Sportingbet is one of the most well-known online sports betting sites currently operating in the UK.
If you’re unsure where to place your next bet, Sportingbet could be the platform that stands out.
In this Sportingbet review, we share our first-hand experience using the site, covering everything from its key strengths and weaknesses to standout features and overall usability.
We’ll break down the pros and cons, explore what makes Sportingbet unique, and assess whether it delivers the user-friendly experience most UK punters expect.
Throughout the review, we’ll evaluate each of Sportingbet’s core features using a points-based scoring system.
These scores are then converted into star ratings to help you decide if Sportingbet is the right fit for your betting needs.
For more information on how we test view here.
Overall Rating – 4.2 stars
Sportingbet scored 77 overall with an average of 85%, earning it a strong 4.2-star rating.
It’s a solid all-round bookmaker offering strong value across safety, odds, usability and customer support.
The mobile app is excellent, and the website is very user-friendly.
There are a couple of weaker areas – specifically, limited live streaming and a welcome offer that doesn’t quite match what some competitors currently provide.
Still, these are minor drawbacks compared to the strengths Sportingbet brings across key categories.
We’d recommend Sportingbet to both casual and experienced punters looking for a trusted, reliable and smooth UK betting experience.
Here’s a breakdown of how Sportingbet performed:
Category | Points | Star rating |
|---|---|---|
Safety | 10 | 5 stars |
Mobile betting site | 10 | 5 stars |
Website | 9 | 4.5 stars |
Deposits & withdrawals | 9 | 4.5 stars |
Markets | 8 | 4 stars |
Pre-match betting | 8 | 4 stars |
In-play betting | 7 | 3.5 stars |
Welcome incentive | 8 | 4 stars |
Customer support | 8 | 4 stars |
Here’s a rundown of the overall pros and cons of Sportingbet:
Pros
Very secure and licensed by the UKGC
Excellent mobile app for iOS and Android
Easy to use and navigate website
Wide range of deposit/withdrawal options
Competitive odds across major sports
Innovative welcome offer with challenges
Helpful customer service channels
Cons
The design of the website/app could be more innovative
Limited customisation options
Less live streaming compared to some sites
The welcome offer value is lower than some competitors
Safety – 5 stars
Sportingbet offers UK players an extremely secure and safe betting experience.
Licences
Sportingbet holds a remote gambling licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
This ensures adherence to strict standards around player safety, responsible gambling, and fair games.
The UKGC is widely regarded as the gold standard for betting regulation.
In addition, parent company Entain holds numerous licences for its brands across Europe.
With decades of experience, they have proven trustworthiness in regulated markets.
Security
Security is excellent, with 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication and multiple firewalls in place.
Players can bet with confidence, knowing their data and funds are protected.
Track Record
With over 20 years of industry experience and a clean record, Sportingbet is a safe and dependable option for UK users.
Pros
UKGC licence proves adherence to strict safety standards
Utilises 256-bit SSL encryption
Part of a large, experienced gambling group in Entain
20+ year track record without safety controversies
Cons
None
Mobile Betting App – 5 stars
Available on both Android and iOS devices, the Sportingbet app brings the same brilliant design and smooth performance as the desktop site to your mobile.
This versatile accessibility makes it easy for any bettor to wager on the go.
Look and Feel
Sportingbet’s mobile app is one of its standout features.
It’s fast, responsive and includes the same full functionality as the desktop version.
Making a Bet
Wagering through the app proves just as simple as on a desktop.
Upon opening, you can browse upcoming event odds or dive right into a specific sport.
The betting slip functionality makes building bets a breeze.
Features like cash out and live streaming give you control over your wagers.
With fast page loading and transitions, placing bets feels seamless.
User Experience
Navigation is easy, odds are simple to access, and the bet slip is smooth to use.
Live betting performs well, with extra features like cash out and notifications adding extra value.
We had no technical issues during testing, and the experience was consistent across both iOS and Android.
Check out our roundup of UK betting apps to see how Sportingbet compares.
Pros
Stunning and responsive design
Hundreds of weekly live streams
Numerous deposit/withdrawal methods
Helpful features like cash out and bet builder
Fully customisable notifications
Cons
None
Website – 4 stars
The desktop site sticks to a classic blue and white theme.
It’s not flashy, but it’s clean, functional, and easy to navigate.
Technically, it performs as close to flawlessly as an online betting site can get.
Look and Feel
Pages load quickly, key sections like Sports, Live and Casino are clearly marked, and promotions are well explained via pop-ups.
While the design could benefit from modernisation, the overall user experience is strong.
User Experience
Technically speaking, the Sportingbet site performs brilliantly during use.
