Best bet in-play betting sites 2023: live-betting bookmakers in the UK
Review our comprehensive list of the best live-betting sites for January 2023 and see which online books provide in-play betting
In-play betting has become one of the most popular aspects of sports betting in recent years as punters take advantage of the chance to assess the action before placing a bet. When every second counts for your bets it’s crucial to know which are the best betting sites for wagering while an event is taking place.
When punters are looking for a new bookmaker their in-play offering and how easy it is to use is now a key factor.
Its popularity has skyrocketed over the last few years and it is one of the main selling points for many punters when looking for a new betting site. We have created accounts with each bookmaker to find out the best in-play betting sites the UK has to offer.
T&Cs apply. 18+. Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus Free Spins must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Bonus Free Spins valid on selected Casino games only • Bonus wins capped at £500, excluding Jackpot wins • To withdraw any winnings from your Free Spins, you’ll first have to use all of them. Full T&Cs apply. • BeGambleAware
T&Cs apply. New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 x £5 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further t&cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. New UK customers (Excluding NI) mobile only. £30 in FREE Bets (FB) as £20 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7 day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code TELE40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. 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.
T&Cs apply. New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded
T&Cs apply. New customers, online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £/€10 and win or lose you will receive £/€30 Tote Credit redeemable on ‘Tote exotics*’ only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet slip. Ten to Follow, virtual (including Fantasy) and football bets do not qualify. *Exotics exclude Tote Win/Place/Ten to Follow/virtual (including Fantasy). UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org
T&Cs apply. New customers only aged 21+. Minimum deposit £10. Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of evens (2.0) or greater. Get a matched Free bet up to £30 plus 20 Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch, credited within 24 hours. Free Bet and Spins expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.
T&Cs apply. New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £20 at odds of 2.00+ within 7 days of registering, no cashout. Get 4x £10 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. Plus 50 Free Spins. Bonuses & Free Spins expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below | begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, place a bet on any football market at odds 2.00+. Get a refund of your losing stakes up to £10 in Free Bets for set markets if any of your first 3 bets lose & a £10 slots bonus on Age of the Gods: God Of Storms slot game, 35x wagering. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. 18+ New UK Customers. Must bet £10 in total on 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). £20 credited as Free Bets. Free Bets expire after 7 days, stake not returned. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs apply. New customers only. Min £10 deposit and bet on odds 1/2 or greater required. Free bet and free spins issued within 24 hours of qualifying bet being settled. Free bet valid for 6 months, stake not returned. Free spins valid for 7 days, selected games only. UK only excl Northern Ireland. 18+ T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply. New customers on mobile only. 7 days to claim and stake £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater to qualify. Free, void, cashed out or partially cashed out bets do not qualify. Max 3x £10 free bets credited on bet settlement. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with selection odds of 1.3 or greater. Free bets are non-withdrawable, and stake not returned with winnings. 7 day expiry. 18+BeGambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. New UK, IE & Malta customers only. Min £10/€10 first deposit using Debit Card. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5. Free bets expire in 90 days. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org.
T&Cs apply. New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
T&Cs apply. 18+. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £10, 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 issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. Please play responsibly. www.begambleaware.org.
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+. Place a qualifying £25 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Get 5 x £5 free fixed odds bets + 2 x £5 free Total Goals spread bets + 50 free spins on Starburst. Each free spin is worth 10p and there are no wagering requirements. Free bets and spins must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet/spin stake not included in any winnings. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs apply. New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from crediting (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. 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+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. 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 UK customers only. Min Deposit: £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. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 50 Bonus Spins credited on placement of qualifying Acca bet.50x bonus wagering applies as do weighting requirements, bonus Spins only available on selected games and expires 7 days after being awarded. Debit card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first sports bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. Visit Unibet.co.uk for full T&C's.
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. New customers. Max £10. 100% Odds Boost token. Keep it fun - set your deposit limit.T&Cs apply.
