Good
No Affiliate Links
Please note that there are no affiliate links featured in this review. This means that we will not receive a commission if you proceed to open an account at this bookmaker. Unlike many other gambling referral sites, we remain committed to reviewing bookmakers that we do not actively endorse. This approach ensures that bettors have the opportunity to explore all available options, rather than solely focusing on those that might be advantageous for us.
- Vast range of sports & markets
- Competitive odds
- Various betting features
- Maximum fund protection
- Lacks some payment methods
- Promotions aren't overly exciting
Coral Review Summary
Coral is a leading sports betting site, extending its high street success to a top-tier online service. It offers a wide range of sports betting features and strong odds, backed by a reputation for safety and reliability—crucial for high stakes or large balances. While its user interface may not be as sleek as others, Coral remains a strong choice for bettors. Explore the categories below for our detailed Coral review.
How were these ratings created?
In this review of Coral, I’ve examined a set of standard criteria to establish an impartial and data-driven rating for the bookmaker. Each of the above criterion is assigned a weight corresponding to its importance, with factors such as Odds and Features carrying more influence than others.
This methodical approach eliminates subjectivity and guarantees that only significant factors influence the overall rating. This results in a fair and objective assessment of the betting site, shedding light on both its strengths and weaknesses.
Unlike many other sites, Punter2Pro adheres to an identical process for all betting site reviews, ensuring that no brand receives an unjust advantage over another — regardless if we are affiliated with them or not.
About Coral
Coral was established in 1926 as betting shops and In 2016, merged with Ladbrokes, further solidifying its position in the industry.
The bookmaker currently holds two licenses, and unlike the majority of online betting platforms, Coral still operates traditional physical shops commonly situated on high streets.
In line with the standards of legal and reputable online betting sites, Coral incorporates various protective measures on their site and app. These include SSL data encryption technology, ensuring the complete encryption of all transactions, and two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorised access to user accounts.
Furthermore, they employ ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) processes to identify customers and deter identity fraud. On top of that, secure Payment Processing is implemented to handle financial transactions securely, while Geo-Fencing ensures users are within legal betting areas and compliant with local regulations.
As a regulated entity, the Coral site provides essential ‘safer gambling’ tools such as Deposit Limits, Reality Checks, Time-Outs, and Self-Exclusions. Adding an extra layer of protection, Coral is eCOGRA certified, indicating that its systems are approved as ‘Safe and Fair.’
Additionally, the site is IBAS registered, offering an impartial mediator for dispute resolution between bettors and the betting site. This commitment to fair gambling underscores Coral’s dedication to providing a secure and responsible betting environment.
Bookmaker Profile
Company
Ladbrokes Coral Group Limited
Established
1926 (as betting shops)
Website
Coral.co.uk
Target Markets
USA, UK, Ireland, India
Languages
English
Licences
Gibraltar, UK
Regulators
1. Product Range
Coral’s online platform encompasses seven primary products: Sportsbook, Casino, Live Casino, Poker, Bingo, Virtual Betting, and Tote/Pools. This diverse range of services reflects the site’s commitment to offering a comprehensive and convenient destination catering to a variety of players.
With a rich history in sports betting and leisure, Coral’s origins trace back to its presence at racecourses, initially focusing on horse and greyhound racing. Over the years, the business has consistently innovated, expanding into new and exciting gambling products.
Standard
Popular products offered by many betting sites. These count more towards the score for this section than 'Specialist' products.
Specialist
Specialised "niche" products offered by some betting sites. These count less towards the score for this section than 'Standard' products.
2. Sports & Markets
Coral’s sportsbook section stands out with a comprehensive offering of 48 sports, covering 83% of the sports considered in my bookmaker reviews – a noteworthy 14 more than the average. In the list below, popular sports, commonly found at most online bookmakers, are denoted with an asterisk.
Within this extensive sports collection, Coral provides a remarkable variety of markets not typically found at other recognised betting sites.
