Roy Keane has criticised Michael Carrick since Manchester United appointed the former Middlesbrough manager as their interim head coach – but he is not bothered
Michael Carrick insists he is not ‘bothered’ by criticism and critique from the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
Carrick, 44, has made an impressive start to his second spell at Manchester United following his appointment as head coach until the end of the campaign after taking over from Ruben Amorim. The club’s former midfielder has secured four victories and one draw from his opening five fixtures at the helm.
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That sequence of results has propelled United to fourth place in the Premier League table. They are now just five points behind third-placed Aston Villa and eight off Manchester City.
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However, upon his appointment, Carrick faced scrutiny from Keane, who questioned his suitability. Keane stated last month that he was “concerned” about Carrick’s arrival and suggested the club are a “circus act at the moment”.
Speaking to the BBC, Carrick has now made clear he remains untroubled by criticism from Keane and fellow pundits. When questioned whether he must ‘accept’ and ‘shut out’ external comment, Carrick responded: “It doesn’t bother me one bit. Genuinely, it doesn’t. I’m not going to really fall out with anyone over that.
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“I think it’s a respect thing as much as anything, and I’ll give and take that. I think for younger players in general, it’s something we need to help them with and look after them. It’s a different world now to when, say, I was coming through, but we do that, and we look after them.”
Carrick is being considered for the permanent position at United this summer, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was seven years ago. United are also exploring alternative candidates, including Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi, whilst Thomas Tuchel is committed to remaining as England manager until at least 2028.
Carrick, who featured in over 450 matches during his playing career at Old Trafford, has hinted at his ambition to become United’s next permanent head coach, describing it as the “ultimate role”. He said: “I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing.
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“I’m fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it, and I’m here to do it.
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“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But actually, I’m here to do a job now, and to make a good team, and be successful.
“I don’t decide how long that’s going to be, but I love being here, and whilst I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”
United travel to Everton on Monday for their next Premier League clash. The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 in the corresponding fixture back in November, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netting the only goal in the first half.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Keely Hodgkinson has broken the long-standing women’s indoor 800m world record, set by Slovenia’s Jolanda Ceplak on the day the Briton was born almost 24 years ago.
The quarterback situation in Minnesota is in a rough spot. There is a massive split among the fan base, and potentially the front office, too, regarding J.J. McCarthy. What we do know is that this is expected to be a very fluid offseason, as the Vikings are looking to bring in competition for the former Michigan Wolverine. One popular name is San Francisco 49ers backup Mac Jones, and a major media publication is buying in, too.
Bleacher Report posted an article about players who should be traded but won’t. In this article, they list Jones among those players. The reasoning is that he played well in starts this season while Brock Purdy missed multiple games due to injury, and that his value and potential trade capital may not be higher, but the 49ers have said they do not intend to trade the former Alabama quarterback.
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However, they do list the potential price as a second-round pick.
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Mac Jones makes a ton of sense for the Minnesota Vikings. The offensive schemes in San Francisco and Minnesota are very similar, and as teams are trying to “find the next Sam Darnold”, Minnesota could do that with Jones. A second-round pick’s pricetag feels a bit hefty for Jones, especially if you bring him in as competition rather than the clear starter. It would look even worse if McCarthy had a stellar offseason and ended up winning the job.
Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has explained why Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah will not feature in their Cup match against Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Ndah joined Stellenbosch on a free transfer after leaving Orlando Pirates, where injuries affected his final seasons. He is now the fourth Nigerian player to represent the club.
Hunt said the 28-year-old is still working on his fitness after recovering from a serious leg injury. He added that Ndah is keen to play but needs more time to reach full match fitness before he can be considered for selection.
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The coach also noted that players returning from injury often need time to adjust to the intensity of competitive football, especially when they have not trained regularly.
Stellenbosch are currently sitting near the bottom half of the league table and will hope to improve their form in the coming weeks.
Anticipating the development of an inexperienced two-year-old proves challenging, even more so after an early-season stumble.
That said, Tommy Berry is full of hope for Incognito as the youngster aims to restart his Golden Slipper journey in the Silver Slipper (1100m) on Saturday at Rosehill.
The past market leader for the prestigious $5 million juvenile event struggled in his return via the Canonbury Stakes (1100m), with a gurgling noise detected post-race pointing to a likely displaced palate.
