Best In-Play Betting Sites in the UK - Top Platforms for Live Bets

Top 5 In-Play Betting Sites in the UK

Spreadex

A top choice for bettors looking for in-play betting, Spreadex offers a responsive platform with an impressive selection of live markets. It offers the best of both worlds in spread betting and fixed odds, giving bettors plenty of flexibility and more ways to bet as the action unfolds. The site features real-time updates and fast pricing adjustments, allowing bettors to react quickly to any changes in a live game or match. It also offers live streaming of certain events to further enhance the in play betting experience.   

bet365

One of the country’s most recognised bookmakers, bet365 is another fantastic option for in play betting. Its extensive market coverage, odds updates, and huge live streaming service provide bettors with everything they need to place the most informed live bets. It offers a range of sports catering to the majority of bettors' preferences, all on an intuitive, user-friendly, and well-designed platform fully accessible on desktop and mobile. There is also a dedicated mobile app available for download to both iOS and Android devices.

Sky Bet

Another recognised platform in the UK, Sky Bet offers an impressive in play betting experience for its customers thanks to its in-depth market coverage and responsive interface. It has live scores, detailed stats, and real-time insights into the games that are taking place, offering plenty for bettors to take advantage of when placing their live bets. Overall, Sky Bet offers a smooth and engaging experience for punters, whether getting involved with inplay betting or other markets.

Betfred

A long-standing bookmaker in the UK, Betfred offers a selection of odds, markets, and streaming capabilities. The platform is intuitive and organised, with regularly refreshed odds across multiple sports, ensuring the best possible in play betting experience. It offers a range of promotions for new and existing customers, including free bets and cash-out opportunities. Live stats are also available via the Interactive Score Centre to help live bettors place the most informed bets.

BetMGM

Offering a modern and sleek betting platform, BetMGM has got itself a strong reputation for being one of the top in play betting platforms on the market. It offers a selection of live betting odds and markets across various sports and has a dedicated in play betting category. It offers live stats and cash-out opportunities, allowing bettors control over their own bets. Overall, BetMGM is one of the best choices for modern and immersive in play betting.

How We Ranked the In-Play Betting Sites

When selecting the best betting sites for in-play, we look for certain key features to ensure a site meets our standards. You can find out more about these below.

Speed and Reliability of Odds

For a betting site to be able to offer the best possible in play betting experience, it must provide a responsive platform that allows bettors to react to changes in a game. It must operate smoothly and seamlessly, allowing bettors to adjust their bets easily. The odds on offer from in play betting sites must also be reliable. Bettors must be able to rely on a site to keep up with a match and update odds accordingly, and be able to rely on the odds being accurate to the action taking place.

User interface (desktop/mobile)

It is a must that in play betting sites offer an up-to-date and friendly user interface. This must be easy to use and well-organised, allowing for the most seamless betting experience. All of these are must-have features, but the interface must also be fully compatible with mobile devices to allow bettors to access their bets and live odds from anywhere, at any time. All of the in play betting sites we recommend will offer a mobile-compatible platform or a dedicated mobile app to cater to bettors' preferences.

Market variety during events

We also expect a strong variety of betting markets to be available to bettors throughout various sporting events. The more markets that are available, the more bettors an in play betting site will appeal to. This enables bettors to get more involved with an event and provides access to exclusive betting markets that may not otherwise be available away from in play betting.

Cash-out availability

One of the key benefits and expectations when placing live in play bets, whether it is tennis in play betting or football in play betting, is the ability for bettors to be able to cash out on their selections. This should be available to bettors throughout the duration of a game or event so they can stop their bet and either make a profit or keep something from their bet if the momentum is shifting or the bet is not going in favour of their prediction. 

Licensing and UKGC regulation

It is just as important when using any in play betting site that it is licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling authority such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). This ensures that a site meets strict legal requirements regarding safety and security, fair play, and responsible gambling. Any of the best in play betting sites we recommend will be licensed, safe, and legitimate.

Promotions for live betting

Let's face it, we all look at the promotions on offer when using any betting platform. We all enjoy a freebie or a chance to get a little something extra. This is why it is just as important when selecting the best in play betting sites that there is a good selection of promotions on offer. This includes new customer welcome bonuses as well as plenty of existing bettors to benefit from. Many in play betting sites also have loyalty programmes from which frequently returning customers can benefit.

What Makes a Great In-Play Betting Site?

When on the hunt for a top in play betting site, there are some particular things that bettors can look out for to make their own assessment of whether or not a site is for them.

