Skip to main content

Best Sports Betting Apps & Sites for Beginners: Our Top Picks 2026

Richard Trenchard

Richard Trenchard

Last updated 23 Dec 2025

Want to use the best betting app for beginners to ensure a positive gambling experience in 2026? Check out our guide to ensure you enjoy betting on your smartphone, just like most people in the UK do. Our smartphones offer unrivalled convenience and access, with dedicated apps making placing a bet as easy as possible. We’ve highlighted the best sports betting apps for beginners to ensure you can get started with ease and stop missing out.

List of Best Betting Apps for Beginners

Compact view
  • Claim a welcome bonus when you join.
  • Registration is quick, easy and secure.
  • Deposit and withdraw using a range of trusted methods.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 day

Apps
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
  • Strong and trustworthy brand reputation.
  • Generous welcome bonus for new players.
  • Lots of sports, competitions and teams to bet on.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 day

Apps
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days and bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders and 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.”
Best Offer
  • Free bet credits for new players.
  • Price boosts and cashback for existing members.
  • Instant deposits and quick withdrawals.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

Apps
For new customers at bet365. 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. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. 18+
  • Available online and as a physical store.
  • Offer several markets and competitive odds.
  • Provide regular betting insights and tips.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 day

Apps
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
  • Free bets for new players.
  • Ongoing bonuses for existing players.
  • Instantly deposit funds and quickly withdraw winners.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

Apps
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Bet Builder+ T&Cs apply.
  • SpreadEx’s sports spread betting.
  • A variety of live streams are available regularly.
  • Various promotions available.
Payment methods
Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.
  • Large range of betting markets and competitive odds.
  • Ongoing promotions and games.
  • Enhanced places on horse racing for each-way bets.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

0 - 5 days

New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
  • Competitive odds and markets across football and horse racing.
  • Ongoing and regular promotions.
  • Several welcome bonuses to choose from.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

2 - 10 days

New customers only. Place a min £10 bet at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way.
  • A welcome bonus for new customers.
  • Ongoing promotions for existing bettors.
  • A wide range of sports, competitions, and markets.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 4 days

Apps
18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet min £5 (up to £40) on Sports at 1/1+ odds within 3 days of registration. Should your first bet lose, get your initial stake up to £40 Free Bets for set markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
  • Competitive odds and markets across many sports and events.
  • Features like ‘0% margin’ and ‘Bore Draw’ options.
  • Data-driven insights are available for select sports to enhance decisions.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

1st deposit only. Min deposit £10. Max bonus £10. Min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max winnings £100. 5-days bonus expiry. User Agreement and Bonus T&Cs apply. +18 gambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
  • Competitive odds and markets across many sports and events.
  • Features like ‘0% margin’ and ‘Bore Draw’ options.
  • Data-driven insights are available for select sports to enhance decisions.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

T&C Applies to users registered 26/01/2026 or later | Deal ends on 31/01/2026, 8:00 PM BWT | No wagering requirements apply | Max stake £25 | General T&Cs apply”al T&Cs apply
  • All new players qualify for free bets.
  • Gamble on a user-friendly website or modern mobile app.
  • Bet on over 200 pre-match and live markets in every Premier League match.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 5 days

Apps
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via cards and Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

88%

18+ New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. No cash out. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses (from first bet settlement until 23:59) as a Free Bet up to £25, valid for 7 days. Min. 3 bets on different events required, with 2 bets being at least 50% of your largest stake. Place at least 1 bet of £10+ at odds 2.00+ to receive a £5 Free Bet even if your account is up or losses are under £5. T&Cs Apply. GambleAware.org. Gamble Responsibly.
  • Free bet for new players.
  • Bet pre-match or live.
  • Cash out your bets on the website or mobile site.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 day

Apps
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit and bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+
  • Betfair offers a diverse range of betting markets across various sports.
  • Betting exchange to bet against other members.
  • Many deposit and withdrawal methods available.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 5 days

Apps
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
  • Free bet for new customers.
  • Profit boosts for winning players.
  • Free horse racing livestream.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

