Independent bookmakers in the UK often have unique, custom-built betting experiences that differentiate them from larger operators. These small bookies vary in size and character, each offering perks.
This page highlights standalone UK betting sites reviewed by our experts. Each independent betting site offers singular features, betting offers, and a variety of markets and odds.
Explore them to find the one that best fits your wagering preferences.
List of Independent Betting Sites - November 2024
While these independent betting sites may not be as recognised as more prominent brands, they still provide safe and reliable betting platforms. Explore what these small online bookmakers have to offer.
New bettors
Code SPORTS
Wager deposit & bonus 8x
Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus
Valid 60 days
Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply
T&C apply
18+
Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org.
This promotion is open to new UK & Irish residents only, 18+
The minimum deposit for this offer is £10.
Free bets will be credited after a £10 qualifying bet.
The qualifying bet must be made within 14 days of your account registration.
Max. bonus: £20 (4x£5 free bets).
Each free bet has unique requirements.
Free bets are valid for seven days.
The value of free bets will not be included in any winnings. Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org.
The best independent bookmakers offer decent betting offers and high-value odds for your bet slip. They also have other perks like live streams and loyalty rewards for bettors.
The best independent bookmakers are listed below:
10Bet - 100%/£50
Midnite - £20 free bet + 50 free spins
CopyBet - £50 free bet
Fitzdares - £25 free bet + 10 free spins
Betfred - £50 free bet
1. 10Bet
The best independent bookmaker is 10Bet.
10Bet is one of the highest-rated betting sites on Bojoko. This sportsbook is well-known in the UK and already has millions of British punters as loyal betting customers.
10Bet stands out, especially for its high payout odds and diverse betting offers across various sports. As an independent bookmaker, 10Bet has the authority to manage its banking options. They offer minimum withdrawals as low as £1, which is quite rare in the market.
Read more about 10Bet and what our experts think on the 10Bet sportsbook review page. Or, you can skip the review and head directly to the site to claim your 100%/£50 bonus using the green button below.
Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, Paysafecard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
✍️ Bojoko Rating
4.3/5
2. Midnite
Midnite is an excellent standalone bookmaker.
Midnite offers nearly unrivaled esports betting markets compared to many larger operators. They also excel with virtual sports selections.
Midnite has an attractive new punter betting offer, providing four £5 free bets on various markets and 50 free spins for the casino. This allows you to test the waters at Midnite in a truly versatile way.
Please learn more about this site through our Midnite betting review, where you can see what our betting experts think about the brand's mobile app and interface. A little spoiler: our opinion is anything but negative.
Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Trustly, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
✍️ Bojoko Rating
4/5
3. CopyBet
CopyBet is a unique independent bookmaker.
CopyBet's standout feature lets users directly copy professional tipsters' picks and bets. You can even opt to play every bet a specific tipster publishes automatically. Of course, CopyBet also offers the option to place traditional single bets on various sportsbook markets. The site has competitive odds, making it easy for bettors to find value.
For new customers, CopyBet provides a generous bet of £10, get £50 betting offer. Additionally, they have an ongoing promotion offering a 20% accumulator bonus.
Mastercard, Visa, Online bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Apple Pay, Google Pay
✍️ Bojoko Rating
3.8/5
4. Fitzdares
The fourth pick on our list of the best independent bookmakers is the luxury bookmaker Fitzdares.
Fitzdares describes itself with bold adjectives like "the world's finest bookmaker." While a strong claim, it's not entirely unwarranted. The betting site is undeniably stylish, high-quality, and customer-focused. And if you're fortunate enough to join the Fitzdares club, you'll gain access to the brand's luxurious clubhouses, where you can place bets while watching live sports.
Fitzdares offers top-tier online betting, especially in horse racing markets. The brand offers the Best Odds Guaranteed and high-quality live streams. Fitzdares Sportsbook also has ongoing promotions worth checking out for keen punters.
Betfred ranks among the UK's largest independent bookmakers.
