Betfair Review - Discover the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Operator

Updated: 1 December, 2024

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There is hardly a punter who hasn't heard about Betfair, and now that they have Clive Owen to promote their betting exchange, these bookies could easily win a popularity contest. For almost 20 years now, this sportsbook has been growing in reputation and customers. Still, how do they fare against the competition in the gambling industry? In this Betfair review, we are going to examine all football-specific traits of the bookmaker and its sports betting business.

What Is the Variety of Betfair Football Betting Markets?

Betfair is a cornucopia for football championships and leagues. Naturally, they offer all English and Scottish Leagues. There is an abundance of foreign championships to choose from, and if you know where the Faroe Islands are, you might be surprised they have a football league of their own.

Of special note here is Betfair's #OddsOnThat program. It allows you to create your own bet and tweet the bookies for odds on it. All you need is a Betfair and Twitter accounts, and you will have the opportunity to create your own betting market. Just do it in advance because it takes a while.

Enjoy Betfair's Most Popular Bets in Football

When it comes to football bets, Betfair has it all. They have all the regulars like 1X2, totals, and goal scorers. Add the handicaps, cards, and corners, and don't forget to mix them with the Asian variations as well. If you want to bet on it, chances are Betfair offers odds on it.

However, the true potential of bet types comes with using the Exchange. In order to get Betfair Exchange betting explained, you need to forget about the bookie for a moment. It is you who sets the type of bet and the odds on it. When another punter decides to bet against you, it's game on. This is, of course, just the surface of Exchange betting – there is so much more you can do there. It's worth checking it out.

What Are Betfair's Odds Like?

The bookmaker's commission is in the 5% range, so there aren't any surprises there. The Betfair football odds are competitive to other major sportsbooks, and they do offer the occasional generosity for high odds outcomes – it is business as usual.

However, if you are looking for good odds, you may want to use the Exchange. Betfair still charges a 5% commission on winning bets, but you have a better chance of finding or setting higher odds for specific Betfair Exchange football markets.

How Easy is the Registration Process?

From the very first click, Betfair has its own unique feel to it, even though the design screams "sportsbook" from the top of its lungs. Nowadays, you are greeted by Clive Owen's playful gaze, and he peers into the punting depths of your soul from the very home screen.

Whoever doesn't turn to stone can continue with the registration process, which is as straightforward as it can be. You will be asked for the usual stuff: name, address, and phone number. Once you are done with the personal details, you will have to perform a KYC check (Know Your Customer). This means you need to confirm your identity by providing a photo ID and proof of address. This check is mandated by law, so there is no way around it; thankfully, they accept phone photos.

How Good Are the Betfair Promotions?

The Betfair welcome bonus is in sync with their current programme to popularise the Exchange. They offer a free £20 bet on the Exchange. If the bet fails, they will refund it. This is definitely a top value offer, and it might be wise to check how the Exchange works first.

Champions League Free Bet - this is the only Betfair free bet for football. Wager £20 on a single sportsbook bet, and you will get £10 in return. There are other Terms and Conditions to consider, but this is the basic premise.

Unfortunately, Betfair doesn't have any other promotions for football punters. They do offer the best odds on horse racing, tennis, and cricket. If you are interested in any of those, you may find additional value there.

The bookies have referral incentives for any punters you bring to the sportsbook. Furthermore, any bets you place will earn you points, and you can spend them on racecourses across the country.

How Well Do They Handle Payments?

Once you have confirmed your identity, Betfair is open for deposits. All the regular players are available as payment methods: cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. What stands out as an option are the Paddy Power Shops. In order to use them, you need to go to an actual physical betting venue and provide them with the account username. It's an excellent way to get some tips and leads from the regulars as well.

Depositing with Betfair is as simple as shopping online. It makes you think they want your money. Just select the payment method and follow the instructions, until you can press the deposit button. Moreover, the minimum deposit is £5. Finally, the Betfair deposit time is less than ten minutes.

