Live betting

Which sites offers the best live betting?

The majority of sportsbooks offer live betting services on their platforms, allowing wagers to be placed after the event has started. Live betting will usually have a dedicated section in the sportsbook if it is offered.

1. bet365 live betting

Live betting at bet365 is really straightforward, as it has its own dedicated section at the top of  the homepage under ‘In-Play’. Once there, you will be able to see games and events that have already started that you can bet on. You can see real-time stats on the side menu and you can also live stream some events depending on your country of residence.

2. Unibet live betting

If you want to place a live bet at Unibet, navigate to the ‘Sports’ area and then head over to the ‘In-Play’ section in the top menu. Here you will find all of the events that are currently underway. Some games and events will also have the option to live stream, which can be a big help when making informed decisions.  

3. Betway live betting

Betway also makes live betting super simple, with a dedicated ‘In-Play’ section. A nice top menu shows you all the sports with games and events that are ongoing and when you click on something in-play, you are met with a range of markets to choose from. Real-time statistics are displayed on screen to aid you in your decision making and if an event has a ‘play’ button present, it can be live streamed.

4. 1xBet live betting

There is an excellent selection of live betting options available at 1xBet, which features in-play betting on its homepage. Live streaming is an option at this sportsbook, and if a game has the option to watch live, it can be viewed by clicking on the event and then by clicking the player on the right hand side of the screen.

5. William Hill live betting

William Hill is a huge name in the industry and has a great live betting feature on site. By clicking the ‘In-Play’ button in the left hand menu, players can see all of the live events taking place that are available to bet on. When you click into an event, you are met with a very detailed interface, with real-time stats and a strong selection of in-play markets to choose from.

What is live betting?

Live betting is exactly what it says on the tin - placing wagers on sports as they are happening. If a sportsbook offers live betting or in-play betting, they will also offer dynamic odds that change as the event progresses, taking into account what has previously happened.

Live betting offers the opportunity to place bets as the match progresses. It is an exciting chance for the bettor to react to what happens on the pitch and to place bets during the action. There are many professional bettors that exclusively work with live betting, but for casuals it can also just be a chance to get some extra action if the pre-match bet is settled quickly or to exploit what you see on the pitch.

Most popular sports for live betting

Some sports are better suited than others for live betting. The following sports are a really good fit if you’re interested in betting in-play:

✔️ Football: Football tends to be a low scoring sport, with a single goal having a huge impact on the outcome of a game. Live betting gives opportunities to react to big moments and bet on smaller outcomes, such as bookings or corners. 
✔️Tennis: Tennis is very momentum driven and a match can change in an instance with players getting frustrated, fatigued, or losing focus. Live betting allows you to take these factors into account.
✔️ Basketball: Leagues like the NBA and the EuroLeague are known for being fast-paced. Betting in-play allows you to take things like fouls, hot or cold shooting streaks and timeout strategies into account before making a choice.
✔️ Racing: Whether it's horses, dogs or cars, the finish of a race can be determined on any corner. Betting on it live gives you the chance to look for any disadvantages or advantages in the race.

Pros and cons of live betting on sports

Live betting comes with its pros and cons. Here are some of the key ones to consider:

Pros:

✔️ Better odds: Betting in-play can potentially deliver better odds on your chosen team or player if you react quickly. For example, betting on an odds-on favourite after they have fallen behind in a match.
✔️ Informed decisions: Reacting to what you are seeing live can help you predict things more accurately, such as betting on an in-form player to score a goal.
✔️ Hedge your bets: Live betting gives you the opportunity to hedge your bets or even completely cash out your stake if your bet isn’t going the way you planned.

Cons:

❌ Impulsive betting: Betting live encourages impulsive decision-making, as you have to react fast to what is in front of you, which could have a devastating impact on your betting balance.
❌ Higher risks: If you are betting on something in-play, you’re generally placing wagers with less than the regulation time for it to happen. The rewards can be higher, but it also brings risk. 
❌ Market suspensions: Bookmakers tend to suspend the betting during key moments, such as a penalty kick or a video referee review, which can make the experience frustrating if you’re trying to have a bet.