Discover the ultimate betting exchange sites, offering enhanced odds, increased liquidity, and cutting-edge features. Unleash your betting potential with our top recommendations!
These are the best betting exchange sites in the UK based on data collected by our expert team from the UKGC-licensed bookmakers listed on OLBG.The list below contains the five main reliable betting exchanges available to UK customers. If you are looking for the best betting apps based on all factors then head to our main betting sites page to see all UK bookies listed in order of user review. We also have a full list on welcome offers and free bets.
The best exchange app available with low commission rates. Smarkets gives Exchange betting and trading a modern feel and is a great alternative to Betfair
Betdaq operates the world's second-largest online betting exchange, along with fixed odds sports betting.
An excellent exchange alternative to other exchanges with attractive commission rates. Exchange accumulators set them apart from the rest.
Easybet is a user-friendly sports betting platform offering diverse markets, competitive odds, and customisable bets
Of all the exchange sites, Smarkets has the best app, so bear that in mind if that is a big consideration point for you as a bettor. They have low commission rates and offer a brilliant alternative to the others, mainly thanks to how slick the app is. There are a tonne of statistics, live odds data, different graphs and infographics, all to help inform bets.
Smarkets has always been rated highly by OLBG members, consistently matching the previously available Matchbook and BetDaq exchanges in our users’ eyes. You will find a section later on in the article explaining why you need a second exchange account if you are an active sports betting trader, and the recommendation in the absence of Matchbook is to open and use a Smarkets account.
If you’re looking specifically for welcome offers or free bets you can head directly to the Smarkets free bets page.
BetDaq concentrates on low commission rates, with a wide range of betting options available. They also offer up a load of innovative and creative promotions, and is a must-have for people who love arbitrage betting. On top of that, BetDaq definitely matches its competitors in terms of supporting statistics alongside the market display, and out of the four sites BetDaq should be your go-to for exchange multiple betting. You can place doubles, trebles and other multiples on their exchange, as well as offering interesting betting and trading articles, with market mover information
Only charging 2% commission, compared to 5% on Betfair, gives a decent enough reason for customers to sign up for a Betdaq account. Over a year that lower 2% can make a big difference to your annual profits. On £50 profit you would only pay £1.00, compared to a maximum £2.50 on Betfair.
If you’re looking specifically for welcome offers or free bets you can head directly to the BetDaq free bets page.
In the past, Matchbook has been the most generous of all the exchanges with regular 0% commission welcome offers which plays well against Betfair being the highest commission rate at 5%. The design is more modern than Betfair although not at all dissimilar at the same time. I would have to say navigation between markets is considerably quicker.
Matchbook has comparable liquidity to Betfair on horse racing and major events, while the app, and site, has a slick feel across its platform. The low commission rates make it an excellent option, and they even do a brilliant and influential podcast that is well worth a listen.
If you’re looking specifically for welcome offers or free bets you can head directly to the Matchbook free bets page.
EasyBet is the newest exchange site to the UK gambling industry and makes a solid start. You get the sense that it has launched to test the waters and will add, tweak and improve as time goes on. It doesn’t have the same number os sports or events covered as Betfair, for example, but can absolutely compete with other exchange sites when it comes to odds available and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of money in the markets. There isn’t a lot in the way of promotions, but the Enhanced Specials are a nice touch and I can’t find anything in the way of live streaming. That said, this feels like a solid introduction to the market.
If you’re looking specifically for welcome offers or free bets you can head directly to the EasyBet free bets page.
It’s still worth considering exactly what it is that you’re after as a bettor. Different users will want different things from their bookmaker, and that still applies to exchanges. With that in mind, the below outlines why some users may choose one over the other, despite our overall scores cross the board.
The reality is, it suits you as a bettor to have more than one exchange account.
With a standard bookie you are taking a bet from the house (the bookie in question), but with exchange betting you are betting with other bettors, and use the betting exchange as a platform where two bets are brokered. You can back a bet, or lay a bet, with different prices for each. The “lay” is more like a traditional bet with a bookie, so with exchange betting (and this is simplifying it somewhat) you can place a bet, or be the bookmaker. To find out more, and digest in more detail, head to our Betting Exchange Guide.
Betting Exchange Guide
Exclusive competitions, free prizes, and plenty of bookie advice and tips in our free Betting Brief newsletter.
You can see from the table below the lowest commission rates of the UK betting exchanges listed however, each commission rate works slightly differently from others.
To help understand these rates more completely before deciding to open a new betting exchange account, and who with, we offer fuller explanations on betting exchange commission rates in the next sections.
We thought it would be helpful to find a full commission rate comparison for betting exchange sites in one place, as when we were researching for this article we couldn’t find one online.
We present the basic commission rates for UK Betting Exchanges in the table above, and then in subsequent sections go on to explain them in further detail, exchange by exchange.
