Last updated June 7th, 2024
BetVictor, originally known as Victor Chandler Bookmaker, is licensed in both Gibraltar and the UK. Established in 1946, it is a large and well-known independent bookie. BetVictor’s turnover exceeds £200m per month and it serves players in over 155 countries. It continues to be a major sponsor of sporting events. In 2014 Michael Tabor took control and the firm has never been more financially solid that it is right now. However this Just Bookies’ review no longer recommends it as a reputable online sports betting and casino site. This is because it limits players stakes very quicky when they have a winning run of luck. Amazingly this firm used to have the reputation of accepting a sizeable sports wager but nowadays the opposite is the truth.
OPINION: Established in its current form over 60 years ago, but with roots going back to 1925, BetVictor remains one of the most well-known brands in UK bookmaking. It was known for the majority of that time as Victor Chandler. The last chairman of that name retired in 2014, selling out to Michael Tabor, a well-known name in UK horse racing circles. BetVictor is in safe hands financially as Tabor is one of the richest men in the world.
At Just Bookies we did bet at the BetVictor website and we were limited to almost nothing very quickly. BetVictor is not much worse than many of their UK rivals in that respect – but it is a very motley bunch of bookmakers in the UK. They all want loads of punters who bet with very small stakes and lose often. If you don’t fit that criteria then this firm is not for you. Because of this poor customer experience, we don’t recommend BetVictor anymore.
Similar to many of their rivals, their use of Gibraltar as a way to avoid paying UK tax should be investigated. It is amazing what the UK bookmakers get away with by pretending to be offshore, while other business sectors are exposed via the media and HMRC for such underhand tactics.
There are better options than BetVictor, as detailed on our Just Bookies’ home page.
Have you played at BetVictor, so how was it for you? Please leave your opinion, star rating and feedback at the bottom of this BetVictor review.
In-Depth Review of BetVictor Bookmaker
BetVictor Bookmaker was run by the eponymous Victor Chandler until May 2014. His vanity in later years persuaded him to be the rather wooden star of his own TV ads. He was a far better bookmaker than screen idol, but it was his grandfather (the first of three Victors) who started the business.
Upon his retirement, the most recent Chandler sold his shares to Michael Tabor. The latter is better known as a phenomenally successful racehorse owner, but he earned quite a reputation and his first fortune as a bookmaker. Not only did he have betting shops, but he liked nothing better than to lay bets as a rails bookmaker on the racetracks. Goodwood, particularly in the era of jockey Michael Roberts, was a profitable haunt!
Stepping back in history, the latest outgoing Victor Chandler was the grandson of the man who set up Walthamstow dog track soon after the First World War – and that was the start of this bookmaking journey.
The most recent Victor took over the mantle in the mid 1970s. For a privately-educated man who inherited the company, he did prove entrepreneurial and forward-thinking, navigating the changing business terrain with admirable dexterity.
He switched the focus of the company from retail to online much sooner than any other large firm. While the big high street chains – like the reluctant William Hill – stagnated and stayed out of the internet game, Victor Chandler made what was a very brave move at the time and took the whole operation offshore to Gibraltar in 1999. It was the start of tax free betting for UK punters and ultimately led to a wholesale change in the way the industry was taxed.
The firm was also represented in the Far East, with the management recognising the untapped potential of that huge market. Never afraid to negotiate the regulatory challenges of these emerging markets, BetVictor reaped the benefit.
A shrewd man, Chandler could adeptly manage the media to his advantage and, because of his undoubted charm and charisma, he was lauded as the ‘gentleman bookmaker’. Some might describe that phrase as somewhat of an oxymoron, we couldn’t possibly comment. It is interesting to reflect that the brand of such a goliath of the world betting industry was wrapped up so deeply in the persona of its one chairman.
