European Betting Sites – Is Sports Betting Legal in the EU in 2025? Latest Updates

The key to a good betting experience is placing your wagers at the best European betting sites. Knowing this, we put two of our most trusted sports betting experts, Jude and Amy, to work.

Their mission was simple: to put together a list of the top online betting sites for Europeans, test them out, and write up detailed reviews.

Best European Betting Sites

Meet the Authors

Jude

Jude has been betting on sports professionally for the last five years. He originally dabbled with greyhounds and horses while studying at university before ramping things up once he graduated.

Today, he specialises in soccer and tennis betting and loves it when an online bookmaker gives him freedom in terms of an array of betting markets and flexible bet limits.

Amy

Amy mostly bets on sports for fun but is proud of the fact that she has made a profit for the last two years. She puts her secret down to discipline, a bit of luck, and being able to place her bets at top-notch EU betting sites.

Good customer support will always be able to woo her, while she’s a sucker for reload bonuses. If an online betting site also offers cashback, she is sold.

How Our Review Process Works

We’ll walk you through the process of how our iGaming experts reached their conclusions about the best online bookmakers.

From initially identifying the best features that an online betting site should have to placing bets and testing the payment methods, their approach was thorough and covered all the bases:

Step 1: Research and Analysis

Our iGaming experts identified the key features that any top online sports betting site should have. These allowed them to create a list of review categories, which included odds, betting markets, and bonuses.

With these features jotted down, Jude and Amy found it easier to condense their original shortlist of 100 European betting sites to just 25, getting recommendations from forums, blogs, and other reviews.

They then validated the license of each European bookmaker before removing any online betting site that didn’t measure up to safety standards.

Step 2: Created Accounts

Our online sports betting experts then created an account for each European bookmaker they’d shortlisted.

To refine and finalise their list of the top 10 European sports betting sites, they eliminated any site that didn’t meet the required standards for customer support, reliable payouts, and an easy and pain-free sign-up process.

Step 3: Testing Shortlisted EU Sportsbooks

Based on the features Jude and Amy had already identified as being essential to a brilliant online betting experience, they set to work testing each European bookmaker in full.

They claimed the welcome bonuses and any extra promotions, including reload bonuses, tested a few payment methods, and explored the pre-game betting options, live betting options, and any additional betting tools that were available.

Our experts then scored each European bookmaker based on their expertise and experience testing each EU sports betting site.

Step 4: Concluding Winners

After all online bookmakers had been tested, Jude and Amy assigned a winner in each category.

Key factors like sign-up time, payout speed, and overall usability affected each of the top betting sites’ final scores. We also considered accessibility in different countries and the number of languages.

They then summarised their findings in the form of reviews, where they argued their cases and justified their choices.

Our team’s fact checker, Marijana, then reviewed everything once more, fact-checking all their claims.

All-Round Best European Betting Site

Jude: MyStake

MyStake succeeds where others can’t in the sheer choice of sports you can bet on (30+ including stock car racing), the volume of betting markets (which is helped by a Bet Builder tool so you can personalise things), and the high bet limits.

From European football betting to Serbian basketball and beyond, everything is here.

The only thing I could see that let it down was the lack of weekend withdrawals. However, this is a minor issue you’ll soon learn to skirt by being more strategic with your bets and payouts.

MyStake also let me cash out a bet whenever I wanted, and the cashout price was always excellent. Live betting is a rewarding experience, too, while the “3+1” free bet deal is insane.

Amy’s Choice: FreshBet

I have to admit, there was another EU betting site that ran FreshBet close, but this one edges things out for me on account of its VIP program, which gave me 10% cash back for starters and higher limits.

I also like the fact that I can bet on over 25 sports and choose from an array of alternative lines. I can also bet on virtual sports and a huge range of eSports here. The choice is practically endless, and the odds are always accurate.

I’d suggest FreshBet mixes their offers up a bit so they’re not always hyper-focused on major soccer competitions (I’d love a rugby special). But other than that, the 10% weekly loyalty bonus here is a real winner.

