For a good reason, cricket is one of the most popular sports attracting viewers from around the world.
As such, it is popular with bettors, in the UK in particular, who have a big soft spot for the game. In this guide, I’ll look at some of the best cricket betting sites available, share some of my tips, and more.
My top 10 cricket betting sites
How I ranked the best cricket betting sites
Here are the most important points an online bookie needs to have to attract punters who are fond of cricket.
- Promotions and bonuses for cricket – The key criteria I always look out for when looking for a cricket betting site are dedicated bonuses for cricket. While many bookmakers have great betting offers during major events, the best ones offer bonuses on cricket throughout the year. I always closely examine the terms & conditions and availability of these promotions. I want my readers to be aware of any wagering requirements, max and minimum deposit limits, payment method exclusions, time limits, expiry dates, etc.
- Tournaments and leagues covered – Cricket is a sport that offers bettors plenty of variety, and as such, I always want to find a bookmaker that can match this. The best bookies are the ones that will cover the sport in all of its different formats (Test, ODI, T20), offering odds on all of the major cricket tournaments and competitions, as well as the smaller, lesser-known ones.
- Betting odds – I like finding a good deal. Therefore, I prefer to bet on cricket with a bookmaker which has good odds for my wager. I’ve analysed the odds’ value and how early a bookmaker gets them out.
- Variety of betting markets – Cricket can be an excellent sport to bet on, so you will want to find a reliable betting site with various markets for you to enjoy. I prefer bookmakers that cover more than just your traditional match winner and outright markets. Some bookies will allow you to bet on individual cricket players, even!
- Payment methods and fast withdrawals – The bookmakers I’ve selected work with various banking methods and providers to ensure players have the smoothest betting experience. That’s why I found bookies where you can make your deposits and withdrawals with a variety of methods such as card payments with Visa and Mastercard, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and others. I found it particularly important in the bet settlement stage, as you want the winnings from your wager to get to you as soon as possible.
- Stand-out features – Every betting platform is constantly looking for new ways to attract customers, and one way they do that is with unique betting features. Things like enhanced odds, bet-builders, bet calculators, and prediction contests are becoming increasingly common, and the bookmakers I’ve picked lead the way in this field.
- Mobile experience – Betting on the go or mobile betting is a big part of the modern betting experience, and all of the bookmakers I listed offer excellent mobile capabilities. Some of the bookmakers also offer free-to-download mobile apps that are compatible with Android and iOS devices.
- Licences and security – One thing you do not need to be worried about when using one of the recommended bookmakers is safety. All of the bookies listed here are secure, i.e., fully licensed by the UKGC and are up to date with all of the latest industry requirements regarding security.
- Customer service – As part of our review process, I always like checking what the customer service is like. The aim is to provide our readers with the best information regarding the customer service team’s availability and knowledge.
A closer look at my favourite betting sites for cricket
Here’s a quick overview of what I think are the most important points for my favourite betting sites for cricket.
1. Spreadex
Spreadex is one of the best bookmakers around and easily one of my favourites as I can place spread and fixed odds bets. This is why Spreadex often has the best odds around. This is not its only selling point, though, as there’s a large selection of cricket markets which is always a plus.
If there is one area where I would like Spreadex improving, it’s the range of promotions it offers existing customers, but I can easily let it off due to their strengths everywhere else.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Offers both fixed odds and spread betting |
| Stylish website design that is easy to use on desktop and mobile devices |
| Some of the best cricket odds on the internet |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Limited promotions for existing customers |
2. Parimatch
Parimatch is one of the best UK bookies for cricket betting markets. You will find just about every cricket market you could want at Parimatch, and the site complements these with a good selection of bonuses and promotions.
