Two of Britain and Ireland's best-known bookmaking names, side by side. We compare welcome offers, odds, markets, app quality and racing coverage.
Paddy Power and Ladbrokes are two of the most recognisable bookmaker brands in the UK and Ireland, both with decades of retail heritage and full UKGC-licensed online sportsbooks. Their personalities differ, though.
Paddy Power built its reputation on irreverent marketing, novelty markets and Money-Back specials layered on top of a full sportsbook. Ladbrokes, founded in 1886, is one of the oldest bookmaking names in Britain, offering a more traditional, no-nonsense sportsbook with deep football and racing coverage.
| Feature | Paddy Power | Ladbrokes |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets | Bet £5, Get £30 in Free Bets |
| Min deposit | £10 | £5 |
| Overall score | 9/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Best Odds Guaranteed | Yes | Yes |
| Cash Out | Yes | Yes |
| Live betting | Yes | Yes |
| Novelty markets | Extensive | Standard |
| Founded | 1988 | 1886 |
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets
Paddy Power's welcome credits £40 in online free bets once you settle a £10 retail bet in a Paddy Power shop using a linked Play Card — strong headline value if you can visit a shop.
Bet £5, Get £30 in Free Bets
A trusted UK heritage brand offering £30 in free bets for a modest £5 qualifying stake — one of the best stake-to-reward ratios on the table.
Paddy Power: Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets. Check the current qualifying route and stake requirement carefully before opting in.
Ladbrokes: Bet £5, Get £30 in Free Bets. Ladbrokes' welcome runs entirely online with a modest qualifying stake.
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Both operators offer solid coverage of the Premier League, EFL and major European football, plus a deep horse racing and greyhound racing book. Paddy Power adds a wider range of novelty and special markets around major sporting and cultural events.
Both apps support live betting and cash out reliably. Ladbrokes' app favours a simple, retail-familiar layout, while Paddy Power's app leans into its brand personality with more promotional content and novelty betting sections.
Both operators offer Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish racing. Paddy Power is well known for its Money-Back specials around the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival, while Ladbrokes has one of the longest continuous track records in British racing.
Pick Paddy Power if you enjoy novelty markets, race-day specials and a livelier promotional calendar. Pick Ladbrokes if you want a traditional, straightforward sportsbook with strong football and racing coverage.
Both are trustworthy, UKGC-licensed operators with long trading histories. Neither is a clear-cut winner overall — the right choice depends on whether you value Paddy Power's promotional flair or Ladbrokes' straightforward approach. Browse our free bets hub and horse racing betting sites guide for more options.