Best EU Betting Site for Fast Payouts

Jude’s Choice: Rolletto

One of the hallmarks of a good European bookmaker is that it supports a wide range of payment methods, allowing anyone across the continent to play safely and securely.

Rolletto not only accepts VISA, MasterCard, Bitcoin, Jeton, AstroPay, MiFinity, Interac, and PayOp, but it also makes it super easy for you to add funds to your account and withdraw them.

The minimum deposit and withdrawal is just €20. Payout times are reliable, and most withdrawals are processed on the same day. The only issue I highlighted is that some deposit methods aren’t available for withdrawals (and vice versa).

Amy’s Choice: GoldenBet

With a minimum deposit of just €10, I think GoldenBet will suit everyone. What’s more, you can deposit as much as €2,000 if you’re playing with fiat currencies and a whopping €100,000 per transaction if you’re playing with crypto.

The minimum withdrawal is a tad higher (€20 for most options but as much as €50 for some), while the maximum withdrawal is €7,500 for all payment methods.

It also doesn’t matter where in Europe you are located because GoldenBet aims to process all withdrawals on the same day.

Best for Mobile Betting

Jude’s Choice: GoldenBet

I get the feeling that GoldenBet was designed as a mobile-first online sportsbook, and its exemplary mobile betting experience is impressive. It’s responsively designed, the menus are easy to use, and the site is intuitive.

There’s no app, but that shouldn’t be a problem because all European bettors can access the site via their mobile browser and bet on the same sporting events, as well as choose from the same betting markets as everyone else.

Signing up takes less than a minute on mobile, the cashier page is within easy reach, and placing your bets is a piece of cake.

Amy’s Choice: JackBit

JackBit packs a lot into its mobile website but thanks to a clean site design, it never feels cluttered. Instead, this is a visually striking European sportsbook that ticks all the right boxes for me when it comes to mobile betting, from fast-loading menus to having an app.

That’s right, you can download and install the JackBit app directly from the website. It’s available for iOS and Android devices and – in my opinion – offers a better experience than the mobile browser version. And it’s not just for betting on sports. Its superb mobile performance extends to its casino section, especially for playing blackjack games.

Live chat is available 24/7, and there’s a VIP club where you’ll earn points anytime you place a bet. I love the cool extra features, including customised parlays, which let you make changes even after the games have started.

Best for In-Play Betting Options

Jude’s Choice: FreshBet

Like many European punters, I like to bet on sports in play. With an array of live betting markets, odds that are updated by the second, and an in-game graphic visualiser that accompanies most games, I have to go with Freshbet.

Live streaming would be the icing on the cake, but it’s very hard to find live streams on any of the best sports betting sites in Europe.

What’s more, FreshBet’s coverage is comprehensive. From Indian soccer to Chinese basketball, there’s practically nothing you can’t bet on in play.

Amy’s Choice: MyStake

I came close to awarding MyStake the best European online bookmakers overall – but it’s definitely a no-brainer when it comes to live betting. Using soccer as an example, you can bet live on which team will score next, how many total goals there will be, the number of corners – and so on.

You can also cash out your live bets whenever you want, and unlike some other popular betting sites I’ve tested, the markets are hardly ever suspended here.

I’d love to see a live betting bonus among the line-up of promotions at MyStake. But you can still opt-in to a 35% sports reload bonus anytime you deposit €20 or more, though you can’t use it on handicap or ‘draw no bet’ markets.

Best for Bonuses

Jude’s Choice: DonBet

This one was easy for me. Not only does DonBet offer a bigger-than-usual 120% welcome bonus (most of these offers are 100% matched bonuses) worth up to €600, but it also lets you claim regular cashback.

Cashback deals include 50% cashback on all Champions League soccer bets, as well as 20% cashback on bets placed on the top 5 soccer leagues, including the EFL and La Liga.

My only minor gripe is that crypto players get an even bigger 170% up to €1,000 welcome bonus, which means you miss out on extra bonus funds if you play with Euros.

