Betfair Review: The Best For In-Play

It’s easy to see why Betfair has gained such massive popularity. The ability to lay a bet on the betting exchange, in addition to the enticing welcome offer, makes the operator one of the most engaging and easy to use websites for online betting.

The Ideal Betting Platform

Betfair’s platform is a little different to other betting sites such as Ladbrokes and Bet365, as it has not only the traditional sportsbook but the betting exchange as well. Nevertheless, both platforms are intuitively made and are remarkably easy to navigate. The flexibility of moving between both platforms is what makes Betfair stand out amongst a crowded market.

The sportsbook lists the most popular leagues on the left, while the day’s sports are listed in the middle. Then the best offers, usually with regards to the football, are available on the right side. The betting exchange is more comprehensive, offering an A-Z of different sports on the left, as well as in-play sports in the middle.

Betfair Exchange: In-Play and Cash Out

As mentioned before, Betfair is one of the best operators when it comes to the In-Play and Cash Out feature. As the inventors of the feature, they have it honed down to a perfect art. It’s simple to use: simply click the In-Play feature on the top left of your screen to gain access to all the in-play markets.

Yet it is the cash out option which makes in-play betting exciting, giving you the option of when you want to end your bet. It means that if you think your bet will lose, you can still take a part of your money out in order to cut your losses, but if you are winning and don’t think you will be for long, you can take a smaller return of the money and run.

However, the real reason you may want to pick Betfair is due to its Betting Exchange. This is something that makes it quite unique amongst popular British betting sites. Allowing you to find better odds and to hedge your bets against other players, it expands the markets available and helps the punter to find extra value at any given opportunity. Due to this exchange it remains one of the best platforms for expert betters.

Betfair Offers: The Different Markets

While Betfair certainly doesn’t have the immense range that Bet365 has, it still offers a reasonable amount of markets to bet on. Take a look at the options available courtesy of the table below.

There are thirty sports markets available on the website, with football by far the biggest. On special days, they run enhanced odds on important football matches such as the Champions League and local derbies. The value here is hard to match anywhere else. In addition to the usual sports markets, Betfair also offers the viewer the opportunity to bet on widely contested events such as the outcome of the UK General Election. Tradefair allows the client to bet on the financial markets while the Betfair Predicts platform allows viewers to see who they think will be the next winner of anything from Eurovision to the American presidency.

Can I Livestream Sporting Events?

With over 3,500 events available to be streamed each year, the live video capabilities are pretty good. All sport streams can be viewed for free, with the exception of British, Irish and UAE Horse Racing, which require a bet of at least 50p to access. For football streaming, your account should be positive, at least 50p, before you are able to view it for free. Nonetheless, when it comes to the actual television platform, Betfair’s remains easy to access. Available TV events can be seen by the small TV symbol next to them.

However, with the exception of horse and greyhound racing, the range of events available to stream rarely match the selection of Coral.

Betfair Mobile: An Easy to Use App

This operator prides itself on the simplicity of its mobile app. Allowing you to place and follow bets while you’re in the pub, at work, or from the comfort of your own home, Betfair Mobile has made betting easier than ever. Compatible on iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile, the app gives the user access to in-play betting and live video. Additionally, there are extra apps for those wishing to access the casino and the betting exchange, as well as a mobile-friendly platform on the web for users of non-compatible phones.

You’ll be pleased to know that all the payment methods the web browser offers are also available on the app. However, when looking across the market, there are relatively few offers that make the mobile app stand out. However, all other operators we review on our website work great on your phone.

Payment Methods Available

It is hard to complain when it comes to the payment methods Betfair offers. As well as accepting the standard methods of payment such as Visa, Mastercard and Maestro, the site also allows you to deposit and withdraw money using Paypal, Delta, Solo, Neteller and Skrill. The table below shows you the minimum and maximum amounts available across payment methods, as well as their respective waiting times.

Please note that the deposit method you choose is automatically set as the default withdrawal method.

Are My Deposits Secure?

All your deposits are completely secure when you bet with Betfair. They have ISO 27001 certification, which is considered the gold standard for keeping information secure. When you deposit, all your information is encrypted, meaning that only your computer can access them. In addition, all servers are protected by biometric precautions, guards and even cameras, making it especially hard for anyone to steal your data.

Bonuses and Welcome Offers

Betfair have a very generous welcome offer, with a £100 in free bets available. This £100 bet is split up into 5 x £20 bets. This may seem like a lot work, but in fact it allows the player to build their money up over a long while. Additionally, unlike bonuses that put funds into your account, it is almost completely unburdened by minimum odds requirements, rollovers and minimum wagers. This gives the punter better value when it comes to choosing his stake.

Nevertheless, when comparing it with other betting sites bonuses, Betfair doesn’t offer the full range of promotions that we have come to expect. This is due to its betting exchange, leading the company to claim they can offer the best odds on the market in comparison to anyone else. So, while the odds are on average 20% higher than anywhere else, there isn’t much by way of promotions. One promotion the online bookmaker does offer is Double Winnings On Correct Score Bets, where a £10 maximum stake can be put on at halftime with the potential to double your overall winnings. Sadly, this isn’t available during all football games, but only the ones available upon the bookie’s choosing.

How To Claim The Welcome Offer

Claiming the welcome offer with Betfair is simple. First, you have to open an account, using the bonus code they offer you. If you don’t use the bonus code, then you are not able to claim the offer. By the time you have properly registered an account, you can activate the bonus by wagering 5 bets of £10. It is worth noting that Skrill and Neteller deposits are not accepted when it comes to claiming this offer. By using the correct payment method, deposit your funds and place 5 £10 bets with odds of at least 1/5. After you have placed these bets, you should get your bonus within the next 24 hours.

Customer Support and Safety

Betfair are committed to supporting their customers. You can contact them over live chat, phone, email, or if you are very old-school, by letter. In order to make this process quicker for their users, they have an extended FAQ section you can use as a reference point. With regards to safety, they have implemented a stringent know your customer service, and are part of the Independent Adjudication Service.

Conclusion

After reviewing all the most important features for an online bookmaker, we conclude that Betfair is something quite special. It is almost unique among big operators in that it offers both a sportsbook and a betting exchange, making it one of the best options out there for in-play betting. With livestreams available and mobile betting to boot, there has never been a better time to sign-up and get an account. For the best betting exchange around, join today and claim your bonus now!

FAQ’s

• How can I use my free bet? Get your free bets by depositing money into your account. Then when you make a wager, the free bet will be deposited in your account within the next twenty four hours.

• How can I withdraw my welcome bonus? Withdraw your welcome bonus by betting with the money gained from your free bets. Once your winnings come through from these bets, you can withdraw it by using the same methods as a traditional withdrawal.

• How do I make a deposit? Make a deposit by signing in with your username and password before clicking the “Deposit” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen. You will then be directed to a page where you can deposit your money using your preferred payment method.