Betfair to in-source European development capability as part of international growth strategy

Betfair, one of the world’s largest online betting companies, has expanded its technology operations by establishing a Development Centre in Cluj, Romania. Betfair currently employs over 1500 people, principally in London, Malta, Tasmania and the US (as part of the acquisition of TVG). The office will add approximately 70 new members of staff to the Betfair payroll all of whom have been trained and hired locally. The centre will now be responsible for approximately a quarter of Betfair’s development projects focusing on innovations for Betfair’s Sportsbook, Games and mobile applications. It will also contain its own training and development function.

The Betfair Development Centre was built two years ago in Cluj, the Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe, in partnership with XoomWorks who helped train and develop staff. This operation has now become an integrated part of the Betfair Group. The company is a licensed betting operator in the UK, and holds licenses in Australia, Germany, Austria, Italy and Malta.

This initiative is one element of an aggressive global recruitment strategy to enable Betfair to grow internationally, extend its market leadership and innovate in terms of customer service and product quality.

“We want to recruit the best IT talent wherever it resides in the world.  This investment allows us to tap into the rich diversity and creativity of this region’s sizeable talent pool. We are delighted to consolidate our commitment to the centre by bringing it into the Betfair organisation at this exciting point in our international growth.” says Tony McAlister Betfair’s Chief Technology Officer.