Amy’s Choice: DonBet

I have to agree with Jude on this one! I do love a good bonus, and I was pleased to see that the 120% matched deposit welcome offer comes with extremely fair 10x wagering requirements. The €20 minimum deposit sweetens the deal.

I’m not a big fan of the fact that cashback – as great as it is – is limited to soccer bets, but I know that most sports bettors are soccer enthusiasts, so it’s hardly going to be an issue.

There’s also an amazing offer here, whereby anytime I placed 3 bets on the spin at qualifying odds, DonBet gave me my fourth bet free. This is an unlimited offer that comes with no minimum stake amount.

Best for Crypto Users

Jude’s Choice: JackBit

An online sportsbook that lets you buy crypto onsite? There was no contender for me when it comes to crypto betting, with JackBit making it easy for you to buy digital coins that are instantly credited to your account so that you can start placing bets.

The likes of Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum are all supported here, as are 11 others, including Dogecoin and Solana. There are $50,000 monthly transaction limits in place, but for most sports bettors, this won’t be an issue.

Amy’s Choice: Rolletto

Practically all the top European sports betting sites support cryptocurrencies these days, but Rolletto goes the extra mile, not simply in terms of the sheer number of digital coins that are accepted (15+) but also with the crypto bonuses.

A 100% up to €1,000 welcome bonus is just one example, with this being a bigger offer than those playing with fiat currencies are entitled to.

If you play with crypto, you’ll also benefit from much higher deposit limits here, and the payout process is never longer than 10 minutes.

European Betting Sites: Other Important Features

The best bookmakers have several things in common that help them stand out from the crowd. Aside from the main things our two experts considered – betting markets, bonuses, and payment methods – let’s see what other things influenced Jude’s and Amy’s decisions:

Jude’s Opinion

In this day and age, I think it’s essential that any EU sportsbook that wishes to be taken seriously comes complete with extra betting features, such as Bet Builders and an early cashout tool. Without these, I feel as though I’m stuck in a time warp.

Also, since so many European punters like to bet on soccer and play parlays (or “accumulators”), I appreciate it when an EU bookmaker offers parlay insurance if one leg lets you down. Enhanced odds are another sign that a betting site will be generous with its offers.

And while I’m not a huge stickler for telephone support, I think it’s always handy if a sportsbook gives you the option of phoning them whenever you need help. Sometimes, live chat can get a bit frustrating.

Amy’s Opinion

My biggest recommendation to anyone looking for a new EU sports betting site to join is to make sure it works well on mobile. Think about it: you’ll probably spend most of your time betting via your mobile device.

An app isn’t essential, but an online sportsbook must be responsively designed and not irritate users when they visit the mobile version.

Other things to look out for include flexible bet limits (there’s nothing worse than being told a stake is too high when it really isn’t), low fees (some sportsbooks charge way too much for transactions), and – the seal of approval, in my opinion – cashback. All the top European sports betting sites offer it, so anyone who doesn’t is selling you short.

Lastly, any sportsbook that truly cares about its customers offers safer gambling tools so that you can set your own deposit limits and stay in control.

Types of Sports Bets You Can Place at EU Online Betting Sites

All the best bookmakers give you different ways to bet. You could stick to the traditional moneyline bet or you could try something a bit different.

Let’s see what options are available to you:

Moneyline bet: The moneyline bet is the simplest sports bet you can place. All you’re doing is betting on who you think will win a particular game. Nothing else needs to happen.

Handicap bet: With this one, you’re betting on a team to win by X number of points/sets/games depending on the specific sport.

For example, if the handicap is set at -2 for Liverpool v Ipswich, Liverpool needs to win by 3 clear goals for you to win your bet.

Will Says: “The handicap bet is well worth it if you have a ‘hunch’ because it always comes with better odds than the moneyline bet. It also comes with more risk, too, but can be a money spinner if you’ve dived into the data and done your research on the two teams.”

