New Independent Bookmakers (2024)

While the history of high street bookmakers is easy to track, getting a handle on where independent bookmakers in the UK originated from is a lot trickier to get to grips with. New, independent bookmakers first appeared in the 1800s and were often deemed illegal. They could only operate at horse racing tracks, although before the 1960s (when Britain legalized sports betting, and the betting shop appeared), small, one-man businesses could be found outside football stadiums, too.

As the world turning more to internet betting, independent online bookmakers began to emerge. These independent sports betting sites were (and are) often run by international gambling companies. By being offshore, they wouldn’t be subject to the strict requirements set by the UK Gambling Commission. While a list of UK independent bookmakers will include some licensed by the UKGC, many are Maltese, Gibraltar, or Curacao licensed betting sites.

Independent online bookmakers in the UK must adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the UK Gambling Commission. This makes them wholly safe, regulated, and secure. Of course, not all new independent bookmakers are based in the UK. Euro bookmakers and betting sites are located offshore, and although they aren’t technically allowed to cater to UK-based bettors, there is no punishment for playing with them.

These European new bookmakers are generally regulated by the MGA or Gibraltar. They are just as safe as UK independent bookies, minus one or two strict UK regulations. Curacao licensed independent bookies are typically less well-regulated, and as such, not as favored amongst UK players.

The answer to this question depends on what you expect. Most of the new UK bookmakers now prefer to work independently. The reason for this is to make a difference by making independent decisions. For example, when new independent bookmakers want to offer a bonus, they do not have to get approval from the “headquarters”. Likewise, they can freely determine odds and do not have to consider the rates at other sports betting companies. This freedom also offers many benefits for players: In general, we can say that you will get much higher bonuses and better odds at new independent online bookmakers.

The biggest bookmakers in UK, on the other hand, cannot compete on bonuses and odds, but they can offer a smooth-running service and reliable customer service. The budget of new independent bookmakers is often too low for these services, but large companies do not have such a problem. They offer a more stable service.

The decision is yours: If you want a service that works smoothly but cannot exceed a certain level, you can choose one of the old guards like William Hill. But if you want to get better bonuses and odds even if there is a disruption in the service, switch to new independent bookmakers.

Finding the best new bookmakers is not an easy task, especially for new independent bookmakers and it can take quite a long time if you don’t know what to look for. You can use the following criteria to make your job easier: We use the same for our top 100 bookmakers.

New bookmakers who are independent will generally accept various payment methods, as they haven’t yet learned what their customers like to use. New sportsbooks, for instance, may provide half a dozen e-wallet and card payment options, such as Skrill, Neteller, VISA, or MasterCard. They may also carry prepaid voucher and bank transfer options to ensure that they can compete with any rival new football betting sites out there. However, PayPal bookmakers and betting sites only tend to pop up in countries where gambling is nationally licensed and regulated, such as the UK.

Alongside the options listed above, it is worth checking what sports betting money management options a bookmaker has. Do they let you limit your deposits and offer fair withdrawal limits? Bookies that don’t limit withdrawals but let you retain control over your deposit caps are ideal, as are those with no added fees and fast transaction times. 

There are many new independent bookmakers to choose from and you can start with our recommendation mentioned in this guide: It is currently the best new independent online bookmaker in 2024. But we have lots of recommendations for all needs and expectations: Visit us often to play at the best independent bookies and get the most useful bonuses & odds. Good luck at the tables!