Please note that this review features affiliate links. This means that we may receive a commission if you proceed to open an account at this bookmaker. However, we are dedicated to endorsing only carefully selected betting sites. Additionally, we also evaluate sites with which we have no affiliation, providing bettors with the opportunity to explore all available options.
- Great value signup bonus
- Competitive odds for many sports
- Wide range of modern betting features
- Various gambling products available
New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
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Betfred Review (2025)
Betfred has evolved from a traditional high street bookmaker into a full-service online betting platform. Known for its long-standing “Bonus King” reputation, it continues to offer excellent value through regular promotions and a generous welcome offer.
While it doesn’t quite rival the very best in terms of withdrawal speed or fund protection, Betfred delivers solid performance in most key areas — from sports variety to betting features. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense bookmaker with strong odds and accessible betting tools, Betfred is a worthy contender.
How were these ratings created?
This Betfred review is based on a clear, standardised framework designed to produce a fair and data-driven rating. Each category above is weighted according to its significance — with areas like Odds and Features having greater impact on the final score than less influential factors.
By using this structured approach, we remove subjectivity and focus only on the aspects that genuinely affect the quality of a betting site. The result is a balanced evaluation that highlights both the platform’s strengths and its limitations.
Unlike many comparison sites, Punter2Pro applies this exact process across all bookmaker reviews. This ensures consistency and prevents any brand — whether partnered with us or not — from receiving preferential treatment.
About Betfred
Founded in 1967 by Fred Done, Betfred began life as a single high street betting shop in Salford. Today, it’s one of the UK’s most recognisable gambling brands — operating both online and through a large network of retail locations.
Betfred is operated by Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited and holds licences from the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, and the Irish Revenue Commissioners. This ensures it meets legal standards across its primary markets, including the UK, Ireland, and South Africa.
Safe, Secure & Fair
Betfred adheres to industry-standard security measures to protect users and ensure fair play:
- SSL encryption to protect data
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) for account security
- KYC checks to prevent fraud and underage gambling
- Geo-fencing to block access in restricted jurisdictions
- Safer gambling tools, including deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion
The platform is eCOGRA certified and registered with IBAS, providing players with confidence in the fairness of its systems and access to independent dispute resolution if needed.
Bookmaker Profile
Company
Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited
Established
September 1967 (as betting shops)
Website
Target Markets
USA, UK, Spain, Ireland, South Africa
Languages
English, Spanish
Licences
Gibraltar, UK, Ireland
Regulators
1. Gambling Options
Betfred offers 9 core gambling products under one account, including Sportsbook, Casino, Live Casino, Poker, Bingo, and Virtual Sports — plus extras like Lotteries, Financials, and Tote betting.
While it doesn’t offer a betting exchange or spread betting, its range of options caters to both casual and experienced players. Betfred’s origins as a high street shop are still evident in its simple, familiar layout — but its digital expansion has kept pace with modern expectations.
Safe, Secure & Fair
Betfred offers 9 core gambling products under one account, including Sportsbook, Casino, Live Casino, Poker, Bingo, and Virtual Sports — plus extras like Lotteries, Financials, and Tote betting.
While it doesn’t offer a betting exchange or spread betting, its range of options caters to both casual and experienced players. Betfred’s origins as a high street shop are still evident in its simple, familiar layout — but its digital expansion has kept pace with modern expectations.
Standard
Popular products offered by many betting sites. These count more towards the score for this section than 'Specialist' products.
Specialist
Specialised "niche" products offered by some betting sites. These count less towards the score for this section than 'Standard' products.
2. Sports & Markets
Betfred covers 26 sports, which is slightly below the site-wide average, but compensates with impressive market depth.
The bookmaker regularly runs promotions and enhanced odds offers, particularly on football accumulators and horse racing events. These boosts add notable value for bettors who enjoy maximising returns on popular markets.
Market Depth & Variety
Football coverage is particularly strong, with a wide selection of markets for each match, including:
- Full-time result, correct score, and total goals
- Player stats like goals, cards, and shots
- Corners, bookings, and combo markets
- Build-a-bet functionality via Bet Builder
While specials and novelty markets exist, they remain somewhat limited, mainly focused on major TV shows and UK political events. Increasing the breadth of these markets could attract a wider audience.
In-Play & Streaming
Betfred offers a capable in-play platform with live stats, lineups, and commentary. Live betting spans a wide variety of events every hour, and users can easily access them through the site or app menus.
Live streaming is available for horse racing and greyhound racing, but has recently expanded to include football, tennis, and table tennis. These upgrades have made Betfred more competitive as a live betting platform.
