Best Live Betting Sites & Bookmakers With In-Play Option

Live betting, also commonly referred to as in-play betting, allows bettors to place wagers on events that are currently being played. Bookmakers offer in-play betting markets with dynamic odds that shift with the development of the game. 

In this article, we will cover the top in-play betting sites for 2025. We’ll also discuss how live betting works, how to place an in-play wager and the top betting strategies that you can implement in the live markets.  

Best Live Betting Sites Compared

Compare the best live betting sites by comparing their welcome offers and in-play betting features in the table below. 

Bookmaker	Welcome Offer	In-Play Betting	Live Streaming
BetUK	Bet £10 get £30 in free bets	✓	✓
bet365	Bet £10 get £50 in free bets	✓	✓
Unibet	Bet £20 get £40 in free bets	✓	✓
BoyleSports	Bet £10 get £40 in free bets	✓	✓
William Hill	Bet £10 get £30 in free bets	✓	✓
Parimatch	Money back up to £30	✓	✓
Grosvenor	Stake £10 get double the odds	✓	X
Betway	Money back up to £30 on first acca	✓	✓
LiveScore Bet	Bet £10 get £20 in free bets	✓	✓
SBK	Bet £10 get £30 in free bets	✓	X
Paddy Power	Bet £5 get £30 in free bets	✓	✓
Spreadex	Bet £10 get £40 in free bets	✓	✓

Best Live Betting Markets

There are a variety of betting markets to bet on for live in-play betting and we pick out some of the most popular markets here.

• Match Result – place an in-play bet on the outcome of a match
• Correct Score – assess how the game is going and place an in-play bet on what the final score will be
• Next Goalscorer – a market is available to bet the next goalscorer in a football match
• To Be Shown A Card– there are several card markets for football matches, but the most popular one is a market that allows you to place an in-play bet on a certain player being shown a card
• Corners – you can place bets on how many corners there are going to be in a certain half or during the entire match
• Winner – there is in-play betting on UK & Irish horse racing, so you can place a bet on who is going to win the race

How We Rank The Best Live In-Play Betting Sites

To gain a comprehensive insight into the quality of each live betting site, we evaluate each bookmaker against the following criteria: 

• Live Betting Options – The range of markets is one of the most important factors for any bookmaker. We look at both the sports available and the bet types on offer. 
• Odds Quality – The quality of the odds throughout live events is a great indicator of bookmaker quality. Poor odds are a clear indicator that a bookie isn’t worth signing up for. 
• Live Streaming – The ability to live stream events is a divisive feature offered by most UK bookmakers. Those with extensive live-streaming options are given preferential treatment. 
• User Interface – An intuitive, easy-to-use user interface is imperative to a good live betting experience. We trial both the desktop site and the mobile app (where available) to identify the top performers. 
• Promotions and Bonuses – Existing player promotions are common among UK bookmakers, but not every brand offers them. We’ve favoured those with free bets and odds boosts for in-play events. 
• Customer Support – It’s good to know that you’re in good hands when things aren’t going smoothly. We’ve searched for those sites offering 24/7 live chats, prompt responses and genuinely helpful support. 

We’ve compiled our findings and evaluated real player reviews to create our overall verdicts on the UK’s best bookies for in-play betting.  

How Does In-Play Betting Work? (Live Betting Explained)

In-Play betting allows punters to place bets when a match, game or race is under way. Odds fluctuate throughout a sporting event and especially when the event is already taking place. So, whilst you watch the game and assess what is happening in front of your eyes you can place bets on the contest and this is regarded as In-Play betting.

One popular area of in-play betting takes place during Premier League matches. A 90-minute game of football can turn at any moment and if a team is on top then you could feel the need to place a bet in-play on that team. If a team a goes a goal behind and you fancy the opposition to come back and win the game then the odds for the team losing will be significantly bigger and you will gain more return.

The FA Cup Final is the blue riband event on the football calendar and it’s a match that attracts huge popularity with football bettors. You don’t only have to place in-play bets on the match winner, but you can bet the first goalscorer in-play, correct score or even bet a player to have a shot on target.

