UK Bookmakers to Avoid in 2024

As the number of betting sites has increased above all in the last few years, it can sometimes be hard for UK punters to tell the difference between a good and a bad bookie. Therefore, we have compiled a list of UK bookmakers that you should stay away from in 2024, with the aim of keeping your betting habits fun and rewarding.

The Importance of a Bookmakers Blacklist

The list of betting sites in the UK almost appears to be endless, and new betting sites are constantly being added to it as well. Therefore, as it can even be difficult for us to stay on top of the developments, inexperienced punters do not stand much of a chance. This is where our bookmakers blacklist comes in, hoping to provide you with a fundamental benchmark in your betting ventures.

Although some sites may offer enticing welcome offers and promotions, it is important to dig deeper and investigate the site's general practices. In our reviews, we place a great amount of focus on factors such as registration, identify verification and customer precedents. All in an attempt to gather the most comprehensive picture of a site, which can suffer from serious faults despite good offers. You can read more about how we rate betting sites here.

Our reviews are thus the foundation of the bookmakers blacklist, ensuring that the latter is both reliable and accurate.

Betting Sites to Avoid

  • FanTeam
    FanTeam
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Payment method issues

  • Blacktype
    Blacktype
    • No longer operating

  • Xtremewin
    Xtremewin
    • Charges for deposit and withdrawals

    • No longer operating.

    • Unresponsive customer support

  • BetMVP
    BetMVP
    • BetMVP is no longer active

  • Karamba
    Karamba
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • BetBull
    BetBull
    • BetBull closed down on the 3rd of July 2022

  • HighBet
    HighBet
    • Concerning amount of negative reviews

    • Fees for deposits

    • Issues withdrawing money from HighBet

  • Pixiebet
    Pixiebet
  • Paddy Power
    Paddy Power
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Received fines for targeting vulnerable customers

    • £2.2m fine for failing to protect customers and stop stolen money being gambled

  • BetSteve
    BetSteve
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Withdrawal issues

  • Bresbet
    Bresbet
    • Bad welcome offer

    • Hard to contact customer support

    • Limited payment methods

  • Dr Slot
    Dr Slot
    • Licence Suspended

  • Betfair
    Betfair
    • Received fines for targeting vulnerable customers

    • £2.2m fine for failing to protect customers and stop stolen money being gambled

    • Too many negative reviews

  • StarSports
    StarSports
    • Too many negative reviews

  • Jammy Monkey
    Jammy Monkey
    • Jammy Monkey shutdown after having its UKGC licence suspended.

  • mFortune
    mFortune
    • mFortune is no longer available for UK customers

  • Mr Spin
    Mr Spin
    • Mr Spin's licence has been suspended

  • Cashmo
    Cashmo
    • Licence Suspended

  • 2kBet
    2kBet
    • 2kBet is no longer active

  • MrQ Casino
    MrQ Casino
    • Too many negative reviews

  • Casino2020
    Casino2020
    • Licence suspended

  • Bonus Boss
    Bonus Boss
    • Licence suspended

  • Redzone Sports
    Redzone Sports
    • Operator has shutdown

  • Rizk
    Rizk
    • Risk is no longer active in the UK

  • SlotsNSports
    SlotsNSports
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

    • Poor customer support

  • BritainBet
    BritainBet
    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

    • Too many 1-star reviews

    • Awful bonus terms

  • BetNeptune
    BetNeptune
    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

    • High wagering on the welcome bonuses

    • Hard to contact support

  • Yeti Bet
    Yeti Bet
    • Low TrustPilot score

    • Concerning reviews of players unable to withdraw money or verify their account

    • Reports of unfair account suspensions

  • RedAxePlay
    RedAxePlay
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charging fees for deposits and withdrawals

  • GatoBet
    GatoBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charging for deposits and withdrawals

    • Bad customer support

  • MrRex
    MrRex
    • Could not withdraw money.

    • Verification process almost impossible.

    • Too many negative real player reviews.

