The Best UK Basketball Betting Sites

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and is a hugely dynamic, pulsating and fast-paced game which has a sizeable following in both the US and Europe. Household names such as LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan have helped to popularise the sport over the last fifty years and although there are a number of notable competitions taking place on a regular basis, the NBA still tends to dominate when it comes to watching and betting on this dramatic end-to-end sport.

Although Basketball is arguably one of the simplest sports to bet on, there are still plenty of techniques and tips which we’ve outlined here. If you want to improve your basketball betting, then take a look at our guide which will highlight the most popular betting markets, look at how to unearth the best odds as well as picking out the best basketball betting sites.

Our list of top basketball betting sites has been carefully constructed and has been put together using strict criteria. There are a number of factors which we have taken into consideration, and these enable us to rank the best basketball betting sites in the UK.

• Basketball Coverage – It seems a fairly straightforward and simple request, however, we’re looking for UK betting sites who offer multiple basketball markets and have enhancements and special offers relating to upcoming basketball matches. Football and horse racing still dominate the betting agenda for the majority of bookmakers, however, we’ll always prioritise betting sites who have a dedicated basketball section and regularly promote competitions such as the NBA. 
• In-Play / Live Betting - Although many NBA games take place overnight to a UK audience, basketball remains one of the best sports for betting in-play. The fast-paced nature of the sport and the frequent changes in momentum make it the perfect game to follow from an in-play perspective. We’re looking for bookmakers who offer live in-play odds and unique live markets. This all adds to the excitement of following the sport.
• Mobile Compatibility / App – As stated above, UK basketball punters enjoy betting live in-play on competitions such as the NBA and the Euro League. As a result, punters require a reliable and trusted mobile app which enables speedy betting on a handheld device.
• Free Bets / Promotions – If you’re thinking of signing up for an online basketball betting site, then you’ll undoubtedly want to take advantage of the welcome bonus. These promotions allow punters to bet on any sport and here at MansionBet UK, we tend to look favourably on those sites who offer a generous and easy-to-claim welcome bonus. Although bonus money must be rolled over before any withdrawals can be made, this extra cash is extremely useful for betting on both pre-match and in-play basketball markets.
• Usability / Reliability – If you’re placing regular bets on the NBA or the Euro League, you’ll want to ensure that you can place your bets quickly and that you’re able to browse the various markets without fuss. When compiling our list of best online bookmakers, we tend to prefer sites who have a reputation for offering a reliable service and those which don’t suffer too many glitches and prevents punters from placing their basketball bets. 

How do we check our betting sites

Although we have ample experience of providing a successful online betting site, we still need to carry out thorough checks on each of our online betting sites. 

Our exhaustive research involves signing up for each betting site, claiming the welcome bonus, speaking to customer support, placing bets on a variety of sport and making a withdrawal. This will help us to review each online betting from the perspective of the average UK punter.

Here at MansionBet, we aren’t paid to conduct our review, so our assessments are fair, honest and carried out by a team of experienced and passionate writers. We will also regularly check these sites to confirm that our initial judgement was correct and that our reviews are up to date.

Few sports are more perfect for live in-play betting than basketball. Live betting markets include money lines, over/under and spread betting. The stop-start nature of the game means you can quickly put that parlay together.

You can enjoy the adrenaline-fuelled thrill of NBA live betting on the sites we review as you watch the game.

Will there be a steal? Can a team score that three-pointer? Will there be a turnover? Simply sign-up for a betting account on one of the sites featured by MansionBet.

When it comes to choosing an online bookmaker, the sheer variety of desktop sites and betting apps can be potentially overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the best basketball operators in the UK: 

If you’re thinking of placing a basketball bet, then you’ll need to follow a number of simple steps:

• Sign up for one of our recommended online basketball operators
• Register your details and await a confirmation email
• Claim the welcome bonus by making an initial deposit. 
• Locate the basketball markets (found in the A-Z markets)
• Browse through the various competitions until you have settled on your preferred bet. Click to add this to your betting slip
• Add your stake and select your type of bet
• Once you are satisfied, click ‘place bet’. 

Top leagues and competitions

The NBA is undoubtedly the most popular basketball competition in the world and many bookmakers offer year-round betting on this superbly entertaining and popular league. Most betting sites will offer betting on college basketball and with the popularity of the game having extended to Europe and beyond, there are a number of popular competitions such as the Euro League which feature prominently.

Is it legal betting on basketball

Yes, it is perfectly legal to place basketball bets in the UK. As long your chosen betting site is fully licensed, you will be able to enjoy betting on the NBA and the Euro League.

