How To Place a Bet Online
Short Answer
To place a bet online, head over to the betting site of your choice and create an account. Browse the sportsbook for the game/event you would like to bet on. Pick one or several markets and then add the selections to your bet slip to create the bet.
The next step is to pick a stake, which will determine the potential winnings, and after that you just need to confirm placing the bet. That's it! If this sounds confusing still, read on for a more detailed guide on the matter.
Online Betting in the UK
Online betting has long been a popular pastime in the UK, with a lot of sports fans enjoying a regular flutter on the action. Before online betting, people had to go into betting shops in order to bet. But the rise of the internet led to the foundation of online betting sites, with countless options now available to sports fans in the UK who want to be able to place a wager online.
Data published by the Gambling Commission has shown that online gambling sites are now one the most popular ways to bet in the UK, tied with in-person betting. Mobile betting apps also rising at a rapid rate, which is not surprising given the convenience, but four in ten online gamblers in the UK also use a laptop computer for their online betting.
New ways to gamble online continue to be developed too. Smart TV sets have this functionality and while only 3% of respondents to the study by the Gambling Commission said they have placed a bet online through a smart television, this could grow in the future as well.
Of course, one of the biggest drivers of online betting in the past few years was the COVID-19 pandemic. As brick-and-mortar betting shops had to close their doors due to the lockdown conditions, anyone who wanted to have a bet needed to use the internet instead. Many high-street bookmakers did not return, with online betting now seen by many as the default option.
Five Key Steps of Placing a Bet Online
There are a few different steps to go through when learning how to bet online, as follows:
- Choosing a betting site
- Registering for an account
- Verifying an account
- Placing a bet pre-match and in-play
We will go through each step of the process in detail to show you how to place a bet online.
Choose a Betting Site
It might sound obvious, but it is not possible to place a bet online without first having an account with an online bookmaker. The first step is thus to choose a UK online betting site. We have put together a list of the top 10 best bookmakers in the UK, so that is a good place to start, but you can also check out the best new betting sites.
All of the betting sites in the UK need to have a license from the Gambling Commission - which regulates the industry here - to legally operate, so this is something for people to look out for. Of course, all of the sites listed on BettingLounge are licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission, but some of them are still worth avoiding.
In addition to a UKGC license, potential new customers should also look at areas such as customer service, the range of sports and markets to bet on and whether the site offers a mobile betting app. Some sites even offer live streaming of sports events, so this is another thing to double-check before picking your betting home.
Of course, some punters jump from betting site to betting site to claim the best welcome offers on the market, but this will not be a good strategy for everyone. In any case, once a betting site has been chosen, it is then time to register for a new account and we will cover this in detail below.
Registering for an Account
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to register an account on a betting site below:
Find the ‘Register’ or ‘Join’ Button on the Betting Sites
This is usally located in the top right coner of the site. Once you have found it, you need to click through to the registration form and fill in all of the requested information.
Add a Welcome Offer Code if Needed
Some betting sites require you to add a promo code in the registration process to take part in the welcome offers. Others will give you the option to opt in/out of the welcome offer during the process. A lot of them are automatic, though, so do not worry if you forget to check for a promo code.
Double Check the Information Provided
This is a very important step, as the betting sites will use the information provided to verify the account. In case there is a mistake, you could be asked to provide additional information after signing up, although this is often the case even if you get it right. Nevertheless, always double check information before tapping through to the next steps.
Accept the T&Cs and Complete the Registration
Once all of the requested information has been filled in, and you have accepted the terms and conditions, you just need to complete the registration. This will usually be done by tapping on 'Create My Account', 'Submit' or similar phrases.
You will then be able to make your first deposit and subsequently place your first bet!
Verifying Your Account
As alluded to above, betting sites will use the information provided during the registration to verify your account. However, the process is not always as automatic and smooth, as the initial verification might fail. If that is the case, then the betting sites will contact you and ask for additional information, which could be one or more of the following:
- Proof of ID: Passport, Driver's Licence or National ID
- Proof of Address: Bank/Credit statement or utility Bill
- Proof of Funds: Payslip, tax return or bank statement
This is all part of what is known as the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, which is a must for betting sites as per the Gambling Commission. It is very important to comply with this process, as failure to do so could result in an account suspension. This is something you do not want, especially if you have already deposited funds or have winnings in the account.
Make sure to keep an eye on your email in the days after registering, therefore, as most betting sites will contact you with this method. And if you do need to provide additional information, make sure to take clear photos of the documents to facilitate the verification process.
Placing a Bet Pre-match and In-play
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to place a pre-match and an in-play bet below:
Browse the Sportsbook or the In-Play Section
If you are looking to place a pre-match bet, you can simply browse the sportsbook and find the game you are after. If you do not have a particular game in mind, you will also find some good picks on most betting sites.
If you are looking to place an in-play bet, almost all betting sites have a dedicated 'In-Play' section where you will find all of the events that are ongoing. This makes for a very easy navigation, and also helps you find the event quickly which is often needed with in-play betting.
Add the selections to your bet slip
After picking out a selection, or several if you are creating an acca bet, you usually need to add these to your bet slip. This will also help you get a better overview of the selection(s) and the odds.
Choose Your Stake for the Bet
Once the selections are in your bet slip, you will be able to enter the amount you would like to bet. Now, you will be able to see the potential profit up for grabs. If you are undecided on a stake, it will help to see how much profit a certain figure will result in, but always remember to not get carried away by the numbers!
If it is an in-play bet, remember that the odds can change at any time and be prepared for potential odds changes before you have had a chance to place the bet.
Confirm and Place the Bet
Once you are satisfied with your selections, the odds and the stake, you just need to confirm and place the bet. This will look a bit different on most betting sites, but you will have no problem spotting it, we promise!
The Best Welcome Offers in the UK
We hope you have enjoyed reading our guide on how to start betting online! As a parting gift, we have compiled the best welcome offers that are currently available in the UK below, with BetMGM leading the line. While the welcome offers are important too, one advise is to read our reviews of these operators to get the full picture.
BetMGM
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £40 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
Betfred
Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £50 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 Days |
| Bonus Code | WELCOME50 |
CopyBet
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £50 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
bet365
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £5 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 30 days |
BetVictor
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
How To Place a Bet FAQs
How do you place a bet online?
Is online betting legal in the UK?
Can I bet with my phone?
Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis. If you have any questions about online gambling in the UK, please don't hesitate to contact him.