Please note that this review features affiliate links. This means that we may receive a commission if you proceed to open an account at this bookmaker. However, we are dedicated to endorsing only carefully selected betting sites. Additionally, we also evaluate sites with which we have no affiliation, providing bettors with the opportunity to explore all available options.
- Market-leading sportsbook odds
- Core focus on sports betting
- Clean, uncluttered mobile app
- High UKGC fund protection rating
New UK customers. Min £10 first deposit. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org
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SBK Review (2025)
SBK is the sportsbook brand from Smarkets, designed to bring exchange-level pricing in a simple, user-friendly format. Since launching in 2019, it has specialised in providing fixed-odds betting with consistently competitive prices — particularly in football, horse racing, and tennis.
Built for speed and simplicity, the app puts key tools like in-play betting, Cash Out, and a robust Bet Builder front and centre, making it easy to browse markets and place bets without distraction.
By focusing purely on sports betting — with no casino, poker, lottery or bingo — SBK offers a lean, value-driven alternative to traditional multi-product bookmakers, appealing to punters who prioritise sharp odds, a clean modern interface, and dependable service.
How were these ratings created?
This SBK review uses the same structured, data-driven framework applied to all bookmaker reviews on Punter2Pro. Categories are scored according to their significance, with factors such as pricing, key features, and payout speed carrying the most weight.
Applying a uniform approach across every operator ensures the evaluation remains balanced and impartial. Affiliate partnerships do not influence the outcome — the focus is on presenting an honest view of SBK’s strengths and limitations, based on what matters most to bettors.
About SBK
SBK is operated by Smarkets Limited, known for running one of the world’s leading betting exchanges.
Founded in 2008, Smarkets built its reputation as a Betfair alternative with low-margin pricing and peer-to-peer trading technology. In 2019, it launched SBK with a simple goal: bring exchange-level odds to a streamlined, fixed-odds sportsbook.
SBK is licensed in multiple regulated markets by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, offering the reassurance of strict regulatory oversight.
Trusted, Secure & Responsible
As a licensed operator, SBK follows strict regulatory standards and uses proven safeguards to protect customers, including:
- SSL encryption to secure account and payment data
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) for added login security
- KYC checks to verify identity, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance
- Reputable payment processors for safe deposits and withdrawals
SBK also offers a full suite of responsible gambling tools — including deposit and loss limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion — and is a member of the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) for impartial dispute resolution. Together, these measures show a strong commitment to player safety, fairness, and transparency.
Bookmaker Profile
Company
Smarkets Limited
Established
2008 (as a betting exchange)
Website
Target Markets
UK, Ireland
Languages
English
Licences
Malta, UK, Colorado, Indiana
Regulators
1. Gambling Products
SBK offers just 2 core products — a sportsbook and a betting exchange. This focused approach reflects its Smarkets exchange roots, where competitive pricing and direct market access matter more than offering every possible gambling product.
Although SBK uses the same pricing engine as Smarkets, its app doesn’t give direct access to exchange betting. Instead, it presents prices in a fixed-odds sportsbook format, making bet placement faster and more intuitive for traditional punters.
With no casino, poker, or bingo sections, SBK is aimed squarely at sports bettors who value sharp odds and a no-nonsense, easy-to-use platform.
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
SBK covers 23 sports — around 38% of those featured in our reviews. While this is fewer than most rival sites, it offers good depth in its key areas: football, horse racing, and tennis. These are supported by a Bet Builder for major fixtures and a broad range of markets on popular events.
A handful of niche options — including esports, handball, futsal, and table tennis — add extra variety for those looking beyond the mainstream.
Market Depth
SBK’s depth is strongest in high-profile sports, especially top-tier football, where you’ll find a broad range of markets including match result, handicaps, totals, player-specific bets, and multi-leg combinations through the Bet Builder.
Coverage for smaller leagues or less-popular sports is more functional than expansive, but the main markets are still present.
Depth Rating:
Betting Beyond Sport
Non-sporting markets are rare. While some rival bookmakers offer political or entertainment betting, SBK keeps its focus firmly on sport — reinforcing its role as a dedicated sportsbook rather than a multi-purpose gambling platform.
