How to Start Betting in the UK (Step-by-Step for Total Beginners)

Betting on sports is hugely popular in the UK. For many fans, it is an essential, fun part of the week. However, if you are new to betting on sport, you might have a lot of questions. In this article, we explain how to bet on sports online if you are a total beginner.

Is Betting Legal in the UK?

Betting is legal in the UK. Generally speaking, the UK is considered one of the biggest and best-regulated betting markets in the world. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates all betting sites in this country. Only sportsbooks and casinos (and other betting sites) with a UKGC licence can legally accept bets from UK customers. We strongly advise punters to ignore unlicensed operators or those without a UKGC licence.

However, as long as you are 18 or over and use a licensed bookie, sports betting is 100% legal in the UK. Moreover, all winnings are tax-free. And even better than that, you do not need to report them to HMRC.

Understanding the Basics of Betting

Betting is a simple process whereby punters try to predict the outcome of a future event. That might be a football match, a horse race, a golf tournament or even who will win an Oscar. It is, by definition, risky. If you predict things right, the bookie will pay you money. The amount of this is determined by pre-agreed odds. However, if you are wrong, the bookmaker keeps the amount you bet. This is called your stake.

What is a bookmaker?

A bookmaker is someone who accepts bets from punters. While punters place, or back, bets, the bookmakers “lay” them. They offer odds on various events happening, such as a horse winning a race, a footballer scoring a goal or a tennis player winning a tournament. If you win your bet, they pay out according to the agreed odds, or prices. However, if you don’t win, your bet loses and the bookmaker keeps your stake.

Odds explained (fractional vs decimal)

Odds determine how much the bookmaker pays you if your bet wins. Bookies can express them in different ways. However, fractional odds and decimal odds are the two most common systems in the UK.

In fractional betting odds, a price of 2/1 means that if you bet £1 and win, you would get £2 in winnings (profit) plus your £1 stake. In decimal odds, this is written as 3.0 and the 3 relates to your total return from a £1 bet.

Bookmakers calculate the odds based on their assessment of the likelihood of a selection winning. They also consider how much money they have accepted on the various teams or players. Generally speaking, the more likely a pick is to win, the shorter the odds.

Types of bets

There are many different types of bets you can make. These can be placed on most sports and all have their own pros and cons.

• Singles – A single is the most basic bet possible. It is a straightforward wager on a single selection to win.
• Accumulators – Accumulators (accas) take a number of separate and unrelated selections and combine them into one bet. A double is the smallest acca bet and contains two selections. All legs of an acca must win or your bet loses. However, because of the way the odds multiply, even a small stake can land punters a big win.
• Each-way Bets – An each-way bet is two bets rolled into one. A £5 each-way bet costs £10. £5 is a single on the named selection to win. The other £5 is on the same selection to “place”. For example, in horse racing it might be for the horse to finish in the top three, or in golf a player to make the top five.
• Bet Builders – Bet builders can be viewed as “same-game accas”. They combine several selections from the same match, and again all must win.

Choosing a UK Betting Site

Learning how to bet online (and potentially make money) starts with choosing a great bookmaker. We only work with the best bookies in the UK and here are the key factors to consider:

• UKGC licence – only sites with a UKGC licence are legally allowed to accept UK customers.
• Promotions and bonuses – betting sites that offer customers a good range of promos, bonuses and free bets tend to give punters the best value and fun.
• Payment methods – it is vital that the site you choose offers the payment methods you will want to use.
• Mobile apps – the best sites offer slick apps for Android and iOS.
• Live betting – if you like betting during the game, choose a betting site with excellent live betting coverage.
• Customer support – 24/7 live chat customer support is the gold standard. If you have any issues, this means you can sort them quickly and easily.

Creating Your First Betting Account

Knowing how to bet is one thing. However, you’ll need to open an account first. Follow these steps.

1. Click a link on this site to visit your preferred bookmaker.
2. Click “Join Now”.
3. Enter basic personal information.
4. You may need to provide ID as part of industry-standard Know Your Customer regulations.
5. Set a deposit limit when you join to gamble responsibly.
6. Enter card or e-wallet details to make a deposit.

How to Place Your First Bet

Whether you want to know how to bet on football (UK or global), or just how to place a bet online generally, we will explain it all.

1. Navigate to the sport and match you want to bet on.
2. Choose the market and selection.
3. Click on the odds to add this to your betting slip.
4. Repeat this process for accas or other multiples.
5. Enter your stake in the betting slip.
6. Check everything is correct.
7. Last, click confirm or place bet.

Understanding Betting Promotions

Almost all betting sites offer free bets and other betting promotions. However, these come in many different forms. Generally, welcome offers are free bets. However, these are not totally “free”, and you must usually place a qualifying wager first. The best bookmakers offer money back promotions, loyalty schemes, “bet-and-get” freebies, enhanced odds and more.

Generally, these are simple and straightforward. However, it is important to understand the key Ts and Cs. Qualifying bets may have minimum odds or expiry dates. Moreover, the same may be true of the bonus, which could also have wagering requirements.

Essential Beginner Betting Tips

Although betting should always be fun, it is certainly more fun when you win. Therefore, check out our beginner betting tips to help you.

• Start small – you might know how to bet. However, sticking to small stakes until you are more confident can help you avoid costly mistakes.
• Avoid chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost by betting more and more is the biggest mistake any punter can make.
• Keep betting fun – very few punters can consistently beat the bookies. Consequently, betting should be seen as a fun hobby, not a way to make money.
• Track bets – although betting should be fun, tracking your bets will allow you to learn what does and does not work for you. Moreover, it gives you greater control over your losses and spending.
• Learn before increasing stakes – only stake larger amounts once you fully understand betting.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now understand odds, know what a bookie is and know how to place a bet. Moreover, you understand what to look for in a great betting site. Finally, you understand the key things a beginner should (and should not) do. Remember to always gamble responsibly and bet within your means. We wish you very well on your gambling journey!

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