Betfair International Plc
Betfair is one of the best-known names in UK gambling, and Betfair International plc is the Malta Gaming Authority-licensed entity behind its international operations. The company holds MGA licence MGA/CRP/131/2006-02, is registered at Spinola Park in St Julian's, Malta, and sits within the Flutter Entertainment group alongside several other major betting and gaming brands.
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How Betfair started
Betfair launched in 2000 with a different idea: a peer-to-peer betting exchange that let customers bet against one another rather than against a traditional bookmaker. Cutting out the bookmaker's margin meant better odds for customers, and the model attracted a loyal audience of value-conscious bettors who had grown frustrated with fixed-odds shops.
The product has expanded far beyond the exchange since then. The product range now covers a casino, a bingo room, a sportsbook, and a poker network. In 2016 the company merged with another major European gambling operator to form what is now Flutter Entertainment, which is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
Betfair International plc and its licences
Betfair International plc holds a B2C Gaming Service licence from the Malta Gaming Authority. That licence covers casino games, betting exchange, pool betting, bingo, poker, and controlled-skill games. The MGA requires licensees to hold player funds in segregated accounts, submit all games to independent testing labs, and carry out identity and age checks before withdrawals are processed.
UK-facing Betfair operations run through separate group entities. Betfair Limited (UKGC account 2062) holds the exchange and sportsbook licence in Great Britain, while Betfair Casino Limited (UKGC account 39435) covers the casino product. Both answer to the UK Gambling Commission, which adds further requirements: responsible gambling tools, affordability checks at certain thresholds, and mandatory registration with GamStop. You can read more about what a UKGC licence requires on our licences page.
Products under the Betfair name
Betfair Bingo is the group's dedicated bingo room. It runs 75-ball and 90-ball games alongside a wide selection of slots and instant-win titles, which is the standard format for large-brand bingo rooms that pair community games with a casino-style library. The bingo lobby is built for chat-room play, with network jackpots available across linked rooms.
The exchange stays the flagship product. Customers can request their own prices and take the other side of bets placed by fellow users, with commission taken on net winnings rather than a margin baked into the odds. The live casino covers roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and game-show formats around the clock. If you are still exploring bingo rooms more generally, our new bingo sites page lists recently launched options, and our mobile bingo sites guide covers the brands that work well on phones and tablets.
Flutter Entertainment group ownership
The company is ultimately owned by Flutter Entertainment plc. Flutter operates brands across the UK, Ireland, the US, Australia, Italy, and several other markets. The group's UK portfolio covers exchange betting, sports betting, casino, and bingo products running under different trading names.
For UK players that breadth of ownership matters mainly because it signals financial stability. A publicly listed group with operations across multiple regulated markets is subject to scrutiny from several regulators at once, which limits the room for shortcuts in any single jurisdiction.
Player safety and responsible gambling
Under both the MGA framework and the UKGC rules covering Betfair group entities, players can set deposit limits, loss limits, and session time reminders, and can self-exclude either through the site or via GamStop, the UK national self-exclusion register. The UKGC also requires operators to actively direct players to organisations such as GambleAware and the National Gambling Helpline when support may be needed.
Our safe bingo guide explains what player protection tools to look for before signing up anywhere, and our responsible gambling page lists the UK charities and helplines that offer confidential support. You can also browse other operators in our full company directory, or try some free bingo games first if you want to get a feel for a site without spending.
Payment methods at Betfair
The site supports several deposit and withdrawal routes. Visa and Mastercard debit cards are the most common option for UK players, and PayPal is available as an e-wallet alternative. Apple Pay and bank transfer are also listed. Credit cards cannot be used for UK gambling deposits under rules introduced by the UKGC in April 2020. Our payment methods page covers how each option works and how long withdrawals typically take at UK bingo sites.
What is Betfair International plc?
Betfair International plc is a Malta-based gambling company that holds an MGA Gaming Service licence (MGA/CRP/131/2006-02). It is part of the Flutter Entertainment group, which also owns Paddy Power, Sky Betting and Gaming, tombola, and FanDuel. The company operates the Betfair brand internationally, covering exchange betting, casino, bingo, poker, and sportsbook products.
Is Betfair regulated by the UK Gambling Commission?
Betfair International plc itself is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority. UK-facing Betfair operations are run through related group entities: Betfair Limited (UKGC account 2062) covers the exchange and sportsbook, and Betfair Casino Limited (UKGC account 39435) covers the casino product. Both of those entities are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
What licence does Betfair International plc hold?
The company holds MGA licence MGA/CRP/131/2006-02, which is a B2C Gaming Service licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority. This licence covers casino games, betting exchange, pool betting, bingo, poker, and controlled-skill games.
What is the connection between Betfair and Flutter Entertainment?
Betfair merged with Paddy Power in 2016 to form Paddy Power Betfair plc, which rebranded as Flutter Entertainment in 2019. Flutter is now one of the largest listed gambling groups in the world, with brands in the UK, Ireland, US, Australia, Italy, and across Europe.
What products does Betfair offer?
Betfair operates a peer-to-peer betting exchange, a sportsbook, an online casino with live dealer tables, a bingo room (Betfair Bingo), and a poker network. The exchange is the brand's flagship product and was one of the first of its kind when it launched in 2000.
Is Betfair safe for UK players?
UK-facing Betfair products are operated by UKGC-licensed group entities, meaning they must meet strict player protection requirements including responsible gambling tools, affordability checks, GamStop registration, and segregated player funds. The parent group, Flutter Entertainment, is publicly listed and subject to regulation across multiple jurisdictions.
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