Betting Exchange UK – The Ultimate Guide

Here is a screenshot of how Betfair betting exchange looks like:

Typically, we would expect to see only two sets of odds for each game. In this example, we have six available sets. The blue odds are the available odds to back, and the pink odds are the available odds to lay.

Now, let’s assume we want to support Deportivo Las Sabanas FC to win their match against Real Madriz. In this case, the current odds stand at 2.66. When we click on the 2.66, this selection will be added to our betting slip. We will then input the amount we are looking to wager, and this amount will be deducted from our account.  Ideally, up to this stage, the functionality of an exchange and betting sites UK are the same.

However, it is essential to note that in this case, we are not placing the wager directly with the exchange. Instead, the exchange only acts as the middleman. This means that we will be wagering with another person that has already chosen to lay the Deportivo.  The other person will then be acting as the bookie, which means that they have the responsibility to pay us at the set odds if we win.

The work of the betting exchange is to handle the financial transitions, i.e., our stake and the potential payout of the layer. The exchange will then hold this money until the outcome of the event is determined.

If the Deportivo wins, we will get our stake back plus the other player’s potential payout. However, if we lose, the layer will receive their potential payout back as well as our stake. The betting exchange will, however, deduct a commission, similar to a betting tax UK on winning side and this commission varies depending on the terms and conditions of a betting exchange, but it is typically around 2-5%.

Note: the selection process of when you are looking to back is similar to that of laying.

Here is a Simple Outline of the Process

• Identify the events you are willing to wager on
• Click on the odds (either lay or back)
• Input how much you are willing to wager

After the outcome has been determined, if you win, regardless of the betting sites by currency, you will receive your amount wagered plus the other person’s potential payout. If you lose, the other person will receive their potential payout as well as your stake.

You could also try sharbing, back the bet in a high street betting shop and lay it on Betfair exchange.

Betting exchange sites UK such as Betfair offer diverse markets which you can wager on and which are similar to those provided by UK betting sites (check our Betfair trading strategies guide if you are new to Betfair exchange and don’t know where to start). The main difference, however, is the market liquidity which is not always guaranteed.

For example, Betfair features varying liquidity levels when it comes to major European football leagues. However, during Premier League and Champions League matches, you can expect higher liquidity levels which also vary depending on which teams are playing.

On the other end, when it comes to horse racing, liquidity of some of the best horse racing betting accounts UK such as GentingBet, tends to rise quickly when the race time approaches.

If you are looking for lay betting sites UK for US sports such as NFL, NBA, and MLB, again, you might consider Betfair. However, compared to some of the biggest bookmakers UK has, such as Betfair, the markets might be quite limited.

We have also a created a comprehensive guide about making a living on Betfair.

Although the risks of exchange betting are minimal, it is essential to highlight them to help you decide on whether this form of betting fits your preferences. These drawbacks include:

• Bet matches are not guaranteed: You are not always assured that your bet will get matched (find out here what are unmatched bets and partially matched bets). If the market volatility is low, you are less likely to get a match. However, when betting on popular markets, the volatility is expected to be high.
• The bonuses and promotions are not as rewarding: Compared to betting bonuses offered by most online sportsbooks, betting exchanges have limited betting offers UK.

• Best Football Betting Sites UK

If you are looking for football betting sites UK  to trade leagues such as EFL, EPL, Champions League, Laliga, or local football matches, we will list all betting exchanges UK you can play at:

• • Betfair
  • Matchbook
  • Smarkets
  • Betdaq

• Best Exchange for UK Horse Racing Betting

Here is a betting exchanges list uk players can consider when looking for platforms with reasonable activities for horse racing bets

• • Betfair
  • GentingBet
  • Smarkets

• Best Exchange for Cricket Betting UK

Are you are a cricket fan? Here are some of the reliable cricket betting UK platforms that have reasonable traffic during cricket matches

• • Betfair
  • Smarkets

• Best Exchange for E-sports Betting UK

Although there are not many markets for alternative betting options such as UK political betting, spread betting UK or e-sports betting, the following CSGO betting sites UK offer some reasonable traffic for e-sports fan.

• • Smarkets
  • Betfair
  • Matchbook

• Best Exchange for Arbitrage Betting UK

It is possible to wager both sides of a bet on these arbitrage betting UK sites.

• • Betfair
  • Matchbook
  • Smarkets

Most betting companies UK sites (including 5 pound betting sites) offer no deposit betting UK bonuses and free bets.  Here is a breakdown of the offers.

• Betfair: You are awarded $10 welcome offer when you sign up.
• Matchbook:  You get $ 50 cashback when you join.
• Smarkets: You will receive a free $10 welcome offer when you sign up
• Betdaq: Get free$25 welcome offer after signing up

It is worth mentioning that these bets not only add to your bankroll and help you play with UK free bets and no deposits, but they also come in handy during match betting UK. Welcome offers are not the only ones you can claim. Although reload offers UK are not that frequent at UK betting exchanges check Gambling Judge’s promotions page to find the latest offers.

The possibility of your bet getting matched highly depends on the activities in the market and the liquidity of bets. That said, it means that when looking to join a bet exchange UK, you should ensure that the platform, be it websites or mobile betting apps UK, have a considerable number of sports and markets. This will attract more players which will increase the liquidity of bets.

The other factor you should consider is the regulation and licensing of the betting exchange. Always make sure that the betting exchanges UK are licensed by recognized gambling commissions. This will ensure your safety and a guarantee that you will receive your winnings.

When joining, you have to:

Compared to sports betting, exchange betting gives you more opportunities to bet which increase your chances of winning.

More so, since you are not betting against the bookie’s algorithms, you have a fair chance to win as long as you are sure about the selection you are backing or laying. Thus, exchange betting can be a profitable venture.

• Smarkets- Established in 2008, Smarkets is among the new UK bookmakers and is gaining popularity by the day. Their commission rate is reasonably priced at 2%.
• Betdaq-This is the second-largest exchange after Betfair, and was founded in 2000. It features a reasonable amount of liquidity on most markets and a competitive commission rate priced at 2%.
• Matchbook- Was established in 2004 and has retained its popularity primarily due to the super low commission rates of just 1.5% when you accept an existing offer in the market and 0.75% when you post an offer.

If you are looking for an exchange platform with high liquidity bets and numerous sports and markets, you might consider using Betfair. However, the commission rate at Betfair goes up to 5%.

As an alternative, we also recommend trying the betting exchange – Belgium-based sites and also on Belgium gambling sites.

On the other hand, if you are searching for a betting exchange with a considerable number of sports and markets and with a competitive commission rate, we would suggest the other betting exchange sites shown in this article.

Also, if you also want to learn how to bet online from abroad as a UK player, check here our guide.

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• Bookmakers by Country
• 1 GBP Deposit Betting Sites
• Bitcoin Betting in UK
• Horse Racing Betting Sites