In-Play Betting & Live Streams
In-play betting spans a wide range of sports, with fast odds updates and a responsive interface optimised for mobile use. Real-time refreshes make it easy to act quickly during live events.
SBK provides live stats, a basic event visualiser, and live streaming for all UK and Irish horse racing. However, streaming is not available for other sports, meaning you’ll still need external coverage to follow most events in real time.
All Available Sports (A-Z)
- American Football*
- Athletics
- Australian Rules
- Badminton
- Baseball*
- Basketball*
- Beach Volleyball
- Bowling
- Bowls
- Boxing*
- Chess
- Cricket*
- Current Affairs
- Cycling
- Darts*
- Entertainment / TV
- eSports
- Field Hockey
- Fishing
- Floorball
- 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*
- Shooting
- Snooker*
- Softball
- Specials
- Speedway
- Surfing
- Squash
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis*
- Triathalon
- Trotting
- Virtual Sports
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Winter Sports
- Wrestling
How are sports & markets graded?
When scoring this section, each sport is weighted by its betting popularity — with major sports like football, horse racing, and tennis carrying the most influence. Niche sports contribute less to the overall score.
Market depth is also factored in. Bookmakers that offer a wide variety of betting options within each sport — not just a long list of sports — earn higher ratings, ensuring the score reflects both breadth and quality.
3. Odds & Value
SBK’s standout feature is its pricing: it’s the sharpest fixed-odds UK bookmaker featured on Punter2Pro.
In a sample of 20 selections, the average decimal odds at SBK were 3.03, compared to 3.08 on a popular betting exchange — that’s just 1.51% below the industry-leading price. This super low margin reflects SBK’s origins in sports trading, allowing punters to secure near-exchange value without the complexity of using an exchange.
SBK also offers a built-in Best Price comparison tool, showing how its odds stack up against major UK bookmakers such as Bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, and Sky Bet. This makes it easy to check when you’re getting market-leading value.
While professional bettors may still prefer betting exchanges for absolute peak prices, SBK’s odds are well above average, making it one of the most competitive fixed-odds platforms available.
SBK vs Exchange Odds
Note: This odds sample is based on top-tier football fixtures, with decimal odds capped at 10.0. The same methodology is applied across all bookmaker reviews to maintain fair and consistent comparisons.
Why are the exchange odds higher?
Betting exchanges provide the best prices in the industry by enabling users to bet against each other rather than against a bookmaker. This peer-to-peer model often produces odds that more closely match the true market value. Instead of adding a built-in margin, exchanges generate revenue by charging a commission on winning bets.
Traditional bookmakers, on the other hand, set their own prices with a built-in profit margin to guarantee a house edge. Over time, this generally means their odds are slightly less competitive than those found on exchanges.
While many affiliate sites underplay this difference, it remains a key consideration. That said, bookmakers still offer benefits that exchanges typically don’t — such as simpler platforms, a broader range of products, ongoing promotions, and popular tools like Bet Builders and Cash Out — all of which are reflected in our bookmaker ratings.
4. Bonuses & Promotions
SBK’s welcome offer — Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets — comes in at 53% above the average value of new customer offers featured on this site, making it one of the most generous among UK bookmakers.
To claim SBK’s welcome offer, place a £10 bet (min odds 2.0) using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. You’ll get £40 in free bets split into three batches:
- £10 Football Bet Builder token immediately after your qualifying bet settles
- £15 in free bets after 24 hours (split across Multiple, Horse Racing Multiple, and a second Football Bet Builder token)
- £15 in free bets after 48 hours (a Bet Builder token plus two Multiple tokens)
While SBK’s ongoing promotions are more limited than some rivals, they remain transparent, well-structured, and — when combined with SBK’s industry-leading odds — offer punters exceptional overall value.
SBK’s ongoing promotions are modest but carefully targeted, and include:
- Occasional price boosts on selected events
- Seasonal or event-based specials tied to major tournaments or horse racing festivals
- Limited-time leaderboard competitions (e.g., SB10K at Royal Ascot with prize pools)
SBK doesn’t offer frequent reloads, loyalty schemes, or cross-product bonuses, which may deter some players. Instead, it doubles down on its core strengths — sharp pricing and a dedicated sports focus — appealing to bettors who prioritise long-term value over a steady flow of promotions.
