Jorginho expected to sign new contract at Arsenal | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
Jorginho is expected to extend his stay with Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal star Jorginho is ready to put pen to paper on a new deal with the club.
Jorginho, 32, joined Arsenal from rivals Chelsea for a fee of around £12million in January 2023 and has gone on to make 51 appearances in all competitions for the north London giants.
The midfielder agreed to an 18-month contract on arrival at Arsenal, with the option of a further year.
There has been uncertainty surrounding Jorginho's future given that deal is due to expire at the end of the season and a return to Serie A has been mooted as a possible option in the summer transfer window.
However, according to The Athletic, Jorginho is expected to extend his stay – rather than leave on a free transfer – after being offered a new contract, which will come as a great relief to Mikel Arteta.
Jorginho is not a guaranteed starter for the Gunners but has established himself as a trusted member of the squad and Arteta has been keen for the vastly experienced Euro 2020 winner to commit to the club for the foreseeable future.
The report claims Thomas Partey's situation remains unclear, with the 30-year-old Ghana midfielder set to enter into the final year of his deal this summer.
Arsenal must decide whether to cash in on Partey while they have the chance or risk losing him on a free transfer in 12 months time.
Arteta has been keen for Jorginho to commit his future to the Gunners (Picture: Getty)
Speaking to TV Play earlier this month, Jorginho's agent Joao Santos insisted his client was in 'no hurry' to decide his future and refused to rule out a summer switch to Italy.
'Did Arsenal call us for a renewal? No, right now they're focused on the Champions League return leg against Bayern Munich,' Santos said.
'We're in no hurry. If they were to call us in a month or two to discuss the renewal, that's fine with us.
'Would Jorginho like to return to Italy? Yes, of course because he grew up in Italy and he likes everything about the country.'
Arteta views Jorginho as the ideal role model for Arsenal's young stars (Picture: Getty)
Arteta has repeatedly sang Jorginho's praises since his arrival from Stamford Bridge, viewing the Champions League winner as the perfect role model for Arsenal's younger players.
'For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him,' the Arsenal manager said after the side's victory over title rivals Liverpool in February.
'He's won everything but you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he's happy to go there.
Graeme Souness believes Mohamed Salah made 'secret deal' with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp
David Raya sends message to Arsenal fans over his mistake against Tottenham
France star gives Arsenal hope of summer deal amid £26m transfer speculation
'Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he's able to do that. I'm really lucky to have players like this.
'It's a game that I had in my mind. I was imagining how much we were going to need him. He's a really intelligent player, his biggest quality is that he makes the people around him better.
'He connects everybody. I think he was man of the match.'
Emotional John Higgins reflects on 'best ever' clearance: 'That will live with me forever' | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
John Higgins' clearance to beat Mark Allen will be replayed for years to come (Picture: Getty Images)
John Higgins says his stunning deciding-frame clearance to beat Mark Allen at the World Championship will live with him forever, describing it as one of his best moments in snooker.
The Wizard of Wishaw and the Pistol played out an epic contest at the Crucible which went all the way to 12-12 late on Monday night.
Allen looked to be the one getting over the line as he made a break of 62 before missing a red with the rest and allowing Higgins a slim chance of pinching victory.
The Scot came to the table with little on and immediately took on a reverse double which went in and put him perfectly on the black, a shot that Stephen Hendry suggested was the bravest he had ever seen.
Higgins would go on to make 71, winning the match on the final black and booking his place in the quarter-finals where he will meet Kyren Wilson.
The four-time world champion is known for his epic 'dishes' to win frames, but it has been a testing time for him over the last two or three years, being on the wrong end of a number of painful and close defeats rather than handing them out.
Given that context, he feels this latest dish is his finest ever.
'The best, probably,' Higgins said of his clearance. 'With everything that's been before in the last couple of years, to stand up there under the ultimate pressure. It's the best.'
The 48-year-old admitted that emotions were running high while Allen was at the table, with his top 16 place on the line if he lost and the possibility he may never return to the Crucible.
'I was just trying to stay positive in my chair, not give off any negative energy,' he said. 'But I was also steeling myself, I was getting my speech ready, what I was going to say to Mark. I never expected him to miss.
'I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion of playing here at the Crucible again. I had a little look round about when Mark was on about 50 and thought, "I'll miss this place if I never get here again." So luckily for me it changed round and I've got another chance to get out there and make more memories.'
Allen congratulated Higgins after the stunning climax (Picture: Getty Images)
Doubling in the opening red was a moment of snooker genius from the Scot, but one that reminded him of another of his classic moments on the table.
Higgins cleared up to win a deciding frame in the 2006 Masters final against Ronnie O'Sullivan, which also included a doubled red along the way.
'When I was on the double I was thinking it reminds me a bit of the Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Masters,' he said. 'I was thinking it could be special if I doubled it.'
Then came an immense break, followed by a memorable celebration as he held his arms aloft to the Crucible crowd.
'You're just trying to stay in the moment. Trying to push the cue through straight,' he said. 'I felt really calm. Just as that black goes in, I can't even remember whatever I did, but it was a proud moment for me, really proud. It was incredible. One of my best ever moments.'