BetVictor had gone its own way, realising the importance of personal service and keeping clients happy so they return to bet again. They had a reputation for taking huge wagers. Unfortunately, now they have followed the route of most of their rivals, and are scared stiff at the sight of big-staking sports gambler. Their online site only seems to want tiny stakes from regular punters who they view as fodder. Discerning players are soon shown the proverbial door as their stakes are limited with or accounts closed without any form of courtesy. It is such a shame that a once admirable company – and that is a rare thing for any bookmaker – has sunk so low so fast.
So our BetVictor review concludes with the thought that while you are safe to join this firm in the modern era, you will get limited if you get lucky. Also, make sure yo only be small because anyone who looks other than a recreational bettor simply is not welcome. Find better options on our home page.
BetVictor Affiliate Program Review: Closing Accounts & Making Enemies
This is not relevant to many punters, except to reinforce the dubious ethics at BetVictor, but it is worth noting that their affiliate program is badly managed and has closed many of their partners without warning or communication. In doing so they have stolen referred clients that had been promised as lifetime commission.
Contact is almost non-existent and they seem to view their business partners as powerless victims to be ripped off. Certainly the reputation of their affiliate program in the betting industry is mud. There are many decent webmasters who will confirm this and this is just one example of very many threads we could link to to give a flavour of what we are talking about.
We could name names and give much more coverage to this ugly issue. Suffice to say, their business ethos is nefarious. Considering their suspect use of a tax haven such as Gibraltar to sidestep UK obligations to HMRC with impunity, it is shortsighted to rip off quite so many business partners. They are UK based and anything stated to the contrary is a sham. A few years ago, this firm took a wrong turn and just kept going.
Comment On, Rate & Review BetVictor
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Had only been betting with them a week when they limited me. Was not even in profit on my betting. What is wrong with these bookies? UK Gambling Commission should remove licenses if they won't lay an advertised price to lose £2k. BetVictor have gone down the tubes totally. I remember when Channel 4 racing used to fawn over Victor Chandler when he was a rails bookmaker because he took such "large bets" on Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival and the like. Now the firm in his name is scared of a few quid. Disgusting.
Back a few winners and they close you down. I am not even a winning punter overall. They are also gaming Trustpilot with fake reviews, but then who isn't.
Another cookie-cutter British online bookmaker that wont take a bet, uses affordability checks as an excuse not to pay and doesn't communicate properly. A waste of time.
This site supposedly is one of top 5 but I wouldn’t even give it a star. When you win it is like winning the lottery because it hardly gives any bonuses and when it does it gives you maximum to £5. I’ve played other sites too and I have defo have had more winning than I had in this site in the last 2 months (actually I only won once while I spent it and never won a penny since). I don’t know why the reviews are so good which is the reason I am starting to think that I am either unlucky of those reviews are fake.
BetVictor is a joke bookie nowadays. Can't get on for love nor money. They only want £1 bets and run scared of anything that might win more than a fiver. Pathetic. Avoid these useless charlatans.
Star man both Victor and Michael Tabor. Had some big bets with both back in the day, same era as Tony Morris John Henwood? Born in St Johns Wood, I was an early punter. You could always get on sometimes with no money in your bin!
This bookmaker has lost the plot. The odds are uncompetitive. I can't get bigger bets on and, the football markets particularly, are slow to be updated.
Just tried to get £400 at 5/6 with BetVictor on Arsenal v Marseille half-time/full-time market and they refused the bet and immediately shortened the odds to 8/11. Utterly pathetic bookmaking. They may as well pack it all in now. Victor Chandler - you should be ashamed.
I had problems getting a largish bet on their website at night and they offered me a fraction of what I wanted. I tried again during the day and got the whole amount on at the odds I wanted no problem. I suppose that does make sense. I find BetVictor to be one of the best for my regular betting.
I have read mixed reports on if BetVictor takes a big bet or not. My experience is that they don't, especially if you have some winners. I know they limit people as it happened to me. Found BetVictor unimpressive.