Betfred Review 2024
Review of Betfred
Last updated: December 05th, 2024
Before proceeding to read our full Betfred review, we want to inform you that this review was performed by our regular Saturday horse racing tips feature columnist, Seymour Biz.
We provided Seymour Biz with a small betting bankroll to fully test Betfred sportsbook offering. All views are his own and he covers 10 key areas of the Betfred platform and also keeping a diary of his betting whilst reviewing the site.
Our aim with this Betfred review is to give our readers a 100% independent appraisal of this newly revamped UK licensed online betting site.
TLDR; Betfred passed our review and was awarded a score of 4.5 points out of 5. Therefore this bookmaker is highly recommended by Seymour Biz. Full review details below...
4.5/5 - Highly Recommended
#Ad - New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via 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 & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.GambleAware
Betfred Review Ratings
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1. Welcome Bonus- Sportsbook
The Sign Up Process
How easy was it to claim the bonus?
#Ad - New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via 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 & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.
As I already have a Betfred account, I didn't need to register one. It was straightforward for me to reopen the old account. I just had to put in my user name and password.
For new customers though, Betfred offers, ‘Bet £10 get £50 in Free Bets". The offer is quite generous as you can get 5 times your first deposit (£30 on horse racing/sports betting plus £20 on accumulators in free bets).
However, you must be careful to follow their guidelines to get the bonus. First, you need to put in the bonus code given BETFRED50 on the promo code box on registration, then make sure you have a SINGLE £10 bet at Evens or better, finally ensure that you adhere to the timescales. That way, your free bets should arrive within 10 hours of settlement. See the terms outlined on this page in multiple areas.
Free bets are great because you do not need to roll over winnings prior to withdrawing.
With a free bet, when you win, you get the winnings paid out bar the free bet stake amount (as it per normal t&cs with all bookies). So if you place £10 free bet and your horse wins at 5/1, you receive £50 into your betfred balance, and can be withdrawn to your bank account or ewallet or whatever payment methods you prefer (full list further down this page).
Terms and Conditions: #Ad - New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via 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 & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. GambleAware
Please make sure that you have your proof of identity and proof of address ready to avoid any hassles.
seymour biz
Please make sure that you have your proof of identity and proof of address ready to avoid any hassles. This is referred to as the KYC process. This means "Know your customer" and is part of the legal requirement for bookmakers to be granted an UK Gambling commission licence. While it may feel like a right pain to do so, it is to help make gambling online safer and to curb fraudulent activity.
You will be required to upload a digital photo of your passport or driving licence, and then a proof of address like a utility bill or a bank statement. Do not worry, they only want to see your home address to confirm it is really you, so you can black out any confidential information on other parts of the letter. You can either scan these documents or else take a photo of them with your smartphone.
Editors Note: Alternative betting sites with higher welcome bonus amounts
- Bet365 (Check Welcome Offer | Bet365 review)
2. Trustworthy Rating
Licensing & Regulation
Can you trust Betfred?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
The Betfred site has a clear About Us page that states it is licensed in Gibraltar and the United Kingdom. It is registered with The Gambling Commission of Great Britain and The Gibraltar Gambling Commission. The page also states that the betfred company was founded in 1967 in Salford where the first shop was opened.
More to this, Betfred sponsors a good number of sports, including horseracing, snooker, soccer, rugby and darts. It is a very well known brand name across all of UK and Ireland.
3. Customer Service
Options Available
Are they contactable?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
There are several ways to contact Betfred customer support. Their site gives some phone numbers from the UK and abroad. You can also e-mail them, but I could not figure out how long it took them to respond.
Also, they have a CHAT line, which I tested by asking, “Could I use my account in France?” I was informed that I was 14th in the queue. After about 20 mins, one of their staff members, going by the name Ben, came on the line and stated that I could not use my account in France.