Totals bet: Also known as the ‘over/under’ bet, the totals bet is when you bet on the total number of goals/games/sets/points in a sports game.

For example, you might bet on over 3.5 goals in a soccer game, under 185.5 points in an NBA game, or over 21.5 games in a tennis match.

Props bets: Props bets are related to specific outcomes in a sporting event. You could bet on the first touchdown in an NFL game, the half-time result in a soccer match, or who will break serve first in a tennis match.

Amy Says: “Props bets are a lot of fun because it doesn’t even matter who wins the game. You could bet on someone to score in a soccer match, and even if they score in the 90th minute and their team loses 6-1, you’re still celebrating.”

Mobile Sports Betting Europe

While each country in Europe is a little different, there is still a growing trend across the continent that unites us all.

Namely, that mobile sports betting is surging.

In the UK alone, mobile bets account for half of all sports bets placed since 2022. This figure is only expected to keep rising and may get as high as 65% by 2029.

A lot of this makes sense. Mobile sports betting is convenient because it lets you browse markets, compare the odds, and place your bets whenever you want. You could be stuck at an airport, waiting for a train, or chilling at home.

What’s more, all the top Europe betting sites are fully optimised for mobile betting today. JackBit has an app, while GoldenBet, MyStake, and DonBet all offer intuitive mobile betting experiences.

The odds are the same as they are on the desktop versions, and you can use all the same features, as well as withdraw your winnings.

Best Betting Sites in Europe – FAQs

Before we go, there might still be a few things that our pair of writers haven’t yet addressed in this article. To make sure you leave here with an in-depth knowledge of what the European betting market has to offer, we’re going to round things off by answering a few common questions related to online gambling in Europe.

Is Sports Betting in Europe Safe?

Sports betting in Europe is completely safe as long as you stick to legit, licensed European bookies like MyStake and GoldenBet.

Just make sure that whatever EU bookmaker you’re thinking of joining has a proven track record with other customers, its website is secure with SSL encryption, and it supports payment methods you recognise.

What Banking Options are Available at European Online Bookies?

While exact payment methods vary from EU sportsbook to EU sportsbook, the best online betting sites accept major credit and debit cards like VISA, MasterCard, and Maestro, eWallets like Skrill and Neteller, and a wide range of other recognisable payment methods.

These might include Jeton, Interac, and MiFinity, depending on the location. And just like Australian betting sites, many licensed bookmakers in Europe also accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin.

What Sports Can I Bet on at a European Sports Betting Site?

You can bet on all the most popular sports at European sportsbooks, including football, tennis, the NFL, and the NBA.

Other sports you can bet on include golf, cricket, snooker, rugby, ice hockey, baseball, and volleyball. You can also bet on a variety of eSports, as well as motorsports and combat sports.

What is the Best Betting Site in Europe?

While there are many great betting apps and websites available in Europe, according to our sports betting experts, MyStake and FreshBet are among the top two EU sports betting sites.

You can bet on over 25 sports at each sportsbook and take advantage of competitive odds and 24/7 customer support.

Ready to Try Top European Betting Sites Now?

These are the best places for betting on sports Europe, as rated and reviewed by our sports betting experts, Jude and Amy.

They tested each EU bookmaker for how they performed when it came to key criteria like payment methods, range of sports, odds, bonuses, and other crucial areas, including customer support and mobile compatibility.

They found that, while all the top betting sites apps that made the final list have a variety of strengths, the likes of MyStake and FreshBet are the top EU betting sites for sports fans in Europe overall.

However, you can sign up for any EU sportsbook that made the cut across Europe and switch to your preferred language, bet on your favourite sports, and enjoy reliable payouts.

Jude:

“All the best EU betting sites have a lot of things in common, so it’s a good idea to look closer and see what stands out to you. This could be anything, from having a Bet Builder to instant payouts. 

More than anything, I always recommend joining betting sites that are recommended by other customers and have a reputation for reliability.”

