Betfair
Betfair: An almost perfect esports betting siteThe Betfair sportsbook is a great place for people to engage in esports betting. The variety of esports is good, and the site is generally an excellent option for betting fans. Read our Betfair review to see exactly what we loved about the site and what bits we thought could be improved.
Betfair offers all major esports, as well as some not found at competitor sites.
Betfair offers a good betting market variety, but it would be nice to see some options specific to individual esports.
Betfair has great value odds, which are potentially better than a lot of its competitors.
The Betfair support is good, but there are only a couple of options available.
The Betfair site is very user-friendly, but there are a couple of things on the site that could be made clearer and easier to access.
The Betfair site is very secure, and players can rest assured that their funds and data are both safe.
Betfair is an incredibly popular traditional sports betting site, but it would be nice to see more people engage in Betfair esports betting.
Betfair has a legal UK Gambling Licence.
The Betfair site has a lot of good attributes. This includes a fantastic range of esports - some not offered by many of its competitors - and a good selection of payment methods. We also liked Betfair's bonuses and promotions, which change regularly depending on which events are taking place. Admittedly, there is a lack of betting market variety on esports, and too few options for customer support and no cryptocurrencies on offer, but these issues aren't enough to take away from Betfair's position at the forefront of the esports betting industry.
18+ | Play Responsibly | Begambleaware.org
Registration Bonus to new UK Customers Only | Must bet £10 in total | Min odds 1.5 | £30 credited as bonus.
The Pros
- Great selection of esports available
- Good range of payment methods
- Excellent, constantly changing bonuses
The Cons
- Lack of betting market variety for esports
- No cryptocurrencies available
- Lack of customer support options
Betfair Review
Betfair is one of the UK’s oldest and most popular sports – and now esports – betting sites. Created in 2000, Betfair has now been looking after bettors for well over two decades. In our detailed Betfair esports review, we’ve taken a look at everything that makes Betfair so great, including both the esports and non-esports aspects of the site.
We made sure to thoroughly test every aspect of the site, including:
- Registration
- Deposits
- Bonuses
- Placing an esports bet
- Withdrawals
- Customer support
Guides you will find as part of our Betfair Review
Betfair Sign Up Offer: What is Available to New Players?
For esports fans interested in claiming a welcome bonus before they start betting, Betfair has a generous offer available to new players. To find Betfair’s promotions, make sure you’re on the ‘Sportsbook’ section of the site, and then click ‘Promotions’ from the navigation bar at the top of the site.
Esports bettors will want to claim the Betfair sign up bonus, which provides players with £30 in free bets when they bet £10 on the Betfair sportsbook (which includes esports!). There are plenty of other Betfair bonuses available, all of which we’ve covered extensively in a separate review.
Excellent bonuses available, including a specific Betfair esports bonus |
|---|
The bonuses available at Betfair are excellent. In particular, the main welcome bonus, which can be used on esports, is very generous, especially compared to a lot of other UK-based esports betting sites. Betfair is very good at offering regular, event-specific promotions, which we always love to see. Betfair is definitely a site that players should check back on regularly to make sure they’re accessing the most recent promotions. |
Register a New Account With Betfair to Get Started
To start betting on some of the esports that Betfair offers, it’s important that prospective bettors understand how to register on Betfair for an account. To do so, click the ‘Join Now’ button at the top of the Betfair site, add in your personal details and a promotional code, and click ‘Join Now’ again.
Because Betfair follows the necessary Know Your Customer checks, you may be required to validate your identity. Betfair may request any of the following documents:
- Photo Identification (passport, driving licence, etc.)
- Credit or debit card
- Utility bill
|
Simple registration to help you start betting more quickly! |
|---|
We had no complaints with Betfair’s registration process. Helpfully, everything you need to include when creating an account can be found on one page. Betfair also asks its new customers to set a deposit limit before they start playing, which is a nice touch and shows that they take their responsible gambling duties seriously. Add a bonus code here as well to claim the generous Betfair welcome bonus. |
Betfair Payment Methods
Betfair goes above-and-beyond with its payment method selection. Players can find all the usual suspects, as well as some options that many UK esports betting sites don’t offer. Maximum deposits are more than reasonable, and Betfair doesn’t charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals, which is always great to see.
| Payment Method | Minimum Deposit | Maximum Deposit | Deposit Process Time | Withdrawal Process Time | Fee | Type | Other |
| VISA | £5 | £5,000 | 2-5 working days | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| MasterCard | £5 | £5,000 | 2-5 working days | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| Apple Pay | £5 | £99,000 | 2-3 working days | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| Neteller | £12 | £32,500 | 1-4 hours | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| Skrill | £10 | £32,500 | 1-4 hours | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| MuchBetter | £10 | £20,000 | Up to 24 hours | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| paysafecard | £5 | £400 | 2-3 working days | 2-5 working days | N/A | Can’t be used to make withdrawals | |
| RapidTransfer | £10 | £4,000 | 1-5 working days | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| Bank Transfer | £10 | Depends on bank | 1-4 hours | 2-5 working days | N/A | ||
| PayPal | £10 | £6,000 | 2-5 working days | 2-5 working days | N/A |
More payment methods than most competitor betting sites |
|---|
Betfair offers players a huge range of options with regards to deposits and withdrawals. From the classics, such as VISA and ApplePay, to some more adventurous options like RapidTransfer and paysafecard, most players should find an option to suit them. Processing times are a little slower here than some competitors, but deposits are quick and there is a healthy maximum deposit limit, which more than makes up for it. |
Cryptocurrency Available at Betfair
There are currently no cryptocurrencies available at Betfair. Although disappointing, it’s not something offered by many UK esports betting sites, and therefore doesn’t work against Betfair.
