Betting Exchange Sites

In recent years, punting on a betting exchange has become a very popular way to get top value on sports betting markets. Here, we’ll explain what the exchange is and highlight some of the best betting exchange sites available to UK bettors. Keep reading to find out more.

The top Bookies Betting Exchanges for 2025

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Kick off with a 140% up to £200 Bonus!

Players from United States accepted

4.5 / 5

200% up to $2000

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Players from United States accepted

The best betting exchange sites in the world

As the popularity of exchange betting increases, so too does the number of sites. There is such a thing as too much choice though, so how do you know which exchange betting sites are best? We review all of the top sites and only recommend the very best. Here’s the sites that top our list:

BetDaq

Introduced as a direct competitor to Betfair, it sets itself apart by charging a 2% commission compared to Betfair’s 5%.

The UK’s original and favourite betting exchange, which was launched in 2000. Bet on a huge range of sports quickly and easily.

Orbit was created by Betfair as a way to take their brand to the next level and offer their impressive odds and markets to even more countries.

The newest to be introduced in the UK, it takes tools from the financial market and applies them to sports betting.

What is trading betting exchange?

A betting exchange is a platform that allows the same opportunities as an online bookmaker, with some key differences.

The main difference between exchange betting sites and traditional bookies is that exchanges offer player vs player betting, as opposed to player vs bookmaker. This gives punters the opportunity to “back” or “lay” a particular bet for a sporting event.

When laying a selection, you are putting your own money on the line as a bookmaker would. So, if you lay a selection and lose, the money will be deducted from your account. Conversely, if you lay and win, you keep the stakes from players who backed a selection.

Another key difference is that betting exchange sites charge a commission to players and regular betting sites do not. This is essentially how they make their money, by facilitating the wager between players. The amount of commission varies between sites, so be sure to shop around for the best rates.

To help negate the cost of commission payments, the best betting exchange sites will offer higher odds than traditional bookmakers. This means you can generally get better value for your bets by using an exchange.

One of the big issues some bettors have with bookmakers is that they tend to restrict maximum bets. Betting exchange sites offer higher limits, which appeal more to high rollers and professional gamblers.

These particular differences make exchanges hugely popular with punters of specific sports, such as horse racing, where value is of the utmost importance.

Betting Exchange Guide: Key Concepts

If you’re new to betting exchange, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all of the information out there. In essence, there are a few key concepts that you can keep in mind that will help you to understand it. They are:

  • ‘Community’ betting – exchanges offer ‘Player vs Player’ betting. You are not up against a bookmaker, but against players who are betting against your selection.
  • Better odds and value – as we’ve mentioned, betting at an exchange generally offers better odds and value, increasing your returns.
  • Hedge your bets – betting exchange sites offer you a chance to hedge your bets. For instance, if you’re convinced one team will not win a game, you can lay the selection. Even if the game ends in a draw, your bet still wins.

These are the main reasons that more and more punters are jumping on the exchange bandwagon and leaving traditional bookmakers for their sports betting needs.

The differences compared to matched betting

Matched betting is a strategy used by punters which involves signing up for bookmaker websites and taking advantage of a welcome bonus. They then use the free bet bonus granted on sign up to place a bet and then place another bet to “lay” their original bet.

This essentially covers all possibilities and guarantees the bettor a win by offering the same “back” and “lay” options as exchanges. However, it’s important to note that it does not guarantee a profit. Be cautious of anybody offering you “risk free” betting as there’s simply no such thing.

The main difference between matched betting and exchange betting is that matched betting is playing against the traditional bookmaker, whereas exchanges give players the chance to bet against other players. 

The best bonuses for betting exchange

Because betting exchanges are essentially ‘Player vs Player’ betting platforms, promotions can be difficult to come by. So, if you’re looking to take advantage of lots of bonuses, exchanges probably aren’t the right place for you.

However, it’s not all bad news. Some betting exchange sites, such as Betfair, do sometimes offer promotions that grant free bets to be used on their platform.

The free bets can be used in exactly the same way as they are on regular sportsbooks. Simply add your selection to my your betslip and tap on the option that allows you to use your free bet balance. Then all you need to do is confirm to place your bet.

Free bets can also be used on lay bets. The value that is deducted from your bonus wallet is the liability of the bet, as it would be if you’d used cash.

Betting exchange strategies

When playing at exchange betting sites, there are certain strategies that you can adopt to enhance your betting experience. Some of the top betting exchange strategies that you can try out are:

  • Hedging – as the name suggests, this involves hedging your bets. You do this by backing a selection and waiting for the right opportunity to then lay it (or the other way around) to guarantee a profit.
  • Swing trading – this involves taking advantage of massive swings in markets by holding trades for hours or even days. In order to benefit, you need to do a lot of research to predict the market swing and when it will happen.
  • Lay the draw – the clue is in the name with this popular football exchange betting strategy. It involves first laying the draw and then waiting for the game to begin. Once a goal is scored, you then back the draw at increased odds to secure a profit regardless of the outcome.

Pros & Cons of betting exchange

As with all things, there are pros and cons to using a betting exchange for your sports bets. We’ll outline the key ones below:

Pros

Cons

FAQs

What is a “back” bet?

When you back a selection, you are betting on that particular outcome to occur. This is very similar to the type of bet you place at a traditional bookmaker site.

What is a “lay” bet?

When you lay a selection, you are betting on an outcome to not occur. Punters tend to find this easier than backing, especially in sports like horse racing.

Can I view odds in fractional form?

No. The way exchanges are set up, the odds are displayed in decimal form. So, if you’re going to place bets on an exchange, make sure you understand decimal odds.

Why do bets become unavailable?

Due to the dynamic nature of sports, you’ll sometimes see markets become unavailable. While you are trying to place your bet, somebody else may have already matched it ahead of you.

Can I cancel or change a bet?

No. Bets placed on a betting exchange are legally binding contracts and, once placed, they cannot be cancelled or edited.