bet365
bet365 is a major online gambling brand operated by Hillside (UK Sports) ENC and Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC. Both operators faced regulatory action in April 2024 for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures, resulting in payments of over £582,000.
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About
bet365 is one of the world's most recognised online gambling websites. In the UK, its operations are run by two separate but related companies: Hillside (UK Sports) ENC for sports betting and Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC for casino and bingo products. According to its website, the brand offers a wide range of products including sports betting, slots, and live casino games.
Both operating companies hold active licences from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), first granted on 17 October 2019. While the brand is well-established, its licensed operators have recently faced significant regulatory penalties from the UKGC. These actions highlight failures in meeting the standards required to protect customers and prevent financial crime.
Features & Offerings
Key Offerings
- Slots
- Live casino
- Sports betting
- Bingo
- Esports betting
Main Features
- Bet Builder and player builder betting options
- Live in-play betting markets
- Mobile app for Android and iOS
- Daily free spins welcome offer
- Live streaming and mobile statistics
Incentives
According to their website (checked 18 Feb 2026):
Welcome Offers
New players get a single free bet welcome offer, where placing an initial qualifying bet unlocks free bets to use on sports markets.
Conditions Explained
You'll need to make a deposit and place a qualifying bet before the free bets are released. The T&Cs note that minimum odds apply, certain payment methods are excluded, and time limits are in force, but the specific values for those conditions weren't published on the site. The free bets are credited after your qualifying bet settles, so you can't use them immediately. It's worth checking the full terms on the bet365 website before depositing, since the offer page only shows a summary.
Ongoing Promotions
Existing players get a mix of free-to-play prediction games, a daily prize reveal, and a poker tournament league, covering sports, casino, and poker across the site.
Conditions Explained
The UEFA Champions League and correct-scores prediction games are free to enter, so there's no deposit needed to take part. Any prizes won through the correct-scores game may be shared if multiple players win, which could reduce what a single winner receives. The poker Premium League requires you to opt in for each qualifying period separately. The daily tile-reveal runs from 17:00 each day and resets weekly. The "Sub On Play On" feature applies only to specific player markets flagged with an icon on the site. All promotions list new and eligible customers as a condition, though the site doesn't publish what makes a customer ineligible.
Can You Trust bet365?
Positive Signals
- UKGC licensed since 2019
- Domain registered since 1999
Concerns
- £343,035 regulatory settlement for gaming operator in 2024
- £239,085 regulatory settlement for sports operator in 2024
- Widespread negative user reviews for payments and service
What Users Say
bet365 has a very low Trustpilot score of 1.3 out of 5 from over 6,300 reviews. The feedback is overwhelmingly negative. Users frequently report serious problems with the service.
Common Themes
Common complaints focus on difficulties with withdrawing funds and unresponsive or unhelpful customer service. Many users also report technical issues with the website and app.
Regulatory Context
There's a strong link between user complaints and regulatory findings. Customers report major issues with payments, withdrawals, and account restrictions. The UKGC's enforcement action in April 2024 specifically cited failures in anti-money laundering (AML) processes. These AML rules often govern how and when customer accounts are checked and withdrawals are processed, which could explain the problems many users say they experience.
Sample Reviews
"Terrible customer service. The website/ app make it very hard to make withdrawals. This feels very scammy. The reps on the messaging system are not helping."
"This is without a doubt the MOST corrupt betting site operating in the UK today. Two nights ago I was playing blackjack when the dealer got a miraculous 7 (yes that is SEVEN) straight 21s in a row. However that has been outdone tonight with 7 (yes SEVEN) straight BlackJacks in a row!!!! That two successive sessions both containing a 4,000,000,000,000 - 1 (thats 4 trillion) accumulator for the dealer! Avoid these thieves at all costs."
Source: Trustpilot
UKGC Licence Status
The operators behind bet365 hold several UKGC licences. Hillside (UK Sports) ENC has licences for General Betting on real and virtual events and Pool Betting, which cover its sportsbook. Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC holds Bingo and Casino licences, which permit it to offer online slots, table games, and bingo.
If a customer has a dispute with bet365 that they can't resolve directly, they can use an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service. The operator is registered with IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service), which provides impartial rulings on disputes.
Regulatory Actions
The operators for bet365 have a recent history of regulatory action. On 4 April 2024, the UKGC announced regulatory settlements with both companies. Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC had to pay £343,035 and Hillside (UK Sports) ENC had to pay £239,085. These actions followed investigations that found failures in their anti-money laundering and social responsibility processes between 2021 and 2022.
Site Assessment
Licensed Operator
The bet365 brand is operated in the UK by two distinct legal entities. Hillside (UK Sports) ENC holds the licences for all sports-related betting activities. Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC is the licensed operator for all other gambling products, like casino games and bingo.
Both companies have been licensed by the UKGC since October 2019. Although they are separate entities on the public register, they are part of the wider bet365 group and were both subject to regulatory action on the same day for similar failings.