Betting online vs shops – which is better? The online betting industry is now worth millions; come 2024, it is expected to be valued at over 94 billion USD. Here is all you need to know about online betting, betting in shops, the online betting registration process, the best betting shops, the advantages of online betting, and more!
Betting Online vs Shops
The online betting industry has taken the world by storm, with the launch of several noteworthy betting sites over the years, a plethora of betting markets and several outstanding betting features. The online betting industry is worth over 50 billion USD, at the time of writing (05/2020), and is poised to breach the 90 billion USD mark by 2024.
Betting sites like bet365, Unibet, Betfair and 888sport, among others, are a few of the best bookmakers in the industry. These betting sites offer a wide array of sports-based betting markets to choose from, live casino tables, excellent promotional offers, plenty of deposit and withdrawal options and betting features such as Cash Out and Bet Builder tool.
Betting in shops allows you to place bets and retrieve your achieved winnings almost immediately. That being said, betting shops come with a maximum withdrawal limit, which tends to be considerably lower than that on offer at most top betting sites.
You can withdraw your winnings via a placed online bet at a betting shop near you, using your customer identification number, valid proof of identity, and your bet slip details. Keep in mind that you may have to call the shop in question beforehand.
A betting shop allows you to watch a match and bet on it physically, without having to rely on a medium such as a computer system or a mobile phone. There are approximately 9,000 betting shops in the United Kingdom, each of which offers separate perks, bonuses and features. While betting shops offer bonuses and prizes from time to time, as well as varied betting functionality, the transition from betting shops to online betting is becoming more evident by the day.
Betting from the comfort of your home also allows you to make more carefully thought-out decisions, which may not be the case when you are betting in a shop. Let's take a look at more advantages of betting online vs shops below.
Best Betting Sites We Recommend for Online Betting in 2023
Bet £10 Get £30 18+ New customers only. Opt in, and bet £10 on football markets (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, which expire after 7 days. Offer valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. Full T&Cs Apply | begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly. . Click for full T&Cs. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10 get £40 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly #ad
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BET £10 GET £20 18+, UK only. Deposit and place a minimum £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you 1 x £5 in free bets plus an extra 3 x £5 Free Bets the following day. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport & 1x Virtuals. Cashed Out, Void or Draw No Bet wagers do not qualify for this promotion. 1 x £5 Free Bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement, other free bets credited by midday the day after your first bet settles. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Full T&C's apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Up to £50 in Free Bets, 20 Free Spins & £10 Casino Bonus 18+ | New players only | Available until 23:59 GMT 31.12.2025 Each challenge has its own TCs. Eligible Bets must be placed for each respective Challenge during the Promotional Period including the following: ACCA, Football, In-Play, and Casino. Each challenge has its own set of TCs and can only be completed 1x. Available to claim: 20 Free Spins, £10 Free Bet, 50% Back up Free Bet up to £20, £10 Casino Bonus when you wager £50+. If all are completed you will receive Max £20 Free Bet to be used on any sport. Gamble Responsibly. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Up to £50 in free bets Free bets and spins must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet/spin stake not included in any winnings. Ts&Cs Apply. 18+Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets T&C’s Apply. New customers, Deposit & 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. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ BeGambleAware.org .”
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Bet £10 Get a £30 Surprise Bet New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £5 get £20 18+ New UK+ ROI Customers only. Deposit & Bet min £5 as first bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £20 Free Bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10 Get £40 New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required
Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10 Get £30 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10 Get £10 + £10 Casino Bonus New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £20 in FREE Bets (FB) as £10 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £10, Get £10 in Free Bets New UK, IE & Malta customers only. Offer available between 16:00 BST on 11th July 2023 and 16:00 BST on 26th October 2023. Min £10/€10 first deposit in a single amount to be eligible for the offer. Max £30 in Free Bets. £10 bet at min odds of 1.5 required to receive £10 Free Bet. A further £10 Free Bet will be credited to your promotional balance 7 days after the first qualifying bet and then a further £10 Free Bet will be credited 14 days after the first qualifying bet. Free bets expire in 14 days after credited. Payment Terms and Conditions apply. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other sign-up promotion. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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£30 Matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses + 50 Bonus Spins Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 50 Bonus Spins credited on placement of qualifying Acca bet.50x bonus wagering applies as do weighting requirements, bonus Spins only available on selected games and expires 7 days after being awarded. Debit card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+. Full T&Cs apply. . Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Double Winnings up to £100 Key terms – New players only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via “My Offers” page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | LeoSafePlay.com | Play responsibly! Full T&Cs apply BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Bet £20 get £20 In Free Bets 18+ Opt in & bet £20 on any sport at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 2x £10 Free Bets on any sports market. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly. #ad
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£20 Backup Bet 18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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0% Commission for 90 days Significant T’s & C’s
The User must enter Bonus Code ‘COMMFREE90’ during registration
Only available to users whio deposit via credit or debit cards
New Customers Only.
Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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50% up to £50 Welcome Bonus New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Code: PLAY10; 1x per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; valid 60 days; Min odds 4/5 singles, 2/5 per acca leg; Some bet types excluded; See full terms 18+ #ad
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Trade with 0% commission for 60 days Use code COMMFREE to trade with 0% commission for 60 days. Min. £10/€10 first deposit using Debit Card or Instant Banking. Full T&C’s apply.18+. BeGambleAware.org. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.org #ad .
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Bet £15 Get £25 NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MAX ONE £25 FREE BET. MIN QUALIFYING STAKE £15. QUALIFYING BETS MUST BE PLACED AT ODDS OF 1/1 (2.00) OR GREATER. PAID AS BONUS TOKEN WITH MIN 4/5 (1.80) ODDS REQ. SKRILL, NETELLER & PAYPAL ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Best Betting Shops – Top 5
#01 Ladbrokes
#02 Coral
#03 William Hill
#04 Paddy Power
#05 Betfair
Advantages of Online Betting
1. Better Odds on Offer
Given the fact that betting shops have to take care of operating costs, they often charge higher margins when compared to betting sites. Betting shops often compensate for these increased margins of personal profit by offering lower odds on betting variants. For example, instead of offering 3/1 on a win, they may offer 2/1 instead, reaping an increased profit off each winning bet. Betting shops may also incorporate hidden costs, unlike online bookmakers, who more often than not operate with the highest transparency possible in order to attract and retain customers.
2. Larger Offering of Betting Markets
Betting shops offer a lower variety of betting markets when compared to betting sites. Popular betting sites often offer odds on over 20-25 or more different sports, esports, special markets, live casino tables and other products. On the other hand, betting shops normally opt and settle for only the most popular markets.
3. Better Offers and Features
Betting sites offer a much larger selection of welcome offer bonuses, weekly offers, promotions, prizes and betting features in general, and those which incorporate VIP programs offer an even larger set of perks.
While betting shops too offer prizes, loyalty programs and offers, betting sites offer a much larger amount of perks for their customers. Features like Cash Out and Bet Builder, for example, are particularly useful and highly sought-after by online bettors. Some sites even offer the latest news about the world of betting, together with betting statistics and results, which can help you formulate an effective betting strategy.
Moreover, the best betting sites offer specialised promotional offers pertaining to sports-based markets, esports and other products from time to time. Regarding the booming popularity of betting on esports, betting sites are a much better prospect for this particular market than betting shops.
4. Privacy
When you are betting at home, you have absolute privacy. Only you know the markets that you have punted on, the money that you are staking, how much you have won or the losses that you have incurred. Additionally, the best betting sites incorporate SSL encryption to ensure that all the transactions that take place on a betting site are secure.
Betting sites should always be licensed and regulated, and incorporate responsible gambling sections and tools to help you set betting limits and to help regulate your betting activity.
5. Bet Anywhere, at Any Time
The rise of mobile devices as well as betting apps and mobile sites means that you can bet whenever you want from wherever you are. Gone are the days of needing to get dressed, running to the nearest betting shop and waiting in line. Mobile betting apps can be used to place bets conveniently from any place you find comfortable. Moreover, betting apps allow you stay up-to-date with the latest news and events via notifications and other features.
Online Betting Registration Process
Registering at a betting site is usually very straightforward. Simply click on the registration button or section of the site in question (which is usually very easy to access) and you will be redirected to the registration form. You will have to enter personal details like your full name, email address, date of birth, country of residence, and your full address. Afterwards, you normally need to create a unique username and a secure password.