Ongoing Promotions:
Not signed up yet? Claim the “Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets” welcome offer with SBK today:
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New UK customers. Min £10 first deposit. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org
Bonus Amount (£)
£40
Awarded Only If Qualifier Loses?
No
Qualifying Bet (£)
£10
Stake Returned?
No
Minimum Odds
2.0
Rollover Requirement
1x
Is The Signup Bonus Worth It?
Our analysis suggests that the average customer could gain around £27.82 in value from the SBK welcome offer — a strong result compared to other UK bookmakers.
Note that all free bet tokens require a minimum of three legs and must be used on pre-match markets only — live bets are excluded.
As with any offer, this figure is an estimate rather than a guarantee. Your actual returns depend on the results of your qualifying and free bets, and you could lose your initial stake.
How was this bonus valued?
This bonus was evaluated using an “average case” model that applies the same assumptions across all bookmaker reviews on Punter2Pro. These include:
- Using SBK’s own odds — as outlined in the previous section — as a fair reflection of its general pricing.
- Placing the qualifying bet at the minimum eligible odds (2.0) to limit risk.
- Staking the free bets at decimal odds of 3.5, representing a balanced “medium-risk” approach.
Applying these criteria consistently across all sites ensures that offers are assessed on a level playing field — making it easier to identify those that provide real value versus those less likely to benefit the average bettor.
5. Payment Options
SBK supports a streamlined range of 8 payment methods — covering around 22% of all recognised options featured in bookmaker reviews on this site. While the list is shorter than many competitiors, it includes several of the most widely used choices for UK bettors.
Supported options include Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, and Trustly — catering to both traditional card users and those who prefer e-wallets.
The absence of popular alternatives like Payz and Paysafecard slightly reduces SBK’s flexibility, which is reflected in this category’s score.
Popular Methods Supported
All Available Methods (A-Z)
- Apple Pay
- Astropay
- Bank Transfer
- Boku
- Boleto
- Cash
- CashToCode
- Citizen (Yaspa)
- Diners Club
- eCheck
- Entropay
- EPS
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- iDebit
- InstaDebit
- Interac
- Klarna
- MasterCard
- MuchBetter
- Neosurf
- Neteller
- Nordea
- Pay4Fun
- PayPal
- Paysafecard
- Payz
- QIWI
- Rapid Transfer
- Skrill
- Solo
- Todito Cash
6. Withdrawal Speed
For punters who value quick access to winnings, SBK offers reliable — though slightly below-average — payout speeds.
Withdrawals take around 4 days on average, which is 46% slower than the market benchmark. While dependable, this remains an area where improvement would strengthen SBK’s overall appeal.
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time | Minimum | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
 Visa | 1 - 6 days | 10 | Free |
 Mastercard | 1 - 6 days | 10 | Free |
 PayPal | 1 - 2 days | 10 | Free |
 Skrill | 1 - 2 days | 10 | Free |
 Neteller | 1 - 2 days | 10 | Free |
How is withdrawal speed graded?
This score combines official data with verified customer feedback, factoring in:
- Published withdrawal timeframes (with KYC checks completed)
- Real-world payout speeds reported by confirmed users
Where possible, average times are calculated for each payment method; methods with insufficient data are excluded from the final score.
7. Key Features
SBK offers a solid set of 6 key features, focusing on sports betting essentials rather than an expansive toolkit. This falls slightly below the industry average for variety, but suits the brand’s minimalist, value-driven approach.
Key highlights include:
- Bet Builder for football, allowing customised multi-leg bets within a single match
- Cash Out on selected markets, available pre-match and in-play for early settlement
- In-Play Betting with frequently updated odds and a mobile-first layout for rapid bet placement
- Live Streaming for all UK and Irish horse racing
- Request a Bet functionality via Live Chat for markets not currently listed
- Mobile App featuring clean navigation and quick loading times
There’s also “Fresh Legs” — SBK’s take on the popular “Super Sub” concept — which automatically transfers your player bet to their on-field replacement in selected football markets. It applies to outcomes such as goals, shots on target, cards, and assists, and boasts some of the widest league and market coverage available.
