Gambling.com Rating: 9.6/10
Our Verdict: A go-to site for betting on major sports in the UK, thanks to high-value odds and a wide range of promotions.
If you like betting on popular sports like football, horse racing, tennis, or cricket, Betfred delivers.
The odds are solid, there are lots of markets to choose from and I counted 20 different promotions available when using this betting site - far more than most sites offer.
Betfred sponsors major races like the five British Classics and rugby competitions like the Super League, while partnerships with Manchester United and Wembley Stadium have also enhanced this brand's reputation in the UK.
That said, Betfred is not the best option for betting on every sport.
I've gotten better odds elsewhere for sports like snooker and F1, while the range of markets for niche sports is fairly limited.
But for the markets that matter most to British bettors? It doesn't get much better than Betfred.
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Sports & Markets | 9/10 | Great depth for major sports - less focus on niche markets. |
Promotions | 10/10 | Lives up to its 'Bonus King' nickname with lots of offers. |
Payments | 10/10 | Accepts all popular methods - offers quick withdrawals. |
Customer Support | 10/10 | Excellent support via phone, email and 24/7 live chat. |
Reputation | 10/10 | A trusted household name in UK betting with strong credibility. |
User Experience | 8/10 | Easy to use - although slightly dated-looking on desktop. |
Mobile Platform | 10/10 | Highly-rated betting apps that load quickly. |
Responsible Gambling | 10/10 | Exceptional safer gambling tools and resources available. |
Live In-Play Betting | 10/10 | Includes live streaming of horse racing, tennis, snooker, greyhounds. |
Value of Odds | 9/10 | Very competitive odds for major sports; less so for niche markets. |
Gambling.com Rating: 9.6 (Highly Recommended)
Find out more about how we rate betting sites.
Betfred’s welcome offer is one of the more generous I've claimed. The bookie leads the way on overall value with £50 in free bets, which is a lot more than most welcome offers, as you can see from the comparison table below.
The £50 bonus is awarded as three £10 free bets for any sport and two £10 accumulator bets.
Bookmaker | Qualifying Bet | Free Bet Bonus |
---|---|---|
Bet £10 | Get £50 | |
Bet £10 | Get £30 | |
Bet £10 | Get £30 | |
Bet £5 | Get £20 | |
Bet £5 | Get £25 |
Betfred rewards returning customers with regular offers around major events.
Most of Betfred's offers are centred around football and racing, but many also apply to other sports.
Here is a look at some of my favourite ones to claim:
Promotion | Description |
---|---|
1. Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven | Double odds if first goalscorer scores twice - triple for a hat-trick |
2. Acca Flex | Boosted acca winnings (up to 50%) + cash refund if one leg loses |
3. Extra Place Races | Extra each-way places on selected races |
4. Money-Back Specials | Stake refunded as cash if horse finishes 2nd in selected races |
5. Price Boosts | Daily enhanced odds on selected markets across sports |
Betfred is a big name in British horse racing - and that reputation has been earned over decades.
The site recently became the first bookie ever to sponsor all five British Classics in flat racing and previously backed major jumps races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
In my experience, their racing odds consistently compete with the best around. This is especially the case for events like the Classics they sponsor, as well as big Festivals like Cheltenham and Aintree.
You also get best odds guaranteed every day on all UK and Irish racing from 8am, plus access to live streams for every major UK and Irish race.
International racing coverage, however, is better at other horse racing betting sites and there’s a £1 minimum bet to access streams - which is something not all bookies require.
"Betfred is often my go-to site for horse racing, as the odds tend to be very strong."
Betfred’s football betting section is up there the best in the business - especially for the Premier League.
I find the odds are always competitive and there’s great market depth across European leagues, making this site a good option for weekend accumulators or a midweek Champions League punt.
On an average Premier League matchday, there are more than 30 price boosts available across all games combined, more than most of the UK's best football betting sites offer.