All Available Sports (A-Z)
- American Football*
- Athletics
- Australian Rules
- Badminton
- Baseball*
- Basketball*
- Beach Volleyball
- Bowling
- Bowls
- Boxing*
- Chess
- Cricket*
- Current Affairs
- Cycling
- Darts*
- Entertainment / TV
- eSports
- Field Hockey
- Fishing
- Floorball
- Football*
- Formula 1*
- Futsal
- Gaelic Games
- Golf*
- Greyhound Racing
- Handball
- Horse Racing*
- Hurling
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Lotto Specials
- MMA / UFC*
- Motor Racing
- Motorbikes
- Netball
- Novelty
- Politics
- Pool
- Rowing
- Rugby League*
- Rugby Union*
- Shooting
- Snooker*
- Softball
- Specials
- Speedway
- Surfing
- Squash
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis*
- Triathalon
- Trotting
- Virtual Sports
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Winter Sports
- Wrestling
How are sports & markets graded?
To assess this section, each sport is evaluated based on its overall betting popularity — with higher weight assigned to widely followed sports like Football, Horse Racing, and Tennis, compared to niche or low-demand sports.
In addition to variety, the depth of markets (i.e. available betting options) is factored into the score — reflecting a “quality over quantity” principle.
This ensures the final rating accounts not just for how many sports are offered, but also for the depth and flexibility within each one.
3. Odds & Value
Betfred offers solid overall value when it comes to pricing — particularly in football, horse racing, and accumulator-friendly markets. Its odds remain strong across key events and often benefit from daily price boosts and enhanced multiples.
In a comparison of 20 randomly selected match odds markets from top-flight European football, Betfred’s odds were, on average, just 2.28% lower than those available on the betting exchange. This indicates a low house edge and confirms that Betfred provides fair pricing across its main markets.
This level of value puts Betfred ahead of many other UK-facing bookmakers — making it one of the platform’s standout strengths.
Betfred vs Exchange Odds
Note: Odds were capped at 10.0 and limited to the match odds market in major football leagues to ensure consistency across bookmaker reviews.
Why are the exchange odds higher?
The betting exchange provides industry-leading odds generated by the public, traded peer-to-peer rather than against the betting company. These odds are widely considered the most accurate in the market. The betting exchange earns its revenue through a commission, usually applied to winnings.
In contrast, bookmakers operate under a different model, incorporating a margin or “edge” into their odds. Consequently, the prices offered by bookmakers tend to be lower than those found on the betting exchange.
This crucial information is often overlooked by many gambling affiliate sites, but for the sake of transparency, it should be common knowledge.
Despite this, bookmakers give many advantages over betting exchanges.
4. Bonuses & Promotions
Betfred continues to offer one of the most valuable welcome bonuses in the industry — and in 2025, its Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets promotion ranks among the top on this site. It delivers approximately 106% more value than the average welcome offer.
One of the promotion’s main strengths is structure. The qualifying bet requires minimum odds of Evens (2.0), and the reward is split across multiple free bets, allowing more flexibility in how users stake them.
Betfred also runs a strong rotation of ongoing sports offers, including:
- Acca Insurance – stake refunded as a free bet if one leg lets you down
- Goalscorer Price Boosts – double/triple odds if your pick scores twice or more
- Extra Places – paid out on selected horse races
- Money Back If 2nd – on daily UK and Irish horse racing
- Lucky 15/31/63 Boosts – up to 5x the odds if only one horse wins
These reload offers are especially rewarding for regular football and racing bettors, and they’re easy to find via the promotions tab on the site or app.
While the selection of promos isn’t quite as broad as what you’ll find at newer, bonus-heavy sportsbooks, Betfred remains one of the most consistent providers of recurring value.
Not signed up yet?
Claim the “Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets” promotion with Betfred today:
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Is The Signup Bonus Worth It?
To claim the signup promotion, simply click the link above. Based on our calculations, the offer provides an estimated £29.57 in value — placing it well above the average welcome bonus.
Keep in mind, though, this is only an approximation. There’s still a risk of losing your qualifying bet, and the final return will vary depending on the outcome of your selections.
How was this bonus valued?
This bonus was mathematically valued using an “average case” scenario, based on a few key assumptions:
- The odds collected in the previous section are considered representative of the overall value the betting site offers.
- Qualifying bets are assumed to be placed at the minimum required odds for the promotion (2.0) to minimise risk.
- Free bets are assumed to be placed at decimal odds of 3.5, reflecting outcomes with a moderate level of risk.
These assumptions are consistently applied across all betting site reviews on Punter2Pro, ensuring that free bets and promotions are evaluated fairly and comparably.
By using this method, we can clearly identify promotions that offer real value, as well as those where a typical bettor is unlikely to gain an advantage.
5. Payment Options
Betfred supports 7 widely used payment methods for deposits and withdrawals — covering around 18% of all recognised options assessed in our bookmaker reviews. This is a modest range which includes all the core methods most users rely on.
Notably, Betfred also allows users to deposit and withdraw funds directly at its high street shops, offering a level of flexibility few online bookmakers provide.
