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The best football betting sites in the UK
If you are looking for the best football betting sites in the United Kingdom to spice up your matchday, we have some tips. Find out more here
In the autumn of 2020, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission introduced a regulation banning the use of credit cards in respect of the gambling industry. The law’s primary objective was to avoid the risk of harm to players who tended to gamble and fork out money beyond their means. In addition, most punters were unaware of the fees that revolved around credit card gambling and subsequently faced colossal debt resulting in serious social issues. According to the United Kingdom’s relevant authorities, this situation affected families, workplaces, and the proper upbringing of children. In essence, gambling beyond one’s means was destroying the social fabric of British life.
The ban regulation created a complex situation for betting platforms and punters alike. New and innovative ways had to be devised to ensure that the industry continues to strive and, at the same time, protect players from running into severe financial predicaments. The United Kingdom authorities aimed to create a safe and stable gambling environment to save players in this context.
How online gambling gained momentum in the UK
It is estimated that among the twenty-four million gamblers in the United Kingdom, approximately ten and a half million players prefer to use online gambling. Eight hundred thousand prefer betting sites that accept credit cards. These figures urged the United Kingdom to introduce regulations to protect vulnerable punters and view their well-being as of paramount importance. It is expected that the ban on the usage of credit cards in gambling would preclude irresponsible gamblers from abusing the benefits and objectives of the credit card system.
The ban on credit card usage for gambling purposes in the UK
The ban also avoided accumulating huge debt by gamblers in favour of credit card providers and other financial institutions like banks. Statistics revealed that abusive credit card betting resulted in significant financial distress among gamblers and impossible amounts of debt.
In contrast, the banning of credit cards in the gambling industry created some disadvantages for players and the United Kingdom. Notwithstanding the loss of business and tax revenue, the United Kingdom remains adamant that the ultimate goal should continue to be the protection of the players.
The effect of gambling bans in the UK
The ban on credit cards seems to have had the desired effect of protecting gamblers. Still, it also had a significant negative impact on the gambling industry in the United Kingdom. Due to the ban, many players using the European licensed casino platforms diminished drastically and subsequently dragged down the revenue generated from this source. This situation led gambling platforms to move their business away from the United Kingdom and territories where gambling legislation is more relaxed and flexible, like France and Malta.
Nonusage of credit cards for gambling also resulted in less tax revenue for the British government. The gambling industry has become one of the main pillars of the global economy, including the British economy. It contributes enormous revenue through taxation, enabling authorities to fund social projects like the health and educational sectors, sports, and cultural activities. It also precludes the introduction of tax cuts to the public in general. The reduction of gambling platforms in the United Kingdom equated less revenue for the British government. When one considers that, unlike the United Kingdom, where gambling is taxed, there are countries where gambling is tax-free.
The top UK football betting sites for you
It should be clarified that not all gambling casinos in the United Kingdom are banned from using credit cards. Only those casinos licensed under the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission fall under the ban. Other gambling sites with independent regulations still accept credit card payments, and players can opt to gamble on these platforms without any restrictions. Even though the United Kingdom banned the usage of credit card betting and gambling, British punters can still play and use their credit cards through some offshore operators.
MyStake Sportsbook is one of the best betting sites available to British players. It accepts a vast number of payment methods that include VISA and Mastercard. It is accessed through the internet and available to British players as it is based and licensed beyond British shores. In addition to football betting, MyStake Sportsbook offers bets on other sports, virtual sports, and esports. This platform works in tandem with twenty-plus software providers and using its services; one can access games like Play’n Go, Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, and Microgaming. Also, the platform offers slots, live and table games, scratch cards, and video bingo.
Maximum Sportsbook is a very good bookmaker and accepts credit cards such as VISA and Mastercard. It is also available to British punters. It is web-based and situated outside the United Kingdom; therefore, free from UK legislation and regulations. This gambling platform offers to bet on over twenty sports activities like football, tennis, basketball, etc. It also provides live betting and esports betting. In addition, Maximum offers games from seventy-plus providers like Novo Matic, QuickSpin and Push Gaming. Players using Maximum Sportsbook can enjoy slots, table games and even live shows, plus tournaments and lottery.
BetNow is a top-notch betting platform where anyone can play and pay through their credit card. BetNow is available to United Kingdom punters who want to bet on sports, particularly football. The site is licensed in Curacao and is free from any imposed legislation and regulations by the UK’s authorities. The platform offers bets on sports and is known for the generous and lucrative promotions offered to customers. BetNow, bettors can bet on sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. It has live betting and virtual sports bets and Microgaming, Play’n Go and Evolution Gaming. At the casino’s lobby, punters can avail themselves of video and jackpot slots, live casino and table games.
Rolletto is another trusted platform that accepts credit card deposits. It accepts eight payment methods, including VISA and Mastercard. The venue is licensed outside the United Kingdom and is readily available to British bettors. This sportsbook provides a wide choice of pre-match and in-play betting options. It has no live streaming, but the bookie offers a visual representation of the action. The site also provides esports and virtual sports in parallel to sports betting like football and basketball. Its impressive casino lobby featuring over seventy providers like Microgaming, Play’n Go and Pragmatic Play makes Rolletto one of the best gambling platforms in the market. Punters from the UK can enjoy playing popular slots, jackpots, and live casino games without any restrictions whatsoever.
Tips for finding the best football betting sites in the UK
If you are looking for the best football betting sites in the United Kingdom to spice up your matchday, we have some tips.
- Find sites that are licensed and regulated.
- Visit betting review sites and compare offers, promos, and football match information.
- Check feedback from other punters that have used the betting site before.
- Read sites T&C’s to make sure you are familiar with the policies and procedures that the company deploys.
Players need to remember that some sites may not allow sports bet winnings with credit cards. This can easily be circumvented by using another form of payment like an e-wallet. Also, the operator may ask you for documented evidence to verify your identity and credit card ownership. Avoid this by playing at no verification betting sites. As always, betting responsibly and within your budget is advised.