Contacting customer support

Should you encounter any issues, it’s always good to know that you can contact the bookmaker and resolve the problem. Most online betting sites offer a live chat function which gives punters the chance to speak to an operative. There are also other methods of contact such as email and social media, however, here at MansionBet UK, we tend to prioritise those betting who offer a 24/7 live chat service.

If you’re new to betting on basketball, then you may be a little overwhelmed by the number of markets available on each match. Bookmakers are constantly expanding the number of betting opportunities and with a number of potential outcomes and frequent shifts in momentum, it’s vitally important to know which markets to focus on. Here at MansionBet, we’ve put together a list of the key pre-match betting markets.

• Money Line – This is the simplest way to bet on a basketball match. Money Line markets enable punters to predict which of the two teams will win the match.
• Points Spread – This is the most popular way of betting on basketball. The NBA frequently throws up one-sided encounters and the points spread market makes it possible to bet on the overwhelming favourite to overcome a handicap (-12 points for example).
• Points Total – If you don’t fancy predicting which team will triumph, then this market is an ideal alternative. It is sometimes referred to as Under/Over and requires the two teams to accumulatively surpass a set number of points (210.5 for example).

Betting types

• Accumulators – During the regular season, there may be several NBA matches tipping off at the same time. In this situation, creating an accumulator is a fantastic way of keeping across all of these matches. You can add multiple matches into your accumulator and there is always a chance of winning a life-changing sum of money for a small outlay.
• In-Play / Live – If you can’t decide on an outcome, you may wish to wait until a game has got underway before placing bet. Luckily, most UK bookmakers now offer live in-play betting on all basketball matches. There are additional live betting markets and this is a great way of wagering if you’re watching the match on TV or via a live streaming service.

When it comes to ranking our basketball betting sites, we take a number of factors into consideration. The quality and value of the odds is one of the key aspects that we take into account and it’s vitally important that our chosen operators are competitive in this area.

Odds reflect the probability of an outcome and they often tend to fluctuate ahead of tip-off. This can be affected by anything from injury news to the influence of pundits/analysts.

Although we don’t compare basketball odds ourselves, we use a number of online tools to check if our chosen betting sites are offering competitive prices compared to the majority of their rivals.

If you find that your chosen bookmaker are offering inferior odds, it’s possible to shop around and sign up for multiple bookmakers. This will ensure that you can take advantage of the best possible odds on your chosen bet.

When it comes to ranking the best basketball betting sites in the UK, we’ve prioritised those operators who can boast a wide range of features. Although punters may not opt to use every single feature, it’s always good to have them available, just in case. We’ve picked out some of the key features:

• Bet Boosts / Enhancements – As we’ve previously mentioned, it’s important to ensure that you accept the best possible odds when betting on basketball. If your chosen bookmaker offers bet boosts and regular enhancements, this can greatly inflate the price and increase any potential returns. Some operators offer pre-determined enhancements on selected matches and markets whereas other bookmakers give punters the chance to choose which odds to boost.
• Live Streaming – Some UK bookmakers offer a live streaming service which enables punters to watch live footage of various sporting events. Many basketball matches (including the NBA and Euro League) tend to feature and if you’re placing an in-play bet, this is a great way to keep across all of the action on either your desktop or smartphone.
• Cash Out – Contrary to popular belief, underdogs do occasionally prevail in basketball and matches can be determined by a sudden shift in momentum. As a result, it’s important for punters to have the option to cash out their bet if things are potentially turning pear-shaped. It’s also a good way to capitalise on being in a winning position. 

Safe and security

Although features are vitally important to the overall betting experience, it’s also essential to pick a bookmaker which has a reputation for offering a high level of safety and security.

Here at MansionBet, we only consider bookmakers who are fully licensed by either the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. We also ensure that all of our recommended sites use encryption technology to protect player details.

Whether you’ve recently signed up to an online bookmaker or you’re a semi-regular bettor, it’s always nice to be rewarded! Luckily, many UK bookmakers reward their players with a variety of bonuses and promotions. We’ve outlined some of the most popular types of bonuses:

• Bet and Get – In order to receive a free bet, the majority of bookmakers will require to place a qualifying bet. For example: Place a £10 bet on any pre-match NBA market and receive a free £5 in-play bet to use on the same match. It’s vitally important to read the terms and conditions to ensure that you’re eligible for the free bet and that you’ve followed all of the correct steps.
• Get a £5 Free Bet if Player/Team X… - Although these are less common, some bookmakers will offer a free bet if a pre-selected player or team amass a certain amount of points. This will often players to have placed a qualifying bet on the match in question.
• Loyalty Club / Accumulator Club – There are a number of promotions which reward player loyalty. Most bookmakers will offer a £5 free bet if you bet a qualifying amount (often £20/£25) over a seven day period).
• Deposit Bonus / Sign Up Bonus – When you sign up for an online bookmaker, you will often be rewarded for your choice. Most operators will offer players the chance to claim a 50%/100%/200% bonus on their initial deposit or first bet. So If you deposit and bet £20, a 100% bonus would earn you an additional £20. This can be used on any basketball market.

