Like all websites, Betfair can be susceptible to experiencing down periods. In this guide, we will take you through the possible causes of a crash and what to expect from the betting operator. We will also point you to alternative bookmakers to use during a Betfair down period.
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Why Is Betfair Down?
Betfair’s website and app can endure periods of down time due to a number of issues. They are certainly not alone on the internet in experiencing issues now and again.
Although websites experience issues that can be remedied quickly, there may also be times when this can extend to a number of hours. We’ll now break down some Betfair down scenarios and what to do about them.
When Realising Betfair Is Down – Check Your Connection and Device
Before you attempt to raise issues with Betfair if their website is not working, you should check whether the problem is due to an issue with your device or account.
If you cannot access the website or app, you might have issues with your phone/tablet that might require an update – either to the device itself or app. If you’re using a traditional desktop or browser, you might have to download the latest version of the browser to ensure you can access Betfair's site.
The cause of the problem may also be with your internet connection. Ensure that you are connected to a WiFi network or have data (3G, 4G or 5G) enabled on your device. If you are able to access other webpages and apps, then you can safely assume that the problem is with Betfair.
Are Only Parts of Betfair Down?
There could be a Betfair down situation that only affects one page of the website or app. The reason could be as simple as the page being updated or a case where it is no longer available.
This can happen on markets and bets that might be open for a specific time period before a game or event begins. Alternatively, the issue might be related to a promotion that was only active for a period of time and has expired on the website. Therefore, we recommend clearing your cache and cookies to see if the page updates.
If you are able to access other areas of the website, it is likely just an isolated issue and Betfair is not down across its entire betting platform.
What Happens When Betfair Is Down?
We’ll now discuss the primary Betfair down scenarios.
One reason Betfair might be down is due to planned maintenance on their website. In such cases, users will be informed both about the scheduled maintenance work beforehand, as well as how long the website will be inactive for.
Given the amount of money the company could potentially lose during down time, such maintenance work should not take much time. The company will likely plan any changes during off-peak hours for their main customer base, so you should not be affected for long, if at all.
An unplanned outage on Betfair’s website could be due to a number of issues with their systems. This could mean anything from plugin or coding errors to several of their servers crashing.
Betfair are a large company and will have a great number of IT staff at their disposal 24/7 to remedy any technical issues as quickly as possible to ensure that the website or app are down for as little time as possible.
When a problem occurs, you may see an error message on the website or app, or you may not be able to access them at all. In this case, all you can do is sit tight and wait for the IT staff to resolve the problem at hand.
There are also elements that are out of Betfair's control that could cause the site and app to crash, for instance, Betfair could be subject to a security breach from a cyberattack.
Although no website is impervious to an attack, such a case is unlikely as Betfair have extremely secure processes at hand to protect their users' data along with the functionality of their website and app.
A Betfair down period could also be due to a surge in traffic. If a large number of users enter the website at once – which could occur on a major betting day such as the Grand National or the Champions League final, this may overwhelm the servers. That said, servers are designed to cope with a great deal of traffic, therefore, the likelihood of such an outage is not so high.
In summary, here are some seasons why Betfair could be down:
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Server issues
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Plugin problems
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Coding error
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Planned maintenance
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Security breach
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Traffic
How Do I Contact Betfair Help When System Is Down?
Betfair offer several methods of customer support when you experience a problem with their service. You will want to find the information about the website or app the quickest possible way – although that could be influenced by whether the support functions have been affected by the outage.
In the case of planned maintenance, Betfair may have already notified you that their service will be affected from certain periods via messaging on their website or app. They may have also contacted you via email or text, depending on your preference.
Social media is probably the best way to get information from Betfair through their dedicated customer support account @BetfairCS. They will have all the information regarding website maintenance or other issues that the company may be experiencing with their betting products. You could also contact them via email or telephone to inquire about your problems, although that may take more time.
If the entire Betfair website is down, you will not be able to access their live chat function to contact the company. However, if only a section of the website is affected, you may have an opportunity to chat with a representative to figure out the issues at hand. When using the chat function, it is best to be concise with your questions to their customer service operator. Ask questions such as: “Why is Betfair down?” and “How long will Betfair be down?”
Lots of people will be trying to contact Betfair when a technical issue occurs, so you may have to wait some time before you receive a response. This is standard across all bookmakers, who experience issues now and again.
Betfair Down: What Happens to Your Bets?