The first goalscorer markets are a highlight, especially with double delight and hat-trick heaven promotions giving you boosted odds if your selection scores another goal or two.
As a Manchester United official partner, Betfred often has better odds on United games than its competitors.
The only slight letdown is the bet builder - which is capped at five selections and feels a bit limited, compared to same-game accas from sites like Unibet and bet365.
"I really rate Betfred’s acca insurance - I get my stake back in cash if one leg lets me down."
Betfred leans more toward tournament and series betting in cricket, which is great if you’re backing outright winners or top run-scorers over a longer stretch.
Prices hold up well against other cricket betting sites in my experience, but the lack of live streaming is a downside - bookmakers like bet365 and Unibet have the edge over Betfred there.
Still, Betfred offers a really solid range of in-play cricket markets, so there’s plenty to get stuck into once a match gets going.
"You can't watch cricket at Betfred, but with standout odds for outright markets, this site is well-suited to those playing the long game."
Betfred’s tennis betting options compete with the best tennis betting sites in the UK.
You’ll find all the key markets you’d expect from a top bookmaker, with odds that hold up well against competitors.
A really nice bonus is that Betfred shows live streams of tennis. With that said, streams are typically limited to lower-tier events like the ITF and Challenger tours - so don’t expect to watch live action from Centre Court at Wimbledon.
On the promo front, many of Betfred’s offers apply to tennis.
The acca flex deal is great if you’re building tennis accumulators, offering both a bonus boost and insurance, while you’ll also find regular price boosts during Grand Slam events.
Betfred might not have the the widest range of golf markets, but it does offer great-value golf odds.
Prices are especially impressive for the majors and Betfred regularly rolls out enhanced each-way golf betting offers, often paying out up to 10 places - a big win for each-way punters.
You’ll also see price boosts and free bet offers for the bigger tournaments, adding a bit more value to your bets.
If you’re more focused on maximising returns than accessing obscure markets, I highly recommend Betfred is one of my favourite golf betting sites.
"Betfred might lack some bells and whistles for golf betting, but for each-way value and strong odds, this site is hard to beat."
Betfred is unequivocally the best rugby betting site I’ve used - especially if you’re into rugby league.
As the title sponsor of the Super League, they offer great odds, deep market coverage and more enhanced odds promotions than any other UK bookie I’ve tested.
They also cover the Challenge Cup, Championship, League 1 and big international competitions like the NRL and State of Origin.
Rugby union is also well-covered, with lots of markets for competitions like the Six Nations and the Premiership.
I've landed big profit boosts on winning Six Nations bets and I'm always impressed with the number of specials that are up for grabs when the Rugby World Cup rolls around.
"Betfred's rugby league coverage is standout and the union offering is solid. The double delight promo is a nice touch - double odds if your first try-scorer bags a second."
Betfred is one of the better darts betting sites in the UK.
As the title sponsor of the World Matchplay, Betfred always steps up with strong promotions for betting on this tournament - one of the three events in darts' Triple Crown.
Coverage of other major tournaments is also impressive, with lots of betting options for the likes of the Premier League and the PDC World Darts Championship.
I've taken advantage of odds boosts across a range of darts markets, so it’s well worth checking the darts section for extra value when the biggest events are on.
You know a betting site caters to British punters when it puts an emphasis on snooker.
Betfred sponsored the World Snooker Championships from 2009 to 2012, and although they don’t run snooker promotions throughout the year, they do when the World Championships are on.
It's nice to see that the bookmaker still focuses on its old partner tournament, with some excellent specials worth checking out.
While Betfred boasts good market depth throughout the snooker season - you can sometimes find better odds at other snooker bookmakers.
Regular specials and odds boosts make Betfred a strong option for major fight nights in sports like boxing and MMA.
Boxing betting odds are generally solid - I’ve seen slightly better prices elsewhere for headline bouts, but Betfred’s price boosts are hard to beat.
