly forbidden for minors to make bets. According to statistics, about 20 thousand teenagers regularly bet on sports. So, today the country's government forces bookmakers to check all customers and make them provide identity documents.
Also, bookmakers are prohibited from accepting deposits made via credit cards. The ban on credit cards in betting is connected to the fact that many customers who used this payment method couldn’t calculate their actual expenses, and that led to gambling addiction.
It is worth saying that until 2018 there were more than 600 bookmakers in the UK. Then the reforms described above took place in the country, which set more robust requirements for bookmakers and reduced the number of smaller platforms. The country's government seeks to protect its citizens from fraud and theft of personal data, as well as their financial assets, and therefore requires betting platforms to introduce innovative levels of protection.
What Should You Pay Attention to When Choosing a Bookmaker?
As quite many bookmakers operate in the UK today, there is no need to stay loyal to the only betting platform – you can choose the best terms of cooperation among the variety of legal and reliable bookies: it is worth saying that government agencies that regulate gambling work well in the country, so, as a rule, you will not find unlicensed bookmakers here.
When choosing a bookmaker, you need to pay attention to the following indicators:
- Convenient interface and mobile app;
- Bonus programmes;
- Odds;
- Selection of sports and bets;
- Expert reviews, and more.
It must be straightforward and convenient for you to use the online platform. If you are used to betting from your smartphone, then you should ensure that the bookmaker offers a mobile website version or, which is better, a mobile app with good functionality.
Most users pay attention, first of all, to bonus programmes offered by bookmakers. The full information about bonuses of UK bookmakers you can find on Legalbet.UK. For newcomers bookies offer a welcome bonus usually credited as a Free bet. The conditions for using this are determined by each bookmaker. Most platforms offer to use these bets on any sport. For existing customers there are various bonuses, the most popular of which are:
- VIP programmes; participation in them allows you to receive more gifts, including birthday or big holidays gifts, a personal manager, etc.
- Weekly bonus; it is provided for making a deposit or a bet on certain days of the week.
- Cashback for all bets lost;
- Money-back offers, and some others.
The odds size is significant as well, since the odds determine how much you can win if your prediction turns out to be true. Unfortunately, bookmakers cannot set good odds for all types of bets and sports because then they will work at a loss. So, when picking up a betting partner, users need to pay attention only to the odds for the sports that interest them.