Higgins has admitted that belief in big moments has sapped away over the last couple of years, but things could change after that effort under monumental pressure.
'It should do a hell of a lot, it should do wonders for me, now that I can do it at the hardest place to play snooker. That should give me confidence,' he said.
Higgins wowed the Crucible crowd (Picture: Getty Images)
'Onwards and upwards. Some good things can happen now, when you believe. Brilliant memory. That will live with me forever, that clearance.
'Just keep believing. Don't get too down on yourself, because I am still capable of producing some good memories. Always believe.'
Allen had a classy message for the winner despite the nightmare end to the game,saying Higgins can go all the way to a fifth world title.
'I said to him at the end, he can go on and win this, he's one of the very few that can. He just needs to believe it,' said Allen. 'I know he hasn't had the best of times in regards to winning things, but there's not many people can do that at 12-12 in the Crucible.
'He needs to give himself a massive pat on the back. He can go on and win this thing. John's a good guy, one of the guys I would class as a friend on the tour. Yes I'm disappointed but he's one of the ones I'm going to be cheering on.'
Former boxing world champion, Dingaan Thobela, dies aged 57 | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela has died aged 57 (Getty)
Former boxing world champion, Dingaan Thobela, has died aged 57 after battling illness.
Thobela, nicknamed the 'Rose of Soweto', was found dead in his flat in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday evening.
Thobela's childhood friend, Eddie Mutungutungu, revealed that he became concerned after being unable to contac the former boxer.
'He was strangely unavailable on his cellphone, and his family, accompanied by police, managed to gain access to his place of residence and found he had passed on,' Mutungutungu said.
During his career, Thobela won three world titles in two weight divisions. He won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 and WBA lightweight belt in 1993 before winning the WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.
Thobela retired in 2006 with a record of 40 wins, 14 defeats and two draws from 56 fights.
Dingaan Thobela won three world titles during his career (AFP via Getty)
South African boxer Kevin Lerena thanked Thobela for being an 'inspiration and motivation'.
'Rest in peace to South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela,' Lerena wrote on X.
'Your talent and determination in the ring will never be forgotten. You always supported me and believed in my abilities, pushing me to reach my fullest potential. Thank you for your inspiration and motivation, Champ.'
Arsonist smashed into a McDonald's for food days before he torched his own flat
Bullet proof cubes could be built around playgrounds to keep kids safe in South Africa
Map shows grueling 10,000 mile challenge the 'Hardest Geezer' took on in just under a year
Speaking about his tough upbringing in an interview with Ring Magazine last year, Thobela said: 'Soweto helped make me what I am today. I come from the tough ghetto.
'It was tough in the sense of poverty; we grew up with nothing. My mother abandoned me when I was three months old. She took me to my grandmother on my dad's side. She couldn't raise me. My grandmother nurtured me.
'I was bullied by my elders, and boxing was a form of defense.
'Norman [Hlabane, boxing trainer] had faith in me. He threw me into the amateur ranks.
'He was not there 80 percent of the time, but he would train me and prepare me, and then he would let me go with someone who would be in the corner with me. He saw I was skillful and handled myself against those guys.'
Jack Lisowski admits breakaway tour temptation but calls for co-existence | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
Jack Lisowski says there are 'big numbers being thrown around' over a new snooker tour (Picture: Getty Images)
Jack Lisowski admits that the money being talked about for a breakaway snooker tour is head-turning, but does not want to leave the main circuit and hopes that both can co-exist.
Jackpot was beaten in the second round of the World Championship 13-11 by Stuart Bingham on Monday night, ending his hopes of landing a first ranking title at the biggest event in the sport.
The potential of joining a rival tour has been floated to the 32-year-old, just as it has to the likes of Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson, with the latter saying he is yet to decide on his future.
Lisowski does not want to turn his back on the major WST events, likely to stay on the main tour, but hopes that organisers of new tournaments can agree to put them on in gaps in the calendar, leaving players to enjoy the best of both worlds.
'There are big numbers being thrown around but I think I'll be back, I'm pretty sure I will,' Lisowski told a press conference at the Crucible.
'I don't know. I'd be lying if I said it's not tempting, but I can't see myself leaving the tour. The Masters is such a good event, the UK and the Worlds are special to play in. So I'm pretty sure I'll be back for that.
Lisowski scored a fine win over Ding Junhui before losing out to Bingham (Picture: Getty Images)
'Who knows? Maybe they'll be able to run something alongside. Because we're allowed to play in other stuff now.
'The prize money is going up on this tour, we're getting looked after better, the games' going in the right direction. People don't need to be like, "Oh, new tour, that could be the worst thing ever." Maybe they can have something run alongside.
'It just shows that the players and the game are starting to get valued more by the people. It's marketable, people enjoy watching it, so I think it's all good for the game.
'I don't think it's as serious as everyone's saying. Maybe there can just be more tournaments for everyone to play in. Let's see what happens, I'm just a snooker player.'
On the nature of any approach he has received, Lisowski wasn't too clear, saying: 'There's just numbers being thrown about. I don't know what's going on.'
Those numbers are reportedly in the region of £320,000 guaranteed for a year playing in the new tournaments, with much more to be won on top of that in prize money.