Learn How to Make Your First Betfair Deposit
Once you’ve made an account and chosen your preferred payment method, you’ll need to know how to make a deposit on Betfair. The process is easy: login, click ‘Deposit’ at the top of the site, choose your payment method and decide how much you want to deposit. Add the necessary details for your payment method of choice and click ‘Deposit’ again. It’s that simple!
|
A simple depositing process with no unpleasant surprises |
|---|
Betfair’s depositing process is as simple as they come. The process is very intuitive, and even inexperienced bettors should have no major issues here. We particularly liked how much information Betfair shows players about their chosen payment method, including the minimum deposit, processing time and any fees. |
What Esports Games Does Betfair Offer?
Esports betting is really where Betfair comes into its own. With a fantastic range of games on offer, including some of the most popular esports and some up-and-comers, players could do a lot worse than betting on esports with Betfair.
-
Counter-Strike 2
-
Defense of the Ancients
-
FIFA 22
-
Arena Of Valor
-
League of Legends
-
StarCraft II
Betfair CS:GO Betting
Betfair has an excellent offering when it comes to CS:GO betting. Players can bet on almost every competition, including the IEM Katowice Major, BLAST Premier events and the Challenger League.
Betfair League of Legends Betting
Being one of the most popular esports in the world, it’s hardly surprising that the Betfair LoL betting selection is a good one. From region specific events, to Challengers league, to off-season events and the World Championships, Betfair doesn’t hold back with its League of Legends betting options.
Betfair DOTA Betting
Betfair offers DOTA betting to its players, although the range of events that the betting site covers is somewhat limited. At the time of writing, Betfair has no minor events available for players to bet on, but the site does offer major tournaments, including The International.
Betfair FIFA Betting
Players can engage in FIFA betting on Betfair. This includes most major leagues and tournaments, including the FIFA eWorld Cup, as well as some smaller-scale events that big FIFA fans will be interested in.
Betfair Overwatch Betting
Betfair offers players the opportunity to place bets on Overwatch 2. Betfair closely follows the Overwatch League and allows betting on every aspect of the regular season, as well as playoffs and one-off invitationals.
Betfair CoD Betting
Betfair Call of Duty betting is one of the best options available on the site. From all Call of Duty League majors, the playoffs and the 2023 CDL championships, players should have more than enough to choose from here.
What Esports Wagers and Esports Bets are Available at Betfair?
With so many esports to choose from, it’s really important that Betfair’s range of esports betting markets is up to scratch. With both live and pre-match betting available, as well as Betfair’s unique ‘Exchange’ system – in which players can place bets against one another, rather than against Betfair – there are several major options for players to choose from.
Betfair Esports Betting Markets
Players can choose from a good selection of esports betting markets on Betfair. This includes traditional sports bets, such as accumulators and outright winner bets, as well as some specific to esports. Betting markets vary depending on the esport in question, but players can expect to find some of the following:
- Handicap betting
- Map [X] winner
- Total maps
- Correct score
Betfair doesn’t offer some markets seen at some of its competitors, and there aren’t many betting options for individual esports. For example, there are no CS:GO-specific bets, such as pistol round 1 winner.
Betfair Esports Betting Odds
The Betfair esports odds are really very good, and is another area in which the site compares very well to its competitors. The site’s VIG percentage is between 7-9%, on average, which is slightly lower than industry standard. The vigorish demonstrates the average commission that Betfair are taking from their events, so the lower the percentage, the better.
Outside of that, players can choose to display the site’s odds as either a fraction or a decimal.
Placing an Esports Bet on Betfair: How Does it Work?
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll then need to understand how to place an esports bet on Betfair. To do so, find the esports event that you want to bet on and select a betting market. Decide which outcome you believe is the most likely and click on the odds to add them directly to your betting slip. With the funds that you should have already deposited, add a stake and click ‘Place Bet’.