Michael Freedman, the trainer, has updated the gear including a tongue tie and bit for tongue control, and Berry reports positive developments leading to expectations of recovery.
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“On his work on Tuesday morning, there will be no excuses and nowhere to hide for him Saturday because he couldn’t be going any better,” Berry said.
“It will be one or the other with him.
He’ll either come out and show us what he’s made of, and he’ll be right back in contention, or I don’t really want to think about the other option.
But they’re two-year-olds, and it’s week to week with them and how they perform.
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I have been let down by plenty in the past, but I’d be very surprised if that’s the case with this guy.”
Having impressed with a Breeders’ Plate triumph in spring, Incognito entered the Canonbury as heavy favourite but was beaten by Hidrix, who lines up again Saturday.
Berry noted the breathing issue aside, his decision to press forward might have disrupted the horse’s rhythm, differing from his usual settling tactics he’ll employ here.
“Considering his price, we tried to ride him like a good thing, but by putting him into the race the way I did, he really got onto the chewy and took a good hold,” Berry explained.
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“I think he’s panicked because I’ve asked him to really be there, which I had never done before. When he won, he was three pairs back and in all his trials he was in the second half and got into a lovely rhythm, breathed really well and finished off the way we know he can.
On Saturday, drawing well was very important, and he has, and that will give us the opportunity to ride him with cover and let him do things right.”
For the latest racing odds on Incognito’s Silver Slipper performance, visit trusted betting sites.
The United States women’s ice hockey team stood arm-in-arm, proudly singing the national anthem after stunning Canada 2-1 in a thrilling overtime victory to capture the gold medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Thursday.
“It’s the best part. The best f—ing part,” Team USA captain Hilary Knight, who was mic’d up by NBC’s broadcast for the moment, exclaimed as the arena announcer asked the crowd to stand for the national anthem.
Team USA celebrates singing the anthem with the gold medal at the victory ceremony after the women’s ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada, 2-1 in overtime, on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026.(EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
The gold medalists were joined by the American fans at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in belting out “The Star Spangled Banner.”
“When you only get to hear your national anthem one time, and it’s if you win, it’s unbelievable,” forward Taylor Heise told KSL-TV’s Sam Farnsworth of the moment. “Getting to hear that national anthem, and getting to be on [the podium] with your girls, and to celebrate that big win is huge.”
Knight stood by her declaration that this women’s ice hockey team is “America’s team.”
“To find success on the world stage representing your country, I mean – and the anthem going, it’s just incredible,” she told KSL-TV.
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United States’ Kendall Coyne, left, and United States’ Hilary Knight celebrate after the victory ceremony for women’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026.(Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)
Knight made history scoring the game-tying goal with 2:04 left in regulation to force overtime. The score marked her 15th goal and 33rd point of her Olympic career, both U.S. records. Megan Keller found the back of the net with a backhander 4:07 into overtime to secure the gold medal.
“This team’s got so much resolve. Never quit. Always ready to fight and go to battle,” Knight said. “It’s just a testament to the preparation of our group and the love that we have in that room, and the way we found a way to get the job done at the end of the night.”
The focus now shifts to the men’s game as Team USA hopes to win another gold. They face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday.
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Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team United States after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026.(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“We were talking about it last night; we were talking about it again this morning,” Coach Mike Sullivan said of the women’s gold medal win. “It’s a great thrill. Those girls, what a terrific hockey team, and they’ll be an inspiration for the next generation of girls growing up in the United States. … We couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway is the undisputed king of the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. With five gold medals, the 29-year-old cross-country skier equaled the record of US speed skater Eric Heiden at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. With a total of 10 gold medals in his career, Klaebo is the most successful Winter Olympian in history.*
His fellow Norwegian, Jens Luraas Oftebro, celebrated three Olympic victories in the Nordic combined. With three gold medals, Franjo van Allmen of Switzerland was the outstanding alpine skier. Among the women, Federica Brignone sparked euphoria among the Italian hosts with her victories in the super G and giant slalom – as did two-time gold medalist Federica Lollobrigida in speed skating.