Lisowski's good friend Trump snubbed the idea of playing on another tour last week, saying he would rather be landing titles that matter and earn money rather than being 'gifted' it.
Jackpot is less convinced, although he was talking after a tough loss to Bingham and had a grin on his face as he said: 'To be honest, Judd's Judd, but I'd probably rather have a couple of million quid and lose. I'm not going to lie. That would feel a bit easier than being donked out here.
'I don't know what's going to happen but I'm pretty sure I'll be on the tour next season.'
Jofra Archer recalled as England name T20 World Cup squad | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
Jofra Archer has not played for England in over a year (Picture: Getty)
Jofra Archer has been recalled to the England squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The fast bowler, 29, has not featured for England in over a year due to a reoccurring elbow injury but has played club cricket in Barbados and turned out for Sussex in pre-season.
England's 15-man provisional squad also includes Chris Jordan and uncapped spinner Tom Hartley, but two-time World Cup winner Chris Woakes misses out.
The same squad will face Pakistan in a four-match T20 series starting on May 22 before flying to the Caribbean at the end of the month ahead of their first T20 World Cup game against Scotland on June 4.
The eight members of the squad currently playing in the Indian Premier League will return for the beginning of the Pakistan series, the ECB have confirmed.
The England selectors and head coach Matthew Mott have until a May 25 deadline to update their squad.
Buttler will lead the side and has enjoyed a return to form at the IPL, scoring two unbeaten centuries for Rajasthan Royals.
England will look for batting firepower from the likes of Buttler, Harry Brook, Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow, who also hit an unbeaten ton in the IPL after being dropped by Punjab Kings.
Archer and Jordan are joined in the bowling ranks by Sam Curran, Mark Wood and Reece Topley, while Adil Rashid goes into the T20 World Cup as the No. 1 ranked bowler in the world.
The T20 World Cup, which takes place in the West Indies and United States, begins on June 2 with co-hosts United States facing Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.
England won the last T20 World Cup (Picture: Getty)
Discussing Archer's recall, England chief Rob Key said: 'Jofra is that bowler that is just so special that you do everything you can to get him back playing.
'We've taken the longer road this time but as always with Jofra it's fingers crossed until he's out there playing. Like when you're waiting for something really good to happen, you don't quite believe it until he's there, but he's tracking well at the moment.
'The next step is when he gets into that Pakistan series – it's going to be full-match intensity – and how he keeps going through there, but at the moment we're doing everything we can and he's in a good spot.'
Katie Boulter and Alex De Minaur reveal romance secrets amid Challengers success | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
Katie Boulter and Alex De Minaur have been together since 2020 (Picture: Getty)
Following the release of sexy tennis movie Challengers, real-life couple Katie Boulter and Alex De Minaur have lifted the lid on their own steamy romance.
Social media has been in a frenzy over the movie directed by Luca Guadagnino, which has scored 83 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating universal acclaim.
With everyone talking about the film, British No.1 Boulter and Australian world No.11 De Minaur have taken the time to open up about their own relationship.
The power couple have been together for four years but initially hid their romance from fellow players across the ATP Tour and WTA Tour as well as the public.
They have now revealed the extreme lengths they went to in order to avoid speculation and the tricks they played to keep their relationship a secret.
'Remember that time when we were having breakfast on like separate tables?' a giddy Boulter said in a video posted by the WTA.
The duo melted hearts in the Wimbledon mixed doubles last year (Picture: Getty)
'That was the early stages,' De Minaur added. 'We would rock down to breakfast at different times.'
Boulter elaborated further, explaining it was 'different times, like 10 minutes later' with her boyfriend De Minaur confirming they did it to 'avoid speculation'.
'It's so true, so people wouldn't find out,' Boulter said, with the lovebirds clearly enjoying their trip down memory lane as De Minaur added: 'Works every time!'
Boulter and De Minaur have both enjoyed successful spells since their relationship went public with the Briton clinching her maiden WTA Tour title last year and following it up with the San Diego Open trophy on clay in March this year.
De Minaur, meanwhile, earned a spot inside the world top 10 and recently beat Rafael Nadal at the Barcelona Open on the Spaniard's favourite clay surface.
'I think what was very important in the early stages, we talked about tennis being the No.1 priority and that we would make all of this work,' De Minaur said.
'Just finding that balance. Like, I thought it was going to be quite tough.'
Boulter added: 'That was the tough part I think. The very start of the relationship was hard.
'It's crazy to think this time last year I was playing in Japan, I was ranked like world No.150.'
Emma Raducanu slammed and ridiculed for embarrassing Madrid defeat
Goran Ivanisevic says Novak Djokovic 'goes crazy' as he issues warning to new coach
Will Emma Raducanu skip French Open after exhaustion admission?
De Minaur then chimed in and said: 'I remember you telling me, 'I will not be playing a clay-court swing in my life, I refuse to play on clay' – and now here you are! Top 30.
'It fills me with a lot of joy being able to say I told you so. I think we are helping each other.'
Boulter teased her boyfriend in response and said: 'I take full credit for you making the top 10!'
The Brazilian joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 2020 and went on to help the Blues win three trophies, including the Champions League.
