Bethard Casino Review
Bethard Casino is permanently closed. The Bethard Group surrendered its UK Gambling Commission licence in 2020 and ceased all UK operations on 6 July 2020. The domain may have since been acquired by unrelated parties, so proceed with caution if you encounter a gambling site using the Bethard name.
Bethard History
Bethard was operated by Bethard Group Limited, a Malta-based company (registration C97366) that launched its UK-facing casino around 2018. The brand quickly gained recognition for combining sports betting with a comprehensive casino offering, positioning itself as a one-stop gambling destination for UK players.
The operator held a full UK Gambling Commission licence alongside additional licences in Malta, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. This multi-jurisdictional approach reflected the company’s broader European ambitions, with the UK representing a key market in their growth strategy.
Bethard distinguished itself through a sports-first approach, with deep betting markets that complemented its casino offering. The brand sponsorship strategy included high-profile partnerships, most notably with football clubs and individual sports personalities, which helped establish visibility in the competitive UK market.
The operator’s platform served multiple brands including Fastbet (their no-account/Trustly casino), SverigeCasino (Swedish-facing site) and Betive under the Bethard Group umbrella. This portfolio approach allowed the company to target different player segments while sharing operational resources.
When the company announced its withdrawal from the UK market in mid-2020, the decision marked the end of a relatively brief but notable presence that had earned favourable reviews from industry observers, including our team who had rated it 4.5/5 during its operational period.
What Bethard Offered
Bethard featured an integrated platform that combined sports betting with casino gaming. Players could access both verticals through a single account, with a unified wallet system that allowed seamless movement between betting on live sports and playing casino games.
The casino section provided a solid selection of online slots, table games and live dealer options. While the exact game count wasn’t a standout feature, the offering included popular titles from major software providers, ensuring players had access to both classic favourites and new releases. If you’re looking for operators with even more extensive game libraries, check out our guide to the best slot sites for platforms with hundreds of games and exclusive titles.
The sportsbook was where Bethard particularly excelled, offering extensive market coverage across football, tennis, basketball and many other sports. The platform supported both pre-match and in-play betting, with competitive odds that attracted recreational punters and more serious bettors alike. Players who enjoyed this comprehensive betting experience should consider the fast payout casinos that offer similar quick withdrawal processing and competitive odds.
Payment methods included standard UK-friendly options such as debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers. The operator prided itself on swift withdrawal processing, complementing its customer-first approach with responsive support available through multiple channels including live chat. Many players who valued Bethard’s quick cashouts might want to explore no wagering bonuses for even better value when joining a new casino.
Why Do Online Casinos Close?
Online casinos close for several reasons, and it happens more often than most players realise.
Financial viability is the most common factor. Running a licensed online casino involves significant costs — platform fees, game licensing, payment processing, compliance staff, and marketing. Smaller operators sometimes find these overheads unsustainable, particularly in competitive markets like the UK.
Regulatory changes also play a role. The UK Gambling Commission regularly updates its requirements, and operators that cannot meet new standards may choose to surrender their licence rather than invest in compliance. This has become more common since the tightening of affordability checks and enhanced due diligence requirements.
Corporate restructuring accounts for many closures. When larger gambling groups acquire smaller operators, they often consolidate brands — keeping the strongest performers and retiring the rest. The players and sometimes even the staff move to sister sites within the same group.
In some cases, the UKGC itself revokes or suspends a licence due to regulatory failures, which forces an immediate closure.
Is the Bethard Website Still Safe?
When a casino closes, its domain name eventually expires and can be purchased by anyone. This is a genuine risk that players should take seriously.
The Bethard domain may no longer be operated by the original company. Unrelated third parties — sometimes unlicensed operators based offshore — can acquire expired casino domains and launch new gambling sites under the same name. These sites have no connection to the original operator, no UK licence, and no obligation to protect your funds.
Before depositing at any site, always verify its licence status on the UKGC public register at https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register. Search for the operator name (not the casino brand) to confirm they hold a valid licence.
If the Bethard domain is now showing a gambling site that is not listed on the UKGC register, do not create an account or deposit any money. Report the site to the UKGC and Action Fraud.
Alternatives to Bethard
If you’re looking for sports betting combined with casino gaming (like Bethard offered), several excellent UK-licensed alternatives are available:
Bet365 — the market leader for sports betting with comprehensive casino games. Bet £10 get 100 free spins, with in-play depth, early pay-outs and fast withdrawals in under 2 hours.
Ladbrokes Casino — heritage bookmaker with modern tech and strong casino offering.
Betfred — independent UK operator famous for football specials with integrated casino. £40 in free sports bets plus 50 wager-free spins, featuring Double Delight/Hat-trick Heaven prices, same-game multis and Playtech/Blueprint exclusives.
You can also browse our guides to Best Casino Sites to find operators that match what Bethard offered.
What Happens to My Data and Money?
The UK Gambling Commission requires licensed operators to follow a structured wind-down process when closing. This includes returning all customer funds within a reasonable timeframe and providing clear communication about the closure timeline.
Customer funds held by UKGC-licensed operators must be protected under one of three segregation levels. When a casino closes, players should receive their remaining balances. If you had funds in your account when Bethard closed and have not received them, contact the operator directly using any email addresses from your account correspondence.
Your personal data is protected under GDPR regardless of whether the casino is still operating. You have the right to request deletion of your data by contacting the operator’s data protection officer. If the company has dissolved, you can raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Dispute resolution remains available through independent bodies. If you have an unresolved complaint, you can contact IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service) or the ADR provider specified in the casino’s original terms. GAMSTOP self-exclusion registrations remain active across all UKGC-licensed operators, so any existing self-exclusion continues to apply at other UK casinos.
FAQs About Bethard
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