T&Cs apply. The user must enter Bonus Code ‘MATCHBOOK30’ during registration. Minimum Odds of 1.8 for first bet to qualify. Losses will be refunded on first bet only, as a free bet - up to £30. Users cannot back and lay the same selection on the first bet.. Only open to users who deposit via debit card. New Customers Only. 18+. Be Gamble Aware.
T&Cs apply. 18+. New depositing customers within 30 days from registration. Valid from 01/08/2022 until further notice. Bonus code SBWB10 req during the 1st deposit. 1st deposit min. £10. Bet min. £10 on any sports, single or accumulator, pre-match or in-play, min. odds of 1/2. Free bet of £10, credited within 48 hours, valid for 30 days, for any sport. 8x wag req on the free bet winnings, min odds 1/2 per selection. Deposit method restrictions. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs apply. Deposit and bet £10 minimum odds 1/2 (1.50) / £10 free bet / valid 7 days / T&Cs apply / 18+ / begambleaware.org.
T&Cs apply. If your account has Sportsbook losses at the end of your first day's betting (23:59), we'll refund 50% of your first day's losses as a Free Bet up to £35 (normally £25) plus, you get 10 Free Spins on Reel Diamonds (minimum 3 bets required). Even if your account is up, you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet plus 10 Free Spins provided you place at least 1 bet of £10 or greater at minimum odds evens (2.00) or greater. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org
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+, UK only. Deposit and place a minimum £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you 1 x £5 in free bets plus an extra 3 x £5 Free Bets the following day. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport & 1x Virtuals. Cashed Out, Void or Draw No Bet wagers do not qualify for this promotion. 1 x £5 Free Bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement, other free bets credited by midday the day after your first bet settles. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Full T&C's apply.
T&Cs apply. 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet 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 not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. 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+.
bet365 in-play betting
bet365 is an industry leader in online betting and its in-play betting offering has helped establish their reputation. The in-play section is easy to find and use and it has an incredible selection of events to bet on in-play throughout the day and night. From football to eSports, bet365 has you covered and it also has an excellent live-streaming platform and stats pages to help you make your in-play bet.
Betfair in-play betting
Betfair is a close contender to bet365 in the live betting space and consistently provides a great platform. The website and app are easily accessible for live betting and one strong point is that the odds are particularly good for in-play betting. Betfair’s exchange feature also allows you to back or lay a bet off while the event is going on, which is a huge plus.
Betway in-play betting
Betway has been around the industry for a while and has become one of the best for in-play betting, with all of the usual sports such as football and tennis available. The key standout of Betway’s in-play offering is their esports market, which is by far the most comprehensive on the market.
BetVictor in-play betting
BetVictor has been continuously developing its live betting feature and now it is one of the best around on the market. It offers some markets that other operators do not, such as in-play handicap betting, and its odds are also competitive. Its coverage is not as extensive as some competitors in terms of sports but BetVictor is definitely worth exploring for in-play betting markets.
William Hill in-play betting
Punters looking for live betting facilities should look at William Hill’s offering with its expansive selection of sports a real plus. It is made all the more easier thanks to their live-streaming systems, William Hill TV, which is among the best around. The lag on the stream is minimal which helps you when in-play betting.
Paddy Power in-play betting
Paddy Power is the best for in-play betting on horse racing, with most competitors not having this function. Its in-play list is great to navigate but the cash-out system can be frustrating at times as it takes a while to give you your cash-out value. Aside from that downside to its in-play offering it’s still a great experience overall.
888sport in-play betting
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.
Coral in-play betting
For punters looking for in-play betting Coral is an excellent choice with its full and broad menu of live events taking place. The live streaming system is up there with Coral’s rivals which helps with in-play betting and their cash-out system is also impressive.
Ladbrokes in-play betting
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 that are available along with some competitive in-play odds that are good for customers, as well as an adequate cash-out system.