It is not clear if Chelsea tried to persuade Silva to sign a contract extension but Hargreaves believes the Stamford Bridge hierarchy should have done everything in their power to keep him at the club.
Boehly's ownership of Chelsea has been widely criticised, with the club's heavy spending and awarding of remarkedly long contracts yet to lead to success on the pitch.
'Chelsea should have kept him on. I think they should have kept him,' the ex-England midfielder said on Premier League Productions.
'The reason why they are struggling this season is because they have no leaders, no experienced players.
Thiago Silva is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)
'They need more of them, not less. You don't let the guy go who's won the Champions League and been one of the best centre-backs of all time.
'He could have stayed to mentor all those brilliant young centre-backs they have, like Colwill, Badiashile and Disasi.
'Having players like Thiago Silva in the dressing room is priceless. A guy like Thiago, who has been there and done it, he doesn't fold in the big moments.
Graeme Souness believes Mohamed Salah made 'secret deal' with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp
David Raya sends message to Arsenal fans over his mistake against Tottenham
France star gives Arsenal hope of summer deal amid £26m transfer speculation
'He can still play. I think he'll go back to Brazil and play there. It's so important to have mentors when you come through – that guy would be the best mentor ever.'
In an emotional statement, Silva said his love for Chelsea was 'indescribable' and hinted at returning to Stamford Bridge one day.
'Chelsea means a lot to me,' he said. 'I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years.
'It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it's even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue.'
</div>
Arsenal legend Ian Wright said Silva's announcement was 'sad' as he paid tribute to a player who has enjoyed a 'great career'.
'A very sad video to watch,' Wright said. 'He was very emotional and it's a tough one because there does come a time in your career, and he is getting old, when you start to feel this is winding down.
'That day is coming and that has, obviously, happened to him. The announcement was very emotional because he knew it was coming and now he has to put it out there.
'What was really quite sad to watch was how he couldn't control the fact that he has accepted it in himself, and you see him in tears. It is sad. It's sad to see because a great career is winding down.'
Paris Saint-Germain can take a big step towards the Champions League final with victory at Borussia Dortmund | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
Kylian Mbappe is PSG's most dangerous player (Picture: Getty Images)
Here's your starter for ten. Which English footballer has scored the most goals in the Bundesliga?
How about Harry Kane? No, although he'll undoubtedly top the list sooner rather than later. Okay, it must be Kevin Keegan because he won the Ballon D'Or in 1978 and 1979 when playing for Hamburg. Incorrect.
Well then, let's go for Tony Woodcock, a dual European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest who played for FC Koln? Nope and you're out of guesses.
The answer is Jadon Sancho who scored his 40th goal in Germany's top flight at the weekend when he hit the net for Borussia Dortmund in a 4-1 defeat at RB Leipzig. Since January the 24-year-old has been on loan with BVB, where he spent four successful years from 2017 to 2021, after falling out with Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag.
He also scored in a 2-0 home victory over PSV Eindhoven to help Dortmund into the Champions League quarter-finals where they then beat Atletico Madrid after a couple of humdingers in Spain and on home soil to set up a semi-final battle with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 champions reached this stage of the competition by beating Barcelona over two legs and their attack is led by classy Kylian Mbappe, who is set to move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Jadon Sancho loves scoring for Dortmund and found the net in their Champions League last-16 first leg match against PSV Eindhoven (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
He has scored eight of his 43 goals this season in the Champions League and is obviously a big threat to a Dortmund side beset by injuries.
Winning the final at Wembley on Saturday, June 1 would equate to getting their hands on the holy grail for PSG and they head across the border full of confidence after taking four points off Dortmund in the group stages.
They are also unbeaten in 15 games away from home in all competitions stretching way back to a 2-1 reversal at AC Milan at the beginning of November.
Mbappe can send PSG to victory by opening the scoring at 15/4 with bet365 and he's a concrete bet at 11/10 with the same firm to get on the scoresheet at any time.
Sancho is 4/1 with SpreadEx to find the net but back PSG to win at 29/20 with bet365 and Betfair while a 2-1 victory for the Parisians is 10/1 with William Hill.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim could be Erik Ten Hag's replacement at Old Trafford
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham can light up the Champions League semi-finals
Chelsea set to miss out on Victor Osimhen as Napoli striker makes transfer decision
• Aidan O'Brien's classy City of Troy will take some beating in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday. Triumphant in all three starts last year, including the Dewhurst Stakes over course and distance, the bay colt must be followed even at 4/6, which is available with multiple firms. Fallen Angel, trained by Karl Burke, is 7/2 with William Hill for the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday.
• Globetrotting Japanese raider Forever Young, a fine winner already this year at Medan and Riyadh, looks each-way gold for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs when the 150th Run for the Roses is staged on Saturday. Also victorious on home soil in his young undefeated career, he's worthing supporting at 8/1 with Betfred, bet365 and Paddy Power.
The results mean Arsenal's lead at the top of the table is just one point, with Man City set to win the Premier League if they win their four remaining games.
Arsenal will hope to keep Pep Guardiola's team honest by taking nine points from their final three games, with the Gunners facing Bournemouth and Everton at home in-between a trip to Manchester United.