Real-time odds updates

Odds that update in real time are vital to the experience and effectiveness of in play betting. This gives bettors a chance to grab the most up-to-date odds according to the action that is happening in real time. Without odds that update in real-time, bettors could risk missing out on selections, so it is vital that bettors check a platform that offers regular real-time odds updates before signing up and placing a bet.

Fast-loading live match trackers

A key feature of live in play betting is the ability for platforms to offer live match trackers so bettors can keep up to date with the action and how it affects their bets. If a site does not offer this feature or the feature is there but not regularly updated, we would not recommend the platform as one of the best in play betting sites. 

Instant cash-out options

Another one of the most important and main features of tennis in play betting, football in play betting, and in play betting on any sports is the ability for bettors to be able to cash out on their bets. This can help bettors to secure a profit or keep something of their stake if the action is going in the opposite direction of what they have predicted. Without instant cash-out options, bettors could miss out on these opportunities, so always ensure any inplay betting site you register with offers this.

Wide selection of sports/events

It is a must that in play betting sites offer a selection of different sports and events for bettors to get involved with. The larger the variety, the more bettors a platform will appeal to. The best inplay betting sites should feature several of the following sports to bet on: tennis in play betting, cricket, golf, and football in play betting, just to name a few. This also includes events, leagues and tournaments around the world, whether local, national, or international.

Mobile-first design

It is essential for in play betting sites to be designed with mobile use in mind above all else. This is because the majority of in play betting will be done on mobile when bettors are on the move. To keep up with live action, it is inevitable that punters will not be at home on a desktop, so they must be able to access a platform that works on their mobile devices, accessible from wherever they are, either at home or on the go.

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Live Betting Tips for Beginners

When it comes to live betting, in particular if you are a beginner or even if you have had a dabble with the in-play betting markets before, the experts here at Livescore have put together some of their top tips to help improve your in play betting.

• Start off Small - It is important to start your in play betting by placing small bets as you get used to the way that things work at a site. This also helps to get more bets out of your budget and get more out of your betting as opposed to using all of your budget on just a couple of wagers.

• Understand Momentum Shifts - Keep an eye on the game, match, or event that you are betting on and make sure you can identify and understand changes in momentum. This could be when the underdog team or side comes out on top in the game, in the stats, or in possession. Once you are able to identify these shifts in momentum, this can improve your in play betting abilities.

• Use Mobile Apps - The best way to keep on top of the latest live in play betting odds, offers, streams, and more is by using the dedicated mobile apps that in play betting sites offer. These offer increased convenience for bettors as well as instant access to their accounts to get to odds quicker, as well as the ability to set up push notifications to stay up to date.

Popular Sports for In-Play Betting

While most sports allow in play betting, some sports are more popular for placing bets alongside the live action.

Tennis In Play Betting

A particularly popular sport for in-play betting is tennis. This is due to the game's fast-paced nature and how quickly momentum can shift in favour of each player. Tennis in play betting odds can be found across various markets, enabling a great selection of bets for punters to place. It is also a sport that is often live-streamed alongside betting at betting sites and apps.

Football In Play Betting

One of the most popular sports for in play betting is football. Football in play betting offers one of the largest selections of markets, and with so many games taking place throughout the season, there is always a chance to get involved. With so much that can happen during a game of football, bettors can get the most out of using live stats, trackers, and live streams to monitor for momentum changes and other important betting events.

Horse Racing In Play Betting

Another exciting sport to get involved with some in play betting is horse racing. This is where bettors can look to get some last-minute odds, especially in the lead-up to a race. The odds will always chop and change during the races depending on how trainers and other runners have performed, the going, the weather, and various other factors.

Pros and Cons of In-Play Betting

As with all kinds of betting, in play betting has its advantages and disadvantages.

For example, in play betting is great for increasing engagement when betting on a match or event. It keeps bettors focused and involved to see what bets they can place or for opportunities to cash out. However, with this comes the risk of increased emotional betting habits, so it is important to remember that while investing in live action, you are still betting responsibly. 

In play betting also requires a lot of focus and time from punters, so it is important to set reminders or alarms to keep on top of your betting activity. However, it does give punters instant betting gratification.

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Responsible Gambling 

It is important to always practice responsible gambling wherever possible at online betting sites. The platforms themselves take the necessary steps to ensure responsible gambling and player safety by performing identification checks and providing tools to set limits on betting activities. This includes applying deposit limits to your account, as well as reminders, and self-exclusion tools also available. For more support and information regarding responsible gambling, there are various helplines and resources available to reach out to, such as GambleAware.