Safe Betting Sites – Most Trusted UK bookies 2023

With the threat of fraud and other safety breaches ever-present, UK bookmakers are working harder than they have ever done before to protect their customers.

Online safety has never been more of an issue than it is now, so we have rounded up the safest betting apps in the UK and put them all in one place.

UK's most trusted betting sites 2023

1. BetUK
2. talkSPORT BET
3. BetMGM
4. Spreadex
5. Copybet
6. Luckster
7. Rhino.bet
8. RedAxePlay
9. Betzone
10. bet365
11. PriveWIN
12. AK Bets
13. 10bet
14. Sky Bet
15. Star Sports
16. Paddy Power
17. Betfred
18. Jeffbet
19. Betgoodwin
20. Betway
21. 21LuckyBet Sport
22. Mr Play
23. William Hill
24. BoyleSports
25. kwiff
26. Ladbrokes
27. Vegas Mobile Sports
28. LeoVegas

A closer look at the safest betting sites & apps

Safest betting site chosen by us : BetUK

BetUK covers all of the bases when it comes to customer well-being and overall safety. It uses state-of-the-art security features to make sure that all personal information is kept safe. It offers an extensive collection of resources for those who may need support with their gambling habits. The site even holds a remote bookmakers license from Revenue Commissioners for Ireland. 

As well as being secure, BetUK is also a brilliant bookmaker, offering a big selection of betting markets and bonuses for players to take advantage of. 

Highlights

• Excellent KYC policy. 
• State-of-the-art security and encryption. 
• Range of responsible gambling tools. 
• Huge range of betting markets. 

Runner-up: bet365

Players can rest easy knowing they are safe and secure at bet365. The industry giant uses 128-bit SSL encryption technology to guarantee the safety of all of its customers. All payment methods are secure and fast. The site also has some of the best resources available for responsible gambling. 

Highlights 

• Top encryption tools. 
• Safe banking methods. 
• Easy-to-use app. 

Read our honest bet365 review for more.

BetVictor

BetVictor is one of the most secure bookmakers on the market. The operator uses SSL encryption technology to ensure the safety of all data and transactions. It offers additional security on mobile devices, using a two-factor authentication system to add that extra level of safety for players. BetVictor also has a dedicated anti-fraud team and an in-depth KYC policy in place. 

Highlights 

• Two-factor authentication. 
• 128-bit SSL encryption technology. 
• Brilliant customer service. 

Parimatch

Parimatch is one of the newest names on the market, and it is one of the safest bookmakers for players to bet at. The site uses SSL encryption technology to protect the data of its customers. Along with a licence from the UKGC, the site is also covered by the Government of Gibraltar and the GBGA. Parimatch also offers some of the best responsible gambling support in the industry. 

Highlights 

• Multiple licenses. 
• Competitive Odds.
• Secure payment methods. 

Spreadex

Spreadex is our chosen betting exchange site, with the operator offering some of the most competitive lay-betting markets around. Aside from this, it is also one of the safest betting apps for players in the UK to use. As well as having a licence to provide betting services in the UK, Spreadex is also supported by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

Highlights 

• Supported by the Financial Conduct Authority. 
• Excellent exchange odds. 
• Third-party certificates. 

How we rank safe betting apps

Knowing how to identify a safe sports-betting site is a skill that all punters should develop. The following are some of the criteria we have used to choose the safest sports betting apps for our readers. 

• Licence: When you sign up for a new bookie, the first thing you should check is its licence. All sites providing betting services in the UK should be licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). This information should be clearly on display. All of the sites we have listed are fully licensed by the UKGC. 
• Third-party testing: As well as licensing, there may be independent, third-parties that have tested the site and approved it.
• Security features: We have checked the security features of all of the mobile apps we have listed. They all offer SSL encryption and secure ways to deposit funds. You can rest easy knowing your data is safe with the operators listed. 
• Transparency: As a punter, ambiguity is always something that is going to make you uncomfortable. All of the providers we have listed provide clear terms & conditions and make sure customers understand every they are signing up for. 

• Anti-fraud measures: Many of the top bookmakers will have anti-fraud teams dedicated to stopping fraudsters from scamming their players. With lesser operators, scams can be quite ubiquitous. Thankfully, the ones we have selected all have anti-fraud teams in place. 

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How to choose a safe betting site

Once you have checked the safety of a sports betting site, the next stage is to determine which one is the best for you to use. We apply the following criteria when choosing our preferred bookies. 

Great customer care

Making sure that a player is looked after when they visit an online bookmaker is paramount to us. We analyze all aspects of the customer care team including its response time, availability, and knowledge. 

Easy to understand terms and conditions

No one wants to spend hours reading through pages and pages of terms & conditions. It is, however, important that you take the time to understand what you are signing up for when you join a betting site. As such, we only recommend bookies that are clear and concise. The best bookies keep their terms & conditions short and sweet, with no hint of ambiguity. 

Competitive odds

Of course, punters want to get the best odds available to them. The safe betting apps we have selected offer some of the most competitive odds in the sports-betting industry. We have also taken into account the speed at which the bookies update their markets and odds. 

