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Betsafe review
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Betsafe is a mid-scale betting enterprise and sits proudly under the big top tent of Betsson as one of their dominant sports betting locations.
The Betsafe community has hit 314.4K stakers with many coming in from Finland, Norway, Germany, and the UK. The main betting market at Betsafe is football with other interesting markets that include martial arts, tennis, basketball, and esports. Many of the stakers also find entertainment in the ice hockey markets throughout the winter months. The lack of full coverage in the horse racing and greyhound markets is a clear reason as to why the UK staker numbers are low here. The streams and statistics are minimal despite the site heavily promoting both betting markets. Esports is also another market that Betsafe has decided to engage in but the issue of underage players is always going to be a worry.
Moving on to the Betsafe limits and we only found one or two details which included the maximum 24-hour withdrawal amount of €50,000 or equivalent currency. Our maths men figured out that it would only take Betsafe eight hours of operation worldwide or 15 days from the Finnish stakers alone to payout that maximum daily limit. Due to the sheer size of BML Group, your funds would likely be available without any delays in the withdrawal process.
The Betsafe owners are taking home roughly €14 million per year and so they are financially secure even without the Betsson Group backing them up. Their European staker community are spending around €20-25 per month which is heavily dominated by the football markets.
The Betsafe ticket sales are currently coming in at €5 Million per month for their owners, BML Group, and this equates to an average income of €20-25 per player per month. The annual gross gaming revenue has been calculated at the €55M level but this does exclude all expenditure, bonus withdrawals, and licensing fees. If we consider all their expenses then the Betsafe brand yields around 25% of the GGR total, which all adds up to roughly €14 million going to the owners at the end of the Stakersland betting season. Betsafe is a financially safe betting enterprise and this is mainly due to their position under the wings of Betsson. Betsafe is their only sport targeted brand in the EU and while Betsson is mainly a casino-orientated outfit, Betsafe still manages to bring in 10% of their overall revenue. A quick word about their rivals 888 Sport and Netbet helps to put all this into perspective though. Both premises rack up €80 million a year and around €6-7 million a month, giving them substantially bigger pockets than Betsafe. The Romanian-based Netbet’s 440,000-staker list and the British 888Sport’ 370,000 stakers list are considerably larger as well. It’s these bigger groups of stakers that helps to shines a light on the areas where Betsafe need to improve upon. The location of stakers is also something worth nothing with Netbet’s large reach across most of Europe and 888Sport’s dominance across the UK and Spain, it has clearly helped them both to increase those end-of-year financial figures.
Betsafe Offers
As we can see from the statistics below, the Betsafe demographics show some balanced numbers across their top performing countries:
| Peru | Lithuania | Finland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| monthly | 93K | 57K | 29K | 24K |
| License |  | | | |
Social Buzz
Roughly 20 complaints have been lodged against Betsafe with five of them being noted as unresolved. Up to €20k in winnings has been confiscated from one staker alone, and this was due to a failed KYC procedure. The case is still officially unresolved which continues to raise question marks.
The ratings at LCB were a lot higher back in 2013 and a lack of unique promotions seems to be the reason for the downward spiral in ratings. Current issues back this up with a lack of bonuses and delays in withdrawals often mentioned.
Bonus clash
The Betsafe welcome bonus package comes as a two-part offer for stakers with a 100% match bonus on your first deposit, plus an additional 10 GBP safe bet. Unfortunately, this welcome package is not available to stakers from many different countries.
“It’s true that there are no sports promotions, but I was given some free bets after contacting live-chat. It’s a great compensation for the lack of sports bets.”
“Sticking with the Betsafe membership and waiting for their seasonal offers does have its merits. They might not be regular but the cash prizes can be rewarding if you get involved.”
“Being a sports betting fan, I’m shocked that they do not offer a single bonus. New players get nothing so I don’t think it’s a good idea to spend your time there.”
“A lack of sports promotions and the only promo available being for casinos is a huge disadvantage. Live-chat assured me of the possibility for good-will gifts for active players, but I’m not willing to play until I check out the betting platform first.”
Stakersland currently has three bonus offers for its Betsafe members. These include a deposit match bonus with a safety bet tied on, an acca insurance offer, and a tournament-based offer with cash prizes available.
| promo name | promo type | requirements | restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
100% up to £25 + £10 Safety Bet  | Welcome Bonus | Verify the account; make a deposit of 10 GBP minimum and activate the promo | Available once and for new players only |
In terms of potential profit, you should not be counting on this promotion but rather consider it as a courtesy from the Betsafe concierge. The bonus amount needs to be wagered 5x in sportsbook or horse racing, on odds of 1.50 or greater. A positive sign is that there are no other restrictions on how you may use the winnings after the payout.
