Football betting and sports betting, in general, is bigger than it's ever been with everyone from your best mate to your grandad enjoying a flutter on the footie.
Betting has certainly never been easier with the invention of betting sites and betting apps that allow you to place bets with the touch of a fingertip or the click of a mouse.
Moreover, inventions such as in-play betting and cashouts have made betting on football more fun and more interactive than it used to be.
Yes, gone are the days of popping to your local high street bookmakers or 'bookies' to place a bet on a match, you can now do it on pretty much any device and even change your mind and get your money back at virtually any time.
In many cases, you won't even need an outlandish pay-TV subscription to watch the sport you're betting on from the comfort of your own home, it will be being broadcast live on your chosen betting app.
Betting companies have swamped the football advertising industry in recent years and it's hard to resist the odd punt on the 'beautiful game' when you're constantly reminded of the different betting possibilities.
That's why it's more important than ever to bet safe with a company that offers you the best value as there are so many sites out there that claim to be the best safe betting sites.
Here's a selection of the top safe betting sites in the UK...
comeon! - four stars
This betting site is 100% safe and rated four stars out of five. It offers a £10 free bet for new customers and a whole host of weekly offers, although, as ever, terms and conditions do apply.
Karamba - four stars
The guys over at Karamba are also offering a £10 free bet for new customers and like comeon!, have received an impressive rating of four stars out of five, they also have a broad selection of other offers available.
MansionBet - 4.5 stars
The shirt sponsors of AFC Bournemouth are a safe bet, offering a handy bonus of 50% up to the value of £50 as well as a £5 free bet if you join, great offer!
K8.com - five stars
The Philippines-based casino and gambling company are rated a very reliable and highly commendable five stars out of five. They will offer you a 100% bonus on returns up to the value of £50 and have a well-run and designed UK website.
Bethard - five stars
You can't go far wrong with a betting company that's promoted by the one and only Zlatan Ibrahimovich! 'Play hard, bet hard' is their motto and they certainly offer hard with a bonus of up £50 and a free £5 when you wager £100.
Wixstars - five stars
Known more for their casino and other gambling options, Wixstars also have an excellent and very reliable sports betting arm. New customers can claim a 100% bonus up to the value of £200 as well as 100 extra spins in the casino and a free bet of £10, well worth a look!
How to avoid being scammed when betting on the footie
As well as being gamble aware, it's also worth keeping an eye out for when a sports betting company or individual is trying to scam you.
Unfortunately, scamming is rife within the betting world but the following tips should help you to stay out of trouble and bet safely...
Ts & Cs
Always read the terms and conditions of a betting company before you sign up, familiarising yourself with the small print could be crucial in the event that any problems arise.
Licenses
This may seem like an obvious one, but if you're going to trust a betting company with your hard-earned money and custom, you need to make sure they're licensed by a safe and secure betting license jurisdiction, you're risking a lot if you don't!
Jurisdictions
If you want to bet with a certain outfit, be sure that they accept players from the country or region that you're based in. Some companies will let you sign up even if you don't live in a qualifying area and this could lead to you being significantly out of pocket.
Owners
Never shirk your responsibility to do a bit of background research on a betting site you're interested in and its owners. If it does not have reputable and trustworthy owners, then don't take the risk.
Tipsters
There are some genuine expert tipsters out there just trying to make an honest living by helping people with their bets, they have a reliable level of knowledge, proven strategies to beat the bookies and will only charge a nominal fee.
On the flip side and especially in the fickle world of football, there are many 'fakes' out there to gain your trust, empty your bank account and con you.
Never part with large or increasing amounts of money for tips on bets as you may never see it again and if anyone ever tries to contact you with information relating to fixed matches, immediately block them on whichever platform they're using and report them.
Bet safe footie fans!