Some betting sites may complete the registration process at this stage, while others may ask you to upload documents to prove your identity and your address. As soon as the site has verified these documents, you will be allowed to deposit funds into your online betting account and place bets. Some sites may also ask you to upload personal identification documents when you initiate your first withdrawal, or when you are withdrawing a large sum of money. Although this may seem like a hassle, at the end of the day, this process of verification is to counter fraud and protect customers.
The best betting sites offer a large number of deposit and withdrawal options to choose from, so you can choose the payment method best suited to you. These options may or may not come with fees, and vary in their processing times and limits. Therefore, it's always best to do your research on these payment methods before registering and making deposits or withdrawals.
Best Betting Shops
#1 Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes currently has over 2,000 betting shops in the United Kingdom. Via Ladbrokes’ “The Grid” programme, you can receive free bets, money back offers, and machine bonuses. You can also win prizes, surprises, and experiences by accumulating points, betting or playing on machines in a Ladbrokes shop.
You can track the bets that you have placed at a Ladbrokes shop via Ladbrokes’ mobile app. With the help of your Grid Card, you can transfer your winnings from a Ladbrokes shop to your online account. There are also several other fantastic features on offer for Ladbrokes’ betting shop customers.
#2 Coral
Having been acquired by Ladbrokes in 2016, Coral has nearly 2,000 betting shops in the United Kingdom. Coral’s “Connect” system offers several shop exclusive offers, bonuses, and prizes, including 20 GBP in free bets upon wagering 5 GBP in-shop. As is usually the case with these promotions, certain terms and conditions may apply.
You can track the bets that you have placed at a Coral shop via Coral’s mobile app, and transfer the winnings acquired at a Coral shop via your linked Connect Card.
#3 William Hill
William Hill has over 2,000 betting shops in the United Kingdom, at the time of writing. Their “Plus” programme offers several features, promotions and benefits. As with Ladbrokes and Coral, with the help of your linked William Hill Plus Card, you can transfer your in-shop winnings to your online account.
#4 Paddy Power
With over 100 betting shops in the United Kingdom, Paddy Power offers not one but two cards to customers. There is the Paddy Power Cash Card PPlus, which is a prepaid MasterCard that can be linked to your online Paddy Power account and can be used not only at a Paddy Power shop, but also at outlets such as KFC and Pizza Hut. Then there is the Cash Card, which can be used to deposit funds into your online account and to earn VIP rewards and benefits.
You can acquire both cards if you wish to.
#5 Betfair
Betfair has no shops of its own. To deposit funds into your Betfair account, you can visit a Paddy Power shop near you. Make sure you have your Betfair customer identification number and a valid identification document with you, and bear in mind that you cannot withdraw funds in-shop.
Betting Online vs Shops – Which is better?
| Criteria | Online Betting | Betting in Shops |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Odds | ✓ | |
| Deposit and Withdrawal Options | ✓ | |
| Deposit and Withdrawal Limits | ✓ | |
| Variety of Betting Markets | ✓ | |
| Socialisation | ✓ | |
| Offers, Perks and Prizes | ✓ | |
| Betting Features | ✓ | |
| Privacy | ✓ | |
| Ease of Access | ✓ | |
| Responsible Gambling | ✓ |
FAQs
There approximately 9,000 betting shops in the UK at the moment.
These would be Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair.
There are so many excellent online bookmakers these days – however, we would recommend bet365, Unibet, Betfair and 888sport as the very best.
bet365, Luckbox (exclusively for esports) and Unibet are some of the best sites for live streaming.
Online betting offers better odds than betting in a shop.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
While both online betting and betting in shops each come with a set of pros and cons, there has been a sizeable shift from betting in shops to online betting. In the battle of betting online vs shops, it looks as though the former definitely has the edge over its land-based counterparts, especially with all the advantages online bookmakers have to offer; however, preferences differ from person to person.
The online betting industry is expected to continue growing by leaps and bounds over time, and it is little wonder that the best betting sites are not only improving in terms of what they have to offer but are also facing increasing competition. If you prefer to bet online, we recommend Unibet, bet365, Betfair and 888sport; however, if you'd rather pop down to a betting shop, you can't do any better than Ladbrokes, Coral and William Hill. You can easily grasp the concept of betting online by reading our article on How to Bet Online.