Placing an esports bet is simple – assuming you can find the esports section! |
|---|
The process of placing a bet on Betfair is fairly straightforward, and is not dissimilar to any other UK-based betting sites. However, the actual ‘Esports’ section is fairly well hidden, which we aren’t the biggest fan of. |
Learn How to Withdraw Money From Betfair
With any luck, you’ll have some success with the esports bets that you place. If so, you’ll need to understand how to withdraw money from Betfair. Thankfully, this process is simple, much like everything else on the Betfair site! To get started, click ‘Withdraw’, choose which withdrawal method you would like to use, add the relevant details and then click ‘Withdraw’ again. Now it’s just a case of waiting!
|
No hassles withdrawing funds with Betfair |
|---|
Betfair makes the withdrawal process as simple as possible. With an incredibly low minimum withdrawal amount, players should have no issues removing their funds from their account. The withdrawal page could potentially be a little difficult to find, but otherwise, we were pleasantly surprised with the overall process. |
Betfair Customer Support
For those that need additional support from Betfair, the site offers a couple of options. Alongside a responsive live chat and helpful Twitter support staff, players should be well-supported with any issues. For the live chat, it’s worth noting that players will need to specify that they’d like to speak to a human advisor.
| Contact | Average Answer Time | |
| No | N/A | |
| Phone | No | N/A |
| Discord | No | N/A |
| Live Chat | Yes | Immediate |
| @BetfairCS | 1-3 days | |
| No | N/A |
Languages Supported: English (Irish and UK), German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Finish, Norwegian and Hungarian
Help Centre: Betfair operates an extensive help centre, which should provide answers to most questions.
Additional Resources: Players can take advantage of a range of FAQs found in the Betfair help centre.
Betfair Usability and User Experience
The Betfair site is relatively easy to use. The site’s design feels a little simplistic and lacks some of the personality of Betfair’s competitors, but it is perfectly functional. The orange, black and white design is neither impressive nor offensive. The esports section of the site is hidden away slightly, as is the withdrawal page and the help centre.
Betfair on Mobile
Betfair prides itself on its mobile offering, both for Android and iOS devices. Players can either download the Betfair app, or access the site through the web browser of their mobile device. There are actually two apps available: the sportsbook app and the exchange app.
Betfair Android App
The Betfair Android app is a good option for fans of mobile betting. The app lacks some of the features of Betfair’s competitors, but it runs smoothly and offers players a similar experience to the desktop version of the site.
Betfair iOS App
The Betfair iOS app is slightly nicer than its Android counterpart, which is perhaps why it has a slightly higher average rating on the App Store than the Google Play Store. Players can find everything they need on their Apple device with the Betfair esports app.
|
Good mobile betting options, but there’s no need for two apps! |
|---|
Betfair’s mobile offering is good, with players able to access the site through the Play Store and the App Store. The mobile app is clear and functional, much like the desktop version, although the iOS app is arguably slightly nicer to use. Betfair offers users two apps: the exchange app and the sportsbook app. Personally, we would have liked to see these combined, like they are on the desktop version. |
Betfair Licensing, Safety and Trustworthiness
Betfair is one of the longest-standing and most reputable esports betting sites in the UK. As a result, the site has to jump through a number of hoops to make sure it continues to keep its players safe. Below, we’ll list all of the site’s licences and some of the key features that make Betfair a trustworthy option for esports bettors.
Betfair: Full List of Licences
- Gambling Commission of Great Britain: 39439, 39435, 39561 and 39426
- Malta Gaming Authority: MGC/CRP/131/2006
What Makes Betfair Safe?
Betfair is an incredibly safe site that adheres to the regulations implemented by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain. This includes:
- Know Your Customer (KYC) checks
- Keeping funds safe
- Keeping data protected (GDPR)
- Offering fair odds
Betfair makes finding any legal information on their site really simple, and bonus terms are clearly laid out. Betfair leaves no room for misinterpretation with any of their legal and technical information, which is great to see.
Betfair: A Top Esports Betting Site in the UK
Betting on esports with Betfair is a great option for UK players. The site is reputable, trustworthy and has a fantastic range of different esports available. We would have liked to see slightly more varied betting markets available, and perhaps the site needs a little redesign, but overall we were really impressed with what the site has to offer. If you want to learn more about Betfair, check out this page.
FAQs
Does Betfair offer esports betting?
Betfair does offer esports betting. In fact, Betfair’s esports offering is very good, with a huge range of games available. This includes Call of Duty, League of Legends, Valorant, CS:GO, and others.
Will Betfair ban you for winning?
Betfair will not ban you for winning, unless it considers you to have done so unfairly. All of Betfair’s odds are fair, and its casino games are random, so players all have an even chance of winning.
Are Betfair’s esports odds good?
Betfair’s esports odds are very good, as are the odds on traditional sports. With a VIG percentage between 7% and 9%, players can rest assured that they’re getting good value for money. With the Betfair Exchange as well, players can set their own odds against other players, which could be a great option for confident and knowledgeable esports bettors.
Is Betfair legit?
Betfair is very legitimate. It is licensed by some of the most reputable governing bodies in the iGaming industry, and has all the necessary features to help keep players safe. Players can place esports bets with Betfair knowing that their funds and data are both safe.
Does Betfair have a mobile app?
Betfair actually offers two mobile apps, both of which can be found on the App Store and the Play Store. Players can download the sportsbook and the Exchange app, depending on which they prefer. The apps offer the same betting experience as the desktop version of the site, which is great to see. Both apps are free.
Does Betfair offer cashback?
Betfair does not currently offer any cashback promotions. However, this may change in the future, and there are plenty of excellent offers currently available, including some that can be used specifically on esports.