Some popular features found at top-tier UK bookmakers — such as live streaming for other sports, Best Odds Guaranteed, and Loyalty Rewards — are absent. This partly reflects SBK’s status as a newer entrant to the market, as well as its deliberate choice to focus on sharp fixed-odds pricing rather than offering an all-in-one entertainment package.
Customer support is available via live chat and email (no phone line, and not 24/7), covering account queries, bonus details, and responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion and time-outs.
Overall, SBK’s lean feature set caters to punters who prioritise core betting functions and sharp pricing over novelty extras.
Feature Quality:
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
SBK’s design reflects its app-first philosophy — streamlined, fast, and built for functionality. The desktop version is essentially a scaled-up replica of the mobile app, ensuring a consistent look and feel across devices. Both version avoid flashy graphics in favour of a clean, responsive, and easy-to-use interface.
-
Mobile
-
Desktop
The SBK app is built for speed, clarity, and sharp odds comparison, featuring a sleek black-and-green dark theme that’s modern and easy on the eyes — though it may not suit players who prefer a lighter colour palette.
Key points:
- Quick-access sports bar – scrollable menu at the top for rapid, one-tap navigation
- Fast performance – pages load quickly with rapid odds refresh, especially in-play
- Search with A–Z sports list – generally accurate, though it can miss some nicknames or variations
- Tactile betting feedback – haptic vibration on bet buttons for a satisfying “real key press” feel
- Clean, efficient design – minimal but tasteful graphics, tidy fonts, and no wasted space
- Built-in price comparison – shows how SBK’s odds compare to leading bookmakers
- Feature gaps – no sport-specific hubs or advanced personalisation options
Overall, the app is fast, intuitive, and distraction-free — a strong choice for bettors who prioritise value and usability over extras.
| Mobile Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
SBK’s desktop site mirrors its app’s dark, green-accented theme, delivering a clean, functional layout that’s easy to navigate.
Key points:
- Tasteful dark theme – black, green, and grey palette with tidy typography
- Search-first navigation – top search bar makes finding events quick and intuitive, a surprisngly rare approach among bookmakers
- Bold, centralised layout – markets are presented clearly with minimal clutter
- Readable but muted text – clean font, though greys can feel slightly dark for maximum contrast
- Minimalist bet slip – simple, functional, and light on customisation
- Feature gaps – no in-depth stats, editorial content, or advanced tools like pinned bets or multi-view in-play
Overall, it’s streamlined, attractive, and straightforward — but lacks the depth and visual impact of top-tier desktop sportsbooks.
| Desktop Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
9. Fund Protection & Security
When choosing a bookmaker, it’s important to understand how securely your funds are held — both through regulatory safeguards and the operator’s financial position.
Fund Security Rating
According to the UK Gambling Commission, SBK holds a ‘High’ fund protection rating — the maximum level available. This means customer balances are kept in a formally verified trust account, separate from company funds, with oversight from an independent trustee or auditor. In the event of insolvency, these safeguards significantly improve the chances of full repayment.
Only a small number of UK bookmakers meet this gold-standard level, making SBK a very strong choice for those who prioritise fund safety.
Company Performance
SBK is owned and operated by Smarkets Limited, which also runs the Smarkets betting exchange. In its most recent financial results (FY 2023), the group reported a £2.0m profit before tax — 96% below the industry average of £51.2m.
While these figures reflect the company’s overall operations rather than just SBK, they offer a useful indicator of financial health. Smarkets’ recent performance suggests it is a stable operator with the resources to support its SBK sportsbook brand.
Dormant Account Fees
SBK charges £5 /month after 12 months if your betting account is inactive.
While this is common practice among UK bookmakers, it’s worth noting for those planning to take an extended break from betting.
How accurate are these profit figures?
I’ve done my best to research the pre-tax profits of every bookmaker featured on Punter2Pro. However, the gambling industry’s complex corporate structures mean that pinpointing exact figures isn’t always straightforward.
Many brands operate across multiple regions under different subsidiaries, making brand-level profitability harder to separate. Mergers, acquisitions, and ongoing investment activity can also obscure the picture — particularly when financial reports cover the entire group rather than individual platforms.
