Sportingbet UK Review 2024

Despite having first launched their online sportsbook in 1998, Sportingbet are still relatively under-the-radar compared to the likes of Ladbrokes, Betfair and William Hill. However, they have spent the last 25 years carving out a reputation for offering comprehensive betting opportunities as well as ‘fun and excitement’. They are a betting site which is appealing to both inexperienced bettors and vastly experienced punters and we were looking forward to signing up and getting started. Keep reading our Sportingbet review to find out how to sign up for an account and how to claim up to £50 in free bets by completing their ‘Welcome Challenge’. 

Most betting sites and apps are highly likely to divide opinion and with each individual punter having vastly different requirements when it comes to placing online bets, it is virtually impossible to produce the perfect platform. Nevertheless, if you’re thinking of signing up for an online betting site, then you’ll want to find an operator largely caters for your individual needs. We’ve picked out the strengths and weaknesses of Sportingbet UK. 

✔️ Sportingbet Strengths

• Easy to Navigate Interface and Simple Usability – Although it may deter more experience punters who are seeking something far more complex, Sportingbet relatively simple approach is likely to appeal to the majority of bettors. Their site is not flashy, it isn’t packed with colourful images and they don’t overcomplicate the betting process. As a result, it is incredibly straightforward to get started and this manageable and unfussy site is also mirrored in the mobile app.
• Free Bets and Spins with the ‘Welcome Challenge’ – On the face of it, Sportingbet ‘Welcome Challenge’ could be viewed as overcomplicated and needlessly complex, however, here at Mansionbet, once we’d drilled down into the details, we were pleased to see that it was relatively straightforward to complete the qualification process. In order to complete the Football Challenge, you must place an accumulator containing 3 or more selections (at odds of 1.50 or greater) whereas you only need to place one in-play bet of £10 or greater in order to qualify for 50% Back-Up Bet Token.
• Live Streaming – It sometimes feels like live streaming is exclusively available with the bigger online bookmakers, however, Sportingbet UK are bucking that trend and proving that any online operator can offer coverage of live events 24/7. Although their schedule is a little quieter than some of their peers, you can still enjoy live football, tennis, table tennis, ice hockey and snooker on a regular basis.

❌ Sportingbet UK Weaknesses

• Customer Support isn’t available 24/7 – Although Sportingbet customer support is decent enough, it isn’t available around the clock and this can be a source of frustration for many UK punters. Players tend to place bets around the clock and problems may arise at any time. However, Sportingbet live chat service is only available between 9am and 9pm. Their email service is efficient and there is also a dedicated telephone live, however, you are unlikely to receive a response until the following morning if you make contact overnight.
• App is prone to freezing – Although I actually found Sportingbet to have one of the more enjoyable betting apps overall, I was left frustrated by its tendency to freeze and restart at crucial moments. Luckily, this didn’t happen as I was placing a live in-play bet, however, relocating your chosen market following the app’s closure was a little disappointing.
• Sportsbook and Casino are only available on separate apps – Another app related gripe is that you cannot access Sportingbet UK online casino without downloading a separate app. As someone who is conscious of the lack of storage on my iOS device, I found this a little frustrating. Most online betting sites allow you to use the same wallet and flick between the sportsbook and casino on the same app, however, this wasn’t the case with Sportingbet UK. 

Conclusion

Overall, Sportingbet UK ticks a lot of boxes. The lack of 24/7 customer support is the biggest issue, however, there are ample positives including the superb range of sports betting markets and competitive odds. If you’re searching for an online sportsbook which offers live streaming, superb features and the chance to claim up to £50 of free bets, then this established and experienced operator has plenty to offer. 

Here at MansionBet, we have many years of experience in the industry and have seen various online sportsbook come and go. Some of them have gone out with a bang whereas others have quietly disappeared with very little fanfare. However, it is surely testament to Sportingbet UK that they have been able to stick around for over two decades and continue to a deliver a consistent and high quality sportsbook and casino.

