Sports betting exchanges

If you are one of them, find out everything you need to know about these unique betting sites in this betting exchange guide from BetZillion.

Complete list of betting sites

The global market of betting sites offers many interesting options. Whether you use Paddy Power or Bet365, the odds are good, the markets are even better and you can compare the bookmakers' features online to find the one you bet the most on.

However, before signing up with a regular bookmaker, we highly recommend visiting the online betting exchange. Although some stock speculators may initially find them too confusing, we can confirm that betting exchanges offer a new level of excitement that bookmakers cannot compete with.

Popular in the UK and US, betting exchanges such as Betfair offer some of the best odds for certain sports such as horse racing. They offer systems, handicaps and other types of betting, but this time without the bookmaker's toupee.

With dozens of excellent online betting sites, it can be difficult to choose the right one. That is why we have compiled a list of all betting sites below.

Betfair

Betfair operates the largest betting site in the world. It is based in London and is also one of the oldest betting sites on the Internet. Betfair was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2010 as a £1 billion company.

Smarkets

Smarkets is a UK-based sports betting site that promises fantastic odds with the lowest possible commissions. It has offices in London, Los Angeles and Malta and covers a large share of the sports betting market.

Betdaq

Registered in Alderney, Betdaq is also a bookmaker and betting site. It also offers virtualisation and a casino that uniquely combines all gambling services in an easy-to-use package.

Matchbox

Simply called Matchbook, it is one of the most popular betting exchange trading sites. Matchbook promises great liquidity and high value, and is an excellent exchange.

BetVictor

One of the few independent bookmakers on the market also has an exchange. BetVictor was founded in 1946 and is based in Gibraltar. Over the years it has become one of the most successful exchanges on the Internet.

Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes is a big name in sports betting. It is also one of the best betting sites on the stock market and offers great opportunities for football, horse racing, spread betting and more.

Betting site offers

While betting exchanges differ from bookmakers in some respects, they are completely identical in others. For example, the bonuses and promotions are always the same and may even be bigger. With regard to the types of rewards offered, it is possible to obtain rewards such as welcome bonuses, deposit and no-deposit offers as well as free bets.

New betting exchange sites may add price increases and special offers to this collection. It all depends on what the betting exchange sees fit. One thing is certain: if you choose a bookmaker exchange, you will not miss out on any great bonus offers.

Welcome bonuses

The welcome bonus is the most common type at online gambling sites. You will find it in online casinos, bookmakers and betting sites. In most cases, a first deposit bonus will cover it in full. For example, if you deposit EUR 50 or more, you can receive a bonus of EUR 50.

To receive this bonus, you must cover the minimum qualifying deposit. This can be £10 or £20. You should check the terms and conditions to see what the site requires. A 100% first deposit bonus offers you such a high sum that you will start wagering with twice as much money.

Remember that this is not a free bonus. You will have to wager a certain number of times, as stated in the wagering requirements. The lower this number is, the easier it is to keep the winnings from the welcome bonus.

Free bets

Free bets are the favourite bonus for bettors. You will find them at bookmakers and all betting exchanges. It is a great way to attract new customers and make existing stock speculators happy. Although these bonuses are usually not as big as deposit bonuses, a dozen free bets is always better than any other bonus when they have no wagering requirements.

Many of these features make them favourites in the eyes of stock speculators. However, before requesting a free bet on a sports betting site, it is a good idea to read the GTC.

How do betting exchanges work?

This is the million dollar question. There is some confusion among bettors about the differences between bookmakers and betting exchanges. Although they are similar, the main differences lie under the bonnet.

The biggest difference is the way they make money. When you bet with online bookmakers, you are betting against the house. In essence, stock market speculators can bet on the results of any sports match at online bookmakers. The bookmakers place the bet and offer to refund the money if the customer wins.

On online betting exchange sites, the situation is different. Exchanges do not place bets directly. Instead, they allow customers to bet with each other and cash out. One could say that in betting exchange one bets against other players rather than against the bookmaker. The commission is much lower and is a percentage of the estimated winnings.

In terms of odds, exchanges are much better than bookmakers. In these places, it is the bettors who control the odds, rather than the bookmaker. It is a free market and the odds of winning depend on the number of bets placed. Bettors get a much better value, which is what makes betting exchanges so popular.

The betting process is largely the same. Today, it is very easy to place a bet on betting exchanges. If you have been betting on online bookmakers, you should have no problem doing the same with an exchange.

What is a betting exchange?

As already mentioned, betting exchange sites are similar to bookmakers, with one notable difference: players bet against others instead of against the bookmaker. If this is your first time participating in an exchange, you should learn more about back bets and odds .

Back bets

A back bet is a sports bet where you bet on a specific outcome. For example, you can bet that Manchester City will win the Manchester derby at home. A back bet is placed against another bettor who bets on a different result in the same match.

It is different from a standard bet in sports betting, where one bets on an outcome against the bookmaker. For this, betting sites charge a small commission, usually 5% of the estimated winnings.

Moving

Moving a bet is the exact opposite of backing a bet. Shifting is a reverse bet, in which you bet against a specific outcome. For example, a typical bet is that Manchester City does not win the Manchester derby. In this case, you win the lay bet if Manchester United wins the match or draws.

