Best Bookmaker Alternatives 2026: Sites Like Bet365, 1xBet and Betway

By James Whitmore, james has been covering the uk betting scene for over 10 years, specialising in non-gamstop bookmakers and value betting. — Published on 31 March 2026

Why look for bookmaker alternatives?

There are several good reasons to consider alternatives to your current bookmaker:

**Account restrictions:** The most common reason. If you've been limited by a bookmaker (maximum stakes reduced after winning consistently), you need alternatives that maintain full limits. Value bettors and matched bettors regularly move between operators as accounts get restricted.

**Better odds:** Different bookmakers price markets differently. Having accounts at multiple operators and always betting to the best available odds is one of the most reliable ways to improve long-term ROI. Even a 3-5% odds improvement across all bets compounded over time generates significant added value.

**Geographic availability:** Some major bookmakers are unavailable in certain countries. Bet365 is blocked in Germany; William Hill is UK-focused; 1xBet is accessible globally. Finding alternatives that serve your country with full market coverage is essential.

**Payment methods:** If your preferred payment method (mobile money, crypto, specific e-wallet) isn't supported by your current bookmaker, alternatives with better payment coverage offer practical advantages.

Best alternatives to Bet365

Bet365 is the world's largest online bookmaker by turnover — deep markets, excellent in-play coverage, and reliable payouts. Its main weaknesses are account restrictions for winning bettors and unavailability in several countries. Best alternatives:

**Betway:** Strong football and esports coverage, excellent mobile app, available in most markets where Bet365 operates. Betway has a particularly strong presence in Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria) where it holds local licences.

**William Hill:** Comparable football and horse racing markets to Bet365, with particularly strong UK racing coverage. Limited to UK/European markets primarily.

**Unibet:** Excellent odds on football and tennis, strong live betting platform, available across Europe and Australia. Known for reasonable account treatment compared to other major operators.

**22bet:** Globally accessible alternative with competitive odds across most sports. Available in many markets where Bet365 is blocked or limited. Weaker on horse racing than Bet365 but strong for football, basketball, and MMA. See our full 22bet review for details.

Best alternatives to 1xBet

1xBet is the most globally accessible sportsbook, operating in 60+ countries with enormous sport and market coverage, including many African and Asian markets where other operators don't reach. Alternatives depend on your reason for switching:

**For similar global coverage:** 22bet and Parimatch both operate in markets overlapping with 1xBet's reach, particularly in Africa and Asia. Both offer competitive odds and similar payment method support.

**For better reliability/trust:** Betamo, Sportaza, and 20bet offer more restricted market coverage but with cleaner compliance records. Useful if concerns about 1xBet's regulatory history are a factor.

**For crypto betting:** 1xBit (1xBet's crypto-specific brand), BetChain, BetFury, or BetFlip offer full crypto betting with no identity verification required — often a key reason African and Asian bettors sought 1xBet in the first place.

**For African bettors specifically:** Betway Africa, Sportybet, and Betika are regionally licensed alternatives with local payment support (M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money) that compete directly with 1xBet in the same markets. Our country guides identify the best available options per market.

Best alternatives to Betway

Betway is popular across Africa, UK, and Europe for its clean mobile interface, local payment support, and reliable payouts. Alternatives:

**For African markets:** Sportybet has strong penetration in Nigeria and Ghana with competitive football odds. Betika is popular in Kenya. 1xBet and Parimatch also compete for African market share with broader market coverage than Betway.

**For UK/European markets:** Bet365, Unibet, and 888Sport all compete directly with Betway on football, with similar market depth and comparable odds. Paddypower offers strong promotions for UK/Irish customers.

**For esports:** Betway has historically been active in esports sponsorship. For pure esports depth, Bethard, GG.bet, or 1xBet typically offer better esports market coverage.

**Finding the best fit:** The right alternative depends on your specific combination of sports, markets, payments, and country. Use our bookmaker comparison tool to filter by country, accepted payment methods, sports coverage, and available welcome bonuses to find the best match for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have accounts at multiple bookmakers?

Yes — maintaining accounts at multiple bookmakers is standard practice for serious bettors. It allows you to compare odds and always bet at the best price, access different promotions, and maintain alternatives when one account gets restricted. Each bookmaker allows one account per person.

What is the best alternative to Bet365 for markets outside UK?

For global market coverage, 1xBet, 22bet, and Betway are the strongest alternatives. For specific regions: in Africa, Betway Africa and Sportybet; in Asia, Parimatch and 1xBet; in Europe, Unibet and William Hill.

Why was my account restricted at a major bookmaker?

Bookmakers restrict accounts they identify as consistently profitable — matched bettors, value bettors, or professional sports bettors. It's legal but frustrating. The solution is spreading your betting across multiple operators and prioritising offshore bookmakers without domestic licensing that are typically more tolerant of winning customers.

Are offshore bookmaker alternatives safe?

Safety varies. Established offshore bookmakers with years of operating history, strong community reputations, and transparent terms are generally reliable. New or obscure operators carry higher risk. Check our reviewed bookmaker list for operators vetted by our team across 70+ countries.