For example, the odds on Ryan Garcia winning a recent fight weren’t as competitive as those at sites like Ladbrokes until I applied a price boost, which brought them up and made a big difference.
You’ll typically find five or six boosts for upcoming fights, usually on fight winner markets. These are easy to locate in the dedicated boxing section.
MMA events, including UFC betting, are also well-covered.
As with boxing, base odds are competitive - and applying a boost often gives you some of the best value on the market.
Betfred delivers solid coverage on special markets like TV and political betting - you can bet on anything from the next British Prime Minister to the winner of I'm a Celebrity.
In motorsports, coverage spans Formula 1, NASCAR, Superbikes and even Speedway - a nice touch that many bookies skip over.
Esports markets are also well-represented, with betting available on top titles like CS:GO, League of Legends and Dota 2, appealing to this growing market.
However, as I've mentioned, some niche sports like cycling, athletics and badminton don't come with many markets.
Betfred beats other bookies for value and market depth, especially for major sports like football and horse racing.
Football odds are strong across the board, often matching or beating big names like bet365 and Ladbrokes.
As I've mentioned, rugby league is one area where Betfred shines. Their Betfred Super League markets are among the most comprehensive I’ve seen, with 30–50 betting options per game.
I even counted 68 pre-match markets for a recent Sheffield Eagles vs Leeds Rhinos match.
Other sports like tennis, cricket and golf are covered, but the depth of markets for these doesn't quite match up to the likes of Unibet or BetVictor.
Betfred’s bet builder is decent for football, but is generally more limited than what you find at the best bet builder sites
Your same-game acca is capped at five selections, which is fine for simple bets.
However, if you like building out bigger multi-leg combos, it’s more restrictive than the builders at bet365, BetMGM, or Unibet, where you can combine up to 12 legs.
It’s also football-only at the moment, so I'd like to see the same-game acca rolled out to more sports in the future.
On the plus-side, cash out is available on some in-play bet bet builders and results are settled quickly thanks to OPTA stats.
Great for quick, custom football bets - but if you want more flexibility, there are better options.
Bookmaker | Maximum Selections | Sports Available |
---|---|---|
Up to 5 | Football Only | |
Up to 12 | 14 Sports in Total | |
Up to 8 | Football Only | |
Up to 12 | 6 Sports in Total | |
Up to 10 | Football Only | |
Up to 12 | 5 Sports in Total |
Betfred delivers a seamless live betting experience thanks to a well-organised in-play section that’s easy to navigate.
Markets are clearly presented, odds update quickly and key features like cash out and live stats are just a tap away - making it ideal for fast, real-time betting. It’s particularly strong for football and tennis, where prices refresh without lag.
Betfred also offers a solid live streaming service across sports like tennis, snooker, horse racing and greyhound racing. Streams run smoothly and are easily accessible on both the website and app.
Like many live betting sites, you’ll need to be logged in with a funded account (real-money balance - not free bets). For horse and greyhound racing, you’ll also need to place a £1 minimum bet on the specific race.
While the coverage is mainly limited to UK and Irish events, the overall quality and ease of use make it a strong feature for in-play bettors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Betfred’s platform is reliable and easy to use, particularly once you're familiar with the layout. While the desktop site leans on a more traditional design, it still gets the job done - with quick links to major sports and markets, and clearly visible odds.
That said, navigation can feel a bit busy at times, with smaller links and dropdowns making it slightly harder to find certain features, compared to more modern-looking sites like 10bet.
Accessibility tools like dark mode or text resizing aren’t currently available, and the layout could benefit from a more consistent visual refresh. Some journeys - like placing a bet or claiming an offer - take a few more clicks than they should, slowing things down during live events.
However, the mobile app offers a noticeably smoother experience, with cleaner navigation and faster access to key features, making it a better choice for on-the-go betting.
