Best Novelty Betting Sites UK

By Teemu Mattila Updated:

Explore novelty betting sites with the best entertainment betting odds. We have evaluated and picked up the first-class novelty bookmakers on this page.

Our betting experts show you the great betting platforms where to place novelty bets, what betting offers you can use for entertainment betting and teach you how to bet on TV shows.

List of Novelty Betting Sites - November 2024

Check out our tailored list of novelty betting sites. These sportsbooks have many TV Shows, Reality TV and Awards-related betting markets.
Every bookie on the list is fully licensed and regulated by the UKGC.

Novelty betting sites are listed below:

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best uk novelty betting sites

Best Novelty Betting Sites

The best novelty betting sites cater to you with lucrative entertainment betting odds and allow you to bet on TV shows. We have explored and selected the ones that stand out from the masses for you.

The best novelty betting sites are listed below: 

  1. Grosvenor - Double the odds
  2. Betfred - £50 free bet
  3. Star Sports - 50% back as free bets + 25 free spins
  4. Unibet - £20 free bet + £20 casino bonus
  5. Parimatch - £30 free bet

1. Grosvenor

Logo of Grosvenor sportsbook

The best novelty betting site is Grosvenor. 

Grosvenor offers an extensive range of novelty, TV, and special bets. The site features betting options for all the most popular reality shows, including I'm a Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing. Alongside its impressive selection, Grosvenor's odds are notably competitive and highly appealing compared to many other bookmakers.

Beyond entertainment betting, Grosvenor caters to gamblers with a versatile offering. The brand provides many slots, poker games, and engaging live casino options. Naturally, it also boasts a robust selection of quality sports betting opportunities, which you can learn more about in our Grosvenor Sport review. Discover Grosvenor today and bet on entertainment!

Play at Grosvenor Sport »

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Bonus
Double the odds
 📺
Bet on TV Shows
Yes ✔️

Best Feature
Wide range of novelty bets
💸
Payment Methods
Mastercard, Visa, Paysafecard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Revolut
✍️
Bojoko Rating
 3.8

2. Betfred

Logo of Betfred sportsbook

Betfred is one of the best platforms on which to place novelty bets.

This giant of the betting world offers an entertainment betting selection that truly astonishes its players. The range is so vast that it might even seem over the top—what do you think about nearly ten betting markets related to an Oasis reunion tour in November 2024?

With its long-standing traditions, Betfred's is in tune with what UK punters are eager to bet on. This is evident in the quality of its non-sports betting markets, including UK awards, TV shows, and the aforementioned Oasis special. And as always with Betfred sportsbook, the odds are top-class.

Play at Betfred »

🎁
Bonus
£50 free bet
 📺
Bet on TV Shows
Yes ✔️

Best Feature
A lot of great promotions
💸
Payment Methods
Mastercard, Visa, Online bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, PayPal, Revolut
✍️
Bojoko Rating
 4.6

3. Star Sports

Logo of Star Sports bookmaker

Star Sports is a surprisingly good novelty betting site.

Although primarily focused on horse racing betting, Star Sports boasts a broad A-Z betting market with an impressive range of entertainment bets.

A minor drawback is that its excellent TV show and entertainment betting markets are tucked away under the "Other" section in the menu. This is not exactly the most intuitive or appealing choice for punters looking to place a few pounds on the next Big Brother winner or the Best Picture Oscar.

Learn more about this betting platform by reading our Star Sports betting review and discovering everything they offer.

Play at Star Sports »

🎁
Bonus
50% back as free bets + 25 free spins
 📺
Bet on TV Shows
Yes ✔️

Best Feature
User-friendly interface
💸
Payment Methods
Mastercard, Visa, Cheque, Maestro
✍️
Bojoko Rating
3.3

4. Unibet

Logo of Unibet sportsbook

Unibet is our fourth pick on the best novelty betting sites list.

Unibet offers a diverse range of entertainment betting markets. While covering all the major UK entertainment highlights, this Nordic bookmaker also features many intriguing betting options from Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. For example, you can bet on local Idols or Dancing with the Stars versions.

Betting on Unibet is simple and straightforward. The site's user interface is clear, and the search function is efficient. You can easily find entertainment markets under the "TV & Novelty" section or use the search bar to locate a specific market.

Learn more about the site by reading our Unibet betting review.

Play at Unibet »

🎁
Bonus
£20 free bet + £20 casino bonus
 📺
Bet on TV Shows
Yes ✔️

Best Feature
Great mobile app
💸
Payment Methods
Mastercard, Visa, Online bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, Apple Pay, Revolut
✍️
Bojoko Rating
4.4

5. Parimatch

Logo of Parimatch sportsbook

Parimatch is an excellent special bets bookmaker that stands out from its competitors with its unique Lucky Dip feature.

While Parimatch sportsbook may not offer the most extensive novelty bets markets, it captures attention in other ways. The site allows users to place Lucky Dip bets across various sports and entertainment odds.

