Live Betting Sites

Live betting sites are gaining more popularity on a worldwide scale due to their unique features. Not long ago, you could only place pre-match bets on your favourite sports. Then came the live betting possibility, but it was only available at selected land-based sportsbooks.

Today, thanks to the Internet and other technological advancements, you can place live bets from the comfort of your home. If you want to learn more about this trending pastime activity, then you're on the right page. Before we start, we at BestBet would like to present the best live betting sites that you should consider joining.

What Are Live Betting Sites?

When talking about live betting sites, we refer to online bookmakers that allow wagering on in-play events. This means that you can place a bet even after a match starts.

Most top bookmakers have a separate section just for live betting. It usually includes the same sports, competitions, and events you can find for pre-match wagering. You’ll even stumble upon nearly the same betting markets. However, some wagering options aren’t available for in-play gambling.

Also, know that the live odds tend to vary as the events keep progressing. This occurs as a result of sudden changes in the score, the team's dominance, unexpected injuries, cards, and other circumstances.

Additionally, reputable online bookmakers include extra features that go hand-in-hand with live betting. Among the most popular ones are live match tracker, live streaming, cash out, and live stats.

How We Choose the Best Live Betting Sites

We at BestBet don't just list any live betting platform we find. Our team of experts thoroughly examine each operator to see if it has what it takes to provide an unforgettable betting experience. If it does, then we'll rank it accordingly on our page. Below, we'll reveal and briefly describe how we pick each live betting site.

Inspect Licencing and Security Details

The entire process starts with the licencing information, where we check if the operator is legitimate or not. We only list bookmakers that have valid betting licences issued by respected and strict regulators. They must also utilise the latest 128-bit SSL encryption software.

Examine In-Play Betting Services

Next, we inspect the sportsbook’s "Live" section to see if it has a wide selection of sports, competitions, and events. Our team of experts also evaluates the list of betting markets and their odds. Here, we also check if the operator offers extra services like live streaming and cash out.

Evaluate Live Betting Bonuses

We proceed by accessing the "Promotions" section, where we check if there are plenty of bonuses for all kinds of punters. The list needs to be diverse, and it should have offers with simple T&Cs and low wagering requirements. Here, we also examine the VIP or loyalty program, if there is such a scheme.

Check Available Payment Methods

Finally, our experts inspect the list of supported payment options. This is where we expect to find a wide variety of reliable, secure, and fast banking methods. We even conduct deposits and withdrawals to see if the process is simple and if the transactions are quick or not.

Most Used Types of Live Betting Markets

There are numerous different types of live betting markets that you can use at reputable online bookmakers. At this stage, we’ll present only the most commonly used live betting options in football. Among them are the following markets:

1x2: Choosing whether to back the home team, the away team, or a draw.
Double chance: Betting on the home or away team to win, the home team to win or a draw, or the away team to win or a draw.
Total: Wagering on the total number of goals by using over or under a certain amount.
Odd/even: Deciding whether the number of goals will be an odd or an even number.
Correct score: Betting on how the match will end by picking a correct score from a list.
Handicap: A bet that gives a positive score on the underdog and a negative one on the favourite to make the match more even.
Home/away team total: The number of goals scored by the home or away team.
1st or 2nd half result: Wagering on the outcome of the 1st or 2nd half of the match.
Player to score: Betting on a specific player to score at least one goal by the end of the match.
Next goal: Predicting which team will score the next goal. You can also choose a “No Goal” option.
Next corner: Betting on which of the two teams will get the next corner.
Player to be booked: Wagering on a specific player to receive a yellow card.

How to Place Live Sports Bets

Placing a live bet at an online sportsbook is a very easy thing to do. You won’t have a hard time even if you’re a beginner. But, if you feel like you need some help, then we recommend using the following instructions:

Pick a live betting site from our list
Register and verify a betting account
Make a deposit while using your preferred payment method
Go to the “Live” section of the bookmaker
Choose a sport and a competition
Explore the available live events and pick the one that interests you
Select a live betting market by clicking on the featured odds
Locate your bet slip and enter an amount in the designated area
Click on “Place Bet” to confirm the live wager
Wait for the event to end to see if you won a payout or not

Reasons for Joining a Live Betting Site

There are numerous reasons why so many punters wager on sports at live betting sites. Below, we'll reveal and briefly analyse the most important ones.

Reducing Unknown Details

Live betting sites give you an opportunity to see how a match unfolds before you decide how to wager. At reputable bookmakers, you even get to use in-play stats, which can provide additional details. You can also wait for the right moment to place a live bet based on the occurrences in the match.

