If you would like to place a wager on a sporting event, you can either do so through betting sites that offer fixed odds betting or through a website that provides exchange betting. If you bet on a website that offers fixed odds, the bookmaker will decide the price and then pay you according to that price if you win your wager. On betting exchange sites, the punters decide the odds of each bet.
Best UK Betting Exchange Sites
An online betting exchange allows users to place bets on the outcomes of various events, including those in the entertainment and political spheres. When an exchange enables players to place wagers against one another, it differs from betting on a sportsbook. This is because a traditional betting site pits customers’ wagers against the bookmaker and has predetermined odds.
Compared to fixed odds betting sites, betting exchanges generally provide punters with more lucrative payouts for winning bets. We will give you information about the best betting exchange websites where you can fund your betting account to make bets and lay bets in a safe and secure environment, with the best possible chances of earning you a profit.
Best Betting Exchange Websites
Listed below are the best betting exchange sites and the welcome offers you can get if you sign up as a new customer.
smarkets
£20 REFUNDED IN CASH
Among the many recently added additions to the markets for placing bets on sports events, Smarkets is the most recent. This company has been in existence since 2008. They clarified that they intend to compete with Betfair and stated that they would be doing so. In April of 2014, Smarkets reached £ 500 million in lifetime trades.
However, the company took less than a year to double that amount, which led to the completion of £ 1 billion in transactions in March of 2015. The company’s commission rate of two percent is highly competitive and offers a clear advantage compared to Betfair, the market leader in this sector.
Info >Matchbook
£20 Risk Free Bet
Matchbook is a betting exchange established in 2004 and offers appealing features such as live streaming and cash out to its users. More than 20 different sports can be bet on at this company, which is owned by the company Triplebet Ltd. There is a 2% commission on winning bets at this company. Matchbook will probably be of interest to punters specifically interested in placing Asian Handicap bets.
There is a mobile app available for download on iOS and Android devices, and there is a significant chance of winning the competition. The Gambling Commission has granted Matchbook a licence to operate.
Info >betdaq
BET £10 GET £10
The BetDaq betting exchange is one of the leading options for sports enthusiasts. It offers new customers a welcome offer worth £10 once they place a wager on their exchange with an amount equal to the welcome offer. The website currently charges a commission fee of 2% on all winning bets, as is the industry-accepted standard.
Except for football, horse racing, greyhound racing, cricket, and virtual sports, BETDAQ does not charge commissions on any of its other markets. We like BETDAQ because of their promotions, which remove the commission on Saturdays when there are a lot of sports to bet on. It’s one of the reasons we like BETDAQ so much. In addition, BETDAQ is the only other betting exchange that provides a public API; Betfair is the only one that already exists.
The odds and markets offered by Betdaq are comparable to those provided by other companies in the industry. As a result, BETDAQ’s customers receive premium value. BETDAQ is one of the top three on the market because of this feature.
Info >Betfair
BET £10 GET £30 FREE BET
There is no doubt that because it has been in business for more than 20 years, the Betfair Exchange has become one of the most successful in the UK. New customers joining the bookmaker are eligible for a free bet worth twenty pounds (or twenty dollars), with a five percent commission rate on winnings. In particular, those interested in placing back bets will find the Betfair Exchange a desirable option.
It is generally the case that the exchange offers more favourable odds compared to Betfair’s sportsbook. As well as offering live streaming options, Betfair has a dedicated mobile app enabling you to place and withdraw bets from your account when you’re on the go.
Info >What Is A Betting Exchange?
As the name suggests, a betting exchange is not a bookmaker in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a kind of matchmaking service that brings together backers and layers of bets. As a result, there will be no conflict of interest between the betting site and the punters, which is excellent news for the punters.
Bookmakers who use traditional methods want you to lose your money. With exchange betting, there are usually commissions applied by betting exchanges on bets. This is because the exchange site will make its money from the commission rather than from a punter losing a bet.
As opposed to traditional bookmakers, betting exchanges do not set their odds. Instead, they serve as a platform on which customers can bet and place bets against one another. Therefore, it suggests that the odds are not determined by the betting exchange but rather by other users, resulting in the betting exchange offering a wider variety of odds.
If you place a bet, you will be doing so against another individual or a market maker. This means that the odds you receive when you place a bet on a betting exchange will be better than the odds you receive when you place a bet with a traditional sports betting site. They operate very similarly to a stock exchange in that they display orders (or bets) placed by gamblers who have either a positive or negative belief about an event.
There is no doubt that you can place bets on the financial market or exchange market through betting exchanges.
How A Betting Exchange Works
The most notable distinction is that on a betting exchange, participants can lay bets by presenting other players with odds that they are willing to accept. In other words, they can place bets on selections that are unlikely to win instead of those that are likely to do so.
It is due to this reason that players are essentially allowed to act as bookmakers. Besides the difference between traditional sports betting and exchange betting, one can make several other distinctions, one of which is the liquidity issue. There’s nothing more the bettor has to do than choose a wager, key in their stake, and they can begin playing at a sportsbook.