From global football leagues to diverse MMA oferings, the platform ensures a diverse and inclusive selection. Notably, Coral goes as far as offering options like swimming, hurling, poker and waterpolo.
This commitment to diversity extends to special markets, where Coral covers not only traditional sports but also reality television and political events. From predicting Love Island victors or the WWE Royal Rumble winner, to forecasting political election outcomes, Coral presents an array of unconventional betting options that set it apart from its competitors.
Coral’s in-play betting is accessible through the ‘In-Play’ tab, offering a multitude of live events across various sports. Even for less popular fixtures, the platform maintains ample markets, complemented by detailed statistics and a live match tracker.
Coral’s livestreaming service covers events in multiple sports such as football, tennis, snooker, darts, horse racing, ice hockey and more. This delivers a much more comprehensive live betting experience than many competitors.
All Available Sports (A-Z)
- American Football*
- Athletics
- Australian Rules
- Badminton
- Baseball*
- Basketball*
- Beach Volleyball
- Bowls
- Boxing*
- Chess
- Cricket*
- Current Affairs
- Cycling
- Darts*
- Entertainment / TV
- eSports
- Field Hockey
- Fishing
- Football*
- Formula 1*
- Futsal
- Gaelic Games
- Golf*
- Greyhound Racing
- Handball
- Horse Racing*
- Hurling
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Lotto Specials
- MMA / UFC*
- Motor Racing
- Motorbikes
- Netball
- Novelty
- Politics
- Pool
- Rowing
- Rugby League*
- Rugby Union*
How are sports & markets graded?
To assess this section, every sport has been classified based on its betting popularity, assigning greater importance to widely sought-after sports like Football, Horse Racing, and Tennis, in contrast to those with a more limited audience appeal.
Furthermore, the inclusion of market depth (betting options) also contributes to the overall score, emphasising the importance of “quality over quantity”.
This approach ensures that not only the sports but also the richness and diversity of betting options within each sport are taken into account in the evaluation process.
3. Odds
In a random selection of 20 instances, Coral’s odds were 4.27% lower than the corresponding Back odds on the betting exchange available at that time. The average decimal price for the bookmaker’s odds in the sample was 3.05, compared to the betting exchange’s 3.18.
This indicates that the odds offered by Coral are competitively priced for a bookmaker.
While this sample does not provide a precise estimate of Coral’s price value, it does shed light on the potential variance between their odds and the leading prices on the betting exchange. Consequently, this comparison significantly contributes to the overall rating of this bookmaker.
Coral vs Exchange Odds
Note: Please be aware that this sample only includes odds from top-flight European football leagues. To ensure uniformity across all bookmaker reviews, odds were capped at 10.0. We are committed to enhancing the depth and precision of this data regularly.
Why are the exchange odds higher?
The betting exchange provides industry-leading odds generated by the public, traded peer-to-peer rather than against the betting company. These odds are widely considered the most accurate in the market. The betting exchange earns its revenue through a commission, usually applied to winnings.
In contrast, bookmakers operate under a different model, incorporating a margin or “edge” into their odds. Consequently, the prices offered by bookmakers tend to be lower than those found on the betting exchange.
This crucial information is often overlooked by many gambling affiliate sites, but for the sake of transparency, it should be common knowledge. Despite this, bookmakers give many advantages over betting exchanges.
4. Bonuses
Coral’s signup free bet is straightforward and offers great value, featuring low minimum odds for the qualifying bet.
Coral also offers ongoing promotions, or ‘reloads’ to existing customers which are occasionally worth taking up. However, it’s fair to say that bonuses are not where Coral particularly excels.
