Overview
Betfair is one of the biggest names in betting, having been online since 2006 (albeit established way back in 1999). The brand enjoys mainstream recognition in the UK, with more than 3 million registered players regularly signing in to get their piece of the action.
Of course, Betfair is also hugely prominent in sports betting, with a reputation for offering great odds across a huge range of markets, not to mention prominent sponsorships with Arsenal FC and Barcelona FC. But how does their casino offering stack up against the competition?
Claim BonusPros & Cons
- Reputable brand, established 1999
- Very high payouts, at 98.2% average across all games
- Decent games selection, including live dealer games
- Zero Lounge, for no house edge games
- Latest version of Playtech software
- No eCogra certification
- Limited quantity of games
- Strict bonus terms
Welcome Bonus and Special Offers
There are not one, but two bonus offers available for new customers checking out Betfair Casino. The first comes in the form of a straight free spins bonus, with 30 available for new accounts. These are released in batches of 10 per day over 3 consecutive days, and are only eligible for selected slots (more details about specific games can be found in the bonus terms and conditions).
One thing that’s good about this welcome bonus is that there is no wagering requirement – these are straight free spins, so anything you win on your freebies is yours to keep. There are some fair play restrictions, and your spins will expire at midnight if you haven’t used them up each day, but this is a pretty decent incentive to kick off your playing time at Betfair Casino.
The second bonus that’s available takes on a more traditional form – it’s a 200% deposit match bonus up to £400. The bonus kicks in on deposits of upwards of £20, and also comes with 100 free spins, to be claimed on an apportioned daily basis. There’s a 35x wagering requirement to contend with, and awkwardly deposits from ewallets are not eligible for this bonus, so you need to make deposit by credit or debit card in order to qualify. However, once you’ve tackled these, and the other various restrictions in the terms and conditions, this is actually a pretty decent bonus to work with.
There’s even another bonus offer for new players to the live roulette scene, with 50% up to £200 and five free chips available for qualifying accounts. Broadly similar terms apply as with the other bonuses, except there’s a 40x wager multiple on the bonus. But when you factor in that roulette generally counts at a lesser wagering contribution than, say, slots, this higher wagering requirement represents better value than the headline number might suggest.
In total, across these three bonuses, Betfair offers new players a wide range of choice when accepting their welcome bonus. It’s up to you to work out which is best for your casino gaming, but broadly all three are decent enough bonuses to kickstart your account.
Promotions
Betfair runs regular promotions throughout the year, which are constantly updated through the Promotions tab on the main navigation bar. These also contain the welcome bonuses, which make up the bulk of the promotions available at the time of writing, but these are subject to change and do regularly include other bonuses and promotions.
Loyal players can also become eligible for the Betfair VIP Club. This is the main loyalty programme at Betfair, and rewards their best players with a range of benefits. At the top end, you can even expect the full VIP treatment, with overseas trips, relaxing spa days, free gadgets, and a huge range of other perks, in recognition of your loyalty.
Software and Games
Betfair Casino benefits from a clear, intuitive layout, which makes it easy to find your way between different games and different sections of the site. From the second you land on their casino page, it becomes obvious that Betfair are going big on their live games, and with good reason – they have a comprehensive selection covering all of the big live dealer games, streaming HD-quality live games to players from around the world.
Betfair is predominantly powered by Playtech software, although there are contributions from a range of other developers on a piece by piece basis. As one of the biggest, most respected games developers in the industry, this means you’ll find a whole host of your favourite slots games appearing at Betfair, including Age of the Gods: King of Olympus, and the ever-popular Gladiator.
For a brand of this size, this leads to a relatively limited selection of games. There are still hundreds across all the key game verticals, but it’s missing the same breadth of choice provided by other casinos with multiple software licensing deals in place.
In terms of the games themselves, Betfair is home to a large collection of slots, progressive (or jackpot) slots, video poker, table game classics and more. There’s no shortage of choice, and pretty much most of what you’re looking for is represented – it’s just that at a couple of hundred games, there are casinos out there with more to offer.
Mobile Casino
Mobile gaming fans will be anything other than disappointed with what’s on offer at Betfair. Amongst the big casino brands, Betfair’s offering is arguably one of the most comprehensive, with several options available for your convenience. Firstly, there are apps available for iOS and Android players, offering an all-encompassing experience on your device. Download links, plus QR codes are available from Betfair’s mobile page, making it even easier to find and install the apps on your device.
The apps are both incredibly well designed, and are the easiest way to access your Betfair Casino account on a smartphone or tablet. The navigation is intuitive, the games quick to load, and in general, it’s a playing experience that more than rivals any other we’ve seen on mobile.
There’s also a link to the instant play mobile casino, where you can access your Betfair Casino account through your device browser – perfect for those who don’t want to download the app, or who just want to get straight to the action on mobile.
Deposit and Withdrawal
Betfair supports a wide range of payment methods, both on the deposit and withdrawal sides of the transaction. There’s also PayPal available, which is always a nice touch, alongside the usual slew of credit and debit cards and ewallets.
Pending time for withdrawals is usually in the region of 48-72 hours, and beyond that, you’re looking at 0-24 hours for ewallet cashouts. The withdrawal limit stands at a huge £500,000 per day – though if you’re hitting that, chances are you might not be too bothered how long it takes to receive your winnings.
Security & Trustworthiness
One area where Betfair leaves customers in no doubt is security and trustworthiness. This is a solid casino, backed by an even more established sportsbook, and from the very get go, you know Betfair is a brand you can trust. Their high profile TV advertisements and sports sponsorship only serve to shore up the reputation of this brand, and with millions of customers regularly betting at Betfair, you know you’re in good company whenever you decide to play here.
Betfair lacks eCogra certification, which is a little surprising for such a prominent casino brand, but that does nothing to detract from the integrity of their reputation. For players in the UK, Betfair is regulated by the Gambling Commission, one of the most stringent regulatory authorities in the world, ensuring fair play and compliance with all applicable regulations.
Beyond these shores, Betfair Casino is also regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority for players outwith the UK, and this dual regulation means there are plenty of eyes on Betfair at all times. This is firmly a good thing from a trust point of view, and only goes to confirm what you already knew about Betfair’s integrity.
Payments are fully encrypted, and the Betfair Casino site relies on industry-leading SSL encryption to completely protect against external fraud risks. When you factor in that payments are made through independently secured contractors, and that the site is underwritten by Norton Verisign, this is as robust a casino in terms of security as you’re likely to find.
It would be uncommon for a large casino with millions of customers not to have a few complaints to their name, and Betfair is no exception. Of course, it’s always those who feel most aggrieved that leave vocal feedback online, and while there are a few reports of players falling foul of the terms and conditions, your dealings with Betfair will most likely be fair, open and transparent – there’s a reason so many players choose to play here on a regular basis, versus the competition.
Customer Support
Customer support is on hand whenever you need them, and you won’t have any problems reaching out to a member of the support team. Live chat is available through the site, which is generally the most convenient way to get help. Beyond that, there’s also the option to reach out on Facebook or Twitter, or to pick up the phone for support 24/7.
Conclusion
Betfair are one of the true titans of the gambling industry, and it’s not by accident that they find themselves on top of the pile. Their award-winning casino platform offers a decent selection of games from one of the world’s best casino software developers, alongside an ample collection of live games to offer something a bit different.
Their website is easy to navigate, and fully secured against external risks to your details. Furthermore, with an appetising welcome bonus, and plenty of ongoing promotions, there’s something for everyone at Betfair Casino.
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