Federica Brignone’s two gold medals gave the home fans something to cheer aboutImage: Michael Memmler/Eibner-Pressefoto/picture alliance
Some gold medal dreams were spectacularly shattered. Figure skating superstar Ilia Malinin of the United States, who took a lead into the free skate, fell twice and plummeted to eighth place.
A similar fate befell skier Atle Lie McGrath in the slalom. The Norwegian started the decisive second run in first place but crashed out due to an error. Devastated, he fled the slope for the adjacent woods.
How was the atmosphere?
Many athletes complained that while the Games in northern Italy were well-organized, they lacked the true Olympic spirit. They said the large distances between the competition venues made it impossible for a lot of them to follow other disciplines.
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They also complained that in some sports, like alpine skiing, the spectators were too far away from the action.
“If this is what enjoying the Olympics is supposed to be like, I’m glad this was my last time,” lamented German skier Linus Strasser.
What were the biggest controversies?
Lindsey Vonn’s crash dominated the headlines on the first weekend of the Olympics. The 41-year-old had hoped to crown her illustrious career with a second Olympic gold medal in the downhill after 2010 – despite having a torn ACL, which she had suffered in her last race before the Games.
Lindsey Vonn sustained a complex tibia fracture in her attempted Olympic comebackImage: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance
A few seconds into the race, she crashed, suffering a complex tibia fracture and was forced to undergo multiple surgeries.
The disqualification of Ukrainian Vladislav Heraskevych sparked discussion beyond the world of sports. The skeleton racer was excluded from the event because he insisted on wearing a helmet bearing images of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia’s full-scale war on his country.
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarded this as a violation of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political statements at competition venues. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the IOC’s ban on Heraskevych’s participation.
How did Germany fare?
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) sent a record contingent of 185 athletes to Milano Cortina with the stated goal of finishing in the top three in the medals table – which it failed to achieve.
While Germany dominated in luge and bobsleigh, there were some bitter disappointments, including in biathlon, Nordic combined, and men’s alpine skiing, where Germany failed to win a medal.
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Germany’s luge relay team took home the gold medalImage: Matic Klansek/GEPA pictures/IMAGO
The results in ski jumping were also meager overall; apart from Philipp Raimund’s sensational gold, the team went home empty-handed. Germany’s men’s ice hockey team, featuring superstar Leon Draisaitl, fell to Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
What can the IOC learn for the next Winter Games?
The problem of long distances between venues is also bound to come up at the 2030 Games in the French Alps; the events are to be spread across the city of Nice and several ski resorts in the Alps, some of which are more than a six-hour drive away from the Riviera.
To improve the atmosphere on the ski slopes, the IOC should at least ensure closer proximity between the athletes and spectators. The Olympic rule-makers would also be well advised to agree on a clear policy beforehand to prevent a repeat of the communications disaster that occurred in the Heraskevych case.
*As of February 20, 2026 This article was translated from German.
With hundreds of regulated betting sites available to UK players, there’s no shortage of trusted brands and betting sign up offers to choose from.
Best UK betting sites – February 2026
Finding the best betting site should boil down to factors like promotions, odds value, app quality, key features, payout speeds and customer support.
Table of Contents
That’s why The Independent has tested and compared both established operators and new betting sites to rank the top UK bookmakers today.
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On this page, you’ll find our highly-rated UK betting sites ranked and reviewed, with our recommendations regularly updated based on our ongoing research.
Find your favourite betting site
Best for
Betting Site
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Why?
Our Rating
Football
Bet365
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Best football odds consistently across wide range of betting markets. Industry-leading in-play stats and graphics
5/5
Horse racing
Tote
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Strong UK/Irish coverage and regular racing rewards, including weekly free bets through Stayers Club
5/5
Welcome offer
SpreadEx
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New customers get £60 in free bets when they deposit and place a £10 fixed-odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater
5/5
Free bets
Betfred
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Runs regular promotions such as MoneyBack Specials, in-play free bets, Acca Flex refunds and racing bonuses
4.5/5
Bet builders
Unibet
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Advanced 10+ leg builders across multiple sports and pioneered Same Race Multis for racing
4.5/5
Best betting sites – trusted expert reviews
Here are our recommendations for the best betting sites in the UK today, with reviews for each bookie below.