When it comes to ranking the best basketball betting sites, we’re looking for bookmakers who offer a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options. Punters have a variety of financial preferences and it’s vitally important that each of these operators offer enough options to ensure that bettors have plenty of choice when it comes to funding their account.

• Debit Cards (Visa/MasterCard) – Although not every UK punter is keen to submit their debit card details, the majority of UK bookmakers use the latest encryption technology to ensure that this information cannot be shared. Depositing via a debit card is quick and easy and is still the most popular way to fund a betting account.
• E-wallets – E-wallets have become increasingly popular in recent years and these can be used to deposit and withdraw from a betting account. There is a level of anonymity with using an e-wallet and withdrawals can be completed within 24 hours if you opt to use PayPal, Skrill or Neteller.
• Pre-paid Cards – Although many of these pre-paid cards cannot be used for withdrawals, it is possible to deposit using this method. These are pre-loaded so it enables UK punters to keep tighter control over their spending and are a fairly anonymous way to increase your betting balance. 

Payouts

If you’re lucky enough to hit a winning streak, then you’ll want to receive your winnings as quickly as possible. Luckily, most bookmakers will process a withdrawal within 3-5 days, however, it is significantly quicker if you opt to use an e-wallet (occasionally within 12 hours!).

The additional of VISA Fast Funds also enables punters to receive their money within a couple of hours.

In order to be a successful basketball bettor, you’ll need to build a strategy and make sure that you stick to your principles and don’t deviate from your chosen plan. We’ve picked out some key tips to help improve your betting and potentially avoid the common pitfalls of betting on basketball.

Online Basketball Betting Tips

• Study the Schedule – This is arguably the most important aspect of betting on basketball, particularly the NBA. It isn’t possible for the best teams to win every single match throughout the regular season and with 82 matches to complete, fatigue and injuries are likely to creep in at some stage. There will be plenty of travelling between matches and some exceptionally quick turnarounds so make sure that you follow each team’s schedule closely. Teams on a run of home matches are likely to perform better whereas NBA sides with punishing schedules (3 road games in 7 days for example) are likely to suffer as a result.
• Research and Stats are Key – Before placing a basketball bet, it’s important to make sure that you’ve conducted plenty of research. Although statistics are unlikely to give you a full picture of a team’s performance, making a note of the number of turnovers, rebounds and 3-point percentages will give you a clearer idea of how each team will approach the match.

What to avoid

• Don’t place your bets too early – Although it can be extremely tempting to place your bets several hours before a match takes place, it’s often best to wait until just before the tip-off. With such a quick turnaround between matches, players can suffer last minute injuries and fatigue and may be taken out of the team with very little warning. This may scupper your bets and potentially change the outcome of the tie. 

Mobile betting has become increasingly popular in recent years and with punters leading increasingly busy lives, the ability to place wagers quickly and conveniently has undoubtedly become a priority for many UK bettors.

As a result, we have looked favourably on those bookmakers who offer a slick and easily accessible mobile app. We’re looking for an app which can be easily downloaded and installed and most importantly, is reliable.

Most mobile apps mirror the desktop equivalent, however, some operators will offer exclusive boosts, offers and odds to mobile users.

It is also possible to access live in-play betting odds and stream top-level basketball matches on your handheld device.

With many NBA matches taking place late at night (UK time), mobile betting apps allow punters to follow all of the action from the comfort of their armchair or bed. It is incredibly convenient and makes it even easier to follow your favourite competitions and leagues.

Basketball is a hugely popular sport for both spectators and bettors and its fast-paced and relentless style also makes it ideal for in-play betting.

Our list of recommended basketball bookmakers offer hundreds of different markets on a daily basis with competitions taking place around the world 24/7. The NBA and the Euro League remain the most popular tournaments, and many bookmakers now offer additional prop and player markets to reflect this.

Our comprehensive guide to basketball has hopefully helped you to establish exactly what you require from a betting site and given you some tips on how to improve your own basketball betting.