In other words, you win the lay bet in the sports betting market if your team does not win the match.

Appropriate bets

Pari-mutuel betting is very popular nowadays, as many consider it a sure way to win. This technique usually involves placing free bets and one back bonuses and placing bets on different betting markets. In this way, you cover all the results of a single game and receive a guaranteed payout in return.

Although this sounds like a scam by bookmakers, it is a legitimate option used by many stock market speculators. Bookmakers and betting exchanges cannot prevent this, so you can use it as you wish. Remember that, since all results are covered, you should not expect large returns on your investment. You can still make a profit, albeit a smaller one.

Commission rate

The commission rate is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) difference between bookmakers and betting sites. Betfair only charges 5% on winnings, whereas Smarkets, Betdaq and Matchbook charge 2%. This figure is significantly lower than that charged by bookmakers and explains why the exchange has better odds in most sports.

The liquidity of betting exchange sites

Liquidity on betting exchange sites is a term that describes the maximum amount of money that you, as a bettor, can place on a given market. Put simply, your bets on exchanges cannot exceed a certain amount. Each bet can only be offset to the extent that it is sufficient to cover the opposite result.

In-play trading and live betting

In-play trading and live betting are permitted on Wet exchange trading sites. This is a very popular activity, as players like to use their own money to play. Of course, on live markets you have to act quickly, but the odds are much higher if you play your bets right.

Betting market trading tips and strategies

There are many tricks experts can speak of on betting exchanges that should maximise your winnings. The first is that of pari-mutuel betting. Whenever you have a free bet or a bonus, you should try pari-mutuel betting, as it increases your chances of winning at least something.

Our experts believe that the best betting exchange strategy is to back the favourites and underdogs and then bet on them. This is because the odds of winning decrease as the match approaches. Before this happens, a bettor should place a bet on a favourite or an underdog in a match a week from now. As soon as the odds are no longer so favourable, another bet follows. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can pay off with a little luck.

How to choose the best betting exchange sites?

Choosing the best betting exchange sites can be a challenge nowadays. The market is full of options and stock speculators are confused as to which one to choose.

Here at BetZillion we have the largest list of betting sites in the industry and we explain how to choose the exchange that best suits your needs and desires.

safe and secure

The first thing to check about betting sites is the licence. A good betting site is licensed by the highest authorities, such as the UKGC. It also requires a valid SSL certificate and other security measures to ensure that your data and money are not stolen or sold to the highest bidder.

Legal

As we have already mentioned, you should only consult authorised betting sites. It is generally accepted that the ones we have are the best in the industry, with sports licences issued by the UKGC and others.

The best odds on the market

You should not bother looking at exchanges if their odds are not among the best. This is not the case with Smarkets, Betdaq or Betfair, so it is best to rely on the big guns.

Convenient payment options

The best online betting sites should offer convenient and fast payment options. These should include bank transfers, e-wallets and prepaid vouchers suitable for all types of players.

Reviews of betting exchange sites

Reading our betting site reviews can give you a perfect idea of what you can expect. We leave no stone unturned in our reviews, allowing you to compare the features of many sites and see what each one has to offer.

Are betting exchange sites worth using?

To quickly answer the question, yes. Betting sites have much better odds and using a win calculator should tell you the same thing. If you apply betting strategies and play responsibly, betting exchange sites can be more profitable than online bookmakers.

Advantages of betting exchange

• Much better odds compared to sports betting
• Live betting is even more exciting
• Suitable bets are built for exchanges

Disadvantages of exchange betting

• Sometimes your bet may not be matched
• Some markets may not have liquidity

Exchange betting for sports betting

The betting exchange comparison tool allows you to find out more about the different exchanges. But how do they compare to sports betting? Certainly the odds are better, and this is a big advantage of the exchange over the web bookmakers. The software is usually the same, so it is easy to use, even for those new to the exciting world of betting.

Commissions are also lower on betting sites, and you should think about this before you start betting. Of course, bookmakers have more markets, but the odds should be lower for most of them.

Betting exchanges are better, so there is no reason not to try them if you know how to bet online.

Overview of betting exchanges

Betting exchanges are a great way to get more value from your bets. As many beginners think, they are not complicated and can even be more fun to bet with than online bookmakers. Here are some interesting facts about them, which may encourage you to try this exciting way of betting.

• When choosing a betting site, look for the licence, the value of the odds and the operations that offer live betting and early payouts;
• The best betting sites in 2023 are Smarkets, Betfair and Betdaq;
• Betting sites accept a wide variety of payment methods, the most convenient being e-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill and PayPal;
• The most popular sports on trading sites are football, horse racing, basketball, cricket and tennis.

Playing responsibly

Before placing bets on betting sites, it is important to remember to do so responsibly. This means betting with a cool head and not letting your emotions take over. Start small, manage your bankroll and do not chase losses.

If you think you are addicted to gambling, contact the customer service department of a betting site.

The bottom line

Our guide to explaining betting exchange should be suitable for enough players to understand how betting exchange takes place. It is a different, but valid way of betting on online sports with a higher chance of winning due to low commissions.

If you are looking for the best online betting sites, BetZillion has them all. Choose an exchange site from our list and you are sure to get a safe betting option.