Check out betting sites with the best odds guaranteed

Trusted payment options

The biggest concerns bettors have around safety involve depositing and withdrawing money from the bookmakers. All of the bookies we have recommended offer a range of safe and trusted payment options. They also use SSL encryption technology to protect the financial data of their customers. It should be noted that players in the UK will not be able to make deposits and withdrawals using credit cards as per UKGC guidelines. 

Easy sign-up process

There is nothing more frustrating than a drawn-out sign-up process that asks you every single detail about your life. We look for operators that provide a quick and easy sign-up process that only asks you about your basic information. Privacy is a big concern for many online sports bettors and the betting apps we have selected all offer secure and private sign-ups. 

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Why make sure a betting app is safe?

The UK has one of the most secure betting markets in the world. The UKGC has strict guidelines and a zero-tolerance approach to any wrongdoing. By choosing a betting app that is licensed and regulated by the UKGC, you know that you can deposit your money and bet without worrying about where it is going to end up. Being able to gamble safely ensures not only the protection of your data but also that you can have a stress-free experience. 

Even if a sportsbook app offers all the sports promotions and betting markets for sports like Premier League football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, horse racing, etc., it won't be worth your time if it doesn't have a UK Gambling Commission license, ensuring people are covered from the legal side of things.

The same rules apply with casino gambling sites that double as sportsbooks and vice-versa: Whether you're playing poker, slots, bingo, craps, blackjack, roulette, keno, lottery games, or betting on any sport found on a bookie's betting market list, check the reviews to ensure a gambling site is legit, has a good reputation, and has the UKGC's verification.

Why you should only bet on safe betting sites

There are plenty of reasons you should avoid a shady bookmaker. The two biggest ones are your money and your details. Betting with an unlicensed bookmaker could lead to your money going missing or your details and data being sold to third parties. 

What makes this worse, is that if you are using an unlicensed operator, you will not be able to dispute any of these issues. Betting with a UKGC-licensed bookmaker ensures that you have a governing body that you can contact to tackle any disputes that may arise. 

How can I keep my betting account safe?

All of the betting apps we have listed here are safe and secure and hold licenses from the UKGC. However, there are still steps that bettors can take to ensure their account is kept safe. 

Firstly, make sure your password is secure. Choosing password123 probably isn’t the best way to protect your betting account if you were to lose your phone or computer. Going for something that is a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters is the best advice we can give. Even better, get hold of a password generator and manager to deal with this for you. Updating your password every 90 days is also a smart move. 

If the app offers it, we always recommend using two-factor authentication. This will require you to enter another code or answer a question before you can access your account. You can also add this to the depositing option on a lot of apps. 

Finally, we recommend not saving your financial data in the app. If your phone is lost and someone manages to get into your account, you don’t want them to have instant access to your card or e-wallet. Inputting your information each time can be laborious, but it is one of the smartest ways to protect your money. 

How can I check my online betting account balance safely?

Checking your account balance is a quick and easy process. All you need to do is log in to your sports betting app and click the display balance button. This is typically located in the top corner. Most of the bookmakers we have listed will have the option to hide your account balance. We recommend taking this, as having your balance on display, especially in public, can attract a lot of attention. 

Is it safe to bet when using public WiFi?

While all of the betting apps we have recommended use SSL encryption technology to prevent hackers, we do recommend that bettors approach using public Wi-Fi with caution. Many of the early-day concerns about public Wi-Fi have vanished but there is still an argument that you are more at risk when using a public network than a private one. 

It should also be noted that some public Wi-Fi may not allow players to access casinos or bookmakers. 

Which payment methods are the safest to use when betting?

All of the payment methods you will find on the bookies apps we have listed are safe and secure. The payment method a player chooses to use will come down to personal preference. For example, some players may prefer to use an e-wallet like PayPal over debit card options, as they don’t want to share their banking details directly with an operator. 

Just because all of the payment methods are safe, doesn’t mean that players shouldn’t take some precautions. We recommend that players don’t save their financial data in their betting accounts. This ensures that you will not have your funds taken if someone else gets into your account. What's more, pay attention to which payment restrictions apply for bonuses, as you often won't be able to claim a deposit bonus using e-wallets, and this will also limit your withdrawal options.

What should I do if I think my betting account has been hacked?

If you think your betting account has been hacked, you should contact your betting company immediately. They will be able to provide you with all of the information you need regarding log-ins and money transfers. 

We also recommend contacting your bank straight away if you have concerns about money being taken out of your account. It is also a good idea to remove any cards or financial information linked to your account. If you feel as though you are unsafe, then closing your account and starting a new one is also a good option. 

More reviews of the most trusted UK betting sites

We review every bookmaker that we recommend thoroughly. Read more about some of the sportsbooks we trust the most:

• William Hill review
• talkSPORT BET review
• Unibet review
• Ladbrokes review
• bet365 review
• Spreadex review
• Tote review
• kwiff review
• Parimatch review
• BetVictor review
• Betway review
• Coral review

Stay safe when gambling online

Monitoring your safety and security when betting online can feel like a bit of a minefield, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of top online bookmakers in the UK that offer a safe and secure experience to their punters. The operators we have listed in this guide all adhere to UKGC guidelines and provide a safe environment for their customers to bet in. 

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.