Amy: 

“Don’t do what I did ‘back in the day’ and miss out on the welcome bonus by failing to meet the minimum first deposit requirement!!

Other than that, just have fun, and don’t forget to opt in if a cool offer comes your way. If possible, try to get into the VIP program as soon as you can. You’ll thank me later.”

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Always remember to approach gambling with caution and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Problem Gaming Helpline to speak with an expert about getting assistance and making gambling safer. 

All gaming websites in this guide are intended for people aged 18 and above (unless otherwise indicated by your local laws).

Some of the casino sites featured on our site may not be available in your location. Check your local regulations to see if Internet gambling is permitted in your area.

For free online gambling addiction resources, visit these organizations:

• https://www.begambleaware.org/
• https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

The legality of sports betting in your country will determine whether you can bet safely—or not at all.

There are many European countries where sports betting is legal, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy. However, there are still some countries where it’s currently prohibited, including Slovenia and Luxembourg.

Each country has different laws, regulations, and licensing systems. Any sportsbook that wishes to operate in a specific country must obtain a license first.

However, iGaming is an umbrella term that includes sports betting, online casinos, and land-based gambling. For the rest of this article, we’ll examine the situation in multiple European countries regarding online gambling as a whole, but especially sports betting.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Europe?

Online gambling is legal in some form across most parts of Europe. As mentioned, though, it’s an umbrella term incorporating different aspects of iGaming. Let’s see what some of the major countries currently offer in 2025:

Sports You Can Bet On in Europe

Europe has very few sports you can’t bet on. From professional sports to amateur sports, many of the top online sportsbooks give you the freedom to bet on everything from soccer to alpine skiing.

The only thing you need to be wary of is that some online betting sites offer more sports than others, though all of them let you bet on the world’s most popular sports, such as soccer, the NFL, the NBA, and tennis.

That said, some countries have their own rules, which means there are a couple of sports you won’t be able to bet on. For example, in Cyprus, you can bet on ‘real’ sports but not virtual sports.

Here is a list of some of the most popular sports you can expect to find at European betting sites:

• Soccer: Everything, from major leagues like the German Bundesliga, the English Premier League, and the Serie A to Serie C, the Scottish Championship, and more.
• American Football: NFL, NCAA, CFL
• Basketball: NBA, NCAA, EuroLeague, Novo Basquete Brasil League, Liga ACB + more
• Tennis: All ATP and WTA events, as well as Challengers and ITF tournaments.
• Baseball: MLB, NCAA + more around the world.
• Ice hockey: NHL
• Horse racing: Major daily horse racing events across Europe, America and Australia
• Golf: All PGA Tour events, as well as European Tour events
• Snooker: World Championship, Shanghai Masters, German Masters + more

The History of Online Gambling Laws in Europe

2001 – 2006

A major milestone was achieved in 2001 when the Malta Gaming Authority was established, ensuring a regulated online gambling industry in Europe.

The UK Gambling Act followed suit in 2005, while the European Gaming and Betting Association was also launched to make online gambling in Europe safer and more reliable.

Ireland, meanwhile, made all forms of online gambling legal in 2003.

2011 – 2014

Online gambling was legalized in Italy in 2011. In the same year, The Spanish Gambling Act came into force to regulate licensed sports betting in Spain.

In Germany, the Interstate Treaty for Gambling came into being in 2012 after the European Court of Justice declared the country’s online gambling industry to be too monopolised and in need of change.

By 2014, the European Commission released its much-anticipated recommendations for online gambling across the EU, with the aim of protecting minors, providing safeguarding tools to bettors, and instigating stronger, more detailed sign-up processes at online gambling sites.

2015 – 2017

In 2015, the Cyprus Gaming Casino and Supervision Commission was established, and the first land-based casino was launched.

Hungary amended its state laws in 2017 to prohibit European operators, thereby maintaining a monopoly.

New data protection legislation was launched in 2018 to protect consumers in the UK and other parts of the EU.