Everything moves smoothly without slowdowns, jitters, or serious flaws.
With their solid reputation in this area, it’s safe to say the positive technical performance is consistent.
Navigating the wealth of content is simple.
Tabs at the top link to main sections like Live, Sports, Casino, Promotions and more.
Odds and matches are presented clearly on the main pages.
Helpful videos explain promotional offers, too.
Finding your way around is effortless.
Unlike cluttered, headache-inducing sites, Sportingbet offers a clean and enjoyable user experience.
Pros
Structurally brilliant site layout
Technically flawless performance
Easy navigation with a straightforward design
Helpful explanatory videos for offers
Smooth user experience
Cons
Design plays it safe rather than being innovative
Limited customisation options
Deposits and Withdrawals – 4 stars
Sportingbet stands out for its comprehensive range of deposit and withdrawal options, ensuring that UK users have access to a variety of banking methods tailored to their needs.
Deposits
Sportingbet’s deposit methods are diverse and user-friendly, including:
Debit and credit cards
E-wallets like PayPal and Skrill
Bank transfers
Paysafecard
Deposits at Sportingbet are designed to be instant and free of charge, with a standard minimum deposit of £10.
The platform’s commitment to convenience is evident, as it includes modern payment options like Google Pay and Apple Pay, alongside a selection of e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.
It’s important to note that UK customers cannot use credit cards due to regulatory restrictions, so only debit card options are available.
Making a Deposit
Navigate to your account and select ‘Deposit’
Choose from the available deposit methods
Enter the deposit amount and payment details
Confirm the transaction
Withdrawals
Withdrawals at Sportingbet are just as varied as deposit methods, with most options allowing for fee-free transactions.
The minimum withdrawal amount is slightly higher than some competitors, set at £30.
Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with most e-wallet transactions being completed instantly or within 24 hours, while bank transfers may take up to 5 working days.
Making a Withdrawal
Log in to your account and click on ‘Withdrawal’
Select a withdrawal method (must be one previously used for deposits)
Enter the withdrawal amount
Confirm to initiate the withdrawal process
Pros
An extensive range of deposit and withdrawal methods
Instant deposits for most methods
No fees for depositing
Account verification enhances security
Cons
Credit card deposits are not available for UK users
Bank transfers may take longer compared to other methods
Markets – 4 stars
Sportingbet offers odds on over 35 sports, covering all major events and leagues.
Football, tennis, horse racing, and golf are particularly well catered for.
Sports
You can bet on a huge selection of sports at Sportingbet, including American football, Aussie rules, badminton, basketball, cricket, cycling, football, golf, handball, horse racing and more.
For most sports, most of the major leagues and competitions are covered.
While they may not quite reach the absolute depth of some betting sites and offer the most obscure betting markets, Sportingbet still provides more than enough choice for most punters.
Every major sport and market is well represented.
Odds
The odds at Sportingbet are still one of the most competitive out there, mainly in the most popular sports like football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
They’re often among the most competitive prices you’ll find from any of the best UK bookmakers across these popular sports.
You’ll usually get fair odds even for exotics, props and specials.
Their margins are lower than average, which gives bettors better value opportunities to turn a profit long-term.
I’m happy to report that Sportingbet have increased the number of markets on individual fixtures, and there are 50+ betting options on some major events.
This is a very good improvement.
Pros
Competitive odds across most major markets
Extensive range of sports covered
Live betting available
Frequent promotions
Cons
Lacks esports betting
Limited live streaming
Pre-Match Betting – 4 stars
Sportingbet stands out as a premier destination for pre-match betting, offering an astonishing selection of markets paired with quality odds.
This beautifully structured platform ensures a seamless betting experience for UK users.
Coverage
Central to Sportingbet’s attraction is its incredible range of sports, spanning everything from traditional favourites like football and tennis to more niche pursuits such as Gaelic sports and biathlon.
The number of markets you can bet on for each sport is amazing.
For instance, rugby league fans will be able to access dozens of markets for individual matches, not to mention the range of markets on offer for other sports.
This wide coverage ensures that there is something for every bettor, regardless of their preferences.
Additionally, the quality of the odds at Sportingbet is also something to be admired.
Sportingbet odds are often very highly ranked for various sports, which is a good indication of their relative worth.
Using fractional odds and providing stats during live bets, the platform enhances bettors’ understanding of the current wager, giving them the information they need to make calculated betting decisions.
Overrounds are reasonably low across sports, indicating a healthy margin and meaning bettors are being given good odds.
Bet Builder
Sportingbet's Bet Builder feature offers a great deal of personalization in pre-match sports betting, especially within football.
Bettors can make multiple selections within a single match and combine them in one bet, including match results, goalscores and cards.
