Sky Bet Review 2024 & Expert Rating

Sky Bet has emerged as one of the top online bookmakers in the UK betting market. With its popularity rising, you may be thinking about signing up and trying Sky Bet for yourself.

In this review, we will help you determine if Sky Bet is the right fit for your needs.

We will share our personal experiences using the platform, including the biggest pros and cons, standout features, and ease of use.

We aim to provide the information you need to decide if Sky Bet aligns with your betting goals.

Throughout this Sky Bet review, we will evaluate the platform’s primary features using a qualitative, points-based scale. These points will be converted into star ratings.

For more information on how we test view here.

Overall Rating – 3.8 stars

Overall, we give Sky Bet a rating of 3.8 stars, based on an overall score of 69 and an average of 76%.

Sky Bet provides a smooth, full-featured online betting platform for UK punters.

The mobile app and website are well-designed with an intuitive layout. You get access to deep betting markets across dozens of sports.

However, Sky Bet falls short when it comes to brand transparency and ownership structure. The relationship between Sky and Sky Bet appears convoluted.

However recreational bettors will likely find good value in Sky Bet’s range of betting markets, competitive odds, and easy-to-use interface.

While more brand clarity from Sky Bet would be reassuring, the product itself delivers a lot of functionality for casual punters.

We would recommend Sky Bet with some reservations – do your due diligence into their ownership and track record. But the sheer betting value seems to outweigh most drawbacks.

Here’s a breakdown of how Sky Bet performed:

Here’s a rundown of the overall pros and cons of Sky Bet:

Pros

• Smooth, intuitive interface and mobile app

• Competitive odds across a wide variety of sports

• Extensive betting markets and options

• Convenient features like bet builder and cash-out

Cons

• The ownership structure lacks transparency

• Limited payment options compared to rivals

• Inconsistent customer phone support

• Few live-streamed events

Safety – 3.5 stars

Sky Bet demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, though some aspects of its operation invite scrutiny.

Licences

Sky Bet is fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, which are among the most stringent regulatory bodies in the gambling industry.

These licences are a testament to Sky Bet’s adherence to the highest standards of player protection, fairness, and responsible gambling practices.

Despite this, it’s important to note that Sky Bet is operated by Bonne Terre Limited, a separate entity licensed to use the Sky name.

While this doesn’t impact legal and regulatory compliance, it may affect the brand’s perception among users who associate it directly with the Sky corporation.

Security

Sky Bet employs state-of-the-art security measures to safeguard user data and transactions.

With robust encryption technologies in place, players can rest assured that their personal and financial information is well-protected against unauthorised access.

However, the brand’s ownership structure has raised some eyebrows, as it’s not as straightforward as some might expect.

The fact that Sky does not directly own Sky Bet could lead to questions about the long-term stability and oversight of the operation.

Track Record

Sky Bet has a long history in the online betting market, with a track record that generally inspires confidence.

The brand has managed to maintain a solid reputation for security over the years, which speaks to its overall reliability.

Pros

• Strong licensing credentials from UKGC and AGCC

• Advanced Verisign SSL encryption for data security

• Comprehensive responsible gambling tools available

• Long-standing reputation in the online betting industry

Cons

• Ownership by Bonne Terre Limited, not directly by Sky, which may affect brand trust

• The relationship between Sky and Sky Bet could be more transparent

Mobile Betting App – 4.5 stars

Available on both iOS and Android devices, the Sky Bet app brings the full desktop experience to mobile flawlessly.

Everything from the vast markets to ongoing promotions is accessible through intuitive menus tailored for handheld use.

Look and Feel

The Sky Bet developers optimised for mobile with large buttons, negative space, and logical layouts.

Colours pop on the eye-catching interface while icons and menus have an intuitive flow.

No matter the task – reviewing upcoming matches, tracking open bets, depositing funds – you’ll find the app smooth and user-friendly.

It’s one of the best-looking and practical designs among sportsbooks.

Making a Bet

Placing wagers requires just a few taps as markets and selections are neatly organised.

Select a sport and event, choose your bet type like spread or moneyline, enter a stake amount, and add to the bet slip – it’s all very simple and efficient.

The ability to cash out and edit pending wagers also comes in handy for mobile users needing flexibility.

User Experience

In practice, Sky Bet’s app is feature-packed to cater to every type of user. Customisable alerts keep you in the loop on outcomes while ongoing promotions add value.

The ability to watch live streams, pooled betting, and deep markets take the experience to another level.

The only limitation is the lack of a desktop client to complement the mobile offering. But the app delivers such robust functionality already that this is a small sacrifice.

Check out our roundup of the best UK betting apps to see how Sky Bet compares.