Betfred operates 1,350 betting shops and a robust online platform serving hundreds of thousands of customers daily. This private bookmaker has been in operation since the 1960s, staying well attuned to how and where Brits prefer to place their bets.
As highlighted in our Betfred sportsbook review, Betfred excels in several key areas. Its standout features include excellent live betting and live streaming options. The £50 free bet offer for new customers is also highly appealing.
Mastercard, Visa, Online bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, PayPal, Revolut
✍️ Bojoko Rating
4.6/5
Best Independent Bookmakers - Summary
We ranked the Top 5 standalone betting sites in the UK and put them in an easy-to-compare summary.
The best independent bookmakers are listed in the table below:
Independent Bookmaker
Sign Up Offer
Live Streams
Betting Odds
10Bet
100%/£50
✔️
94% RTP
Midnite
£20 free bet + 50 free spins
✔️
93% RTP
Copybet
£50 free bet
✔️
94% RTP
Fitzdares
£25 free bet + 10 free spins
✔️
93% RTP
Betfred
£50 free bet
✔️
93% RTP
How We Rate Independent Bookies
We rate independent bookies by these factors:
Betting offers and sign-up bonuses
Betting odds and markets
Deposit and withdrawal methods
Customer support and live chat
Usability with PC and mobile
We give rating points to independent betting sites using the same online bookmaker reviews methodology as any other individual betting site. Being a standalone bookie doesn't automatically earn extra points. However, an independent site can provide better promotions that enhance its overall score.
What Are Independent Betting Sites?
Independent betting sites are operators that use their in-house betting platforms without relying on white-label or third-party solutions.
These independent sites do not have sister sites and are distinct from corporate betting platforms. These brands often run standalone betting shops or offer personal betting options, such as on-site betting at horse racing tracks.
Independent betting sites frequently feature unique layouts, implementing their vision of what a betting site should look like and how it should operate. They often provide personalised customer service and flexible betting options, including telephone betting, WhatsApp betting, or the ability to place bets and claim offers through live chat or social media.
New Independent Bookmakers UK
New UK betting sites launch regularly, and the list of new bookmakers 2024 is quite comprehensive.
However, even many new bookies backed by private companies often operate on shared sportsbook platforms behind the scenes. A popular example is the Playbook Gaming platform. For this reason, we're showcasing some newly launched, independently owned betting sites that all run on the Playbook Gaming platform.
New independent bookmakers in the UK are listed below:
18+ New customer only. Must enter promo code bet50get20. Min deposit £50. Min bet £50 at odds of Evens (2.0) or above. Max free bet £20. Free bet valid for 7 days. Stake not returned. Play Responsibly Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org.
Only for new customers, 18+
Minimum deposit: £20.
Deposit must be made using the bonus code: b20g10.
Maximum bonus: £10.
Minimum odds of Evens. (2.00)
Free bets are valid for 7 days.
If you have not received bonus, please contact the customer service.
Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org.
Free Bets at Independent Sports Betting Sites
Independent betting sites offer plenty of great free bet promotions. These include traditional free bet offers, cashback, lossback, and loyalty rewards. We have listed all the best bookmakers free bets on our betting offers page. There, you can find all betting offers from small UK bookmakers and bigger ones.
Below, you will find a tool that compares two independent online bookmakers and their free bet offers. As you can see, CopyBet and Betfred offer a Bet £10 Get £50 free bet bonus. These offers surpass the market average, with a free bet value of over £50. You can claim the free bets using the button below or, if you prefer, click to compare offers from another independent bookmaker.
Standalone betting sites offer a decent amount of payment methods for punters. We have picked three great ones for deeper insights: Visa, Revolut, and Apple Pay.
Visa
Visa is a popular payment method found on virtually every UKGC-licensed betting site.
You can deposit with Visa if the site is part of a large publicly traded company or an independent bookmaker. If you're wondering which are the best bookmakers that accept Visa, you can find out via the link.
Visa's advantages in this competitive market include ease of use and widespread recognition. The service is also cost-effective for consumers, as it rarely incurs additional transaction fees on betting sites.