Throughout our time composing this Sportingbet review, we found that this online operator consistently delivered when it came to sports markets and odds. We found everything that we were looking for and very rarely found better odds elsewhere. Their A-Z list of sports is highly impressive with Biathlon, Chess and Lacrosse perhaps surprisingly listed amongst this comprehensive catalogue of sporting events. They also offer eSports betting and various political as well as TV and film specials throughout the course of the year.

Although some punters may be deterred by the seemingly complicated nature of their welcome bonus, Sporting Bet have made it relatively straightforward to complete the ‘Welcome Challenge’ and having taken the time to read the Ts and Cs, we found that it wasn’t overly taxing. Players must place a variety of bets (in-play, accumulator, any football market etc) within 30 days of opening an account in order to take advantage of their welcome package. Unless, this isn’t likely to appeal to every single bettor, we found that with the exception of ‘The Casino Challenge’, it was a relatively straightforward request and we were happy to oblige in order to receive our free bets.

Sportingbet offer their players a variety of ways to fund their account and we were reasonably impressed by this list. Although the addition of Apple Pay and Bitcoin may be something that they could potentially consider going forward, we found that the variety of e-wallets and pre-paid cards sat happily alongside popular methods such as VISA. The deposit process was straightforward and because we used PayPal, it took just 48 hours to receive our winnings.

As keen football bettors, the addition of a Bet Builder function was right up our street, and we enjoyed mixing and matching our markets accordingly. However, the best feature offering by Sportingbet UK is Live Streaming. We enjoyed watching several live events whilst simultaneously placing bets on markets such as ‘Next team to score’. The pictures were high quality (no grainy images!) and were also accessible via the mobile app.

Sadly, one of the biggest disappointments was the customer support offered by Sportingbet. Although there are plenty of options (and the telephone and email services were very helpful), the live chat function was a bit of a let-down. It is only available from 9am to 9pm and we were forced to speak to a bot prior to being connected to an advisor. With a number of security questions also thrown into the mix, it took longer than expected to resolve our query and this was significantly slower than we’d experienced with other online betting sites.

📣 "Sportingbet leads the way with competitive odds."

Overall, Sporting Bet UK delivers on its promise of ‘creating fun and excitement’ and there is almost certainly a ‘unique live feeling’ to its in-play markets. We enjoyed the range of features, the highly competitive odds and the copious sporting markets which were available on a daily basis. With the exception of below-par customer support (live chat), there is plenty to like about this online sportsbook and if you’re looking for your first-ever online sportsbook, then Sportingbet UK comes highly recommended.

Bonuses & Offers  ⭐⭐⭐

The welcome offer is reasonable enough and there is an opportunity to earn up to £50 in free bets, however, some punters may struggle to complete all four of the challenges and as a result, they might not be able claim the maximum bonus. There are a smattering ongoing promotions for existing players. 

Betting Variety  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sporting Bet excel in this area. Similar to most online sportsbooks owned by GVC, their site is suitable well-stocked with the wide variety of sports and sports betting markets currently listed.  

Banking Options  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

There are a solid amount of payment options including PayPal, Paysafecard, Much Better and Trustly. Plenty of deposit methods to choose from.  

Mobile experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sporting Bet have recently launched an android app to sit alongside their excellent iOS app. These apps are easy to download and replicate their desktop site.  

Payout Speed  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Although other UK punters have had mixed experiences with payouts, I found that Sporting Bet were speedy, and I received my winnings via an e-wallet within 24 hours.  

Security  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sporting Bet are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and they are owned by a trustworthy organisation who have years of experience in the industry.  

Software & Games  ⭐⭐⭐

Understandably, Sporting Bet tends to prioritise its sportsbook, however, they do offer a decent range of casino and live casino games. However, this area of the site is a little basic.  

Betting Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The overall betting experience is positive and I enjoyed the depth of sports betting markets available. However, they could improve the live chat service and modernise the online casino.  

