Bookmaker Reviews UK - Honest Betting Reviews & Ratings

By Teemu Mattila. Updated:

Find the best betting reviews in the UK. Bojoko has an extensive knowledge and expertise reviewing bookmakers. We help you choose a betting site that is quality in many areas: usability, navigation, odds, markets, bonuses and much more. 

We review bookies with transparent and honest method with great diligence and hands-on experience.

List of Sports Betting Sites Reviewed

All our betting reviews have a rating for different features. From the list below you can see all total ratings or alternatively move on to read the full reviews. All reviews have all the necessary information about different features clearly reviewed with our perspective.

Reviewed betting sites are listed below:

Ad Disclosure
  1. £30 back as free bets + 20 free spins
    Sign up offer
    Hollywoodbets betting review »
    Sign up offer £30 back as free bets + 20 free spins
    Minimum deposit for bonus £10
    Wagering requirements 1x (D)
    Return to player % 93%
    Launched 03/2019
    Hollywoodbets is a South African betting site that launched in 2000. In 2019, the brand was ranked #8 in the Top 50 Gaming Sites Worldwide list published by iGaming Business Mag... Hollywoodbets betting review »
    PLAY HERE »
    Visa
    Mastercard
    PayPal
    Pay by Mobile
    Skrill
    Neteller
    Neosurf
    Paysafecard
    Revolut
    +2
    Only 18+ UK customers, minimum deposit £10. Within 3 days of registration, place three minimum £10 qualifying bets at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5). All qualifying bets must be placed on different events. If one or all of your bets lose, you receive £10 as a free bet per loss. 20 bonus spins will be credited once the second sportsbook bet is calculated and will credited regardless of the bet results. Only deposits via Visa/Mastercard will be eligible for the offer. Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org.
  2. £20 free bet + 50 free spins
    Sign up offer
    Midnite betting review »
    Sign up offer £20 free bet + 50 free spins
    Minimum deposit for bonus £10
    Wagering requirements 0x
    Return to player % 93%
    Launched 03/2023
    Midnite has all of the elements needed for a good betting experience. You can get acquainted with the site with a welcome offer, and the comprehensive market selection, which ra... Midnite betting review »
    PLAY HERE »
    Visa
    Mastercard
    PayPal
    Apple Pay
    Google Pay
    Trustly
    Skrill
    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.
UK betting reviews

Full Methodology of Our Bookmaker Reviews

Our bookmaker reviews are based on the five main categories:

The maximum rating is 5.00. Max one point is given for each category.

Our bookie reviews strive to educate players through complete and honest evaluations so you can make the best possible decision. We paint a detailed picture of each site's pros and cons based on strict grading criteria.

Bookmakers must excel across the board to earn top marks - strong performance in some areas can't compensate for deficiencies in others. Our holistic analysis identifies brands that consistently shine. 

Our experts don't hold back on any criticism a site deserves.

When rating bookmakers, we examine quantifiable metrics around markets and odds and make qualitative judgements requiring experience. Statistics alone don't tell the full story. 

This is where our expertise and experience come into play. Our seasoned reviewers, who have been playing and assessing betting sites for years, are adept at consistently evaluating the quality features of bookmakers. This methodology allows us to find and distinguish the best betting sites very precisely.

This is how we calculate the rating points for each category:

This is how we calculate the sports betting bonus rating:

  • The sports betting site has any free bet = 0.40 points
  • It has a zero-wagering bonus / more than £40 in bonus money / higher than 250% bonus percentage = 0.60 points

Fulfilling just those two requirements will give the bookmaker a full score. Then we take a deeper look at the offer to adjust the score.

  • The bonus terms are exceptionally good = +0.20 points
  • The terms are difficult or abusive = -0.20 points
  • The site offers a money-back bonus = +0.20 points
  • There is also an additional casino bonus = +0.10 points

If none of the above apply and the site offers a completely average bonus:

  • Bonus offer is average in all aspects = 0.40 points

This is when the bonus is along the lines of Bet £10, get £10, with 1x wagering. Those we see as average offers.

Betting Offer Reviews

Our method can easily distinguish between a good free bet offer and a lousy one. A betting site needs to have a versatile and a decent offer to get a good score. The easiest way to get a full score is to have a big bonus and give something for free.

The bonus terms also play a part in the score. This can be a good or a bad thing for a betting site. Be it good or bad, being different is going to be noticed.