Football is very popular with in-play punters, but there’s a plethora of sports you can bet in-play. Some of the most notable ones will be Cricket, Tennis, Rugby Union and Horse Racing. The latter in particular can often prove popular during the Cheltenham Festival, where during the Cheltenham Gold Cup you can place a bet in-play or in-running. The horse racing markets will see odds fluctuate dramatically during a race.

Rules Of In-Play Betting

There are some key rules to remember when in-play betting and we pick out a few of them that will help you learn about in-play betting.

• Place Bets Quickly – odds are changing constantly, so make sure you get the best odds by betting with speed
• Cash Out – The cash out feature can often disappear during in-play betting, so make sure you cash out at the right time
• Odds Boosts – Some bookmakers can offer odds boosts during a match (e.g first goalscorer)

Step-by-step Explanation on How You Can Place an In-Play Bet

After choosing a supporting bookmaker, create an account, make a deposit and navigate to the home page of the betting site. Follow the step-by-step guide below to place the in-play bet:

1. Navigate to the Live or In-Play betting section of your chosen bookmaker. This can usually be found in the main menu.
2. Select a live event from those available from the bookmaker. 
3. Browse the betting markets and, where possible, watch the game via the livestream option. Use the statistics and data supplied to help make an informed decision. 
4. Add your selection to the betslip, enter your stake and confirm your bet. After a short delay, your bet will be placed at the current odds.
5. Monitor your bet from the “My Bets” section. Consider using the “Cash Out” feature for a strategic early exit.  

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for odds boosts, bonuses and additional in-play promotions. 

Most Popular Sports for Live In-Play Betting (Best Bookmakers by Sport)

Certain bookmakers specialise in particular sports and markets, especially when it comes to in-play batting.

Below we’ve narrowed down the best bookmakers for the most popular sports available for live betting. 

1. Football Live Betting

Live football betting is without a doubt the most popular form of in-play betting offered by bookmakers in the UK. 

Bettors can wager on almost every in-play game from the most popular tournaments and leagues to the lesser-known matches around the world. The best live betting sites for football are bulleted below. 

Best Football In-Play Betting Sites

1. Bet365 – Find Bet Boosts, Bet Builders and a wealth of promotions available in the live football markets at Bet365. 
2. Sky Bet – A wide variety of in-play markets are available and they offer a number of odds boosts for live TV matches 
3. Unibet – A long list of betting markets, a live stream and an event feed make Unibet a top choice for those who love event information.

2. Tennis Live Betting

Although not covered in the mainstream year round, tennis is a hugely popular sport offered by UK bookmakers. 

From Wimbledon and the US Open to the Australian Open and the French Open, there are plenty of great tournaments to keep track of. The best in-play betting sites for tennis are listed below. 

Best Tennis In-Play Betting Sites

1. Bet365 – Find the best deals, offers and promotions for all major tennis tournaments with Bet365. 
2. Paddy Power – A plethora of in-play markets are available from backing a point or game winner to betting the final score of a particular game.
3. Spreadex – Place spread bets or navigate the fixed odds offerings available at Spreadex in the tennis markets. 

3. Golf Live Betting

With some of the most powerful sports personalities globally, it’s no surprise that golf is among the most popular sports for live betting.

Bettors can wager on The Masters, The British Open, The Ryder Cup and so much more. The best live betting sites for golf are listed below: 

Best Golf In-Play Betting Sites

1. Paddy Power – Find some of the best in-play golf betting markets covering every round the PGA churns out at Paddy Power. 
2. Bet365 – As always, find the top promotions, odds boosts and a fantastic in-play platform with bet365. With bet365 you are able to see shot-by-shot analysis on PGA and European Tour tournaments.
3. SBK – Download the app and check out some of the top in-play golf markets from SBK. 

4. Cricket Live Betting

Cricket has long been one of the top sports for live betting thanks to huge international matches on the main stage. 

There are plenty of epic tournaments available in the world of cricket, from the ICC Cricket World Cup to the Ashes Series. The best in-play betting sites for cricket can be found below: 

Best Cricket In-Play Betting Sites

1. Spreadex – Place spread bets or head over to the fixed market wagers to find some of the best in-play bets up for grabs.
2. Bet365 – A common theme, bet365 offers some of the very best deals when it comes to in-play betting. Find top odds boosts and so much more from the betting giant. 
3. Betfair – With cash out available during in-play cricket matches, Betfair also have a variety of markets available to bet on.