  • BetMorph
    BetMorph
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Withdrawal issues

    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

  • BetDuel
    BetDuel
    • Poor Player Reviews

  • Dr Bet
    Dr Bet
    • No Longer Operating

  • Ejjabet
    Ejjabet
    • Too many negative reviews

  • InfernoBet
    InfernoBet
    • Brand is no longer operating

  • BetDukes
    BetDukes
    • Operator has shutdown

  • STS
    STS
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • RaceBets
    RaceBets
    • RaceBet is no longer available for UK customers

  • SponsioBet
    SponsioBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Payment issues

    • Charging for deposits and withdrawals

  • VStarBet
    VStarBet
    • VStarBet closed down on the 24th of November 2020

  • MapleBet
    MapleBet
    • No longer active in the UK

  • BazingaBet
    BazingaBet
    • No Longer Operating

  • MrMega
    MrMega
    • Too many negative reviews

  • Bethard
    Bethard
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • SportNation
    SportNation
    • No longer available in UK

  • RubyBet
    RubyBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Fees for deposits and withdrawals

    • Poor customer support

  • Redbet
    Redbet
    • Redbet is longer operating in the UK

  • Winissimo
    Winissimo
    • Negative real player reviews

    • Deposit and withdrawal fees/issues

    • Awful welcome bonus terms

  • 21Bet
    21Bet
    • 21Bet is no longer active in the UK

  • Betsson
    Betsson
    • Betsson is no longer available for UK customers

  • Bet9ja
    Bet9ja
    • Bet9ja is no longer available for UK customers

  • Spin Sports
    Spin Sports
    • Spin Sports has ceased its operations

  • MobileWins
    MobileWins
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

  • Paddy Power Bingo
    Paddy Power Bingo
    • Too many negative reviews

  • SpinzwinBet
    SpinzwinBet
    • Too many 1-star reviews

    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

  • Circl
    Circl
    • Cash Prize Gaming Only

  • Genting Bet
    Genting Bet
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • Betclic
    Betclic
    • No Longer Operating in the UK

  • Betfair Bingo
    Betfair Bingo
    • £490,000 fine for marketing to vulnerable consumers

    • Too many negative reviews

  • KB88
    KB88
    • Too Many Negative Reviews

  • LV BET
    LV BET
    • LV Bet left the UK market on 13/09/2022 and no longer operates in the United Kingdom

  • Mobilebet
    Mobilebet
    • MobileBet is no longer operating in the UK

  • BetBright
    BetBright
    • BetBright was bought by 888.

  • SwishBet
    SwishBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charginig for deposits and withdrawals

    • Bad experiences with customer support

  • Dafabet
    Dafabet
    • Too many negative reviews.

  • EnergyBet
    EnergyBet
    • Energybet is no longer active in the UK

  • Mansionbet
    Mansionbet
    • Operator has shutdown

  • BetStars
    BetStars
    • Now PokerStars Sports

  • Sun Bets
    Sun Bets
    • SunBets is no longer active

  • FansBet
    FansBet
    • FansBet is no longer active in the UK

  • BetKing
    BetKing
  • YoBet
    YoBet
    • Now BetVision but still do not recommend joining

  • WinstonBet
    WinstonBet
    • Negative reviews and payment issues

  • 21.co.uk
    21.co.uk
    • 21.co.uk is no longer active in the UK

  • Novibet
    Novibet
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • Tote
    Tote
    • Too many negative reviews

  • Guts
    Guts
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • BetNeo
    BetNeo
    • BetNeo is no longer operating.

  • Marathonbet
    Marathonbet
    • Marathonbet is no longer in the UK

Why You Should Avoid Certain Bookmakers

Unfortunately, there are far too many examples of betting sites with poor practices in the UK, with especially new sites being culprits of this. These practices can involve anything from unjustified account suspensions to withholding of winnings. Another big issue has been a lack of social responsibility, with even the top UK bookmakers allowing customers to bet way beyond their means before taking action.

In short, it is important for new customers to carry out due diligence on the site in question, even though that can sometimes be difficult. Our bookmakers blacklist will hopefully help with this and as always, you can also read our review of the site in question. Not all sites are avoid-worthy, of course, but it is always good to find out more about a site before signing up regardless.

Bookmakers We Recommend

Just as identifying poor bookmakers is not always easy, that can also be the case for finding the best ones. Fortunately for UK punters, there are indeed several good bookmakers on the market. Below, we have picked out a few operators that stand out from the rest, and which certainly are worth giving a go if you have not tried them already.

bet365
  • Huge Range of Markets
  • High Odds
  • Trusted Operator
Read review
BetVictor
  • Highest Odds in our Tests
  • Great Welcome Offer
  • Old and Trusted Bookmaker
Read review
BetMGM
  • New UK Betting Site (Aug 2023)
  • BettingLounge Exclusive Bonus
  • Fast PayPal Withdrawals
Read review
Unibet
  • High Betting Odds
  • 40+ Sports
  • Live streams
Read review