Betfair is a flagbearer in the online betting world, helping to evolve the industry with its groundbreaking betting exchange platform that allows punters to bet against each other rather than the house.
But while the tech behind their exchange is impressive, we're also interested in the sportsbook, which offers traditional fixed-odds betting alongside one of the most innovative betting experiences available in the U.K. market.
The gambling giant has built its glowing reputation on offering customers better odds and more control over their betting, with sponsorship deals across football including partnerships with several Championship clubs and the UEFA Champions League, cementing their position as a major force in U.K. sports betting.
Let's take a closer look...
How The Sporting News rates and reviews bookmakers
Here at the The Sporting News, we take our responsibility to you the reader very seriously. Our dedicated betting team stays on top of the latest trends and information, in order to provide users with the most up-to-date and accurate information.
All content published in The Sporting News’ betting section is written by authors with years of experience in online and legal sports betting markets. Our experience doesn’t simply come from writing about the subject, but by participation, knowing the details of available apps and understanding the intricacies of the betting markets available to sports fans.
You can read more about how we rate bookmakers and produce our betting content here.
Betfair review & ranking 2025: Summary
TSN'S RATING: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Key Features
- Betfair Pros & Cons
- How To Create An Account
- Sign-up Offers, Welcome Bonuses
- Sports Markets
- Specials & Odds Boosts
- Betfair Website & Mobile App
- VIP & Loyalty Schemes
- Payment Methods
- Security
- Customer Support
Key features
Welcome bonus | Bet £10 and get £30 in free bets or Get £50 in free Bet Builders when you bet £10 on Sportsbook |
Founded | 2000 |
Licensing | United Kingdom Gambling Commission |
Owners | Flutter Entertainment |
Sports offered |
|
Payout time | up to 5 days |
Minimum withdrawal | £1 |
Customer support options |
|
Banking options |
|
Mobile app | Yes |
Betfair — Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
✔️ Revolutionary Exchange platform offering peer-to-peer betting | ❌ Site design can appear rudimentary |
✔️ Excellent odds across both sportsbook and the Exchange | ❌ Rewards programme could be stronger |
✔️ Comprehensive live streaming service with extensive coverage | ❌ No crypto betting |
✔️ Industry-leading cash out functionality | ❌ Limited welcome bonus compared to some competitors |
✔️ Strong mobile app with full Exchange integration | |
✔️ Wide range of banking options including PayPal |
How to sign up and open an account at Betfair?
Getting started with Betfair is easy. You can register and open an account using the sign up link here, where you’ll see the latest new customer offer from Betfair. Here’s six simple steps to joining the revolution:
- Open the brand's website on any browser using a desktop or your mobile device, by clicking the link above.
- Click the appropriate Betfair register button.
- Provide any required information such as full name, address, etc.
- Create your Betfair login U.K. credentials (email and password).
- Accept the T&Cs of the operator, including confirmation of legal age to gamble.
- Complete the Betfair sign up process and choose between sportsbook or Exchange.
Betfair sign-up offer, welcome bonus and promo code for new customers
Betfair's current standard welcome offer provides £30 in free bets when you place a qualifying £10 bet, delivering decent value for new customers looking to make their sports bets.
Beyond the welcome bonus, Betfair delivers on ongoing promotions including ‘Acca Edge’ insurance for multiple bets, ‘Odds Boost’ for enhanced prices on selected events, and their popular ‘2nd Place Refund’ promotion on horse racing, where you get your stake back as a free bet if your horse finishes second.
For existing customers, the ‘Refer and Earn’ programme allows you to invite friends and earn bonus credits, while regular seasonal promotions keep the betting fresh with enhanced odds and cashback offers.
MORE: Best free bet and sign-up offers for August 2025
Betfair sports betting
Betfair offers comprehensive coverage across all major sports with every betting market available, from football and horse racing to tennis and golf.
The platform excels in both traditional and niche markets, with the exchange providing unique opportunities to bet on outcomes that traditional bookmakers wouldn't offer.
A real standout feature is their horse racing coverage, widely regarded as the best in the industry, with detailed form guides, live streaming, and unmatched liquidity on the exchange for backing and laying selections.
MORE: How to bet on football and other major sports, a complete guide
Betfair specials, features & odds boosts
Betfair's platform includes live betting and streaming, making it a one-stop shop for sports entertainment.
Their ‘Betfair starting price’ (BSP) on the exchange offers some of the most competitive odds available, while their traditional Sportsbook competes strongly with market-leading prices.
There are also specials on their site to choose from, at the time of writing you can find ‘Nobel Peace Prize’ odds, BBC Sports Personality of Year, Love Island, The Next James Bond, Oscars and WWE betting too.
Betfair website
The Betfair platform offers a two-fold experience that can initially feel confusing but proves incredibly rewarding once mastered.
The U.K. sportsbook side follows conventional betting patterns with clean, intuitive navigation. Finding your sport and market is easy, with the left hand navbar listing the sports, and the top navigation in each section highlighting the various types of markets available for that sport.