It is the responsibility of participants in the exchange to ensure that there is sufficient liquidity in the market. As a result, if there is insufficient capital on the opposite side of the market from the one you wish to wager, then your wager will not be matched in part or its entirety, depending on how much capital is available on the opposite side of the market.
Whenever a wager is placed, the money is initially divided into two pools: funds that have been put up to back the wager and funds that have been put up to lay the wager. As a result, the odds offered are used to determine how each “pool” is divided into individual pots.
Regardless of the outcome of a wager, the “winning” pool is given back to those who correctly predicted the outcome, while the “losing” pool is used to compensate those who bet on the incorrect outcome.
Even though you may think setting your odds sounds like a great idea, it is usually the best course of action to stick to the odds offered by the betting exchange. Generally, these are the odds that people are backing and laying in the most common situations.
Backing
It is imperative to note, that when you place a Back Bet, you are betting money on the expectation that a certain outcome will result in a profit. It is possible, for instance, that if you place a wager that Manchester United will beat Newcastle in a match that is a part of the English Premier League, it will be matched by another player who has wagered that Manchester United will lose the match. If this is the case, your wager will be cancelled.
If a particular Back Bet market is particularly active, a betting exchange platform may pair your Back Bet with wagers placed by a number of other parties. Unlike traditional sports betting, the odds that are offered on a back bet are determined by the total amount wagered on the market in question. This is in contrast to the guaranteed odds offered by a bookmaker. In betting on a game, you are not betting against the bookmaker but against the other players.
Laying
To lay a bet on a betting exchange, as opposed to backing a bet, a bettor assumes the role of a bookmaker and offers odds to sell on a bet they want other customers to bet on. This type of betting is done in place of backing a bet. Lay betting sites involve punters offering a bet; the outcome they hope does not come true while a match is being played.
This is a simplified explanation of the concept. You could, for instance, wager that a Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool will not result in Liverpool claiming victory. You may receive better value by laying a wager rather than placing a back bet, but this will depend on the currently available odds. It is entirely a matter of judgement.
Matched Betting
Placing multiple bets to cover all possible outcomes of a match while also ensuring a risk-free approach by taking advantage of free bet promotions and other incentives offered by bookmakers is commonly referred to as matched betting.
As an example of a matched bet, if you decide to wager a Back Bet using a Free Bet and a Lay Bet using a Lay Bet on Liverpool not to win the match, you would have placed a matched bet because you are betting enough money to ensure that you will not incur a loss. There is a requirement for you to have accounts on at least two different betting exchanges.
Sports Betting Exchange vs Traditional Sportsbook
Do you think that online betting exchanges are an improvement over the more traditional bookmakers? Of course, using a betting exchange instead of a sportsbook has advantages, but whether or not this is the best option for you is ultimately determined by the particulars of your situation.
On betting exchange websites, bettors can set their odds and therefore set their odds effectively. This is why, rather than competing against the bookmaker, the customers compete against each other.
Aside from the fact that you can place lay bets on exchange betting, only one of the most significant advantages is being able to place lay bets on exchange betting. In addition to betting exchanges, trading is an option available on online sportsbooks but not on betting exchanges.
How To Pick A Betting Exchange
Even though the number of online betting exchange sites is not nearly as large as the number of online sportsbooks, punters still have to choose which operators are most appropriate for their needs. The advantages and disadvantages of each betting exchange differ from one another, and each has its specific set of features.
To ensure you get the best exchange betting services, we have invested the time to conduct in-depth research and testing on the various exchange betting sites available today.
Mobile Exchange Betting
Regardless of whether you use a desktop computer or a mobile device, you should have access to the same number of markets and features. For example, there is no doubt that you are already aware that the vast majority of the best betting exchange sites in the UK can be accessed through mobile browsers.
At the same time, various companies have developed specialised betting exchange apps for mobile devices.
Commission
The commission is one of the essential aspects of exchange betting websites. Because a betting exchange is conducted from person to person, the players who come out on top of the exchange are the ones who have to pay the commission. As a result, it is generally accepted that the best betting exchange sites can do well while charging relatively low commission rates.
If the commission rate is lower, you can keep a more substantial portion of your winnings on your own. For instance, let us consider that the Betfair Exchange’s commission rate is 5%. Smarkets, on the other hand, charges only two percent. There is no doubt that Betdaq scores highly in this category because its commission rate is 0% across a wide range of sports.
Markets
There are many online online online online exchange betting sites offering various sports and competitions, including football betting, horse racing betting, rugby union betting, and cricket betting.
It is of the utmost importance that you pay attention to the betting market options available on the betting exchange websites in the UK. The greater the number of markets available, the better. As a result, the most highly regarded betting exchanges give their customers access to a diverse range of betting opportunities, given that not every customer is interested in placing a wager on the day’s most noteworthy events.
Liquidity
Another factor that distinguishes the top exchange betting sites from the rest of the competition is their level of liquidity. Liquidity, in layman’s terms, refers to the amount of money wagered on a specific market at any given time. This total amount will determine the maximum stake that can be placed in that market.
Liquidity is one of the most important factors when looking for a good betting exchange. There is a possibility that certain betting exchanges may offer what you are looking for in terms of market and odds. However, punters will find it challenging to place the bets they want on those exchanges if they have poor liquidity.
