For UK punters seeking a bookmaker that prioritises value and a straightforward betting experience, AK Bets presents a compelling case. Born from the on-course rails, this site focuses on competitive odds over flashy gimmicks. This is our comprehensive, hands-on review of what they offer.
Our complete AK Bets review for UK punters
AK Bets has successfully transitioned from the racecourse to the online world, bringing a no-nonsense approach that will appeal to many punters. New customers can take advantage of a 25% winnings boost welcome offer, which requires the promo code AKACCA100 to claim. The sportsbook has a clear focus on its roots, with extensive coverage of horse racing alongside a deep selection of football markets, with odds also available across more than 25 other sports. For existing customers, AK Bets offers daily reward “Clubs,” a loyalty scheme providing free bets or spins for consistent play.
The platform's mobile experience is strong, with dedicated and highly-rated apps available for both iOS and Android users. When it comes to support, the live “Trader Chat” function stands out for its rapid response times. The primary limitation is the payment system, which is restricted to debit cards and bank transfers, a drawback for those who prefer e-wallets.
What we like
- Competitive odds with “AK's Big Prices”: Guarantees market-leading prices on selected major events.
- Extremely fast withdrawal times: Our tests and user reports confirm payouts are often processed in minutes.
- Live streaming for all UK & Irish racing: A key feature for racing fans, accessible just by logging in.
- Unique features like telephone betting: A traditional “Phone-a-Bet” service for those who prefer it.
What we don't like
- Very limited payment methods: No support for popular e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller.
- No “Best Odds Guaranteed” promotion: A notable absence for a bookmaker with a strong racing focus.
- eSports markets are limited or unavailable: While some sources list eSports, we found no active markets during our review.
- No dedicated casino welcome bonus: New players looking for a casino-specific offer will be disappointed.
AK Bets bonuses and promotions: What’s on offer?
So, what exactly can new and loyal players expect in terms of bonuses? Let's break down the offers available at AK Bets.
The AK Bets welcome bonus for sports
25% Winnings Boost up to a £100 Free Bet
AK Bets offers a unique welcome bonus that boosts the profit from your very first qualifying bet. If your first bet wins, they will add 25% of the profit to your account as a free bet, up to a maximum of £100. To claim this, you must use the promo code AKACCA100 when you sign up.
The qualifying bet must be an accumulator (acca) with a minimum of three selections (a Treble) on any sport. The combined odds of your acca must be at least Evens (2.0).
The free bet is credited to your account within 24 hours of your qualifying bet settling. It expires after 7 days, and as is standard, the free bet stake is not returned with any winnings.
A summary of the bonus terms
Here are the key terms you need to know for the welcome offer:
- New UK/IE customers only.
- The promo code AKACCA100 is required during sign-up.
- The free bet expires after 7 days of being credited.
- The qualifying bet cannot be cashed out or voided.
Promotions for existing customers
AK Bets focuses on rewarding regular play through its loyalty schemes.
- AK's Clubs: This is a daily loyalty programme where wagering £50 or more in a single day on a specific category earns you a reward. The current clubs include:
- Kennel Club: For greyhound racing wagers.
- US Racing Club: For bets on US horse racing.
- In-Play Multis Club: For in-play accumulator bets.
- Virtuals Club: For virtual sports betting.
- Casino Club: Earns free spins on casino games.
- AK's Big Prices: Instead of standard odds boosts, AK Bets offers “AK's Big Prices”. This feature guarantees market-leading prices on selected major sporting events each day, providing tangible value to all customers.
AK Bets sports betting markets reviewed
Let's get into the heart of the platform: the sportsbook. AK Bets has built a solid offering, particularly for fans of the UK's most popular sports.
What sports can you bet on?
- Football: Coverage is extensive, including the Premier League, EFL Championship, and major European competitions like the Champions League. You'll also find markets for a wide array of international leagues. Premier League matches typically feature over 100 distinct betting markets, from match results to player-specific stats.
- Horse Racing: This is a core strength of AK Bets. The site covers all UK & Irish meetings in detail, complemented by international races from the US, Australia, and France. Ante-post markets are also available for major future events.
- Other Sports: The bookmaker provides a good range of other popular UK sports, including cricket, rugby, tennis, and snooker. Niche markets are also present, with options for Gaelic sports (GAA), darts, and even politics.
How are the betting odds and value?
- Competitiveness: The odds at AK Bets are highly competitive, especially for horse racing. This is a key part of their value proposition, reinforced by the “AK's Big Prices” feature which ensures some of the best prices in the industry on specific events.
- Betting Margins: Our analysis of their football markets revealed a betting margin of around 6.85%. This is a reasonable figure and sits comfortably within the average range for the UK market.
- Odds Format: All odds are presented in the fractional format, which is traditional for UK and Irish punters.
The live betting experience
- In-Play Markets: The in-play section is robust and available for popular sports like football, tennis, and cricket. The odds updates are quick, allowing you to react to the action in real-time.
