Senior Backend Developer (PHP/Java) - RaceBets
The team is building RaceBets, a global horse racing product used by millions. They are looking for a product-minded backend developer who ships high-quality features, not just endpoints. This role requires someone who asks why, owns outcomes, and cares about correctness in a real-money system. The work involves betting, settlements, payments, and partner integrations, where reliability and performance directly affect the business.
The developer will be involved with REST APIs and backend services in PHP 8+ for the web and B2B platforms. They will have feature ownership end-to-end, from requirements to implementation, testing, and release. The role also involves working with performance, architecture, security, and SQL in a high-traffic, SQL-first codebase. Additionally, there will be third-party integrations for payments, data feeds, and partners. AI tools will be used to move faster without cutting corners, accounting for approximately 15% of the work. There will be occasional Java work for debugging and integration across the PHP/Java boundary. Vue 3 / TypeScript can be used if the developer wants to grow full stack.
- Develop REST APIs and backend services in PHP 8+ for web and B2B platforms.
- Manage feature ownership end-to-end: requirements → implementation → test → release.
- Focus on performance, architecture, security, and SQL in a high-traffic, SQL-first codebase.
- Handle third-party integrations (payments, data feeds, partners).
- Utilise AI tools to increase development speed (~15%).
- Perform occasional Java (BetX) debugging and integration across the PHP/Java boundary.
- Work with Vue 3 / TypeScript if interested in growing full stack.
- Strong PHP 8+, REST APIs, and SQL in production (required).
- Experience with automated testing and a high quality bar (required).
- Product mindset - clarify requirements, push back when needed, care about outcomes (required).
- Self-starter who collaborates well in a small team (required).
- Mid-level or senior experience (required).
- Bonus: Java (nice-to-have).
- Bonus: Vue/TS (nice-to-have).
- Bonus: Betting/fintech experience (nice-to-have).
- Bonus: Familiarity with Symfony components (nice-to-have).
Betsson is a diversified, multinational gaming group whose history dates back to 1963 and which is now listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. The group employs around 3,000 people of more than 75 nationalities across over 20 locations; Betsson AB is registered in Stockholm, while its operational headquarters in Ta' Xbiex, Malta, run the day-to-day business. Through brands such as Betsson, Betsafe and NordicBet, it offers casino, sportsbook and other gaming products in regulated markets across Europe, the Americas and Central Asia. Its proprietary technology supports a scalable model serving both B2C customers and B2B partners, with responsible growth and customer protection central to its strategy.