Totesport
March 20, 2008
Totesport is the fixed odds division of the totepool operation. They are up for sale by the government to the highest bidder and it shall be interesting to see who gets them after the management buyout bid failed. Anyone that likes to bet on the totepool should consider opening an account here. They have in recent months developed a range of new fixed odds bets called Betxtra which offers amongst other new bets, a win only bet, which is aimed at offering an alternative to the betting exchanges as the prices are higher than normal prices as it excludes the place part of the price.
Totesport have a really good horse racing and football service and operate a very functional site. Totesport updated its’ site recently and it now looks fresh and efficient. They offer a standard free bet and the occasional promotion offer.
Free Bet
Standard offer of £25
Promotions
Sometimes
Overall Rating 7/10
Visit the bookmaker Totesport
Stan James
March 19, 2008
Stan James is a business that has emerged as a top player in the online sector over the last 10 years. Stan James has operations in both the UK and Gibraltar and its’ main focus is online and telephone operations. They do have a few retail outlets in the Oxford area but this is not a key element of their business.
Stan James came to prominence through sponsorship of live sporting events in the early days of Sky Sports and they have not looked back. They have a very effective online site with betting markets on all the key events. They provide extensive betting opportunities on Football, Golf and Cricket and are a very good sponsor of UK horse racing for such events as the Stan James King George at Kempton at Christmas and the 2000 and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the first two classics of the year.
Free Bet
They offer a standard £25 free bet.
Promotions
Not very often
Overall Rating
7/10
Visit Stan James
Bet365
March 19, 2008
Bet365 were one of the first online sports betting companies and have developed into a major player in this marketplace. Bet365 is a great name and offers a really top class online site for their customer base. Bet365 covers all the appropriate betting markets covering Football and Horse Racing really well. They have just introduced a new online site, which looks very fresh and has improved speed and ability to get bets on quickly.
Bet365 have a standard free bet offer which also improves at major sporting events during the year. One thing that we like about bet365 is that once they introduce a promotion they stay with it and do not chop and change their offers every couple of weeks.
Free Bet
Bet365 offer £100 in free bets for new customers.
Promotion
Bet365 have standard football and horse racing offers which have been in place in some cases for years.
Overall Rating
8/10
Visit the bookmaker Bet365
VCBet
March 18, 2008
VCbet is a middle ranking private online bookmaker in the UK. They are very well know in the UK and are mainly an online company with a call centre and a few high profile betting shops. Generally their odds are comparible with the industry and the site is very functional and quick to load up and get you to your bet.
One of the main reasons why people like to bet with VCbet is that if you are a large punter they are very happy to lay you a decent bet and this is important for high rollers.
Free Bets.
Their free bet is one of the best online and they currently offer a £100 free bet.
Promotions
VCbet do try hard in this area, with some very good horse racing specials on offer.
Overall Rating
7/10
Visit the bookmaker VCBet
William Hill
March 18, 2008
William Hill is in the top 3 of the UK’s gaming operators. They have a huge presence in the high streets all over Britain and they are a name that many UK sports bettors are familiar with. William Hill were one of the first betting companies to see the opportunity to offer an online sportsbook service.
Only recently have they upgraded their online product as over the years the competition has caught up with them. William Hill is a name that people trust and they do have a good product with excellent betting markets for the online punter. They are very poor at offering free bets and promotions and as such our ranking of them suffers.
Free Bet
Occasionally for big events.
Promotions
Rarely
Overall Rating
6/10
Visit the bookmaker William Hill
Ladbrokes
March 18, 2008
Ladbrokes are another of the major gaming companies in the UK. Ladbrokes also have a really good presence in the high street and it is a name that potential bettors are prepared to open an account with. Ladbrokes have a really excellent online site with all the relevant markets from all sports events around the globe.
Ladbrokes are a listed company on the London Stock exchange and they offer a service to customers, commensurate with what one would expect from such an organisation. Ladbroke have a free bet offer and the occasional promotion to interest their loyal customers
Free Bet
£25 Free Bet, which increases for the big race meetings.
Promotions
These are on offer occassionally
Overall Rating
8/10
Visit the bookmaker Ladbrokes
Betfair
March 18, 2008
Betfair are the leading betting exchange in the UK, where people come together to have bets. This online exchange gives punters the chance to back and lay any sporting market where Betfair have provided a facility to allow bets to trade. Backers can get really good odds and for a commission of around 5% which comes down the more you bet. Betfair allows the regular Joe to be the bookie.
The Betfair service is top class and it provides punters to trade their positions as their in running service is second to none. If you are punting you need to make sure that the price you get is good enough to pay for the commission outlay and this service is mainly for big punters
Free Bets
There is a standard £25 Free Bet Offer.
Promotions
Rarely
Overall Rating
9/10
Visit the betting exchange Betfair
Paddy Power
March 18, 2008
Paddy Power is an online betting site and not an Irish electricity company. Paddy though does have lots of Power as this gaming operator really has a very consumer friendly ethos. Paddy Power have come to prominence in the UK by way of their novel bets such as offering odds on what colour hat the queen will wear each day for Royal Ascot. Paddy Power is the lead betting outfit in Ireland and has quite a number of retail outlets in the UK.
Paddy Power has a top online site, with really novel introductions to all the days’ big sporting events. They have excellent daily horse racing and football money back specials for all the major TV events. They offer a consistent free bet offer and their site worked very efficiently except for one day a Cheltenham a few years back. We’re watching!!
Free Bet
Standard £30 Free bet throughout the year.
Promotions
Excellent horse racing money back offers every day and major TV football offers
Overall Rating
Bookmaker of the Month: Paddy Power