For instance, in November 2024, a market was available to predict the opening song at Oasis's Cardiff gig on July 4th. With 18 options, the Lucky Dip feature lets you set your stake, spin the wheel, and have a selection randomly chosen for your bet slip. This creatively combines traditional betting with the thrill of casino-style wheel play.

Play at Parimatch »

🎁
Bonus
£30 free bet
 📺
Bet on TV Shows
Yes ✔️

Best Feature
Pleasant customer service
💸
Payment Methods
Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay
✍️
Bojoko Rating
3.6

Best Novelty Betting Sites - Summary

The best novelty betting sites are listed in the table below:

Betting Site Sign Up Offer Bet on TV Shows Christmas Specials
Grosvenor Double the odds Yes ✔️ Yes 🧑‍🎄
Betfred £50 free bet Yes ✔️ Yes 🧑‍🎄
Star Sports 50% back as free bets + 25 free spins Yes ✔️ No ❌
Unibet £20 free bet + £20 casino bonus Yes ✔️ Yes 🧑‍🎄
Parimatch £30 free bet Yes ✔️ No ❌

How We Rate Novelty Bookmakers

Rating factors of novelty betting sites

We rate novelty bookmakers by these factors: 

Learn more about our review methodologies and discover the most up-to-date UK bookie reviews on our site. All our reviews follow a carefully defined framework, ensuring ratings are always consistent and comparable. So, whether it's about novelty betting site rating factors or, for example, golf betting site ratings, they all follow the same set of guidelines.

New Entertainment Betting Sites

New betting sites boldly offer innovative entertainment betting odds to attract new punters. These brand new betting sites also feature modern layouts and top-notch mobile interfaces. This is an excellent way for them to stand out from the crowd and rise above the long-established brands.

New entertainment betting sites are listed below: 

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Bet on TV Shows - Free Bets & Betting Offers

Free bets, betting deposit bonuses, and boosted odds provide you with plenty of extra funds when betting on TV shows and placing other novelty bets. You can easily increase your sportsbook balance by taking advantage of these betting offers.

Free Bets

Free bets for novelty betting

Free bets are a great way to place wagers on TV shows and other entertainment betting markets.

Novelty betting is often long-term in nature, and you might feel frustrated placing a bet and waiting for weeks or even months to find out whether your favourite will win a show or if the Oscar will go to the right film. With a free bet, you're wagering the bookmaker's offer rather than your own money.

One of the most popular free bet offers in the UK is the Bet £10 Get £30 promotion, available from many bookies. By depositing £10 with a sportsbook like Parimatch, you can receive a £30 free bet to use on any entertainment market of your choice.


Betting Deposit Bonuses

deposit bonus for novelty bets

Deposit bonuses are great betting offers provided by sportsbooks.

With deposit bonuses, you can receive a 50%, 100%, or even 200% boost on your initial deposit. For example, the betting site 10Bet gives you the chance to double a £50 deposit to £100 in bonus funds with a 100% deposit bonus. This extra cash gives you plenty to bet on TV shows and more.

Learn more and explore different bonuses on our betting deposit bonuses page.


Odds Boosts

Odds boosts for novelty betting

Boosted odds offer enhanced betting odds to punters. For instance, you might get boosted odds for Harry Kane winning the SPOTY award, such as 7/1 when the original price is 5/1.

Boosted odds are typically offered for entertainment markets at random times. It's worth taking advantage of these offers when you see them, as they allow you to potentially make a bigger profit on your bets than your friends!


Features of Quality Novelty Bookies

Quality novelty betting sites offer competitive entertainment betting odds, a user-friendly platform, and features that encourage safe and responsible gambling.

Range of Entertainment Betting Markets and Odds

Odds for entertainment betting

While dozens of UK bookies offer opportunities to bet on TV shows and other special betting markets, the breadth of its novelty, entertainment, and non-sports betting markets truly sets a high-quality brand apart.

Simply providing wagers on shows like Strictly Come Dancing isn't enough to claim the title of a top novelty betting site. A standout platform should cover many options, including TV shows, award ceremonies, major events, and quirky markets such as the first snowfall of the year or royal family milestones.


Smooth Betting Platform

Novelty betting interface

Many UK betting sites feature user-friendly designs catering to experienced bettors familiar with the betting process. However, novelty betting tends to attract a broader audience, including those who may not usually gamble but are intrigued by specific entertainment-related odds.

For these users, a straightforward and easily navigable interface is crucial. A top-tier novelty betting site ensures that even someone placing a bet for the first time - perhaps only once a year - can do so effortlessly. If a casual user finds locating markets or placing bets difficult, they are unlikely to return.


Security and Responsible Gambling

Safe and responsible betting at novelty bookmakers

Security is a fundamental aspect of any quality entertainment betting site. Punters need confidence that their personal and financial information is well-protected. This requires robust encryption and adherence to strict data protection standards.

