Betting For Beginners

Last Updated: November 5, 2025By

Sport Guides For Online Betting For Beginners

Gone are the days of trekking to a local bookmaker to place bets on major events. The internet’s rise brought a boom in online betting, with bookmakers like Paddy Power expanding globally by setting up digital platforms. New players, like Betfair, also emerged, shaking up the industry.
While betting was already popular, the internet made it a massive, accessible industry. This growth sparked fierce competition, with hundreds of bookmakers now operating online. Choosing a bookmaker can feel overwhelming due to the sheer number of options, but the upside is the variety of sign-up offers designed to attract new customers.
For those new to this vast and intimidating betting landscape, this sports guide aims to simplify everything, ensuring you can confidently explore all available opportunities.

General misconceptions about online betting

In the UK, online bookmakers must be licensed by the Gambling Commission and often hold additional certifications from authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Spotting their logos at the bottom of a betting site signals that it’s safe, with fair, randomized games.

Online betting is now a secure and fun activity where winners reliably receive their payouts. To avoid the rare unscrupulous sites, consult trusted reviews of online betting platforms. These reviews confirm licensing, fair gameplay, and robust data protection. For added safety, always verify the site’s licensing, read the terms and conditions of any bonuses, and check the FAQ for details on deposits and withdrawals.

What can you bet on?

Online bookmakers like Betfair and Paddy Power offer betting on a wide range of events, from your favorite sports to non-sporting events like reality TV shows (e.g., X Factor or Love Island), awards like Sports Personality of the Year, and global political elections.

Sports betting markets are vast, covering not just outright winners of tournaments or matches but also detailed in-game options. For example, in football, you can bet on handicaps, over/under goals, goalscorers, assists, scoring methods, corners, cards, shots hitting the woodwork, and more. GYFB provides free football tips for matches across major European leagues.

Detailed betting markets extend to most major sports and leagues, including Football, Rugby, Cricket, Ice Hockey, Basketball, American Football, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Formula One, Horse Racing, and Greyhound Racing.

Types of bets

As an online bettor, you’re not limited to single-outcome bets; you can boost your potential returns with accumulators and permutations.

Racing bets, such as those on horses, greyhounds, or drivers, offer unique options. Choosing the each-way option allows you to win if your selection places, even if it doesn’t finish first. You can also place forecasts (picking first and second) or tricasts (first, second, and third). Free daily racing tips are available on GYFB.

Each-way bets are often available for outright winner markets in tournaments and competitions. For broader betting, you can add multiple selections to your online betting slip for enhanced odds in an accumulator, but all selections must win for a payout.

For more flexibility with multiple selections, permutations offer a safety net. These bets cover all possible combinations of your selections, from doubles upward, so you can still win if just one combination succeeds. Options range from trixies (three selections, four bets) to goliaths (eight selections, 247 bets).

Choosing a betting website

The online betting market is highly competitive, offering many top-tier choices like Betfair and Paddy Power. Before signing up, explore the bookmaker’s website to ensure it offers your preferred betting markets. Additionally, check that the site is user-friendly, has a mobile app for convenient betting, and boasts highly rated customer service in reviews.
For detailed insights on the best online betting sites, refer to reliable bookmaker reviews. If you need specific information about a site, contact their customer service via live chat or email—they’re eager to assist. For a starting point, check out our hub of trusted betting partners and their sign-up offers.

Know the bonuses on offer

Welcome bonuses typically come as free bets or enhanced odds. Free bets often require a minimum deposit and wager to qualify, while enhanced odds have a maximum bet limit.
Always review the terms and conditions to understand any limits or wagering requirements, especially if your free bet or enhanced odds bet wins—though such requirements are rare in online betting.
Choose a bonus that aligns with your preferences. Some bonuses are linked to major sporting events, appealing to fans of those sports. If you like the site but prefer not to take the bonus, you can usually opt out.
Once you’re signed up with bookmakers like Betfair or Paddy Power, you can often take advantage of ongoing promotions, such as deposit matches for free bets or straightforward free bets.

Making an account

Setting up an online betting account with leading bookmakers like Betfair or Paddy Power is typically fast and straightforward. You generally need to provide your name, age, address, phone number or email, and click the prominent sign-up button. Next, you’ll add payment details to fund your account.
For large withdrawals, the site may require identity verification, which usually involves emailing a copy of an ID document.

Moving money

One of the key aspects of online betting is ensuring the bookmaker offers payment and withdrawal methods that work for you. This information is typically available in the FAQ section.
Most platforms support popular card payments and eWallet services. There are usually upper and lower limits on deposits and withdrawals, with minimums often set at £5 or £10 per transaction. Be sure to check if the site or payment service charges fees for deposits or withdrawals.

Top tips for betting online

Bet based on your knowledge and research events thoroughly using sites like Oddschecker or GYFB to make informed decisions.
Always review the terms and conditions of any bonus you’re considering.
Check bookmaker reviews to confirm the quality of customer service before signing up, ensuring you won’t be stuck with poor support when you need assistance.

Best Betting Offers

Rating

Bet & Get Up To $2,000 in FanCash
  • Upto $2,000 in FanCash
  • GameDay Guarantees
  • Extensive Bet-Builder
  • Fair Play Features

Rating

Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets
  • MLB Profit Boost
  • F2P Daily Shuffle $100k Prize
  • Play YourWay
  • Get $50 in Bonus

Rating

Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets
  • Bet Boosts
  • Early Payout Offers
  • Parlay Bonus
  • Event-Specific “Bet & Get”

Get the best free bets and casino bonuses weekly via email

Sign up to receive the latest betting and casino promotions

    Latest News

    Betting on Golf

    October 27, 2025|

    Sport Guides For Online Betting For Beginners Gone are the days of trekking to a local bookmaker [...]

    Betting on Darts

    October 27, 2025|

    Sport Guides For Online Betting For Beginners Gone are the days of trekking to a local bookmaker [...]

    Betting on Boxing

    October 27, 2025|

    Sport Guides For Online Betting For Beginners Gone are the days of trekking to a local bookmaker [...]

    Betting on Greyhounds

    October 27, 2025|

    Sport Guides For Online Betting For Beginners Gone are the days of trekking to a local bookmaker [...]

    Other Related Stories

    Go to Top