These figures provide useful context, but if financial stability is a key priority for you, it’s worth carrying out your own additional checks.
10. Reputation
SBK is a relatively new entrant to the UK sports betting scene but benefits from the credibility of its parent company, Smarkets — a respected name in the betting exchange market. While it lacks the decades-long brand recognition of some traditional bookmakers, it has quickly built a profile among value-focused bettors.
To gauge public sentiment, we analysed reviews from trusted feedback platforms and active gambling communities. This produced an average user rating of 7.0 out of 10 — 5% above average. Feedback is generally positive, with frequent praise for SBK’s competitive odds and user-friendly app, offset by occasional complaints about limited features and slower withdrawals.
Although SBK still has scope to broaden its appeal and match the presence of larger brands, its gaining a loyal following.
Industry Rating:
SBK has no UK Gambling Commission enforcement actions on record.
Do any sites have an immaculate reputation?
Very few bookmakers achieve top marks for reputation — and for good reason: no platform is without flaws.
Even the most established brands have faced criticism or controversy, and that is reflected in every assessment. A strong reputation is earned through trust, transparency, and consistent long-term conduct — not just clever marketing.
Encouragingly, increased regulatory scrutiny and rising player expectations are pushing some operators to raise their standards. This is creating a clearer divide between those genuinely committed to player welfare and those still falling short.
The goal is that, over time, more bookmakers will meet these higher standards — making this category harder to excel in, not easier.
Learn more: Problems In The Gambling Industry
Final Verdict on SBK
Based on our in-depth evaluation, the Punter2Pro bookmaker rating system gives SBK an overall score of 7.3 out of 10 — an impressive result for a relatively new sportsbook in a fiercely competitive UK market.
With industry-leading sportsbook odds, a clean mobile-first interface, and a laser focus on core sports betting, SBK caters to punters who value pricing and usability above all else. Its competitive football markets, neat Bet Builder, and integration with Smarkets’ exchange-driven pricing give it a clear edge — with their very own ‘Best Price’ feature often displaying their price superiority against major names like Bet365, William Hill, and Paddy Power.
The trade-off is a feature set that’s deliberately lean in some areas — lacking Loyalty Programmes, Best Odds Guaranteed, and a Casino section. However, the absence of Live Streaming for sports outside of horse racing feels like a genuine shortcoming. Withdrawal speeds could also be quicker, but for those who prioritise sharp odds and a distraction-free experience, these will be minor compromises.
In short, SBK is a value-driven sportsbook that strips away the fluff, delivers market-leading prices, and makes betting refreshingly straightforward.
Ready to see for yourself?
Claim your “Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets” promotion today and put SBK’s odds to the test.
- Market-leading sportsbook odds
- Core focus on sports betting
- Clean, uncluttered mobile app
- High UKGC fund protection rating
- No casino/gaming products
- Fewer sports than top rivals
- Limited payment options
Good
SBK FAQ
SBK is operated by Smarkets Limited, a London-based company best known for running the Smarkets betting exchange. The brand launched SBK as a mobile-first sportsbook to bring exchange-level pricing to fixed-odds betting.
SBK covers over 20 sports, with strongest market depth on major events such as Premier League football, horse racing, and tennis. Bet types include match results, handicaps, totals, player markets, and multi-leg combinations via its Bet Builder. Coverage for smaller leagues and niche sports is functional but less extensive.
SBK focuses on a lean but functional feature set. It includes Bet Builder (football), Cash Out, and In-Play Betting. However, it does not offer Live Streaming, Best Odds Guaranteed, or a Rewards Club.
SBK supports Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, and Trustly — covering the most common options for UK bettors. It does not currently accept Apple Pay or Paysafecard.
SBK is one of the sharpest fixed-odds bookmakers in the UK, with average prices just below those found on a leading betting exchange. This means punters can often secure near-exchange value without the complexity of using an exchange platform.
SBK holds the UK Gambling Commission’s ‘High’ fund protection rating — the maximum level available. Customer balances are stored in a verified trust account separate from company funds and overseen by an independent trustee. Combined with Smarkets’ stable financial track record, this makes SBK one of the more secure choices in the UK market.
9.1 / 10
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6.0 / 10
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