This is how we rate odds & markets of a sportsbook:

  • The RTP (Return To Player) is 95% or higher = 0.30 points
  • The bookie has over 40 sports available = 0.30 points
  • Live streams available = 0.20 points
  • Virtual sports available = 0.10 points
  • Best Odds Guaranteed = 0.10 points

When the baseline score has been calculated, it is then adjusted depending on the following:

  • Missing important individual markets = -0.20 points
  • Site provides cashback from bets = +0.10 points

Betting Odds and Market Reviews

Odds and markets are one of the most important things of a sportsbook. The higher the odds, the better you are positioned against the bookie. More markets and more bets available, it gives you more freedom of choice and more opportunities.

In our reviews, we favour those bookies that have higher than average RTP%. We also award points for an exceptionally wide selection of sports, but at the same time, we penalize for any significant market gaps. 

Every bookie should have in-play betting, but if they also have live streaming, that's a good plus in our ratings. All specialities that actually bring value to users are noticed also, such as Best Odds Guaranteed or Virtual Sports betting. The presence of these special offerings demonstrates a betting site's dedication to niche communities and adopting evolving formats.

We rate deposits and withdrawals the followin way:

  • The betting site must offer at least 5 deposit and withdrawal options = 0.50 points
  • Deposits and withdrawals must be free = 0.50 points

All deposit and withdrawal terms are also considered in this category. This can lower the score.

The terms are unusually restrictive, such as high minimum withdrawals or high rollover requirements = -0.35 points

Reviewing the Deposit and Withdrawal Terms

A good betting site should provide a variety of banking options to cater to different preferences. Failure to do so will result in a lower rating. 

Other crucial aspect that many reviews often overlook is the withdrawal terms. These terms can be challenging to find but can lead to significant disappointments if not considered. Requirements like withdrawal fees or high minimum withdrawal amounts can result in a lower rating for the payment process.

Minimizing the required minimum deposit improves a bookie's appeal to players. The small £5 - £10 minimum deposit requirements are the ideal size for those who want test betting sites with a low bankroll.

From our list of minimum deposit betting sites you'll find all bookies with low deposit requirements.

This is how we rate customer support:

  • The site has a helpful customer support available = 0.45 points
  • Betting site provides real-time support = 0.45 points
  • Support is available via live chat and phone = 0.10 points

Customer Support Review

Effective customer support is the cornerstone of a positive betting experience. Nobody wants to be left waiting when they encounter issues during play.

Players require aid in resolving account, payment, cashout or betting issues without delays. Top-tier sites combine knowledgeable, timely assistance across channels preferred by their users.

Those that offer FAQ, email, live chat, and phone support receive the highest ratings.

This is how we rate the usability of a sportsbook:

  • Easy to navigate = 0.35 points
  • The site runs smoothly = 0.35 points
  • Visually pleasing = 0.30 points

Reviewing Betting Site's Interface and Usability

Placing bets online is more than just wagering; it's about interaction with the bookmaker and the punter. 

Bettors navigate between the odds of different matches, explore statistics provided by bookies, and place bets while simultaneously following the events of their chosen game through live streaming. This is why we think that having a straightforward design is crucial.

We also remember that not everyone is an experienced player who can easily find what they are looking for, even on complex websites. The pages' interface should serve new punters, and it should work smoothly on PC and mobile devices.

Beyond aesthetics, the technical performance of a betting site is paramount. A visually pleasing interface loses its charm if the site loads slowly or struggles to run live streams. 

We judge sites on coordination and functionality, not personal stylistic preferences. Players deserve effortless navigation, speed, and appealing yet easy-to-use interfaces supporting their wagering experience.

Experts Behind the Betting Site Reviews

Bojoko has some of the finest writers and casino experts who are responsible for creating our betting site reviews. They are experienced players, content producers and sports experts.

Bojoko's team has decades of experience in all forms of online gambling. Our staff has started as players and even worked in online casinos in multiple roles. They have seen all sides of the industry and share that knowledge with you.

We are not just made-up names and AI pictures. We are real people who do these reviews with our real names. We are proud of what we do and don't need to hide behind anonymity. 

Who are these people? Meet the whole team of Bojoko's betting experts, or glance at the few experts displayed below. 