I then asked whether I could get a bonus as a returning customer, and after waiting for a few minutes (when he probably went to enquire from a supervisor) he came back saying that the regulator would not allow such bonuses to be paid.
4. Markets on Betfred
Variety On Offer
What is their product offering like?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
The new redesign of Betfred sports section has been a big improvement for the brand. While the site has the same brand colours and the like, the ease of using the site has increased dramatically since last time I used it. They have simplified the site so that it does not look too cluttered but still you can click on the sport that interests you the most and find the bet you want without any confusion.
I was pleasantly surprised by the markets and betting options on offer such as the daily price boosts which can be in a host of different markets. They also have a Pick Your Punt section which is easy to use and usually not found on the lesser known bookmakers.
Regarding sports covered on Betfred online site, there is everything you expect from horse racing, football, cricket, greyhounds, formula 1, tennis, boxing, American football, mma/UFC along with a range of lesser known sports such as Australian rules, Gaelic sports and ice hockey.
On Betfred, there are also markets on politics, virtual sports games (virtual football and virtual horse racing) and we cannot forget eSports which is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. You can also use betfred's cash out feature if you like hedging your bets.
Overall a great selection of markets and all easy to find.
5. Odds
Value On Offer
What are the odds like at Betfred?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
I picked a small midweek race meeting at Yarmouth to check the odds offered by Betfred and found the results to be quite disappointing. Out of the seven races, Betfred only offered the equivalent top price for the favourite on two occasions. In the other five races, there were better prices on offer. The results were with Betfred first: 2/1-9/4, 2/1-9/4, 2/1-2/1, 15/8-5/2, 9/4-3/1, 2/1-2/1, 2/1-9/4.
I also picked a couple of rank outsiders, and again Betfred was found wanting. When other places offered 90/1 and 40/1, they offered 80/1 and 33/1. However, on the plus side, you can use betfred best odds guaranteed to ensure you get the maximum value when your fixed bet has returned at a higher price than the one you have taken!
So, I turned to football and checked the price for Liverpool to win the Premier League. Here, Betfred performed much better with odds of 11/8 compared to Hills' 5/4. However, they had 20/1 for Arsenal, while others offered 25/1. Overall, apart from a few exceptions, Betfred was close or matching the market leaders.
Editors Note: Alternative betting site with better rated odds
- Bet365 (Check Welcome Offer | Bet365 review)
6. In-Play Offering
Bet on Live Events
Do they offer in-play betting?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
Some of the Betfred's in-play sports betting include soccer, rugby, darts, snooker among others. I found no problems with the sports betting prices that they offer for in-play betting. However, it is quite difficult to compare prices with other bookmakers as they may change as you toggle between the sites. All in all, the prices seem to be on par with other bookmakers. So if you like betting while the games are on, betfred live offering is up there with the best. They have an easy to use interface which makes betting on popular inplay markets easy for everyone.
7. Regular Promotions
Loyalty & VIP programs
Are Betfred offers available for existing customers?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
The number of promotions depends on the day of the week or what big events are taking place. On the day I wrote this section (random weekday) I could only see a couple of regular promotions. Firstly, there is a 'Free Bet If Second,' which is only on nominated races. On the day I checked, there were 7 races that offered this promotion. One was at a British racecourse and the other six were either foreign or virtual courses.
A somewhat better offer is the Extra Places and on Saturday's and big racing festivals there are are enhanced extra places. This is again on nominated races only, where Betfred pays out on each-way bets for more places than is normal within their rules.
On the day I checked, there were 13 races on offer, several of which were in Ireland and 6 at British racecourses. These extra places come at a price in that, as with other bookmakers, the odds are cut from 1/4 to 1/5.
They do have regular promotions for football called Betfred Double Delight and Hat-trick Heaven where you can double of triple your goalscorer bet. And we cannot forget betfred acca insurance which is a must for any football accumulator bet fan.
