Below is a list of all the major bookmakers offering in-play betting
In recent years, the popularity of in-play betting has soared as bettors increasingly value the ability to assess live action before placing their bets. Given the crucial role of timing in in-play betting, it is essential to identify the betting sites that excel in providing this service.
Recent studies have shown that almost half of all bets are placed during an event. So when bettors are searching for a new bookmaker, the quality of its in-play offerings is a pivotal factor to consider.
To evaluate the top in-play betting sites in the UK, we conducted comprehensive tests and reviews of various operators, from well-known names to smaller entities. Our thorough evaluation is based on actual in-play bets, ensuring that punters have access to reliable information that will enhance their in-play betting experience.
T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10+ at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x Free Bets: 2 x £10 Accas, 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Football, 25 x 40p Free Spins on BetMGM Joker Cash Spree & 1 x £10 Reward Game. 7 day expiry. Max Live Casino winnings: 10x. Live Casino reward eligible on specific games. Stake not returned. 18+. Exclusions Apply. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. New Customers Only. First Single & E/W Bet Only. 5p Minimum Stake. Odds Of 1/1 Or Greater. 3 X £10 Bet Tokens. Free Bet Stakes Not Included In Returns. Free Bets Exclude Virtuals. Free Bets Are Non Withdrawable. Free Bets Expire After 30 Days. Eligibility Restrictions And Further T&cs Apply. 18+. http://begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+. GambleAware.org . New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet on sportsbook at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg. Receive 2 x £10 free bets within 24 hours of bet settlement, and further 2 x £10 casino bonus the next day. T&C’s apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
T&Cs apply. 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 2.0+) which expire in 5 days. Cards and Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
T&Cs apply. New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+.
T&Cs apply. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G50 on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€20 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. http://Gambleaware.org.Full T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Betway
Download the Betway App to claim the welcome offer!
T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org . Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply.
10bet
100% up to £50 welcome bonus - Use promo code SPORT
T&Cs apply. New bettors; Code SPORT; 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+
T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. Min £10 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5 and get £10 upon settlement. Further £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours and a further £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Full T&Cs apply.18+. BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £10, have 1.9 or greater odds and must be settled within 7 days of sign-up. 5 Free bets which must be placed with a min odds of 2 include: 1 x £10 Free bet on any Pre-match Football game (single); 1 x £10 Free Bet for Horse Racing (single); 1 x £10 Free Bet for Acca (min 2 selections) Bet on any sport; 1 x £10 Free Bet for Acca (min 3 selections) Bet on any sport; 1 x £10 Free Bet for Acca (min 4 selections) Bet on any sport. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app (Open banking). 18+. GambleAware.com.
Parimatch
Get £30 in Bonuses When you Bet £5 with the code TELEPMUK30
T&Cs apply. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in with the promo code TELEPMUK30 and bet £5 on sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. Get 4x£5 in free bets for set markets and a £10 slots bonus for set games, which expire in 14 days. Selected payment methods only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
T&Cs apply. Join and place a £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Once the bet is settled, get a £10 free fixed odds bet plus a £5 free Total Goals football spread bet and a £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bet. The second £10 free fixed odds bet, £5 free Total Goals football spread bet, and £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bet will be credited 24 hours later. Free bets expire in 28 days if unused. Promotions available to 18+ aged individuals. New customers only. T&Cs apply. http://Begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. 4x £10 free bets. Free bets expire after 7 days. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad.
T&Cs apply. New Customer offer YSKARZ. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £20 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.
Star Sports
Get 50% Back as a Free Bet - Up to £25 Free Bet + 25 Free Spins
T&Cs apply. New UK/IE customers only. Sign up and place your first sports bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and if it loses, get a free bet equivalent to 50% of your first bet stake (min £10), to a maximum value of £25, plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ | GambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. *New members only. £10 min bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, placed & settled in 14 days of sign-up. Win part E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only . Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+.