Live Streaming

Apart from live betting, top online sportsbooks will also include live streaming services. They allow you to watch a specific live match on the same platform. This is usually a limited option that features only in selected events. Among the most common sports with live streams are eSports, football, tennis, table tennis, and basketball.

Capitalising on Betting Odds

The odds on live events tend to fluctuate rather often based on numerous factors, including changes in score. This can give you a chance to go after bigger payouts whenever the odds increase. But big odds usually come with a higher risk, so be careful.

Cash Out Feature

Many live betting sites will include a cash-out option among their services. This feature lets you cash out before the match ends if you feel like there is a risk of losing. However, you will receive a smaller payout compared to the initial potential prize. Some operators may also include a partial cash-out option.

Thrilling, Exciting, and Fast-Paced Action

Live betting increases the overall excitement due to the fast-paced nature of this gambling form. You have a much shorter wagering period compared to pre-match betting. Also, you must follow the matches and wait for the right moment to gamble. Most bettors are on the edge of their seats as they wait to see whether they’ll win or lose.

Various Live Betting Markets

Nowadays, the best online sportsbooks include a wide selection of live betting markets in almost every sport. However, their availability might change during the match as the operator may decide to lock some of them. Also, you’ll find the most live betting markets at popular sports and events.

Mobile Live Betting

Lastly, we have live betting via smartphone or tablet. Almost all live betting sites are mobile-optimised. This allows you to engage with this gambling activity at any time and place on your Android or iOS device. Additionally, top operators also have their very own betting apps that you can use.

The Most Popular Sports for Live Betting

You can place live bets on nearly all sports that are also present for pre-match wagering. But there are some sports that attract the most attention. You'll check them out below this segment.

Football: Probably the most popular sport at every live betting site, which comes with the most events and betting markets. Some of the biggest competitions are the UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish LaLiga, etc.
Basketball: Another big sport for live betting that attracts thousands of punters. The most attractive leagues in this category are the NBA, NCAA, Euroleague, European Championship, and French Pro A.
eSports: This is a trending live betting category that often comes with live streaming services. Just a couple of games covered in this modern sport are Dota 2, League of Legends, eFootball, Valorant, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, and more.
Tennis: A top sport for live betting where players try to capitalise on the players’ occasional ups and downs. Operators will allow you to place live bets on the popular ATP and WTA tours as well as on the ITF and Challenger tournaments.
Ice Hockey: This is another sport that generates a lot of live bets. But it's mostly popular in the US and Europe. Some of the biggest competitions are the NHL, Swedish, SHL, Czech Extraliga, German DEL, and Danish Superisligaen.

Tips for Placing Live Sports Bets

Before concluding, we at BestBet would like to provide a couple of useful tips. They can help you maximise your chances of winning and minimise your spending. Here's what you need to know:

Place live bets on sports and competitions you know: Avoid wagering on sports and leagues you know nothing about, as you can easily lose your valuable money. Stick to sports and competitions you follow and check the stats before placing a live bet.
Use live betting markets that you understand: Always use live betting markets that you're familiar with. If you do want to pick a new option, make sure to check how it works. Then, decide when it’s the right time to use the betting market.
Set a budget and don’t go over it: You must predetermine the amount of money you're willing to spend before you start placing live bets. But you must also stick to the limit to avoid losing additional funds. This is important as the fast-paced live events can easily drain your budget.
Use live betting bonuses: Some online bookmakers offer betting bonuses that include live betting. Using the extra funds or free bets can potentially lead to additional payouts. You can also use the bonuses to try some new sports or betting markets.
Wait for the right moment to bet: Don’t place live bets at any given moment. Check how the match unfolded thus far and analyse the stats. Then, use the live match tracker or live stream to see which team/player is currently dominating the match. Once you establish that, you can proceed with placing a live bet.

Experience the Thrill and Excitement Provided by Live Betting Sites

Live betting is a popular way of sports wagering that allows you to gamble while a match is taking place. It allows you to see how the teams/players perform before you decide how to wager. Top live betting sites will allow you to gamble on a variety of in-play events while picking from numerous different markets.

These operators will also include additional features like live streaming, live stats, cash out, live match tracker, and more. Some may even offer generous and interesting live betting bonuses.

If you're searching for reputable live betting platforms, then you should check our list of top operators. Choose the one that meets your personal preferences and make sure to gamble responsibly.