5. Basketball Live Betting

Basketball is another of the most popular sports for in-play betting fans. 

The NBA has the lion’s share of the top games, but there’s more to see in the Chinese Basketball League and the Olympic Basketball Tournament. The top bookmakers offering in-play betting for basketball are bullet-pointed below: 

Best Basketball In-Play Betting Sites

1. Unibet – Unibet boasts huge amounts of information, great for serious fans looking for strategic wagers. 
2. William Hill – A well-respected and hugely popular bookmaker offering fantastic deals on basketball betting. 
3. Bet365 – Not only do bet365 offer player props betting, but they also offer live streaming of NBA matches.

6. Horse Racing Live Betting

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on and most bookmakers offer live in-play betting during races.

Best Horse Racing In-Play Betting Sites

1. Sky Bet – A wide variety of betting markets are available in-running with Sky Bet and you can also watch the races live through their live streaming section.
2. Paddy Power – Another with live streaming, Paddy Power have in-play betting available that lets you place win bets during a race.
3. Bet365 – You can place in-play horse racing bets with bet365 and they offer the cash out function as well.

7. Rugby Live Betting

Rugby is followed around the world and in-play betting is very popular as the matches can turn at any moment.

Best Rugby In-Play Betting Sites

1. William Hill – Several in-play markets are available with William Hill including next tryscorer and points betting markets.
2. Paddy Power – Throughout the 80 minutes of a rugby game you can place in-play bets on a match whether from the Six Nations or Premiership, as well as Australian and New Zealand rugby.
3. Bet365 – One of the most popular sites for in-play betting, bet365 has a variety of markets available to bettors.

Navigation Suggestions For Users

In-play betting is all about testing your judgement while the game is taking place in front of your eyes. You may adopt to change your view of a match during a game, so while you may have bet a team to win you may not fancy them to secure victory, so you may hedge your bets and bet the other team to win.

One huge bonus is being able to watch the game in-play, so best live streaming betting apps certainly give you an advantage and the real-time betting platforms give you the chance to place your bets quickly.

The dynamic betting odds mean the prices fluctuate throughout the match, so it’s ideal to have a betting platform that has fast-moving odds that are up to date.

Is Live Betting Available on Mobile & Betting Apps?

Yes, live betting is available on mobile and betting apps and is offered by the majority of top UK bookmakers. The downloadable apps offer an improved user interface which makes the often complicated in-play bets much easier to digest and understand. 

Betting apps from bet365, William Hill, and Betway are among some of the most popular and provide a range of features to offer the best possible experience. Find live streams, promotions, and a wealth of betting markets in-app. 

Bonuses & Promotions Offered On Live Betting Sites

Live betting sites regularly offer a range of bonuses and promotions to lure bettors into the live markets. Some of the most popular betting bonuses include: 

• Free bets – Free bets, varying in size, are among the most popular bonuses offered by betting sites. Find these in welcome bonuses, loyalty schemes, major tournaments, etc. 
• Enhanced odds – Enhanced odds inflate the odds of specific selections by bookmakers to create attractive deals. Odds boosts may include a certain team to win or a player to score. 
• Acca insurance – Accumulator (Acca) insurance provides a return when bettors are let down by one or more of their selections in an accumulator. This can be extended as an in-play-only offer. 

In-play bonuses and promotions are dynamic. Check with your favourite bookmaker during major tournaments or big events to see the offers up for grabs. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Live Betting

Live sports betting sites, similar to traditional betting markets, have a list of advantages and disadvantages that players may find. Below are some of the pros and cons of placing in-play wagers with UK bookies. 

Key Advantages of Live Betting

The main advantages of live betting are: 

• Real-time action – Add a level of excitement to play and place wagers on real-time events as they occur. 
• Live Data and Information – Place informed bets with accurate, real-time insight into the form of the team, state of play, current results, etc.  
• Cash-out Option – Benefit from the cash-out option if you notice your team’s performance slip. Keep an informed eye on the state of play to evaluate your wagers. 
• Promotions and Bonuses – Benefit from in-play-focused promotions and bonuses offered by a wide variety of UK bookies. 