The platform delivers live video streaming across multiple sports including football, cricket, horse racing, basketball and ice hockey, making the in-play betting experience highly interactive.
The only criticism is the occasional confusion between sportsbook and exchange sections, which can lead to accidental bets on the wrong platform for newcomers.
MORE: How to bet live on sports in the U.K. and the best platforms
Key features
The exchange platform sets Betfair apart from every other sports betting site. The Betfair Exchange allows customers to bet against one another rather than the bookmaker itself, meaning customers can offer odds to or request odds from fellow Betfair customers and 'back' or 'lay' on the outcome of specific markets.
‘Cash out’ functionality leads the industry, available across both platforms with partial cash-out options. The ‘Betfair hub’ provides comprehensive statistics, form guides, and expert tips to inform your betting decisions.
Betfair mobile app
Betfair's mobile app includes all features from both platforms, including every betting market, the betting hub, live betting and streaming, banking, and customer service, allowing iOS and Android users to place bets seamlessly.
More recent updates have introduced enhanced promotions tailored to individual betting preferences and expanded ‘bet builder’ functionality, though some older devices may struggle to support the new interface.
App Store ratings:
- App Store: 4.7/5 stars (104.4k ratings)
- Google Play: 4.5/5 stars (21.3k reviews)
Betfair VIP and loyalty schemes
Betfair offers a three-tier rewards program:
- BASIC offers no access to promos, and no access to their free-to-play game Prize Pinball, while you will pay two per cent commission on net winnings on exchange markets.
- REWARDS offers bettors a £5.00 free exchange bet every month, five free spins per month on Betfair’s online slots, one MyOddsBoost every month, and five per cent commission on net winnings in exchange markets.
- REWARDS+ offers a 10 per cent refund if you make a net loss on Betfair’s exchange in a calendar month, a £5.00 free exchange bet every month, five free spins per month, a £2.00 free accumulator (acca) per month, two MyOddsBoosts and eight percent commission on net winnings in exchange markets.
New customers are automatically enrolled into the REWARDS programme.
Betfair banking and payment options
Payment method | Available on deposits | Minimum deposit | Available on withdrawals | Minimum withdrawal | Withdrawal time |
Visa | YES | £5 | YES | £1 | 1-5 days |
Mastercard | YES | £5 | YES | £1 | 1-5 days |
PayPal | YES | £5 | YES | £1 | Same day |
Apple Pay | YES | £5 | NO | N/A | N/A |
BACS Bank transfer | YES | £10 | YES | £1 | 3-5 working days |
Skrill | YES | £5 | YES | £1 | Same day |
Neteller | YES | £5 | YES | £1 | Same day |
Diving deeper into Betfair
Licensing
Betfair is licensed in the U.K. by the U.K. Gambling Commission and operates under the oversight of parent company Flutter Entertainment, one of the world's largest betting and gaming companies.
Responsible Gambling
Betfair's safer gambling measures include comprehensive deposit limits, session time reminders, reality checks, self-exclusion options, and product-specific blocks.
The platform provides detailed spending analysis and links to external support including BeGambleAware, GamStop, and GamCare.
Their ‘Take a Break’ feature allows for temporary account suspension, while spending tracking tools help users monitor their betting patterns across both sportsbook and the Exchange.
Security and fairness
Betfair employs bank-level security with SSL encryption and regular independent audits. As a publicly-traded company through Flutter Entertainment, they maintain the highest standards of financial transparency and regulatory compliance.
Customer funds are protected through segregated accounts and regulatory safeguards like GamCare, Malta Gaming Authority and Gordon Moody.
Betfair — Key questions
Is Betfair legit?
Absolutely. Betfair is one of the world's most respected betting companies, owned by Flutter Entertainment and licensed by the U.K. Gambling Commission. They were at the cutting edge of exchange betting and remain the leader in peer-to-peer wagering.
What's the difference between Betfair Sportsbook and Exchange?
The Sportsbook offers traditional fixed-odds betting against the house, while the Exchange allows you to bet against other customers with the ability to both back and lay selections at odds you choose.
How can I contact customer support at Betfair?
Multiple contact options are available including live chat accessed from any page, dedicated telephone lines for different services, and email support. Their comprehensive help centre covers most common queries with detailed guides.
How do I reset my password at Betfair?
Click the ‘forgotten details?’ link on the login page and follow the prompts to reset your password via email. You can also change your password within account settings once logged in.
How long does it take to withdraw from Betfair?
Withdrawal times vary by payment method, with e-wallets like PayPal processing same-day, while card withdrawals take 1-5 days. Bank transfers typically take 3-5 working days.
How can I get free bets at Paddy Power?
New customers can claim the welcome offer by placing a qualifying bet. Existing customers can access free bets through ongoing promotions including ‘acca edge’, racing refunds, and the refer-a-friend programme.