T&Cs apply. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network.. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms Apply 18+ #ad gambleaware
T&Cs apply. New customers only. Min stake £2. Min legs 3. Max win £1,000. Min odds 3.0. Max £25 back as a Free Bet on losing bets only. 7 days to use free bet at odds 2.0+. Full T and Cs apply. Play responsibly BeGambleAware.orgT&Cs apply
Betfair
Get £50 in free bets When you place £10 bet on Sportsbook
T&Cs apply. Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Mr Play
Bet £10 Get £15 in free bets, use bonus code TELEPLAY
T&Cs apply. 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. _
T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. T&C’s Apply. Opt-in required. GambleAware.org
T&Cs apply. 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. Full T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. New customers Only. New customer must place and settle £50 in bets on Matchbook markets only. The user must bet on at least 4 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. . T's and C's Apply. GambleAware. 18+.
Fafabet
50% Losses Back up to £70 Free Bet + £20 Casino Bonus
T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. A "Qualifying Bet" is a first settled real money single or multiple bet of £10.00 or more placed at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater. If you place a £10 bet you'll receive a £5 free bet + £5 Casino Bonus up to 24 hours after your qualifying bet has been settled. If you place a £100 or More bet you'll receive your £20 free bet +£10 Casino Bonus up to 24 hours after your qualifying bet has been settled. If your Sportsbook account losses at the end of the first day (the day ends at 23:59), you'll get back 50% of the losses as a Free Bet up to £70 + £20 Casino Bonus. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New UK & ROI Customers only. Min deposit £5. Min first £5 bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £20 free bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excl. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+. New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1(2.00) or greater. Paid as Bonus Token with Min 4/5(180) Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible.BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. Cashback is cash without restrictions. Full T&C's apply. No Max cashout. Gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly. T&C's apply. BeGambleAware.org. 18+.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. http://BeGambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. 18+ | UK New Players Only | Opt-in Required | Min £20 qualifying bets, stake not returned | Free bet – one-time stake of £50, min odds 1.7, stake not returned | Bonus Code: FBSBET | 1X wager the winnings | Wager from real balance first | Wager calculated on bonus bets only | Max conversion: £200 | Valid for 7 Days from issue | Excluded Skrill & Neteller deposits | Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses | Full Terms apply | BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs apply. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £50, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+ | GambleAware | #Ad
T&Cs apply. 18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+. Bet £10 on any Bet Builder Min Odds 3/1 (4.00) Min 3 Selection. Free Bets will be split into 3 x £10 Free Bet. Free Bet to be used on any Bet Builder, Free Bet to be used on any Acca Bet, Free Bet to be used on any sport. All valid for 7 days. Full TC's Apply. GambleAware.org.
ThePools
Get £10 to use on Accas when you place 2x £10 Accas Monday to Sunday
T&Cs apply. 18+, UK only. Place a minimum 2x £10 pre-match 4 leg acca cash bet where odds accumulate to 3.0 (2/1) or more and get a £10 bonus funds to use on multiples (3 or more selection, min odds per selection 1.5 (1/2)). Cashed Out, Asian Handicaps, Draw no Bet wagers or bets with void legs do not qualify for this promotion. Free Bet credited every Monday by 12pm. Maximum 1 free bet per customer per week available from this promotion. Full T&C's apply. http://BeGambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. New Customers Only. Minimum Deposit: £10. Minimum Wagering On Sport To Activate The Free Bet Token: £15. Max One £10 Free Bet. Qualifying Bets Must Be Placed At Odds Of 1/1 (2.00) Or Greated. Paid As Bonus Token With Min 4/5 (1.80) Odds. Req Skrill, Neteller & Paypal Not Eligible. Full T&cs Apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org.
PLEASE NOTE, THE BELOW OFFERS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE VIA THE TELEGRAPH ON 13TH APRIL 2024. FOR A FULL LIST OF ACTIVE OFFERS, VISIT OUR GRAND NATIONAL FREE BETS PAGE
In-play betting site reviews - March 2024
bet365 in-play betting
bet365 has established itself as a prominent player in the online betting industry, thanks to its exceptional in-play betting features.