Withdrawing funds is just as simple. From ‘My Account', select ‘Withdraw Funds'. The withdrawal will be made to the payment method used for the deposit. In case several payment methods were used, the withdrawal will be made in the order of depositing. Finally, the Betfair withdrawal time is quite expedient, to put it mildly. Their deadlines are in tune with what the financial companies can do, and they do not require any extra processing time on their end.

What Does It Feel Like to Punt with Betfair?

Placing bets on Betfair gives you a sense of exploration because of the sheer volume of choices. However, this feels absorbing instead of overwhelming. Navigating through the markets is easy and streamlined. Moreover, the betslip has outstanding design and functionality, and it allows easy management of your selections.

In case you are wondering how to cash out on Betfair, it is available from the betslip as well. Just look for the orange ‘Cash Out' button next to your bet. In general, you should be able to use it for most football bets, acca included. In addition, Betfair offers partial cash out, which is such a majestic option nowadays that it can bring tears in the eyes of the toughest men.

Furthermore, Betfair has a very entertaining approach to punting, though maybe not as much as its sibling Paddy Power. Still, Betfair's Beat the Drop is an exciting innovation in the way punting is done. In this betting game, you start with your winnings of £1,000,000, but you can't withdraw them just yet. You have to wager this million in twenty consecutive bets, and you keep what's left. In case you are wondering, the maximum Betfair payout for football is £1,000,000. Coincidence or destiny?

How Good Is the Life Experience of the Sportsbook?

Live betting is satisfactory. The Betfair football markets cover all the favourites like 1X2 bets, totals, goal scorers, and some classic handicaps. However, the bookmaker doesn't cover in-play corners or cards for the majority of games. As all bookies, Betfair offer more markets for high-profile games.

Most Popular Live Football Bets

The Betfair football live streaming is quite enjoyable, and it comes in both High Definition (HD) and Full High Definition (FullHD). In theory, it is free of charge, but in practice, you need to place a minimum wager on an event to be able to watch it. Just don’t forget there is a slight delay between the live stream and the actual event. It’s up to 30 seconds for most sportsbooks.

Betfair’s Live Streaming

What About Betfair's Mobile Experience?

The bookmaker is ahead of its competition as far as mobile betting is concerned. Their mobile website is already responsive and convenient enough, but wait until you install the app to get the real deal. Naturally, you can log into it using the same account details. For more information on the Betfair app, please check out the dedicated review.

It is available for both Android and iOS, and you can download it from their respective app stores or the bookmaker's website. The app uses the same username and password as the website, and if you'd like to know more about its functionality, you can check out the dedicated app review here.

How Safe Is Betfair?

Betfair is licensed by both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. If this makes you ask yourself who owns Betfair, then rest assured that they are a publicly-traded UK company. After the merger with another popular bookie, the new company was renamed to Paddy Power Betfair, and it owns both brands.

Safety-wise, the company is so bullet-proof that its security seems to have security. Their official page doesn't mention killer whales, but they don't deny it either. Your personal and financial data is as safe with them as with the bank. However, they have implemented 2-Step Authentication as a step to protect your data on your end. This is indeed an excellent way to improve your account's security.

Do They Offer Quality Customer Care?

Betfair's finest can be reached on phone, chat, and email. They also have a serious amount of FAQ pages where they cover various topics. However, they may need some updating because on one of the pages the business hours were specified as 7:30 AM to 12:30 AM, but we were assured this was not the case – once in the daytime and once during the graveyard shift. Overall, the customer care representatives offer a fine service.

Our Final Rating

Even casual punters can find plenty of value in Betfair. However, if they ever decide to engage in matched betting, an account becomes invaluable because of the Betfair Exchange football betting access. It is tough to find deficiencies in such an excellent sportsbook, and most of what we criticise is standard for the top football betting sites. These shortcomings, however, stand out thanks to the overall excellence of Betfair. This is why we are giving it our highest rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure? Compare with more bookmakers below!

#	Bookie	Leagues	Bonus	Rating	Review
1	bet365	110+	Up to £30* in Free Bets	8/10	Read Review	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. #AD
2	Betway	100+	Get Up To £10 in Free Bets	10/10	Read Review
3	10bet	110+	100% up to £50	8/10	Read Review	New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+