32 bookmakers reviewed, scored, and ranked
HotBookies ranks sportsbooks by bonus terms, payout friction, market coverage, licensing, and the small details that decide whether an offer is actually worth using.
The ranking
Reviewed by the HotBookies editorial team. Each overall score averages four rated areas: trust, markets, bonus terms, and support. Meet the team behind the scores.
More bookmakers
Betting guides
Bookmakers News
Discover how to choose a reliable bookmaker. Learn about the top 'green flags' such as licensing, customer reviews, odds, payment options, and more
Insider secrets
When entering the online betting, safety should always come first. Knowing what bookies to avoid is just as important as finding the best ones. Some bookmake...
Betting Tips
Betting can be interesting, but it’s important to approach it wisely. Below are 5 honest betting tips that will guide you through your first steps in betting
Sports Betting Terms
Sports betting can be confusing, but understanding the + and - symbols is key. These symbols indicate the point spread and the favorite team, respectively. K...
Sports Betting Terms
Asian Handicap is a unique betting system that levels the playing field in soccer betting. It eliminates the draw option and gives bettors the chance to win...
Insider secrets
What is a sportsbook free bet, and how can it benefit you? Here is a closer look at the details to better understand and take advantage
Insider secrets
Sports betting has become a global phenomenon. But one question remains: Is sports betting legal? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you think
Betting Tips
Anyone who has dipped their toes in the vast ocean of sports betting knows it's a thrilling ride. The anticipation, the strategizing, the victory, and it's a roll...
More reading
Every score we publish: trust, markets, bonus terms, and support for all 32 bookmakers.
Odds formats, bonus terms, betting strategies, and how to judge a bookmaker.
The full article archive: bookmaker news, betting terms, and industry stories.
FAQ
SharkbetX holds the number one spot in our current ranking with a 5.0 out of 5 overall score across trust, markets, bonus terms, and support. The order follows our review scores, so it changes whenever a score does. Read the full SharkbetX review before you open an account.
Every bookmaker on HotBookies gets a full review with four scored areas: trust and licensing, market coverage, bonus terms, and customer support. Those four scores average into an overall rating out of 5, and the list above sorts all 32 reviewed bookmakers by that overall rating.
Established bookmakers holding a licence from a recognised authority are generally safe, but standards vary from operator to operator, which is why trust is the first area we score in every review. Check who issues the licence, read the withdrawal terms before you deposit, and be wary of any site that makes cashing out harder than paying in.
Not on headline value alone. Wagering requirements, minimum odds, and expiry windows decide what a bonus is really worth, which is why bonus terms get their own score in every review. A modest bonus with fair terms often beats a big one you can never withdraw.
A bookmaker sets the odds and takes the other side of your bet. An exchange such as Betfair or Smarkets matches you against other bettors and takes a commission on winnings instead, which usually means sharper odds on big markets but thinner liquidity on smaller ones. Both types go through the same review scoring here.
Related resources
A short reading list of independent sites covering odds, e-wallets, broker access, matched betting and adjacent corners of the betting stack.