One of the standout aspects of bet365 is its easily accessible and user-friendly in-play section, which has a diverse range of events in mainstream and niche sports for betting around the clock. Moreover, bet365 provides an outstanding live-streaming service and comprehensive statistics pages, equipping users with the necessary tools to make informed decisions while engaging in in-play betting.
Betfair remains a formidable rival to bet365 in the live betting domain, consistently offering a user-friendly platform. The website and app ensure convenient access to live betting and a noteworthy advantage lies in the especially favourable odds provided for in-play wagering.
A distinctive aspect of Betfair is its exchange, setting it apart from other bookmakers. This feature enables customers to both back and lay bets throughout an event, offering enhanced flexibility and convenience for those in search of such options.
Betway has left a notable imprint on the industry and positioned itself as a premier platform for in-play betting. While it caters to popular choices such as football and tennis, delivering a robust user experience, Betway’s standout attribute in the realm of in-play betting is its exceptional coverage of the e-sports market. Betway stands out for providing the most comprehensive range of e-sports options, making it the preferred choice for enthusiasts in this rapidly growing sector.
Over time, BetVictor’s live-betting feature has undergone substantial enhancements, solidifying its position as one of the industry’s premier offerings. What sets this platform apart is its provision of distinctive markets, including in-play handicap betting. BetVictor boasts competitive odds, making it an attractive option for in-play betting. While its coverage may not match some competitors in terms of breadth, it remains a platform worth exploring for individuals keen to engage in in-play betting.
For punters seeking live betting options, William Hill’s offering stands out with its wide-ranging selection of sports. The convenience is further made better by its exceptional live-streaming systems, specifically the popular William Hill TV, which is regarded as one of the best betting channels within the industry. The minimal lag on the live stream significantly aids in-play betting, allowing for smoother and more timely decision-making.
With many of its competitors lacking the same function, Paddy Power stands out as the best platform for in-play betting on horse racing. The navigation of its in-play list is excellent, but its cash-out system can be frustrating as it can take a while to give you the cash-out value. Despite this minor downside to its in-play offering, Paddy Power still gets you an overall great experience.
Although 888sport is not well known for its in-play section, as it’s not its main strength, the experience is more than satisfactory. The odds are competitive and 888sport has a good range of betting markets to place in-play bets. Although it’s not as complete as some others on our list, 888sport is good for in-play betting.
For punters looking for in-play betting, Coral is a really strong choice with its full and broad menu of live events in action continuously. The live streaming system is as good as any from Coral’s rivals, which helps with in-play betting, and its cash-out system is also impressive.
Ladbrokes has established itself as one of the best-known bookmakers and that is partly down to its great in-play betting platform. Customers can bet on a great number of sports, along with some competitive in-play odds that are good for customers, as well as an adequate cash-out system.
While it may not be Unibet's strongest feature, its in-play option is still commendable and provides a good selection of sports. However, when compared with its competitors, the variety of markets is relatively limited. Nevertheless, it still offers the main options that punters are seeking. Also, its cash-out system is a definite plus as it works swiftly and does not slow down the user. Overall, Unibet is a solid choice for sports enthusiasts, especially those who value quick cash-outs.
For live betting, Betfred is a trusted operator that delivers a great service to customers. There are hundreds of events from around the world and different sports for punters to get their in-play bets on. There is a lack of a live stream for some sports but the process of placing in-play bets is seamless.
BoyleSports is definitely a bookmaker worth considering as the site has a nice variety of sports to choose from and the in-play betting features on both the site and the app are among the simplest to navigate. The cash-out service is also adequate when in-play betting, definitely making BoyleSports a solid choice.
Spreadex is underrated when it comes to in-play betting. Some punters will have an account with the bookmaker, which should be considered by punters as you can live-bet on the sportsbook and spread-betting offerings. Both are enhanced by Spreadex’s three cash-out options and competitive odds.
Live betting, commonly known as in-play betting, enables you to place a bet while an event is in progress. This type of betting is available on multiple sports, ranging from football and tennis to horse racing for some operators, such as Paddy Power.
Initially, in-play betting was limited to major tournaments such as Wimbledon, but bookmakers have since expanded this offering to include individual games and matches.