Conclusion
The big surprise for stakers as they enter the Betsafe doors is that there are no sports promotions to be seen anywhere. Furthermore, a check on whether your country is in fact accepted within the welcome bonus rules is an annoyance. A glimmer of hope was found via the live chat support team who mentioned seasonal promotions do appear from time to time, but at the time of writing there was nothing to be found. A further positive is the fact that you can find free bonuses via their live chat, but only if you’re an active player.
Sports betting
The Betsafe sportsbook is currently powered by the multi-location tech-dev offices of the Betsson Group.
The Stakersland team is full of experts in all areas of online gambling and when it comes to betting and technology, we simply can’t be beaten. Our team analyse and pick apart each and every betting establishment here at Stakersland. We do this to make sure you can enjoy the very best in online entertainment. You want to be safe and secure and you want to revel in seamless online experiences, we understand all that and so this is why we take our job very seriously, so let’s carry on.
Sports
The main focus on the Betsafe grounds are football, tennis, and basketball and these top-level markets do not change in relation to your nationality or language that you speak. Interestingly, the darts betting market is one sport that stands out and takes priority on the site.
Betting slip
Single, Combined, and System bets are available such as Trixie, Yankee, Canadian etc. The betting history is a useful feature within the betting slip, as well as the make-your-own Bet Builder and cashout options.
In-play stats
Betradar provide the live statistics and this widget can be seen on most events across the site, as well as their pre-match statistics offering. Betsafe do try to fill in the gaps where Betradar are unable to provide info, with video streams available on many of the top events.
Betting markets
Betsafe features around 192 markets in total for football, 21 for tennis and 54 (only pre-live) for basketball. We found the betting line to be decent and there is a wide variety of markets to choose from as well. The live markets are a little limited though with around twice as less as the pre-live markets.
Margins
The Betsafe sports betting margins are competitive with popular football leagues offering 2% for pre-live odds and 3% for live events, this is a real highlight for football fans. All other sports tend to stick around the average mark with 7% for basketball and tennis comes in at around 6%.
Event results
The onsite ‘Statistics & Live Score’ area of Betsafe is a popular hangout for stakers and although supplied by Betradar, the colours of Betsafe are used to keep their house coordinated. Most statistics are tailored towards the main events with little information on second/third division events.
| Sports | margins | live margins | markets | live markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tennis | 6% | 9% | 21 | 27 |
| football | 2% | 3% | 192 | 146 |
| basketball | 7% | 7% | 54 | 28 |
| ice hockey | 0% | 0% | 143 | 95 |
Football fans can find great value at Betsafe with some exceptionally low margins which are, in fact, lower than many of the top betting houses here at Stakersland. Paddy Power and Ladbrokes both lack value compared to Betsafe, but a little more value across the other sports such as tennis and basketball would definitely help to balance out their books.
Financial Limits
It’s vital for us at Stakersland to keep you up-to-date and informed with the most thoroughly checked and verified information. With this mission in mind and heart, we have gathered all the essential details relating to financial affairs that any staker might face while betting on the Betsafe premises. We’ve got plenty of sharp-eyed financial experts on hand to show you the ropes, so spare a few moments to check through the table below and ensure that you are armed and ready for any financial situation.
Payment Method Restrictions
Which payment methods are valid when claiming my bonuses?
There are no sportsbook promotions available at the moment to UK players, so you don’t need to be concerned about using specific payment methods. Take note that Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal deposits are not eligible when claiming the casino bonus.
The Influence of Third Party Agencies
What checks are being made and do they use any third party agencies?
The T&Cs state that credit checks and verification might be carried out on any player and various documents might be requested. The rules also state that third party checks might be appropriate and as a result, your playing limits will be adjusted to suit.
Personal Data Transparency
Will they inform me about the automated checks being performed?
Be aware that there is no prior warning when it comes to credit checks and the deposit option will only ever be available after your account has been verified.
Social Media Communication
Will my financial disputes and complaints be answered on the social media profiles?
In terms of social media, there is no activity on Trustpilot page but there is an active communication line open for financial issues on askgamblers.com. This has led to them securing an “Askgamblers Certificate of Trust”, which shows that they are taking enough efforts to address those unpaid players and trying to ensure issues are not repeated.
Gambling Anonymously
Are my banking transactions with the bookmaker private?
