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Why use a bookmaker?
Sports & Betting Markets | In-Play Betting |
Live Streaming | Customer Service |
App | Website |
Online Casino | Account Settings |
Banking Options | WhatsApp Channel |
Conclusion |
Take advantage of a special offer using the code COMMFREE for trading at 0% commission during your first 60 days. Ensure an initial minimum deposit of £10/€10 via Debit Card or Instant Banking. Full T&C’s apply .18+. BeGambleAware.org. #ad
Unlike traditional bookmakers, betting exchanges like Smarkets let you wager against fellow bettors. With no middleman to siphon off a portion, the odds here are generally more favorable than on bookmakers' platforms, which many see as a big plus. Instead, exchanges generate revenue through commissions, with Smarkets charging a minimal 2% on net winnings. If you experience a net loss, there's no commission to pay. This competitive rate was a primary draw, particularly when Betfair Exchange used to charge 5%. However, by October 2019, Betfair introduced its Betfair Rewards, giving bettors a choice of reduced 2% commission, but this came at a cost of missing out on some benefits.
At Smarkets, you'll encounter an array of sports and markets ripe for betting. While some bookmakers might boast a more extensive range, many won't find the offerings here lacking, with sports such as football, horse racing, American football, and more on the table. Additionally, indulge in a selection of ‘Current Affairs’ and ‘TV & Entertainment’ markets, where predictions range from the upcoming Governor of the Bank of England to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Even if the catalog isn't as expansive as some competitors, the enhanced odds provide more than enough incentive to place your wagers here.
Being an exchange, Smarkets allows both back and lay bets. A 'back bet' corresponds with your typical bookmaker’s bet, where you’re banking on an outcome to occur. Say, you’re backing Liverpool to topple Arsenal; a Liverpool win seals your victory, while a loss or draw counts as defeat. Conversely, a 'lay bet' on Liverpool, readily doable on Smarkets, wins for you if Arsenal wins or the match levels, losing only if Liverpool triumphs. Lay bets are essentially a wager on an event not occurring.
Embarking on 2019, Smarkets birthed SBK, a fixed-odds bookmaker boasting better odds than its peers. Exclusive to the SBK app, your account syncs perfectly with your Smarkets balance, facilitating seamless transfers across both fixed and exchange platforms. Explore more about SBK in our dedicated space. SBK Review and uncover details about how to redeem the SBK Welcome Offer .
Smarkets invites you to experience in-play betting across a spectrum of sports. Although broader arrays are available through bookmakers, the selection here remains substantial enough. Football enthusiasts, for instance, get to explore options from match winners to halftime/fulltime results, as well as goal scorers and handicaps. The in-play odds here notably overshadow those available on typical bookmaker platforms, updating rapidly to reflect the ebb and flow of user-placed bets.
In-play markets at Smarkets accommodate both back and lay bets just as you would pre-match, with back odds showcased in green boxes and lay odds in blue.
Though Smarkets doesn't stream live sporting events, it equips bettors with a treasury of in-play statistics—tracking possession, number of attacks, and shots on target among others. Visual representations further offer a snapshot of happenings, a valuable asset when deciding on your next wager. For instance, if your screen shows one team securing a corner, holding off a bet on the opposing team to score next may be wise.
Round-the-clock customer support is available at Smarkets through live chat, email, or their Twitter handle. Access to live chats is restricted to logged-in users yet operates all day, every day.
The Twitter account of Smarkets serves as a trusty current amidst occasional site issues. Updates are infrequent but well-communicated.
In our tests, live chat efficiently addressed our queries, with an email response mirrored our questions within the hour—a testament to their service quality.
For those holding a Smarkets account, downloading their app is non-negotiable. Instant access to your account and markets is just a touch ID away, opening opportunities to juxtapose bookmaker odds quickly and reveal the value in exchange betting.
Ease of navigation meets power in the Smarkets app, with all major sports intuitively anchored in the main menu and popular events brought to the fore on the homepage.
Freely downloadable, the Smarkets app caters to both Android and iOS users via respective app stores.
For those new to betting exchanges, the straightforward Smarkets website introduces some fresh concepts distinct from traditional bookmakers.
The design is akin to a regular bookmaker, displaying sports down the sidebar and populating the central space with featured events. A handy search function lies poised at the page's top, ready to find your event of interest.
Once you’ve zeroed in on an event, the variety of markets unfurls before you. The clear distinction between exchanges and bookmakers stands—the presence of lay bets. Observe the green boxes for back bets and blue for lay, each accompanied by current liquidity levels. Liquidity dictates available betting amounts at displayed odds, with unmatched or partially matched outcomes if your stakes exceed the liquidity.
Smarkets' website remains user-friendly for those equipped with knowledge on back, lay bets, and liquidity.