This adds an element of strategy to betting, allowing users to customise their bets according to their predictions.
However, it's worth noting that Build-a-Bets are not eligible for cash out, and there is a maximum winning amount that bettors should keep in mind when placing a Build-a-Bet.
Pros
Extensive coverage of over 60 sports with a wide range of markets
Competitive odds that provide value to bettors
The Bet Builder feature allows for customised bets
Beautifully structured platform with fractional odds and stats for live bets
Cons
Some esports and niche sports have fewer markets compared to traditional sports
Bet Builder bets cannot be cashed out
Partial cash-outs are not available, limiting flexibility in betting strategy
In-Play Betting – 3.5 stars
Sportingbet offers live betting across a wide range of sports.
While they provide useful match stats and animations, the lack of comprehensive live streaming holds back the experience.
Markets
You'll be able to find in-play lines on all major sports like football, tennis, basketball and many more as soon as games begin.
The selection of markets offered for each fixture is typically satisfactory.
Football boasts the most extensive array of spreads, totals, moneylines and other bet types to bet on as the action unfolds.
We are glad to see they've improved the live streaming offering.
Not nearly as comprehensive as some competitors, but a lot more events have streams than in the past.
You can watch and bet at the same time on sports such as baseball, basketball and tennis.
However, free streams are limited — you must either have funds in your account or have placed a minimum bet to view most streams.
Live Scores and Stats
The live betting service provides instant scores, player stats, timing features and other data in the way real-time.
They help punters make sensible in-play choices.
While decent enough, the statistical offering lacks superiority when compared to some sites in terms of analytics or visualisation, and there’s certainly room for growth in that department.
You nevertheless get the main match statistics.
Pros
An exciting way to engage with live sporting events
Lines shift as the game situation changes
Chance to capitalise on momentum swings and key moments
Cons
Have to act fast before the lines move again
Emotions can influence better judgment
Requires close monitoring to spot opportunities
Welcome Offer – 4 stars
Sportingbet provides a unique welcome offer for new UK customers with multiple bonuses up for grabs.
By completing four separate challenges after signing up, you can earn free bets, spins, and more.
While innovative, the total potential value lags some competitors.
Challenges Breakdown
Rather than a standard matched deposit bonus, Sportingbet built its welcome offer around four challenges:
Football Challenge – Bet £10+ on football at 1.5 minimum odds to get 20 free Starburst spins and an odds boost token.
Acca Challenge – Place a 3+ selection accumulator at 1.5+ minimum odds per leg to earn a £10 free bet.
In-Play Challenge – Wager £10+ on any in-play market at 1.5+ odds to get a backup bet.
Casino Challenge – Spend £50+ on any casino game and receive a £10 casino bonus.
Complete all four challenges in any order and you’ll also get a £20 free bet.
Comparative Value
While novel, the total potential haul of bonuses adds up to around £50 in value.
That’s decent but trails leading rivals like Bet365 who offer £100+ in free bets alone.
So those focused purely on maximising sports bonuses may want to consider other UK options.
But for variety and a unique experience, Sportingbet delivers.
Pros
Innovative 4-part challenges
Good variety of free bets & spins
Complete offers in any order
Cons
Total value less than some sites
Must wager £80+ to get a full offer
Includes casino requirement
Customer Service – 4 stars
Sportingbet provides several customer support options, including an on-site help section, Facebook, Twitter, email, and live chat.
We found their service to be generally helpful and responsive across these channels.
On-Site Help
The Sportingbet site boasts a reasonable help section, containing comprehensive answers to many frequently asked questions related to deposits, withdrawals, technical issues and more.
This can handle easy questions.
Social Media
Both its Facebook and Twitter accounts respond to questions frequently and are available day and night.
In our experience, their social team have been responsive and able to resolve issues politely and quickly.
This is a good route to take for quick support.
Email & Live Chat
For more complex queries, you can reach out via email or live chat on the website, where agents will be available every day from 9 am-9 pm.
I typically receive an email reply within 24 hours.
The agents I’ve dealt with have been reasonably knowledgeable and have provided me with detailed help.
Pros
Multiple support channels are available
Quick responses on social media
Live chat agents are friendly and helpful
Cons
No phone number for voice support
Live chat has limited hours
Final Thoughts
Sportingbet offers a solid all-round UK betting package with little in the way of weaknesses.
Their commitment to safety, innovation through challenge, competitive odds and markets, and quality customer service makes them a go-to choice.
While there is room for improvement in areas such as live streaming and welcome offer value, in all core areas, Sportingbet comes out on top.
We would recommend Sportingbet to new and seasoned punters alike who want to bet with a trusted brand with decades of experience and a fully-featured, intuitive platform.