Unique identifiers are not used on their bank statements. According to Betsafe support, the company name that comes after a transaction in their players’ bank statements depends on the payment method used.
Withdrawal Timeframe & Common Complaints
How fast are the withdrawals and what do stakers complain about the most?
Withdrawal transactions are approved within 24 hours which is a common timeframe unless further information is required. The overall processing time is as follows:
- Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal - usually instant
- Cards and Bank Transfers - 2-5 working days
Some stakers have complained that the actual approval time is sometimes much longer, up to several days longer in fact, without a solid reason being given.
Player-Friendly Withdrawal Limits
What are the minimum and maximum withdrawal limits available?
The minimum withdrawal amounts are currently as follows:
- PayPal - 10 GBP
- Visa debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, and Bank transfer - 20 GBP
The maximum withdrawal amounts are currently set with no limit for UK and ROI players, and a 50,000 EUR per day limit for the rest of Europe.
Withdrawal Options & Additional Costs
What are my banking options when withdrawing my funds and do they add fees?
Betsafe currently offers the following withdrawal methods for stakers: Visa debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and Bank transfer.
Normally, there is no service fee attached to these withdrawals. However, if a player (NOT from the UK or ROI) requests 25 or more withdrawals per month, a 2% fee will then be applied to all consequent transactions until the end of that given month.
We didn’t find any complaints regarding these fees as most players will not hit that 25-withdrawal number in a month anyway.
Regulatory Check Transparency
Are they clear about the Source of Funds and Source of Wealth procedures?
The ’Source of Funds’ procedure was only once briefly mentioned in the Betsafe T&Cs, and their support refused to give any details about what can trigger these kinds of checks. There was no mention regarding specific documents they require from customers, explaining that it’s all “internal procedures”, however, procedures like these must be clearly defined or provided upon request at Stakersland, so it’s not a good sign in that respect.
Conclusion
The positives from all this are the generous withdrawal options and the lack of upper limits and additional fees, except that one fee for multiple withdrawals in a month which is not applicable for most stakers. Also, withdrawals are processed in a 24-hour timeframe but too many times this process seemed to take longer than expected for stakers. Big wins often trigger this lengthy process which brings the source of funds procedure into play as well, which all adds precious time to the overall decision. Askgamblers.com is their main go-to site to clear up financial issues but there is still a clear lack of information in regard to the important compliance requirements, third party checks, and the verification of accounts. Accounts get closed down easily and the route back to getting that account up and running again is a long and laborious task.
Customer Support
Betsafe’s customer support team gives stakers a fast and helpful service with definitive and personal answers, rather than heading down the impersonal copy-and-paste route. Fluent English can be expected and the additional FAQ section is well documented for a useful reference point on common issues. Stakers get three possible contact points at Betsafe and these include the 24/7 live chat function, the email route, and you can also request a call back if you prefer to talk to someone one-to-one. Unfortunately, there is a downside and that is the lack of any service-level agreement or any other relevant information within the terms and conditions.
Next up, we’ll show you the results of our thorough and vigorous testing that we put the Betsafe customer service team through. We’ve got a dedicated team of testers that probe the support team with a set of questions and service-related tasks on all things Betsafe. Here’s what we managed to uncover:
Support Speed & Resolution
How fast do they reply to my general queries?
Stakers can get in touch with Betsafe via their callback option, live chat, and email. The average time of their response is based around 25 seconds and we found that the operator connects instantly if you request the chat. The email responses are received approximately an hour after you press send.
Live Chat Access
Is the online live chat tool available on the site?
Live chat is available for all stakers at Betsafe and all members should be made aware that it is possible to receive a free bet from live-chat support. New players won’t find any luck trying to bag a bonus until they are fully registered though.
Support Team Competency
How quickly will the support team reply to complex queries?
Most answers are fast and stakers don’t need to wait much more than 50 seconds for communication to begin. The average time of the email response is one hour.
Level of Technical Expertise
Are the support agents sufficiently trained to answer technical queries based on odds, margins, and markets?
The Betsafe support team are ready to provide all information needed within the shortest time possible. Nevertheless, we did experience that most responses related to technical queries are generic and simply copied from the site. The overall technical knowledge of the team in relation to margins and odds could be improved.
Unregistered Staker Support
Will the customer service team interact with unregistered stakers and will I get a free bet?
If it appears that you are not yet a registered customer of Betsafe, the support team will still be glad to help you with your request with a push towards their casino bonus. They do provide their registered players with no-deposit sports bonuses, but operators will ask for account verification first.
Professional & Friendly Service
What type of response will I get when requesting a bonus from the service team?