Similar to cash-out at a bookmaker, Smarkets offers ‘Trade Out’ options, with the caveat that concluded events finalize payouts, unlike the immediate returns you’d get with a bookmaker.
Navigate to the desired market, and a click of the ‘Trade Out’ button disengages your bets. With several contacts on a market, trading out impacts all, though partial trades are possible if you prefer.
For now, Smarkets dedicates itself purely to operating as a betting exchange and doesn’t branch into online casinos or additional betting items.
Smarkets offers various deposit & withdrawal methods—cards, e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller adding to the versatility.
Tables below list comprehensive deposit & withdrawal options detailing their limits and timelines.
New Smarkets patrons eyeing the welcome offer should opt for card or bank transfer payments exclusively.
Deposits
Payment option | Fee | Time | Limits (£ / €) |
Visa debit card | Free | Instant | £/€ 10 minimum |
Solo / Maestro card | Free | Instant | £/€ 10 minimum |
Visa credit card | Free | Instant | £/€ 10 minimum |
MasterCard / Eurocard | Free | Instant | £/€ 10 minimum |
Neteller | Free | Instant | £/€ 10 min / £/€ 5k daily max |
Skrill | Free | Instant | £/€ 10 min / £/€ 5k daily max |
Bank Transfer | Free | Instant* | £/€ 20 minimum |
Trustly | Free | Instant | £/€ 40 minimum |
PayPal | Free | Instant | £/€ 20 minimum / £/€ 200 daily max |
Withdrawals
Payment option | Fee | Time | Limits |
Visa debit card | Free | 1-6 business days | £/€ 10 minimum |
Solo / Maestro card | Free | 1-6 business days | £/€ 10 minimum. |
Visa credit card | Free | 1-6 business days | £/€ 10 minimum |
MasterCard / Eurocard | Free | 1-6 business days | £/€ 10 minimum. |
Neteller | Free | 1-2 business days | £/€ 10 minimum |
Skrill | Free | 1-2 business days | £/€ 10 minimum |
Bank Transfer | Free** | 1-2 business days ** | £/€20 minimum |
Trustly | Free | 1-2 business days | £/€ 40 minimum |
PayPal | Free | 1-2 business days | £/€ 10 minimum / £/€ 5.5k max |
Languages: Available in English, Portuguese, and Swedish, Smarkets welcomes users to choose their preferred language via the top right corner’s drop-down.
Odds Formatt: On Smarkets, explore odds in Decimal, American, or Percentage formats. While many bettors are acquainted with decimal and American, percentage odds might appear novel. This reflects potential winning chances for market outcomes.
Smarketspresents returns automatically upon stake entry, irrespective of odds format preference. For percentage format users seeking manual calculation, apply this formula.
(100 / percentage) * stake = return (inclusive of stake)
Adjust odds format by clicking ‘Settings’, then ‘Odds’.
Theme: Smarkets adds a personal touch, providing theme selections for the site. With both dark and light themes ready for choosing under ‘Settings’ and then ‘Theme’.
Responsible Gambling: Smarkets ensures bettors remain in command with a selection of management tools.
Deposit Limits: Users can stipulate daily, weekly, or monthly deposit constraints on their Smarkets account.
Loss Limits: Set these restrictions to cap loses within daily, weekly, or monthly brackets.
Stake Limits: You can define the maximum amount you're willing to wager in a single bet each time you play, putting you in control of your spending.
Time Out: If you feel the need for a pause from the gaming action at Smarkets, you have the option to take a short break. You can temporarily step away for periods such as a day, a week, a month, or even up to 42 days. During this hiatus, access to betting and site features will be restricted.
Self Exclusion: For those requiring a more prolonged absence, self-exclusion allows you to take an extended break. You can choose to disconnect for durations like six months, a year, or even five years.
Smarkets stands out as a superb platform in the realm of betting exchanges. Although the Betfair Exchange has recently allowed users to adjust their commission rates to rival Smarkets, having multiple accounts across different exchanges often benefits punters, as it presents opportunities to secure the best odds available. Smarkets vs Betfair The ongoing debate about the best betting exchange persists, but Smarkets attracts a growing number of users due to its minimal commission fees and top-notch interface.
With a tempting welcome offer on Smarkets, registering becomes hard to resist. Plus, the frequent chance of finding more favorable odds here compared to standard bookmakers adds a significant perk.
Hit the button below to set up your Smarkets account today.
Take advantage of a special offer using the code COMMFREE for trading at 0% commission during your first 60 days. Ensure an initial minimum deposit of £10/€10 via Debit Card or Instant Banking. Full T&C’s apply .18+. BeGambleAware.org. #ad
Why use a bookmaker?