Steven Hubbard

Editor-in-Chief

Steven Hubbard has been running BettingLounge since 2018, building it into one of the UK's most trusted betting comparison sites. As Editor-in-Chief, he oversees all content, reviews and editorial standards across the site, with a focus on odds comparisons, sister site guides and holding bookmakers accountable where it matters.

With over 8 years in the iGaming industry, his approach to transparent, ethical affiliate content has been recognised in publications including SiGMA and Gambling Affiliate Voice.

[email protected]

41Bookies Reviewed

71Articles Written

153Pages Written

172Pages Verified

Steven's Betting Profile

🏆 Favourite Bookmaker	Bet365 - Best bet builder in the industry.
⚽ Preferred Bet Type	Player fouls/card bet builders.
📱 Bet on Mobile or Desktop	App only.
🔍 What I Look For in a Bookie	Good range of unique markets for in-play betting.
❌ Biggest Bookmaker Red Flag	Withdrawal fees.

Five Questions with Steven

Q: What's the best bet you've ever placed?
Lionel Messi, in-play, to get a yellow card during Argentina vs Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. The odds weren't spectacular (18/1 maybe...), but watching the ref finally book him deep in stoppage time (90+10), after he clearly handballed in front of the ref and got away with it, made it one of the most satisfying winning bets I have ever placed.
Q: Which bookmaker feature do you think the industry gets most wrong?
Withdrawals, without a doubt. It's why we actually test the bookmakers from deposit to withdrawal to make sure this process is as smooth as possible. Some bookmakers will happily accept your deposits in seconds, then make you jump through hoops to get your money back. Slow verification, endless document requests, payment method restrictions. It's the one area where too many bookmakers still treat players as a problem rather than a customer. It shouldn't be that hard.
Q: What's the one thing a beginner should check before signing up to a bookmaker?
While it might seem obvious to most, check the UKGC licence. Every legitimate bookmaker operating in the UK will display and mention their licence details in the footer. It's your guarantee that the site is regulated, your funds are protected and you have recourse if something goes wrong. If you can't find it in the footer, walk away.
Q: Is there a bookmaker you personally wouldn't use?
There are quite a few bookmakers that I have added to our blacklist over the years. But the trend of concerning practices from the Progress Play Limited sites makes it hard to recommend or even want to use most of them.
Q: What's changed most about UK sports betting since you started covering it?
The betting margins. Since the Remote Gaming Duty (casino) almost doubled to 40% in April 2026, double digit betting margins have become increasingly common. Something almost unheard of just a year earlier. Players are getting noticeably worse value for their money, and it's one of the most damaging shifts I have seen in the UK market. It's only going to get worse when the sports betting duty rises from 15% to 25% in April 2027.