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Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Key Features: Consistently strong football odds • Huge range of football betting markets • Industry-leading in-play stats and graphics • Live streaming on selected matches • Football promos like early payout and price boosts
Review
Bet365 is the standout football betting site in the UK thanks to boasting the best odds consistently and a wide range of markets.
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They have an extensive range of markets across major leagues, alongside some of the best in-play tools available, including live stats, match graphics and streaming on selected fixtures.
Football-specific promotions such as early payout, price boosts and accumulator offers keep regular players catered for.
Overall, the platform is dependable and well suited to both casual and experienced bettors.
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Bet365 has a one of the top football live streaming services (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ Excellent in-play tools and match coverage
✓ Strong odds across many leagues
✓ Reliable app with live streaming features
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✓ New users can also claim £30 in free bets
Cons
✗ No Champions League streaming despite UEFA link
✗ Fewer free bet promos than some rivals
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✗ Bigger sign-up offers elsewhere
Best betting site for horse racing: Tote
Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
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Key Features: Historic pool betting operator since 1928 • Deep UK and Irish racing coverage • Tote Price Guarantee vs SP • Cash out and live streaming tools • £30 welcome offer with Tote Credit • Weekly £10 racing rewards via Stayers Club
Review
Tote is one of the most established horse racing betting sites, offering a unique pool betting experience that you won’t find with traditional fixed-odds bookmakers.
Its platform provides strong coverage of UK and Irish meetings with standard features such as cash out and live streaming.
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The Tote Price Guarantee is a key selling point as it matches or beats the starting price on all win bets.
New customers can claim £30 in free bets after staking £10, while regular bettors benefit from weekly rewards through the Stayers Club.
Returns can be less predictable with pool betting, but Tote remains a top choice for racing fans.
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Tote offers unique racing betting options (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ Price Guarantee matches or beats SP
✓ Excellent racing focus and coverage
✓ Weekly free bets through Stayers Club
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✓ Highly rated horse racing betting app
Cons
✗ Live streaming service not as good as Bet365
✗ Pool betting returns can be harder to calculate
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✗ No free-to-play racing prediction game
Best betting site welcome offer: SpreadEx
Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £60 Free Bets
Key Features: £60 free bets from a £10 qualifying wager • Bonus paid in three instalments over three days • Includes fixed-odds and spread betting free bets • Eligible on pre-match or in-play markets • Free bets valid for 28 days
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Review
SpreadEx currently offers one of the most valuable sign-up deals available to UK bettors, with £60 in free bets awarded after a £10 qualifying fixed-odds wager.
The bonus is split across three daily instalments and includes a mix of fixed-odds and spread betting bets, which gives experienced punters extra variety.
Free bets can be used over a generous 28-day period, longer than most rivals, and the platform supports modern payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
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However, spread betting carries additional risk and part of the reward requires opening a full spread betting account. Only engage in spread betting if you understand how it works.
SpreadEx have one of the biggest betting sign up deals in the UK (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ One of the biggest welcome offers on the UK market
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✓ Low £10 qualifying bet requirement
✓ Long 28-day free bet expiry window
✓ Mix of fixed-odds and spread betting rewards
Cons
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✗ Bonus not paid in one single lump sum
✗ Half the offer is tied to spread betting
✗ Spread betting can lead to losses beyond stake
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Best online bookmaker for free bets: Betfred
Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £50 Free Bets
Key Features: Ongoing free bet offers after sign up • Free bets issued within hours • Free bets across most sports markets • Strong ongoing promos for accas and racing
Betfred is the strongest UK bookmaker for free bets, not only for its generous welcome offer but also for the volume of ongoing rewards available to existing customers.
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New players can claim £50 in free bet credits after depositing and staking £10 at evens or above, with tokens credited shortly after settlement.
Beyond sign-up, Betfred runs regular promotions such as MoneyBack Specials, in-play free bets, Acca Flex refunds and racing bonuses like Best Odds Guaranteed.
The welcome offer value and consistent ongoing offers makes Betfred our top recommendation for bettors who prioritise free bet offers.