Apps
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€10 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€10 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. 
  • Welcome bonus for new players.
  • Generous odds on football and sports.
  • Wide range of betting markets.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

0 - 3 days

Available to verified customers residing in the UK. Opt-in is required. Place your first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/1 on any sports market within 7 days of registering. Get £30 in Free Bets (2 x £10 Horse Racing Free Bet + 1 x £10 Football Acca Free Bet) T&Cs apply. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.
  • New customers qualify for a generous welcome bonus.
  • Existing customers enjoy several recurring promotions.
  • Securely deposit funds and withdraw winnings.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 5 days

Apps
T&Cs: 18+, New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. T&Cs Apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
  • Welcome bonus offered to all new players.
  • Competitive odds on Premier League football.
  • Betting available on a wide range of popular sports.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

Apps
18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile device or app, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
  • Large number of sports and specials covered.
  • Wide range of sports live streamed.
  • Regular Odds Boosts offered.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

Apps
18+| GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit and Bet £10+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £30 in Free Bets within 7 days. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.
  • Generous welcome bonus for new customers.
  • Ongoing promotions for existing players.
  • Fast and secure deposits and withdrawals.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 - 3 days

Apps
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply.
  • Comprehensive market offering.
  • Insightful Blog and Bet Calculator.
  • Regular prizes with free-to-enter competitions.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 day

Apps
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. gambleaware.org l Please gamble responsibly
  • Free bets for new players.
  • Ongoing bonuses and promotions.
  • Bet using your laptop or mobile.
Payment methods
Withdrawal

1 day

Apps
New cust only. Deposit and Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+BeGambleAware.org T&Cs Apply.

Table of contents

  1. 1.Our Top Recommended Betting Apps for Beginners
  2. 2.What Makes a Betting App Beginner-Friendly?

Our Top Recommended Betting Apps for Beginners

If you’re wondering what the best sports betting app for beginners is, then you’re onto a winner here. We’ve listed the options that we recommend as the best in the UK for punters, using a specific methodology.

We recommend reviewing the list we have curated below to help you make an informed decision about which betting apps best suit your preferences

Still a relatively new operator for UK players, 7Bet has emerged as a top option for bettors seeking more. The operator has a host of markets to wager...

Overall rating
91%

Betfair’s a world-renowned sportsbook, offering bettors in the UK a competitive offering. They feature thousands of markets across many sports, with o...

Overall rating
85%

Dabble is one of the newest sportsbooks to enter the UK betting industry, and they’ve already looked to make a huge difference in it. Dabble focuses o...

Overall rating
89%

What Makes a Betting App Beginner-Friendly?

What is the methodology we use and the criteria examined? We’ve analysed and ranked them based on their simple design, easy sign-up process, usability, and the mobile bonuses they offer.

Continue reading to learn why we analyse these steps in detail and how they can make a betting app friendly for beginners…

A High-Quality, Fast Mobile App

We analyse the best betting sites for beginners based on their app and its quality. If it is easy to use, available on your respective app store (Apple Store or Google Play), and runs smoothly without crashing, we’ll rank it as one of the best betting apps for beginners.

It’s important to be able to use it quickly and without experiencing any technical issues. With betting being an instant activity, any potential issues can cause problems that can negate any session that is being enjoyed.

A Simple & Clear Welcome Bonus

Some betting apps offer exclusive bonuses, making it easier to claim welcome offers compared to their desktop alternatives. These promotions can be incredibly effective in offering you value and maximising any session.

A simple UK betting app should make it straightforward to claim the bonus, and we want you to achieve this without trouble.

Easy Navigation and Bet Slip

As noted, betting can be influenced by timing. Those who enjoy in-play betting need to make decisions and place bets in seconds. To do this, you need an app that is easy to use.

You need to be able to find the sports and events you want to wager on immediately, while also being in a position to place a bet quickly. We only list the betting apps that allow you to place a bet quickly within a few taps. We also only highlight those with a betting slip that is easy to understand and use.