The Betfair down scenario that worries bettors is not knowing what would happen if the system were to crash while they were in the process of placing a bet. We checked with Betfair and were reassured with their response.
In such cases, you would receive a payout from the bookmaker as long as you are able to confirm the placement of the wager. If you pressed the button before Betfair went down, then you’re fine. However, if you didn't press the bet button before the crash, then you would not be liable for a payout because your wager was never confirmed with Betfair.
If you are convinced that you pressed the button in time, you may be able to resolve the issue with customer service.
Alternative Bookmakers to Betfair
There are a number of options to consider for a Betfair down scenario. If the issue can be remedied quickly, then you should stick with Betfair for your wagers. However, if the problem is going to take some time to be resolved, then you will need to consider alternatives to place your bets.
Check out our guide of the best available betting sites on the market in case the Betfair site or app is down for a period of time. Betfair are a quality bookmaker that provide a great variety of markets and good value for their customers on their odds across the board. Therefore, when looking for an alternative to Betfair, we need to ensure that we find those qualities from other available bookies.
Paddy Power are a prime example of such a bookmaker, offering optimum value on their odds. They have an excellent range of betting markets across all sports, notably horse racing and football. Paddy Power have an intriguing sign-up offer for new customers, but they make sure to reward their loyal users by offering regular bonuses.
One of the best operators available come in the form of bet365. They provide an intriguing sign-up offer that allows you to earn up to £100 in free bet credits. Once again, bet365 value their existing customers by offering regular promotions of free bets on major events. They also have a lot of interesting quirks, such as their two-goal payout that awards a football match result bet as a win after your selection takes a two-goal lead.
Ladbrokes and William Hill are also great available options, with a neat range of features and banking options. You cannot go wrong with either when betting on sports, as both operators provide an extensive range of markets and competitive odds.
If you find Betfair down, there is no reason to worry about your range of options. You can have as many betting accounts as you like. There are outstanding bookies across the market, each offering their own quirks and features. Security is paramount for any quality bookmaker, and the ones we have highlighted fall in line with the standard set by Betfair – ensuring that you do not receive a decline in service.
Benefits of Having Multiple Betting Accounts
If you find Betfair down, you will appreciate owning multiple betting accounts. We’ll now break down the main advantages of this.
1. Capitalising on Offers and Promotions
Since Betfair may not be available you will be able to take advantage of the offers provided by other bookmakers. There will be intriguing sign-up bonus offers, including bet credits. Once you are a customer, you will also receive the usual promotions (free bets and odds boosts) offered by bookmakers that, more often than not, revolve around major sporting events.
2. Getting the Best Value
With multiple accounts, you can shop around for the best value. Different bookmakers will price their odds in different manners based on their own opinions. By owning multiple accounts, you can scour the markets either by going through them one by one or by using an odds comparison service. Betfair are on the spot with their odds, and you will want a bookmaker to match their value. Fortunately, there are a number of quality ones available.
3. Different Markets
All bookmakers are different and provide their own quirks on their markets. Paddy Power and bet365 provide the bet-builder function that allows customers to construct their own bet from a single game using a variety of markets. Betfair has their exchange, which allows users to enjoy lay betting. By using a number of accounts, you will enjoy access to a number of features to use at any one time, allowing you to get the most out of your wagering experience.
4. No Prospect of Missing Out
The primary advantage of owning multiple accounts is that you never have to fear missing out on a bet. Is Betfair down? No need to worry as you will have other options available at hand.
More Betfair Offers
ThePuntersPage Final Say
Betfair will not likely suffer a period of sustained outage across its platforms. However, we have done our utmost to prepare you in the event that it does.
Although there can be a number of reasons Betfair experiences downtime, there are various methods of customer support to detail what went wrong and how long it should take to rectify. Betfair have excellent customer service options, ensuring that you are not in the dark for long.
In the unlikely event that Betfair is out of action for a longer period, we have offered our guidance on using multiple betting accounts. There are other quality bookies out there that will offer you the same level of service, featuring a diverse range of markets and competitive odds.
Betfair Down FAQs
There could be a number of reasons why Betfair is down, including planned maintenance, coding or plugin errors, a server fault and a security breach.
“Betfair down” means that the website or app cannot be accessed by customers.
It is possible for issues to only affect one area of Betfair’s product, so it may be working on desktop and not the app or vice versa. You should investigate both to determine whether you can still use your Betfair account.
Betfair can be contacted through social media on Twitter @BetfairCS. You can also contact them via telephone and email.