Which is the Best Betting Exchange?

Back in 2000 betting exchanges were a novel and addictive method of betting. An alternative from the traditional bookmaker as they allow anyone to lay or back anything at all.

There are four online betting exchanges – Betfair, Betdaq, Matchbook and Smarkets. Betfair is assumed to be the market leader. Betdaq clams to have 7% of the market. Matchbook and Smarkets have a lesser share. This would suggest that Betfair is the best betting exchange?! It is certainly the most popular, however it isn’t without flaws.

Best Mobile Betting Takes a Quick Look at all four Betting Exchanges below:

Betfair
The first betting exchanges Betfair and Flutter.com merged back in 2001 (some say that Betfair took over Flutter.com). Betfair is the leading position in the betting exchange market. They charge the biggest rate of commission on all winning bets, charging somewhere between 5 and 7 percent of the net winnings for most markets.

Since 2008 they introduced a premium charge for wagerers whose winnings are particularly high compared to the amount of commission they pay. In 2011 they raised its Premium Charge to 60% for some customers. This is the main disadvantage of using this company over the smaller sharks.

New customers will be attracted by the free bet offer and existng customers can take advantage of a plethora of promotions, and have access to a plethora of great betting features that are becoming essential in this age.

Betdaq
Betdaq is the second largest betting exchange operator with approximately 7% market share. It was founded by Dermot Desmond in 2000 and since 2013 it has been owned by Ladbrokes plc. It is the second largest company in the UK and the largest betting exchange technology provider in the world. Like all companies they charge a commission on all winning bets, which is set at 2 percent of the net winnings for most markets; this can vary depending on the amount of commission that is paid.

This company does not have a premium charge like Betfair. One of the obvious reason to use them.

There is a new customer offer available and a range of promotions available to all customers.

Matchbook
Matchbook claims to have the lowest commission and the best odds. They are driven by cutting edge technology and a focus on offering value back to there customers. They only offer a few markets but are looking at ensure that they have critical mass along with the best price and liquidity offering in the industry.

The rate of commission works in the following way: there are two different commission rates, depending on whether you accept another user’s offer, or whether they accept your offer. If you accept an existing offer in a market the standard commission rate is 1.5%. If you post an offer, which another user then matches, the standard commission rate will be 0.75%.

Keeping their commission levels low will certainly attract new customers. Until the end of the year the are offering zero commission to new customers. There are also a few offers available for existing customers.

Smarkets
They allege that they allow you to back and lay with the best betting odds and lowest commission on all major sports and politics. They have small margins and industry – low 2% commission. It’ not as low as Matchbook’s but certainly much lower than Betfair’s. The website is visually attractive, quick to access and easy to navigate. They don’t appear to have any new customer offers or promotions to keep customers coming back for more.

Which is the Best Betting Exchange?

That’s a tough one. If you want low commiosn, are not bothered that at times there might be less liquidity in the markets then choose Smarkets or Matchbook. But if you need a plethora of betting features, plenty of liquidity, great odds, superb offers choose Betfair. Should you want to avoid the premium charge but still want liquidity and promos choose Betdaq.