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Betfred have loads of ongoing free bet promos for existing customers (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ £50 free bets for new customers who bet £10
✓ Regular ongoing free bet promos for existing customers
✓ Strong accumulator and racing-specific rewards
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✓ Free bets usable across a wide range of sports
Cons
✗ Only debit card deposits accepted for the welcome offer
✗ Some free bet tokens are restricted to accumulators
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✗ Free bets expire within seven days
Best online bookmaker for bet builders: Unibet
Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Key Features: Build bet builders with 10+ legs • Pre-prepared bet builder options available • Bet builders across multiple sports • Same Race Multis for horse racing • Competitive odds and market depth • Unibet TV live streaming integration
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Review
Unibet’s bet builder tool offers the best flexibility across a wide range of sports.
Players can add over 10 legs to a single selection, or choose from pre-built options.
Unibet also stands out for its racing bet builder functionality (Same Race Multis) which remains relatively rare among horse racing bookmakers.
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The platform is further enhanced by Unibet TV, allowing customers to follow live events while building and tracking bets in-play.
There’s also a solid welcome offer worth £30 in free bets from a first £10 stake for newcomers.
Unibet pioneered the horse racing bet builder and theirs remains the best one (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
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✓ Best bet builder tool on the market
✓ Rare racing bet builder
✓ Live streaming via Unibet TV
✓ Strong £30 free bet welcome offer
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Cons
✗ Bet builder complexity may not suit beginners
✗ Streaming availability varies by event
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Best new betting sites UK February 2026
Find your favourite new betting sites
We also monitor new betting sites making waves in the UK and have selected the best new bookies to have entered the market in the last year or two.
Best For
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New Bookie
Why
Our Rating
Football
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QuinnBet
Backs new customers with a competitive sign-up deal alongside strong daily football promotions
4.5/5
Horse racing
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Puntit
Supports new customers with a racing-focused sign-up deal alongside strong weekly rewards
4.5/5
Free bets
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Livescore Bet
£30 free bets for newcomers, weekly £5 acca bet via Acca Club and racing money-back as free bet offers
4.5/5
Bet builders
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EasyBet
Bet builder tool available across eight different sports with links to free bet offers
4/5
Cash out
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BetTOM
Fast cash out functionality with responsive in-play betting platform
4/5
New betting sites – trusted expert reviews
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We tested several new bookmakers before arriving at the above list, which are strong choices for popular forms of betting.
We’re keeping an eye out for any worthy rivals entering the UK market in 2026 and regularly review our recommendations.
Best new football betting site: QuinnBet
Welcome Offer: 50% Cashback up to £25
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Key Features: Daily bet builder boosts up to 20% • Extra 10% acca bonus on trebles+ • 0-0 bet builder refund protection • Regular football-focused rewards • Boosts applied to winning multiples • Designed for frequent football bettors
Review
Thanks to its impressive range of ongoing promotions QuinnBet has quickly established itself as the best new UK bookmaker for football betting.
Bet builder users benefit from daily profit boosts of up to 20%, while accumulator bettors can earn an additional 10% bonus on successful trebles and above.
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The standout feature is its 0-0 money-back offer, which refunds losing featured bet builders as a free bet when matches finish goalless.
These consistent football betting rewards make QuinnBet particularly appealing for regular punters, although promotions come with plenty of terms and conditions it has to be said.
QuinnBet provides rewards for regular bettors (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
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✓ Excellent daily football promotions
✓ Strong bet builder and acca boost rewards
✓ Handy 0-0 refund protection
✓ Rewards for regular bettors
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Cons
✗ Free bets must be manually claimed
✗ No similar boosts available for in-play betting
Best new horse racing bookmaker: Puntit
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Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets
Key Features: Part of the BetVictor Group • Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish racing • 10% weekly cashback on racing losses • Daily price boosts on singles and multiples • Money-back offers as free bets on disrupted races • User-friendly sportsbook design
Review
Puntit is an exciting new UK horse racing bookmaker backed by the established BetVictor Group, offering a familiar and reliable betting experience.
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Its standout feature is the 10% weekly cashback on racing losses, which provides consistent value for regular punters.
Bettors also benefit from Best Odds Guaranteed across UK and Irish meetings, plus daily racing boosts on both singles and pre-built multiples.
Puntit also has money-back promotions in the form of horse racing free bets when a selection loses all chance at the start.
While some features, such as bet builder functionality, remain fairly basic, it is an excellent choice for frequent racing bettors.