About the Authors

Antti Häyhä

Article by:

Antti Häyhä

Antti's knowledge about gambling ranges from casinos to sportsbooks. He enjoys the creative aspects of writing and can cover topics from payment methods to in-depth analysis about different slots and casino games. Antti appreciates aesthetics and functionality, so a well-designed site with a pleasant layout is something that he seeks. He approaches every operator as an individual and seeks unique qualities that make them stand out from the masses. He describes himself as a meticulous writer and says that he spends far too much time refining mostly insignificant details. Dedication to ...
Lauri Hannelin

Article by:

Lauri Hannelin

Lauri Hannelin works on the content team at Bojoko, focusing on casino, provider, and game topics. With a rich career primarily rooted on the operator side, Lauri has gathered a wealth of experience across various capacities, from technical to commercial and innovative roles in iGaming companies. His true calling, however, lies in writing, where he combines his industry knowledge with a flair for creativity. "Reviewing and researching the world of online casinos allows me to express my creativity. The constant innovation and development of the industry helps me learn new things every ...
Teemu Mattila

Article by:

Teemu Mattila

Teemu has an extensive background in content writing, spanning various subjects. As an independent freelancer, he has collaborated with companies worldwide, crafting content in Finnish and English. His career started in 2015, and since the beginning of 2022, Teemu has been part of Bojoko's content team. "I have always been a passionate sports enthusiast. After completing my thesis on sports marketing, I started dreaming of a career in sports-centred content creation. iGaming and sports betting markets soon provided the perfect avenue for me to pursue a professional career in this field."...

Why Bojoko Is the Best Betting Review Site

Bojoko is the best betting review site because we are an award-winning review site and an excellent source of information. Our status as the top review site stems from player-focused, truthful reviews portraying real experiences.

Our goal is to provide you with something that has value. We go through everything with a fine comb to let you know what each betting site actually feels like.

Why You Should Read Our Betting Site Reviews

You should read our betting site reviews because we go over a long list of requirements when reviewing any betting site. 

There are plenty of details and information available in our reviews. Those are always useful for players and should be checked. When it comes to the big picture, there are a few points that stand out. Below are the main reasons that make our reviews special:

User Experience

UK sportsbook reviews

We look at betting sites the way a regular player would. We don't get any special treatments or perks, and wouldn't even care for any when checking out a betting site.

Our reviews are made to match your experience. We want to see what happens when a regular person joins a site and starts making bets. This user-level experience is important and is used to gauge the score the betting site will get.

We also don't just write reviews for experienced punters. We want to help the new players as well by letting them know what is a good option for them. For example, if a site is not built to accommodate rookies, then we will let you know.

Keeping Information Updated

Online betting is a fast-paced industry where things change rapidly. This is why we update our reviews constantly to keep up with the all the new changes.

Reading a review that is a few year old may not be very useful. At best, it is just inaccurate and the details are wrong. At worst, it is misleading and harmful.

This is why we see that it is important to pay attention to the betting sites even after their review has been done. We keep tabs on the sites and update our reviews accordingly.

Balanced Review

If you only show the good side of a bookmaker, you are nothing more than an advertisement. This is not useful for a player who is looking for real information and will lead to disappointment.

We look at betting sites objectively and try to bring you the whole story. We shine light on all the negative features, as well as praise everything the site has done right.

When you know both sides of the betting site, it is easy to make an informed decision.

FAQ

The best betting review site is Bojoko. For British players, Bojoko provides the best impartial reviews and rates casinos with unbiased experience.

Bojoko has been nominated and won several awards, including Media Provider of the Year in 2021 and Best iGaming Technology and Media Provider of the Year in 2023.

Bojoko's bookmaker reviews are made through a meticulous process involving experienced reviewers evaluating sites via strict criteria. Reviews take a big-picture approach, necessitating comprehensive excellence for high ratings

Bookmakers Coral, Ladbrokes, Betway, Betfred and Unibet have the best ratings. 

Below, you'll find the scores for the mentioned betting sites and the opportunity to click on their names to explore comprehensive reviews of these brands.

You know if a betting site is legit by their gambling licence. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is the governing body on UK online gambling, and it hands out licences to those sites that meet specific requirements.

If an online betting site has a UKGC licence, you know they have met the requirements that UKGC places upon them and shown they can be trusted to provide gambling services within the UK.

Even though this is not the 100% guaranteed way of looking if a site is legit, it is an easy way to get very, very close. Those sites who have a UKGC licence and are not legit are extremely rare and will be punished and heavily fined as soon it becomes known.

 

Browse our betting sites reviews

 

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.

Say "OK" to the cookies. Learn more in our privacy policy.

Get the latest bonuses, free spins and updates on new sites💰


Subscribe to our newsletter. No spam. Opt out anytime.