The overall reaction on bonus related questions was a positive one. A ‘no deposit’ bonus was offered every time that our team contacted a support representative.
Customer Service Knowledge
Will the agents provide the correct information about payment limits when compared to the terms and conditions on the website?
Withdrawal and deposit information provided in our chats did match up and coincide with the details on the site, so there is cohesion between all Betsafe support touchpoints.
Willingness to Help Out
Will the support representatives help me navigate around their website?
Customer support is ready to assist any player with requests and provide him or her not only with useful links, but also an explanation on how to find or use the many sports betting markets. In addition, if you have any problems accessing your ‘My Account’ page, they will be able to assist you on issues such as these as well.
Tolerance Levels
Does the support team have a high tolerance level for repeated bonus requests?
Our repeated bonus queries were received well and the Betsafe support team show a high tolerance towards bonus hunters.
Onsite Support Efficiency
How efficient is their onsite Helpdesk compared to the competition?
A well-developed helpdesk section makes for a convenient place for stakers to find what they need. The FAQ section is small but contains a useful search function that enables you to quickly find what you are looking for.
Conclusion
Stakersland brings you the best online betting services and the customer service from Betsafe is a standout area of the park. We’ve already found one or two issues on the premises but their customer service team leaves a positive impression. Fast and unique answers from a willing team of representatives is always a welcome sight. Even when only a simple answer was required, the support team were willing to discuss further to ensure all questions are answered. This leaves no room for confusions, and that is exactly what you want from a customer support service.
Conclusion
Stakersland brings you the best online betting services and the customer service from Betsafe is a standout area of the park. We’ve already found one or two issues on the premises but their customer service team leaves a positive impression. Fast and unique answers from a willing team of representatives is always a welcome sight. Even when only a simple answer was required, the support team were willing to discuss further to ensure all questions are answered. This leaves no room for confusions, and that is exactly what you want from a customer support service.
The following FAQ section should help you in finding your way if you do ever wish to take your issue higher up the chain of command at Betsafe:
Are you able to complain about Betsafe?
The first step is to contact their customer support, if this doesn’t work you should then contact their management department who have 10 days to provide you with a response. If you are still getting nowhere then you should think about resorting to the ADR in relation to your country.
Where can I complain if they refuse the withdrawal?
In relation to withdrawal issues, the first step should be to contact the management team but after that, you’ll then need to take your issue up with the ADR within your region.
ADR’s Available: eCogra, European Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Player Support Unit, Republic of Ireland Regulatory Bodies: Revenue Commissioners Office; Department of Justice and Equality.
How do players rate the Betsafe customer service?
The Betsafe support team offer a quick and efficient service with almost every answer being unique and tailor-made for each request. We didn’t find hardly any copy-and-paste answers in our tests.
Up or down
The Betsafe premises are open nearly around the clock with an impressive 99.93% uptime rate, guaranteeing a smooth visit with hardly any issues. A close relationship with Amazon is the key factor in Betsafe enjoying such a high uptime rate, and the advanced technology used to build the Betsafe doors is a huge highlight for stakers. In fact, our tests also showed us that the site has been optimised well and enjoys a high score rating for website opening speeds. The Google page speed rating was calculated at 73/100 which is higher than the market average. However, the advanced level of technology used to keep their doors open is in stark contrast to their overall website design. Betsafe was founded back in 1963 and the design itself is still stuck in those times with its dull character and lack of distinction.
TECHNOLOGY
The Angular framework has been used throughout the Betsafe website and this shows a betting house that is constantly being updated with modern technology. Two types of request are being used to communicate between client and server, HTTP requests and Websocket which enables quick and efficient content updates.
DATA CENTER
The decision to house the Betsafe data center within Amazon’s framework was a genius idea from the management team. The ability to keep their doors open is all down to a secure data environment. In partnership with Amazon’s leading technology team, Betsafe are in safe hands.
SSL CERTIFICATE
The certificate for Betsafe is a wildcard type provided by Amazon. The 256-bit is questionable but the free cost is the main alarm regarding website integrity. The close partnership with Amazon’s data centre could be the reason behind this freebie though.
The modern Angular framework and the partnership with Amazon are two huge highlights in the technology rundown of Betsafe. We don’t like to see websites abandoned with old technology and so Betsafe are representing how things should be done at Stakersland. A revamp of the website is much needed though. The outside of the premises does need to catch up and match the internal setup to make a full sweep of ticks from our tech review team.
countries where Betsafe is licensed
The Betsson Group headquarters are located in Malta and according to social network information, Betsafe has the largest offices in Sweden, the UK, and Estonia. The Betsafe UKGC license is registered under the ‘BML Group Limited’ name and allows for the following activities: Bingo, Gambling software, General Betting Standard - Real Events, General betting standard (virtual events), and Pool betting.