Pros

• Available on iOS and Android

• Terrific, practical interface design

• Smooth bet placement from anywhere

Cons

• Few glitches were reported

Website – 4 stars

Sky Bet balances an enormous amount of content in a very well-structured site that is appealing and easy to use.

Newcomers should get used to the layout within minutes. In terms of aesthetics, some may initially find the betting site a little busy.

However, given the huge variety of betting options and promotions, this is understandable.

Within a short time, most users will likely overlook the initial barrage of choices and see Sky Bet as one of the most user-friendly betting platforms.

Look and Feel

The site uses extensive graphics and imagery familiar from Sky Sports to give a professional, recognisable feel.

There is only an English language option, but this is expected as Sky Bet caters primarily to the UK market.

Occasional promotional banners can disrupt site flow but overall Sky Bet does a great job balancing visual appeal with usability across desktop and mobile.

User Experience

Placing bets is smooth thanks to easy account funding, a bet slip function that saves automatically, and clearly labelled odds formats.

Live betting is quick with one-click enabled and the editing bets feature prevents mistakes. One drawback is some less popular lines move slowly compared to rivals.

But Sky Bet counters by offering unique markets like FIFA simulation betting.

The lack of live streaming beyond UK/Irish horse racing is a surprise given the Sky Sports connection but unlikely a deal breaker.

Pros

• Slick, fast interface

• Intuitive layout

• Huge variety of betting markets

• Bet editing capability

• Competitive odds and bet boosts

Cons

• Limited live streaming

• Some lines are slow to move

• The site can feel cluttered with promotions

Deposits and Withdrawals – 3 stars

Sky Bet offers a straightforward banking experience for UK players, with debit cards and e-wallets as the main payment options.

Deposits

Deposit methods include:

• Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Solo)

• Google Pay

• Apple Pay

All deposits are free and processed instantly. The minimum deposit amount is £5 across most methods.

While credit cards are no longer accepted, the available options will suit most players. The process is quick and convenient, especially for mobile users with Google/Apple Pay.

Making a Deposit

Depositing takes just minutes – simply enter your card or mobile wallet details and payment amount. Funds appear immediately in your account.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals are only available back to your deposit method. Processing times are:

• Debit cards – 2-5 working days

• Google/Apple Pay – 3-5 days

The minimum withdrawal is £10, which is higher than some competitors but reasonable.

Making a Withdrawal

Making a withdrawal is easy through the banking page. Just enter the amount and confirm to request your payout.

Pros

• Instant free deposits

• Debit cards and mobile wallet options

• Easy, fast payments

Cons

• No PayPal or crypto

• £10 minimum withdrawal limit

• Slower card withdrawals (2-5 days)

Markets – 4 stars

Sky Bet covers an extensive range of sports with good market depth.

With 30+ sports offered and highly competitive odds, it provides plenty of betting options for UK punters.

Sports

Sky Bet has one of the most comprehensive lists of sports in the industry. You can bet on popular sports like football, horse racing, tennis, cricket, golf, etc. at Sky Bet.

The site also allows you to wager on more niche sports such as darts, handball, badminton, cycling, MMA, and eSports.

From low-tier leagues to premier tournaments, Sky Bet has you covered.

Odds

While not always the highest, Sky Bet offers consistently fair odds across its markets. Average odds are competitive, especially for top European football leagues and UK horse racing.

Sky Bet is particularly strong when it comes to football – with detailed stats and many distinct betting markets per match. Enhanced price specials provide added value.

Pros

• Wide range of sports and betting markets

• Strong odds for top football leagues

• Detailed football statistics

Cons

• Limited in-play betting markets

• Few live-streamed events

Pre-Match Betting – 4 stars

Sky Bet offers an immense selection of pre-match betting options across a wide variety of sports.

With strong odds and a great user experience, it’s one of the top choices for UK punters.

Coverage

Sky Bet covers dozens of sports like football, tennis, horse racing, politics, esports (Dota 2, CSGO, etc.), and many more.

You’ll find extremely detailed stats and information to help inform your bets. The depth of betting markets is very extensive with lots of mainstream and niche markets to choose from.

All the popular bet types are covered along with creative specials like tournament winners, player transfers, etc.

Bet Builder

Sky Bet’s bet builder feature allows you to combine multiple bets into one bet slip to create your personalised accumulator bet.

This is useful for stacking up outcomes you think are correlated.

Pros

• Huge market coverage across sports

• Consistently fair and competitive odds

• Detailed statistics for informed betting

• Easy-to-use bet builder tool

• Cash out available on most bets

• Can request custom exotic bets

Cons

• No partial cash-out option

• Maximum payouts apply

In-Play Betting – 4 stars

Sky Bet’s In-Play Betting feature allows you to place bets while a game is in progress, adding excitement and engagement.