However, Betfred does not currently support Google Pay, Apple Pay, or cryptocurrency, and lesser-known wallets like Payz and MuchBetter are also excluded. While this won’t affect most UK users, it slightly limits convenience for those with more niche preferences.
Popular Methods Supported
All Available Methods (A-Z)
- Apple Pay
- Astropay
- Bank Transfer
- Boku
- Boleto
- Cash
- Citizen
- CashToCode
- Diners Club
- eCheck
- ecoPayz
- Entropay
- EPS
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- iDebit
- InstaDebit
- Interac
- MasterCard
- MuchBetter
- Neosurf
- Neteller
- Nordea
- Pay4Fun
- PayPal
- Paysafecard
- QIWI
- Rapid Transfer
- Skrill
- Sofort
- Solo
- Todito Cash
6. Withdrawal Speed
Withdrawals at Betfred typically take between 3 and 4 working days — placing it 52% slower than the average withdrawal time recorded across bookmakers on this site.
While major methods like PayPal and Visa are supported, none offer instant or same-day withdrawals, and bank transfers may take up to 7 days. There are no fees, but the processing speed lags behind faster competitors.
This is a key area for improvement, especially as faster payouts have become standard at many top-tier bookmakers.
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time | Minimum | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bank Transfer | 3 - 7 days | £25 | Free |
 Visa | 3 day(s) | £5 | Free |
 Mastercard | 3 day(s) | £5 | Free |
 PayPal | 3 day(s) | £5 | Free |
 Skrill | 3 day(s) | £5 | Free |
 Neteller | 3 day(s) | £5 | Free |
How is withdrawal speed graded?
The rating for this section is based on a combination of factors, including:
- The bookmaker’s officially stated withdrawal times, assuming all Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements are successfully completed.
- The average withdrawal times reported by real customers based on their actual experiences.
I strive to collect sufficient data to provide accurate estimates of withdrawal speeds for different payment methods. If there isn’t enough information for a specific method, it is excluded from the analysis and does not affect the overall rating.
7. Features
Betfred includes a comprehensive set of features that enhance both usability and engagement across its platform. These tools are well-established and regularly updated to reflect changing user needs.
Cash Out is available on a wide range of singles and multiples, with both full and partial options supported. While auto Cash Out is not currently offered, partial Cash Out allows users to manage risk mid-event by locking in part of their returns while leaving the remainder active.
Bet Builder allows up to ten selections within the same event and is particularly useful for football matches. It supports small stakes and has generous payout limits, giving users flexibility in building customised bets.
Betfred’s Request a Bet feature is accessible via the #PickYourPunt tag on social media, allowing users to request odds on specific combinations not listed on site. Once approved, these are added to the specials section.
Live streaming, initially focused on horse and greyhound racing, now includes football, tennis, and table tennis. This complements an in-play platform that displays live scores, team news, and match stats to support real-time betting decisions.
Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, email, and phone, ensuring that users can quickly resolve queries related to accounts, payments, or promotions.
Sports Betting
Features that enhance the sports betting experience. These count more towards the score for this section than 'Customer Support' features.
Customer Support
Features that enable customers to seek assistance quickly and effectively. These count less towards the score for this section than 'Sports Betting' features.
- Live Chat
- Phone Support
- Email Support
- 24/7 Support
- Phone Support
8. User Interface
Evaluating Betfred’s user interface means looking at both mobile and desktop performance — and while each is functional in its own right, the mobile experience holds slightly more influence on the overall rating due to the increasing number of users betting via app.
-
Mobile
-
Desktop
The Betfred app is clean and functional, but it doesn’t quite reach the standards set by top-tier bookmakers. Its blue-and-white colour scheme is easy on the eye, and fonts are well-sized for general readability. However, interface elements are often small, which makes navigation less fluid on compact screens.
Getting to a specific market can be unnecessarily fiddly. For example, selecting “Football” requires tapping through to a league, then “Matches,” followed by scrolling to find the game — a process that would benefit from a universal search bar, which is currently missing.
Supplementary content like team stats and match data is useful but can be slow to load, especially during in-play events.
Overall, the mobile experience is decent, but a few minor usability issues stop it from being among the best.
| Mobile Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
The desktop version is more polished. Navigation is quick, menus are clearly structured, and the overall layout supports fast access to popular sports, bet types, and live markets. Pages load reliably, and core functions like bet placement and odds comparison are straightforward.
Although the design is relatively traditional, it works well for regular betting activity. Everything is laid out logically, and there’s little need for additional clicks or searching.
Compared to the app, the desktop site delivers a smoother and slightly more efficient experience.
| Desktop Ratings |
|---|
| Content |
| Navigation |
| Aesthetics |
9. Fund Protection & Security
Another consideration is the level of fund protection offered by Betfred and the safety of your money.