Key Disadvantages of Live Betting

The main disadvantages of live betting are: 

• Impulse Betting – Due to the dynamic nature of in-play betting, impulse betting is commonplace to avoid losing out on perceived good deals. 
• Technical Issues – In-play betting has a heavy reliance on technology which may not always perform without fault. Delays and glitches in wagers may occur. 

In-play Betting Tips & Strategies You Should Consider

In-play betting can prove a profitable betting feature, particularly for those who are highly knowledgeable about their chosen sports. Use live data and statistics, momentum shifts and the cash-out feature to maximise potential returns. 

1. Live Data and Statistics 

Many UK bookmakers choose to share the statistics and live data of the in-play games that they offer. Bettors may use this information, alongside the live-streamed video, to make highly informed live sports bets as the action unfolds. 

2. Utilize Cash Out

The cash-out feature is one of the most powerful tools in live betting strategy, offering full control of the wager to the bettor. Strategically use the cash-out function when time is running low and/or your bet looks unlikely to settle as a win. 

3. Momentum Shifts 

A noticeable in-game shift in momentum is one of the most important patterns to recognize when placing live bets. For example, it may be favourable to wager on a losing basketball team that suddenly scores a string of points in quick succession. 

Responsible Live Betting Practices

Gambling responsibly is of utmost importance and all bettors should take the time to understand the tools and resources available to them. At UK-licensed and regulated bookmakers, the following tools should always be available: 

• Deposit limit – A deposit limit allows bettors to set a maximum amount that they are willing to deposit every day, week, or month.  
• Loss limit – A loss limit allows bettors to set a maximum amount that they are willing to lose in the betting markets each day, week, or month. 
• Reality check – A reality check gives bettors an interval-based reminder of the length of time that they have spent on the bookies gaming products. This is user set, often between 20 minutes and two hours.  
• Self-exclusion – The self-exclusion option allows bettors to take a break from the bookmaker’s products from six months to five years. 

A range of other tools and resources offered by each bookmaker can be found on the “Responsible Gambling” or “Safer Gambling” pages at the site. 

Live In-Play Betting FAQs

Have a question about the best live in-play betting sites in the UK? Check out our FAQ below where we aim to answer the most popular questions about the sites. 

Are live betting sites legal?

Yes, sports betting live is completely legal at licensed and regulated UK bookmakers including bet365, Paddy Power, and Unibet. All recommended betting sites on this page are licensed and regulated by the UKGC. 

Are there any risks associated with using a live betting site?

The only risks associated with using live betting sites are related to the wagers placed by the bettors. All licensed and regulated sites adhere to tight rules, focused on keeping players safe. 

Is there a live-streaming delay on betting sites?

Yes, even the best live sports betting sites will have a small live-streaming delay. An additional delay from selecting “place bet” to the bet being placed is normal and should be expected. 

How profitable is live betting?

Live betting has the potential to be highly profitable but carries the same risk as standard sports betting. The dynamic odds can yield a good return for those who notice in-game patterns, but nothing is certain in sports betting.

Which sport is the easiest to bet on live?

Football is widely regarded as the easiest sport to bet on live, in no small part thanks to the live betting apps. Bettors can use the downloaded apps to place in-play football bets during any of the top games. 

How critical is the speed of placing bets in in-play betting?

The speed of placing bets in in-play betting can be highly critical to cementing a great deal. The odds are dynamic in live events and any in-game changes can dramatically lengthen or shorten the odds for your chosen selection. 

Is real-time chat support available on most in-play betting sites?

Yes, real-time chat support is available on most of the top in-play betting sites in the UK. To double-check, simply visit the “Help” section and choose “Contact” to find the methods available. 

Is live betting available on all betting sites?

No, live-in-play betting is not available on all betting sites, but it is available on most. The live betting section can usually be found in the main menu under the “In-play” or “Live” heading. 

Can I cash out during in-play betting?

Yes, the majority of UK bookmakers that offer in-play betting will allow bettors to cash out. To complete an early cash-out, visit the “My Bets” section of your chosen bookmaker and look for the “cash out” option.

Can I do bet builders live?

Yes, some betting platforms allow you to place bet builders during live action. Simply, add the selections to the betslip and place them during the in-play event.