There does seem to be a couple of other promotions on Betfred’s Casino site, where they give free spins, depending on how much you wager but I didn't get a chance to look into these.
8. Deposit & Withdrawals
Banking Options
Is There Fast Withdrawals?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
Betfred have a full page on this included in their terms and conditions but basically, the rules for deposits are that they are accepted from Visa Checkout, Neteller, Credit/Debit Cards and Skrill. For the withdrawals, the rules state that they are paid back into the account that credited it in the first place. You must close the "loop" before you can withdraw any extra winnings to another withdrawal method that you choose. All deposit amounts are instant and no fees apply.
Payment Method | Fee | Time | Deposit | Withdrawal | Min | Max |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visa | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5 | - |
Mastercard | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5 | - |
Maestro | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5 | - |
PayPal | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5 | - |
Skrill | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5 | - |
Neteller | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5.50 | - |
Paysafecard | £0 | Instant | Yes | No | £5 | - |
In Shop | £0 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £5 | - |
Bank Transfer | Free over £170 | Instant | Yes | Yes | £85 | - |
Betfred states that withdrawals from their site can take up to 48 hours and must be £5 minimum, which is better than most sites that have a minimum of £10.
9. Mobile Friendly
Navigation on Smartphone
Is it easy to navigate on your mobile phone?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
The odds are also available in decimals and fractions. There is a toggle button at the bottom of the site where you can change between the two.
Betfred works perfectly on android, ios mobile operating systems and I want to emphasis again the interface is simple to use. I used the regular web app (i.e I loaded up the site in google chrome on my android tablet). There are also native apps you can download for android and ios, which you must search for in the Play store (android) or App store (apple).
10. Live Streams
Watch Online
Do Betfred offer live streaming?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
Betfred's Extra Products
Other than sportsbook, what else can you play
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
Betfred Casino
If you like popular casino games like blackjack, roulette, slots and casino games (like Age of Gods and Kingdoms Rise), then you will enjoy the playing experience here. You collect comp points for every time you play casino and you can convert your comp (complimentary) points into cash. Every week there is a "game of the week" and you can earn double comp points. For every 100 comp points, you earn £1 cash. Please check the promotions page in the casino section to see tons more bonus offers.
Betfred Lotto
No need to explain how the lotto works! There are 14 different draws and some draws like Betfred's own "Nifty Fifty" runs multiple times per day, giving an option for everyone's betting style.
Betfred Poker
Betfred poker is part of the Playtech iPoker network which means a busy network of players where tables fill up quickly. There are lots of single table tournament, multi table tournaments and of course cash games to suit every player style.
Betfred Live Casino
Live casino means exactly that. You can play with real life hosts which give you an experience which is closer to matching a real visit to your favourite casino.
Betfred Vegas
This section contains a collection of all your favourite classic casino games and slots.
Betfred Virtual
Betfred Vistual contains 11 different virtual sports games; Dash Horses, Dash Greyhounds, Football, Horse Racing, Motor Racing, Greyhounds, Bingo, Speedway, Darts, Cycling, Tennis. Each virtual sport uses a regulated random number generator to determine the final outcome/result. Each event can be compared to a spin of a wheel.
Bingo
Playing bingo is an oldie but a goodie! Lots of difference games to play with a great variety of promotions for regular players at Betfred.
Totepool
Betfred have teamed up with the tote to offer horse racing fans the ability to get tote pool bets on, and to enter popular tote bets like Jackpots, placepots, scoop6 etc.
Betting Diary - Our Real Betfred User Experience Report
Event - Ascot Champions Day & Cheltenham 2-day festival
The signup process on my return was no problem. I just had to remember my username and password and I was good to go.
I had previously given my bank details on the original signup so they had been remembered by Betfred. I loaded up the account with £30, so I was now ready to bet.
You can contact them by phone, e-mail or their chat system. I tried the latter to see if I could get a returning customer bonus but was turned down as it might upset the regulator.