The Old Trafford game is Arsenal's toughest fixture on paper but ex-United midfielder Hargreaves cannot see his former club causing many problems.
'They can be anything, United, it's mad,' he said on Premier League Productions. 'Even at home to Burnley, it was Burnley who had more possession.
'That game might suit United because they'll be able to play on the counter and hit them on the break.
'But Mikel Arteta does such a great job in formulating game-plans to nullify those threats so I think Arsenal will beat Man United.
'United can't control games, the middle of the pitch is so open and Arsenal's midfield is brilliant with [Martin] Odegaard and [Declan] Rice. So I don't see United troubling Arsenal.'
The Red Devils have little to play for in the Premier League but will conclude the 2023-24 campaign with a FA Cup final against Manchester City.
While Arsenal prepare for fixtures against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Everton, defending champions Man City face Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham as they chase a record fourth consecutive title.
The best gambling sites in the UK – top brands for betting and bonuses | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
(Picture: Acroud Media)
Most gambling sites nowadays do their best to cover all bases, from sports betting to slots to poker. The experts at Wisegambler.com have decided that the best all-round UK gambling site from their commercial partners is BetVictor, but you can see their full list of recommendations below:
bet365 T&Cs: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
18+ Gambling Can Be Addictive. Please Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware GamStop Gambling Commission
DISCLAIMER: This article is provided by wisegambler.com, part of the Acroud group and all opinions are their own. All offers are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without notice.
Best Gambling Sites in the UK Reviewed
The following are the experts' picks for the top five all-round gambling sites UK!
Taking the place of honour is BetVictor. The sportsbook is nigh unparalleled in UK gambling, with competitive odds, an intuitive user interface and some generous bonuses. The casino sections of BetVictor are also stellar, with a jaw-dropping range of live dealer titles and a smaller but high-quality collection of regular casino games. If we're looking for issues with the site, we'd have to say the sportsbook livestream coverage is limited to only a few major events.
Pros
✅ Wide range of sports and markets
✅ Modern and user-friendly platform
✅ Mobile friendly
Cons
❌ Limited live streaming
BetVictor T&Cs:18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
Betfred sets itself apart with one specific feature — the range of bonuses. Betfred is famous for its expansive range of betting promotions across all its gambling services. We also love the big update the Betfred website recently underwent, with a shiny new look that improves user experience and adds an element of professionalism. As a gambling site, we were disappointed with the comparatively small collection of table games available in the regular and live casinos. However, the overall library is strong, with many titles from top developers.
Pros
✅ The best lineup of promotions around
✅ Reliable British betting brand
✅ Many casino games from top-tier developers
Cons
❌ Small lineup of table games
Betfred T&Cs:New customers only. Register (excl. 13/04/24) with WELCOME50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get Free Bets: £20 In-Play, £20 Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin' Frenzy within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
This is the oldest brand on our list, first entering the sports betting business in 1939 and still standing strong 80 years later. Since then, William Hill has expanded into a sprawling gambling empire with its live casino, vegas, bingo and poker services to complement it! Each is of fantastic quality with excellent games, live dealer options and top-notch service. Unfortunately, William Hill's website is bland compared to its competitors; certainly user-friendly, but not very exciting to look at.
Pros
✅ Well-established betting brand
✅ Hundreds of games, including live dealer options
✅ Friendly and responsive customer support
Cons
❌ Bland website design
William Hill T&Cs: 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. #ad
BetMGM is a brand familiar to any avid US sports bettor, but in 2023 it made its way to British shores and made one hell of a splash! Its classy user interface spreads from the desktop to the dedicated mobile apps, with BetMGM proving to be the pinnacle of modern gambling platforms. The casino and sportsbook are well-balanced and cohesively designed, so users looking for either will be satisfied. Its one major issue is the distinct lack of payment methods, with only a handful available, which prevents many users from using the site.
Pros
✅ Competitive odds and promotions
✅ Seamless mobile experience
✅ Live betting and streaming
Cons
❌ Limited payment options
BetMGM T&Cs: New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
888 is one of the older UK brands on the market and has a fantastic reputation to accompany it. This is a one-stop shop for gambling enthusiasts with a combined sportsbook, casino and poker site! The sportsbook boasts many betting markets, the poker site hosts many variations, and the casino features a plethora of games, including original content! While the service is excellent overall, we must criticise the support limitations, with some customer contacts reserved exclusively for VIP customers.
Pros
✅ Trusted and reputable brand
✅ Wide variety of sports and events
✅ Mobile-friendly
Cons
❌ Live chat customer support only for VIPs
888 T&Cs: New online 888sport customers in the UK and Ireland, excluding re-registered customers. Valid from 15/01/2024. Min Deposit £/€10 with code 30FXS. Qualifying bet: 'real money' stake of £/€10+, odds 1/2 (1.5)+. Free bet, consists of 3x £/€10 tokens: 1x £/€10 horseracing, 1x £/€10 football, 1x £/€10 in-play, which will be credited upon qualifying bet settlement and must be used entirely before expiration in 7 days. No cashing out, each way bets, permutations, or combining with 'real money' stakes. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Best Gambling Sites for Betting
BetMGM — the sophisticated betting interface lends itself to user-friendliness, and the live streaming is superior.