A Closer Look: Why We Recommend These Apps

If you’re trying to find the best betting apps for beginners and you want some advice and help about which to select, we’ve identified two that we believe to be among the very best on the market.

Having completed our tests and observed through our own experiences, we’ve highlighted the following UK sportsbooks as those with easy-to-use betting apps:

With football being the most popular market with UK punters, Bet365 arguably has the best football betting app for beginners. Indeed, they have an exceptionally smooth and simple layout that works for all sports, making them one of the very best around.

The app’s layout is fresh and clean, with clutter kept to a minimum. This makes it very simple to select the event you want to wager on. Once you do, you’ll be presented with several markets where you can tap the screen once on the chosen odds before setting your stake and confirming your bet. It only takes a moment to do so, making it perfect for in-play betting.

If you want to take advantage of bet builder features or create an accumulator, Bet365’s betting slip facilitates this with ease, too. Simply add your selections, place your stake, and hit confirm!

Bet365 Pros and Cons

  • Free bet credits for new players.
  • Price boosts and cashback for existing members.
  • Instant deposits and quick withdrawals.
  • HQ-quality live stream of major sports.
  • Bet Builder, in-play, live betting and other features.
  • Certain payment methods don’t qualify for the bonus.
  • The live stream doesn’t cover some sports.
Overall rating
98%

Bonus Offers & Free Bets

98%

Usability, Look & Feel

98%

Mobile App

97%

Payment Methods

97%

Customer Service

98%

Licence & Security

100%

Rewards & Loyalty Program

98%

98%

For new customers at bet365. 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. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. 18+

The BetVictor app is a strong candidate in the race to have the best betting app for beginners, alongside Bet365. Like its competitor, they use a clean layout that isn’t cluttered with unhelpful information, making navigation easy.

They focus on several sports, with horse racing and football a priority. They include many beginner-friendly features, including the ability to make complex bets simple. Like Bet365, simply find your chosen event, tap on the market that you want to place, and then set your stake and confirm the bet on the betting slip.

BetVictor also offers plenty of promotions that are simple to access from the app, adding to the overall experience that makes this one of the best for beginners!

BetVictor Pros and cons

  • Comprehensive market offering.
  • Insightful Blog and Bet Calculator.
  • Regular prizes with free-to-enter competitions.
  • Limited live streaming.
  • Standard offering that doesn’t provide unique features.
Overall rating
78%

Bonus Offers & Free Bets

79%

Usability, Look & Feel

78%

Mobile App

77%

Payment Methods

75%

Customer Service

80%

Licence & Security

86%

Rewards & Loyalty Program

72%

78%

18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. gambleaware.org l Please gamble responsibly

Meet the Author

Richard Trenchard

Richard Trenchard

Sports Betting Writer (Flashscore)

We're delighted to have Richard on board at Flashscore. Offering a wealth of experience, Rich used to be a national newspaper and sports journalist before focussing entirely on the igaming and sports betting spheres. That means he is able to combine super sharp editorial instinct and crisp content with a wealth of information, having worked with some of the biggest names in the business over the past decade. So, when you see Rich's name on an article, you know it's packed information you can trust. Whether it's information on a particular casino, betting terms explained, betting tips, the best betting sites around, or anything else, Rich has got your back.

FAQ

Is it better to use a betting app or a website?

A betting app is typically better, but a website can also be used just as effectively.

Are betting apps free to download?

Yes, almost all betting apps are free to download.

How much space will a betting app take on my phone?

A minimal amount of space is required on your device to download a betting app. Check the requirements of each app within the Store, as each one can be different.

Can I sign up and deposit directly within the app?

Yes, it is possible to create an account and add funds directly in the app.

Are betting apps safe and secure?

Yes, betting apps are safe and secure. They may use biometric technology for secure logins. At the same time, they have implemented security measures required by the UKGC, as per the bookmaker’s licence, to protect data and transactions.

Latest Betting Tips

See all

More from Betting

See all

Share this article