Updated: 23.08.2025
The online gambling industry is flooded with sign-up promotions and sign-up bonuses. Most of them seem to give every potential customer the royal treatment, but which operators can really be trusted, and frankly, which ones should be handling your hard-earned sports bets? Not knowing the answers to either of these questions could very well lead you down the path of betting losers. But fear not, because our team of betting experts has bet the mortgage payment on thoroughly researching these online sportsbooks and coming back with trustworthy information. We tell you which online sportsbooks are worth your time and money. And in the section below, you can find a complete list of the best places to sign up right now.
We are moving to a name that every sports bettor and high street shopper in the UK knows all too well. For decades, Ladbrokes has been a giant in the world of land-based betting and has now become a leader in the world of online gambling. Our typography is simple, our interface is easy to use, and we think our promotions are head and shoulders above most of the betting competition. Right now we like the look of their welcome bonus, which promises new customers £20 in free bets. All you have to do is sign up, make a deposit and wager £5 on any of their sportsbook selections at minimum odds to claim this offer. In terms of sign up bonuses, this one ranks very high in our books.
Bet365 Sports is a UK internet gambling company that operates across the entire spectrum of sports loving nations. They are perhaps the most popular bookmaker around today; they are certainly up there with the best in terms of profits. This popularity and profit is largely due to a very simple formula: offering the kind of features and services that punters want and expect, and doing so in a way that is modern, smart and clean. Let's take a look at Bet365.
888Sport, another online-only company that is rising fast in our industry right now, has a rock-solid foundation in casino betting thanks to its parent company 888Group. From this platform, 888Sport has risen with a big marketing budget and some ambition to differentiate itself. It has succeeded, if only by offering many unique markets. There's also a spectacular welcome bonus - worth £30 in free bets - tied to both a £10 wager and a set of wagering requirements that are among the most liberal in the business.
Betway are a big operator in the sports betting space, but if you have any sort of grudge against them, you can mostly hold it against their parent company, which is also the parent company of such other big operators as 888sport and Bwin, both of which cover Spanish sports and betting as well as these guys. However, Betway really cover their bases when it comes to betting on sports of all kinds. They certainly don't play favorites, at least when it comes to European football, so this is a good place to go if you want to bet on the likes of El Clásico or the Derby della Madonnina. They regularly offer the best prices or as good a price as anyone else.
You may not have heard of Karamba bet, but we have done our research and know that they are a company worth checking out. They take an online gambling and learn from your mistakes approach that sets them apart from some of their competitors. If you are the kind of person who likes to combine technology, sports and betting, you have a friend here. They are undoubtedly ambitious. The kind of welcome offer they give you proves it. Sign up for an account in a few easy steps and you're off to a bookmaker who'll oblige you with a free £10 bet. We also have to say this: They are surprisingly competitive in the latest betting sign up promos.
If you have not been following the wonderful happenings at SportsNation, it really is time to get in the game and take notice. All the while punters have been placing their bets with the same old bookmakers, with the same old payouts, a bunch of new, bold and colorful companies have come our way and started to change the very way we bet on sports. SportNation is one of these companies, and they... Well, let us read their words! They say, "SportNation will drop a generous £100 welcome bonus into your account when you register and deposit. This is a matched free bet equal to your first stake. Worth considering, right? Indeed! So, how about another exciting offer from SportNation? What do they have for us next? "Once again, let us look at their promises!"
Boylesports has been around for a long time, but that doesn't mean they aren't looking to the future. You can bet on sports, watch sports, listen to commentary, and bet again, all on one page. You can do it at home or on the go with your mobile app. This is the latest in sports betting and it's a great time to be a punter. You'll be rewarded with £40 in free bets for joining your long lost friend Boylesports and being the loyal punter you are. To get started, simply deposit £10 of your own money and bet on sports.
Betfred is known throughout the industry as the Bonus King. This is not a title they take lightly, a.k.a. not something they get for laughs. Betfred seriously competes in the market to be the bookmaker with the most attractive bonuses and promotions. They also have some really good ones for existing customers that I may not have mentioned yet. Sound tempting? Betfred will give you £30 in free bets if you deposit and wager £10 on a selection of odds of 1/2 or better. Actually, I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong when I say that this is one of the best sign-up offers out there right now. But wait - there's more.