Current promotions available while writing this review are:
- Bet £1 Get a Matched In-Play Bet of £5
- Back an ITV Race at 5/1+ for a £10 Free Bet
- Extra Places Every Day When You Back EW on Selected Races
The current Coral signup bonus ‘Bet £5 Get £20’ is competitive and aligns with the value offered by similar betting sites. At the time of writing, it is (a somewhat insignificant) 3.4% below the average value of free bets featured on this site. If you haven’t yet opened an account, you can claim the signup promotion by following the links at Coral.
Is The Signup Bonus Worth It?
According to our calculations, the average customer stands to gain approximately £13.22 in value by availing this promotion. In other words, the promotion favours the player, which is excellent.
However, it’s important to note that this value is a general estimate, and taking up the promotion still carries the risk of losing your initial qualifying bet. Therefore, while the promotion offers potential value, it doesn’t guarantee a profit.
How was this bonus valued?
This bonus was mathematically valued using an “average case” scenario. This makes few important assumptions:
- Odds gathered in the previous section are assumed to be representative of the overall value offered by the betting site.
- Qualifying bets are assumed to be placed at the minimum required odds for the promotion (1.5) to reduce risk.
- Free bets are assumed to be placed at decimal odds of 3.5, representing “medium risk” outcomes.
The same assumptions apply in all betting site reviews featured on Punter2Pro. This ensures that free bets & promotions can be compared consistently and fairly.
This approach helps to highlight valuable promotions, as well as cases where a typical bettor does not stand to benefit.
5. Payment Options
Coral offers a concise total of 8 payment methods for transferring funds to and from the betting site, covering 21% of all the recognised methods assessed in my reviews.
Among these, 7 are classified as ‘core’ payment methods, representing the standard options expected at any reputable betting site. The remaining method is ecoPayz — which is not quite as common, but it still appeals to certain customers.
It is important to highlight that core payment methods carry more weight in the bookmaker’s score in this section.
Popular Methods Supported
All Available Methods (A-Z)
- Apple Pay
- Astropay
- Bank Transfer
- Boku
- Boleto
- Cash
- CashToCode
- Citizen
- Click2Pay
- Diners Club
- eCheck
- ecoPayz
- Entropay
- EPS
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- iDebit
- InstaDebit
- Interac
- Klarna
- MasterCard
- MuchBetter
- Neosurf
- Neteller
- Nordea
- Pay4Fun
- PayPal
- Paysafecard
- QIWI
- Rapid Transfer
- Skrill
- Sofort
- Solo
- Todito Cash
6. Withdrawal Speed
Coral’s withdrawal times vary based on the chosen method but are generally processed rapidly, often within a span of 2 working days.
According to the gathered data, this speed is 10.07% quicker than the average withdrawal time across all bookmakers reviewed on this site.
The swiftness of withdrawals holds substantial weight in determining the bookmaker’s overall rating, as every sports bettor deserves prompt access to their funds.
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time | Minimum | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bank Transfer | 2 - 5 days | £5 | Free |
 Visa | 1 - 3 days | £5 | Free |
 Mastercard | 1 - 3 days | £5 | Free |
 ApplePay | 1 - 3 days | £5 | Free |
 PayPal | 8 hours | £5 | Free |
How is withdrawal speed graded?
The rating for this section is derived from a combination of data, incorporating:
- The bookmaker’s officially stated withdrawal times, dependent upon the successful completion of Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
- Average withdrawal times as reported by actual customers with real-world experiences.
I aim to gather enough data to provide accurate estimates of the withdrawal times for various payment methods. If insufficient data exists for a particular method, it is not included in the above list, and therefore does not impact the rating.
7. Features
What features does Coral provide to enrich the quality of its service?
Coral offers 7 key Sports Betting features, contributing to a varied experience for players. This is what bettors have come to expect from a major bookmaker.
Punters benefit from control through Coral’s Cash Out and Partial Cash Out features, enabling them to secure winnings before bet settlement.
The ‘Build Your Bet’ option, applicable to over 100 football leagues, enables users to create highly custom bets using various markets and statistics. Moreover, the ability to cash out on these bets adds to the overall flexibility once more.