While I haven’t found a huge selection of cricket-specific promotions, lots of regular free bets offset it since you can use them for any sport you like. There are no live-streams available for cricket, which detracts a little from Parimatch, but, in my opinion, they make up for this with plenty of in-play betting options and an all-around smooth betting experience.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Big range of cricket markets to enjoy |
| Generous bonuses and promotions |
| Good in-play betting options |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| No live-streaming options |
3. Rhino.bet
Rhino is a fledgling name in the UK gambling scene, but it still competes with big bookies with a comprehensive selection of cricket betting markets. When I joined Rhino I could place bets on leagues from around the world and, on top of that, with some of the most competitive odds around. I like that Rhino is breaking into the scene by offering top-quality customer service, a range of different banking methods, and a user-friendly website on both mobile and desktop devices.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Variety of cricket markets available |
| Excellent customer service options |
| Selection of different deposit and withdrawal methods |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Not many sports-specific bonuses |
4. Unibet
When it comes to usability, Unibet is one of the best bookmakers in the UK. I always enjoyed the site’s stylish, modern design which made it easy to navigate and access all of its cricket betting options. I also watched some cricket games on their platform being one of the best in the country for this.
I also recommend keeping an eye on its promotion page, as it regularly runs cricket promotions for big tournaments and events.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Good selection of promotions |
| Live-streaming is available |
| Excellent mobile app |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Crickets odds are not as good as some competitors |
5. bet365
Saying that bet365 is one of the most popular betting sites in the UK, would be an understatement. The cricket section on the site is stacked, so whatever league you’re interested in, you’ll find it there. With one of the best apps in the market, bet365 is a fantastic choice for in-play betting. It does lack live streams of cricket matches, which is a shame.
As a bet365 user, I have taken advantage of some great bonuses during big tournaments or series like the ODI Cricket World Cup or the Ashes.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Excellent in-play betting options and streams |
| Good range of regularly updated promotions |
| Plenty of cricket markets to enjoy |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Customer service can be lacking |
How to bet on cricket
You can easily register at any of the sportsbooks I list here in just a few quick steps:
- Choose from one of the bookmakers I’ve listed above.
- Visit their site and complete the registration form – don’t forget to claim the welcome bonus! You will need to enter your name, date of birth, address, and some other personal details.
- Verify your details, and your account will be ready to use.
- Find the cricket section. To find this, you may need to head to the ‘Sports A-Z’ section.
- Choose the event or tournament you want to bet on.
- Make your selection and add it to your betting slip.
- Enter your stake and hit confirm.
- Cross your fingers and enjoy the cricket!
Biggest cricket tournaments
Men’s Cricket World Cup
The biggest prize in the world of cricket is the Cricket World Cup. This is a ODI tournament held every four years, with the last edition in 2023. The tournament uses a 50-over format. The event’s first version took place in 1975, with Australia being the most decorated team in its history, lifting the trophy on five occasions.
Women’s Cricket World Cup
The Women’s Cricket World Cup is two years older than the men’s, with the first edition in 1973. It has a long and complicated history, but it has been in its current format since 2005. Like the men’s, the tournament takes place every four years and uses a 50 overs one-day format.
T20 World Cup
A much newer tournament than the previous two listed, the T20 World Cup was first held in 2007. As its name might have suggested, the tournament uses the T20 format, with each team having 20 overs. The tournament takes place every two years, with 20 teams set to compete for the first time in 2024, four more than the 16 that normally compete.
The Ashes
The Ashes test series between England and Australia is one of the most recognisable competitions in cricket. The series is made up of five test matches, with the winner taking home the iconic Ashes urn. It is held every two years, with England hosting one edition and Australia hosting the next.
The Hundred
The Hundred is a tournament based around 100-ball cricket, a new way of playing the game designed to attract more players. The tournament is held every year, with eight teams from all over England and Wales playing. It uses a round-robin and playoff format and is quickly getting a reputation among cricket enthusiasts and newbies alike.
If you like snooker as much as you like cricket, it might be time to learn about the best snooker betting sites.
Top cricket leagues to bet on
Indian Premier League
The IPL is the most attended cricket league in the world and is extremely popular among bettors. The T20 league was founded in 2007 and is often highlighted as one of the best cricket leagues in the world. Ten teams compete in the league, with the Mumbai Indians being the most successful franchise.