Betfred holds a ‘Zero’ fund protection rating under the UK Gambling Commission’s insolvency framework, meaning customer funds are kept separate but not ring-fenced. In the event of insolvency, these funds would be treated as company assets — a surprising and disappointing situation for such a prominent UK operator.
Betfred's Financial Outlook
Financial health also matters. In the year to 1 October 2023 (the 2024 tax year), Betfred swung from a previous £19.6 million pre-tax profit into a pre-tax loss of £71.7 million, driven by rising costs and one-off charges . Turnover did reach nearly £908 million, with significant growth in online revenue, but was insufficient to offset the fall into the red.
As of mid‑2025, no updated 2025 financial results have been published. Companies House filings typically cover up to late 2023, with next reports expected in late 2025.
Dormant Account Fees
Here’s the positive: Betfred does not charge a fee on dormant accounts — which is uncommon among major operators and benefits inactive users.
Overall, the combination of no fund protection and a significant recent operating loss underlines a higher potential risk — especially for high-stakes users or those prioritising financial security.
How accurate are these profit figures?
I have thoroughly researched the pre-tax profits of the gambling companies featured in my reviews; however, I cannot guarantee complete accuracy.
The gambling industry’s corporate structures are often complex, with companies operating through multiple entities across different jurisdictions. This complexity, combined with frequent mergers, acquisitions, and investments, makes it challenging to determine their exact financial performance.
While I aim to provide valuable and well-informed insights, I recommend conducting your own research if precise financial details are important to you.
10. Reputation
Lastly, I looked at Betfred’s reputation by analysing customer satisfaction and the brand’s overall public image.
To do this, I gathered feedback from multiple review platforms and respected gambling communities. Betfred holds an average user rating of 7.17 out of 10, reflecting generally positive sentiment with only occasional complaints — which is typical for sportsbooks of this size.
I also checked for any regulatory issues with the UK Gambling Commission. Betfred has one recorded enforcement action, indicating a breach of licence conditions. While such incidents are not unusual in the industry and have minimal direct impact on customers, it is important to note that the last action did not occur within the last year, so it has no bearing on the rating for this section.
Do any sites have an immaculate reputation?
It’s highly unlikely that any betting site will achieve a perfect score in this section — and for good reason. No operator is without flaws.
Even the most respected and well-established bookmakers have faced their share of criticism and challenges, and I make no effort to overlook these issues.
That said, the gambling industry is evolving positively. With increased regulatory scrutiny and growing societal expectations, companies are being compelled to raise their standards. Many are responding effectively, widening the gap between those that uphold responsible practices and those that fall short.
Hopefully this progress continues, ultimately leading to higher scores in this section and a safer, more enjoyable experience for all bettors.
Learn more: Problems In The Gambling Industry
Final Verdict on Betfred
Betfred earns a total score of 8.4 out of 10, marking it as an excellent bookmaker with clear strengths alongside some areas for improvement.
Betfred has shown resilience in a competitive online betting market. A key highlight is its consistently competitive odds, which stand out as a major advantage.
The operator’s dedication to maintaining its ‘Bonus King’ status is evident through a strong signup offer and ongoing promotions that add real value for players.
That said, fund protection is an area where Betfred lags behind many competitors — a surprising and disappointing shortfall. Additionally, speeding up withdrawal times and refining the app’s responsiveness would greatly enhance the user experience and help Betfred close the gap with its top-tier rivals.
Overall, Betfred remains a solid choice but could benefit from these improvements to strengthen its position as an elite bookmaker.
- Great value signup bonus
- Competitive odds for many sports
- Wide range of modern betting features
- Various gambling products available
- Need for better fund protection
- Average withdrawal time
Excellent
Betfred FAQ
Betfred, initially as betting shops, was established in September 1967 by ‘Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited.’
Yes, Betfred distinguishes itself by offering physical shops, often found on high streets, in addition to its online platform.
Betfred offers betting markets on 25+ sports, including football, horse racing, tennis, basketball, cricket, and many more. Football coverage is particularly extensive, with a wide range of markets for each match, such as full-time results, correct scores, player stats, and corners.
Betfred provides competitive odds, especially in football and horse racing markets. In a reandom, Betfred’s odds were close to exchange pricing, reflecting a relatively low bookmaker margin and good value for bettors.
Betfred is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, and Irish authorities, adhering to standard security protocols such as SSL encryption and KYC checks.
However, Betfred does not ring-fence customer funds, which means in the unlikely event of insolvency, customer money may not be fully protected.
Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, email, and telephone, providing quick assistance for account queries, payments, or technical issues.
8.7 / 10
8.7 / 10
6.2 / 10
7.2 / 10
8.7 / 10
6.0 / 10
7.3 / 10
6.1 / 10
6.8 / 10
7.4 / 10
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