It’s worth noting that Coral’s very own Request a Bet (RAB) feature is accessible through the hashtag #YourCall.
Coral also incorporates 4 primary Customer Support features, facilitating general inquiries, bonus eligibility checks, terms clarification, and requests for self-exclusions or time-outs.
If these features align with your requirements, Coral could be a fitting choice for your betting needs.
Sports Betting
Features that enhance the sports betting experience. These count more towards the score for this section than 'Customer Support' features.
Customer Support
Features that enable customers to seek assistance quickly and effectively. These count less towards the score for this section than 'Sports Betting' features.
- Live Chat
- Phone Support
- Email Support
- 24/7 Support
- Phone Support
8. User Interface
Since the evaluation of Coral’s user interface is dependent on individual preferences, I have made assessments based on predefined criteria, forming the following grades:
- Mobile: Great, exceeds expectations
- Desktop: Great, slightly exceeds expectations
It’s worth noting that the mobile version carries slightly more weight in the overall user interface rating, reflecting the growing trend among bettors who prefer using apps over traditional desktop sites.
-
Mobile
-
Desktop
The Coral mobile app boasts an intuitive, visually appealing design, striking a balance between brightness and ease on the eyes.
Its well-organised interface allows for simultaneous viewing of multiple betting options on a single page. However, there are few instances where the buttons feel slightly small, requiring more precision than necessary – a minor consideration.
Notably, the app incorporates statistics, allowing users to access data such as the latest head-to-head matchups or league standings for popular sports like football. Additionally, it offers the option to watch eligible events through live streaming.
Similar to some other betting apps, Coral falls short by lacking a search function -- which one would anticipate as a standard feature in 2024. Nevertheless, the horizontal list of sports at the top is easily navigated by swiping left and right, and proves to be a helpful alternative.
In various tests, the app has demonstrated good responsiveness, with only very occasional slow page load times.
| Mobile Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
The Coral website, essentially a reskin of its sister site Ladbrokes.com, falls ever-so-slightly short in comparison. While it shares the same level of simplicity and functionality, it lacks that extra touch of style needed for top-tier recognition.
In particular, the site's styling occasionally feels a bit generic, and a cleaner look with a reduction in light/dark contrast and various shades of grey could enhance visual appeal and ease of use. A more modern and stylish font choice would also contribute to an improved aesthetic.
Another minor styling criticism is the inconsistency in element sizes on the page, with some appearing large and others seeming small and slightly cramped. In my view, making simple adjustments to the spacing on the page would be an obvious update for the future.
Navigating the Coral website and placing bets is straightforward due to its intuitive menus. However, the absence of a search function is a notable drawback for such a prominent player in the sports betting industry.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that Coral's desktop site incorporates ample statistics for upcoming events and includes a News & Blogs section that offers previews and predictions.
| Desktop Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
9. Fund Protection
Another crucial consideration is fund protection. How secure is your money with Coral?
The site has earned a ‘High’ fund protection rating from the Gambling Commission. This designation signifies that customer funds are held in a dedicated trust account separate from the company’s operational funds. An impartial trustee or external auditor verifies and oversees the controls of this account, providing the highest level of fund protection.
While fund protection is vital, it’s also important to assess the company’s financial performance, as it is a more likely indicator of the potential insolvency of a company — which often leads to slow payments or other disputes. Coral/Ladbrokes, being prominent names in the British sports betting industry, can clearly demonstrate financial prosperity with an annual profit of £82,500,000 before tax in the most recent accounts. This is much higherthan the average annual profit among all the sites I’ve reviewed (£51,900,000).
While this figure may not capture the full picture, it does offer insights into the company’s business operations compared to its competitors, influencing the rating for this section.
Additionally, I’ve investigated account dormant fees, which are charged on the balance inside inactive betting accounts. Coral imposes account dormant fees of £3 per month after 13 months of inactivity. This factor sightly impacts the score for this section, as there are some bookmakers do not charge dormant fees at all.