Customer Support ⭐⭐⭐

The live chat facility is decent enough and the Sporting Bet operatives were knowledgeable and helpful throughout. However, it isn’t currently available 24/7 and it took a few minutes to connect. The FAQ page is easy to understand and there is also an email service.  

Sportingbet UK is one of the most established betting sites in the UK and has a longstanding reputation for offering a safe and enjoyable way to place bets. It is fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (54743) and they carry our regular checks to help ensure fair play is taking place. 

Sportingbet is owned by GVC Holdings, who are based in London. They completed the acquisition in 2013. It is currently operated by ElectraWorks Limited, who are based Gibraltar.

Welcome bonuses are part and parcel of signing up to an online bookmaker. Players tend to be rewarded for their commitment with the majority of these bonuses awarded upon the completion of an initial deposit or settled bet. Sportingbet UK are currently offering all new users the chance to claim up to £50 in free bets, however, their welcome bonus is a little different to the majority of online UK betting sites: 

Sportingbet Welcome Bonus

Up to £50 in Free Bets + 20 Free Spins and £10 Casino Bonus

The Welcome Challenge has been split into four different bonuses. Crucially, there is no requirement to complete all four of these challenges. These challenges are: The Football Challenge (20 Free Spins and an Odds Boost), The Acca Challenge (A free bet of up to £10), The In-Play Challenge (A back-up bet of up to £10) and The Casino Challenge (A £10 Casino Bonus).

If you manage to complete all four challenges, you will receive an additional £20 free bet.

How to Claim Sportingbet UK  Welcome Bonus 

• Click the blue ‘register’ button on the right-hand side of the home page.
• Complete the registration by submitting your personal details and picking a username and memorable password.
• Await a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.
• Follow the instructions to complete each of the four challenges. You may complete these challenges in any order.
• Place a £10 bet on any football market in order to complete the Football Challenge. Place an accumulator containing three or more selections at odds of at least 1.50. Place a £10 bet on any in-play market at odds of at least 1.50. Finally, wager £50 or more on any casino game.
• Your rewards will be added to your account upon the completion of each challenge.

Sportingbet UK Welcome Bonus Terms and Conditions

You must place the eligible bets for each respective challenge in order to qualify for this welcome bonus. Challenges are available for 30 days. Free bets will expire within 3 days. Stake will be removed from any winnings. Cashed out bets will be exempt from the promotion.

When it comes to deciding which online bookmaker to sign up for, features can greatly affect the decision-making process. Each online bookmaker will have different variations of popular features and it’s always advised to prioritise these in order of importance before completing the sign-up process.

Sportingbet Cash Out

If your weekend accumulator bet is in a winning position and you’re just minutes away from a significant payout, then you’ll want to ensure that you avoid any potential last-minute heartache. Cash Out allows you to collect your winnings, even if one or two legs of your accumulator are still in-play. Unfortunately, Sportingbet UK don’t offer partial cash out, however, the cash out process is extremely straightforward and the value can be found on your betting slip. 

Sportingbet Live Streaming

If you’re placing in-play bets, it’s always advised to closely follow your chosen event in order to spot any sudden shifts in momentum. Luckily, Sportingbet live streaming service offers you the chance to watch hundreds of live sporting events each week. Whether you follow football, table tennis, volleyball, tennis, snooker or ice hockey, there are plenty of live streaming options and you only need to have a positive account balance in order to access these high-quality streams.

Sportingbet Bet Builder

Sadly, the Bet Builder function is currently restricted to football markets, however, it is a great way of constructing your perfect bet ahead of the big game. If you’re settling down in front of the TV and you fancy mixing and matching your markets, then this is the perfect way to keep across all of the action.