There are slight differences in the advertised exchange commission rates depending on your activity and some pass over of point of consumption taxes. Explained in full below
Let’s compare a simple football bet on the exchanges to see how the commission rates affect your nett return
We are ‘back’ betting on an outcome in a betting market to win at odds of 3.00 with £50 stake to win £100.
A 2% commission rate for all on winning bets only based on the profit. As you can see in the table above, a £50 stake on a 3.00 winning selection, provides, £100 profit, which will be taxed at 2% commission, meaning your nett profit is £98
You can’t beat a bit of simplicity. Oh, there is also a 1% commission level too.
This ‘Pro Tier’ Commission rate is for users making more than 1500 or staking more than £1,000,000 each calendar month. I’m guessing this is not you, but if it is, OPT IN to half the commission you are paying.
But in another late plot twist, the 1% is applied to each matched bet, either on the profit value or the loss depending on the outcome.
Use code COMMFREE to trade with 0% commission for 60 days. Min. £10/€10 first deposit using Debit Card or Instant Banking. Full T&C’s apply.18+. GambleAware.org
A 2% commission rate for all on winning bets only based on the profit. As you can see in the table above, a £50 stake on a 3.00 winning selection, provides, £100 profit, which will be taxed at 2% commission, meaning your nett profit is £98
With BetDaq, a nice, simple 2% is applied as a ‘normal commission rate’ – It’s unlikely that you will fall outside of this band, as exceptions are generally commercial entities.
So, just the 2% paid on any nett winnings. Nothing payable if a nett loss has been made on the market.
It’s a lower rate than Betfair, comparable that you only pay on profit, so head to head, BetDaq come out better.
Check out the Betfair v BetDaq section below for more direct comparisons between the two exchanges.
New 18+ Customers only. 0% commission on all exchange sports for 100 days. Promo code 0COMM100 must be entered during registration. Offer only available to users who deposit via debit card. Standard 2% commission rate applies on 101st day. Not available to API, RDT or trading software customers. T&Cs Apply.
Often betting exchanges are lauded for offering better prices in comparison to traditional online bookmaker sportsbooks. This is often the case and is backed up with the information on the event chosen below from the best odds bookmaker for the event.
However, if the liquidity is not present at a better price then it is a false scenario and the sportsbook is the better place to make the bet.
Choosing the Nations League Semi-Final between the Netherlands and England as an example and looking specifically at the price to bet on the Netherlands we find the following price and liquidity comparison information.
I have added BetVictor’s current best price on the Netherlands also for comparison against sportsbook pricing too. I use BetVictor as they are usually the best-priced bookie for football betting as you can see from this odds comparison guide which shows which bookmaker is best for football betting odds as well as lots of other sports.
Whilst the lay price was the same across the board, you could lay over £5k with Smarkets at the general price of 3.05
The POOR Liquidity available on this market at BetDaq was a standout. With just £796 available to bet at the lowest back price, the alternatives both offer a better backing option
Likewise, whilst a lay is available at a competitive price, only £118 is waiting to be matched, against over £1400 with Betfair and a huge £5k with Smarkets
Market Liquidity is an Important Factor when Choosing a Betting Exchange
You want the maximum amount to bet or lay at the best prices. In this test, both Matchbook and Smarkets did well.
Liquidity is the amount of money available to bet either with or against in a betting exchange market. Liquidity is both the price available to ‘back’ or the amount of ‘back stakes’ available to lay at. For more information on how betting exchanges work, check out this betting exchange guide.
Having more than one betting exchange account is 100% essential if you are using the exchange to trade.
Traders do not bet in the same way as normal punters and as such need absolute security that they can have access to a market at all times.
Whilst betting exchanges are generally very reliable, it is inevitable that they will have some technical failure or downtime at some point.
A Dangerous and Potentially Costly Situation
If your main exchange goes down when you have big liabilities open, what are you going to do?
Not a problem if you have placed your bet to win, and that is all you are using the exchange for, but if you are taking trading positions, then it is likely you will have high sports trading liabilities for at least a short period of time.
If the exchange you are trading on goes down at a point when you are in a high liability open position, you will have no way of closing.
This is where your second betting exchange account comes to the rescue. call it the 5th emergency service, if you will!
Your 2nd Exchange Account is your 4th Emergency Service
You should always have a second exchange account open and ready to rescue positions if your main exchange goes down.
Betting exchanges introduced the concept of in-play betting. With events going in play you can make a profit before an event finishes, and profit on all outcomes.
E.G: If you have backed Arsenal at 3.0 selection to win the game, and Arsenal scores in the first 10 minutes their price will shorten. The other options of the draw and the away team Manchester United will get bigger, you may see a scenario as below.