Unibet in-play betting
Unibet’s in-play option isn’t the site’s strongest area but the selection of sports available is still good and features the main ones that punters like, from football to snooker. The markets may be limited but again the main options that punters will be looking for are present. The cash-out system is a plus as it works extremely quickly and does not slow down the user.
Betfred in-play betting
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.
32Red in-play betting
Although being more well-known for its casino offering, 32Red is actually one of the best bookies for in-play betting. There are not as many events as some of its bigger rivals, but more than enough of the main sports such as football and tennis are available and easy to find. And 32Red is also one of the only bookies that has a welcome offer specifically for in-play betting, which you can claim below.
BoyleSports in-play betting
BoyleSports is definitely worth considering as it has a great variety of different sports and the in-play betting features on both the site and the app are easy to navigate. The cash-out service is also adequate when in-play betting and means BoyleSports is definitely a solid choice for in-play betting.
Spreadex in-play betting
Spreadex is underrated when it comes to in-play betting and there will be some punters who do 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.
SportNation in-play betting
SportNation is known for its excellent reward system for customers but its in-play betting section should also get some recognition. There’s a vast amount of sports and its platform makes it very easy to find the sport and market you want to place the bet in a timely manner.
What is in-play betting?
In-play betting, also known as live betting, is when you place a bet during an event. It is available on a number of sports including football, tennis and some operators, such as Paddy Power, even allow it during horse racing.
In-play betting began during major tournaments such as Wimbledon but due to its success and popularity, bookmakers allowed live betting on individual games as well as matches.
An example of an in-play bet would be if England were playing Germany at football, the game had kicked off and you then place a bet for a goal in the next 10 minutes. Because the match has already started, this is classed as an in-play bet.
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 the events. Also, bookies may even remove a market depending on what has happened during the game. There is no guarantee that any market will be live throughout the game.
Why is in-play cash out not available?
As explained, in-play betting means the odds are constantly changing and this can make the facility to cash out difficult for bookmakers to provide.
Markets are usually suspended when something that will affect that market is happening, such as a goal, corner or yellow card. This is when bookmakers will suspend the cash out as events could be affecting your cash-out value. This could mean something has made your bet more likely to win and they will offer an improved cash-out value, or it could mean your cash out price is lower due to something making your bet less likely to happen.
What sports can you place in-play bets on?
All of our 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 take advantage of both cash out and live betting at the same time, which can be helpful in ensuring you get the most winnings from a bet, or mitigate the losses.
There are a lot of experienced bettors who use the cash-out tool on a live bet when it looks as though their bet 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 cashout.
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 to bet in-play?
In-play betting has a number of advantages and disadvantages for punters and that’s why you should know when is the best time to use the tool.
An advantage of in-play betting is that it can give you better odds than if you were to place a bet before an event. If you are backing a heavy favourite in a football match such as Liverpool vs Fulham, then the odds for Liverpool winning will be short. However, if you wait for the game to start and Fulham are 1-0 up at half-time, the odds of Liverpool winning will lengthen.
If you want to back the underdog then it is best to stay away from in-play betting as the odds will be reduced as long as they are in the game and will shorten even further if they take an unlikely lead.
In-play betting also gives you the opportunity to claim some free bets from bookmakers as they will often have promotions such as bet £10 pre-game and get a £5 free in-play bet.
When to bet in-play
There are also some markets that are specific to in-play betting, so it’s important to know what markets are available. Next goalscorer or a goal to be scored in the next 10 minutes can only be bet on in-play and so that’s when you should use it.
If you are watching an event and you can see a market that is available and the odds are still long, then you can use in-play betting to take advantage. Checking stats for a game is also vital when betting on markets such as cards and corners, and will help when you’re betting in-play. A number of bookies will provide live stats as well as live streaming, meaning you will have all the information you need for your next selection.
In-play betting also offers you the opportunity to hedge your bets and give yourself more chance of making a profit. For example, ahead of kick-off you may back one team to win only for them to go a goal down. In-play betting will allow you to place a bet on their opponent to win, a draw or both to mitigate your losses.