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Puntit supports new customers with a competitive racing-focused sign-up deal alongside strong weekly rewards (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ Weekly cashback on racing losses
✓ Best Odds Guaranteed across UK and Ireland
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✓ Daily price boosts on key races
✓ Strong value for regular horse racing punters
Cons
✗ Bet builder tools could be more advanced
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✗ Newer platform with fewer extras than major rivals
✗ Promotions may have race-specific conditions
Best new bookmaker for free bets: LiveScore Bet
Welcome Offer: Bet £10, Get £30 Free Bets
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Key Features: £30 free bets for new users • Weekly £5 acca bet via Acca Club • VAR ruled-out goalscorer refunds • Racing money-back offers on placed runners • Early payout and accumulator insurance • Strong app experience
Review
LiveScore Bet has quickly become the best new UK bookmakers for free bet value, combining a solid sign-up deal with regular ongoing promotions.
Newcomers can claim £30 in free bets, while existing users benefit from football and racing-specific rewards throughout the week.
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Standout offers include free bet refunds on certain goalscorer markets when a goal is disallowed by VAR, plus money-back promotions on selected horse races.
There’s also a weekly £5 free acca available through the Acca Club.
Market depth is a little inferior compared to major rivals, but free bet promos are in constant supply.
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Newcomers can claim £30 in free bets on either desktop or mobile (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ Regular free bet promos across football and racing
✓ Weekly rewards through Acca Club
✓ Early payout and acca insurance offers
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Cons
✗ Fewer markets than larger established bookies
✗ Promotions require opt-in and qualifying stakes
✗ Promos mainly aimed at accumulator bettors
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Best new bookmaker for bet builders: EasyBet
Welcome Offer: Bet £20, Get £20 Free Bets
Key Features: Bet builder available across eight sports • Combine up to 12 markets in one event • Football odds boosts on featured bet builders • Weekly Premier League bet builder free bets • Straightforward ongoing promotions
Review EasyBet is an exchange-led betting site that also delivers a strong bet builder experience.
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Their bet builder tool is simple to use and covers eight sports, including football, MMA, cricket, rugby and major US leagues.
Users can combine up to 12 markets from a single match, which will suit most casual and regular bettors.
The platform also runs consistent bet builder incentives, including two £5 free bet builder bets each week on Premier League fixtures when staking £20 or more.
While the exchange format may not appeal to everyone, EasyBet’s offers are clear and accessible.
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EasyBet provide regular free bet builder promotions for new and existing punters (The Independent)
Pros
✓ Bet builder available across a wide range of sports
✓ Regular free bet builder promotions each week
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✓ Simple tool with enough market flexibility
✓ Strong selection of ongoing offers
Cons
✗ Exchange betting model won’t suit all users
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✗ Fewer bet builder legs than some major rivals
✗ Best promos reserved for Premier League
Best new bookmaker for cash out: BetTOM
Welcome Offer: 50% Cashback up to £25
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Key Features: Fast cash out tool • Good in-play betting platform • Cash out available on singles and multiples • Decent welcome offer for new users • Designed for live betting
Review
BetTOM has quickly positioned itself as one of the best new UK bookmakers for cash out, particularly for bettors who enjoy wagering in-play.
While most operators now offer cash out, BetTOM stands out for how quickly and smoothly the feature works during live events.
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In our experience, cash out requests were processed within seconds, giving punters greater control to secure profits or limit losses instantly.
The in-play interface is clean and responsive, with plenty of markets available across major sports.
Although live streaming options are more limited than some established rivals, BetTOM’s fast settlement and strong live betting focus make it a strong choice.
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BetTOM gives new customers a competitive sign-up deal alongside a strong in-play betting experience (iStock/The Independent)
Pros
✓ Excellent in-play performance
✓ Fast cash out on most sports markets
✓ Works on both singles and multiples
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✓ Strong welcome offer for new customers
Cons
✗ Fewer live streams than some bigger bookies
✗ Best suited mainly to in-play bettors
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✗ Newer platform with fewer extras overall
How we rank UK betting sites
We rank online bookmakers using first-hand testing, transparent evaluation criteria and strict editorial standards.
