Betfair in a nutshell
Betfair are the internet’s largest betting exchange, with annual net incomes in excess of £50 million. Founded in 2000 by Andrew Black and Edward Wray, they are a diverse and highly successful gambling brand – so much so that they planted a giant octopus in the heart of London last summer to promote their World Cup sports books.
The company launched its online casino in 2006, having started a Cryptologic-powered poker room in 2004.
In 2010 Betfair went public, being valued at £1.4 billion as it floated on the London Stock Exchange. It’s certainly a monster of a company, but is its casino offering worthy of the Betfair banner? Read on to find out …
What’s the look and feel of Betfair?
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Considering the array of betting options, Betfair is easy to use
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Can be considered a little bland compared to other casinos
What games are available at Betfair?
As you might imagine, Betfair has a huge amount of games on offer.
Slots are the most popular, with over a century of titles. However, if you’re a fan of 3D slots you are not going to be delighted at what you find, as the majority of Betfair’s slots are made by Playtech, who tend to stick to more vanilla games. Having said that, there are plenty of superhero-themed classics.
There’s a second section within the casino called ‘Vegas Slots’ which features online slots games made by WMS.
Table games wise you of course have several versions of blackjack, roulette and casino poker, with a few extra games such as sic bo, red dog and craps.
Of interest are the ‘Zero Lounge’ games where the games have been engineered so that they have a house edge of zero. Analysis of these games has found the house edge not to be quite zero, but so small (0.02 to 0.03 percent) that it hardly makes any difference.
The live casino at Betfair has baccarat, blackjack, Casino Hold’em and roulette.
The main software provider at the casino is Playtech, which is great news if you love table games, but not so great if you love interactive, 3D-style slots. There are few other slots from Ash Gaming, Cryptologic, IGT, OpenBet, Blueprint Gaming and Leander Games, plus the ‘Vegas Slots’ games from WMS.
All of Betfair’s live casino options were added to the site in 2011 and are powered by Playtech.
Betfair has a mobile casino for iOS and Android. You can download an app to play at the mobile casino, or you can simply visit Betfair’s site using a mobile browser for the HTML5 version.
Can I play at Betfair on mobile?
What is the Betfair Welcome Bonus?
Betfair, a leading bookmaker in the lively UK gambling market, extends a warm welcome to new players with an exceptionally generous and engaging welcome bonus. Simply place a bet of 10 euros and discover the thrill of receiving a whopping 30 euros in free bets. This offer is not just a starting point; it’s an invitation to kick off your gambling journey with extra fuel for your wagers.
Betfair’s welcome bonus is like a friendly greeting at the entrance of an exclusive event, where anticipation begins the moment you cross the threshold. With a modest bet of 10 euros, a world of possibilities unfolds. In return, you get 30 euros in free bets, allowing you to experience the excitement of various sports events.
The simplicity of this offer is refreshing. With just a 10-euro bet, your account is enriched with 30 euros in free bets. It’s akin to receiving an extra ticket to a sold-out concert or a complimentary pass to a major sports event. This bonus lets you try out new strategies, bet risk-free, or simply enjoy a diverse range of betting options.
What makes this welcome bonus at Betfair even more appealing is the freedom it provides. You have the flexibility to use your free bets on the sports events that resonate with you the most, whether it’s football, tennis, horse racing, or another sport of your choice.
Moreover, the process is straightforward and accessible. After placing the 10-euro bet, the free bets are automatically added to your Betfair account. It’s a seamless experience that enhances the joy of gambling on sports events in the UK.
In essence, this welcome bonus is not just an opportunity to kickstart your gambling journey with extra credit; it’s also an invitation to relish the excitement and variety that the UK gambling market has to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Take that first step, place the 10-euro bet, and let the excitement begin at Betfair!
What promotions are available at Betfair?
Betfair offers for its new UK players a nice welcome on registration: once you verify your account with SMS, Betfair rewards you with 50 Bonus Spins No Deposit. You can play your No Deposit Spins Launch Dynamite Riches or selected other Daily Jackpot games.
For extra care and attention you can enjoy the Betfair Casino VIP scheme. If you spend enough cash at Betfair’s casino then a VIP invitation will be surely winging its way into your inbox. The VIP scheme is on three levels – gold, platinum and diamond. All VIPs can expect lavish treatment, including exclusive VIP-only events, bonuses and promotions.
The good news is that Betfair does not enforce withdrawal limits, unlike quite a number of other Playtech-powered casinos. The even better news is that the cashier at Betfair is literally bloated with banking options.
You can of course whip out your credit or debit card to fund your account, but if you prefer to leave your dealing purely online, then you can use the following payment methods:
- Neteller
- Skrill
- PayPal
- Web Money
- Paysafecard
- Click & Buy
There are also a few less well-known options for players in specific countries, such as POLi and NAB (for players in Australia).
Does Betfair have a VIP Programme or Loyalty Scheme?
For extra care and attention you can enjoy the Betfair Casino VIP scheme. If you spend enough cash at Betfair’s casino then a VIP invitation will be surely winging its way into your inbox. The VIP scheme is on three levels – gold, platinum and diamond. All VIPs can expect lavish treatment, including exclusive VIP-only events, bonuses and promotions. Below a short explanation on the VIP scheme at Betfair Casino:
Loyalty points are bonuses that customers get when they bet with bookmakers. Most bookmakers reward customers with these points, which can be exchanged for prizes. Accumulating points can also lead to VIP status in membership programs, but this isn’t automatic at Betfair. At Betfair, customers earn loyalty points for every £1 they bet. These points can be used for rewards like free tickets to UK racecourses through the ‘Rewards4Racing’ promotion. The terms for earning points are on the promotions page.
High rollers often get their own account managers for extra support. These managers at Betfair respond quickly, keep track of betting history, and offer personalized promotions. Regular customers don’t have account managers.
Special VIP bonuses are customized rewards for high rollers. These exclusive bonuses, like bonus funds or event tickets, are only for VIP customers. Betfair notifies VIPs of these bonuses individually; the details are not on the main site.
In summary, loyalty points, account managers, and special VIP bonuses are part of Betfair’s offerings, with specific perks for high rollers.
What are the pros & cons of Betfair?
Betfair offer every type of gambling under the sun, but that also means their casino offering isn’t as comprehensive as some of the competition. Not that it’s bad in any way. Discover all the pros and cons of playing at Betfair below:
- One of the internet's leading gambling companies
- Some of Betfair's games have a house edge that's practically zero
- A nice array of table games, and lots of varieties of blackjack and roulette
- Betfair has a very good reputation for fairness and for customer satisfaction
- Generous Welcome bonus
- Fast Cash Out
- The selection of online slots available is not the best
The final verdict
Betfair boasts a formidable gambling package. Its casino offering is solid, if unspectacular. There’s a healthy choice of jackpot slots such as Iron Man 3 and Spiderman, but no games by NetEnt, Microgaming or Betsoft.
Blackjack, roulette and baccarat come with the slimmest house edges available online, which will delight table game fans.
Betfair’s a treat on mobile, and there’s a £5 no deposit bonus for all new customers. On that basis, this casino’s fair game!