Looking for the best online bookmaker with a broad menu of live odds, sports markets and in-play (running) betting bonuses? Bet live with the best UK sites and enjoy the latest prices as they change with William Hill or bet365 in UK. Watch football or horse racing live and get the biggest live betting odds and new customer offers, including odds boost promotions. You can even claim free bets to use on football or other sports betting markets of your choice.
Top 7 UK Sites for Live and In-Play Betting
- Bet365 Sport – 105+ live betting markets; automatic payouts for two-goal leads. Code: 365GMBLR for UK.
- BetVictor – Detailed live stats, dynamic pricing, and streaming.
- 10Bet – Quick access, focused on football and horse racing. Get £30 in free bets.
- Betway – User-friendly, bet builder for custom wagers.
- Ladbrokes – Fast interface, comprehensive in-play stats and markets.
- Betfred – Quality-focused, limited but excellent live streams.
- SBK – Massive in-play variety, top mobile app, live tips. Get a new customer bonus in a free bet.
The biggest change in betting over the last few years has been the emergence of betting on events as they happen (“in-running” or live betting). Facilitated by the ubiquity of the smart-phone, punters are now able to watch a game of football, rugby or cricket unfold and then make a bet on any number of eventualities, based on how the game is going.
In football, the most popular live betting markets are the number of corners and bookings that each team receive. Bettors can make instant considered judgements on what they see happening in the game and wager accordingly. With most UK licensed online bookmakers now operating smart-phone Apps, the opportunity to follow changing odds in-running has never been greater. The safe and secure depositing of funds and the ease of withdrawal of winnings also fosters a sense of security and comfort. In-running/live betting can also offers “hedging” opportunities for bettors who are sitting on potentially winning positions. It allows them to lock-in profits rather than risk all on the outcome of a final selection in an accumulator.
Best In-Play Bookmakers Compared
Most UK online betting sites now offer in-play betting (or live betting odds) as standard. Find in-play betting strategies, live statistics, in-play odds witrh match tracking and head-to-heads for tennis, boxing, hockey, football (including World Cup offers) or cricket and bet in-running while you watch the live stream. You can even claim exclusive live in-play bonuses to make your bankroll go further.
| Bookmaker | Streams & Live Betting Odds | In-Play Bonus |
| bet365 | Football, tennis, horse racing (At the Races, Racing TV) | Best odds on televised horse racing |
| William Hill | WHTV – horse racing, greyhound racing, football, tennis, cricket, basketball, darts, volleyball | 10% cashback on losses |
| BetFred | Football, tennis, snooker | Double goalscorer odds |
- bet365: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets. Code 365GMBLR18+, GambleAware.org.
New Bet365 Customers Only. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. The bonus code 365GMBLR can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply
Read Bet365 Review365GMBLR - BetFred Bonus: Bet £10, Get £50 in Bonuses18+, GambleAware.org.
New customers only. Register with SUMMER50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get Free Bets: £20 In-Play, £20 Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Read Betfred ReviewSUMMER50 - Betway Sports New Customer Offer: £30 in Free Bet18+, GambleAware.org.
New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. . Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply.
Read Betway Review - All British Sports Bonus: Always 10% Cashback18+, GambleAware.org.
New players only. Minimum deposit and bet is requried for a cashback bonus. Terms apply.
Read All British Casino Review - MrPlay Sport Bonus: £15 in Free Bets18+, GambleAware.org.
Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible.
Read Mr Play ReviewBGPLAY - SBK Bonus: £30 in Free Bet. Promo Code BRITISHG3018+, GambleAware.org.New UK customers only. Min £10 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5 and get £10 upon settlement. Further £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours and a further £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Full T&Cs apply.Read SBK ReviewBRITISHG30
- 18+, GambleAware.org.
New customers only. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Golf and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.
Read Fitzdares Review - Get 50% Back as a Free Bet up to €/£35 Plus 10 Free Spins!18+, GambleAware.org.
Valid for new UK/IE players. Deposit and bet on any Sportsbook markets of your choice today (horse racing, football, tennis, darts etc) at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. If your account has Sportsbook losses at the end of your first day’s betting (23:59), we’ll refund 50% of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to €/£35 (normally €/£25) plus, you get 10 Free Spins on Smoking Hot Fruit Stacks (minimum 3 bets required). Even if your account is up, you’re guaranteed a €/£5 Free Bet plus 10 Free Spins provided you place at least 1 bet of €/£10 or greater at minimum odds evens (2.00) or greater. T&Cs Apply.
Read QuinnBet Review
How In-Play Sports Betting Works
In-play betting lets you place wagers in real time while a match is still taking place. You can place a bet after a goal is scored or a team is enjoying a period of possession. The live betting odds-makers will automatically update the bookmaker’s prices accordingly.
Plus, you can follow a game live via the bookmaker’s exclusive stream. You may need to make a qualifying bet to gain access, but it’s a great way of watching games that aren’t available on TV.
In-Play Lobby
An online sports betting site will display all available in-play markets under the In-Play tab or via the individual sport. You can also browse by date to find all available markets for the days or weeks ahead.
Match Tracker
Most online bookmakers offer a match tracker which lets you follow the game information. The bookie uses a graphic visualiser displaying the live score and stats such as number of attacks, shots on target and possession percentage.
Live Stream
Some online bookmakers also provide live streams on sports such as football, horse racing and tennis. You may need a positive account balance to watch live streams or to have made a recent wager.
Accepting In-Game Live Odds
In-play odds change all the time to reflect the match score and statistics. After a goal or major event in the game, the entire market may be taken down briefly so that odds can update. Any updated odds will also show up on your betting slip. You must click on the ‘Accept Changes’ button to allow the change in price.
In-Play Sports Betting Markets
With in-play betting odds, you can place real-time wagers on the outcome of the game as it happens (live). You can bet on the full-time result or match winner. However, you can also make quick bets at in-game live odds on specific moments in the game, such as next goal-scorer or team to receive a red card in a football match.
Cash Out
Many bookmakers also provide a Cash Out service on your bets. You can opt to settle your bet early and take a lower payout, rather than wait for the game to finish.
Some online betting sites also allow a Partial Cash-Out. You can settle some of your bet early and let the remainder ride.
In-Play Bonuses & Free Bets
Get free bets and other promos when you use in-play betting options at bet365 or William Hill. Most online bookies offer some sort of dedicated in-play bonus. These deals are reserved for anyone making an in-running wager. For instance, you may be able to claim money back on a portion of your losses. This deal is normally restricted to real-money bets rather than losses on free bets. You may also get odds boosts on televised races, NFL, NBA, MLB, EPL games, Boxing, Football, UFC and other sports at Unibet, 888Sport, Betfair, Grosvenor and other betting apps/sites with in-play betting markets.
In-Play Sport Betting FAQs
Of course. You can bet in-running on football, tennis or US sports for real money while watching the game.
Yes! The top online bookmakers provide live streams of games or a graphic visualiser so you can follow the action as it unfolds.
Absolutely. The Cash Out function lets you settle a bet early and take a profit before the game finishes. Some bookmakers also offer a Partial Cash Out service.