At Esports News UK, we identify and recommend the top betting sites in various categories. How we choose and rank those betting sites and apps comes down to a very specific system that leaves us with the best bookies every time.
We walk you through our methodology and the criteria our experts use, so you can see exactly how we find the best bookmakers. Since not all betting sites are safe, we also highlight the red flags we look out for so you know what to avoid. Lastly, we cover our core principles so you can check that our ideals align with yours.
Evaluating Online Betting Sites: Our Methodology
We don’t just write about Esports, and we aren’t just experts; we’re also avid sports bettors, so we have a good idea of what punters want. After registering funded accounts with each bookie, we go through the checklist below.
Security Measures & Regulation
Before we look at any other aspect of an online betting site, we inspect the platform’s safety and security and whether it is regulated. Bookies that don’t meet these requirements are automatically struck from the list.
🛡️Regulation and Licensing – To be considered, a betting site must hold a licence from one or more reputable gaming authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, or the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. These licences ensure the bookie upholds standards relating to bettor safety, fair betting practices, consistent payouts, and overall site security.
🛡️SSL Encryption – Online encryption ensures that any information or banking details you share online remain safe and out of the hands of hackers. You can check if a bookmaker uses encryption by looking to see whether there is an “S” that forms part of the HTTP web address. If a bookie doesn’t offer encryption, it doesn’t meet our standards.
🛡️Impeccable Reputation – Users who visit these betting sites daily have very honest opinions about what works and what doesn’t at these sites. We check in with regular users to get their point of view – and if a bookie doesn’t have an excellent reputation, we bypass it altogether.
Betting Markets & Odds
Online gambling has skyrocketed in the UK, with more bettors placing their wagers online. For this reason (and others), top bookmakers must offer more than just your average betting options, which is why we evaluate these criteria:
⚽Sports Coverage – To qualify as a top bookmaker, the site must provide comprehensive coverage of a range of sports. While we expect to see odds on the most popular sports in the UK, these bookmakers must also cover unique and newer options that are gaining popularity, like padel.
⚽Event Coverage – Bookmakers that offer markets on one or two tournaments for a single sport won’t do. A bookie must provide coverage of all the most anticipated calendar events and smaller matches, both locally and internationally.
⚽Range of Markets – The more betting markets a bookie offers, the more ways you have to bet and win. We check that sites offer the usual markets and exotic options, like accas, round robins, teasers, and game and player props.
⚽Odds Value – Not all betting sites price their odds the same, making it essential to see how they set their markets and how early they release them in comparison to competitors. Bookmakers that release odds early and set prices according to sharps betting are always the best option.
⚽Live Betting and Streaming – In-play wagering must always cover a large selection of sports and events, while providing up-to-the-second updates, competitive odds, and accurate stats. Many of the best sites now also offer live streams of these events, which should offer smooth, high-quality viewing.
Bonus Offers & Promotions
Great big welcome offers are one of the biggest traps set by scam sites masquerading as online betting sites, making it imperative that we check out these offers before recommending them. So, here is what we look for:
💰Bonus Value – We closely scrutinise the value of a bonus. This goes beyond how much the offer adds to your bankroll. For a bonus to offer great value, it must also be fair in the terms and wagering requirements it applies.
💰Range of Offers – In addition to offering an exciting welcome offer for new bettors, a good bookmaker will also feature several ongoing promos that meet the needs of different bettors, including loyalty and VIP programs.
💰Promo Terms and Conditions – A worthwhile promotion will have attainable wagering requirements, low qualifying deposits, and fair expiry periods. Plainly put, a promo offering huge sums of bonus funds that then applies excessive requirements and a short validity period that you have no chance of meeting is rubbish and worth avoiding.
Payment Methods & Transaction Speed
An aspect of online sports betting that directly affects convenience and safety is the payment options a bookie offers, which is why sites must meet these criteria to stay on our lists:
💳Selection of Payment Methods – Reputable betting sites will offer a broad range of payment methods. These should all be options you easily recognise and feel safe using, such as debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, eWallets, and cryptocurrencies.
💳Deposit and Withdrawal Speed – The integrity of a bookmaker rests largely on how efficiently it processes your deposits and withdrawals. Safe sites will always offer quick transactions and won’t drag their feet when it comes time to pay out your winnings.
💳Transaction Limits – Not all bettors have extensive budgets, and bookies that value their customers know this. A great betting site will offer low minimum deposit and withdrawal limits and high maximum transaction limits, so you can bet and cash out easily.