As an example, in-play betting could involve placing a punt on a goal in the next 10 minutes of a football match between England and Germany that has already kicked off.
How place an in-play bet
Every bookmaker on our specific list will have a full lowdown of each and every event that has started and which people are able to bet on in-play, either on its homepage or a dedicated page, with bet365’s being the best. The process will then be similar to placing a pre-event bet in that you select a market of your choice once the match has started and you can place a bet.
While the process is similar to placing a pre-event bet, one major difference for the punter is that you are now informed by events that have already taken place in the game you want to bet on. This is helped by most in-play betting sites having a live-streaming service. The majority also have a vast amount of live stats from the game that can help your decision-making. You then select your bet and add it to your slip, enter your stake and click “place bet”.
It is vital to concentrate while placing in-play bets as the odds are constantly fluctuating to reflect events. Also, bookies may even remove a market depending on what has happened during a game. There is no guarantee that any market will be live throughout a match.
Why is in-play cash-out not available?
It is impossible for the bookmakers to provide the option to cash out your in-play bet as the event is still continuing.
Markets can be suspended a lot of the time when something major has happened, which can in turn affect their outcome. This can include goals, corners or yellow cards.
Bookmakers will suspend cash-out temporarily as it will affect your cash-out value. Your chances of winning may have increased and therefore the cash-out value will be higher to reflect this or, on the flip side, they may have diminished and your cash-out value will have decreased.
What sports can you place in-play bets on?
All the bookies on this list have an incredible amount of in-play betting options available. Here is a list of the sports that are on offer for in-play betting sites.
Football
Horse racing
Tennis
American football
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Esports
Futsal
Golf
Greyhound racing
Ice hockey
Snooker
Table tennis
Can you cash out in-play bets?
Punters can make use of both cash-out and live betting at the same time, which can be helpful in making you get the most winnings from a bet, or to make sure losses aren’t too high.
There are a lot of experienced bettors who use the cash-out tool on a live bet when it looks as though their punt may lose. For example, if the side you have backed to win are drawing 0-0 with five minutes left and are under a barrage of attacks then you could cash out to get your stake back, at the very least.
Another example where you can protect your winnings is if the team you have backed to win are in the lead with five minutes to go, but their opponents look like they will potentially score, you can cash out.
Cash-out can be a real benefit for punters, but it must be remembered that you are giving up some of your potential winnings to the bookie when you use it.
Why bet in-play?
In-play betting presents both opportunities and challenges for punters, making it essential to understand when to use this tool to your advantage.
One advantage of in-play betting is it can provide better odds compared to betting before the event. For example, if you back Liverpool as a heavy favourite in a match against Luton, the betting odds for the Reds winning would be low. However, if you wait for the game to start and the Hatters take a surprising lead in the first half, the odds on a Liverpool win will increase.
On the flipside, if you want to back the underdog, it is best to avoid in-play betting as the odds will reduce as long as they remain in the game, and will only decrease further if they take an unlikely lead.
In-play betting may also offer a chance to claim free bets from bookmakers through promotions, such as ‘bet £10 pre-game and get a £5 free in-play bet’. Knowing when and how to use in-play betting to your advantage can give you an edge in sports betting.
When to bet in-play
The clearest and easiest time to bet in-play is when you are watching a live event on the TV or at the match, such as a football game where you think you know that something is likely to happen next. This could include the next team to score or maybe you think a side who are losing are likely to launch a comeback and win.
If you have a prediction while watching a game, it is a good idea to check the stats and, thankfully, a number of bookmakers will include stats next to their in-play markets so you can be well informed at just the tap of a button. Live streaming is also offered by a number of the leading bookmakers, again helping you to make an informed decision about your selections.
In-play betting is also brilliant if you want to hedge your bets and increase your chances of coming out with a profit. For example, before a game has started you may have backed a side to win but they have conceded a goal early on. With in-play betting you can then place a stake on their opponents to win, draw or both with a double chance selection meaning your losses can be mitigated.
Some markets are unique to in-play betting such as next goalscorer or whether a goal is going to be scored in the next 10 minutes, so you have to bet in play if you want to place a wager on them.