This article is about online bookmakers, and more specifically – UK bookies. A bookmaker, or bookie, is an organization or a person that takes bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds. They set the odds on a particular outcome happening and pay the return on any winning bet.
Bookies make their money by creating a book where no matter what the outcome of an event, they will always make a profit. They will set odds that are not actually the probability of a result, but their opinion that takes into account the profit they want to make. Sometimes people feel begrudged by bookies making money off of them, but of course they are a business, the same as a nightclub or ice cream van.
The UK is at the forefront of the sport betting market, with a whole host of prominent bookies for customers to choose from. With the likes of Ladbrokes, Coral, Bet Fred and many more, no country has so much choice on offer. In some countries, like the US online gambling is actually banned and this has created a lot of space in the market for UK bookies to move into internationally.
Best UK Bookies
With so much choice it can sometimes be difficult to choose which bookie to dedicate your time and money to. We have a number of bookies reviews for you to check out and help you make your mind.
Perhaps, our favourite UK bookie is currently Bet 365, although for a generally better experience, we prefer exchanges like Bet fair. If you have not heard of Bet fair then you must be new to sports betting, but it offers the best odds and site layout available anywhere.
Free UK Bets
There are many free bets available to Compare Bookies users. Simply check out the free bets section of the website and you will find thousands of pounds worth of bonuses available. To receive these free UK bets with no risk whatsoever, then visit the odds matcher on the website and take advantage of the free betting!
Compare Bookies Awards
We are soon to begin our annual bookies awards to celebrate the best sports books on the internet. If you would like to get involved then email us to place your vote for your favourite online bookie and we will record it. We expect our voting system to be online soon so that the prizes can be awarded in the New Year!