2021 – 2024

In 2021, Germany’s new Interstate Treaty on Gambling refined the country’s online gambling offering, tightening up the rules for online sports betting while giving each state the freedom to choose between a monopolized gambling industry and a more “liberalised” one.

Online games of chance were legalized for the first time in the Netherlands in 2022.

In 2024, Finland drafted a law to regulate online casino gaming, and the country is expected to initiate the licensing process in 2026.

Revenue Potential for Online Gambling in Europe

As we’ve seen, there are still one or two countries where sports betting (or any form of online gambling) is still banned. So, let’s take a look at other European countries where online gambling is legal to find out how they’re performing in terms of revenue:

• France: The Autorite Nationale des Jeux regulates online gambling in France. The forecast is that the online gambling market will exceed $9,339,500 by 2030 and will grow at a CAGR of 12.4% over the next 6 years.
• UK: Online sports betting had a GGY of £2.4billion in the UK from April 2023 to March 2024. Football accounted for £1.1 billion GGY, while online casino games yielded £4.4 billion in revenue over the same period.
• Germany: Two years after it was legalized, online gambling in Germany had a revenue of $4,687,700 in 2023. Germany’s online gambling CAGR rate is expected to tip 11.6% from now until 2030.
• Italy: Italy’s online gambling market is projected to record revenue of $14.63 billion by the end of 2025. CAGR, meanwhile, is expected to be around 1.06% between 2025 and 2029 in a country where online gambling has been legal since 2011.
• Spain: In 2023, more than 4,300,000 people in Spain had an account at an online casino or sportsbook. In the same year, gross revenue for online gambling reached € 1.23 billion, which represented a 28.38% increase year over year.

Who’s Influencing Online Gambling Laws in Europe?

The EU is there to offer guidelines for iGaming laws and regulations, but it’s entirely up to each specific country to regulate their own industries. There is, indeed, no standard or uniform iGaming regulation in the EU, although the EU can still offer recommendations pertaining to policy.

This is why some countries – such as Austria – have a monopoly on their online gambling industries so that state-owned operators have exclusivity, while other countries, such as Bulgaria, have a “freer” system that allows online gambling sites from overseas to offer their services.

The UK’s online gambling industry, meanwhile, is regulated by the Online Gambling Commission, which is a public body of the UK government and which guarantees that any betting site operating in the UK is safe, secure, and fair.

What’s more, some countries—including Germany—have a situation whereby the central government offers guidelines on regulations, but each state is free to impose its own iGaming laws.

Some EU countries, meanwhile, offer land-based gambling but not online gambling. This is the case in France, where the government believes that online casino gaming is more addictive than “traditional” gambling and, therefore, prohibits online casinos.

Responsible Gambling

As part of the iGaming regulations in the EU, all licensed casino and sports betting operators must promote safer gambling, either in the form of:

• Links to responsible gambling helplines
• The possibility of self-exclusion
• Responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and loss limits

Online gambling, indeed, is a fun pastime for most people. However, some find it can take over their lives and cause many problems.

If you feel that online gambling is taking over your life and want to talk to a professional, there are several services in the EU that can help:

• GamCare – Provides advice, information, and emotional support for anyone affected by problem gambling. (gamcare.org.uk)
• GambleAware – Offers resources and tools to help you stay in control, including self-exclusion options and professional guidance. (gambleaware.org)
• Gambling Therapy – Provides multilingual support and practical advice for individuals facing gambling-related issues. (gamblingtherapy.org)

What’s Next for Online Gambling in Europe?

Countries in the EU will continue to modernise and refine their online gambling frameworks. The iGaming industry as a whole is in a constant state of flux, with consumer behaviour, advancements in tech, and governmental decisions deciding the situation for online gambling in each country.

It’s expected that Finland will abandon its current monopolistic approach to all forms of gambling by 2027 and welcome licensed operators from overseas, while throughout 2025, France will consider updated legislation to make online casinos legal.

Slovenia, however, has no current plans to legalise online gambling, and the same remains the case in Luxembourg, where the national lottery is the only form of gambling permitted.