Betfair - Teaming up with Xoomworks proves odds-on winner for online betting leader

Betfair joined forces with UK-based Xoomworks to build a top-quality software development centre in Romania  

The challenge: Betfair had grown extremely fast since its launch in 2000 to become the world’s biggest online betting community offering sports exchange betting, poker, casino and games. The UK-based company had increased the products on offer to users and the number of people developing and maintaining its products had grown.
Betfair wanted to maintain its success by establishing good relations with communities in other countries and tapping into the diverse pools of skill available worldwide.

Xoomworks offered a solution: it would work with Betfair to develop a nearshore software development base in Romania, an EU country with a highly educated IT workforce.

The Xoomworks solution: Betfair found the outsourcing model offered by Xoomworks attractive. This offered Betfair a direct relationship with its own dedicated teams as they were being established in Romania, together with a longer-term option of taking direct control of the resources. Betfair were convinced that Romania was an ideal offshore location with advanced software developers who spoke English and were accustomed to a European business culture.  

Betfair had already successfully carried out several projects with Xoomworks and knew they had a first class reputation as a reliable partner with excellent industry knowledge, technological expertise and sound understanding of business dynamics.

Further, unlike most outsourcing companies, Xoomworks offered a “One Team” approach and Agile development methods which meant it would encourage its engineers in Romania to work with their counterparts at Betfair in the UK in an open, two-way relationship aimed at achieving shared objectives.

Xoomworks began setting up Betfair’s team in Romania and as its members became familiar with the complexities of the gaming industry they were quickly able to contribute to UK-based projects. In its first major project, the Romanian team developed Betfair’s successful Sportsbook product for the Italian market.

Further projects included transferring development of Betfair’s gaming and casino operation - one of its main income streams - from London to Romania.

Xoomworks also supported the transfer of Betfair’s mobile technology and its registrations and payments development to Romania.

Within two years Xoomworks had built the offshore team in Romania to a total of more than 70 specialist IT engineers, complementing and working closely with Betfair’s people in the UK and elsewhere.

The results: At the end of the project the Romanian teams were transferred to Betfair, which had gained the benefits of an offshore relationship while at the same time maintaining a close relationship with the IT engineers helping develop and maintain its products.

“Together, Xoomworks and Betfair have successfully built and operated a company that fits our needs and I highly recommend their business model. They are a company we have trusted with our business and they have delivered where it counts. They have understood our needs and helped us build a strong relationship with the teams in Romania.”

Peter Thomas, Head of Product Delivery at Betfair