Betsafe has managed to acquire various betting licenses from the UK, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, and Malta. These all help the sportsbook to attract a wide mix of stakers who are traveling in from countries afar.
The Betsafe signup form is available to stakers from a wide range of countries through various other international licenses held by the company. The UKGC license that we just mentioned above obviously caters for stakers traveling in from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Swedish stakers are looked after by the Swedish Gambling Authority license, and stakers from the Republic of Ireland are protected by the Republic of Ireland’s Regulatory Bodies. Last but not least is the Malta Gaming Authority that allows a vast range of European stakers to access the Betsafe services. One word of warning for Danish stakers though and this is in regard to the recent shutdown of the Betsafe Danish rooms. This was a necessary move due to the changes in online betting taxation policy within Denmark.
Our social network investigations showed us that the majority of the Betsafe employees are from either Sweden or Estonia. Looking across the broader Betsson group and most employees are located on the sunny island of Malta. Lastly, it does look as though Betsafe and the overall Betsson Group are keeping a close eye on all business requirements. We found no record of any sanctions or any other actions against the brand or business.
Questions
What documents do Betsafe require for account verification?
ID verification is required for all stakers from Great Britain and Northern Ireland upon registration. Deposits and general gambling will be not available until your identity has been verified. Stakers from Sweden will need to tolerate automatic ID checks through third party providers as well. For additional verification, stakers will need to provide a utility bill or a bank statement, as is standard practice. It’s also mentioned within the T&Cs that Betsafe hold the right to check all provided data with other third parties. Also, it’s worth noting that phone and/or face verification might be required prior to completing your first withdrawal.
How long does it take to them to settle bets and payout?
Betsafe uses trademarked software and a direct odds feed from the Betradar company, using a mix of official results and authoritative internet information. Therefore, all bets are settled instantly according to a range of online information, TV, and satellite broadcasts. In any case of an event getting postponed, Betsafe will attempt to close the event and/or settle markets as soon as possible. There are no guarantees stated for how long these overall delays might last though.
How to request a withdrawal and how long it may take?
Betsafe require all withdrawals to be processed to the same account that the funds originally came from, a standard requirement in Stakersland. However, an option to withdraw your funds to a bank account on your name is also available without restrictions. Depending on the selected payment method, a service fee may be applied by the payment provider itself. Withdrawals are usually approved within 24 hours but it may take up to five business days for your funds to reach your personal bank transfer or chosen account.
Betsafe reserves the right to charge an administrative fee of 2% (no less than 5 GBP or equivalent currency) in the event of more than 25 approved withdrawals/payout requests during each month. It’s a reasonable administrative fee but thankfully, this is not applicable to stakers from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Are multiple accounts allowed?
Using multiple accounts is strictly forbidden within the Betsafe T&Cs. Should a player try to bet with several accounts, the only option is that they can close all but one account and transfer funds to that one remaining balance. In cases where multiple accounts are used for bonus abuse or they are involved in fraudulent activity, all winnings may be confiscated. Betsafe also states that they will deduct a noticeable administrative fee of 10% (minimum 30 GBP or currency equivalent) for every other account opened.
Is it safe to open an account with Betsafe?
The T&Cs are quite detailed and cover a lot of questions that you might think of when you are within the Betsafe premises. However, there are some clauses that are not clear such as betting limits that might be applied upon Betsafe’s own discretion. Additionally, there is no information on the type of documents required for ‘Source of Funds’ and ‘Source of Wealth’ checks, and therefore stakers can’t ever predict how long this overall check would take to complete.
VPN Usage - Legal or Not?
Using a VPN or other IP masking programmes might be deemed bonus abuse at Betsafe. This could then be followed by serious actions such as bonus cancellation and the confiscation of any winnings used with bonus funds. Be aware of the aforementioned penalties such as the confiscation of funds or extra administrative fees of 10% whenever the Betsafe team detects multiple accounts.
gross gaming revenue
customer base
time to make £500K
Social Buzz
Up or down
The overriding issue for stakers is on the long-lasting verification and withdrawal procedures. Many stakers reported their accounts being suspended after a relatively big win. Managerial decisions were often cited as the main aggravations with stakes limited to the minimum amounts. Over 84% of the reviews were rated one star and this has been the case ever since 2013.