I was most pleasantly surprised by the format of the site. It was so easy to navigate and understand, and the horseracing site, which was my interest, has not just the runners and riders with form but also a write-up on each horse by the Racing Post.
I re-opened the account on Friday before Champions Day at Ascot as there was racing at Haydock and tried my first bet, a simple 50p ew single on Give It Some Teddy, a horse who was very lucky for me last year. It is also the name of my dog! Unfortunately, Teddy gave it nothing and was unplaced.
Next, I tried the tips from The Racing Post Weekender for Friday. They were Poetic Rhythm, Radjash, Hyperfocus and On My Command. The bet was a 20p e/w Lucky Fifteen.
I had no problem placing the bet. It was so easy to find the different multiple bets but the tips proved pretty useless and were not even placed. So £4 down going into Saturday.
I tried again with an e/w Lucky Fifteen with a 20p stake this time using my own Seymour Biz tips at Ascot’s Champions Day, The Tin Man, Cabaletta, Addeybb, and Alternative Fact. It was nice to have a 9/1 winner with Addeybb but it was nicer to find Betfred pay triple the odds for one winner which meant a return of £6.16, I had finally made a profit.
Next, I tried a Patent- three horses. I had no problem finding it on the multiple bets and placed a 50p win Patent on the seven bets that were well fancied at Ascot. Unfortunately, I like many other punters on Saturday found their fancies foundering in the Berkshire mud. So I am left with £19.66p going into what is now essentially the jumps season. I’m hoping for better luck but am really pleased with the Betfred site after looking at the soccer betting, I may even give that a try.
On to Friday and the first day of the Cheltenham two-day meeting and I chose the Pricewise tips to have a bet on. Unfortunately, he had two selections in the 3.35 at Cheltenham and I chose Ballywood, the wrong one. So a 50p Patent down the pan.
Also, I had a 50p e/w which also lost. My gripe here was after putting the patent on. There was no button to reuse the selections and I had to put the three of them again. I also had £1 win on Kings Lynn who just got beat so a £5.50 loss on the day, meaning I have just over £14 for Saturday’s meetings.
At around 7.00 pm on Friday while my wife was watching the soaps, I looked at the runners for Saturday and saw only two of my Seymour Biz tips were running, Southfield Stone and Honest Vic. So I padded the bet out with two of Paul Kealy’s tips Cloth Cap and Allmankind for a 20p Lucky Fifteen.
The Betfred cards offered me a choice, whether to take a price or SP. I took a price, big mistake, as the two winners prices I took were 15/8 and 7/1 - the SP was 2/1 and 12/1. So I had a return of £6.78 instead of £11, more fool me!
And so to Saturday afternoon my first bet was a 50p Patent and 25p e/w treble on Pricewise tips at Doncaster and Cheltenham £4 down the Swanee.
As the Lucky Fifteen was still in-running, my pot was down to £7 so I had just a 15p e/w Patent and 20p e/w treble (well funds were low) on Ishvara, Honest Vic and Frodon and because of guaranteed odds, I had 6/1 and 12/1 winners giving a return on £18.61. This was paid out straight away as well as my winning Lucky Fifteen.
Betfred gives you a rundown of your days, week, month or years betting. And while I have been doing this review, my total stakes were £34.60, which includes re-bets of winnings and a return of £33.62, meaning I had £29 in my account, a loss of just a pound over nine days betting.
Seyzmour Biz Final Verdict
Overall Rating
Does our reviewer recommend Betfred?
Full T&C's apply, 18+, GambleAware
Very few negatives on the Betfred site. The cards are easy to follow and the selections simple to pick as are betting multiples. Positives are treble odds for one winner in Lucky Fifteens, quick payouts, guaranteed odds and choice of a price or SP before the day’s racing. A small quibble was unable to reuse selections on some bets (not all). The coverage of all sports is excellent and I would recommend Betfred to any of my friends who wanted to start online betting.