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Here are the key factors we consider when compiling our rankings on this page:
Gambling licence & regulation
All the gambling operators on our list are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
This ensures the bookie meets legal requirements around fair play, data security, customer funds protection and responsible gambling protocols.
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Trust and transparency
We utilise our journalistic expertise to evaluate betting sites, favouring bookmakers that make their terms and conditions digestible and have a proven track record of resolving customer issues.
We also consider the experience of other punters, checking verified feedback UK betting sites receive to get an alternative view from fellow bettors.
Desktop and mobile usability
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Each betting site is put through its paces on both desktop and mobile devices. We consider ease of navigation, page load speed and app usability and responsiveness.
Quality of offers and promos
We assess how valuable each welcome offer really is, including factors such as minimum deposits, winnings caps and overall usability.
We also consider whether ongoing promotions are available to existing customers and whether there is a good variety of offers across different sports.
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Commitment to safer gambling
A bookmaker’s approach to player welfare is a key factor in our rankings. We only recommend operators that make it easy for users to stay in control.
That means easy access to deposit limits and time-outs, clear links to self-exclusion and support services and proactive account monitoring.
Why trust The Independent?
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Chris Wilson is a sports reporter at The Independent who has expertise in betting and gaming. He is constantly testing and reviewing new casino sites and betting sites across the UK to maintain our list of the best online bookmakers.
He has tested dozens of UK bookmakers in order to compile his rankings, with reviews updated regularly.
As alluded to above, Chris uses a range of strict criteria when evaluating online betting sites, considering promotions and offers, the variety of games and payment methods, efficient customer service and the overall experience.
Each betting site recommended by Chris on behalf of The Independent is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
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What to bet on: This week’s sporting schedule
Football
The Europa League and Europa Conference League tournaments have reached the play-off round with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace both in action.
We then turn our attention towards the weekend, with Arsenal travelling to Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon, hoping to get their title charge back on track.
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Manchester City could be just two points behind by the time the Gunners kick-off if they can beat Newcastle on Saturday evening, while new Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira will take charge of the Tricky Trees for the first time when they host Liverpool on Sunday.
Rugby Union
It’s round three of the Six Nations and England need a positive result when they face Ireland at home after last week’s shock loss to Scotland. That clash at Twickenham gets underway at 2.10pm, before the Scots bid to follow up their Calcutta Cup success away to a struggling Wales side.
On Sunday, leaders France take on an improving Italy team in Lille.
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Cricket
The Super 8s stage at the Twenty20 World Cup gets underway on Saturday with the majority of the big nations safely through, apart from Australia. England begin their Super 8s schedule with a clash against co-hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday morning.
Horse racing
This week’s big meetings come from Kempton, which plays host to the Ladbrokes Trophy, and Lingfield, with the latter staging the Winter Derby on its all-weather track. Both meetings take place on Saturday afternoon.
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Winter Olympics
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games reach their conclusion this weekend, and there’s still plenty of gold medals left to hand out, with both the men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments set for thrilling finales.
Other highlights
Some of tennis’s big guns are in action in the Middle East on both the ATP and WTA Tours at the events in Qatar and the UAE, which conclude this weekend. The Genesis Invitational is the big golf event of the weekend on the PGA Tour, while it’s the World Club Challenge in rugby league on Thursday evening as Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos fight to be crowned world champions.
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Online bookmaker of the week
TalkSPORT BET
TalkSPORT BET is running a special Premier League betting offer this weekend, with their latest promo focusing on the London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
New customers who place a pre-match £1 bet on Arsenal to win Sunday’s late kick-off will be paid out in cash and free bets at odds of 30/1 should their selection win, while punters who place the same wager on Spurs to win will be paid out at 40/1 if the hosts oblige.
These boosted odds of 30/1 and 40/1 are significantly better than the market prices of 8/15 for Arsenal to win and 19/4 for Spurs to win.
It’s a great offer for the clash of the weekend in the Premier League, so TalkSPORT BET gets our vote as bookie of the week.
Betting on sports scored highly on the UKGC’s Problem Gambling Severity Index, and it’s crucial that bettors understand that using betting apps comes with risks.
Gambling should be treated as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money. Never stake more than you can afford to lose and avoid chasing losses by placing additional bets.