By considering these potential risk factors collectively, I’ve formulated a fair and crucial score for this section. I’m pleased to say that Coral is easily one of the safest bookmakers to bet with.
How accurate are these profit figures?
I’ve made every effort to research the pre-tax profits of the featured gambling sites in my reviews, but I cannot guarantee absolute accuracy.
Due to the complex setups of gambling companies, which are often divided into different parts around the world, complications arise in determining their true profitability. Moreover, the landscape is constantly evolving with frequent mergers and investments occurring, adding yet another layer of complexity to unravel.
While I strive to offer a helpful insights, it is advisable for you to conduct further research if you have any concerns.
10. reputation
Lastly, I have assessed Coral’s reputation, with a specific focus on customer satisfaction levels and brand image.
To provide an accurate representation of public perception, I have collected insights from various sources, including customer feedback platforms and reputable gambling communities. The combination of these perspectives formed an average user rating of 6.93 out of 10, indicating that the bookmaker is generally well-regarded, with occasional complaints—an occurrence not uncommon in the realm of sports betting sites.
As an additional aspect of evaluation, I have verified that, as of the date of this review, Coral has one regulatory action on record with the Gambling Commission, suggesting that potential breaches of their license have occurred. While regulatory actions are not unusual and may not necessarily serve as a red flag for customers, it’s worth noting that the Coral brand does not possess a flawless record. Importantly, the last recorded action did not take place within the last year — therefore, it does not influence the rating for this section.
Do any sites have an immaculate reputation?
It’s highly unlikely that any betting site will score maximum points in this section, for a good reason — none of them are perfect.
Even the most prominent and reputable sites in the online gambling business have weathered their fair share of bad publicity, and I won’t shy away from that.
Nevertheless, the landscape of the gambling sector is undergoing positive transformations. Faced with heightened regulatory scrutiny and societal expectations, companies are being forced to improve their standards. Many are rising to the occasion, creating a significant gap between the commendable platforms and those falling way short of the mark.
I hope that the industry continues to push for a more responsible, enjoyable experience for all customers and that, eventually, this section will produce higher ratings in my reviews.
Learn more: Problems In The Gambling Industry
Verdict on Coral
In summary, according to the Punter2Pro bookmaker rating system, Coral achieves a total score of 7.8, positioning it as a sportsbook with a range of robust attributes, putting it in competition with the top-tier sports betting sites on the market.
My Opinion
Coral stands out as a prominent player in the sports betting industry, building on their success on the high street by offering a top-tier online service. I recommend the site for bettors seeking an extensive array of sports betting features without compromising on the odds.
With a longstanding tradition in the industry, Coral is renowned for its safety and reliability, earning its place as one of the most trustworthy sites. This is vitally important for anyone that’s looking to hols a substantial balance, or bet high stakes.
While the user interface and branding of Coral might be perceived as slightly less appealing compared to the Ladbrokes equivalents, this seems to be the only notable downside when comparing the two options. Taking the overall package into account, Coral is still my slight preference.
- Vast range of sports & markets
- Competitive odds
- Various betting features
- Maximum fund protection
- Lacks some payment methods
- Promotions aren't overly exciting
Good
Coral FAQ
Established in 1926 as betting shops, Coral has a rich history and a longstanding tradition in the sports betting industry.
Coral’s sportsbook includes a total of 45+ sports, surpassing the average, with a wide variety of markets within each sport.
Coral stands out by offering a broad range of sports and events, including niche options like skateboarding, hurling, and fencing, as well as covering reality television and political events.
In a random sample, Coral’s odds were competitive, averaging 4.27% below the betting exchange back odds, indicating good value for bettors.
Coral offers several sports betting features, including Cash Out, Partial Cash Out, Build Your Bet, and Request a Bet, providing users with control and flexibility.
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