In our in-depth Betfair review, you’ll discover whether it offers quality betting services and features outside its exchange platform. We’ve compiled all the key info about this bookmaker in one place: the latest bonuses, the best sports to bet on with high odds, and step-by-step instructions on how to start betting with Betfair in minutes.
Pros & Cons
- Exchange and sportsbook
- Selection of markets
- Payments
- Not many live streams
- Contacts are poorly presented
Betfair: Editorial Rating
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Security
The company is licensed to offer markets in Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Italy, and Romania, and is regulated by several gambling regulators, including the Ireland Revenue Commissioners, UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Danish Gambling Authority. With 2-Step Authentication, your account is protected.
Sports and Markets
Betfair offers punters the opportunity to place bets on matches in over 30 different sports. The range of sports available to bet on includes the following categories:
Football. The football section covers tournaments from more than 80 countries, including lower leagues from Chile, Estonia, Saudi Arabia, and others. England, Germany, and Spain are the most extensively covered competitions, while top matches are categorised under the “UK Football” and “Euro Elite” tabs for easy navigation. Betfair also has one of the best Ballon d’Or betting offers, including high odds, the Bet Builder feature and the chance to get Free Bets that can be used on any sport. In addition to the standard outcomes, handicaps, and totals, there are numerous betting options available for top matches, such as, for example, cards and corners, shots, goalscorers, player assists, and many more.
Horse racing & Greyhound racing. Betfair provides an extensive selection of horse and greyhound racing tournaments from the UK, Ireland, France, South Africa, and Australia. Bettors can view information on upcoming races, participants, video streams, and available options such as Odds Boost and Promo. Along with standard race winner bets, punters can also place bets on specific events within the race, such as second-placed horse, third and fourth place, winner and horse in Top 3, etc.
Tennis. The sportsbook’s tennis section offers competitions of various levels, ranging from elite Grand Slam tournaments, ATP and WTA competitions, to ITF, UTR, and Challenger. On the pages of top matches, punters can choose from over 150 outcomes, including set betting, correct score, handicaps, totals, and special bets, for example, Both Players to win a Set (Yes/No). Additionally, tennis betting fans can follow events via live streaming.
Payment Methods
To make deposits and withdraw winnings, there are a wide range of payment methods available. Here is a list of all available options and withdrawal/deposit limits:
| Payment Method | Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time | Deposit Limit, € | Withdrawal, € |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Instant | 1–4 hours | 20–System’s limit | 1–System’s limit |
| paysafecard | Instant | N/A | 20–System’s limit | N/A |
| Debit cards Visa, MasterCard | Instant | 1–5 working days | 5–System’s limit | 0.01 – System’s limit |
| Skrill | Instant | 1–4 hours | 20–System’s limit | 1–System’s limit |
| Neteller | Instant | 1–4 hours | 20–System’s limit | 1–System’s limit |
| Apple Pay | Instant | 2–3 working days | 5–System’s limit | 0.01–System’s limit |
| MuchBetter | Instant | up to 24 hours | 20–System’s limit | 0.01–System’s limit |
| Cash via a Paddy Power Shop | Instant | N/A | 10–System’s limit | N/A |
| Instant Transfer | Instant | Instant | 5–System’s limit | 0.01–System’s limit |
| Rapid Transfer | Instant | 2–3 working days | 20–System’s limit | 0.01–System’s limit |
| Bank Transfer | 1–5 working days | 1–5 working days | €20–System’s limit | 10–System’s limit |
Also Betfair is one of the betting sites that accept Revolut. This option is accessed as part of Instant Transfer or Instant Withdrawals.
How to Make a Deposit to Betfair
- Log in to your account on the website or mobile app.
- Navigate to the “Deposit” section and choose the deposit method that suits you.
- Enter the deposit amount and provide the payment system details.
How to Withdraw from Betfair
- Go to the “My Account” section.
- Click on the “Withdraw Funds” option.
- Select the payment method that you previously used to deposit money.
- Enter the desired withdrawal amount and verify the transaction.
Odds
The margin is the profit that a bookmaker makes from a bettor’s wager. Betfair’s margin varies depending on the sports and markets. Based on our examples, the average margin was 6.14%. This is an above-average value (5% to 7% margin).