All licensed UK bookmakers provide tools to help you stay in control, including deposit limits, self-assessment checks, and session reminders to manage both time and spending.
If gambling ever starts to feel difficult to manage, support is available, and you are encouraged to seek help from the organisations listed below:
Best betting sites UK: FAQs
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Which are the best betting sites in the UK?
It’s a good idea to test out different sites before deciding which is best for you. It depends what you want from your chosen site, but our recommendations are Bet365 for football, Tote for horse racing, Betfred for free bets, SpreadEx for sign up offer and Unibet for bet builders.
What are non-GamStop betting sites?
Any site that is not part of the GamStop initiative is possibly unlicensed, unregulated and off-shore, meaning bettors are taking a huge risk when using their services. All our recommended UK online bookmakers are on GamStop, and we don’t recommend non-GamStop betting sites.
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Which betting sites offer cash out?
Cash out has become a standard feature on UK betting sites, often used to lock in a profit or cut your losses. It is available on ante-post, single and accumulator bets on most sports. Some of the best betting sites offering cash out include Bet365, Betfred, Kwiff, BetMGM and BetTOM.
What betting sites accept PayPal?
Most UK bookmakers now accept PayPal and other e-wallets as a payment method. However, several betting sites do not allow PayPal transfers when it comes to qualifying for their sign up offer, so remember to check the accepted payment methods for any welcome offer before going ahead.
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What betting sites offer Irish Lotto?
At least three UK betting sites offer Irish Lotto betting options. These include Tote (via pools), Lottoland and Betfred, the last of which provides lottery-style betting options for its customers.
How do you block UK betting sites?
There are several free tools available that allow bettors to block themselves from seeing gambling websites. Options include BetBlock, GamBan and GamBlock. Bettors could also join GamStop’s self-exclusion list to prevent them from using UK betting sites.
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What betting sites accept credit cards?
Bettors have not been able to use credit cards on UK betting sites since April 2020 following research by the Gambling Commission that suggested many problem gamblers used credit cards. Any betting site that offers to accept credit card deposits will not be a licensed UK betting site and should be avoided.
Which betting sites accept Revolut?
Only a handful of betting sites currently accept Revolut as a payment option, with Unibet and QuinnBet two of the biggest names to add Revolut to their banking options. While deposits are instant, withdrawals using Revolut can take several days, meaning bettors who want access to their winnings faster may want to consider alternatives.
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We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Connor McDavid has been as dominant as ever in his first Olympic Games.
McDavid has now scored the most points of any player in a single Olympic tournament with NHL participation after collecting an assist on a goal by Sam Reinhart in Friday’s semifinal against Finland.
McDavid’s 12 points put him one ahead of Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne, who each had 11 points to help Finland win the silver medal in 2006.
McDavid now has two goals and 10 assists in the tournament. He also leads the NHL in scoring with 96 points this season.
Brett Favre believes there has been a change in the NFL’s engagement strategy.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer discussed the issue during an appearance on Tomi Lahren’s OutKick show earlier this week, in which Lahren said she felt the NFL changed its approach to the way it appeals to fans “somewhere around Colin Kaepernick.”
Green Bay Packers quarterback (4) Brett Favre warms up before playing against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.(Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
“I think there probably is some truth to that. Why that has changed, I really don’t know,” Favre said. “Because I think your general football audience is people like you and I. Maybe loves football, or maybe is a casual, fair-weather fan, but it is the biggest show in town. So you watch it, you know, you watch the halftime show and who sang the national anthem. You know, that’s been that way for a long time.
“But you’re right, you know, in the last maybe 10 years, maybe a little longer, there’s been a slight shift. For whatever reason, I have no idea, because you want to appeal to your true fans. And it doesn’t seem like that is the case anymore.”
Green Bay Packers quarterback (4) Brett Favre is interviewed after defeating the Detroit Lions.(Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports )
Conservative fans were turned off by the decision to have Bad Bunny perform during the Super Bowl halftime show — he was largely criticized for having almost his entire performance in Spanish.
President Donald Trump called it “one of the worst” halftime shows of all time.
“This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History! There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the show.
Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LX football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The show was the fourth most-watched of all time, but NFL ratings continue to skyrocket. NFL games accounted for 92 of the top 100 most-watched telecasts throughout 2025.