- Cash Out: While some older reviews noted the absence of a Cash Out feature, AK Bets now offers both full and partial cash out options on selected markets. This brings it in line with major competitors and gives you the flexibility to settle a bet before an event has finished.
- Live Streaming: This is a standout feature, but it is specifically limited to all UK & Irish horse racing and greyhound racing. To access the streams, users simply need to be logged into their account; no specific bet on the race is required.
Bet builder and other unique features
- Bet Builder: The “Build-a-Bet” feature allows you to create your own same-game multiples on football matches by combining different markets like goalscorers, cards, and corners.
- Telephone Betting: A unique offering in the modern online market is the “Phone-a-Bet” service. You can place bets over the phone by calling 03700 421 321, with a £20 minimum stake for this service.
- Tips & Podcast: AK Bets adds value for customers through its dedicated tips site and podcast, featuring expert analysis and betting advice.
What about the casino and virtuals?
While sports betting is the main event, AK Bets also provides other gaming products.
Casino games
AK Bets hosts a full online casino featuring hundreds of slots, table games, and a live dealer section. Games are supplied by top-tier providers like Pragmatic Play and NetEnt. There is no casino-specific welcome bonus, but existing players can earn daily rewards through “AK's Casino Club”.
Virtual sports
A dedicated virtual sports section is available for those seeking non-stop action. Punters can also take advantage of the “AK's Virtuals Club” promotion to earn daily free bets.
AK Bets site and mobile experience
The platform is built on a solid foundation, providing a reliable and user-friendly experience across devices.
Website design and navigation
The website features a clean, intuitive layout with a striking black-and-orange colour scheme. It operates on the Playbook Gaming platform, a foundation shared by other UK bookmakers like StarSports and BetZone, which means experienced bettors may find the layout and navigation immediately familiar. Navigation is straightforward, making it easy to find sports, markets, and account features.
The mobile betting app
AK Bets offers dedicated, highly-rated mobile apps for both iOS and Android. The apps replicate the full functionality of the desktop site, ensuring a seamless experience on the go. All features, including live streaming, in-play betting, and all betting markets, are available.
Understanding the betting limits
The site markets itself on offering “big limits” and being willing to accept larger wagers than many of its competitors. The minimum stake for telephone betting is £20, though online stakes can be much lower. Maximum daily payouts vary by sport, with some reaching as high as £100,000.
Testing customer support
- Channels: The primary contact methods are Live Chat (branded as “Trader Chat”) and email at [email protected]. They also offer telephone support for placing bets and maintain an active presence on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
- Availability: Live chat responses are exceptionally fast, with tests showing replies in under 2 minutes. The service is confirmed to be available during core hours (8 am to 10 pm), with some sources indicating it may be 24/7.
How to handle payments at AK Bets
Payment processing is an area where AK Bets is both strong and weak, offering speed but limited choice.
How to deposit funds
| Method | Minimum Deposit | Processing Time | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro) | £10 | Instant | No Fees |
| Bank Transfer | £10 | 1-3 working days | No Fees |
While the standard minimum deposit is £10 for most transactions and bonus qualifications, AK Bets stands out by allowing deposits as low as £1 via certain methods, a major plus for casual bettors. Crucially, AK Bets does not accept e-wallets. This means popular methods like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are not supported.
How to withdraw your winnings
| Method | Minimum Withdrawal | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Debit Card | £10 | Typically 2-5 working days, but often much faster (sometimes minutes) |
| Bank Transfer | £10 | Typically 2-5 working days, but often much faster (sometimes minutes) |
Withdrawal speed is a major highlight. While the official line is 2-5 working days, tests and user reviews frequently report funds being received in a matter of minutes, making it one of the fastest payout sites available.
Why choose AK Bets? Our final verdict
AK Bets establishes itself as a strong, no-nonsense bookmaker designed for the serious punter. It forgoes an endless stream of complex promotions in favour of delivering core value where it counts: competitive odds and exceptionally fast payouts. This site is best suited for bettors, particularly those focused on horse racing and football, who prioritise getting the best price and quick access to their winnings over having a wide array of payment methods or promotions like Best Odds Guaranteed.
The key strengths are undeniable. “AK's Big Prices” ensures genuine value, the withdrawal speeds are among the fastest in the industry, and the provision of live streaming for all UK and Irish racing without a wagering requirement is a huge plus for racing enthusiasts. The main drawbacks—the very limited payment options and the lack of BOG—are significant but may be acceptable trade-offs for the right customer. For punters tired of gimmicks and looking for a straightforward, value-driven platform, AK Bets is a refreshing and highly recommended choice in the UK market.
FAQ about AK Bets
AK Bets is owned by Star Racing Ltd. and was founded by Anthony Kaminskas, a former Paddy Power trader and professional punter.
Yes, AK Bets is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission under license number 66030.
No, it does not currently offer a Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) promotion. Instead, it provides “AK’s Big Prices” on major events to ensure it offers competitive, market-leading odds.
The promo code required to claim the new customer offer is AKACCA100.