Online betting has witnessed massive growth in the last few years, with no sign of stopping anytime soon. According to Data Bridge Market Research, the global sports betting market value is expected to reach $297,638.20 million by 2030, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.2% within the forecast period of 2024 and 2030. This statistic shows that the industry is among the fastest-growing worldwide.
With this growth, the number of online bookmakers has surged worldwide, with other brand-new bookies popping out almost daily to meet the ever-growing needs of bettors. While many of these companies fail to deliver on their goals amidst the tough competition, some have become globally recognized with massive revenue and customer base results.
This article will review some of the biggest bookmakers worldwide and analyze all the essential indicators that make them stand out in the industry.
Why Is Betting Online so Successful and Popular?
Before we go into our list of the top 6 biggest bookmakers worldwide, let’s examine why online betting is so successful. Online betting offers several advantages over the traditional land-based method. Hence, the massive attention it has received in the past decade. We’ll examine some of these below:
Flexibility
Unlike before, when you need to visit a brick-and-mortar betting establishment, bettors can now wager on their favorite sports anytime and anywhere by accessing online sportsbooks from their mobile devices.
Besides convenience, accessibility, and flexibility, online betting sites offer anonymity to those who don’t wish to be seen at physical betting stands. Additionally, players from locations with strict regulations on sports betting can easily access offshore bookmakers online and wager without legal complications.
Bonuses and Promotions
Unlike land-based betting establishments, online bookmakers offer a wide range of bonuses and promotions to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Some popular offers include welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, free bets, VIP programs, etc. These bonuses increase bettors’ chances of winning, allowing them to place more wagers at lesser risks to their bankroll.
More Comprehensive Range of Betting Options
Compared to traditional betting, online bookmakers offer more wagering opportunities. These sites cover various sports, sports events, and betting markets. Besides making wagering more exciting, this wide range of options increases the chances of success for bettors.
Other reasons online betting is so successful include security, a more comprehensive range of payment methods, etc.
List of the Top 6 Biggest Bookmakers in the World
Several factors need to be considered to determine the biggest bookmakers in the world, including both online and offline indicators. These include:
- Year of establishment
- Global rank
- Revenue
- Number of customers
- Stock exchange listings
- Number of physical betting shops
Let’s go into our list of the top 6 biggest bookmakers worldwide.
William Hill
One of the existing oldest bookmakers, William Hill, was established in 1934. Based in London, England, the bookmaker is respected for maintaining its highly competitive market position. Unlike some other bookmakers on our list, William Hill is not only active online. It draws almost 50% of its annual revenue from over 2,200 physical betting outlets worldwide.
Generating over $2.2 billion in revenue with more than 7 million customers around the globe, the bookmaker remains one of the biggest bookmakers globally. It is listed on the London stock exchange and is a renowned partner with the Scottish FA Cup and World Darts Championship.
Bet365
A family-owned company formed in England in 2000, Bet365 is widely recognized as the official biggest bookmaker in the betting industry. Although it does not operate physical betting outlets, it has over 63,000,000 customers online from over 200 countries, the most extensive customer database for any bookmaker worldwide. The betting site’s official website also receives a whopping 156 million visitors monthly.
Bet365 is also one of the biggest bookmakers in revenue, with over $3 billion recorded yearly. As expected, the bookmaker covers a vast range of sports events and betting markets, with a top-quality live streaming service, among other features testifying to its hugeness in the market. Bettors worldwide have also voted it several times as the bookmaker with the best odds.
Ladbrokes
A British bookmaker, Ladbrokes, was established in 1886. Although it is one of the world’s oldest bookmakers, it remains one of the best globally. After a merger with Coral in 2016 to form Ladbrokes-Coral Group Plc, the bookmaker now operates over 4,000 physical betting outlets across several countries worldwide, from where it generates 66% of its total revenue.
Ladbrokes is regarded as the biggest bookmaker in the UK, pushing William Hill to second place due to the 2016 merger. The company generates around $ 3 billion in revenue yearly. It is also publicly listed on the London stock exchange.
Paddy Power
Established in Dublin in 1988, Paddypower is an Irish bookmaker that has grown to become one of the biggest in the Uk and worldwide. The bookmaker is known for its strange marketing scheme, with amusing and controversial advertisements that no betting company would attempt.
Today Paddy power has a robust online presence and over 590 physical betting outlets from which it derives 25% of its 1.2 billion annual revenue. Additionally, the bookmaker has over 5 million customers and over 6 million monthly website traffic. It is also listed publicly on the Irish Stock Exchange.
Betfair
The fifth in our top bookmakers’ list, Betfair was established in the UK in 2000 and has since grown into one of the most internationally recognized bookmakers. The bookmaker also has the biggest betting exchange in the world, where players can wager against each other. Although Betfair only operates online, it has over 5 million customers across over ten countries. As expected, the bookmaker covers various sports, events, and betting markets, delivering essential quality features like live streaming.
Betfair generates over $ 1 billion in annual revenue and is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Bwin
Bwin was established in 1997 in Vienna, Austria, as bet-and-win. It has since become one of the biggest bookmakers worldwide, with over 20 million customers across 18 countries. Licensed under the government of Gibraltar, Bwin offers top-quality betting services with highly competitive odds and attractive bonus and promotion offers.
The bookmaker has a market capitalization of around €1 billion and is publicly traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange.
Best New Betting Sites in 2024
Apart from the most significant bookmakers on our list, several other brand-new bookies have also sprung up in recent years, offering top-quality and reliable services. These new bookmakers are making a name for themselves and gathering positive attention in the highly competitive betting market. Some of the best new betting sites in 2024 include:
- BetUK
- Casumo
- Britain Bet
- Betiton
- NetBet
- QuinnBet
How to Choose the Best Bookie for Your Profit?
Due to the popularity of online sports betting, the number of online bookmakers has risen dramatically, with brand-new bookies springing up almost daily. While this provides multiple options for bettors to choose between, it also confuses which is the best. As expected, some online bookmakers are better than others, so you must look for certain factors before deciding which is best.
First, you must sign up only on a bookmaker with a valid license from a reputable regulatory body. The most reputable licensing bodies in the iGaming world include Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, and Curaçao eGaming. A valid license protects you from fraudulent sites and ensures you get honest, fair, and secure services.
Additionally, you must ensure your preferred bookmaker covers various sports, events, and markets. The more betting options are available, the higher your chances of winning. Also, you must confirm that the bookmaker has excellent bonus and promo offers. Bonuses increase your chances of winning by allowing place more wagers with lesser or no risk to your bankroll.
Lastly, your preferred bookie must feature many payment methods to make deposits and withdrawals seamless and fast. It must also have excellent customer service to answer your questions and queries on time.
Conclusion
This article ranks the biggest bookmakers in the world using essential online and offline indicators, including their revenue, number of customers, year of establishment, stock exchange listings, etc. All these bookmakers are industry leaders in the betting industry, with a reputation for offering high-quality betting services.
However, note that there are many other reputable bookmakers besides the ones on our list. Therefore, shopping around and comparing top bookmakers online is always a good idea to find the most suitable one.
Author’s Bio
Rebecca Martin is a betting expert with over ten years of experience in the industry. She deeply understands the sports and events she covers and uses her knowledge to provide valuable insights and predictions to her readers. Rebecca has been featured in multiple publications and websites and regularly contributes to leading sports betting forums and communities. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys watching and analyzing various sports.
