Betfred Confronts Industry Challenges Amid U.S. Market Withdrawal

Betfred, a leading British sportsbook, is scaling back its operations in the United States, further reducing its footprint as the challenges for smaller betting operators intensify. Recent closures include the termination of its land-based sportsbook at Silver Reef Casino Resort in Washington. The operation ceased on December 16, with the final bets placed the day before, according to Betfred’s website. The casino announced plans to reopen under a different brand by spring 2025.

Betfred’s U.S. downsizing continues:

On its Instagram account, Silver Reef attributed the closure to “unforeseen circumstances.” This marks another step in Betfred’s strategic contraction within the U.S., signaling difficulties in maintaining a sustainable business model in the fiercely competitive sports betting market.

Betfred’s scale-back continues with the impending closure of all sports betting activities in Iowa by December 31, 2023. The operator had already stopped onboarding new users and accepting wagers in November, advising customers to withdraw any remaining funds before the year’s end.

As of 2025, Betfred will likely remain operational in only two U.S. states: Nevada and Pennsylvania. The company maintains a retail sportsbook in Nevada and a mobile betting platform in Pennsylvania. This reduced presence highlights the mounting difficulties faced by smaller sportsbooks competing against industry giants.

Betfred’s contraction is part of a broader trend. Earlier this year, the company exited Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, and Ohio, while its online sportsbooks were withdrawn from Virginia in October and Arizona in November. CEO Kresimir Spajic suggested in late summer that a complete withdrawal from the U.S. market is “on the table” if the company fails to establish a sustainable business model.

Spajic’s comments reflect the reality many smaller operators face in the competitive U.S. sports betting landscape. According to The Pinnacle Gazette, companies like Betway, SI Sportsbook, and Unibet have already exited the market entirely. Even SuperBook and WynnBet have scaled back operations, remaining active only in Nevada.

Struggles of smaller operators:

The challenges for smaller sportsbooks stem largely from the dominance of larger, better-resourced competitors. These companies have the financial means to outpace smaller players, making it increasingly difficult for the latter to carve out profitable niches. Betfred’s decision to scale back highlights the high costs of competing in a crowded market with razor-thin margins.

Betfred’s closures also underscore concerns about community impact. The shuttering of local sportsbooks can affect jobs and community engagement while raising questions about the long-term viability of smaller operators.