English County Championship
The English County Championship is a first-class cricket competition held in England. It uses a four-day test format. Eighteen county teams compete for the championship, with the league running from April to September throughout the summer months in England. Yorkshire at the most successful team in the Championship’s history, with 32 titles to their name.
2024 Indian Premier League schedule & lineup
The IPL is well underway this year, so here’s a list of all the important fixtures you can bet on this season:
| Date | Teams | Time | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 22 | CSK vs RCB | 14:30 | CSK |
| March 23 | PBKS vs DC | 10:00 | PBKS |
| March 23 | KKR vs SRH | 14:00 | KKR |
| March 24 | RR vs LSG | 10:00 | RR |
| March 24 | GT vs MI | 14:00 | GT |
| March 25 | RCB vs PBKS | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 26 | CSK vs GT | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 27 | SRH vs MI | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 28 | RR vs DC | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 29 | RCB vs KKR | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 30 | LSG vs PBKS | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 31 | GT vs SRH | 14:00 | TBD |
| March 31 | DC vs CSK | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 1 | MI vs RR | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 2 | RCB vs LSG | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 3 | DC vs KKR | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 4 | GT vs PBKS | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 5 | SRH vs CSK | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 6 | RR vs RCB | 14:00 | TBD |
| April 7 | MI vs DC | 10:00 | TBD |
| April 7 | LSG vs GT | 14:00 | TBD |
IPL 2024 teams
The teams striving to be league champions in this year’s games are as follows:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Punjab Kings (PK)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SH)
Types of cricket matches to bet on
There are three main types of cricket matches that you can bet on in the UK:
Test Matches
Test matches are the longest form of cricket and are seen as the best test of a team’s quality. A test match can last up to five days and will have four innings with no specific number of overs. Traditionalists will still claim that four and five-day test matches are the best type of cricket, but it has lost a lot of popularity in recent years to shorter formats.
One-day matches
As their name might suggest, one-day matches take place over one day. Both teams have 50 overs, with the format being popular for international cricket. One-day internationals typically last between 8-9 hours.
Twenty20
Twenty20 (T20) is a short-form version of cricket that is becoming incredibly popular. In T20 cricket, both teams are restricted to just one inning of 20 overs, hence the name.
Most popular cricket betting markets
- Match winner: The most basic type of bet you can place on a cricket match is for the match winner. You can bet on either the home or away team to win or for the match to be either a tie or a draw.
- Player to score the most runs: A popular market to bet on in cricket is the player to score the most runs. This one is straightforward, with players betting on who they think will score the most runs in a match.
- Team Total Runs: This is a bet on the total number of runs a team will score in a match.
- Player Total Runs: Another hugely popular market. This is a bet on the number of runs an individual player will score in a match. This market is typically presented as an over/under bet.
- 1st Wicket Method: A bet on the way that the first wicket is taken in the match. The options are caught, bowled, LBW, run out, or stumped.
- Runs in a specific over: A bet on the number of runs scored by a player in a specific over.
- Top team batsmen: This is a bet on which batsman you think will be the highest-scoring for an individual team.
- Top match batsman: The same bet as the top team’s batsmen, only in this case, you are betting on the highest score in the match.
- First over total runs: Punters bet on the total number of runs that will be scored in this first over of the match.
- Total innings runs: A bet on the total number of runs a team will score in an individual inning.
Q&A about betting on cricket
Below, I’ll answer the most important questions prospective cricket bettors from the UK tend to have. Read on!
1. Which bookie has the best cricket betting markets?
Parimatch is our pick for the site with the best cricket betting markets. The cricket page on Parimatch is loaded with betting options, with punters able to bet on everything from the Women’s World Cup to The Hundred. It covers all formats of betting and offers odds on leagues and championships from around the world.
2. Which bookmaker has the best cricket odds?
As it does with most sports, Spreadex leads the way for cricket betting odds. The site is always one of the quickest to offer odds on the latest matches and tournaments, with a strong range of futures markets available. The odds are always among the most competitive, and the option for spread betting is also a selling point.