💳Fees Applied – While some payment methods naturally come with fees (think bank transfers and card transactions), others don’t (crypto and e-wallets). If a bookie charges excessive fees on payments that usually don’t incur fees, it is immediately dropped from our list.
💳Safety Measures – We always make sure that our chosen betting sites offer bank-standard security and encryption. If you’re entering sensitive banking information, your data must be safe and inaccessible to hackers.
User Experience & Website Navigation
How easy a betting site is to use and navigate directly affects your online gambling experience, which is why we always consider these factors:
🌏Overall Performance – The betting platform should load quickly, offer real-time updates, and be highly responsive. It must also feature an intuitive design that takes the guesswork out of how to place bets. We test these sites to see how they function during peak traffic to ensure seamless wagering experiences.
🌏Navigation – All aspects and offerings of the bookie must be easy to find and well sign-posted. Search filters, clearly indicated betting markets and odds, and user-friendly bet slips should all be part of the offering.
🌏Range of Features – Top bookies will make online betting easier by providing a good selection of features, like pro picks, stats, quick bet options, bet builders, newsrooms, and blogs or articles that outline how to use the features and place bets.
🌏Bet Management – Keeping tabs on the bets you place, your betting history, and bet outcomes must be easily accessible. It should also be simple to manage your account and betting funds with just a few clicks.
Mobile Betting Experience
More and more bettors in the UK are using mobile devices to place their bets, which means an exceptional mobile interface is non-negotiable. So, here’s what we look for:
📱Platform Optimisation – We test these platforms on a range of devices, from smartphones to tablets. Whether the site offers a mobile-optimised website or a downloadable betting app, it should perfectly fit the varying screen sizes of different devices.
📱Widespread Compatibility – Another aspect we consider is how compatible the platform is with different operating systems. Top bookies offer mobile platforms accessible to all bettors, whether they use an iOS or Android device.
📱App Functionality and Offering – How a betting site’s mobile platform compares to its website also comes into question. A mobile app or optimised site should provide all the same features. Mobile-exclusive offers or features are also a must for a top betting experience.
Customer Support & Assistance
An element of sports betting sites that is often overlooked is the customer support. This part of a bookie becomes crucial in an instance where you need help, which is why our top bookmakers must offer:
💬24/7 Support – The idea behind online betting sites is that they offer 24-hour betting, which means 24-hour support should also be available. This is particularly important in international bookmakers, where you may experience a time difference.
💬Varied Support Options – We check to see what support options are available. The best betting sites will always offer options that give instant and direct access to support, like a live chat or phone line. Bookies that only offer web forms or email contact are platforms we tend to steer away from, unless they continually provide quick responses.
💬Efficient and Responsive Service – The customer service team should be responsive, efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly.
Identifying Untrustworthy Online Betting Sites
Identifying top betting sites also means knowing how to spot potential red flags. Here are ones to look out for:
🚩No Licence – Unlicensed betting sites aren’t required to follow any regulations, meaning they can change policies at the drop of a hat. These platforms are risky and not worth the hassle.
🚩Poor User Reviews – If other bettors consistently comment negatively on an aspect of a site or give it a poor review overall, believe them and stay away from the bookie.
🚩Slow Payouts – The quicker a bookmaker pays out, the more reputable it is. There is no reason why a betting site should hang on to your winnings or delay withdrawals.
🚩Excessive Withdrawal Fees – If you’re being charged higher-than-average transaction fees, find another betting site. There are plenty of platforms that offer low to no fees.
🚩Endless Pages of Terms and Conditions – Bookmakers that hide unfair terms and conditions in pages and pages of policies are worth avoiding. Reputable sites will clearly outline their policies in a way that is quick and easy to understand.
🚩Suspicious Odds – If the odds shift suddenly, or are priced in a way that doesn’t reflect what is seen at competitor sites, find a different platform.
🚩Frequent Bet Cancellations – If a sports betting site is notorious for cancelling bets for no reason or comes up with strange reasons for voiding wagers, rather find an alternative site.
🚩No Customer Support – You cannot resolve issues like being unable to withdraw funds if the bookie doesn’t provide any support. Bookies without this option are a definite no-no.
Our Core Principles
At Esports News UK, we aim to provide detailed, honest insights that make it easier to make informed decisions about the betting sites you choose. We are committed to expertly evaluating each betting site to ensure you have access to unbiased reviews and safe, reputable recommendations. Remember, we are here for you, which is why you will always find reliable, accurate reviews and insights based on facts and objective user experience.