Margin evaluation:
- Football, EPL, Tier 1 level. Man City – West Ham (03.05.2023); 1×2 odds: 1.20 – 7.50 – 14.00, margin 3.81%; over/under 2.5 goals odds: 1.40 – 2.80, margin 7.14%
- Football, League 2, Tier 4 level. Crewe v Bradford (03.05.2023); 1×2 odds: 4.75 – 3.60 – 1.75, margin 5.97%; over/under 2.5 goals odds: 1.90 – 1.87, margin 6.12%
- Tennis, ATP Madrid, Tier 2 level. Carlos Alcaraz v Karen Khachanov (03.05.2023); 1×2 odds: 1.06 – 8.50, margin 5.88%; Games over/under (19.5): 1.73 – 2.00, margin 7.89%
To illustrate how the margin is calculated, let’s use the example of the Man City – West Ham match. The fractional odds for a Man City win, a draw, and a West Ham win are 1.20, 7.50, and 14.00, respectively. Plug them into the formula:
1 – 1 / (1/1.20 + 1/7.50 + 1/14.00) = 0.0381 or 3.81%
Betfair In-Play Betting
The sportsbook has hundreds of daily events for in-Play wagering. To help punters, they provide the following options:
- Events and markets. The In-Play section offers lots of events daily across various sports. The bookmaker covers matches in football, tennis, cricket, darts, Esports, and other popular disciplines. In live football betting, for instance, the site has more than 180 options, including Handicap, HT/FT, Over/Under, First Goal, and many others.
- Infographics and Live Stats. Most In-Play matches come with graphics that display events happening on the field in the “Match View” window. On the game page, customers can monitor the statistics of the whole or specific game segments in real-time.
- Cash Out function. This feature helps reduce losses or even get more winnings for bettors. The amount offered by Cash Out depends on several factors, including the time until the end of the event and the game’s progress.
Betfair Live Streaming
The platform provides live video streams for many live events, including popular sports like football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, snooker, rugby, Esports, table tennis, horse racing, greyhound racing, and more. To watch live video streams on the site or app, clients must register and fund their accounts. There are also streams of upcoming races in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and other countries on the racing section of the website.
Betfair App
There are mobile apps for both iOS and Android that can be downloaded from the official App Store and Google Play, providing clients with the main options such as registration, depositing funds, placing bets, and playing casino games. Betfair also has a separate mobile app for the exchange section, which is available on all popular mobile platforms. One downside is that some punters report technical issues and slow performance. However, the interface is generally user-friendly, and the app allows bettors to access all the same features as the desktop site, making it a convenient option for on-the-go betting.
| Developer | Betfair |
| Cost | All versions are free |
| Software | iOS, Android |
| Age Limit | 17+ |
| Language | English |
| Currencies | Euros, pounds |
| License | Licensed by the Revenue Commissioners |
Conclusion
Betfair is a decent choice for Irish punters who like having some choice. It combines a regular sportsbook with a betting exchange, giving access to markets and features you wouldn’t usually get at other bookmakers. With over 2,900 football markets for major events and support for payment methods, including PayPal, Apple Pay, and prepaid cards, it’s pretty convenient and varied. Withdrawals from as little as €0.01 are also a notable advantage.
But, as with anything, there are a few things to watch out for. The odds are average, with a margin of about 6%, which may not appeal to those looking for long-term value. New customers can get a €50 welcome bonus, but there aren’t as many ongoing promotions as at other top bookies. Live streaming is behind some competitors, and getting help can be a bit of a pain, as there’s a bot in Live chat, and contact details aren’t easy to find.
Betfair Frequently Asked Questions
Is Betfair Available in Ireland?
Yes, it is available in Ireland. Irish residents can register and place bets on the platform just like any other user. The bookmaker also offers wagering on popular Irish sports like Gaelic football and hurling. As a licensed and regulated bookmaker, it complies with the laws and regulations in Ireland, ensuring a safe and secure betting experience for its customers.
Is Betfair Trustworthy?
The company has obtained a licence from the Revenue Commissioners to accept bets from Irish customers. The company has been operating in the legal market for over 20 years. It is also regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, which are reputable regulatory bodies in the gambling industry. In addition, the company uses encryption technology to protect customers’ personal and financial data.
How To Place A Bet at Betfair?
To place a bet, simply select the sport and market you want to bet on, choose your bet type and enter the stake amount. Then confirm your bet and it will be placed. You can also take advantage of several betting features and sign-up offer in Free bets.
Does Betfair Do Cash Out?
Yes, the desktop and mobile platforms offer a Cash Out feature that allows you to settle your bets before the event has finished. This gives you more control over your bets and can be used to reduce losses. The Cash Out feature is available on selected markets and bet types.
Is There A Betfair app?
Yes, the bookmaker offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. It is free to download and can be found in the App Store or Google Play Store. Once installed, users can log in using their existing account or create a new account directly through the app.