As we’ve previously mentioned in our Sporting Bet review, one of the most important areas for any sports betting site is to ensure that they are able to offer a wide variety of sports betting markets. UK punters will have a vast array of sporting interests, so it’s essential that online sportsbooks showcase a diverse range of betting opportunity. We’ve taken a look at some of the key sports betting markets offered by Sporting Bet.  

SportingBet Football 

Football is the most popular sport in the UK and Sportingbet UK have ensured that football punters have plenty of leagues and competitions to choose from. The ‘Today’s Football’ menu provides an opportunity to browse upcoming games and there is an impressive range of live in-play opportunities each day.  
Sporting Bet have put together a comprehensive list of football price boosts, so even if there are very few top flight matches taking place, there are always plenty of boosts and value picks available. ‘Team Specials’ is a decent addition with multiple ante-post markets also listed on the site.  

SportingBet Horse Racing  

Horse racing remains extremely popular with UK punters and Sporting Bet have priced up all UK and Irish meetings. There are also odds for South African and French racing throughout the day whereas some US meetings are also made available each evening. The ‘Future and Specials’ section boasts an impressive range of ante-post markets for major upcoming races.  

Sporting Bet Basketball  

Fans of US Sports can find a range of markets listed with both the NBA and College Basketball featuring prominently. The live betting markets are available throughout the match and there is also coverage of key matches from Asia and South America. The Basketball coupon is a great way of browsing all upcoming contests.  

Sporting Bet Tennis   

Although at the time of writing (December 2022), there was very little elite tennis taking place, I was still impressed by the range of tennis markets listed on the site. Live betting is extremely popular with tennis bettors and this was reflected in the extensive range of in-play markets. They also offer sufficient ante-post markets for upcoming Grand Slams and some player-specific specials for the upcoming season.

It is important to weigh up a number of factors before deciding which online betting site to sign up for. From free bets to casino bonuses, it’s absolutely essential that you take everything into account before finalising your decision. Arguably one of the most important aspects is the variety of betting markets and types of bet. Thankfully, Sportingbet UK have several of these available to UK punters.  

Sportingbet Betting Markets: 

In-Play Betting – Sportingbet have an impressive range of in-play betting opportunities. Sometimes, it’s far better to wait until a match has kicked off before opting to place a bet. There are additional in-play markets, which aren’t available pre-match, and Sportingbet occasionally offer enhancements and boosts on live markets.  

Ante-Post Betting – If you’re a long-term thinker and you want to ensure that your bets are placed early, then the ante-post markets are the ideal way to look ahead to upcoming events. There are ample horse racing ante-post markets, with odds available on all races at the Cheltenham Festival and for key races such as the King George and the Grand National. Ante-post betting is also available for upcoming tournaments as well as ongoing events such as the Champions League and NFL Conferences.  

Sportingbet Types of Bets Available 

Forecast / Tricast – This is a market which is available for horse racing and greyhound racing fans. It is a particularly popular way of betting on small field races. Predicting to first two horses or greyhounds past the post is difficult, however, if there is an odds-on favourite who appears destined to succeed, then this is a brilliant way of enhancing your returns.  

Accumulators – Football punters are particularly keen on placing accumulators each weekend and Sportingbet make it simple to create multiple bets. They also offer boosts, enhancements and pre-selected accumulators on their site. Accumulators provide a fantastic way to potentially land a significant sum for a small outlay. Sportingbet’s coupon page makes it simple to build an accumulator in a matter of minutes.  

Handicap Betting – Handicap markets are a handy way of backing an overwhelming favourite to win comfortably or predicting that an underdog will keep it close and potentially take something from the game. There are a variety of different handicap markets available and can be applied to football, basketball or American football markets.

Here at Mansionbet UK, we’re fully aware that the majority of modern bettors now tend to place the majority of their wagers via their smartphone or tablet. As a result, producing a high-quality mobile app is vitally important. Luckily, Sportingbet has done exactly that.

It is extremely straightforward to download and install with the entire process taking less than minutes to complete. We enjoyed the simplicity of the mobile app and it has many similarities to its desktop equivalent. This level of continuity is important. 