BetVictor — renowned for its odds on football and horse racing betting, also features some of the best sportsbook apps on the market. Click here for more information on the best football betting sites.
WilliamHill — a highly experienced betting brand with unbeatable odds on horse and greyhound racing.
10bet — there are fewer betting markets, but the interface is modern and the betting promotions are varied across many different sports.
bet365 — a highly respected sports betting site with a slick interface and some of the best horse racing promotions in the business.
Best Gambling Sites for Casino
WilliamHill — the Vegas service at William Hill has a high-quality variety of casino games from many top developers.
Betfred — stands out for its plethora of casino bonuses, so you can play more of its excellent lineup for less.
888 — with its original games and fantastic user interface, 888 makes for a top-tier casino experience.
BetVictor — BetVictor's casino selection is smaller than others but makes up for it in sheer quality. The site is also attractive and has exceptional mobile compatibility.
BetMGM — The game selection features titles from all the best game developers and hosts it all on a classy website and mobile app.
Best Gambling Sites for Slots
Betfred — Their hundreds of slot games come from only the best developers in the business, and all benefit from the fantastic casino promotions Betfred is famous for.
WilliamHill — with more than 1000 slots on offer, William Hill will leave any slot enthusiast satisfied.
888 — the 1000+ slots feature all the classic titles we expect from a top gambling site, and 888 even hosts a selection of original gaming titles to set itself apart from the competition.
Boylesports — features an elite lineup of slots with huge jackpots and exciting themes to keep the slot experience from growing repetitive.
Planet Sport Bet — doesn't have the biggest selection of slots but is picky about the developers they come from, offering more titles from smaller but excellent-quality game studios.
Best Gambling Sites for Bingo
Betfred — this is one of the most extensive bingo services offered by a multi-service gambling site, with a huge range of bingo variations and unbeatable promotions.
WilliamHill — boasts an excellent selection of bingo variations, including rush bingo, speed bingo and your classic 90 and 75-ball games.
Boylesports — doesn't host the most bingo games, but it's easy to find a game to suit you and the site is super beginner-friendly.
Unibet — only hosts 90 and 75-ball varieties, but there are always games on offer and at all buy-in prices! From penny rooms to six-figure progressives, Unibet will surely have something that suits you.
bet365 — one of the most impressive bingo sites we've seen, from its attractive design and fantastic collection of Virtue Fusion games, to the promotions available.
Best Gambling Sites for Blackjack
BetVictor — while the table games are a little slim here, the blackjack is well served. You'll find many variations, especially if you prefer live dealer varieties.
Unibet — features a good balance of blackjack variations in both the regular online casino and live casino options.
888 — the collection of live dealer blackjack options at 888 is more than any fan could hope to need. And while the non-live variants are slim pickings, they're all high quality.
BetMGM — the live casino blackjack titles come in more varieties than you ever thought existed, all with excellent chat functions and entry minimums starting from just £1.
10bet — the library of blackjack titles is extensive on all accounts, and the experience of playing them is a dream with the fantastic website they're hosted on.
Best Gambling Sites for Roulette
BetVictor — you can find fantastic roulette options at both the live and regular casinos. Not to mention that BetVictor hosts original online roulette tables.
William Hill — the regular online roulette options aren't the biggest at William Hill, but the live pickings are top-notch. You can find all sorts of roulette variations too, including American, European and Arabic.
Boylesports — the roulette options at Boylesports are highly varied, with many unique kinds like spread, diamond, and even themed games.
bet365 — the bet365 roulette lineup is excellent, with unique variations like mini super spin, penny roulette and Dragon Jackpot in addition to the classic wheels.
Livescore Bet — Livescore Bet is one of those gambling sites you'd never expect to have an impressive roulette range, but it knocks it out of the park with an impressive collection of top-tier live roulette games.
Mobile Gambling Sites
In the modern era, mobile devices are steadily but surely outstripping PCs as people's primary source of internet access. As such, online gambling sites need to offer mobile services to rival their PC browser sites! There are many betting apps out there, but they vary wildly in quality. The following are the best you can get in the UK, according to the experts at Wisegambler.com:
BetVictor
BetMGM
888
bet365
10bet
How to Sign Up to an Online Gambling Site
Signing up to online gambling sites has never been easier, with simple online forms that take minutes to complete. While each casino will be slightly different, just follow these basic steps, and you can start playing or betting online today:
Use one of our affiliate links to reach the sign-up page for your chosen gambling site
Click 'Join Now' or similar to open the registration page
Enter your personal details like name, date of birth, address and contact details
If you have a promo code, enter it before finishing account creation
Confirm your account, verify your email, and get playing
Where Can I Play Online Poker?
Online poker is a little more specialised than other online gambling services, but you can still find plenty of online poker games in the UK. These games alter the rules a little and should be approached differently than regular poker, but there are also online-specific tournaments and game types that only work well online. If you're a poker fan, the experts at Wisegambler.com recommend these sites in specific:
888
BoyleSports
bet365
Unibet
William Hill
What is the Best Live Casino?