Payment Method | Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time |
---|---|---|
Visa Debit | £5 | 1-3 working days |
Mastercard Debit | £5 | 1-3 working days |
PayPal | £5 | Within 24 hours |
Skrill | £5 | Within 24 hours |
Neteller | £5 | Within 24 hours |
PaysafeCard | £5 | Not Available |
Bank Transfer | £85 | 2-5 working days |
Apple Pay | £5 | Not Available |
The Betfred betting app isn't flashy, but it’s fast, stable, and gets the job done - which is exactly what I want from an app.
Load times are quick (2–3 seconds tops), and navigating between sports, bet slips and promos is smooth. The layout sometimes feels a bit old-school, but everything is where you’d expect it to be.
I’ve tested the Betfred app on both Android and iOS, and it works well on both. With that said, the Android version felt slightly snappier and more responsive, with fewer minor glitches.
The user reviews reflect a positive experience too - the app is rated 4.4/5 stars on Google Play and 4.3/5 on the App Store, with users highlighting reliability, especially for in-play betting.
In short: the Betfred app isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but it’s fast, easy to use and ideal for anyone who wants to bet without much hassle.
As a regular Betfred user, I’ve had some first-hand experience with their customer support teams. Overall, they've been excellent.
Whether I reach out via the 24/7 live chat or over email, my queries are handled quickly and efficiently almost every time.
One standout feature is the telephone helpline option - providing the type of personal service that not many sites do these days.
Channel | Availability | My Experience |
---|---|---|
Live Chat | 24/7 | Fast, responsive and helpful |
Email Support | 24/7 (response times vary) | Efficient, though slower than live chat |
Telephone Helpline | Business hours | Great for complex or urgent issues |
Help Section | Always available | Perfect for general FAQs |
We take responsible gambling seriously as a rule at Gambling.com, so we always make sure bookies offer responsible gambling tools before recommending them.
I was very impressed by Betfred’s dedicated ‘Safer Gambling’ section, which encourages bettors to follow the S.A.F.E. checklist (Set limits, Avoid chasing losses, Focus on fun, Exclude when needed).
There’s also a self-assessment questionnaire to help you identify potential gambling risks, alongside a range of tools designed to help you stay in control.
Betfred's reputation as a quality bookmaker - both on the high street and online - has been hard-earned over decades in operation.
My latest experience with the site shows that standards haven't slipped and this bookmaker continues to lead the way in many areas, most notably odds and promotions.
From daily price boosts to regular free bets and loyalty rewards, this is a bookie that consistently delivers value.
Prices are competitive across the board, particularly for football and horse racing, where Betfred frequently matches or beats rivals.
While the platform may feel slightly traditional in its design, I love the fact that there is a genuine focus on rewarding customers.
If you’re on the hunt for bonuses and want reliable odds, this is one of the best sites you can use.
Betfred is owned by Fred Done, who co-founded the company with his brother Peter in 1967. Fred Done remains the majority shareholder and is actively involved in the business. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Warrington, United Kingdom.
Yes, Betfred is a legitimate and licensed bookmaker. It holds a licence to operate in the UK from the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring it meets strict regulatory standards. Betfred has been in operation for decades and is a well-known name in both retail and online betting.
Withdrawal times at Betfred depend on the method used. Debit card withdrawals typically take 1–3 working days. E-wallets like PayPal are usually faster, often within 24 hours. Bank transfers may take slightly longer. Betfred aims to process all withdrawals promptly, but verification checks can sometimes add delays.
You can contact Betfred customer service through live chat, email (support@betfred.com), or by phone. Live chat is typically the quickest way to get assistance. Customer support is available 24/7 to help with account issues, betting queries, or technical problems on the site or mobile app.
Yes, Betfred offers free bets to new and existing customers. New users receive a welcome bonus by depositing and placing their first real-money. Existing customers can also get free bets in the form of special promotions, loyalty rewards, or money-back offers. Terms and conditions apply, so check the promo details carefully.