Although we enjoyed the clutter-free nature of the mobile app, we were irked by one of two technical gremlins which resulted in the sudden closure of the app. Although this failed to spoil our enjoyment of betting with Sportingbet UK, it did leave us a little frustrated.

📣 "Enjoy loads of special features on the Sportingbet mobile betting app."

Nevertheless, there is a vast array of markets available on the mobile app and you can also enjoy features such as Cash Out, Bet Builder and Live Streaming on your handheld device.

If you’re craving simplicity then this betting app is perfect. Although it is ideal for newcomers, as experienced bettors, we enjoyed betting with Sportingbet UK and were unable to pick out too many faults with this unfussy, yet highly polished mobile app.

Although it isn’t the particularly straightforward, the Sportingbet welcome bonus is fairly unique. Upon signing up for an account, you must complete a series of challenges in order to earn the rewards. There are £50 in free bet, 20 free spins, an odds boost token as well as a £10 casino bonus up for grabs.

If you can complete the challenges, the prizes are extremely rewarding. There is an extra £20 free bet available for those who complete all four.

It is worth pointing out that it’s essential that you read the Ts and Cs carefully before getting started as any missteps or incorrect staking may result in the welcome bonus being voided.

Overall, the welcome bonus is decent and rewarding, but if you are looking for a straightforward deposit bonus, then it may be best to look elsewhere.

There aren’t a huge amount of ongoing promotions and bonuses available for existing players although Sportingbet UK do offer best odds guaranteed and enhanced accumulators. All of the information can be found in the promotions section of their site.

The Sportingbet online casino is impressively well-stocked and fans of slots and table games will be able to find plenty to keep them busy. Although the list of software providers could potentially be expanded, many of their most popular games are powered by established providers such as NetEnt, Play’n’ Go and BetSoft.   

The design and layout of this online casino is a little basic, however, if you aren’t particularly bothered about an all-singing all-dancing interface, then this online casino still has plenty to offer. Although we primarily used the desktop site, the Sportingbet casino is also available on mobile devices, however, you will have to download a separate app as it isn’t currently accessible via the mobile sportsbook.  

Sportingbet’s online casino may lack regular ongoing promotions, however, if you play often enough, you can unearth plenty of free spins and daily drops and weekly wins are commonplace. The wagering requirements on the majority of these bonuses are fairly low compared to other online casinos, so it’s often easier to collect your winnings if you’ve managed to strike it lucky during your opening few spins.  

There are hundreds of slots to choose from with Sportingbet UK regularly adding new title to their expansive collection. The table games are also plentiful, although the majority of these are variants of roulette or blackjack. There are some video poker games, although these are disappointingly limited.

One of the best aspects of the Sportingbet casino is the live dealer games. You can immerse yourself in a variety of live variants of blackjack and roulette whilst simultaneously interacting with fellow players and the live dealer. The setting is extremely realistic and it’s a great way of recreating a visit to the land-based casino.  

The Sportingbet casino isn’t going to win any awards for ingenuity or for style, but it is a solid and dependable online casino which offers a wide range of top class games and a decent array of offers and free spins.

When it comes to banking options, Sportingbet UK has a fairly solid list of options available. Whether you’re happy to deposit using your VISA debit card or whether you prefer the relative anonymity of using an e-wallet, the majority of financial situations are catered for.

It is extremely straightforward to make a deposit and accounts are funded instantly. 

When it comes to making a withdrawal, Sportingbet UK made it relatively straightforward to complete this process. Although their withdrawal times are fairly standard, we were delighted to receive our winnings within 48 hours using an e-wallet. However, if you opt to withdraw using a different method, you may have to wait up to five business days. However, in some cases, VISA users may be eligible for the Faster Funds Pay-out and this enables transactions to be completed within a couple of hours.