Live casino sites exist to add a personal touch back into the online gambling experience. Live dealer games are hosted by a human croupier instead of a computer program. You can see them through a live stream and interact with them and other players through a chat function. These games have grown highly sophisticated and even have unique options like game shows! You can find many quality live casino sites, and here are the favourites of the Wisegambler experts:
William Hill
BetMGM
10bet
Betfred
BetVictor
Where Can I Play Online Lottery?
Lottery services at online gambling sites — usually shortened to lotto in the UK — are a little rarer than the other features we've looked at so far. These can function similarly to bingo sites, with rooms you can join and play in, or you can play instant win titles like scratch cards. The experts at Wisegambler.com recommend the following sites for players looking for lotto options:
Betfred
Boylesports
BetVictor — scratchcards and instant-win only
William Hill — scratchcards and instant-win only
How does Wisegambler.com Review Online Gambling Sites?
So now that we've shown you the expert-certified best gambling sites in the UK, it begs the question: what makes these 'the best?' The Wisegambler experts have shared their top judging criteria below so you know what you can expect from all of their top picks:
Welcome Offers and Promotions
One of the first features we look at is the promotional lineup. Of course, this includes the welcome offer — we want to know how generous it is and what it entails. Is the welcome bonus different across the various gambling services, or are they combined, like free bets awarded alongside free spins?
Beyond that, we look at the existing promotions — bonuses shouldn't be exclusively heaped upon new customers. This means recurring deals like reload bonuses or weekly free spins. We also give bonus points for services with VIP schemes, rewarding loyal players and giving them a reason to hang around.
We have put together a list of the best free bets available in the UK right now, head over to our page here.
Variety of Games and Betting Markets
A gambling site would be nothing without its primary content. If a site hosts both casino and sports betting, we want to see a high-quality offering for both. This means a variety of game types — slots, instant win, table games, live casino options — and betting markets that either cover a wide range of sports or allow for an in-depth betting experience. We feel that quality far outstrips quantity in this category, and we'd rather see a site do a small number of things well than have many mediocre services.
User Experience
This may seem obvious, but it's a point that we often overlook in the competition to have the most games or the biggest bonuses — is the gambling site pleasant to use? User experience should be at the top of any service's priority list. This means we expect an attractive, easy-to-navigate interface, intuitive account management systems and quick loading times.
Mobile Compatibility
Mobile gambling has grown exponentially more popular in the past decade, and we've come to expect some level of mobile compatibility from all gambling sites we look at. We want all the gambling sites we consider to at least have a well-adapted mobile website. The best of the best will also have functional apps for both iOS and Android, which streamline the process further. Not all apps are made equally, though, so we need to know these apps work well and consistently please customers.
Licensing and Safety
These are UK gambling sites, so every one of them is guaranteed to have a reliable licence. Without a UKGC or otherwise approved regulator attached to the site, it can't operate in the UK at all. But we like to see when a gambling site has two or more licences! This is usually because it's catering to an international market, but this also gives us more confidence in the stability and legitimacy of the site. Additionally, all gambling sites worth their salt need some kind of web security to protect user data, especially regarding transactions.
Customer Service
Finally, when we recommend a gambling site, we first want to know that the users will be well cared for. So, the site should feature a robust customer support service with multiple points of contact and swift response times. We're especially pleased with the trend towards social media contacts, which allow for near-instant communication between gambling sites and their customers.
If you want to know more about how wisegambler.com's team ranks and reviews online gambling brands, click here.
What Payment Methods are Available at Online Gambling Sites?
You can use many different methods when making payments at online gambling sites. Here's a look at some of the most popular options:
Debit cards — the default payment method. You can use VISA and debit cards at just about every online gambling site in the UK.
PayPal — is a popular online payment option, allowing for fast and secure payments that don't require you to input your details every time.
Paysafecard — prepaid cards like this allow you to make quick payments from a dedicated pool of money. These are particularly good for players trying to control their spending, as you can't spend more than is on the card.
PaybyMobile — an increasingly popular method in the UK. This allows you to pay using your phone number and simply add the charge to the end of your phone bill. This method often has daily transaction limits.
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission: How Are Gambling Sites Regulated?
In the UK, all gambling businesses are regulated by the UKGC — the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. It is a non-governmental regulatory body, however it does enforce UK gambling legislation. For a gambling business of any kind to legally operate in the UK, it must hold a licence from the UKGC — this includes gambling sites, land-based casinos and even arcades.
The UKGC's primary role is to ensure that gambling companies treat users of these establishments fairly. This prevents companies from withholding a player's winnings, capping withdrawals, or taking advantage of vulnerable people like addicts, children and the elderly. The UKGC is notorious for being one of the strictest gambling regulators in the world, so you know you can trust sites licenced by it.
What to do if you have a gambling problem
We understand that gambling can be fun, but it's important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.
Gambling websites operating in the UK must be licenced and regulated by the UKGC. With such a reliable licence, you know you can trust any UK gambling site.
Is Online Gambling Legal in the UK?
Yes, online gambling is legal in the UK. This is thanks to the extensive gambling legislation, ensuring that online gambling operates above board and protects vulnerable parties.
Why Should I Trust Wisegambler.com?