3. Which is the most trusted cricket betting site?
You can trust all of the bookies I’ve selected when it comes to your safety and security betting online. BetUK is one of the best operators for safety. The site uses state-of-the-art encryption technology and also has a detailed KYC policy. There is also a strong selection of dependable banking methods available.
4. What is the best cricket betting app?
BetVictor is going to be your best bet for a cricket betting app. The operator’s app is well-designed and easy to use, adapting the desktop site’s slick design and making it mobile-friendly. As well as being easy to navigate, it offers a good selection of cricket markets and some fantastic in-play betting options. The Build a Bet feature is also a big selling point, giving players plenty of flexibility over how they bet on cricket.
5. What is the most popular site for live cricket betting?
bet365 is my pick for the best live cricket betting website. The operator’s in-play market selection is strong, with the operator updating its odds instantly to keep up to date with the action. Its play-by-play text commentary also offers some of the best live coverage.
6. Which bookmakers have live cricket streaming?
Keeping up to date with your cricket bets through live streams adds a whole new element to your betting experience. Several of the bookmakers I’ve listed offer live cricket streaming options. bet365, and BetVictor are just some bookies offering players live cricket streams.
7. Which is the no.1 cricket team in the world?
Several teams could claim the title of the number one cricket team in the world. According to the ICC Rankings in January 2024, Australia was at the top of test team rankings, while India had the best team in the world in terms of ODIs and T20 matches. Australia is the reigning World Champion, having beaten India in the final in 2023.
8. Is England good at cricket?
Yes. England are considered to be one of the best teams in the world at cricket. The team can usually be found close to the top of the world rankings, sitting in a top-four position in 2024. England made history when they won the Cricket World Cup for the first time in 2019, cementing their place at the game’s top table.
9. Is cricket still popular in England?
Cricket still holds a place in the hearts of many English people, but it is fair to say that, in recent times, the sport has developed a mixed reputation in the country. A survey by Statista in 2022 revealed some interesting statistics. Of those surveyed, 32% said that they liked cricket, while 40% said that they disliked it. This would suggest that cricket is not as popular as it once was in the UK.
That said, five-day test internationals in England will still pack stadiums, while T20 and the Hundred are helping the sport find new audiences. While it may not be as popular as it once was, cricket still has a bright future ahead of it.
10. Do many people bet on cricket?
Yes! Cricket is a popular sport among bettors in the UK and elsewhere. While wagering on the sport is not as popular as betting on football or rugby betting throughout the year, it has huge surges in popularity during events like the World Cup and the Ashes. T20 cricket and The Hundred have become increasingly popular among bettors, with people enjoying the speed of the game.
My top 5 cricket betting tips
1. Understand the formats
If you’re new to the world of cricket, then it all can seem slightly confusing. In fact, even as a cricket fan, it can be easy to get confused with all the new formats appearing. As such, make sure you take the time to understand the tournament format you are betting on. A T20 league is going to need a different betting strategy to a best-of-five five-day test series, for example.
2. Study form
This is a must regardless of what sport you are betting on. Before you place a bet, study the form of the teams and players involved. It is also worth checking past performances to see how teams have fared against one another. As silly as it sounds, checking the weather forecast can also be smart with cricket betting, especially in the UK.
3. Take advantage of different bookmakers
There is no such thing as loyalty when it comes to choosing a bookmaker. You are free to sign up with as many bookmakers as you like, and I recommend that you do just that. Having multiple accounts will allow you to find the one with the best odds. As well as this, you can also take advantage of different promotions and bonuses.
4. Use in-play betting for longer tests
International test matches can last up to five days, making cricket unique in the sporting world. The drama unfolding over the course of five days means that punters have more time to react to changes, and as such, keeping an eye on in-play betting markets can be hugely advantageous.
5. Never bet with your gut
Last but certainly not least, I want to remind our readers never to bet with their gut. You should always follow the stats and never make an outrageous bet simply because you have a gut feeling. Likewise, you should never chase your losses and know when to walk away from a bet.
About the author
Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org