Betfair started out with the Betting Exchange. But many players were (and still are) reluctant to conform to the unfamiliar ‘Back & Lay’ system, as well as the decimal odds format. So Betfair created a bookmaker tab on their existing site so that it catered to everyone.
Betfair’s Sportsbook isn’t just a tag-along, either. It rivals just about any other online bookmaker in its own right.
Betfair Review Contents:
Signup Promotion
Terms & Conditions
Advantages of Betfair Bookmaker
Easy Access to the Betting Exchange
If you’re new to sports betting and want to start out slowly, you don’t have to venture into the (somewhat risky) trading environment straight away. But the option is there: you can use the Betting Exchange — and any other Betfair product — all under one account.
Best Premier League Odds (vs Bookmakers)
Betfair boasts the lowest average match overrounds since 1/1/18, compared to leading UK bookmakers (verified by OddsChecker). So if recreational football betting is your thing, it’s a wise choice.
Best Odds Guaranteed
An essential feature for any racing Sportsbook, in my opinion. Betfair’s BOG applies to both UK and Irish horse race winner markets and selected UK and Irish greyhound race winner markets. It’s honoured on any price taken on singles and multiples after 8am on the day of the race.
Exchange Games
Betfair’s ‘Back & Lay’ betting exchange works great on virtual games, too. Take Blackjack as an example: you’re shown all cards on the table and have to decide whether you’d like to bet for or against the (virtual) player. The odds are set by competing bettors — so the house edge is low. Mathematicians out there will fair the best.
Excellent £100 Signup Bonus
Betfair’s Sportsbook signup offer is more generous than their (other) Betting Exchange bonus. In terms of value, it also surpasses the majority of free bets offered from rival companies. New customers can place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. 18+ only. Terms & conditions apply.
Live Sport Streaming
Betfair is one of the only bookies to provide live streaming to all members. Watch live football, basketball, horse racing, tennis, and many more from home — or via the Betfair mobile app if you’re on-the-move.
Large Offering of Sports Markets
Within each of the sports there’s tons of niche markets to choose from on both the Sportsbook and Betting Exchange. Betfair Sportsbook also offers its very own #OddsOnThat which enables punters to bet on hand-picked, obscure outcomes such as “Spurs Win to Nil, Harry Kane to score & over 8.5 corners”. This makes for a more interesting, varied experience.
Disadvantages of Betfair Bookmaker
The Mobile App Has Some Shortcomings
The Betfair Sportsbook and Betfair Exchange apps are separate. But in addition to the minor inconvenience of switching between apps, both versions lack search functionality. They’re a bit inefficient in finding specific markets — such as the next upcoming fixture for your favourite football team.
Betfair Bookmaker Specification
Sports Betting Markets
- American Football
- Australian Rules
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowls
- Boxing
- Chess
- Cricket
- Current Affairs
- Cycling
- Darts
- Esports
- Football
- Futsal
- Gaelic Games
- Golf
- Greyhound Racing
- Handball
- Hockey
- Horse Racing
- Ice Hockey
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Motor Sport
- Netball
- Politics
- Pool
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Snooker
- Special Bets
- Surfing
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Winter Sports
Payment Options
- Visa Debit
- Mastercard Debit
- Credit Cards (1.5% fee)
- Maestro
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Paysafecard (2.5% fee, no withdrawals)
- Bank Transfer
- Cheque
Regulation
- Gibraltar Gambling Commission (previously the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority)
- UK Gambling Commission
More Promotions: The Best Free Bets
Betfair bookmaker is a must if you ask me. You have everything you need in front of you (including the betting exchange for trading). Plus the bonuses are always good for beginners and reduce the risk while you’re still learning. If you’re into Premier League football then they’re the best way to go in my opinion… the best odds of any regular bookie.