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

  • Xtremewin
    Xtremewin
    • Charges for deposit and withdrawals

    • No longer operating.

    • Unresponsive customer support

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

  • Ejjabet
    Ejjabet
    • Too many negative reviews

  • WinstonBet
    WinstonBet
    • Negative reviews and payment issues

  • SportNation
    SportNation
    • No longer available in UK

  • 888sport logo
    888sport
    • There was too much struggle during our tests with withdrawals.

    • Poor and rude customer support during the tests.

    • Even more negative experiences were had by our users and people on Trustpilot.

  • betfair logo
    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

  • BetDukes
    BetDukes
    • Operator has shutdown

  • HighBet
    HighBet
    • Concerning amount of negative reviews

    • Fees for deposits

    • Issues withdrawing money from HighBet

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

  • Paddy Power logo
    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

  • STS
    STS
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • BetSteve
    BetSteve
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Withdrawal issues

  • BritainBet
    BritainBet
    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

    • Too many 1-star reviews

    • Awful bonus terms

  • Gatobet logo
    GatoBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charging for deposits and withdrawals

    • Bad customer support

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    • FansBet is no longer active in the UK

  • Bonusboss logo
    Bonus Boss
    • Licence suspended

  • Betneptune logo
    BetNeptune
    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

    • High wagering on the welcome bonuses

    • Hard to contact support

  • Winissimo
    Winissimo
    • Negative real player reviews

    • Deposit and withdrawal fees/issues

    • Awful welcome bonus terms

  • StarSports logo
    StarSports
    • Too many negative reviews

  • BazingaBet
    BazingaBet
    • No Longer Operating

  • 2kbet logo
    2kBet
    • 2kBet is no longer active

  • Pixiebet
    Pixiebet
  • AvaBet
    AvaBet
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • RubyBet
    RubyBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Fees for deposits and withdrawals

    • Poor customer support

  • InfernoBet
    InfernoBet
    • Brand is no longer operating

  • Yeti Bet Logo
    Yeti Bet
    • Low TrustPilot score

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

    • Reports of unfair account suspensions

  • Dr Bet
    Dr Bet
    • No Longer Operating

  • Betmorph logo
    BetMorph
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Withdrawal issues

    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

  • BresBet Logo
    Bresbet
    • Bad welcome offer

    • Hard to contact customer support

    • Limited payment methods

  • Karamba
    Karamba
    • No longer operating in the UK

  • FanTeam
    FanTeam
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Payment method issues

  • Dr Slot
    Dr Slot
    • Licence Suspended

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

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

  • Cashmo
    Cashmo
    • Licence Suspended

  • Casino2020
    Casino2020
    • Licence suspended

  • MrRex
    MrRex
    • Could not withdraw money.

    • Verification process almost impossible.

    • Too many negative real player reviews.

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

  • Mr Mega logo
    MrMega
    • Too many negative reviews

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

  • SpinzwinBet
    SpinzwinBet
    • Too many 1-star reviews

    • Charges for deposits and withdrawals

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

    • Too many negative reviews

  • Swishbet logo
    SwishBet
    • Too many negative reviews

    • Charginig for deposits and withdrawals

    • Bad experiences with customer support

  • EnergyBet
    EnergyBet
    • Energybet is no longer active 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 logo
  • Huge Range of Markets
  • High Odds
  • Trusted Operator
Read Review
BetVictor logo
  • Highest Odds in our Tests
  • Great Welcome Offer
  • Old and Trusted Bookmaker
Read Review
BetMGM Logo
  • New UK Betting Site (Aug 2023)
  • BettingLounge Exclusive Bonus
  • Fast PayPal Withdrawals
Read Review
Unibet
  • High Betting Odds
  • 40+ Sports
  • Live streams
Read Review