Although they could potentially add one or two additional methods (Apple Pay and Bitcoin), depositing and withdrawing with Sportingbet UK is exceptionally straightforward.

Regrettably, Sportingbet UK customer support is one of its weakest areas. Although the email service is speedy and efficient, the live chat function is disappointing and only operates for 12 hours. In addition, you often speak to a bot before being connected to an operative.

Nevertheless, the operatives are friendly and professional in our experience, however, they aren’t readily available and it often takes a while to resolve queries due to the lack of availability.

If you prefer to use their dedicated telephone line, then this is a far more preferential way to speak directly to an operator.

Now you’ve finished reading our Sportingbet review and you’ve taken all of our thoughts into consideration, you’ll probably be keen to sign up for an account. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to getting started.  

How to open an account with Sportingbet 

If you’re keen to sign up for an account with Sportingbet and claim their £50 of free bets, then you’ll be pleased to hear that the registration process is simple and straightforward.  

By clicking the dark blue ‘registration’ button on the right hand side of the home page, you’ll be asked to submit details such as DOB, home address before choosing a secure and memorable password.  

Once these have been submitted, you’ll be asked to check your emails and click the verification link to complete the process.  

• Visit sportingbet.com and click ‘register’. This can be located on the top right hand side of the home page.   
• Follow each of the steps by submitting your personal details.  
• Once this has been completed, it is advised to refresh your emails.  
• Once the confirmation email arrives, click the verification link. This will take your back to sportingbet.com  
• You are now ready to make a deposit and begin betting.  

How to place a bet with Sportingbet 

In order to begin completing the welcome challenges and claim you £50 in free bonuses, you’ll need to make an initial deposit. Luckily, It’s extremely simple to fund your Sportingbet account.  

• Browse the various sports markets. Use the A-Z menu if you can’t find any shortcuts on the home page 
• Take a look at the upcoming fixtures and click on your chosen event.  
• Once you’ve found the odds that you’re searching for, click on the price and this will be added straight to your betting slip. This will automatically appear on the right hand side of the page.  
• Check that you are happy with these details and press ‘place bet’. If you’re betting in-play, your bet make take up to five seconds to process.  

How to Make a Deposit with Sportingbet 

In order to place a bet with Sportingbet, you’ll need to make an initial deposit of at least £10.  

• Log in to your account and click on ‘Deposit’. This can be found on the top right hand side of the home page.  
• You’ll be redirected to the ‘add deposit method’ menu. Here, you can choose your preferred payment.  
• Once you have clicked this, you’ll be asked to submit your payment details and choose the amount that you’d like to deposit.  
• Click ‘Deposit £XX’ at the bottom of the page to complete the process.
• This will be immediately credited to your account.  

How to Withdraw Money from Sportingbet  

If you’ve managed to find a few winners or you’ve successfully landed an accumulator, you’ll undoubtedly be keen to withdraw your winnings.

Luckily, Sportingbet make it simple to withdraw your money from your account.  

• Click on your balance on the top right hand side of the page.  
• You’ll be asked to confirm the amount that you’d like to withdraw.  
• You’ll also be asked to confirm your preferred withdrawal method.  
• Once you are happy with these details, click ‘Withdraw £XX’. This will be deducted from your balance.   
• Once this has been completed, you will receive your winnings within 3-5 working days.   

How to Claim Your Free £50 Welcome Bonus

As our Sportingbet review has outlined, this online sportsbook offer all new players the chance to complete a series of challenges which will unlock up to £50 in free bets and casino bonuses. Once you have signed up for an account, you’ll be prompted by a number of message containing further details on the qualifying process.  

• Sign up for an account and complete the registration process.  
• Check your inbox. You should have received an email detailing the four welcome challenges.  
• These challenges include placing £10+ on any football market and betting on an accumulator of three or more selections.   
• Once each challenge has been completed, you will receive your bonus money within 24 hours of settlement. You will receive an additional bonus if you are able to complete all four challenges.