Pre-Match Betting Exchange Odds
Arsenal score after 10 minutes
In-Play Betting Exchange Odds:
But remember you have already backed Arsenal at 3.0. So your Exchange odds now look like this:
We know that when odds on an event add up to less than 100% a profit can be made by backing all selections. Having backed Arsenal at 3.0, you can now back the other options or lay Arsenal to guarantee you a winning outcome on a betting exchange.
This is betting heaven compared to 20 years ago. In this day and age, all bettors should have at least 1 Betting Exchange account, click any of the links to sign up today.
Are you looking for the perfect exchange betting site? Look no further! At OLBG, we’ve meticulously crafted an editorial process that ensures each review is thorough and reliable. Our comprehensive assessment involves a team of seasoned reviewers and dozens of regular sports bettors, dedicating a minimum of a month to each review. Here’s an inside look at our review and rating policy, tailored to help you find the best exchange betting sites.
Our experienced in-house writers spend at least two weeks evaluating each betting site. They place at least ten bets, testing various sports, markets, and features. With over a decade of online betting experience, our reviewers provide insightful comparisons with personal experiences across multiple platforms.
In the third and fourth weeks, our review panel rigorously tests each exchange betting betting site, providing a rating out of 5 stars. They review the initial evaluation, offering additional feedback and insights. This collaborative effort ensures a well-rounded and accurate review, enriched by diverse exchange betting betting preferences and experiences.
Once the core review is complete, OLBG members who regularly bet are invited to try out the site and share their ratings and feedback. This community-based evaluation brings a practical perspective, highlighting real user experiences and preferences.
We aggregate reviews and ratings from regular sports bettors, allowing you to compare and determine the best betting exchange sites for you. Reading through these genuine user experiences provides peer-to-peer endorsement.
Our members rate each bookmaker out of 5, contributing to an extensive database of reviews. For instance, bet365, with over 1,000 ratings, holds an impressive 4.4/5 score. You can explore individual reviews to understand why it’s a top choice among betting exchange bettors.
We publish these reviews unedited (excluding content with swearing, potential libel, or specific disputes) to maintain transparency. For specific disputes, we advise direct communication with the bookmaker or consulting IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service).
We constantly update our reviews, incorporating new feedback and significant changes to ensure they reflect the latest information. Major updates, like a site redesign or new sport additions, trigger a full reassessment, providing you with the most current and accurate data.
We offer detailed comparison guides highlighting the best sites for different sports and bet types. This thorough comparison allows our review team to identify top performers and under performers, making your selection process easier.
OLBG boasts an industry-leading Trustpilot rating of 4.6 from over 800 reviews. Check out our Trustpilot reviews to see why we are a trusted source for betting site reviews.
Ready to find the best exchange betting site? Trust OLBG’s rigorous review process and extensive user feedback to guide your choice.
Exploring new UKGC-licensed betting sites can offer a range of benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. A fresh bookmaker provides an excellent opportunity to start with a clean slate, and a fresh approach to a specific sport, odds and features that are tailored to your betting style
Switching to a newly-licensed bookmaker introduces you to new welcome bonuses and promotional offers unavailable at sites you may already be registered with. new betting operators often attempt to differentiate themselves through innovative features, alternative market selections, and competitive odds.
Pros
Cons
If you’re on the hunt for a new betting exchange site, there are several crucial elements you should consider to ensure a top-notch betting experience:
With over 80 online bookmakers licensed in the UK, we only list those vetted by the UK Gambling Commission and good for exchange betting in our bookmakers guide. Betting with non-licensed bookmakers offering exchange betting can be risky and may lead to complications in case of disputes. For your peace of mind, always check if a betting site holds a valid license through the Gambling Commission website.
Data correct as of 4/9/2024 – Source: Trustpilot Betting Agencies
Not all licensed exchange bookmakers meet our reliability criteria. We exclude those with a track record of pending payments, shifting terms and conditions, and poor customer service. While we highlight these issues in our reviews, the worst offenders don’t make our list.
Small, new companies in the UK market may pose higher risks due to potential cash flow issues. However, if they are UK Gambling Commission-registered, they must meet financial solvency criteria. Larger, more established companies typically present lower risks. While it’s rare for bookmakers to close without honouring bets, choosing established operators for long-term (ante-post) wagers is advisable. Diversifying your bets across multiple bookmakers can also mitigate risk.
Reputation is best gauged through user experiences. We gather over 500 user reviews from the OLBG community to offer detailed insights into various UK betting sites. These reviews cover customer service experiences and how disputes were resolved.
We meticulously analyse each betting site’s terms and conditions, withdrawal policies, and deposit terms. Some sites may impose charges for certain transactions or inactivity, so it’s crucial to be well-informed. Our community reviews and research highlight these details to ensure you get fair terms.