Responsible gambling tools are essential in addition to technical security. A reputable site demonstrates care for its users by offering features that allow punters to set deposit limits, self-exclude, or track their betting habits. Such tools build trust and ensure compliance with UKGC licensing requirements.

How To Start Betting On Novelty Online

To start betting on novelty, you must first find a quality novelty betting site where you can place novelty bets. After this, you can proceed to fill out your entertainment bet slip by following the steps below:

  1. Open a new account and complete the registration process.
  2. Make your first deposit through the cashier tab.
  3. Navigate to the Novelty, Entertainment, or TV Show category in the menu.
  4. Explore the available entertainment betting markets.
  5. Place your bet on your chosen novelty odds.
  6. Sit back, enjoy the show - perhaps with a bowl of popcorn - and see if your bet wins!

Please remember to always gamble responsibly and stick to clear limits. This is crucial to remember, especially when you're starting out with betting, avoid the temptation to chase losses at all costs. At Bojoko, we feature only trusted UK betting sites licensed by the UKGC. These operators are committed to promoting safe and responsible betting.

Payment Methods for Online Novelty Betting

Novelty betting sites offer a variety of payment methods, including debit cards, bank transfers, and bets using phone bills. Here's why these three options stand out for different punters:

More detailed info about these banking methods are given below:

Debit Cards

Novelty betting with debit cards

Debit cards are a widely used and convenient payment option on UK betting sites, including all the top novelty betting platforms.

As entertainment betting often attracts casual punters, we highly recommend debit cards due to their accessibility and simplicity. With a debit card, there's no need to stay on top of the latest payment trends to enjoy placing bets on TV shows or other special markets.

For those interested in learning more, we've outlined the pros and cons of betting with debit cards in detail in our article about the best debit card bookmakers - be sure to check it out.

Bank Transfers

Novelty betting with bank transfers

Bank transfers are a classic payment method.

They allow you to make direct transactions from your account to the betting site. While this option is reliable and secure, it is notably slower than other payment methods. However, with novelty bets often being future bets - where outcomes may take days or weeks to resolve - this delay might be a minor drawback.

We've compiled a comprehensive list of the best betting sites that accept bank transfers, showcasing platforms renowned for their reliability and ease of use. Many of these sites are also highly ranked among the top novelty betting sites featured on Bojoko.

Bet Using Phone Bill

Novelty betting with mobile phone credit

Betting using your mobile phone bill is a convenient way to play now and pay later.

With this method, you can quickly deposit up to £30 without entering bank details or logging into payment apps, making it ideal for placing modest-sized novelty bets.

Learn more about pay by mobile sports betting in our comprehensive guide, where you'll also find the best phone bill betting sites and plenty of other helpful information.

Best Entertainment Events to Bet On

There's a wealth of entertainment events around the world to bet on. Among the most popular are I'm a Celebrity, SPOTY, Eurovision, and Melodifestivalen. We continually update our list of the best entertainment events to bet on, showcasing fresh and exciting novelty betting markets as they emerge.

I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! has captivated TV audiences for over two decades. Similarly, I'm a Celebrity betting has become a phenomenon, with bookmakers offering increasingly creative markets and entertainment magazines publishing expert betting tips. The markets are packed with variety, whether you're wagering on the winner or predicting the first campmate eliminated.

The Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) is an annual awards ceremony celebrating the UK's top athlete of the year. All leading UK bookies feature SPOTY outright odds on the nation's finest athletes. Sometimes, markets go beyond the main category, including options for Young Sports Personality or Coach of the Year. With its rich history, SPOTY betting remains a firm favourite among sports fans.

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the world's largest annual music and entertainment events. Unsurprisingly, it draws significant attention from betting sites and punters alike. Eurovision odds often provide a reliable glimpse into potential winners. Explore more about Eurovision betting on our dedicated page.

Melodifestivalen, Sweden's premier music competition, is the national selection for their Eurovision entry. Betting on Melodifestivalen is popular across Europe and the UK due to its multiple heats, semi-finals, and grand finale, offering weeks of exciting betting opportunities. Its unpredictable results make it a thrilling option for punters looking for long-running entertainment markets. Discover more about Melodifestivalen and check out the best Melfest odds here.

FAQ

Novelty betting is betting that focuses on events or outcomes outside of traditional sports. It often includes bets on unusual topics, such as reality TV show results, award shows, or other non-sporting events.

The best UK novelty betting sites are Grosvenor, Betfred, Star Sports, Unibet and Parimatch. "Explore them further from the top of this page

Yes, it is legal to bet on entertainment, provided the site you're using is UKGC-licensed. This ensures you can place your bets legally and receive any potential winnings as tax-free payouts.

Novelty lines are specific betting odds related to unconventional events or outcomes. These odds are commonly found in markets for TV shows, movie awards, pop culture events, and various other specific activities.

Betting on television shows means wagering on the outcomes of popular programs. These markets can include bets on the show's winner, the next contestant to be eliminated, and various aspects of the show's progression.

About the Author

Teemu Mattila

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.

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