Betfair is a truly unique company. They not only offer a sportsbook, but also a betting exchange where you can bet against other punters. The exchange gives you a better price because you can set the odds yourself and accept bets from others, or you can look for value and get your money down. The exchange makes money by taking a small commission on each winning bet. Sign up for the Betfair Exchange, make a deposit and place £20 on a bet. If that bet wins, you keep your money. If it loses, Betfair will refund your bet so you can try again.
William Hill generally does not get involved in the promotional battle with the likes of Paddy Power and Betfred. They prefer not to measure themselves in that way. Instead, they choose to offer punters decent odds on the types of bets that everyone wants to place. If you sign up at William Hill today, you can take advantage of a rather wonderful introductory offer. Place a simple £10 bet on a sport with minimum 1/2 odds and you will receive £30 in free bets. (This is broken down into 3 bets of £10 each. You can use them however you like. You don't have to use them on the kind of betting options that would make a betting dad proud :).
Coral has recently merged with its former London rival Ladbrokes and as a result both companies now offer very similar odds and promotions to their respective customers. They continue to operate under their individual banners, but they are essentially the same company. The Coral site has seen a serious upgrade since the merger; my first visit in years reminded me just how much the site has improved and how much it now looks like a real, functioning sportsbook. You have the same sections as before, with events, in-play betting and the bet slip right in front of you.
Another ex-casino big shot who saw an opportunity to get into the sports betting world was Grosvenor. To be fair to them, they have made a very good go of it. One of the main benefits of betting on sports with Grosvenor is that they also offer a litany of bonuses that you can use on the casino side of the business. They have also gone the extra mile to make you feel welcome at any Grosvenor property. If you walk into any of their UK casinos, present your online account details and ask for it, they will give you your winning sports bet in cash.
Bookmaker | Bonus Offer | Min. Deposit | Min. Odds | Wagering Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ladbrokes | Bet £5 Get £20 | £5 | 1/2 (1.50) | No wagering on free bets |
Bet365 | Up to £100 in Bet Credits | £10 | 1/5 (1.20) | Bet credits not withdrawable |
888Sport | Bet £10 Get £30 | £10 | 1/2 (1.50) | Low wagering, free bets expire in 7 days |
Betfred | Bet £10 Get £30 + 30 Free Spins | £10 | Evens (2.00) | Free bets valid 7 days, spins 7 days |
When choosing a bookmaker signup offer, don't just look at the headline bonus amount. Often a smaller free bet with no wagering requirements (like Ladbrokes' Bet £5 Get £20) is more valuable than a large matched deposit bonus that locks your money behind strict terms.
In our tests, Bet365 is ideal for high-volume players thanks to its flexible bet credits, while 888Sport offers one of the most beginner-friendly deals with low entry costs and simple rules. If you prefer a hybrid bonus, Betfred combines free sports bets with free spins for casino players.
Pro tip: Always check wagering requirements and expiration dates before committing. A £30 free bet with a 7 day expiration may not be very useful if you don't bet regularly.
The most common type of welcome bonus these days is the matched free bet. The bookmaker will ask you to sign up, make a deposit and place an initial bet. The value of your initial bet and deposit will equal the value of your free bet. Here's a demonstration from bet365...
A recent welcome offer that has gained popularity is the bet £10 get £30 free bet offer, which is very popular at the moment. Below is an example from the Coral site...
The welcome offers and enrollment incentives discussed in this review come with terms and conditions. We recommend that you read the fine print in its entirety before accepting any offer. This will ensure that you have a complete understanding of how the promotion works and will help to ensure that there are no misunderstandings when it comes time to realize the full value of the greeting bonus free bets. We have selected some of the more important parts to highlight below.
There are many excellent offers out there, but bet365's seems to be the best. You can get up to £100 in free betting chips. The amount of your first deposit directly affects the size of the welcome bonus; the more you deposit, the more they give.
To join now, click on the tab and enter your details. Make a qualifying deposit and place a minimum stake bet on a selection from the Sportsbook. After the bet is settled, your free betting tokens will appear in your betting account.
The moment it becomes available. Your betting chips have a time limit, usually seven days from the time they are distributed to you.
No, these promotions are for new customers only. Check the promotions page of your bookmaker to see what offers are currently available to you as an existing customer. Or, if you want to take advantage of a limited time welcome offer, consider switching to a new bookmaker and making them your bookmaker.
Some eWallet deposit methods do not qualify for a welcome bonus. This is due to previous player abuse. To ensure you receive the bonus, please check the terms and conditions for the method you wish to use, or deposit with a credit/debit card instead.