A measurement of the total money wagered on a particular event is called the event’s liquidity. This amount determines the maximum bet size that can be placed subsequently. If you are looking at placing a bet of £20, but there is almost no liquidity available, then you will not be able to do so.
Features
Many additional features contribute to the improvement of exchange betting. These days, several sites that offer online betting exchanges also provide live streaming options, cash out betting options, and live chat support. Having additional features is one of the things that can make a betting exchange stand out from its competition.
The sites that we are looking for, specifically, should make use of novel and exciting features.
Usability
For a betting exchange to be successful, it has to provide more than just a large selection of markets, competitive odds, and generous bonuses. In addition, the platform must be easy to use and intuitive.
When it comes to a betting exchange’s reputation, when it comes to how easy it is to use, then everything else they have to offer will be somewhat less relevant when it comes to its reputation. Therefore, this list includes only websites and mobile applications that require a minimum amount of effort to navigate and are up-to-date as far as their design is concerned.
What Sports Can I Bet On Using Betting Exchanges?
You can access a wide range of markets through websites hosting betting exchanges. In addition to sports fans, those who wish to bet on the worlds of politics and entertainment will be able to do so. This is also true for those who are fans of the majority of different sports. Certain sports indeed generate significantly more interest from gamblers compared to others.
Football
Since football is the sport with the most bets in the United Kingdom, you can read more about football betting, it is understandable that it occupies a significant amount of space on exchange betting sites. As a result, sportsbooks have to deal with a challenge regarding football due to the draw. In this match, three outcomes can be resolved: a win for Team A, a draw, or a win for Team B.
Bettors can use an exchange betting site to enhance their chances of winning by trading their bets with one another. For example, punters may bet on the Everton team to win the upcoming Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton.
With a betting exchange, if you place your wager on Liverpool not to win rather than a win for Everton in the match, you are predicting that Liverpool will not win the match which means a draw is also in your favour. You will win your bet and be successful if Everton wins or the game ends in a draw.
There are also betting exchanges that offer an array of Asian Handicap bets, a market many football fans consider one of their favourite bet types.
Tennis
In addition to football, tennis betting is also one of the sports that sees a lot of action on betting exchanges. This is because, in comparison to other sports, football is typically easier to predict the outcome of. One of the reasons tennis is such a popular choice is because it is a sport where there is always someone who comes out victorious.
Even though the match’s odds before it begins are not likely to be very attractive, there is still a possibility of finding value in the live markets before the game starts. When, for example, the player holding the top seed is losing the first set of the match, you might consider placing a back bet on the player holding the top seed during the game.
Horse Racing
Betting and horse racing are two activities that go hand in hand with each other. It is now possible for fans of the sport to have access to a virtually endless number of opportunities, as several competitions are being held across the United Kingdom and Ireland daily.
Both back and lay bets can be placed on runners, depending on whether you believe the runner has a chance of winning. Even if live horse racing exchange markets are unavailable, the pre-race odds can still be highly appealing even if there are no live exchange markets.
How To Place A Bet At A Betting Exchange
Placing a bet on a betting exchange is just as straightforward as placing a bet on a traditional sportsbook, which is a huge advantage. If you want to become a member of the betting exchange, all you have to do is visit their website and sign up for an account as you would a traditional bookmaker.
You can also download their mobile app. The next step of the process would be to enter your personal and financial information. These would then be processed by the relevant operator, all of which would be stored safely thanks to the stringent safety measures implemented.
Afterwards, you will be required to deposit for the money to be added to your account. It would help if you were careful about how much you wager, as there may be a minimum requirement that you have to meet to qualify for the welcome bonus. Make sure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the sign-up offer before adding any funds to your account.
After completing the registration process at the betting exchange of your choice, you will be able to place your bets on the available events. It is imperative to note that, unlike most conventional gambling websites, the exchange odds will be displayed as a decimal value. If you want to make a back bet or a lay bet on the various options available to you, you are the only person who can make that decision. There is no difference between placing a bet on a typical betting site and the experience that you would expect on a typical betting site; however, depending on the betting market, there may even be a minimum stake amount that you must stake.
There will be a price value displayed beneath the decimal odds. The value will indicate the minimum requirement that must be met for your bet to be active. For example, when the bet value is less than £10, any bet that is less than that amount will be accepted by the betting exchange immediately; whereas, when the value is more significant than £10, the betting exchange may take some time to accept the wager.
In most cases, you should not have any trouble creating an account or placing bets using these betting exchanges since the process is relatively easy to follow and understand.
Final Thoughts
To make the most of your gambling experience on a betting exchange in the UK, you need a thorough understanding of the concepts of “backing,” “laying,” and “matched betting.” Using a betting exchange allows punters to utilise live betting mechanisms more effectively, potentially reducing the likelihood of losing bets that have already been placed.
The biggest advantage to betting exchanges are you tend to get better odds which means more money in your pocket if you are lucky enough to win.
If you want to bet on a game or event currently taking place, we strongly suggest that you watch as much of the event as possible via live streaming, so you will always stay informed of the latest developments.