Revolut
Revolut, the UK fintech bank, is a trending payment option for betting sites.
Revolut works similarly to Visa, allowing deposits to be made by entering your Revolut debit card details on the betting site. It has gained a lot of popularity as a standalone betting site.
I prefer using the virtual card on the Revolut mobile app. It's incredibly convenient, quick, and always accessible. Our dedicated page explains more about Revolut and helps you find the betting sites that take Revolut.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is one of the best payment methods for punters who value mobile payments.
You can link Apple Pay directly to several independent bookmakers, like Fitzdares. Once your betting account is linked to Apple Pay, you can make deposits quickly with just a few taps. Check out all best betting sites with Apple Pay here.
One of Apple Pay's top benefits is its security. Your payment card and method are safeguarded on your Apple device, which you can access only via face or fingerprint recognition.
Independent vs Major Betting Sites
Whether you're exploring independent or major betting sites on Bojoko, you can trust that each is safe, reliable, and an excellent choice for betting.
Of course, sites differ in features and strengths. One may excel in certain areas while another shines elsewhere. Ultimately, you'll make the decision on which bookmaker suits you best and find the best value, whether it's from a smaller or larger bookie.
A comparison of key features between independent and major betting sites is outlined in the table below:
Feature
Independent
Major
Offers
Creative, unique offers
Standardised bonuses
Markets
It may have some niche markets
Great coverage of popular sports
Odds
Competitive odds in select markets
Resources to support high odds
Payments
Focus on popular methods
Wide payment options
Support
More personalised support
Large support teams
Usability
Stylish and exciting layouts
May resemble each other
Reputation
Lesser-known, sometimes with cult status
Recognised for ads and brand
Independent Casino Sites
Many independent betting sites offer a sportsbook and the chance to play casino games, so they can also be considered independent casino sites.
At Bojoko, we have ranked and reviewed the best independent UK casinos. According to our casino experts, the top 5 independent casinos are Betway, Casumo, Netbet, The Sun Vegas and Kwiff Casino.
The selection of independent gambling sites isn't limited to sportsbooks and casinos. Many standalone bingo and poker sites are also available.
FAQ
An independent bookmaker is a standalone sportsbook that isn't part of a larger corporate or business group. These betting sites operate independently, offering customers competitive odds and promotions without directives from corporate headquarters.
Independent betting sites don't differ significantly from major betting platforms. However, they are often a bit more flexible with odds, promotions, and content compared to sportsbooks operating under large networks.
The best independent bookmaker in the UK in November 2024 is 10Bet. This private bookie offers great betting markets and odds, as well as great betting promotions and versatile payment methods.
Yes, independent bookies offer free bets. For example, independent bookies Betfred, Midnite, and Copybet offer free bets for their new customers.
Independent betting sites are safe if they are UKGC-licensed. Offshore betting sites that do not hold a license from the UK Gambling Commission cannot be considered as safe as properly regulated ones. At Bojoko, we only showcase standalone betting sites that the UKGC licenses.
You can choose a standalone bookmaker based on your preferred perspectives. Just pay attention to sites that are UKGC-licensed. Then, compare standalone bookmakers' features like odds and betting offers and choose the one that hits you most. A few good options are:
10Bet
Midnite
Copybet
Fitzdares
Betfred
Independent UK bookmakers offer competitive odds and may outperform major betting sites in some markets. However, it's inaccurate to claim that independent bookmakers generally offer better odds than larger platforms.
Independent bookies provide responsible gambling tools, essential features and a requirement for any trustworthy site licensed by the UKGC. If you don't find responsible gambling tools on an independent bookmaker where you plan to bet, we recommend avoiding that site.
About the Author
Article by:
Teemu Mattila
With a career starting in 2015, Teemu has an extensive background in content writing, collaborating with global companies in Finnish and English.
Since 2022, he has been working with Bojoko, focusing on sports betting and casino content, combining his passion for sports and the iGaming industry.