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The Best Betting Exchange Sites in The UK – Brands & Alternatives

A betting exchange is a very sought-after alternative to online sportsbooks. There, you can place wagers against other players on the outcome of an event, which makes it more fun. Stick with us as we go over where you can find them, what they are and their pros & cons.

Finding the Best Betting Exchange Bookmaker Site

A betting exchange is a bit different when compared to a traditional bookmaker. The specifics of such a platform limit who can offer such a service. In general, only the most popular and well-established regulated brands can offer a betting exchange.

• Betfair– This is probably the largest and most popular betting exchange in the UK. On the other hand, it has one of the highest commissions of 5%, which can decrease with more use of the platform.
• Matchbook– Another quite popular betting exchange, where you can find lower commissions but not as wide a variety.
• Smarkets – This platform also offers relatively low commissions, and newly registered bettors can take advantage of 0% commission for the first 60 days.
• BETDAQ– This is one of the oldest alternative betting exchanges on the market. It keeps a competitive 2% commission rate.
• EasyBet– As one of the newest exchange sites, it offers additional features and competitive rates to stand out from the competition.

One of the main differences between the betting exchange market and standard sportsbooks is that there is a flat commission rate that is applied only on net wins. There are no rakes or other fees that are hidden behind the odds of an event. 

How Does a Betting Exchange Work – Back and Lay Bet Options

As we mentioned earlier, a betting exchange is a different platform compared to the traditional bookmaker. There, a bettor can place a bet against another player, and the exchange just acts as a middleman. Betting exchanges charge a small commission applied only on your net wins.

There are two forms of bets that are typical for an exchange. The first one is the Back Bet, where you place a wager for an outcome of an event, which is similar to something you would do in a standard sportsbook.

The second type is called the Lay Bet, where you can place a wager against an outcome happening. This type of wager puts you in a way the bookmaker for another player who wants to bet against you if they think that outcome will happen.

One of the few aspects that are sought after in an exchange is the trading flexibility. This allows you to buy and sell positions at any time. With this method, you can either apply some damage control and limit your losses or guarantee a profit as the event unfolds live.

Major Differences Between an Online Betting Exchange and a Traditional Bookmaker

Here, we would like to showcase some of the most notable differences between a betting exchange and a traditional bookmaker. First, the way the platform works. In an online sportsbook, you partake in sports betting, where the operator is your bookmaker. On the other hand, at a betting exchange, you can place a wager against an outcome happening, and you will be in sorts the bookmaker for other players that want to bet against you.

This brings us to the other difference, which is the odds. A standard online sportsbook manages its odds depending on the cash flow for a certain event and outcome. They do this to have better control over their risk and liquidity. At a betting exchange, the odds are controlled by the players through supply and demand and interaction between them.

Betting for an outcome can be a very different experience between the two types of platforms. At exchanges, you can view it as players creating their own markets. Bettors at an exchange have the opportunity to “shop around” and find fairer options depending on the odds available.

Also, a betting UK exchange allows players to trade positions while an event unfolds (much like in-play betting), resembling a trader moving stocks on the market. Also, the margins are quite different. Betting exchanges take a small commission only on your net wins, while standard online sportsbooks take their fees regardless of the outcome.

Alternatives to Betting Exchanges – The Best Sports Betting Sites not on GamStop

Due to the limited availability of betting exchanges on the market and hosted only by licensed operators, we would like to share with you a few alternatives to that. Here, we will give you a short list of what we consider to be the top 10 sports betting sites that are not on GamStop and not licensed with the UK Gambling Commission. Here is the ranking:

Bear in mind that lacking a licence from the UKGC doesn’t mean that the operators are without one. They have valid licenses issued by other major regulators, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao Gaming Control Board and the government of Gibraltar.

What is Available – In-Play Betting, Markets and More

If you join a bookie from our top 10 betting sites list, you will have access to a wide range of sports and betting markets. While the odds are set by bookies in this case, operators not on GamStop or the UKGC are unmatched in flexibility and can offer better promotions.

• Football
• Basketball
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Ice Hockey
• Handball
• Rugby
• Cricket
• Boxing
• Polo
• Horse Racing
• and much more.

You can place a stake on various sports markets with various types of bets, such as money line, over/under, point spread, parlay, futures, prop bets and even live bets. Every gambler can search through each platform and ensure that they find the best odds for any type of sport.

How We’ve Picked the Top Sports Betting Sites

All of these operators are offshore sites. First, we find which brands are willing to accept UK players. Then we go over their licensing and ensure safety and fairness. Next, we take a look at which markets are available, confirm the opportunity to make live bets on popular events and check league variety.

1.  Confirm UK player acceptance and check for a valid licence.
2.  Take a look at the available sports and leagues.
3.  Go through the promotions and see which ones will fit you the best.
4.  Evaluate the available payment options for secure and reputable providers.
5.  Confirm that there is a customer support team available 24/7.

If the operator has a valid licence and has a good sports and bet variety, it’s time to take a look at the available promotions. These offers can help you take your first betting steps with confidence. New users to the platform can take advantage of a welcome bonus that will match their deposit and give additional free bets.

Finally, you should take a look at the payment providers. It is crucial for any gambling site to offer secure and reputable payment options. Ensure that there is at least one that fits your preferences and can handle both deposits and withdrawals. Don’t forget to confirm that there is 24/7 customer support available.

Pros and Cons of Sports Betting Sites Compared to Betting Exchanges

Conclusion: Traditional Bookmaker Vs. Betting Exchange

As the final section of our guide, we would like to provide a quick summary. The traditional bookmakers, which are most online sportsbooks, offer a very wide range of sports and leagues to bet ok. This is further enhanced by the opportunity to make in-play bets, watch the games live on the platform and have access to many bet types.

On the other hand, betting exchanges allow players to bet against each other rather than make wagers against the bookie. They have a commission of usually between 2% and 5%, but it is applied only on net winnings. A bet exchange is a platform for bettors who enjoy having lots of different options and creating their own opportunities.

 On these platforms, players control the odds through supply, demand and trades, instead of the bookie influencing the odds for their own gain. On top of that, players can trade their bet positions for either locking in a profit or preventing any further net loss. This allows them to have control and find the best value trades in a particular market.