Betting exchange are an interesting alternative to common online bookmakers. Imagine being your own bookmaker, and being able to bet against something happening empowering users to take an opposing view to traditional bookmakers. Let’s Compare Bets has lots of information about the benefits of betting exchanges. Instead this post will focus on reviewing the best betting exchange sites available to users from the UK, Europe, Australasia, Americas, Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Betfair
Pioneers of the betting exchange format they are the ones who started exchange betting.
Positives
- Worlds largest betting exchange
- Liquidity is high in more markets than rivals, from betting on darts to Premier League football (liquidity is money on both sides of the book. Lots of participants backing and laying in order to make the market)
- Offer fixed odds as well as betting exchange odds
- Large marketing budget enables them to offer generous sign up bonuses for new and existing customers
- Great website
- Cash out feature allow members to collect the value of their bet before the outcome has been described
- Free and premium software available allowing people to unlock advanced features of the exchange
Negatives
- Exchange commission is 5% which is high, but, discounts are available
Who can use Betfair?
Currently the website is available in English, Spanish, Portugues, Romanian, and Swedish.
People from Europe who want to register for Betfair can do some from these countries.
- UK
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
- Poland
- Belgium
- Hungary
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro
- Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic
- Sweden, Denmark, Finland
- Spain
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Germany (no Exchange)
- Malta (no poker or multiples)
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Lichtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Gibraltar
Countries from Australasia
- Australia
- New Zealand
From Asia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- South Korea
- Saudi Arabia (Afro-Asia)
- India
- Philippines
From America
- Allowed within Delware, New Jersey and Nevada via TVG (a Betfair company)
From South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Columbia
From Africa
- South Africa
- Egypt
Note; local rules and regulations change. For instance Betfair is currently (2016) applying for a Portuguese gambling license and is not accepted members from Portugal until this completes.
Betdaq
Betdaq is the second largest betting exchange operator.
Positives
- More generous commission discounting starting from 5%
- Commission refunds available as a promotion
- Trading software available from free and paid services
- free bet promotions on offer
Negatives
- Less liquidity especially in smaller markets
- Exchange commission is 5%
Who can open a Betdaq account?
People from the following European countries can open a Betdaq account.
- UK
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Andorra
- Gibralter
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Netherlands Antilles
- Sweden
- British Virgin Islands
From Australasia
- New Zealand
From the Americas
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Cayman Islands
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Falkland Island
- Panama
- Venezuela
- Trinadad and Tobago
The Africas
- Ghana
- Mauritius
- Tanzania
The Asias
- Azerbaijan
The Middle East
- Iraq
- Lebanon
SM Markets
An up and coming betting exchange.
Positives
- Only 2% commissions
- A range of markets
- free bet promotions on offer
Negatives
- lack of liquidity
Who can use SM Markets?
Accounts can be opened with various different currencies but there is no information about what countries are permitted. We have requested that information and are awaiting a reply. The currencies permitted are UK pound sterling, Euro, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Frank, Czech Koruna, Danish Krone, Hong Kong Dollar, Hungarian Forint, Japanese Yen, Norwegian Krone, Polish Zloty, Swedish Krona, and US Dollar.
Which of the top 3 betting exchanges you choose should depend on what you want from the exchange. Betfair is best for placing large bets, doing exchange trading, taking fixed odds or playing casino games. Betdaq is good for smaller bets on fewer markets and trading in some markets is possible. SM markets is good for small back or lay bets in fewer markets. Odds on the betting exchange can often be different on the same event making small exchange arbitrage bets possible. For a consistent, reliable and low risk way to have fun making cash from betting exchanges visitors should sign up to receive our Bet and Lay manual using the sign up form on this page (look for the button that says YES Please), or by visiting our joining page.