If you’re content with your current bookmaker but want a change, or you must provide proof of affordability and are looking for alternatives, we have recommendations for similar sites.
There are many ways to fund your exchange betting account. While this list is not exhaustive, it covers the most popular and trustworthy methods.
The minimum deposit is often £5, but it can be much higher for some bookies. Check out our review pages for online betting sites’ minimum deposit amounts. In addition to varying by the bookmaker, this can vary by the deposit method used.
Guide to Safe and Secure Online Betting Site Payment Methods
Learn about the safest and quickest online bookie payment
methods to easily fund your account and manage withdrawals.
Bookmakers will generally return any winnings to the same card or payment method used to deposit unless instructed otherwise. Sometimes you will be asked to provide details to help the online bookmakers comply with money laundering regulations. Please understand that the online bookmakers are not being difficult, they are simply following legal guidelines. This will be even more likely if you withdraw using a different payment method than you used to deposit.
A debit card is the most common deposit method for online betting sites, this is a straight transfer from a UK bank account. Bookmakers or any gambling companies are no longer allowed to accept credit cards as a deposit method.
Most UK bookies accept PayPal which is the most popular e-wallet with sports bettors. Some people like to use it to keep betting transactions off their bank statements, others find it a much faster way to deposit in and out of betting sites. Be aware that using PayPal could exclude you from welcome offers with some bookies.
Many of the larger online betting sites support Apple Pay and it’s like to be available on more sites soon. Deposit and withdrawal times will be the same as the bank cards being used through Apple Pay.
Skrill is an alternative to PayPal. Used to be known as Mneybookers, this has always been a popular payment method for online gamblers. and is accepted at most sites.
These are prepaid cards which can be used to fund online betting accounts. Fees aren’t charged for deposits and so these are a popular way to fund online accounts for those who don’t use bank cards.
In recent years the regulations for bookmakers have tightened as the Gambling Commission have looked to increase the protection of the user. This is fantastic news for the industry and all who use online betting sites but you need to be aware that you may have some small inconveniences when trying to open a new online betting site or if you are wanting to place large bets with a bookmaker. ID verification is very strict and sometimes you may be asked to send off copies of documents for ID and address verification.
Also if you are placing large bets and or making large deposits then online betting sites have a responsibility to ensure that you can afford to do so. You may be asked affordability checks such as showing your pay slips and or you may be asked for proof of funds for money laundering checks. Don’t take such requests personally, all licensed online bookies must follow these regulations or they can face huge fines.
Here are some common tips to help you with gambling responsibily online. For more information take a look at our detailed responsible gambling guide.
You will have seen this slogan used by online bookmakers frequently over recent years. It is trying to get across the serious point that if you aren’t enjoying gambling you should stop immediately. You can use a process of self evaluation to help you to understand if you have a gambling problem. There is a great tool at Gamcare.
If you do believe that you have a problem then there is always someone to talk to at begambleaware. They can offer great advice including helping you to self exclude. There is a valuable service called Gamstop which allows you to self exclude from all betting companies signed up to the program for a period of your choice. All UK licensed bookmakers listed on this site will be part of the GamStop programme. For this reason (and many others) you should never join betting sites not GamStop.
We strongly recommend that you record your gambling and set yourself limits. Only bet what you can afford to lose. Online betting sites have started to offer a number of tools to help you with this including
Using playing time notifications to remind you how long you have been gambling and when to stop is a useful tool and so is setting a specific loss amount you are happy with in advance.
Betfair is the biggest betting exchange, and the best alternative exchange to Betfair is Smarkets. Betfair will win most comparisons in terms of available events, markets and liquidity [Money available to bet]. That said, Smarkets are a very good alternative exchange site and we would recommend an account for you to explore if they work better for your type of betting activity. they are also good back up if your normal exchange was to go down for any time, and vice versa.
A Comparison between Betfair and Smarkets will show that Betfair are bigger than Smarkets if looking at the number of playing and paying customers they have. As the original online betting exchange Betfair have a distinct advantage in that respect. However, depending on what betting activity you undertake, Smarkets may be better for you. In any case, we would recommend that you have a Smarkets account, as back up for Betfair or any other exchange platform in case they go down and you are left in a position where your liabilities are higher than you would like them to be. A backup account will allow you to possibly recover your positon
The Betfair Exchange could potentially close or suspend an account for winning, but this would be very rare and most likely linked with suspicious gambling activity. Differently to online bookmakers the exchange takes a commission, so they do not mind you winning, as the more you win, the more they earn from you.
At the time of writing, and for as long as I can remember, the normal commission rate on the Betfair Exchange is 5% of all winnings on each market you bet. There is a higher commission rate known as the ‘premium charge’ but if you are reading this guide and asking the question, you do not have to worry about this higher rate at all.