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How To Sign Up At Online Betting Sites

If you're new to online sports betting, before you can place a single bet the first thing you'll need is an account at a UK licenced bookmaker. Don't worry, this isn't a long-winded process. In fact, joining a betting site in the UK is quick and easy.

In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to successfully registering at real money online bookies in the UK, including making sure you provide the right verification details and stay within UK gambling law.

  • Discover how old you need to be to gamble for real money legally
  • Why being on the electoral roll can speed up the sign up process
  • How to tell if the bookmaker you want to join is licenced in Britain

The Sign Up Process Explained

Once you've settled on a secure and trustworthy UK bookmaker to join, the next thing you'll need to do is register for an account. You have to be 18+ to gamble legally in the United Kingdom, whether you're betting online or in person at a land based bookmaker. The betting site will want to verify your age, as well as make sure you are who you say you are.

At a land based bookies the bookmaker can make an assessment of how old they think you are based on sight. If they suspect you're too young to gamble they'll ask you for a form of photo I.D to prove your age. With online bookies, it isn't possible to see the person applying for an account, so verification will need to take place via documentation instead.

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The Sign Up Process Explained

Once you've settled on a secure and trustworthy UK bookmaker to join, the next thing you'll need to do is register for an account. You have to be 18+ to gamble legally in the United Kingdom, whether you're betting online or in person at a land based bookmaker. The betting site will want to verify your age, as well as make sure you are who you say you are.

01

Age Approval

Remember when we said that being on the electoral roll can speed up the process of applying for a betting account online? In the UK you have to be 18 to vote, just as you have to be 18 to gamble legally. So, if you're registered on the electoral roll, the bookmaker will know you're at least 18 years of age. If you aren't on the electoral roll in Britain, perhaps because you're not a UK citizen, then you'll need to verify your age through other means. Namely a form of official photo I.D that lists your date of birth alongside your picture. The most common identifications accepted for age verification include: A driver's licence or provisional licence, A passport, A national I.D card

02

Address Verification

When you register at an online bookies you'll be asked to provide a few personal details about yourself, in addition to your name and date of birth. Namely, your home address in the UK and an email address. Bookmakers online in Britain are required to collect this info under UK gambling law. It's not to spy on you, or to inundate you with endless spam. The reason you're asked to verify your home address and email is as a preventative measure against money laundering scams. So, it's imperative that the info you provide is legitimate or you could find yourself at the centre of an investigation and activity on your betting account suspended. To verify your address you'll need at least one of the following dated within 3 months and registered at your address in your name: A utilities bill, A bank statement, A council tax bill, A mobile or landline phone bill.

03

Payment Verification

The third type of verification you might encounter at a UK bookies is to do with banking. When you bet for real money you'll need to register a payment method to deposit funds to your account. Accepted payment methods at British sports betting sites can include: A debit, credit or prepaid card, Instant bank transfer, eWallets such as Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz and PayPal, Payment by phone bill, Apple Pay or Google Wallet, Wire transfer.

04

payment type

It's important to make sure the payment type you link to your online betting account is registered at the same address you gave at sign-up. If not, the bookmaker will need to perform a further check to ensure you are who you say you are. It's also more common if your bank is located outside of Britain or if you're choosing to deposit using an eWallet. This type of verification check doesn't always happen at registration. More likely is you'll be asked to verify your payment type at the time you try and make your first real money withdrawal. The bookmaker may send a small payment to your registered banking method and ask you to confirm the amount. Or, they could ask you to scan the front and back of your payment card linked to the account. In the case of the latter, make sure you cover up the CCV code on the reverse, which will prevent anyone from fraudulently using your card to make payments.

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Betting Software Versus In Browser Betting

In 2024, it feels like everyone has an app they want you to install. Soon enough your smartphone or tablet becomes littered with pages of downloads you rarely if ever use, let alone need.

Sports betting sites are no exception. Pretty much every online bookie in the UK offers software for download to your device. So should you install it?

If you're a regular bettor then installing a sports betting app on your mobile, or having the bookmaker's software downloaded onto your home mac or PC, makes sense. Betting apps offer some features that online and mobile betting sites lack.Top UK bookies are powered by some of the best software providers in online gambling, with smart, technologically advanced interfaces that are optimised for devices including Apple products and Android smartphones and tablets.

The install rarely uses up too much space on your device. You'll also be able to receive notifications about promotions, offers and odds that you might otherwise miss, especially when it comes to live in-play betting where the odds continually fluctuate.

Of course, the final decision about whether to install software or not is down to you. If you're someone who wants to limit the amount of time they spend online gambling, in-browser betting might be a better option. For the most part, betting site software can greatly improve the overall user experience of wagering for real money online.

Sign Up Bonuses

When you register at an online bookies you'll likely see a free bet offer being advertised. This is an incentive the betting site uses to attract new members to join. These types of bonuses can take many forms, so it's important to read the T&Cs attached to make sure you know exactly what you're getting and what's expected of you. Some of these bets will only let you keep the profit, and not the original stake. Others will require you to play through a percentage of your own money before qualifying for the offer. So, take a look at the small print and make sure you know exactly what the sign up promotion entails.

Here are some things to consider when you're weighing up which betting site to join.

  • Security - Does the site use anti-fraud technology and have secure encryption in place to protect its servers?
  • Customer Service - Is it easy to get in touch with the bookies if you need to? Do they operate UK speaking customer support via live chat?
  • Odds - Are the odds being offered fair compared to other bookies? Do they represent a good spread of betting types on a range of sports?
  • Payments - Are there any fees associated with deposits and withdrawals? Likewise, are there any limits imposed on how often you can cash out?
  • Bonuses - If the sportsbook is offering a free bet upon sign-up is it subject to wagering requirements? Also, are there any minimum odds restrictions?

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