The selection of betting markets rivals their pre-match offering in both variety and depth.

Markets

The number of In-Play betting markets across different sports is immense, with little difference from what is available for pre-match betting.

You can bet on all major sports as well as niche competitions. Within each sport, there are numerous submarkets to choose from with shifting odds that reflect the live action.

This creates valuable betting opportunities.

Bet & Watch

Sky Bet makes it easy to Bet & Watch with its responsive site and mobile apps.

You can view live streams and follow in-play stats while having your bet slip ready to go without toggling screens.

This provides an engaging second-screen experience as you react to events in real time.

Cash-out early to take profits or cut losses with the volatility of live betting. Sky Bet gives you more control.

Live Scores and Match Stats

Helpful live scores and statistical graphics give you the necessary context for informed in-play betting decisions. The depth of coverage is excellent, even when live streaming is not available.

Pros

• Exciting way to bet while watching live-action

• Shifting odds create betting value

• Smooth Bet & Watch experience

• Early cash out available

Cons

• Can encourage impulse betting

• Difficult to beat shifting margins

Welcome Offer – 4 stars

The Sky Bet welcome offer provides new customers with a solid bonus.

With easy redemption, inclusion of all sports markets, and no expiry on the bonus funds, it’s a strong incentive overall.

2024 Bonus

The current Sky Bet sign-up bonus in 2024 gives new players £20 in free bets when they place a £5 bet after making an initial £5 deposit.

Specifically, you get two £10 free bet tokens that can be used on any single or each-way wager across all the sports markets, except virtual sports.

The minimum qualifying odds you need to place your first £5 bet at are 1/1 (2.0). Once the bet is settled, Sky Bet instantly credits your account with the two £10 free bets.

There is no requirement to enter a promo code or anything.

With this generous offer, Sky Bet provides solid value for new customers looking to try out the platform risk-free.

How to Get the Bonus

Getting your hands on the free bets couldn’t be easier. Just create an account, deposit £5 or more, and place a £5 bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0).

Sky Bet will automatically credit the two £10 free bet tokens to your account – no promo code needed.

You can easily access and use your bonus funds in the “Free Bets” section of your Sky Bet account. No wagering requirements apply either, and there is no expiry date on the free bets.

Overall, the process of qualifying for and using Sky Bet’s sign-up bonus is quick and convenient.

Comparative Offers

While some competitors like bet365 and 888sport offer higher bonus amounts at the moment, Sky Bet still provides a solid welcome incentive – especially considering the ease of use, all sports inclusion, and lack of expiry limits.

And Sky Bet frequently offers ongoing promos like enhanced odds and bet boosts for existing players.

So while you may get more bonus funds elsewhere, the overall product experience remains competitive.

Pros

• Get £20 in free bets off an initial £5 deposit

• No wagering requirements or expiry on bonus

• All sports markets included (except virtual sports)

Cons

• Some sites currently offer bigger welcome bonuses

• Must use £5 deposit to qualify within 30 days

Customer Service – 3.5 stars

Sky Bet’s customer service is a mixed bag, offering several avenues for support, including live chat, email, and phone, though availability can vary.

Despite some challenges, the overall assistance provided is commendable.

Live Chat

Sky Bet’s live chat is a standout feature, offering 24/7 availability through in-site live chat, Twitter, and Facebook Messenger.

This service is especially convenient through the mobile app, ensuring that help is always at your fingertips.

Email

Email support at Sky Bet aims for a 72-hour response time, but in practice, responses are often much quicker, sometimes within an hour.

This channel is ideal for more complex inquiries or when you need a detailed record of your communication.

The responses are comprehensive, addressing even complicated questions effectively.

Phone Support

Their phone support is hit-and-miss. Sometimes the waiting time is long, and at times the lines are down as well.

Pros

• Multiple support options, including live chat, email, and phone

• Live chat is available 24/7 with instant responses

• Email support is detailed and faster than advertised

Cons

• Phone support is not reliable

• Some users may find the help section difficult to navigate

• Direct support contact can be challenging to obtain

Final Thoughts

Sky Bet delivers an impressive overall betting experience that should appeal to most UK punters.

While some concerns around ownership structure and brand transparency persist, the sheer depth of betting markets, competitive odds, and smooth user experience make Sky Bet a top choice for recreational play.

The mobile app in particular stands out with robust functionality, easy bet placement, and helpful customer support via 24/7 live chat.

While more cautious bettors may still have reservations, Sky Bet’s product quality outweighs most drawbacks.

For those focused on variety and ease of use when betting for entertainment, Sky Bet hits the mark.

FAQs