Wisegambler.com has a team of gambling experts on hand who understand the ins and outs of online gambling services. You can trust our team and its collective decades of experience in this field.
Is online gambling better on mobile or desktop?
This will entirely depend on your preference, although, as a general rule, online gambling sites are designed to work on desktops first and are later ported to mobile devices. Many mobile betting apps can also be very hit or miss.
Are Online Gambling Sites easy to use?
Yes, most online gambling sites are designed to optimise user experience and be simple to use or play on — all of our top recommendations sport easy-to-use websites.
Stuart Bingham reveals his simple plan to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Crucible | HXR6S24 | 2024-04-30 16:08:01
Stuart Bingham is in the Rocket's firing line in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)
Stuart Bingham says it is a simple enough mantra that he will take into his World Snooker Championship clash with Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'Don't miss!'
The 2015 world champion had to come through qualifying to get to the Crucible but has impressed since arriving, beating Gary Wilson and Jack Lisowski so far.
Next up is the biggest test in the game, facing the world number one, but Bingham has beaten him before at the Crucible, downing him at the same quarter-final stage on his amazing run to the world title.
Having conquered the Rocket in the past, he knows how tough a task it is, but says there is only one piece of advice worth listening to.
'Don't miss. Simple as that,' he said. 'I remember playing Ronnie in the semi-final of the Grand Prix, before the World Championship in 2015 and he beat me 6-0. It's good to play him beforehand because you get used to the way he plays and his aura. I ain't played him for a few years.
'So you've got 95 per cent of the crowd on his side and you're playing the best player in the world. Easy as that!
'You've just got to get involved in the match and try and stay with him. He's going to have a little spurt here and there, you've got to try and stick in there.'
Bingham beat O'Sullivan 13-9 in 2015 (Picture: Getty Images)
O'Sullivan was far from faultless in his second round win over Ryan Day, with the Welshman spurning a number of opportunities and Bingham hopes it will be more of the same from the Rocket against him.
'I watched a little bit of his match with Ryan, he gave Ryan a fair few chances so I'll hope he plays like that,' said the 47-year-old. 'But Ronnie's Ronnie. We're 1-1 in quarters, he bashed be up a few years before 13-4.
'So I'll have to touch up on my game, need to score a bit heavier. My safety's good, I'm happy with that but I need to score heavier to have a chance.'
O'Sullivan has not been pushed in wins over Jackson Page and Ryan Day so far (Picture: Getty Images)
Bingham is somewhat freewheeling as a qualifier in the quarter-finals, while O'Sullivan is bidding for a record eighth world title, but Ballrun says there is pressure on everyone in the sport's greatest tournament.
'I'm going for my second. He's going for his eighth. So we've got our own pressures and thoughts,' he said. 'I'm sure he'd love to get to eight.
'To be honest he maybe should be on 12, that's how good he is. But he's obviously fighting for his 8th, that might be why he played a little bit poorly against Ryan, he's got that added pressure.
'But you can't take anything for granted with Ronnie. He's the best player to ever pick up a cue and you need to play really, really well to have a chance.'
The 39-year-old enraged both his manager and the club's hierarchy when he gave an interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022 in which he said he had 'no respect' for Ten Hag and criticised the Glazer family's stewardship of the club.
Ronaldo had been at loggerheads with his manager long before that, beginning with his decision to leave a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano before the final whistle had been blown.
The interview with Morgan was the final straw and Ronaldo's contract was terminated with immediate effect, with the former Real Madrid forward moving to Saudi Arabia to join Al Nassr not long after.
Although Ten Hag's firm stance was applauded at the time, Ronaldo's former Real team-mate Sneijder now claims it has contributed to the growing pressure his compatriot now faces at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is fighting to save his job, particularly after another disappointing result against Burnley at the weekend, and Sneijder believes his power battle with Ronaldo ultimately lost him the respect of United's players.
Speaking on Dutch TV show Veronica Offside on Monday night, Sneijder said: 'He already made a mistake by competing with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo and Sneijder were team-mates at Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)
'He lost everyone's respect there. He thought it would work the other way around, but of course not.
'Those guys in the dressing room thought, "Is this man crazy?"'
On suggestions Ten Hag might be axed at the end of the season, Sneijder added: 'Of course he already knows that he has to leave.
'But you're not going to go yourself. If I was him, I would sit there comfortably [until he's sacked].'
Graeme Souness believes Mohamed Salah made 'secret deal' with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp
David Raya sends message to Arsenal fans over his mistake against Tottenham
France star gives Arsenal hope of summer deal amid £26m transfer speculation
United's draw with Burnley officially ended their hopes of finishing in the top four and they are now fighting just to claim a place in the Europa League, though Ten Hag has defended his side and believes he is building a team for the future.
'We have some very young players and that's why we built this club back. That takes time, and we build this by bringing in young players,' he said at the weekend.
'Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo – they are all in the first season of the Premier League and the Premier League gets more intense year by year.
'We have seen the data and it's much more intense than last season, especially when you see over the last four or five seasons. Those players have to adjust and that takes time.
'I am sorry for everyone. So, I am very impatient but there we need patience and fans they need patience. We built here a team, and they need experience.'
